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Own Goal
Eight seasons ago, Jarek Badura made the biggest mistake of his career, earning him the nickname “Joke.” He’s been fighting ever since to prove that season was a fluke, and he’s only just started to leave it behind, finally regaining some respect and securing his place as second line center.
But his team just made a new acquisition, and suddenly he’s linemates with the man who was the unknowing catalyst for his fall from grace all those years ago.
After seven long seasons, Hunter Michaud is done carrying his disastrously managed team. An unrestricted free agent, he startles the hockey world by accepting an offer elsewhere, signing with a team that works together and builds on each other’s strengths. And it doesn’t hurt that one of Hunter’s longtime idols is on the roster.
He just doesn’t realize how much his career is already intertwined with Jarek’s.
Or how much resentment is waiting for him in Pittsburgh.
Or how much chemistry is hiding under the ice between them.
Own Goal is a 125,000-word contemporary hockey romance that isn't currently part of a series, but the author doesn't dare declare it a standalone because that's just asking for it. For fans of slow burns, enemies to lovers, and teammates to lovers!
Verbal abuse (remembered and on-page), some physical violence (on and off ice).
But his team just made a new acquisition, and suddenly he’s linemates with the man who was the unknowing catalyst for his fall from grace all those years ago.
After seven long seasons, Hunter Michaud is done carrying his disastrously managed team. An unrestricted free agent, he startles the hockey world by accepting an offer elsewhere, signing with a team that works together and builds on each other’s strengths. And it doesn’t hurt that one of Hunter’s longtime idols is on the roster.
He just doesn’t realize how much his career is already intertwined with Jarek’s.
Or how much resentment is waiting for him in Pittsburgh.
Or how much chemistry is hiding under the ice between them.
Own Goal is a 125,000-word contemporary hockey romance that isn't currently part of a series, but the author doesn't dare declare it a standalone because that's just asking for it. For fans of slow burns, enemies to lovers, and teammates to lovers!
Verbal abuse (remembered and on-page), some physical violence (on and off ice).
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2023
48 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
218 books2,723 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 18, 2023
I'll be honest. While reading the first part of the book, I had planned to give this 2-3 stars. It was because we heard repeatedly through Jarek's thoughts about a time when he made a terrible decision, which put a huge burden on him, affected the rest of his life, and how it was tied somehow to Hunter, his new teammate. Because of that incident, Jarek's animosity towards Hunter was something to behold, confusing everyone else on the team, including Hunter. Of course, Jarek wouldn't reveal what it was, but kept vaguely thinking about it - ad nauseam in my opinion. Hence the plan to rate it with 2-3 stars.
I thought that incident, whatever it was, couldn't possibly live up to the hype that was being given to it in Jarek's mind. I'll say right now: I was wrong. It was a doozy, and I could see why it had impacted both Jarek and Hunter's life.
I enjoyed the book immensely once that was revealed about 1/2 way through the story. I loved how that knowledge changed both Jarek and Hunter and their developing friendship and relationship. I'm glad that I hung with it and read to the finish. It definitely was an enjoyable read for me by the 2nd half.
I thought that incident, whatever it was, couldn't possibly live up to the hype that was being given to it in Jarek's mind. I'll say right now: I was wrong. It was a doozy, and I could see why it had impacted both Jarek and Hunter's life.
I enjoyed the book immensely once that was revealed about 1/2 way through the story. I loved how that knowledge changed both Jarek and Hunter and their developing friendship and relationship. I'm glad that I hung with it and read to the finish. It definitely was an enjoyable read for me by the 2nd half.
December 26, 2023
3 stars.
A bit repetitive and at times trying too much to show the reader what’s happening veering into over explaining. Otherwise a nice read
A bit repetitive and at times trying too much to show the reader what’s happening veering into over explaining. Otherwise a nice read
October 23, 2023
Lots of hockey action and an angsty romance
I enjoyed the story, and the fact that it had actual sports action though the “big secret” part was drawn out too much and got really annoying after so many veiled references. Once it was out (way too late in the story arc) things moved much better and the character development moved along much better as well.
It was harder to get to know Jarek (who gets referred to as several different names) because of “the big secret” thing so it took longer to warm up to him but Hunter was a character I wanted to root for right away. The angst of the relationship between the two before the big reveal got a bit old but I could definitely understand Hunter wanting to punch Yars! Once they got together the development of the relationship was sweet and solid. You could see the crisis moment coming from a mile away and I loved the way it was dealt with. The second crisis was something I was glad happened because for a while it looked like it wasn’t going to get addressed. The ending was wonderfully sweet and romantic and left things on a great and hopeful note.
The secondary characters were well drawn and had major contributions to the storyline which is always a big plus for me.
Had the secrecy plot point not been dragged out for so long this would have been a five star read for me.
I enjoyed the story, and the fact that it had actual sports action though the “big secret” part was drawn out too much and got really annoying after so many veiled references. Once it was out (way too late in the story arc) things moved much better and the character development moved along much better as well.
It was harder to get to know Jarek (who gets referred to as several different names) because of “the big secret” thing so it took longer to warm up to him but Hunter was a character I wanted to root for right away. The angst of the relationship between the two before the big reveal got a bit old but I could definitely understand Hunter wanting to punch Yars! Once they got together the development of the relationship was sweet and solid. You could see the crisis moment coming from a mile away and I loved the way it was dealt with. The second crisis was something I was glad happened because for a while it looked like it wasn’t going to get addressed. The ending was wonderfully sweet and romantic and left things on a great and hopeful note.
The secondary characters were well drawn and had major contributions to the storyline which is always a big plus for me.
Had the secrecy plot point not been dragged out for so long this would have been a five star read for me.
January 12, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Jarek’s internal monologue was a little repetitive but him + Hunter together more than made up for it
Jarek’s internal monologue was a little repetitive but him + Hunter together more than made up for it
Read
September 7, 2023Dnf
May 2, 2024
Fantastic with some very poignant and emotional scenes, but way too long.
August 25, 2024
The only reason this book got finished was due to the sunk cost fallacy. I've enjoyed L.A. Witt's books in the past, and I love a slow burn with a long page count, but I have to completely agree with every criticism that this is simply overwritten. The one thing this book needed more than anything else was a brutal editor who could've cut at least 200 pages out of it.
The foundation for a good book is here; I enjoyed the dynamic of Hunter joining a new team to escape a toxic work environment, and I loved the tight-knit feel of the Hornet's locker room. I'm even somewhat partial to some initial animosity between teammates, especially when it translates into on-ice chemistry. But by the 10% mark, I was already realizing why this book was so long. The repetition will drive you insane. I would read a page of inner dialogue or a conversation, only to have the exact same thing written, sometimes in the exact same words, two pages later. I genuinely can't wrap my head around an author thinking this is OK — padding the page count without having any content or substance to fill it. It's disrespectful to the reader and a waste of time. Topics such as their mutual decision not to come out, or staying together after they were outed, were discussed at least four separate times with no significant difference — every conflict was dragged out to the point of frustration.
And let's not even get into the first 30% or so of this book, where Jarek went on and on about this big secret and the thing that ruined his career, building it up to a point where the reveal would never be able to live up to it. It turned out to be a pretty strong plot point, something that could've absolutely been made into a very solid conflict if it had only been handled by a better author. Not to draw comparisons — they both have drastically different writing styles — but if you read this and enjoyed the dynamics of work harassment in hockey, I'd recommend picking up The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer.
The last straw, so to speak, was how the outing went down. There's absolutely something to be said about straight women in queer spaces, but it's a discussion far more nuanced than whatever Witt attempted here. As it is, the weird vendetta against bachelorette parties in a gay club felt completely shoehorned in. I'm aware how much it bothered me is directly related to my hypersensitivity towards misogyny in cis-male gay-dominated spaces, especially in M/M fiction, which is often written by women. Still, the decision to ban bachelorette parties altogether had me scratching my head because doesn't that mean any queer woman who happens to want to celebrate in a safe space would be banned as well?
There are other small things that speak to a long book that wasn't well outlined, such as Jarek's sister being introduced with full chapters only to play absolutely no role in the rest of the story, or even Jarek's ex — a plot point that felt loose for most of the book and still wrapped up in a way that made me feel it only existed to justify Jarek's angst, not because it was necessary to the plot. It's just not a cohesive book.
I'm still giving this two stars because I actually did enjoy some moments. Particularly, their first kiss and the tension leading up to it were standouts. But it's not enough for this to be a recommendation in any shape or form. In fact, I think it's going to make me wary of L.A. Witt in the future.
The foundation for a good book is here; I enjoyed the dynamic of Hunter joining a new team to escape a toxic work environment, and I loved the tight-knit feel of the Hornet's locker room. I'm even somewhat partial to some initial animosity between teammates, especially when it translates into on-ice chemistry. But by the 10% mark, I was already realizing why this book was so long. The repetition will drive you insane. I would read a page of inner dialogue or a conversation, only to have the exact same thing written, sometimes in the exact same words, two pages later. I genuinely can't wrap my head around an author thinking this is OK — padding the page count without having any content or substance to fill it. It's disrespectful to the reader and a waste of time. Topics such as their mutual decision not to come out, or staying together after they were outed, were discussed at least four separate times with no significant difference — every conflict was dragged out to the point of frustration.
And let's not even get into the first 30% or so of this book, where Jarek went on and on about this big secret and the thing that ruined his career, building it up to a point where the reveal would never be able to live up to it. It turned out to be a pretty strong plot point, something that could've absolutely been made into a very solid conflict if it had only been handled by a better author. Not to draw comparisons — they both have drastically different writing styles — but if you read this and enjoyed the dynamics of work harassment in hockey, I'd recommend picking up The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer.
The last straw, so to speak, was how the outing went down. There's absolutely something to be said about straight women in queer spaces, but it's a discussion far more nuanced than whatever Witt attempted here. As it is, the weird vendetta against bachelorette parties in a gay club felt completely shoehorned in. I'm aware how much it bothered me is directly related to my hypersensitivity towards misogyny in cis-male gay-dominated spaces, especially in M/M fiction, which is often written by women. Still, the decision to ban bachelorette parties altogether had me scratching my head because doesn't that mean any queer woman who happens to want to celebrate in a safe space would be banned as well?
There are other small things that speak to a long book that wasn't well outlined, such as Jarek's sister being introduced with full chapters only to play absolutely no role in the rest of the story, or even Jarek's ex — a plot point that felt loose for most of the book and still wrapped up in a way that made me feel it only existed to justify Jarek's angst, not because it was necessary to the plot. It's just not a cohesive book.
I'm still giving this two stars because I actually did enjoy some moments. Particularly, their first kiss and the tension leading up to it were standouts. But it's not enough for this to be a recommendation in any shape or form. In fact, I think it's going to make me wary of L.A. Witt in the future.
October 19, 2023
4.5-5 stars.
What does this book have going for it? A lot.
At the top of the list: The team dynamics and chirping between friends in this is top-notch. We don't get to know the supporting characters too, too well, but what we do get is absolute gold; the little quartet of close friends Jarek is a part of, for instance, is #SquadGoals, even though we don't learn all that much about each of those guys individually.
Beyond that? The overall plot was very well thought out, and the 'big looming secret' of what exactly from Jarek's past is haunting him all these years later actually lived up to the hype. Whenever you're reading a story where one character or another is hung up on something they take a long time to actually explain, there's always a worry that whatever it is will end up being anticlimactic or overblown. That's not the case, here. The reveal was weighty, and Jarek's reluctance to share anything about it while still being haunted by it was completely justified.
Another honorable mention has to be the maturity shown between Hunter and Jarek once they clear the air by the halfway point in the story. They've each got things they're still struggling with, and Jarek in particular has moments his ghosts get the better of him, because one conversation does not magically heal all wounds. BUT: there's no petty issues that pop up between them, no misunderstandings or miscommunications that then blow WAY out of proportion. They're willing to be vulnerable with one another, and can open up about things they're thinking without the other jumping to the worst possible interpretation. They ask follow-up questions and provide clarifications, and it just reads as a much healthier communication style and relationship overall than what is usually depicted in romance books. Again: they're not perfect, and it's not pure sunshine and roses from the second they first clear the air... but it's real and there's so much genuine effort and compassion they both put into their relationship. It's beautiful.
What could've been better? ...Two things, maybe, and one of them's nitpicky while the other is a matter of taste.
First: there were some noticeable typos and cases of missing punctuation (and I'm not talking about intentional errors, where a character uses the wrong version of a word in a text message or where a Russian character drops an article -- those are perfect and authentic). It wasn't bad by any means, but it was common enough that I took note of it as a pattern and think most if not all of them could've been caught by an extra proofread before publishing.
More substantially, though: this is a bit long. Some readers will hate the number or length of scenes we get in this book, but others (like me!) will genuinely appreciate the level of depth we get into what's going on in a character's mind and what's going on in their world and relationships. I love seeing those extra little scenes that might not seem super important on their own, but that, when taken as a whole, really show the way a relationship is progressing. When I find a story I love, I almost always wish the book was longer and we'd gotten to see more of it, but with Own Goal, Witt gives us all of that right from the start and somehow manages to do that without padding in completely unnecessary filler scenes. However, at times, some of the scenes do run a little bit long. Sometimes the point of view character rambles a bit too much, making a point in two sentences but then going on for another eight just to finish up with a restatement of the first sentence all over again. Other times, we get the glimpse we need into their relationship early on in a scene, only to then stick around in that moment for another several pages. I do think this story could've been told just as well with a few of those scenes truncated a bit, but to be honest, that thought only really popped into my head once or twice. Otherwise, I was happy to read the maybe-slgihtly-longer-than-strictly-necessary scenes, and the pacing ultimately worked. ...That said, I do feel like the actual ending felt ever so slightly rushed, in that I think we could've stood to see another scene or two in between the final resolution and the epilogue, and I do feel like we could've learned a little bit more about Hunter's character (especially re: personality and interests/hobbies, which I feel could've been introduced a bit more with quick missing scenes...) ...but hey! You gotta stop somewhere, right? And some readers will already think the story was too long, so maybe skipping over those could've-been scenes is for the better.
Overall, this was an excellent, enjoyable read that didn't shy away from heavier/angstier topics. It was moving and had a good balance between weightier scenes and moments of levity, but still ultimately wasn't quite a tear-jerker for me. Lengthy, but more than worth it if you're a fan of character studies or want to really get the show of a story/relationship and not just the tell. Still, it is a show, not quite an experience right alongside each character, feel everything they feel.
What does this book have going for it? A lot.
At the top of the list: The team dynamics and chirping between friends in this is top-notch. We don't get to know the supporting characters too, too well, but what we do get is absolute gold; the little quartet of close friends Jarek is a part of, for instance, is #SquadGoals, even though we don't learn all that much about each of those guys individually.
Beyond that? The overall plot was very well thought out, and the 'big looming secret' of what exactly from Jarek's past is haunting him all these years later actually lived up to the hype. Whenever you're reading a story where one character or another is hung up on something they take a long time to actually explain, there's always a worry that whatever it is will end up being anticlimactic or overblown. That's not the case, here. The reveal was weighty, and Jarek's reluctance to share anything about it while still being haunted by it was completely justified.
Another honorable mention has to be the maturity shown between Hunter and Jarek once they clear the air by the halfway point in the story. They've each got things they're still struggling with, and Jarek in particular has moments his ghosts get the better of him, because one conversation does not magically heal all wounds. BUT: there's no petty issues that pop up between them, no misunderstandings or miscommunications that then blow WAY out of proportion. They're willing to be vulnerable with one another, and can open up about things they're thinking without the other jumping to the worst possible interpretation. They ask follow-up questions and provide clarifications, and it just reads as a much healthier communication style and relationship overall than what is usually depicted in romance books. Again: they're not perfect, and it's not pure sunshine and roses from the second they first clear the air... but it's real and there's so much genuine effort and compassion they both put into their relationship. It's beautiful.
What could've been better? ...Two things, maybe, and one of them's nitpicky while the other is a matter of taste.
First: there were some noticeable typos and cases of missing punctuation (and I'm not talking about intentional errors, where a character uses the wrong version of a word in a text message or where a Russian character drops an article -- those are perfect and authentic). It wasn't bad by any means, but it was common enough that I took note of it as a pattern and think most if not all of them could've been caught by an extra proofread before publishing.
More substantially, though: this is a bit long. Some readers will hate the number or length of scenes we get in this book, but others (like me!) will genuinely appreciate the level of depth we get into what's going on in a character's mind and what's going on in their world and relationships. I love seeing those extra little scenes that might not seem super important on their own, but that, when taken as a whole, really show the way a relationship is progressing. When I find a story I love, I almost always wish the book was longer and we'd gotten to see more of it, but with Own Goal, Witt gives us all of that right from the start and somehow manages to do that without padding in completely unnecessary filler scenes. However, at times, some of the scenes do run a little bit long. Sometimes the point of view character rambles a bit too much, making a point in two sentences but then going on for another eight just to finish up with a restatement of the first sentence all over again. Other times, we get the glimpse we need into their relationship early on in a scene, only to then stick around in that moment for another several pages. I do think this story could've been told just as well with a few of those scenes truncated a bit, but to be honest, that thought only really popped into my head once or twice. Otherwise, I was happy to read the maybe-slgihtly-longer-than-strictly-necessary scenes, and the pacing ultimately worked. ...That said, I do feel like the actual ending felt ever so slightly rushed, in that I think we could've stood to see another scene or two in between the final resolution and the epilogue, and I do feel like we could've learned a little bit more about Hunter's character (especially re: personality and interests/hobbies, which I feel could've been introduced a bit more with quick missing scenes...) ...but hey! You gotta stop somewhere, right? And some readers will already think the story was too long, so maybe skipping over those could've-been scenes is for the better.
Overall, this was an excellent, enjoyable read that didn't shy away from heavier/angstier topics. It was moving and had a good balance between weightier scenes and moments of levity, but still ultimately wasn't quite a tear-jerker for me. Lengthy, but more than worth it if you're a fan of character studies or want to really get the show of a story/relationship and not just the tell. Still, it is a show, not quite an experience right alongside each character, feel everything they feel.
January 13, 2025
Time of DNF: Chapter 10. Another book I was immersed in and enjoying tremendously, ruined by MC sex with non-MC. In this case it happened a little too late for me to get past, after the two MCs are clearly aware of/pining for each other without yet admitting it. If it had been an earlier chapter, maybe I could have gotten past it, but, here it just…didn’t work. And felt unnecessary to plot and conflict, which made it even more excrutiating. Yes, I'm being Extra. Oh well.
Circumstances: and I have no interest in ever seeing him and Jarek in it together.
I tried to keep reading, I really did. The tension, the conflict, the chemistry for these two is SO GOOD! I really was loving it. But, after that happened, things just…deflated for me. I felt sad and icky and just…gave up. Blech.
LA Witt writes wonderful hockey stories, and if you don’t have my issue with MCs having sex with non-MCs after they feel emotionally connected, I highly recommend it. I was dying to find out what exactly happened in the past that has given Jarek near PTSD over having to be on the same team as Hunter, I bet it has something to do with the head coach and GM Hunter wanted desperately to get away from when he shocked everyone by not resigning with his former team (which, in the way past, Jarek was mysteriously traded from one week before Hunter joined them…so…you know Jarek’s trauma must have something to do with that team’s staff and whatever deal Jarek isn’t yet revealing to readers…!)
Maybe I’ll just skim ahead and find out. But for now, I’m just…tired of these situations and will move on to something else that I know is safe for me.
Circumstances: and I have no interest in ever seeing him and Jarek in it together.
I tried to keep reading, I really did. The tension, the conflict, the chemistry for these two is SO GOOD! I really was loving it. But, after that happened, things just…deflated for me. I felt sad and icky and just…gave up. Blech.
LA Witt writes wonderful hockey stories, and if you don’t have my issue with MCs having sex with non-MCs after they feel emotionally connected, I highly recommend it. I was dying to find out what exactly happened in the past that has given Jarek near PTSD over having to be on the same team as Hunter, I bet it has something to do with the head coach and GM Hunter wanted desperately to get away from when he shocked everyone by not resigning with his former team (which, in the way past, Jarek was mysteriously traded from one week before Hunter joined them…so…you know Jarek’s trauma must have something to do with that team’s staff and whatever deal Jarek isn’t yet revealing to readers…!)
Maybe I’ll just skim ahead and find out. But for now, I’m just…tired of these situations and will move on to something else that I know is safe for me.
September 25, 2023
Should technically count as DNF? Even though I stopped almost before the end?
I like gay hockey romance and this was one of the new (better) versions of this "same old" story yet... I just didn't enjoy it that much. I kept tripping over what felt like silly "mistakes" which is really just a sign I was not meshing well with the story. Despite it being Jarda. I wonder if a Czech person checked this out? The very, very few words used were okay except for that matka. So it's táta but Matka?? That's like full-naming someone. I call my mum that when I am "angry"/ (fake) irritated. I'd say it's the difference between Mother and Mum but I am not 100% sure and since they didn't explain if their Mum is some witch that deserves the name while the father is okay, it didn't make much sense. Also, proč nic nevyskloňovali? Like Jarku namiesto Jaromíre... in fact, why was it Eliška but not Jaromír? The Czech just felt subtly inconsistent - insults included.
Otherwise, it was just a mix of being repetitive, predictable and... had other little beauty marks that just made me sigh. I didn't like the two main characters enough to overcome all that, their inner /repetitive/ and anxious monologues were exhausting. You shouldn't compare books but the "average" romance novel is 90k words long - this one said it's about 120k. And sorry, I feel like it would feel and read better without the extra 30k. Look, length is really subjective but it should correspond to the story and this didn't feel true here because of all the excessive inner and outer talks. I know hockey players chirp each other but that doesn't mean they now have to do it 90% of the time in every scene.
Last complaint and than I'll stop, okay? Drama. Jarda was such a drama queen with his "never gonna tell anyone my super deep secret" and I am not even going to count the ways it crashed and burned.
Anyway, thank you, next, next. Please.
I like gay hockey romance and this was one of the new (better) versions of this "same old" story yet... I just didn't enjoy it that much. I kept tripping over what felt like silly "mistakes" which is really just a sign I was not meshing well with the story. Despite it being Jarda. I wonder if a Czech person checked this out? The very, very few words used were okay except for that matka. So it's táta but Matka?? That's like full-naming someone. I call my mum that when I am "angry"/ (fake) irritated. I'd say it's the difference between Mother and Mum but I am not 100% sure and since they didn't explain if their Mum is some witch that deserves the name while the father is okay, it didn't make much sense. Also, proč nic nevyskloňovali? Like Jarku namiesto Jaromíre... in fact, why was it Eliška but not Jaromír? The Czech just felt subtly inconsistent - insults included.
Otherwise, it was just a mix of being repetitive, predictable and... had other little beauty marks that just made me sigh. I didn't like the two main characters enough to overcome all that, their inner /repetitive/ and anxious monologues were exhausting. You shouldn't compare books but the "average" romance novel is 90k words long - this one said it's about 120k. And sorry, I feel like it would feel and read better without the extra 30k. Look, length is really subjective but it should correspond to the story and this didn't feel true here because of all the excessive inner and outer talks. I know hockey players chirp each other but that doesn't mean they now have to do it 90% of the time in every scene.
Last complaint and than I'll stop, okay? Drama. Jarda was such a drama queen with his "never gonna tell anyone my super deep secret" and I am not even going to count the ways it crashed and burned.
Anyway, thank you, next, next. Please.
September 27, 2023
Jarek has hated and envied fellow player and even bigger star Hunter for years, carrying a grudge that he can't subdue. Hunter is now the star player for the team that dumped Jarek, and despite liking his current team, Jarek has a lot of bottled-up emotions from those days. When Hunter shows up traded to his new team, he has to learn how to play with the man, but that anger and resentment burns hot. Hunter, who has never met Jarek off the ice, doesn't understand where the antagonism is coming from. He just wants to play hockey with a new team that won't demand he carry them to the playoffs singlehandedly and get furious when he fails.
There's a fair bit of internal monologue and angst in this one and sometimes it went long - I was very pleased, when Jarek's secret was finally revealed, to discover that yes, it was that big and yes, it did explain his attitude to Hunter. That reveal came late but pulled me back into the story with a new level of interest. I liked the secondary characters, appreciated that therapy was on the table where needed, and was pleased to see the antagonists get some degree of karma at the end.
There's a fair bit of internal monologue and angst in this one and sometimes it went long - I was very pleased, when Jarek's secret was finally revealed, to discover that yes, it was that big and yes, it did explain his attitude to Hunter. That reveal came late but pulled me back into the story with a new level of interest. I liked the secondary characters, appreciated that therapy was on the table where needed, and was pleased to see the antagonists get some degree of karma at the end.
September 8, 2023
Yarek and Hunter were terrific characters. When they ended up on the same team, the hockey stars had a chemistry that couldn't be denied - no matter how hard Yarek tried to.
Learning the history of Yarek's apparent dislike of Huner, and seeing the way both men worked to change that, broke my heart a little bit. They were really good guys, and I wanted them to be happy and overcome the horrid way they'd both been treated by people who should have been setting them up for success.
I loved the banter, emotions, friendships, and sexy romance of this story. I appreciated the way Hunter and Yarek confronted their pasts together. And this hockey fan enjoyed the play. Books like this one help me through the off-season!
I hope the author decides to revisit this couple and their teammates. I don't feel ready to say goodbye yet, and I think at least one side character needs to find his own HEA. Fingers crossed!
Learning the history of Yarek's apparent dislike of Huner, and seeing the way both men worked to change that, broke my heart a little bit. They were really good guys, and I wanted them to be happy and overcome the horrid way they'd both been treated by people who should have been setting them up for success.
I loved the banter, emotions, friendships, and sexy romance of this story. I appreciated the way Hunter and Yarek confronted their pasts together. And this hockey fan enjoyed the play. Books like this one help me through the off-season!
I hope the author decides to revisit this couple and their teammates. I don't feel ready to say goodbye yet, and I think at least one side character needs to find his own HEA. Fingers crossed!
May 13, 2024
A very weak third star there...
It's a good story, but as a lot of people said before me, it needs more editing. It's incredibly slow with a lot of reflection on the past and a lot of unnecessary repetition. It's nice that there are big bad hockey players and we see that they are also people who have fears and who can feel depressed or used. It's also admirable that they are able to overcome these feelings and their past and in the end they do stand up for what they believe in. There weren't even a lot of pointless sex scenes that I always complain about. Not to mention there were actual hockey plays and action scenes.
It's just that I couldn't make myself care. Good for them, very nice story, I applaud the intentions behind it, but I will forget about all of it by next week.
If you are interested in something sweet and slow where big man can cry and overcome adversity, maybe this one is for you.
It's a good story, but as a lot of people said before me, it needs more editing. It's incredibly slow with a lot of reflection on the past and a lot of unnecessary repetition. It's nice that there are big bad hockey players and we see that they are also people who have fears and who can feel depressed or used. It's also admirable that they are able to overcome these feelings and their past and in the end they do stand up for what they believe in. There weren't even a lot of pointless sex scenes that I always complain about. Not to mention there were actual hockey plays and action scenes.
It's just that I couldn't make myself care. Good for them, very nice story, I applaud the intentions behind it, but I will forget about all of it by next week.
If you are interested in something sweet and slow where big man can cry and overcome adversity, maybe this one is for you.
February 19, 2024
My favorite "not a hockey romance" author once again hits it out of the rink with this intriguing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Certain elements of this story's premise could have worked for numerous other sports, but as always, Witt's obvious passion for the game and inherent knowledge of the various layers of partnership within the team make hockey the obvious choice for this compelling story. I don't usually love when a narrative character keeps a secret from the audience, but Witt nicely balances Jarek's secret with his internal conflict and development. The relationship between him and Hunter is almost pleasantly inevitable, but the truly satisfying moments of this story are the resolution of the external plot and the promise of Jarek and Hunter's happily ever after following such a rocky beginning that stretches back even further than one of the men knew.
August 14, 2023
Jarek has had to live a huge career mistake for quite a few years now, when along comes Hunter, who ends up not only on his team, but actually working beside him as linemates.
Hunter doesn’t understand why Jarek resents him, but then Jarek finally confides what happened a few years ago with his old team.
(I’m not a big hockey fan, but wow... That’s a heavy thing to carry...)
Then when some of that resentment is finally let go, the chemistry they each feel for the other is just inescapable... & it’s hot, hot hot... & there might be a bit more to their chemistry, more that can help them go through whatever life throws at them...
Great story, & I loved their teammates, too...
I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.
Hunter doesn’t understand why Jarek resents him, but then Jarek finally confides what happened a few years ago with his old team.
(I’m not a big hockey fan, but wow... That’s a heavy thing to carry...)
Then when some of that resentment is finally let go, the chemistry they each feel for the other is just inescapable... & it’s hot, hot hot... & there might be a bit more to their chemistry, more that can help them go through whatever life throws at them...
Great story, & I loved their teammates, too...
I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.
November 27, 2025
3.5 stars. I wish this had been edited down 150 pages or so, because the story was great, but the first 30% were a bit of a slog, and in the second half there were conversations and inner monologues that were just repeated over and over.
It took almost half the book to get to the reason why Jarek acted the way he did. I wanted that scene to come way sooner, but fortunately the reason itself didn't disappoint. It's not something I've read before in another hockey story, and there are so many, so it's always a surprise when there's something new happening.
Overall I'm glad I've read this, but it's always a shame when you end a story thinking it could have been fantastic, but it was just nice.
It took almost half the book to get to the reason why Jarek acted the way he did. I wanted that scene to come way sooner, but fortunately the reason itself didn't disappoint. It's not something I've read before in another hockey story, and there are so many, so it's always a surprise when there's something new happening.
Overall I'm glad I've read this, but it's always a shame when you end a story thinking it could have been fantastic, but it was just nice.
December 15, 2023
Really liked this one! The first Witt book I found myself enjoying actually. Has to do with there being more hockey and the romance being nice.
I guess the immediate attraction is always going to be there in this specific niche of MM romance, and it's not a fave but I can live with it. I liked the whole development and the big secret but I do have to say I was a bit disappointed at the reveal... but it's fine Hunter & Jarek were cute af and that's what's important
The way they were outed made me so angry though I took a minute to get back to reading I was shaking lol
I guess the immediate attraction is always going to be there in this specific niche of MM romance, and it's not a fave but I can live with it. I liked the whole development and the big secret but I do have to say I was a bit disappointed at the reveal... but it's fine Hunter & Jarek were cute af and that's what's important
The way they were outed made me so angry though I took a minute to get back to reading I was shaking lol
September 28, 2023
Jarek and Hunter struggle from Day 1. Hunter represents everything Jarek hates about his past despite their chemistry on the ice. This is a deeply moving story about recovery from abuse. Jarek and Hunter both have recovery required before their sexual tension explodes into love.
LA Witt takes you on an epic journey of trauma, discovery, and love every time and this one is no exception! She remains a must-buy author. ❤️
LA Witt takes you on an epic journey of trauma, discovery, and love every time and this one is no exception! She remains a must-buy author. ❤️
January 30, 2024
I like LAW's books and this one ran true to course in her hockey series. I dont know anything about ice hockey or the culture but I can imagine this sort of disgusting BS could go on, as it could in any sporting field. I like the circle of the story - that Jarek and Hunter were destined to play together and it never happened. A decade later that's exactly what did happened and the rest is in the story - so read it :-)
July 11, 2025
DELICIOUS
I’m sitting here with stars in my eyes after reading this book. Hahaha I am such a sap for this kind of book especially hockey players romance. There’s just something about it that makes me feel so happy.
Anyway..read this book I really recommend it and you won’t regret it thank you happy reading 📖
I’m sitting here with stars in my eyes after reading this book. Hahaha I am such a sap for this kind of book especially hockey players romance. There’s just something about it that makes me feel so happy.
Anyway..read this book I really recommend it and you won’t regret it thank you happy reading 📖
October 5, 2023
good concept, boring writing
The backbone of this novel is a somewhat original combination of trite plot lines. Whatever good potential there may be, however, is ruined by copious internal dialogue that is dull and repetitive.
The backbone of this novel is a somewhat original combination of trite plot lines. Whatever good potential there may be, however, is ruined by copious internal dialogue that is dull and repetitive.
September 13, 2023
LONG!!!
September 15, 2023
4.25 stars
September 19, 2023
The story was interesting, the main characters nice and cute together, the writing was good. One negative thing though, it was too long.
October 19, 2023
the whole “i have this secret and no one knows” felt too drawn out and very nearly had me giving up on this book
a bit of back and forth in terms of plot and character growth but overall good read
a bit of back and forth in terms of plot and character growth but overall good read
November 11, 2023
Well-written on a sentence level, but completely lacking in drive, tension, or interesting characters. I was incredibly bored.
February 10, 2024
4.5 stars
February 29, 2024
Solid, likeable m/m romance with LOTS of hockey action
April 10, 2024
Such a wonderful book with great characters.
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