My Review
ARE YOU READY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH TODD AND DREW?
I was lucky enough to read this book and then a couple of weeks later listen to the audiobook. I loved reading it, and considering I struggle with American narrators, I actually did enjoy listening to it afterwards, I did struggle at times with the audio, keeping track of which character’s chapter it was, on listening to it it seemed much harder for me to tell the two characters apart than when I was reading it for myself.
I loved Todd (Cleevs) when I met him in Fire in the Ice and was really looking forward to his story. The tagline for this book is “Are you ready to fall in love with Todd and Drew?” and I certainly did fall in love with them both.
My heart went out to these two guys who had been together for three years but had kept it secret all that time, but the strain was starting to take its toll on both of their happiness and I completely understand. Long-distance relationships are hard, let alone when you can’t be open about them when you do catch up like these two have been doing.
It’s a shame when your sexual orientation can make or break your career, and though things over the years have changed and Drew coming out would not be the big thing it would have been 3+ years before due to there being several LGBTQI players out, he kept putting it off. But it was time for them to have a serious conversation and for Todd not to put his fears onto Drew that he might resent him if things don’t go well.
I loved that once they had the conversation, there was no procrastinating and Drew followed through with no hesitation, I really am not a fan of angsty romance books, so I like it when things run pretty smoothly.
I loved that their friends and teammates (mostly) were so supportive of their relationship and that Drew ‘coming out’ wasn’t a big deal for them (as it shouldn’t be, ever).
There were some really sweet lines between these two characters and I really hope I find my someone one day who feels about me the way these two felt about each other.
About the book
Drew and Cleevs love hockey, but they love each other more. How can the men find a way to save what matters most?
Todd Cleever and Drew Simon are crazy about each other. They started dating three years ago when “Cleevs” was a rookie defenseman for the Chicago Ice. Drew, the team’s captain, was a few years older than Cleevs. Both men were deep in the closet, but it didn’t take long for them to fall in love.
Cleevs was traded to the Bethesda Barracudas a year later, causing a heartbreaking separation. Ever since, they’ve skated around the problem with occasional stolen nights together and brief vacations under the guise of “friends,” but two years of living apart have taken their toll.
As the holiday approaches, Drew and Cleevs decide things have to change. Still, with their careers and two professional hockey teams in the way, how can they score the game-winning goal and save everything they cherish most?
If you like fierce love, low-angst, a smallish age gap, exciting hockey, and a steely determination to make things work—not to mention enough steam to fog up all your windows and a fantastic HEA—this is the book for you.
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Gay Romance, Sports Romance
Tropes: Hockey, Closeted, Secret Relationship, Low-angst, Established Couple
Length: 4 hours 19 minutes
Version: Unabridged Audio Whispersync – Voice Enabled Narrated by Nick J. Russo
iTunes Audible US Audible UK Amazon Audio Universal Amazon Audio US
Amazon BOOK Universal Goodreads
Excerpt
Nothing put me out like boring, late-night TV, so I climbed into bed and turned on the set. Relaxing back into the pillows, I ignored the talk show and thought about coming out. There was no reason not to since the league was welcoming gay players with open arms. Todd had already told people he was gay, and I needed to man up and do it too. Then we’d be able to make life a lot simpler, not to mention more rewarding, by coming out as a couple. I knew Todd loved me but wasn’t sure he was ready for that. He always changed the subject when I tried to bring it up. We had been committed for years, and I planned to talk to him at Christmas and see what he thought about taking the next step in our relationship. After a loud, frustrated groan, I turned on my side and considered jacking off, but I was too tired. If I could get Todd on the phone in the morning, maybe we’d do it together.
Snowflakes bounced off the back of my neck, leaving an icy burn behind. I pulled my coat tighter and hunched over against the wind. God only knew why we’d rented a cabin in the woods instead of going to the Caribbean, but I couldn’t wait to get inside. Todd already had a fire going, and I needed to thaw out. Odd beeping sounds made me walk faster; electronic noises in the middle of the woods had to be bad news.
“Drew, wake up.”
“Mm.”
“Drew?”
“What the fuck?” I yelled, sitting bolt upright.
“Easy, babe. It’s me.”
A man sat on the edge of the bed, silhouetted in moonlight. Two buttons were undone at the top of his fitted blue shirt, revealing a patch of pale skin that made my breath quicken. He had a beautiful angular face with sunken cheeks and a strong jaw covered by the perfect amount of stubble. His deep-set dark eyes glimmered with mischief, and his black hair was swept away from his forehead. He’d had a haircut since I saw him last, and the new style suited him.
I took a deep breath as warmth spread through my chest. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I’ve been missing you so bad.”
“Missed you too.” His voice was soft and deep.
“I texted you twice. You didn’t answer.”
“Wanted to surprise you.”
“How’d you work it out? Aren’t you guys flying to Montreal tomorrow?”
His lips curved upward, and he took his time tracing a finger down my cheek and across my chin. “Told them I had to go see my dads for something important. Said I’d meet the team at the hotel in Montreal tomorrow night.”
“Smart.” I caressed his sides, impressed as always by the hard muscles there. They met at the front in the kind of abs most men only dream about having. “Did you warn your dads in case someone calls?”
“Of course.” He leaned forward to kiss my nose. “Pops said he was tired of lying for me and I should make an honest man out of you.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t stop the grin that worked its way across my face.
“But enough…” He kissed my right cheek. “Talking…” He pressed his warm lips against mine for a heartbeat or two. “Especially…” He licked the corner of my mouth. “About my dads.” He nibbled my lower lip and finally gave me a proper kiss.
When he wrapped his arms around me and slipped his tongue into my mouth, I didn’t even pretend to resist. Not until every nerve in my body screamed for more did I pull back. “Surely you didn’t come all this way just to kiss me. I need a lot more than kisses.”
He growled and crawled on top of me. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
ICE ANGELS. Copyright © 2021 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood. All rights reserved.
About the Authors:
Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood met in law school and were married in 2017. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh enjoy travel, friends, and advocating for causes dear to their hearts. Ryan also loves to swim, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. The romance they were so lucky to find with each other inspires their stories about love between out and proud men.
You can contact them through their website.
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