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The Rest of the Story
Let me earn it.
I keep things simple. I’m a classic one-night wonder. Relationships? Are you out of your mind? No. No way. Not interested. My heart is vulcanized rubber, puck hard, and that’s the way I like it.
Then I'm traded to the absolute worst team in the NHL, the Rocky Mountain Outlaws, and I’m hit with a one-two punch.
First: I’m asked to step up and lead the team, which is every kind of bad idea you can imagine. I'm a head-down, mind-my-business kind of guy. Mr. Uninvolved, Mr. No, Not Me, Mr. Find Someone Else. But these players have been through a mess of hell, and someone thinks I can help pull them together.
The Outlaws are made up of jaded veterans and wide-eyed rookies, and we have no business whatsoever succeeding. We are scrappy and plucky and built out of spit and duct-tape� and whatever we’re doing, it’s working.
Second: The first day I’m in Boulder, I go over the boards and come face-to-face with a pair of blue eyes and lose my heart. Boy, howdy: meet my new co-captain, Shea Darling.
He’s way, way off-limits. It's a stratospherically terrible idea to want or crave him. This crush, this infatuation, is going nowhere fast.
Yeah, right. I’m gone for Shea. I’m head over heels, and I’m all tangled up in something I can’t understand or control. This isn’t me. I don’t fall in love. And there’s nothing simple about Shea, or about the Outlaws. This team is finally putting up the wins, and we are making something of ourselves. Falling for my co-captain while we’re on a Cinderella run could jeopardize everything we’re striving for.
But then there’s this one night.
And this one kiss.
And everything changes.
Eighty-two games in a season.
Twenty men hungry for redemption.
One co-captain who could be my forever.
This is the rest of the story.
The Rest of the Story is a friends-to-lovers, hockey players/teammates MM romance, and includes themes of survivorship.
The Rest of the Story is set in the same universe as Gravity , but each novel can be read independently. You do not need to read Gravity first to enjoy The Rest of the Story.
I keep things simple. I’m a classic one-night wonder. Relationships? Are you out of your mind? No. No way. Not interested. My heart is vulcanized rubber, puck hard, and that’s the way I like it.
Then I'm traded to the absolute worst team in the NHL, the Rocky Mountain Outlaws, and I’m hit with a one-two punch.
First: I’m asked to step up and lead the team, which is every kind of bad idea you can imagine. I'm a head-down, mind-my-business kind of guy. Mr. Uninvolved, Mr. No, Not Me, Mr. Find Someone Else. But these players have been through a mess of hell, and someone thinks I can help pull them together.
The Outlaws are made up of jaded veterans and wide-eyed rookies, and we have no business whatsoever succeeding. We are scrappy and plucky and built out of spit and duct-tape� and whatever we’re doing, it’s working.
Second: The first day I’m in Boulder, I go over the boards and come face-to-face with a pair of blue eyes and lose my heart. Boy, howdy: meet my new co-captain, Shea Darling.
He’s way, way off-limits. It's a stratospherically terrible idea to want or crave him. This crush, this infatuation, is going nowhere fast.
Yeah, right. I’m gone for Shea. I’m head over heels, and I’m all tangled up in something I can’t understand or control. This isn’t me. I don’t fall in love. And there’s nothing simple about Shea, or about the Outlaws. This team is finally putting up the wins, and we are making something of ourselves. Falling for my co-captain while we’re on a Cinderella run could jeopardize everything we’re striving for.
But then there’s this one night.
And this one kiss.
And everything changes.
Eighty-two games in a season.
Twenty men hungry for redemption.
One co-captain who could be my forever.
This is the rest of the story.
The Rest of the Story is a friends-to-lovers, hockey players/teammates MM romance, and includes themes of survivorship.
The Rest of the Story is set in the same universe as Gravity , but each novel can be read independently. You do not need to read Gravity first to enjoy The Rest of the Story.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2023
776 people are currently reading
4,458 people want to read
About the author
Tal Bauer
26books5,092followersTal Bauer writes breathtaking, heartfelt, and often action-packed gay romance novels. His characters are head over heels for each other and fight against all odds for their happy ending. Nothing stands in the way of love. Tal is best known for his romantic suspense novels, including the Executive Office series, The Murder Between Us, The Grave Between Us, The Night of, and his MM sports romance, The Jock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,209 reviews
January 20, 2023
Well... f*ck.
Has 2023 already broken me? Am I broken? Or am I taking crazy pills? I could barely finish .
This is the second hockey book in a row that I've hated, so I think it's safe to say that his hockey books aren't my jam. I guess I can see how other people loved this one but I was just fed up with the story.
I like my romances to be slow burn or lead with more than just instalove, and these two MCs were making schmoopy eyes at each other right from the start. It was like two teenagers in love. I wanted more grit, more humor, more realism. The whole story felt too far-fetched and just too MUCH. I was rolling my eyes at Mr. Perfect MC with using his own money to save the children! and be a hero right from the start. UGH. Also, the plot felt slow and the romance was just way too sugary sweet.
This book was NOT what I expected (though I probably should have expected it, given the author is known for his sweet stories), and I just feel... dissatisfied. Yes, I know, I need to hang up my reader hat now that I've declared Tal's hockey books to be on my naughty list. Can I start 2023 again??
goodreads|||
Has 2023 already broken me? Am I broken? Or am I taking crazy pills? I could barely finish .
This is the second hockey book in a row that I've hated, so I think it's safe to say that his hockey books aren't my jam. I guess I can see how other people loved this one but I was just fed up with the story.
I like my romances to be slow burn or lead with more than just instalove, and these two MCs were making schmoopy eyes at each other right from the start. It was like two teenagers in love. I wanted more grit, more humor, more realism. The whole story felt too far-fetched and just too MUCH. I was rolling my eyes at Mr. Perfect MC with using his own money to save the children! and be a hero right from the start. UGH. Also, the plot felt slow and the romance was just way too sugary sweet.
This book was NOT what I expected (though I probably should have expected it, given the author is known for his sweet stories), and I just feel... dissatisfied. Yes, I know, I need to hang up my reader hat now that I've declared Tal's hockey books to be on my naughty list. Can I start 2023 again??
goodreads|||
June 28, 2023
“I can see everything with you,� Shea breathed. “Any dream I have, I see it coming true with you.�
I have trouble reviewing this author’s books. Despite how much I end up loving them, words fail me.
It’s no surprise that I love Tal Bauer. I believe he nails the purple prose writing, his romantic relationships don’t lack emotional depth, and there’s always some angst thrown in the book to add a little spice but not overtake any factor. The Rest of the Story is that. But it’s also about other things: overcoming trauma, building new relationships, overcoming fear, proving others wrong, learning to love and appreciate yourself, becoming confident, and teamwork and camaraderie.
I love how Tal writes his characters. Even with the sappiness he adds, they feel realistic. There are a lot of inner struggles that slowly take time to overcome, but they’re never overtaking the story. Morgan and Shea were lovable, both as individuals and as a couple. They compliment each other well, balancing each other for their different power dynamics. Morgan is more reserved, experienced, and a get to the point kind of guy. His intention is to help the team and that’s it, but once he set foot and saw the Outlaws (especially Shea), he knew he wouldn’t be able to walk away fast. Despite this, Tal writes him as an unaware l reader. He puts others before him, manages to overcome obstacles for others, and makes sure their goals become successful, all while ignoring his own consciousness. He’s a natural leader without realizing it. He’s immune to compliments but takes criticism very seriously. He’s not entirely full of mystery, but he still has a past he carries that defines his life’s substance.
Then there’s Shea.
Sweet, loving, kind Shea. He was a fiery ball of sunshine. He’s weary of getting close to people but still a caring person devoted to those he loves. He’ll go back and forth to make sure those in his life also succeed. Opposite of Morgan, he’s a little more outgoing. Their biggest similarity is that they’re both leaders without realizing it. Still, Shea is more scared and vulnerable. He’s more inexperienced, but still has life goals to continue making it further. He’s fiery, in a way to show he isn’t backing down, but still afraid of being taken down. It didn’t matter that we didn’t get his POV. Morgan’s perspective gives us a big understanding of Shea’s character that it’s easy to know who he is and what he hopes for. We get to learn about him through Morgan, making it easier to understand what type of person he is. I’m usually always a fan of dual POV, but there’s always a possibility for the author to pull single-POV off, and Tal succeeds in it.
“I’ll make you proud, Morgan.�
“I know you will, Darlin�.�
But where the story shined the most was through the romance, of course. Tal’s writing is easy for me to get into. His relationship falls under the sweet and cute type. With an instant attraction at the center, there’s a slow burn underneath that shows a romantic development. It isn’t until the 70% when the two have sex. Before that, we see a lot of their interactions shining through. There’s a big softness between the two, intimate moments between them they’re sharing. I could spend paragraphs detailing their relationship; moments I feel honored to have witnessed. Instead, I’ll just say this was one of the most beautiful romances I’ve read. To say that Morgan and Shea share a soulmate connection wouldn’t do it justice. There is a warmth surrounding them, almost as if I was being covered in a warm blanket while reading. It’s sensual and intimate without the sexual; it’s warm and affectionate, soft and reassuring. If there’s one thing I can count on for Tal to deliver, it’s emotional build up. It doesn’t matter how instant the attraction between the two characters is. Every single moment spent between the two shows a deep connection being built. Paragraphs and pages and chapters full of intimacy that’s showing an intricate relationship developing shows an awareness of each other.
I loved both Shea and Morgan, quite equally. They’re both romantics at heart, settled together into adjusting a life for themselves. Shea’s, in particular, tugged at my heartstrings. He’s sexually inexperienced, but a romantic at heart. He’s wanting to be someone’s one and only. What I loved about this was how reassuring this representation was. I first thought he would be on the asexual spectrum, but, while it’s not confirmed, he was more someone simply waiting for the one. He wanted to belong to and with someone, and experience that sense of love and care from someone else devoted to him. I loved seeing this, seeing his feelings unfold for Morgan. We slowly see how he becomes closer to Morgan to the point where he realizes he doesn’t want to back down from him. It also meant so much to me to finally see someone recently out of college and a virgin; someone who wasn’t in any rush but ready for when the time came.
Morgan’s devotion to showing Shea he is worth it is heartwarming. Shea wants to date, see where they can go, but Morgan doesn’t do relationships. However, little by little, his thoughts begin turning towards Shea. I loved seeing the progression of this. Morgan isn’t exactly a changed man because of Shea. We see his inner conflict on why he’s feeling the way he is (wanting the relationship even though he was sure he didn’t), and it isn’t something he quickly and easily adjusts to. It’s still something he struggles with in the beginning but slowly starts to learn more about. I appreciated this simply because there was none of that “He changed me� bullshit, and Morgan was willing to show Shea he was serious. Along with that, he wasn’t going to give into his body’s desires easily when Shea was feeling the opposite. This…meant a lot. It was wonderful to see the two be open about their feelings yet continue circling around because there were still uncertainties. Overall, their relationship was nothing but a delight. It was heartwarming, sweet, romantic, and supportive.
“No. Whatever you’re thinking, no. What I want is you. All of you, Shea, and that means more than your body or getting you into bed. I want your hopes, your dreams, your desires, and more than that, I want to be responsible for bringing those to life. You want to wait. You want to find your one and only, and I want to be a part of that.�
Tal’s writing is magic to me. It’s lyrical, descriptive, and romantic. It’s physically affecting, showing a mix of belief and disbelief, yet it doesn’t overwhelm me. There’s a mix of showing and telling, which I thought was balanced really well because of how many interactions there are between the two main characters and the side characters. There’s a fondness in it, showing a clarity in the characters� growing love for each other. There’s enough to see how each developmental step processes—from the relationships point of view, to the found family between Morgan and The Outlaws—and it makes it easier to imagine. If it was for Tal’s writing alone, I would give this five stars. I understand how it isn’t everyone’s favorite and not one that works for everyone, but I find it unique. He has mastered the ability to craft emotional stories for me. I’m always in awe of how much he has to say, whether the book is short, all while keeping it balanced and conjoined.
Honestly, I almost rated this five stars. For the most part, the book is a five star read. However, I can’t help but feel like I wasn’t a fan of It felt disconnected from the story, was unexpected, and felt too sudden. I would have preferred it to be more of an epilogue thing, which would make it more realistic and believable. While I understand Tal’s books are usually some you have to suspend your disbelief for, it isn’t something I struggle with. Most of his unrealistic scenarios don’t bother me or make me think too much. For example, the beginning packs and emotional punch. We see The Outlaws being abused by their former coach, which probably, most likely, could have been stopped way before Morgan came along. Modern technology, hello? However, this wasn’t something I paid much attention to, which then made it easier to continue reading along without having to really think about what felt real and what didn’t. Yet, wasn’t so much of an unrealistic thing, but a disjointed thing. It was a “What the fuck?� kind of thing that I didn’t understand why it had to happen. In all honesty, this is my only complaint, so if I was rating this on everything else, it would have been a clear five stars.
All in all, I’m thankful for Tal as an author, and as the hopeless romantic he clearly is. I love his sweet stories for being the sweet stories they are. They feel necessary to me, especially when the world itself is the complete opposite. Offering just the perfect kind of escapism, The Rest of the Story is now my second favorite story by Tal, with in first place and in third.
Shea and me, us together, the team, how we’d become a family—we were layered in such an intricate and inextricable pattern that you couldn’t tell where one part of us began and another ended.
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May 4, 2023
The Rest of the Story is a stand alone, MM, sports romance by Tal Bauer. I’ve read several of Tal’s books now but am STILL not prepared for the beauty of his words in each and every book. He has this insane ability to paint such vivid pictures with his stories. I’m pulled in and I live every word on every page right along with the characters.
Morgan “Moogs� Elsher is a thirty one year old professional hockey player. Morgan has lived his life never forming attachments, living from one day to the next. He does what he’s expected to do but never goes above and beyond. Always blending in. He’s got one year left on his contract when he gets the call that he’s being traded. But, not to just any team. To the very worst team in the NHL. The laughing stock of the league. The Rocky Mountain Outlaws in Boulder, Colorado. Does he show up and do his one year or does he turn in his retirement papers and just walk away?
When Morgan shows up, he is not met with anything he could have ever anticipated. He quickly realizes that something is very wrong here. And he steps in. Before he knows it, he’s being appointed captain of the team, leading a bunch of men who need more than he can ever offer them. To top it all off, he’s met a pair of blue eyes that melt the coldest parts of his heart.
Shea Darling is twenty four years old, a Harvard Graduate and a rookie for The Outlaws. Shea is smart, kind, and so talented on the ice. Morgan needs to stop crushing on him. He needs to stop dreaming of him. Because he is convinced he can never be the man Shea deserves. Or could he?
“He was like staring at the sun.�
Morgan and Shea take this bunch of floundering athletes and turn them into a family, into a team. Morgan doubts himself every step of the way but every decision he makes is for the well being of the men he is in charge of. And through it all, there is a building connection between Morgan and Shea.
This entire book is told from Morgan’s POV. I just can’t impress upon you enough how much this book touched my heart. It is slow burn. And usually I’m not a huge fan of this. But it worked. I was spell bound all the way through. This is the story of redemption, of love, of finding the man you were always meant to be. It is a story you will not soon forget.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
Morgan “Moogs� Elsher is a thirty one year old professional hockey player. Morgan has lived his life never forming attachments, living from one day to the next. He does what he’s expected to do but never goes above and beyond. Always blending in. He’s got one year left on his contract when he gets the call that he’s being traded. But, not to just any team. To the very worst team in the NHL. The laughing stock of the league. The Rocky Mountain Outlaws in Boulder, Colorado. Does he show up and do his one year or does he turn in his retirement papers and just walk away?
When Morgan shows up, he is not met with anything he could have ever anticipated. He quickly realizes that something is very wrong here. And he steps in. Before he knows it, he’s being appointed captain of the team, leading a bunch of men who need more than he can ever offer them. To top it all off, he’s met a pair of blue eyes that melt the coldest parts of his heart.
Shea Darling is twenty four years old, a Harvard Graduate and a rookie for The Outlaws. Shea is smart, kind, and so talented on the ice. Morgan needs to stop crushing on him. He needs to stop dreaming of him. Because he is convinced he can never be the man Shea deserves. Or could he?
“He was like staring at the sun.�
Morgan and Shea take this bunch of floundering athletes and turn them into a family, into a team. Morgan doubts himself every step of the way but every decision he makes is for the well being of the men he is in charge of. And through it all, there is a building connection between Morgan and Shea.
This entire book is told from Morgan’s POV. I just can’t impress upon you enough how much this book touched my heart. It is slow burn. And usually I’m not a huge fan of this. But it worked. I was spell bound all the way through. This is the story of redemption, of love, of finding the man you were always meant to be. It is a story you will not soon forget.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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March 24, 2023
"No. Whatever you're thinking, no. What I want is you. All of you, Shea, and that means more than your body or getting you into bed. I want your hopes, your dreams, your desires, and more than that, I want to be responsible for bringing those to life. You want to wait. You want to find your one and only, and I want to be a part of that."
Maybe, maybe, maybe, his one and only could be me.
Shea was raking in oxygen, hauling in big breaths through his nose. Complicated gymnastics were somersaulting across his face. "What if I want that to be you?"
the sweet romance. the mcs, morgan and shea. the lil moments between them. the found family. the underdog, broken team building themselves back up and proving everyone wrong. everything about this book—from the characters to the romance to the story—worked so well for me and i loved everything about it. i literally wouldn't change a single thing. this is probably now a tie with as my favorite tal bauer book. 🥰
�
lawsonbrody's short novella:
"You were excited, and I loved being a part of that. It reminded me about how I used to love hockey, and how excited I used to get before games. I missed that." I squeezed his hand. "And I like hearing your voice."
Brody was quiet, but his thumb ran in loops over my wrist. "You are my favorite person in the world, Lawson."
It was such a Brody thing to say. I pushed my face into his messy hair again, kissed the top of his head. "And you're mine."
also!! lawsonbrody's short novella is five stars for me as well. it doesn't seem like their novella has a gr page so i'll just add a lil bit of my thoughts here. i loved their dynamic/interactions. they were so, so precious and sweet. the way lawson was patient for brody. 🥺 and i love how lawson's feelings for brody were reciprocated all along (not the whole time obviously, but the moment they first interacted, i loved how brody also felt the same way). i honestly wouldn't mind a full length book on them, but as an official couple this time bc the novella is about how they got together, but i'd read a whole full book just on their interactions and still be satisfied. <3
Maybe, maybe, maybe, his one and only could be me.
Shea was raking in oxygen, hauling in big breaths through his nose. Complicated gymnastics were somersaulting across his face. "What if I want that to be you?"
the sweet romance. the mcs, morgan and shea. the lil moments between them. the found family. the underdog, broken team building themselves back up and proving everyone wrong. everything about this book—from the characters to the romance to the story—worked so well for me and i loved everything about it. i literally wouldn't change a single thing. this is probably now a tie with as my favorite tal bauer book. 🥰
�
lawsonbrody's short novella:
"You were excited, and I loved being a part of that. It reminded me about how I used to love hockey, and how excited I used to get before games. I missed that." I squeezed his hand. "And I like hearing your voice."
Brody was quiet, but his thumb ran in loops over my wrist. "You are my favorite person in the world, Lawson."
It was such a Brody thing to say. I pushed my face into his messy hair again, kissed the top of his head. "And you're mine."
also!! lawsonbrody's short novella is five stars for me as well. it doesn't seem like their novella has a gr page so i'll just add a lil bit of my thoughts here. i loved their dynamic/interactions. they were so, so precious and sweet. the way lawson was patient for brody. 🥺 and i love how lawson's feelings for brody were reciprocated all along (not the whole time obviously, but the moment they first interacted, i loved how brody also felt the same way). i honestly wouldn't mind a full length book on them, but as an official couple this time bc the novella is about how they got together, but i'd read a whole full book just on their interactions and still be satisfied. <3
January 12, 2023
I’m yours as long as you want me. You can smash me to pieces, shatter me into smithereens, and it will all be worth it, just for the chance to be part of your life.
this is a story of grief. survival. trauma. perseverance. resilience. and ultimately, hope.
it’s a story of building yourself back up again after being ripped to shreds, shattered to pieces. crawling your way out of the carnage and having the courage to fight your way back to finding yourself again. it’s about climbing to the top of that mountain and standing up, triumphantly, in awe at what you’ve achieved, to only be knocked back again.
and again. and again.
but you get up.
again. and again. and again.
Tal Bauer crafted a story following the illogical, non-linear journey of battling grief and striving for hope. and at the centre of such a tumultuous story, is 32 year-old veteran hockey player, and our sole narrator, Morgan Elsher.
Morgan has been traded too many times to count, bouncing from team to team and town to town, never putting down roots because he never cared enough about where he was, who he was with or his own self-worth, to actually make connections. and at the start of The Rest of the Story, Morgan finds out his new team is none other than the infamous Outlaws. immediately dreading being dumped into the heart of such a terrible, low-playing team, Morgan wants out before he even arrives.
but that all changes when he comes face to face with the reality of who the Outlaws really are. especially when he comes face to face with Shea Darling.
Shea’s smile stayed with me all the way out to my Jeep, all the way down the highway, and all the way back to my motel. It was still with me when I lay down to sleep, one of the hundreds of thoughts that were spinning and spinning and spinning inside my brain.
i truly, hand on heart, don’t think my review or any other can quite do this book justice! words escape me trying to articulate the sheer beauty of this book, of the characters and of Tal’s prose. but im gonna try my best so i can convince everyone else to read this masterpiece :) you won’t regret it!!
🏒Morgan Elsher🏒
this man is the love of my life.
heroic and selfless, stubborn and full of self-loathing. he was a beautiful dichotomy and being inside his head the entire book was a privilege to read, honestly.
within the first 10%, this man and his cocky little shithead persona had me giggling and grinning like a loon. he strides in a room, with a take no prisoners attitude while also adamant that he’s not someone people should look up or admire. he doesn’t see himself as worthy and that was why i loved him so much. because he deserved every ounce of love that was thrown his way.
the way everyone loved and idolised him was so beautiful to read. it was so authentic and rightly deserved� he was so easy to root for, i yearned for his happiness with every breath. it hurt to read him believe that he wasn’t worth loving or idolising. but his humility really elevated his character. he was heroic but he didn’t view himself that way, but it shone through the eyes of all of the other characters so effortlessly that it bled into Morgan’s narrative. he wasn’t looking for praise or glory, he just cared about people so irrevocably.
he was simple in his humanity but it made for a complex characterisation. he was truly wonderful. i wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to be the lead and narrate such a poignant story.
I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
That was far more terrifying.
☀️Shea Darling☀�
my sweet sweet boy🥺🥺🥺
any time he shed a tear, it was like someone personally shoved a knife in my chest over and over again. such a lil sweetheart.
despite never getting his perspective, i still felt like i knew Shea so viscerally. i didn’t feel like i was missing a piece of the story without his POV, like i tend to whenever i read a single POV. i wasn’t underwhelmed nor unsatisfied� i learnt to love Shea through Morgan, just as Morgan loved him so infinitely. Morgan loved Shea enough for the both of us that i didn’t need to be inside Shea’s head to unpack his psyche and the person he is at his core.
He was a fucking dream. I had to look away to breathe again.
Shea had a similar heroic and humble streak to him that Morgan had, just in a slightly different shade, i guess. it’s why they matched so perfectly� they were two sides of the same coin.
he was so soft and loving. shy but bold. he glowed. he really was such a beacon of pure light and love and hope in the story. he personified the belief that waiting for what you deserve can be incredibly fulfilling. he didn’t settle, he didn’t do anything by halves� he knew himself and his wants, his desires, his dreams and he did everything in his power to attain them. he was incredibly uplifting and motivating amongst some of the more melancholic themes within the book.
he was a delightful little ball of sunshine<3
My bones were burning, my heart was a nuclear reactor, and my soul was strapped to a rocket. One look from Shea, and I was blasting off to Mars. A smile, and I was a dead goner. I lived in the spaces between when Shea made my heart stop and start.
💖the romance💖
Morgan calling Shea “Darlin� ??? i combusted.
it was a crime we didn’t hear him call Shea it more often.
this was the soul-aching type of romance that makes you feel so much giddiness it feels like you’re on drugs. it’s so sweet (but i never found it to be too sweet) and makes you melt, while giving you hope that love like this exists and can be yours one day. the way Shea and Morgan loved each other was fierce and all-consuming, and it was only elevated by Tal’s beautiful prose.
”I can see everything with you,� Shea breathed. “Any dream I have, I see it coming true with you.�
there’s definitely an element of angst to this� those moments hurt my heart. but they weren’t frustrating to read, instead it was packed full of pining, moments of what-ifs and almosts. these moments aligned with the personalities of both Shea and Morgan, so it made a lot of sense to the arc of the story when the angsty scenes were included.
it only heighten the pain, fleshed out Shea and Morgan even more and elevated the enthralling, cosmic connection between both men.
if any two people are soulmates, it’s Shea and Morgan.
”You are every dream I didn’t know I had, and every future I never knew I wanted, come true. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy, or to love life this fully. Loving you has changed everything. Now, my future is yours, and my hopes and dreams are tied tight to your hopes and dreams.�
✨the prose�
Tal Bauer was born to write. no doubt about it.
and normally, the overly lyrical, purple prose can be incredibly stifling in a book� but my god, it was perfection here. truly, it elevated every emotion, every thought and every moment that blossomed between Morgan and Shea.
it was so dreamy and otherworldly. i never doubted the connection between Shea and Morgan because Tal wrote their love in the most epic way possible. his writing is so fluid, so effortless, like water slipping over glass. it’s finely interwoven, every word a piece of thread knitted perfectly to create the masterpiece of a story this is. so delicately thought out wow.
he also manages to depict the most objectively mundane tasks and interactions in the most captivating way? he tells a lot at times without showing, and yeah i am not a fan of this technique, but when Tal does it, it doesn’t feel like a chore to slog through but a privilege to bear witness to.
💔the plot💔
The Rest of the Story is an immensely character-driven book. we go on a journey with Shea, Morgan and the rest of the Outlaws as they grapple with their grief and their hopes for the future.
the themes of survivorship, resilience and anguish are so poignant. we really come full circle with these characters as they process the things they have been forced to endure. Tal doesn’t do cliches nor does he give us a perfect, idealised resolution to such gut-wrenching life experiences. he exposes every raw, pulsing emotion that a human an endure and deal with. and those feelings aren’t pretty and neat and clean.
ultimately, this is a story that will ruin you, tear you apart and then heal you, put you back together again. it’s gut-wrenching and wonderful and soft and lovely. a story of camaraderie, friendship and earth-shattering love.
i lost time with the amount of times i cried.
so... i wholeheartedly recommend this. but fair warning that it’s gonna hurt.
You are everything to me, Shea. You are my mornings and my midnights, my days of sunshine and my nights of candlelight. You are my everything, and my love for you has no end.
i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2023
So, so good!
Tal Bauer owes me another four hours sleep because, as I read this relatively low angst (as in there's not loads of whinging whining!), but still with its own heart-breaking moments, romance, I just knew he was going to lay down a gut punch which would totally blindside me.
And he did, waaaaaaaaay past the usual 75% break-up/Third Act crisis point comes a crashing blow which you never see coming and I couldn't even be mad with him, because it completely fits within the narrative.
You'll get no spoilers here, but it's not dramady, it's not Tal throwing in something just to raise the tension stakes. It feels wholly believable and it's an earned part of the plot which rocks your very core.
However, this is also Tal Bauer, so happy ending absolutely guaranteed and how he brings around that resolution is an incredible piece of writing that drags on every tender part of your soul and makes you wish with every breath of your body as he mends what was broken and turns it into something beautiful.
Rather like the Japanese art of
Before that he's given us a tale of so many emotions. Those of an ice hockey team which has not only hit rock bottom, but plummeted beyond the surface and into a cave of despair. Those of a jobbing player who's hit his 30s and knows he's reaching the end and those of a young gun, a 24-year-old rookie who's holding on to every bit of hope he can.
This is a romance about hope, about opportunities which open where you'd never expect them. It's about finding strength in the hidden places. It's about love, oh boy is it about love.
And not just romantic love. It's about families, both those made in blood and bones and those created in the molten fire of an ice hockey dressing room and out in the arena. It's about making promises and then doing whatever it takes to make that future happen.
It's a barnstormer of a book and I fell head over heels for every single person - bar one! - who appears within its pages.
And I want my four hours of sleep back please Tal Horatio Nelson Bauer!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Tal Bauer owes me another four hours sleep because, as I read this relatively low angst (as in there's not loads of whinging whining!), but still with its own heart-breaking moments, romance, I just knew he was going to lay down a gut punch which would totally blindside me.
And he did, waaaaaaaaay past the usual 75% break-up/Third Act crisis point comes a crashing blow which you never see coming and I couldn't even be mad with him, because it completely fits within the narrative.
You'll get no spoilers here, but it's not dramady, it's not Tal throwing in something just to raise the tension stakes. It feels wholly believable and it's an earned part of the plot which rocks your very core.
However, this is also Tal Bauer, so happy ending absolutely guaranteed and how he brings around that resolution is an incredible piece of writing that drags on every tender part of your soul and makes you wish with every breath of your body as he mends what was broken and turns it into something beautiful.
Rather like the Japanese art of
Before that he's given us a tale of so many emotions. Those of an ice hockey team which has not only hit rock bottom, but plummeted beyond the surface and into a cave of despair. Those of a jobbing player who's hit his 30s and knows he's reaching the end and those of a young gun, a 24-year-old rookie who's holding on to every bit of hope he can.
This is a romance about hope, about opportunities which open where you'd never expect them. It's about finding strength in the hidden places. It's about love, oh boy is it about love.
And not just romantic love. It's about families, both those made in blood and bones and those created in the molten fire of an ice hockey dressing room and out in the arena. It's about making promises and then doing whatever it takes to make that future happen.
It's a barnstormer of a book and I fell head over heels for every single person - bar one! - who appears within its pages.
And I want my four hours of sleep back please Tal Horatio Nelson Bauer!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1663899589i%2F10381707._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 13, 2023
“All of me, every part. My heart, my body, my molecules, my atoms. My past, my present, my future. My dreams, my hopes, all of it, every single thing; they all belonged to Shea.�
Tal Bauer never ever fails to deliver, and The Rest of the Story was no different.
We have the story of Morgan, who is 31 years old and has been traded to the lowest rank NHL team, much to his dislike. However, when he arrives, he finds out just how much of a mess and horrid situation the team is actually in. Rebuilding? More like an upheaval. And Shea Darling, a talented 24-year-old rookie who, alongside Morgan, work to bring back life, trust, courage, and hope to a team that has been broken, beaten, and suffered.
While Shea and Morgan had an instant attraction to one another, their relationship had so many layers and depths to it. Teammates, basically co-captions, close friends and then lovers. I loved how their relationship progressed; it did not feel like it was rushed. The love, respect and adoration for one another could be felt so deep by the reader.
“You said you wanted to give me the world�..I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
“Like he was made for me to make love to him, and he’d been waiting for me to come along and get to business, show him what two husbands in love could do together.�
“Him, me, us. My husband, my fucking husband.�
Is the romance over the top, syrupy and cavity-inducing sweet? Yes. But I loved every moment of it. Very few people can do it like Tal. He had me smiling like a fool at 2 am and having people ask me what was wrong with me. The sex, the intimacy between Morgan and Shea was just *chef Kiss* it makes you feel so warm and happy.
I also enjoyed how hockey is really woven into the story! It’s a story of romance, team dynamics, matches, and the highs and lows of the game throughout the regular season. It reminds me of shounen sports manga but with romance being an integral part of the story. So not only do you get the romance between Shea and Morgan, but you also feel the love, family, community and commodore among the teammates. You are on a journey with them, and you can’t help but root for their success.
Initially, I thought it was a relatively low angst read and that things were going a little too well, but of course, as Tal does, we get it with a major incident towards the 80% mark of the story.
Overall, I loved it so much! My review is a bit all over the place but I’m so grateful I got an ARC and got to read this incredible, beautiful story early! If you love Tal Bauer, hockey romance, beautiful prose, sweet romance, a story of healing and resilience, this is it!
Tal Bauer never ever fails to deliver, and The Rest of the Story was no different.
We have the story of Morgan, who is 31 years old and has been traded to the lowest rank NHL team, much to his dislike. However, when he arrives, he finds out just how much of a mess and horrid situation the team is actually in. Rebuilding? More like an upheaval. And Shea Darling, a talented 24-year-old rookie who, alongside Morgan, work to bring back life, trust, courage, and hope to a team that has been broken, beaten, and suffered.
While Shea and Morgan had an instant attraction to one another, their relationship had so many layers and depths to it. Teammates, basically co-captions, close friends and then lovers. I loved how their relationship progressed; it did not feel like it was rushed. The love, respect and adoration for one another could be felt so deep by the reader.
“You said you wanted to give me the world�..I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
“Like he was made for me to make love to him, and he’d been waiting for me to come along and get to business, show him what two husbands in love could do together.�
“Him, me, us. My husband, my fucking husband.�
Is the romance over the top, syrupy and cavity-inducing sweet? Yes. But I loved every moment of it. Very few people can do it like Tal. He had me smiling like a fool at 2 am and having people ask me what was wrong with me. The sex, the intimacy between Morgan and Shea was just *chef Kiss* it makes you feel so warm and happy.
I also enjoyed how hockey is really woven into the story! It’s a story of romance, team dynamics, matches, and the highs and lows of the game throughout the regular season. It reminds me of shounen sports manga but with romance being an integral part of the story. So not only do you get the romance between Shea and Morgan, but you also feel the love, family, community and commodore among the teammates. You are on a journey with them, and you can’t help but root for their success.
Initially, I thought it was a relatively low angst read and that things were going a little too well, but of course, as Tal does, we get it with a major incident towards the 80% mark of the story.
Overall, I loved it so much! My review is a bit all over the place but I’m so grateful I got an ARC and got to read this incredible, beautiful story early! If you love Tal Bauer, hockey romance, beautiful prose, sweet romance, a story of healing and resilience, this is it!
Read
January 10, 2023This is where I stop I’m afraid. I’ve managed to reach 55% so I gave it my best shot. I won’t be rating it because honestly I wouldn’t know how to rate it.. The book is ok..It’s sweet and well written and doesn’t deserve a low rating but honestly it was exactly what I feared: a bland ,cheesy ,harmless book that was a bit too long for what it offered. There were moments with more tension that I enjoyed and that made me emotional,like the awful scenes with Morgan’s dad or when Shea cried and said he’s willing to sleep with Morgan no strings attached because he can’t go on like that anymore (poor little thing , I almost cried too) or when the team started to win (I was so happy for them) . But between these more intense moments there were pages and pages of bla bla bla bla where Morgan was telling us play by play and in detail what was happening in their life and how he wanted but he couldn’t or he could but he didn’t deserve it yada yada. Pages and pages of � ..nothing interesting . Everything was perfect and happy and good and they were winning and the teammates knew about them and they were ecstatic for them and then suddenly Shea was chatting with Brody like two teenage girls doing braids (while Morgan was sleeping) and saying “Like, you guys are solid? And it’s real?� “Yeah, we are. It’s so good, Brodes. And I don’t want to jinx anything or get ahead of myself, but…� Shea trailed off. “This could be it,� he whispered. “I think� I mean—� “God, I hope you’re right.�
I wasn’t paying too much attention by then but I hope to God they weren’t giggling! 🙄
I’m bored and after they got together I lost interest (not that they had a great UST before that, they were pretty much like 2 clones and just as dull and unexciting ) and even though this one was better than Gravity it’s still a lackluster,sugar-infused popcorn novel.
That’s all folks ! ✌️
🫣🫣I hope the stones are small.. 🙆♀� 🤣🤣
I wasn’t paying too much attention by then but I hope to God they weren’t giggling! 🙄
I’m bored and after they got together I lost interest (not that they had a great UST before that, they were pretty much like 2 clones and just as dull and unexciting ) and even though this one was better than Gravity it’s still a lackluster,sugar-infused popcorn novel.
That’s all folks ! ✌️
🫣🫣I hope the stones are small.. 🙆♀� 🤣🤣
July 12, 2023
The Rest of the Story is the newest Tal Bauer contemporary romance and my goodness is this one emotionally epic story. From the beginning to the end, I was taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. This story contains moments of perfect happiness and moments of shocking despair.
I loved the romance between Morgan and Shea and the love amongst this hockey team. They are a family of players who are put into an impossible situation where the only way through is to work together so they can heal and survive.
The Rest of the Story touches on many important topics that I thought were handled with the utmost care and thought. Trauma is a challenging subject and I thought it was so important and well-handled in this athletic setting, which I very rarely if ever see.
What I love so much about this story is its heart. These characters and in particular Morgan have such intense empathy for one another. Morgan's leadership as pseudo captain of the team allows for necessary healing and trust between the players.
This is a wonderfully beautiful and poignant story about the strength of character and the courage to persevere. I am in awe of the depth of this story and how it hits on so many levels. I am so in awe of this story and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I loved the romance between Morgan and Shea and the love amongst this hockey team. They are a family of players who are put into an impossible situation where the only way through is to work together so they can heal and survive.
The Rest of the Story touches on many important topics that I thought were handled with the utmost care and thought. Trauma is a challenging subject and I thought it was so important and well-handled in this athletic setting, which I very rarely if ever see.
What I love so much about this story is its heart. These characters and in particular Morgan have such intense empathy for one another. Morgan's leadership as pseudo captain of the team allows for necessary healing and trust between the players.
This is a wonderfully beautiful and poignant story about the strength of character and the courage to persevere. I am in awe of the depth of this story and how it hits on so many levels. I am so in awe of this story and cannot recommend it highly enough.
January 20, 2023
Wonderful book! Such Bauer never disappoints, his books are always very intense and full of passion. It was the best hockey book I've ever read!! I haven't read anything this romantic in a long time. Beautiful and intense. I'll do a special review on my blog.
Fujoshismopride.blogspot.com
Fujoshismopride.blogspot.com
January 15, 2023
“The most important day in hockey is tomorrow. Tomorrow, you tackle what went wrong today. Tomorrow, you improve. Every day, every tomorrow, you get better.�
Looking at the aftermath of this book, feeling everything this book did to me... I feel raw and untethered and honestly, half broken.
Rating: 4.5-stars⭐✨�, but I might change it when I reread it.
This book is really one of the worst books I've ever read, and yet, one of the most profound things I've ever read. To be alive, to feel life and love course through me as I read this, it's a special kind of luck.
“Never,� I said. “There’s never been any place like this.� My eyes found his.
“I’ll make you proud, Morgan.�
“I know you will, Darlin�.�
I don't know how to describe this book, how to tell you the story of how my world spun on the axis of this book, spun so fast and shin so brightly, I don't think I had ever felt such exhilarating happiness until it was ripped out underneath me.
Tal Bauer fed us. He fed us with this book.
Not without making us work for it, that sadistic bastard.
“You said you wanted to give me the world.�
“I will.� My response was automatic. My desire to leap out of the plane and get to work even more so. Where to start? Did I dig up the foundations of the earth, or did I try to harness the moon? Gather treasures and pile them at his feet? I didn’t know what to do, didn’t even have a shred of a clue. All I had was my hockey stick and my two hands, but, by God, I was going to�
Man, did he make me pine. Did he make me long and ache and fucking peel of my own skin at how I wanted the world to just spin right for Morgan and Shea. I just wanted to make Morgan leap into air and Shea to just hold on, to never give up, never loose hope and never loose that love.
“I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
That was far more terrifying.
And when I got it? When I felt the wings making me soar so high up in the sky?
It. Was. The. Most. Exhilarating. Experience.
I was happy (and I was so fucking scared that I was happy) and it was truly a indescribable feeling in the world.
It was indescribable. Every heartbeat seemed too big, every breath too small. I didn’t know how to hold all this happiness inside me. The intensity of each day. Colors were too sharp, sounds too full. The saturation of reality had been turned up to eleven. My bones were burning, my heart was a nuclear reactor, and my soul was strapped to a rocket. One look from Shea, and I was blasting off to Mars. A smile, and I was a dead goner.
When Tal Bauer makes you happy... You ought to get your heart ready cus the pain is gonna hurt SO. FUCKING. MUCH. but beyond that, for just a moment, bask in the happiness, the glow and the LOVE we received. This family, 20 broken men who are made whole when they are together, they all shine brighter and glow like the most enchanting kind of treasure, when they're together.
If I could describe Morgan in one word, it would without a doubt be the most simplest and bravest word to ever exist. Devotion. He is devotion. He is love and strenght, bravery and kindness, shy and timid, but so full of love. He is a man I look up to, a man I have so much to learn from. I have a feeling he and Ethan Reichenbach are gonna be good friends.
How could I possibly explain everything to Shea? How I felt when I was around him, or even when I was just thinking about him, because it didn’t matter if we were together or apart, the fact that he was in my life had changed it all, turned the whole world upside down. How he’d changed me, down to each neuron and electron, and the man I was now was someone I liked, someone I was proud of, and that was all because of him. Because he’d made me hope and believe and reach for something and someone better inside of me when his blue eyes found mine, that first day, the next day, and every day after.
If you guys have seen my 2022 reading year in review, you'd have seen my favorite author of 2022, and it was Tal (I'm not sure if it's a mistake at this point). My excitement for this book was through the roof, but having this book release right into final weeks was just another way Tal Bauer continues to fuck with me.
and how reality was fickle, shifting and twirling and spinning away, until you realized the trick was what was real was only ever what you decided it was.
So many books of Tal hold different and elegant meaning to me, but this book reminded me a lot of The Night Of and Never Stay Gone.
If you've read The Night Of, you'd have felt the palpable friendship of Jonathan and Steven's. It was one of the most heartbreaking friendships I've ever read. Of course I connected it to Shea and Brody. In a way, their bond, the way Shea held Brody together through nothing else but the strongest kind of ironclad stubbornness, reminded me of Ethan and Scott. (that's ridiculous high praise because Ethan and Scott's friendship is beyond and integral to my being).
And Never Stay Gone, which is funny because two books couldn't have been more polar opposites against each other. I think you're wrong. Tal talked about how setting and atmosphere are and should be their own characters. Their own identity. The setting in NSG is one of the most palpable places Tal has created yet. (aside from horsepower, lol) and that kind of craft, that kind of magic translated into this book, through the setting and the adventure Morgan, Shea and the team goes through.
“My love for you has no end.�
We were pure and utter fools for each other.
And the mountains. Gods. Chapter 24 to Chapter 26. Bookmark them because I don't have to say anything about them. Read them and reread them again and you'll get your own words. Nothing but silence for the beauty of just how heart shattering a heart beat can be. Because this book is exactly that. A heartbeat.
God, he was beautiful, like fine art given a heartbeat and let loose on the world.
One second. One moment. A choice. The hard ones, the right ones. Never give up, never stop showing up, never stop being there. Never stop lifting. Day by day, moment by moment, together. That. This. All of this was the heart line of this book. The beat of this story. It was more than a love story. It was a story about broken men finding each other and loving each other, through thick and thin. Blood couldn't be the most fabricated thing in the world because what these men shared and confided in each other? Even a family couldn't hold that kind of honor. They were each other's lifeline, each other's angels.
“I don’t know what you did down there, Moogs, but whatever it was, keep doing it. Goddamn.�
“I showed up,� I said.
You showed up, Morgan, when you didn’t have to. That’s the finest thing a man can do in this life: be there for someone.
Initial reaction:
I
Hate
Tal
Bauer
For
What
He
Did
To
Me
With
This
Book.
January 14, 2023
“You said you wanted to give me the world.�
“I will.� My response was automatic. My desire to leap out of the plane and get to work even more so. Where to start? Did I dig up the foundations of the earth, or did I try to harness the moon? Gather treasures and pile them at his feet? I didn’t know what to do, didn’t even have a shred of a clue. All I had was my hockey stick and my two hands, but, by God, I was going to�
“I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
There is something about Tal Bauer’s characters that always allows me to easily connect with them. I’ve only read 3 book by Tal Bauer so far and they have all been 5 stars. I’m studying Kinesiology in university so I’ve learned quite a lot about ethics in sports. This book delves into the maltreatment of athletes and the things that happen in this book, like with Brody, happens in real life. It is a very real life issue. Some athlete’s are physically and psychologically beaten down to the point where they are a shell of themselves. It’s very heartbreaking because a lot of athletes don’t come out about it because they’re scared of the backlash, of losing their career, and they feel so worthless that they don't even believe they deserve to be helped. My heart broke for everyone in The Outlaws. So seeing Morgan come in and help rebuild this team up from the bottom was amazing, I actually got goosebumps at some parts.
Shea’s flush, his blue eyes, and his smile, which I already knew was bad news. A beautiful smile can make any man’s knees weak, but there was something about Shea’s that did more to me.
Okay, now stepping back from the serious note LOL. The romance was top tier. Yes, it was insta love but I think it’s safe to say that we can trust Bauer with this trope. Shea’s blushing 😭 the little touches 🥺 Morgan being completely starstruck by Shea 😍 just Morgan WORSHIPPING the ground Shea walks on, everything about their relationship was swoon-worthy.
I had to put inches between me and Shea before I buried my face in his neck. God, I wanted him. I wanted to see his eyes flutter as I buried my face in his pecs and left beard burn on his skin, and know how his lips tasted and what sounds he made when he was clinging to the edge.
The push and pull in this book was perfection. I loved how Morgan knew that Shea deserved a man who would love him with his whole being, and Morgan made damn sure he was the guy who was worthy of Shea. It did hurt my heart that Morgan didn’t believe he was worthy of Shea. He just saw Shea as the most perfect human being and he was like “how do I deserve this man even looking at me?� Morgan is the type of man to remind Shea everyday how lucky he is to be with him. Same for Shea too Morgan. I loved the forbidden aspect we got. Morgan hasn’t been in a leadership role before and has to put his all into rebuilding this team so he doesn’t have time to be distracted. But he’s also not a relationship type. He believes doesn’t have the qualities that Shea deserves. But he soon realizes he can’t resist Shea.
I didn’t deserve him But, goddamn, I wanted to. I craved the chance to be the man worthy of becoming Shea’s one true love.
Some of my fav moments 🥰 SPOILERS so look away if you haven’t read this yet.
🏒when Morgan saw Shea without a shirt on at the beach and was literally malfunctioning and couldn’t remember his own name🤣
🏒when he gave his pucks to Shea and wrote by accident “to my Darlin� instead of “for Darlin� 😭
🏒how Morgan always had his hand on the small of Shea’s back
🏒how Morgan made Shea’s dreams come true when Shea wanted his first time to be with someone when they were both in love with each other
🏒Morgan taking the fucking most important diamond off HIS STANLEY CUP RING and using it for Shea’s wedding ring
🏒their fucking wedding day?? goddamn 🥵 is all I have to say
🏒them both crying after sex 😭
🏒Lawson and Brody 🥺🥺 I felt something between them when they first interacted and I’m glad that actually happened
🏒the cameos of Bryce and the mentions we got of him and Hunter. I love those two so much.
I can't believe Tal Bauer had the audacity to end this book. I'm offended! 😂
“I will.� My response was automatic. My desire to leap out of the plane and get to work even more so. Where to start? Did I dig up the foundations of the earth, or did I try to harness the moon? Gather treasures and pile them at his feet? I didn’t know what to do, didn’t even have a shred of a clue. All I had was my hockey stick and my two hands, but, by God, I was going to�
“I don’t want the world.� Shea slipped his hand into mine, wove our fingers together. “I want you, Morgan. I just want you.�
There is something about Tal Bauer’s characters that always allows me to easily connect with them. I’ve only read 3 book by Tal Bauer so far and they have all been 5 stars. I’m studying Kinesiology in university so I’ve learned quite a lot about ethics in sports. This book delves into the maltreatment of athletes and the things that happen in this book, like with Brody, happens in real life. It is a very real life issue. Some athlete’s are physically and psychologically beaten down to the point where they are a shell of themselves. It’s very heartbreaking because a lot of athletes don’t come out about it because they’re scared of the backlash, of losing their career, and they feel so worthless that they don't even believe they deserve to be helped. My heart broke for everyone in The Outlaws. So seeing Morgan come in and help rebuild this team up from the bottom was amazing, I actually got goosebumps at some parts.
Shea’s flush, his blue eyes, and his smile, which I already knew was bad news. A beautiful smile can make any man’s knees weak, but there was something about Shea’s that did more to me.
Okay, now stepping back from the serious note LOL. The romance was top tier. Yes, it was insta love but I think it’s safe to say that we can trust Bauer with this trope. Shea’s blushing 😭 the little touches 🥺 Morgan being completely starstruck by Shea 😍 just Morgan WORSHIPPING the ground Shea walks on, everything about their relationship was swoon-worthy.
I had to put inches between me and Shea before I buried my face in his neck. God, I wanted him. I wanted to see his eyes flutter as I buried my face in his pecs and left beard burn on his skin, and know how his lips tasted and what sounds he made when he was clinging to the edge.
The push and pull in this book was perfection. I loved how Morgan knew that Shea deserved a man who would love him with his whole being, and Morgan made damn sure he was the guy who was worthy of Shea. It did hurt my heart that Morgan didn’t believe he was worthy of Shea. He just saw Shea as the most perfect human being and he was like “how do I deserve this man even looking at me?� Morgan is the type of man to remind Shea everyday how lucky he is to be with him. Same for Shea too Morgan. I loved the forbidden aspect we got. Morgan hasn’t been in a leadership role before and has to put his all into rebuilding this team so he doesn’t have time to be distracted. But he’s also not a relationship type. He believes doesn’t have the qualities that Shea deserves. But he soon realizes he can’t resist Shea.
I didn’t deserve him But, goddamn, I wanted to. I craved the chance to be the man worthy of becoming Shea’s one true love.
Some of my fav moments 🥰 SPOILERS so look away if you haven’t read this yet.
🏒when Morgan saw Shea without a shirt on at the beach and was literally malfunctioning and couldn’t remember his own name🤣
🏒when he gave his pucks to Shea and wrote by accident “to my Darlin� instead of “for Darlin� 😭
🏒how Morgan always had his hand on the small of Shea’s back
🏒how Morgan made Shea’s dreams come true when Shea wanted his first time to be with someone when they were both in love with each other
🏒Morgan taking the fucking most important diamond off HIS STANLEY CUP RING and using it for Shea’s wedding ring
🏒their fucking wedding day?? goddamn 🥵 is all I have to say
🏒them both crying after sex 😭
🏒Lawson and Brody 🥺🥺 I felt something between them when they first interacted and I’m glad that actually happened
🏒the cameos of Bryce and the mentions we got of him and Hunter. I love those two so much.
I can't believe Tal Bauer had the audacity to end this book. I'm offended! 😂
May 2, 2024
Morgan is the best hero I've ever read in my entire life. No one will ever top him. This book is life-changing and my heart is still sobbing.
January 12, 2023
2.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well. My 2023 reading experience hasn’t kicked off the way I’d hoped. I’m now 2 for 2 on less than stellar reads 🫤 I’m going to warn you now that I’m probably going to sound like a cold-hearted, bitter hag in this review so if you enjoyed this book or plan on enjoying this book PLEASE STOP READING🫣
Look, I’ve enjoyed many a Tal Bauer book. They are always over-the-top, structurally well-written fun that’s just a little too much. Romance? Purple prose galore. Emotions? You’ll never read more crying adults in your life. Angst? You will physically feel your heart getting ripped out. Drama? You will clutch your pearls at the intensity that ensues. And guess what? I love that sh-t and it’s always entertaining as hell. But…and there is a big but here…TB’s more recent foray away from the murder and suspense into more subdued romances are by and large unfortunately not working for me. I loved The Jock and maybe it was a case of reading at the right time, but everything since in that genre has felt too sugary sweet and long-winded.
I’m about to get into the particulars of the book, so stop now if you want to avoid spoilers.
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The story kicks off with 31 yr old veteran hockey player Morgan getting traded to the NHL hellscape that is the Rocky Mountain Outlaws. The team is truly bottom of the barrel and Morgan comes to find out it’s so much worse than he imagined. The team is being run by a tyrant captain who basically sounds like sociopath getting his kicks tormenting both the rookie and veteran players. When Morgan arrives he meets 24 yr old rookie Shea and is instantaneously taken with him.
What Worked:
- I liked that the story centered around an athlete that wasn’t “the greatest player in the world.� Morgan is a solid 2nd/3rd line player and it was refreshing to read a sports romance about someone other than the Star.
- I enjoyed reading about the team growth and their ascent from laughing stocks to a solid contender.
- As always, despite my opinions on the story choices, TB always writes structurally well-written stories. He paints good visualizations of the characters, settings, and actions taking place. I’m rounding up to 3 ⭐️’s on this point alone.
What Didn’t Work
- Coates and the abuse being endured for years across dozens of people was not realistic. Why was Morgan the only one who could beat his ass and think to turn on a camera phone? I know this was done to make him the dependable leader and set the stage for well…the entire story, but it was just so far beyond reality and there was no good explanation as to why Morgan was the only one who could achieve this. One hidden camera and an anonymous video to the press could’ve worked wonders.
- Morgan’s self-torment as to why he couldn’t be with Shea also pushed the boundaries of reality. Look I get it, Morgan had a f-cked up father which made him close himself off to people. I think had that been better explored it would’ve made a more cohesive story. Instead we get a couple of anecdotes and then just hear Morgan in his inner monologue agonizing to himself. “Shea could hurt me,� � I could hurt Shea,� “I want Shea,� “I don’t want a relationship,� “but I want Shea� and on and on and on. I get the intentions but the execution just didn’t land for me 🤷🏻♀�
- The lack of dialogue. Everything in this book is told to you in excessive, flowery prose which is fine to a point. I think this was the biggest culprit of the book dragging on. The conversations between characters were by far the most compelling piece and it was so minimal. Show don’t tell!
- The depictions of the team bonding. Ok I’m just being a petty a—hole about this one, but is this what grown major athletes do in their free time?? Have eating contests, and sundae bars, and pillow fights and nothing but good ol� fashioned wholesome fun? I know half the team was 19 yr olds but I feel like that furthers my point 😂 Anyway it all kind of made me cringe.
- Shea and Morgan’s…everything. I’m sorry but all the looks across the room, giggling, playing footsie, sharing earbuds, falling asleep on each other, feeding each other! (this was all before they got together by the way) was just too much. I felt like I was reading about two 14 yr olds. Once they got together the sugary sweetness went into overdrive. Were they likeable characters? Absolutely! And there was quite a bit about them I did enjoy and found very enduring. Too much jumped the shark though for me to not mention it.
- 419 pages? This book is a mostly subdued story and I love subdued stories, but there was no reason this needed to be 400+ pages. Outside of some pinnacle moments it was just a very detailed play by play of every day life. It got very long winded, very quickly. Shaving off 100 pages would have gone a long way.
Look everything can’t be for everybody. A lot of people found this beautifully romantic and I truly wish I was one of those people. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that Tal’s subdued stories are just not a fit and I’ll keep supporting his murder and espionage romances instead ❤️😆
Well. My 2023 reading experience hasn’t kicked off the way I’d hoped. I’m now 2 for 2 on less than stellar reads 🫤 I’m going to warn you now that I’m probably going to sound like a cold-hearted, bitter hag in this review so if you enjoyed this book or plan on enjoying this book PLEASE STOP READING🫣
Look, I’ve enjoyed many a Tal Bauer book. They are always over-the-top, structurally well-written fun that’s just a little too much. Romance? Purple prose galore. Emotions? You’ll never read more crying adults in your life. Angst? You will physically feel your heart getting ripped out. Drama? You will clutch your pearls at the intensity that ensues. And guess what? I love that sh-t and it’s always entertaining as hell. But…and there is a big but here…TB’s more recent foray away from the murder and suspense into more subdued romances are by and large unfortunately not working for me. I loved The Jock and maybe it was a case of reading at the right time, but everything since in that genre has felt too sugary sweet and long-winded.
I’m about to get into the particulars of the book, so stop now if you want to avoid spoilers.
⚠️
ؔ️
⚠️
ؔ️
⚠️
ؔ️
‼️‼️‼️ʰ鳧‼️‼️‼️
⚠️
ؔ️
⚠️
ؔ️
⚠️
ؔ️
The story kicks off with 31 yr old veteran hockey player Morgan getting traded to the NHL hellscape that is the Rocky Mountain Outlaws. The team is truly bottom of the barrel and Morgan comes to find out it’s so much worse than he imagined. The team is being run by a tyrant captain who basically sounds like sociopath getting his kicks tormenting both the rookie and veteran players. When Morgan arrives he meets 24 yr old rookie Shea and is instantaneously taken with him.
What Worked:
- I liked that the story centered around an athlete that wasn’t “the greatest player in the world.� Morgan is a solid 2nd/3rd line player and it was refreshing to read a sports romance about someone other than the Star.
- I enjoyed reading about the team growth and their ascent from laughing stocks to a solid contender.
- As always, despite my opinions on the story choices, TB always writes structurally well-written stories. He paints good visualizations of the characters, settings, and actions taking place. I’m rounding up to 3 ⭐️’s on this point alone.
What Didn’t Work
- Coates and the abuse being endured for years across dozens of people was not realistic. Why was Morgan the only one who could beat his ass and think to turn on a camera phone? I know this was done to make him the dependable leader and set the stage for well…the entire story, but it was just so far beyond reality and there was no good explanation as to why Morgan was the only one who could achieve this. One hidden camera and an anonymous video to the press could’ve worked wonders.
- Morgan’s self-torment as to why he couldn’t be with Shea also pushed the boundaries of reality. Look I get it, Morgan had a f-cked up father which made him close himself off to people. I think had that been better explored it would’ve made a more cohesive story. Instead we get a couple of anecdotes and then just hear Morgan in his inner monologue agonizing to himself. “Shea could hurt me,� � I could hurt Shea,� “I want Shea,� “I don’t want a relationship,� “but I want Shea� and on and on and on. I get the intentions but the execution just didn’t land for me 🤷🏻♀�
- The lack of dialogue. Everything in this book is told to you in excessive, flowery prose which is fine to a point. I think this was the biggest culprit of the book dragging on. The conversations between characters were by far the most compelling piece and it was so minimal. Show don’t tell!
- The depictions of the team bonding. Ok I’m just being a petty a—hole about this one, but is this what grown major athletes do in their free time?? Have eating contests, and sundae bars, and pillow fights and nothing but good ol� fashioned wholesome fun? I know half the team was 19 yr olds but I feel like that furthers my point 😂 Anyway it all kind of made me cringe.
- Shea and Morgan’s…everything. I’m sorry but all the looks across the room, giggling, playing footsie, sharing earbuds, falling asleep on each other, feeding each other! (this was all before they got together by the way) was just too much. I felt like I was reading about two 14 yr olds. Once they got together the sugary sweetness went into overdrive. Were they likeable characters? Absolutely! And there was quite a bit about them I did enjoy and found very enduring. Too much jumped the shark though for me to not mention it.
- 419 pages? This book is a mostly subdued story and I love subdued stories, but there was no reason this needed to be 400+ pages. Outside of some pinnacle moments it was just a very detailed play by play of every day life. It got very long winded, very quickly. Shaving off 100 pages would have gone a long way.
Look everything can’t be for everybody. A lot of people found this beautifully romantic and I truly wish I was one of those people. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that Tal’s subdued stories are just not a fit and I’ll keep supporting his murder and espionage romances instead ❤️😆
September 17, 2024
Updated content warnings after reread
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Kids and rookies are a fact of life, and you need that energy and vitality on a team, but it had been a long time since I was this surrounded by so much teenager.
I have yet to read a book by Tal Bauer that I didn’t love. It doesn’t matter what he writes about, because it’s always so freaking beautiful, romantic and emotional. He writes good chemistry like no one else, and it’s always scorching when the MCs finally get together. The road there isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
I shifted back to Shea just in time to spy Shea’s eyes traveling slowly up from my chest to my lips. Caught, his cheeks turned as pink as a peony.
This is another one of those where it’s not particularly angsty, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy read. I dealt with it fine, but there are some heavy themes in this, which I thought was handled beautifully.
Home Depot didn’t open until 5: 00 a.m., and I was parked outside ten minutes before the doors unlocked. They shouldn’t have sold to me. I looked unhinged: beard going scruffy, deep hollows beneath my eyes, my long hair escaping the knot at the back of my neck, fury and purpose in all of my movements. No one buys a chainsaw before dawn with good intentions.
I also want to commend Tal for writing rugged athletes that aren’t afraid of being vulnerable and showing their emotions. It’s so refreshing to read about men crying, hugging and helping each other through hard times. And let’s not forget about writing women as bosses, leaders, trainers, coaches, etc. The real NHL is starting to catch up, but it’s a really slow process. The NHL is a notorious old-white-man’s club, so it’s nice to pretend that Tal’s league is the real league, only for a moment.
He resettled himself, getting comfortable, and then laid his cheek on my shoulder. His eyes slipped shut as I frowned. Was he� Yeah, he was. He was really going to do it, was going to use me as a pillow.
I play and follow hockey, so I normally avoid hockey romance books. I can’t shut off the part of my brain that knows a little too much about how things work (or don’t work), but I thought Tal did a fantastic job. I had faith after reading Gravity. Sure, I had to suspend belief a couple of times, but nothing too awful. The book dragged slightly a little after halfway through for me, but it picked up again not long after.
I didn’t think anything could be worse than that night when I was fifteen, but this was. Oh, this was. It was worse because I was responsible. I’d done this. I was the one who made it hurt.
Morgan and Shea fit so well together, and it was lovely, and at times a little heartbreaking, to see them become friends and eventually more. There were so many fantastic side characters, but none more so than Brody. Whenever he called Morgen ‘dad�, I melted completely.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Virgin MC
Hockey romance
Found family
Co-captains
Teammates
Strangers to friends to lovers
Backwards baseball cap
Hands-free orgasms
Size difference
Waiting for true love
Crying after sex (happily)
Enthusiastic rimming
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
SC referring to past suicidal plans and thoughts
SC physically and mentally abused (details)
SC sexually assaulted (past, off page, details)
Details of physical, verbal, mental and emotional bullying and abuse (by SC)
Physical violence (past and present)
Manipulation and threats (by SC)
Injured MC (physical attack by SC)
Explicit sexual content
Details of verbal and physical parental abuse (past)
Details of domestic abuse (past, MC’s parents)
Abuser controlling food and eating
MC severely injured (run into with car, compound fractures)
SC severely injured in car wreck
Car driving into crowd (minor injuries, off page)
Graphic injuries
MC hospitalized
Mentions and details of surgery and wounds
MC affected by pain killers (on page)
Homophobic slur
Mentions of drug use (SC, off page)
Alcohol consumption
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters� age: 24 and 21
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 419
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Kids and rookies are a fact of life, and you need that energy and vitality on a team, but it had been a long time since I was this surrounded by so much teenager.
I have yet to read a book by Tal Bauer that I didn’t love. It doesn’t matter what he writes about, because it’s always so freaking beautiful, romantic and emotional. He writes good chemistry like no one else, and it’s always scorching when the MCs finally get together. The road there isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
I shifted back to Shea just in time to spy Shea’s eyes traveling slowly up from my chest to my lips. Caught, his cheeks turned as pink as a peony.
This is another one of those where it’s not particularly angsty, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy read. I dealt with it fine, but there are some heavy themes in this, which I thought was handled beautifully.
Home Depot didn’t open until 5: 00 a.m., and I was parked outside ten minutes before the doors unlocked. They shouldn’t have sold to me. I looked unhinged: beard going scruffy, deep hollows beneath my eyes, my long hair escaping the knot at the back of my neck, fury and purpose in all of my movements. No one buys a chainsaw before dawn with good intentions.
I also want to commend Tal for writing rugged athletes that aren’t afraid of being vulnerable and showing their emotions. It’s so refreshing to read about men crying, hugging and helping each other through hard times. And let’s not forget about writing women as bosses, leaders, trainers, coaches, etc. The real NHL is starting to catch up, but it’s a really slow process. The NHL is a notorious old-white-man’s club, so it’s nice to pretend that Tal’s league is the real league, only for a moment.
He resettled himself, getting comfortable, and then laid his cheek on my shoulder. His eyes slipped shut as I frowned. Was he� Yeah, he was. He was really going to do it, was going to use me as a pillow.
I play and follow hockey, so I normally avoid hockey romance books. I can’t shut off the part of my brain that knows a little too much about how things work (or don’t work), but I thought Tal did a fantastic job. I had faith after reading Gravity. Sure, I had to suspend belief a couple of times, but nothing too awful. The book dragged slightly a little after halfway through for me, but it picked up again not long after.
I didn’t think anything could be worse than that night when I was fifteen, but this was. Oh, this was. It was worse because I was responsible. I’d done this. I was the one who made it hurt.
Morgan and Shea fit so well together, and it was lovely, and at times a little heartbreaking, to see them become friends and eventually more. There were so many fantastic side characters, but none more so than Brody. Whenever he called Morgen ‘dad�, I melted completely.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Virgin MC
Hockey romance
Found family
Co-captains
Teammates
Strangers to friends to lovers
Backwards baseball cap
Hands-free orgasms
Size difference
Waiting for true love
Crying after sex (happily)
Enthusiastic rimming
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
SC referring to past suicidal plans and thoughts
SC physically and mentally abused (details)
SC sexually assaulted (past, off page, details)
Details of physical, verbal, mental and emotional bullying and abuse (by SC)
Physical violence (past and present)
Manipulation and threats (by SC)
Injured MC (physical attack by SC)
Explicit sexual content
Details of verbal and physical parental abuse (past)
Details of domestic abuse (past, MC’s parents)
Abuser controlling food and eating
MC severely injured (run into with car, compound fractures)
SC severely injured in car wreck
Car driving into crowd (minor injuries, off page)
Graphic injuries
MC hospitalized
Mentions and details of surgery and wounds
MC affected by pain killers (on page)
Homophobic slur
Mentions of drug use (SC, off page)
Alcohol consumption
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters� age: 24 and 21
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 419
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
January 6, 2023
Ahhhhh Tal, you’ve done it again. I couldn’t love “The Rest of the Story� more.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
It’s important to note straightaway that there are content warnings for survivorship, with on-page physical & psychological abuse, suicidal ideation, and descriptions of off-page sexual assault. While I note other reviewers have described it as relatively low-angst, I found the descriptions of the above pretty intense, and it brought me to tears.
A I’m
Morgan & Shae are new teammates when they meet, after Morgan is traded into the team. They’re instantly attracted, but this is a slow-moving, tension-building, super-swoony relationship development. The book is written in single POV from Morgan’s perspective, but we don’t miss the dual POV because Shae fully communicates his thoughts & feelings, and great communication is a feature of their connection. Morgan has a complex inner world, with past trauma that has affected his self-image, his self confidence, and his ability to give love to others (and himself). So it makes sense that the book is from his POV.
I adored the slow-burn of their developing relationship, and I particularly loved how Shae stuck to his own moral code when it came to physical intimacy (he’s a virgin). The pinnacle of their romantic connection is the most beautiful, swoonalicious, romantic writing I’ve ever read (and I never thought anything could beat Kris & Dawood’s wedding in Tal’s “Whisper�) I had tears in my eyes & a grin on my face the whole way through their weekend away. Oh, and although it takes a while to get there, HOLY HELL that spice blows your head off!! (Or their heads off� 😝😳😏)
But God, didn’t I hurt for Brody, one of their teammates & Shane’s best friend. Such a vivid side character, that you fall completely in love with. Funny, vivacious, cheeky - but with a hint of darkness in his past. Although I suspected some of what was coming before it happened, the dual f””kery at 75% (a term we Tal-lovers have coined when he dials-up the angst & smashes our hearts) had my heart actually aching with unstoppable tears. But everyone gets a HEA, and noone deserves it more than Brody. SOOOOO EXCITED to see, right at the end, that there is a novella featuring Brody, which I CANNOT WAIT to read!
The found-family of their team is another highlight, so vivid that you feel like you know them. The camaraderie, the jokes, the teamwork, the achievements, and the complete acceptance with zero negativity of Morgan & Shae’s relationship is aspirational. Some may see it as unrealistic, but I prefer to see it as what I hope will be the norm in the future.
Finally, I loved Rachel, a briefly featured side character, who was a nod to smart nurses, & smart, strong women in general (I’ve noticed this is a feature of most of the women in his books). We need more smart women protagonists.
I could keep going, but I’m running out of word limit. I think you get the picture. What a way to start the year!
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, Facebook, & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
It’s important to note straightaway that there are content warnings for survivorship, with on-page physical & psychological abuse, suicidal ideation, and descriptions of off-page sexual assault. While I note other reviewers have described it as relatively low-angst, I found the descriptions of the above pretty intense, and it brought me to tears.
A I’m
Morgan & Shae are new teammates when they meet, after Morgan is traded into the team. They’re instantly attracted, but this is a slow-moving, tension-building, super-swoony relationship development. The book is written in single POV from Morgan’s perspective, but we don’t miss the dual POV because Shae fully communicates his thoughts & feelings, and great communication is a feature of their connection. Morgan has a complex inner world, with past trauma that has affected his self-image, his self confidence, and his ability to give love to others (and himself). So it makes sense that the book is from his POV.
I adored the slow-burn of their developing relationship, and I particularly loved how Shae stuck to his own moral code when it came to physical intimacy (he’s a virgin). The pinnacle of their romantic connection is the most beautiful, swoonalicious, romantic writing I’ve ever read (and I never thought anything could beat Kris & Dawood’s wedding in Tal’s “Whisper�) I had tears in my eyes & a grin on my face the whole way through their weekend away. Oh, and although it takes a while to get there, HOLY HELL that spice blows your head off!! (Or their heads off� 😝😳😏)
But God, didn’t I hurt for Brody, one of their teammates & Shane’s best friend. Such a vivid side character, that you fall completely in love with. Funny, vivacious, cheeky - but with a hint of darkness in his past. Although I suspected some of what was coming before it happened, the dual f””kery at 75% (a term we Tal-lovers have coined when he dials-up the angst & smashes our hearts) had my heart actually aching with unstoppable tears. But everyone gets a HEA, and noone deserves it more than Brody. SOOOOO EXCITED to see, right at the end, that there is a novella featuring Brody, which I CANNOT WAIT to read!
The found-family of their team is another highlight, so vivid that you feel like you know them. The camaraderie, the jokes, the teamwork, the achievements, and the complete acceptance with zero negativity of Morgan & Shae’s relationship is aspirational. Some may see it as unrealistic, but I prefer to see it as what I hope will be the norm in the future.
Finally, I loved Rachel, a briefly featured side character, who was a nod to smart nurses, & smart, strong women in general (I’ve noticed this is a feature of most of the women in his books). We need more smart women protagonists.
I could keep going, but I’m running out of word limit. I think you get the picture. What a way to start the year!
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, Facebook, & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
January 12, 2023
I was supposed to love this book. For the first 20% of it I just knew I was going to. 5+ stars, hands down, no question about it. The writing, as usual, was stunning and poetic and witty. In the first chapter alone I found myself rereading sentences and thinking how amazing it is that a person thinks the way Tal Bauer does and knows how to mold those thoughts into clever words and phrases that make you just Get It. And then there was Morgan - a veteran hockey player who relished in his ability to fly under the radar, showed up to do his job on the ice and left without attachments or complications. The things he did in the first few chapters of this book had me cheering out loud on my couch because who doesn't love a hero, even if he is a reluctant one? So yeah, there I was, shining up those golden stars and clearing out a space on my top ten books of 2023 list for this one. Nobody is more surprised than me that I didn't love this book.
Everything standing between like and love for me was wrapped up in the storytelling. There was a story and it was good...really, really good. The message of overcoming adversity and pulling together to create something amazing has been done a gazillion times because it's a story that never gets old. I love seeing the good guy win, especially when the good guy is an underdog. This story had all of those tried and true narrative pieces, but their execution felt claustrophobic to me because so much of it happened off page. I definitely didn't need a play-by-play of each and every game, nor did I need to be privy to every conversation that took place. This book spanned an entire hockey season so I understood the need for brevity in order to pass time. Had the quick gloss overs been restricted to wins and losses, I think I would have been fine. However, a lot of the interactions between Morgan and Shea were also mentioned in passing and I felt like I missed so much.
What this book was tragically missing for me was dialogue. I needed so much more of it. It's my favorite part of every book I read and I often catch myself searching for it when I turn to a new page. I swear the book I'm reading now had more dialogue in the first two chapters than this one did in its entirety. Between that and only having Morgan's POV to rely on, I found that I could not connect with Shea as a fully fleshed out human being. He was a person solely in relation to how Morgan saw him. I desperately wanted to know how he felt and what he was thinking. I wanted a front row seat to him falling in love with Morgan, with all the emotion and pining that was implied by his lingering looks, shy smiles, blushes and tears. I wanted the thoughts attached to those things, but they weren't made available to me. This was Morgan's story entirely and he was telling it without showing any pictures.
Per this author's MO, this book was sugary sweet and very romantic. If you're looking to swoon, there was plenty to swoon about here. If you like steam, there's a pretty heavy dose of it, but you'll have to pack your patience. Even though this won't go down in history as one of my favorite Tal Bauer romances, there was still a lot to love about it. Unfortunately, the pieces that were missing for me were the pieces I love most when I read, so my less than stellar opinions should definitely be seen as a "me thing" and taken with a grain of salt. I'm glad so many other people have connected with this story and will solemnly take my spot in the naughty corner for not feeling the same.😂❤️
Everything standing between like and love for me was wrapped up in the storytelling. There was a story and it was good...really, really good. The message of overcoming adversity and pulling together to create something amazing has been done a gazillion times because it's a story that never gets old. I love seeing the good guy win, especially when the good guy is an underdog. This story had all of those tried and true narrative pieces, but their execution felt claustrophobic to me because so much of it happened off page. I definitely didn't need a play-by-play of each and every game, nor did I need to be privy to every conversation that took place. This book spanned an entire hockey season so I understood the need for brevity in order to pass time. Had the quick gloss overs been restricted to wins and losses, I think I would have been fine. However, a lot of the interactions between Morgan and Shea were also mentioned in passing and I felt like I missed so much.
What this book was tragically missing for me was dialogue. I needed so much more of it. It's my favorite part of every book I read and I often catch myself searching for it when I turn to a new page. I swear the book I'm reading now had more dialogue in the first two chapters than this one did in its entirety. Between that and only having Morgan's POV to rely on, I found that I could not connect with Shea as a fully fleshed out human being. He was a person solely in relation to how Morgan saw him. I desperately wanted to know how he felt and what he was thinking. I wanted a front row seat to him falling in love with Morgan, with all the emotion and pining that was implied by his lingering looks, shy smiles, blushes and tears. I wanted the thoughts attached to those things, but they weren't made available to me. This was Morgan's story entirely and he was telling it without showing any pictures.
Per this author's MO, this book was sugary sweet and very romantic. If you're looking to swoon, there was plenty to swoon about here. If you like steam, there's a pretty heavy dose of it, but you'll have to pack your patience. Even though this won't go down in history as one of my favorite Tal Bauer romances, there was still a lot to love about it. Unfortunately, the pieces that were missing for me were the pieces I love most when I read, so my less than stellar opinions should definitely be seen as a "me thing" and taken with a grain of salt. I'm glad so many other people have connected with this story and will solemnly take my spot in the naughty corner for not feeling the same.😂❤️
April 7, 2025
“Give me your hand,� Shea whispered, “and I will give you my forever.�
Re Read 2025. I can not stop comfort reading Tal Bauer. Oh, how I love this book.
Original review:
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The angel on one of my shoulders is saying that I loved it. I absolutely completely freaking loved this book.
The devil on my other shoulder is like “you sap� because this book was actually completely absurd and nonsensical.
.
This Rest of the Story is entirely from MC Morgan’s POV. He spends the entire book being an absolutely amazing and altruistic hero, selflessly putting everything and everyone before himself but also completely self-castigating because he is not good enough, not worthy, not deserving of anything good and a nobody who never takes anything seriously.
Honestly, it kind of felt like humble bragging.
If these complete fantasy men were real they would 100% deserve each other and would live happily ever after. It was ridiculously sweet.
Their wedding and subsequent sexathon was blissful, intoxicating and utterly wonderful.
Shea is lovely and his name is everything. Shea Darling. What a hun.
There is an adorable, fluffy, found family and satisfying, though heartbreaking hurt/comfort element.
Some original and enjoyable quotes I highlighted randomly were:
“I’d rather clap shit between my hands�
and
“I was feeling as brave as the first man who considered eating an oyster.�
Lol.
A MAJOR gripe I have with this book is the song that the team uses as their hype song. I LOVE when music is mentioned in books because it makes it so much more real to me but I can’t for the life of me understand this song choice. “Hooked on a feeling� by Blue Suede just did not work and then the fact that the fans changed the lyrics to “hooked on an outlaws feeling� adding 2 extra syllables where they just don’t fit pissed me off no end. They should have stuck with “Sabotage� by the Beastie Boys.
This is a rare one of TB’s books that featured strong and/or sympathetic female characters. I liked that about it. I have often found that many others of his seem to have a disproportionate number of cold, mean or disinterested women. Just a vague observation.
My second read of this pile of fairy floss and it won’t be my last.
*Trigger warnings: sexual assault, violence, severe emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, trauma.
Re Read 2025. I can not stop comfort reading Tal Bauer. Oh, how I love this book.
Original review:
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The angel on one of my shoulders is saying that I loved it. I absolutely completely freaking loved this book.
The devil on my other shoulder is like “you sap� because this book was actually completely absurd and nonsensical.
. This Rest of the Story is entirely from MC Morgan’s POV. He spends the entire book being an absolutely amazing and altruistic hero, selflessly putting everything and everyone before himself but also completely self-castigating because he is not good enough, not worthy, not deserving of anything good and a nobody who never takes anything seriously.
Honestly, it kind of felt like humble bragging.
If these complete fantasy men were real they would 100% deserve each other and would live happily ever after. It was ridiculously sweet.
Their wedding and subsequent sexathon was blissful, intoxicating and utterly wonderful.
Shea is lovely and his name is everything. Shea Darling. What a hun.
There is an adorable, fluffy, found family and satisfying, though heartbreaking hurt/comfort element.
Some original and enjoyable quotes I highlighted randomly were:
“I’d rather clap shit between my hands�
and
“I was feeling as brave as the first man who considered eating an oyster.�
Lol.
A MAJOR gripe I have with this book is the song that the team uses as their hype song. I LOVE when music is mentioned in books because it makes it so much more real to me but I can’t for the life of me understand this song choice. “Hooked on a feeling� by Blue Suede just did not work and then the fact that the fans changed the lyrics to “hooked on an outlaws feeling� adding 2 extra syllables where they just don’t fit pissed me off no end. They should have stuck with “Sabotage� by the Beastie Boys.
This is a rare one of TB’s books that featured strong and/or sympathetic female characters. I liked that about it. I have often found that many others of his seem to have a disproportionate number of cold, mean or disinterested women. Just a vague observation.
My second read of this pile of fairy floss and it won’t be my last.
*Trigger warnings: sexual assault, violence, severe emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, trauma.
January 9, 2023
I fucking loved this!!!!!! Tal Bauer is just so damn good. In my opinion there aren't that may authors who have his level of character building, world building and storytelling in every single book they put out (CE Ricci is the only author up there with him for me that I can think of off the top of my head).
Every single character is well rounded and real, even side characters are people you feel like you know, and you can clearly picture each of them, there's no faceless, vaguely described voids.
The whole environment was so layered, it's like you can smell the ice (and the sweaty socks), and everything is so easy to visualise. It's just full immersion from Bauer yet again and I'm so here for it.
There was a lot of drama and heartache, but not in the overdone expected ways which was refreshing. The romance between Shea and Morgan as usual was off the charts, I absolutely melted at the wedding, too damn cute!
Brody and Lawson were also sneaking in there at the end to steal my heart, can't wait to read their novella, but not going to lie I would totally read more books for any characters on this team! Was also nice to have some interaction with Bryce too (I still want more from him and Hunter too!) If Sheridan doesn't get to be in a throuple with Reese and Brennan he needs one of Tal's super romantic sports stars 😂
Every single character is well rounded and real, even side characters are people you feel like you know, and you can clearly picture each of them, there's no faceless, vaguely described voids.
The whole environment was so layered, it's like you can smell the ice (and the sweaty socks), and everything is so easy to visualise. It's just full immersion from Bauer yet again and I'm so here for it.
There was a lot of drama and heartache, but not in the overdone expected ways which was refreshing. The romance between Shea and Morgan as usual was off the charts, I absolutely melted at the wedding, too damn cute!
Brody and Lawson were also sneaking in there at the end to steal my heart, can't wait to read their novella, but not going to lie I would totally read more books for any characters on this team! Was also nice to have some interaction with Bryce too (I still want more from him and Hunter too!) If Sheridan doesn't get to be in a throuple with Reese and Brennan he needs one of Tal's super romantic sports stars 😂
January 10, 2023
Omg. 😭 This is my favorite Tal Bauer book.
It’s everything I love about this author, but refined and enhanced. It feels more mature. The instalove is there, but it’s built up with glorious tension and true friendship. The sappiness is there, but it’s not as overwhelming as it has previously been. Right when it gets to be too much the scenes change and you’re only left feeling the warm fuzzies from the wonderful certainty that our MCs will get there happy ending and stay blissfully happy. I could go on with more examples of just much better everything hits in this book.
This book was so damn emotional for me. The beginning is absolutely gut wrenching and so much darker than I thought it would be. It hurt, but god damn did it get me invested in these characters. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed every side character like I did here. The oppressiveness of the beginning of the book ebbs quickly and you’re hit with cuteness overload until about 80%. I won’t spoil it, but I basically cried and had all the feelings from that point on.
I’m still in that lovely afterglow from a surprising read so all I can really add is that this book was just so good for me and I hope everyone else gets to feel this. I’m going to have such a bad book hangover.
It’s everything I love about this author, but refined and enhanced. It feels more mature. The instalove is there, but it’s built up with glorious tension and true friendship. The sappiness is there, but it’s not as overwhelming as it has previously been. Right when it gets to be too much the scenes change and you’re only left feeling the warm fuzzies from the wonderful certainty that our MCs will get there happy ending and stay blissfully happy. I could go on with more examples of just much better everything hits in this book.
This book was so damn emotional for me. The beginning is absolutely gut wrenching and so much darker than I thought it would be. It hurt, but god damn did it get me invested in these characters. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed every side character like I did here. The oppressiveness of the beginning of the book ebbs quickly and you’re hit with cuteness overload until about 80%. I won’t spoil it, but I basically cried and had all the feelings from that point on.
I’m still in that lovely afterglow from a surprising read so all I can really add is that this book was just so good for me and I hope everyone else gets to feel this. I’m going to have such a bad book hangover.
January 10, 2023
I hadn’t realized exactly what I was walking into when I started. Although who am I kidding? Tal could drag my ass to hell and back and I’d still follow him around like a lost puppy.
Everything these players endured broke my fucking heart, Brody just gave you an “in real time� version so most of my motherly affection went to him.
It was the hardest pill to swallow because it didn’t only remind me of abused children but what I went through in an abusive relationship. A little PTSD wasn’t gonna scare me away though. I know Tal will pay me back in full and then some.
Morgan gives me strong Coach Bombay from The Mighty Ducks vibes. Especially when he keeps calling them a team of ducklings. Plus if he’s Gordon, that makes Shea Charlie. Imagine the story if Charlie had been ten years older. I mean come on, Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson? 🤤🔥🙌
Nobody writes about team camaraderie like Tal, this is why he’s my favorite sports romance writer. These books just make me so fucking happy.
There’s very few authors who give me butterflies in my belly. Make my heart lighter than air and my head dizzy with their love stories. Even fewer do it every single time and Tal is among those few.
All the side characters are so good but the top spots go to Brody and Kathy. I hope we get more of both, especially Brody with a certain goalie. I may be way off but a girl can dream.
I m also hadn’t realized that hockey players were hobbits with their 2nd or 3rd lunch and breakfasts.
Morgan kept saying that Shea was wonderful and he wasn’t whistling Dixie. He is wonderful, almost as wonderful as Morgan.
The pain everyone held deep inside that exploded in a nightmare of ticker tape could’ve easily left a hole the size of a meteor crater but these two amazing men held the team together with nothing but heart and soul.
If those boys had any say love would truly conquer all.
After everything was said and done, I was wrung out but I still hated to see it end.
Everything these players endured broke my fucking heart, Brody just gave you an “in real time� version so most of my motherly affection went to him.
It was the hardest pill to swallow because it didn’t only remind me of abused children but what I went through in an abusive relationship. A little PTSD wasn’t gonna scare me away though. I know Tal will pay me back in full and then some.
Morgan gives me strong Coach Bombay from The Mighty Ducks vibes. Especially when he keeps calling them a team of ducklings. Plus if he’s Gordon, that makes Shea Charlie. Imagine the story if Charlie had been ten years older. I mean come on, Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson? 🤤🔥🙌
Nobody writes about team camaraderie like Tal, this is why he’s my favorite sports romance writer. These books just make me so fucking happy.
There’s very few authors who give me butterflies in my belly. Make my heart lighter than air and my head dizzy with their love stories. Even fewer do it every single time and Tal is among those few.
All the side characters are so good but the top spots go to Brody and Kathy. I hope we get more of both, especially Brody with a certain goalie. I may be way off but a girl can dream.
I m also hadn’t realized that hockey players were hobbits with their 2nd or 3rd lunch and breakfasts.
Morgan kept saying that Shea was wonderful and he wasn’t whistling Dixie. He is wonderful, almost as wonderful as Morgan.
The pain everyone held deep inside that exploded in a nightmare of ticker tape could’ve easily left a hole the size of a meteor crater but these two amazing men held the team together with nothing but heart and soul.
If those boys had any say love would truly conquer all.
After everything was said and done, I was wrung out but I still hated to see it end.
January 8, 2023
damn.
i am absolutely shocked. i feel like a train ran me over multiple times.
first of all, i absolutely loved morgan. which is a big difference from the previous book where i wished that bryce would have a stroke every other page (unfortunately, six months later, my feelings haven’t changed).
it’s impossible not to love morgan, he gives everything, he’s an amazing person while he constantly battles with his self worth. it was amazing to see his growth.
shea is precious. that’s the first thing that comes to my mind. i don’t want to spoil anything so i’ll just say that i want to see more books with characters like him. my little blushing, oh-so-romantic, strong like a rock baby.
was the love story over the top? yes. do i care? no. i adored it. i ate it up from start to finish. no complaints.
actually, no, i have one. i wanted shea’s pov.
they were so fucking adorable together. the way they met, how they became friends and then lovers. made me feel a lot of things.
the team dynamic was simply amazing. the way these guys stuck together and rebuilt each other up made me giggle and kick my feet. and thank fuck because they take up a good part of the book, this would’ve been unbearable otherwise. the side characters were A+.
there was a little bit too much drama for my liking, but since it had the desired effect (me, clutching my invisible pearls, completely unable to stop reading), i have decided that i won’t let this lower my rating.
what can i say, i feel magnanimous today.
i am absolutely shocked. i feel like a train ran me over multiple times.
first of all, i absolutely loved morgan. which is a big difference from the previous book where i wished that bryce would have a stroke every other page (unfortunately, six months later, my feelings haven’t changed).
it’s impossible not to love morgan, he gives everything, he’s an amazing person while he constantly battles with his self worth. it was amazing to see his growth.
shea is precious. that’s the first thing that comes to my mind. i don’t want to spoil anything so i’ll just say that i want to see more books with characters like him. my little blushing, oh-so-romantic, strong like a rock baby.
was the love story over the top? yes. do i care? no. i adored it. i ate it up from start to finish. no complaints.
actually, no, i have one. i wanted shea’s pov.
they were so fucking adorable together. the way they met, how they became friends and then lovers. made me feel a lot of things.
the team dynamic was simply amazing. the way these guys stuck together and rebuilt each other up made me giggle and kick my feet. and thank fuck because they take up a good part of the book, this would’ve been unbearable otherwise. the side characters were A+.
there was a little bit too much drama for my liking, but since it had the desired effect (me, clutching my invisible pearls, completely unable to stop reading), i have decided that i won’t let this lower my rating.
what can i say, i feel magnanimous today.
July 4, 2023
Calling it now: Best book of 2023.
This book made my heart literally ache. It was so soft, intimate and profound. But lord, the angst destroyed me too. The trauma these characters went through and how they found their strength in each other� it was so beautifully done.
It’s been a while since I last cried like a baby with a book. And this one got me in such a choke hold. Most of the time, they were happy tears� but a few were from heartbreak, and my god, it hurt 😭
The found family in this� I have no words. I wish I could live in this universe and be one of them. I’m so in love with the team, the bond between them, the closeness and affection.
And the romance� I fucking swooned while reading this. Seriously, my heart was fluttering. The relationship was nothing like I expected, and I loved that even more. This is a slow burn romance, but with so much longing and aching. And when they finally give in, my god, the intensity between these two is so strong, I was choking.
Morgan was a one-night stand kind of guy, not interested in commintments or heartaches. Shea had been waiting for the right person, and that person turned out to be Morgan. This one is so romantic, it blew my mind. There aren't two people in this world who are more perfect for each other than these two. I could see how they were soul mates. Their friendship was profound, and their romance was beautiful.
Then there's Brody and Lawson, they will break your heart. I'm not even kidding. They will ruin you. And you'll love them with every piece of your heart that's left. Lawson made me ugly cry. Brody... fuck. Just fuck. There are no words. Brody was the glue of that team and when he broke, we all broke with him.
And Jesus, this was written in a single POV and I couldn’t be more in love with him. I wish I could give Morgan a hug and thank him for not only saving that whole hockey team, but basically my life as well.
My god.
I’m so emotional right now.
I wish this had an epilogue set one or two years in the future, so we knew they won the cup. I don’t even know if the author has plans for more books but please universe, make this happen for me and I won’t ask for anything else 🙏🏻
If you want a good laugh, read my notes and how I descended into utter mandness while reading this lol
This book made my heart literally ache. It was so soft, intimate and profound. But lord, the angst destroyed me too. The trauma these characters went through and how they found their strength in each other� it was so beautifully done.
It’s been a while since I last cried like a baby with a book. And this one got me in such a choke hold. Most of the time, they were happy tears� but a few were from heartbreak, and my god, it hurt 😭
The found family in this� I have no words. I wish I could live in this universe and be one of them. I’m so in love with the team, the bond between them, the closeness and affection.
And the romance� I fucking swooned while reading this. Seriously, my heart was fluttering. The relationship was nothing like I expected, and I loved that even more. This is a slow burn romance, but with so much longing and aching. And when they finally give in, my god, the intensity between these two is so strong, I was choking.
Morgan was a one-night stand kind of guy, not interested in commintments or heartaches. Shea had been waiting for the right person, and that person turned out to be Morgan. This one is so romantic, it blew my mind. There aren't two people in this world who are more perfect for each other than these two. I could see how they were soul mates. Their friendship was profound, and their romance was beautiful.
Then there's Brody and Lawson, they will break your heart. I'm not even kidding. They will ruin you. And you'll love them with every piece of your heart that's left. Lawson made me ugly cry. Brody... fuck. Just fuck. There are no words. Brody was the glue of that team and when he broke, we all broke with him.
And Jesus, this was written in a single POV and I couldn’t be more in love with him. I wish I could give Morgan a hug and thank him for not only saving that whole hockey team, but basically my life as well.
My god.
I’m so emotional right now.
I wish this had an epilogue set one or two years in the future, so we knew they won the cup. I don’t even know if the author has plans for more books but please universe, make this happen for me and I won’t ask for anything else 🙏🏻
If you want a good laugh, read my notes and how I descended into utter mandness while reading this lol
January 24, 2023
This story started out okay but by the 45% mark I started to check out. Sure, I found Shea as lovable and sweet as everyone else, and, since this is Tal Bauer we're talking about, the writing was for sure beautiful, but... the amount of pages I had to read between anything meaningful taking place got to me. It was so drawn out that I had a hard time staying interested.
I actually skimmed the second half of the story, focusing mainly on dialogue, and it still took me forever to finish. The events that took place in the last quarter of the story seemed a little too ott and I barely made it to the end, the desire to dnf popping up every few pages. What an exhausting disappointment this was. 1.5 stars
I actually skimmed the second half of the story, focusing mainly on dialogue, and it still took me forever to finish. The events that took place in the last quarter of the story seemed a little too ott and I barely made it to the end, the desire to dnf popping up every few pages. What an exhausting disappointment this was. 1.5 stars
January 12, 2023
WHAT THE EVER LOVING FFFFFF
Y'all I just went to look at my review for this book and it was gone. Blank. Donezo.
SECOND TIME this has happened to me in 2023. And no, I don't have a copy somewhere else.
FML. I don't have time for this.
Y'all I just went to look at my review for this book and it was gone. Blank. Donezo.
SECOND TIME this has happened to me in 2023. And no, I don't have a copy somewhere else.
FML. I don't have time for this.
May 18, 2023
Reread #1 - May, 2023
It almost physically hurts how much I love this book 🥺
First Read - January, 2023
I absolutely adored this. I think that this one is my favorite that Tal has ever written. It just hit all my buttons: the hockey content (my Canadian heart was so full), the strongest found family vibes of the team, the characters 👌
I know Tal's writing style is not for everyone but I personally adore his flowery, beautiful prose. I am HERE for his "cheesy" romance. Because at the end of the day Tal writes soulmates; he writes epic & deeply romantic love stories. Everything from the small moments to the big declarations of love get me every time. And this one was no exception.
There’s just something about Tal’s characters - they don’t feel fictional. They are so layered and dimensional and real. Even the side characters are fleshed out so much we can’t help but fall in love with them too. This book is about the men. There is an overarching plotline of this team overcoming a traumatic experience and sticking together - but really at the heart of this book it’s about these men and their journey.
Morgan - This man is a literal dream man. I adored being in his POV - he had such a dry sense of humor. He is strong, dependable, devoted - the kind of man who loves with his whole heart and gives everything of himself to support those he loves. HE SHOWS UP. Every single day. It’s no wonder his team absolutely adores him and worships him. He is a natural leader (even though he doesn’t think he is special or good enough).
Shea - This beautiful ray of sunshine boy. He was so sweet and kind but also so strong and brave. I loved getting to see him through Morgan’s eyes. Morgan could wax poetic about Shea for centuries and I get it. Shea is a catch!!
Brody - Brody really took us through all the emotions. The sweetest, energetic puppy that is hiding so much pain it broke me 😭
Lawson - I mean what can I say? I’m a sucker for goalies. And Lawson was so endearing. His friendship with Brody, the way he hurt so badly near the end and just broke? Ugh.
And the romance? I loved the way Morgan & Shea’s relationship progressed. It was natural and slow in a way. They formed such a solid, close friendship first. There were times were the pining literally HURT (the scene where Shea begs Morgan and says he will be easy - fuck me up). Their romance was beyond stunning - the amount of trust, respect and devotion? 👏
And finally - the team. The. Team. Their bond, their friendships - they are honestly a FAMILY. I loved them all. Every scene we get of them bonding left me so warm and happy. All the parties and family time at the rookie house Their feeling of being "sticky" where they felt like it was hard to unglue themselves from each other... I mean.. 🥺 THE OUTLAWS DESERVE ALL THE LOVE, SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.
I could write an entire essay into all the intricacies of this book and how I felt but I’ll leave it at this for today. Don't even get me started on quotes or what I highlighted....
Writing this review and thinking back on how I felt while reading this kind of makes me want to cry. This will probably be my top book of 2023 and how dare Tal do that to me mid-January �
It almost physically hurts how much I love this book 🥺
First Read - January, 2023
I absolutely adored this. I think that this one is my favorite that Tal has ever written. It just hit all my buttons: the hockey content (my Canadian heart was so full), the strongest found family vibes of the team, the characters 👌
I know Tal's writing style is not for everyone but I personally adore his flowery, beautiful prose. I am HERE for his "cheesy" romance. Because at the end of the day Tal writes soulmates; he writes epic & deeply romantic love stories. Everything from the small moments to the big declarations of love get me every time. And this one was no exception.
There’s just something about Tal’s characters - they don’t feel fictional. They are so layered and dimensional and real. Even the side characters are fleshed out so much we can’t help but fall in love with them too. This book is about the men. There is an overarching plotline of this team overcoming a traumatic experience and sticking together - but really at the heart of this book it’s about these men and their journey.
Morgan - This man is a literal dream man. I adored being in his POV - he had such a dry sense of humor. He is strong, dependable, devoted - the kind of man who loves with his whole heart and gives everything of himself to support those he loves. HE SHOWS UP. Every single day. It’s no wonder his team absolutely adores him and worships him. He is a natural leader (even though he doesn’t think he is special or good enough).
Shea - This beautiful ray of sunshine boy. He was so sweet and kind but also so strong and brave. I loved getting to see him through Morgan’s eyes. Morgan could wax poetic about Shea for centuries and I get it. Shea is a catch!!
Brody - Brody really took us through all the emotions. The sweetest, energetic puppy that is hiding so much pain it broke me 😭
Lawson - I mean what can I say? I’m a sucker for goalies. And Lawson was so endearing. His friendship with Brody, the way he hurt so badly near the end and just broke? Ugh.
And the romance? I loved the way Morgan & Shea’s relationship progressed. It was natural and slow in a way. They formed such a solid, close friendship first. There were times were the pining literally HURT (the scene where Shea begs Morgan and says he will be easy - fuck me up). Their romance was beyond stunning - the amount of trust, respect and devotion? 👏
And finally - the team. The. Team. Their bond, their friendships - they are honestly a FAMILY. I loved them all. Every scene we get of them bonding left me so warm and happy. All the parties and family time at the rookie house Their feeling of being "sticky" where they felt like it was hard to unglue themselves from each other... I mean.. 🥺 THE OUTLAWS DESERVE ALL THE LOVE, SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.
I could write an entire essay into all the intricacies of this book and how I felt but I’ll leave it at this for today. Don't even get me started on quotes or what I highlighted....
Writing this review and thinking back on how I felt while reading this kind of makes me want to cry. This will probably be my top book of 2023 and how dare Tal do that to me mid-January �
April 9, 2024
4.25
This was an emotional rollercoaster. I was proud, I cried, I was nervous - from the toxic dynamic of the team when Morgan first arrived, to his attraction to Shea, to that "what-the-fuckery" that happens in the 3rd act.
Only downsides were that it could be a little cheesy at times (like I know you're not supposed to judge how people grieve, but...I'mma judge), and the actual logistics of the plot, at least at the beginning, was a bit feeble. Not that it was impossible, but the WAY it happened and continued took some suspense of belief.
I've got to find the novella for the other couple shown in this book.
This was an emotional rollercoaster. I was proud, I cried, I was nervous - from the toxic dynamic of the team when Morgan first arrived, to his attraction to Shea, to that "what-the-fuckery" that happens in the 3rd act.
Only downsides were that it could be a little cheesy at times (like I know you're not supposed to judge how people grieve, but...I'mma judge), and the actual logistics of the plot, at least at the beginning, was a bit feeble. Not that it was impossible, but the WAY it happened and continued took some suspense of belief.
I've got to find the novella for the other couple shown in this book.
February 20, 2024
I feel stupid saying there was too much hockey in a hockey romance but there was too much hockey also I don’t know what I was expecting from a hockey romance so maybe it’s less that there was too much hockey and more me not giving enough thought to the fact that I was reading a hockey-themed romance anyway it was good aside from the hockey. And even that might have been fine, I don’t know anything about hockey. I’ll stop using the word hockey. Sorry. Hockey.
March 5, 2023
The Rest Of The Story - Tal Bauer
I don’t know what it is about Sport related MM stories, specifically Ice Hockey. They are like a magnet to me, even though some break my heart and leave me dehydrated, no more tears left. Tal Bauer’s “The Rest of The Story� is just one example, “Gravity� is another.
The storytelling here and the many individuals and their character development were outstanding. It’s a long read but so good I’m sorry that it’s finished.
Morgan Elster is a 30 year old experienced Ice Hockey player on a team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with only a couple years left on his contract. He’s debating whether to pack it all in and retire to Florida when he’s told he has been traded to the “Rocky Mountain Outlaws� in Boulder, Colorado, a team so far down the ratings they hardly merit a mention.
He’s not a happy man, but he has to be on a plane there tomorrow. On arrival he meets up an old friend who plays for the “Outlaws� and is shocked listening to the story he tells him. His friend begs him not to jump on a plane and leave, just come and take a look.
When he meets the team players for the first time on the ice, he is shocked to his core at the sight of these men. Thin, tired and traumatised, they look like wrecks. They’ve been starved, overworked and neglected. When the team captain Isaac Coates arrives Morgan has to control himself. However, a short while later, when he sees him hitting a young player with the stick, he asks some older players to record this on their phones. Morgan is a huge man, he slides down the ice and has the captain squashed and beaten into the ice before he’s pulled off him.
As events unfolded following this altercation, the team captain is fired, a new Management is started and Morgan agrees to stay for 1 year.
What happens during this year is a beautiful story, you will surely cry but also share in the joy. There are super characters here, standouts are Shea, Brody, Lawson, Gavin and Kathy, the new Vice President of the franchise. From such broken men a wonderful found family is formed and they start to dream again of that Grand Prize, the Stanley Cup.
This is Tal Bauer at his best, and the two Novellas that he offers at the end to catch up with the guys is like a full length book, of the healing of a couple of characters, slowly and beautifully, finding themselves in each other.
So well worth the reading. Together with the novellas, this should be a 10 ⭐️ rating.
I don’t know what it is about Sport related MM stories, specifically Ice Hockey. They are like a magnet to me, even though some break my heart and leave me dehydrated, no more tears left. Tal Bauer’s “The Rest of The Story� is just one example, “Gravity� is another.
The storytelling here and the many individuals and their character development were outstanding. It’s a long read but so good I’m sorry that it’s finished.
Morgan Elster is a 30 year old experienced Ice Hockey player on a team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with only a couple years left on his contract. He’s debating whether to pack it all in and retire to Florida when he’s told he has been traded to the “Rocky Mountain Outlaws� in Boulder, Colorado, a team so far down the ratings they hardly merit a mention.
He’s not a happy man, but he has to be on a plane there tomorrow. On arrival he meets up an old friend who plays for the “Outlaws� and is shocked listening to the story he tells him. His friend begs him not to jump on a plane and leave, just come and take a look.
When he meets the team players for the first time on the ice, he is shocked to his core at the sight of these men. Thin, tired and traumatised, they look like wrecks. They’ve been starved, overworked and neglected. When the team captain Isaac Coates arrives Morgan has to control himself. However, a short while later, when he sees him hitting a young player with the stick, he asks some older players to record this on their phones. Morgan is a huge man, he slides down the ice and has the captain squashed and beaten into the ice before he’s pulled off him.
As events unfolded following this altercation, the team captain is fired, a new Management is started and Morgan agrees to stay for 1 year.
What happens during this year is a beautiful story, you will surely cry but also share in the joy. There are super characters here, standouts are Shea, Brody, Lawson, Gavin and Kathy, the new Vice President of the franchise. From such broken men a wonderful found family is formed and they start to dream again of that Grand Prize, the Stanley Cup.
This is Tal Bauer at his best, and the two Novellas that he offers at the end to catch up with the guys is like a full length book, of the healing of a couple of characters, slowly and beautifully, finding themselves in each other.
So well worth the reading. Together with the novellas, this should be a 10 ⭐️ rating.
January 10, 2023
It always takes me a day or so to gather my thoughts to some sense of coherence after the beauty of a Tal Bauer novel. This was absolutely no exception. Set in the same world as (though that is not a prerequisite read) we meet Morgan and Shea, hockey players for the worst team in the league. They are, quite simply, the laughing stock of laughing stocks.
Morgan is transferred in on a one year contract and no sooner does he arrive than he realises there is something very, very wrong going on. Despite not being certain he will even stay, he sets about making it right. And so begins Morgan's journey from that guy who isn't very remarkable, to that guy who is saviour, superhero and finder-extraordinaire of found family. Morgan becomes their bedrock.
Shea and Morgan meet on that first eventful day and for both, the attraction is instant though neither acts upon it. Shea is not quite rookie and not quite veteran of the sport but the two become close, co-captaining the team and bringing them back from the brink.
Ultimately, for me, this was a story of the beauty in found family, the making of a team and the slow but unrelenting development of and attraction into what became so much more between Morgan and Shea. Morgan's self-discovery, who he thought he was and who he became as part of the Outlaws just made my heart happy. Those moments between Morgan and Shea, then with Gavin, Brody, Lawson and the rest of the team, how they looked after each other? It was just a joy to read.
My heart then filled to bursting with how Morgan and Shea were together. Their relationship was unlike one I've ever read in its sweetness, respect and gentleness. The way Morgan eventually capitulated to his feelings? He was just ALL IN! These two completely stole my heart. Utterly and irrevocably 💝
I 😭 with sadness, happiness, ugly cried again and then my heart totally burst with joy.
and thank you Tal for the bonus novella for . So emotional and beautiful to finish up. I really needed that!
Morgan is transferred in on a one year contract and no sooner does he arrive than he realises there is something very, very wrong going on. Despite not being certain he will even stay, he sets about making it right. And so begins Morgan's journey from that guy who isn't very remarkable, to that guy who is saviour, superhero and finder-extraordinaire of found family. Morgan becomes their bedrock.
Shea and Morgan meet on that first eventful day and for both, the attraction is instant though neither acts upon it. Shea is not quite rookie and not quite veteran of the sport but the two become close, co-captaining the team and bringing them back from the brink.
Ultimately, for me, this was a story of the beauty in found family, the making of a team and the slow but unrelenting development of and attraction into what became so much more between Morgan and Shea. Morgan's self-discovery, who he thought he was and who he became as part of the Outlaws just made my heart happy. Those moments between Morgan and Shea, then with Gavin, Brody, Lawson and the rest of the team, how they looked after each other? It was just a joy to read.
My heart then filled to bursting with how Morgan and Shea were together. Their relationship was unlike one I've ever read in its sweetness, respect and gentleness. The way Morgan eventually capitulated to his feelings? He was just ALL IN! These two completely stole my heart. Utterly and irrevocably 💝
I 😭 with sadness, happiness, ugly cried again and then my heart totally burst with joy.
and thank you Tal for the bonus novella for . So emotional and beautiful to finish up. I really needed that!
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