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A sweet and sexy hockey romance about two ex-teammates and former best friends with benefits who are about to discover whether you can ever really have a second chance, from the USA TODAY bestselling author of Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life. Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now. As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.
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04.5 stars
If you’re looking for an angsty second-chance romance that ends with all the squishy feelings, look no further. There is a lot to unpack in the relationship Riley and Adam have had through the years and, after not talking for over a decade, it’s time for them to finally face the past and what they were to each other. It’s terrible timing as Riley’s father just died and they were very close. He’s grieving hard when the man who broke his heart shows back up in his life.
Some may say Adam didn’t grovel enough to deserve having Riley back in his life. At times I was concerned about the same thing. Yet, as the story progressed and Riley found forgiveness in his heart, it was Riley who won me over to Adam’s side. Once he let go of his anger, he understood the scared young man Adam had been all those years ago.
Riley spiraled and ended his hockey career early when things fell apart with his best friend. It’s hard to be in love with someone, spend almost every waking moment with them, and watch them immersed in their family life. He had to give himself distance, and once he did that he couldn’t fool himself any longer so finally went home to his small town to live a quiet life. A life in which he has thrived.
Not only do Riley and Adam have to forgive the past and speak the truth about what really happened all those years ago, but they also need to figure out if they can even fit into each other’s lives. They both have things that keep them in their respective cities that cannot be easily given up. I had the hardest time with that…worrying about Adam’s kids. Although it’s a well-known fact that teenagers want nothing to do with their parents, I wish they were brought into the conversation more. As a mom, I wanted the acknowledgment of how important they were to Adam to be more than it was. I was so relieved when he finally expressed that he could never regret having them so couldn’t regret the direction his life took.
This author’s stories always pull me in and grip me tight. I knew there would be a light at the end of the tunnel for this couple, but she put me through an emotional wringer before they got there.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.**
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