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Crimson Hawk’s Hockey #1
Coldest Kind of Love
The Crimson Hawk’s are my dream team.
Playing for them for the last few years has been the best time of my life.
I worked hard for my chance to be here, playing alongside my best friends, and wouldn’t change a thing.
After losing my dad, all I wanna do is make him proud day in and day out every time I get out on that ice.
Until he comes along, and ruins everything I’ve been so used to.
The man who I once called my stepbrother, my best friend, my lover.
But he gave me too many reasons to hate him.
I made my peace with losing him years ago.
But how am I supposed to keep hating him when he’s my new left winger, taunting me on and off the ice?
Foster Callcott is the bane of my existence, and I don’t know how long I can keep hating him.
"I just want to play nice again, Foster"
An authors note is located at the front of the book with any warnings before reading. Coldest Kind of Love is a high heat, high angst, high banter book. The characters fall into each other hard and fast. This book is intended for 18+. This story ends in a HEA that the characters work hard for.
Playing for them for the last few years has been the best time of my life.
I worked hard for my chance to be here, playing alongside my best friends, and wouldn’t change a thing.
After losing my dad, all I wanna do is make him proud day in and day out every time I get out on that ice.
Until he comes along, and ruins everything I’ve been so used to.
The man who I once called my stepbrother, my best friend, my lover.
But he gave me too many reasons to hate him.
I made my peace with losing him years ago.
But how am I supposed to keep hating him when he’s my new left winger, taunting me on and off the ice?
Foster Callcott is the bane of my existence, and I don’t know how long I can keep hating him.
"I just want to play nice again, Foster"
An authors note is located at the front of the book with any warnings before reading. Coldest Kind of Love is a high heat, high angst, high banter book. The characters fall into each other hard and fast. This book is intended for 18+. This story ends in a HEA that the characters work hard for.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2024
205 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 7, 2024
Thanks to the author for the ARC.
Now, I love hockey romance it is my absolute favorite sports romance to read but this book was just terribly bad.
For starters, the whole hate and drama between the MCs is just for a stupid misunderstanding, and like I get miscommunication is a trope or whatever but in this case it was just plain stupid. As if this plot was not weak enough, the drama gets resolved at 50% of the book and the rest is just there? like nothing happens except a bunch of cringe-worthy moments involving "little brother" is said a thousand times, and like these dudes are 27 and 28!
Now, I love hockey romance it is my absolute favorite sports romance to read but this book was just terribly bad.
For starters, the whole hate and drama between the MCs is just for a stupid misunderstanding, and like I get miscommunication is a trope or whatever but in this case it was just plain stupid. As if this plot was not weak enough, the drama gets resolved at 50% of the book and the rest is just there? like nothing happens except a bunch of cringe-worthy moments involving "little brother" is said a thousand times, and like these dudes are 27 and 28!
April 13, 2024
"I know what this is, lingering between us. I’ve felt it for years. Love. I know it’s hard for him to accept, but I’m hoping he will come around. I’ll give him time, but it still hurts getting the coldest kind of love from him in return."
Coldest Kind of Love (MM step brother hockey romance) by M.P. Bates is a MM second chance romance, between rival professional hockey players who also happen to be (ex) step-brothers. There is a huge miscommunication trope running throughout, so if that is your trope, you'll love this one!
What To Expect:
🌶️MM hockey romance
🌶️Second chance
🌶️Best friends to enemies to lovers
🌶️Rival teammates
🌶️Neurodivergent rep
🌶️Mental health rep
🌶️Virgin MC
🌶️HEA
3-3.5 stars
Coldest Kind of Love (MM step brother hockey romance) by M.P. Bates is a MM second chance romance, between rival professional hockey players who also happen to be (ex) step-brothers. There is a huge miscommunication trope running throughout, so if that is your trope, you'll love this one!
What To Expect:
🌶️MM hockey romance
🌶️Second chance
🌶️Best friends to enemies to lovers
🌶️Rival teammates
🌶️Neurodivergent rep
🌶️Mental health rep
🌶️Virgin MC
🌶️HEA
3-3.5 stars
April 13, 2024
Thank god that’s over. That was ob if the worst books I read this year. Congratulations.
The author knows nothing about sports. Absolutely nothing. Hell I don’t know anything about hockey. I watched one match in my life. I read a thousand hockey romances. I know more about the game than the author.
In the beginning two players were traded against each other. There was a press conference when they both officially took off their old jersey. Then Forster has a private phone call immediately after a game in the locker room. This conversation is about Ronan and he had it in the open. After Forsters trade he naturally plays in the next match and is on the starting team. Without ONE training beforehand. Also they don’t warm up for this game (I think the author forgot)
Then Forster. What a fucking asshole. The emotional capacity of a teaspoon. Apparently he loved Ronan this whole time and he is the one who gets Ronan. But when it’s count he doesn’t understand Ronan? Please. Also he loved his stepfather so much he couldn’t get over himself and go to the funeral? What a fucking asshole.
Ronan is supposed to be on the spectrum. This wasn’t diagnosed, the reader knows this because of the authors foreword and a few clues in respect of the emotional state of him. This could have worked if he weren’t a doormat. Rolled over as soon as Forster gave him the time of the day again. The sex scenes were boring. The dialogue awful. No idea why I made it through the end. And how fucking cringy is it for Forster to call Ronan little brother the whole time? This is not a taboo book so cut the shit out. It gave me the creeps. More bullshit: Ronan saved himself for Forster and the conversation about it was this:
“Yeah…” he says, his voice already raw and breaking. “I saved myself for you, slánaitheoir.”
Then the author had to fill the other 40% of the book because the reader didn’t suffer enough already. So of course Forster gets injured. And he acts like a fucking baby. He is throwing tantrums like you wouldn’t believe. He is a professional sportsman they know what’s up. Grow the fuck up.
The author wanted this book being a stepbrother romance so badly but it didn’t work for me at all. It was bad. Not recommended.
The author knows nothing about sports. Absolutely nothing. Hell I don’t know anything about hockey. I watched one match in my life. I read a thousand hockey romances. I know more about the game than the author.
In the beginning two players were traded against each other. There was a press conference when they both officially took off their old jersey. Then Forster has a private phone call immediately after a game in the locker room. This conversation is about Ronan and he had it in the open. After Forsters trade he naturally plays in the next match and is on the starting team. Without ONE training beforehand. Also they don’t warm up for this game (I think the author forgot)
Then Forster. What a fucking asshole. The emotional capacity of a teaspoon. Apparently he loved Ronan this whole time and he is the one who gets Ronan. But when it’s count he doesn’t understand Ronan? Please. Also he loved his stepfather so much he couldn’t get over himself and go to the funeral? What a fucking asshole.
Ronan is supposed to be on the spectrum. This wasn’t diagnosed, the reader knows this because of the authors foreword and a few clues in respect of the emotional state of him. This could have worked if he weren’t a doormat. Rolled over as soon as Forster gave him the time of the day again. The sex scenes were boring. The dialogue awful. No idea why I made it through the end. And how fucking cringy is it for Forster to call Ronan little brother the whole time? This is not a taboo book so cut the shit out. It gave me the creeps. More bullshit: Ronan saved himself for Forster and the conversation about it was this:
“Yeah…” he says, his voice already raw and breaking. “I saved myself for you, slánaitheoir.”
Then the author had to fill the other 40% of the book because the reader didn’t suffer enough already. So of course Forster gets injured. And he acts like a fucking baby. He is throwing tantrums like you wouldn’t believe. He is a professional sportsman they know what’s up. Grow the fuck up.
The author wanted this book being a stepbrother romance so badly but it didn’t work for me at all. It was bad. Not recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
Have you ever read a book and then realized an author is just talking out there ass?
Besides knowing NOTHING about hockey, this romance was beyond ... off?
Step siblings who both loved each other but never said anything, yet magically can just jerk each other off after not seeing each other in years.
My biggest hang up was "big brother" was 5'10 and "little brother" was 6'5. SO EVERY sex scene I am doing the math of who is on their tippy toes & who is reaching down almost A FOOT to kiss.
It was a weird attempt at BDMS power play, with the intro hinting at something the book barely even touched on.
I wish I could take back the 3hours of my life to not read it, a nap would have been a smarter use of my time or staring into the sun.
Here is the book summed up:
Besides knowing NOTHING about hockey, this romance was beyond ... off?
Step siblings who both loved each other but never said anything, yet magically can just jerk each other off after not seeing each other in years.
My biggest hang up was "big brother" was 5'10 and "little brother" was 6'5. SO EVERY sex scene I am doing the math of who is on their tippy toes & who is reaching down almost A FOOT to kiss.
It was a weird attempt at BDMS power play, with the intro hinting at something the book barely even touched on.
I wish I could take back the 3hours of my life to not read it, a nap would have been a smarter use of my time or staring into the sun.
Here is the book summed up:
September 23, 2024
( Reread )
4⭐️
3🌶️
Y’all This Book Was Really Fun And I Did My Reread On Audio And It Was Really Good. I Really Enjoyed This Book A lot The Second Time Around But No As Much As The First And Honestly, This Is Probably Not A Book I Would Reread Again, But I Had An Overall A Great Time And I Would Recommend This Book If You Guys Are Wanting A MM Hockey Romance Book To Get You Out Of A Slump Because This Is Also Pretty Short So It’s Perfect For That.🫶💕
————————————————
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
WOW! So Freaking GOOD! I Loved This Book SM! Literally Ronan And Foster Were Just SO PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! Even From There Struggles And Challenges, They Still Made It Work With Each Other And Will Love Each Other Till The End Of Time🥰
100% Recommend This Book If You Love MM Hockey Romances Because This One Is The Perfect Choice In Both Worlds💕💕💕💕
4⭐️
3🌶️
Y’all This Book Was Really Fun And I Did My Reread On Audio And It Was Really Good. I Really Enjoyed This Book A lot The Second Time Around But No As Much As The First And Honestly, This Is Probably Not A Book I Would Reread Again, But I Had An Overall A Great Time And I Would Recommend This Book If You Guys Are Wanting A MM Hockey Romance Book To Get You Out Of A Slump Because This Is Also Pretty Short So It’s Perfect For That.🫶💕
————————————————
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
WOW! So Freaking GOOD! I Loved This Book SM! Literally Ronan And Foster Were Just SO PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! Even From There Struggles And Challenges, They Still Made It Work With Each Other And Will Love Each Other Till The End Of Time🥰
100% Recommend This Book If You Love MM Hockey Romances Because This One Is The Perfect Choice In Both Worlds💕💕💕💕
April 5, 2024
Ive been desperate to get my hands on this book, and holy smokes it was so good!! Absolutely loved Ronan and Foster, the tension and angst with this couple was amazing. If you’re looking for a good MM hockey romance, then give this one a shot.
Tropes
🩵Hockey
🩵Step brothers(former)
🩵enemies to lovers
🩵forced proximity
🩵hurt/comfort
🩵praise kink
Tropes
🩵Hockey
🩵Step brothers(former)
🩵enemies to lovers
🩵forced proximity
🩵hurt/comfort
🩵praise kink
April 5, 2024
ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑.5࿐ྂ
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲?”
“𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐈 𝐝𝐨.”
“𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡?” 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥.
“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮,”
„𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲.“
hmm, i don't really know what to think of this, the whole book is based on one big misunderstanding and i can‘t stand it. the fact that they both acted like little children for most of the book really annoyed me. You're both grown men, so please act like it.
i don't know if i'm the only one, but i hate it when they mention being step-siblings a thousand times i mean we get it.
💌- thank you for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲?”
“𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐈 𝐝𝐨.”
“𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡?” 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥.
“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮,”
„𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲.“
hmm, i don't really know what to think of this, the whole book is based on one big misunderstanding and i can‘t stand it. the fact that they both acted like little children for most of the book really annoyed me. You're both grown men, so please act like it.
i don't know if i'm the only one, but i hate it when they mention being step-siblings a thousand times i mean we get it.
💌- thank you for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
I didn’t know it was a stepbrother romance when I got it.
It’s not even badly written but I can NOT get over the fact he calls him little brother during sex. Just no.
It’s not even badly written but I can NOT get over the fact he calls him little brother during sex. Just no.
June 19, 2024
ARC Review
I wanted to like this one, but it just felt lacking to me unfortunately.
The entire plot centres around a miscommunication, which I still don’t really understand how it happened, and was mostly brushed over when everything came out between them.
I feel like there was so much information missing, mostly from their past, for example, Fosters mum is mentioned briefly with something along the lines of ‘we don’t really talk anymore’ but no explanation of why.
The tropes hooked me for this but it was unfortunately a miss!
I wanted to like this one, but it just felt lacking to me unfortunately.
The entire plot centres around a miscommunication, which I still don’t really understand how it happened, and was mostly brushed over when everything came out between them.
I feel like there was so much information missing, mostly from their past, for example, Fosters mum is mentioned briefly with something along the lines of ‘we don’t really talk anymore’ but no explanation of why.
The tropes hooked me for this but it was unfortunately a miss!
April 19, 2024
DNF @ 66% - this was just not it.
May 17, 2024
Thanks I hated it
April 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
This was not my first book by MP Bates but certainly the complete opposite! 😄 I love a MM hockey romance - they have taken root in my very soul so I knew I wanted to dive into this!! Add in a step brothers trope? I mean. The easiest way to get my attention!
“Coldest Kind of Love” at its core is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The two brothers, Ronan and Foster, have been estranged for years but have been secretly keeping up with each other’s hockey career no matter how much they dislike each other. But do they dislike each other? When Foster ends up being traded to Ronan’s hockey team, all hell breaks loose. The push and pull. The very OBVIOUS attraction. And all the angst to go with it. These two eventually can’t keep saying “no” and finally let go, talk out their frustrations and reason for intense hatred, and move the heck on. Once they connect, the love story between them is pure and all consuming.
Bates did a great job of building the angst between Ronan and Foster and then wrapping their story up in a sweet, HEA colored bow. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a hockey romance with a ton of angst and forced proximity and second chances.
🌶️🌶️
This was not my first book by MP Bates but certainly the complete opposite! 😄 I love a MM hockey romance - they have taken root in my very soul so I knew I wanted to dive into this!! Add in a step brothers trope? I mean. The easiest way to get my attention!
“Coldest Kind of Love” at its core is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The two brothers, Ronan and Foster, have been estranged for years but have been secretly keeping up with each other’s hockey career no matter how much they dislike each other. But do they dislike each other? When Foster ends up being traded to Ronan’s hockey team, all hell breaks loose. The push and pull. The very OBVIOUS attraction. And all the angst to go with it. These two eventually can’t keep saying “no” and finally let go, talk out their frustrations and reason for intense hatred, and move the heck on. Once they connect, the love story between them is pure and all consuming.
Bates did a great job of building the angst between Ronan and Foster and then wrapping their story up in a sweet, HEA colored bow. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a hockey romance with a ton of angst and forced proximity and second chances.
April 7, 2024
I enjoyed this story. It was angsty and interesting, following two stepbrothers who have issues and both held a lot of anger towards each other from past history.
I enjoyed the hockey plays and the relationship of Foster & Ronan. The connection they have was undeniably beautiful and raw.
The tropes were great:
- Bestfriends to lovers to rivals
- Autism Rep
- Praise Kink
- Stepbrothers
- NHL Hockey Players
- Angsty
I enjoyed the hockey plays and the relationship of Foster & Ronan. The connection they have was undeniably beautiful and raw.
The tropes were great:
- Bestfriends to lovers to rivals
- Autism Rep
- Praise Kink
- Stepbrothers
- NHL Hockey Players
- Angsty
September 20, 2024
This was a weird one. There were so many scenes I really enjoyed, but as a whole it’s a mess. The author doesn’t know hockey, the characters don’t always make sense, there is no flow to the story, reality absolutely leaves the building at times, and there are a lot of awkward moments when the author was trying to be… idk, deep? sexy? a little dark? This feels like a freshmen attempt, which makes no sense because I have read books by the author published earlier that are way more together. Maybe this was an experimental book? Bottom line; it’s not great but I still mostly enjoyed it.
April 12, 2024
Feel in love with these boys so much it was a beautiful story so well written
August 10, 2024
Let me start of by saying I not only skipped some parts of this pretty short book but also dnf it at 86%. It wasn’t precisely a bad book but it just got boring at some point. To be honest it isn’t a recommendation from me but also not a most hated book of the year.
Read
October 1, 2024DNF at 70%
May 12, 2024
I love M.P. Bates darker books, so for them to write a low angst hockey themed romance was refreshing, and I enjoyed this short story of Foster & Ronan. I can't wait to see what MP writes next!
May 17, 2024
The writing is horrible. Such a cringe fest.
April 19, 2024
"Coldest Kind of Love" by MP Bates caught me totally by surprise. I wasn't looking for a new book to read when I saw another of their books on someone's favorite MM novellas list. I crushed that book ("Chase Midnight") in one sitting and knew I needed more from this author. I went to their page and found promo for this book! It caught my eye because it had the trappings of all the things that usually get me hooked. Enemies-to-lovers. Stepbrothers. Hockey. I was done. And then I found out that it came out two days later and was sold. That's how I ended up awake at 4:00 AM absolutely devouring this book.
Foster and Ronan are technically former stepbrothers who share a love for hockey. As teenagers, they were close and cared for each other deeply. Then one day, everything changed. Suddenly they couldn't stand being near one another and abandoned each other in their times of need. Years later they've both made it into the NHL on rival teams. They haven't so much as spoken to each other in years. So what happens when Foster is suddenly traded to Ronan's team, taking the place of his best friend and teammate? Will they find a way to play nice again, or ice each other out for good?
April is Autism Acceptance Month and one of our main characters, Ronan, is a high-masking autist like the author. As an autistic person myself, I felt the representation was perfect, authentic, and respectful. He's a character who isn't just his autistic traits but openly describes his related struggles. Struggles like needing physical touch for grounding but only from very specific people. One line that killed me was when Foster was worried he had overstepped and said "You’re okay, right? Your body still trusts me?" Oh my god. So beautiful. I can't properly explain why, but that demonstration of care and deep understanding makes my stomach flip-flop. Their relationship arc is so well done and the pacing is perfect. The steam and spice were wonderfully done as well.
If you like enemies-to-lovers MM hockey romances with some spice, heart, and a little bit of spitting (the good kind), you're going to love this book.
Foster and Ronan are technically former stepbrothers who share a love for hockey. As teenagers, they were close and cared for each other deeply. Then one day, everything changed. Suddenly they couldn't stand being near one another and abandoned each other in their times of need. Years later they've both made it into the NHL on rival teams. They haven't so much as spoken to each other in years. So what happens when Foster is suddenly traded to Ronan's team, taking the place of his best friend and teammate? Will they find a way to play nice again, or ice each other out for good?
April is Autism Acceptance Month and one of our main characters, Ronan, is a high-masking autist like the author. As an autistic person myself, I felt the representation was perfect, authentic, and respectful. He's a character who isn't just his autistic traits but openly describes his related struggles. Struggles like needing physical touch for grounding but only from very specific people. One line that killed me was when Foster was worried he had overstepped and said "You’re okay, right? Your body still trusts me?" Oh my god. So beautiful. I can't properly explain why, but that demonstration of care and deep understanding makes my stomach flip-flop. Their relationship arc is so well done and the pacing is perfect. The steam and spice were wonderfully done as well.
If you like enemies-to-lovers MM hockey romances with some spice, heart, and a little bit of spitting (the good kind), you're going to love this book.
May 10, 2024
They were lovers but Foster still called Ronan ‘little brother’? Ew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
DNF 72% the story is definitely not intriguing enough to offset the fact that not even the most Wikipedia level search about hockey was done before writing this book about professional hockey players. And I get it, the book is about the players and not the game but, c’mon.
Tell me you know nothing about hockey without telling me you know nothing about hockey.
Tell me you know nothing about hockey without telling me you know nothing about hockey.
April 3, 2024
“Long time no see, little brother.”
3.75 ✨ This book follows Foster and Ronan, two (former) stepbrothers who end up being traded to the same NHL team. There’s so many unresolved issues from their former years. The angst and anger between the two form an interesting undercurrent to their current relationship. Both harbour unresolved issues and when push comes to shove they both have to accept that maybe their need for each other outweighs the hate.
Overall, I had high expectations for this book as MP Bates has written some amazing books and I adore this trope combination! The plot progressed well and the characters had good development. Foster’s endless pursuit of Ronan in the first half the book endeared me to him but Ronan’s constant presence when Foster is injured and going through a rocky period mentally, showed their solid foundation and love for one another. It was a quicker read than I was expecting and the plot was a little back and forth at times with character progress and regression. The ending was a bit fast in my opinion but that was more for the fact that I wanted to see more of Ronan and Foster playing together on the ice.
Lowkey adore the fact that Foster loves reading smut and this NEEDS to be normalised among men.
Tropes:
- (former) stepbrothers
- Best friends to rivals to lovers
- Pro hockey players
- Praise kink
- Spit play
- Virgin MMC
- Autism rep
3.75 ✨ This book follows Foster and Ronan, two (former) stepbrothers who end up being traded to the same NHL team. There’s so many unresolved issues from their former years. The angst and anger between the two form an interesting undercurrent to their current relationship. Both harbour unresolved issues and when push comes to shove they both have to accept that maybe their need for each other outweighs the hate.
Overall, I had high expectations for this book as MP Bates has written some amazing books and I adore this trope combination! The plot progressed well and the characters had good development. Foster’s endless pursuit of Ronan in the first half the book endeared me to him but Ronan’s constant presence when Foster is injured and going through a rocky period mentally, showed their solid foundation and love for one another. It was a quicker read than I was expecting and the plot was a little back and forth at times with character progress and regression. The ending was a bit fast in my opinion but that was more for the fact that I wanted to see more of Ronan and Foster playing together on the ice.
Lowkey adore the fact that Foster loves reading smut and this NEEDS to be normalised among men.
Tropes:
- (former) stepbrothers
- Best friends to rivals to lovers
- Pro hockey players
- Praise kink
- Spit play
- Virgin MMC
- Autism rep
April 4, 2024
I dnf’ed this book unfortunately. I tried really hard to finish, I went up to about 79% of the book but I just couldn’t anymore.
Things I didn’t like:
- foster frustrates me, like you say that you had an amazing relationship with your stepdad to the point that hes what you think of as dad but you don’t show up to his funeral. And then Ronan spams your phone with calls and texts needing you during this hard time and you ignore him. Then you wonder what went wrong and why ronan hates you. Like seriously?
- When Ronan finally says a part of the reason he hates foster, which is that foster didn’t show up to the funeral. Foster thinks “ he told me something honest that means he trusts me and I’m closer to breaking down those walls”. I was like what?!? I would have thought foster would have felt remorse or guilt maybe shame for not being there. Maybe felt like “now’s my time to explain my side of the story”, but nope.
- I wish Foster would stop playing games. They were both wishy washy and kept going back and forth with everything.
Also everyone is super caviler about stepbrothers sleeping together in the NHL.
Things I didn’t like:
- foster frustrates me, like you say that you had an amazing relationship with your stepdad to the point that hes what you think of as dad but you don’t show up to his funeral. And then Ronan spams your phone with calls and texts needing you during this hard time and you ignore him. Then you wonder what went wrong and why ronan hates you. Like seriously?
- When Ronan finally says a part of the reason he hates foster, which is that foster didn’t show up to the funeral. Foster thinks “ he told me something honest that means he trusts me and I’m closer to breaking down those walls”. I was like what?!? I would have thought foster would have felt remorse or guilt maybe shame for not being there. Maybe felt like “now’s my time to explain my side of the story”, but nope.
- I wish Foster would stop playing games. They were both wishy washy and kept going back and forth with everything.
Also everyone is super caviler about stepbrothers sleeping together in the NHL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
Excellent neurodiverse rep, okay story
I love when there is autism rep in stories. With two grown on the spectrum, it’s fun to see other perspectives. The saying is true, “If you’ve met one person on the spectrum, you’ve met one person on the spectrum.” Ronan is a character that I was so pleased to see succeeding in his chosen career in spite of the challenges being on the spectrum creates.
A trade costs Ronan one emotional support person, while bringing back another. The interactions between Ronan and Foster and the relationship representation in the story strongly reflect the author’s own spectrum challenges. Meaning that there isn’t much focus on the relationship development from hate back to love once they are reunited. As a reader this is one of my favorite aspects of enemies to lovers stories, so I am disappointed that we don’t see a fluid progression, just staged milestones. I understand why, but that doesn’t change my desire for it.
The writing is okay and kept me engaged and wanting to see how things worked out for Ronan and Foster, but it’s just that; okay. It’s worth reading if you like hockey romance stories though.
I love when there is autism rep in stories. With two grown on the spectrum, it’s fun to see other perspectives. The saying is true, “If you’ve met one person on the spectrum, you’ve met one person on the spectrum.” Ronan is a character that I was so pleased to see succeeding in his chosen career in spite of the challenges being on the spectrum creates.
A trade costs Ronan one emotional support person, while bringing back another. The interactions between Ronan and Foster and the relationship representation in the story strongly reflect the author’s own spectrum challenges. Meaning that there isn’t much focus on the relationship development from hate back to love once they are reunited. As a reader this is one of my favorite aspects of enemies to lovers stories, so I am disappointed that we don’t see a fluid progression, just staged milestones. I understand why, but that doesn’t change my desire for it.
The writing is okay and kept me engaged and wanting to see how things worked out for Ronan and Foster, but it’s just that; okay. It’s worth reading if you like hockey romance stories though.
April 14, 2024
ENEMIES TO LOVERS
I’m all about sports romance specifically if it has enemies to lovers. Add in a bit of stepbrothers with a twist of hockey romance and count me in.
This book has a lot of angst and a bit of drama. Lots of cursing, healing and laughter as well. LET ME TELL YOU THESE TWO TAKE THE CAKE FOR THE BEST MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE. Enemies to lovers is and will always be top tier. The banter between Ronan and Foster, my god, I couldn’t get ENOUGH. (I wanted to shake Foster a couple of times) But he will forever have a special place in my heart. I love how the MCS already knew each other and knew the ways that make each other tick. Loved reading about the struggles they had to overcome from the past and how they helped each other gain trust from one another. The way this author talked about Ronan’s struggles with his autism was something else, it made me love and appreciate Ronan so much more.
This was one of the first books I’ve read from this author and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more from them in the future. ♥️🥅🏒
I’m all about sports romance specifically if it has enemies to lovers. Add in a bit of stepbrothers with a twist of hockey romance and count me in.
This book has a lot of angst and a bit of drama. Lots of cursing, healing and laughter as well. LET ME TELL YOU THESE TWO TAKE THE CAKE FOR THE BEST MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE. Enemies to lovers is and will always be top tier. The banter between Ronan and Foster, my god, I couldn’t get ENOUGH. (I wanted to shake Foster a couple of times) But he will forever have a special place in my heart. I love how the MCS already knew each other and knew the ways that make each other tick. Loved reading about the struggles they had to overcome from the past and how they helped each other gain trust from one another. The way this author talked about Ronan’s struggles with his autism was something else, it made me love and appreciate Ronan so much more.
This was one of the first books I’ve read from this author and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more from them in the future. ♥️🥅🏒
April 27, 2024
What an intensely beautiful story!! Micah always seems to deliver the most emotion-driven stories with everything from grief, despair, agony and love. Every moment was exactly where it needed to be, nothing rushed or forced. Foster gave Ronan the time he needed to process their building relationship again after many years of questions unanswered.
“ᴺᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵘᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ. ᴺᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ. ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ. ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ. ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ, ᵇᵃᵇʸ. ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ. ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴺᴴᴸ ʰᵃˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁿ. ᵀʰᵉ ᵈᵘᵒ ⁿᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ.”
Their dynamic was fierce and full of spiritual energy, you could literally feel the electricity through the pages! Talk about a total shock when their initial scene transpired, definitely did not expect that!! But, I did love Foster’s patience with Ronan with every detail of their relationship. Their love for one another was frantically infectious and burning deep within their souls. The emotional energy Micah exudes from their books are what keeps me coming back for more!
“𝗪𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱.”
“ᴺᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵘᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ. ᴺᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ. ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ. ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ. ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ, ᵇᵃᵇʸ. ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ. ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴺᴴᴸ ʰᵃˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁿ. ᵀʰᵉ ᵈᵘᵒ ⁿᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ.”
Their dynamic was fierce and full of spiritual energy, you could literally feel the electricity through the pages! Talk about a total shock when their initial scene transpired, definitely did not expect that!! But, I did love Foster’s patience with Ronan with every detail of their relationship. Their love for one another was frantically infectious and burning deep within their souls. The emotional energy Micah exudes from their books are what keeps me coming back for more!
“𝗪𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱.”
April 4, 2024
4 ★
I never paid attention to him this deeply and I think I need to change that.
MP Bates is an auto-buy author for me, every book they release always hits the spot and this was no exception. Foster and Ronan were big hate-to-love characters and I absolutely ate that up. I love a good hockey romance and one thing I really liked about this one is unlike some books, they actually got hockey scenes! The MCs are former stepbrothers who end up on the same hockey team and despite their hatred towards one another, there is a strong underlying connection pulling them to one another. There is deep pain within both MCs which plays a part in their interactions with one another, and it was so good getting to see them overcome these and find themselves as well as one another. It was developed really well, with great plot and character development, and overall was a great read!
What To Expect:
⨳ MM Romance
⨳ Stepbrothers
⨳ Hockey
⨳ Enemies to Lovers
⨳ Mental Health Rep
⨳ Neurodivergent MC
Life will keep getting easier as long as Ronan is by my side. I plan to never change that.
❤︎ ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ❤︎
I never paid attention to him this deeply and I think I need to change that.
MP Bates is an auto-buy author for me, every book they release always hits the spot and this was no exception. Foster and Ronan were big hate-to-love characters and I absolutely ate that up. I love a good hockey romance and one thing I really liked about this one is unlike some books, they actually got hockey scenes! The MCs are former stepbrothers who end up on the same hockey team and despite their hatred towards one another, there is a strong underlying connection pulling them to one another. There is deep pain within both MCs which plays a part in their interactions with one another, and it was so good getting to see them overcome these and find themselves as well as one another. It was developed really well, with great plot and character development, and overall was a great read!
What To Expect:
⨳ MM Romance
⨳ Stepbrothers
⨳ Hockey
⨳ Enemies to Lovers
⨳ Mental Health Rep
⨳ Neurodivergent MC
Life will keep getting easier as long as Ronan is by my side. I plan to never change that.
❤︎ ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ❤︎
April 3, 2024
My most anticipated read of the year, it's safe to say I had some high expectations going into this book after waiting for months. I was THRILLED to finally have this book in my hands. To finally be able to read this story. Stepbrothers (former in this case), rivals to lovers, and hockey. Three things I've been known to love. While I don't think I loved it as much as I thought I would, I DID enjoy Ronan and Foster's story. It was a quicker read (for me) and it ended up being sweeter than I expected. Even though, yes, there are some sadder parts here. Ronan and Foster used to be as close as can be. Until college came and jealousy came between them. Years later, the two are on the same hockey team and are conflicted about seeing each other again. Wanting to be in each other's lives and not wanting to get hurt. Not to mention the underlying anger. But things shift between them, slowly but surely, until eventually they realize they don't want to live without one another.
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