Save the Game by J.J. Mulder (SCU Hockey Book #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Save the Game

AUTHOR: ⟫ J.J. Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ SCU Hockey Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ After a traumatizing event and rough sophomore year, Max Kuemper does his best to keep his head down and not draw attention to himself. School and hockey are the only two things he can handle; it’s all he can do to keep himself afloat. He wants to forget about what happened to him and bring the secret to his grave.

Confident and flirty Luke Kelly likes to play the field—dating as well as baseball. When he meets Max during a night shift at work, he takes an instant liking to him, despite the other man’s reserved exterior and shy personality.

But secrets have a way of coming to light, and both Max and Luke will have to come to terms with what that means for their relationship.

REVIEW: ⟫ By no means the easiest thing to write about, I can only say how impressed I was by how J.J Mulder handled this issue. The manner in which we get to see and feel how Max is handling things, as well as Marcos, was incredibly touching and I admit, I spent a lot of times on the verge of tears whilst reading this book.

Luke was incredibly special. He went from being a cheerful, easy going, almost light figure to someone that Max could rely on for understanding, assistance and love and the two of them together made me feel so hopeful. They didn’t try to pretend that things weren’t difficult, weren’t perfect, needed breaks, but ultimately it felt like they were fighting together for something and I found this so precious, so special.

It was lovely to see Carter and Zeke again and I enjoyed the fact that it was a cameo that let us know how they were doing without making it feel like they were horning in on Max’s book. I really AM going to read the Coach’s book but my TBR pile is teeteringly tall so it may take a while, but I have promised myself it’s going to happen!!

I hope we get more from SCU Hockey because the people feel so real – faults and all – but ultimately the kind of people you want at your back.

Shots on Net by J.J. Mulder (SCU Hockey Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Shots on Net

AUTHOR: ⟫ J.J. Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ SCU Hockey Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Carter Morgan III hates everything about South Carolina University except for one thing: hockey. As the starting netminder for the team, he lives for those moments when he can step onto the ice and between the pipes. Unfortunately, his time at school and on the team is slowly coming to an end; although he’d love nothing more than to pursue a career in the NHL, he knows better than to get his hopes up.

Zeke Cassidy needs a place to live. When he answers an advertisement for a roommate, he’s not sure what he is expecting except that it isn’t Carter Morgan III. Carter is unfriendly, aloof, and they have nothing in common; even so, the pair hit it off immediately and become friends.

Carter knows Zeke isn’t interested in being anything beyond friends and roommates. Unfortunately, knowing this doesn’t stop him from hoping for more, no matter how much he tries to convince himself it’s impossible.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book completely crept up on me and I am so pleased to have found a new author to read! Zeke was an absolute delight – just so upfront and honest, open and caring – exactly what Carter needs. And Carter! Oh my, I just wanted to give him the biggest hugs and hold on tight – that boy deserved so much better than he had gotten before Zeke turned up! The fact that Zeke could read through his grumpy exterior, treasured every single one of his smiles, and made Carter begin to realise that he could have more – really brilliantly done!

I haven’t read anything from this author before but you can bet I’m hitting up everything on their back catalogue after this – Coach Mckensie needs to be read, obviously!!