Two men afraid to feel, have to make choices that could end up breaking down their defenses and leading them back to love.Every time Max Van Hellren steps on the ice he knows it could be his last time. At thirty he’s past his hockey prime but he’s also hiding a life-threatening injury that private doctors warn could kill him. This is his last season, and there’s a chance he could lift the Stanley … lift the Stanley Cup after fourteen years in the NHL. He just needs to stay safe and healthy; difficult when he’s known for his heavy hitting and with a propensity for dropping the gloves and putting his body in the way of pucks to keep his team safe.
A one night stand with a sexy man was just what he needed, dangerous and hot, but what if it turned into more? Would he actually have to share the secrets he so desperately tries to hide?
Ben Worthington had it all. A fulfilling job running the CrossRoads Shelter, his loving aunts, and a husband that understood his devotion to animals. Then, the love of his life left him, succumbing so quickly to an unexpected sickness that Ben never had time to say goodbye. The violent loss scarred him.
Unable to move past his fears, he moves from lonely encounter to lonely encounter, slaking a desperate need that is eating away at him, but never making a connection that could lead him back into love. One night with Max makes him want more, but will giving into the temptation open the door to feelings he can’t contain?
Can these two broken men ever find a way to be together?
Word Count: 53,000
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4 1/2 out of 5 stars
I love this series! Like every single couple and story has captured my heart and Max & Ben are not different! They’ve both had some bad times in their past and they’re both hesitant to get into a relationship, but some things just can’t be denied!
This story moved at a great pace – fast enough to keep me reading, yet slow enough for me to enjoy the story. I thought Max was a great addition to the Railers and Ben’s story just stole a little piece of me. I enjoyed that Max wasn’t threatened by Ben’s past with Liam. I appreciated that Ben’s hesitancy didn’t stop their relationship from developing. And Ben’s nephew added a great little twist to the story.
I can’t wait to get more of these hockey guys and maybe even some new ones along the way. This series is a must read!!
*** I voluntarily read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
This book, and all of the books are Awesome!
When a new book comes out in this series (or anything by these authors) it moves immediately to the status To Be Read NEXT
Max Van Hellren is playing on borrowed time, he knows that his time playing is almost up, but until that time he is going to play like never before. No one knows the secret that he is hiding, that for him tomorrow is not guaranteed at all. When he meets Ben, a local owner of a no kill shelter, they have a spark of something, and that something is enough for Max to want to try. For the first time Max isn’t just living his life for hockey. Ben had lost the love of his life a few years ago, and was just content with his dog and running the shelter. When Max expresses an interest, Ben has no clue what to do, feeling guilty while at the same time interested in Max. Ben gives it a go, and it turns out to be the best thing ever. The two are going great, until Max opens up about his secret, Ben has to figure out if he is strong enough to endure loss a second time in his life, or does he just go ahead and cut Max out of the picture right away?
So, coming on the heels of Stan, this turned out to be an ok read. Not as funny, but this one deals with a bit more drama and has an added bit of danger that we haven’t had previously. I feel like this one is missing something, it feels like Max and Ben’s situation was left a bit unfinished. Some steamy naughty bits, loads of drama, and some cute puppies, I give this 3.5 stars.
Oh, I FELT for Ben. Reading everything that Ben had been through was a little heartbreaking and at first, I was worried about Max being his match. It was easy to connect to Ben and after just reading the first chapter and I did not want him to suffer anymore.
Max and Ben came together hot and heavy and I was digging it. It was raw and rough and hot and not at all what I expected from Ben. These authors do a great job of character growth and we saw that in this book with Ben and Max. After everything in Ben’s past, it was hard for him to let go and let people close to him and I liked seeing that change throughout the book. There is a theme in these books of the characters really taking care of each other and we see that with Ben and Max. It was pretty sweet, especially after everything that both of them has been through.
Just like the previous books in this series, there was a little bit of outside drama that had a little bit of an effect on Ben and Max but there really was not much angst. We still saw that awesome team dynamic and they, of course, welcomed Ben into it easily!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Five books in and I’m still loving this series! It’s pretty cool how each book is within the same season and you see the team progress in that season. Big guy Max just wanted someone to cuddle with and hug him on a daily basis and self-sufficient Ben turned out to be the guy he needed. After some ugliness from Ben’s past, and a health scare, these two men were on their road to their happily ever after.
I really loved this one (not that I haven’t lived the others, I mean I’m powering through them all!) but it’s the sort of bittersweet and then super sweet I adore. Also pets. I’m just saying pets make everything better. Hockey. Pets. M/M romance. A+