Off the Ice

Chesterford Coyotes #1

by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey

A coming-of-age love story with high school, hockey rivalry, friendship, family, and coming out.

Soren’s life changes in an instant when he and his younger brother are adopted by hockey royalty. Making sense of his new life is hard enough, but when he’s enrolled in a private school it means facing a whole new set of problems. Navigating friendship, family, and hockey is one thing, but being attracted to the boy who vexes him is a whole new thing..

Felix has a reputation to protect. He's the kid who seems to have everything but looks can be deceiving. Spinning lies about his perfect life, he’s created a fantasy world that even he has started to believe. Only, it’s not long before everything crumbles, all of his pretty lies are revealed, and only his closest rival sees through his pain and stands by him.

Fighting is easy, friendship is hard, but love is everything.

Genres: M M Romance, Hockey, Romance, Young Adult, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, Contemporary

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

RJ Scott is a USA TODAY bestselling author of over 140 romance and suspense novels. From bodyguards to hockey stars, princes to millionaires, cowboys to military, she believes that love is love and every man deserves their own happy ending.

Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute!

It did feel a little unfinished though. I'd like to have seen Felix's family issues and new living situation have some kind of resolution instead of being left up in the air.

I also would have liked to see more of them in a relationship, not just building up to it. It was like 95% build, and then minimal time of them being together.

I am intrigued for the next book with Jonah and Tyler though.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

The teen drama is definitely present here, and I absolutely loved it.

I adored Soren. He was sweet, caring, protective, and funny. Felix was a little asshat, but once you got to know him and learn what he’d been through, you understand his anger.

This was a slow burn, but I loved watching Soren break through Felix’s hard shell to get to the softer side of him. I enjoyed their back-and-forth banter and some of the commentaries had me laughing out loud, and once they finally got together it was sweet.

This was a really enjoyable read. It’s well-written, easy to read and the collaboration between the authors is seamless. While the story was heartbreaking at times, it was also heartwarming, sweet, and funny and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Definitely recommendable!

* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute. It's young adult, so the vibe is different than other books by RJ and VL, in a way that feels more innocent yet no less complex. It kind of recognizes kids go through really hard things without removing the fact that they are kids from our minds. I, for one, really appreciate that. It makes me really uncomfortable when the young adult genre treats teenagers like adults with homework. The balance cannot be easy, yet it was actually here.
I have to say, I was fully immersed. For being a whole new playing field genre wise, the book was in the same high quality bracket I've come to expect from this writing duo.

[Love Is All Around · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE A CURA DI LADY MARMELADE
Ho sempre fatto sport quando ero ragazzina, ma negli ultimi anni mi sono impigrita causa lavoro e altre mille cose da fare in una giornata fatta purtroppo di sole ventiquattro ore!
Era logico quindi che mi piacessero anche i romance ad ambientazione sportiva, qualsiasi tipo di sport per la precisione, anche quelli meno conosciuti in Italia, come in questo caso l’hockey.
Mi era piaciuta molto la serie sugli “Harrisburg Railers” e ritrovare i suoi personaggi più amati mi ha fatto davvero piacere.
La coppia Ten/Jared aveva iniziato la serie e vedere dove sono arrivati ad anni di distanza è stato davvero molto bello.
I due hanno avuto mille difficoltà che hanno saputo affrontare sempre insieme e ora hanno anche una bellissima famiglia di cui prendersi cura.
Hanno deciso di allargare la famiglia, già catalizzata dalla piccola Lottie, adottando Soren e il suo fratellino Milo “ospiti” del sistema da troppo tempo, bisognosi si una famiglia che li ami e li accetti, per condividere con più persone possibili l’immensa fortuna che hanno avuto loro nella vita.
A Soren non sembra vero di essere stato scelto da una delle coppie più prestigiose del fantastico mondo dell’hockey professionistico, visto che anche Soren ha un discreto talento in questa disciplina.
I due ragazzini vengono catapultati in un nuovo ambiente, molto ricco e lussuoso, in una nuova scuola d’élite, dove lo studio è preso molto sul serio abbinato alla disciplina sportiva, ma tengono sempre i piedi per terra, soprattutto Soren che non dimentica da dove è venuto.
Continua sul nostro blog!

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, tender, and ultimately joyous story. A sweet YA romance from the Ms' Locey and Scott, with just a bit of an edge. As adorable as the MCs are, not all is sweetness and light. A spin off from the Harrisburg Railers hockey books (love that series❤️), in this case Ten and Jared's son, Soren, starts to look at his enemy with different eyes. Soren is popular, and Felix is not, he's a rich, unpleasant, and entitled bully . After years of watching his parents’ marriage fail, he uses his fists to fight his emotions, and keeps everyone at a strict distance. Felix really is a thorn in Soren's side; but when it turns out Felix is nothing like he imagined, Soren starts to catch 'feelings.'

"He (Felix ) was so pretty to look at, especially when his bright eyes sparkled with creativity. His sight flicked from his tablet to me when I didn’t reply. The moment his gaze met mine that strange wobbly sensation erupted in my lower stomach. And it was not gas from Grandma’s taco bake supreme that we’d had for dinner. He moved to his side, his gaze never leaving mine, rolling closer until our noses were less than an inch apart. I stared into his eyes, loving all the different shades of sapphire, turquoise, and sunflower...."

If you love a brooding, ( but not really), bad boy, romance, with undeniable sexual tension, then you’ll love this emotion-packed story. It's all about looking beyond appearances, and that love really can conquer all. There are a number of social issues mentioned, but they're introduced in such a way , that they allow some reflection without taking anything away from the romance. Ten, Jared and Ryker are there, mostly for comic relief. The whole thing really is so uplifting, and left me with a smile on my face 😊

[Hellsbells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully sweet and funny YA romance, with just enough angst that holds your attention.
There's some very edgy themes in this book but are handled in a very mature way so they don't bash you around the head.
I love the connection to the Harrisburg Railers, it's nice to see Ten and Jared's son. I'm sure young adults can identify with the issues involved in this book.
I really enjoyed the adults adding a little humor and light relief to situations which balanced the book wonderfully.
Overall I thought this was a fabulous read that I devoured once I'd started. It left me with warm happy feelings.

[Syd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! got me reading again after a horrible slump but definitely felt a bit unfinished and rushed, could’ve benefitted from an extra 50-100 pages to help with pacing

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am way past the time in my life that I would seek out a love story between two almost-16 year olds. Way past. However, when I saw this book was coming out, I knew it was going on my reading list…regardless. “Why?” you ask. Well, there are several reasons. First, the story has a hockey background…..my favorite. Then, add to that we get to spend some more time with a favorite couple (Jared and Ten Madsen-Rowe) as they are the dads of Soren and provide some chuckle-out-loud parenting scenes. And last, but most certainly not least, this author duo knows how to write stories that I want to read. Apparently regardless of the age of the MCs.

I am used to on-the-page heat in the books I read and wondered about missing it here. Nope. I enjoyed Off The Ice from beginning to end because the story drew me in and kept me entertained with writing that provided banter, hockey, and completely charming characters (both main and supporting).

Soren and Felix had understandable teenage angst and fluttery first time feelings to wade through as would be expected in a YA book. I felt it was portrayed in a believable way that made me keep turning the pages.

All in all, I didn't know exactly what to expect; but I was 100% right to give it a try. Loved it so much!

[Elisa Raga]

DNF al secondo capitolo ahahahah
Non metto stelline perché non mi sembra il caso
Ma...
È davvero stato riletto questo libro prima di essere pubblicato? Almeno una volta?
Sembra una parodia, non si capisce mezza frase ed è tutto sconclusionato. Si passa da un argomento all'altro senza un vero perché e Felix sembra pericolosamente una versione cringe di Draco Malfoy. Io sono basita... Non abbandono spesso i libri ma il mio tempo ha valore, sorry not sorry

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott and Locey score another hockey hit with Off the Ice. This first book in their Young Adult Chesterford Coyotes series features lots of characters from their adult hockey novels but can absolutely be read without that background. It sure is fun for us super fans though.

Following Ten and Jared (from the Harrisburg Railers)‘s adopted son Soren through the halls of his prestigious school and onto its ice hockey rink, this book captures all the eagerness and butterflies and awkwardness and excitement of young love.

At first it is really hard to find anything to like about Felix. But as his story unfolds and his walls start to break down, you see how liking Soren makes him want to be a better version of himself. A big self-improvement is easier to believe in youth and soon you’re rooting for these boys.

Already looking forward to the next instalment in the series. 5 stars.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darum geht’s:

Soren und sein Bruder wurden vom Hockeystar Tennant und seinem Mann Jared adoptiert und seitdem hat sich ihre komplette Welt geändert. Soren geht auf eine Privatschule und ist im Hockey-Team, lebt in wohlhabenden Verhältnissen und mit liebevollen Vätern. Einzig Mitschüler Felix bringt ihn ständig auf die Palme, strotzt vor Arroganz und Bösartigkeit, obwohl er alles zu haben scheint, was man sich wünschen kann. Außer Freunde.

Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier

[devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute YA romance, with lots of new emotions being figured out. Teenagers acting like teenagers... It was refreshing to read.

[Laurel Looney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book about Soren and Felix. I could read it over and over. This is the type of book is my favorite. I LOVED it.

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

me sorprendió mucho y me gustó mucho🙂‍↕️ el desarrollo de félix lo fue todo y me gustó que fuera cortito ajdjjsjd
ahora quiero mucho leer el segundo

[mmreads430 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet YA story featuring high school hockey players Soren and Felix. The adopted son of pro hockey star Tennant Madsen-Rowe and his husband Jared, himself a famous hockey coach, Soren is from a hockey family, while Felix is a wealthy kid going through a rough time at home, prickly in demeanor with a huge chip on his shoulder. I loved how these young men clash at first, then begin to see each other differently as they are forced to work on a school project together. The considerable angst is tempered by the sweetness of young romance, and I will definitely be on board for more stories featuring the expanded circle of their friends. Recommended!!

[Xenia Melzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet YA romance where some of my favorite characters from the Harrisburg Railers make an appearance. Can't get better!
I translated the book, so I got a free copy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I thought this was great start to the Chesterford Coyotes Series by VL Locey & RJ Scott. It’s part of the Railers Universe. This is YA so different from the other books in this universe. I think the authors did the genre justice. Even if you aren’t usually a fan of YA books I think you should still give this book a chance. I’m in my mid 30’s and I still found it a good read that wasn’t too young to keep my interested. This was such a cute book with only a little bit of angst. Soren was such a sweetheart and he was so protective of those he’s cares about. I loved that even though Felix was a jerk a lot of the time, Soren still kept on coming back and digging deeper and getting to the bottom of the real reason why he acts the way he does. I loved seeing Felix vulnerable side/true self come out as the book progressed. I also loved seeing Felix and his dad start to mend their strained relationship. I thought that Jared, Ten, Milo, Lottie & Ten’s parents added a lot of comedic relief. Especially when Ten and Jared attempted to give Soren the s*x talk after Ten saw that Soren kept on staring at Felix during hockey practice. I’m glad that Tyler is going to get his own story, which I’m looking forward reading when it’s released later this year. I’d definitely recommend this book, series, universe and both authors to everyone.

[TotalBlack_babe🖤 · Rating 1 out of 5]

L’idea di base della storia è anche carina, nulla di nuovo è il classico enemies to lovers a scuola, ma poteva comunque essere valido, però è tutto sviluppato talmente male che non si salva nemmeno la struttura della trama

Scrittura orribile, a tratti illeggibile. Si fatica a capire che cosa c’è scritto.

i personaggi sono gestiti malissimo. Ci sono svariati adulti in questa storia e si comportano come dei ragazzini di dodici anni. Non so quanti anni abbiano le autrici, ma trovo assurdo che sia stato pubblicato un libro tanto cringe e insensato. Non so nemmeno come descrivere alcune scene che mi hanno lasciato senza parole da quanto sono ridicole. Nessuno dei personaggi ha un evoluzione, specialmente Felix che è quello che più di tutti dovrebbe cambiare le proprie idee e stati d’animo. Pensieri ed emozioni inesistenti.

Ci sono dei momenti che sono anche carini, ma è tutto scritto così male che è impossibile godersi qualcosa.

Assolutamente sconsigliato!

[Tracy Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

Another amazing book by my favorite author duo. This book is about Soren, one of the boys Jared and Ten adopt. Soren and Felix start off as enemies. But, once Soren gets to know Felix better things change. This was a great book and I can't wait for the next one.

[Naia Sterne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro che reputo adatto per gli adolescenti, perfetto per la fascia d'età 13-18, una storia giovane e fresca che probabilmente ha faticato a coinvolgermi perché sono decisamente fuori target. A differenza di altri Young adult che riescono a parlare bene anche a un pubblico adulto questo volume non rientra nella casistica.

I protagonisti sono Soren e Felix, quindicenni, membri della squadra di hockey del liceo e decisamente non sono amici, al contrario.
Soren ha visto la propria vita cambiare dopo essere stato adottato dal fratello minore dai suoi papà stelle del mondo dell'hockey. Felix viene da un famiglia ricca ma disfunzionale dove se non ha mai visto mancare la stabilità economica, l'amore invece è stato un altro discorso.
Soren ha un buon numero di amici, una famiglia che lo ama e di cui ha imparato ad accettare l'amore e, soprattutto, nonostante la giovane età ha il coraggio di essere sé stesso. Felix è intrappolato dietro alle maschere che ha creato per non venir ferito è lui che finisce con il ferire gli altri.

Fra le vittime di Felix c'è uno degli amici di Soren, per questo i due sono spesso in conflitto. Il destino pare contrario al desiderio dei due di mantenersi a distanza. Finiscono insieme per il compito di letteratura e per gli allenamenti di hockey. Soren viene spinto dai suoi padri a essere gentile, nonostante tutto, invitandolo quindi a casa per studiare. Grazie al POV di Felix scopriamo che lui è si uno str0nz0 viziato ma con molto altro dentro, ad esempio, è ben lontano dall'essere omofobo come gli altri credono, come lui vuol far loro credere per nascondere chi è realmente. Grazie al progetto di letteratura, alla gentilezza di Soren, Felix inizia a cambiare permettendo che delle crepe si affaccino alle sue maschere. Soren inizia a vedere un nuovo volto di Felix e inizia a sentirsi attratto da lui. Un attrazione che Felix ricambia, anzi, che ha sempre provato.

La loro storia d'amore non parte subito, i due ci mettono diverso tempo prima di fare la prima mossa e di affrontare tutti quegli ostacoli che durante l'adolescenza ci sembrano insormontabili. La rivalità che li coinvolge, il giudizio degli altri, il rapporto con i genitori. Baci rubati di cui non si sa come parlare, una situazione che non si sa come definire. Il coming out, il supporto di coloro che ci circondano. La sicurezza che piano piano distrugge le maschere e unisce le persone. I discorsi sul sesso, l'imbarazzo di parlarne con i genitori e il primo accenno di desiderio che scuote il corpo. No, comunque sappiatelo, non è assolutamente spicy, nemmeno un po'.

Sicuramente se letto nell'età per il quale viene indicato può essere più coinvolgente ma so che la maggior parte di voi hanno più o meno la mia età quindi ve lo consiglio si, come regalo magari ad un parente più piccolo, come consiglio ai figli per il regalo a un* compagn* di classe o che so. Se invece siete in quella piccola percentuale che mi segue che ha fra i 13 e i 18 anni, si, può essere il libro perfetto per voi. Da quanto ho capito, i padri di Soren arrivano da un'altra serie dell'autrice (Harrisburg Railers credo ma prendete la notizia con le pinze che non sono assolutamente sicura) e questo è il primo libro della Chesterford Coyotes. Leggerò i successivi? Credo proprio di si, probabilmente, quando avrò tempo recuperò altre sue serie per le quali sono maggiormente in target.

La scrittura infatti è molto piacevole e scorrevole, perfettamente capace di coinvolgere e saperci trascinare nell'emotività dei personaggi. La narrazione segue una linea precisa, sebbene in questo caso, essendo un hockey romance ho trovato decisamente poco hockey e ammetto che era invogliata a leggere questo titolo proprio per la componente sportiva volendo ampliare i miei orizzonti verso l'hockey romance.

[Heather York · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 2 types of a**hole characters in fiction:

1. The truly evil bad guy that you are left salivating over the idea of their hopefully very painful demise.

2. The good guy with a very weighty chip on their shoulder that you know will soften and grow but still want to smack with an iron skillet to the back of the head at times.

Felix falls under #2. Oh how I wanted to knock some sense into him on many occasions BUT I also knew he had to get there on his own to fully grow. Authors can't help him, it's his journey and knowingly or cluelessly, he controls the timeline😉. There were enough hints throughout his inner monologues that made me empathize with him but in no way excused his actions. Soren on the other hand is all kinds of adorableness. Having read Perfect Gifts in the authors' Harrisburg Railers series, I was aware of Soren's background and how he and his brother, Milo, came to be in the Madsen-Rowe household. So I watched a very similar but not equal chip disappear from the teenager's shoulder previously. There will always be hints of said chip there considering his journey to Ten & Jared's door but he understands it and has learned to cope, making him older than his years yet still very much a teenager.

Put these two lads together and the chemistry is undeniable but it's not easy. It's Scott and Locey so you know the HEA is a foregone conclusion but the journey getting there is where the fun is. I'll admit there are times when you doubt wanting Felix to find that HEA but then he does or says something that surprises you, course then there is the one thing(and no I'm not telling what that is) that breaks your heart instantly because it appears to show a backward slide in his growth. Sometimes one needs to be shattered to finally find perspective and that's what happens to Felix and things slowly but realistically change. I know that sounds very vague but I don't want to spoil anything, just because we know it'll end in HEA doesn't mean we know what they win and lose to get there.

Now I mentioned Railers entry, Perfect Gifts above being where we are introduced to Soren and Milo and though I highly recommend reading, at the very least the Ten/Jared entries in that series first, it's not a must. You won't be lost if you start with Off the Ice. It's just a personal need to read character growth in progression so that my heart can fully connect to said characters, but that's just me.

Truth is, with a few exceptions(Little House and Anne of Green Gables books that I shared with my grandmother) I haven't read too many young adult stories since I was 12 or 13. At that time I read Judy Blume's Forever after which I went straight from Blume to Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, LaVyrle Spencer, and a few Jackie Collins. . . in terms of reading lets just say I grew up very quickly. I mention this because I can't honestly compare Off the Ice to other YA stories in the LGBTQ genre in regards to handling pure adolescent narratives. What I can compare it to is the beauty in which Scott & Locey have written the characters' natural, realistic, and completely relatable growth that makes a good story great.

Honestly? I think the fact that I don't seek out YA genre and still loved every word of Off the Ice speaks more volume to the amazingness of the story than anything else I could put in to words so maybe I'll just end my review with that sentiment.

[Katy Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuori dal ghiaccio è un bellissimo Young Adult, il primo della serie Chesterford Coyotes, ambientato nel mondo dell’hockey su ghiaccio, una storia di amicizia, famiglia e amore tra due protagonisti che sembrano distanti anni luce ma che, un po’ a sorpresa, troveranno un terreno fertile su cui costruire la loro relazione.
Soren e Felix sono giovanissimi, hanno quasi sedici anni, e giocano entrambi per la squadra della loro scuola, la Chesterford Academy.
Il personaggio di Soren mi è piaciuto moltissimo; nonostante lui e Milo abbiano vissuto per tanto tempo nel sistema minorile, adesso che hanno trovato una famiglia amorevole e stabile le cose vanno molto meglio. È bellissimo vedere il rapporto che ha con Tennant e Jared, come segua i loro suggerimenti e come sia protettivo nei confronti di Milo e della piccola Charlotte. Ha un carattere solare, aperto, ma anche deciso e non si tira indietro davanti a nessuna sfida.
Felix è un personaggio complesso, all’inizio è difficile simpatizzare per lui, ma quando scopriamo il motivo del suo comportamento è impossibile non vederlo sotto una luce diversa. È un ragazzo sensibile e molto solo, non ha veri amici su cui poter contare e il rapporto con i propri genitori è a dir poco complicato e conflittuale.

Il rapporto tra Soren e Felix assomiglia a una corsa sulle montagne russe, soprattutto perché Felix a volte si tira indietro e le cattive abitudini prendono il sopravvento. Ma la costanza di Soren e un evento particolare che colpirà la sua famiglia lo costringeranno a far cadere tutte le maschere e a mostrare agli altri il vero Felix.
Oltre ai due protagonisti troviamo tantissimi altri personaggi interessanti e molto “veri”, a partire di due padri di Soren.
Attraverso il Pov alternato è molto facile imparare a conoscere i due personaggi principali e scoprirne i pensieri e le vulnerabilità. I capitoli dedicati a Felix sono molto intensi soprattutto per la situazione che vive a casa e quello che realmente si trova nel suo cuore. All’inizio è difficile credere di affezionarsi a un personaggio come lui, ma la realtà è che è impossibile non sentirsi coinvolti per quello che prova e sente.
Questo libro è un perfetto teen drama che ha tutti quegli elementi che mi colpiscono sempre: delle dinamiche particolari, la scoperta del primo amore, la paura di mostrarsi per come si è davvero e le aspettative per il futuro. La trama ha una bella evoluzione e il ritmo narrativo è ottimo.
Lo sport è parte integrante del romanzo, quasi come se fosse anche esso stesso un protagonista silente ma che si percepisce chiaramente. Le autrici hanno dimostrato di possedere una buonissima conoscenza di questa disciplina ed è stato molto coinvolgente assistere alle diverse dinamiche presenti nella squadra.
L’amicizia e la famiglia hanno un ruolo centrale, ho amato tantissimo vedere Soren interagire con la sua famiglia e vedere anche quanto Tennant e Jared adorino lui e il piccolo Milo. Allo stesso tempo mi ha fatto stringere il cuore scoprire quanto si senta solo e incompreso Felix, il suo bisogno di trincerarsi dietro risposte velenose nel tentativo di proteggersi. Tuttavia, non mancano momenti divertenti e battute che strappano più di una risata.

Recensione completa:
https://virtualkaty.blogspot.com/2024...

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off The Ice is the first book in Chesterford Coyotes, the lastest series in RJ Scott's and VL Locey wonderful world of ice hockey and LGBTQI+ romance that all started with the Harrisburg Railers series.

This is a totally wonderful and utterly delightful coming of age story. The teen drama was on point and I really felt a connection to both Soren and Felix through it. I've not read much young adult sport type books, but this was pretty cool.

Fans of Scott and Locey may recall of the MC's, Soren, and his little brother were adopted child of ice hockey power couple, Jared and Tennant Madson-Rowe in one of the Railer's novellas. A couple years later, Soren is settled with his family, he has an endless list of uncles who all play for the Railers, but the Rowe family who are hockey royalty between Ten, his brothers and a cousin all in NHL. He also has his equally talented brother (Jared's son) who plays for the Raptors. Plus his younger brother (biological) and his sisters (I believe they were born via surrogacy?) So, long story short, Soren has a lot of love and support in his life. However, being the son of hockey royalty means that Soren goes to a pretty exclusive school, where he's pretty much settled in there too.

Soren is a really nice, quiet but ambitious teenager. He doesn't play hockey for the school because his dad's expect it, but he does enjoy his time on the ice. For a kid whose life was a mess as he and his brother went through the foster system, he sure knows how to embrace life and love.

Yet there is one person at school that doesn't exactly get Soren. In fact, he's a down right a-hole and that person is Felix. Felix has said some extremely horrible things to Soren, especially regarding his dads. Although conversely, Felix is a massive Railers fan. When Felix's life begins to fall apart at home, he quickly learns who his friends are. Especially when the two people that he has been most terrible to, have been the two to support him, Soren and his friend Tyler.

Sweet, charming and all those other good words.

I can't wait until the next book is out and I get to find out more about Tyler, and perhaps even see a redemption arc for one of Felix's friends.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off the Ice is the first book in the new YA series, Chesterford Coyotes, written by RJ Scott and VL Locey. This is a spin-off from the Harrisburg Railers and other hockey series created by the duo but intended for a younger audience. While I definitely enjoyed the story more with the background knowledge from previous stories, new readers can pick this up and start fresh with the Coyotes and begin a new journey with these teenage hockey players.

These students attend Chesterford Academy, a private school mainly attended by the children of the rich and/or famous. Soren and his little brother were adopted by hockey power couple Jared and Tennant Madsen-Rowe after being in the foster system for years. Felix was raised with old money and the belief that power comes from wealth. With very different home lives and different social statuses at school, the animosity between these two is off the chart. Add to that Felix’s bullying of Soren’s best friend and real-life issues are brought into play.

One thing I really like about the stories written by these authors is the reality included. These boys are dealing with very different issues, and are facing some big hurdles all teens seem to deal with at one point or another. From fighting and divorcing parents to confusion about a crush, not to mention that bullying plays a big role in the story, teenagers have a lot going on in their lives. However, family support is also portrayed in a positive way, and with that help, a bridge is formed that allows forgiveness, both outward and within, to be given. The romance that forms between the two young men is sweet and new.

While YA is not my typical genre, I did enjoy this book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. I think any fan of the Railers stories would enjoy seeing what’s happening with the next generation, as well as new readers looking for some hockey-loving teens facing real-life experiences.

Happy reading!

* I received a free copy of this book. *

[Sissi's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

💫Una storia dolce e delicata. Due ragazzi completamente diversi, con in comune soltanto l’amore per l’hockey e la squadra, e scuola, che condividono.
🫂Ho trovato molto bella l’evoluzione del rapporto padre-figlio tra Felix ed il suo papà. Ha descritto al 100% un ragazzo frustrato ed arrabbiato che litiga con il genitore. Mi ha fatto pensare alla mia adolescenza e a quanta pazienza un genitore ha in corpo per sopportarci in quei periodi.
👨‍👨‍👦‍👦Bellissima invece la storia di Soren e del suo fratellino, adottati da due campioni dell’hockey, dopo aver passato una vita sballottati da una casa all’altra e con la paura sempre attaccata addosso. Finalmente hanno una famiglia sana e felice di cui andare fieri, ed una sorellina splendida.
🫶🏻Ho apprezzato tantissimo il fatto che Soren, nonostante il carattere terribile e i continui rifiuti da parte di Felix, non si sia mai arreso. Ha compreso che c’è sempre un motivo se una persona si comporta male, ed ha avuto la pazienza e la gentilezza di attendere, ascoltare e stare vicino, ad una persona che non ha mai ricevuto la possibilità di essere ascoltato o compreso.
❤️‍🩹È interessante come, nonostante sia Soren il ragazzo adottato e da cui ci si aspettano delle riserve nei confronti del mondo, è proprio Felix, colui che viene definito figlio di papà, con due genitori e ricco sfondato, ad avere continui problemi di fiducia, a pensare che qualcuno sia al suo fianco solo per il proprio tornaconto. E questo perché? Perché ha due genitori che non sono riusciti a stargli vicino, hanno preferito litigare tra loro per anni che prendersi cura del figlio, e questo è il risultato.
❕️Unico appunto che devo fare è la frettolosità e le tantissime storie aperte che non hanno trovato un finale in questo libro. Tutta la parte precedente è stata ben sviluppata, le questioni riguardanti i due protagonisti sono chiare, ma poi si arriva ad una velocità assurda a concludere il tutto.

[Giroscrivo · Rating 5 out of 5]

*COLLABORAZIONE*

Ringrazio Triskell Edizioni per l’opportunità di collaborazione e per la copia in anteprima del romanzo “Fuori dal ghiaccio” di R.J.Scott e V.L.Locey.

Datemi uno sport romance e sarò felice! Hockey?! Ancora meglio! E con due protagonisti come Soren e Felix vado in brodo di giuggiole!

Questo young adult queer è stata una lettura fresca, divertente ma allo stesso tempo capace di lasciare il segno.

Scorrevole, spesso ironica e frizzante, ma anche in grado di far scendere qualche lacrimuccia a chi, come me, ha il cuore sempre pronto ad accogliere le emozioni.

Attraverso gli occhi di questi giovani protagonisti, le autrici raccontano moltissime sfumature di disagi giovanili, incomprensioni, la difficile scoperta della propria sessualità, i rapporti conflittuali con i genitori, il cammino non semplice dell’affermazione di se stessi e la paura del giudizio.

Una storia di crescita personale, non solo per i personaggi più giovani della storia, ma anche per gli adulti, che accanto a questi ragazzi affrontano gli ostacoli della vita con un bagaglio di esperienze diverse e ben più pesanti.

E’ un romanzo che definirei delicato, nel suo significato più puro! Lo consiglio di cuore, anche per scoprire le nuove bellissime, coloratissime e brillanti sfaccettature della nostra società e comprendere che l’Amore è sempre Amore, ovunque, per chiunque e in ogni momento!

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m already a fan of these authors’ hockey romance, and blame them for getting me into the genre in the first place. I loved this first book in their new YA series. Soren and Felix both feel very real, and I enjoyed getting to know them, and their friends. An added bonus is catching up with Soren’s dads and the rest of his family.

I thought Soren’s balancing of his life with school, friendships, hockey, and his feelings for Felix were realistic, as was his reminding himself of the huge differences between his life before he was adopted by Ten and Jared, and now. I loved his relationship with his dads, and his siblings. Ten and Jared are great dads, and it shows with the way Soren tries to do the right thing. I loved Jared’s reminder about not always knowing what’s happening in someone else’s life and to keep that in mind.

Felix has so much going on in his life, it’s not surprising he reacts the way he does. His parents haven’t given him much of a secure family life, but I love that his dad is starting to try. I love how he slowly thaws around Soren and shows his true personality.

Family and friendship play a huge part of the story. I love Rick and Phoebe and how they’re more of a family for Felix than his own. I love Soren’s relationship with his grandparents, and I’m looking forward to reading more about Tyler.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some inconsistencies/typos:
- Milo is 10 but in a booster seat?
- “…bumped up on the perfectly cut grass of the sidewalk and blocked my path”
- First period English but English was like third period before (28%).
- Switches from Dad to Jared and back to Dad within like 2-3 pages.
- It said they were meeting at the library at 8 but then a couple pages later it says it was open until 7 and so they had about an hour until they were chased out. Tyler’s arms were filled with books and then like a page later he opens his shaking hands, palm up. Soren already had his birthday without a party or anything because he didn’t want it and it said he was 16, but then he says it’s his birthday in two days.
- At dance, DJ changed song like 5 times in two seconds.

It was a short, interesting read but honestly Felix was so confusing. I didn’t think his character was very authentic and consistent. I liked seeing more of Soren and the Madsen-Rowe family, especially Soren’s little brother Milo.

I would have liked to see a little more resolution of Felix’s home life like his dad and him getting a new place and being happy. Soren was a joiner and well-accomplished (honor society, part of gamer & queer alliance clubs, good at languages, etc.). Maybe 4 out of 5 stars? It was entertaining but all the inconsistencies and typos pulled me out of the story.

Soren: bisexual
Felix: gay

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the cover suggests, this is a fairly light take on a YA hockey teammates enemies-to-lovers book. The hockey is a minor backdrop - these two are 15-16 and in high school, neither is an obsessive athlete, and school off the ice is a bigger piece of their lives. Despite Soren's past (as a foster kid) and Felix's present (dealing with a distant dad, a wealth-focused and absent mother, and a giant chip on his shoulder) this plays out fairly low-key. There are obstacles, but getting past them mostly takes perseverance, not pain.

A lot of YA is mined for angst, so perhaps there's some kudos to be had in not doing that here, but I felt that apologies were accepted a bit too easily, and I'd have liked to see more conflict. Emotionally, there could have been more depth. The ending comes up sweet but short, stopping right where so many do, with the impact of that last scene something I really wanted to see play out on the page.

Hopefully this will appeal to some younger YA readers, who need to see gay kids in sports. There are some moments of humor, and the general feeling is one of warmth. Those of us who read the excellent adult series will like the little glimpse of Jared and Ten parenting.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful YA story!

RJ Scott and V.L. Locey have been entertaining me with their hockey romance books for several years now and they never feel repetitive; the stories are always fresh. I think writing a YA story is a bit of a departure for them but I’ll read books with any heat level. I’ve read several YA books that I’ve loved and now I can add this one to that list.

While this story is primarily about Soren and Felix, fans of the Harrisburg Railers series will be happy to get more exposure to Jared and Ten, the couple who adopted Soren and his younger brother Milo. You definitely don’t need to have read the Railers books to enjoy this one though because it stands alone just fine.

Soren and Felix start out as adversaries – Felix is pretty much a bully in the beginning – but Soren soon sees through him and they become friends. Felix’s home life isn’t great even though he lets everyone think it is. He comes off as an entitled rich kid but his parents are divorcing and that is causing a big change in his life.

I loved reading about all of the fluttery feelings that young love invokes. Even though I am way, way past the age of Soren and Felix I can still remember those feelings so reading about Soren and Felix brought back fond memories.

This story definitely doesn’t have a cliffhanger but there were a couple of things not fully resolved and I hope there will be another book coming soon. Tyler, an openly gay teen, is someone that I want to read more about.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.