Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Once the line is crossed, every penalty is major.

Dalek "Taz" Tazandlakova is the epitome of a hockey player—tall, broad, and powerful. As a forward for the Lafayette Ice Water Moccasins, he's also the physical embodiment of domination and intimidation. 

He's everything Liam Jolivet isn't.

Liam possesses an inner strength and confidence Taz has never mastered. On the surface, Liam appears to be a perfect match for Taz. The problem is, Liam is dating Taz’s roommate. It’s not the only problem, either. Taz is a “playa” and has commitment issues—along with a pain-in-the-ass coach who's threatening to ruin his career, and a second roommate who wants to dictate his social life for his own personal gain. 

Nevertheless, Taz wants Liam, and Liam appears to want to reciprocate. Do they dare cross the line?

Book Review

The third hockey romance in this series has quite a different feel from the first two: there is more focus on hockey and its politics, more time “on the ice” so to speak, and the main character plays in the minors and faces all the resulting issues. Anytime money is a factor, power politics emerge, and hockey teams and their owners are no exceptions. There were hints of this in the first two books of the series, but more of the behind-the-scenes wrangling becomes obvious here. Whatever is going on, I only got hints and there is no resolution. I guess I’ll have to wait for the next book in this exciting series!

 

Taz is a dual national of Sweden and the US with a few issues in his past that are slowly revealed as he fights for personal recognition and battles his attraction for Liam – who starts out as his roommate’s boyfriend. Taz plays for the Lafayette Ice Moccasins, is a professional hockey player in the minors, and loves his sport, but is rather lonely on a personal level. He is also being pulled in multiple directions – his coach is asking him to be more aggressive on the ice, there is financial pressure, he is estranged from his family, and even his two roommates are anything other than supportive. When Taz gets to know Liam better, a moral dilemma is added to the list and the drama is ready to unfold.

 

Liam may be dating Taz’s roommate, Victor, but neither of them really seems into it. With Liam more interested in Taz than Victor, the tension grows when Liam tells Taz one thing, yet Victor has another story. Something weird is definitely going on, but Taz does not pick up on the vibes until it is almost too late. Liam is as honest as he can be, but with several people “against” him, he doesn’t stand a chance until Taz opens his eyes to the truth.

 

If you like stories about men with personal issues who need to learn how to trust, if you want to watch two guys try to navigate the pitfalls of somewhat complicated interpersonal relationships within a group, and if you’re looking for a read that is emotional and suspenseful, then you will probably like this novella.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Other Worlds Ink for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 177 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-February-2020
Price	$2.99 ebook, $15.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Gladiators-Locker-Room-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B07XPBRKY2