First published in 2018 by Carina Press, the book is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats, and at your local library or through the Libby App.

Reid brings readers into the life of pro hockey star Scott Hunter, captain of the New York Admirals, who navigates the intricacies of the NHL as a closeted gay man. Although the league tries to be inclusive, there’s no such thing as an openly gay player, so Scott hides who he is until he meets Kip Grady, a smoothie juice bar barista.

Scott and Kip’s relationship evolves quickly from their first meeting and lust at first sight to insta-love. Kip has been out since he was eighteen, yet he thinks Scott is worth a secret relationship. While Reid portrays Scott as private for a superstar, keeping his secrets for years, it feels abrupt when he suddenly picks up a guy in his hometown and invites him to his penthouse without a thought for the neighbors. This shift felt a bit unbelievable.

The many sex scenes were repetitive, especially given Reid’s lack of tension between the characters. With the pair hooking up within the first twenty percent of the book and exchanging “I love you” less than two months of sneaking around, readers may wonder what drives the story forward.

Lather, rinse, repeat. The book continues with the same momentum for over seventy-five percent; all that happens is the couple secreting themselves away to have sex. Lots of sex.

However, in the last twenty percent or so, things start getting interesting. Kip and Scott have a fight over Scott coming out; Kip wants him to, but Scott isn’t ready. They go their separate ways without breaking up. Depressed about the fight and drinking too much, Kip gets hit on by another guy, and they kiss. Kip ends the kiss, but since he and Scott aren’t broken up, this equals cheating.

Reid just brushes the issue under the rug. The pair reunites when Scott apologizes. Why, when he’s done nothing wrong? Suddenly, all of Scott’s doubts and fears seem to evaporate in an unbelievable way when he comes out publicly during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, apparently only because Kip pressured him. This sudden resolution leaves a sour aftertaste.

The book is a quick, spicy 2.5-star read with a simple plotline that highlights the authenticity Reid brings to some secondary characters and to hockey life. Still, exchanging a few sex scenes for more character development might have made the ending more believable.