Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Ice Rivals
SERIES: Desert Ice Hockey (Book 3)
AUTHOR: Christie Gordon
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 310 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2024
BLURB:
I should hate him. But after learning the truth, how could I not fall for him?
Mason
My rookie season in the NHL started with a gut punch.
There he was, standing in my locker room. Jett Jarvis, a player hated by his former teammates.
He has an arrogant smirk, intense eyes, and a birthmark that looks…too familiar. I’m sure I saw it on the dude who dumped me in my hookup app.
They say Jarvis isn’t gay, but I bet he’s the same jerk.
I’m getting to the bottom of this, even if it means pushing his buttons until he snaps.
But the more I mess with him, my anger loses out to my attraction.
Jett
The last thing I need is the league’s new gay icon strutting into my life.
Mason Hopkins is cocky, relentless, and too damn close to the truth. My secret. The one that could ruin everything.
But as he pushes, something inside me shifts.
The line between loathing him and wanting him blurs with every heated exchange, every accidental touch.
The thread between love and hate is razor-thin, and we’re skating on the edge.
Ice Rivals is the third book in the college hockey series, Desert Ice Hockey, and is the follow up to the Rock U series. It features a closeted player with a traumatic past and a self-assured rookie, a secret relationship, found family, hurt/comfort and some close proximity. Desert Ice Hockey follows a group of queer hockey players, known as the squad, while they each battle for their HEA.
Buy now to explore a world where emotions run as high as the heat, and hockey isn’t the only game in town!
REVIEW:
I have become a HUGE fan of Christie Gordon’s men and this story touched me so deeply.
These two, Mason and Jett and their story, got to me. Having to be deeply closeted and living a life full of lies shouldn’t have to be in this day and age. And being a super star in sports shouldn’t mean you have to hide. But, unfortunately, that is what happens. This story may be fictitious but the truth is that many athletes hide their true identity to protect themselves. I love that Mason and The Squad pushed past those barriers and showed that who you love doesn’t affect they way you preform in a sport. Mason may be pushy but he saw a person that he admired and quickly realized how much he was suffering from trying to live through all the lies. Yes, Mason can be over the top and cocky as can be, but he and his friends have each others backs and just want people to be able to live their true lives as they are. Not what some conservative religious group believes should be followed. I love that this story moved from a failed hook up to supporting a friend and teammate to a treasured lover. From a one-time fling to a meaningful and supportive relationship. And the growth that was witnessed in this story was inspiring. Mason’s support of Jett was truly special. Him including his friends to show Jett he wasn’t all alone in this and he was never treated as an outsider was special. But it was Volkov that truly made a difference. I respected him as both the team captain and a supportive ally and friend.
What Jett went through at the hands of his former teammates was horrible. But what disturbed me the most was what the coaching staff and owners allowed to continue..that was horrendous! In this day and age of acceptance and diversity nothing like this should ever be allowed to happen. And how Boyd nearly killed Jett during a NFL game and walked away with barely a slap on the wrist still irritates me. Way more sanctions needed to be placed on both him and the team’s management. The homophobic slurs that were dished out were offensive and didn’t belong on the ice. Especially at the level of play like the NHL. And the team management’s blatant turning a blind eye and allowing it to continue after he was traded should have resulted in the franchise being sanctioned. I know this is fiction but behavior like this should never be allowed either by teammates nor management at any level of play in any sport.
As I stated before in previous reviews, I have not been a fan of hockey but this book and series has made me a believer. These young men banding together to support each other and make a statement to the sports world that it’s about talent not who you love and they prove it in each book! Fabulous book in a fantastic series!
RATING: 
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