Next Season: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 2)
£3.90
Riley
My time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the rumors: he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.
Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion. It’s a doozy too—the kind that’s going to keep me off skates for a while.
Which is how I end up in a small New England town in the middle of nowhere Vermont, eating every meal at a diner where a grumpy chef from Quebec makes haute cuisine…and burgers. Jean-Claude is funny and charming and—
Okay, I have a crush on a gay man.
This is a new one.
Jean-Claude
Confused straight men are entertaining. But Riley is…fascinating, sexy, and curiously vulnerable. His injury has rocked his confidence a bit, so perhaps he’s in need of a friend. Any friend. Even moi.
I’m an unlikely choice, but maybe he just likes my tuna salad.
No…I think it’s me.
And though I’m happy to help him explore his bisexual curious side, I have career concerns of my own. See, the things I love most about Elmwood seem shaky and uncertain, but not Riley. He’s solid and genuine. Suddenly, this temporary secret liaison feels more real than anything in my life.
I need more than this season. I want it all. With Riley.
Next Season is an MM bisexual-awakening romance featuring a grumpy chef, an injured hockey player, and a big HEA in a small town where anything can happen.
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Additional information
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| File size | 1193 KB |
| Simultaneous device usage | Unlimited |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 224 pages |
| Page numbers source ISBN | B0CLXY5VGM |
by Cee Bee
Riley Thoreau, 36, is Co Captain of the Seattle Slammers. Following a fierce tackle on the ice he’s forced to take time out until he gets the all clear from his Medical advisors.
He’s depressed because he feels that at 36, and having had a bad season, this is his swan song on the ice with the Slammers. His Co Captain, Childess is just waiting to take the Captain Crown. Solo.
The Slammers previous Captain, Vinnie, is settled and retired in Elmwood, invites Riley to come and recover in more peaceful surroundings, without the media constantly hounding him about his return.
Following the serious concussion and his sight problems afterwards, he takes to wearing sunglasses indoors and outdoors, darkened rooms, etc.
Each day he goes to Elmwood Diner, sitting at back in a secluded booth.
Always ordering tuna sandwiches. So much so that one day the grumpy chef, Jean-Claude Bouchard, comes to his table to ask, Why, always tuna. What is wrong with his other dishes in the menu?
Hearing what Riley answers, Jean-Claude is soon delivering tuna sandwiches to Riley’s rental a couple blocks way, even late at night, when the Diner closes.
Jean-Claude is the ex of Nolan Moore who owns the diner, Riley is straight, or so he thinks, until this French-Canadien Chef makes him think otherwise.
When his recovery time is up and the Slammers are waiting for him, Riley is still very confused in Elmwood.
Jean-Claude and his struggle with English nuances had me laughing out loud, he is such a funny, grumpy darling man. I liked him from Book 1, he so deserves his HEA, especially when he shares his backstory with Riley.
‘Next Season’, Book 2, is quite similar in storyline to ‘ You, Again’, Book 1,
but Jean-Claude and his lovely funny ways made all the difference to my enjoyment of this one. I have to wait till early 2024 for The third in the series.
I’m assuming that model represents Riley, he looks like a fierce wild bear.
????. But Jean-Claude is my MD, (Main Dish).
by Kindle Customer
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and how their relationship developed. Their dialogue was smart and funny I could have stayed in Elmwood forever.
by Edga
I adored both Riley and Jean- Claude, the banter, the humour and just every scene they were in felt so wholesome and awesome. I liked that they both knew what they wanted and went after it, instead of beating around the bush about it for days and hours and weeks. I also appreciated how they naturally opened up to one another, and gave one another the confidence to follow through. This is such a well written story, (as one would expect from this lady), and is, in parts, sweet, charming , endearing, with witty banter, respect, a tiny bit of turmoil, undeniable chemistry, and true love ???? Both MCs relationships with Vinnie, Nolan and Ivan, was lovely to read, it all felt so great. I am a huge fan of bromances and this one packed it in nicely. It’s such a feel good read, the connection between Riley and Jean Claude was so strong from the go, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow. They positively smoulder ????Together they are magnifique! The ending leads us into the next book which is Ivan’s story. It sounds like it will be a wonderful book and I can’t wait to read it.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
by MRS AR Harris
Firstly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews, and this is me leaving my honest review.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Lane Hayes, and I’ve got to say I really enjoyed it. I liked Riley and Jean-Claude. I liked the attraction between them how easily they could talk to one another. I just found them to be part of a lovely community. Riley comes to terms with having feelings for a man quite easily. Did he doubt it at first of course he did, as he’s never looked at a man in that way before, but he accepted his feelings. and took action kissing JC. And these two just cannot keep their hands of one another. Their passion is off the charts and I felt they had such a deep connection. I look forward to reading more books in this series and I’m glad I found another author that I like their style of writing.
by Cadiva
I really enjoyed the first in this small town series from Lane but I absolutely adored this one.
Riley and Jean Claude stole my heart as they started their tentative friendship, then as the blossom of desire began to flourish in Riley I cheered him on his bisexual awakening.
The rich vibes of the familiar location of Elmwood I’d got to know in Vinnie and Nolan’s book were just as present here and it all added to the warmth of the story unfolding.
I love a friends to lovers romance, especially when it mixes in with life on the cusp of a change. Here Riley’s last injury was a serious concussion that almost took him out of ice hockey completely.
He’s got decisions to make and falling in love’s not even on the remotest horizon when he lands back with his friends to recuperate.
Jean Claude is a wonderful man, he’s got his own secrets and his own dilemma to face, but as he gets to know the passionate nature of the convalescing sportsman, he sees something that might just open up a new future.
With her beautifully rich dialogue and wonderful storytelling, Lane takes the reader along with Riley as he recovers, falling in love on the way.
The last couple of chapters had me smiling so big my jaw hurt and the Epilogue is absolutely gorgeous.
I can’t wait to come back to Elmwood at Christmas with the next book, featuring coffee shop owner Ivan.
by Dee176
This is another good addition to the series, this is Riley and Jc’s story and it was a well written enjoyable read, I liked that once Riley started realising he felt more than friendship with Jc he never tried to deny his feelings even though they were new and different to him and Jc was so good at helping him without putting any pressure on him, loved their Hea and can’t wait to read next book in this series.