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Delay of Game #4
Empty Netter
When Blake Brennan came out, he made NHL history. He was the elite goaltender of the New Jersey Ruby Reds, with a cute boyfriend and a bright career ahead of him. Now, he was single, and struggling both in net, and with his team.
Matthew Sawyer ended up living with his dad again after dropping out of college. His dad, the coach of the Ruby Reds, has high expectations for him. Matthew isn’t sure what he wants out of life, but he knows he doesn’t want the boring desk job his dad wants him to get.
When Matthew sees the famously gay goalie for his dad’s team at a bar on New Year’s Eve, he goes for it. Has a little one-night-stand to spite his dad, even if his dad will never find out.
A one-night-stand leads to more, and when things get messy fast, they both have to take a leap of faith.
Empty Netter is a 50k, Coach’s son, MM hockey romance.
Matthew Sawyer ended up living with his dad again after dropping out of college. His dad, the coach of the Ruby Reds, has high expectations for him. Matthew isn’t sure what he wants out of life, but he knows he doesn’t want the boring desk job his dad wants him to get.
When Matthew sees the famously gay goalie for his dad’s team at a bar on New Year’s Eve, he goes for it. Has a little one-night-stand to spite his dad, even if his dad will never find out.
A one-night-stand leads to more, and when things get messy fast, they both have to take a leap of faith.
Empty Netter is a 50k, Coach’s son, MM hockey romance.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2023
160 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 26, 2023
4.5
Really enjoyed this one. Loved the coach's son plot, wish we got a bit more of it though. Loved all the side characters. Overall very good though
Really enjoyed this one. Loved the coach's son plot, wish we got a bit more of it though. Loved all the side characters. Overall very good though
July 21, 2023
4/5 stars
This was the cutest thing in the entire world. I just love reading pure fluff sometimes. This warmed my heart so much. Matthew and Blake were so adorable together. I loved it when they called each other pet names. So cute!
This was the cutest thing in the entire world. I just love reading pure fluff sometimes. This warmed my heart so much. Matthew and Blake were so adorable together. I loved it when they called each other pet names. So cute!
December 15, 2024
4.5
Absolutely adorable 😍 I love when there's a lot of focus on building a relationship, not just sex scenes, and the MCs getting to know each other. Even though this was kind of a whirlwind romance they really put the effort in and it just made me smile so much!
I do wish there'd been a little more about Matthew feeling fully settled though because he was such a great character and he deserved everything good - his dad was an absolute twat!!!
Absolutely adorable 😍 I love when there's a lot of focus on building a relationship, not just sex scenes, and the MCs getting to know each other. Even though this was kind of a whirlwind romance they really put the effort in and it just made me smile so much!
I do wish there'd been a little more about Matthew feeling fully settled though because he was such a great character and he deserved everything good - his dad was an absolute twat!!!
April 14, 2023
Omg. The domestic bliss and cuteness of this book was truly off the charts.
So we have Blake Brennan, he's a professional hockey goalie who decided to come out for his boyfriend Robby. Immediately after coming out, Robby breaks up with him and now Blake has the pressure of being the first out hockey player when it was a decision he never wanted to make in the first place. Then we have Matthew Sawyer - Matthew recently dropped out of college and is now living with his hockey coach of a dad who truly is in my top 5 of characters I would fight on sight.
Blake and Matthew meet at a club, Blake has no idea who Matthew is but Matthew knows Blake because his dad is Blake's coach. They hook up and it isn't until Blake sees a family photo in Coach Jim Sawyer's office that he realizes who he slept with. Blake doesn't think it's a good idea for him and Matthew to keep seeing each other but he's also unable to ignore the pull he feels to Matthew.
The main drama of this book happens pretty early on so the last half of this book was pure domestic bliss. Blake and Matthew were also such good communicators, like, every time I thought one of them was going to keep something bottled up inside they didn't. They talked about everything and it was so nice to read a book where the conflict wasn't a misunderstanding.
I could not believe the way Jim Sawyer treated his son, let alone treated Blake. Jim has nothing good to say about Matthew and he even goes as far as threatening to trade Blake if he doesn't stop seeing his son. This is one of those moments where I thought for sure Blake was going to call the whole thing off but instead because Blake is a true gentleman and a human embodiment of a "boyfriend guy" he tells Matthew the situation and asks him to go with him if he does get traded.
Matthew struggled so much with being the outcast of his family. His two brothers followed in his father's footsteps, playing hockey professionally and his mom got remarried as has other teenage kids to worry about. Blake chose Matthew first every time. He supported Matthew and stood up for him against Jim when Jim was shit talking his own son. (Jim Sawyer is public enemy #1).
"You are the best thing in my whole life." Matthew wasn't sure he had ever been the best thing in anyone's life. "Obviously, you're my best thing, too."
Hannah Henry has officially secured a spot in my most trusted and favorited authors. This series has been so enjoyable since book 1, this book definitely takes the top spot as my favorite.
*I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
So we have Blake Brennan, he's a professional hockey goalie who decided to come out for his boyfriend Robby. Immediately after coming out, Robby breaks up with him and now Blake has the pressure of being the first out hockey player when it was a decision he never wanted to make in the first place. Then we have Matthew Sawyer - Matthew recently dropped out of college and is now living with his hockey coach of a dad who truly is in my top 5 of characters I would fight on sight.
Blake and Matthew meet at a club, Blake has no idea who Matthew is but Matthew knows Blake because his dad is Blake's coach. They hook up and it isn't until Blake sees a family photo in Coach Jim Sawyer's office that he realizes who he slept with. Blake doesn't think it's a good idea for him and Matthew to keep seeing each other but he's also unable to ignore the pull he feels to Matthew.
The main drama of this book happens pretty early on so the last half of this book was pure domestic bliss. Blake and Matthew were also such good communicators, like, every time I thought one of them was going to keep something bottled up inside they didn't. They talked about everything and it was so nice to read a book where the conflict wasn't a misunderstanding.
I could not believe the way Jim Sawyer treated his son, let alone treated Blake. Jim has nothing good to say about Matthew and he even goes as far as threatening to trade Blake if he doesn't stop seeing his son. This is one of those moments where I thought for sure Blake was going to call the whole thing off but instead because Blake is a true gentleman and a human embodiment of a "boyfriend guy" he tells Matthew the situation and asks him to go with him if he does get traded.
Matthew struggled so much with being the outcast of his family. His two brothers followed in his father's footsteps, playing hockey professionally and his mom got remarried as has other teenage kids to worry about. Blake chose Matthew first every time. He supported Matthew and stood up for him against Jim when Jim was shit talking his own son. (Jim Sawyer is public enemy #1).
"You are the best thing in my whole life." Matthew wasn't sure he had ever been the best thing in anyone's life. "Obviously, you're my best thing, too."
Hannah Henry has officially secured a spot in my most trusted and favorited authors. This series has been so enjoyable since book 1, this book definitely takes the top spot as my favorite.
*I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
July 1, 2024
Tied for fave with Offensive Edge
April 28, 2023
this was so sweet and soft and such low angst it was perfect🥹
I love this series so much 😭
I love this series so much 😭
April 25, 2024
1.5
I’m rounding up the rating because I don’t think this was unreadable, but it was one of the most frustratingly boring books I’ve ever put myself through. I would’ve 100% DNFed this 30% in were it not the fourth book in a series I intend to continue, but my advice is for anyone else to absolutely skip it.
None of the books in this series are angst or conflict heavy, but they at least have some semblance of tension. This is a story about two guys that fuck on the very first chapters, then continue to hook up and very naturally and easily fall into a committed relationship. That’s it. There are no real obstacles, nothing to hold your interest. And it could’ve still been fine, if there was at least an effort into their individual story arch’s and growth, but definitely not.
I hated Matthew as a character. While I could definitely empathize with some things � I also didn’t have my life figured out at 23 � all he did the entire book was whine and thrown tantrums about having to be a grown up while having a huge safety net to fall back on. The scenes where he fought with his dad and immediately called Blake to pick him up felt juvenile to the point of rolling my eyes. I could not take him seriously as an adult at all, and I feel like there was no growth for him down to the end. He was all sex, daddy issues and thinking 40 hours a week is too much � which, more power I guess, but I don’t want to read about it. I definitely don’t want to read his rich hockey player boyfriend say he’s brave for not holding down a job and living off of his man’s money and his mom’s allowance.
Blake was whatever. His biggest crime was being equally boring and gushing about Matthew all the time. I get it, you’re in love, but I don’t get what you see in your boyfriend so hearing you talk about it makes you equally annoying.
I think there was only two things I liked about this entire book. First, we got to see Jackson and Ryan. Two, I liked the baby goalie Brady. Almost wish he did in fact have a crush and that Blake left Matthew for him. That would’ve made a much more fun book than whatever this is.
I’m rounding up the rating because I don’t think this was unreadable, but it was one of the most frustratingly boring books I’ve ever put myself through. I would’ve 100% DNFed this 30% in were it not the fourth book in a series I intend to continue, but my advice is for anyone else to absolutely skip it.
None of the books in this series are angst or conflict heavy, but they at least have some semblance of tension. This is a story about two guys that fuck on the very first chapters, then continue to hook up and very naturally and easily fall into a committed relationship. That’s it. There are no real obstacles, nothing to hold your interest. And it could’ve still been fine, if there was at least an effort into their individual story arch’s and growth, but definitely not.
I hated Matthew as a character. While I could definitely empathize with some things � I also didn’t have my life figured out at 23 � all he did the entire book was whine and thrown tantrums about having to be a grown up while having a huge safety net to fall back on. The scenes where he fought with his dad and immediately called Blake to pick him up felt juvenile to the point of rolling my eyes. I could not take him seriously as an adult at all, and I feel like there was no growth for him down to the end. He was all sex, daddy issues and thinking 40 hours a week is too much � which, more power I guess, but I don’t want to read about it. I definitely don’t want to read his rich hockey player boyfriend say he’s brave for not holding down a job and living off of his man’s money and his mom’s allowance.
Blake was whatever. His biggest crime was being equally boring and gushing about Matthew all the time. I get it, you’re in love, but I don’t get what you see in your boyfriend so hearing you talk about it makes you equally annoying.
I think there was only two things I liked about this entire book. First, we got to see Jackson and Ryan. Two, I liked the baby goalie Brady. Almost wish he did in fact have a crush and that Blake left Matthew for him. That would’ve made a much more fun book than whatever this is.
April 24, 2023
"Matthew had never been in love before, so he had nothing to compare this to. But the strength of his feelings couldn't be anything else."
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I swear I am obsessed with Hannah Henry's writing, she always creates the most realistic and lovable characters and I think this one is my favourite book of hers to date! It was so sweet and loving and while it had the forbidden aspect to it and the coaches reaction wasn't the nicest, it wasn't angsty or heartbreaking, it ended up simply being a nice warm hug. It was realistic and no drama and essentially was just a sweet story where two guys fall in love. It was super swoony and steamy and I loved every minute of it!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Coaches Son
❣️ ONS to Lovers
❣️ Low Angst
❣️ Hockey
❣️ HEA
Trigger and Content Warnings: Homophobia, explicit sexual content.
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I swear I am obsessed with Hannah Henry's writing, she always creates the most realistic and lovable characters and I think this one is my favourite book of hers to date! It was so sweet and loving and while it had the forbidden aspect to it and the coaches reaction wasn't the nicest, it wasn't angsty or heartbreaking, it ended up simply being a nice warm hug. It was realistic and no drama and essentially was just a sweet story where two guys fall in love. It was super swoony and steamy and I loved every minute of it!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Coaches Son
❣️ ONS to Lovers
❣️ Low Angst
❣️ Hockey
❣️ HEA
Trigger and Content Warnings: Homophobia, explicit sexual content.
April 16, 2023
Hockey and all kinds of domestic bliss, all wrapped up in one story. Empty Netter is a super sweet, super low angst hockey romance.
Blake Brennan is the first out professional hockey player but after coming out, his boyfriend broke up with him and his recent on-ice performance has left a lot to be desired and keeps him on his coach’s bad side and riding the bench while the backup goalie is playing. He’s been lonely but he’s not a hook-up guy, he’s a boyfriend guy, and stumbles into someone who could be the guy of his dreams on New Year’s Eve. Matthew Sawyer knows who Blake is when they run into each other, but he doesn’t let him know he’s his coach’s youngest son. After dropping out of college, he moves back in with his dad and starts a serving job but doesn’t have any idea what he wants to do long-term. He’s unenthusiastic about living with his dad and about his future prospects, but he finds himself drawn to Blake every chance he gets.
Even once Blake learns who Matthew really is, their connection can’t be denied - they keep coming together over and over, even when they’re both warned against it. They’re together for so much of the story that it lets them really get to know each other, grow together, support each other and make big, life-changing moves together. Blake continued to choose Matthew time after time, supporting him and making him feel important and Matthew was there for Blake despite his crazy schedule and cross-country move, being his cheerleader and support system through it all. They were really cute together and I felt like I really got to know both of them as individuals and as a couple.
I enjoyed how easy Blake and Matthew’s relationship was, but Matthew’s dad/Blake’s original coach just didn’t do it for me - the conflict there resolved itself a little too easily but there also wasn’t any real closure. Even with that, I thought this was such a sweet, easy read that made me smile and made it hard for me to put it down. Hannah Henry’s characters are incredibly endearing and I can’t wait to read what comes next!
Blake Brennan is the first out professional hockey player but after coming out, his boyfriend broke up with him and his recent on-ice performance has left a lot to be desired and keeps him on his coach’s bad side and riding the bench while the backup goalie is playing. He’s been lonely but he’s not a hook-up guy, he’s a boyfriend guy, and stumbles into someone who could be the guy of his dreams on New Year’s Eve. Matthew Sawyer knows who Blake is when they run into each other, but he doesn’t let him know he’s his coach’s youngest son. After dropping out of college, he moves back in with his dad and starts a serving job but doesn’t have any idea what he wants to do long-term. He’s unenthusiastic about living with his dad and about his future prospects, but he finds himself drawn to Blake every chance he gets.
Even once Blake learns who Matthew really is, their connection can’t be denied - they keep coming together over and over, even when they’re both warned against it. They’re together for so much of the story that it lets them really get to know each other, grow together, support each other and make big, life-changing moves together. Blake continued to choose Matthew time after time, supporting him and making him feel important and Matthew was there for Blake despite his crazy schedule and cross-country move, being his cheerleader and support system through it all. They were really cute together and I felt like I really got to know both of them as individuals and as a couple.
I enjoyed how easy Blake and Matthew’s relationship was, but Matthew’s dad/Blake’s original coach just didn’t do it for me - the conflict there resolved itself a little too easily but there also wasn’t any real closure. Even with that, I thought this was such a sweet, easy read that made me smile and made it hard for me to put it down. Hannah Henry’s characters are incredibly endearing and I can’t wait to read what comes next!
April 18, 2023
Blake is having a rough season as goalie for the New Jersey Ruby Reds. Coming out publicly for his long term boyfriend is now feeling like maybe a bad move, since he got dumped not long after. Maybe he wasn’t ready, because the pressure he’s feeling is not helping his season, and his team is struggling. But Blake is a boyfriend kinda guy, so when he’s cajoled into going out on New Year's eve by his best friend and fellow player, he doesn’t feel like picking up is going to be his thing. But then he runs into Matthew.
Matthew immediately recognizes Blake as the goalie for the team his dad coaches, but going for the one-night-stand, he doesn’t say anything about the possible complications. After all, there isn’t much that could make his relationship with his dad any worse, and he’s only going to see Blake for one night. Matthew is feeling untethered in life, after dropping out of school and reluctantly moving in with his dad. His dad doesn’t get him, working “menial� serving jobs and being the queer kid who doesn’t have much interest in hockey, or following in his brother’s footsteps.
Despite their seemingly different relationship goals, Blake and Matthew immediately find a connection. It isn’t long before Matthew is thinking that Blake might be the exception to his no-relationships rule.
Spoilers ahead:
The spice starts strong with this one, and it doesn’t let up. I enjoyed the relationship between these two MCs. They are very different, but they find comfort in the support they provide each other. In many ways they realize that the relationship they each separately have with their coach/father is quite toxic and controlling, and needs to be dealt with. This man is so problematic, and homophobic. My only criticism of the book is that it feels like the resolution with this character is somewhat anticlimactic. Yes, his kid goes no-contact, and after Blake leaves the Ruby Reds for a less toxic environment, his former coach does get fired. But I feel like they really don’t get the chance to have a front row seat for his downfall, and that would have been quite satisfying. I guess the best revenge is a life well lived, and these two definitely get the happily ever after they deserve. But maybe I'm petty because I want to see karma come for the villain.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Matthew immediately recognizes Blake as the goalie for the team his dad coaches, but going for the one-night-stand, he doesn’t say anything about the possible complications. After all, there isn’t much that could make his relationship with his dad any worse, and he’s only going to see Blake for one night. Matthew is feeling untethered in life, after dropping out of school and reluctantly moving in with his dad. His dad doesn’t get him, working “menial� serving jobs and being the queer kid who doesn’t have much interest in hockey, or following in his brother’s footsteps.
Despite their seemingly different relationship goals, Blake and Matthew immediately find a connection. It isn’t long before Matthew is thinking that Blake might be the exception to his no-relationships rule.
Spoilers ahead:
The spice starts strong with this one, and it doesn’t let up. I enjoyed the relationship between these two MCs. They are very different, but they find comfort in the support they provide each other. In many ways they realize that the relationship they each separately have with their coach/father is quite toxic and controlling, and needs to be dealt with. This man is so problematic, and homophobic. My only criticism of the book is that it feels like the resolution with this character is somewhat anticlimactic. Yes, his kid goes no-contact, and after Blake leaves the Ruby Reds for a less toxic environment, his former coach does get fired. But I feel like they really don’t get the chance to have a front row seat for his downfall, and that would have been quite satisfying. I guess the best revenge is a life well lived, and these two definitely get the happily ever after they deserve. But maybe I'm petty because I want to see karma come for the villain.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
June 28, 2024
4.5 stars
Matthew and Blake are amazing, I'm glad I read their book.
From the start their relationship is based on simple meals, home dates, a lot of conversation and great sex, nothing fancy or superficial, no flaunting money: they're just two guys who connected at first touch and couldn't stay away from each other.
I really really loved how they were honest and open with each other and that there were no miscommunication whatsoever.
What prevented me from giving five full stars
Too much talk about Robbie, I kept thinking we would have had a scene with him regretting dumping Blake, but all that talk for nothing.
Matthew's father: he's the ultimate asshole and deserved a worse fate.
I'm going to read New Development soon: it's Brady story and part of it is set at Blake and Matthew's wedding.
Matthew and Blake are amazing, I'm glad I read their book.
From the start their relationship is based on simple meals, home dates, a lot of conversation and great sex, nothing fancy or superficial, no flaunting money: they're just two guys who connected at first touch and couldn't stay away from each other.
I really really loved how they were honest and open with each other and that there were no miscommunication whatsoever.
What prevented me from giving five full stars
Too much talk about Robbie, I kept thinking we would have had a scene with him regretting dumping Blake, but all that talk for nothing.
Matthew's father: he's the ultimate asshole and deserved a worse fate.
I'm going to read New Development soon: it's Brady story and part of it is set at Blake and Matthew's wedding.
April 25, 2023
Sweetness Overload
This is such a sweet story. I have been appreciating this series from the beginning and this is another good low angst story. It was worth reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This is such a sweet story. I have been appreciating this series from the beginning and this is another good low angst story. It was worth reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
January 19, 2024
This was a monumentally boring book.
(Their names should have been reversed 😆 I have no idea why but until the final sentence, I still thought one was the other by name. Doesn't make any sense, but here we are.)
(Their names should have been reversed 😆 I have no idea why but until the final sentence, I still thought one was the other by name. Doesn't make any sense, but here we are.)
October 12, 2023
Probably my least favorite of the series so far. A little too fluff.
October 5, 2023
3.75 stars. Fluffy and low stakes (or, at least, the conflicts were very easily resolved). It dragged a bit in the middle, but we did get to see them a lot as a couple.
May 16, 2023
This was fine but there were literally no stakes. At no point was there any tension - the couple was just immediately all in basically from the start and the whole trade storyline was immediately resolved with Matthew being asked and agreeing to move without hesitation on either part after being together for like 2 months. Also for some reason their names confused me and I was sure Matthew worked better as a hockey player name than Blake but that’s definitely a me issue 🤣 My fav part was the extremely brief cameo from my beloved book 1 couple Jackson and Ryan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2023
I highly recommend this series and author!
This is a hockey sports romance, the fourth book in the “Delay of Game� series and I think you should read them in order as there are subtle spoilers! This is a short read at 57K words and yet there is just so much story here with fantastic characters and plot development! I can’t explain exactly why I’m emotional about this one too or it would give it away but I can say that I highly recommend this series and this author!
This is a hockey sports romance, the fourth book in the “Delay of Game� series and I think you should read them in order as there are subtle spoilers! This is a short read at 57K words and yet there is just so much story here with fantastic characters and plot development! I can’t explain exactly why I’m emotional about this one too or it would give it away but I can say that I highly recommend this series and this author!
December 28, 2023
Best book of the series for me. Nice twist and is more angsty but also perfect. In all honestly maybe Matthew got off a little lighter than he should in the beginning but other than that I love how they took a chance in love and ran with it. There's something about Blake's character that made me love him so much and Matthew was like fresh air, unforgiving himself, even if his life seemed a little out of order he found what he loved.
April 30, 2023
Tooth rotting sweetness.
Almost zero angst.
If you are looking for a super quick feel good story, here it is.
Almost zero angst.
If you are looking for a super quick feel good story, here it is.
May 19, 2024
With New Development coming out soon, I wanted to read about the couple getting married that has Brady in such a state.
Empty Netter is the story of Blake and Matthew. Don’t call him Matty!
They meet in a club on New Year’s Eve and start the year in a very memorable way! 😉
Blake is the starting goalie for the New Jersey Reds. He’s out but single. (The boyfriend who told him he’d come out if he loved him has left.) He’s in a bit of a slump, and convinced his coach hates him. Enter one beautiful man to change his luck�
Matthew knew exactly who Blake Brennan was when he bumped into him. He thought a one-night stand would be the perfect way to symbolically tell his dad to f*ck off. Their relationship is …complicated and Matthew is used to being a disappointment. He doesn’t expect to have feelings for Blake. But he does. They continue to see each other, even after Blake finds out he’s the coach’s son.
I really liked this story - it was sweet, steamy, and there’s hockey! Blake and Matthew are adorable together. I loved their cooking, FaceTime conversations, and the total support they gave each other. Matthew figuring out his purpose is a great subplot, and I really loved this sweet man who grew up under the glare of a disapproving father. (His dad is The Worst. Threatening to trade Blake if he didn’t stop seeing Matthew? Badmouthing your own son? Ugh! Thank you for karmic justice, Hannah!)
I loved how every obstacle made them stronger, and the trade was the best thing to happen to them. Also, Blake is so endearing you get why Matthew broke his own rules for him. Relationship-loving Blake wasn’t built for one night stands, and it turns out neither was Matthew.
Brady is in this book, and he’s still figuring things out. I’m looking forward to his story - and what’s sure to be a wedding to remember!
Now I have to go back and read the Delay of Game series from the start!
Empty Netter is the story of Blake and Matthew. Don’t call him Matty!
They meet in a club on New Year’s Eve and start the year in a very memorable way! 😉
Blake is the starting goalie for the New Jersey Reds. He’s out but single. (The boyfriend who told him he’d come out if he loved him has left.) He’s in a bit of a slump, and convinced his coach hates him. Enter one beautiful man to change his luck�
Matthew knew exactly who Blake Brennan was when he bumped into him. He thought a one-night stand would be the perfect way to symbolically tell his dad to f*ck off. Their relationship is …complicated and Matthew is used to being a disappointment. He doesn’t expect to have feelings for Blake. But he does. They continue to see each other, even after Blake finds out he’s the coach’s son.
I really liked this story - it was sweet, steamy, and there’s hockey! Blake and Matthew are adorable together. I loved their cooking, FaceTime conversations, and the total support they gave each other. Matthew figuring out his purpose is a great subplot, and I really loved this sweet man who grew up under the glare of a disapproving father. (His dad is The Worst. Threatening to trade Blake if he didn’t stop seeing Matthew? Badmouthing your own son? Ugh! Thank you for karmic justice, Hannah!)
I loved how every obstacle made them stronger, and the trade was the best thing to happen to them. Also, Blake is so endearing you get why Matthew broke his own rules for him. Relationship-loving Blake wasn’t built for one night stands, and it turns out neither was Matthew.
Brady is in this book, and he’s still figuring things out. I’m looking forward to his story - and what’s sure to be a wedding to remember!
Now I have to go back and read the Delay of Game series from the start!
April 26, 2023
It's playoff time, and since my hockey team managed to blow it and miss the playoffs for the first time in 16 years, what better way to console myself than with a new hockey romance?
Blake is forever cemented in hockey history as the first out player. A few years after his coming out, he's in a bit of rut: the boyfriend he came out for left him soon afterwards, his playing leaves a lot to be desired, and the coach is starting to put the pressure on. So his friends take him out to a gay bar for New Year's Eve, and he hooks up with Matthew: a gorgeous man who gives Blake, a "relationship guy", the perfect one night stand.
Then, in the coach's office a few days later, he sees Matthew...in a family photo on the coach's desk. Matthew knew who he was, and wasn't planning on doing a repeat, but as they keep running into each other, naturally feelings develop. With Matthew's strained relationship with his dad (the coach), he would definitely not approve of this development.
I really enjoyed this book! Both Blake and Matthew were pretty well-developed characters, which was impressive given this book is under 250 pages. There also were some great side characters who I loved seeing on the page. The chemistry was fantastic, and the creative ways they dealt with Blake being on the road constantly were also very hot to read about. I liked that both characters' journey got equal weight in the story, and felt good about where they ended up by the end of the book!
There were a couple of things I would have liked more resolved, but they were either things that don't always get resolved in real life or were relatively minor. This is a cute, fun hockey read!
Blake is forever cemented in hockey history as the first out player. A few years after his coming out, he's in a bit of rut: the boyfriend he came out for left him soon afterwards, his playing leaves a lot to be desired, and the coach is starting to put the pressure on. So his friends take him out to a gay bar for New Year's Eve, and he hooks up with Matthew: a gorgeous man who gives Blake, a "relationship guy", the perfect one night stand.
Then, in the coach's office a few days later, he sees Matthew...in a family photo on the coach's desk. Matthew knew who he was, and wasn't planning on doing a repeat, but as they keep running into each other, naturally feelings develop. With Matthew's strained relationship with his dad (the coach), he would definitely not approve of this development.
I really enjoyed this book! Both Blake and Matthew were pretty well-developed characters, which was impressive given this book is under 250 pages. There also were some great side characters who I loved seeing on the page. The chemistry was fantastic, and the creative ways they dealt with Blake being on the road constantly were also very hot to read about. I liked that both characters' journey got equal weight in the story, and felt good about where they ended up by the end of the book!
There were a couple of things I would have liked more resolved, but they were either things that don't always get resolved in real life or were relatively minor. This is a cute, fun hockey read!
May 9, 2023
Although it was the case that Blake and Matthew went to a club on new year's eve to have a bit of fun and met each other and did just that, it was the start of something they both needed and wanted. Blake was the first out pro hockey player who got dumped and was a little off on his game. He is not a one night stand guy, he wants connection and in Matthew he finds that. Their path to one another is a bit complicated by Matthew being the head coach's youngest son and the coach warning them not to be together. This pair are drawn to one another and what I loved about this story was that as much as Blake loved hockey, he realized Matthew was more important. Matthew too seemed all in and they were so cute together. What a lovely story.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2023
Un jugador y el hijo del entrenador, es un sí absoluto.
Es una lectura entretenida, divertida y rápida. Me gusto como se conocen y fue entretenida la forma en que inician su relación, sin embargo, todo ocurre demasiado rápido y entiendo que el tema del equipo de Blake y los problemas con el papá de Matthew de cierto modo los obliga a decidir si quieren o no entrar en una relación.
Creo que la primer mitad fue más entretenida ya que pasaban muchas cosas, una vez que se establece su relación se alarga la historia con ellos estableciéndose.
Me pareció lindo Blake apoyando a Matthew para encontrar algo que le apasione en la vida sin presionarlo.
Es una lectura entretenida, divertida y rápida. Me gusto como se conocen y fue entretenida la forma en que inician su relación, sin embargo, todo ocurre demasiado rápido y entiendo que el tema del equipo de Blake y los problemas con el papá de Matthew de cierto modo los obliga a decidir si quieren o no entrar en una relación.
Creo que la primer mitad fue más entretenida ya que pasaban muchas cosas, una vez que se establece su relación se alarga la historia con ellos estableciéndose.
Me pareció lindo Blake apoyando a Matthew para encontrar algo que le apasione en la vida sin presionarlo.
April 26, 2025
EMPTY NETTER is the fourth in Hannah Henry's Delay of Game m/m hockey series. Goalie Blake Brennan is the first openly gay hockey player in the league, and unfortunately is struggling a bit. When his friends urge him toward Matthew Sawyer on a night out, neither of them realize what that night will end up meaning.
Hannah Henry's written an enjoyable romance, where Matthew and Blake really find that the support and confidence they discover in each other spills over into the rest of their lives. Blake's confession that he's not much of a one-night-stand kind of guy gives them an opening to more.
Hannah Henry's written an enjoyable romance, where Matthew and Blake really find that the support and confidence they discover in each other spills over into the rest of their lives. Blake's confession that he's not much of a one-night-stand kind of guy gives them an opening to more.
July 25, 2023
Empty is the key word
I'm so sad to say that I just did not enjoy this book. I had to drag myself through the last 50%. I felt like the book was just telling us what was happening instead of actually showing us. The characters felt a bit empty because of this, and I didn't get to know them or care for them as I have for Henry's other characters. It felt a bit like a fan fiction I would read as a teenager. I did enjoy the smut, but I know some readers didn't like those scenes, so it's definitely hit or miss. I would suggest skipping this book.
I'm so sad to say that I just did not enjoy this book. I had to drag myself through the last 50%. I felt like the book was just telling us what was happening instead of actually showing us. The characters felt a bit empty because of this, and I didn't get to know them or care for them as I have for Henry's other characters. It felt a bit like a fan fiction I would read as a teenager. I did enjoy the smut, but I know some readers didn't like those scenes, so it's definitely hit or miss. I would suggest skipping this book.
April 25, 2023
This was an instant attraction, hook-up to lovers story with an NHL twist... the coach who hates Blake is also Matthew's father - who he's had to move back in with while he gets his life together... Age gap, secret relationship, family issues and more abound in this sweet and spicy story that gives us a fairly low angst relationship with a hot mess of stuff thrown at the couple as they try to figure out their next moves!
May 3, 2023
"The heart wants what the heart wants."
What started as a one-night stand, became a friendship that then turned into something more. I loved both characters - Blake is trying to find his ground again and Matthew is so sweet and gentle....to the ones he likes/loves..... And I loved that we get to see this relationship from start to full bloom - lovely book. I haven't actually read the previous books at all, so this one can be read as standalone.
What started as a one-night stand, became a friendship that then turned into something more. I loved both characters - Blake is trying to find his ground again and Matthew is so sweet and gentle....to the ones he likes/loves..... And I loved that we get to see this relationship from start to full bloom - lovely book. I haven't actually read the previous books at all, so this one can be read as standalone.
July 11, 2023
This book was enjoyable and fast-paced story that captures the reader's interest. However, some may find the pace too quick, leading to a lack of development in the relationship between the characters. It would have been beneficial for the author to dedicate more time to developing the characters and their relationship. Nonetheless, the book provides a fun and swift reading experience. It's worth mentioning that the book contains explicit content, making it a smutty read.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 24, 2023(DNF@35% on October 21st) Initially I thought that the romance between a player and coach's son had potential to be interesting but apparently I got 35% into the story, then completely forgot I was reading it in the first place and where I even left off. I tried giving it another go from the beginning but then decided it just wasn't worth wasting my time on a story line that apart from summary failed to grab my attention in any other way.
April 25, 2023
4.5⭐️
I love this series. I loved every word of Blake and Matthew’s epically fluffy and sweet romance, it was really a perfect low angst read with two wonderful MCs. Zero complaints, I loved seeing the relationship grow, I loved how they both embraced their connection, loved the cute ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I love this series. I loved every word of Blake and Matthew’s epically fluffy and sweet romance, it was really a perfect low angst read with two wonderful MCs. Zero complaints, I loved seeing the relationship grow, I loved how they both embraced their connection, loved the cute ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
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