REVIEW: “Crashing the Net” by Samantha Wayland
ABOUT:
Mike comes to Moncton wanting nothing more than to play for the Ice Cats and finally live on his own terms. He’s broke, bruised, and covered from head to toe in cheap lube, but he isn’t going to let that stop him. All he needs is a place to live and some time to figure out how to reconcile who he really is with who everyone wants him to be.
Dumping three gallons of lube on the new kid is just another day at the office for Alexei. He knows exactly who he is: a goalie on the ice, a prankster in the locker room, and a man who knows better than to share his private life with anyone. He’s let people in before and it’s taught him that if he can’t have what he really wants, it’s better to be alone.
Despite their apparent differences, an unlikely friendship grows. Neither of them could ever have guessed how much they really have in common.
REVIEW:
I know that sometimes I whine about too much sex in a story – and it feels like I prefer stories about ‘romance’ rather than stories about ‘erotica’. BUT, it doesn’t mean that I cannot appreciate a good, light, mild on drama llama, and good-smutty-time stories as well!! Not when they are written well and the characters are likeable.
This was what “Crashing the Net” offered… and I totally enjoyed it.
It opened with a slightly gross scene though, when Mike Erdo, a 22-year-old new hockey player for the Moncton Ice Cats was doused with lube as part of a locker-room-welcoming prank, organized by goalie Alexei Belov. I mean, ewwww, imagining all that lube all over him, on his nose, GAH, so disgusting man!
But afterwards, it was a wonderful easy breezy story – as Mike (he’s a virgin!!!) found friendship with Alexei, as the Russian took him under his wing. There was mild unresolved-tension that happened because they didn’t announce to each other about their attraction. Mike was pretty much in the closet, as he didn’t think there were any out hockey players… while Alexei didn’t want to probe. Plus there was an age-gap thing, and Alexei’s tendency to be dominant in bed.
So yes, there was chemistry, there was good banter and a totally enjoyable friendship before they finally acted on their attraction. And it was SMOKIN’ HOT, PEOPLE!! I loved the D/s overtone, lots of teeth involved (but sexy!), and again, HOT HOT HOT! I loved that it was the fun kind of sex, you know? Yes, Alexei was slightly dominant, but clearly they both enjoyed the sex – it wasn’t the kind of humiliating or strong dominance kind of stuff either. Which was totally good for me *smile*.
Another plus point of this story was Mike’s determination NOT to let Alexei get away with the “I’m not good for you, you’re a virgin, I’m more dominant in bed, you should find more experience with others” crap. Oh, no, siree. Mike knew what he wanted and he wouldn’t let Alexei give up on what they couldn’t have. I loved him for it.
There was a mini drama involving Mike’s parents – who had this idea of Mike owing them and not happy about his lifestyle. But nobody was being disowned or being thrown out. In fact, there was a quite supportive sister and Mike did stand up to his parents.
So it was an enjoyable story with HEA involving gay hockey players. Duly noted that the hockey action was minimum, but still, yummm. The writing was good too. I guess, what I am trying to say is this story makes me a very happy girl. I hope it will make you feel the same way, if you ever give this a try.
PS: Unfortunately, the other stories from this author seem to be either M/F or M/M/F, which is NOT exactly what I was looking for. Me = sad.
RATING: 4 STARS
BOOK INFO:
Title: Crashing the Net
Author: Samantha Wayland
Publisher: Loch Awe Press
Pages: 128
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Purchase Links: Amazon
About Ami
You should read the authors Hat Trick series- the second book is M/M. Great review!
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Thank you … but the character from that second book has a girlfriend in the first one, and well, it’s not my thing :(
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I love that Samantha has the chops to write different genres. Her menage is smoking hot! She is one I will always one click!
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Unfortunately menage is not my thing *lol*. But I hope she writes another M/M. Pure one :)
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I bought and read this yesterday since it was only 99 cents. I really liked it. I added the Hat Trick series to my wish list. I’m not a huge MMF or MFM fan (even though it was my gateway drug to MM).
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Yep, good book, GREAT price :). Glad that you liked this, Kim.
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