Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Next Season
SERIES: The Elmwood Stories
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 6 hrs and 28 mins
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2023
BLURB:
The injured hockey player and the grumpy chef…
Riley
My time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the rumors: he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.
Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion. It’s a doozy too—the kind that’s going to keep me off skates for a while.
Which is how I end up in a small New England town in the middle of nowhere Vermont, eating every meal at a diner where a grumpy chef from Quebec makes haute cuisine…and burgers. Jean-Claude is funny and charming and—
Okay, I have a crush on a gay man.
This is a new one.
Jean-Claude
Confused straight men are entertaining. But Riley is…fascinating, sexy, and curiously vulnerable. His injury has rocked his confidence a bit, so perhaps he’s in need of a friend. Any friend. Even moi.
I’m an unlikely choice, but maybe he just likes my tuna salad.
No…I think it’s me.
And though I’m happy to help him explore his bisexual curious side, I have career concerns of my own. See, the things I love most about Elmwood seem shaky and uncertain, but not Riley. He’s solid and genuine. Suddenly, this temporary secret liaison feels more real than anything in my life.
I need more than this season. I want it all. With Riley.
Next Season is an MM bisexual-awakening romance featuring a grumpy chef, an injured hockey player, and a big HEA in a small town where anything can happen.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second book in this series. There are major spoilers for the first book. If you don’t care about spoilers, it can work as a standalone just fine. I recommend the first book though – particularly the audio 😉
Riley Thoreau is a former Seattle teammate of Vinnie Kaminsky. Vinnie has retired to his hometown of Elmwood Vermont and married his first love, Nolan Moore. In a hockey game in Buffalo, Riley takes a crazy hard hit. He ends up with some cracked and bruised ribs but more disturbingly a serious concussion. After spending a couple days at his sister’s in Rochester, Riley volunteers to drive him to Vermont to recuperate in Nolan’s empty house that they are going to put up for sale since Nolan has moved into Vinnie’s house.
Jean-Claude Bouchard is the chef at Nolan’s family diner/restaurant. He and JC were an item at one point, but JC hasn’t been in a relationship in a while. He’s not really interested in getting into a relationship, but the adorable and recuperating Riley is too much of a temptation. He and Riley get closer with JC giving in to Riley’s request for Tuna Salad for breakfast 😉
Within weeks, Riley realizes that he is attracted to JC. They get into a pattern of meeting in secret at Riley’s place. Riley is not really that surprised that he’s attracted to JC, but he’s definitely surprised that they fall so easily into a physical relationship. He accepts that he’s bisexual pretty quickly. JC volunteers to be his bi-curious experiment, but Riley assures him this is no experiment. They continue to get closer but still keep things on the DL. They present a friendship to the outside, but behind closed doors, they are setting the sheets on fire.
Both men are dealing with some career decisions. JC would like to buy into the diner he’s worked at for years. Riley doesn’t want his career to end on a downward spiral. Then there is the little issue of Riley’s sexuality. Can these two men work things out? Can they get past the issues in their past and figure out a path forward together?? You’ll have to read it to find out 😉
I really enjoyed this story – probably even more than the first one. Riley and Jean-Claude are so much fun. They both have their serious sides – dealing with stuff – but for the most part, this growing relationship is pretty low angst. Their chemistry and banter are so much fun! Despite the more difficult injury/recovery scenario here, I found this installment to be a bit more sunny 🙂 Riley and JC are a lot of fun together. I really liked JC in the first book and I was hoping he was going to get a story. He’s been on his own for a while in a small town after he and Nolan split. He’s got career aspirations that he might not be able to realize in Elmwood. Riley doesn’t know what he wants to do next. They are both working on themselves as well as trying to decide what or if they have something that will last. JC’s past is a surprise. It’s a lovely romance.
Nick J. Russo did a fantastic job with this book! I absolutely was invested and entertained from the first minute. Riley and his personality are a delight. JC is alternately hilarious and sensitive. Their steamy seasons were perfection. I loved how these two came together and figures out how to move forward despite the obstacles and perceptions around them. Really a fun listen! If you’re in the mood for a sports romance with a lovely French Canadian and big bad NFL defenseman, this is the story for you. A real delight. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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