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A review by adhdandread
Rules of Play by Hayden Hall
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rules of Play by Hayden Hall
The Saints of Westmont U #3
Length: 214 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: June 17, 2025
5 ⭐
3 🌶
What to expect:
🏒 Virgin MC
🤓 Slow burn
🏒 First times
🤓 Jock x nerd
🏒 Only one bed
🤓 Forced proximity
🏒 Queer awakening
🤓 'Two peas in a pod'
🏒A remote-control plug
Summary
Shane is an undergrad student conducting research for his thesis on how an athlete’s emotional regulation affects them physically and mentally. In this case, he’s studying how Patrick’s quick-fire temper impacts him on and off the ice, how it helps his game or hurts his private life.
Patrick loves the spotlight, so he’s happy to have the nerdy researcher following him around like his shadow. He relishes having Shane’s eyes on him; it makes his breath catch and his heart pound, all of which Shane is recording…for science. But Patrick pretty quickly finds that he likes looking at Shane just as much and that it might not be just the shared staring that gets him going.
It’s more than physical attraction for them, but Shane also has to maintain a degree of impartiality for his project. The question is, can he do it, or is he too tempted by his hockey god to remain neutral, especially when what he really wants is for Patrick to be his first—his only—everything?
Patrick loves the spotlight, so he’s happy to have the nerdy researcher following him around like his shadow. He relishes having Shane’s eyes on him; it makes his breath catch and his heart pound, all of which Shane is recording…for science. But Patrick pretty quickly finds that he likes looking at Shane just as much and that it might not be just the shared staring that gets him going.
It’s more than physical attraction for them, but Shane also has to maintain a degree of impartiality for his project. The question is, can he do it, or is he too tempted by his hockey god to remain neutral, especially when what he really wants is for Patrick to be his first—his only—everything?
My thoughts
At this point, is Hayden Hall just mainlining crack into these books or what?! I mean, I already love his writing, and this series has consistently gotten better as it goes along. Patrick has intrigued me from the minute he hit the page in Edge of Temptation, and I was so excited to finally get his story.
I don’t want to provide too much information here, because I took a ton of notes reading this one. The budding relationship between Patrick and Shane unfolds without a lot of dramatic fanfare, once the jock finally realizes that his behavior is more boyfriend than friend. The sexy times are hot (I mean, it’s Hayden Hall), but they’re also fun and warm and intimate. There’s an ease between the two men that feels legitimate, and it’s romantic without coming off as this perfect, idealized version of a physical relationship.
Both men are also so prideful and scared of being hurt; thankfully—and with the help of a friend—they realize what they have is worth the risk. I will say that this book isn't nearly as dark and/or traumatic as the first two in the Saints series.
I don’t want to provide too much information here, because I took a ton of notes reading this one. The budding relationship between Patrick and Shane unfolds without a lot of dramatic fanfare, once the jock finally realizes that his behavior is more boyfriend than friend. The sexy times are hot (I mean, it’s Hayden Hall), but they’re also fun and warm and intimate. There’s an ease between the two men that feels legitimate, and it’s romantic without coming off as this perfect, idealized version of a physical relationship.
Both men are also so prideful and scared of being hurt; thankfully—and with the help of a friend—they realize what they have is worth the risk. I will say that this book isn't nearly as dark and/or traumatic as the first two in the Saints series.
Books with similar jock/nerd vibes
📕But make him the goalie: Scoring the Keeper by Hayden Hall
📗But make him a complete grump: Until Him by Cora Rose
📘But make him the coach’s son: Line Mates and Study Dates by Eden Finley and Saxon James
Bottom line
Look, if you’ve made it this far, I can’t believe you haven’t stopped to go get this book. Clearly I’m going to recommend it! What are you waiting for?
— A
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews and Hayden Hall for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Instagram, BlueSky, and BookBub.