Rating: 4 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Blaine Olsen is a popular and recognizable player for the Chicago Thunder NHL team. He’s finally where he wants to be and his twin brother just joined the team as well. Yet, Blaine can’t seem to keep his name out of the headlines and, when another scandalous story is printed about him, the only thing Blaine is told to do is keep his stats up. The trade deadline is approaching and Blaine wants no part of being traded. Of course, that’s the night he meets Alex, but Alex could be everything Blaine needs.
Alex easily admits he is a long time Chicago Thunders fan. His financial issues don’t allow him to see any games live, but when a friend scores tickets, Alex meets the man of his dreams. Yet, Alex knows that hockey players are nothing but trouble and, when Blaine invites him home, Alex declines, surprising them both. Blaine never gets turned down, but Alex knows of Blaine’s reputation and he’s not going to be just another one nighter. When Blaine can’t stop thinking about Alex, he decides to show him another side of himself, the side that is vulnerable and quirky and wants to take Alex on dates. Alex needs to focus on helping his brother with their business and Blaine needs to focus on hockey, but being together might be exactly what they both need.
Trade Deadline launches the start of a new series from a new author and I enjoyed getting to know both Blaine and Alex, as well as the world of the Chicago Thunder. Blaine is a star player and has the stats to prove it. But he likes to indulge in the evenings and the fans like to make it known and he’s currently in trouble with management. Blaine is exactly where he wants to be with his career and he desperately does not want to be traded. That becomes more evident when he meets Alex.
Alex and his brother own a bakery. It wasn’t Alex’s long term dream, but finances and debt have them both working seven days a week. Alex would like nothing more than to lose himself in the gorgeous Blaine, but Alex knows from experience that will only lead to heartbreak.
Blaine then sets out to romance Alex with silly pick up lines and letting Alex know that he sees who is and wants more than one night. The men are sweet together as they get to know each other, enjoy spending time together, and fall in love. The team is supportive of each other and there are setups for several more stories in this world that all look interesting.
The book has no angst to it and, because of that, the book was perhaps longer than needed with scenes I didn’t feel particularly moved the story along and overall the book was longer than seemed necessary for the story it was telling. Also, Alex and Blaine were both American and there were British terms they used that had no place for who they were and could have easily been adjusted. Also, there is never any discussion of Blaine’s bisexuality and the hockey world is fully supportive of their relationship—which while nice, didn’t read as true for me.
I enjoyed this new start to a hockey series, and for a story of boy meets boy and they fall in love, pick up Trade Deadline.
