Coach Stare Down by Crea Reitan is now live! Pick up the next book in the For Puck’s Sake series today!

Cover Designer: Rebeca Covers

Blurb:

All it takes is just one look.

Adak

After a series of relationships where I’ve been made to feel inadequate because of my asexuality, I’ve made the sole focus of my life my coaching career. I love hockey – the chill of the ice, the fast paced, high stress game. I love the fans and the atmosphere. The energy. Now that I’m coaching in the NHL, I feel a sense of serenity and comfort with life. All that’s left is to get my team to The Stanley Cup.

A series of unfortunate injuries has riddled the Bobcats into a serious funk. The frustration that my boys feel echoes through me and after one of the most horrible plays I’ve ever witnessed, I turn my back on the ice – only to catch his eyes. Suddenly, I know what I’ve been missing. In a sea of over 15,000 faces, I found the one I’ve been waiting my entire life for.

There’s sadness in his eyes that’s only overcome with the fear behind it. Nothing will stop me from making Oren mine and giving him the life and love he deserves. Nothing.

Oren

My life is shit. I’m the pariah of my family for hell knows why. All I want is to get away. But I tried once – at nineteen, I ran and my father with his buddies on the police force dragged me home. I’ve since been dragged down into submission.

But then I meet his eyes and everything inside me just… shifts. Adak takes a chance on me and I think that perhaps my father has finally met a wall he can’t barrel through to keep control. That is, until he starts blasting his hate everywhere.

I wouldn’t blame Adak if he chooses to leave. This is his career on the line. His image and reputation. Am I worth it?

***

This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

**~ * ~ Jo‘s Review ~ * ~**

4.5 Stars

This author is fast becoming one of my favourites; while the stories are all Hockey based and have character links; the plots and styles are so diverse that each book is fresh and exciting. They cover such a diverse trope range.

This story was very slow burn; low heat compared to others which was totally in keeping with the MCs’ characters. While there is a slight element of insta-connection for Arek, their actual relationship is sweet and gentle. Oren father is emotionally abusive and controlling, so he does his best to hide this as he tentatively explores their burgeoning relationship.

Arek is asexual but that doesn’t mean there isn’t intimacy between them and the author does a great job of showing the difference between not getting sexually aroused compared to being attracted to your partner.

When things come to a head with Oren’s father, Arek steps up to support him. I really loved the dynamic between the two of them, the way they communicate and support each other. They really are each other’s person.

A really enjoyable read that despite some elements within the story is fairly low angst and full of heart. A definite recommendation from me.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement.*

About the Author:

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/creasgodlings

https://www.facebook.com/crea.reitan

https://www.instagram.com/creareitan/

https://www.tiktok.com/@creareitan

www.creareitan.com

https://www.patreon.com/creareitan

https://linktr.ee/creareitan