Sander March is one season away from the pros, or so everyone tells him.If only Sander had as much faith in his ability as the Cougar coaching staff does. Outwardly, he’s cocksure, borderline bitter, and slightly sarcastic. All that strut and sass hides a wounded soul though. Working to hide a brutal past filled with humiliation, abuse, and a family member who still haunts him, Sander has never … Sander has never found the kind of comfort and understanding he so desperately needs. Until he meets Mateo Castillo, a minor league baseball player for the nearby Elmira Egrets. Mateo and Sander click instantly, and a budding friendship develops between the two athletes.
Mateo then introduces Sander to his boyfriend, Noah Coombs, an aspiring manga comic creator. The three men find themselves bonding strongly, and that slowly gives way to sexual attraction. Eventually, Mateo and Noah invite Sander into their relationship. The path to happiness isn’t going to be easy for Sander as he faces criticism from his friends, teammates, and the press for his choices. The brash young star can handle all that, it’s when his abuser shows up in Cayuga that Sander fears not only for his own safety, but for the lives of the two men he has grown to love. Will Sander’s past tear him away from Mateo and Noah, or will he be able to leave the darkness behind?
Warning – This story has disturbing subject matter.
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Sander has a front, the sassy sarcastic butthole that everyone sees and knows isn’t the real him. When he meets Mateo, the two immediately hit it off, until Mat says two words “my boyfriend”. When Mat suggest they have a gaming night, knowing that a good friend is something he needs, Sander says yes. When Sander finally gets to meet Noah, Mat’s boyfriend, the three end up striking up a great friendship. One fateful moment will change the budding friendship and might be the start of something more. With tons of issues; trauma from past events, job issues, and even a bit of insecurity, can the three make a relationship work? Is there even room in Noah and Mat’s relationship for a third?
So far this is my fav of the series. Giving us some real chemistry, watching the three try and make a triad work, some steamy naughty times, and the past coming to haunt them, this was an entertaining read. I give this 4 stars.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Veronica –
When we first meet Sander and learn his backstory, my heart was breaking for him and I just wanted him to find someone to love and support him. So, when he meets Mat and they hit it off, I was thrilled even though we quickly learn that Mat is in a committed relationship with Noah. As the three men become friends, the relationship develops into more.
This story gives the very hot and dirty sex that you’d expect from an m/m/m novel and I can say it made for stimulating reading. But the relationship between the three men is the highlight for me. I loved seeing these men support each other. Even when things weren’t going right for the guys, I was comforted by their relationship and knowing they’d be there to take care of each other.
I also loved the antagonistic relationship Sander has with Coach Vic Kalinski and how the Cayuga Cougars support Sander when he needs it.
Even though parts of Overtime deal with some difficult issues, the warmth and strength of the relationship between our trio shines through and I just loved it.
Ruthie –
This is the fourth book in the series, and is another excellent read. Not only do we get Dan’s ex, Sander’s story, but also a catch up with the previous relationships. I would recommend that you read them in order, as this is a really different series to the usual gorgeous, highly paid hockey player romances. This is grittier, more real, and definitely more diverse.
Not only do we have the hockey goodness of Sander and the Cougars, but we also get a small taste of the difficulties faced by a baseball hopeful in Mat. His sports story may not be absolute centre, but it is an effective reminder of the harsh realities of trying to succeed as a professional sportsperson. I loved the manga elements that were introduced thanks to Noah’s talents as an author and illustrator, and especially his MM romance based on his two lovers.
The story of dread at the potential release of Sander’s abusive ex-brother-in-law is always just in the background. The impact it has on Sander’s mental health, and his ability to function is so carefully and thoughtfully described – it contrasts with the big burly and physical nature of the hockey player.
The Cougars are an amazing team with support for all their players, and this time with the media revelations of a polyamorous relationship. It is lovely watching these three men find their place in a trio, and there is a fun mix of everyday life and super passionate nights.
If you have not tried this series yet, I would suggest that you now have four good books to enjoy.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Overtime (Cayuga Cougars #4) by V.L. Locey to read and review.