Tough Guy

They have nothing in common - so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he's with Fabian?  

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he's determined to make a fresh start in the city's dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.  

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn't stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn't forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it's clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.  

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan's guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits - and the most amazing sex - Ryan's starting to feel something he hasn't experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

©2020 Rachelle Goguen (P)2020 Tantor

epic friends to lovers

I love this series so much.

This one was a bit more serious than the epic Ilya/Shane book that will live in my heart forever. But it was wonderful all the same.

Gentle giant Ryan Price is an anxiety riddled sweetheart with body image issues, a fear of flying, problems in the bedroom, and trouble connecting to his teammates on account of being traded every year.

Musician Fabian is a sexually confident man who goes dancing and drinking and is surrounded by friends all the time. He knows who he is and what he wants.

These two friends are total opposites. Can they find true love??

I don't think there was as much spice in this one, but not every book has to be packed wall to wall with sex. There was enough.
And this might be the best group of friends I've read in a long while. I love Fabian's friends. And Wyatt is such a support for Ryan.

Tor Thom does a fantastic job as narrator. As always.

Ran out of steam?

Enjoyed the book but the ending was disappointing- or maybe the author tired of her characters? Pity, some subjects that could have been developed further.

the friendships between the characters

nothing really all was just good . the dildos part could have been better writing overall.

I Love This Series

I want to say that Ryan and Fabian are perhaps one of my favorite couples in the series, but it’s hard to say. Ryan’s struggle with anxiety is extremely realistic, and it’s heartwarming to see this kind of positive depiction of that. Tor Thom does his best work of this series on this title, which isn’t saying much. He again spends the title fumbling which character is speaking, giving accents to characters without accents in the text and ignoring accents that are specifically described. It’s a blessing that Cooper North took over after this one.

z great story like the connection back to Iilyea and Shane.

Like that they worked out their relationship Liked the character development. Liked the themes. love the Fabian Chatactet.