Darby U Hockey Boys Book 3: Off Sides by Andi Jaxon

 

Darby U Hockey Boys Book 3

The captain of the hockey team has a lot of responsibilities but when it’s just us, all he wants is to be my good boy.

Senior year should have been the same as the previous years: football, hook ups, and homework.

But after the season ended, somehow, Joey Carpenter happened.

He’s weaseled his way under my skin. Into my heart.

The strong, intimidating, hockey player melts so beautifully for me and I’m addicted.

He pretends like he doesn’t need anyone, but I see him.

See what he really needs.

The longing to be cared for is there in his eyes.

I desperately want to give it to him.

If I’m being honest with myself, I need to matter.

I need to save him.

Save him from himself.

Save him from his family.

Will I be able to convince him that he deserves to be loved without conditions or will they leave him ragged and broken?

Off SIdes is a one night stand to lovers, hockey, romance with daddy vibes and angst. To check trigger warnings, please check my website.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205290989-off-sides

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

That first peek of Joey and Nick from the Worthy anthology was most definitely not enough! So I was super glad when it was announced that they would be getting their own book. And the wait has been worth it! These two sweet guys needed one another and a happily ever after that is much deserved after all they have been through. Joey hasn’t had a break in a long time. When his dad died, he found himself raising his siblings when their mom checked out and was never around. And for everything that went wrong, she was quick to blame Joey. He has been living with a weight on his shoulders that seemed to get heavier and heavier as the years passed. He eventually managed to get to go to college and is about to graduate at age 25, but even the bit of distance didn’t mean the problems ended. Add in school work and hockey and being captain of the hockey team, his social life and just time for himself is nonexistent. And the pressure continues to build when he has no one to turn to. He doesn’t know how to ask for help. But things are about to change. Or at least try to. What he hoped to be an anonymous hookup turns into something more when he runs into Nick on campus the next day. And neither can fully keep away from the other. No matter how much Joey may try to. Nick knew the moment he met Joey that things were different. Is he terrified to let someone in after some past trauma? Yes, but he wants to be there for Joey. He wants something with Joey. In whatever shape or form that is. He’ll do his best to fight for it but hopes to be what Joey needs just as much as Joey being what Nick needs. So much hurt and comfort in this story. These two just need one another to hold on to and not let go. Their happy ending is hard earned as the two try to let go of fears and try to stand up to the pressure that has been on them. I adored this story! Nick and Joey’s chemistry was fantastic. And like I said, I was super happy to get a full story for them. They’ll make you laugh and cry. And we of course get glimpses of characters from the previous books. Definitely don’t want to miss this latest story in the series! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.