Scan barcode
bitchie's review
3.0
Ok, I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars here. I really liked both MCs, but I thought Sebastian could have been a bit more patient with Tristan's situation. It's just not at all easy for pro- athlete to come out as gay, and Sebastian shouldn't have gone into things knowing he wouldn't be in the closet. And I don't like how no one ever thought about the whole press idea, and how in the spotlight coming out would have put them both.
But I did love the dynamic between the guys, I loved Seb taking charge and Tristan loving it, although I will never be ok with
Spoiler
face slappingdpit's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured OFF THE ICE! Characters can really make or break a romance and in this one, Gale and Vaughn have exceeded all expectations. Tristan was amazing and I loved him from the very beginning. He’s smart, generous, confident, and humble. He’s constantly battling misconceptions about himself because he’s a jock, but I respected the dignity he displayed when handling those issues. He wasn’t afraid to call Sebastian on it when he made the same mistake.
Sebastian was also great in all his gruff and hard-nosed ways. He takes a little bit to warm up to but I never disliked him. He’s concerned with starting something with a student but once classes are over he just can’t stay away from Tristan. I particularly enjoyed watching Sebastian become a hockey fan the more he gets invested in Tristan’s life. He’s proud, determined, and devoted and he's always there for Tristan. These two are easily in my top romance couples list.
Tristan and Sebastian had so much chemistry and I loved every second of their romance. There's minimal angst and what little is present is handled in a mature way. I’m really excited for more in this series, especially with the revelations at the end of the book. The side characters were as much a joy to read and I'm dying for their stories.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
After another beat of silence, Professor Cruz shook his head. “This is extremely inappropriate, Mr. Holt.”
“I don’t think you really want me to be appropriate.”
Sebastian was also great in all his gruff and hard-nosed ways. He takes a little bit to warm up to but I never disliked him. He’s concerned with starting something with a student but once classes are over he just can’t stay away from Tristan. I particularly enjoyed watching Sebastian become a hockey fan the more he gets invested in Tristan’s life. He’s proud, determined, and devoted and he's always there for Tristan. These two are easily in my top romance couples list.
Tristan and Sebastian had so much chemistry and I loved every second of their romance. There's minimal angst and what little is present is handled in a mature way. I’m really excited for more in this series, especially with the revelations at the end of the book. The side characters were as much a joy to read and I'm dying for their stories.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
After another beat of silence, Professor Cruz shook his head. “This is extremely inappropriate, Mr. Holt.”
“I don’t think you really want me to be appropriate.”
bhavyamarya's review
4.0
I really had a good time reading this. I love that we got both of the MC's POVs. It made the reading experience better. Because when the conflict did come I could see both sides of the issue.
The whole professor student thing was really hot in the begining. The sexual tension just made me feel impatient and excited at the same time.
I liked that the book wasn't just about the romance. It was also about how difficult coming out can be for athletes and that you need to compromise to make a relationship work.
I loved the couple. They were perfect for each other in every way. I liked how invested Sebastian became by the end in hockey and Tristan's career compared to the begining when he hadn't even watched one game of hockey. It showed that he truly cared for Tristan and wanted him to succeed.
I just wish we could've gotten more of an HEA instead of an HFN.
I don't know if I'll read the next one though. Maybe if I'm in the mood to read another hockey M/M romance. *shrugs* But I'll definitely be checking out more of these authors' works.
The whole professor student thing was really hot in the begining. The sexual tension just made me feel impatient and excited at the same time.
I liked that the book wasn't just about the romance. It was also about how difficult coming out can be for athletes and that you need to compromise to make a relationship work.
I loved the couple. They were perfect for each other in every way. I liked how invested Sebastian became by the end in hockey and Tristan's career compared to the begining when he hadn't even watched one game of hockey. It showed that he truly cared for Tristan and wanted him to succeed.
I just wish we could've gotten more of an HEA instead of an HFN.
I don't know if I'll read the next one though. Maybe if I'm in the mood to read another hockey M/M romance. *shrugs* But I'll definitely be checking out more of these authors' works.
laiinny's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I wanted to like this but it just felt very surface-level and like something was missing. That mixed with the too spot-on dialogue just felt like plugging pieces into a formula without any heart and soul added to it.
trashconnoisseur's review
4.0
"I doodled your name in the cover," Tristan had joked, grinning.
"With little hearts around it?"
"Nah." Tristan had winked. "Dicks. Not little, though."
★★★★☆ 3,5 stars for this funny and hot story about an ice hockey player and a sociology professor with an angsty bit of real life problems that sadly exist when you don't fit the norm
I got a free ebook version of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find this review on my blog bookboners.
The story is told in two different POV's. Tristan's, an ice hockey player who goes back to university in his spare time because he wants to have something for when his sports career will end someday. And Sebastian, the hot sociology professor Tristan gets to drool over each class. They'd both like nothing more to get the other nacked and spend some sweaty quality time together. Sebastian's got a policy though. Do not sleep with the students, it's called and Sebastian wants to abide by this rule. Good thing the semester is ending soon.
Overall the book was great, it has quality and charm but I just could't bring myself to care for Sebastian. I don't know why, I just couldn't really give a shit about the guy. Tristan was a cute little muffin though! So that kind of saved the book for me. They were both very well done characters though, complex with backstory and even the side characters didn't feel flat. The story was very focused on their developing relationship and told in a very realistic manner. Also A+ for conversation, something quite a few books fuck up. As well as the writing in general, some scenes were just gold!
Tristan was a professional athlete, and he had no problem sucking Sebastian's cock and jerking himself off at the same time.
Another thing that just wasn't for me was the slight dom/sub, spanking and slight humiliation kink. I just didn't like those scenes. So, usually I would give the book less stars, but those scenes were well done by Gale and Vaughn as well, so I just feel like I have to give stars due to the quality. There are enough people out there who appreciate the kinks in this story and I can definietly rec this story if you like them.
All in all a very well done story and I'll definietly remember the authors and check goodreads for someof their other works because I loved the writing and witty sentences that caugth me off guard quite a few times and had me laugh out loud.
"With little hearts around it?"
"Nah." Tristan had winked. "Dicks. Not little, though."
★★★★☆ 3,5 stars for this funny and hot story about an ice hockey player and a sociology professor with an angsty bit of real life problems that sadly exist when you don't fit the norm
I got a free ebook version of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find this review on my blog bookboners.
The story is told in two different POV's. Tristan's, an ice hockey player who goes back to university in his spare time because he wants to have something for when his sports career will end someday. And Sebastian, the hot sociology professor Tristan gets to drool over each class. They'd both like nothing more to get the other nacked and spend some sweaty quality time together. Sebastian's got a policy though. Do not sleep with the students, it's called and Sebastian wants to abide by this rule. Good thing the semester is ending soon.
Overall the book was great, it has quality and charm but I just could't bring myself to care for Sebastian. I don't know why, I just couldn't really give a shit about the guy. Tristan was a cute little muffin though! So that kind of saved the book for me. They were both very well done characters though, complex with backstory and even the side characters didn't feel flat. The story was very focused on their developing relationship and told in a very realistic manner. Also A+ for conversation, something quite a few books fuck up. As well as the writing in general, some scenes were just gold!
Tristan was a professional athlete, and he had no problem sucking Sebastian's cock and jerking himself off at the same time.
Another thing that just wasn't for me was the slight dom/sub, spanking and slight humiliation kink. I just didn't like those scenes. So, usually I would give the book less stars, but those scenes were well done by Gale and Vaughn as well, so I just feel like I have to give stars due to the quality. There are enough people out there who appreciate the kinks in this story and I can definietly rec this story if you like them.
All in all a very well done story and I'll definietly remember the authors and check goodreads for someof their other works because I loved the writing and witty sentences that caugth me off guard quite a few times and had me laugh out loud.
mazmum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
divapitbull's review against another edition
2.0
Off the Ice seems like it must be a case of it’s me not the book. It’s well written and there’s nothing wrong with it; and yet I was bored and underwhelmed. It was just too nice. Everyone was nice and reasonably mature and well adjusted. Parts of the story read like a pro-LGBTQ after school special with the MC Tristan coming out; and everyone having just the right supportive platitude on offer. Even the eventual conflict wasn’t all that conflictual.
23-year-old NHL defenseman Tristan Holt plays for the Atlanta Venom. He’s not out but he’s comfortable with his sexuality. He very reasonably decides to go back to school to work on completing his BA in business so that he can have a “back up” plan to his hockey career. It’s during his summer sociology class that he meets 30-something -year-old Professor Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian is supposed to be the kind of hero that I love; grumpy and snarky. However, all he really has going for him is resting bitch face and a permanent scowl and eye glare.
At first, Seb’s a little tweaked about getting involved with a student; and a younger one at that; until summer class ends and he realizes; voila – no more student! Then it’s safe for Tris and Seb to give in to their attraction and bond over their love of classic rock. Despite that Tristan is taller and more bulky muscle to Seb’s shorter and wirier runner’s physique; Seb likes to be all Charles In Charge domineering and Tristan likes him to be that way. Good for Tris, because I found Seb kind of annoying. There is something about these two that is so uninspiring, they even manage to make spanking boring.
The conflict when it comes, is of Seb’s making; and while I kinda, sorta get where he is coming from; I also think his Drama Queen presentation was bit over the top, uncalled for and unreasonable. In short, he annoyed me – again. The Venom’s goalie Ryu plays a supporting role which serves to set up his story in the next installment; but I don’t think I can.
23-year-old NHL defenseman Tristan Holt plays for the Atlanta Venom. He’s not out but he’s comfortable with his sexuality. He very reasonably decides to go back to school to work on completing his BA in business so that he can have a “back up” plan to his hockey career. It’s during his summer sociology class that he meets 30-something -year-old Professor Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian is supposed to be the kind of hero that I love; grumpy and snarky. However, all he really has going for him is resting bitch face and a permanent scowl and eye glare.
At first, Seb’s a little tweaked about getting involved with a student; and a younger one at that; until summer class ends and he realizes; voila – no more student! Then it’s safe for Tris and Seb to give in to their attraction and bond over their love of classic rock. Despite that Tristan is taller and more bulky muscle to Seb’s shorter and wirier runner’s physique; Seb likes to be all Charles In Charge domineering and Tristan likes him to be that way. Good for Tris, because I found Seb kind of annoying. There is something about these two that is so uninspiring, they even manage to make spanking boring.
The conflict when it comes, is of Seb’s making; and while I kinda, sorta get where he is coming from; I also think his Drama Queen presentation was bit over the top, uncalled for and unreasonable. In short, he annoyed me – again. The Venom’s goalie Ryu plays a supporting role which serves to set up his story in the next installment; but I don’t think I can.
inkstndfngrs's review
3.0
First, for anyone following my reviews: I did not love/hate this in the same way that I love/hate Rachel Reed's Game Changer series. This was *fine*, but I didn't love it. Am I reading the other two books? Yes. Am I tolerating them? Barely.
I'm going to just go right out and say it: I don't like the implied D/s dynamic. If you want to tell a BDSM romance, then just let it be a BDSM romance. Instead, the whole thing came off as unappealing and gross to me.
Don't get me wrong. I liked Tristan. I totally get people expecting you to be one thing and wanting another. I didn't like Sebastian. He was kind of an asshole. Over-the-top. It felt like he was supposed to be, like, mildly Sherlockian. Calculating. Cool. Collected. And instead, he's just a jerk and I really think Tristan could do better.
I was also not really into the...slapping/hitting thing. Again, I *get* it, but it was just not for me. I don't understand why that particular treatment --which was solicited, yes, is what's going to get someone out of their funk. Please don't try and explain it to me. If I have learned one thing while exploring kink, it is that I usually don't want to know.
I'm going to just go right out and say it: I don't like the implied D/s dynamic. If you want to tell a BDSM romance, then just let it be a BDSM romance. Instead, the whole thing came off as unappealing and gross to me.
Don't get me wrong. I liked Tristan. I totally get people expecting you to be one thing and wanting another. I didn't like Sebastian. He was kind of an asshole. Over-the-top. It felt like he was supposed to be, like, mildly Sherlockian. Calculating. Cool. Collected. And instead, he's just a jerk and I really think Tristan could do better.
I was also not really into the...slapping/hitting thing. Again, I *get* it, but it was just not for me. I don't understand why that particular treatment --which was solicited, yes, is what's going to get someone out of their funk. Please don't try and explain it to me. If I have learned one thing while exploring kink, it is that I usually don't want to know.