A review by roksyreads
Starting Line by Crea Reitan

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Eager to avoid the spotlight and the judgement that would inevitably follow, ice hockey stars Ethan and Jakub have kept their open marriage a secret for eight years. Playing for different teams in the NHL allowed them to avoid scrutiny, but Ethan and his starting line co-star, Creed, need a player able to match their on-ice chemistry—chemistry that they’re finally exploring off the ice, too. When management decides it’s time to try a new play, Ethan and Jakub find themselves facing the looming threat of exposure; as much as they want to relish finally being together in the same city, they know that one wrong move could put the entire team—and their new relationship with Creed—on ice.

Having been somewhat blindsided by how deeply emotional Shiver was, I came to Starting Line better prepared. Book two in Reitan’s For Puck’s Sake explores themes of trust and communication through MMCs Ethan, Jakub, and Creed as they navigate their developing poly relationship. I appreciated how much thought was put into not only each character’s development, but also the dynamics between them all as their relationship evolved. Creed’s journey was especially poignant, and I felt deeply for him as he navigated his feelings for Ethan and Jakub, as well as his concerns about invading their already established relationship—seeing Creed blossom through the love that Ethan and Jakub shared and the way they opened their hearts to him was utterly heartwarming. Although their steamy romance wasn’t without hurdles, mostly due to external sources, the way they supported each other—especially the way both Ethan and Jakub uplifted a self-conscious and shy Creed—was a true highlight. This is definitely a series I look forward to continuing with in the near future.