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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Dante Moretti is an out gay man. That is generally hard enough but he's the GM of a a pro hockey team, specifically, the Chicago Rebels. So he's not about to make his life any harder by going after any of his players. Especially not Cade "Alamo" Burnett, a young player who's not even out. But then he sees Cade at a gay bar. And then Cade makes the moves on him. Soon, they're in a steamy relationship. But Dante just can't believe that love might be part of the equation. Maybe Cade can.
This is supposedly the third book in the series but, at just over a hundred pages, I thought this was a novella, not a whole book. And that was part of my problem with it. I was really hoping that the "#3" meant that Dante and Cade were going to have a fuller story. This was fine but not what I was hoping for.
This is supposedly the third book in the series but, at just over a hundred pages, I thought this was a novella, not a whole book. And that was part of my problem with it. I was really hoping that the "#3" meant that Dante and Cade were going to have a fuller story. This was fine but not what I was hoping for.
I really enjoyed this story in the Chicago Rebels Hockey series. This is the first M/M romance I've read by this author, and I really loved both the heroes. They are so different in many ways, but ultimately, they fit together perfectly!
Dante Moretti is the new GM of the Chicago Rebels pro hockey team. He's also a former pro player in his own right. He also happens to be the only out gay manager in pro hockey. Some people aren't happy with his being there, but he could not care less, as he knows he's earned his place. With the 3 Chase sisters, co-owners of the team, behind him, he's sure they can do anything, even make the playoffs for the first time in a generation. In fact, his job might depend on it. So, the last thing he needs is an inconvenient, but strong, attraction to one of his employees, star defenseman, Cade "Alamo" Burnett.
Cade is young, but he's a great defenseman for the Rebels. He's managed to keep his sexual orientation a secret from everyone so far, save his best friend, Violet (one of the 3 co-owners of the team he plays for). He plans to keep it that way, as he is terrified of hurting his dad, his only family. His dad is a college football coach from Texas, and Cade is under no illusions that he'll be ok with Cade's truth. They are very close, and Cade is afraid of losing him. So, he keeps his secret, and feels the trade-off is worth it. But, when he meets his teenage sports hero, who's now also his boss, he can't help but wonder if he can have his cake, and eat it too.
Dante and Cade's dynamic was explosive. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I loved their banter. Dante was much older and more experienced than Cade, not to mention the fact that he's Cade's boss, so their whole clandestine affair took on an even more taboo slant. But, they really came to care for each other, much more than either of them bargained for, and I loved seeing their different ways of dealing with that fact. Dante has been exactly where Cade is now in his life, and with the same secret, and so he helps him a lot with Cade's issues.
To be honest, I've been loving this series, in large part, because of the jagged, but awakening, sisterly bond between Harper, Isobel, and Violet, the half-sister, co-owners of the team. Though they were mentioned here and there in this novella, it wasn't quite the same and I missed seeing them interact. That's not to take anything away from our heroes, who I really did love so much. It just had a different feel and I felt the ladies absence.
This was a great story of coming to realize what you need in your life, and chasing it no matter the cost. I loved how both heroes came to terms with the truth of their relationship, and both were concerned with making the other's life better. It was a very mature relationship in that way, and I loved the way they communicated. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves sports romance, and I especially recommend it if you're a newbie to M/M romance, as it would be a great place to start. I can't wait for the final book about Violet, and team captain, with a boatload of issues, Bren.
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Dante Moretti is the new GM of the Chicago Rebels pro hockey team. He's also a former pro player in his own right. He also happens to be the only out gay manager in pro hockey. Some people aren't happy with his being there, but he could not care less, as he knows he's earned his place. With the 3 Chase sisters, co-owners of the team, behind him, he's sure they can do anything, even make the playoffs for the first time in a generation. In fact, his job might depend on it. So, the last thing he needs is an inconvenient, but strong, attraction to one of his employees, star defenseman, Cade "Alamo" Burnett.
Cade is young, but he's a great defenseman for the Rebels. He's managed to keep his sexual orientation a secret from everyone so far, save his best friend, Violet (one of the 3 co-owners of the team he plays for). He plans to keep it that way, as he is terrified of hurting his dad, his only family. His dad is a college football coach from Texas, and Cade is under no illusions that he'll be ok with Cade's truth. They are very close, and Cade is afraid of losing him. So, he keeps his secret, and feels the trade-off is worth it. But, when he meets his teenage sports hero, who's now also his boss, he can't help but wonder if he can have his cake, and eat it too.
Dante and Cade's dynamic was explosive. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I loved their banter. Dante was much older and more experienced than Cade, not to mention the fact that he's Cade's boss, so their whole clandestine affair took on an even more taboo slant. But, they really came to care for each other, much more than either of them bargained for, and I loved seeing their different ways of dealing with that fact. Dante has been exactly where Cade is now in his life, and with the same secret, and so he helps him a lot with Cade's issues.
To be honest, I've been loving this series, in large part, because of the jagged, but awakening, sisterly bond between Harper, Isobel, and Violet, the half-sister, co-owners of the team. Though they were mentioned here and there in this novella, it wasn't quite the same and I missed seeing them interact. That's not to take anything away from our heroes, who I really did love so much. It just had a different feel and I felt the ladies absence.
This was a great story of coming to realize what you need in your life, and chasing it no matter the cost. I loved how both heroes came to terms with the truth of their relationship, and both were concerned with making the other's life better. It was a very mature relationship in that way, and I loved the way they communicated. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves sports romance, and I especially recommend it if you're a newbie to M/M romance, as it would be a great place to start. I can't wait for the final book about Violet, and team captain, with a boatload of issues, Bren.
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Of course, I still love everything Meader writes. This one did a good job with the issues around gay pro athletes, and there was lots of sly shoutouts to her other series.
I think this just wasn’t for me. The beginning felt like it was ramping up for some fun tension but it fell a little flat for me.
Dante and Cade FTW!
Though I was a bit bummed that this story, like Gage and Brady's ([b:Melting Point|25358524|Melting Point (Hot in Chicago, #1.5)|Kate Meader|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436592629s/25358524.jpg|45101155]) was a novella instead of a full-length novel--here, the ending feels rather rushed--still, this novella was one heck of a read. The GM/player and out/closeted aspects of their relationship, not to mention the age difference between the two of them (12 years) ratchets up the tension nicely throughout. Meanwhile their excellent chemistry--and the teasers we get for Violet's story--really keeps you turning the pages.
Some favorite quotes:
"Listen without judgement. Nod wisely. Gay Yoda, I am." (Dante)
"Leave the orgasm, take the cannoli?" (Violet)
"Are you okay?"
"I still feel like my blood is on fire. It was simmering down until you showed up, and now all I can think of is how much I want you to kiss me again and never, ever stop."
So, not really okay. (Dante, Cade)
So, so good, rushed HEA aside. Between the Violet/Bren hints and the epilogue's refusal to tell us how the season ends (so mean!) I for one am more anxious than ever for the next series book...
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Though I was a bit bummed that this story, like Gage and Brady's ([b:Melting Point|25358524|Melting Point (Hot in Chicago, #1.5)|Kate Meader|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436592629s/25358524.jpg|45101155]) was a novella instead of a full-length novel--here, the ending feels rather rushed--still, this novella was one heck of a read. The GM/player and out/closeted aspects of their relationship, not to mention the age difference between the two of them (12 years) ratchets up the tension nicely throughout. Meanwhile their excellent chemistry--and the teasers we get for Violet's story--really keeps you turning the pages.
Some favorite quotes:
"Listen without judgement. Nod wisely. Gay Yoda, I am." (Dante)
"Leave the orgasm, take the cannoli?" (Violet)
"Are you okay?"
"I still feel like my blood is on fire. It was simmering down until you showed up, and now all I can think of is how much I want you to kiss me again and never, ever stop."
So, not really okay. (Dante, Cade)
So, so good, rushed HEA aside. Between the Violet/Bren hints and the epilogue's refusal to tell us how the season ends (so mean!) I for one am more anxious than ever for the next series book...
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Sexy as sin yet sweet as could be, Undone by You wasn’t your typical M/M romance novella. Or sports romance for that matter. Nope. Instead of over the top BDSM (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) this was emotionally charged with characters so real they leapt off the pages.
Undone by You had a lot of great elements to it. Of course there was the ongoing drama of the Chicago Rebels being under new ownership and their bid for the playoffs. There was the team dynamics with all the interesting stuff happening to the players both on and off the ice. And then there was Dante and Cade. Their relationship was what really took center stage–or center ice–as it rightly should have. Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Sexy as sin yet sweet as could be, Undone by You wasn’t your typical M/M romance novella. Or sports romance for that matter. Nope. Instead of over the top BDSM (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) this was emotionally charged with characters so real they leapt off the pages.
Undone by You had a lot of great elements to it. Of course there was the ongoing drama of the Chicago Rebels being under new ownership and their bid for the playoffs. There was the team dynamics with all the interesting stuff happening to the players both on and off the ice. And then there was Dante and Cade. Their relationship was what really took center stage–or center ice–as it rightly should have. Read More
The new GM of the Chicago Rebels hockey team, Dante Moretti, is the first openly gay manager in the NHL. He's gotten used to ignoring the haters and set his focus on getting Hockey's new darlings into the playoffs. He certainly doesn't have time to dwell on his secret feelings for a certain straight defenseman.
Cade Burnett has kept his sexuality secret for many years and for various reasons, he's been getting by just fine doing this, that is, until Dante becomes the new GM for the Rebels. When things start to heat up between Cade and Dante, Cade realizes that keeping his secret is no longer making him happy. But to be happy, he may have to risk far more than just his career.
Right after I finished [b:So Over You|34951225|So Over You (Chicago Rebels, #2)|Kate Meader|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498700744s/34951225.jpg|56224018], with it's blatant teasing of something going on between Dante and Cade, I had to immediately delve into Undone by You.
Undone by You kind of takes place on the periphery of the preceding book in the series (So Over You) and it goes a long way to fill in some seemingly missing pieces to that story. I liked how the two stories almost go hand-in-hand that way.
On its own, however, I loved this relatively short read in the series and I loved that Kate Meader was able to fill it with such heat and heart. Things between Dante and Cade literally sizzle off the page. They are such a great pair. I loved how it kind of starts out with Dante being the older more experienced one in the relationship with Cade being younger and still in the closet he hasn't had as much experience. But Kate Meader kind of flips things and on Dante and Cade's road to happiness we discover that Dante is still suffering from his own experiences coming out to his family which, to put is mildly, didn't go well.
This book also goes a long way to show how much of a family the Rebels are to one another (at least those that aren't set up as the antagonists - you'll know who I'm referencing if you've read the other books). I feel like, up to this point, since the books have focused more on the Chase sisters, we've missed a little of the workings within the team itself, just the players - minus the owners and coaches.
Overall, this is a great short in the Chicago Rebels series. There's even a little Easter egg for Meader's other familycentric series Hot in Chicago series
So far, this has been one of my favorite new series of the year and it looks like next year is going to be just as good!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cade Burnett has kept his sexuality secret for many years and for various reasons, he's been getting by just fine doing this, that is, until Dante becomes the new GM for the Rebels. When things start to heat up between Cade and Dante, Cade realizes that keeping his secret is no longer making him happy. But to be happy, he may have to risk far more than just his career.
Right after I finished [b:So Over You|34951225|So Over You (Chicago Rebels, #2)|Kate Meader|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498700744s/34951225.jpg|56224018], with it's blatant teasing of something going on between Dante and Cade, I had to immediately delve into Undone by You.
Undone by You kind of takes place on the periphery of the preceding book in the series (So Over You) and it goes a long way to fill in some seemingly missing pieces to that story. I liked how the two stories almost go hand-in-hand that way.
On its own, however, I loved this relatively short read in the series and I loved that Kate Meader was able to fill it with such heat and heart. Things between Dante and Cade literally sizzle off the page. They are such a great pair. I loved how it kind of starts out with Dante being the older more experienced one in the relationship with Cade being younger and still in the closet he hasn't had as much experience. But Kate Meader kind of flips things and on Dante and Cade's road to happiness we discover that Dante is still suffering from his own experiences coming out to his family which, to put is mildly, didn't go well.
This book also goes a long way to show how much of a family the Rebels are to one another (at least those that aren't set up as the antagonists - you'll know who I'm referencing if you've read the other books). I feel like, up to this point, since the books have focused more on the Chase sisters, we've missed a little of the workings within the team itself, just the players - minus the owners and coaches.
Overall, this is a great short in the Chicago Rebels series. There's even a little Easter egg for Meader's other familycentric series Hot in Chicago series
So far, this has been one of my favorite new series of the year and it looks like next year is going to be just as good!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
i bet the author could’ve found someone who actually spoke italian to check if the terms they were using were right. god knows this book needed it. polpetto doesn’t exist. it’s POLPETTA, even if it’s referring to a male. the fact that it came up so often was so irritating, but the worst of all was BORCHIA. it doesn’t mean boss and stud, and it was terrible reading it, because it means like, the decoration piece, like the studs on belts. that was painful but aside from all of that italian nonsense it was a good romance i guess