Season's Change

M/M Hockey is probably my favorite sub-genre in all of romance. There has been an extremely high bar for this part of romance set by authors like Sarina Bowen and Rachel Reid - and this book definitely falls in line with those books.

Poor Olly. He has been on the receiving end of bullying from pretty much every angle of his life. From the violent and cruel treatment of his former teammates to his dad pushing him in an unhealthy way - he is really very much on the edge. When he is paired with Benji as his roommate they are a very good match. Benji is kind and thoughtful - and more open to mental health being important. He gives Olly support in ways Olly has never had them.

Olly is very much closeted due to all of his experiences. Benji is - not gay - but not straight either. He has definitely fallen more on the hetero side of bi (or pan) sexual - but his relationship with Olly definitely changes things, and complicates things.

I adored how Olly and Benji supported each other and the development of their relationship. There are no overnight realizations and the issues that come up are very much real and fully developed. Benji is definitely a great book boyfriend - and Olly is just so freaking sweet.

I loved the book - and would love to read more from this author!

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

I LOVED this book. It's a pretty lengthy read and I devoured it in 24 hours. Slow burn, roommates, just enough angst to keep it interesting. Will definitely be adding this to my collection when it comes out. Thanks for the ARC!

This was just fantastic. Really well- and lovingly drawn characters, a near perfect amount of hockey, emotional work that felt really authentic and realistic, and just, phenomenally strong writing. I laughed a lot while reading this and also cried like, three times and, as is frankly always most important in a romance, swooned early and often. I love the secondary characters here, so much, especially the team, but also Olly's siblings and the wives and girlfriends who make brief appearances and still manage to feel like whole people. I love Olly, but Benji is the star of the show for me here -- a big dopey big-hearted guy? My favorite? Who could guess! -- and I don't think I've loved a romantic lead so much in a long, long while, maybe not since Lane in Avon Gale's Breakaway.

I stayed up until two am to finish this one and over the course of reading it sent my wife thirty different screenshots of things I wanted to yell about to her and I really can't offer any higher praise than that.

Thanks to Carina for the ARC!

A truly incredible book. Simply the best sport romance I have ever read.

I was enthralled the entire time and could barely put the book down. Benji and Olly are both such charming and fully-realized characters and I thoroughly enjoyed both of their POVs, which is super rare for me, someone who is kind of fussy about alternating POVs. Nary's character work is masterful--not only were all of the side characters unique and memorable, but I was actively invested in them and loved seeing how they interacted with the main characters, and each other.

Speaking of fussy, as a pretty big hockey fan, I'm very particular about how hockey is portrayed in books. The author really knocks that out of the park with this one! Detailed enough that as a hockey fan I was pleased, but not so jargon-heavy that it would be difficult for a non-sports fan to enjoy the story.

I also thought all of the discussions and portrayals of mental health in this book were very empathetic and well thought out. I'm not generally one for a closeted character story, but the emotions and struggles that Olly went through in this book were very realistic. I cheered for his successes, and emphasized with his struggles.

I also appreciated that the third act conflict felt very realistic to how the characters had been acting all book, and not some sudden drama drop that would make me frustrated with the abrupt change in character.

I could go on for ages about this book, but honestly: this was my first book of the new year, and it's certainly going to be a tough one to beat! I look forward to whatever Nary writes in the future, and I would heartily recommend this book to sports romance and novices alike.

This is the gooooooooood slowburn sports romance vibe that I love so much. A sports romance that embraces the sport too! 🙌🏻 This was a great hockey romance focusing on two team members that stole my heart. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This book was exactly what I had hoped for. I am a sucker for a well written “Sunshine/Grump” trope, and this DELIVERED. Well rounded characters, a nuanced slow-burn romance, and beautifully handled depictions of internalized homophobia. I am so excited to add this title to my “queer themes across the genres” table, and to hand-sell it with gusto! Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This was a beautiful mix of really hot tension and heartbreaking emotional growth!! I waited so long for this book, and it blew me away, and I am so happy!
Cait Nary can drop me a second book any time.