The baker, the grumpy lumberjack, and a new dad journeyโฆ
DEXTER
The donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag football program. Now Iโm ready to take on a new challengeโparenthood. See, Iโve always wanted to be a dad and itโs finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. Itโs quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.
One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjackโฆwho ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?
Yeahโฆthis will be interesting.
VIGGO
Iโm a logger. I like wood. Thatโs it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?
Unfortunately, I canโt ignore the handsome donut manโs new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.
Look, I donโt want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means Iโll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.
It doesnโt mean I like Dexter. Heโs accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, andโ
Okay, fine.
Maybe I like him too much.
Sweet Something is an MM bisexual, grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring Wood Hollowโs hottest baker and the grumpy lumberjack with a big heart.
I can’t decide who I love more – Dexter or Viggo. Dexter’s brightness and tendency to run at the mouth when nervous or excited and his ability to get Viggo to step out of his comfort zone – wonderful. But the way that Viggo opens up as he spends more and more time with Dex is just so sweet. Together they are fun and funny and touching.
Dex’s eagerness (and worry) for becoming a dad is just as vivid as he is. He’s going to love that baby with everything he has, providing it with everything he wanted but didn’t have growing up – unconditional love and attention. And that enthusiasm is infectious and draws in Viggo, and the reader, as well. Viggo who usually prefers spending his time alone but soon finds himself drawn into Dex’s life and life in their small town, participating in flag football and socializing *shudder* ๐ And even worse, enjoying himself.
Dexter & Viggo together are just the best. A grumpy/sunshine kinda vibe but with a little trauma thrown in. Like with This Guy, their story is very low angst with the only conflict coming from each of them facing ghosts from their pasts and having to decide if they are willing to risk the chance of getting hurt. And, as with any of Hayes’s books, I was there for every moment leading up to their HEA. (That epilogue is absolute sweetness on the page.)
Can you believe this? Havertonโs football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and heโs sellingโwait for itโpizza bagels. The nerve!ย
And Rob Vilmer isnโt above using his fame to attract clients. Itโs annoying and yes, Iโm feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza-bagel war? This is a first.ย
Iโm gonna crush him.ย
ROB
After years of playing in the pros, Iโm beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. Iโd love some peace and quiet too, however, I wonโt be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door.ย
Geez, I canโt believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, heโs still incredibly good-looking, but heโs a grouch. And while I like my business partnerโs idea of settling our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I canโt be in the same room without fireworks exploding.ย
Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem.ย
Or is all truly fair in love and pizzaโฆand bagels?
Allโs Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for.ย
*A portion of All’s Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in length to over 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans!ย
โWhoa. Wait up.โ I held my hand like a stop sign and stepped into his space. Bad move. I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes now, and that was weird. I was six oneโnot exactly a small dude, but that asshole had sprouted at least another two inches since college. Iโd bet he was six foot six. And yes, he was an asshole. I hadnโt thought so until a minute ago, but nowโฆ โYou canโt sell pizza bagels next to a pizza parlor.โ
โI canโt?โย
โNo, you canโt. Itโs brand assimilation or something. Itโs illegal.โย
โIllegal?โ he scoffed. โI donโt think so, Mateo. Bagels are bagels, pizza is pizza. But I was only kidโโ
โYeah, but a pizza bagel is a piece of dough thatโs dressed up to look like something it isnโt. Itโs shady advertising, not to mention blatant customer poaching. Sell all the bagels you want, but donโt sell pizza bagels. Thatโs a great way to get off to a rotten start. You know what Iโm saying?โย
Rob regarded me for a long moment. โAre you threatening me?โ
โThreaten is a strong word. Iโm suggesting you do the right thing.โ
โOr what?โย
I snort-laughed in my most derisive, supremely irritating fashion. It was the kind of insincere and dismissive gesture that had pissed off opponents on the field years ago and still probably got under my cousinsโ skin. Nothing to brag about, but heyโฆIโd learned how to play with the big kids early. Rule number one: Never show fear. Rule number two: Never back down or give someone else the upper hand.ย
โI โspose youโll find out.โ I turned on my heels, tray clenched to my chest as I sauntered next door.
Yeah, yeah. Look, maybe Rob wasnโt the enemy. Maybe it was a quirky act of fate that heโd happened to lease the property next to mine. The one I wanted.
Fortune had shined upon him and that was nice and all, but Boardwalk Pizza was an institution in this town. We were the experts, we were the ones with decades of experience, and we werenโt going anywhere.ย
So Rob could shove his goddamn pizza bagel up his ass.
*****
Review:
I love Lane Hayes’s books. Her name on the cover makes it an automatic read for me but honestly I struggled a little at the beginning of this one. It’s set up as an enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers story but I just didn’t get why Mateo was so antagonistic to Rob from the beginning. I had faith tho and kept going and I’m glad I did. Once I got a little further, I loved the two of them together, and individually, and it made for lighthearted fun.
Teo is all sorts of prickly and sarcastic but he loves big and loud. And he’s surrounded by a family that loves just as big and loud and I love that for him. I need more from them because they are a hoot. While Rob may be a little quieter, he loves big too and he adores every bit of Teo’s grouchiness.
I do feel like there was an opportunity to go a little deeper into their issues – Rob’s anxiety and Teo’s reasons for putting up walls. It was originally a novella in an anthology so I’m wondering if maybe the additions just didn’t mesh quite as well as they could have.
Mixing a bit of fun with a dose of family love and some heat, Hayes gives us a nice, comfortable read. It’s not angsty, more a quiet slide into a HEA.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love storyโฆ
SILAS
Not to sound dramatic, but I canโt decide if Iโm a hot mess, a has-beenโฆor both.
Thereโs nothing quite like being in the spotlight at my lowest point. I could use a break from LA and my agentโjust for a little while.
But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.
I like this place. I could be happy hereโฆat least till my new season begins.
COOPER
My time is split between work and fatherhood. Thatโs it. Boss and Dad. Maybe thatโs why the football star is a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool.
My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I canโt remember the last time I felt quite so alive.
Yes, Iโm well aware this isnโt going anywhere. Our worlds are just too different.
Too bad, โcause this guy feels like the real thing.
This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.
Tropes: Single Dad, Sports, Lumberjack, Hurt/Comfort
*****
Excerpt:
Ignore it, ignore it. Nothing happening here.Just a case of post-nap wood. Totally normal.
Silas unabashedly stuck his hand inside his briefs and pushed his hard-on out of the way like a man wrangling a snake into submission.
โThatโs embarrassing,โ he said, clearly not embarrassed.
I didnโt move. I couldnโt.
The danger of the situation had passed, leaving me with a half-naked warrior with golden skin and glistening muscles, who just happened to have a fucking semiโฆin my living room. I was a strong man with nerves of steel and more willpower than the average joe, but something was wrong with my reflexes โcause now I was the one who was frozen still.
โWe shouldโฆomelet,โ I whispered.
โOmelet. Yeah.โ Silasโs nostrils flared as his gaze flitted from my eyes to my mouth.
Neither of us moved.
*****
Review:
Silas comes to Wood Hollow for a quick vacation and meets his neighbor Cooper. Thanks to some … questionable choices amid a blizzard, the two find themselves spending time together. And giving in to the potent attraction between them. But what starts off as just sex slowly becomes more.
It’s definitely not going to be for everyone tho. There really isn’t any drama between them, just the slow deepening of feelings as they spend more & more time together. With both of them facing (potential) changes in their lives, they have to decide what they want their futures to look like. What are they willing to do and are they willing to take the chance on doing it together.
But I am there for every moment of it. For me Hayes has a certain feel to her stories and I love the way they are all about the slow burn, with tons of feel good moments and steam. These are the kinds of books you read when you just want to settle in and enjoy a mostly chill, feel good ride to a HEA.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
The cowboy, the rancher, and a little holiday magic…
TANNER
I met the grumpiest man on the planet and Iโm head over heels in lust. No joke. Oak Ridge Ranchโs new part-time vet slash ranch hand is a bear and heโs built like one too. If I were smart, Iโd keep my distance.ย
In a twist, Iโm not so smart.
But I can tell that under his hard as nails exterior, the cowboy is a gentle giant. Axel is a devoted single dad, a dedicated vet, andโฆI think he likes me. Or he wants me.ย ย
I can work with that.
Thereโs nothing wrong with a little holiday fun, is there?
AXEL
I need the job at the ranch through December, then Iโm out of here. I have a kid to think ofย and itโs time to settle old scores and build a new life.ย ย
But Tanner is making things complicated. Heโs smart, intuitive, and charming, andโ Whoa! Iโve learned my lesson. This is temporary. Iโm not Tannerโs cowboy. I might be attracted to him, but I can handle it.ย ย
I hope.
Okay, fine. I may need some Christmas magic to get out of this with my heart in one piece. Wish me luck.ย
A Cowboy Holiday is an MM, bisexual romance featuring a single dad-cowboy-grump, aย sweetheart of a rancher, and some holiday magic.ย ย
Hayes delivers a sweet, low angst, and quick holiday read. I always love her characters, how they interact, and this one is no different. Tanner is a big hearted, sweetheart of a cowboy and Axel is a little bit gruff, somewhat jaded, but a wonderfully committed girl dad. They find themselves attracted to each other but both have been burned in the past and with a time limit on Axel’s stay things get a little complicated. They are great together and have such a lovely connection, as Tanner helps Axel let go a little and allow himself to be a little more free. It doesn’t take long for their feelings to take over and I appreciate that Hayes doesn’t let things get overly difficult. A Cowboy Holiday is a little bit of grumpy/sunshine with a single dad cowboy twist (I do wish we’d gotten more of Axel’s daughter tho, she’s a cutie) all tied up with a Christmas bow.
**There are a few field trips to the Christmas themed town from Moody’s Grumpy Holiday but the story can easily be read as a stand alone.**
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find
love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
The hockey player, the figure skater, and the roommate situationโฆ
GUS
No one throws a party quite like I do. Technically, I could have graduated three years ago, but I love Smithton, I love hockey, and the team needs a good captain with a positive outlook. Thatโs me. I love this town, and it loves me.
Well, except for my roommate.
Rafe doesnโt like me at allโtotal mystery. Iโm a nice guy. Ask anyone. Heโs the one with stick-in-the-mud-itis. Or maybe the nonstop partying is too much for him. Itโs definitely taking a toll on me, and Iโm trying to do better โcause in a twist, Rafeโs not so bad.
He has a great smile, pretty eyes, cute dimples, andโ
Oh, man. I think I have a situation.
RAFE
This cannot be happening. Iโm a competitive figure skater with goals and big plans. How did I get saddled with a party-boy hockey-hero for a roommate?
Oh, yeah. I mistakenly assumed the captain of the hockey team would be goal-oriented. Wrong. Gus and I have nothing in common, and I have no idea how Iโm going to survive a year of this.
But oddly enough, weโre good together in a crisis. So good, Iโm beginning to wonder if we could be something serious. Something more than a couple of athletes playing the roommate game.
The Roommate Game is an MM light-angst, college hockey romance featuring a fun-loving captain, a serious figure skater, and a chance at forever.
Prior Reading: recommended but not essential Genre: contemporary, college, sports Tropes: Hockey, college, opposites attract, roommates
*****
Excerpt:
โOkay, wellโฆI got two ideas for you. Favorite karaoke song and best series youโve ever binged.โ
โThat sounds like โhow to look desperate in under five secondsโ advice.โ He made a buzzer sound. โTry again.โ
โNope. Iโve given you gold, Johannsen. Work with it. Everyone has a karaoke story and or a show they freaking love and canโt shut up about. Get him talking while youโre practicing your spins or something. I guarantee youโll have your opening to ask him out. How do you feel about sriracha?โ I held up a bottle.
โI like itโฆsparingly. Too much changes the taste of whatever youโre eating.โ
โTrue, but I like spicy food. I went to this karaoke bar where they served the hottest wings ever. Ty put my name on the list to sing a Britney Spears song. My mouth was on fire and I could barely whisper into the mic, let alone sing.โ
Rafeโs lips twitched with humor as he pushed the cart and perused chicken breasts. โWhich song?โ
โ โToxic.โ I was supposed to make my voice extra deep and Ty was gonna go high, but those damn wings lit a fire in my throat. I wonโt be ordering those any time soon. Itโs a great bar, though. Hey, we should go sometime. What are you doing next Friday?โ I winked. โSee what I did there?โ
He added chicken to our now half-full cart and grinned. โThat was impressive.โ
โThank you. If you need another pep talk, Iโm here for you, but Iโve got do-or-die playoff games next week andโโ
โIโm fine.โ
โI know you are. I believe in you, Rafester.โ
He blushed, then grumbled about the sodium in a bottle of soy sauce. I was a little insulted that he thought Iโd buy his faux-grouchy routine. Iโd been privy to the real grump, so I could tell the difference. But I didnโt call him out on it โcause whether heโd realized it or not, Rafe had let me in.
*****
Review:
Gus has been a pretty terrible roommate but he’s been using his party lifestyle to self-medicate, hiding his issues and his conflict over his future with drugs and alcohol. (I really want to know how he did so well in both his classes and on the ice all things considered.) But he’s finally at the point where things have to change and I really appreciate that Hayes had him getting professional help, not just powering thru on his own. That also has him becoming a better roommate to Rafe.
I don’t know how Rafe lasted as long as he did – the drunken parties, missing food, and messy house … but it’s good thing all around that he’s willing to give Gus another chance. Because it gives him a chance to see the funny, caring man inside. Even if he’s so clueless as to why Rafe may not be his biggest fan ๐
But Sober Gus takes all the enthusiasm of Party Gus and applies it in positive ways. He’s so fun and I love how he brings Rafe along on all sorts of fun adventures, working to help him get out of his head for a bit. And it doesn’t take long for a crush to form. Who can blame him tho the way Gus throws himself full body into everything and that includes being a friend, then friend with benefits.
The newest from Hayes is a slow burn, low angst, sweet “enemies” to lovers situation. I loved these two together – Gus with his big personality & even bigger heart hiding his issues and Rafe with his quiet support and self doubt. Once again Hayes shows finesse with characters, plot, and pacing, delivering a feel good read.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.
TY
Iโm going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but donโt worry, Iโll behave.
What I wonโt do is talk to that double-crossing influencer whoโs been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.
I know Walkerโs typeโsweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.
Get thisโฆhe wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.
Not interested. No way.
But I am curious.
WALKER
Iโve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!
Look, I get that Ty doesnโt like me. As inโฆhe wonโt return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.
Too bad. Iโm not giving up.
I donโt want to beg, but Iโm willing to barter. Every man has his priceโand something to prove.
Even Ty.
Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer whoโs determined to win him overโฆ
There is just so much cuteness with these two. From the light enemies-to-lovers moments to their adorable segments on Walker’s show to their falling in love with a big HEA & epilogue. I just couldn’t get enough.
Walker and Ty may be a bit of opposites attract but they play off each other so well, full of wit and sass and a whole lot of sexiness. There’s light enemies-to-lovers at the beginning (which quickly turns into something else) and not a whole lot of angst, so I wouldn’t pick it up for that. And while their attraction may have been quick to flare, their relationship is more of a slow burn and deepening feelings as they get to know each other better.
This is definitely one of those that you just settle in and enjoy the ride.
The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.
TY
Iโm going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but donโt worry, Iโll behave.
What I wonโt do is talk to that double-crossing influencer whoโs been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.
I know Walkerโs typeโsweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.
Get thisโฆhe wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.
Not interested. No way.
But I am curious.
WALKER
Iโve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!
Look, I get that Ty doesnโt like me. As inโฆhe wonโt return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.
Too bad. Iโm not giving up.
I donโt want to beg, but Iโm willing to barter. Every man has his priceโand something to prove.
Even Ty.
Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer whoโs determined to win him overโฆ
Sue me. Iโd liked the peppy redheadโs vibe and though Iโd deny it with my last breath, Iโd thought Walker was cute with his wayward curls, tawny-brown eyes, and tight compact body.
But that was before heโd sold out my best friend.
I knew Langley and some of our other teammates thought I was being unreasonable and that Walker had atoned for his mistake, but he was done-zo in my book.
I gave a curt nod and spun away.
Langley followed, flinging a quick, โLater, dudeโ over his shoulder.
โHang on! Ty, may I have a word, please?โ Walker called.
I wasnโt going to reply. I didnโt owe him an explanation, and I was pretty damn sure he knew the score anyway.
But Langley grabbed my elbow and leaned into my space. โBe nice, Ty. New school year, blank slate, and all that.โ
โBullshit,โ I coughed under my breath.
โCโmon, Jett forgave him. You can afford to be magnimonious too.โ
โMagnanimous,โ I corrected.
Langley rolled his eyes. โWhatever the fuck. The point isโฆyouโre going to the AH-fuckinโ-L. No reason to be bitter, right? At least hear him out.โ
With that, Langley strode away, leaving me to deal with the annoyingly cheery Walker Woodrow.
I was a good six inches taller and outweighed him by at least thirty pounds of muscle. My height, brawny size, and less-than-sunny demeanor should have been intimidating, but Walker was apparently immune.
โCongratulations are in order,โ he gushed. โAHLโฆwow! And to Jacksonville, no less.โ
โYouโre a hockey fan?โ I heard myself ask out of the blue.
โHonestly, I think everyone at Smithton isโor they will be, knowing theyโll be able to root for one of our own in the pros.โ
That wasnโt really an answer, but his smile was more brilliant than the last. It made him incandescent, as if he had some kind of inner glow.
I had to admit, Walker had a good TV face. He wasnโt classically handsome, but that spark in him transmitted nicely on-screen. It made him interesting, and it made it seem as if he were interested in you. An excellent quality for a talk show host. Or a con artist.
โThanks,โ I replied tersely. โI have to get going.โ
โIโll walk with you.โ He fell into step beside me, uninvited. โI know youโre probably busy getting ready for classes. I just finalized my schedule and bought a few online textbooks. OMG, highway robbery. Am I right? I canโt believe how much collegiate e-books cost.โ
His melodic laughter rang between the buildings like birdsong.
Do not cave. He might look pretty, but the man is rotten to the core.
I stopped in my tracks. โIs there something you wanted?โ
โActuallyโฆyes.โ Walker bit into his bottom lip and gave a sheepish look. โIโd love to interview you for Whatโs New, Smithton? Our audience will go nuts for a chance to hear all about the draft, how itโs changed your life so far, what you imagine life will be like in Florida next year, andโฆwhat itโs like being an out bisexual athlete on the rise. The interview itself is generally thirty minutes long. Super low-key. We could meet at the rink or at myโโ
โNo.โ
He recoiled as if Iโd punched him in the gut. โIโฆuh, I can work around your schedule, of course, andโโ
โNo,โ I repeated.
โUmโฆis there a problem?โ Walker asked carefully.
โNo problem with me. I just donโt want anything to do with you. And Iโm not going to change my mind.โ I stepped away from him, relishing his pointedly shocked expression. โTell your followers thatโs whatโs new in Smithton.โ
Okay, not my best line, but it did the trick. Walker blinked like an owl, stunned into silence. Good.
I quelled the strong desire to flip him off, settling for the nasty sneer I usually reserved for riling opponents on the ice. Curled lips, ugly stare with dead eyesโฆnot pretty at all. He flinched, which kinda made me feel bad. But fuck that. My anger was totally justified, and it pissed me off that he dared to pull the innocent act.
Did he really think Iโd forget what heโd done? Not fucking likely.
Maybe he didnโt owe me an apology, but I certainly didnโt owe him my time.
I hoped heโd gotten the message loud and clear โcause thisโright here, right nowโwas the last interaction Iโd ever have with Walker fucking Woodrow.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season, and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. A grad studentโs science experiment is the definition of no fun, soโฆokay.
Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:
Pro: Positive use of free time. (At least, thatโs what my agent says.)
Con: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesnโt know the first thing about hockey.
But heโs also cute and heโs got a great sense of humor andโoh, no.
I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.
Malcolm
Yes, Iโm a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big, hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.
According to my professor, however, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, a.k.a., the ice rink.
Pro: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.
Con: Jett. Heโs impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming andโ
Fine. Guilty. I like the jockโฆperhaps too much.
Lately, I find myself wondering if thereโs such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.
One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.
My control was slipping, though. Every fucking thing about this guy turned me on and I couldnโt figure it out.
Malcolm was cute, not hot. He was quirky, not cool. He wasnโt athletic in the slightest, but he had more confidence than a lot of seasoned hockey players. He knew who he was and what he wanted. And he was willing to try something new to achieve his goals. I admired that kind of drive.
I just wished that I admired the curve of his ass in those khakis a little less as he moved to the small kitchen table and held up a pad of paper and a pen.
โIโm ready to begin. We didnโt discuss how much time to allot for these sessions, but I think forty-five minutes will suffice.โ
โUhโฆright. That works for me.โ I licked my lips, tilting my chin toward the windows. Pull it together, Erickson. โNice place, by the way. I like your plants.โ
โThank you.โ
He blushed. An honest-to-God blush with pink cheeks and averted eyes. I found myself grinning againโฆfor no particular reason.
โDo you have a green thumb?โ
I half expected him to change the subject, get down to business, so he could throw my ass out the door in precisely forty-four minutes and twenty seconds, but Malcolm glanced at the plants, nodding as he sat at the table.
โI do. My parents have a large vegetable garden in their yard. I took charge of it from the time I was ten till I left for college. I switched out some of the less-yielding crops for lettuce, corn, and squash, and grew tons of tomatoes. They tend to it now. Sadly, not as well as I did.โ
See what I mean about this guy?
โYouโre bragging, Maloney. I like that confidence.โ
Malcolm snorted. โIโm not bragging. Iโm stating a fact. My parents are lovely people yet serial houseplant killers. The vegetables stand a better chance outdoors where Mother Nature can care for them till I arrive to save the day.โ
โYouโre funny.โ
โHilarious,โ he confirmed, pointing at the chair across from him. โShall we begin?โ
โSure.โ I sat, shifting under the weight of his expectant gaze.
โI took the liberty of creating a short syllabus, including a diagram of a rink and an index of hockey terminology.โ Malcolm pushed his laptop toward me. โIโve memorized all of them. Quiz me if youโd like.โ
I scrolled through his proposed outline covering etymology, history, tactics, rules, and a very fucking long glossary which included slang. โWhoa. Did you google this?โ
โItโs a compilation of sources, each credited in the attached bibliography,โ he replied.
โYou made a bibliography.โ
โOf course. One must give credit where credit is due.โ Malcolm scooted his chair closer and reached over to scroll through a list of annotations. โSee?โ
Yeah, I saw. And I was a little pissed at myself for being so slow.
โYouโre trying to scare me away,โ I stated.
โNo, Iโm helping you.โ
I shook my head. โI donโt see how this helps either of us. What do etymology and history have to do with measuring speed?โ
โWellโฆnothing, butโโ
โHere you have โbiscuitโ and โbiscuit in the basket.โ โ I gestured at the screen. โThese are very unscientific terms, Maloney.โ
โTrue, but I know those. The biscuit is the puck and putting the biscuit into the basket is to make a goal.โ Malcolm beamed. โCorrect, yes?โ
My lips twisted in amusement. โYes. Can you use this info in your thesis?โ
He fiddled with his glasses. โUndetermined, but doubtful.โ’
*****
Review:
Malcolm is aaalll the adorkableness that I could want. He’s awkward and sweet and caring and smart. He can be stuffy and old fashioned in his speech but he throws himself full bodied in things that interest him. Including Jett.
Jett may be an athlete and not as academic as Malcolm but he works hard for what he wants, for his future. He’s also got a good head on his shoulders, one that recognizes what a good thing he’s found in Malcolm.
These two shouldn’t work together but they do. They listen and open up to each other and they are willing to put everything on the line when they have to. I just … *sigh* love them together. It may have started out as research, morphed into something a little more intimate but soon it turned into something even more. Timing may not be on their side tho.
I adore Hayes’s books. I enjoy the sweetness mixed with heat, characters that just have me from the first page, and a HEA that never disappoints. I need more from her, and this series, as soon as I can get it.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!My Readersโ Group, Laneโs Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
Length: 70,000 words Prior Reading: not required Genre: contemporary, sports Tropes: Light-angst, hockey, enemies-to-lovers Trigger/Content Warnings: n/a
Blurb:
Jake
Favorite things and peeps: hockey, family, friends. Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Mason Trinsky.
I have my reasons, but since youโre curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, heโs a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends, and I grudgingly accept that heโll be a coach at Elmwood Junior Camp this summerโhowever, I plan to keep my distance.
Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.
Guess who Iโm stuck with?
Trinsky
Favorite things and peeps: hockey, surfing, and my kid brother Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Jake Milligan
Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, itโs all in good fun.
Until it starts to feelโฆcomplicated. I shouldnโt care if heโs happy, should I? I donโt want to be Jakeโs friend. I donโt want to have feelings for him at all.
The only thing that matters is hockey. It’s all about the puck. Not love.
Or is it?
Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockeyโs hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at foreverโฆ
And of course, we had Jake. No description needed, but in case youโre curious, his navy swim trunks matched his ball cap, his backpack, and his Crocs. YeahโฆCrocs.
I didnโt actually hate Crocs, but Iโd diss โem โcause I had the maturity of an eggplant, or so Jake inferred. Besides there was really no way I could be expected to be nice for forty-eight hours straightโฆwas there?
Nah.
โLookinโ Croc-tastic, Milligan,โ I whispered.
Jake frowned and shushed me, which made me want to step on his toes. โI donโt know if this is possible, but we need to come up with a plan to stay out of each otherโs way.โ
โEasy. Iโll take two, you take two. I call Howard and the kid with braces.โ
โWhy donโt you want David?โ
โToo serious and eager for me. Perfect for you,โ I replied, leaning close.
He smelled good, like peppermint and evergreen andโ
Geez, was he wearing cologne? Better questionโฆwhy had I noticed? Maybe I was allergic to peppermint and associated it with terrible things likeโฆuhโฆthe holidays.
Okay, totally false. I loved the holidays, and peppermint was awesome. It was just weird that Jake would smell good and lookโฆ
Ugh, it pained me to admit it, but Jake was kind of sort of handsomeโฆtoday. His summer tan made his blue eyes pop and wove golden strands into his dark-blond hair. Iโd only noticed because I was in dire need of vitamin D. And this entire mental sidebar probably meant I was in desperate need of a vacation too.
โFine. Iโll take David and Milo. Letโs win this.โ
I furrowed my brow. โWin what?โ
Jake spared me a glance, his lips quirked in vague amusement. โThe whole weekend. I know itโs lighthearted fun, but itโs also basic swim and running relays too. Can you swim?โ
โOf course I can fucking swim,โ I scoffed.
โCool. If youโre faster on the ground than you are on ice, we should do all right.โ
โAre you insinuating that Iโm a slow skater? That is fucking priceless.โ I snorted.
Jake just smiled and clapped along to whatever Vinnie was yapping about. โIf you say so. By the way, you might want to curb your F bombs. This is a G-rated family weekend. Show some class, Trinsky.โ
โFuck yourself, Milligan.โ
โNice one, asshat. Youโโ
Ray or Jay bumped my elbow as he sidled close, camera in hand. โOh, donโt stop on my account. This is perfect.โ
I gritted my teeth and probably would have said something rude, but I was interrupted by a cheer from the crowd.
โAre you ready to party?โ Vinnie hooted, fists pumping the air. โLetโs do this!โ
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
Length: 70,000 words Prior Reading: not required Genre: contemporary, sports Tropes: Light-angst, hockey, enemies-to-lovers Trigger/Content Warnings: n/a
Blurb:
Two rivals, one secret, and a shot at foreverโฆ
Jake
Favorite things and peeps: hockey, family, friends. Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Mason Trinsky.
I have my reasons, but since youโre curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, heโs a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends, and I grudgingly accept that heโll be a coach at Elmwood Junior Camp this summerโhowever, I plan to keep my distance.
Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.
Guess who Iโm stuck with?
Trinsky
Favorite things and peeps: hockey, surfing, and my kid brother Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Jake Milligan
Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, itโs all in good fun.
Until it starts to feelโฆcomplicated. I shouldnโt care if heโs happy, should I? I donโt want to be Jakeโs friend. I donโt want to have feelings for him at all.
The only thing that matters is hockey. It’s all about the puck. Not love.
Or is it?
Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockeyโs hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at foreverโฆ
Y’all, every new Elmwood book is my new favorite. These couples just keep getting better & better and again I have to say that these two may be my favoritist. They just stole my heart. Jake with his quiet seriousness, holding so much of the world on his shoulders. And loud, boisterous Trinsky, who hides a deeper, softer side. Opposites fighting it out on the ice and, mostly thanks to Trinsky’s big mouth, in the media as well. But time spent together gives them the opportunity to see a little further below the surface.
I loved how these two end up spending time together against their will but find themselves slowly getting to know each other. It is so sweet, so touching, as they discover more about each other. Their dedication and love for others, glimpses of the caring men they are. Creating an unexpected connection … and an inescapable attraction.
Puck Love is low angst, adorable, wholesome, sexy, and such a satisfying end to the series. Returning readers will have the opportunity to catch up with characters from past books, but this can be read as a stand alone … why would you want to tho!
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayesย lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
