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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.
butterfly843's review
5.0
Jack and Eckie are such an amazing couple. I love seeing their relationship grow from a friendship to more. Eckie's son is adorable and I love all the moments the couple spends with him.
liza5326's review
4.0
I didn’t think it was possible to like Eckie after the drama of book 1, but oh . . . This book made me love him. He went through hell and back and this redemption story was so beautiful. Jack was perfect for him, both of them having a little bit of healing to do. The sexual tension was off the charts! And little Levi stole the show! I’m so glad that Eckie got the HEA he deserved.
stephreviewsbooks's review
5.0
This book is about two MC's who have both gone through so much and consequently so much patience and healing has taken place. We catch up with Eckie just coming out of hospital fired up on positivity and optimism armed with lots of tools to help him through.
This story starts off as a tight flower bud, two men getting close, discovering feelings but keeping things on the down low. As the story develops there are some dark challenging threats that gives the story some grit and a deeper narrative. As the stroy unfolds there was something so beautiful between these two characters and the bud became a full open flower; proud, adored and with a purpose. I loved the story it was emotional and these two men are absolutely beautiful together. Lots of chemistry and great intimate scenes. The epilogue gave such a good happy ending, everything seems right in the world. I would love Mad Dog to get a story, he seems like an interesting character. It was great catching up with older characters too. I felt I had to give this one a 5 stars because it had some much emotion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story starts off as a tight flower bud, two men getting close, discovering feelings but keeping things on the down low. As the story develops there are some dark challenging threats that gives the story some grit and a deeper narrative. As the stroy unfolds there was something so beautiful between these two characters and the bud became a full open flower; proud, adored and with a purpose. I loved the story it was emotional and these two men are absolutely beautiful together. Lots of chemistry and great intimate scenes. The epilogue gave such a good happy ending, everything seems right in the world. I would love Mad Dog to get a story, he seems like an interesting character. It was great catching up with older characters too. I felt I had to give this one a 5 stars because it had some much emotion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review
4.0
AUDIO REVIEW
Narration: This was pretty on par with book 1. I didn't have to speed it up a ton like I tend to do with a few others. The pacing and voices were enjoyable. They fit the MCs and nothing beats when they get all breathless during the steam. ;)
Review: I honestly didn't know how to feel when I heard that the next book in the Mohegan U Hockey series was going to be about Eckie. I finished listening to [b:Cracks in the Ice|61367885|Cracks in the Ice (Mohegan U Hockey, #1)|Ryan Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656474217l/61367885._SY75_.jpg|96796676] really disliking him. This is not surprising since Eckie was an asshole and quite frankly a bully throughout that book. He even went so far as to locking Cole in a room with him, terrifying the guy. It was no wonder Benny pulled Eckie from the hockey team, which in turn furthered his mental health decline. Thankfully, I think that was the push Eckie needed to take some control of his spiraling by checking himself into the hospital for treatment.
While getting treatment at the hospital over the Summer, Jack, the assistant coach of the Mohegan hockey team, pays him a visit. Surprised by the complete 180 in attitude, Jack continues his visits almost daily. The two get to know one another and become incredibly close. Jack is Eckie's first true friend. He sees something in him. He believes in him so much that when Eckie gets discharged and has no place to go, Jack sweetly offers his spare room to help Eckie get on his feet. However, it doesn't stay his room for long because it turns out there's more to their feelings than friendship.
I applaud the authors for their mental health rep. Depression is no joke and it often gets swept under the rug as something less than other mental health issues. I was happy to see it get the respect and spotlight it deserved. This book had a lot of talking about feelings and emotions as that is something Eckie was taught by his doctors to help him mentally. I do have to admit, that there is a fair amount of crying that occurs. Doesn't matter if it's a happy or upsetting occasion, tears are flowing more than what I'm used to in a sports romance. I guess I've just been more exposed to the toxic masculinity environment that can be seen in male dominated sports. Despite the tears, this one ends on a lovely HEA giving both men their dreams and each other. Exactly the way a romance should end if you ask me.
Narration: This was pretty on par with book 1. I didn't have to speed it up a ton like I tend to do with a few others. The pacing and voices were enjoyable. They fit the MCs and nothing beats when they get all breathless during the steam. ;)
Review: I honestly didn't know how to feel when I heard that the next book in the Mohegan U Hockey series was going to be about Eckie. I finished listening to [b:Cracks in the Ice|61367885|Cracks in the Ice (Mohegan U Hockey, #1)|Ryan Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656474217l/61367885._SY75_.jpg|96796676] really disliking him. This is not surprising since Eckie was an asshole and quite frankly a bully throughout that book. He even went so far as to locking Cole in a room with him, terrifying the guy. It was no wonder Benny pulled Eckie from the hockey team, which in turn furthered his mental health decline. Thankfully, I think that was the push Eckie needed to take some control of his spiraling by checking himself into the hospital for treatment.
While getting treatment at the hospital over the Summer, Jack, the assistant coach of the Mohegan hockey team, pays him a visit. Surprised by the complete 180 in attitude, Jack continues his visits almost daily. The two get to know one another and become incredibly close. Jack is Eckie's first true friend. He sees something in him. He believes in him so much that when Eckie gets discharged and has no place to go, Jack sweetly offers his spare room to help Eckie get on his feet. However, it doesn't stay his room for long because it turns out there's more to their feelings than friendship.
I applaud the authors for their mental health rep. Depression is no joke and it often gets swept under the rug as something less than other mental health issues. I was happy to see it get the respect and spotlight it deserved. This book had a lot of talking about feelings and emotions as that is something Eckie was taught by his doctors to help him mentally. I do have to admit, that there is a fair amount of crying that occurs. Doesn't matter if it's a happy or upsetting occasion, tears are flowing more than what I'm used to in a sports romance. I guess I've just been more exposed to the toxic masculinity environment that can be seen in male dominated sports. Despite the tears, this one ends on a lovely HEA giving both men their dreams and each other. Exactly the way a romance should end if you ask me.
shinysue's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really enjoyed this book. It was a decent look at "making up for your sins", but it could have done just a bit more to explore remorse. This book carefully didn't discuss what he actually did in the previous book, which helped the reader sympathize with him. There was only a surface level look at mental health which also could have been interesting to explore, but I understand that this is a rom com and not the place for such trauma.
There was a lot of trauma discussion near the end which could be triggering. I assume the authors felt this is so extreme that it wouldn't trigger many readers, which is why this was more graphic than the mental health. Or maybe the authors aren't too familiar with how brutal mental health issues can actually look and feel.
The parenthood aspect is nice. A bit rose-colored but it helped lighten the tone.
There was a lot of trauma discussion near the end which could be triggering. I assume the authors felt this is so extreme that it wouldn't trigger many readers, which is why this was more graphic than the mental health. Or maybe the authors aren't too familiar with how brutal mental health issues can actually look and feel.
The parenthood aspect is nice. A bit rose-colored but it helped lighten the tone.
mmromancereviewed's review
5.0
I love a good bully redemption and Eckie's story was the perfect storm in book 1 - homophobic, bullying and mean... all while suppressing his own gay feelings and dealing with immense family pressure, depression and more...
He naturally gravitates towards Jack, the coach who spends an inordinate amount of time visiting and getting to know him - and despite the fact that they're coach/player, a relationship develops...
This book is filled with heart, heat and sweet, good communication and a strong and positive message about overcoming and rebuilding after mental illness. It's a true redemption, second chance story with the added bonus of Eckie's adorable little boy, Levi!
If you like books set in this hockey world with a positive and heartwarming message, good heat and good hockey, you'll love Back to Center!
He naturally gravitates towards Jack, the coach who spends an inordinate amount of time visiting and getting to know him - and despite the fact that they're coach/player, a relationship develops...
This book is filled with heart, heat and sweet, good communication and a strong and positive message about overcoming and rebuilding after mental illness. It's a true redemption, second chance story with the added bonus of Eckie's adorable little boy, Levi!
If you like books set in this hockey world with a positive and heartwarming message, good heat and good hockey, you'll love Back to Center!
starbook2's review
4.0
A great story!! Eckie is a hockey player who needs to come back from poor life choices. Throughout his initial rehab he becomes friends with his assistant coach, Jack. Jack knows Eckie has amazing hockey skills and could easily go all the way to NHL. These two men learn how to live together, grow together, and love each other.
Ryan and Josh have again given us a beautiful story, that is touching and heartbreaking. I would issue a potential TW of parental religious zealots/homophobic.
Ryan and Josh have again given us a beautiful story, that is touching and heartbreaking. I would issue a potential TW of parental religious zealots/homophobic.
mschaeff's review
3.0
So, this was better than the previous book in the series, but I didn't love it as much as everyone else seems to. It's a sweet romance, super low angst, pretty functional characters, thoughtful treatment of mental illness. But it was a little too instalove for my tastes, because the author just sort of glosses over the entire part of the story where the two characters are building a friendship and relationship; it basically happens before the book even starts. Not awful, but not a book I'll reread.