Member Reviews
The second story in the Snow and Ice Games stars skiing teammates - Miles, older and wiser at 31 and the Crash a rising star at 21. I love the concept of this series and really enjoyed the first one, Love on the Tracks. This one didn't click for me as well mostly because I didn't feel the chemistry between Miles and Crash. There are several sexy scenes but the age difference felt really big in attitude and life experience - too big for 'I love you' at the end. Still I enjoyed the story overall and the skiing scenes were great. I'm definitely planning to continue the series.
This review has been posted at Goodreads, and has been posted at sale sites during release week.
Seduction on the Slopes was a quick, hot and fun read that I really enjoyed. It had some of my favorite things in it: sports, opposites attract, age difference, childhood crush, interracial couple and some humor.
I really liked the characters and while I found the initial reasons for them to hookup sexually unbelievable I just went with it and enjoyed the fun. I felt like the feelings from Crash were more believable than on Miles side and I wish there had been a better transition from hooking up to having feelings for each other. The whole thing happened it such a short time frame that I think it would have been more believable had the time period been longer. However, I still enjoyed the two men together and the sex was hot. The ending was wrapped up a little bit too easily and again I'm not sure an athlete at that level would ever make that decision but it was sweet.
So overall, while there were a few things that were a bit unbelievable I enjoyed the characters, the romance and the plot of the book. I didn't read the first book in this series but I will go back and read it now
4.5 stars
This book is the second in Tamsen Parker’s Snow and Ice Games series. The books are set around an athletic winter games and for this story that is the only connection and it would stand alone fine. The book is filled with a great dynamic between Miles and Crash, as well as entertaining banter and plenty of sexy moments.
Miles is the professional here and he has been training and skiing his entire life. He has had incredible support from his family and has had all the advantages of coaches and training. Miles follows the rules, yet is supportive of the entire team. While he wants to get these last set of medals, he is also concerned about how the team does as whole.
That’s where his relationship with Crash starts. Crash lived most of his life out of a van with his nomadic parents. When at the age of 16, he had enough of the road, his parents left him in the last town they were in. He’s in awe to be recognized at the games, but even more in awe that he gets any kind of attention from Miles. Crash has idolized Miles and not everyone gets to be with the person in the picture they have had on their bedroom wall.
The verbal timing and snark is well done from both characters here. Before Miles really understands Crash, he is left exasperated with him at almost every turn and when Crash is late once again, Miles is not exactly in the forgiving mood as he thinks, “Even though my blood had been boiling, there hadn’t been time after the latest presser to tear Crash’s limbs off and beat him with them.”
This book was an incredibly fast read and I was halfway through it in what seemed like a blink. The relationship between the men is insular as they primarily interact in their shared room and the book takes place solely at the games. The book is intimate and heated as the start of their relationship is purely physical, or so they tell themselves. We get dual points of view and that really helped to get a sense of both men. However, they spent too much time in their own heads for my taste. The amount of internal narrative largely overshadowed the number of conversations these guys had with each other and they mostly fell in love with each other within their own heads. This book had the style where a question would be asked, the character would go into multiple paragraphs of internal narrative, only to then answer the question that did not always remain obvious.
The only other issue I have with this series as a whole is the way the Snow and Ice Games are presented. The games are an elite, international, athletic event that happen every four years and the logo on the cover of the book resembles the Olympic rings. Yet, Miles, as a competitor, is able to assist in choosing to have Crash on the team and I would have liked something more concrete as to the background of the games. Also, skiing is talked about throughout the book, but there is little time where the men are actually on skis and I would have also enjoyed more time on the slopes.
I would recommend this book for all the things that it does bring: two opposite characters, great banter and timing, and plenty of heat. The guys are left in a good place, but I certainly would be interested if Parker were to ever follow up with these guys as Miles leaves us with the knowledge that he still has lots of plans.
Miles is veteran skier on the U.S. downhill team. In the sport longer than some of his competitors have been alive, it’s his last year participating in the prestigious Snow and Ice Games (SIGs), and he plans on taking home two more gold medals. However, after that, Miles isn’t really sure where his life will lead.
Crash is the up-and-coming newest downhill sensation, and after Miles mentions to the U.S. coach the potential he sees in Crash, coach gets Crash on the SIG team and assigns Miles with mentoring duties. Crash loves to ski, but doesn’t love the endless press events and media time required at the SIGs. When his childhood idol, and long-time crush, Miles takes the time to help Crash, he will do whatever Miles says.
Seduction on the Slopes is the standalone sophomore title from Ms. Parker’s Snow and Ice Game series. This time around, romance blossoms between two men on the U.S. downhill team, and wow! is it hot. I like that both Miles and Crash are secure and confirmed gay men - albeit not entirely out of the closet. There is no confusion over preference, allowing for other conflicts to cause hesitation. The primary being that the pair are teammates and competitors. Yet, when Miles discovers why Crash struggles with the media, he genuinely wants to help him, even if that means helping him off in a sexual way.
As the pair spend time together, the mentor/mentee line blurs and a true bond of friendship develops. Their similarities and ability to relate so easily go a long way in closing any age gap that may make things awkward. And while Crash may be younger, he can be wiser at times. The two are competitors first, but because they are both truly good people, they can coexist as friends and lovers.
The romance moves quickly and the story comes with an HEA. I love how they come together and love the simplicity of the title. Sexy athletes falling in love? Sign me up for more!
My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
I was watching (with one eye) the qualifications slalom/skiing for the Olympics. I giggled... I'm reading about this! Awesome!
Miles the leader of the team, with a lot of golden medals, got a roommate, the new boy Crash.
He has to put him in line because he is wild, with not matching equipment and he hates the way Crash behaves.... until he gets to understand there is more than he first thought.
There is a job to do for Miles...
Crash has a crush for Miles since he was a little boy. He wants to be like Miles. And now they are roommates.
There is only one way for Crash to get rid of his problem .....Miles helps him with this....
Crash gets much better with everything and they are growing close...only knowing Crash getting better and better he also is a threat.
Really nice read, entertaining written, not going deep but if you accept it as a light one..!
The solution to the 'problem' didn't convince me at first, but I stepped over this and parked it, glad I did because further in the story this same solution was really sexy done....
Both Miles and Crash are nice, sweet and very competitive. Together they are more than okay.
The writing and the story became better and better.
I have found quite a few romance novels centered around winter games as of late, and I find the I quite enjoy them. Are they true to point? I don't know, but they make for a fun read.
Seduction on the Slopes is centered around skiers Miles and Crash. Miles-the older, wiser, more experienced man on and off the slopes to Crash's younger, messier, although very talented skier. Crash has admired Miles for years, and when they are thrown together-in a mentor/mentee role, well...sparks fly.
This was an easy and quick, fluffy little read. I enjoyed the characters, and the cheeky banter between the two MC's.
DNF @ 46%
This book and I.... we didnt work out sadly. I was hoping we could find some common ground as this was a 1st time read for me by this author.
Yah. No.
I just could not get into it. It was easier to put down, walk away, start another book then it was to finish it.
Time is precious yo and this just wasnt worth it to me.
Connection Connection Connection
Show not TELL.
Mare~Slistread
What a fun story! This is only the second book I've read by this author. (I read the first book in this series Love On the Tracks right before reading Seduction on the Slopes.) Though I definitely plan to check out more by the author.
The perfect way to describe this book is cute, delightful and sadly waaay to short. I did not want it to end. Miles and Crash are awesome together. Though the two of them couldn't be any more different if they tried. Crash is a contradiction in itself. He's combative and seems to be unable to follow even the simplest rules. He's snarky and knows how to best push everyones buttons, but he can also be charming as hell. Crash had to fend for himself from a young age on, so he is rather independent.
What he wants most during the SIG is to avoid anything to do with the press if possible. Crash has anxiety and just thinking of doing an interview sends him running to the bathroom.
Miles is the polar opposite of that. He's charming and as a veteran at the Snow and Ice Games knows what to do to get the best coverage. Other than Crash's family, Miles has really supportive parents who are interested in his career and accompany their son to his sporting events.
Miles is not happy when he's tasked with keeping Crash in line and making sure that is on time and present at each interview or causes trouble otherwise. Which -- knowing a bit about each of them -- does seem like a mess waiting to happen. Somehow though the two -- after Crash publicly threw up right before an interview -- find a way to navigate Crash's anxiety. This is to say that Seduction on the Slopes has the possibly cutest but also kinda weirdest way to start a friends with benefits arrangement that I ever read. I also never read so many euphemisms for throwing up as I did in this story.
The tension on and off the slopes between both was delicious and I really loved how Parker took the stereotypes of an out gay man who is dark-skinned and turned them upside down. Sports romances are very white and a lot of times the POC MC is the one who isn't in a great situation financially. This doesn't happen here. On the contrary it's Crash who isn't in a financially stable position.
What I really loved about this story was how delightful, fluffy and light it was. Crash and Miles both charmed me -- though Crash can also be really annoying when he wants to be! But despite being opposites in pretty much every way they just worked together. I loved how each of them learned something from the other one. And I thought Parker did a great job at giving both a believable happy end.
If you're after a sweet/sexy MM story this might be the one for you.
Miles and Crash are both skiers.Miles is older and has more experience in dealing with every aspect of the sport.Crash is the opposite,and especially struggles with the many press interviews that are required......he needs something to calm him down......his preference would be marijuana but he definitely can't go there,so that leaves his other method ....sex.
So Miles offers to help him out,so to speak....
Hand jobs/blow jobs and a lot more.....
I had a hard time believing the connection/and quick progression of their relationship here and both men's inner monologues started to bore me.
ON a positive note I loved the fact it was about an interracial couple,the sex scenes were pretty steamy and Crash was super cute.
Not a massive hit,for me,but an enjoyable read.
This book was a fun one to read! It had a lot of humor and two very different-but likeable guys! The premise to start was a bit odd, but it worked for me. I especially liked the dual POV since I am one that always wants to know what each person is thinking!
The Snow and Ice Games are like the Olympics. This book is about Miles-a seasoned veteran of the downhill races, and Crash, the newbie extraordinaire! Both from very different backgrounds so that is hard to fathom where the other comes from. Crash has major anxiety when it comes to the press questions, because of his background. He is super embarrassed by his parents and his struggle to get where he is today. The team coach brings attention to the "kid's" flightiness-chalking it up to immaturity. Miles decides to help him for the good of the team. No black eyes need to be focused on them!
When Miles discovers Crash's anxiety, any of the normal ways for someone to relax do not work for Crash. And smoking pot isn't an option. The only thing Miles can come up with is hand jobs prior to the press functions. Things ramp up from there.
I liked how the story flowed and all the sexual tension was incredibly thick! I liked both characters and found their view points interesting. Miles felt much more oppressed being a gay black man in a widely white sport, than Crash coming from the background he did. I also didn't quite feel how Miles was in love so quick. He didn't care for Crash much in the beginning. But opposites do attract so anything is possible!
Ultimately an intriguing read. I liked learning about the skiing aspect of the races too! I highly recommend Seduction on the Slopes and book one, Love on the Tracks!
4 Stars/4 Flames
reviewed by Deb
This was an enjoyable and engaging read. That held my interest throughout. As the story was entertaining, easy to read and well paced. Plus the characters were likable and the romance developed nicely as this story progressed. Not to mention it was refreshing to read a story based around winter sports and particularly skiing. And anyone who is looking for a fairly angst free m/m romance with an usual sports element is sure to enjoy Seduction On The Slopes too.
There’s something just so fun about opposites attract romances. These characters are polar (hehe) opposites in many ways, and the alternating POVs really help understand where each character is coming from. Crash is a “goofy little bastard,” while Miles is a “cantankerous prig.” But the thing that forces them together is their love for skiing – either man would do anything to keep skiing. In a parallel to the first book in the series, where Rowan had been a fan of Zane’s pop band, Crash has looked up to Miles since he was a little boy. Also, while this is the second in a series, it’s completely standalone.
“Unfortunately, there’s something about Crash Delaney that has crawled under my skin and won’t let go. Everything about him—except the way he makes his way through a course—makes me absolutely fucking crazy.”
Crash could be the poster boy for stoner snowboarder – except he’s a skier. Crash is used to doing things on his own, and his own way, so it’s safe to say that he butts heads with the extremely by-the-book and straight-laced Miles right off the bat. This isn’t Miles’ first rodeo (he has 6 gold medals from previous games, and is the frontrunner for another 2 at these games), and if it wasn’t for Crash’s insane talent, he’d throw him out of the games for being too much trouble. When the team coach makes the rookie Miles’ responsibility, it’s up to him to figure out what the issue is with Crash and help him solve it.
“This guy has got a ski pole wedged so far up his ass I’m surprised I can’t see it when he opens his mouth.”
Crash has admired Miles since he was seven – to the point of saving the front of a Wheaties box with his picture on it. While Crash has managed to get to the games by himself without any formal training or equipment (he used a spray painted football helmet and soccer guards, at one point), part of him is still convinced that he’s a failure and doesn’t belong. His anxiety is especially bad around press conferences, where the media is sure to bring up his rags-to-riches story. When Crash finally opens up about the cause of his issues, Miles realizes that maybe, just maybe, Crash isn’t just a slacker and a screw-up. Together, they’re able to find the one thing to mellow Crash out (*cough* it’s sex *cough*).
“Hurtle down a mountain with a 350-meter vertical drop while executing barely-permitted-by-physics turns on sticks? Sure. Have feelings? Aw, hell, no.”
I liked how Crash, on the surface, appears to be the one with more problems, when, in fact, it’s Miles who is, in some ways, the most broken. While Crash has made it on his own since he was 16 (and, arguably, even before then), Miles has been supported by his parents since he first realized he was good at skiing, and it truly seems like the only thing in his life – besides his family – is skiing. Considering he’s facing probably his last runs at this SIG, Miles is finally having to face some squishy feelings about life after the games, as well as a possible relationship. Miles has run his life to this point on pride and sportsmanship – to the point of giving Crash some skiing tips that could win Crash the gold medal over Miles – and it was heart wrenching to see Miles contemplate what to do next.
And this is where the cons come in. The ending was wrapped up too quickly and neatly for my taste, especially given the stress of being competitors. While I understood Crash’s choices, I didn’t feel like Miles had the time to process them, and it felt like his actions at the end were more grand gestures than signs of true love. While I definitely felt their love and affection for each other, I wasn’t completely sold that they would make it. Also, while I enjoyed most of the humor, Crash, especially has some pretty cheesy lines (and, also, endless euphemisms for vomiting).
“I’ve done the right thing in the best way I know how and while Miles wouldn’t have done the same thing, I think that’s partly why we fit so well. We’ll make each other whole. We can make each other better whether that’s through pushing or reining in, we’ll do it together.”
Overall, this is a quick, sexy, and addictive read. Highly recommended!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Seduction on the Slopes (Snow & Ice Games #2) by Tamsen Parker was cute and sexy but not a home run. There were quite a few things that I enjoyed.
-The characters were lovable.
-The story had a fun vibe to it.
-Interracial couple.
-Age gap.
-Childhood crush.
-Opposites attract.
But I couldn't get past the clunky relationship development. It was bad.
1. I found Miles' and Crash's "arrangement" to help Crash with his anxiety highly far-fetched. I don't care how much you love your team but the likelihood of someone stepping up for that on a whim- pfft, doubtful. If you want to know what I'm referring to (view spoiler)(view spoiler)
2. The transition from "helpful arrangement" to "I have feelings for you" is nonexistent. I thought I'd accidentally scrolled past a chapter, seriously. It was off.
3. And because of reason number two, it made the end feel rushed and not wholly believable.
In the end, I'll give it 2.75 rounded up to 3 Stars, like I said it was cute and sexy just not 100% successful in its storytelling.
This book was a fun one to read! It had a lot of humor and two very different-but likeable guys! The premise to start was a bit odd, but it worked for me. I especially liked the dual POV since I am one that always wants to know what each person is thinking!
The Snow and Ice Games are like the Olympics. This book is about Miles-a seasoned veteran of the downhill races, and Crash, the newbie extraordinaire! Both from very different backgrounds so that is hard to fathom where the other comes from. Crash has major anxiety when it comes to the press questions, because of his background. He is super embarrassed by his parents and his struggle to get where he is today. The team coach brings attention to the "kid's" flightiness-chalking it up to immaturity. Miles decides to help him for the good of the team. No black eyes need to be focused on them!
When Miles discovers Crash's anxiety, any of the normal ways for someone to relax do not work for Crash. And smoking pot isn't an option. The only thing Miles can come up with is hand jobs prior to the press functions. Things ramp up from there.
I liked how the story flowed and all the sexual tension was incredibly thick! I liked both characters and found their view points interesting. Miles felt much more oppressed being a gay black man in a widely white sport, than Crash coming from the background he did. I also didn't quite feel how Miles was in love so quick. He didn't care for Crash much in the beginning. But opposites do attract so anything is possible!
Ultimately an intriguing read. I liked learning about the skiing aspect of the races too! I highly recommend Seduction on the Slopes and book one, Love on the Tracks!
4 Stars/4 Flames
Seduction on the Slopes has a strange premise, to say the least. It takes place at a Snow and Ice Games, following Crash and Miles. They are both skiers, Miles being a veteran to the sport and Crash being young and up and coming. However, Crash has anxiety when it comes to the press. Initially Miles it told to help him get more confident with the press, and because of Crash's anxiety it's shown to be difficult. A way for Crash to relax would be smoking marijuana, which would be illegal. This leads to the idea of Miles helping by giving him hand jobs before interviews.
This book just... didn't work for me. The premise felt odd and very childhood fantasy, especially since not only did Crash already have feelings for Miles, but he was how he realised he was gay. This felt a little too fantasy-ish in my opinion. And I still don't totally understand why he couldn't just masturbate.
I did like Miles. I like how it was pointed out how white and heteronormative the culture around winter sports is, being a black gay man. I think it would've been good to look more into it though. I didn't love how quickly he seemed to fall in love with Crash. Before they started their arrangement he couldn't even stand him.
The relationship was okay. I didn't hate it. I don't even know how to explain how I feel about this book. It was really just very mediocre. I was planning to read this whole series but I think I'll just read the f/f and be done.
This was an interesting story. I didnt read book 1 but didn't feel like I needed to read it which was a good thing. I enjoyed the competition, the sexyness and the all around fun times had. It was a funny story it was a sexy story and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it
Oh I had such hope for this book. I love M/M sports reads, but this one missed the mark for me. DNF @20%
I loved this book! The heat between Miles and Crash was palpable. Almost opposite in every way but the perfect balance for one another. I would expect nothing less than greatness from this author though, so I'm really not surprised at how much I enjoyed this one!
This was my first time reading Tamsen Parker, and unfortunately, I really struggled with this book.
I had a hard time connecting to the characters, story, and writing. Everything felt forced. And though I don't have any issues reading first person POV, here it felt very clunky and tried too hard at being funny and dishing out one liners. Like WAY TOO MANY one liners.
The transition and evolution of Miles and Crash's relationship was off as well. A lot of internal monologue, and not many substantive conversations. Nothing felt fully fleshed out and developed. It felt more like the author was following a chapter outline (chapter 5 handjob, chapter 9 sex, chapter 11 maybe feelings, etc) rather than letting Miles and Crash's relationship naturally progress.
And because of all that, I didn't believe the "I love you's" after one week together. And I certainly didn't buy into talk of marriage and forever.
Also, the conflict of how their relationship in the bedroom would affect their performance on the slopes was rushed. It turned into an anti-climatic let down.
Overall, this was a book that I really wanted to like but didn't find anything to connect with or really sink my teeth into.
Four very gushy warm hearts to this book
This book is such a delicous treat. I love Crash to pieces and Miles. They worked so well together.
I was a bit dubious of the first person perspective that alternated like it did but it really ended up working for me. I identified strongly with Crash and his anxiety and with how Miles got so worked up in his head over things. Totally how my brain works.
I thought this story wa super cute with a dash of kink on how the two of them came together.
My only issue was with how miles did keep blowing up before letting Crash speak and that it kept happening but other than that this is such a great book.
I do also wish there was more about the actual skiing as well.