Stan Lyamin has seen many of his dreams come true. He’s found his soulmate, loves Noah like his own, hoisted the Cup, and has his Mama living with him in his new country. But his fantasies of a loud, loving, madcap home overflowing with childish laughter linger. When a distant family member passes, Stan and Erik immediately agree to take in the two orphaned children, but that means a trip back to … to Russia for Stan, an idea that both exhilarates and terrifies him.
Erik’s world tilts on its axis when a phone call wakes him and Stan in the middle of the night. Abruptly, Stan is returning to Russia, making deals, working with people who know people, and fully intending to bring two orphaned children home. The red tape is overwhelming, and Erik is alone in Harrisburg with the nearly impossible task of finding a nanny who can speak fluent Russian. Being on his own is one thing, but add in fears about Stan’s safety and team issues, and Erik is finding everything hard to balance; not least of which is spending quality time with Noah.
When their family expands from three to five, the journey won’t be easy, but love can always find a way.
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I’ve made no secret of the fact that Stan and Erik are my favourite couple in this series, and Stan is my favourite character. At the beginning of this novella I was concerned that this was going to be a heavy book with Stan and Erik apart for long stretches of time, but thankfully that part of the story was little more than a set up for what turned out to be the most adorable domestic tale. Just everything about this was lovely, funny, and heartwarming. And the ending, omg, that ending. Loved it.
YAY, another Stan and Erik story!! This totally made my day! Now, this is part of a series, and without reading the previous stories, this will not have the impact as it should. This is Stan and Erik getting that HEA, the dream that they both had for their family and we get to see a little bit of that dream play out in this story. Stan gets news that a family member died and that he is the next in line to get the kids. Both Stan and Erik have no reservations about the children, its the process of getting them. Stan has to go back to Russia to retrieve them, and this is no easy feat. So many things can go wrong in this whole scenario that both the guys are a bit off their game. Can the two deal with the pressure of getting the other two children? Can they handle three kids and hockey?
This was such a sweet story, I love Stan and Erik. Stan with his broken English that makes us laugh and Erik for how he deals with Stan and his antics. Getting to see Ten back in action was great, and his role as godfather was so cute! I kinda hope that Stan and Erik give Ten and Jared the baby bug and they decide to get one of their own LOL. I am greedy and wanted more than just a novella but this was a fantastic quick read. I give this 5 stars.
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3
A great follow-up for Erik and Stan! Love their family!
I loved this novella. It was short sweet, and snappy with a great surprise and unique humor. It’s so well written and I enjoyed seeing where RJ & V.L. would take these two and they didn’t disappoint! So much happens in this story and as Stan and Erik adjust to becoming a family of five they still must focus on Hockey. There wasn’t too much Hockey in this story and I quite enjoyed the focus being on the players’ lives, rather than the game. There is a wonderful surprise within this story that is so cheesy and romantic you can’t help but laugh, it made this story all the sweeter! I highly recommend this novella and while I’d say you don’t have to read Poke Check first its recommended as its Stan and Erik’s ‘origin’ story. Also, I felt a bit lost not knowing what happened to Ten as this is talked about a lot; so maybe reading the Christmas novella might have helped. Either way, this is a great series and fantastic writing by this awesome duo. Highly recommended.
Thanks for reading!
Ahhh my heart! This story gets you right in the feels, guys. First, I just have to say how freaking excited I am that we got more Stan, Erik, and Noah. I adore this little family and Stan is one of my favorite characters ever, and everything that made me fall in love with them in their first book is present in this one in spades. Stan is still enthusiastic and hilarious as ever, and the love he and Erik share is undeniable. Things are going well for them and their little rabbit when one phone call changes their lives forever. Man, this book had me all over the place emotionally! I was nervous right along with poor Erik as he worried about Stan being in Russia, and my heart broke over and over again for the two scared children he brings home. But those children are definitely in the right place as we all know how much love Stan and his man have to give, and though it is not easy for the newly-expanded family of five to find their footing, it is worth every second. Love, love, love this story and this family and this team – and Ten and Stan have the BEST bromance, guys, oh my GOD – and I cannot wait for Jared and Ten’s next novella!!
One of my favorite series just got even better with the addition of Hat Trick. I love this family so much!!!! The journey that Stan and Eric go on in this story is epic. It has all the love and feels! Add in visits from all our favorites and there is no better way to spend an afternoon. I can’t get enough of these guys!!!!
I don’t read much “sport” romance but….
Love me some Stan and family. Very much part of the series, so not a stand alone. However it’s a series that I can’t recommend enough.
A good selection of the regulars appear in the book, it’s great to see Ten’s progress. I hope the kids appear in other books, even the spin off series, they are going to be so entertaining, how can they not be with Stan and Erik for parents?
That trip to Vegas. I really want one! Lol.
This story was wonderful!
It made me grin like an idiot, shed some tears, laugh out loud and sigh loudly at all the emotions it put me through. We all love our Railers family. So many were in this book and I so enjoyed visiting with them all. Sometimes, when reading a huge series of books like this is a part of, you sometimes forget certain personality traits. Let me tell you I remembered them all. A few times I sighed and said ” Ah Stan, you just make me love you more big guy!” The love that Stan and Erik have for each other, Noah , Mama, Galina and the rest of their extended family shines through so clearly in this book. I am not sure how the authors do it but they keep coming up with things that just tickle me NO end.
This is a MUST read to all of us who have read the previous books and blog posts. Hopefully new fans will discover this story, fall in love with our guys and decide that they just HAVE to read the previous stories. I am so looking forward to what comes next.
I HIGHLY recommend this book!
I was given an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest review of the book.
This was another amazing story in the world of the Harrisburg Railers. This story follows Stan and Eric’s journey from a tragic phone call to the addition of two new family members. Stan is my favorite Railer and this story made me love him even more. This story is a must read and I can’t wait to see what these two ladies come up with next.
The Harrisburg Railers’ series is not just one of my favorite ever but is so amazing to read, every single book!! Erik and Stan are amazing partners, fantastic hockey players and seriously the best Dads ever. Noah couldn’t have a great family, but now he will have to share his Dads. Through international paperwork, hockey games, language differences two children come into Erik and Stan’s life and a whirlwind of laughter, tears, learning and loving come about.
This novella maybe a short story but what a powerful punch it has!!! I do not want to spoil anything so I’ll just say..READ THIS BOOK, many surprises and heartfelt moments occur!! I loved this book so much! It was funny, glittery, a little angst, some frayed nerves and lots of hugs and family love!
I loved Hat Trick. Gobbled up the story. I love anything with Stan and Erik. Stan just makes you want to be around him, even vicariously through a book. Their story is so sweet and I loved them getting their own second story. Stan’s love for Elvis makes me smile, and I love all of the Elvis in this story. Their family is sweet and I love how much support Stan’s family gives to them. Erik is the perfect foil to Stan and I love their chemistry. I definitely recommend this story, the whole Harrisburg Railers series, actually.
Stan makes much happiness for this reader. I was already in love with Stan, but Hat Trick cemented him into my heart. I enjoyed many things about this novella, but mostly the fact that we get to know both Stan and Erik better which makes loving them that much easier. I also felt the title and its significance in the story was super charming. When a story brings me such fantastic characters, a heartwarming situation for the characters to work through, funny dialogue, AND hockey? I’m a very happy camper! Looking forward to more and more.
Our large and lovable Russian is back with equally lovable Erik and Noah. This time the two men added two more children to their mix that left them with a very full household and two siblings for baby Noah. A heartwarming story of family coming through for each other.
Stan and Erik have it all – love and friendship, great careers, fabulous friends and the love of a special little boy. But when one phone call brings Stan back to Russia, two more children come under their care. Can the family of three adjust to be a family of five? Or will the happy little bubble that surrounds the two lovers burst with the added pressure and responsibility? Stan is a huge man and he has a huge heart. I loved seeing his character embrace all of his surroundings. This was a wonderful addition to Stan and Erik’s story.