Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On the Edge by J.J. Mulder
SCU Hockey Series #3
Length: 302 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: April 2, 2025
3 ⭐️
2 🌶️
Henri Vasel (Vas) is a pretty typical college guy: good student, plays hockey fairly well, has a lot of friends, and is overall pretty happy with how life is going. He’s a big-time people pleaser, but he’s also naturally warm and sweet, so getting along with people isn’t much of a struggle. That is, until he gets stuck working with Atlas Kaiser, a fellow student in his communication class. They couldn’t possibly be more different, and from the jump, Atlas is absolutely not a fan.
Atlas is prickly and guarded, and in his opinion, people are only ever going to disappoint you. For him, Vas is too nice, too handsome, too … everything. He is incredibly anti-love and anti-relationships, but Vas’ steadfastness and calm nature are reassuring, and Atlas starts to let down his walls. Despite his best attempts, they form a friendship of sorts. And much to Atlas’ distress, it seems to eventually be more than friendship. He’s determined to fight it every step of the way, but unfortunately for him, Vas is just as determined to show him why their “complete opposites” energy doesn’t mean they don’t belong together.
OK, right off the bat, let’s establish that Vas is the most cinnamon of cinnamon-roll MMCs, and Atlas is the most prickly of prickly MMCs. So of course they would work so well as a couple and end up together! The character development of both main characters feels in-depth and detailed enough that it seems like the book should be longer and more angst-filled. While On the Edge IS an emotional read, it’s not painful or drawn out. The conflicts the two men go through feel realistic and organic, especially for someone so anti-love as Atlas and so people-pleasing as Vas. They really are lovely together.
What to expect:
Black cat (100% feral) x golden retriever (the goodest of boys)
MM college hockey romance
First times
Slow burn
Ace rep
Overall, I enjoyed this and would add it to your TBR, especially if you’re already immersed in Mulder’s hockey universe.
— A
Thanks to GRR and J.J. Mulder for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Review up now on BlueSky, StoryGraph, Fable, Tome, and BookBub.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Henri and atlas are pure and amazing. Henri is the kind, caring, German hockey player everyone can rely on and loves. Atlas is prickly and distrustful. The two come together to have an unlikely friendship that morphs into love. This book has ace representation and the loving relationship that someone who is ace can find. This quick fun read had me smiling and happy with the outcome and growth.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Henri Vasel is the sweetest man on earth and his HEA with Atlas is so so good! While Atlas takes a second to warm up too you can’t help but see how he is perfect for Henri and that they just FIT. The ace rep is absolutely incredible and I love love loved it! Getting to see the other boys from the SCU series and a hint at what’s coming next was also the cherry on top. Truly a wonderful book!
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes