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mazmum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
divapitbull's review against another edition
2.0
Off the Ice seems like it must be a case of it’s me not the book. It’s well written and there’s nothing wrong with it; and yet I was bored and underwhelmed. It was just too nice. Everyone was nice and reasonably mature and well adjusted. Parts of the story read like a pro-LGBTQ after school special with the MC Tristan coming out; and everyone having just the right supportive platitude on offer. Even the eventual conflict wasn’t all that conflictual.
23-year-old NHL defenseman Tristan Holt plays for the Atlanta Venom. He’s not out but he’s comfortable with his sexuality. He very reasonably decides to go back to school to work on completing his BA in business so that he can have a “back up” plan to his hockey career. It’s during his summer sociology class that he meets 30-something -year-old Professor Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian is supposed to be the kind of hero that I love; grumpy and snarky. However, all he really has going for him is resting bitch face and a permanent scowl and eye glare.
At first, Seb’s a little tweaked about getting involved with a student; and a younger one at that; until summer class ends and he realizes; voila – no more student! Then it’s safe for Tris and Seb to give in to their attraction and bond over their love of classic rock. Despite that Tristan is taller and more bulky muscle to Seb’s shorter and wirier runner’s physique; Seb likes to be all Charles In Charge domineering and Tristan likes him to be that way. Good for Tris, because I found Seb kind of annoying. There is something about these two that is so uninspiring, they even manage to make spanking boring.
The conflict when it comes, is of Seb’s making; and while I kinda, sorta get where he is coming from; I also think his Drama Queen presentation was bit over the top, uncalled for and unreasonable. In short, he annoyed me – again. The Venom’s goalie Ryu plays a supporting role which serves to set up his story in the next installment; but I don’t think I can.
23-year-old NHL defenseman Tristan Holt plays for the Atlanta Venom. He’s not out but he’s comfortable with his sexuality. He very reasonably decides to go back to school to work on completing his BA in business so that he can have a “back up” plan to his hockey career. It’s during his summer sociology class that he meets 30-something -year-old Professor Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian is supposed to be the kind of hero that I love; grumpy and snarky. However, all he really has going for him is resting bitch face and a permanent scowl and eye glare.
At first, Seb’s a little tweaked about getting involved with a student; and a younger one at that; until summer class ends and he realizes; voila – no more student! Then it’s safe for Tris and Seb to give in to their attraction and bond over their love of classic rock. Despite that Tristan is taller and more bulky muscle to Seb’s shorter and wirier runner’s physique; Seb likes to be all Charles In Charge domineering and Tristan likes him to be that way. Good for Tris, because I found Seb kind of annoying. There is something about these two that is so uninspiring, they even manage to make spanking boring.
The conflict when it comes, is of Seb’s making; and while I kinda, sorta get where he is coming from; I also think his Drama Queen presentation was bit over the top, uncalled for and unreasonable. In short, he annoyed me – again. The Venom’s goalie Ryu plays a supporting role which serves to set up his story in the next installment; but I don’t think I can.
inkstndfngrs's review against another edition
3.0
First, for anyone following my reviews: I did not love/hate this in the same way that I love/hate Rachel Reed's Game Changer series. This was *fine*, but I didn't love it. Am I reading the other two books? Yes. Am I tolerating them? Barely.
I'm going to just go right out and say it: I don't like the implied D/s dynamic. If you want to tell a BDSM romance, then just let it be a BDSM romance. Instead, the whole thing came off as unappealing and gross to me.
Don't get me wrong. I liked Tristan. I totally get people expecting you to be one thing and wanting another. I didn't like Sebastian. He was kind of an asshole. Over-the-top. It felt like he was supposed to be, like, mildly Sherlockian. Calculating. Cool. Collected. And instead, he's just a jerk and I really think Tristan could do better.
I was also not really into the...slapping/hitting thing. Again, I *get* it, but it was just not for me. I don't understand why that particular treatment --which was solicited, yes, is what's going to get someone out of their funk. Please don't try and explain it to me. If I have learned one thing while exploring kink, it is that I usually don't want to know.
I'm going to just go right out and say it: I don't like the implied D/s dynamic. If you want to tell a BDSM romance, then just let it be a BDSM romance. Instead, the whole thing came off as unappealing and gross to me.
Don't get me wrong. I liked Tristan. I totally get people expecting you to be one thing and wanting another. I didn't like Sebastian. He was kind of an asshole. Over-the-top. It felt like he was supposed to be, like, mildly Sherlockian. Calculating. Cool. Collected. And instead, he's just a jerk and I really think Tristan could do better.
I was also not really into the...slapping/hitting thing. Again, I *get* it, but it was just not for me. I don't understand why that particular treatment --which was solicited, yes, is what's going to get someone out of their funk. Please don't try and explain it to me. If I have learned one thing while exploring kink, it is that I usually don't want to know.
jambrea's review against another edition
4.0
The Hockey Player, The Professor and a Kink
This book pulled me in right away. I loved the beginning and the way the relationship built. Everything was a slow build up. The conflict was good and handled wonderfully. I really couldn't tell it was two people writing, which makes the read that much better!
I loved the ending as well. The supporting characters were great and fleshed out so I was happy to get to know them as well.
It was steamy and... wonderful. You should read it.
This book pulled me in right away. I loved the beginning and the way the relationship built. Everything was a slow build up. The conflict was good and handled wonderfully. I really couldn't tell it was two people writing, which makes the read that much better!
I loved the ending as well. The supporting characters were great and fleshed out so I was happy to get to know them as well.
It was steamy and... wonderful. You should read it.
tashas_books's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
Good but nothing particularly special. It just didn’t have the same spark that Avon Gale’s other hockey books had.
Good but nothing particularly special. It just didn’t have the same spark that Avon Gale’s other hockey books had.
tmclain4's review against another edition
I don't remember why I stopped this book. I honestly don't really remember it.
bookish_notes's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say, I really love the Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn collaborations. First with Permanent Ink (another series) and now with Off the Ice. Tristan Holt is a realist and recognizes that he can't keep playing in the NHL for the Atlanta Venom forever. He doesn't want to spend the rest of his life after as an announcer on local TV. So, he decides that between seasons, he would take a couple classes towards his unfinished business degree. He catches the eye of the professor in his Sociology class, Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian is a non-tenured professor who immediately takes a disliking to Tristan. Sebastian thinks Tristan is hot, but will be a slacker in his class.
Sebastian is Puerto Rican and unapologetically out as a gay man. Whereas Tristan is gay, but has kept his sexuality a secret from everyone he knows, even his family. He doesn't want to be the first player out in the NHL, so he keeps himself pretty solidly locked in the closet.
I love the characters, and I love how the story came together. I was initially worried about this being a student-teacher romance (I'm just not into the trope at all when it comes to an imbalance of power), BUT nothing happens between Sebastian and Tristan for the semester Tristan takes Sebastian's class. Which, I'm glad for. There's some kink and I was not expecting it. This is also an age-gap romance with a...I want to say 12 year age difference? Sebastian and Tristan have a fiery hot chemistry and they're so much fun to read. It's not heavy on angst, but there's depth to the characters and is certainly more of a character-driven story.
Sebastian and Tristan are endearing and I wish that there was just more of this book. There's a few instances in the story that summarizes scenes that happens in order to move the story along, but I wouldn't have minded if all those scenes got a short or novella in the future? Like, where is this car hood scene? *looks pointedly at book* Or just their entire scene up at the cabin that gets condensed into one paragraph? I just want to selfishly ask for MOAR SEB AND TRIS. <3
I've read a few hockey books now, but still know next to nothing about hockey. I feel like this book does a good job of highlighting the game without getting too involved or technical and managed to keep me engaged as a reader. We do meet some very lovely and interesting secondary characters, who seem to be starring in their own books soon, and I can't wait to read their stories!
***Thanks to Judith at Binge On Books/A Novel Takes PR for the ARC as part of a bookstagram tour***
Sebastian is Puerto Rican and unapologetically out as a gay man. Whereas Tristan is gay, but has kept his sexuality a secret from everyone he knows, even his family. He doesn't want to be the first player out in the NHL, so he keeps himself pretty solidly locked in the closet.
I love the characters, and I love how the story came together. I was initially worried about this being a student-teacher romance (I'm just not into the trope at all when it comes to an imbalance of power), BUT nothing happens between Sebastian and Tristan for the semester Tristan takes Sebastian's class. Which, I'm glad for. There's some kink and I was not expecting it. This is also an age-gap romance with a...I want to say 12 year age difference? Sebastian and Tristan have a fiery hot chemistry and they're so much fun to read. It's not heavy on angst, but there's depth to the characters and is certainly more of a character-driven story.
Sebastian and Tristan are endearing and I wish that there was just more of this book. There's a few instances in the story that summarizes scenes that happens in order to move the story along, but I wouldn't have minded if all those scenes got a short or novella in the future? Like, where is this car hood scene? *looks pointedly at book* Or just their entire scene up at the cabin that gets condensed into one paragraph? I just want to selfishly ask for MOAR SEB AND TRIS. <3
I've read a few hockey books now, but still know next to nothing about hockey. I feel like this book does a good job of highlighting the game without getting too involved or technical and managed to keep me engaged as a reader. We do meet some very lovely and interesting secondary characters, who seem to be starring in their own books soon, and I can't wait to read their stories!
***Thanks to Judith at Binge On Books/A Novel Takes PR for the ARC as part of a bookstagram tour***
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
This book had so much potential. I love sports books. Then throw in a little age gap, some light BDSM and I should have been in HEAVEN. And I did enjoy most of this book. But Sebastian came across as a hypocritical, sanctimonious ass at times with his demands. I understood where he was coming from, but he was still a hypocrite. Tristian was such a teddy bear of a hockey player and I loved his teammates, so I am eager to continue the series.