“I knew in Big Stick I would love Oli’s story, and after getting to know this sexy giant in the pages of Butt Ending, I now think I love him more than Myles… so, therefore, I claim them both!” ~ A.M. Madden USA Today Bestselling Author. Sloane has been on her share of dates. She just can’t seem to find the right guy to pop her virgin cherry. Sloane’s mother, a well-known sex guru, believes she’s … believes she’s suffering from a hostile vagina.
Poor Sloane is beginning to believe her mother’s professional diagnosis is true. Except for one small detail. . .
She’s been pining for her best friend’s brother, Oli, for the past decade.
Sloane’s heart is set on the unattainable, sexy-as-sin hockey player. She would give up on her Oli fantasy if it weren’t for those constant heated glares and that one passionate kiss that set her world on fire confirming her hostile vagina is right. Oli is the man for the job.
Problem is, Oli seems to have no intention of settling down and has clearly placed Sloane in the friend zone.
When crisis strikes, Oli and Sloane end up trapped in a car, driving to Canada with a sweet puppy and a whole lot of chemistry. But when Oli realizes she’s a virgin, he wants to run to the farthest hills to get away from her.
Sometimes happily-ever-after isn’t that easy. . .
Butt Ending is a laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers story. Get ready for foodgasms, dirty talk, and one heck of a sexy alpha-male hockey player.
This is a full length standalone novel with an HEA.
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Technically this is my second book from R.C. Stephens but I read the first book in this series after receiving this book so it is fair to say thank you Butt Ending for introducing me to R.C. Stephens. But no worries even though, I totally recommend you to read ‘Big Stick’ first, ‘Butt Ending’ can be read as a standalone. I loved the writing style on both books. They were both full of twists and unexpected events.
Oliver Russell, aka Oli, is a hot shot NHL player. He is hot on and out of ice. He is the king of hook-ups. After losing both of his parents at a young age, he doesn’t want any kind of commitments. His only committed to his twin sister Flynn and his best friend Myles. He is happy with his life style until a car ride with a brunette spitfire changes his life upside down. Sloane Carmichael is Flynn’s best friend and since she met Oli ten years ago, she has a huge crush on him just like most of the female population. Thanks to Flynn’s meddling Sloane and Oli ends up in a nine-hour road trip to Canada. Oli was always aware of Sloane but it wasn’t hard to ignore his attraction towards her but being in an enclosed space with Sloane makes everything harder. Oli knows that Sloane is looking for more than a one-night stand but he is not ta person, who can offer more than a night. Just like Oli, As a twenty-seven year old virgin, Sloane has her own issues due to events she went through when she was a teenager. Her mom’s, who is a famous sex guru, diagnosis is that Sloane is suffering from a hostile vagina. But when she is around Oli, her vagina is not hostile at all. So she decides why not give her virginity to Oli, but when Oli learns that she is a virgin, he runs without looking back and boom Sloane is friend-zoned. Sloane wants her happily ever after but seeing Oli cannot be monogamous and he is a commitment-phobe, she decides to go back to her hometown and face her demons. Their happily ever after won’t come easy. For them to move forward and be happy, they both have to face their demons.
This story brought out so many emotions. I cried, laughed, got pissed. What Sloane went through with Parker, was so closed to what I have been through with my best friend, it hurt me and made me feel really close to her because I understood what she went through. I totally recommend this sexy, funny, sweet and heartbreaking story.
P.S. Third book of the series ‘Power Play’ is coming next and I cannot wait to get my hands on it 🙂
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
Sports Romance stories usually feature jocks known for their bad boy rep, unwilling to settle down because it’s too much fun to play around, both on and off the field. Butt Ending, the second book in the Big Stick series, is a perfect example of this trope. It’s funny and infuriating at times, with an unapologetic manwhore as the MC and a virginal h that’s been attracted with him, for too many years. These two made me want to butt their heads together more than once, when I wasn’t laughing or tearing up with antics and painful pasts.
Sloane Carmichael has been best friends with Flynn Russell since they met in college. She’s also very attracted to her twin brother, Oli, something they’ve never pursued, other than a kiss they shared, years ago and never discussed afterwards. At twenty-seven, Sloane’s still a virgin, and it’s something that’s been bothering Flynn more than her. The real reason she still holds on to her V-card is too painful to tell anyone. It’s the reason she left home years ago, and hasn’t gone back to visit.
“I feel ruined. My heart wants what it can’t have.”
Oliver ‘Oli’ Russell is happy to be single and isn’t looking for a relationship, he only wants to live in the moment. It’s one of the reasons he hasn’t pursued Sloane, he’s convinced she’s looking for a man to settle down with and all he can do is one night. They’re joined as godparents, to Flynn’s twin babies, and he’s put Sloane in the ‘friends-and-family’ box, to make sure he doesn’t act on the attraction they have. He did that after the one and only time they kissed, a kiss that affected him deeply, seemed to leave Sloane confused and shell shocked.
“For me, not wanting a relationship has more to do with living life in the moment, coming and going as I please. A relationship would just bog me down.”
Both Sloane and Oli had past relationships and tragedies that molded them into the unhappy people they are now. While they seem to be living fulfilled lives the reality is they are both lonely and troubled.
“I don’t want to get into bed every night by myself and wake up with cold sheets on the other side of the bed. I’ll lower my standards. Maybe the perfect man doesn’t exist.”
I enjoyed this friends-to-lovers, best friends brother romance. The chemistry was insane between Oli and Sloane. However, their fears and emotional baggage stood firmly in the way. I liked both the characters but also found them frustrating. Sloane’s expectations seemed very unrealistic considering she knew Oliver so well. As for Oli, I could understand where his fear and pain was coming from but still thought he made some really idiotic and quite cruel mistakes. Still, there was a lot to keep you happy and entertained while reading this book.
4.5 stars
My favorite giant got his own story! I’ve been hoping for Oli’s story since reading “Big Stick” and I’m so excited I got it
Sloane had a crush on Oli for the past decade. She’s been waiting for him to notice her, but Oli is a player; he has a new girl every week. What finally brings them close is a road trip to Canada. Thanks to Flynn, the fire that has been burning between them it’s now a real thing! Oli had Sloane cataloged in his mind as off-limits because she’s friends with his twin sister.
Their road trip to Canada is pretty eventful! I laughed so hard with their interactions and the fact that they are stuck together in one room for the night. Sloane experience some pretty serious foodgasms and that makes Oli’s resistance even more difficult.
Their relationship is pretty complicated. Oli’s emotions are messed up and he constantly gives her mixed signals. It was seriously frustrating seeing them take one step forward and then ten back!
This book is a beautiful story about two people leaving their past behind, overcoming their insecurities and finding each other at last! Double that with a sexy hockey player as the male lead and you have a winner! I really liked the book and I’m looking forward to Sierra’s book next!!!
Sloane and Oliver’s story was entertaining on different levels. It has bouts of hilariousness mixed in amongst some sexual tension, some slow-burning desire, and then on to the delicious and steamy scenes, but it also has a seriousness to it that helped to bind the story together and make the characters real. I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters and hope they found their way into each other’s hearts.
Butt Ending is a friends to lovers romance with very likeable main characters and interesting supporting characters. It has a touch of Canadian spirit and gives the reader a glimpse inside the life of hot and single NHL players. It may be a fictional glimpse, but it brought on some great fantasies. As a reader from a Canadian hockey town, this part of the story was very appealing to me.
Oli is a bit of a manwhore, ok maybe a touch more than that, but eventually he redeemed himself in my eyes. Sloane might not be your typical 27-year-old female with her childhood values still playing a large part in her life today, but her heart just won’t walk away because she still manages to see all the good inside of Oliver. I’ve read a few books from R. C. Stephens and this is one of my favorites. For me, a little more angst and drama would have pushed it to a 5 star rating.
The story was compelling and pulled at my heartstrings along the way. Each of the characters has faced tragedy in their lives and both have demons to conquer. Even though it is book 2 in the Big Stick series, it is a complete standalone. There was nothing lost by starting out of order, it only made me want to read book 1, Big Stick, all the more, and now I’m excited for Sierra and Nils in book 3. It was a feel good story most of the way with just enough drama to keep things interesting. The last few chapters revealed Sloane’s dark secret which honestly had tears in my eyes and tied up the story perfectly. This one was thoroughly enjoyable and has a great ending that put a real smile on my face after I finished drying my tears. I recommend this book for a feel-good fairly quick read. Their journey is not all rosy, it has some thorns that cause pain, but the journey is well worth it.
R.C. Stephens hits it into the net with BUTT ENDING, the second book in the Big Stick series. Sloane Carmichael has been in interested in her best friend Flynn’s twin brother, Oliver Russell, since they met ten years ago. Unfortunately, she’s been placed in the friend zone. That is until they get stuck traveling together.
I have been looking forward to reading Sloane’s and Oli’s story since book one, BIG STICK. I loved hearing their story. I also enjoyed, reading more about Flynn and Myles Sanders from Book 1.
R.C. Stephens does a great job with her character development. The characters have a lot of dimensions and grow throughout the story. Oli is a loving and fun hero. He is a professional hockey player for Chicago. After his parents’ death, he put his twin through school. He is protective and loyal to his family and friends. He’s enjoying the bachelor life of a professional athlete. He is interested in Sloane but doesn’t want to hurt her. Sloane is a sweet heroine. She has some emotional issues from her past that she deals with in this story. She is a good friend to Flynn. Sloane and Oli have great chemistry. I adored their banter.
I enjoyed the plot. It was touching and entertaining. There were unexpected twists. There were relevant obstacles. There are important issues pertaining to Mental Health. BUTT ENDING is a heartwarming story that is hard to put down. Be warned you may experience a book hangover. I’m looking forward to Sierra’sand Nils’ story in book three, POWER PLAY. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Butt Ending is book 2 in the Big Stick series by RC Stephens. Butt Ending is a friends to lovers story /forbidden romance that has sexy athletes, family, friends and loss.
Oliver Russell has friend-zoned Sloane Carmichael which leads them into such witty and sexy-cute banter between these two main characters that has the reader hooked, wanting to know what is going to happen next. Oli swore he would never cross any lines yet lines were blurred, crossed and from there, futures ended up being changed. Will Oli and Sloane give in to the chemistry and connection between them or will Oli back away and not allow what is happening to go forward?
This is a very good friends to lovers/ forbidden lovers romance that delights and delivers. I don’t want to give any spoilers away so just know there are twists and turns along with drama, angst and heat that goes with the feels. Oli and Sloane are awesome as main characters and as a couple.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ******
Butt Ending is book two in the ‘Big Stick’ series, and tells Oliver and Sloane’s story. This book is a complete standalone, although characters do appear from the previous book, it doesn’t detract from the main story, just adds a little more for the reader to enjoy from Flynn and Myles (Book1- Big Stick, which is on sale for 0.99¢ at time of release. We met both Oliver (Flynn’s twin brother and Sloane, her best friend, in that book too. So, we got to know them a little bit, but now, this is all about them.
I loved reading how they first met, but it was a shame it took so long for them to finally get their chance at happiness. I guess Ollie just wasn’t mature enough (emotionally speaking at least). This huge, burly hunk of a man certainly knew his way around the ladies and didn’t lack for company.
Sloane was the complete opposite. She’s sweet and innocent, so much so, was still holding her V-card and had become desperate to lose it once and for all. She has a past that left a mark on her heart and made it hard to connect with guys and take that ultimate step of intimacy.
But, she’s also been harboring a deep crush of her best friend’s brother. Ollie is oblivious to her feelings and mostly they act like they hate each other.
Until, they are forced into sharing a road trip to Canada. One breakdown, one steamy interlude should be the start of something wonderful, but instead, Ollie wants to pretend it didn’t happen.
Try as he might though, he can’t get Sloane out of his head and after a month of fighting, he surrenders to his desire. But, yet again, Ollie got scared.
There were some rocky moments after that, and my heart was pulled in two directions. It bleed for Sloane when her past came to light. Thankfully, Ollie pulled himself together in the end on this not so easy road to love.
I really liked this book. It is the second book in the Big Stick series (Ice Hockey players, although Big Stick could cover a variety of things!!) but it can most definitely be read as a standalone. I have not read the first book and it didn’t matter. Sloane has been Flynn’s best friend since college and Flynn’s twin brother Oli is a pro hockey player, with all the appropriate manwhore characteristics. Oli lost both his parents in a car accident and since then he has decided he is not going to make a commitment to a relationship so he can never be hurt like that again. Sloane has a whole host of her own issues. A father who is a preacher, a mother who abandoned her and went off to travel and become a sex guru, and who maintains that Sloane has a hostile vagina as she is still a virgin at 27. Can they overcome their issues and give in to their insecurities and their sizzling chemistry. Well written, enjoyable and worth investing the time in.
An emotional roller coaster of a forbidden love story! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Sloane and Oli’s are the godparents to two the twins of their friends and sibling. When Oli’s sister plots to get the two to push past their fears and see what is in front of them on a road trip. The road trip proves to push the two in the right direction but with both Sloane and Oli’s broken pieces can these two push past all their daemons to find happiness in each other? I had every emotion in the book and tears streamed as Sloane comes to grip with her past.
This is my first book by RC Stephens but will not be my last.
I didn’t really like Oli at the first meeting, but I ended up enjoying the characters eventually. I liked the book, but felt like it took them way too long to get to the heart of the issues.
I have to admit, I didn’t read Big Stick but I was excited to read this one after finding out it was a Hockey book. Being a Buffalo girl, you need to know we love Hockey and are die hard fans! That being said I really enjoyed this book. Oli reminded me of the Stereotypical hockey player with a long line of “bunnies”, but there was more to him. He was an amazing big brother, with a big heart and sense of humor. I liked seeing his story unravel, his fears surface & how he handles his past. While Sloane wasn’t my favorite female character, I found her relationship with the Russell twins strong, loyal and loving. The banter between Oli & Sloane made this one fun to read. As we got the truth about her past, my heart hurt for her and her fears she actually grew on me. Flynn, I loved her character so much that I went back and purchased Big Stick so I could read more of her story.
The title of books always intrigue me and I always want to know the “tie in” into the story ~ You know I had to look it up in the Hockey Rule book; Section Eight: Stick Fouls Rule 58.1 Butt Ending – The action whereby a player or goalkeeper uses the shaft of a stick, above the upper hand, to check an opposing player in any manner or jabs or attempts to jab an opposing player with this part of the stick. Now all I can do is think of Oli and smile!
Now, this one did leave me needing to know more about Sierra and Nils ~ Power Play can’t get here fast enough….
This Hockey player is hot, and his twin sister’s best friend is fiery!
In Butt Ending, the second Big Stick novel, we get Oli and Flynn’s story, who we met in the first book. It is a complete stand-a-lone, but her friends from book one feature heavily. Never fear, if you haven’t read Big Stick, (and you will want to!), it doesn’t matter. RC Stephens does a great job in giving a quick run down on how the friendships slot together and the who’s who. This will make you want to go back and read the first one even more!!
Sloane is crashing on the sofa at her friend, Flynn’s apartment. She hasn’t met Flynn’s twin brother, the NHL hockey star yet, but she certainly speaks highly of him. Their first meeting was not the most salubrious of occasions when a large inebriated body lands on top of Sloane in the middle of the night, and his drunk and expectant chatter about her night attire and chesty attributes more than outrage her. He can’t help but be intrigued by this fiery shorty who is the moral opposite of his usual puck bunnies! Soon enough he realises that being his twin sister’s best friend, she is most definitely off limits!
Almost ten years later, Oli is still into his bunnies, Flynn is now hardworking and married mother with one of his team mates, and Sloane is also still single. With her background, and we don’t yet know the full extent of her reason for staying away from her hometown, it’s no wonder she’s still also a virgin.
Fitting squarely into the friends-to-lovers and best-friend’s-brother tropes, RC Stephens gives all the feels from laughing at the witty banter going on between the characters, to feelings of anger and betrayal as though I was there is Sloane’s head along with her!
This book is about love. Love for a best friend forever, love for family and love for that special someone. It’s also about incredible loss that is heart-breaking and shapes the pieces of the person that continues on. How is there room for a future when the past and the loss of another potential future still hides in the soul, unrecognised by it’s broken host??
RC Stephens has pulled together another amazing read that I had to get through as quickly as possible because I just wanted to see if Oli was going to get his shit together! I also admired Sloane so much. She’s sassy, fun, loyal and completely real. In fact, the whole cast are amazing people who aren’t perfect, but do their best to be the best people that they can be at the end of the day. Read it for yourself and see.
5 Stars.
Is this the end of the line or the start of forever? Stephens is high on my list of go to authors when it comes to sports romance. Butt Ending takes a fresh look at love and a realistic, empathetic look at life. Sloane and Oli are hot enough to melt ice. Love has been a long time coming for this duo. From past tragedies to current heartache and foolish pride, this couple has endured a lifetime of upsets in their long-standing long-standing friendship. Can they break free of the past and set their sights on finding happiness? Stephens scores gold with Butt Ending.
Butt Ending is book 2 in the Big Stick Series but it can certainly be read and loved as a stand-alone, I know this because I haven’t read book 1 as yet but I will be back tracking and reading it as soon as time permits. If you love sports romance and romantic comedy Butt Ending is a must read.
Sloane Carmichael should be off limits for many reasons the first being she is my twin sisters best friend and second I don’t do relationships so why does she make my heart race.
Oli Russell vowed when he lost his parents hat no one would ever feel the way he felt and he would never put a significant other through that but a road trip with Sloane has him feeling emotional.
Can friends become lovers will this fun couple cross lines that will change both their futures…..
This book has it all, it was funny, it was passionate and this author created the perfect banter between all of her characters. This author is new to me but I’m telling you now that’s about to change, I have no idea why she hasn’t crossed my radar before now because I loved everything about Butt Ending and I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
I had the read this because I was dying to know what a Hostile vagina is. Fabulous read.
fun characters and a fast, easy read
I greatly enjoy hockey-related stories. The tale of the two main characters who have known one another since childhood is sweet and very easy to read in a day.
Loved the banter between the characters. Great story of love and heartache. Laughed and cried and was emotionally attached to this book. Glad i found it.
I couldn’t wait to read this book because I’ve been waiting for Sloane and Oli’s story and it was everything I hoped it would be. Sloane & Oli’s chemistry is off the charts, I couldn’t stop reading their story. Both have past issues they need too overcome in order for them too have their HEA. Sloane and Oli’s story will have you laughing, frustrated, tear-eyed and loving their sexy time. I truly enjoyed this book and characters. I’m really intrigued with Sierra & Nils book coming soon. An amazing story that will have you hooked from page 1.