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psydneigh's review
emotional
tense
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
4.5
Love Rhinehart! This one had me crying. Crash was an enjoyable character. He felt much more grounded than previous love interests.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
bookaddictreviews's review
4.0
Xavier Neal is a new to me author but when I saw romantic comedy and hockey I was completely sold on this story and it lived up to everything I could have hoped for.
I completely loved both Hugo and Crash. I loved their friendship and as things started to shift into something more I fell in love with their relationship.
Hugo is a defenseman, he protects those in his life, both on and off the rink and Crash is included in that list. Though, protecting Crash also meant protecting him from his own emotions and feelings. These two men are opposites yet they balance each other out perfectly.
If you love hockey romances, romcoms and friends to lovers romance Defenseman No. 9 is one to check out!
I completely loved both Hugo and Crash. I loved their friendship and as things started to shift into something more I fell in love with their relationship.
Hugo is a defenseman, he protects those in his life, both on and off the rink and Crash is included in that list. Though, protecting Crash also meant protecting him from his own emotions and feelings. These two men are opposites yet they balance each other out perfectly.
If you love hockey romances, romcoms and friends to lovers romance Defenseman No. 9 is one to check out!
canadiangirlreads's review
4.0
"Your joy brings me joy. Your smile gives me a reason to smile. Knowing you're alright, makes me alright. You bring a different kind of purpose to my life, baby, and no one and nothing else will ever compare."
Defenseman No. 9 is a m/m college sports romance that will give you all the feels and have you laughing out loud at the close knit group of friends.
Hugo is Vlasta's star defenseman. Crash is a dancer who loves life. Crash and Hugo have been best friends since they were ten years old and Hugo has always looked out for Crash no matter the cost. When a weekend away proves to be more than expected and brings Hugo and Crash together romantically, Hugo will now have more than just Crash and his team to protect.
I fell in love with Hugo and Crash right from the beginning of the book. Their best friends to lovers story was not without its ups and downs. Out of the two, Hugo was definitely my favourite and my heart broke for him that Crash could not see his undivided love for him no matter the situation until it was almost too late. The bond that the group of friends has is solid and a true testament to what it means to be a true friend. I had tears in my eyes during the locker room scene near the end of the book. This was my first Hockey Gods book and I look forward to going back and catching up on the rest of the team but can be read as a standalone.
the_novel_reader's review
4.0
This is book 4 in the "Hockey God" series but can be read as a standalone.
Hugo Rhinehart has always intrigued me since book one and this story just solidified my love for him! When Neal said this book was going to be M/M, I was thoroughly excited. Rhinehart has come across quite surly and manly in previous books. I knew this story would break me and break me it did. This was an emotional rollercoaster of a journey and probably on of the best M/M books I've ever read. Hugo and Crash are absolute fire. Their chemistry was and is out of this world! I love their love. Please, please read this book and prepare to emotionally invested like no other book.
Hugo Rhinehart has always intrigued me since book one and this story just solidified my love for him! When Neal said this book was going to be M/M, I was thoroughly excited. Rhinehart has come across quite surly and manly in previous books. I knew this story would break me and break me it did. This was an emotional rollercoaster of a journey and probably on of the best M/M books I've ever read. Hugo and Crash are absolute fire. Their chemistry was and is out of this world! I love their love. Please, please read this book and prepare to emotionally invested like no other book.
maustin18's review
4.0
Such a detailed story! I've read a few hockey themes romances, but this one had so many little details that put it over the top.
There were a few "missed" opportunities for me. I would have loved to have seen Hugo and Crash's first fight, as well as the BBQ proposal. But Neal gave the reader a great epilogue in exchange.
*Received an ARC from Candi Kane PR. My review is my own.
There were a few "missed" opportunities for me. I would have loved to have seen Hugo and Crash's first fight, as well as the BBQ proposal. But Neal gave the reader a great epilogue in exchange.
*Received an ARC from Candi Kane PR. My review is my own.
morebooksforever's review
4.0
Hugo and Crash what can I say I loved Hugo right from the start he’s loving and caring and protective he wants to make sure everyone is taken care of because that’s what a good defensemen does right! Honestly I don’t know if I ever really like Crash he is so into himself and cares o lot for himself that I couldn’t understand why Hugo would want him. Broke my heart for him. This book was a little slow moving for me I think I just needed more it took too long for everyone’s feeling to come to light and finally get on the same page and once that happened it felt like the story ended. Overall is a a nice read and I would recommend it. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
christyheartsbooks's review
4.0
Hugo Rhinehart is the silent, watchful and protective defenseman who has been in love with his best friend, Crash, since they were kids. He has kept his feelings hidden because he is afraid to lose Crash more than he wants to be with him. Rhinehart isn't afraid of sexuality and his parents accept and support him 100% but he is afraid of losing Crash. So he has watched Crash be used and abused for years while he is there to be his safe harbor when needed. Until one weekend at the beach changes everything and Rhinehart has all of his fantasies come true with Crash.
Crash has been everyone's dirty little secret his whole life so he has major self esteem issues even though he puts on a good front for everyone. This made my heart hurt for him but when Crash and Rhinehart start a relationship up his insecurities get in the way of everything. Rhinehart has always been there and does everything for Crash - bending over backwards and foregoing his wants to make Crash happy. This makes Rhinehart series book boyfriend goals but it really made me upset with Crash. I was annoyed that he couldn't see how great Rhinehart is, couldn't see everything that he was doing for him - he just took advantage of him. I struggled to like him. But Rhinehart is amazing. He was so caring, giving, loving and devoted. And not just Crash, but to his team and his family. I adored every single thing about him. The relationship that he has with is parents was seriously amazing - I loved how he could talk to them about anything and everything - that when he was hurting and needed advice that was who he would turn to. And of course we cannot forget about the gang - they were all there in full force too. Their comedy and support helped round out this book so much! Despite my issues with Crash I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for Peck's book.
Crash has been everyone's dirty little secret his whole life so he has major self esteem issues even though he puts on a good front for everyone. This made my heart hurt for him but when Crash and Rhinehart start a relationship up his insecurities get in the way of everything. Rhinehart has always been there and does everything for Crash - bending over backwards and foregoing his wants to make Crash happy. This makes Rhinehart series book boyfriend goals but it really made me upset with Crash. I was annoyed that he couldn't see how great Rhinehart is, couldn't see everything that he was doing for him - he just took advantage of him. I struggled to like him. But Rhinehart is amazing. He was so caring, giving, loving and devoted. And not just Crash, but to his team and his family. I adored every single thing about him. The relationship that he has with is parents was seriously amazing - I loved how he could talk to them about anything and everything - that when he was hurting and needed advice that was who he would turn to. And of course we cannot forget about the gang - they were all there in full force too. Their comedy and support helped round out this book so much! Despite my issues with Crash I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for Peck's book.
alwaysbereadin's review
5.0
4.25 Stars
I LOVED this. I'm kicking myself for just finding this new to me author, but what a way to start my Xavier Neal journey. This is a very touching, very deep, friends to lovers story with Defenseman Hugo who is the textbook definition of stoic cinnamon roll and his lifelong friend and crush Crash, a dancer and someone who doesn't see his own worth. But Hugo does, he's always seeing Crash and looking out for him. It broke my heart what both of them had to go through and sometimes I really did wanna shake Crash, but MAN I had tears in my eyes an awful lot with this one. I'm obsessed and now I wanna binge everything. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.
I LOVED this. I'm kicking myself for just finding this new to me author, but what a way to start my Xavier Neal journey. This is a very touching, very deep, friends to lovers story with Defenseman Hugo who is the textbook definition of stoic cinnamon roll and his lifelong friend and crush Crash, a dancer and someone who doesn't see his own worth. But Hugo does, he's always seeing Crash and looking out for him. It broke my heart what both of them had to go through and sometimes I really did wanna shake Crash, but MAN I had tears in my eyes an awful lot with this one. I'm obsessed and now I wanna binge everything. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.
lowkeyreader's review
4.0
You know I love this series, or if you don't, now you know.
This is a great read, no less than the previous books in the series. I couldn't put it down from the very first page. It was well written with an entertaining storyline and wonderful characters. The love they have between Crash and Hugo is so beautiful. Even though there are times when I felt it being repetitive.
I definitely recommend this book and this series.
This is a great read, no less than the previous books in the series. I couldn't put it down from the very first page. It was well written with an entertaining storyline and wonderful characters. The love they have between Crash and Hugo is so beautiful. Even though there are times when I felt it being repetitive.
I definitely recommend this book and this series.
vera_allbookedup's review
4.0
Hugo and Crash have been best friends for a long time. Even their parents are friends. Hugo is a giver, a nurturer, a supporter. He’s the guardian of his crew of friends, always watching out for them. He quiet, introspective, and intuitive. His position as defenseman not only describes the positions he plays on the ice, but also the role he plays in his friends’ lives. Crash is flamboyant, not afraid to show his feelings or his personality. He’s quite self-centered. When Hugo finally finds the courage to stand up for himself, I was almost afraid that their relationship would become unsalvageable. The labels that society has put on orientation—gay, bi, etc— ultimately affects Hugo’s passion as a hockey player.
This book was full of passion both in the literal and figurative sense. It was also a good lesson in the importance of communication. It was an amazing story of friendship and love between two best friends.
I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
This book was full of passion both in the literal and figurative sense. It was also a good lesson in the importance of communication. It was an amazing story of friendship and love between two best friends.
I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.