Elmwood Stories Book 2: Next Season by Lane Hayes

 

Elmwood Stories Book 2

The injured hockey player and the grumpy chef…

Riley

My time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.

Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion. It’s a doozy too—the kind that’s going to keep me off skates for a while.

Which is how I end up in a small New England town in the middle of nowhere Vermont, eating every meal at a diner where a grumpy chef from Quebec makes haute cuisine…and burgers. Jean-Claude is funny and charming and—

Okay, I have a crush on a gay man.

This is a new one.

Jean-Claude

Confused straight men are entertaining. But Riley is…fascinating, sexy, and curiously vulnerable. His injury has rocked his confidence a bit, so perhaps he’s in need of a friend. Any friend. Even moi .

I’m an unlikely choice, but maybe he just likes my tuna salad.

No…I think it’s me.

And though I’m happy to help him explore his bisexual curious side, I have career concerns of my own. See, the things I love most about Elmwood seem shaky and uncertain, but not Riley. He’s solid and genuine. Suddenly, this temporary secret liaison feels more real than anything in my life.

I need more than this season. I want it all. With Riley.

Next Season is an MM bisexual-awakening romance featuring a grumpy chef, an injured hockey player, and a big HEA in a small town where anything can happen.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198114738-next-season

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Riley isn’t ready to be done with hockey yet. But sometimes your body gives you no choice. And when a terrible concussion does a lot more damage than Riley expected, he has no choice but step back, rest, and heal. Rumors are spiraling that this is the end of his NHL career. He’s at that age of retirement, his body isn’t what it used to be, and with this bad of an injury this could be the end. But Riley will do what it takes to come back. To be the one to call it quits when he is ready. So to do so, he’ll follow the doctors’ orders. And that brings him to Elmwood, where his friend Vinnie lives. What he never expects in Elmwood is developing a crush on the grumpy chef in town, JC. But here is Riley, discovering a part of himself that he never really knew about and that comes alive whenever he is around JC. And it turns out to be quite easy to fall for someone when it is the right person. For JC, he’s been in Elmwood for quite a while now and the dating pool isn’t exactly large. And when Riley comes to town, he isn’t immune to Riley’s good looks and how easy it is for them to talk. But Riley’s straight…right? Next thing JC knows, he is hooking up with Riley and every day they get closer to Riley healing and heading back to Seattle. JC doesn’t want to admit he has feelings but he knows the truth deep down. These two were two cute! I love JC and when he would slip into French. He’s such a fun guy and brings out a new side of a shy Riley. And JC has finally found someone in Riley who he really adores and always keeps him on his toes. This was another fun book in this series!