OK, I am OBSESSED with this book. I've been on the hunt for more books with older MCs, and Home Ice Advantage is just SO perfect. Hate to love with pro hockey COACHES - it's like reading a Ted Lasso episode. And Ari Baran DELIVERS. I loved how the story develops, the heartfelt moments, the way these guys who absolutely DO NOT like each other at first come to be each other's person - gah. And if you want a hockey romance for hockey lovers - you'll love this book. HIGHLY recommend.

When former hockey player Ryan gets a call from his childhood NHL team to interview for head coach, he's elated. Recently separated from his wife, he is looking forward to putting his heart into coaching a rebuilding team. His only issue is Eric, his new assistant coach, who feels like the head coaching job should've gone to him. Ryan tries to play nice, but Eric makes his job so difficult that he ends up blowing up at him... which Eric shuts down by kissing him senseless. Though their tension at work continues, they start spending more and more time together afterwards. Can they find a way to understand each other on and off the ice?

Oh my goodness, this book was just SO well done. It's seemingly opposites attract... but in reality, Ryan and Eric are SO similar and fit together SO well. Poor sweet Ryan goes through a LOT td up in love and don't know what to do about it - definitely a bit of an idiots to lovers deal going on and that's ALWAYS my favorite. These are NOT young guys - they are both in their 40s, and I think that adds a dynamic to their relationship that is so hard to find in most romance novels. And y'all - the spice in this book! Ari writes such creative s3x scenes that are super hot but also validating and not exploitative, I love it.

This whole series is absolute fire. The first two books are excellent, and with the addition of Home Ice Advantage, Ari's books are officially one of my favorite hockey series ever. I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down, and I cannot wait for more.

"Home Ice Advantage" by Ari Baran is a delightful and refreshing hockey romance that captures the tension and chemistry between two former hockey pros turned coaches. Ryan "Sully" Sullivan and Eric Aronson navigate their competitive spirits and personal baggage as they lead the struggling Boston Beacons. The story's progression from rivalry to romance is both engaging and heartfelt.

Baran's characters are mature and well-developed, adding depth to the narrative. The hockey backdrop is richly detailed, making it a treat for fans of the sport. This book stands out for its emotional maturity and the realistic portrayal of a second-chance romance.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys sports romances with well-rounded characters and a compelling storyline.

This was my favorite of Ari Baran's books so far. I loved that it was about characters in their 40s, I loved the post-divorce romance, and I loved how low angst it is. I need a book about Murph now!!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the second one wasn’t my jam. I wasn’t sure what direction we were headed in for this book, but I’m happy to say it was amazing!

I loved the characters, I loved their story, the pacing worked well for me, the humor was on point... It was just a really fantastic read! It was a delightful take on grumpy/sunshine, and I loved how we got to see both MCs be sweet and combative. I'm really looking forward to the audiobook with this one!

A refreshing and interesting take on the much loved hockey romance. Eric, an assistant coach, and Ryan, the new head coach, are both former professional players in their forties that have moved on to coaching after their playing days are over.

These two build up a lot of tension as they start off as enemies with hard feelings between them and work their way to being lovers. With family drama, emotional bagage, and even a bit of unrequited feelings, they travel a long road together before they're able to settle into their relationship.

It was nice to see a romance between more mature men and to see a sports romance from a coaching perspective as opposed to a players perspective. It's a unique and appreciated addition to the sports romance genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for an eARC copy of this book!

4.25⭐️ - there was a lot to love in this book, but what I loved most is that it's obvious the author knows and loves hockey. It was spoken about in more depth than in most hockey romances, and as a hockey fan I really appreciated that.

I really enjoyed the MCs and the family dynamics though some of the transitions in their relationship could have been a little smoother.

This is romance! At its best!

I devoured the first two books and was so excited to see this one on NetGalley. I finished it in one sitting, I could not be pulled away from it. Ryan and Eric’s story is just about perfect. There’s rivalry, hatred, workplace romance, emotional vulnerability and character development! And best of all, there’s no third act breakup or threat to breakup if one character doesn’t come out. It felt very emotionally mature, these are two middle aged men who’ve worked hard to get where they are professionally and personally. I don’t really subscribe to the idea of romances needing to earn their happy endings but Ryan and Eric definitely do.

Separate from the romance, what I really like about Ari Baran’s writing is you can tell they not only watch hockey but they love it! They blend real life pro-hockey events with the fictional in a seamless way. It’s so easy to believe Eric would make the professional choices he does. Plus the thought process of his own career and how it may project his beliefs (incorrectly) to other people? It’s very well done. I can’t wait to read more from Ari Baran!

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

This was a super fun hockey romance that could have benefited from better editing. It's 2024, people. Enough with the casual ableism every couple of paragraphs. On top of being problematic, it's lazy and repetitive.

Apart from that, this was a joy to read. Especially when I'm in the midst of several ARCs that really aren't working for me, it was a treat to read something I didn't want to keep putting down. I haven't yet read the first two books in this series, and this story worked fine for me, though I imagine there would have been some additional depth if I'd read those first.

Some people will be turned off by the supervisor/subordinate issue. They're not wrong, but I was able to overlook it. <spoiler>I was a bit surprised that it was never addressed in the story—they never get caught or fess up to their front office. That required a rather large helping of willing suspension of disbelief.</spoiler>

Despite my small-picture concerns and what I thought were some missed opportunities for interesting plot threads, I would recommend this and look forward to reading more by this author.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I just finished reading an ARC of Home Ice Advantage by Ari Baran, and I have to say, it was a great addition to the series! I've read the first two books, and even though the details are a bit fuzzy without a re-read, I know I really enjoyed them.

This book felt like a bit of a stand-alone, but I did recognize a few familiar names from the earlier stories. I’m a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers, and Eric and Ryan’s dynamic was spot on. Eric being difficult at first made total sense, and I loved Ryan's low-angst bi awakening.

Their relationship development was really well done. They slowly opened up to each other, and it turned out they had a lot of emotional baggage in common. The hockey content was just right—not too much, but if you know hockey, it felt pretty realistic.

One thing that confused me was Murph's confession. It felt out of left field. We knew Murph was Ryan’s best friend, but there wasn’t much build-up to suggest it was anything more until the big reveal. This part felt a bit underdeveloped and unnecessary, but it didn’t take away from the overall story.

Things I loved:
- Eric's love for his parents and the grave scene talking to his dad (I teared up.)
- Ryan telling off his Dad
- Female asst hockey coach!
- Jewish rep
- Short, Hairy, barrel chested, MC
- A super accepting elderly jewish mom

All in all, Home Ice Advantage is a great read if you love sports romance and emotional journeys. If you're into the rivals-to-lovers trope and realistic sports details, you’ll really enjoy this one!

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4.25 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 peppers

Another really enjoyable entry in this hockey series.

I’ve recently grown a bit tired of the hockey romances because they all started to feel the same, so it was nice to see the romance taking place between coaches this time around.

My only really criticism of the book was the inclusion of a side character confessing romantic feelings for an MC out of the blue. It felt like just a distraction the way it was presented. It could have either been omitted entirely or developed further to become an actual source of introspection and conflict for the main characters.

I’m really enjoying Ari Baran’s characters, though.

I really can't say enough good things about this series. Each book stands on its own and you don't have to read the others if you don't want to, you won't be lost, and you'll only miss a couple passing references to the previous characters. It's very obvious that Ari Baran actually likes hockey. That is not the case with most of the hockey romos I have read, sometimes I wonder if the authors have ever actually seen a hockey game before. This author, thankfully, has. I think one of the things I liked most about this entry in the series, is that both MCs are "mature". As in they, like myself, are in their 40s. I don't mind reading about people in their late teens and 20s, but it's nice to read about people my own damn age every once in a while. All of the couples in this series have some sort of opposites attract thing going on and Home Ice Advantage is no different. Ryan is very even tempered with a shit family while Eric is hotheaded with a loving parent. The contrast works well for the story. Both MCs have their issues, and they play a part in the story but don't distract from what's going on. To be honest, there could have actually been more conflict and it would have worked. Ryan's ex-wife wasn't the problem I thought she would be. Murphy was a surprise but probably shouldn't have been. Nothing about Ryan and Eric together felt forced and their relationship was surprising healthy. All in all, a solid read that left me wanting book 4 ASAP.

Ari Baran has done it again! I love their work and this book cements them as one of my favourite hockey romance authors.

The vibe:
Assistant coach Eric and new head coach Ryan, forced to work together on a struggling team starting a rebuild. Reluctant colleagues (enemies in Eric’s case) to lovers (with crazy chemistry) to really actually loving each other!

Pros:
- Two really unique characters with different backgrounds but beautiful chemistry
- As always, love the jewish representation in Ari’s books as well as characters from other ethnicities that are not as often represented in hockey romance books
- Little mentions of previous book characters really cements the universe that Ari is building
- Great discussion surrounding establishing positive team environments and the scandal of teams covering up assault.

Cons:
- My main drawback is that I wish it was longer, the book covers an entire season so there are a few time jumps, and I always wish for more details of their mundane lives
- Murphy’s plot line was bittersweet - I’m hoping it’s not the last we see of him

My standout quote:
“There had always been something else, simmering beneath the surface, and they’d both been too blind or too frightened by what it meant to look at it directly. It was easy not to look at it, in a sport as straight as hockey, when girls were so easy to met and everyone got married so young”

Home Ice Advantage is another amazing queer hockey romance from Ari Baran. If you are a fan of antagonists to lovers, forced proximity sports romances with the bonus of older main characters, don’t miss this impossible to put down story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

NHL Hall of Famer Ryan Sullivan is the new Boston head coach. Only, he doesn’t know that assistant coach Eric Aronson thought the job should have been his. Tough guy Eric is frustrated by Ryan’s power of positive thinking attitude, especially when Eric’s had to work so hard for his entire hockey career. But as they bicker and argue over hockey, other feelings start to boil over too. And once they kiss, neither one knows what it means for their personal or professional relationship.

I adore Eric and Ryan! Ryan is delightfully clueless at times; I love his genuine surprise whenever someone explains feelings to him. He’s shocked when Eric kisses him, but immediately responds without too much angst about his sexuality. And it’s great to read a hockey romance about older characters with years of life experience, along with tons of chemistry.

Eric and Ryan’s differences make for a great story. It’s always refreshing to read about Baran’s Jewish characters, and Eric’s experience growing up in Montreal’s Jewish community is wonderful. I also enjoyed the contrasts between Eric’s supportive mother and Ryan’s antagonistic father.

If you are a fan of queer hockey romance, don’t miss Home Ice Advantage. This antagonists to lovers story with older main characters is a delight. Between author Ari Baran’s thorough hockey details and Ryan and Eric’s sizzling grumpy/sunshine chemistry, I couldn’t put down this wonderful story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ari Baran is a new to me author - but this book was a real standout to me. In sports romance, it is not very common to see two characters over the age of 30, let alone 40 like Ryan and Eric are. I also adored that Ryan and Eric talked through things when stuff got complicated and that there was no 3rd act break up. The problems and issues, as well as their relationship development made perfect sense in context.

This book is perfect or fans of hockey romance - with a dash of enemies to lovers - and a whole heaping level of maturity and sexy-times.

Now off to download the rest of this series so I can catch back up!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ari Baran writes my kind of books. There’s just the right amount of minutiae, plenty of passion, extremely likable characters, and no shortage of scenes that can make even this stoic show some feeling. I loved reading every leg of the journey taken by Eric and Ryan—the golden retriever and angry bird simply brought out the best in each other and it was a joy to experience. I really liked the little tidbits about Eric’s heritage and how it shaped who he was, and I savored Ryan finally standing up to his hateful father. You can tell that Baran truly is a hockey fan, as there are many more details about the game than you usually find in this genre; I’m here for it! And I’m here for any and all future books by Ari Baran!

Dare I say that Ari Baran has put the biscuit in the basket again with Home Ice Advantage? I loved having two middle-aged mcs who are still trying to figure out life after their playing careers, each dealing with a few different ghosts from their past, who finally absolutely just cannot ignore the electricity between them. Sully and Eric had so much chemistry, but the book was also so thoughtful and gentle in the way it pressed on and healed the bruises they had to work through to put a bow on the book. I laughed, I cried, I kept reading lines out loud to whoever I was with when I was reading! If you like your hockey romance with a little angst and a lot of heart, this is definitely for you!

dnf @ 44%



I did not end up liking this, for several reasons. I think the writing itself is fine, I think the trajectory I saw for the rest of the novel was fine. But hoooo boy I did not like one of the main characters, and I did not like one of the tropes being used.

While I really liked that the main characters were middle-aged (more of that please!), I didn't have any strong feelings about one character and absolutely Did Not like the other main character. Eric is just a dick. He loses out on a promotion (which from what I know about sports, um, I feel like head coach is not something you usually get promoted to?), and then he proceeds to be absolutely vile to his new boss. Immature AND mean/rude. No thanks!! I like characters who are unlikable in a compelling way, but this ain't it.

Also, based on the way the book blurb was written, I did not realize this was going to be a supervisor-supervisee romance????? EW NO!!!! Sorry, that is just a trope that I Do Not Like and that I avoid at all costs. It's the same level of ick as a billionaire romance. HR violations are not fun & sexy!!!!!

Overall, I think if you jive with the main characters & don't have trope ick the way I do, you might really like this book. I can see the compelling aspects, and the writing is good. I think I'll give this author one more go before I decide whether or not they're for me.

I have loved every book in this series so obviously I raced through this one as well. I will be the first to admit I know next to nothing about hockey but Ari’s books are so compelling and well crafted that I find myself googling things like “what is hockey defense”. Just a really fantastically well crafted love story with lovely little references to previous books. I can’t wait for the next one!

Y'all. When I say I TORE through this book, it is absolutely not an exaggeration! Gosh there were just so many things to like here, but people having actual conversations about difficult topics in their lives, and then acting accordingly is just SUCH a breath of fresh air, I CAN NOT EVEN. I also loved Eric's relationship with his mom SO MUCH, and the fact that Sully just kind of shrugged and accepted his bisexuality was also pretty great. tbqh, the only reason this is four stars instead of five is because I just have no idea why we needed Ryan's BFF's weird declaration of love actually affecting their relationship??? (Also Ryan's ex being a total cypher, but you know, you can't have everything.) But on the whole A+++ dive into fiction, would dive again!

Bittersweet that I have been waiting for this baby to come out for absolute months, so made myself take it slow-ish in anticipation of the expected book hangover when I finished. Have to say I think it will make no difference - no difference at all.

And the book, no spoiling the plot except to say this is about a rookie coach and an assistant coach, who is absolutely pissed he’s missed out on the top job. This book is about the hills and valleys of their relationship (was going to say ups and downs but I fear it’s in bad taste ☺️). Anyway this book is living proof of the importance of representation in all its forms, religious, sexually, racially, and can I say ageist? Because these two aren’t twenty-somethings and haven’t been for a while!

I can’t speak more highly of Ari Baran’s writing of this universe. There’s some little gems hidden throughout to some of the other characters from the universe (but this can still be read as a standalone … it just hits different knowing what we know).

All I’ll say at this point was it was absolutely well worth the wait. Loved it, loved it. Will read it 1000 times kind of loved it.