The Games We Play Book 4: On Thin Ice by Denver Shaw

 

The Games We Play Book 4

As captain of the LA Grizzlies, Ryan ‘Ry’ Bennett’s life is all about hockey and pushing himself to the limit. A future in the major leagues would fulfill his life-long dream, but at 32, it seems like a far-off goal, especially as he watches younger, more promising players earn their chance.

Then he skates into Ry’s life.

Twenty-two year-old Alexander ‘Xander’ Harrison, a ray of sunshine, turns Ry’s world upside down. From their first clash at training camp to the late-night conversations that reveal the man beneath the surface, Ry finds himself drawn to Xander in ways he can't explain. Xander’s everything Ry’s not - carefree, optimistic, and unapologetically himself.

Ry never thought he'd find love, especially with a man. But Xander shows him that love doesn't care about expectations or pasts.

It just is.

When a league shake-up threatens to tear them apart, Ry knows he can't let go without a fight. Because in the end, love isn't about the games we play. It's about the person we choose to stand with, no matter what.

What to dual first person pov, slow burn, double bi-awakening, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, found family and a guaranteed HEA.

The Games We Play is a multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212109414-on-thin-ice

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Ry and Xander can’t help but clash when they are on the ice. Xander just has a way of getting under Ry’s skin. All Ry wants is that chance to play in the majors for good. He just needs to keep focusing and work hard and ignore Xander. But things get complicated when Xander is traded to his team. Their coach may think that they can turn their rivalry into something brilliant when on the same team. But Ry isn’t so sure. But there is something about Xander that Ry can’t shake. His sunshine personality has a way of thawing the gruffness of Ry. Xander wants to show Ry that they can be a great team. He just needs to give Xander a chance to prove it. Little by little he knocks Ry’s walls down and is surprised by how alike and how well they can get along when their guard is down. And then suddenly, the two of them are feeling something way more than rivalry and their new budding friendship. Instead, they are falling in love and realizing just how important they have become to one another. But can they keep their relationships and their dreams of playing the majors one day? These two were just so fun. I loved their rivalry and the sunshine vs. grump vibe they had going on. Ry is so used to being serious, he has forgotten how to have fun until Xander comes charging into his life. And Xander has never felt an attraction to someone before or just someone caring so much for him, but with Ry, he can feel the love once they let their guards down. They bring out the best in one another and they were just so sweet! I loved watching them fall in love and fight their future together. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.