You can't go wrong with a hockey romance and this filled the itch I had for a good hockey romance. With the M/M contemporary romance, you get to see Brody get over lost love as he falls for a famous country singer and a video of the two of them leaks. We get to experience the trials and tribulations of them trying to figure out how to fake date and not fall in love.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

I’m conflicted about this book.

I loved book one in this series but I had a difficult time reading this one up until about the last 25%. I’m not sorry I read it because I loved how it all turned out. My problem was that the writing seemed choppy; it just didn’t flow for me and it took me way longer to read this book than it should have. This is book two in a series but it has almost no connection to book one and can easily be read as a standalone story.

I could totally understand the characters feelings about coming out. What I couldn’t understand was how Sheamus was so hot and cold with Brody or why he was so ashamed to admit that he wasn’t experienced. I really wish that I could have loved this book as much as I loved the first one. If there are more coming in this series I’d be willing to give this author another try.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

This combination hockey romance and rock (country) star romance takes the fake dating trope and adds so much angst. I loved both main characters. Brody is sweet and solid, and Sea challenges and delights him. I was rooting for them right away, though they do put you through the ringer. There are some really sweet moments, but this is not an easy romance, but it’s a good one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

**Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

A fake dating sports themed romance novel. With that said the characters can be a bit frustrating at times due to the 'will they, wont they' vibes. The novel overall was just ok, there really wasn't to much too it. When held up to other novels in the genre its just a little to 'meh' in comparison. I think the lack of like a proper romance between the two leads is what put me off it.

I adored Cait Nary's debut, and will always read a hockey romance, but this one stressed me out a little. I still love her writing immensely, but Sea as a character and how long it took him to get his shit together was rough. Sexy and thoughtful, but not enough hockey for a hockey romance.

The fake dating trope always does it for me. Brody and Seamus had a bit of twist on this since they had already hooked up. Like this first book in the series, this book had a lot of very descriptive hockey scenes, which was boring to me, but some people may enjoy that and Contract Season was much more enjoyable to me than the first book.

I absolutely loved this one! Brody and Seamus were such great characters and I'm a sucker for the "fake dating" trope. This was an interesting take on the "fake dating" trope because they'd already hooked up at a friend's wedding. Nevertheless it had a sexy slowburn vibe to it as their chemistry and compatability grew. It's my first read from this author and I definitely enjoyed her MM voice. I'll be looking for more.

Book 2 in the series can be read as a standalone - I hadn't in fact realised that I'd read book 1 until a couple of characters appeared and it sounded like it might be worth reading about them, and I nosed and saw that I had in fact read and reviewed it. It didn't start off well for me, because Brody had been not the most considerate of boyfriends to London (silly name!) and hadn't properly finished with him, from how I interpreted it, at the time that he made a move on Sea (which I didn't clock was pronounced Shea and not See, which kept taking me out of the tale). I didn't like him and didn't get why Sea was acting so immature and almost as if he didn't want to be hooking up - both Brody and I thought he might be ace - but the author explained later and things got a bit clearer.

The storyline is plausible, given it's happening in America and with agents and social media and outing being involved but the romance aspect felt like it was lacking. They seemed to row more than anything else and at times, I was more interested in Navin and Kiwi, Brody's BFF and his newly adopted cat. Still, the tale had a nice cast of side characters and once Sea lost his prickles and relaxed and once Brody let him lead a little, their fake romance progressed into something real.

What I liked about this is how supportive Brody's teammates were and how open and honest they seemed to be. The touches of PCness felt a bit forced, a bit rammed-down-the-throat, but it was all well intentioned and delivered by Party, a guy who sounded like me might be on the spectrum, and who will no doubt be getting a book of his own.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Carina Press, for my reading pleasure.

Cait’s sophomore title goes just as hard as her first, if not more so. This amazingly told story follows a professional hockey player and country musician as their casual fling goes viral online, and they are left with only one option- save face by pretending that the privacy of their newly-forged relationship has been exploited for internet clout. A beautiful slow-burn romance, expertly crafted.

Fake dating, my most beloved romance trope! I was looking forward to the second book in this series and I was not disappointed. Once again, this is definitely a hockey romance for hockey fans, which I appreciate.

Brody and Seamus's relationship development was so enjoyable to read and made my heart hurt but also grow 3 sizes by the end. They start out rough, after spending one night together, including Sea writing a song about being ghosted and I just loved the drama of it all. Obviously a big part of the book is the forced coming out after they are outed, so that's something to be careful with, but I felt like it was handled well.

In the end, Brody and Seamus definitely need to work on their communication, but I loved reading their story and seeing the happy ending.

I like sports romances, but this one was okay. Nothing too out there in terms of differences compared to a few others I've read.

I mentioned during my review of Season’s Change that I almost passed it up, but I was really glad that I took a chance on it. Now I’m even happier that I decided to start this series. Not because Contract Season was a continuation of that story arc. Actually, you could read this one without picking up the first. Olly and Benji have a short cameo during Brody and Seamus’ story and although it’s an important moment for them and it’s nice to see them again, it’s not integral to the whole story. What makes me happy that I stumbled upon this series to begin with is that I think I liked Contract Season even better. ❤

Both Seamus and Brody were in the same situation as far as their careers went. They had to keep their sexuality to themselves or risk losing everything. Because of having to keep that secret, Brody had already lost his boyfriend and even though Seamus didn’t realize it, he was losing himself. Finding each other at that wedding was the best thing that happened to both of them, it just took them a while to figure it out.

After they were outed, their agents’ solution was to bring them together, whether they wanted to or not. This story was far from perfect, just like Seamus and Brody’s relationship. There was a lot of miscommunication and denial on both parts. I still liked where the story went and loved the supporting characters, especially since ended up knowing Seamus and Brody better than they knew themselves.

In Contract Season a hockey player and a country singer lock eyes at a wedding and the rest gets complicated fast. This was a great follow-up to Season’s Change.

I love sports romances! This book is a sweet treat about a pro-hockey player and a country music star. They each have a reputation to overcome and once they get together for a fake relationship, a video about them is released. Then it becomes a question of pretend or reality. A fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion in this review is solely my own.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an eArc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I adore Cait Nary as an author. I connect so well with her writing voice. There were times where I got the same feelings that I did while reading the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid and because that is one of my favorite hockey romance series' ever, it is what I base everything else on.

Unfortunately, this book fell a little flat for me. I loved the blurb but I thought the execution was off. I wanted more of the two main characters together but there was just something missing for me. Maybe it's the "second book slump." I always seem to not like second books as much as the first ones.

Still, I'm eager to see where Nary takes this series and, as always, I love seeing LGBTQ representation in my romance!

Contract Season is the second book in the Trade Season series by Cait Nary. You do not have to have read the first book, Season's Change, to fully enjoy the read, but I really enjoyed it so I do recommend the read.

Brody Kellerman has a plan. First, become the best defenseman in professional hockey. Second, get over his ex-boyfriend so he can focus on his game. Hooking up with the singer at his buddy’s wedding was the perfect solution, but it was never meant to be more than a one-night stand. Seamus Murry has never planned a thing in his life, including hooking up with a smoking-hot hockey player. Being ghosted sucks, but at least one good thing came from it, the breakout hit song of the summer. Now he’s one of country music’s brightest stars, but one slipup—or in this case, video—might cost him his career. When their video goes viral, Brody and Seamus agree to fake a relationship. But soon it's impossible to remember what is real and what's pretend, and although Brody has no intention of falling for freewheeling Seamus's charm, life doesn't always go according to plan.

Contract Season is a enjoyable and engaging read with characters that I really came to care about. I thought the issues and effort both Sea and Brody brought to the story were realistic and while not necessarily relatable on the surface, they each carried aspects that readers can connect with. The not feeling good enough, or that you are too much or different, and the worries about moving forward are all things readers can relate to despite the wealth and talent of the characters that readers do not necessarily share. I really enjoyed the set up and the secondary characters as much as the main plot line of the story. I thought the conversations between Sea and Brody, and of course with their support systems, modeled the communication, support, and consent that are so important with any relationship and really made me happy. The balance between serious and fun moments was extremely well done, as was the amount of sweet and heaty. I cannot wait to see what the author does next.

Contract Season is a highly engaging and enjoyable read.

Brody has always had a plan. A carefully laid out series of steps that would take him from point A to point B. Routines that are logical and to a point. He may not have been some genius hockey player or some brilliant wunderkind rocketing up the ladder, but he had something they didn’t. He had drive, work ethic, a laser focus, and inexhaustible patience. Brody had a plan. But his boyfriend, London, was tired of the plan. Tired of coming second to hockey, tired of not being able to be out, to be seen, to go along with Brody to his best friend’s wedding. So … London left.

Going to a wedding alone while you have someone to come home to is one thing. Going to a wedding alone because you have no one to go with sucks. And maybe that’s part of it, the loneliness. The need to reach out for some human contact. More likely, it was that sultry voice, the lazy smile, and the whiskey colored eyes that met his across the room. When the chance came, Brody took it.

Seamus — Sea, for short (Shay) — is an up and coming country star. He has the voice, the smile, the looks, the charisma … but it’s lonely being so deep in the closet, unable to come out. And his few attempts at sex with men haven’t been great. He’s tired of being a virgin, tired of waiting for the right one to come along — when, owing to his career, the right one will always be just out of reach — and when Brody’s offer of finding him a new shirt, after having poured champagne over his, leads to the chance for something more, Sea grabs for it with both hands.

Contract Season is the second book in the Trade Season series, but you don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy it (which is good, because I hadn’t read it). This story is a standalone dealing with a different hockey player, a different team, and a different flavor of romance. And Sea, while he learns to enjoy going to hockey games, is terrible when it comes to ice skating. Just … terrible.

Sea is a tangle of emotions and expectations, all of them his own. Getting his start at 18 on a televised singing competition, he’s been told — by fans, by producers, by his agent — who he is, what his niche is, what his sound is, and what his look should be. His agent even picks out his outfits, his breakfasts, all of it. While Sea’s slowly trying to find his own identity in his songs, it’s slow going, because he’s so afraid of giving it away, of letting people know he’s gay. If he hadn’t been caught out by an unlucky (or lucky) paparazzi pic and his neighbor’s Ring doorbell, Sea might never have had to make the choices he’s now able to make, for all that they’re choices he doesn’t want to make.

Brody is just as much in the closet. First, he needs to focus on his game, and two, sports — especially the big four — aren’t necessarily keen on openly gay players. While some of his team might guess, only one or two actually know, and he’s find with that. But when he and Sea are publicly outed, their respective managers develop a plan: The two of them will date. Publicly. After all, it’s easier for certain parts of America to swallow a pair of gay men in a loving relationship than two gay men caught in a fling. So Brody and Sea sign a contract, agreeing to be fake boyfriends, and it goes terribly.

Sea is insecure, struggling with alcohol dependency and internalized homophobia. A stylist putting nail polish on him sends him into a near panic attack. It’s one thing to be gay, for people to know he’s gay, it’s another to flaunt it. Sea has an image in his head of what a country music star is, and now he’s having to reimagine that, to reimagine himself. Soon that nail polish becomes an act of defiance, something he wears for himself. Brody has it easier with an entire team behind him, publicly supporting him, being a large, loud, and imposing buffer zone between Brody and anyone who might come for him, but even Brody is having to make choices. His plans are now altered. And, for some part of it, they’re no longer his plans.

It’s stressed again and again how their public admission of their sexuality is difficult, as well as how important it is. How the representation of a gay hockey player in a championship team, or a gay country singer invited to sing at the CMAs is for the younger generation who will follow in their footsteps. They crawl so that others might walk, and it’s something that’s important to both Sea and Brody. It means their outing, their struggles, their public admission and the pride they take in each other even more important.

Sex, too, is a focus of the conversation as Sea struggles with what sex means for him. The second time he and Brody tried to spend the night, Sea — drunk, and too in his head — tells Brody to leave. And he does. And from then on, sex is always an awkwardness between them as Sea hesitates, startles, stalls, and fights his own fear and uncertainty, as well as his desire for Brody. And Brody, realizing he’s growing more and more in love with Sea, has to ask himself if he’s able to be in a relationship where sex might not be part of the equation. Is he happy enough with handholding, emotional closeness, and kissing?

There are the usual tropes of a lack of communication, but because they’re mostly from Sea’s side as he is dealing with who he is, who he wants to be, and the entire confusion that is sex, itself, it works. The confusion, the misunderstandings, the false impressions are all in character and not there simply to fuel the plot. The book — despite how quickly Brody and Sea fall into bed in the first chapters — is a thoughtful, slow burn as the relationship, tension, and trust builds between them.

This was a quick read with well developed characters who had a strong chemistry, three-dimensional side characters, clever banter, and strong messages. All in all, I found it to be very enjoyable and strongly recommend it.

*3.5*
I am all for a fake romance story, especially involving a hockey player and a musician but this one fell just short for me, though I still enjoyed the story overall.
I really felt for both men when they unwittingly get outed but they definitely don't help themselves what with being out in the open at an event. There's a strong attraction between the two from their first meeting at the wedding of their friends but there's so much that keeps them apart, until a fake relationship is the only way, according to their managers, to save face and keep fans happy. What didn't really work for me is how hard they made it for themselves and each other, communication being something that is lacking between them constantly throughout the book.
The characters themselves are well written, I was drawn into them and the struggles that they face. Even though the two get together at the start of the book, it then felt to me like a slow burner which I'm all for if the tension and draw between them is done well.
There's a good group of side characters as well that help the story move along, both having support in times of need, even if they don't ask for it. Brody has his teammates and brother to fall back on but Seamus is a bit more isolated with being a singer but he does have his bandmates and his manager is an unexpected source of support.
Possibly not a book I would go back to but I'm happy to have read the characters and their journey. I'd like to go back and read the first in the series as well.
I received an ARC via Netgalley and am happily giving a review.

“Other than the fact that everything in his body, in his brain, had gone still and quiet when Brody kissed him; that he’d thought, oh, yes, finally, like it was inevitable that they’d be kissing in front of a lobster claw at 2 am on a Thursday.”
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trope: fake dating, sports romance (hockey), slow burn
pov: 3rd person pov
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rating: 4,5/5
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Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
After a hook up and a ghosting, Brody, a hockey player, and Sea, a country artist, meet again and they almost hook up again. Few days later, a video of them being very close comes out, which forces them to come out and fake date to save their careers in heteronormative worlds.
If we forget about the part where both of the characters are outed, this book is very good. I really liked both characters, their personalities. I also really liked the supporting cast. I also love how everybody near both characters were very supportive of their 'relationship' and their sexuality. This book had lots of cute scenes that I loved reading about.
This book is very cute, if you like sports romance with a touch of gayness this book is for you.
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rep: gay mcs, side Achilleans characters and relationship.
tw: forced outing, implied homophobia, recreational drug use
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genre: Adult Romance