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Grinder
Senior year, two hockey championships under his skates, and parents who didn’t freak out when he swung the proverbial closet door open and stepped out...
Damon Grant’s life couldn’t get any better.
At least that’s what he thought.
When Jonah Kingston showed up at the barn as the new hockey coach, Damon couldn’t believe his luck.
What was it about the dark-haired, bright-eyed, former hockey star that made him want to grind on and off of the ice?
*A standalone, MM, coach/player, hockey novel. If you like steam in and out of the shower, Grinder is a book for you! Due to explicit content, including tons of butt stuff, this book is meant for mature audiences 18+.
Damon Grant’s life couldn’t get any better.
At least that’s what he thought.
When Jonah Kingston showed up at the barn as the new hockey coach, Damon couldn’t believe his luck.
What was it about the dark-haired, bright-eyed, former hockey star that made him want to grind on and off of the ice?
*A standalone, MM, coach/player, hockey novel. If you like steam in and out of the shower, Grinder is a book for you! Due to explicit content, including tons of butt stuff, this book is meant for mature audiences 18+.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2018
235 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Marie James
103 books2,922 followersMarie James is a mother of two boys and wife of 17 years. She's spent most of her life lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. Her passions include reading everything under the sun and sewing, although she doesn't get to sew much these days!.
Writing has always been a passion and she's enjoying every step of the journey!
Writing has always been a passion and she's enjoying every step of the journey!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 28, 2021
dnf @ 48%.
no thank you.
no thank you.
June 24, 2023
Grinder isn't perfect. ( a couple continuity errors, sometimes a little OTT, that last 25%) but it was compulsively readable and Damon Grant (love him) with his seduction antics focused on his new hockey coach kept things very entertaining. I can see myself re-reading this for comfort. Also, the pacing worked for my short attention span right now.
Coach/student (18 years old)
Hockey MM romance
Coach/student (18 years old)
Hockey MM romance
July 12, 2022
There was just too much happening at once but I didn't hate it 🤪
Read
October 21, 2018I'm not going to rate this because I don't know how right now and I don't know if I will. While I liked some parts, the other parts made me want to punch a wall. I felt like there was just so much going on that it took away from the enjoyment of the story. Also, we needed some more information. There were (in my opinion) some things that were missing and it made the story feel incomplete.
But let me be honest, the chemistry was there! And it was H-O-T.
Find me on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog
But let me be honest, the chemistry was there! And it was H-O-T.
Find me on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Read
November 5, 2019DNF. Stopped less than halfway so not rating. This just didn’t work for me on so many levels.
I’m putting some stuff here in case anyone’s curious what didn’t work for me:
1) Fraternity hazing of a sexual nature that one mc frequently participants in. Only one scene was on page but it’s implied he does it a lot.
2) I was under the impression the one mc was a senior in college not senior in hs. He’s 18 but it was still a bit eew to me.
3) Lots of extra drama with the other mc’s ex. She left him for his brother and blah blah blah. She was also, of course, a terrible person. Which is something I hate in mm romance. (Female ex being awful for no good reason. Sigh.)
I’m putting some stuff here in case anyone’s curious what didn’t work for me:
1) Fraternity hazing of a sexual nature that one mc frequently participants in. Only one scene was on page but it’s implied he does it a lot.
2) I was under the impression the one mc was a senior in college not senior in hs. He’s 18 but it was still a bit eew to me.
3) Lots of extra drama with the other mc’s ex. She left him for his brother and blah blah blah. She was also, of course, a terrible person. Which is something I hate in mm romance. (Female ex being awful for no good reason. Sigh.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 21, 2022
MM Romance
Hockey Player/Coach
1 star
The sample of this made it out to be a rivals type book. The hotshot hockey player and the ex pro hockey coach got off on the wrong foot. There was lots of inner monologue about not knowing if they should punch each other or fuck it out. The age gap was only 6 years (18 & 24) and yet each of them seemed so much younger that it made this super cringe.
Let’s start with Damon. I should have DNF’d this when I got to the 30% mark. In that short time, 18yr Damon had his cock in way too many orofices and he must have gotten off on exhibitionism because he always had quite the audience. But I’m a masochist so I kept reading.
Then, there’s Coach Jonah who has never been attracted to men but suddenly after seeing Damon get his cock sucked in the locker room, gets hard and can’t stop fantasizing about the two of them taking each other. But instead of acting on his urges or tamping that shit down, he tries various ways to get Damon kicked off the team. When that doesn’t work, they end up sharing a hotel room on a field trip where Jonah gets drunk and shares his deepest secret in the most WTF just happened moment. And after that sordid confession, the most unsexy sex type things take place. But I’m still a masochist so I kept at it.
Then, it’s like the author decided “WAIT! The setting is High School so I need to make this chock full of the most WTF OTT stupid BS and miscommunication I fucking can” 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
✅ Jonah’s ex returns 7 months pregnant with his brother’s baby
✅ Jonah’s brother is a total dickhead and not because of the baby thing
✅ Jonah lets his ex stay at his house after finding out what his dickhead bro did only for Damon to show up
✅ Damon sees the pregnant ex at the door unbeknownst to Jonah and leaves town for 3 days to drown his sorrows
✅ Damon’s bff showing up to tell Jonah, Damon was just using him to get him fired
✅ Jonah getting fired for something mentioned only one time before and it makes no sense
✅ Jonah moving to another state before he gets arrested for being with a student
✅ Damon’s plan to get Jonah back
✅The godawful make up scene and the unnecessary 96% unsexy cringey sex scene
✅ The last words “The End or is it”
There’s actually more to this in the miscommunication aspect or what the brother did multiple times but I cannot with a second longer spent on something so awful.
Hockey Player/Coach
1 star
The sample of this made it out to be a rivals type book. The hotshot hockey player and the ex pro hockey coach got off on the wrong foot. There was lots of inner monologue about not knowing if they should punch each other or fuck it out. The age gap was only 6 years (18 & 24) and yet each of them seemed so much younger that it made this super cringe.
Let’s start with Damon. I should have DNF’d this when I got to the 30% mark. In that short time, 18yr Damon had his cock in way too many orofices and he must have gotten off on exhibitionism because he always had quite the audience. But I’m a masochist so I kept reading.
Then, there’s Coach Jonah who has never been attracted to men but suddenly after seeing Damon get his cock sucked in the locker room, gets hard and can’t stop fantasizing about the two of them taking each other. But instead of acting on his urges or tamping that shit down, he tries various ways to get Damon kicked off the team. When that doesn’t work, they end up sharing a hotel room on a field trip where Jonah gets drunk and shares his deepest secret in the most WTF just happened moment. And after that sordid confession, the most unsexy sex type things take place. But I’m still a masochist so I kept at it.
Then, it’s like the author decided “WAIT! The setting is High School so I need to make this chock full of the most WTF OTT stupid BS and miscommunication I fucking can” 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
✅ Jonah’s ex returns 7 months pregnant with his brother’s baby
✅ Jonah’s brother is a total dickhead and not because of the baby thing
✅ Jonah lets his ex stay at his house after finding out what his dickhead bro did only for Damon to show up
✅ Damon sees the pregnant ex at the door unbeknownst to Jonah and leaves town for 3 days to drown his sorrows
✅ Damon’s bff showing up to tell Jonah, Damon was just using him to get him fired
✅ Jonah getting fired for something mentioned only one time before and it makes no sense
✅ Jonah moving to another state before he gets arrested for being with a student
✅ Damon’s plan to get Jonah back
✅The godawful make up scene and the unnecessary 96% unsexy cringey sex scene
✅ The last words “The End or is it”
There’s actually more to this in the miscommunication aspect or what the brother did multiple times but I cannot with a second longer spent on something so awful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
LOL
5 stars for the audio
1 star for the book which was a trainwreck
5 stars for the audio
1 star for the book which was a trainwreck
July 20, 2018
Great read if...you enjoy M/M Romance, Hot Scene, Hockey Novels, Drama, and an HEA.
Side Note: This was my first Marie James novel, so I didn't know what to expect. The synop grabbed me and the mood I was in pushed me. When I say this book snatched me by the throat and refused to let go, I effing mean it! From start to finish there was drama, sexual tension, and so much manly shit spewing off the pages it was just incredible. I blew off being a responsible adult most of the afternoon to finish. It was SO WORTH IT. If MM romance and lots of drama, some expected some NOT, is your thing DEF DEF click this.
Side Note: This was my first Marie James novel, so I didn't know what to expect. The synop grabbed me and the mood I was in pushed me. When I say this book snatched me by the throat and refused to let go, I effing mean it! From start to finish there was drama, sexual tension, and so much manly shit spewing off the pages it was just incredible. I blew off being a responsible adult most of the afternoon to finish. It was SO WORTH IT. If MM romance and lots of drama, some expected some NOT, is your thing DEF DEF click this.
July 22, 2018
In Grinder, Marie James brought us a student/teacher (or in this case coach) romance full of tension, attitude, alpha men, and two hearts that will have to deal with their trust issues and other emotional baggage to find their way together.
Damon Grant and and Jonah Kingston are brought together and instantly butt heads on the ice. Damon is the star player on the hockey team Jonah just signed on to coach. Damon is full of attitude and challenges Jonah at every turn. But he's not only what he shows on the surface. Jonah is trying to start fresh after secrets and lies destroyed his life and career. But meeting Damon not only presents a challenge on the ice but also to Jonah's peace of mind. He has him imagining things he's never even thought of before and willing to risk it all for a chance at real happiness.
This was another really good story by an author I've come to expect really good things from. I love that she continues to not disappoint. And she really knows how to write M/M. This book is full of so much heat and emotion. It was definitely one I'd recommend.
July 21, 2018
I almost DNF this a few chapters in. Damon is a seriously cocky bastard but he's also pretty messed up. Let it be noted that I read a lot of messed up stuff but for some reason I am not down with this type of behaviour at all.
That aside...Damon meeting Jonah has a an effect on him that leads to a lot of personal growth. Their inappropriate romance is pretty rushed but I liked them together. They were hot and sweet.
But the way this ended was pretty disappointing. Too many reveals, loose ends, and a Grrrrrr. Overall something was missing for me, but it had a sweet HFN and is on KU.
That aside...Damon meeting Jonah has a an effect on him that leads to a lot of personal growth. Their inappropriate romance is pretty rushed but I liked them together. They were hot and sweet.
But the way this ended was pretty disappointing. Too many reveals, loose ends, and a Grrrrrr. Overall something was missing for me, but it had a sweet HFN and is on KU.
July 29, 2024
DNF at 36%. This was already icking me out for related reasons but doing mental legal gymnastics while having sex with someone is a huuuuuge sign that you shouldn't be having sex with them.
What do you mean 'If I get him off, keeping my own cock out of the equation, it can be argued that I didn't do this for personal sexual gain.'
Nope. Nope. Nope.
This is nasty work. Literal high school student. Idc that he's 18. I think I'd rather my coach/athlete romances feature college-age and above because rn I just want this man in jail.
What do you mean 'If I get him off, keeping my own cock out of the equation, it can be argued that I didn't do this for personal sexual gain.'
Nope. Nope. Nope.
This is nasty work. Literal high school student. Idc that he's 18. I think I'd rather my coach/athlete romances feature college-age and above because rn I just want this man in jail.
September 5, 2024
hockey romances are some of my favorites but coach x player? yes pleaseee! Teddy Hamilton knocked this one outta the park like he can do no wrong when it comes to audiobooks he's probably one of my top favorites easily. really enjoyed this one
July 10, 2023
1.5 stars. This book was ridiculous, but not in a good way. The gist of it is a new hockey coach at a high school meets the hotshot hockey team captain (who is 18) and they have mad chemistry, sparks fly, they can’t resist each other, etc., etc. So like a forbidden romance, teacher/student thing. I can get behind that, I mean, it’s not okay, but like I could enjoy a fictionalised take on it. But this book was just a god damn mess. Firstly, both MCs are terrible people. The student (Damon) is an arrogant, entitled dickhead who uses people, and he relentlessly pursues his (ostensibly straight) coach despite being told numerous times that it is inappropriate. Jonah, the coach, is a confused wreck who just cannot get his shit together. I found neither of them particularly endearing, and I was not rooting for them at all. They also go from hating each other's guts to falling into bed to declaring undying love in like an insanely short amount of time. The romance felt fatuous and not worth the risks they were taking. Also, there was no critical thinking on Jonah’s part regarding the fact that he is fucking a teenager who is also his student. Like they worry about getting caught, but there was no moral exploration of his actions at all. I get that this is a romance, but I kind of wish authors would actually just properly explore this dynamic and its repercussions rather than just romanticising it.
My main problem with this book, however, is that not one single character acts like a normal person. Literally every single time someone had the opportunity to make a sensible decision, they do the exact opposite. Everyone is like this, from the MCs to the least important side character. It was just bizarre decision after bizarre decision. I could not stop rolling my eyes. I guess it reads a bit like a soap opera in that way, so if you enjoy that kind of thing this may work for you, but I really wasn’t feeling it.
My main problem with this book, however, is that not one single character acts like a normal person. Literally every single time someone had the opportunity to make a sensible decision, they do the exact opposite. Everyone is like this, from the MCs to the least important side character. It was just bizarre decision after bizarre decision. I could not stop rolling my eyes. I guess it reads a bit like a soap opera in that way, so if you enjoy that kind of thing this may work for you, but I really wasn’t feeling it.
July 18, 2018
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Another torso being bared for the cover. There is nothing in the colors to really stand out Title font is large and legible but a fairly subdued color was selected.
When requesting this book, it was based on a teaser of a synopsis and a small snippet excerpt.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Alternating first-person
I was under the impression that this was a college player and coach, but I was incorrect. Had I known this was a High School level story, I never would have requested to participate in the Review Tour. Damon is an 18 yr old senior at his Chicago Prep school. Jonah is the new 24 yr old head hockey coach for the school.
Add in some horrible family members, whiny teen teammates and a clingy dude with a crush and these two guys will have their hands full. This does not even take into account that Jonah would like nothing more than to get Damon kicked off the team & Damon would love to see the Coach Kingston lose his job. But that's all "Before". Things change.
While the story is well written, it felt heavily laden with unnecessary drama and too many conflicting elements. Dialogue was alright. Interactions were a little single-minded at times. The conclusion implies an HEA but also hints that there may be more to the story coming along.
Overall, it's not bad. Fans of YA / Teen / NA and Sports > Hockey would like this one.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.975 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from RRR Promotion and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
Another torso being bared for the cover. There is nothing in the colors to really stand out Title font is large and legible but a fairly subdued color was selected.
When requesting this book, it was based on a teaser of a synopsis and a small snippet excerpt.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Alternating first-person
I was under the impression that this was a college player and coach, but I was incorrect. Had I known this was a High School level story, I never would have requested to participate in the Review Tour. Damon is an 18 yr old senior at his Chicago Prep school. Jonah is the new 24 yr old head hockey coach for the school.
Add in some horrible family members, whiny teen teammates and a clingy dude with a crush and these two guys will have their hands full. This does not even take into account that Jonah would like nothing more than to get Damon kicked off the team & Damon would love to see the Coach Kingston lose his job. But that's all "Before". Things change.
While the story is well written, it felt heavily laden with unnecessary drama and too many conflicting elements. Dialogue was alright. Interactions were a little single-minded at times. The conclusion implies an HEA but also hints that there may be more to the story coming along.
Overall, it's not bad. Fans of YA / Teen / NA and Sports > Hockey would like this one.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.975 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from RRR Promotion and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
July 10, 2018
Marie James can write some seriously hot MM stories. This wasn't your average love story, and I love that nothing with Marie James ever is. She delivers some seriously steamy, off the charts, smoking hot books, and Grinder was no exception.
When we first meet Jonah and Damon, they quickly seem to rub each other the wrong way and have an arch enemy thing going on. It quickly becomes more complex and complicated and the line between hate and need/love gets blurred.
I love the taboo aspect of this book, for which this book has several, making it even juicier and that much more tempting to get lost in.
Jonah and Damon are both relatable characters, though somewhat different in attitude, character and demeanor. Marie James wrote the characters exceptionally well in that I felt like sometimes you might be cheering Damon on, and others you would most definitely be cheering Jonah on, but in the end you can't help but want their love to succeed.
I couldn't read Grinder fast enough, and always wanted more of this story. It was a highly enjoyable most definite read in my book!
When we first meet Jonah and Damon, they quickly seem to rub each other the wrong way and have an arch enemy thing going on. It quickly becomes more complex and complicated and the line between hate and need/love gets blurred.
I love the taboo aspect of this book, for which this book has several, making it even juicier and that much more tempting to get lost in.
Jonah and Damon are both relatable characters, though somewhat different in attitude, character and demeanor. Marie James wrote the characters exceptionally well in that I felt like sometimes you might be cheering Damon on, and others you would most definitely be cheering Jonah on, but in the end you can't help but want their love to succeed.
I couldn't read Grinder fast enough, and always wanted more of this story. It was a highly enjoyable most definite read in my book!
July 17, 2018
HOT HOT HOT!!!! This is a must grab and read right now. Marie James had a knack for capturing a the the steamiest romance stories and bring them to life. Grinder holds you at every point not knowing who is the biggest a-hole Jonah or Damon. With both out to make the other gone, who will win, the coach or player?
Get ready for the fireworks because they are fixing to explode with Jonah and Damon's story.
Get ready for the fireworks because they are fixing to explode with Jonah and Damon's story.
March 16, 2025
3.5
This was a quick and spicy MM romance that was a great change of pace from all the horror I’ve been reading! We’ve got A LOT of tension and that build up is always my favorite.
Here’s the thing…I don’t love books with high school students. Yeah he was 18 turning 19 in his senior year but still, I just tried to pretend they were both older.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
MM romance
coach/player
This was a quick and spicy MM romance that was a great change of pace from all the horror I’ve been reading! We’ve got A LOT of tension and that build up is always my favorite.
Here’s the thing…I don’t love books with high school students. Yeah he was 18 turning 19 in his senior year but still, I just tried to pretend they were both older.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
MM romance
coach/player
July 21, 2018
DNF - I read the reviews and expected to really like this book! I’ve not read Marie James before but there were a lot of 5* reviews so I had my hopes up a bit! I was NOT OKAY with the normalisation of a lot of things in this book- including sexual Frat Hazing. I hated the overall tone of the writing, I found the main characters to be unrelatable and unlikeable! Honestly I’ve no idea how this books ended up with the rating and reviews that it’s gotten but I would not recommend it to anyone.
August 10, 2024
3.75⭐️
3🌶️
Teddy Hamiltonian & Tim Paige, My Fav Audio Narrators EVER! + A Coach/Athlete MM Romance With Some Sweet And Spice And Hate And Love And Sports ( Hockey ) And Age Gap ( 6 Year ) Ans A Story Where It’s Nothing That’s Up There, But Something Pallet Cleansing And Good For Reading Slumps With A Good Story And Characters And A Good Romance = A Really Good Book To Read If You Want A Good Pallet Cleansing MM Sports Romance💕💕💕💕
3🌶️
Teddy Hamiltonian & Tim Paige, My Fav Audio Narrators EVER! + A Coach/Athlete MM Romance With Some Sweet And Spice And Hate And Love And Sports ( Hockey ) And Age Gap ( 6 Year ) Ans A Story Where It’s Nothing That’s Up There, But Something Pallet Cleansing And Good For Reading Slumps With A Good Story And Characters And A Good Romance = A Really Good Book To Read If You Want A Good Pallet Cleansing MM Sports Romance💕💕💕💕
Read
May 7, 2020Me caen demasiado mal ambos MC como para continuar. DNF al 20%
July 22, 2018
I love reading Marie James, this book is no different. I love reading about hockey in my favorite genre. It is written well and the pace is good. I know most may not agree with this review based on some of the things that happened in this book. They may frown upon it. I know I did at times. I had to keep going. I was enthralled and had to find out if it would get better. My emotion were tested. I had some serious loathing in this book. I did not like Hall, Madison, and Finn. Oh God I wanted t smash their faces half the time. There were some points that I wanted to throw the kindle and asl WTF? Then I laughed at the cocky attitudes and had some tear-inducing moments. See all the feels. This to me was the ultimate forbidden romance. Hockey player that is cocky and arrogant and his coach.
Jonah comes into the school as the new hockey coach. He is coming off of some really bad things that happened to him and wants a fresh start. He is not dealing well with them. He lost his hockey career because of a bad choice and he betrayed someone he was supposed to love. Now, you have Damon Grant the cocky and arrogant and self-righteous kick-ass hockey player for Chicago Prep. That's right you heard it, Jonah, he is the high school hockey coach. Damon doesn’t have the best life living it the way his father wants him too.
What ensues, after all, this is where people won't agree with my review, but first, this is a fiction. Our imaginations are to run wild. Damon is used to getting his way and he is a brat, to put it mildly. When the new coach exercises his authority, Damon puts a plan into motion. Now with that said these two men have a chemistry that is undeniable. They both make mistakes. Damon’s are bad. At the same time we are talking about a teenager, yes I know he is 18 almost 19 but in every sense of the world, he is a teenager and they do stupid things. They are meant to learn from them. Two words frat...frat party
I was always waiting for the show to drop and when it does I was shocked. That twist was brutal. Jonah handled it in a way I never think I could have. That was the only part of this story I feel like didn’t have closure. I felt the secondary characters were not very likable. They were ends to a mean. I did like Lawrence, he was too funny. Some other great thing about this book is that they actually have hockey in it the game is actually played through its scrimmage and practices during summer break then there is both main characters growth, especially Damon. I actually really liked him. Even his cocky arrorgantness. It made him Damon.
This book had an ending but it says maybe. That may be where I get some of the other closure. If there is more I will read it. As I said at the beginning of this review, some maybe most won't agree but I actually Liked this book. The premise of the main characters, the sport the setting, all of it.
Jonah comes into the school as the new hockey coach. He is coming off of some really bad things that happened to him and wants a fresh start. He is not dealing well with them. He lost his hockey career because of a bad choice and he betrayed someone he was supposed to love. Now, you have Damon Grant the cocky and arrogant and self-righteous kick-ass hockey player for Chicago Prep. That's right you heard it, Jonah, he is the high school hockey coach. Damon doesn’t have the best life living it the way his father wants him too.
What ensues, after all, this is where people won't agree with my review, but first, this is a fiction. Our imaginations are to run wild. Damon is used to getting his way and he is a brat, to put it mildly. When the new coach exercises his authority, Damon puts a plan into motion. Now with that said these two men have a chemistry that is undeniable. They both make mistakes. Damon’s are bad. At the same time we are talking about a teenager, yes I know he is 18 almost 19 but in every sense of the world, he is a teenager and they do stupid things. They are meant to learn from them. Two words frat...frat party
I was always waiting for the show to drop and when it does I was shocked. That twist was brutal. Jonah handled it in a way I never think I could have. That was the only part of this story I feel like didn’t have closure. I felt the secondary characters were not very likable. They were ends to a mean. I did like Lawrence, he was too funny. Some other great thing about this book is that they actually have hockey in it the game is actually played through its scrimmage and practices during summer break then there is both main characters growth, especially Damon. I actually really liked him. Even his cocky arrorgantness. It made him Damon.
This book had an ending but it says maybe. That may be where I get some of the other closure. If there is more I will read it. As I said at the beginning of this review, some maybe most won't agree but I actually Liked this book. The premise of the main characters, the sport the setting, all of it.
July 17, 2018
This book has everything, literally, everything I love and enjoy in a book.
Damon and Jonah just became my favorite couple, these two are everything I love in a MM couple.
Jonah is still young but after his career comes to an abrupt end and starts coaching 18 years old “kids” he feels he is getting bored and old.
Damon is that “jerk” we all hate in high school, being openly gay in a “macho” sport doesn’t stop him for being a leader in and out the ring.
When Damon and Jonah meet, both, attraction and hate will come from both parts. Damon doesn’t want Jonah in his team and he will do everything to get rid of him while Jonah is so confused with the curiosity he has on Damon.
There is not a big age gap, both are young, Damon can be immature most of the time but when true feelings start to happen, he can be the most understanding person.
I loved that neither of them lost that spark about being young and silly but at the same time they acted like grown men when life happened.
Jonah’s and Damon’s story has everything you need to enjoy a read, romance, friendship, heartache, attraction, teasing and lots of hot sex.
For taboo lovers, I can’t recommend this book enough, I couldn’t stop turning the pages from the moment I started. And if you haven’t tried MM or Student/Teacher, this is the book that can hook you up to the “dark side. “
Damon and Jonah just became my favorite couple, these two are everything I love in a MM couple.
Jonah is still young but after his career comes to an abrupt end and starts coaching 18 years old “kids” he feels he is getting bored and old.
Damon is that “jerk” we all hate in high school, being openly gay in a “macho” sport doesn’t stop him for being a leader in and out the ring.
When Damon and Jonah meet, both, attraction and hate will come from both parts. Damon doesn’t want Jonah in his team and he will do everything to get rid of him while Jonah is so confused with the curiosity he has on Damon.
There is not a big age gap, both are young, Damon can be immature most of the time but when true feelings start to happen, he can be the most understanding person.
I loved that neither of them lost that spark about being young and silly but at the same time they acted like grown men when life happened.
Jonah’s and Damon’s story has everything you need to enjoy a read, romance, friendship, heartache, attraction, teasing and lots of hot sex.
For taboo lovers, I can’t recommend this book enough, I couldn’t stop turning the pages from the moment I started. And if you haven’t tried MM or Student/Teacher, this is the book that can hook you up to the “dark side. “
July 30, 2018
Another win by the fabulous Marie James!
Grinder has everything you could want, Enemies-to-lovers, taboo love, and sports! I couldn't get enough! Oh it it is all kinds of hot! This will have you fanning yourself and worried the pages of your ereader might catch fire. And you will love every second of it!
Grinder has everything you could want, Enemies-to-lovers, taboo love, and sports! I couldn't get enough! Oh it it is all kinds of hot! This will have you fanning yourself and worried the pages of your ereader might catch fire. And you will love every second of it!
July 15, 2018
Seriously hot!
Hockey is my new favorite sport! Naw not really but geez Grinder is hot. One insanely sexy coach and one very buff hockey player both with their demons come together for this taboo read.
Jonah and Damon are both so loveable that you will immediately fall into their story and not ever want to leave. I absolutely love m/m books and the ones that actually have a story are my favorite. This is one of those. The story is great and the writing is wonderful. I truly enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it.
Hockey is my new favorite sport! Naw not really but geez Grinder is hot. One insanely sexy coach and one very buff hockey player both with their demons come together for this taboo read.
Jonah and Damon are both so loveable that you will immediately fall into their story and not ever want to leave. I absolutely love m/m books and the ones that actually have a story are my favorite. This is one of those. The story is great and the writing is wonderful. I truly enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it.
January 25, 2025
Honestly, it was pretty hot. I’ll never pass up a “coach/teacher x student age gap etc” so obviously I read this. The plot was fun and interesting and they never met a confined space that couldn’t screw around in. 🤷🏻♀️
July 23, 2018
Holy geez where to start with this one. Once again Marie James has just out done herself this time. Coach/ player relationship are always good but this one took the top.
Jonah has had a rough time. He’s had to take a new job as a hockey coach. He’s not really thrilled about it but he doesn’t have much of a choice.
Damon the hockey teams leader. He’s arrogant, cocky, knows he’s best. Oh and he’s out and proud. He doesn’t care who knows or what they think. But it can get lonely after a while.
When these two meet sparks fly along the ice. They have so much to overcome. So many roadblocks. So many feelings to work through. Yes it was a taboo story but it was also a meaningful one.
Jonah has had a rough time. He’s had to take a new job as a hockey coach. He’s not really thrilled about it but he doesn’t have much of a choice.
Damon the hockey teams leader. He’s arrogant, cocky, knows he’s best. Oh and he’s out and proud. He doesn’t care who knows or what they think. But it can get lonely after a while.
When these two meet sparks fly along the ice. They have so much to overcome. So many roadblocks. So many feelings to work through. Yes it was a taboo story but it was also a meaningful one.
May 31, 2021
Jonah Kingston, a man that has issues and problems that he's not really wanting to face. Damon Grant has is own problems that he just doesn't want to face and keeps buying them. He's burried his issues down so much that he keeps people at arm's length. Similar to Damon Jonah not facing his problems, even when truths are reveled makes him a man with a very big chip on his shoulder. When these two came together there was an attraction that they both wanted to deny. One being that Jonah has never been drawn to a man, and for Damon because he doesn't want to let anyone in. There are things that are against them from the start. One being that Jonah is Damon's hockey coach, and then there is the fact that they both don't want either to be around. Jonah wants Damon gone, because of his attitude and also because he knows that he won't be able to control his attraction to him. Damon wants Jonah gone because he sees him as a threat, and he knows that Jonah wants him gone. Their fighting adds to the passion that is building between them, with their every interaction. And Damon's suggestive and forward comments are things that start to wear Jonah down.
Where there is passion combined with secrets there is miscommunication that can come between them. Secrets on both there parts that has the power to end everything before there is even a chance for anything to start. And when truths are reveled will they've able to come back from them? Is their passion and attraction enough to make them see that there is something there. Or are they just doomed from the start?
This one is full of hot as hell moments between the characters. Their chemistry is off the charts, so you shouldn't expect anything less. You dont want their story to end. I found myself hitting the scene hoping that there was more. Be prepared to be sitting uncomfortably while reading this one, due to the panty wetting moments. Even if M\M romance isn't normally something for you, this one is definitely one to read. Because deep down it's a well written enemy to lovers story that needs to be read.
Where there is passion combined with secrets there is miscommunication that can come between them. Secrets on both there parts that has the power to end everything before there is even a chance for anything to start. And when truths are reveled will they've able to come back from them? Is their passion and attraction enough to make them see that there is something there. Or are they just doomed from the start?
This one is full of hot as hell moments between the characters. Their chemistry is off the charts, so you shouldn't expect anything less. You dont want their story to end. I found myself hitting the scene hoping that there was more. Be prepared to be sitting uncomfortably while reading this one, due to the panty wetting moments. Even if M\M romance isn't normally something for you, this one is definitely one to read. Because deep down it's a well written enemy to lovers story that needs to be read.
November 2, 2018
So much more than the title implies
I am so happy I took the chance and read this book ; chance because the book title suggested a dating app but the blurb was about Hockey sport romance story also Marie James was a , new to me, author, so didn't know her writing style and previous books.
This is a fun , fire scorching hot and entertaining read. It is deeper in content than the title implies as it touches topics that might be triggers for some as homophobia and misogynistic attitudes in sports .
Overall, a satisfying read from a new favorite author.
I am so happy I took the chance and read this book ; chance because the book title suggested a dating app but the blurb was about Hockey sport romance story also Marie James was a , new to me, author, so didn't know her writing style and previous books.
This is a fun , fire scorching hot and entertaining read. It is deeper in content than the title implies as it touches topics that might be triggers for some as homophobia and misogynistic attitudes in sports .
Overall, a satisfying read from a new favorite author.
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