The Games We Play Season 2 Book 6: Snapping the Ice by Christie Gordon

 

The Games We Play Season 2

I came for the contract. I stayed for a man who makes me disregard every rule I’ve ever known.

Lucas Hopkins

I’ve given everything to hockey — skipped college, left friends behind, all for a shot at the pros and a spot next to my brother. The contract is within reach. No distractions.

Then the PR team announces a shirtless calendar shoot to drum up buzz.

I expect awkward poses and fake smiles.

Instead, I find him.

Ezra Turner, all broody eyes and soft lips, moves behind the camera like poetry. His rare smile hits me harder than any check on the ice.

I’ve never been attracted to guys. That’s my brother’s story, not mine.

But maybe this isn’t about labels.

Maybe it’s about him. About us.

Ezra Turner

I’ve learned to keep my heart locked tight.

A crumbling relationship and years of scars have taught me that lesson well.

Then Lucas Hopkins barrels into my life — all cocky charm and surprising tenderness. He wants to protect me, but it’s his own heart on the line. I see it every time he looks at me.

He’s fighting something raw and real.

And I don’t know if I’m brave enough to fall for someone who’s still questioning.

But maybe this kind of love is worth the shot.

Snapping the Ice is a book in the multi-author, Games We Play hockey series (season two) and has ties to the Desert Ice Hockey series. It features a bi-sexual awakening, found hockey family, some forced proximity and a broken man clawing his way to happiness.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233997114-snapping-the-ice

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Lucas’s passion has always been hockey. He comes from a legacy of them, including his older brother. And one day he hopes he can go to the next level and play in the pros. He knows the day is coming soon but until then, he’ll continue to work hard. No distractions that will take him away from his game. That is, until his eyes catch Ezra. First off, Lucas never thought he would have feelings for a man. No one has turned his head the way Ezra has leading him to question a lot about himself. And when he witnesses the man Ezra is currently seeing as an abusive boyfriend, he can’t help but step in to make sure Ezra is alright. Ezra is at the end of a very terrible relationship. When his boyfriend crosses a line, he knows it’s time to end it. Especially when Lucas surprises him by actually sticking up for him and protecting him. No one has done that for him before. And the fact that at this point, Lucas is basically a stranger, it says a lot. With a dose of courage, he gets away from his ex. But it isn’t without complications. Especially when his ex refuses to leave him alone. Lucas becomes a friend and a protector. Then when they start to really learn about one another and decide to explore this physical attraction between them. It becomes so much more than either could have ever imagined. A lot of obstacles may stand in their way, but they’ll face them together. I really enjoyed Lucas and Ezra’s story! Ezra deserved so much more than he was getting in life and he found someone who actually respected who he was and cared and just wanted him to be happy rather than controlling him. Lucas could not have been a more perfect fit for Ezra. And I loved that Lucas let himself explore this new side to him. He knew Ezra was special and rather than run from it, he dove right in. A great story in this series! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.