Recent Release Audio Book Review: Own Goal by L.A. Witt (Author) & Michael Ferraiuolo (Narrator)

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Own Goal

AUTHOR:   L.A. Witt

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  GallagherWitt Publishing LLC

LENGTH:  14 hours and 32 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  December 11, 2024

BLURB:

Eight seasons ago, Jarek Badura made the biggest mistake of his career, earning him the nickname “Joke.” He’s been fighting ever since to prove that season was a fluke, and he’s only just started to leave it behind, finally regaining some respect and securing his place as second line center.

But his team just made a new acquisition, and suddenly he’s linemates with the man who was the unknowing catalyst for his fall from grace all those years ago.

After seven long seasons, Hunter Michaud is done carrying his disastrously managed team. An unrestricted free agent, he startles the hockey world by accepting an offer elsewhere, signing with a team that works together and builds on each other’s strengths. And it doesn’t hurt that one of Hunter’s longtime idols is on the roster.

He just doesn’t realize how much his career is already intertwined with Jarek’s.

Or how much resentment is waiting for him in Pittsburgh.

Or how much chemistry is hiding under the ice between them.

Own Goal is a 125,000-word contemporary hockey romance that isn’t currently part of a series, but the author doesn’t dare declare it a standalone because that’s just asking for it. For fans of slow burns, enemies to lovers, and teammates to lovers!

CW: Verbal abuse (remembered and on-page), some physical violence (on and off ice).

REVIEW:

Jarek Badura is a seasoned professional hockey player.  He’s had a successful career – despite a very bad year at Toronto years ago that cost him everything he’d hoped for.  How this happened is a secret he’s planning to take to the grave.   He’s finally happy in Pittsburgh with a team that is going to make the playoffs.

Hunter Michaud is thrilled to get out of Toronto and he’s even more thrilled to get to a playoff contender and play with one of his idols, Jarek.  But Jarek is ice cold to him when he arrives.  This is particularly a problem with they have paired on the second line.  Uh-oh.  Jarek clearly dislikes him, but Hunter has NO idea why.

They have to get along playing hockey – the team is counting on them.  Jarek dials it down and they finally find a rhythm on the ice and are playing really good hockey.  Then they have to go back to Toronto.  Who is holding a grudge against Hunter and to some degree Jarek.

When Toronto comes after Hunter and injures him, Jarek see red.  He goes after the culprit.  It’s kind of unexpected, but Jarek feels a weird responsibility for everything having to do with Hunter.  During Hunter’s recovery, he feels like he’s getting mixed signals from Jarek and he’s tired of trying to figure out what is going on.  So he buttonholes Jarek and asks him what is his problem.  A throwaway line from Jarek is the clue that Hunter needs to figure out what much have happened all those year ago.

Hunter confronts Jarek with his suspicion.  Jarek realizes he can’t lie to Hunter.  Both men feel guilty about what has transpired.  But they become closer.  MUCH closer 😉  But they are line mates and teammates.  They want to keep this on the DL for the time being.  Until their hand is forced.

I really liked this story although it got a little bit long with Jarek’s inner turmoil.  The secret is BIG and not actually what I expected and I would have liked the reveal to have come sooner if I’m honest.  I really liked both MCs and I was really rooting for them be able to figure out their path forward.  There is a lot of growth and progress for both of these guys – especially Jarek.  I also appreciated the mental health representation and the struggles involved.  In the end, there was at least some karma 😉

Michael Ferriauolo gets to flex his accent muscles here.  When it’s Czech, Russian, Swedish, or Canadian there are a plethora of characters to sink his teeth into 😉  As usual, his performance hits all the right emotional highs and lows – and there are plenty of both here.  Jarek has a lot of burdens on him.  Hunter hasn’t been exempted either and when they are honest with each other, they realize how similar their experiences have been in some ways.  I am never disappointed in this duo.  As usual they are a dynamic pairing of words and narration.  Recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

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