I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in this hockey universe the author has created. I really enjoyed the first book in this universe, Season’s Change and was thrilled to see a cameo of Benji and Olly and a follow up to their story.

For me, this book seemed to be set a little differently than a lot of other fake dating stories. A lot of times, characters end up together and develop a connection-this was the opposite. They have a connection and then things go wrong, several times during the book. This might have been one of the most frustrating couples I’ve read as they both seem to get in their own way and making missteps. But that made the characters a little more realistic than the head over heels instalove. I honestly love how the author creates the character-they are so well developed and you get to see the full dimension of them-flaws and all.

I enjoyed the secondary characters in the book even though I sometimes felt like they had their own book that I might have not read before like Alex and Josette. I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this hockey universe especially if the author throws in a cameo of previous characters! I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book from NetGalley and Carina Press and this is my honest and fair review.

Brody is a hockey player, a defensemen to be exact and Seamus is a country singer. The two of them couldn't be more opposite. But after a one-night-stand gone wrong, a picture of them together goes viral, and they're forced into a crappy situation all around. And faking dating might be the only way to save their careers.

I loved Cait Nary's first book, and I loved this one too. Gay hockey players is one of my favorite tropes all around, so it would be hard for me not to like it.

The romance between the main characters is sweat and Nary's writing is good. Her writing exists in a very interesting place between classic romance and a fanfic esque tone, and I think she's on the right side of that. I personally don't particularly enjoy fanfic, so I think this book definitely has a wider appeal since I really liked it. There were just moments that hit me where I was felt like she had the humor and tone of a well-written fanfic. I started it in the evening and stayed up ungodly late binge reading it cover to cover, so it was definitely unputdownable.

Minor spoilers ahead.

A handful of other reviews have mentioned this already, but I feel like my thoughts add at least something. The main issues that the characters have throughout the entire book aren't really resolved on-page. They agree to try and work things out, but we don't see them actually do the working things out. We get a fade to black and then an epilogue several months later where they've magically resolved at least some of the problems. Personally, I didn't even. notice that this exploring of their issues was absent because the ending was pretty sweet, but I do think that it would be nice to have more of that. Like I said though. I don't think that it took away from the story and I really did love this book.

I've read quite a few sports romances recently, where the main characters are gay. I think it's because although people realise that there must be lots of elite sportsmen who are gay, coming out is particularly difficult in that world. In Contract Season, not only is our hockey player Brody in a world that frowns on homosexuality, but his love interest Seamus is a country music star which is another area which is not accepting of LGBT+ people. My knowledge of hockey is limited, my knowledge of country music even more so (and to be honest it can stay that way, I've enjoyed the odd game of ice hockey, I do not enjoy country music at all). I had no idea that it would be an issue, but Seamus and Brody are both facing similar challenges and censure.
I really enjoyed this book, both the romance and how they dealt with the outside world when their secret came out. There was a lot of misunderstanding, which put huge pressure on their fledgling relationship, I enjoyed watching them come to terms with that and what they were coming to mean to one another.
I was a little confused, Seamus is known to most people as Sea, I assumed that it would be pronounced 'Shay' like his name, but it seemed to actually be Sea, like, well, the sea. It didn't seem to make a lot of sense, but once I got into the book it didn't really matter.
Overall, this was a really good read and one that I'd definitely recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I could not get through this

DNF at about 30%

The concept seems nice, fake dating is one of my favorite troupes but I could not connect to the characters. The writing was okay but it felt quite slow. I really wanted to like this but I just couldn't force myself to continue. I'm sure this has an audience but it was not for me.

I like the series and the author but Contract Season didn't work for me. The premise of the book had me requesting it but the story failed to keep my attention. Their fake relationship was supposed to be something more but it seemed forced the entire book.
I read most of it then skimmed until the end.

My favorite type of fake dating is fake dating for publicity reasons, so I really enjoyed Contract Season. When hockey player Brody and country music star Sea (short for Seamus and pronounced “Shay”) hook up after a friend’s wedding, they don’t expect it to be more than a one-night stand. A few months later, after Sea’s had a massive hit song about Brody ghosting him, they see each other at an event—and a video of them goes viral. Sea’s management thinks faking a relationship with Brody will help his career as he navigates being outed, so the two begin to fake date. (If this makes you worried, I thought the storyline with Sea and Brody being outed was handled with care and sensitivity.) I think you’ll love this one if you enjoy emotional romance between complicated leads and seeing characters really work for their HEA.

I received an ARC from the author.

Contract Season

Contract Season
By: Cait Nary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶


Where to start, I liked the second half of this book and it was there that the 4 stars came in. I almost DNF it at the 40% mark, but I pushed through and I’m glad I did. The first half of the book had some pacing issues, but once it caught its stride it was great.

Sea and Brody were really well written they weren’t perfect. They were flawed and had depth. They were relatable and I cared about what happened to them.

Contract Season was not overly spicy. There were so pretty hot scenes, but weren’t graphic which I enjoyed.

All in all it was a solid read and I may go back and read the first book in this series, Season’s Changes.

I received an advance review copy for free from @netgalley , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was a bit hesitant going into Contract Season due to the fairly low reviews and mixed messages I'd received about the author's previous work, but I'm glad that I gave it a shot. For the most part, I enjoyed Sea and Brody's story; it was sweet and escapist, despite the issues I ended up having. It starts off slow - VERY SLOW - but once we actually got into the story, it was fascinating seeing both of their perspectives and neuroses up close.

I had two main issues with this book: pacing and miscommunication.

The pacing is all over the place, honestly. It starts off with a passionate encounter between the two of them and then it doesn't go ANYWHERE for the next 40%+ of the book. We don't even get tot he main crux of the fake dating plot until past the third way mark. Quite a bit of the exposition could have been cut and added to flesh out the end to create a more well-balanced story. Once you get to them being happy and overcoming their issues, it's over, and you don't get any time to appreciate that.

Secondly, the conflicts were extremely frustrating because all of Sea and Brody's issues stem from them just not talking to each other. A primary plot point is that Sea has a secret to tell Brody, which could normally function well, but it's made more frustrating by Sea constantly lashing out and blaming others for not being mind readers. But Brody was really no better - he's painted as being direct and honest, but he constantly ghosts Sea, especially when he's being vulnerable. There were times where I questioned whether they should even be together. I did enjoy their magnetic chemistry, however.

For a sports romance, I did expect more hockey and less country music - I hoped to see more from Brody's POV on that side instead of it all being surface level. I also think that more could have been done with Sea's character in general, especially with his burgeoning alcoholism. All of their personality traits felt one dimensional instead of complicated, as they should be.

Overall, I had a good time and it was a great escapist read for a long car ride, but I probably won't give this author another chance.

Thank you Carina Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Cait Nary is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors - her m/m hockey romances are really wonderful. Both Sea and Brody are wonderful, vivid characters. Both of them are gay and work in high profile careers in industries that are less than queer friendly. Brody is a professional hockey player and Sea is a rising star i nthe country music world. When they meet and have a one-night stand at a mutual friends wedding - they never really expect to see each other again. Things change after Brody moves to Nashville and a video of them kissing is released. A fake relationship is proposed to make their queerness more palatable to the world at large - but neither of them really know how to go about that. Navigating how to have a relationship and figure out how to be themselves and a couple was lovely to watch. The

My only complaint about the book is that I wanted Sea and Brody to spend more time together on page. There is a lot going on around them - no doubt - but I wanted them to spend more time together and maybe less on introspection? Overall - I still loved it - but I wanted more in that area.

This book definitely tackles some really tough topics - including the fact that both men are outed publicly without their consent. It also includes self-medicating with alcohol and recreational use of marijuana. One of the great things about the book is that it shows Sea asking for help - and then getting it. It shows friends providing support in positive ways and what it means to not only have each other, but a community of support. I also adored the little Benji/Olly cameo we got!

I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

When I read Season's Change, Cait Nary's first novel in this series, I was completely enamored with Olly and Benji. I was a little disappointed when the sequel was not going to be a continuation of their story but that's normally how it goes with a romance series. I was excited to get a chance to read this book regardless because the first was very hockey heavy which, as a fan of hockey in general, really drew me in. Hockey romances are my absolute favorites in addition to the sport being the only one I care about.

Contract Season follows defenseman Brody Kellerman and country singer Seamus Murry as they hook up, fake date and fall in love. The boys together are pretty cute. My main gripe with this book was the main source of conflict is their lack of communication. That is something that I absolutely hate reading in a romance. If one emotionally mature adult managed to have a single conversation, the entire conflict would've resolved ten pages in.

I fully believe that this book has a wide audience. When it is cute, it is really cute. Its low on spice (which I like) but there is still some spice for the fans of that. I think many people will love this book as much as I loved the first one. I just feel like I was not the correct target for this second entry in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Da mir das erste Buch der Reihe gut gefallen hat, habe ich mich sehr auf das zweite gefreut. Doch leider hat es sich für mich nicht als ideal herausgestellt.

Das erste Kennenlernen der beiden Hauptcharaktere empfand ich als unterhaltsam und ich hatte Lust auf mehr. Danach wurde der Ton des Romans gedrückter und ich habe mich schwer damit getan, den Geschehnissen mit der gleichen Begeisterung wie am Anfang zu folgen.

Das lag zum großen Teil daran, dass ich Seamus als Charakter schwer zu verstehen und anstrengend fand. Das blieb auch leider bis zum Ende des Romans so. Ich bin mit ihm nie so richtig warm geworden und empfand einige seiner Reaktionen als verwirrend.

Insgesamt hat mir die Leichtigkeit in der Geschichte gefehlt, auch hätte ich gerne öfter lachen können. Das konnte der Roman aber nicht bieten.

🖤🖤1/2

Rückblickend auf “Season’s Change“, den ersten Roman in der Buchreihe, musste ich übrigens feststellen, das ich mich nur noch vage an die Geschehnisse erinnern konnte. Das Buch hat also einen geringeren Eindruck auf mich hinterlassen, als zunächst gedacht.

Für wen?

Wer Liebesromane mag, in denen eine intensive, teils ernstere Stimmung herrscht und in der die beiden Hauptcharaktere erst nach einigem Hin und Her zusammenkommen, der sollte sich das Buch mal näher anschauen.

Wer wie ich vor allem heitere Liebesgeschichten mag, für den ist das Buch nicht so ideal.

What a book! I loved absolutely every second of it! So much nuance and depth! I loved both of the characters and their evolution was a joy to witness.

The action was slow to start but once it got rolling I couldn't put the book down. I wish some of the initial chapters was shaved off, it was difficult for me to keep an interest in the first 30% of the story.

Brody, a hockey player, and Seamus (I refuse to call him 'Sea', using this as a nickname was definitely a choice), a country singer, are publicly outed after a not-so-successful 1.5-night-stand and resort to fake dating to salvage their careers.

I felt this was more a book about Seamus than Brody: he's struggling with his identity and image as a (first closeted, then out) gay country artist in some unexpected ways. I loved his journey of growing out of his own prejudices, his reflecting on the idea of virginity, and learning to trust and express his feelings.

Strong points:
- The many discussions of sexuality from various characters were always sex positive and supportive.
- There was little homophobia and a lot of inclusivity
- Both characters had strong support groups in their friends and family.
- Seamus had expressed dislike of oral sex and his feelings aren't invalidated by Brody - it's never treated as a problem he needs to resolved (nor one that gets resolved).
- Kiwi (the cat) being wary of every human ever except Seamus. I will never not love this trope.
- The writing style! I loved how the scenes were grounded in the surroundings.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

In Contact Season, Cait Nary creates a charming slow-burn romance between Brody Kellerman, a professional hockey player, and Seamus Murray, a rising country star. Brody and Sea's fake relationship begins after they are forcefully outed and decide that fake dating is the best way to save their images since they both exist in conservative industries.

As a fan of Nary's first book, Season's Change, Contract Season was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I wasn't disappointed. The yearning between Brody and Sea was so easy to lose myself in and enjoy. I really liked Sea's character arc as he reflected on his life and tackled ideas of sexuality and sex given his upbringing. Although it's a very sensitive topic, there are often times in queer relationships where you can feel like you should have more sexual experience by a certain age, so I found most of Sea's internal wrestling relatable. I also really enjoyed all the side characters because they weren't just there for decoration and actively played a part in the story.

I thought it was a little strange that Brody's long-term ex never really showed up in the story except brief mentions. That was especially interesting since the demise of their relationship was because Brody kept London hidden and then was suddenly in the media in a very public relationship. I was also a little wary of how the story handled Sea's potential alcholism. I believe there is a very thin line between social drinking as a young 20-something and displaying symptoms of alcoholic dependency. Towards the middle/end of the story, Sea's internal dialogue seemed as though he was leaning more towards aloholic dependency, and I wished it was discussed more instead of just having a therapy session and leaving it at that.

However, overall I really enjoyed Nary's writing and the way that Brody and Sea's relationship grew despite their rough start. Also there was a very cute and brief cameo with Olly and Benji when Brody was on a road trip!

Thank you to Carina Press and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First. this was better than the first in this series, Season's Change.
However, some of the problematic issues I found in that book still appeared in this one. Namely, it's a language thing. I don't know Cait Nary. I don't know anything about her other than what is on her website --which leads me to believe she is a cishet white woman. And I say this only because queer authors tend to let their readers KNOW that they are in fact also queer.

So, what were the problems? Page 510/717: "My apologies to this dude from DC's coconut water. Bi erasure is not a good look."
...No, it isn't. And neither is joking about it. Particularly considering that my accusation of bi-erasure in the first book of this series is a thing that exists. And I am certain that I was not the ONLY PERSON who brought that up. And this little inside joke is one of the reasons I wouldn't pay for this author's books..

There was an earlier instance of problematic language, but heck if I can find it now. That's on me. I should have made better use of the bookmark function.

I will also go on the record saying I don't like Seamus's name being shortened to Sea. I had to be very cognizant of the pronunciation, and honestly...that's a lot of brain effort for a romance. Especially when there was the caveat that there "was already a Shay in country music"....then just call him Camp FFS. Or give him a better name? How about that? There are literally thousands to choose from.

The trope here is "pretend celebrity boyfriends". Which...is so tired. There was nothing new about the way this trope was presented. I was really bored with Brody's continually referral back to his failed relationship with the mysterious London (...also a stupid name if you ask me, which you didn't, so I digress). I also find it highly suspicious to spend THREE YEARS OF YOUR LIFE with a guy. A guy you LIVE WITH. And just disappear? It seemed very disingenuous. Where were the shared friends? You know Brody's Mom either loved or hated the guy and is probably keeping tabs on him either way, That's just what Moms do. And Brody's mom became a throw away character from the beginning.

I am also concerned about how Sea's drinking is handled. Brody uses THC as a sleeping aid. Valid, if it works for you, and where it's legal (...I"m not sure it's legal in Nashville. Just sayin') Toward the middle-end, Sea seems to realize he is drinking a lot...and there is a little discussion around maybe NOT doing that and using drinking as a coping mechanism, and trying to avoid rehab...but, like...you're not a rock? And rehab isn't something to be ashamed of? Everyone needs help. Sea's agent, if he seriously had beef with his actions, had the power (and Sea LET HIM have that power) to be more strict around controlling that drinking to begin with. So...this was all a moot point and why even bother if it wasn't going to actually be an interesting point to the growth of the character??

So...yeah, I didn't really care for this. Nary has gotten some feedback from authors I actually have some general respect for, saying that she does a great job of writing hockey books for hockey fans. Meh. I'm not impressed. I am thankful this had far less broski speak in it than Season's Change did. But nothing else about this book made me ache for the next one.

Will I read the next one?
Probably.
Will I be just as disappointed as I was in this one?
Also probably.

There were minor improvements from the first book here, but this still isn't anything to write home about.

I absolutely loved Cait Nary's debut and had high hopes for Contract Season - and was NOT disappointed! Brody and Sea's chemistry was red-hot from the first moment they met, and I loved how that chemistry turned into trust over the course of their story. I'm also a huge fan of celebrity romances and fake dating, and this delivered on both tropes. A truly sexy, emotional, lovely read about two people just trying to find their way to each other and trusting the authenticity of their connection.

This was so much fun! I love Nary's books because she has the ability to write really messy characters and situations that still end up being compelling and empathetic. I enjoyed how the "fake dating" element came into play quite a bit after we got to know the main characters and their dynamic with each other; some people might think it comes too late, but I think it worked.

The one thing I wish there had been more of was the hockey, lol. I love hockey, and part of the fun of a sports romance is getting to read about it! That being said, we do get to see into the careers of both leads, seeing them at work and navigating the social expectations that come with them.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this and plan on buying a copy someday. (Paperback edition, pretty please?????) Highly recommend if you're into romance that's messy but compelling.

If you like character development and slow build-up then this one is for you.

Both men are in the closet, because Hockey and Country Music are not bastions of acceptance and rainbow flag waving. When they are outed after a couple of hookups, they both fear the worse.

Though attracted to each other, agreeing to lie and fake a relationship are not really the best foundation for trust and a relationship. But the longer they are together, the harder it becomes to know if the whole thing is fake or not.
This novel is on the longer side of your typical romance, and you definitely need to be prepared to wait for the happy ending, but it’s well written with solid and interesting characters, so it’s a nice journey. And there is always something satisfying about a happy ending that comes after the MCs having to really work for it.

The content warning at the start of the book is good. The whole story arc changes because of a forced outing. That is never OK.

I loved Contract Season! 1.5 night stand, turns into fake dating, turns into (of course) love. I am so here for it! Brody and Sea's relationship is messy, it's complicated, they both mess up and I love it!

I really enjoyed the representation of the first openly gay professional male hockey player and a big time male country music star. It added an interesting element to the story.

Brody and Sea's chemistry is off the charts. They are like magnets, pulling towards each other. I loved it!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sports fake dating romance. I mean, it's nothing new but it is done well. I liked how each character brought their own insecurities and issues to the story. It started out looking like a pretty simple story but layers were added as we went along.