Chicago Thunder Hockey Book 3: Defensive Zone by Jodi Oliver

 

Chicago Thunder Hockey Book 3

Zach

Since I was six years old, my world has revolved around two things: Carter Lockwood and hockey.

We made a pact in college before we turned pro to always put each other first. To make each other our priority, but being in love with your straight best friend can make that hard, especially when you have to watch them fall in love with someone else.

I don’t want to break my best friend's heart to save my own, but I need to put some space between us to save our friendship.

Only this time, it’s not just the defensive zone I’m protecting, but also my heart.

Carter

From the moment I met Zach Reid, we were inseparable.

Nobody really understands why I always wanted to be with him. Our relationship is what some people call codependent, but he’s been my favorite person for over two decades, and life is always calmer when he’s around.

But something changed between us over the summer, and I started to see him in a different way.

Then the pact we made in college started to fall apart, along with my football career.

I don’t know what happened or how to make it right, but there’s one thing I know for certain.

I’m lost without him.

Defensive Zone is a childhood best friends to lovers sports romance featuring a hockey player and football player. It includes unrequited love, a bi-awakening, mutual pining and all the Thunder found family vibes.

It is book three in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202036700-defensive-zone

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Zach and Carter have been best friends since they were six years old. They’ve been inseparable since then and even when they are apart because of their careers as pro athletes, they find a way to see one another and they talk all the time. But there is a small problem. Zach has been in love with Carter since they were ten. He may have not realized what he was feeling at that age, but once he was old enough to realize it, well he knew he was in trouble. Throughout the years Zach has promised himself that he would do what he could to protect his heart. Trying to create some distance to no avail. But this is the summer he finally can’t do it. Not when he sees Carter meet someone new and believe that she could be the one. It’s time to break away. And he does it. He keeps his distance even when it hurts and especially when Carter looks at him like he broke his heart as well. Meanwhile, Carter has no clue what Zach feels for him. He is oblivious and in the dark. But things have been stirring in him for a long time when it comes to Zach. Something he just seem to get a name on. And things are about to change. Because with Zach suddenly avoiding him, Carter’s heart is breaking. It’s only a matter of time until Carter can finally open his eyes and see what has been right in front of him the whole time. I adored Carter and Zach. It was clear from the beginning that these two are soulmates. It was just getting Carter to catch up on he knew deep down. Because once they finally get everything out in the open, it’s a big moment of oh, we’ve could have been doing this the whole time. I loved their deep meaningful friendship and seeing how it bloomed into something more. A happy ending for all despite the bumps along the way. We get such great characters in this series and I cannot wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.