Elmwood Stories Book 1: You, Again by Lane Hayes

 

Elmwood Stories Book 1

The hometown hockey hero and his best friend's brother...

Vinnie

Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. I’ve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now it’s over, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.

So I'm going home to Elmwood.

But I’ll tell you what I’m not gonna do—I’m not going to coach my buddy’s junior hockey league. No chance. I don’t know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coach—who happens to be my best friend’s brother—hates me. With reason.

That may be old news, yet something tells me we’re going to have to deal with the past.

And that's almost as scary as coaching teens.

Nolan

No, I don’t hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.

He’s cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeah…after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. But I’m a responsible adult now. I run my family’s business, and with the help of my ex, I’ve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.

So maybe my life isn't particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isn’t the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.

And I’m not coaching with him. No way.

Ugh…

I can’t believe I’m doing this again.

You, Again is an MM bisexual, best friend’s brother, frenemies to lovers romance featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/164607662-you-again

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

The end of Vinnie’s hockey career has arrived. He’s set in his decision and is glad to go out on his own terms. He doesn’t know what he wants to do next exactly, but he knows where to start. Home. Back to Elmwood. Where his best friend lives… and his best friend’s brother, Nolan. Nolan, who he has a lot to make up. If Nolan will even give him a chance. Because for Vinnie, he’ll never forget the summer before he left for college where his feelings for Nolan had changed into something so much more than he ever expected and for a night that changed everything. And scared him so much, he left and didn’t look back. Over the years, he wanted to reach out but could never bring himself to do it. And when he sees Nolan again, all those feelings come rushing back. And he’s no longer the scared kid he once was. Nolan has always loved Vinnie, but has learned to move on during the years. He doesn’t hate Vinnie like everyone assumes. He just needs to give Vinnie a bit of wake up call of what it was like when he left and what he left behind when it came to his family. And though Nolan wants to resist and protect his heart, he knows he is in trouble the moment he sees Vinnie again. Especially when Vinnie looks at him like he is everything. I adored these two! They finally get a chance to be together after so many years apart and no one knows them like they know one another. Such a sweet and fun story! Looking forward to picking up book two.