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Relationship Goals #2
The Head Game
Fisher Cats Defenseman Rushed to Hospital After In-Game Fall—Mystery Beau Revealed?
The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo.
Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice.
The incident raises serious questions after referee August Manning was spotted in the same hospital shortly after Arents was admitted.
Recent rumors have swirled around Arents’ involvement with someone within the league. Could Manning be the mystery man?
A credible source claims the two are engaged. “He has been so doting! He’s barely left Nico’s side.”
Tongues are wagging as their off-ice involvement throws Manning’s on-ice impartiality into question.
How will the league react? Thus far, they have declined to comment but given the new Code of Conduct, there will be some tough questions to answer for these men to keep their romance and their careers.
TRIGGER Contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer. HEA guaranteed but please reach out if you have further questions.
The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo.
Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice.
The incident raises serious questions after referee August Manning was spotted in the same hospital shortly after Arents was admitted.
Recent rumors have swirled around Arents’ involvement with someone within the league. Could Manning be the mystery man?
A credible source claims the two are engaged. “He has been so doting! He’s barely left Nico’s side.”
Tongues are wagging as their off-ice involvement throws Manning’s on-ice impartiality into question.
How will the league react? Thus far, they have declined to comment but given the new Code of Conduct, there will be some tough questions to answer for these men to keep their romance and their careers.
TRIGGER Contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer. HEA guaranteed but please reach out if you have further questions.
573 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2023
369 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
82 books771 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
February 15, 2024
“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?”
𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱. “𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”
“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗜’𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?” 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱, 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁?”
Nico loves to antagonize referee August Manning on & off the ice. There’s just something about the handsome but uptight ref that draws him in, and Nico can’t resist trying to charm the pants off him—literally and figuratively.
The animosity between August & Nico finally snaps one evening, and the pair have a hot hookup in a hotel room. Their secret tryst is not so secret though, and rumors fly about who the anonymous man seen out with Nico is, and if he’s part of the league.
August swears to never tangle with Nico off the ice again, until after a hard hit on the ice sends Nico to the hospital and August shows up pretending to be his fiancé. Now the pair of them must sell the whole engagement now that August’s career and reputation are on the line.
While things may have started out as fake between Nico and August, it very quickly turns into more and I ended up really loving their story. It was a bit slower than book one, but Nico’s shenanigans kept me hooked and getting to see him and Auggie fall for each other for real was just 😍🤌🏻
- pro hockey player x referee
- opposites attract
- fake engagement
- short term amnesia
CW: seizure, brain tumor
𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱. “𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”
“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗜’𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?” 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱, 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁?”
Nico loves to antagonize referee August Manning on & off the ice. There’s just something about the handsome but uptight ref that draws him in, and Nico can’t resist trying to charm the pants off him—literally and figuratively.
The animosity between August & Nico finally snaps one evening, and the pair have a hot hookup in a hotel room. Their secret tryst is not so secret though, and rumors fly about who the anonymous man seen out with Nico is, and if he’s part of the league.
August swears to never tangle with Nico off the ice again, until after a hard hit on the ice sends Nico to the hospital and August shows up pretending to be his fiancé. Now the pair of them must sell the whole engagement now that August’s career and reputation are on the line.
While things may have started out as fake between Nico and August, it very quickly turns into more and I ended up really loving their story. It was a bit slower than book one, but Nico’s shenanigans kept me hooked and getting to see him and Auggie fall for each other for real was just 😍🤌🏻
- pro hockey player x referee
- opposites attract
- fake engagement
- short term amnesia
CW: seizure, brain tumor
September 27, 2023
I enjoyed the writing of this far more than my last two reads by this author. There was less monotony and dragging details about day to day life. My favourite parts were the hurt/comfort, the medical side of things and slow burn relationship development. These two have an instant physical attraction but the depth of their romance comes over time and this was nicely done. Bonus points for some erectile dysfunction . Even though these characters aren’t that old - mid twenties, they felt mature and the banter wasn’t too OTT. There isn’t a lot of on page hockey here, I liked reading the different twist of a player with a referee and the implications of this.
I also liked seeing Charlie from book 1 through some one else’s eyes and his input was touching. It felt like there were less secondary characters which helped me get into the story more, although this still isn’t short on secondary people! There is some set up here for other characters, I am looking forward to future books in this series.
Solid 4 ⭐️
I also liked seeing Charlie from book 1 through some one else’s eyes and his input was touching. It felt like there were less secondary characters which helped me get into the story more, although this still isn’t short on secondary people! There is some set up here for other characters, I am looking forward to future books in this series.
Solid 4 ⭐️
October 2, 2023
I really love Brigham Vaughn's hockey/midwest universe and every book that is added gets better.
I was looking forward to Nico's story after Dustin and Charlie's book and I was definitely not disappointed.
Nico and August are complete opposites but somehow they really work well together. Loved the fake relationship and how Nico reacts 😂 and his obsession with August's sweater vests/nerdy librarian look kept me laughing.
I also loved the pets! I've been noticing pets more (which is weird because I don't have any) and Marty just sounded like an absolute king. I was picturing a huge tank with this spoilt tiny goldfish strutting around, and imagining Nico buying ridiculous stuff for his new fish baby just really amused me. Also loved when he just lets the stray cat into the house and claims it much to August's dismay 😂😂
Excited for the next book in this series.
I was looking forward to Nico's story after Dustin and Charlie's book and I was definitely not disappointed.
Nico and August are complete opposites but somehow they really work well together. Loved the fake relationship and how Nico reacts 😂 and his obsession with August's sweater vests/nerdy librarian look kept me laughing.
I also loved the pets! I've been noticing pets more (which is weird because I don't have any) and Marty just sounded like an absolute king. I was picturing a huge tank with this spoilt tiny goldfish strutting around, and imagining Nico buying ridiculous stuff for his new fish baby just really amused me. Also loved when he just lets the stray cat into the house and claims it much to August's dismay 😂😂
Excited for the next book in this series.
October 4, 2023
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers (kind of), fake relationship, forbidden relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: seizure, brain tumour, not quite being over an ex, temporary erectile dysfunction
4.5 stars
August is 25, and the youngest current ref in the NHL. He is gay. He once dreamed of being a player in the NHL, but when he realized he was gay, he chose to pursue being a ref instead because he didn't want to live in the closet and it was more important to him to be in a position where he could pursue a relationship openly. It was a really tough decision for him. He regrets it a little bit now because in this world the author has created it's actually accepted now for players to be in same sex relationships. August has a reputation for being a bit of a stick in the mud and his ex broke up with him because he was boring. That ex is now marrying someone else.
Nico is bi or pan, 26, a player in the NHL. He's pretty open about his sexuality but he is still careful and minds who his audience is. Nico has a reputation for being wild, a playboy, a flirt. Nico has been getting headaches for a number of months and they're getting progressively worse.
Nico and August interact. Nico loves to flirt with August and banter with him. On the day August's ex gets married, they happen to have a game and they run into each other afterwards in an alley. August is needing the distraction. They have a hookup that is partially photographed that starts a rumor but August isn't identifiable. They banter a bit more in subsequent interactions. Then at the next game they have, Nico suffers a seizure. August goes to check on him in the hospital and pretends to be his fiance to see him and word spreads. They then have to pretend to be in a relationship and August is waiting to see how he will be disciplined by the NHL for this, because it doesn't matter if it's a hookup or engagement, he's still perceived as biased and is going to get in trouble for this. They grow close during the ruse.
This was a lovely story. It's a great world and cast of characters that the author has created. It's a well-told story with complex sympathetic characters and a solid plot. Things didn't just get resolved easily, it was nice to see a more realistic resolution as sometimes other books just magically tie things up with little consequences. There are lots of moments of comedic relief interspersed with discussions of some serious topics, which were handled very well.
I loved the moments where August helped protect Nico from his overbearing family and people in the NHL that were tiring him out. I loved the character of Nico and his pure enjoyment in needling August. I loved how Nico would ask August to pet his head and he would snuggle into August. How Nico came to trust August and be calmed by him. And Nico was good for August, he made him live a little bit more. I loved the relationship between Jules and August and how like they would greet each other with the word asswipe so casually, funny sibling moments. Kate was a delightful boss of a character too.
Some notable moments:
"To his surprise, Nico obediently sprawled out into a starfish position on his back, head propped on a pillow and one arm flung dramatically up against the headboard. “Have your way with me, Auggie!” “Good lord, I can’t believe I’m choosing to have sex with you again,” August said with a sigh as he settled between Nico’s long legs.”
Skyler and Jules were hilarious "When he was gone, Skylar stepped closer to Nico. “Stand up. I can’t lean down to whisper-yell at you without falling on my face.” Amused, Nico stood. “What’s up?” “Why do I want to ride that man like a pony?” she whispered furiously. “He is awkward as fuck. I should not want to screw his brains out and eat his nachos. And yet …”"
"“We’ve talked about going to a sex club in Amsterdam in the off-season.” “I don’t want to hear about it.” Kate covered her ears for a moment but her eyes twinkled. “That’s between you and the Dutch. Just don’t get photographed doing it. Now shoo. I’ve had quite enough of you both.” “Yes, ma’am,” Nico said with a wink. “We should be able to find a nice little storage closet here to get freaky in, don’t you think, Auggie?” August laughed. Kate did not. She leveled Nico with a stern look. “So help me God, if you have sex anywhere in this arena, I will make sure the only place you can play hockey going forward is somewhere in the Northern Territories with no cell service.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: seizure, brain tumour, not quite being over an ex, temporary erectile dysfunction
4.5 stars
August is 25, and the youngest current ref in the NHL. He is gay. He once dreamed of being a player in the NHL, but when he realized he was gay, he chose to pursue being a ref instead because he didn't want to live in the closet and it was more important to him to be in a position where he could pursue a relationship openly. It was a really tough decision for him. He regrets it a little bit now because in this world the author has created it's actually accepted now for players to be in same sex relationships. August has a reputation for being a bit of a stick in the mud and his ex broke up with him because he was boring. That ex is now marrying someone else.
Nico is bi or pan, 26, a player in the NHL. He's pretty open about his sexuality but he is still careful and minds who his audience is. Nico has a reputation for being wild, a playboy, a flirt. Nico has been getting headaches for a number of months and they're getting progressively worse.
Nico and August interact. Nico loves to flirt with August and banter with him. On the day August's ex gets married, they happen to have a game and they run into each other afterwards in an alley. August is needing the distraction. They have a hookup that is partially photographed that starts a rumor but August isn't identifiable. They banter a bit more in subsequent interactions. Then at the next game they have, Nico suffers a seizure. August goes to check on him in the hospital and pretends to be his fiance to see him and word spreads. They then have to pretend to be in a relationship and August is waiting to see how he will be disciplined by the NHL for this, because it doesn't matter if it's a hookup or engagement, he's still perceived as biased and is going to get in trouble for this. They grow close during the ruse.
This was a lovely story. It's a great world and cast of characters that the author has created. It's a well-told story with complex sympathetic characters and a solid plot. Things didn't just get resolved easily, it was nice to see a more realistic resolution as sometimes other books just magically tie things up with little consequences. There are lots of moments of comedic relief interspersed with discussions of some serious topics, which were handled very well.
I loved the moments where August helped protect Nico from his overbearing family and people in the NHL that were tiring him out. I loved the character of Nico and his pure enjoyment in needling August. I loved how Nico would ask August to pet his head and he would snuggle into August. How Nico came to trust August and be calmed by him. And Nico was good for August, he made him live a little bit more. I loved the relationship between Jules and August and how like they would greet each other with the word asswipe so casually, funny sibling moments. Kate was a delightful boss of a character too.
Some notable moments:
"To his surprise, Nico obediently sprawled out into a starfish position on his back, head propped on a pillow and one arm flung dramatically up against the headboard. “Have your way with me, Auggie!” “Good lord, I can’t believe I’m choosing to have sex with you again,” August said with a sigh as he settled between Nico’s long legs.”
Skyler and Jules were hilarious "When he was gone, Skylar stepped closer to Nico. “Stand up. I can’t lean down to whisper-yell at you without falling on my face.” Amused, Nico stood. “What’s up?” “Why do I want to ride that man like a pony?” she whispered furiously. “He is awkward as fuck. I should not want to screw his brains out and eat his nachos. And yet …”"
"“We’ve talked about going to a sex club in Amsterdam in the off-season.” “I don’t want to hear about it.” Kate covered her ears for a moment but her eyes twinkled. “That’s between you and the Dutch. Just don’t get photographed doing it. Now shoo. I’ve had quite enough of you both.” “Yes, ma’am,” Nico said with a wink. “We should be able to find a nice little storage closet here to get freaky in, don’t you think, Auggie?” August laughed. Kate did not. She leveled Nico with a stern look. “So help me God, if you have sex anywhere in this arena, I will make sure the only place you can play hockey going forward is somewhere in the Northern Territories with no cell service.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
I was looking forward to reading this book from the moment it was announced and damn the author didn't disappoint me, this book was so much more than I expected but I should have known because I was hooked on this series from the first book itself and if you have read The Husband Game you would know the author has mentioned some tough topics in there so this book also had some tough subjects which were covered and loved how thorough Brigham has done her research on that particular subject.
Nicolaas Arents ( Nico ) is the defenseman for the Toronto Fisher Cats and we met him in the last book as someone who is ridiculously confident and has a charm that gets him what he wants or who he wants whereas Augustus Manning ( August ) is a referee for the NHL and is annoyed by Nico's flirting or snarky behaviour on the ice. But one night after a game when August is in a very bad state of mind he hooks up with Nico, just once he says but you know Nico is kind of stubborn like that but they end up in a JockGossip article though August face is not visible you could see Nico.
Things that happened afterwards I wasn't expecting, Nico had a medical emergency and it is something happened on ice which led him to the hospital, August was also on the ice when Nico had a fall, so he is worried about him so to be allowed to meet with Nico and get updates on his condition he tells the hospital staff that he is Nico's fiance. I liked how caring and protective August was once he got to see the real Nico and I was so happy Nico had August by his side when he was recovering. Once, Nico realised the truth about their engagement, he was so invested in being a fake fiance, I liked how he tried to make August squirm from being too touchy, also their banter was so amazing I liked it so much.
I loved Charlie and Nico's interactions and was glad he was there to tell him his experience so Nico would not rush his recovery. I loved his teammates and how protective they were of him. Skylar and Julius were other amazing characters and I was so happy for them.
This book was an amazing read with all the snarky banter and so many beautiful moments between the characters and how supportive they were of each other I enjoyed it so much. I am looking forward to more books from this series and I am excited about Felix and Jonah because of the little glimpse we got to see, I am looking forward to reading their story.
* I received an ARC copy from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest review *
Nicolaas Arents ( Nico ) is the defenseman for the Toronto Fisher Cats and we met him in the last book as someone who is ridiculously confident and has a charm that gets him what he wants or who he wants whereas Augustus Manning ( August ) is a referee for the NHL and is annoyed by Nico's flirting or snarky behaviour on the ice. But one night after a game when August is in a very bad state of mind he hooks up with Nico, just once he says but you know Nico is kind of stubborn like that but they end up in a JockGossip article though August face is not visible you could see Nico.
Things that happened afterwards I wasn't expecting, Nico had a medical emergency and it is something happened on ice which led him to the hospital, August was also on the ice when Nico had a fall, so he is worried about him so to be allowed to meet with Nico and get updates on his condition he tells the hospital staff that he is Nico's fiance. I liked how caring and protective August was once he got to see the real Nico and I was so happy Nico had August by his side when he was recovering. Once, Nico realised the truth about their engagement, he was so invested in being a fake fiance, I liked how he tried to make August squirm from being too touchy, also their banter was so amazing I liked it so much.
I loved Charlie and Nico's interactions and was glad he was there to tell him his experience so Nico would not rush his recovery. I loved his teammates and how protective they were of him. Skylar and Julius were other amazing characters and I was so happy for them.
This book was an amazing read with all the snarky banter and so many beautiful moments between the characters and how supportive they were of each other I enjoyed it so much. I am looking forward to more books from this series and I am excited about Felix and Jonah because of the little glimpse we got to see, I am looking forward to reading their story.
* I received an ARC copy from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest review *
October 28, 2024
I enjoyed this antagonists-to-lovers hockey romance with a touch of While You Were Sleeping thrown in.
Star player Nico Arents and referee August Manning always wind each other up the wrong way while on the ice, with outgoing, cocky Nico taking great delight in needling the straightlaced August. But things change when all that tension boils over into an explosive hook up one night when both men, for very different reasons, are feeling particularly vulnerable and in need of comfort.
It's a one and done though - they can't stand each other outside the bedroom.
When Nico collapses and has a seizure during a game and is rushed to hospital, a desperately worried August follows, and when on the ward, blurts out that he's Nico's fiancé simply so he can get some information. Nico has a brain tumour (non-cancerous) that has been affecting him for some time and when he has another seizure, he's rushed into surgery. When his family arrives - they've flown in from Europe - they're delighted to meet their son's fiancé... and August is stuck in the lie.
This is a nicely-done fake-relationship story. August comes clean about the 'engagement' with Nico as soon as he feasibly can, but it's been leaked to the media and they're both in a lot of hot water with the league. August is in a lot more trouble than Nico, as their supposed relationship will call into question ever decision he's ever made on the ice, and he's potentially looking at the end of his refereeing career. This is all the more poignant because, when he was sixteen, August decided not to try for a career as a player because he didn't want to live in the closet; now, ten years later, there are more queer, out players, so perhaps he gave up a dream he didn't need to in order to pursue another one - and now that dream career is on the line.
There's a lot of humour in the story, and while the characters are believably in their twenties, they're mature - even Nico, who is prone to recklessness - and they're good for one another. Nico and August have great chemistry and their romance is well-developed; spending so much time together over a short period of time engenders closeness and intimacy and I liked watching them slipping into an easy, comfortable domesticity without even realising it.
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but this worked fine as a standalone. I'm guessing several of the secondary characters have appeared in other books by the author, but I didn't need to know their stories in order to enjoy this one.
Star player Nico Arents and referee August Manning always wind each other up the wrong way while on the ice, with outgoing, cocky Nico taking great delight in needling the straightlaced August. But things change when all that tension boils over into an explosive hook up one night when both men, for very different reasons, are feeling particularly vulnerable and in need of comfort.
It's a one and done though - they can't stand each other outside the bedroom.
When Nico collapses and has a seizure during a game and is rushed to hospital, a desperately worried August follows, and when on the ward, blurts out that he's Nico's fiancé simply so he can get some information. Nico has a brain tumour (non-cancerous) that has been affecting him for some time and when he has another seizure, he's rushed into surgery. When his family arrives - they've flown in from Europe - they're delighted to meet their son's fiancé... and August is stuck in the lie.
This is a nicely-done fake-relationship story. August comes clean about the 'engagement' with Nico as soon as he feasibly can, but it's been leaked to the media and they're both in a lot of hot water with the league. August is in a lot more trouble than Nico, as their supposed relationship will call into question ever decision he's ever made on the ice, and he's potentially looking at the end of his refereeing career. This is all the more poignant because, when he was sixteen, August decided not to try for a career as a player because he didn't want to live in the closet; now, ten years later, there are more queer, out players, so perhaps he gave up a dream he didn't need to in order to pursue another one - and now that dream career is on the line.
There's a lot of humour in the story, and while the characters are believably in their twenties, they're mature - even Nico, who is prone to recklessness - and they're good for one another. Nico and August have great chemistry and their romance is well-developed; spending so much time together over a short period of time engenders closeness and intimacy and I liked watching them slipping into an easy, comfortable domesticity without even realising it.
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but this worked fine as a standalone. I'm guessing several of the secondary characters have appeared in other books by the author, but I didn't need to know their stories in order to enjoy this one.
October 8, 2023
* 4 stars *
The Head Game is the second book of the Relationship Goals series but it can be read as a standalone.
After reading the blurb I expected a much heavier story, considering some of the tropes. But it turned out to be a surprisingly sunny and positive narrative. Part of that was because of Nico's personality. He was a sunny, glass-half-full person who always tried to be positive, no matter what life threw at him.
August and Nico's story had an unconventional start after a camera lens caught them kissing the first and only time they hooked up. That photo, along with ill timing, some impulsive decisions and a PR stunt had them pretending to be engaged to each other.
Nico's recovery and a visit from his family prolonged the lie and the time they were spending together. As time passed with August supporting Nico and Nico leaning on him for help, they formed a genuine connection. August's position in the league became uncertain because of the conflict of interest and Nico was there for him through it all as well.
Other characters from previous books make appearances here as well, though less so than in the first book. I have a couple of other players that I wish will get stories of their own so I'm going to keep an eye out for the next books and hope to see them as MCs.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
The Head Game is the second book of the Relationship Goals series but it can be read as a standalone.
After reading the blurb I expected a much heavier story, considering some of the tropes. But it turned out to be a surprisingly sunny and positive narrative. Part of that was because of Nico's personality. He was a sunny, glass-half-full person who always tried to be positive, no matter what life threw at him.
August and Nico's story had an unconventional start after a camera lens caught them kissing the first and only time they hooked up. That photo, along with ill timing, some impulsive decisions and a PR stunt had them pretending to be engaged to each other.
Nico's recovery and a visit from his family prolonged the lie and the time they were spending together. As time passed with August supporting Nico and Nico leaning on him for help, they formed a genuine connection. August's position in the league became uncertain because of the conflict of interest and Nico was there for him through it all as well.
Other characters from previous books make appearances here as well, though less so than in the first book. I have a couple of other players that I wish will get stories of their own so I'm going to keep an eye out for the next books and hope to see them as MCs.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
September 27, 2023
4.5+ stars
Nico Arents is a hockey player who is energetic, outgoing, passionate, charismatic, snarky, and a bit reckless. He has also been avoiding some niggling symptoms recently, while also participating in a dangerous sport.
August Manning is a hockey referee and he is more serious, focused, precise, regimented, and is grieving a bad breakup. He and Nico push, taunt, and think they don’t like each other. But one night after an unexpected meeting they pushed each other right into a bed. The whole forbidden situation had the potential to blow up in their faces, but they thought they were going to be able to keep it on the down low.
But when Nico is injured in a game, August can’t stop worrying about him and finds himself at the hospital. But that sets off a whole chain of events that they can’t come back from. Now they’re playing house and August is helping Nico recover. Their relationship and their positions with the team and with the league are under investigation.
But the more time they spend together the more time they find that they actually like each other and the sexual chemistry was not a one-off. I honestly really liked Nico and August together. They’re opposite personalities, but they balance each other so well. Under Nico‘s cocky façade, he really just needed someone to stand up for him and care for him during this time when he was weak, vulnerable, worried, and frustrated. And August took on this caregiver role, but it was so natural for him because he really wanted to see Nico succeed and feel better. And August also needed someone to appreciate him and make him feel worthy as well. I loved seeing them connect, support each other, and navigate all of the challenges. I am an Occupational therapist (and have a husband who underwent brain surgery) so am picky about books with medical issues, but I thought the author did a good job with the medical aspects and the fact that there were not just easy, quick fixes.
Nico‘s whole family is involved and his friend, Skylar as well as August's twin brother, Julius. It’s a whole extended family, as well as the team family. This is another longer book at about 570 pages. Usually, I get bored in longer books, but for some reason, these characters just kept me drawn in and kept me turning pages. I am looking forward to the next book.
Nico Arents is a hockey player who is energetic, outgoing, passionate, charismatic, snarky, and a bit reckless. He has also been avoiding some niggling symptoms recently, while also participating in a dangerous sport.
August Manning is a hockey referee and he is more serious, focused, precise, regimented, and is grieving a bad breakup. He and Nico push, taunt, and think they don’t like each other. But one night after an unexpected meeting they pushed each other right into a bed. The whole forbidden situation had the potential to blow up in their faces, but they thought they were going to be able to keep it on the down low.
But when Nico is injured in a game, August can’t stop worrying about him and finds himself at the hospital. But that sets off a whole chain of events that they can’t come back from. Now they’re playing house and August is helping Nico recover. Their relationship and their positions with the team and with the league are under investigation.
But the more time they spend together the more time they find that they actually like each other and the sexual chemistry was not a one-off. I honestly really liked Nico and August together. They’re opposite personalities, but they balance each other so well. Under Nico‘s cocky façade, he really just needed someone to stand up for him and care for him during this time when he was weak, vulnerable, worried, and frustrated. And August took on this caregiver role, but it was so natural for him because he really wanted to see Nico succeed and feel better. And August also needed someone to appreciate him and make him feel worthy as well. I loved seeing them connect, support each other, and navigate all of the challenges. I am an Occupational therapist (and have a husband who underwent brain surgery) so am picky about books with medical issues, but I thought the author did a good job with the medical aspects and the fact that there were not just easy, quick fixes.
Nico‘s whole family is involved and his friend, Skylar as well as August's twin brother, Julius. It’s a whole extended family, as well as the team family. This is another longer book at about 570 pages. Usually, I get bored in longer books, but for some reason, these characters just kept me drawn in and kept me turning pages. I am looking forward to the next book.
September 21, 2023
Loved, loved, loved. This book was so funny and so adorable. I had no idea how it was going to work out between these two but boy did it. Nico had me cackling throughout the book so much. He was so funny and August being so deadpanned and straightforward was amazing. Nico was the perfect amount of sunny with a chance of rain and August was a nice cloudy day in October where the air is the ideal amount of chilly.
This is a very long book but I was hooked on it when I started reading. I loved the dynamic between the two but also the family they had with the other hockey members and the immediate family. Literally, all the side characters were just amazing and a great addition to the story.
I for some dumb reason thought I would not like this book which was stupid because any hockey romance book that Brigham Vaighn writes, you will love because the storytelling is that great.
I couldn't recommend this book enough, please pick this series up and her other series as well. 10 out of 10.
This is a very long book but I was hooked on it when I started reading. I loved the dynamic between the two but also the family they had with the other hockey members and the immediate family. Literally, all the side characters were just amazing and a great addition to the story.
I for some dumb reason thought I would not like this book which was stupid because any hockey romance book that Brigham Vaighn writes, you will love because the storytelling is that great.
I couldn't recommend this book enough, please pick this series up and her other series as well. 10 out of 10.
March 26, 2025
🏒❤️
I'm enjoying this series, and enjoyed getting to spend time with all the characters we know and love. I liked both Nico and August, loved their relationship and they way they are with each other, I loved that there's no stupid miscommunication, and I especially loved (with one small exception) how realistic it was medically.
I enjoy contemporary hockey romances and 'The Head Game' has one of the best fake relationship romances I've ever read, there's plenty of heat, good humor, and we get a very happy ending. Looks like we're getting Jonah's story next and I'm looking forward to seeing how that turns out.
I'm enjoying this series, and enjoyed getting to spend time with all the characters we know and love. I liked both Nico and August, loved their relationship and they way they are with each other, I loved that there's no stupid miscommunication, and I especially loved (with one small exception) how realistic it was medically.
I enjoy contemporary hockey romances and 'The Head Game' has one of the best fake relationship romances I've ever read, there's plenty of heat, good humor, and we get a very happy ending. Looks like we're getting Jonah's story next and I'm looking forward to seeing how that turns out.
April 11, 2025
B for the narration / B+ for the story
I read The Head Game, an antagonists-to-lovers hockey romance with a touch of While You Were Sleeping thrown in, late last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to experiencing it again in audio. Narrator James Edward Jones is new-to-me, and I will admit that it took me a while to get used to him; he delivers a more than decent performance, but there are some flaws in it I couldn’t ignore.
Star player Nico Arents and referee August Manning always wind each other up the wrong way while on the ice, with outgoing, cocky Nico taking great delight in needling the straightlaced August. But things change when all that tension boils over into an explosive hook up one night when both men, for very different reasons, are feeling particularly vulnerable and in need of comfort.
It’s a one and done though – they can’t stand each other outside the bedroom.
When Nico collapses and has a seizure during a game and is rushed to hospital, a desperately worried August follows, and when on the ward, blurts out that he’s Nico’s fiancé simply so he can get some information. Nico has a brain tumour (non-cancerous) that has been affecting him for some time and when he has another seizure, he’s rushed into surgery. When his family arrives – they’ve flown in from Europe – they’re delighted to meet their son’s fiancé… and August is stuck in the lie.
This is a nicely-done fake-relationship story. August comes clean about the ‘engagement’ with Nico as soon as he feasibly can, but it’s been leaked to the media and they’re both in a lot of hot water with the league. August is in a lot more trouble than Nico, as their supposed relationship will call into question ever decision he’s ever made on the ice, and he’s potentially looking at the end of his refereeing career. This is all the more poignant because, when he was sixteen, August decided not to try for a career as a player because he didn’t want to live in the closet; now, ten years later, there are more queer, out players, so perhaps he gave up a dream he didn’t need to in order to pursue another one – and now that dream career is on the line.
There’s a lot of humour in the story, and while the characters are believably in their twenties, they’re mature – even Nico, who is prone to recklessness – and they’re good for one another. Nico and August have great chemistry and their romance is well-developed; spending so much time together over a short period of time engenders closeness and intimacy and I liked watching them slipping into an easy, comfortable domesticity without even realising it.
In terms of the narration… the pacing is a little on the slow side, but Mr. Jones’ voice is easy to listen to (despite his sounding like he has a blocked nose!), and he reads expressively - but I wanted a little more than an expressive reading. When the text says a characters laughs or sighs, I want to hear it, but that doesn’t happen here, and because Mr. Jones reads rather than acts, some of the immediacy and animation that should be present in the character interactions is lost.
His characterisations of the leads work well; Nico sounds appropriately flirtatious and lighthearted where August’s lower-pitched dialogue is considered and his very dry humour is nicely articulated. Mr. Jones differentiates fairly well between them, although it seemed to take him a chapter or three to really settle (a couple of times early on, it sounds as though he’s mixed up August and Nico’s voices), and the sex scenes are a little… dispassionate.
There’s a fairly large secondary cast, including Nico’s parents (dad, mum, and two step-mums) and Skylar, Nico’s bestie, plus a handful of teammates and hockey-adjacent characters. The character differentiation is fairly subtle and sometimes I had to rely on the dialogue tags to know who was speaking. Nico’s relatives are Dutch, so Mr. Jones gives them all a vaguely all-purpose European/non-American accent, and while it’s easy to identify Nico’s dad, that’s not the case with his mum and step-mums, who all sound pretty much the same. The other secondary characters are mostly men, and again, I mostly had to rely on dialogue tags, but as those characters don’t appear too often, it wasn’t too much of an issue. Most of them have featured (or will feature) in books of their own, but as this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to by this author, I can’t say if the characterisations are consistent or not.
In the end, I enjoyed the listening experience but wasn’t wowed by it. I loved the story (and would 100% recommend The Head Game in print), but while the narration is by no means terrible, it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be.
I read The Head Game, an antagonists-to-lovers hockey romance with a touch of While You Were Sleeping thrown in, late last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to experiencing it again in audio. Narrator James Edward Jones is new-to-me, and I will admit that it took me a while to get used to him; he delivers a more than decent performance, but there are some flaws in it I couldn’t ignore.
Star player Nico Arents and referee August Manning always wind each other up the wrong way while on the ice, with outgoing, cocky Nico taking great delight in needling the straightlaced August. But things change when all that tension boils over into an explosive hook up one night when both men, for very different reasons, are feeling particularly vulnerable and in need of comfort.
It’s a one and done though – they can’t stand each other outside the bedroom.
When Nico collapses and has a seizure during a game and is rushed to hospital, a desperately worried August follows, and when on the ward, blurts out that he’s Nico’s fiancé simply so he can get some information. Nico has a brain tumour (non-cancerous) that has been affecting him for some time and when he has another seizure, he’s rushed into surgery. When his family arrives – they’ve flown in from Europe – they’re delighted to meet their son’s fiancé… and August is stuck in the lie.
This is a nicely-done fake-relationship story. August comes clean about the ‘engagement’ with Nico as soon as he feasibly can, but it’s been leaked to the media and they’re both in a lot of hot water with the league. August is in a lot more trouble than Nico, as their supposed relationship will call into question ever decision he’s ever made on the ice, and he’s potentially looking at the end of his refereeing career. This is all the more poignant because, when he was sixteen, August decided not to try for a career as a player because he didn’t want to live in the closet; now, ten years later, there are more queer, out players, so perhaps he gave up a dream he didn’t need to in order to pursue another one – and now that dream career is on the line.
There’s a lot of humour in the story, and while the characters are believably in their twenties, they’re mature – even Nico, who is prone to recklessness – and they’re good for one another. Nico and August have great chemistry and their romance is well-developed; spending so much time together over a short period of time engenders closeness and intimacy and I liked watching them slipping into an easy, comfortable domesticity without even realising it.
In terms of the narration… the pacing is a little on the slow side, but Mr. Jones’ voice is easy to listen to (despite his sounding like he has a blocked nose!), and he reads expressively - but I wanted a little more than an expressive reading. When the text says a characters laughs or sighs, I want to hear it, but that doesn’t happen here, and because Mr. Jones reads rather than acts, some of the immediacy and animation that should be present in the character interactions is lost.
His characterisations of the leads work well; Nico sounds appropriately flirtatious and lighthearted where August’s lower-pitched dialogue is considered and his very dry humour is nicely articulated. Mr. Jones differentiates fairly well between them, although it seemed to take him a chapter or three to really settle (a couple of times early on, it sounds as though he’s mixed up August and Nico’s voices), and the sex scenes are a little… dispassionate.
There’s a fairly large secondary cast, including Nico’s parents (dad, mum, and two step-mums) and Skylar, Nico’s bestie, plus a handful of teammates and hockey-adjacent characters. The character differentiation is fairly subtle and sometimes I had to rely on the dialogue tags to know who was speaking. Nico’s relatives are Dutch, so Mr. Jones gives them all a vaguely all-purpose European/non-American accent, and while it’s easy to identify Nico’s dad, that’s not the case with his mum and step-mums, who all sound pretty much the same. The other secondary characters are mostly men, and again, I mostly had to rely on dialogue tags, but as those characters don’t appear too often, it wasn’t too much of an issue. Most of them have featured (or will feature) in books of their own, but as this is the first audiobook I’ve listened to by this author, I can’t say if the characterisations are consistent or not.
In the end, I enjoyed the listening experience but wasn’t wowed by it. I loved the story (and would 100% recommend The Head Game in print), but while the narration is by no means terrible, it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be.
July 24, 2024
Absolutely loved it.
All the stars.
✨✨✨✨✨🪄✨✨✨✨✨
Oh my, this is on the way to being new favorite. I 😍 ve their interactions, the sexy is yummy and the story line captivating (a mix between the movie While You Were Sleeping and the book Whit with drama elements from ER. I'm loving it.
At 50% of the book and they are still not in love. Normally, this would piss me off in a romance novel but in this case it fits perfectly with the story. Everything here is perfectly described and thought out. The research B.V. has done about the health issue (head tumor and recovery of) makes this book believable and adds weight to the solidity of the story.
Excellent outcome to a beautiful storyline. Gorgeous epilogue.
All the stars.
✨✨✨✨✨🪄✨✨✨✨✨
Oh my, this is on the way to being new favorite. I 😍 ve their interactions, the sexy is yummy and the story line captivating (a mix between the movie While You Were Sleeping and the book Whit with drama elements from ER. I'm loving it.
At 50% of the book and they are still not in love. Normally, this would piss me off in a romance novel but in this case it fits perfectly with the story. Everything here is perfectly described and thought out. The research B.V. has done about the health issue (head tumor and recovery of) makes this book believable and adds weight to the solidity of the story.
Excellent outcome to a beautiful storyline. Gorgeous epilogue.
September 20, 2023
This is one of those books you think is going in. It's going to be one way, but wow, it's completely different in the best possible way. So much humor was brought in to make a serious subject matter full of light and humor, and just sweetness.The humor weaved in made such a serious topic so beautiful than them growing on each other just so well done.
What starts with a miscommunication, to check on an injured colleague, brings these two men together to bring out the best sides of each other. The side characters are brilliant as well, making you fall hard for each and every one as Nico and August try to find a balance and ultimately fall in love. It shows that even after setbacks in careers, you have to keep fighting and maybe find a better unpredictable path.
What starts with a miscommunication, to check on an injured colleague, brings these two men together to bring out the best sides of each other. The side characters are brilliant as well, making you fall hard for each and every one as Nico and August try to find a balance and ultimately fall in love. It shows that even after setbacks in careers, you have to keep fighting and maybe find a better unpredictable path.
September 20, 2023
AHHHHH. I hesitated to pick this book up because I loved the first book in the series (The Husband Game) so much that I was sure this one could never live up to it.
Guys. It. Is. BETTER. HOW?!
Nico. Oh my gosh, Nico when he wakes up - I just - I can't. Wahhhh. I just want to hug him and squeeze him and I can totally see why August had a hard time resisting him - who WOULDN'T fall for this sweetheart once his walls are down?
I'm trying to think about what I can say about this book without spoiling it, and I've just got nothing. SO GOOD. It's so hot, there's some really great enemies hate banging, an amnesia twist on the fake dating trope (sort of While You Were Sleeping except falling for the coma/injured/sleeping dude instead of his brother haha). Also, what hockey romance reader has not YEARNED for a hockey player/referee romance?! There are plenty of super hot scenes, ranging from anger banging to really sweet lovemaking. There were so many moments where my heart HURT and I just wanted to hug basically everyone. Nico's team is SO AMAZING and I can't wait to read more of their stories.
This is the second book in the Relationship Goals series and can be read as a standalone. That being said, book one (The Husband Game) is SO GOOD so you're going to want to read it as well anyway. May as well read them in order! :)
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
Guys. It. Is. BETTER. HOW?!
Nico. Oh my gosh, Nico when he wakes up - I just - I can't. Wahhhh. I just want to hug him and squeeze him and I can totally see why August had a hard time resisting him - who WOULDN'T fall for this sweetheart once his walls are down?
I'm trying to think about what I can say about this book without spoiling it, and I've just got nothing. SO GOOD. It's so hot, there's some really great enemies hate banging, an amnesia twist on the fake dating trope (sort of While You Were Sleeping except falling for the coma/injured/sleeping dude instead of his brother haha). Also, what hockey romance reader has not YEARNED for a hockey player/referee romance?! There are plenty of super hot scenes, ranging from anger banging to really sweet lovemaking. There were so many moments where my heart HURT and I just wanted to hug basically everyone. Nico's team is SO AMAZING and I can't wait to read more of their stories.
This is the second book in the Relationship Goals series and can be read as a standalone. That being said, book one (The Husband Game) is SO GOOD so you're going to want to read it as well anyway. May as well read them in order! :)
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
September 1, 2025
THE HEAD GAME was a great romance featuring a fake engagement between a by-the-book rule following referee and a chaotic and flirty hockey player. Nico was charming, cocky, and surprisingly vulnerable and he made a great match for the reserved, dedicated, and slightly stuffy August.
I enjoyed Nico and August's banter, their sweet moments, and the way they supported each other through some really difficult times. They were like oil and water at first but when Nico was recovering from surgery and in a really vulnerable place, August was the one he felt safest with. They were surprisingly tender and I loved seeing August realize he actually liked being annoyed by Nico.
Nico's best friend Sky and August's brother Jules were both amazing side characters and the way they supported Nico and August's relationship was perfect. Seeing the rest of the Fisher Cats team was great and I'm really looking forward to Felix and Jonah's story.
Content Warning: on page seizure, tumor, and recovery from brain surgery; pregnant side character; side character in rehab for a drinking problem
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“This is a bad idea,” August said roughly.
“Baby,” Nico leaned in to whisper in August’s ear. “I’m the best bad decision you’re ever going to make.”
- - - - -
When everything felt like it was crumbling around him, August felt so steady. So unshakeable.
- - - - -
“If this is good for the team and for you, I’m in. No question. Team first and you’re part of my team now, Auggie.”
- - - - -
“When it comes down to it, I’m always going to pick Nico. Every time.”
I enjoyed Nico and August's banter, their sweet moments, and the way they supported each other through some really difficult times. They were like oil and water at first but when Nico was recovering from surgery and in a really vulnerable place, August was the one he felt safest with. They were surprisingly tender and I loved seeing August realize he actually liked being annoyed by Nico.
Nico's best friend Sky and August's brother Jules were both amazing side characters and the way they supported Nico and August's relationship was perfect. Seeing the rest of the Fisher Cats team was great and I'm really looking forward to Felix and Jonah's story.
Content Warning: on page seizure, tumor, and recovery from brain surgery; pregnant side character; side character in rehab for a drinking problem
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“This is a bad idea,” August said roughly.
“Baby,” Nico leaned in to whisper in August’s ear. “I’m the best bad decision you’re ever going to make.”
- - - - -
When everything felt like it was crumbling around him, August felt so steady. So unshakeable.
- - - - -
“If this is good for the team and for you, I’m in. No question. Team first and you’re part of my team now, Auggie.”
- - - - -
“When it comes down to it, I’m always going to pick Nico. Every time.”
December 31, 2023
This is truly a story of opposites - August Manning, a gay sweater-vest wearing hockey referee with a pet goldfish named Marty, and Nico ("Did you know I have zero gag reflex?") Arents, star hockey player / model / off-season DJ. After a steamy one night stand in a hotel ("Baby, I'm the best bad decision you're ever going to make."), at the next game, Nico takes a massive hit and falls unconscious.
The book then turns into a fake fiance / yes, it was a brain tumor / yup, fraternizing with a player can get a referee suspended or fired situation. I really liked how the author relates Nico's recovery and resulting issues - it is sensitively- and well-told.
I think if you buy into the attraction between August and Nico, you'll enjoy the progression of their relationship. Personally, I had a hard time really connecting with either MC, but that's on me. Also I didn't read the first book in this series so Nico was a totally new character to me. 3.5 stars.
The book then turns into a fake fiance / yes, it was a brain tumor / yup, fraternizing with a player can get a referee suspended or fired situation. I really liked how the author relates Nico's recovery and resulting issues - it is sensitively- and well-told.
I think if you buy into the attraction between August and Nico, you'll enjoy the progression of their relationship. Personally, I had a hard time really connecting with either MC, but that's on me. Also I didn't read the first book in this series so Nico was a totally new character to me. 3.5 stars.
September 25, 2023
I wanted to like this more but I did not enjoy the premise at all. I thought I was going to get all the feels when I saw what Nico had to got through but in the end, I did not feel much, it was very meh. At least Nico was not kept in the dark too long and then he was in the fake fiancé rouse as well. But it felt so forced and I could not believe it went that far. Didn't enjoy any of the side characters either, they were all so over the top and not funny at all, just annoying. I also gave the first book 3*. Not sure what is missing with this series as I loved the Rules of Game series so much but this one just feels like something is always missing which stops me liking it more. It's a shame really but still looking forward to the next one.
February 11, 2024
4 stars
This story was lovely and I liked very much how August and Nico got together. They are so different and yet they're perfect for each other.
I adored Nico since the first book, he's spontanous, funny, charming; it was hard seeing him dealing with a traumatic experience that left him weak and insecure about his future.
August, despite almost not knowing Nico at all, was able to support him in the right way: he pushed him when he needed it and he made him slow down when he was too restless.
I liked their fake relationship, especially when Nico found out the truth and started teasing him again.
I found all the concerns and fears about August's job very well written. And I really really loved Charlie's speech to Nico that made him feel understood.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate
The romance (when they admit to themselves they have feelings for each other) starts very late in the story and they got together for real almost at the end of the book.
This story is also a little too long and some parts were kind of repetitive.
Skylar and julius were a blast, I hope we'll see them again in the following books. I loved the epilogue and Nico and Auggie's well deserved HEA
Next book will be about Jonah and Felix: I cannot wait for him to have his own happy ending.
I received a free copy from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
This story was lovely and I liked very much how August and Nico got together. They are so different and yet they're perfect for each other.
I adored Nico since the first book, he's spontanous, funny, charming; it was hard seeing him dealing with a traumatic experience that left him weak and insecure about his future.
August, despite almost not knowing Nico at all, was able to support him in the right way: he pushed him when he needed it and he made him slow down when he was too restless.
I liked their fake relationship, especially when Nico found out the truth and started teasing him again.
I found all the concerns and fears about August's job very well written. And I really really loved Charlie's speech to Nico that made him feel understood.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate
The romance (when they admit to themselves they have feelings for each other) starts very late in the story and they got together for real almost at the end of the book.
This story is also a little too long and some parts were kind of repetitive.
Skylar and julius were a blast, I hope we'll see them again in the following books. I loved the epilogue and Nico and Auggie's well deserved HEA
Next book will be about Jonah and Felix: I cannot wait for him to have his own happy ending.
I received a free copy from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
September 18, 2023
ARC received via Neon Rainbow Review for an honest review
I adored The Husband Game, but this here? The Head Game? This upped the level so, so much.
In The Husband Game, Nico is the lovable, egotistical guy that should have come across as a right jerk, but you couldn't help but fall under his spell.
I was expecting that, but Nico is so much more.
The story took me on a wave of emotions, not sure what I was really expecting. The relationship dynamic was not one that I had read before - I mean, the waking up engaged a la While You Were Sleeping is not a new thing, but Nico and Auggie's story also took some turns I was not really expecting.
The growth in Nico and Charlie (from The Husband Game) relationship i wonderful, and Nico and Auggie's relationship grows beautifully.
I really enjoyed The Head Game, and can't wait to read more by this author
I adored The Husband Game, but this here? The Head Game? This upped the level so, so much.
In The Husband Game, Nico is the lovable, egotistical guy that should have come across as a right jerk, but you couldn't help but fall under his spell.
I was expecting that, but Nico is so much more.
The story took me on a wave of emotions, not sure what I was really expecting. The relationship dynamic was not one that I had read before - I mean, the waking up engaged a la While You Were Sleeping is not a new thing, but Nico and Auggie's story also took some turns I was not really expecting.
The growth in Nico and Charlie (from The Husband Game) relationship i wonderful, and Nico and Auggie's relationship grows beautifully.
I really enjoyed The Head Game, and can't wait to read more by this author
nope
June 18, 2024I gave this one a shot after it was initially released, but I didn't get very far into the story. Both main characters were pretty insufferable, and their romance seemed over the top.
It's a sad fact that the best hockey player/referee story to this day remains Taylor Fitzpatrick's (if I'm not mistaken) unfinished Tumblr original fic. It was just enough to create a craving to see this particular type of dynamic in an m/m hockey romance, before being relegated to eternal WIP limbo by the author.
It's a sad fact that the best hockey player/referee story to this day remains Taylor Fitzpatrick's (if I'm not mistaken) unfinished Tumblr original fic. It was just enough to create a craving to see this particular type of dynamic in an m/m hockey romance, before being relegated to eternal WIP limbo by the author.
December 24, 2025
Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake engagement, hurt / comfort, opposites attract
The Head Game was a wonderful and entertaining continuation of the Relationship Goals series.
I completely loved The Husband Game, the first book in the series, and I have to admit that I was a little nervous about The Head Game not being on the same level, but my worries were definitely unnecessary. Nico and August had me captured from the first chapter and I ended up loving their story.
Nico really made an impression in the first book, and I’m so happy that we got his story. He and August were so adorable together and I really liked their chemistry, the whole driving each other crazy in the beginning was really hot!
Nico and August were very much opposites, and I loved the snarky banter and playfulness between them. August totally surprised me with how protective and caring he was after Nico’s surgery, I adored the affection and comfort he provided and how Nico just soaked it up. So swoony!
Nico and August completely melted my heart, and there were just so many beautiful moments between them. There was some depth to the story and characters, and Nico’s struggles and frustrations felt realistic. The fake engagement added both some angst and humour, and I enjoyed the way it was written and implemented in the story.
The Head Game was a story full of banter, hurt / comfort, affection and love. I adored the characters and I loved to see the team again and all of their amazing banter and friendship. I’m totally in love with this series so far, and I can’t wait to see what else Brigham Vaughn has planned for this team and it’s players!
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I received a complimentary copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake engagement, hurt / comfort, opposites attract
The Head Game was a wonderful and entertaining continuation of the Relationship Goals series.
I completely loved The Husband Game, the first book in the series, and I have to admit that I was a little nervous about The Head Game not being on the same level, but my worries were definitely unnecessary. Nico and August had me captured from the first chapter and I ended up loving their story.
Nico really made an impression in the first book, and I’m so happy that we got his story. He and August were so adorable together and I really liked their chemistry, the whole driving each other crazy in the beginning was really hot!
Nico and August were very much opposites, and I loved the snarky banter and playfulness between them. August totally surprised me with how protective and caring he was after Nico’s surgery, I adored the affection and comfort he provided and how Nico just soaked it up. So swoony!
Nico and August completely melted my heart, and there were just so many beautiful moments between them. There was some depth to the story and characters, and Nico’s struggles and frustrations felt realistic. The fake engagement added both some angst and humour, and I enjoyed the way it was written and implemented in the story.
The Head Game was a story full of banter, hurt / comfort, affection and love. I adored the characters and I loved to see the team again and all of their amazing banter and friendship. I’m totally in love with this series so far, and I can’t wait to see what else Brigham Vaughn has planned for this team and it’s players!
-
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 21, 2025
Cute Sports Romance.
If you enjoy well written stories where there is a real sense of community, people who genuinely look out for each other, and romance Brigham Vaughn's books are for you. This is one of my favourites so far, it's a fantastic addition to this lady's hockey books. I really loved this couple. Niko is such a sweetheart and genuinely cares for his family and friends, he's a real character. August is adorable, comes across as crabby as hell, but is a serious cinnamon roll when all is revealed. I so enjoyed the inclusion of Dustin, Charlie and the other guys from past books. The way in which Charlie related to Niko and helped him was one of the highlights of the story.
Watching the guys come together and grow as a couple was wonderful, it made me wish the book was twice the length it actually was, just so I could read about more of their antics, more of their stolen little moments. Already looking forward to the next book in the series.
After listening to the audible, I loved this story even more. James Edward Jones does a cracking job bringing Niko and August's story to life. Their emotions and growing relationship leapt from the page, highly recommended. It was great how all of the guys were so protective of Niko, and his relationship with August. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
If you enjoy well written stories where there is a real sense of community, people who genuinely look out for each other, and romance Brigham Vaughn's books are for you. This is one of my favourites so far, it's a fantastic addition to this lady's hockey books. I really loved this couple. Niko is such a sweetheart and genuinely cares for his family and friends, he's a real character. August is adorable, comes across as crabby as hell, but is a serious cinnamon roll when all is revealed. I so enjoyed the inclusion of Dustin, Charlie and the other guys from past books. The way in which Charlie related to Niko and helped him was one of the highlights of the story.
Watching the guys come together and grow as a couple was wonderful, it made me wish the book was twice the length it actually was, just so I could read about more of their antics, more of their stolen little moments. Already looking forward to the next book in the series.
After listening to the audible, I loved this story even more. James Edward Jones does a cracking job bringing Niko and August's story to life. Their emotions and growing relationship leapt from the page, highly recommended. It was great how all of the guys were so protective of Niko, and his relationship with August. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
December 10, 2023
We met Nico Arents in the previous book, in which he's depicted as a big flirt who doesn't take himself too seriously and who's definitely not looking for anything long term. We also hear mention of him having some headaches off and on.
In this book, Nico's headaches and reluctance to see a doctor about them ends up costing him dearly, but not before he and hockey referee August Manning hook up one night after a game.
And then Nico ends up in the hospital after a bad fall in the next game, and August ends up in the same hospital to check on Nico and has to pretend to be his fiance to be let into the room.
I loved both easy-going, flirty Nico and prickly, chip on his shoulder August, and how their romance slowly unfolds.
I don't know a thing about hockey so all that went right over my head, but I totally got why August was being investigated and suspended because impartiality is key when refereeing.
This is a long book but didn't feel all that long because the story just pulled me in and I breezed right through it until its final page.
Loved it. Hoping to see the next one in this series very soon!
In this book, Nico's headaches and reluctance to see a doctor about them ends up costing him dearly, but not before he and hockey referee August Manning hook up one night after a game.
And then Nico ends up in the hospital after a bad fall in the next game, and August ends up in the same hospital to check on Nico and has to pretend to be his fiance to be let into the room.
I loved both easy-going, flirty Nico and prickly, chip on his shoulder August, and how their romance slowly unfolds.
I don't know a thing about hockey so all that went right over my head, but I totally got why August was being investigated and suspended because impartiality is key when refereeing.
This is a long book but didn't feel all that long because the story just pulled me in and I breezed right through it until its final page.
Loved it. Hoping to see the next one in this series very soon!
September 24, 2023
The author’s note at the beginning was so cute, unfortunately I can’t say the same for the rest. I had two main problems with this book:
On one hand, If the first chapter/bed scene would have been off page, only referring to it afterwards, I could have connected with the story better, not liking each other but sleeping together it’s something very hard to understand for me, specially in this case and the way they talked to each other.
On the other hand, It wasn’t very believable with all that lying and not volunteering information—this wasn’t right at all—, and career repercussions.
After this it was difficult for me to connect with story, furthermore, I’d say it’s not really a love story per se, but things happening and how they deal with them, they only start having feelings at the end—the very end—so... not really my book, sorry. I’d keep reading the series though.
«…he joked. Because if he could make jokes, it wasn’t quite so scary.
He’d keep telling himself that until he believed».
On one hand, If the first chapter/bed scene would have been off page, only referring to it afterwards, I could have connected with the story better, not liking each other but sleeping together it’s something very hard to understand for me, specially in this case and the way they talked to each other.
On the other hand, It wasn’t very believable with all that lying and not volunteering information—this wasn’t right at all—, and career repercussions.
After this it was difficult for me to connect with story, furthermore, I’d say it’s not really a love story per se, but things happening and how they deal with them, they only start having feelings at the end—the very end—so... not really my book, sorry. I’d keep reading the series though.
«…he joked. Because if he could make jokes, it wasn’t quite so scary.
He’d keep telling himself that until he believed».
June 11, 2025
Sweet but maybe too sweet? I liked it anyway, just needed a bit more angst/tension.
January 25, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐
The Head Game is the second book in Brigham Vaughn's Relationship Goals series. It could be read as a standalone. Here's what you can expect from Nico and August:
💚 MM contemporary romance
💚 Third person dual point of view
💚 Guaranteed happily ever after
💚 Hockey player and referee
💚 Fake engagement
💚 Traumatic 0n-ice injury
As always, ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Note that this list of warnings and triggers may be incomplete. Please take care of yourself while reading. This book contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer.
I'm so happy that I'm diving back into this series! Brigham writes a fantastic hockey romance that's filled with steam, romance, and doesn't shy away from hard issues or situations. We meet Nico as a secondary character in the first book, The Husband Game, and although he has a big personality, something's off with him as he suffers from occasional headaches. Although Dustin makes him promise to see the team doctor if they persist, we leave it there.
I know romance fans ask for a player/referee pairing a lot. And I love the spin Brigham put on it for fans! It's not an easy concept to write, no matter how many creative liberties an author is willing to take. At the end of the day, a player dating an on-ice official is a conflict of interest. Hard stop. I wasn't sure what to expect when reading this for the first time, but I thought she did a great job at writing a story for August and Nico. Somehow, a chance hookup in an alley for them turns into a fake fiancé when August rushes to Nico's hospital room after an on-ice seizure that leads to a complicated surgery and months of recovery for Nico. At first, I'm frustrated with August and I imagine other readers are, too. There were points when it felt like he was either lying to or taking advantage of Nico. My frustration definitely didn't last long though, and at that point, I felt myself rooting for them to make their fake engagement real. Watching Nico and "Auggie's" relationship blossom while Nico recovered from surgery was just so sweet. Although August comes off fairly serious and abrasive at times (with Nico being the complete opposite), I loved watching them work as a team to tackle Nico's recovery and salvage August's career.
This series doesn't shy away from the hard issues, and The Head Game is no exception. Just because their relationship morphed from fake to real (although, let's be honest, it never really felt fake, did it?) doesn't mean it magically fixed all their issues. Watching them tackle their adversity together was very special. Their chemistry was off-the-charts, and the steam Brigham added to the book only deepened that connection.
Now that I've re-read the first two books, I'm very much looking forward to reading the three remaining ones in the series for the first time. Similarly to The Husband Game, don't let the page count (just under 600 pages) intimidate you. If you love hockey romance and a book that dives into the nitty gritty, I can't recommend Brigham's work enough. Happy reading!
The Head Game is the second book in Brigham Vaughn's Relationship Goals series. It could be read as a standalone. Here's what you can expect from Nico and August:
💚 MM contemporary romance
💚 Third person dual point of view
💚 Guaranteed happily ever after
💚 Hockey player and referee
💚 Fake engagement
💚 Traumatic 0n-ice injury
As always, ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Note that this list of warnings and triggers may be incomplete. Please take care of yourself while reading. This book contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer.
“Baby,” Nico leaned in to whisper in August’s ear. “I’m the best bad decision you’re ever going to make.”
I'm so happy that I'm diving back into this series! Brigham writes a fantastic hockey romance that's filled with steam, romance, and doesn't shy away from hard issues or situations. We meet Nico as a secondary character in the first book, The Husband Game, and although he has a big personality, something's off with him as he suffers from occasional headaches. Although Dustin makes him promise to see the team doctor if they persist, we leave it there.
I know romance fans ask for a player/referee pairing a lot. And I love the spin Brigham put on it for fans! It's not an easy concept to write, no matter how many creative liberties an author is willing to take. At the end of the day, a player dating an on-ice official is a conflict of interest. Hard stop. I wasn't sure what to expect when reading this for the first time, but I thought she did a great job at writing a story for August and Nico. Somehow, a chance hookup in an alley for them turns into a fake fiancé when August rushes to Nico's hospital room after an on-ice seizure that leads to a complicated surgery and months of recovery for Nico. At first, I'm frustrated with August and I imagine other readers are, too. There were points when it felt like he was either lying to or taking advantage of Nico. My frustration definitely didn't last long though, and at that point, I felt myself rooting for them to make their fake engagement real. Watching Nico and "Auggie's" relationship blossom while Nico recovered from surgery was just so sweet. Although August comes off fairly serious and abrasive at times (with Nico being the complete opposite), I loved watching them work as a team to tackle Nico's recovery and salvage August's career.
This series doesn't shy away from the hard issues, and The Head Game is no exception. Just because their relationship morphed from fake to real (although, let's be honest, it never really felt fake, did it?) doesn't mean it magically fixed all their issues. Watching them tackle their adversity together was very special. Their chemistry was off-the-charts, and the steam Brigham added to the book only deepened that connection.
Now that I've re-read the first two books, I'm very much looking forward to reading the three remaining ones in the series for the first time. Similarly to The Husband Game, don't let the page count (just under 600 pages) intimidate you. If you love hockey romance and a book that dives into the nitty gritty, I can't recommend Brigham's work enough. Happy reading!
He had these perfect little moments with this strange uptight man who pretended to find him irritating but looked at him like he was everything.
He had a big fluffy cat and he was co-parenting a fish named Marty, and he wanted all of it.
Forever.
October 2, 2023
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
I am really enjoying the Relationship Goals series and The Head Game was a great read.
Nico and August butt heads on the ice and off of it, but an unexpected encounter and an even more unexpected decision by rule follower August is the beginning of life-changing events for them both.
I loved Nico and August and I really enjoyed getting to know them both as they got to know each other.
It's funny how one decision or one white lie can set off a whole series of events that can then tumble out of control. For August his white lie at the hospital after Nico's accident on the ice is the start of true love, but also possibly the end of one or both of their careers.
Nico's parents were lovely people, but I was sure glad that August was there to buffer their interference after his accident because they drove me nuts enough as it was and without him stepping in they would have been even worse.
I enjoy the trope of fake boyfriend/fiance and The Head Game works this trope well. As August takes care of Nico after he leaves the hospital and plays at being his loving fiance they both discover sides of each other they weren't aware of and that they really like.
August's career is in a holding pattern due to NHL rules about umpires and players being in relationships and he has to reexamine what his future is going to look like if he loses his job. I felt for August, he'd given up a chance of going pro because of being gay and wanting a family and not having to hide who he is, not knowing down the track queer players would become accepted in the sport, now his backup career choice is possibly at an end and he has no idea who he is without it or what he wants to do.
I felt for Nico too, having his accident and then discovering he had a brain tumour, then a subsequent operation and long-term recovery, leaves him reeling not knowing if this might be the end of a career he loves if he doesn't fully recover. I loved that August made a celebration out of each small win Nico has in his recovery, I think I might start celebrating my small wins.
While the chemistry between these two is never in doubt, theirs is a journey to discover who they are and can a relationship that started as fake and built up under trying circumstances last the distance? I was cheering them on the whole time.
I enjoyed catching up with the team members and their partners and loved how they accepted August into the fold so easily. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I am really enjoying the Relationship Goals series and The Head Game was a great read.
Nico and August butt heads on the ice and off of it, but an unexpected encounter and an even more unexpected decision by rule follower August is the beginning of life-changing events for them both.
I loved Nico and August and I really enjoyed getting to know them both as they got to know each other.
It's funny how one decision or one white lie can set off a whole series of events that can then tumble out of control. For August his white lie at the hospital after Nico's accident on the ice is the start of true love, but also possibly the end of one or both of their careers.
Nico's parents were lovely people, but I was sure glad that August was there to buffer their interference after his accident because they drove me nuts enough as it was and without him stepping in they would have been even worse.
I enjoy the trope of fake boyfriend/fiance and The Head Game works this trope well. As August takes care of Nico after he leaves the hospital and plays at being his loving fiance they both discover sides of each other they weren't aware of and that they really like.
August's career is in a holding pattern due to NHL rules about umpires and players being in relationships and he has to reexamine what his future is going to look like if he loses his job. I felt for August, he'd given up a chance of going pro because of being gay and wanting a family and not having to hide who he is, not knowing down the track queer players would become accepted in the sport, now his backup career choice is possibly at an end and he has no idea who he is without it or what he wants to do.
I felt for Nico too, having his accident and then discovering he had a brain tumour, then a subsequent operation and long-term recovery, leaves him reeling not knowing if this might be the end of a career he loves if he doesn't fully recover. I loved that August made a celebration out of each small win Nico has in his recovery, I think I might start celebrating my small wins.
While the chemistry between these two is never in doubt, theirs is a journey to discover who they are and can a relationship that started as fake and built up under trying circumstances last the distance? I was cheering them on the whole time.
I enjoyed catching up with the team members and their partners and loved how they accepted August into the fold so easily. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 15, 2023
Holy wow… Nico had so much more depth than I was expecting! In Dustin’s book we meet Nico and watch him charm his way into Charlie’s good graces, but he was (and still kinda is) an egotistical hockey player with talent oozing out of him. He’s hot and he knows it, and can charm the literal pants off of anyone. When he meets referee August Manning, sparks fly but not necessarily in a good way. They start off disliking each other, but after a weak night where August hooks up with Nico despite his reservations and knowing it’s a bad idea, the whole thing blows up in their faces. Nico is suddenly facing brain surgery and August ends up in a lie he can’t untangle himself from and in a fake relationship with Nico in spite of their dislike for the other.
Their journey happens slowly but fast at the same time. We’re getting insight into both guys’ heads and while the majority of the story happens within a month, it doesn’t seem rushed or isn’t-love. There is definitely plot and character development and the side characters are so wonderful that you want every side story told right now!
I can’t wait for the world to get this book and fall so hard for this couple!!
Their journey happens slowly but fast at the same time. We’re getting insight into both guys’ heads and while the majority of the story happens within a month, it doesn’t seem rushed or isn’t-love. There is definitely plot and character development and the side characters are so wonderful that you want every side story told right now!
I can’t wait for the world to get this book and fall so hard for this couple!!
September 20, 2023
I am absolutely loving this series, the characters are just so good. This book is a surprise, Nico is an absolute flirt and player so I assumed the story would be fast paced. However, with the narrative being based around his incident on the ice and the whole health issues that follow, the story is a slow burn. We see such vulnerability in Nico whilst he is in recovery, his mask is down and we get to see the amazing person he is. He is a special person and captivates everyone he meets. August is a referee, so we know he is in control and is a stickler for rules. He doesn't know how he gets himself in this situation, but it is life changing for him. August witnesses Nico's fall to the ice and it is the catalyst that starts this whole charade.
It should feel wrong, but we know August is a good person and has his reasons for why he declared who he was to Nico. They navigate their relationship in a backwards way and end up with a sweet HEA. We meet Nico's best friend, Skyler, who was good fun; I loved her happy ending too. I'm excited for the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It should feel wrong, but we know August is a good person and has his reasons for why he declared who he was to Nico. They navigate their relationship in a backwards way and end up with a sweet HEA. We meet Nico's best friend, Skyler, who was good fun; I loved her happy ending too. I'm excited for the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 2, 2025
Compelling, surprising and heartfelt. A dynamic enemies to friends to lovers story!
I loved Nico from the start of this series. The playful, charismatic flirt who could have anyone and go for anything he wanted. I loved that he met his match in the orderly and somewhat stoic, August. I loved August's somewhat stuffy demeanor and the strong contrasts between him and Nico.
They both go through so much in this story. It's real, it's hard and challenging for each of them in different ways.
The writing is witty and fast paced and I was hooked from the start. There's humor, comradery and serious issues discussed but it's all done with a levity that lifts the story and makes it feel that much more "real".
I felt for everything Nico went through and the challenges his faced and I liked that Brigham put just as much "despair" on August and the loss of his career which for a character and personality like him would be devastating.
The narration is dynamic and elevates the story. It makes these characters come alive and is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
I'm totally addicted to this series and can't wait for more of this team, their challenges and finding love in unique situations and unexpected ways!!
I loved Nico from the start of this series. The playful, charismatic flirt who could have anyone and go for anything he wanted. I loved that he met his match in the orderly and somewhat stoic, August. I loved August's somewhat stuffy demeanor and the strong contrasts between him and Nico.
They both go through so much in this story. It's real, it's hard and challenging for each of them in different ways.
The writing is witty and fast paced and I was hooked from the start. There's humor, comradery and serious issues discussed but it's all done with a levity that lifts the story and makes it feel that much more "real".
I felt for everything Nico went through and the challenges his faced and I liked that Brigham put just as much "despair" on August and the loss of his career which for a character and personality like him would be devastating.
The narration is dynamic and elevates the story. It makes these characters come alive and is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
I'm totally addicted to this series and can't wait for more of this team, their challenges and finding love in unique situations and unexpected ways!!
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