REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: Changing Lines

SERIES: Harrisburg Railers #1

AUTHORS: R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

PUBLISHER: Love Lane Books Limited

LENGTH: 233 Pages

RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2017

BLURB:  Can Tennant show Jared that age is just a number, and that love is all that matters?

The Rowe Brothers are famous hockey hotshots, but as the youngest of the trio, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, and against their advice, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers, where he runs into Jared Madsen. Mads is an old family friend and his brother’s one-time teammate. Mads is Tennant’s new coach. And Mads is the sexiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. When Ten is traded to the team, his carefully organized world is thrown into chaos. Nine years his junior and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows that his heart could get him into trouble again.

 This was a fun start to a new series, and what’s not to love about hot hockey players finding love?

Tennant (or Ten, as he is called) is a talented player, but has always lived in the shadows of others, be it his older (pro hockey playing) brothers, or the star player on his current team.  His family doesn’t hesitate to chime in about his life, playing, choices, etc., and when he is traded to new franchise team, instead of a successful NHL team, they have plenty to say.  But Ten is just happy to be getting out on his own and making his own way.  As that gets underway, he finds that one of his new coaches is an old family friend and ex-player, Jared Madsen (Mads).

Mads is a little bit older than Ten, closer to Ten’s brothers’ ages.  He had to quit playing pro hockey due to an on-ice injury that led to heart problems.  He is now happy coaching the new up and coming Railers.  When these guys see each other again, there is an instant connection.   Tens has had a crush on Mads since he was young, and now that he is around him again, knowing he is bisexual, it doesn’t take him long to go after what he wants.  He is confident like that.  He pretty much takes whatever is thrown at him and runs with it.  There is some reluctance on Mads’ part due to the age gap and family connection, but he cannot resist for long.

The two carry on a secret relationship that is tested when Ten is outed on the team and then it steamrolled from there.  His oldest brother finds out and Ten takes the rest of the matters in his own hand by coming out to the rest of his family, the team heads and players, etc.  Poor Mads has to deal with some things on his side as well, with regards to his son, his grandfather and that whole situation.

I really liked Mads and loved his confident, wanting to make his own mistakes and fix them attitude.  I got a bit teary at his coming out to his parents, and loved him and Mads together.  They made a great couple, and each were just with the other needed.  I really enjoyed this series opener and am looking forward to seeing it continue in the next installment.

P.S. It was fun reading about this made up team from the area where I live!  I wanted to go right out and cheer them on.  🙂