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Delay of Game #2
Off-Ice Behavior
Nate Walker, captain of the Washington Golden Eagles, was going to spend as much time with his best friend, Ryan Cosgrove, as he could that off season, even if that meant going with him to a tattoo appointment. Ryan was covered with tattoos. Nate was lightly curious about getting one. His primary concern for the summer wasn’t tattoos, though. It was the wedding he was required to go to. His ex-fiancee (and mom’s best friend’s kid) was marrying the man she had cheated on Nate with, and Nate’s mom told him skipping it was not an option.
Collin Campbell mostly had his life together. He loved tattooing and was grateful his job was so cool. He’d built an amazing queer found family in Madison, and had a car that usually started. But he was also restless in the city, and searching for that one last piece of his life that would make everything slot together.
When Ryan suggested Nate take Collin to the wedding as his date to stir up some drama, it was the perfect chance for both of them. Nate got to freak out his family and his ex by pretending to be gay and dating a heavily tattooed metalhead. Collin got to spend some time on the lake the wedding was being held at. By the end, maybe they both would make a friend. Neither of them were expecting the sexual chemistry that sparked between them the entire weekend.
Nate thought he was straight. But if he was, why did Collin make him feel this way? Collin was helping him explore his sexuality, but they were keeping things casual. Nate had to leave Wisconsin to go play hockey at the end of the summer. Feelings would ruin the fun they were having. But it’s never that simple.
Off Ice Behavior is a 58K MM fake dating hockey romance.
Collin Campbell mostly had his life together. He loved tattooing and was grateful his job was so cool. He’d built an amazing queer found family in Madison, and had a car that usually started. But he was also restless in the city, and searching for that one last piece of his life that would make everything slot together.
When Ryan suggested Nate take Collin to the wedding as his date to stir up some drama, it was the perfect chance for both of them. Nate got to freak out his family and his ex by pretending to be gay and dating a heavily tattooed metalhead. Collin got to spend some time on the lake the wedding was being held at. By the end, maybe they both would make a friend. Neither of them were expecting the sexual chemistry that sparked between them the entire weekend.
Nate thought he was straight. But if he was, why did Collin make him feel this way? Collin was helping him explore his sexuality, but they were keeping things casual. Nate had to leave Wisconsin to go play hockey at the end of the summer. Feelings would ruin the fun they were having. But it’s never that simple.
Off Ice Behavior is a 58K MM fake dating hockey romance.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2023
141 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 25, 2023
I was excited to read this because the first book ,the debut one was pretty promising but alas!! This one here reads more like a debut than the debut one lol
The writing is stiff,extremely blunt and dull and the characters were so….meh. The execution of what could have been a good plot was juvenile , starting with Nate’s family..I mean, their reaction was horrible and extremely homophobic (especially his father and brother in law) and in 2 days they all LOVED Collin because he fixed the tv and washed the dishes🙄 If that is not a childish approach and execution I don’t know what is then..
I liked Nate, he was sweet and so loving and thoughtful with Collin but Collin’s character was very bland and uninteresting and when they were together and not fucking they were a snooze-fest. Their dialogues were boring, their interactions were boring and their friends were boring. The only part I loved in this book was the sex. They had a strong sexual chemistry and they were hot. I even like the mild praise kink which is not usually my jam.
Let’s see, what else? The end is drama llama because Collin, as I mentioned before had no personality whatsoever and he did what his friends told him , dumped Nate . Oh, let’s talk about his friends a little. One of my pet peeves in a book is when the MC’s friends aggressively interrogate the love interest and make him uncomfortable having to defend his intentions. That has become a cliché in all MM books and it’s so annoying. I would really like to see an Mc answering: “How about you mind your own business and trust your friend?” Not only that but instead of being supportive and happy for the Mc they are like a death-omen owl : “You are both playing with fire. What are you doing with that guy? It will break your heart.You’ll get hurt in the end. Be careful “ and so on . STFU, dude!!! 🙄 So yeah, this could have been good but it was simplistic, dull and had no spark. 2,5 stars rounded up because they were hot .
The writing is stiff,extremely blunt and dull and the characters were so….meh. The execution of what could have been a good plot was juvenile , starting with Nate’s family..I mean, their reaction was horrible and extremely homophobic (especially his father and brother in law) and in 2 days they all LOVED Collin because he fixed the tv and washed the dishes🙄 If that is not a childish approach and execution I don’t know what is then..
I liked Nate, he was sweet and so loving and thoughtful with Collin but Collin’s character was very bland and uninteresting and when they were together and not fucking they were a snooze-fest. Their dialogues were boring, their interactions were boring and their friends were boring. The only part I loved in this book was the sex. They had a strong sexual chemistry and they were hot. I even like the mild praise kink which is not usually my jam.
Let’s see, what else? The end is drama llama because Collin, as I mentioned before had no personality whatsoever and he did what his friends told him , dumped Nate . Oh, let’s talk about his friends a little. One of my pet peeves in a book is when the MC’s friends aggressively interrogate the love interest and make him uncomfortable having to defend his intentions. That has become a cliché in all MM books and it’s so annoying. I would really like to see an Mc answering: “How about you mind your own business and trust your friend?” Not only that but instead of being supportive and happy for the Mc they are like a death-omen owl : “You are both playing with fire. What are you doing with that guy? It will break your heart.You’ll get hurt in the end. Be careful “ and so on . STFU, dude!!! 🙄 So yeah, this could have been good but it was simplistic, dull and had no spark. 2,5 stars rounded up because they were hot .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2023
Really loved this one! Some of my fave tropes all in one book! I thought it was really well done! Perfect book when you just want to read something short and quick! I'm excited to read more of the series as well! I just realized I accidentally ended every single sentence with an exclamation point, so that was kind of weird sorry, but basically I really enjoyed this book.
Read
July 12, 2023DNF @ 22%
January 24, 2023
Eeeeeeeeeeee I loved this sooooo much! Wish there was more hockey though, but otherwise the romance was adorable and sexy and sweet and I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!!!
January 13, 2023
I’m completely wrecked 🥺 This was possibly the cutest fake dating romance I’ve ever read!
Nathan is a professional hockey player who is on his off-season and is being guilted by his family to attend his ex’s wedding because their families are friends. He ends up bringing his friend’s tattoo artist, Collin, and pretending to be gay but after a few smooches he’s not so sure he’s pretending..
This was a low-angst, soft romance full of spice and romantic moments. All the “boyfriend stuff” like just hanging out together or Nathan bringing Collin lunch was so sweet and I loved how immediately invested in Collin’s happiness Nate was. My heart broke when Nate had to go back to DC but it was so clear how they felt for each other I knew it wouldn’t last long. A perfect cosy read full of tenderness. Nate’s awakening was along the lines of “OH!.. oh. That makes sense.” 🤣
The parents’ 180 reaction was a bit unbelievable. They went from disgust to complete acceptance within a day or two but since this was such a minor detail and the rest of the book was incredible it doesn’t affect my rating.
Nathan is a professional hockey player who is on his off-season and is being guilted by his family to attend his ex’s wedding because their families are friends. He ends up bringing his friend’s tattoo artist, Collin, and pretending to be gay but after a few smooches he’s not so sure he’s pretending..
This was a low-angst, soft romance full of spice and romantic moments. All the “boyfriend stuff” like just hanging out together or Nathan bringing Collin lunch was so sweet and I loved how immediately invested in Collin’s happiness Nate was. My heart broke when Nate had to go back to DC but it was so clear how they felt for each other I knew it wouldn’t last long. A perfect cosy read full of tenderness. Nate’s awakening was along the lines of “OH!.. oh. That makes sense.” 🤣
The parents’ 180 reaction was a bit unbelievable. They went from disgust to complete acceptance within a day or two but since this was such a minor detail and the rest of the book was incredible it doesn’t affect my rating.
August 2, 2024
If this book was a food it would be boiled chicken without salt, sure you get nutrients but it’s lame as fuck and it makes you want to walk into traffic.
Why is it that Nate decides to bring a dude to his ex's wedding everyone immediately assumes he's been secretly gay forever? Do bisexual people don't exist in the universe where this book is set? It annoyed me so much, almost as much as Nate randomly saying "he never liked eating pussy" right before giving his current LI a blowjob, like wtf?
Also, literally, nothing happens except noisy as fuck friends who decide to tell a 20-something dude what to do with his relationship.
Why is it that Nate decides to bring a dude to his ex's wedding everyone immediately assumes he's been secretly gay forever? Do bisexual people don't exist in the universe where this book is set? It annoyed me so much, almost as much as Nate randomly saying "he never liked eating pussy" right before giving his current LI a blowjob, like wtf?
Also, literally, nothing happens except noisy as fuck friends who decide to tell a 20-something dude what to do with his relationship.
January 17, 2023
M/M, hea, hockey, gay awakening, friends to lovers, fake dating, ku, dual POV
Spice: low (and vanilla)
Angst: low
Plot: Nate needs a date to his ex girlfriend's wedding. He'd honestly rather not go, but he has to. And if he has to go he's going to make it everyone's problem. If only he had a date. In comes Collin, the tattoo artist. With his tattoos and all black wardrobe he makes a perfect choice to stir up some trouble. Nate didn't expect to find himself questioning his sexuality when his fake date turns out to be really fucking cool.
My opinion: it took me awhile to get into this book. The writing itself was odd to me and felt a little stilted. However, once I was able to look past that, I enjoyed the relationship between Collin and Nate. This read like a Hallmark movie. The building of a relationship between these two felt natural. The chemistry didn't feel instant or rushed and we didn't have the 'big gay freak out' that typically comes with the gay awakening books.
Spice: low (and vanilla)
Angst: low
Plot: Nate needs a date to his ex girlfriend's wedding. He'd honestly rather not go, but he has to. And if he has to go he's going to make it everyone's problem. If only he had a date. In comes Collin, the tattoo artist. With his tattoos and all black wardrobe he makes a perfect choice to stir up some trouble. Nate didn't expect to find himself questioning his sexuality when his fake date turns out to be really fucking cool.
My opinion: it took me awhile to get into this book. The writing itself was odd to me and felt a little stilted. However, once I was able to look past that, I enjoyed the relationship between Collin and Nate. This read like a Hallmark movie. The building of a relationship between these two felt natural. The chemistry didn't feel instant or rushed and we didn't have the 'big gay freak out' that typically comes with the gay awakening books.
Read
February 1, 2023🟣NO RATING🟣
This wasn't working for me.
I won't rate it because I simply don't know how to rate it, it's a bit confusing for me.
I feel like the idea was there. I'd like to read about Nate, the successful hockey player that meets Collin, a small, short, heavily inked tattoo artist who loves to read fantasy books . Great, right?
I've read so many m/m books already that I'm saying this as a gay romance avid reader and lover - this is where gay porn needs to come in.
For science.
Because the dialogues and the sex in this story just weren't...tasty? Interesting? Engaging? Attractive?
🟢 This was supposed to be a gay-awakening, but for me it was more a GFY story, but even so, this right here threw me off;
“I never really liked eating pussy.” 🙄
This is what Nate, the hockey player who's being intimate for the first time with Collin, the tattoo artist, said.
Really? This is his aha moment?
Wow.
🔵 Stiff dialogues.
"You really changed my life, Collin Campbell."
-"Ditto." 😐
Need I go on?
Stiff, and not in a good way.
🟡 The ending and the epilogue.
The ending was abrupt, their story had no actual closure and the epilogue was Nate getting a tattoo. Of Wisconsin. Nothing to do with Collin.
The size difference, the jock/nerd dynamic, the hockey players in the series being total cinnamon rolls, the idea is good but the execution isn't.
This wasn't working for me.
I won't rate it because I simply don't know how to rate it, it's a bit confusing for me.
I feel like the idea was there. I'd like to read about Nate, the successful hockey player that meets Collin, a small, short, heavily inked tattoo artist who loves to read fantasy books . Great, right?
I've read so many m/m books already that I'm saying this as a gay romance avid reader and lover - this is where gay porn needs to come in.
For science.
Because the dialogues and the sex in this story just weren't...tasty? Interesting? Engaging? Attractive?
🟢 This was supposed to be a gay-awakening, but for me it was more a GFY story, but even so, this right here threw me off;
“I never really liked eating pussy.” 🙄
This is what Nate, the hockey player who's being intimate for the first time with Collin, the tattoo artist, said.
Really? This is his aha moment?
Wow.
🔵 Stiff dialogues.
"You really changed my life, Collin Campbell."
-"Ditto." 😐
Need I go on?
Stiff, and not in a good way.
🟡 The ending and the epilogue.
The ending was abrupt, their story had no actual closure and the epilogue was Nate getting a tattoo. Of Wisconsin. Nothing to do with Collin.
The size difference, the jock/nerd dynamic, the hockey players in the series being total cinnamon rolls, the idea is good but the execution isn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
sweet, low angst... nice story, liked both mcs....was also nice to see some interactions with Ryan from the previous book (Jackson was briefly present but never spoke, alas....)
July 17, 2023
Very sweet, very little hockey.
Fake dating that doesn’t stay fake for long and a
I’ll definitely be reading more in this series :)
Also the old Corolla: spot-on car!
Quote
NSFW infos:
- big 32 year old hockey player (thought he was straight and realizes he’s gay, likes being praised (good boy))
- smaller tattoo artist (out and gay)
- vers
- cuddling and carrying
- grinding to completion
- half-sentence snugglefuck
Nickname:
Collin > Coll
Nate > Nathan
Baby
Fake dating that doesn’t stay fake for long and a
I’ll definitely be reading more in this series :)
Also the old Corolla: spot-on car!
Quote
”When their bread came, Nate reached for it immediately, grabbing a roll for Collin and one for himself before passing the basket, and putting his own roll on Collin's plate. He punctuated it with a kiss to Collin's temple, then grabbed him the butter dish.” (P. 60)
NSFW infos:
- big 32 year old hockey player (thought he was straight and realizes he’s gay, likes being praised (good boy))
- smaller tattoo artist (out and gay)
- vers
- cuddling and carrying
- grinding to completion
- half-sentence snugglefuck
Nickname:
Collin > Coll
Nate > Nathan
Baby
January 16, 2023
Low angst gfy romance that starts with a fake wedding date trope.
I loved this book. I think this story made me finally realize that the fake relationship/wedding date is my favorite trope. It’s not exactly a sports romance because it focuses on the off-season, but one of the MCs is a hockey player and it’s a big part of the relationship challenges.
The whole gay awakening was super hot. These MCs have chemistry and I loved them together. They are so sweet together it was a bit unbelievable, but I’m into it. I felt like the relationship was a bit one sided at times and it bothered me. I think the author did that so that any sacrifices later felt worthwhile and I totally get that. It didn’t really mess with my enjoyment.
I loved this book. I think this story made me finally realize that the fake relationship/wedding date is my favorite trope. It’s not exactly a sports romance because it focuses on the off-season, but one of the MCs is a hockey player and it’s a big part of the relationship challenges.
The whole gay awakening was super hot. These MCs have chemistry and I loved them together. They are so sweet together it was a bit unbelievable, but I’m into it. I felt like the relationship was a bit one sided at times and it bothered me. I think the author did that so that any sacrifices later felt worthwhile and I totally get that. It didn’t really mess with my enjoyment.
January 29, 2023
Dnf at 60%
If this book was your first foray into MM romance, I can totally understand the argument for why straight white women should stop writing this genre ( which isn't my view at all, but if you have no idea about anything queer then you really shouldn't be writing queer romance). Honestly most of the time reading this, I thought this must have been written years ago and has just aged really badly. No this was released in 2023...
The MC has been into women his whole life and says many times he liked it and focused on their boobs. Until he kisses a gay guy and likes it. Literally says he hasn't ever found another man attractive before or after Colin. But automatically it's written that no he's totally gay and just been in serious denial for 30 years. Like those are his options, gay or straight. Has this author never heard that being bisexual is a thing? Or pan or Demi.. Liking to kiss one person of the opposite gender doesn't just negate all his attraction to women
Then there's the blatant homophobia of his family who recoil at the thought of him being gay. Then after two days, because Colin is a nice guy, they're like ok we like him now and then the couple totally forget that his family were awful to them and terrible people. You know what's worse than being homophobic to strangers and thinking they don't deserve to exist in the world, being friendly to queer people to their face and still holding those views.
Then there's an instance where Colin and his friend are talking about the fact Nate is questioning his sexuality. The friend, I kid you not, says 'well I shouldn't be surprised. You know what they say, if you have a gay best friend and you're straight, you should definitely question that' - what the actual fuck did I just read? Does this author think being gay is contagious? Or that gay people just instinctively migrate to each other and couldn't possibly be friends with those heterosexuals. Or as a man you wouldn't be ok with having a gay bestie unless you were also curious
If this book was your first foray into MM romance, I can totally understand the argument for why straight white women should stop writing this genre ( which isn't my view at all, but if you have no idea about anything queer then you really shouldn't be writing queer romance). Honestly most of the time reading this, I thought this must have been written years ago and has just aged really badly. No this was released in 2023...
The MC has been into women his whole life and says many times he liked it and focused on their boobs. Until he kisses a gay guy and likes it. Literally says he hasn't ever found another man attractive before or after Colin. But automatically it's written that no he's totally gay and just been in serious denial for 30 years. Like those are his options, gay or straight. Has this author never heard that being bisexual is a thing? Or pan or Demi.. Liking to kiss one person of the opposite gender doesn't just negate all his attraction to women
Then there's the blatant homophobia of his family who recoil at the thought of him being gay. Then after two days, because Colin is a nice guy, they're like ok we like him now and then the couple totally forget that his family were awful to them and terrible people. You know what's worse than being homophobic to strangers and thinking they don't deserve to exist in the world, being friendly to queer people to their face and still holding those views.
Then there's an instance where Colin and his friend are talking about the fact Nate is questioning his sexuality. The friend, I kid you not, says 'well I shouldn't be surprised. You know what they say, if you have a gay best friend and you're straight, you should definitely question that' - what the actual fuck did I just read? Does this author think being gay is contagious? Or that gay people just instinctively migrate to each other and couldn't possibly be friends with those heterosexuals. Or as a man you wouldn't be ok with having a gay bestie unless you were also curious
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2023
Okay so basically Nate is just the sweetest guy to ever exist??? There were so many tropes in this one book that are so dear to my heart: fake dating, tattoo artist, jock/non-jock couple.
The book was also very low angst which I desperately needed after reading some heavier books. Collin and Nate were so sweet for one another, I love how immediately Collin was so mad for Nate that his family wanted him to go to his ex’s wedding that he was basically like “you wanna fuck with your family?? Say less” and this was two minutes after they met 😂
Also, don’t ask me why but the entire time I was picturing Collin looking like Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low in his prime emo era.
The book was also very low angst which I desperately needed after reading some heavier books. Collin and Nate were so sweet for one another, I love how immediately Collin was so mad for Nate that his family wanted him to go to his ex’s wedding that he was basically like “you wanna fuck with your family?? Say less” and this was two minutes after they met 😂
Also, don’t ask me why but the entire time I was picturing Collin looking like Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low in his prime emo era.
March 14, 2023
I've begun posting initial reaction videos on TikTok. You can see the video for this book here.t And if you want to look, all of my KU highlights/comments are also publicly visible. This one has...a lot.
But, suffice to say my initial reaction (at 9:30 this morning when I finished, compared to the 1:30 in the afternoon now) is the same: Disappointed with this problematic book.
First, yes: I am a queer person. Pansexual nonbinary, to be exact. I fully recognize that I am not the voice of all queer people, nor should I be. So, objectively say...this book is harmful. Is every other queer person going to agree with me? No, of course not. Are more than a few going to? ...Yeah. I think they will.
The entire plot hinges on the idea of a gay man willingly going to a wedding with a straight man, as a ruse. As a joke. Neither of them (and it is alluded a few times in the novel that they do this frequently...) actually THINKS THROUGH what that could mean. Nate never considers the fact that photos of the two of them "gaying it up" at this wedding will be leaked to the media (which, as someone in the public eye, he should DEFINITELY be aware of). Also: where was the foresight of what he'd tell his family the next time he brought home a woman? (Again, the idea that Nate WAS in fact straight, and not gay --as he discovers through exploration).
I am also REALLY not okay with the premise of a man wanting to piss off his *mother* that he would attempt to derail is ex-fiancé's wedding with this nonsense. While yes, she cheated on him and that's not okay... be a fucking grown up, Nate. Disappoint your awful Mom by saying: "No, sorry, I'm not comfortable going that wedding." Not to mention that his relationship with his parents is another thing that is not consistent. He puts up with them to go to the family cabin every summer?? He's got quite a lot of money. Why doesn't he just buy his own fucking cabin???
The writing itself was incredibly inconsistent, and I feel like this did not get the editing attention that the first one did. I rated the previous book 4 stars! I really enjoyed it! I thought this author showed some serious promise! But this one makes me wonder what the fuck I was thinking! There are points where I feel like the author completely ditched all of her skill at the door.
For instance, I have a note on the sentence: "Being full-named by Collin was incredibly hot". ...That is the most infuriatingly bland sentence, leading into a spicy scene, that I've ever read in my LIFE. It was the first instance in my life where I had a complete understanding of the phrase "show don't tell". HOW was Collin "full-naming" him "hot"? What kind of reaction did it incite? Give me SOMETHING to make me CARE.
A lot of times I thought to myself, "Cripes, this sounds like something I wrote when I was in middle school, for fucks sake..." **IF YOU ARE GOING TO WRITE ADULT RELATIONSHIPS YOU NEED TO WRITE LIKE AN ADULT.**
The sex scenes themselves were...a bit much. I'm not going to make any assumptions about the author and their sex life, but dear god. I've questioned a LOT of female authors when they're writing anal sex scenes in particular, but even the handjobs and blowjobs in this book were just... Oof. Tough to read. And there seemed to be MORE of them than in the previous book, which didn't add anything to the story. At least the scenes in the previous book, while bland, did actually add *something* to the plot itself. A couple of these were just sex for sex sake, which could have happened off page. I also did note, because *my god*, I wish more authors would recognize this: not all gay men have anal sex and I *really* wish that Collin would have explained to Nate that while *he* enjoyed it, he shouldn't feel pressured to try it. ESPECIALLY since there is this huge stereotype that all gay men are either a top or a bottom, etc. But of course, this is also a scenario of the "Magic Prostate", so....
Another reviewer mentioned something along the lines of "this made me understand why people complain about cishet women writing gay fiction", and...yeah. This is definitely right up there in problematic examples for me. And I have read a LOT of cishet woman written MLM novels over the years. I even enjoy some of them! But it's true that cishet women basically dominate the MLM romance genre, writing books specifically for other cishet women and completely disregarding actual gay men and gender-nonconforming folks actual experience.
I fully admit that I have written some problematic things myself in the past (my first released versions of Real Talk, I accidentally included a conversation where a character calls a genderqueer person a "muff-diver"...and I definitely knew better between writing that scene and releasing the book!), even *as* a queer person! But I am also much more aware of those problematic stereotypes and verbiages. So, my suggestion to this author (and honestly some of these readers) is: learn about queer people. Gay men are not just women with penises. Please be more aware and attempt to find queer beta readers or at least beta readers who are aware of diversity issues. You may even want to invest the money in hiring a sensitivity reader, because I am 100% sure that they would have ripped you a new one for this book.
Woo. Okay. So. There is a third book already loaded on my app. Am I going to read it? Yes. Because it appears to be a Close Proximity Trope (unlike the Fake Relationship Trope, which I already admit that I hate and was a bit leery of this book going into --but it can be done well! One of my favorite books I read this years so far was Fake Relationship!), like the first book in this series. HOWEVER, if it has the same issues as this book did...I'm afraid I'm just going to have to drop this author. I'll continue being disappointed because I really, really did believe that Hannah Henry showed a lot of promise. But this book just made me sad and feel a more than a bit defeated when it comes to queer representation and accuracy. I hated how wildly different it was from the first book in the series with it's inconsistencies and the lack of growth. Worst, this was a *regression* for the author. So, so disappointed.
But, suffice to say my initial reaction (at 9:30 this morning when I finished, compared to the 1:30 in the afternoon now) is the same: Disappointed with this problematic book.
First, yes: I am a queer person. Pansexual nonbinary, to be exact. I fully recognize that I am not the voice of all queer people, nor should I be. So, objectively say...this book is harmful. Is every other queer person going to agree with me? No, of course not. Are more than a few going to? ...Yeah. I think they will.
The entire plot hinges on the idea of a gay man willingly going to a wedding with a straight man, as a ruse. As a joke. Neither of them (and it is alluded a few times in the novel that they do this frequently...) actually THINKS THROUGH what that could mean. Nate never considers the fact that photos of the two of them "gaying it up" at this wedding will be leaked to the media (which, as someone in the public eye, he should DEFINITELY be aware of). Also: where was the foresight of what he'd tell his family the next time he brought home a woman? (Again, the idea that Nate WAS in fact straight, and not gay --as he discovers through exploration).
I am also REALLY not okay with the premise of a man wanting to piss off his *mother* that he would attempt to derail is ex-fiancé's wedding with this nonsense. While yes, she cheated on him and that's not okay... be a fucking grown up, Nate. Disappoint your awful Mom by saying: "No, sorry, I'm not comfortable going that wedding." Not to mention that his relationship with his parents is another thing that is not consistent. He puts up with them to go to the family cabin every summer?? He's got quite a lot of money. Why doesn't he just buy his own fucking cabin???
The writing itself was incredibly inconsistent, and I feel like this did not get the editing attention that the first one did. I rated the previous book 4 stars! I really enjoyed it! I thought this author showed some serious promise! But this one makes me wonder what the fuck I was thinking! There are points where I feel like the author completely ditched all of her skill at the door.
For instance, I have a note on the sentence: "Being full-named by Collin was incredibly hot". ...That is the most infuriatingly bland sentence, leading into a spicy scene, that I've ever read in my LIFE. It was the first instance in my life where I had a complete understanding of the phrase "show don't tell". HOW was Collin "full-naming" him "hot"? What kind of reaction did it incite? Give me SOMETHING to make me CARE.
A lot of times I thought to myself, "Cripes, this sounds like something I wrote when I was in middle school, for fucks sake..." **IF YOU ARE GOING TO WRITE ADULT RELATIONSHIPS YOU NEED TO WRITE LIKE AN ADULT.**
The sex scenes themselves were...a bit much. I'm not going to make any assumptions about the author and their sex life, but dear god. I've questioned a LOT of female authors when they're writing anal sex scenes in particular, but even the handjobs and blowjobs in this book were just... Oof. Tough to read. And there seemed to be MORE of them than in the previous book, which didn't add anything to the story. At least the scenes in the previous book, while bland, did actually add *something* to the plot itself. A couple of these were just sex for sex sake, which could have happened off page. I also did note, because *my god*, I wish more authors would recognize this: not all gay men have anal sex and I *really* wish that Collin would have explained to Nate that while *he* enjoyed it, he shouldn't feel pressured to try it. ESPECIALLY since there is this huge stereotype that all gay men are either a top or a bottom, etc. But of course, this is also a scenario of the "Magic Prostate", so....
Another reviewer mentioned something along the lines of "this made me understand why people complain about cishet women writing gay fiction", and...yeah. This is definitely right up there in problematic examples for me. And I have read a LOT of cishet woman written MLM novels over the years. I even enjoy some of them! But it's true that cishet women basically dominate the MLM romance genre, writing books specifically for other cishet women and completely disregarding actual gay men and gender-nonconforming folks actual experience.
I fully admit that I have written some problematic things myself in the past (my first released versions of Real Talk, I accidentally included a conversation where a character calls a genderqueer person a "muff-diver"...and I definitely knew better between writing that scene and releasing the book!), even *as* a queer person! But I am also much more aware of those problematic stereotypes and verbiages. So, my suggestion to this author (and honestly some of these readers) is: learn about queer people. Gay men are not just women with penises. Please be more aware and attempt to find queer beta readers or at least beta readers who are aware of diversity issues. You may even want to invest the money in hiring a sensitivity reader, because I am 100% sure that they would have ripped you a new one for this book.
Woo. Okay. So. There is a third book already loaded on my app. Am I going to read it? Yes. Because it appears to be a Close Proximity Trope (unlike the Fake Relationship Trope, which I already admit that I hate and was a bit leery of this book going into --but it can be done well! One of my favorite books I read this years so far was Fake Relationship!), like the first book in this series. HOWEVER, if it has the same issues as this book did...I'm afraid I'm just going to have to drop this author. I'll continue being disappointed because I really, really did believe that Hannah Henry showed a lot of promise. But this book just made me sad and feel a more than a bit defeated when it comes to queer representation and accuracy. I hated how wildly different it was from the first book in the series with it's inconsistencies and the lack of growth. Worst, this was a *regression* for the author. So, so disappointed.
October 27, 2023
I liked the overall aspects of the book but found the writing to be…not great? Like all the tropes were there that I love, and the characters were wonderful, but the glue between those things felt a bit off and honestly the way this was written it would’ve made far more sense for Nate to be bi. It was a bit jarring and I felt like the author forgot about bisexuality.
The relationship between Nate and Collin though was so lovely and how Nate treated Collin was absolute goals and I even teared up a few times!
I hated how the plot regarding Nate’s family reaction was handled and brushed aside so easily.
The relationship between Nate and Collin though was so lovely and how Nate treated Collin was absolute goals and I even teared up a few times!
I hated how the plot regarding Nate’s family reaction was handled and brushed aside so easily.
January 12, 2023
"They were like pieces from different puzzles made by the same company, cut from the same die."
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Once again, Hannah Henry has pulled off another hockey beauty! I had very high hopes after Drive the Net, and this book did not disappoint. It focused on Nate, the captain of a NHL hockey team and Collin, a tattoo artist with a nerdy personality. Nate is absolutely everything Collin despises in a guy, and yet he can't help but agree to be his fake boyfriend for his ex's wedding. Collin is also not who Nate thought he'd end up liking, but boy was he wrong! The chemistry between these two was off the charts from the beginning and I couldn't help but fan myself with some of the scenes! Not only was there chemistry between them, the friendship development was done superbly, and I knew from the beginning I didn't want either of them to be with anyone else. The character and plot development was done in a way it wasn't rushed or dragging, but rather consumed me completely, making me forget the whole world except this book! Overall this was a stellar second book from this author, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Hockey Player / Tattoo Artist
❣️ Friends With Benefits
❣️ Opposites Attract
❣️ Fake Dating
❣️ HEA
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Once again, Hannah Henry has pulled off another hockey beauty! I had very high hopes after Drive the Net, and this book did not disappoint. It focused on Nate, the captain of a NHL hockey team and Collin, a tattoo artist with a nerdy personality. Nate is absolutely everything Collin despises in a guy, and yet he can't help but agree to be his fake boyfriend for his ex's wedding. Collin is also not who Nate thought he'd end up liking, but boy was he wrong! The chemistry between these two was off the charts from the beginning and I couldn't help but fan myself with some of the scenes! Not only was there chemistry between them, the friendship development was done superbly, and I knew from the beginning I didn't want either of them to be with anyone else. The character and plot development was done in a way it wasn't rushed or dragging, but rather consumed me completely, making me forget the whole world except this book! Overall this was a stellar second book from this author, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Hockey Player / Tattoo Artist
❣️ Friends With Benefits
❣️ Opposites Attract
❣️ Fake Dating
❣️ HEA
December 9, 2024
This was really interesting plot wise because Nate did not think through the ramifications of fake-dating a man and having to 'come out' to his entire family and social circle in one fell swoop - absolute himbo!
I liked the way Collin was completely there for Nate even though they were effectively complete strangers to begin with, and their relationship just progressed really naturally. I could have done with a few less sex scenes, but it did fit with the fact Nate was discovering more about himself.
I also would have liked to see a bit more of them together at the end after the big decisions had been made - I wanted to see Nate introducing Collin to his team, their life in Washington etc. but it was still an enjoyable read.
I liked the way Collin was completely there for Nate even though they were effectively complete strangers to begin with, and their relationship just progressed really naturally. I could have done with a few less sex scenes, but it did fit with the fact Nate was discovering more about himself.
I also would have liked to see a bit more of them together at the end after the big decisions had been made - I wanted to see Nate introducing Collin to his team, their life in Washington etc. but it was still an enjoyable read.
August 24, 2023
This was very cute!!! So much better than Book 1. The ending was realistic. I loved that there were no unnecessary dramas. I loved that the MCs have different personalities. And I love that Nate is a good and sweet person. Nate deserves the world.
March 13, 2025
This was such a different vibe from book 1 but I loved it a bit more.
I liked the bad boy / good boy dynamic. I'm a sucker for fake dating so even though it's so unrealistic I bought it anyways because I love the characters. Because let's be honest, there was so little preparation for Collin to just walk into Nate's homophobic family situation and that's so not cool. Who would sign up for that? And for what? He doesn't even like fishing.
That being said, I adored these two together. I just love a queer awakening which we had. Plus I felt like the 3rd act break up was realistic and them getting back together was simply the cutest.
I wanted more hockey.
And I can't put my finger on why but this also felt like a warm hug. I'm just a girl enjoying hockey romance, I guess.
I liked the bad boy / good boy dynamic. I'm a sucker for fake dating so even though it's so unrealistic I bought it anyways because I love the characters. Because let's be honest, there was so little preparation for Collin to just walk into Nate's homophobic family situation and that's so not cool. Who would sign up for that? And for what? He doesn't even like fishing.
That being said, I adored these two together. I just love a queer awakening which we had. Plus I felt like the 3rd act break up was realistic and them getting back together was simply the cutest.
I wanted more hockey.
And I can't put my finger on why but this also felt like a warm hug. I'm just a girl enjoying hockey romance, I guess.
September 21, 2023
3.5
Nothing mind blowing but this was cute as hell and I didn’t want to stop reading. I mean a tattoo covered softee and a big jock hockey player who figures out he’s gay via fake dating? Let’s gooooooo!
Nothing mind blowing but this was cute as hell and I didn’t want to stop reading. I mean a tattoo covered softee and a big jock hockey player who figures out he’s gay via fake dating? Let’s gooooooo!
March 14, 2023
Super cute fake dating romance, but for a hockey romance novel there was almost no hockey content. Not a complaint - just a fact!
June 1, 2023
I liked this sooo much more than the first one!!
July 6, 2023
Pro-athlete fake dates,
goes gay, catches feelings
for punk tattooist.
goes gay, catches feelings
for punk tattooist.
July 28, 2024
3.5 rounded up because of yummy (mild) praise kink.
September 17, 2023
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this! My only gripe is that it wrapped up quickly once they decided to be together for real. Would have liked to see a bit more about how they started to build their lives together.
January 13, 2023
Fake dating at its finest.
The story of Nate and Collin is so so sweet. Honestly Nate hit the jackpot meeting Coll in his time of need (finding a date to his exs wedding lol)
Nate and Collin are both so loveable. They treat each other like they are the most precious thing in the world.
I loved this story, it was so nice to see the way they respected each other.
The story of Nate and Collin is so so sweet. Honestly Nate hit the jackpot meeting Coll in his time of need (finding a date to his exs wedding lol)
Nate and Collin are both so loveable. They treat each other like they are the most precious thing in the world.
I loved this story, it was so nice to see the way they respected each other.
January 17, 2025
I liked this story a lot because the two MCs are just two VERY KIND guys and they act accordingly.
Because some little details irked me, my ranking was only 3,7, but rounded up to 4 - because the story is just too down-to-earth to be overly critical.
Some minor details that were were jarring:
* slight spoilers ahead, so reconsider reading ahead *
Nate comes across as a bit one-dimensional character while Collin is an avid reader, loves D&D, his art, his work (tattoo artist). Nate is a typical hockey player and though I'm completely okay that this fills his days up to the brim even in the off season (conditioning, training for the season), he must be interested in more, e.g. keepint a tab on his team mates, his diet, the league, equipment, whatever. He's interesting to Collin, so surely has far more depth than we get to see.
The beef with Nate's parents: they put far too much emphasis on ourward appearances. Nate has a conflicted relationship because he feels like he has to earn their love. Which might just be the typical skewered perspective of a son and man who is very susceptible to praise and recognition. But after a very "realistic" first family reaction towards him bringing a "boyfriend" they came round suprisingly fast. Helped by Nate's lovely sister, but still. Was it all facade? How could they make a u-turn so quickly?
Nate's position towards this whole idea to shock his ex and parents by bringing a bad boy typie boyfriend. Someone who's that prominent in the eye of the hockey loving public has no qualms or thoughts about causing a fuss in the media by this stint? Not quite believable. Or, well, his subconscious pushing him into the right direction.
He was rather secure that he could do this because of his contract running some years still, but the big suprise was that he was in fact captain of his team. Which suprised me - either I had totally read over this fact or it was an afterthought?
For the captain of course it would be more plausible that he wouldn't just be shoved off the team like a fourth line center. However, the media frenzy would be more noticeable.
What I liked A LOT:
Nate is very easy to be around. Which is very believable for a guy that has been constantly around other guys for all of his live. You have to be okay with being with someone a lot I guess.
Collin is great - layered, suffering from the physical strain of his job. You would think tattooing is not so hard itself, but being crouched over your human canvas is in fact hard on the body.
The very sensible approach towards their "friends with benefits" relationship: they both know that a 5 week "relationship" which nobody calls that is too short to uproot two careers. And they came to the decision /accepted said decision to end things way before Nate had to go back to his team as not to fall too deeply into this very soothing friendship that each of them knew would evolve into more, given more time. Both accepted this decision - a very mature thing to do. And both suffered.
So one took a chance and the other reacted like an adult, too.
No nonsense, no bullshit misunderstanding to shake things up, two adults who acted their age without tantrums, but with tenderness and believable emotions. Wonderful!!
Because some little details irked me, my ranking was only 3,7, but rounded up to 4 - because the story is just too down-to-earth to be overly critical.
Some minor details that were were jarring:
* slight spoilers ahead, so reconsider reading ahead *
Nate comes across as a bit one-dimensional character while Collin is an avid reader, loves D&D, his art, his work (tattoo artist). Nate is a typical hockey player and though I'm completely okay that this fills his days up to the brim even in the off season (conditioning, training for the season), he must be interested in more, e.g. keepint a tab on his team mates, his diet, the league, equipment, whatever. He's interesting to Collin, so surely has far more depth than we get to see.
The beef with Nate's parents: they put far too much emphasis on ourward appearances. Nate has a conflicted relationship because he feels like he has to earn their love. Which might just be the typical skewered perspective of a son and man who is very susceptible to praise and recognition. But after a very "realistic" first family reaction towards him bringing a "boyfriend" they came round suprisingly fast. Helped by Nate's lovely sister, but still. Was it all facade? How could they make a u-turn so quickly?
Nate's position towards this whole idea to shock his ex and parents by bringing a bad boy typie boyfriend. Someone who's that prominent in the eye of the hockey loving public has no qualms or thoughts about causing a fuss in the media by this stint? Not quite believable. Or, well, his subconscious pushing him into the right direction.
He was rather secure that he could do this because of his contract running some years still, but the big suprise was that he was in fact captain of his team. Which suprised me - either I had totally read over this fact or it was an afterthought?
For the captain of course it would be more plausible that he wouldn't just be shoved off the team like a fourth line center. However, the media frenzy would be more noticeable.
What I liked A LOT:
Nate is very easy to be around. Which is very believable for a guy that has been constantly around other guys for all of his live. You have to be okay with being with someone a lot I guess.
Collin is great - layered, suffering from the physical strain of his job. You would think tattooing is not so hard itself, but being crouched over your human canvas is in fact hard on the body.
The very sensible approach towards their "friends with benefits" relationship: they both know that a 5 week "relationship" which nobody calls that is too short to uproot two careers. And they came to the decision /accepted said decision to end things way before Nate had to go back to his team as not to fall too deeply into this very soothing friendship that each of them knew would evolve into more, given more time. Both accepted this decision - a very mature thing to do. And both suffered.
So one took a chance and the other reacted like an adult, too.
No nonsense, no bullshit misunderstanding to shake things up, two adults who acted their age without tantrums, but with tenderness and believable emotions. Wonderful!!
January 5, 2023
After really enjoying Drive the Net, Ryan and Jackson’s story, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! Off-Ice Behavior was a totally different feeling story than Drive the Net but I enjoyed it all the same!
Nate Walker is the captain of the Washington Golden Eagles professional hockey team and is spending the off-season in Madison, close to his family and his best friend Ryan. He’s been feeling the pressure from his mom to bring a date to his ex’s wedding but there’s no one special in his life. He just wants to use the off season to bulk up and prep for the upcoming season. Nate never expects to find something completely new when he goes with Ryan to watch him get a tattoo.
Collin Campbell is a tattoo artist with no interest in sports or athletes. He’s a bit of a nerd - more interested in Dungeons & Dragons, reading and art than he is in following any sports teams. He’s been on his own since his mom passed away, finding a family of his own in the team at his shop. Money is tight, his car is on its last leg and he finds himself pretending to be Nate’s boyfriend for a weekend after a random conversation between him, Ryan and Nate while he’s tattooing Ryan.
What starts as a way to shock Nate’s family at his ex’s wedding by bringing his “boyfriend” with him starts to feel a lot more real the more time Nate and Collin spend together. Nate quickly starts to realize that he likes Collin more than he expected and they quickly go from friends to friends with benefits but those benefits aren’t just completely physical. They get to know each other more, enjoy each other’s company and become their support systems. Even when they end things and are apart, they crave the connection they made during the off season. I really enjoyed these two together - Nate is so open to everything Collin shares with him and Collin really opens up to Nate in a way he never has with anyone. I really liked Collin’s character development but felt like there was a little missing from Nate - he changed so much over the summer but we barely see how that affected the rest of his life outside of their relationship.
I’m really enjoying this Delay of Game world - looking forward to reading book #3 when it comes out!
Nate Walker is the captain of the Washington Golden Eagles professional hockey team and is spending the off-season in Madison, close to his family and his best friend Ryan. He’s been feeling the pressure from his mom to bring a date to his ex’s wedding but there’s no one special in his life. He just wants to use the off season to bulk up and prep for the upcoming season. Nate never expects to find something completely new when he goes with Ryan to watch him get a tattoo.
Collin Campbell is a tattoo artist with no interest in sports or athletes. He’s a bit of a nerd - more interested in Dungeons & Dragons, reading and art than he is in following any sports teams. He’s been on his own since his mom passed away, finding a family of his own in the team at his shop. Money is tight, his car is on its last leg and he finds himself pretending to be Nate’s boyfriend for a weekend after a random conversation between him, Ryan and Nate while he’s tattooing Ryan.
What starts as a way to shock Nate’s family at his ex’s wedding by bringing his “boyfriend” with him starts to feel a lot more real the more time Nate and Collin spend together. Nate quickly starts to realize that he likes Collin more than he expected and they quickly go from friends to friends with benefits but those benefits aren’t just completely physical. They get to know each other more, enjoy each other’s company and become their support systems. Even when they end things and are apart, they crave the connection they made during the off season. I really enjoyed these two together - Nate is so open to everything Collin shares with him and Collin really opens up to Nate in a way he never has with anyone. I really liked Collin’s character development but felt like there was a little missing from Nate - he changed so much over the summer but we barely see how that affected the rest of his life outside of their relationship.
I’m really enjoying this Delay of Game world - looking forward to reading book #3 when it comes out!
January 12, 2023
There was something about Nate, a hockey player who is good at his job. He is also a considerate man who has had to work way too hard to try to please his parents despite the fact that he is playing at the highest level of his sport in the NHL. While he is keeping Ryan company when Ryan is getting a tattoo he is lamenting being pressured to attend the wedding of his ex-fiance who dumped him after 6 years together. Her mother is his mom's friend that she loves to compete with and insists that they all need to attend the wedding. He needs a date and Collin, the tattoo artist and Ryan suggest he take a guy to shake things up. In the end he winds up taking Collin and they wind up starting to build something more than the fake male date to shake things up at the festivities. Nate has some things he needs to face as things unfold between them. He didn't think he was gay but it turns out he is not just gay for Collin. Collin is basically on his own and being with Nate will involve his life changing as Nate may be in Wisconsin but his team is based in DC. Each of them has some personal growth to deal with as they lean into the ease of their relationship as well as their growing attraction and feelings for one another. There are missteps as they deal with their growing path but there is so much good feeling for one another that they are able to navigate those hiccups and come out together on the other side. This story was such an easy read that I could not put it down, stayed up way too late - I needed to see what would happen - and am mainlining coffee today at work.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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