Sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice.
Ryland Zervudachi lives for the game of hockey—and for the chance to build the kind of team unity that will carry the Columbus Pilots all the way back to the playoffs after last season’s crushing defeat. Off the ice, though, there’s one goal he hasn’t managed to score—the heart of Kyle Dabbs, the Vermont Trailblazers’ team captain and his long-time crush.
Kyle Dabbs has built a life centered on quiet strength. After a childhood scarred by his father’s verbal abuse, Dabbs pours his energy into his career on the ice and the book series he’s written to help kids like the boy he once was. He doesn’t need someone flashy, loud, and spotlight-loving like Ryland turning his world upside down.
But when an untimely appendectomy leaves Dabbs stuck at home, Ryland—recovering from an injury—shows up to help. Between late-night Scrabble competitions, pumpkin-carving mishaps, and long talks that peel back layers they’ve both kept hidden, Dabbs begins to see past Ryland’s bold exterior.
With chemistry sparking and walls crumbling, both men must decide if they’re ready to risk their hearts for something even better than a championship: love.
Copy received from author for an honest review
Yes! More Ryland!
We have met him previously in Love In Maplewood, and I have been wanting to know more about him. He didn't always give off the best vibe when it came to his brother's love interest in the Maplewood book, but I knew in my heart of hearts that there was a wonderful man beneath it all.
And oh, was I right!
When an injury puts him out of action, and Kyle Dabbs, the guy he finally admits he is crushing on needs someone to be there as he nurses back to health, well, there are heart eyes flying everywhere. Ryland has so much love and care to give, he just needed that right person to give it all too.
I enjoyed that, since a lot of the time their friendship is long distance, that it is a slow burn for them to finally succumb to those feelings. We saw them really get to know each other. They get to realise how similar their lives are, even though different.
Of course, we get lots more of Jasonb and Bellamy along the way, and there is a bit of set up for the next book in the series, that I am truly looking forward to.
Amy’s Story
Amy’s lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she’s read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she’s been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn’t at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada’s largest environmental non-profit.
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter here.
