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CU Hockey #4
Line Mates & Study Dates
ASHER
Hockey, studying, and school runs. That’s my life now.
After a tragic accident that took our parents’ lives, it’s up to me and my big brother to take care of our five younger siblings.
In between burning their meals and keeping them from killing each other, I’m supposed to get a college degree. It’s hard when I don’t have time to breathe let alone study, and if I don’t get my grades up, I’m in danger of losing the one thing that makes me happy: my spot on the hockey team.
Which is why when the new equipment manager offers to tutor me, I really can’t afford to say no. Even though I should.
He’s Coach’s son and way too tempting.
KOLE
As this year’s equipment manager for Dad’s hockey team, I’m expected to deal with sweaty jock straps and herding hockey players to their rooms at away games.
The job is easy, but babysitting Asher Dalton is not supposed to be a part of it.
So why, when his brother asks me to keep an eye on him, do I agree?
Why, when he’s struggling in classes, do I offer to help?
And why, when we’re studying, do I suggest a reward system that lands us squarely in bed?
Asher's trouble, I know he is. But there's something about him that makes it impossible to stay away.
Hockey, studying, and school runs. That’s my life now.
After a tragic accident that took our parents’ lives, it’s up to me and my big brother to take care of our five younger siblings.
In between burning their meals and keeping them from killing each other, I’m supposed to get a college degree. It’s hard when I don’t have time to breathe let alone study, and if I don’t get my grades up, I’m in danger of losing the one thing that makes me happy: my spot on the hockey team.
Which is why when the new equipment manager offers to tutor me, I really can’t afford to say no. Even though I should.
He’s Coach’s son and way too tempting.
KOLE
As this year’s equipment manager for Dad’s hockey team, I’m expected to deal with sweaty jock straps and herding hockey players to their rooms at away games.
The job is easy, but babysitting Asher Dalton is not supposed to be a part of it.
So why, when his brother asks me to keep an eye on him, do I agree?
Why, when he’s struggling in classes, do I offer to help?
And why, when we’re studying, do I suggest a reward system that lands us squarely in bed?
Asher's trouble, I know he is. But there's something about him that makes it impossible to stay away.
306 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2021
925 people are currently reading
4890 people want to read
About the author
Eden Finley
72 books7,684 followersEden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are mostly full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,482 reviews
June 24, 2021
Yaaaaaaay! I had nothing but love, love, LOVE for this next book in the "CU Hockey" series. : )
In the previous story, freshman hockey player Asher definitely seemed like he was going to be a handful. And an asshole with a bad attitude. But he'd already started growing on me, after he put in the effort to make friends with a few guys on the team.
[My interpretation of Asher...]
But as this one began, all of those friends had graduated and moved away, so Asher was back to being an insufferable dickhead again -- at least on the surface.
Then we met pre-med student Kole, who'd lost a bet with his hockey coach dad, forcing him into filling the role of the team's "bag bitch" for the season, which he didn't really mind doing, even though he himself hated hockey.
[My interpretation of Kole...]
Where book 2 was enemies to lovers, this was more of a "troubled, bad boy jock tempted by forbidden, out-of-bounds, brainy fruit" trope and I was soooooo there for it.
But with Kole simultaneously being asked to keep an eye on Asher and also told in no uncertain terms to steer completely clear of him, I'm sure we all have a pretty good idea of where things eventually headed.
“Like I said. Jocks aren’t my type.”From Kole openly allowing himself to look, but not touch, to snarky, flirty study sessions, to much more info retention once a a very hands-on "rewards" system was added, this story pulled me in right from the very beginning.
“What about emotionally unavailable guys who treat people like shit? Because I’m that too. Don’t pigeonhole me, dude.”
“Sorry, that doesn’t really do it for me either.”
“Shame. I’m really good at sex.”
Yet while the snark, banter, and steam grabbed my attention, it was the deeply heartfelt scenes, like the lost brother and the near-accident on the bus, that really tugged at my emotions. When Asher finally let Kole behind his fortress-like walls, just... wow. I'd read this story for those alone.
To avoid being too spoilery, I'll just say that most of the conflict in this one was derived from the guys trying to hide their relationship from Asher's family and Kole's dad, but when everything finally came out, the fireworks were pretty manageable.
One aspect of the book that I felt was kind of odd was that, unlike the previous books, where they ended with the end of the hockey season, this one ended before the Frozen Four national tournament had even begun, so that plot point was left waaaaay deep in the "still dangling" department in regards to will they or won't they take home the title this year.
I absolutely loved pretty much every single thing about this story, which is super rare for me, and I'd rate it at around 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5 here on Goodreads.
If I had to pick a tippy-top favorite book in this series, gun to my head, I'd still have to say that book 2 wins out, but by the thinnest of margins over this latest story, as they were both insanely good and get all the thumbs up as far as recommendations from me go. : )
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Also, this book is *FREE* with Kindle Unlimited membership.
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January 23, 2022
The beginning seemed promising and I liked it up to the point when Asher and Kole started hooking up.
The rest of the story was less enjoyable. I found both characters inconsistent, the relationship development didn't work for me and there were too many sex scenes. The plot was a bit messy and most of the side characters felt underdeveloped. I really disliked Katey. She is such a cliché of a female best friend.
The rest of the story was less enjoyable. I found both characters inconsistent, the relationship development didn't work for me and there were too many sex scenes. The plot was a bit messy and most of the side characters felt underdeveloped. I really disliked Katey. She is such a cliché of a female best friend.
October 9, 2021
“because with you, i don’t have the need to hide who i am. i don’t have to pretend to be strong. i don’t need to do stupid shit to prove i can’t be hurt. all of that excess anger i was keeping inside that would erupt in forms of self-destruction aren’t there when i’m with you, and it’s not because of anything you do or say. it’s because i’m my true self around you. no pretenses.”
🖤
🏒 low-angst contemporary sports romance (hockey).
🏒 friends ➙ friends-with-benefits ➙ lovers.
🏒 forbidden vibes, because one of the mcs is a hockey player and the other is the coach’s son.
🏒 secret hooking up.
this was pretty cute! i liked both of the mcs, especially Asher. he had a lot of walls up in the beginning of this book. he was definitely self-destructive and acted like an asshole a lot, but in reality he was just hurting on the inside and acting out because of that. the loss of his parents, and having to take care of all his younger siblings obviously put a lot of pressure on him. in reality, he’s a big softie, who just wants to be loved and understood.
“hey, i may act like a dick, but i’m a decent human being deep down. they cancel each other out, right?”
Kole saw through Asher’s aggressive asshole persona pretty quickly and they became friends. obviously things turned sexual and they got into their whole friends-with-benefits arrangement. then, of course, mushy feelings developed. uh oh.
“i have committed the ultimate friends-with-benefits crime. i’m not just falling for the guy.
i’ve fallen.”
✨ some spoilers incoming. ✨
i liked the fact that Asher didn’t overreact at the end, when he found out that his brother had asked Kole to keep an eye on him, and that the whole situation was handled maturely. i expected the authors to make the mcs break up, or at least have them fight over it, but none of that happened, which pleasantly surprised me. gotta hate when authors make characters unnecessarily suffer at the very end of the book.
✨ end of spoilers. ✨
to sum up, i really liked their relationship overall. they were just super cute together. why just 3 stars? well, because this did drag a little for me at times, despite me liking the mcs.
i have high hopes for the next book, because hello??? professor romance?? 👀 yes, please.
🏒 low-angst contemporary sports romance (hockey).
🏒 friends ➙ friends-with-benefits ➙ lovers.
🏒 forbidden vibes, because one of the mcs is a hockey player and the other is the coach’s son.
🏒 secret hooking up.
this was pretty cute! i liked both of the mcs, especially Asher. he had a lot of walls up in the beginning of this book. he was definitely self-destructive and acted like an asshole a lot, but in reality he was just hurting on the inside and acting out because of that. the loss of his parents, and having to take care of all his younger siblings obviously put a lot of pressure on him. in reality, he’s a big softie, who just wants to be loved and understood.
“hey, i may act like a dick, but i’m a decent human being deep down. they cancel each other out, right?”
Kole saw through Asher’s aggressive asshole persona pretty quickly and they became friends. obviously things turned sexual and they got into their whole friends-with-benefits arrangement. then, of course, mushy feelings developed. uh oh.
“i have committed the ultimate friends-with-benefits crime. i’m not just falling for the guy.
i’ve fallen.”
✨ some spoilers incoming. ✨
i liked the fact that Asher didn’t overreact at the end, when he found out that his brother had asked Kole to keep an eye on him, and that the whole situation was handled maturely. i expected the authors to make the mcs break up, or at least have them fight over it, but none of that happened, which pleasantly surprised me. gotta hate when authors make characters unnecessarily suffer at the very end of the book.
✨ end of spoilers. ✨
to sum up, i really liked their relationship overall. they were just super cute together. why just 3 stars? well, because this did drag a little for me at times, despite me liking the mcs.
i have high hopes for the next book, because hello??? professor romance?? 👀 yes, please.
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June 24, 2021
5 stars ☆
"Even in the hard moments, being with you is easy."
i loved this sm!! i've been anticipating Asher's story ever since he appeared in the previous book and his story was everything i could have hoped for. characters like Asher who put up a facade tend to catch my interest bc i like knowing about their backstory and how/why it caused them to be who they are in the present. i truly felt for Asher in this book and it's pretty understandable why he was a certain way in the previous book once you go into his mind. i adored Kole and the way he was able to easily get under Asher's skin like no one else could. these two were such an amazing pair and their back and forth banters made me either literally laugh out loud or have a huge smile on my face. 🥺 i loved how Asher's allergic to emotions and feelings, but he was able to say the sweetest things to Kole in the end, lmaoo. i always get excited whenever one, or both, of the main characters have lots of siblings bc i love those kinds of interactions; in this case, Asher had six siblings and their dynamic was chefs kiss. i'm especially interested in learning about West's story, which i'm pretty sure is the next book. 👀 my favorite is still book 2 (Beck and Jacobs' story), but this was a very close second. <3
i'd highly recommend this series if you wanna read something relaxing and will put a smile on your face. these four books haven't really been angsty or drama-filled, but they gave me feel good vibes! :))
⊱ ────── ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
update: march 2021
ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER 🥺🥺 i knew he was gonna have his own book, his character just screamed ‘main character material’ to me and i’m 100% here for his story. ♡
"Even in the hard moments, being with you is easy."
i loved this sm!! i've been anticipating Asher's story ever since he appeared in the previous book and his story was everything i could have hoped for. characters like Asher who put up a facade tend to catch my interest bc i like knowing about their backstory and how/why it caused them to be who they are in the present. i truly felt for Asher in this book and it's pretty understandable why he was a certain way in the previous book once you go into his mind. i adored Kole and the way he was able to easily get under Asher's skin like no one else could. these two were such an amazing pair and their back and forth banters made me either literally laugh out loud or have a huge smile on my face. 🥺 i loved how Asher's allergic to emotions and feelings, but he was able to say the sweetest things to Kole in the end, lmaoo. i always get excited whenever one, or both, of the main characters have lots of siblings bc i love those kinds of interactions; in this case, Asher had six siblings and their dynamic was chefs kiss. i'm especially interested in learning about West's story, which i'm pretty sure is the next book. 👀 my favorite is still book 2 (Beck and Jacobs' story), but this was a very close second. <3
i'd highly recommend this series if you wanna read something relaxing and will put a smile on your face. these four books haven't really been angsty or drama-filled, but they gave me feel good vibes! :))
⊱ ────── ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰
update: march 2021
ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER ASHER 🥺🥺 i knew he was gonna have his own book, his character just screamed ‘main character material’ to me and i’m 100% here for his story. ♡
June 6, 2021
Best one yet!
This just ticked so many of my boxes it's ridiculous 😁
Secretly sweet and total cinnamon roll hiding behind a tough and aggressive persona because he's so badly suffering from grief ✅
Coach's son, smart and caring, a little bit of a devil on the inside, willing to take risks ✅
A romance which sneaks up and catches them both unexpectedly when they were both supposed to be in it only for the sex ✅
This one is an absolute delight without much in the way of relationship angsty and only a teeny bit of drama.
Fabulous feels throughout and a wonderfully uplifting ending. Also very happy with where the series is going next!
#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This just ticked so many of my boxes it's ridiculous 😁
Secretly sweet and total cinnamon roll hiding behind a tough and aggressive persona because he's so badly suffering from grief ✅
Coach's son, smart and caring, a little bit of a devil on the inside, willing to take risks ✅
A romance which sneaks up and catches them both unexpectedly when they were both supposed to be in it only for the sex ✅
This one is an absolute delight without much in the way of relationship angsty and only a teeny bit of drama.
Fabulous feels throughout and a wonderfully uplifting ending. Also very happy with where the series is going next!
#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 2, 2022
Loved this new installment of CU Hockey featuring Asher and Kole!!! I fell in love with Asher by discovering his true personality due to his heartbreaking backstory that was brilliantly written.
Alongside Asher, we were treated to the wonderful natural progression of Asher and Kole's relationship. They both perfectly represent the grumpy/sunshine trope that was filled with many chemistry-filled moments combined with heartbreaking character moments.
Overall I devoured this new installment and cannot wait for the next one featuring West and a certain professor.
Alongside Asher, we were treated to the wonderful natural progression of Asher and Kole's relationship. They both perfectly represent the grumpy/sunshine trope that was filled with many chemistry-filled moments combined with heartbreaking character moments.
Overall I devoured this new installment and cannot wait for the next one featuring West and a certain professor.
July 1, 2021
~3.5~
This book wasn't quite the win for me like it was for most of my friends, and I'm not sure why. Something about the pacing felt off. It took me ages to finish, and by ages I mean five days, but I typically read two to three books a week, so yeah.
I think mostly I didn't love Kole, which is weird because he was supposed to be the nice MC. But I didn't like how flippant he was all the time and so determined not to fall for Asher. Kole's personality just lacked depth imo.
I liked Asher though. He was just hurt and angry. Grief is a bitch, and Asher had to put his life and career on hold to raise his brothers and sisters. That would fuck anyone up.
The story is fairly angst free and could be placed in the friends-to-lovers category, although the men lust after each other almost immediately and don't get a whole lot of studying done honestly.
The sex was A+++. 🥵
There's lots of banter, family love, and male bonding.
And the ending is a realistic tentative HEA. My favorite was when Asher and Kole reveal their relationship to their teammates, and they're all, You don't say cause you weren't obvious AT ALL. 🙄😄
This book wasn't quite the win for me like it was for most of my friends, and I'm not sure why. Something about the pacing felt off. It took me ages to finish, and by ages I mean five days, but I typically read two to three books a week, so yeah.
I think mostly I didn't love Kole, which is weird because he was supposed to be the nice MC. But I didn't like how flippant he was all the time and so determined not to fall for Asher. Kole's personality just lacked depth imo.
I liked Asher though. He was just hurt and angry. Grief is a bitch, and Asher had to put his life and career on hold to raise his brothers and sisters. That would fuck anyone up.
The story is fairly angst free and could be placed in the friends-to-lovers category, although the men lust after each other almost immediately and don't get a whole lot of studying done honestly.
The sex was A+++. 🥵
There's lots of banter, family love, and male bonding.
And the ending is a realistic tentative HEA. My favorite was when Asher and Kole reveal their relationship to their teammates, and they're all, You don't say cause you weren't obvious AT ALL. 🙄😄
Read
September 26, 2021I DNF... 😬😬😬
I decided to leave it because I wasn't liking any of the characters, Asher was too much like a teenager for my taste and the other one didn't inspire any type of feelings in me.
So it was totally me not the book, I have little time to read lately, so I didn't want to keep going with a book that wasn't making me love the characters. Any of them...
So yeah, that's my thoughts on this. 😅😅
I decided to leave it because I wasn't liking any of the characters, Asher was too much like a teenager for my taste and the other one didn't inspire any type of feelings in me.
So it was totally me not the book, I have little time to read lately, so I didn't want to keep going with a book that wasn't making me love the characters. Any of them...
So yeah, that's my thoughts on this. 😅😅
July 7, 2021
3.25✨
This didn’t quite work for me as much as the other books in this series
I really really liked the MC’s . I loved their interactions and banter and personalities. The premise of this book was good too, with a strong beginning. But the execution later on was something that bored the hell out of me.
Asher : jock, kind of co-parenting with his brother since their parents passed away , 4 younger siblings to take care of, absolute softie and a complete mess.
“having sex with a cactus would be less dangerous than fooling around with Coach’s son,”
Kole : coach’s son, his dog is an attention whore, hates hockey but is the equipment manager since he lost a bet, crazy smart nerd.
Asher and Kole didn’t have much of a meet cute but their relationship was way more real than anyone else’s in this series. Asher really struggled with his studies, especially since he put a lot of time in with his siblings. Kole volunteers to help him study and they start a study routine that included a lot of rapid fire questions and blowjobs.
“I bite my lip and picture what my life will look like without hockey or what my job prospects will be without a college degree.
Maybe I should learn the phrase “Would you like fries with that?”
The story got very boring after a point. Nothing happened, their relationship didn’t progress forward nor backward. It just stayed in the same state, which is fine, but the book didn’t need to go on 33 chapters.
I’ll admit, this book had moments that made me smile and coo but nothing that was too memorable.
“Sorry about that,” Kole says to me.
“You can go out with whoever you want.” As long as their name starts with A and ends in sher.”
However, we did get chapters that dealt with Asher’s grief and pain after his parents death and that was fantastic. The way the author wrote made the moment extremely raw and beautiful.
OVERALL: I cant wait for the second book. It has a hard ass professor.
This didn’t quite work for me as much as the other books in this series
I really really liked the MC’s . I loved their interactions and banter and personalities. The premise of this book was good too, with a strong beginning. But the execution later on was something that bored the hell out of me.
Asher : jock, kind of co-parenting with his brother since their parents passed away , 4 younger siblings to take care of, absolute softie and a complete mess.
“having sex with a cactus would be less dangerous than fooling around with Coach’s son,”
Kole : coach’s son, his dog is an attention whore, hates hockey but is the equipment manager since he lost a bet, crazy smart nerd.
Asher and Kole didn’t have much of a meet cute but their relationship was way more real than anyone else’s in this series. Asher really struggled with his studies, especially since he put a lot of time in with his siblings. Kole volunteers to help him study and they start a study routine that included a lot of rapid fire questions and blowjobs.
“I bite my lip and picture what my life will look like without hockey or what my job prospects will be without a college degree.
Maybe I should learn the phrase “Would you like fries with that?”
The story got very boring after a point. Nothing happened, their relationship didn’t progress forward nor backward. It just stayed in the same state, which is fine, but the book didn’t need to go on 33 chapters.
I’ll admit, this book had moments that made me smile and coo but nothing that was too memorable.
“Sorry about that,” Kole says to me.
“You can go out with whoever you want.” As long as their name starts with A and ends in sher.”
However, we did get chapters that dealt with Asher’s grief and pain after his parents death and that was fantastic. The way the author wrote made the moment extremely raw and beautiful.
OVERALL: I cant wait for the second book. It has a hard ass professor.
June 23, 2021
Absolutely awesome!! This is my new favorite in the series. I fell in love with both Asher and Kole. And even though book 2 was a big hit for me.. I loved this one just a tad bit more.
Can't wait for the next book.. so curious about West's story. I really did not like professor dickface, so let's hope he really redeems himself.
Can't wait for the next book.. so curious about West's story. I really did not like professor dickface, so let's hope he really redeems himself.
June 25, 2021
3.3⭐
This is Asher's story. On the outside, everyone thinks he is hopeless and sees him as a bad person. But the reality is that he is not, he only faces things having this attitude as a shield against the world except with his brothers. Or it was like that until he meets Kole.
If you are looking for something cute, funny moments, hockey stuff, nice characters, and little angst, this may be a good choice for you. 🤗
"When he pulls me in close, I can finally let some of the fight I’m holding on to go. He makes me feel warm even though I’m near frozen."
I liked it, it got me some laughs, the "studying anatomy" scene seemed sexy and enjoyable to me.
Buuut I wasn't living for the couple nor for the MCs. How can I know? Because when I think of this book "the Asher story" comes to my mind when I expected to end with "the Asher and Kole story."
Asher's character was the most development in this story. Kole was sweet, kind and always trying to help Asher. I was expecting more layers of his character, I feel like he wasn't totally balanced, call me weird, but I was hoping to see his weaknesses and flaws. 😅
But overall, it was nice and sweet story. If you're in the mood, I think you'll have fun reading this. 😉
This is Asher's story. On the outside, everyone thinks he is hopeless and sees him as a bad person. But the reality is that he is not, he only faces things having this attitude as a shield against the world except with his brothers. Or it was like that until he meets Kole.
If you are looking for something cute, funny moments, hockey stuff, nice characters, and little angst, this may be a good choice for you. 🤗
"When he pulls me in close, I can finally let some of the fight I’m holding on to go. He makes me feel warm even though I’m near frozen."
I liked it, it got me some laughs, the "studying anatomy" scene seemed sexy and enjoyable to me.
Buuut I wasn't living for the couple nor for the MCs. How can I know? Because when I think of this book "the Asher story" comes to my mind when I expected to end with "the Asher and Kole story."
Asher's character was the most development in this story. Kole was sweet, kind and always trying to help Asher. I was expecting more layers of his character, I feel like he wasn't totally balanced, call me weird, but I was hoping to see his weaknesses and flaws. 😅
But overall, it was nice and sweet story. If you're in the mood, I think you'll have fun reading this. 😉
October 9, 2021
after Goal Lines and First Times was an unexpected flop, i went into this hesitant with some pretty low expectations.
suffice to say, the previous book must have been an anomaly bcos i loved this🥰
Asher was someone who intrigued me in the last book and was one of the only things that kept my attention. and he didn’t fail here— he was a sarcastic, arrogant dick with a smarmy attitude and i loved him . his veneer of indifference protected his truly battered heart that just couldn’t take anymore beatings. so his default was to intentionally keep people at bay to protect himself. now... this trope can go one of two ways:
thank fuck it was the latter. phew.
i just loved him. his devotion to his family despite his reluctance and fear was admirable. his dedication to his team even though he was terrified to open up to them was heartwarming. and his undying love for Kole... *sigh* i think im an Asher Dalton fangirl... oops?
watching him bloom was truly adorable. making friends. being open with his siblings. trying so hard to fix his mistakes. and his humour was top-tier. he made me laugh so much with his dry humour and defence mechanisms.
and the way Kole fought for Asher was kinda beautiful and made me smile a lot. Asher was a dick... but his motives were so clear and well-developed that you couldn’t help but fall for him. the worst kind of hero is one who’s a dick with a bucket-load of trauma but their actions aren’t explored enough to explain them . so they just come across as a dick instead of complex character they’re supposed to be.
Kole surprised me too. he wasn’t the character i was expecting. for some reason i was expecting an older, kinda stoic coach-type who would keep Asher in line. instead, we got this sarcastic, fun-loving guy with a huge heart and a fierce protective streak. i liked Kole a lot and he was perfect for Asher.
their tension too was ✨delicious✨the scene where Asher draws on Kole’s stomach in the hotel room...😏 i loved it. the tension levels were astronomical . but it was the scene in the hotel room later on where they just talked that was honestly one of my favourites. the softness, intimacy and honesty of the whole scene was sweet to read and a change of pace from their rapid back and forth.
BUT... now this is a me thing so i want to clarify that it wasn’t necessarily bad but i just wanted more
i wanted it to be a lil more slowburn. a little more dragged out, drenched in tension and pining. they first sleep together somewhere around the 30% mark and i was kinda bummed lol. the tension in that scene was spectacular but i wish it hadn’t led to sex. i wanted them to be friends for longer without the sex and drag out the tension. im a slowburn whore, i think we’ve all established that.
the long, drawn out pining. the longing looks. the near-touches. the intimate silences. eurghhhh im a whore for that shit. i usually prefer it over the actual relationship itself lmao. and when the timing is just right, they cross the line and i swooooon.
but alas... we didn’t get that here. but i really expected it since there was the ‘forbidden’ aspect of Kole being the coach’s son. but nope. they give in pretty easily and i was a tad unsatisfied.
but the rest of the book made up for my sulking lol. i loved them together enough not to be too bothered by it. they were just so sweet and lovable, honestly. and i appreciate none of the inevitable breakups at the 80% mark in any of the books in this series. truly a stellar decision when a book doesn’t need it.
looks like Beck and Jacobs still reign supreme, but these two are for sure a close second.
(and im really glad West’s romance isn’t gonna be with Ezra thank the lord. i got scared for a minute there bcos that bitch ain’t shit)
suffice to say, the previous book must have been an anomaly bcos i loved this🥰
Asher was someone who intrigued me in the last book and was one of the only things that kept my attention. and he didn’t fail here— he was a sarcastic, arrogant dick with a smarmy attitude and i loved him . his veneer of indifference protected his truly battered heart that just couldn’t take anymore beatings. so his default was to intentionally keep people at bay to protect himself. now... this trope can go one of two ways:
1) the trope fails and instead of being a layered and complex character... the person is just an inexcusable dick.
2) the trope succeeds and exposes the inner, complex workings of a really intriguing character
thank fuck it was the latter. phew.
i just loved him. his devotion to his family despite his reluctance and fear was admirable. his dedication to his team even though he was terrified to open up to them was heartwarming. and his undying love for Kole... *sigh* i think im an Asher Dalton fangirl... oops?
watching him bloom was truly adorable. making friends. being open with his siblings. trying so hard to fix his mistakes. and his humour was top-tier. he made me laugh so much with his dry humour and defence mechanisms.
His Adam’s apple bounces, and he looks away. “Like I said. Jocks aren’t my type.”
“What about emotionally unavailable guys who treat people like shit? Because I’m that too. Don’t pigeonhole me, dude.”
and the way Kole fought for Asher was kinda beautiful and made me smile a lot. Asher was a dick... but his motives were so clear and well-developed that you couldn’t help but fall for him. the worst kind of hero is one who’s a dick with a bucket-load of trauma but their actions aren’t explored enough to explain them . so they just come across as a dick instead of complex character they’re supposed to be.
“You don’t make it easy for people to like you.” I stroke my thumb along his jaw, before meeting his eyes. They’re still a little red, which makes the green even more vibrant.
“And yet, you’re here anyway.”
Even though he phrases it like a statement, I can feel the question between us.
Why?
Kole surprised me too. he wasn’t the character i was expecting. for some reason i was expecting an older, kinda stoic coach-type who would keep Asher in line. instead, we got this sarcastic, fun-loving guy with a huge heart and a fierce protective streak. i liked Kole a lot and he was perfect for Asher.
their tension too was ✨delicious✨the scene where Asher draws on Kole’s stomach in the hotel room...😏 i loved it. the tension levels were astronomical . but it was the scene in the hotel room later on where they just talked that was honestly one of my favourites. the softness, intimacy and honesty of the whole scene was sweet to read and a change of pace from their rapid back and forth.
But then I look at Kole’s face, and his hazel eyes look at me like I’m a better person than I really am, and for some fucked-up reason, I want to prove to him I could be the guy he thinks I am.
BUT... now this is a me thing so i want to clarify that it wasn’t necessarily bad but i just wanted more
i wanted it to be a lil more slowburn. a little more dragged out, drenched in tension and pining. they first sleep together somewhere around the 30% mark and i was kinda bummed lol. the tension in that scene was spectacular but i wish it hadn’t led to sex. i wanted them to be friends for longer without the sex and drag out the tension. im a slowburn whore, i think we’ve all established that.
the long, drawn out pining. the longing looks. the near-touches. the intimate silences. eurghhhh im a whore for that shit. i usually prefer it over the actual relationship itself lmao. and when the timing is just right, they cross the line and i swooooon.
but alas... we didn’t get that here. but i really expected it since there was the ‘forbidden’ aspect of Kole being the coach’s son. but nope. they give in pretty easily and i was a tad unsatisfied.
but the rest of the book made up for my sulking lol. i loved them together enough not to be too bothered by it. they were just so sweet and lovable, honestly. and i appreciate none of the inevitable breakups at the 80% mark in any of the books in this series. truly a stellar decision when a book doesn’t need it.
”I could make a joke about how easy we both are when the other is hard, but instead … I have a theory.”
“What’s that?”
I step closer, meeting his green eyes as all that syrupy warmth flows through me just from being around him. “Either you’ve contracted some deadly disease that’s messing with your thoughts, or … you’re in love with me.”
The smile slides from his face, and he cups my cheeks in the way that I love. “Definitely the second.”
looks like Beck and Jacobs still reign supreme, but these two are for sure a close second.
(and im really glad West’s romance isn’t gonna be with Ezra thank the lord. i got scared for a minute there bcos that bitch ain’t shit)
July 19, 2025
5 Stars
In a series, that’s been nothing but major reading wins for me, this fourth instalment of the CU Hockey series might actually take the cake as my favourite story of them all.
At the very least, MCs Asher and Kole proved to be my favourite couple of the series, with their incendiary chemistry and that extra layer of personal vulnerability and character growth that just made their story so much richer, more emotionally complex, and, ultimately, more memorable than I could have foreseen.
Finally getting to see what lay behind hockey hot-shot Asher’s antagonistic persona was worth the price of admission alone, as coaches son and new team equipment manager Kole wormed his way past Asher’s once air tight emotional defences.
Asher’s (and older brother/assistant coach Westly’s) backstory was absolutely heartbreaking, but I loved seeing all the stages of grief be explored as the story played out, particularly loving Asher’s interactions at home with his many younger siblings, all of whom played really great support roles, making this a truly lovely ensemble piece with themes of family and friendship at its emotional centre.
Asher and Kole were a solid M/M couple, nicely contrasting as new friends and then lovers, with a well-executed nerd x jock dynamic that I absolutely ate up. Their relationship progression was perfection, driven forward by perfectly timed boughts of sexual intimacy and deepening emotional connectivity that just made them all too easy to root for as a couple.
Once again, I really enjoyed the Vermont college setting and the adequate amount of study time and hockey time that was had on page, without overpowering the romance plot or character growth with school and sports chatter. Some books of this nature read too light on the actual hockey part of the hockey story OR too heavy, but this series gets me invested in the team and the season at hand, but doesn’t do so in a way that I feel too overwhelmed by, which is nice.
This entire series really is a standout in both my sports romance reading and my new adult college romance reading, and I can’t wait to finish strong with brother Westly’s final story with hockey-player hating professor Jasper.
****************************
CU Hockey Series
Book 1 - Power Plays & Straight A's (5 Stars)
Book 2 - Face Offs & Cheap Shots: Special Edition (4.5 Stars)
Book 3 - Goal Lines & First Times (5 Stars)
Book 4 - Line Mates & Study Dates (5 Stars)
Book 5 - Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (4.5 Stars)
In a series, that’s been nothing but major reading wins for me, this fourth instalment of the CU Hockey series might actually take the cake as my favourite story of them all.
At the very least, MCs Asher and Kole proved to be my favourite couple of the series, with their incendiary chemistry and that extra layer of personal vulnerability and character growth that just made their story so much richer, more emotionally complex, and, ultimately, more memorable than I could have foreseen.
Finally getting to see what lay behind hockey hot-shot Asher’s antagonistic persona was worth the price of admission alone, as coaches son and new team equipment manager Kole wormed his way past Asher’s once air tight emotional defences.
Asher’s (and older brother/assistant coach Westly’s) backstory was absolutely heartbreaking, but I loved seeing all the stages of grief be explored as the story played out, particularly loving Asher’s interactions at home with his many younger siblings, all of whom played really great support roles, making this a truly lovely ensemble piece with themes of family and friendship at its emotional centre.
Asher and Kole were a solid M/M couple, nicely contrasting as new friends and then lovers, with a well-executed nerd x jock dynamic that I absolutely ate up. Their relationship progression was perfection, driven forward by perfectly timed boughts of sexual intimacy and deepening emotional connectivity that just made them all too easy to root for as a couple.
Once again, I really enjoyed the Vermont college setting and the adequate amount of study time and hockey time that was had on page, without overpowering the romance plot or character growth with school and sports chatter. Some books of this nature read too light on the actual hockey part of the hockey story OR too heavy, but this series gets me invested in the team and the season at hand, but doesn’t do so in a way that I feel too overwhelmed by, which is nice.
This entire series really is a standout in both my sports romance reading and my new adult college romance reading, and I can’t wait to finish strong with brother Westly’s final story with hockey-player hating professor Jasper.
****************************
CU Hockey Series
Book 1 - Power Plays & Straight A's (5 Stars)
Book 2 - Face Offs & Cheap Shots: Special Edition (4.5 Stars)
Book 3 - Goal Lines & First Times (5 Stars)
Book 4 - Line Mates & Study Dates (5 Stars)
Book 5 - Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (4.5 Stars)
June 25, 2021
4.5 stars ~ My new favourite of the series!
We met Asher in book 3, as this kind of asshole guy who enjoys provoking people and keeping them at arm's length. I loved getting to know him better and seeing that yes he was an asshole but he was also profoundly lonely, suffering through grief and just trying to survive college and hockey all while balancing helping his brother West take care of his 5 younger siblings. I truly just wanted to wrap Asher in a blanket and give him all my love 😭
In contrast, Kole was just a fun guy, he's a focused student and the son of the hockey coach who loses a bet to his dad and must work as the equipment manager for the year. I loved that the stereotypical jock/nerd personality dynamic wasn't present here like in the other books of this series. Kole was confident and took the reigns just as much as Asher.
There are so many things I loved about this book~
I loved that Asher was very much himself, he's attracted to who he's attracted to and even after falling for Kole, there's no pressure for him to label himself. I also loved that since Colchester has had its fair share of queer hockey players, their relationship isn't big news, there is no coming out or homophobia issue storyline. The story is very relationship-focused and I appreciated that the authors didn't add some random side issue just for drama's sake.
I especially loved that our evil friend miscommunication was NOT present in this story! I enjoyed that despite both of them being adamant they weren't interested in a relationship, there was never that big fight/breakup that happens so often in stories with FWB relationships where one character is a martyr and ends it to avoid confronting their feelings. What a breath of fresh air to have two MCs who actually talk to each other ?!
I also loved how Kole really helped support Asher and bring him out of his shell and deal with his pain. They were just so cute together.🥰
My only niggle is that I would have loved to see an epilogue with a HEA as this ended on more of a HFN and I would've loved to see them way in the future balancing their careers and make their relationship work!
SO excited to read West and the professor 👀👀👀
We met Asher in book 3, as this kind of asshole guy who enjoys provoking people and keeping them at arm's length. I loved getting to know him better and seeing that yes he was an asshole but he was also profoundly lonely, suffering through grief and just trying to survive college and hockey all while balancing helping his brother West take care of his 5 younger siblings. I truly just wanted to wrap Asher in a blanket and give him all my love 😭
In contrast, Kole was just a fun guy, he's a focused student and the son of the hockey coach who loses a bet to his dad and must work as the equipment manager for the year. I loved that the stereotypical jock/nerd personality dynamic wasn't present here like in the other books of this series. Kole was confident and took the reigns just as much as Asher.
There are so many things I loved about this book~
I loved that Asher was very much himself, he's attracted to who he's attracted to and even after falling for Kole, there's no pressure for him to label himself. I also loved that since Colchester has had its fair share of queer hockey players, their relationship isn't big news, there is no coming out or homophobia issue storyline. The story is very relationship-focused and I appreciated that the authors didn't add some random side issue just for drama's sake.
I especially loved that our evil friend miscommunication was NOT present in this story! I enjoyed that despite both of them being adamant they weren't interested in a relationship, there was never that big fight/breakup that happens so often in stories with FWB relationships where one character is a martyr and ends it to avoid confronting their feelings. What a breath of fresh air to have two MCs who actually talk to each other ?!
I also loved how Kole really helped support Asher and bring him out of his shell and deal with his pain. They were just so cute together.🥰
My only niggle is that I would have loved to see an epilogue with a HEA as this ended on more of a HFN and I would've loved to see them way in the future balancing their careers and make their relationship work!
SO excited to read West and the professor 👀👀👀
June 26, 2021
I loved loved loved Asher and Kole! They were sweet, sexy, and so much fun!
Hockey? Hot guys? College? What more can I ask for?
For most of the book, I thought I’d finally get my first 5 stars of the series. Seriously, I love this series! They should all be 5 stars! But just like the previous books, I got bored in the end and would have happily skipped the last two chapters.
But overall, it was still the most fun I’ve had in a while! Favourite of the series for sure!
❤️❤️❤️
Hockey? Hot guys? College? What more can I ask for?
For most of the book, I thought I’d finally get my first 5 stars of the series. Seriously, I love this series! They should all be 5 stars! But just like the previous books, I got bored in the end and would have happily skipped the last two chapters.
But overall, it was still the most fun I’ve had in a while! Favourite of the series for sure!
❤️❤️❤️
December 9, 2023
I’ve broken down walls for him and let him in. I don’t know why it was so easy to do when it comes to Kole, but I do know I wouldn’t have made it through these last few months if it weren’t for him. He brought me back when I was on the brink of self-destruction. That wouldn’t have been good for me or the kids. He gave me an outlet to finally grieve over the loss of my dad and stepmom. He helped me pass my classes so I could stay on the team and keep the one thing I know I can do well in my life. He didn’t fix anything, he was just there, offering what I needed and wanted. A safe outlet to work through my shit and stop fighting the world.
they are literally each other's person and safe place. i will never get over them. ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
tell me why i haven't read this sooner? beck and jacobs are my ultimate favs of this series and out of all the saxon/eden books in general, but asher and kole are definitely my close second. i don't know if it's just me but i find it's rare when i like both the main characters equally. normally, i always end up loving both (if i actually like the book i’m reading lol) but more so favouring one. like beck and jacobs for example, i would give my soul for both of them, but i especially have a soft spot for jacobs 🥺 however, HERE, i seriously cannot pick between kole and asher. kole's character was absolute fire imo, i aspire to be that confident and assure of myself like he was. the way he always knew what to do and how he took care of asher and got him to open up ❤️🩹 he just handled everything so well and took everything in stride. he is straight up the exact person who i would want to vent to and get advice from. idk, he is just a character i will always remember. i know kole doesn't believe in the whole marriage thing, but he is complete husband material.
and my poor baby asher 😭 the grumpy bad boy who is really soft and very vulnerable on the inside. his self depreciating and destructive personality really broke my heart. at first, i wasn't sure if i was going to like him. since the book started out with asher sleeping with ezra purposely to get a rise out his brother, west (since ezra and west are bestfriends). which imo, was a really shitty thing to do, especially to your own family. but as i read on, the unsure feelings i had towards him quickly vanished. yes, what he did was not right, but his character development was one of the best i've read. he purposely did shitty things and pissed people off bc he wanted to feel the pain. he knew what he was doing to himself but he felt like he deserved it. 💔
saxon and eden really out did themselves with this one. the depth these two characters had, i could honestly talk about them for forever. this is just one of those books that i feel thankful i got to read. plus, this was slightly in the angst territory for saxon/eden. i wasn't quite expecting it to hit me as hard as it did. it still had very much feel good vibes but it gets you right in the feels. it also helps that each character was hella relatable and it felt like i was right there with them, along for the ride.
i am in awe of how kole helped asher in his healing process. and how kole was the only one who could see right through asher and no matter what, asher could never truly hide it from him, even if he tried. ❤️🩹 their relationship development and the emotional connection they formed was perfection and i would not change one single thing. anyway, i LOVE them. 💕
“Because with you, I don’t have the need to hide who I am. I don’t have to pretend to be strong. I don’t need to do stupid shit to prove I can’t be hurt. All of that excess anger I was keeping inside that would erupt in forms of self-destruction aren’t there when I’m with you, and it’s not because of anything you do or say. It’s because I’m my true self around you. No pretenses.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
July 2, 2021
Solid addition to the series and I am so stoked for West and Professor Fuckstain's story! :):)
June 25, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️ I liked the book. But I didn't love it. Everything was cute and light. But I didn't see any depth in either the character or the story. The banter/snarky was great though.
Kole was the Coach’s son, and he was appointed as the equipment manager this year to help his father. Asher was one of the players in his father's team, and Kole’s father warned him not to get involved with Asher.
Suddenly, everything has fallen into Asher’s lap without a warning. It was difficult to take care of a handful of children to Asher and his older brother West after their parent's death. So, the reason behind Asher’s bitter attitude was his dead parents and the situation where he has been after that. That was why he played the role of a tough guy. But Asher was pretty vulnerable inside of. Kole realized it the first time he was with Asher. Kole wanted to help Asher. Besides, he didn't deny that he was very much attracted to Asher. Recently, Asher found himself that Kole was a good influence for himself, and it was hard not to fall into this guy.
I didn't feel like Asher was quite a rough guy from the start. He reiterated his resentment behavior several times, but it was just his words, not much show of his behavior.
Kole was the first who admitted that he liked Asher very much, but he didn't like the idea very much. He avoided Asher a week, and I think there wasn't any drama or anything when Kole confronted Asher. But I expected more angst and more draaaaama!!
I enjoyed reading this book. But it was unable to take the spot of the ‘Beck & Jacobs’ story!! ❤️
Kole was the Coach’s son, and he was appointed as the equipment manager this year to help his father. Asher was one of the players in his father's team, and Kole’s father warned him not to get involved with Asher.
Suddenly, everything has fallen into Asher’s lap without a warning. It was difficult to take care of a handful of children to Asher and his older brother West after their parent's death. So, the reason behind Asher’s bitter attitude was his dead parents and the situation where he has been after that. That was why he played the role of a tough guy. But Asher was pretty vulnerable inside of. Kole realized it the first time he was with Asher. Kole wanted to help Asher. Besides, he didn't deny that he was very much attracted to Asher. Recently, Asher found himself that Kole was a good influence for himself, and it was hard not to fall into this guy.
I didn't feel like Asher was quite a rough guy from the start. He reiterated his resentment behavior several times, but it was just his words, not much show of his behavior.
Kole was the first who admitted that he liked Asher very much, but he didn't like the idea very much. He avoided Asher a week, and I think there wasn't any drama or anything when Kole confronted Asher. But I expected more angst and more draaaaama!!
I enjoyed reading this book. But it was unable to take the spot of the ‘Beck & Jacobs’ story!! ❤️
September 11, 2021
i want to give asher a giant hug!!!!! 🥺 this has quickly become a favorite series of mine and i feel a tiny bit sad that i read it so quickly but at least there's another book coming out soon!
ranking from my favorite to least favorite:
Face Offs & Cheap Shots
Goal Lines & First Times
Line Mates & Study Dates
Power Plays & Straight A's
favorite couple: beck & jacobs
favorite character: beck💛
ranking from my favorite to least favorite:
Face Offs & Cheap Shots
Goal Lines & First Times
Line Mates & Study Dates
Power Plays & Straight A's
favorite couple: beck & jacobs
favorite character: beck💛
June 25, 2021
Ok. Here's the scoop as told through a series of David Tennant gifs.
I liked this. But I didn't like it like this:
Basically I liked it but didn't love it. But I didn't hate it like this:
It was cute and sweet and funny in places but a lot of the time, I was kind of like this:
I was wanting to feel that push/pull and, "oomph," and I never found it. Which left me like this:
So, you know...I have zero regrets reading it and some parts were fun. I liked it much better than book three which I DNF. But it was no book two or even book one. And that's about it. That's all I got.
Thank you and good night.
January 17, 2022
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - 4.10 Stars
Story - 4.10 Stars
April 21, 2025
how can you guys love asher and hate oskar? i know, i know, i shouldn’t mention him every 5 minutes, but i’m the only one that loves oskar, it’s a full time job.
sparkly purple highlighter for this and for the song it’s renegade by big red machine feat ts, and if you want a love song it’s dress by ts.
————
asher stole my heart. i love him so much. i will never get tired of this series.
sparkly purple highlighter for this and for the song it’s renegade by big red machine feat ts, and if you want a love song it’s dress by ts.
————
asher stole my heart. i love him so much. i will never get tired of this series.
March 14, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Tropes:
- friend to lovers
- secret/forbidden
I honestly didn’t think I would like Asher, especially after how he acted in Cohen’s book, but he grew on me!
Also the audio for this series is 👌🏻
Tropes:
- friend to lovers
- secret/forbidden
I honestly didn’t think I would like Asher, especially after how he acted in Cohen’s book, but he grew on me!
Also the audio for this series is 👌🏻
July 2, 2024
ASHER 🥹🏒 Kole 📚 👓
This was really cute and I think Asher might be my favorite mc in this series, he must be hugged and kissed on the forehead repeatedly.
This book was so funny and it did make me cry with the parts about grief and Asher’s parents, as someone who’s lost his parents I can totally relate. Grief isn’t linear and it’s surprising to find so much heart and themes in these hockey books. Kudos to them boys for stepping up and taking care of their siblings I loved the whole dynamic.
I sing. “I think you like me.” I add a little dance in there too. “You really like me.” “I don’t like you so much right now,” he mutters. “It was the crying, wasn’t it? You have, like, a tear fetish, and the tears of your partners really gets you off.” “Nailed it,” he says dryly.
This took me out hahahahahahhahahahaa
And then the next page he says this:
“You’re not going to start crying on me again, are you?” “Well, now I know how much it turns you on …” He pretends to sniff, and his lip quivers.
HAHAHA 🤣
This was really cute and I think Asher might be my favorite mc in this series, he must be hugged and kissed on the forehead repeatedly.
This book was so funny and it did make me cry with the parts about grief and Asher’s parents, as someone who’s lost his parents I can totally relate. Grief isn’t linear and it’s surprising to find so much heart and themes in these hockey books. Kudos to them boys for stepping up and taking care of their siblings I loved the whole dynamic.
I sing. “I think you like me.” I add a little dance in there too. “You really like me.” “I don’t like you so much right now,” he mutters. “It was the crying, wasn’t it? You have, like, a tear fetish, and the tears of your partners really gets you off.” “Nailed it,” he says dryly.
This took me out hahahahahahhahahahaa
And then the next page he says this:
“You’re not going to start crying on me again, are you?” “Well, now I know how much it turns you on …” He pretends to sniff, and his lip quivers.
HAHAHA 🤣
![Profile Image for Megan [Semi-Hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 27, 2023
MM Romance
Hockey friends to lovers
5 Stars ⭐️
Reread on Audiobook: 8/25-26/2023
Audiobook Narrators: Alexander Cendese, Iggy Toma: 4 Stars ⭐️
This is a book I’ve read a ridiculous number of times and I absolutely adore this couple. I do have mixed feelings about this on audiobook though because while Alexander Cendese sounds like the perfect hockey frat bro, his style is just too fast paced and emotionless for me. I usually love Iggy Toma but I had trouble believing he was Kole and it’s definitely because I’ve read this too many times and had formed my own ideas about how Kole would sound. However, I’ve reread book 2 in this series a ridiculous amount of times too and when I listened to it in audiobook this year, it worked for me because Cendese was the perfect Beck and I fully believed Toma was Jacobs but this one didn’t quite work like that for me. 🤷🏻♀️
Also, as I listen to more and more audiobooks, I’m starting to prefer a single narrator over two different people. Cendese and Toma sound so different from one another that sometimes it sounded like there were 4 people instead of just 2. I really wish dual narrators could do a duet so all the voices are the same but I’ve heard that it’s really expensive to do that.
Anyway, I definitely prefer the book over the audio and since I don’t change my ratings, I’m leaving it at the 5 stars I originally rated it.
Original Review Below
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn’t think I’d like a book in this series as much as Beck and Jacobs’ but I absolutely adored Kole and Asher and needed to reread this book before I was ready to put it down. Asher was introduced in the last book and he’s a bit of a hothead, always provoking people and starting fights. Asher lost his parents in a car crash the year prior and him and his older brother are trying to raise the other 5 siblings. Asher has not dealt with their deaths and as time goes on, his world is becoming darker and his need to fuck things up only grows deeper. Kole is the coach’s son who lost a bet and becomes equipment manager for the year. Part of that job is keeping an eye on the players so they keep out of trouble. This is how Kole and Asher meet.
I absolutely adored both Kole and Asher. Unlike some of the other books in this series, both men have experience with other men with Kole being gay and Asher being attracted to both sexes. This made their hookups that much hotter. Kole has a no jock hookup rule but once he starts tutoring Asher, they implement a reward system that has them giving in to each other until it begins to morph into something neither one was expecting. The banter between these two made me laugh and swoon. I absolutely loved when we got a peek of “soft Asher” as did Kole. This was such a good story and we see other characters from the past few books in it. I can’t wait for the next one!
Hockey friends to lovers
5 Stars ⭐️
Reread on Audiobook: 8/25-26/2023
Audiobook Narrators: Alexander Cendese, Iggy Toma: 4 Stars ⭐️
This is a book I’ve read a ridiculous number of times and I absolutely adore this couple. I do have mixed feelings about this on audiobook though because while Alexander Cendese sounds like the perfect hockey frat bro, his style is just too fast paced and emotionless for me. I usually love Iggy Toma but I had trouble believing he was Kole and it’s definitely because I’ve read this too many times and had formed my own ideas about how Kole would sound. However, I’ve reread book 2 in this series a ridiculous amount of times too and when I listened to it in audiobook this year, it worked for me because Cendese was the perfect Beck and I fully believed Toma was Jacobs but this one didn’t quite work like that for me. 🤷🏻♀️
Also, as I listen to more and more audiobooks, I’m starting to prefer a single narrator over two different people. Cendese and Toma sound so different from one another that sometimes it sounded like there were 4 people instead of just 2. I really wish dual narrators could do a duet so all the voices are the same but I’ve heard that it’s really expensive to do that.
Anyway, I definitely prefer the book over the audio and since I don’t change my ratings, I’m leaving it at the 5 stars I originally rated it.
Original Review Below
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn’t think I’d like a book in this series as much as Beck and Jacobs’ but I absolutely adored Kole and Asher and needed to reread this book before I was ready to put it down. Asher was introduced in the last book and he’s a bit of a hothead, always provoking people and starting fights. Asher lost his parents in a car crash the year prior and him and his older brother are trying to raise the other 5 siblings. Asher has not dealt with their deaths and as time goes on, his world is becoming darker and his need to fuck things up only grows deeper. Kole is the coach’s son who lost a bet and becomes equipment manager for the year. Part of that job is keeping an eye on the players so they keep out of trouble. This is how Kole and Asher meet.
I absolutely adored both Kole and Asher. Unlike some of the other books in this series, both men have experience with other men with Kole being gay and Asher being attracted to both sexes. This made their hookups that much hotter. Kole has a no jock hookup rule but once he starts tutoring Asher, they implement a reward system that has them giving in to each other until it begins to morph into something neither one was expecting. The banter between these two made me laugh and swoon. I absolutely loved when we got a peek of “soft Asher” as did Kole. This was such a good story and we see other characters from the past few books in it. I can’t wait for the next one!
June 25, 2021
3.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was cute 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t really have much to say about this one honestly. There was nothing particularly memorable in the good™ or bad™ category for me personally. It’s a very low angst, easy read and I liked both the MCs fine. Out of the 4 books in this series, I’d say I liked this one 2nd best (Jacobs and Beck still undefeated 🥇). It didn’t really grab my attention the way I wanted it to, but I’m sure it’s just a me thing. On the surface it’s sweet and sexy so I think this will work and be loved by lots of people. Like I said I found it to be a cute read, but sadly a forgettable one for me.
This was cute 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t really have much to say about this one honestly. There was nothing particularly memorable in the good™ or bad™ category for me personally. It’s a very low angst, easy read and I liked both the MCs fine. Out of the 4 books in this series, I’d say I liked this one 2nd best (Jacobs and Beck still undefeated 🥇). It didn’t really grab my attention the way I wanted it to, but I’m sure it’s just a me thing. On the surface it’s sweet and sexy so I think this will work and be loved by lots of people. Like I said I found it to be a cute read, but sadly a forgettable one for me.
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March 8, 2025
|| 3.5 stars ||
Oh god, this was kind of adorable.
This book was not exactly what I expected from it, but it was somehow still good in a completely different way. It dealt quite a lot with Asher's chaotic home life, rather than just flirty banter: Kole and Asher's relationship went deeper than that.
If I wanted to sound cliché, I could say something about how Kole seemed like Asher's angel sent from heaven to make him really feel and be happy again. Or maybe I should say something less cringe than that, but whatever.
Kole really got the best out of Asher and it was so warm and fuzzy. I particularly liked their dynamic in the first half of this novel as it did simmer down quite a bit from there. I didn't want it to, but it honestly did get sliiiightly repetitive.. Unfortunately.
I think this novel would have been better off if it had let the tension between these two linger for a bit longer instead of having them hook up pretty fast. I think there was room for improvement there.
I also would have liked a little bit of conflict between them, because although I love how supportive they both are and understand each other so well, I am a sucker for at least one fight between two people. I don't know why, but I love reading about how one person is desperate to apologise for the way they fucked up and need the other to forgive them. Grovelling is.. sweet. And hot. And I don't know, but you can't tell me you wouldn't have loved it if Asher, for example, made a big mistake and then have him realise how much he does not want to lose Kole, and you know.. All that.
Anyway, I am absolutely rambling at this point, so I am going to cut myself off. Bottom line is that I think Kole and Asher are adorable and I think they are so so so good together, but them as a couple had the potential to make for an even better story than this one.
'CU Hockey' series:
1. Power Plays & Straight A's - 3.0 stars
2. Face Offs & Cheap Shots - 4.0 stars
3. Goal Lines & First Times - 2.5 stars
4. Line Mates & Study Dates - 3.5 stars
5. Puck Drills & Quick Thrills - 3.5 stars
Novellas:
5.1. The Best Wedding Ever - 3.0 stars
5.2. See You In Boston - 3.0 stars
Spin-off 'Puckboys' series:
1. Egotistical Puckboy - 2.0 stars
2. Irresponsible Puckboy - 3.5 stars
3. Shameless Puckboy - 1.5 stars
Other Eden Finley and Saxon James books:
‘Fake Boyfriend’ series - var. ratings
‘Famous’ series - var. ratings
‘Cash Me Outside’ series - var. ratings
‘Never Just Friends’ series - var. ratings
‘Frat Wars’ series - var. ratings
Making Him Mine - 2.0 stars
‘Mike Bravo Ops’ series - var. ratings
The Dating Disaster - 3.5 stars
Oh god, this was kind of adorable.
This book was not exactly what I expected from it, but it was somehow still good in a completely different way. It dealt quite a lot with Asher's chaotic home life, rather than just flirty banter: Kole and Asher's relationship went deeper than that.
If I wanted to sound cliché, I could say something about how Kole seemed like Asher's angel sent from heaven to make him really feel and be happy again. Or maybe I should say something less cringe than that, but whatever.
Kole really got the best out of Asher and it was so warm and fuzzy. I particularly liked their dynamic in the first half of this novel as it did simmer down quite a bit from there. I didn't want it to, but it honestly did get sliiiightly repetitive.. Unfortunately.
I think this novel would have been better off if it had let the tension between these two linger for a bit longer instead of having them hook up pretty fast. I think there was room for improvement there.
I also would have liked a little bit of conflict between them, because although I love how supportive they both are and understand each other so well, I am a sucker for at least one fight between two people. I don't know why, but I love reading about how one person is desperate to apologise for the way they fucked up and need the other to forgive them. Grovelling is.. sweet. And hot. And I don't know, but you can't tell me you wouldn't have loved it if Asher, for example, made a big mistake and then have him realise how much he does not want to lose Kole, and you know.. All that.
Anyway, I am absolutely rambling at this point, so I am going to cut myself off. Bottom line is that I think Kole and Asher are adorable and I think they are so so so good together, but them as a couple had the potential to make for an even better story than this one.
'CU Hockey' series:
1. Power Plays & Straight A's - 3.0 stars
2. Face Offs & Cheap Shots - 4.0 stars
3. Goal Lines & First Times - 2.5 stars
4. Line Mates & Study Dates - 3.5 stars
5. Puck Drills & Quick Thrills - 3.5 stars
Novellas:
5.1. The Best Wedding Ever - 3.0 stars
5.2. See You In Boston - 3.0 stars
Spin-off 'Puckboys' series:
1. Egotistical Puckboy - 2.0 stars
2. Irresponsible Puckboy - 3.5 stars
3. Shameless Puckboy - 1.5 stars
Other Eden Finley and Saxon James books:
‘Fake Boyfriend’ series - var. ratings
‘Famous’ series - var. ratings
‘Cash Me Outside’ series - var. ratings
‘Never Just Friends’ series - var. ratings
‘Frat Wars’ series - var. ratings
Making Him Mine - 2.0 stars
‘Mike Bravo Ops’ series - var. ratings
The Dating Disaster - 3.5 stars
June 17, 2021
Friends with benefits ✔
Banter ✔
Piping hot chemistry ✔
Angst ✔
Family ✔
Hurt/Comfort/Healing ✔
Romantic af ✔
Outstanding relationship development ✔
Dual POVs ✔
Characters you'll fall in love with ✔
Kole's caring nature, Asher letting him in- stories like this are why I love reading romance novels.
Line Mates and Study Dates by Eden Finley and Saxon James has it all. This book swept me off my feet—best of the series!
Believe me when I say, believe the hype, friends.
5+ Stars
I'm confident this will be in my Top 10 books of 2021.
May 22, 2022
Loved this. Probably my favorite in the series.
July 4, 2021
💜💗First up, Asher and Kole were completely and utterly DIVINE💜💗.
"I swear to God, if my little brother has been trapped into some sex trafficking ring, I’m going to go full Liam Neeson on their asses."
Asher's trouble. He's snarky and a little bit crazy and he pushes everyone away. He sleeps with whoever, whenever, to get a reaction, but he keeps his sexuality on the down-low. He lives for his hockey, but needs to get his grades up if he's going to stay on the team, which is hard when he's co-raising his five younger siblings.
Kole is adorable, out and proud and the Coach's son to boot. Acting as Equipment Manager for his sins this season. And he's tempting Asher in all the wrong ways.
"Kole’s head pops up from a table near the door as I enter, and … whoa. Kole’s wearing glasses. Black, square ones that frame his eyes, and all my blood flows south."
Except it seems like the feeling could well be mutual, when Kole offers to tutor Asher to get his grades up and offers an interesting reward system incentive for a job well done....🔥🔥🔥
"I lied just now though. I don’t think I’m falling for him. I’ve already fallen."
Sooo much love for these authors Eden Finley and Saxon James and for this #CUHockey series. Line Mates & Study Dates is a must read from me!
Highly recommended.
4.5✨✨✨✨✨
"I swear to God, if my little brother has been trapped into some sex trafficking ring, I’m going to go full Liam Neeson on their asses."
Asher's trouble. He's snarky and a little bit crazy and he pushes everyone away. He sleeps with whoever, whenever, to get a reaction, but he keeps his sexuality on the down-low. He lives for his hockey, but needs to get his grades up if he's going to stay on the team, which is hard when he's co-raising his five younger siblings.
Kole is adorable, out and proud and the Coach's son to boot. Acting as Equipment Manager for his sins this season. And he's tempting Asher in all the wrong ways.
"Kole’s head pops up from a table near the door as I enter, and … whoa. Kole’s wearing glasses. Black, square ones that frame his eyes, and all my blood flows south."
Except it seems like the feeling could well be mutual, when Kole offers to tutor Asher to get his grades up and offers an interesting reward system incentive for a job well done....🔥🔥🔥
"I lied just now though. I don’t think I’m falling for him. I’ve already fallen."
Sooo much love for these authors Eden Finley and Saxon James and for this #CUHockey series. Line Mates & Study Dates is a must read from me!
Highly recommended.
4.5✨✨✨✨✨
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