Crushed Ice: Hockey Ever After, Book 4

I absolutely enjoy this series from Morgan James and Ashlyn Kane. And this is another great addition that focuses on a new couple with the trusted veteran Russ Lyons and the new rookie Liam Belanger. This slow burn romance has a slight age gap between the two MCs. The path to the HEA is is not a direct line for this pair and what I appreciate about this series is that there are sometimes bumps in the road in a relationship, bad timing, different locations-there are all things that happen in real life but sometimes not seen in a book. As a reader, it makes the character and the story more relatable in a way. The MC that really stole the show for me in this book was Russ. He’s been the older brother, the reliable veteran on the team, always looking out for his family, his teammates, his rookie. When faced with an opportunity to have something for himself, he’s so reluctant, unwilling to accept Liam and what a relationship with him actually means-letting someone in and accepting that you can’t always do it all. Fate steps in and what initially is very devastating for the pair of MCs ends up being a lesson for both of them and brings them closer together. It took a fair bit of time to get to their well earned HEA but it was an enjoyable read getting there. And I’m looking forward to the next book in the series from the teaser at the back!

I enjoyed Russ and Liam and their dynamic a lot, but I couldn’t help but feel that things started to feel rushed down the stretch in this one. Essentially skipping over some potential slam dunk moments (meeting the parents type things, Max and Grady’s wedding most of all) left me feeling a bit unsatisfied with the ending. Everything after the dramatic twist moment felt a bit clipped. Maybe some of that is coming in another “offseason” novella? Otherwise it seems like an odd creative choice. I’d still recommend the read, I just saw a lot of potential for more

the book is actually pretty cute! i love this series, but it does have it’s ups and downs. Russ and Liam are very cute, and their relationship makes sense. The pacing just seemed very weird, where i was bored at some parts but the ending went at lightning speed. All in all, if i re-read this series i won’t be skipping it, but i probably won’t re-read it as a standalone.

""Maybe wait until you can walk and look at his ass at the same time without falling, though." .... Yeah, that could take a while." TLDR: Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James do it again but don't rob yourself of cameo joy. Start with book 1. If you liked the other books in this series, you will like this one. If for some reason you want to jump in now and not start at the beginning, you are looking at a gay hockey romance with delightful banter that will absolutely make you laugh. These books all feel like rom-coms. There are still important themes addressed just with a lot of levity. Of the four, this book had the least heavy subjects. There was still richness to the characters. They had their baggage and they had it for a reason but it didn't feel as pertinent to the story. The conflict in this book was very different from the first three books and totally caught me by surprise. While you can jump right into the series here, I would recommend starting at the beginning. This book includes a lot of cameos from characters you know and love from the first three books and you just won't get the same experience if you start here. Rating: I will probably re-read this book 🌶️: 3/5 - there were a handful of explicit intimate scenes 🏒: 5/5 - these books always offer up plenty of hockey

An age-gap hockey romance with a lot of heart, visits from characters we already love, and characters who feel like real people. I see reviews where people say they're bored with books in this series and to each their own but I love how these books are really focused on the heart and romance of a love story instead of big, loud, ugly drama.