SCU Hockey Book 2: Save the Game by JJ Mulder

 

SCU Hockey Book 2

After a traumatizing event and rough sophomore year, Max Kuemper does his best to keep his head down and not draw attention to himself. School and hockey are the only two things he can handle; it’s all he can do to keep himself afloat. He wants to forget about what happened to him and bring the secret to his grave.

Confident and flirty Luke Kelly likes to play the field—dating as well as baseball. When he meets Max during a night shift at work, he takes an instant liking to him, despite the other man’s reserved exterior and shy personality.

But secrets have a way of coming to light, and both Max and Luke will have to come to terms with what that means for their relationship.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215588153-save-the-game

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

This book hit me right in the heart. That first opening chapter is a heart breaker. Max has been through something pretty awful. And since then he has been doing his best to be invisible. His focus is on school and hockey. The only things that truly keep him afloat in this new reality. But then he meets Luke late one night in a diner. Luke is friendly and flirty and makes Max smile. Something he can’t say he has done much lately. He doesn’t want to be afraid to live anymore but he knows that he still has a lot to work through. Because how can he hope to have a relationship when he is still traumatized by being drugged and raped? Something he can’t even remember because of the drugs that were forced into his system? He hopes Luke never learns what happens to him but secrets have a way of coming to the surface. And they’ll have to come to terms to what that means for their relationship and future. Like I said this was a heartbreaker for me. Max deserves all the happiness and not to deal with what happened to him. I also adored Luke. Who was sweet and kind and so protective of Max. Even before finding out what happened. And when he does, he realizes how important Max has become to him in such a short time. And how he isn’t going to let him go. And for a guy who was known to to chase the fun and move along soon after, it’s a big deal. Because Max makes him want to try. He makes him want to stay. Their connection was so sweet and I loved how they fell for one another. Great story all around! I just couldn’t put it down. And I’m looking forward to the next one!