Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: You, Again
SERIES: The Elmwood Stories
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 6 hrs and 7 mins
RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2023
BLURB:
MM Small Town/Hockey Romance
The hometown hockey hero and his best friend’s brother….
Vinnie
Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. I’ve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now it’s over, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.
So I’m going home to Elmwood.
But I’ll tell you what I’m not gonna do—I’m not going to coach my buddy’s junior hockey league. No chance. I don’t know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coach—who happens to be my best friend’s brother—hates me. With reason.
That may be old news, yet something tells me we’re going to have to deal with the past.
And that’s almost as scary as coaching teens.
Nolan
No, I don’t hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.
He’s cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeah…after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. But I’m a responsible adult now. I run my family’s business, and with the help of my ex, I’ve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.
So maybe my life isn’t particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isn’t the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero, who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.
And I’m not coaching with him. No way.
Ugh….
I can’t believe I’m doing this again.
You, Again is an MM bisexual, best friend’s brother, frenemies to lovers romance, featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!
REVIEW:
This story is the introduction to a new series set in the small Vermont town of Elmwood. It’s the story of Vinnie Kaminski, newly retired Pro-Hockey defenseman who returns to his small town boyhood home in Vermont after years in the NHL and most recently in Seattle. He’s agreed to help his best friend Ronnie by coaching the youth league team and the local hockey rink that Ronnie owns. The catch is that he will be coaching with Ronnie’s younger brother Nolan. Nolan is not so happy about this turn of events.
Vinnie assumes that Nolan is less than a friend because they shared a kiss and a bit more before Vinnie left town for good after high school. In reality, Nolan has a lot of reasons he’s not too happy with Vinnie and none of them have to do with Vinnie leaving town and leaving him behind. Nolan has gone on the make his own life. College, hockey, coming out, transferring, making a life in Los Angeles are all things that Nolan has accomplished before moving back home after the death of his and Ronnie’s father. He’s taking over the family diner and along with his ex, JC, has turned it into a pretty upscale establishment now. He’s satisfied with his life and helping his brother and his mother but he does wish he could find someone to build a life with.
Ronnie, Vinnie’s best friend, is a single dad. He’s been through a lot and has made a very busy life in running the ice rink and raising his young daughter, Mary-Kate. His mother and brother are his key support, but he’s thrilled to have his bestie back. Vinnie has been a long-distance friend and hasn’t really seen his friends and hometown in years. He usually flies his father out to him for holidays or sends his dad, who is a college professor, on trips that interest him. Father and son don’t have a lot in common. Vinnie’s mother died when he was young and Ronnie and Nolan’s family sort of took him in as an honorary member of their family.
Vinnie is confused about his resurgent feelings for Nolan. He’s never really forgotten about their triste back before he left town. He’s been with plenty of women, but he’s never gotten over the exhilaration he felt with Nolan. But he’s been in the NHL his whole adulthood and he never felt free to explore this attraction. Now though he’s back in Nolan’s company and it’s clear that the attraction is still there – for both of them. Nolan clears the air and they figure out that they want to explore what is between them. But Vinnie is only committed to working at the rink through the summer. There are rumors about what he might do in the fall. His agent keeps calling and his “girlfriend” who Vinnie describes as his friend with benefits who he has broken up with in every sense except as a supporting friend is over. Nolan doesn’t know what to believe, but he doesn’t want his heart broken.
Contrary to Thomas Wolfe, it seems you CAN go home again 😉 In this case, coming home is the best thing that’s happened to Vinnie Kaminski in a long, long time. When he does return home, he has some things to make up for. Nolan doesn’t hold back and tells him exactly what he thinks of his behavior while he was gone. All good point. Vinnie acknowledges his shortcomings and tries to do better. Nolan can’t resist Vinnie and Vinnie reciprocates. They are so so sweet together once they get past the initial sparring. Vinnie is a bit of a jokester and tries to lighten the mood, but he’s also really serious about exploring this side of himself. Will coming out change his life? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Most definitely. I loved how both men were concerned about the other – although Vinnie is a bit clueless and takes a while to figure things out 😉
Nick J. Russo is one of my absolute favorite narrators. He does a fabulous job with this book. His performance is truly heartfelt and I loved all of the characters. Sienna, Mary-Kate, Vinnie, Nolan, JC, Ronnie, Trunk – they are all distinct personalities and the voice choices were really just perfect. I really cannot wait for more books in this series and more engaging and enjoyable performances from this narrator. He and Ms. Hayes have another winner here. Recommended!
RATING: 
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