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tdekorte's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jen_and_her_books's review
5.0
We briefly got to know Eckie in the first book of this series (Cracks in the Ice) and boy, was he a charmer -NOT.
In my eyes Ryan and Josh did an incredible job of redeeming him in this book.
We get to know his backstory and get to witness the beautiful development of Eckie and Jack's love. Levi, Eckie's son also plays a major role in their lives. The portrayal of their relationship (the three of them) is wonderful.
True to Josh and Ryan's style this book is filled with many tender moments and incredible relationship development.
There are serious parts depicting Eckie's struggle and flashbacks to darker times in his life but as usual with Josh and Ryan those topics are handled with a lot of sensitivity.
A must-read in my eyes
In my eyes Ryan and Josh did an incredible job of redeeming him in this book.
We get to know his backstory and get to witness the beautiful development of Eckie and Jack's love. Levi, Eckie's son also plays a major role in their lives. The portrayal of their relationship (the three of them) is wonderful.
True to Josh and Ryan's style this book is filled with many tender moments and incredible relationship development.
There are serious parts depicting Eckie's struggle and flashbacks to darker times in his life but as usual with Josh and Ryan those topics are handled with a lot of sensitivity.
A must-read in my eyes
kjnrose's review
5.0
I love all the books I've read by this dynamic duo of writers and this one is definitely no different. Always such wonderful characters and this is a great story that has you stuck in it until the end.
bookpimpfairy's review
5.0
The redemption story is done at its finest. After the events of Cracks in the Ice, I didn't think I would fall in love with Eckie, and wow, was I wrong. The man has experienced enough heartbreak to last a lifetime, and those events led him to getting the help he needed to strive and strive he did.
Jack, even when mad with Eckie during his reckless behavior, saw the good in him and helped him to be able to see the good in himself. These two men were made to build each other up and restore each other's faith in love and humanity. Without the other, I can't see either ever being truly happy.
It's not often I find the redemption book better than the original, but this one has done it in spades. Please enjoy the journey and know if you ever need help for depression reach out if you are not alone.
Jack, even when mad with Eckie during his reckless behavior, saw the good in him and helped him to be able to see the good in himself. These two men were made to build each other up and restore each other's faith in love and humanity. Without the other, I can't see either ever being truly happy.
It's not often I find the redemption book better than the original, but this one has done it in spades. Please enjoy the journey and know if you ever need help for depression reach out if you are not alone.
aboulle's review
5.0
The first book really had set up Eckie as the bad guy but we all knew he had a great redemption in him. This book picks up 2 months after Eckie received treatment and we see that he has developed a strong bond with Jack the assistant coach.
I absolutely loved Eckie and Jack they were both such good characters that truly showed their emotions and were clear in their struggles. Eckie's relationship with his parents was awful and was the foundation of all the troubles he experienced in the past.
I don't want to give to much away but I cannot recommend this book enough, it is heartfelt and emotional with the perfect HEA.
I absolutely loved Eckie and Jack they were both such good characters that truly showed their emotions and were clear in their struggles. Eckie's relationship with his parents was awful and was the foundation of all the troubles he experienced in the past.
I don't want to give to much away but I cannot recommend this book enough, it is heartfelt and emotional with the perfect HEA.
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
5.0
Loved that Eckie got his own story told. The bad boy from book one, Eckie, has had a rough go of things. Shunned by his family, depressed and lashing out setting himself up in rehab is the only thing he thinks will help him. But with the visits from his coach Jack brightening up his dark days he finally feels the connection he was missing. But can you have a relationship with your coach? Or is this one more thing that wil push him over the edge? With emotions dripping from every page and characters the reader will instantly fall for this was a fabulous read. Taking on taboo subjects and molding them into something not only should be a must read but also giving them the hope and strength most people would only dream of, ends in an epic storyline that should not be missed.
dinohakari's review
5.0
A great book! Maybe at times a little sugary, but incredible just the same. I have to say that when I read Cracks in the Ice I knew that Eckie was going to have his own story to tell. And I was right!
Eckie is a complex character, who comes from a religious, toxic and aggressive family, especially his father. Forced to marry and deny his true self, he ends up spiraling into depression where he ends losing his spot on the hockey team and thus his scholarship.
Now, a few months later, we find a different Eckie, more real and willing to recover what was lost. Nearly divorced, with a son he loves and a new friendship where he least expected it, he begins to find his way.
I would have liked to know more about Jack, that is, I didn't feel that he had a personality as deep as Eckie's, but maybe it's because the story is more focused on the evolution of the latter than anything else. And I think Jack had a lot to contribute, with his own experience.
Eckie and his new friendship with Jack begins to change and although once they both express how they really feel, their relationship is not without its obstacles, thanks to Eckie's family.
One thing I would have liked to read is how their friendship began and how Eckie began to change the way he was. It's something we only know in passing, after it's already happened, but I think it would have been interesting to see that change in him.
Overall, it's a sweet story, which leaves us with the teaching of how when one reaches out for help and when there are those who are willing to help, one can overcome whatever lives throw at us, and achieve everything with which that you once dreamed.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Eckie is a complex character, who comes from a religious, toxic and aggressive family, especially his father. Forced to marry and deny his true self, he ends up spiraling into depression where he ends losing his spot on the hockey team and thus his scholarship.
Now, a few months later, we find a different Eckie, more real and willing to recover what was lost. Nearly divorced, with a son he loves and a new friendship where he least expected it, he begins to find his way.
I would have liked to know more about Jack, that is, I didn't feel that he had a personality as deep as Eckie's, but maybe it's because the story is more focused on the evolution of the latter than anything else. And I think Jack had a lot to contribute, with his own experience.
Eckie and his new friendship with Jack begins to change and although once they both express how they really feel, their relationship is not without its obstacles, thanks to Eckie's family.
One thing I would have liked to read is how their friendship began and how Eckie began to change the way he was. It's something we only know in passing, after it's already happened, but I think it would have been interesting to see that change in him.
Overall, it's a sweet story, which leaves us with the teaching of how when one reaches out for help and when there are those who are willing to help, one can overcome whatever lives throw at us, and achieve everything with which that you once dreamed.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
pheef's review
3.0
As with the first in the series it’s a little on the cringey side but it was still really enjoyable ⭐️⭐️⭐️
eajohnston's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this MM hockey romance full of love, found family, second chances and mental health struggles. While this book is a standalone, I would highly recommend reading Benny and Cole’s story in Cracks in the Ice as we really get to see the struggles that one of the MCs is still dealing with.
This is Eckie and Jack’s story.
During the first book in the series, we see Eckie seriously struggle with making good decisions. When this book starts, Eckie is in a facility who is helping him manage his depression. Jack, one of the assistant coaches who is only a couple of years older than Eckie, starts stopping by to visit Eckie and ends up visiting him daily. They formed a strong connection and when Eckie is left with nowhere to go, Jack opens his home to Eckie.
While they are living together, Jack is a constant presence in Eckie’s life and they get closer and closer. The closer they get to each other, the more they want to take the next steps.
When they decide to take the next steps in their relationship, there are people in Eckie’s life who don’t want that and do everything that they can to ruin his new found happiness. Will Eckie and Jack be able to find their HEA or will the people around them force them apart?
I loved Jack and Eckie’s friendship turned relationship! I love the friends to lovers trope and that was strong here. But my absolute FAVORITE part of this book was Eckie’s teammates and their support of not only Eckie and Jack, but Eckie as a hockey player. He had a lot to make up for after the last season, but after the initial shock of him being back wore off, his teammates fully supported him. And man, the ending where they all came together made me tear up. The hockey team was his found family and it was so great to see that transformation.
This is Eckie and Jack’s story.
During the first book in the series, we see Eckie seriously struggle with making good decisions. When this book starts, Eckie is in a facility who is helping him manage his depression. Jack, one of the assistant coaches who is only a couple of years older than Eckie, starts stopping by to visit Eckie and ends up visiting him daily. They formed a strong connection and when Eckie is left with nowhere to go, Jack opens his home to Eckie.
While they are living together, Jack is a constant presence in Eckie’s life and they get closer and closer. The closer they get to each other, the more they want to take the next steps.
When they decide to take the next steps in their relationship, there are people in Eckie’s life who don’t want that and do everything that they can to ruin his new found happiness. Will Eckie and Jack be able to find their HEA or will the people around them force them apart?
I loved Jack and Eckie’s friendship turned relationship! I love the friends to lovers trope and that was strong here. But my absolute FAVORITE part of this book was Eckie’s teammates and their support of not only Eckie and Jack, but Eckie as a hockey player. He had a lot to make up for after the last season, but after the initial shock of him being back wore off, his teammates fully supported him. And man, the ending where they all came together made me tear up. The hockey team was his found family and it was so great to see that transformation.