So far this is my favorite of the 3 I have read in this series. Kip and Sergei were mentioned in the other books so their feelings had time to develop before the relationship occurred here. They were so cute together. I have to say, however, that Trey is my favorite character. I love his wit, sarcasm, and humor. Great read. ( )

Cup Check by Stephani Hecht is a novella at 21,431 words published by eXstasy Books, and it features two alternating third-person viewpoints. Other than more typos than I’m used to, I have no problems with this tightly written story that features vivid, insider-view details about the hardscrabble world of semi-professional hockey (the title refers to whacking a player in the groin with a hockey stick, which is what happens to one character by an opposing player).

The conflict centers on the secret attraction between openly gay Sergei and the deeply closeted team captain Kip. Kip’s reasons are compelling for keeping his sexual orientation a secret so as not to wreck his sports career. The author provides enough contrast between his precarious position as a supposedly straight guy and the harsh experiences of gay teammates Sergei, Devon, and Trey to make Kip’s problem believable and relatable. In the meantime, the mutual lust between Sergei and Kip (especially after their surprise meeting in a gay bar) is very hot, and their growing affection for each other ensures the reader’s emotional investment in their story.

The story opens on a high note of action in Sergei’s viewpoint as his new team the Hawks plays his old team the Cougars, comprised of some viciously homophobic guys who once made his life a living hell. Though Kip (whom he’s lusted after from afar) tries to protect him, Sergei gets whacked in the groin out on the ice and one of his teammates gets an even worse injury, but Sergei is able to score. Clearly, when the Hawks and Cougars meet again in the playoffs, it will be a grudge match.

Later, Sergei is stunned to run across Kip in a gay bar. The two have a violent argument, followed by a struggle for dominance in the rainy parking lot, which turns into hot, anger-fueled sex. Sergei realizes he wants a relationship with Kip, but not a secret one. He has been through too much already at the hands of his former teammates and his disapproving parents after coming out publically in hopes of helping other gay young people. Meanwhile, Kip needs a way to sort out his priorities: love or career. With the playoffs game approaching, he may find the decision made for him.

Val for AReCafe ( )

Cup Check didn't really work for me. I couldn't get into the story. ( )

This book focused on two members of the hockey team we'd only met in passing before: Kip and Sergei. Sergei is openly gay and has been forced out of his old team because of the rampant homophobia. Kip is in major lust with him.

It's a pretty typical getting together story - enjoyable, as Hecht's writing always is, and I thought the plot was tighter this time (perhaps because the story of these boys discovering each other was the only thing going on whereas there were other plot threads to be addressed in the previous books that took away from the love story). I really liked Sergei and was rooting for Kip to pull his head out of his arse (which he does in a very public way).

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This book focused on two members of the hockey team we'd only met in passing before: Kip and Sergei. Sergei is openly gay and has been forced out of his old team because of the rampant homophobia. Kip is in major lust with him.

It's a pretty typical getting together story - enjoyable, as Hecht's writing always is, and I thought the plot was tighter this time (perhaps because the story of these boys discovering each other was the only thing going on whereas there were other plot threads to be addressed in the previous books that took away from the love story). I really liked Sergei and was rooting for Kip to pull his head out of his arse (which he does in a very public way).

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