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Penalty Box #2
Delay of Game
Two polar opposite teammates battle their rivals—and their own issues—in this friends-to-lovers hockey romance.
Nate Singer is one of the good guys.
As team captain, Nate’s whole deal is sticking to the playbook, supporting his team and keeping his own issues buried. Especially since the team is finally winning, in no small part to his chemistry with one particular hotshot teammate.
Zach Reed has a bad boy reputation.
And it’s cost him. Zach’s past exploits landed him on the worst team in the league. But that also gave him the best friend he’s ever had. For three years, his friendship with Nate has grown, making them an intimidating duo on the ice—and forming an intense bond off of it as well.
When the team hits a skid, Zach and Nate go out with one thing in finding someone for a quick roll in the sheets to get back to their winning ways. Only they end up in each other’s arms—and each other’s heart.
And realize that could be exactly what they’ve always needed to win it all.
Penalty Box
Book 1: Game Misconduct
Book 2: Delay of Game
Nate Singer is one of the good guys.
As team captain, Nate’s whole deal is sticking to the playbook, supporting his team and keeping his own issues buried. Especially since the team is finally winning, in no small part to his chemistry with one particular hotshot teammate.
Zach Reed has a bad boy reputation.
And it’s cost him. Zach’s past exploits landed him on the worst team in the league. But that also gave him the best friend he’s ever had. For three years, his friendship with Nate has grown, making them an intimidating duo on the ice—and forming an intense bond off of it as well.
When the team hits a skid, Zach and Nate go out with one thing in finding someone for a quick roll in the sheets to get back to their winning ways. Only they end up in each other’s arms—and each other’s heart.
And realize that could be exactly what they’ve always needed to win it all.
Penalty Box
Book 1: Game Misconduct
Book 2: Delay of Game
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
78 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
About the author
Ari Baran
4 books169 followersBorn just outside of Philadelphia, Ari moved into the city for school and never looked back. In their day job, they are a lawyer (not that kind of lawyer).
When they’re not writing, they’re listening to black metal, researching one of several incredibly niche interests, or watching too many hockey games.
Ari is a writer of hockey romances, epic fantasies, and other emotionally-distant messes.
When they’re not writing, they’re listening to black metal, researching one of several incredibly niche interests, or watching too many hockey games.
Ari is a writer of hockey romances, epic fantasies, and other emotionally-distant messes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
September 25, 2023
The long sex scene near the end of Delay of Game, during which Zach lists all the things that make Nate beautiful, hot, and lovable, is itself so beautiful, hot, and lovable that it compensates for some significant problems in structure and characterization.
Structure: There's an awkward little prologue with Zach finding out in the middle of getting blown in a toilet that he's being traded, basically because he's a too-hard-partying PITA and (so one gathers) not only has he made the gossip sites a dozen too many times but also his play is suffering. The blowie goes by the board but Zach goes on an epic bender; next thing we know he's meeting his new team's captain, Nate, and finding Nate just so earnest that no matter how mad Zach is about being traded he can't hate him. And the next thing we know after that is that two years have passed and they're best friends. Also, Zach is a reformed character.
This whole bit is either too short or too long, I'm not sure which. Too short, because Zach's flameout takes up so little book space that the stakes don't feel high enough, and because we don't see the development of his friendship with Nate or, for that matter, of the changes in his behavior. The latter just sort of happens because he resolves that it will -- there's no emotional process involved.
Alternatively, maybe this bit is too long in that it should have been cut out altogether, so that we start with Zach and Nate already close and see their history (separately and together) in flashbacks.
Either way, it's a stumble that the book never quite recovers from; it's as if, having started out this way, Ari Baran can't stop telling instead of showing. Not that telling is always the wrong approach, but some aspects of the story have, or should have, an emotional weight that telling can't convey. Here's where characterization problems arise. Early on, for instance, Nate is in the middle of the off-season week he allows himself to spend blasted on reefer: it's "the only way he could deal with the crushing anxiety and responsibility that weighed him down during the year." That's the kind of thing we need to see a character actually experiencing if it's to have emotional impact.
Nate again: "there was a part of him that just always expected the worst, no matter what life actually had to show him, no matter the fact that you truly had to go into the season expecting to win if you wanted to have any actual, real hope of winning."
I could go on, but there's no need to belabor the point. The upshot is that Delay of Game just doesn't have the urgency and emotional impact that made Game Misconduct so compelling -- that book is still haunting me, nearly six months after I read it. And yet ... though this isn't an "erotic romance," the sex scenes really carry it. That connection between Nate and Zach is credible and moving and makes me round 3.5 stars up to 4.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC.
Structure: There's an awkward little prologue with Zach finding out in the middle of getting blown in a toilet that he's being traded, basically because he's a too-hard-partying PITA and (so one gathers) not only has he made the gossip sites a dozen too many times but also his play is suffering. The blowie goes by the board but Zach goes on an epic bender; next thing we know he's meeting his new team's captain, Nate, and finding Nate just so earnest that no matter how mad Zach is about being traded he can't hate him. And the next thing we know after that is that two years have passed and they're best friends. Also, Zach is a reformed character.
This whole bit is either too short or too long, I'm not sure which. Too short, because Zach's flameout takes up so little book space that the stakes don't feel high enough, and because we don't see the development of his friendship with Nate or, for that matter, of the changes in his behavior. The latter just sort of happens because he resolves that it will -- there's no emotional process involved.
Alternatively, maybe this bit is too long in that it should have been cut out altogether, so that we start with Zach and Nate already close and see their history (separately and together) in flashbacks.
Either way, it's a stumble that the book never quite recovers from; it's as if, having started out this way, Ari Baran can't stop telling instead of showing. Not that telling is always the wrong approach, but some aspects of the story have, or should have, an emotional weight that telling can't convey. Here's where characterization problems arise. Early on, for instance, Nate is in the middle of the off-season week he allows himself to spend blasted on reefer: it's "the only way he could deal with the crushing anxiety and responsibility that weighed him down during the year." That's the kind of thing we need to see a character actually experiencing if it's to have emotional impact.
Nate again: "there was a part of him that just always expected the worst, no matter what life actually had to show him, no matter the fact that you truly had to go into the season expecting to win if you wanted to have any actual, real hope of winning."
I could go on, but there's no need to belabor the point. The upshot is that Delay of Game just doesn't have the urgency and emotional impact that made Game Misconduct so compelling -- that book is still haunting me, nearly six months after I read it. And yet ... though this isn't an "erotic romance," the sex scenes really carry it. That connection between Nate and Zach is credible and moving and makes me round 3.5 stars up to 4.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC.
September 10, 2025
Reread 06/2025
Loved it so, so much (again).
All time favourite.
This series was always in the back of my mind in the last months, every time I thought about choosing a reread rather than a new book. I finally gave in, even if it has been only 4 months since my first read.
And I loved every minute of it.
Nate and Zach are awesome characters. Ari Baran's writing is gripping, genuine and just so, so satisfying.
The feelings and emotions... anxiety and regret, fear of failure and loss, hope and happiness, I loved it all.
The slowly changing relationship between Nate and Zach was beautiful to watch. Their inability to communicate was heartbreaking.
This is the "lightest" book in the series, but it nevertheless deals with heavy themes.
I'm going to reread immediately the next installments (but I'm not in the right headspace for the violence of book 1 at the moment).
Can't wait to get to book 3 now, I'm really curious if it will feel different this time around. It was my first book by Ari Baran and it had taken me a bit to get into the story, then.
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Read 02/2025
My third book by this author and it was awesome!
I'm reading the series out of order, and I'm surprised how different from each other the books are - all of them beautiful and touching, though.
Book 3 Home Ice Advantage: rivals to lovers, MCs in their mid fourties.
Book 4 Goaltender Interference: second chance romance and depression.
Book 2 Delay of Game: friends to oblivious idiots in love, and bi-awakening.
I enjoyed every second.
Like with the other books I've read by this author, it's not fluffy, though it may be the least heavy/intense of them. One of the MCs (Zach) seems carefree, had a problem with alcohol and drugs, and the other MC (Nate) is Jewish, has anxiety and deep self worth issues.
I loved both MCs very much, wanted to wrap them in a big hug and tell them everything would be alright..
I'm going to read now the first in the series, Game Misconduct. How could I not.. even if it's enemies to lovers, the trope I struggle most with.
Can't wait to reread the series sometimes in the future in the correct order.
Loved it so, so much (again).
All time favourite.
This series was always in the back of my mind in the last months, every time I thought about choosing a reread rather than a new book. I finally gave in, even if it has been only 4 months since my first read.
And I loved every minute of it.
Nate and Zach are awesome characters. Ari Baran's writing is gripping, genuine and just so, so satisfying.
The feelings and emotions... anxiety and regret, fear of failure and loss, hope and happiness, I loved it all.
The slowly changing relationship between Nate and Zach was beautiful to watch. Their inability to communicate was heartbreaking.
This is the "lightest" book in the series, but it nevertheless deals with heavy themes.
I'm going to reread immediately the next installments (but I'm not in the right headspace for the violence of book 1 at the moment).
Can't wait to get to book 3 now, I'm really curious if it will feel different this time around. It was my first book by Ari Baran and it had taken me a bit to get into the story, then.
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Read 02/2025
My third book by this author and it was awesome!
I'm reading the series out of order, and I'm surprised how different from each other the books are - all of them beautiful and touching, though.
Book 3 Home Ice Advantage: rivals to lovers, MCs in their mid fourties.
Book 4 Goaltender Interference: second chance romance and depression.
Book 2 Delay of Game: friends to oblivious idiots in love, and bi-awakening.
I enjoyed every second.
Like with the other books I've read by this author, it's not fluffy, though it may be the least heavy/intense of them. One of the MCs (Zach) seems carefree, had a problem with alcohol and drugs, and the other MC (Nate) is Jewish, has anxiety and deep self worth issues.
I loved both MCs very much, wanted to wrap them in a big hug and tell them everything would be alright..
I'm going to read now the first in the series, Game Misconduct. How could I not.. even if it's enemies to lovers, the trope I struggle most with.
Can't wait to reread the series sometimes in the future in the correct order.
September 15, 2023
⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️
Friends-to-lovers hockey romance.
Objectively speaking, Delay of Game was probably a 4 star read. The writing was great, the hockey seemed accurate (although I’m no expert so can’t know for sure) and the characters were fully-developed.
Personally, it was more of a 2 star rating. I just couldn’t connect with the characters.
The plot is pretty heavy on the sports side and light on the romance. The spice was sparse, and mostly fade to black. I skimmed quite a lot while reading because I’m not here for the hockey, and the romance just didn’t deliver like I was hoping.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I received this ARC copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Friends-to-lovers hockey romance.
Objectively speaking, Delay of Game was probably a 4 star read. The writing was great, the hockey seemed accurate (although I’m no expert so can’t know for sure) and the characters were fully-developed.
Personally, it was more of a 2 star rating. I just couldn’t connect with the characters.
The plot is pretty heavy on the sports side and light on the romance. The spice was sparse, and mostly fade to black. I skimmed quite a lot while reading because I’m not here for the hockey, and the romance just didn’t deliver like I was hoping.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I received this ARC copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
November 14, 2023
Ari Baran’s debut novel, Game Misconduct, was a mixed bag for me: there was a lot to like, but also a lot I struggled with and was low-key triggered by. This one is much more my speed. Which is to say: soft hockeybros doing soft things softly. The anti-Game Misconduct, if you will.
This is friends-to-lovers, drunken hookup, bi-awakened whose main reaction is this explains so much, superstition-shagging, and “didn’t know we were boyfriends." It’s also essence-of-fake-dating, in that the excuse they use to keep the shagging going – that they snap their losing streak after they’ve banged – functions in the same way fake-dating pacts function: an external reason to be together, with an assumed expiration date that they both panic about but never mention because, hey, why be adult about things? Trope-tastic, in other words. I liked a lot of what Ari Baran was putting down here, although the 3rd act crisis – featuring one of my least favorite tropes, mis/non-communication – dragged out too long. My dudes, use your words.
Ari Baran writes with a deft hand, though the editing could have been a bit tighter – someone really wanted us to remember how many seasons they’ve played together, which seemed a bit nagging for a book where the timeline is both extremely straightforward and literally does not matter, but whatever. Oh, and if “plot” is something important to you . . . well. Thoughts and prayers. Although I suppose all hockroms have more-or-less the same plot anyway (skate-fuck-breakup-skate-HEA). But if you’re looking for hockeybros doing hockeybro things hockeybro-ily (and softly!), with their little hearts in the right place and their little brains going AWOL, then you’re in luck.
Which is to say: if you liked the sharp edges, trauma, and self-destructiveness of Game Misconduct, then this will not scratch that itch. Nate struggles with untreated anxiety, low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and eating issues that approach orthorexia (these CWs, minus orthorexia, are noted in the front material); Zach is trying to shake his previous (deserved) reputation as an irresponsible party boy. But the overall tone is sunnier and – while not making light of Nate’s struggles – their issues and the way they are handled are not as scary-bad-stressful as in Game Misconduct. This was a better fit for me personally, but it also makes Delay of Game a more standard hockrom, without the hardcore elements that made Game Misconduct such a standout (for better or worse) sports story.
Coincidentally, just after I finished this, the author sent an interesting newsletter going into the real-life hockey bullshit that informed the characters – mostly to do with how mental health struggles are (not) dealt with by players, teams, and the league; how analysts and commentators and scouts and fans talk about hockey bodies as if they’re trying to give all these guys eating disorders; and the play-hard, party-hard behavior that is encouraged until it’s not. There was even a proper bibliography, she swoons nerdily. A great supplement to the book, but mystifyingly not publicly available on the author’s website. Missed opportunity, if you ask me.
I’ve made my peace with Bee. You go, girl. Do your highly implausible things, you she-ro.
All in all: a brisk, satisfying hockrom that did what it set out to do.
I got an ARC from Carina via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
ETA: I am pleased to report that there are references to game-day suits in this book. I am taking full responsibility for this development. Let me have this victory, friends.
This is friends-to-lovers, drunken hookup, bi-awakened whose main reaction is this explains so much, superstition-shagging, and “didn’t know we were boyfriends." It’s also essence-of-fake-dating, in that the excuse they use to keep the shagging going – that they snap their losing streak after they’ve banged – functions in the same way fake-dating pacts function: an external reason to be together, with an assumed expiration date that they both panic about but never mention because, hey, why be adult about things? Trope-tastic, in other words. I liked a lot of what Ari Baran was putting down here, although the 3rd act crisis – featuring one of my least favorite tropes, mis/non-communication – dragged out too long. My dudes, use your words.
Ari Baran writes with a deft hand, though the editing could have been a bit tighter – someone really wanted us to remember how many seasons they’ve played together, which seemed a bit nagging for a book where the timeline is both extremely straightforward and literally does not matter, but whatever. Oh, and if “plot” is something important to you . . . well. Thoughts and prayers. Although I suppose all hockroms have more-or-less the same plot anyway (skate-fuck-breakup-skate-HEA). But if you’re looking for hockeybros doing hockeybro things hockeybro-ily (and softly!), with their little hearts in the right place and their little brains going AWOL, then you’re in luck.
Which is to say: if you liked the sharp edges, trauma, and self-destructiveness of Game Misconduct, then this will not scratch that itch. Nate struggles with untreated anxiety, low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and eating issues that approach orthorexia (these CWs, minus orthorexia, are noted in the front material); Zach is trying to shake his previous (deserved) reputation as an irresponsible party boy. But the overall tone is sunnier and – while not making light of Nate’s struggles – their issues and the way they are handled are not as scary-bad-stressful as in Game Misconduct. This was a better fit for me personally, but it also makes Delay of Game a more standard hockrom, without the hardcore elements that made Game Misconduct such a standout (for better or worse) sports story.
Coincidentally, just after I finished this, the author sent an interesting newsletter going into the real-life hockey bullshit that informed the characters – mostly to do with how mental health struggles are (not) dealt with by players, teams, and the league; how analysts and commentators and scouts and fans talk about hockey bodies as if they’re trying to give all these guys eating disorders; and the play-hard, party-hard behavior that is encouraged until it’s not. There was even a proper bibliography, she swoons nerdily. A great supplement to the book, but mystifyingly not publicly available on the author’s website. Missed opportunity, if you ask me.
I’ve made my peace with Bee. You go, girl. Do your highly implausible things, you she-ro.
All in all: a brisk, satisfying hockrom that did what it set out to do.
I got an ARC from Carina via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
ETA: I am pleased to report that there are references to game-day suits in this book. I am taking full responsibility for this development. Let me have this victory, friends.
November 5, 2023
I loved Ari Baran's debut, "Game Misconduct" so much; I was soooo looking forward to their second book, and for Nate and Zach's story. I've recently come to love friends-to-lovers, so I was doubly excited for them!
I'm sorry to say, but unfortunately "Delay of Game" did not work for me. I'm not sure what went wrong, maybe it was a timing issue or a me issue, but after the first few chapters I had the sudden urge to start skimming, and that's always a warning sign for me that the book is definitely not for me.
I think I got lost at the beginning because there was such a weirdly placed time jump: Nate and Zach meet, Zach hates him on sight, and then there's a time jump and they're BFFs. I think I would have probably liked this book a whole lot more if their relationship was given time to develop in a less abrupt way.
In terms of characterization, main character arc, and relationship arc, there was something missing. I kept getting their POVs confused too, but maybe that was my brain being glitchy.
So yes, while I did like a few things (Zach's devotion to Nate, for one, the sexual discovery, the first times, Bee and Mike stealing the show, some very interesting side characters in the team), I unfortunately didn't like this enough to warrant a more positive review. I skimmed till the end because I wanted to know how they'd get their HEA nonetheless.
I wasn't feeling the characters, I wasn't feeling their relationship and dynamic, and I felt like I was missing a good chunk of their arc and growth, and the fact that that feeling made an appearance straight away, spoilt my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
Again, I think this was probably a me issue: I know lots of people have enjoyed this much more, so if you're looking for a hockey-packed story, a friends-to-lovers dynamic, a book that deals with a whole lot of mental health hurdles and issues, maybe you can give this novel a go! I hope it works better for any reader that will decide to give "Delay of Game" a chance. It definitely works as a standalone too, but I wholly "Game Misconduct".
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sorry to say, but unfortunately "Delay of Game" did not work for me. I'm not sure what went wrong, maybe it was a timing issue or a me issue, but after the first few chapters I had the sudden urge to start skimming, and that's always a warning sign for me that the book is definitely not for me.
I think I got lost at the beginning because there was such a weirdly placed time jump: Nate and Zach meet, Zach hates him on sight, and then there's a time jump and they're BFFs. I think I would have probably liked this book a whole lot more if their relationship was given time to develop in a less abrupt way.
In terms of characterization, main character arc, and relationship arc, there was something missing. I kept getting their POVs confused too, but maybe that was my brain being glitchy.
So yes, while I did like a few things (Zach's devotion to Nate, for one, the sexual discovery, the first times, Bee and Mike stealing the show, some very interesting side characters in the team), I unfortunately didn't like this enough to warrant a more positive review. I skimmed till the end because I wanted to know how they'd get their HEA nonetheless.
I wasn't feeling the characters, I wasn't feeling their relationship and dynamic, and I felt like I was missing a good chunk of their arc and growth, and the fact that that feeling made an appearance straight away, spoilt my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
Again, I think this was probably a me issue: I know lots of people have enjoyed this much more, so if you're looking for a hockey-packed story, a friends-to-lovers dynamic, a book that deals with a whole lot of mental health hurdles and issues, maybe you can give this novel a go! I hope it works better for any reader that will decide to give "Delay of Game" a chance. It definitely works as a standalone too, but I wholly "Game Misconduct".
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2024
Well what the fuck was that. ✋🏻🤧
Best friends to idiot lovers perfection.
I’ve been gobbling up this book 3 weeks ago and haven’t been able to think about anything else.
When you just won the Stanley cup but you fuck up so bad you get traded and your only plan is to get your shit together to get “revenge”, your best friend tells you you should do it for the right reasons aka yourself…but you just casually fall in love with your new team captain and decide to win him a cup (you know, like you do as a romantic gesture?).
And then one day you drunkenly kiss and win a game so…you just have to keep making out for „good luck“.
That is this book and how Zachs mind works perfectly summed up.
This series is perfect if you love Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series, because the first book is Heated Rivalry with just a little more kink and this book was just the perfect mix of Role Model and Time to shine for me.
- Low self esteem x highest self esteem alive
- Touch my captain and I’ll kill you with my tiny ineffectual fists
- Is this a date or are we just eating?
- They need to talk!!! aka mutual yearning
- „This is fine.“ 🙂 *dog in burning house meme*
This was idiot best friends to idiot lovers perfection and this will 100% be a new comfort reread in the future!
Best friends to idiot lovers perfection.
I’ve been gobbling up this book 3 weeks ago and haven’t been able to think about anything else.
When you just won the Stanley cup but you fuck up so bad you get traded and your only plan is to get your shit together to get “revenge”, your best friend tells you you should do it for the right reasons aka yourself…but you just casually fall in love with your new team captain and decide to win him a cup (you know, like you do as a romantic gesture?).
And then one day you drunkenly kiss and win a game so…you just have to keep making out for „good luck“.
That is this book and how Zachs mind works perfectly summed up.
This series is perfect if you love Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series, because the first book is Heated Rivalry with just a little more kink and this book was just the perfect mix of Role Model and Time to shine for me.
- Low self esteem x highest self esteem alive
- Touch my captain and I’ll kill you with my tiny ineffectual fists
- Is this a date or are we just eating?
- They need to talk!!! aka mutual yearning
- „This is fine.“ 🙂 *dog in burning house meme*
This was idiot best friends to idiot lovers perfection and this will 100% be a new comfort reread in the future!
March 10, 2024
In my ideal world this book would be the last third of the *actual* book about these two characters. It’s fine, it’s serviceable, but I wish the characters had been pushed a lot further. Instead, at one point I went and looked up the book’s length expecting say 530 pages and was shocked to see it’s apparently just 308. For book with almost no plot or character development, that’s not ideal. (Idk look here’s my disclaimer that I love a book with plot, the just-vibes lifestyle is uh not typically my personal preference. If you do like vibes-and-sex-scenes-only with hockey interstitials, you know what, go with God! …God also likes vibes-and-sex-scenes-only with hockey interstitials, is I guess what I’m saying.)
The thing is, because of the way the timeline works in this book, there are basically no stakes. Other than a very brief prologue, the entire book takes place three years into these characters’ relationship. (Codependent-best-friendship? Everything-but-the-sex-ship?) So when their relationship “changes” near the beginning of the book bc they start sleeping together - it’s not a change for the reader. It’s just the default, and it’s a default that will remain for pretty much the rest of the book.
The only history we are given for these characters and for their relationship are “remember when” expositional asides. I found myself constantly wishing for flashbacks, at least - because again, prologue aside, these characters are pretty much hive mind from day 1, as far as the story on the page tells it (and I offer as proof the multiple times I got confused about whose POV I was reading), so I found myself just not *buying* any of the emotional uncertainty/inability to communicate/insecurity about the status of the relationship/confusion about what the other one wants.
Now I may not have bought the relationship conflict/growth/evolution - but there was no *character* development at all. To a frustrating extent, because the possibility was there, glimmering just under the surface! (For example, there’s a particular scene near the end of the book from Nate’s POV with Gags and Zach which…. That should’ve been unpacked over the entire book! Why were there so many scenes of Nate mentally comparing Zach to his ex when there could have been scenes about that!) But I think by specifically committing to being a book about how these two characters’ relationship (emotionally/sexually) changes over the course of a hockey season, no more/no less, lots of other (imo much more interesting) stuff fell by the wayside.
Look, yes, I personally prefer my hockey romance to be a) bombastic, exquisite, dark as fuck (speaking of which, I should reread Game Misconduct), or b) deeply soothing, the equivalent of a really satisfying nap, The Sun Also Rises but in a good way. This book was b (nothing happens, there are no surprises, frankly no one changes or grows) but kinda wanted to be a (emotionally overwrought, characters have real struggles and they overcome them, joyful conclusion earned through the ups and downs that have come before) which meant it aced neither.
It’s like - this book was fine. I don’t want to undersell it, like there were definitely good qualities. But it was frustrating to read because I was constantly thinking of ways it could have been better. Because it could have been better! That scene with Nate and Gags and Zach I mentioned, I did really like the Zach’s-a-trainwreck stuff in the prologue and would have loved to see the nitty-gritty of how that changed, Nate’s inner darkness and body issues were really fascinating and could have gone a lot further…. Not to mentioned the power of writing a scene where a character is smoking pot, and it’s hot to me somehow?? And also that scene had depth and was pivotal?? Could *never* have predicted it.
I am really wavering on the star rating tbh because I read through like 68% and then was like “I’m liking this less the more I read, I gotta take a break” and when I picked it up again I liked it a lot more! ….and then the ending went long for my personal tastes. I can tell this is a whole fully fleshed out universe - so it’s frustrating that so few of the interesting parts made it into the book!
ETA okay I read another book, reread Game Misconduct, and I’m back to give this four stars because one of the really phenomenal things about this author is the quality of the worldbuilding - there are just so many throwaway lines where you can *feel* the depth behind them, like I think there could probably be 10 more books set in this universe easy and at no point would you feel like the author was grasping for material, or was throwing in a bunch of low-quality filler bc they didn’t really care about these particular characters or that particular plot point. And that’s such a skill!! Not everyone (cough cough) has that! My critiques with this book are more about *how* best to fit a specific portion of this expansive world into a standalone novel. Which is, I gotta say, very interesting to think about!
ETA okay I’m back, yes I’m rereading this, yes I stand by my opinion that this is the prologue plus 70% to maybe 105% of the book I personally *wish* it were, yes I’m already mentally writing the fanfiction that lays out the first 69% (yes lol) of that book, don’t worry about it!!!
The thing is, because of the way the timeline works in this book, there are basically no stakes. Other than a very brief prologue, the entire book takes place three years into these characters’ relationship. (Codependent-best-friendship? Everything-but-the-sex-ship?) So when their relationship “changes” near the beginning of the book bc they start sleeping together - it’s not a change for the reader. It’s just the default, and it’s a default that will remain for pretty much the rest of the book.
The only history we are given for these characters and for their relationship are “remember when” expositional asides. I found myself constantly wishing for flashbacks, at least - because again, prologue aside, these characters are pretty much hive mind from day 1, as far as the story on the page tells it (and I offer as proof the multiple times I got confused about whose POV I was reading), so I found myself just not *buying* any of the emotional uncertainty/inability to communicate/insecurity about the status of the relationship/confusion about what the other one wants.
Now I may not have bought the relationship conflict/growth/evolution - but there was no *character* development at all. To a frustrating extent, because the possibility was there, glimmering just under the surface! (For example, there’s a particular scene near the end of the book from Nate’s POV with Gags and Zach which…. That should’ve been unpacked over the entire book! Why were there so many scenes of Nate mentally comparing Zach to his ex when there could have been scenes about that!) But I think by specifically committing to being a book about how these two characters’ relationship (emotionally/sexually) changes over the course of a hockey season, no more/no less, lots of other (imo much more interesting) stuff fell by the wayside.
Look, yes, I personally prefer my hockey romance to be a) bombastic, exquisite, dark as fuck (speaking of which, I should reread Game Misconduct), or b) deeply soothing, the equivalent of a really satisfying nap, The Sun Also Rises but in a good way. This book was b (nothing happens, there are no surprises, frankly no one changes or grows) but kinda wanted to be a (emotionally overwrought, characters have real struggles and they overcome them, joyful conclusion earned through the ups and downs that have come before) which meant it aced neither.
It’s like - this book was fine. I don’t want to undersell it, like there were definitely good qualities. But it was frustrating to read because I was constantly thinking of ways it could have been better. Because it could have been better! That scene with Nate and Gags and Zach I mentioned, I did really like the Zach’s-a-trainwreck stuff in the prologue and would have loved to see the nitty-gritty of how that changed, Nate’s inner darkness and body issues were really fascinating and could have gone a lot further…. Not to mentioned the power of writing a scene where a character is smoking pot, and it’s hot to me somehow?? And also that scene had depth and was pivotal?? Could *never* have predicted it.
I am really wavering on the star rating tbh because I read through like 68% and then was like “I’m liking this less the more I read, I gotta take a break” and when I picked it up again I liked it a lot more! ….and then the ending went long for my personal tastes. I can tell this is a whole fully fleshed out universe - so it’s frustrating that so few of the interesting parts made it into the book!
ETA okay I read another book, reread Game Misconduct, and I’m back to give this four stars because one of the really phenomenal things about this author is the quality of the worldbuilding - there are just so many throwaway lines where you can *feel* the depth behind them, like I think there could probably be 10 more books set in this universe easy and at no point would you feel like the author was grasping for material, or was throwing in a bunch of low-quality filler bc they didn’t really care about these particular characters or that particular plot point. And that’s such a skill!! Not everyone (cough cough) has that! My critiques with this book are more about *how* best to fit a specific portion of this expansive world into a standalone novel. Which is, I gotta say, very interesting to think about!
ETA okay I’m back, yes I’m rereading this, yes I stand by my opinion that this is the prologue plus 70% to maybe 105% of the book I personally *wish* it were, yes I’m already mentally writing the fanfiction that lays out the first 69% (yes lol) of that book, don’t worry about it!!!
April 11, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Are you fkn kidding me? Ari Baran is now one of my favorite authors. Ari. You outdid yourself with this amazingly sweet, funny, friends to lovers hockey romance.
It has a deceptively different vibe than the first gritty book in this series so if you didn’t like that one, give their second book a chance. Also, if you did like it- be patient with the pacing in this one. It is such a different tone and book that you might want to dismiss it at first but don’t. For all the grit and dirty mean hate secks you got in the first one you will get the sweetest love story in the second one.
🏳️🌈 serious anxiety rep, like, this guy gets it
🏳️🌈 friends to lovers
🏳️🌈 HEA
🏳️🌈 Read the series in order
My only complaint that almost made this four stars is that the narrator at times makes it difficult to distinguish between the 2 mcs. His narration and inflection in general is amazingly good though
Some of the parts of this book made me howl with laughter. 💙💙💙 Other parts made me smile like a loon. There is a third quarter break up that is gut wrenching so if you don’t like that, be forewarned.
I can’t wait to see what Ari does next!!!
Edited to add a few thoughts. These are spoilery so avoid if you don't want any spoilery tidbits.
.
.
.
.
.
-Nate's inner dialog after hooking up with Zach the first time was absolutely heart breaking. He thought he was a pity fuck! No my sweet baby no! This book is full of what borders on miscommunication trope for lack of a better trope word. But really it's a misunderstanding trope because their inner dialogues are so veryvery different than what is actually happening in reality. But neither of them believe the other would love them like that, or that they don't deserve the other person :(
- When Zach fought Jones? WTAF Dude you are a lover not a fighter 😂 But by the end both our boys throw gloves in order to throw hands on each others behalf. I love it.
- Lastly, the second hand embarrasment I felt when Nate asks how much sex is normal sex? I tell you I wanted to shrivel up and die. The narrator did such a good job with Nate's voice in this part. I wanted to die.
-Wait wait one more last thing. The lengths Zach went to to try and "Woo his man" for valentines was hilarious. I wheezed up a lung at the note Zach left him.
Are you fkn kidding me? Ari Baran is now one of my favorite authors. Ari. You outdid yourself with this amazingly sweet, funny, friends to lovers hockey romance.
It has a deceptively different vibe than the first gritty book in this series so if you didn’t like that one, give their second book a chance. Also, if you did like it- be patient with the pacing in this one. It is such a different tone and book that you might want to dismiss it at first but don’t. For all the grit and dirty mean hate secks you got in the first one you will get the sweetest love story in the second one.
🏳️🌈 serious anxiety rep, like, this guy gets it
🏳️🌈 friends to lovers
🏳️🌈 HEA
🏳️🌈 Read the series in order
My only complaint that almost made this four stars is that the narrator at times makes it difficult to distinguish between the 2 mcs. His narration and inflection in general is amazingly good though
Some of the parts of this book made me howl with laughter. 💙💙💙 Other parts made me smile like a loon. There is a third quarter break up that is gut wrenching so if you don’t like that, be forewarned.
I can’t wait to see what Ari does next!!!
Edited to add a few thoughts. These are spoilery so avoid if you don't want any spoilery tidbits.
.
.
.
.
.
-Nate's inner dialog after hooking up with Zach the first time was absolutely heart breaking. He thought he was a pity fuck! No my sweet baby no! This book is full of what borders on miscommunication trope for lack of a better trope word. But really it's a misunderstanding trope because their inner dialogues are so veryvery different than what is actually happening in reality. But neither of them believe the other would love them like that, or that they don't deserve the other person :(
- When Zach fought Jones? WTAF Dude you are a lover not a fighter 😂 But by the end both our boys throw gloves in order to throw hands on each others behalf. I love it.
- Lastly, the second hand embarrasment I felt when Nate asks how much sex is normal sex? I tell you I wanted to shrivel up and die. The narrator did such a good job with Nate's voice in this part. I wanted to die.
-Wait wait one more last thing. The lengths Zach went to to try and "Woo his man" for valentines was hilarious. I wheezed up a lung at the note Zach left him.
November 24, 2023
We're so back! This book felt like coming home.
After getting glimpses of them from the previous book, I was so ready to see how Nate and Zach's story played out. And in all honesty, it's pretty much what you'd expect in a best friends /teammates dating sports romance. But it was exactly what I needed.
I really really hate sports but I'm a sucker for sports romance - especially hockey, and this book just added to that.
I loved how considerate they were of each other. To the point that they'd hurt themselves rather than hurt the other (which of course caused some issues, naturally) but they were just so sweet with each other. Especially Zach with Nate.
Zach bookmarked the page and looked at another list, because Nate deserved thoroughly researched romance. 😫😫😫😫😫
That affirmation sex? YES, PLEASE! 🥰That scene was everything.
This was really sweet, and there were no heinous war crimes committed against either MC by the other- which I'm into sometimes, especially if the grovel afterwards is well done, but sometimes.........sometimes a sweet (with medium angst) romance really hits the spot.
After getting glimpses of them from the previous book, I was so ready to see how Nate and Zach's story played out. And in all honesty, it's pretty much what you'd expect in a best friends /teammates dating sports romance. But it was exactly what I needed.
I really really hate sports but I'm a sucker for sports romance - especially hockey, and this book just added to that.
I loved how considerate they were of each other. To the point that they'd hurt themselves rather than hurt the other (which of course caused some issues, naturally) but they were just so sweet with each other. Especially Zach with Nate.
Zach bookmarked the page and looked at another list, because Nate deserved thoroughly researched romance. 😫😫😫😫😫
That affirmation sex? YES, PLEASE! 🥰That scene was everything.
This was really sweet, and there were no heinous war crimes committed against either MC by the other- which I'm into sometimes, especially if the grovel afterwards is well done, but sometimes.........sometimes a sweet (with medium angst) romance really hits the spot.
September 28, 2023
now he was really going to have to keep it bros.
🏒
'No Thoughts Head Empty Just Vibes...But Then a Thought Appears' vs. 'All Thoughts Head Full Nonstop Anxiety...But Then I Relax into My Embodied Existence': the book
'Bro Last Night Was a Refreshing Take on an Old Classic...Bro Last Night Was a Love Letter to the Genre': the book
'Backwards Cap Lip Bite Emoji...But Make It Soulful and Tender': the book
🏒
it initially surprised me that people were reading this as so tonally different from game misconduct because in my head I'm just like hell yeah these are both Ari Baran Books, but also, once I thought about it for even a single second I was like okay yeah no that makes sense, and you know WHY these books cover such a broad spectrum of Vibes, both across the series as a whole and within individual installments? BECAUSE ARI BARAN HAS THE RANGE!
it's about the growth...it's about the lifting each other up...it's about the boners of the heart...it's about the tiered bros...it's about the terms of endearment...it's about the fucking SEX and the fucking LOVE and the fucking FRIENDSHIP. ari baran is simply a phenomenal writer and I hope they keep publishing these bad boys (n bees) forever because I would read the phonebook if they wrote it.
🏒🏒🏒
disclaimer that I am still cait prime, yes this is a flex, no I will not be humble, yes you should hit me up if you want to know EXACTLY what trashy country songs my actually incredibly emotionally intelligent lil chickpea zach was listening to while crying about getting traded from montreal
April 7, 2024
4.5
Unwell!!!! This was so good. I was honestly hooked from the start and just powered through because I didn’t want to put it down. The first book in this series was fine but I didn’t absolutely love it but THIS! Holy guacamole! This was AMAZING! Best friends to lovers! Two idiots in love! Having sex for the team! Winning your boyfriend a cup!
Just take all my money.
Unwell!!!! This was so good. I was honestly hooked from the start and just powered through because I didn’t want to put it down. The first book in this series was fine but I didn’t absolutely love it but THIS! Holy guacamole! This was AMAZING! Best friends to lovers! Two idiots in love! Having sex for the team! Winning your boyfriend a cup!
Just take all my money.
March 21, 2024
✰3 stars✰
You know I love a hockey romance any day of the week. So this wasn't a bad read because I can always always always get behind hockey boys and love. I just think some of the writing style wasn't for me and it kept pulling me out of the story.
The best way I can describe it is that in parts it's written how Millennials and Gen Z talk casually with the word "like" in places that are unnecessary in the language. Now, I'm not shitting on talking like that... hell, I talk that way in real life with my friends. I'm a chronic "like" user. It just felt stunted in the text and kept throwing me out of the flow of text because I kept thinking "hmm, that word isn't meant to be there". The occasional use is totally fine and normal, but it was over and over and over. Maybe I'm being too picky but it was hard for me.
My other qualm with this story was that Nate and Zach POVs were almost indistinguishable at times. They weren't different enough or written differently enough to keep track of their characters as separate people.
Just because I had a hard time with this one doesn't mean you will, so don't let that dissuade you!
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
You know I love a hockey romance any day of the week. So this wasn't a bad read because I can always always always get behind hockey boys and love. I just think some of the writing style wasn't for me and it kept pulling me out of the story.
The best way I can describe it is that in parts it's written how Millennials and Gen Z talk casually with the word "like" in places that are unnecessary in the language. Now, I'm not shitting on talking like that... hell, I talk that way in real life with my friends. I'm a chronic "like" user. It just felt stunted in the text and kept throwing me out of the flow of text because I kept thinking "hmm, that word isn't meant to be there". The occasional use is totally fine and normal, but it was over and over and over. Maybe I'm being too picky but it was hard for me.
My other qualm with this story was that Nate and Zach POVs were almost indistinguishable at times. They weren't different enough or written differently enough to keep track of their characters as separate people.
Just because I had a hard time with this one doesn't mean you will, so don't let that dissuade you!
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2024
This was a very good very entertaining best friends to oblivious idiots to lovers, featuring a hot mess anxious MC, an adorable sweet Himbo and decent amounts of hockey!
October 9, 2023
Very few things infuriate me more than unnecessary miscommunication or a third act break up for no good reason. 'Delay of Game' has both, plus so much more that frustrated me from the beginning. I was hoping after the massive time jump from the prologue to chapter 1 that it would get better, but then something else I don't like would keep happening: starting off with a massive time jump, then, it was feeling like everything is super surface level with no real depth to the story, plot, or characters. Then, there's the miscommunication. Then, there's the third act break up. Also, this is a hockey sports romance and there's barely any on page hockey playing, which was disappointing. Almost everything with the exception of the sex scenes just didn't work for me personally, but at least the sex was hot.
Because 'Delay of Game' has so many things I don't like in a story there was unfortunately very little chance I was ever going to end up enjoying it, obviously your mileage may vary.
LGBTQIAP+ | Romance | Sports
Advanced Review Galley copy of Delay of Game (Penalty Box #2) provided by Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Because 'Delay of Game' has so many things I don't like in a story there was unfortunately very little chance I was ever going to end up enjoying it, obviously your mileage may vary.
LGBTQIAP+ | Romance | Sports
Advanced Review Galley copy of Delay of Game (Penalty Box #2) provided by Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
September 24, 2023
rep: Jewish bi mc with anxiety, bi mc, side achillean characters, side Black character
tw: drug & alcohol use, body dysmorphia
listen! this is what i mean when i say that the miscommunication trope is actually a great literary device, you just have to be a skilled writer to use it!
full rtc
tw: drug & alcohol use, body dysmorphia
listen! this is what i mean when i say that the miscommunication trope is actually a great literary device, you just have to be a skilled writer to use it!
full rtc
November 20, 2023
these absolute idiots.
November 1, 2023
2.5 stars
Well, this was not my cup of tea. I felt really frustrated almost the entire time I was reading this book. And the most frustrating aspect for me was that there were some things I really liked about it, I think it had so much potential, but the direction this story took was very much not for me.
I want to start with what I did like. I liked the MCs. I liked them a lot. I found them lovable. I found their dynamic as best friends incredibly sweet. I loved the all the small ways they knew and cared for one another. I liked that there's an eventual realization for one of them that they really need and deserve to seek out therapy. And I liked some of the sex scenes.
Now what did not work for me, at all, was the unfolding of their romantic relationship in this book. The way these MCs are with one another at the start of the book is wonderful. And then the "romance" portion starts and it all goes to hell. This book would turn me away from ever wanting to move from best friends to lovers. All the trust between these two, all the safety and comfort they get from one another, all the assurance that they hold a special place in one another's lives, all that goes out the window almost right from the get go. Instead they can't talk to one another, can't trust one another, feel constantly on edge and unsure about where they stand with one another. And not just for a small portion of time but for pretty much the entire book. I was so infuriated and let down by how their relationship evolves, or rather devolves, throughout this book. I couldn't even enjoy most of the "sweet" or "sexy" parts because I was so stressed out about the level of misunderstanding and insecurity between them. They really do have this beautiful relationship at the start of the book and then page by page they slowly dismantle it. It was in many ways the exact opposite of the kind of relationship building I want when I read a romance. And I understand the reasons why these characters act the way that they do, but frankly, I did not want to read about it. I wanted these characters in a different story.
One of the most infuriating elements of the book is that we see these two first meet and then have a big jump ahead in time. We don't see how they go from strangers to best friends. We do get occasional glimpses of that time period as the MCs make references to how they grew close and came to trust one another, of the struggles they were both facing and the ways they supported one another through those struggles, of the ways in which they changed one another's lives. And baby, THAT'S WHAT THIS BOOK SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT! Every time they mentioned this time period I'm like why am I reading about this nonsense between them now instead of when they were growing to love another? A story about that period of their relationship, even if it only ended in platonic love, would have been so much more engaging and enjoyable for me.
Even towards the end, the event that finally leads them to talk made me mad! I love protectiveness in MCs so much, but the way it played out here just didn't even make sense to me, and why would that would be the turning point? It did not fly for me. I did like when they finally talked to one another. But it's so brief! And maybe it's me, I know I see relationships differently because I'm ace, but grinding your relationship down to nothing over the course of an entire book, and then finally actually talking for like 5 minutes, I do not want to jump right into a sex scene after that. Not even a really great sex scene. I wanted them to be affectionate to one another and spend time together rebuilding, not just jump in the sack. I know that on this I am probably in the minority, but for me it just felt off.
And then the final chapter made me feel nothing because at no point did I care about the team or the hockey in this book. I can have strong feelings about teammates and teams and hockey. Other books have done it. This one did not.
So, yeah. I did a lot of skimming to get through this one, because some parts were making me so angry and others were just boring because I didn't care about the hockey stuff. And at the end I mostly just felt sad because I wanted more for these characters that were so lovable! I wanted a better story for them! And I think that it would have been so very possible to do that. Maybe someone will write some more emotionally satisfying fanfic for these two. Unfortunately, as it was written, this book was a miss for me.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
Well, this was not my cup of tea. I felt really frustrated almost the entire time I was reading this book. And the most frustrating aspect for me was that there were some things I really liked about it, I think it had so much potential, but the direction this story took was very much not for me.
I want to start with what I did like. I liked the MCs. I liked them a lot. I found them lovable. I found their dynamic as best friends incredibly sweet. I loved the all the small ways they knew and cared for one another. I liked that there's an eventual realization for one of them that they really need and deserve to seek out therapy. And I liked some of the sex scenes.
Now what did not work for me, at all, was the unfolding of their romantic relationship in this book. The way these MCs are with one another at the start of the book is wonderful. And then the "romance" portion starts and it all goes to hell. This book would turn me away from ever wanting to move from best friends to lovers. All the trust between these two, all the safety and comfort they get from one another, all the assurance that they hold a special place in one another's lives, all that goes out the window almost right from the get go. Instead they can't talk to one another, can't trust one another, feel constantly on edge and unsure about where they stand with one another. And not just for a small portion of time but for pretty much the entire book. I was so infuriated and let down by how their relationship evolves, or rather devolves, throughout this book. I couldn't even enjoy most of the "sweet" or "sexy" parts because I was so stressed out about the level of misunderstanding and insecurity between them. They really do have this beautiful relationship at the start of the book and then page by page they slowly dismantle it. It was in many ways the exact opposite of the kind of relationship building I want when I read a romance. And I understand the reasons why these characters act the way that they do, but frankly, I did not want to read about it. I wanted these characters in a different story.
One of the most infuriating elements of the book is that we see these two first meet and then have a big jump ahead in time. We don't see how they go from strangers to best friends. We do get occasional glimpses of that time period as the MCs make references to how they grew close and came to trust one another, of the struggles they were both facing and the ways they supported one another through those struggles, of the ways in which they changed one another's lives. And baby, THAT'S WHAT THIS BOOK SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT! Every time they mentioned this time period I'm like why am I reading about this nonsense between them now instead of when they were growing to love another? A story about that period of their relationship, even if it only ended in platonic love, would have been so much more engaging and enjoyable for me.
Even towards the end, the event that finally leads them to talk made me mad! I love protectiveness in MCs so much, but the way it played out here just didn't even make sense to me, and why would that would be the turning point? It did not fly for me. I did like when they finally talked to one another. But it's so brief! And maybe it's me, I know I see relationships differently because I'm ace, but grinding your relationship down to nothing over the course of an entire book, and then finally actually talking for like 5 minutes, I do not want to jump right into a sex scene after that. Not even a really great sex scene. I wanted them to be affectionate to one another and spend time together rebuilding, not just jump in the sack. I know that on this I am probably in the minority, but for me it just felt off.
And then the final chapter made me feel nothing because at no point did I care about the team or the hockey in this book. I can have strong feelings about teammates and teams and hockey. Other books have done it. This one did not.
So, yeah. I did a lot of skimming to get through this one, because some parts were making me so angry and others were just boring because I didn't care about the hockey stuff. And at the end I mostly just felt sad because I wanted more for these characters that were so lovable! I wanted a better story for them! And I think that it would have been so very possible to do that. Maybe someone will write some more emotionally satisfying fanfic for these two. Unfortunately, as it was written, this book was a miss for me.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
July 19, 2024
Inside ellipses
buddies understand so much.
But talking's better.
Okay, Coco, Kathleen in Oslo, X, Kikkibird et al--I thought this was going to be soft and sweet. Liars! It's possible that I've forgotten how dark Game Misconduct is (and my review suggests it was pretty dark, but these haiku reviews are... not always super informative), but I'm not sure how major anxiety disorder, addiction, and working class imposter syndrome translate to fluffy skating bunnies in love.
I mean, it's not pitch black, but it's not Time to Shine, either.
Also, yes on the massive world building and infinity sequels, the nothing happens of the plot, and the annoying miscommunication. BUT...
I was super impressed how well Mike and Bee and Gags and the rest could understand Nate and Zach and figure out what was happening and why and how despite the lack of verbs and nouns. That's some fine writing, Mx. Baran.
buddies understand so much.
But talking's better.
Okay, Coco, Kathleen in Oslo, X, Kikkibird et al--I thought this was going to be soft and sweet. Liars! It's possible that I've forgotten how dark Game Misconduct is (and my review suggests it was pretty dark, but these haiku reviews are... not always super informative), but I'm not sure how major anxiety disorder, addiction, and working class imposter syndrome translate to fluffy skating bunnies in love.
I mean, it's not pitch black, but it's not Time to Shine, either.
Also, yes on the massive world building and infinity sequels, the nothing happens of the plot, and the annoying miscommunication. BUT...
I was super impressed how well Mike and Bee and Gags and the rest could understand Nate and Zach and figure out what was happening and why and how despite the lack of verbs and nouns. That's some fine writing, Mx. Baran.
September 10, 2023
Nate and Zach got my attention in Game Misconduct because they were attached at the hip in a vaguely codependent mess. Turns out that was a 1000% accurate vibe for them. Zach gets traded to Nate's team after a series of very public shenanigans and ends up having to clean up his act.
They end up best friends who live out of each other's pocket. They're the type of friends that are a package deal as far as other people are concerned. "When are Nate-and-Zach getting here?" "Where is Zach-and-Nate with my stick tape?" "Are Nate-and-Zach macking on each other in literally every dark hallway?"
They gradually end up falling into something physical and are baffled whey they're not freaking out about it. This book cracked me up because they both figured out with dawning horror that it turns out they had been dating for YEARS. They didn't want to ruin their friendship by confessing to something like feelings so they kept these separate revelations to themselves until they couldn't anymore.
This book is a different vibe than Game Misconduct and I was thrilled to check in on Mike and Danny. They both look to be doing great. Mike is settled, less angry, and killing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
They end up best friends who live out of each other's pocket. They're the type of friends that are a package deal as far as other people are concerned. "When are Nate-and-Zach getting here?" "Where is Zach-and-Nate with my stick tape?" "Are Nate-and-Zach macking on each other in literally every dark hallway?"
They gradually end up falling into something physical and are baffled whey they're not freaking out about it. This book cracked me up because they both figured out with dawning horror that it turns out they had been dating for YEARS. They didn't want to ruin their friendship by confessing to something like feelings so they kept these separate revelations to themselves until they couldn't anymore.
This book is a different vibe than Game Misconduct and I was thrilled to check in on Mike and Danny. They both look to be doing great. Mike is settled, less angry, and killing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
March 6, 2024
Too much miscommunication between two supposed best friends. It drove me nuts that once they started hooking up they stopped talking. And then during the third act breakup, they never even attempted to have a conversation?
The book was well written, but I got increasingly frustrated with Nate and Zach and their supposed friendship. The chapters were also insanely long, and I personally felt the sports to romance ratio was off in that there was so. much. hockey.
I liked the little glimpse we got of Mike and Danny from book 1, I'm so happy they're doing well.
I also did like Nate and Zach, they were very affectionate and sweet at times but it was hard to buy they were best friends when they were so bad at communicating for fear of what the other person thought in case it ruined their friendship.
I'm bummed I didn't like this one more tbh since it had a lot of elements that should've worked for me.
The book was well written, but I got increasingly frustrated with Nate and Zach and their supposed friendship. The chapters were also insanely long, and I personally felt the sports to romance ratio was off in that there was so. much. hockey.
I liked the little glimpse we got of Mike and Danny from book 1, I'm so happy they're doing well.
I also did like Nate and Zach, they were very affectionate and sweet at times but it was hard to buy they were best friends when they were so bad at communicating for fear of what the other person thought in case it ruined their friendship.
I'm bummed I didn't like this one more tbh since it had a lot of elements that should've worked for me.
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July 24, 2025Rating - 4.5 Stars rounded up
When I found out that the next book in Ari Baran’s series was codependent AF, friends to lovers with the good boy™ captain Nate and the bisexual fuck boy alternate captain Zach, I was here for it. And they did not disappoint. The book starts off in Zach’s POV and within the first chapter he was a GONER for his best friend and low-key not chill about it whatsoever. Nate, our straight boy (who probably would have figured out his sexuality sooner if he weren’t focused solely on his crippling anxiety) finds his safe space in Zach to explore his sexuality. I loved them both (Nate sweetie you are doing great) but Zach Reed?! 👌👌
These two are oblivious idiots and fully believe they are only continuously hooking up as a superstitious “this helps the team win” and while it takes them forever to realize they are legit in love with each other, it still is a fun ride to watch them be all insecure feeling like they are the only one up in their feelings about the other.
I also loved the domesticity of these two. Since they have been best friends for years and are so comfortable with each other they keep things at each others’ houses, cook together, often have impromptu sleepovers, etc. Their chemistry was also 🔥 more sweet and sexy.
And once again the Cooper North narration was amazing. Highly recommend the audio!
“He wanted to tell Nate, you make me feel like a teenager again, but there wasn’t a good way to say that without sounding stupid.”
“Zach still had to resist the urge to grin like an idiot at nothing whenever he thought about it, because it was the first time in a really long time he’d been consistently messing about with someone he liked as much as he liked Nate.”
"It was weird, how many memories of Nate Zach had collected in such a relatively short period of time. How much Zach thought about him, collected all of the little crumbs of information no one on the team knew like they were gold and hoarded in a dragon's lair."
When I found out that the next book in Ari Baran’s series was codependent AF, friends to lovers with the good boy™ captain Nate and the bisexual fuck boy alternate captain Zach, I was here for it. And they did not disappoint. The book starts off in Zach’s POV and within the first chapter he was a GONER for his best friend and low-key not chill about it whatsoever. Nate, our straight boy (who probably would have figured out his sexuality sooner if he weren’t focused solely on his crippling anxiety) finds his safe space in Zach to explore his sexuality. I loved them both (Nate sweetie you are doing great) but Zach Reed?! 👌👌
These two are oblivious idiots and fully believe they are only continuously hooking up as a superstitious “this helps the team win” and while it takes them forever to realize they are legit in love with each other, it still is a fun ride to watch them be all insecure feeling like they are the only one up in their feelings about the other.
I also loved the domesticity of these two. Since they have been best friends for years and are so comfortable with each other they keep things at each others’ houses, cook together, often have impromptu sleepovers, etc. Their chemistry was also 🔥 more sweet and sexy.
And once again the Cooper North narration was amazing. Highly recommend the audio!
“He wanted to tell Nate, you make me feel like a teenager again, but there wasn’t a good way to say that without sounding stupid.”
“Zach still had to resist the urge to grin like an idiot at nothing whenever he thought about it, because it was the first time in a really long time he’d been consistently messing about with someone he liked as much as he liked Nate.”
"It was weird, how many memories of Nate Zach had collected in such a relatively short period of time. How much Zach thought about him, collected all of the little crumbs of information no one on the team knew like they were gold and hoarded in a dragon's lair."
October 15, 2023
3.25 ⭐
J'avais eu un coup de coeur pour le 1er tome, notamment pour la qualité de la plume de l'auteur, du coup, j'étais impatiente de lire la suite, consacrée à un autre couple. Malheureusement, l'essai n'a pas été transformé, et j'ai eu bien du mal à aller au bout de ma lecture.
On est dans un classique friends-to-lovers, avec deux meilleurs amis et coéquipiers qui se mettent à fricoter ensemble sans trop se poser de questions (enfin en leur for intérieur si, mais entre eux, c'est des "bro" et des "buddy" à la pelle, galipettes en guise de porte bonheur avant les matchs et bières/pizzas sur le canap une fois leurs petites affaires conclues).
Si dans le 1er tome, j'avais été bluffée par la plume de l'auteur, et par la différence de caractère entre les personnages qui transparaissait à travers l'écriture, là ça a été tout le contraire, je n'ai vu aucune différence entre les pov, et bien souvent, je confondais les deux personnages, qui ont des personnalités et des peurs assez similaires et finalement interchangeables.
C'est dommage, parce que le pitch, bien que classique, est sympa, et c'est une dynamique que j'aime encore assez bien lire, mais la magie n'a pas opéré pour moi. Et puis une partie de l'histoire nous est dite, mais pas montrée, et ça, c'est vraiment quelque chose que je n'aime pas. Je lis une romance pour voir la relation évoluer, pas pour qu'on me dise (ou laisse sous entendre) qu'il s'est passé des choses, sans me les montrer.
Une déception donc ...
J'avais eu un coup de coeur pour le 1er tome, notamment pour la qualité de la plume de l'auteur, du coup, j'étais impatiente de lire la suite, consacrée à un autre couple. Malheureusement, l'essai n'a pas été transformé, et j'ai eu bien du mal à aller au bout de ma lecture.
On est dans un classique friends-to-lovers, avec deux meilleurs amis et coéquipiers qui se mettent à fricoter ensemble sans trop se poser de questions (enfin en leur for intérieur si, mais entre eux, c'est des "bro" et des "buddy" à la pelle, galipettes en guise de porte bonheur avant les matchs et bières/pizzas sur le canap une fois leurs petites affaires conclues).
Si dans le 1er tome, j'avais été bluffée par la plume de l'auteur, et par la différence de caractère entre les personnages qui transparaissait à travers l'écriture, là ça a été tout le contraire, je n'ai vu aucune différence entre les pov, et bien souvent, je confondais les deux personnages, qui ont des personnalités et des peurs assez similaires et finalement interchangeables.
C'est dommage, parce que le pitch, bien que classique, est sympa, et c'est une dynamique que j'aime encore assez bien lire, mais la magie n'a pas opéré pour moi. Et puis une partie de l'histoire nous est dite, mais pas montrée, et ça, c'est vraiment quelque chose que je n'aime pas. Je lis une romance pour voir la relation évoluer, pas pour qu'on me dise (ou laisse sous entendre) qu'il s'est passé des choses, sans me les montrer.
Une déception donc ...
November 17, 2023
Sweet, hot and very enjoyable. Really likeable characters made up for some odd plot choices like not showing us the build up of the relationship between the 2 MCs. I also really enjoyed the messiness and fairly realistic depiction of drinking and partying in your 20s without ending up in rehab. This is a light and fun read, looking forward to the author's next book!
October 1, 2024
we've got ourselves a charlie braxton 2.0 type of situation here, i am sad to say! immense slayage in book one of the series, and then a tragic sophmore slump (at least in my books - i know some folks prefer this to the first book, de gustibus non est disputandum)
for one, i don't think this storyline has enough meat on it to sustain an entire novel. a fic of the same length? sure. but not a published novel, i think.
codependent besties to lovers is a great trope, but the more successful you are in establishing the trust between the protagonists, the more difficult it is to present the reader with a believable reason for these people *not* ending up together. hence the use of my twin third act nemeses, miscommunication and poor self esteem. how i loathe thee, let me count the ways!
but even my distaste for these narrative crutches aside, i think this book perhaps could have used with another round of edits? i noticed a few errors in syntax, but there were also some continuity errors (i mean i might have just misremembered things from a couple of chapters back, but i don't think i did??). but i think for me the biggest issue was being told the same thing over and over again? like yeah bestie i know zach went on a crazy bender when he was a rookie in montreal, i literally read about it in the prologue?? idk if this was a matter of insufficient editing, or perhaps padding the book to reach the required page count, but either way i did not like it!
and lastly (i promise to stop kvetching soon) - the secondary characters all kinda felt a bit paint by numbers? which is excusable when you have primary characters that are incredibly engaging (as in book one, for example), but here i felt like i didn't get to know the team any better? like, what's the point of a hockeyrom series if you don't have me falling head over heels for the silly Russian second-liner by the end of book two?? but i am not head over heels for him. i know his name is Netty and that he likes paryting. but that's just the stock character for "silly Russian second-liner" 😭😭😭😭
one thing i will say - i always appreciate a happy go lucky sports bro discovering complex feelings (a classis for a reason!), and i did think the ending segment (this time a post Cup win party timeline instead of an interview) was really cute! so you know - not a winner for me, but not a total flop either. and at least now i will be better at managing my expectations for book 3 🥲
for one, i don't think this storyline has enough meat on it to sustain an entire novel. a fic of the same length? sure. but not a published novel, i think.
codependent besties to lovers is a great trope, but the more successful you are in establishing the trust between the protagonists, the more difficult it is to present the reader with a believable reason for these people *not* ending up together. hence the use of my twin third act nemeses, miscommunication and poor self esteem. how i loathe thee, let me count the ways!
but even my distaste for these narrative crutches aside, i think this book perhaps could have used with another round of edits? i noticed a few errors in syntax, but there were also some continuity errors (i mean i might have just misremembered things from a couple of chapters back, but i don't think i did??). but i think for me the biggest issue was being told the same thing over and over again? like yeah bestie i know zach went on a crazy bender when he was a rookie in montreal, i literally read about it in the prologue?? idk if this was a matter of insufficient editing, or perhaps padding the book to reach the required page count, but either way i did not like it!
and lastly (i promise to stop kvetching soon) - the secondary characters all kinda felt a bit paint by numbers? which is excusable when you have primary characters that are incredibly engaging (as in book one, for example), but here i felt like i didn't get to know the team any better? like, what's the point of a hockeyrom series if you don't have me falling head over heels for the silly Russian second-liner by the end of book two?? but i am not head over heels for him. i know his name is Netty and that he likes paryting. but that's just the stock character for "silly Russian second-liner" 😭😭😭😭
one thing i will say - i always appreciate a happy go lucky sports bro discovering complex feelings (a classis for a reason!), and i did think the ending segment (this time a post Cup win party timeline instead of an interview) was really cute! so you know - not a winner for me, but not a total flop either. and at least now i will be better at managing my expectations for book 3 🥲
November 17, 2023
This was pretty much all of the things I look for when I want to read a Hockey romance. There was no big “in the closet” trauma, the intimate scenes are more about the feelings and connections than “tab A into slot B”, and the pining was delicious.
The pacing was a bit slow in the middle and I was kinda lost on what the overall structure was intended to be, but that didn’t massively detract from my enjoyment of the book.
Nate and Zach are likable characters and I found myself wanting to see those wild boys make it. I don’t enjoy romances that happen in a vacuum and imply “all we need is each other” and I therefore really enjoyed the team dynamic of the people and families around Zack and Nate.
I can say nothing about the quality of the hockey in the book because I’m “one of those” people who like hockey as a setting for a romance, but don’t know much about it. It is what it is.
Good romance, nice team dynamic, happy me.
The pacing was a bit slow in the middle and I was kinda lost on what the overall structure was intended to be, but that didn’t massively detract from my enjoyment of the book.
Nate and Zach are likable characters and I found myself wanting to see those wild boys make it. I don’t enjoy romances that happen in a vacuum and imply “all we need is each other” and I therefore really enjoyed the team dynamic of the people and families around Zack and Nate.
I can say nothing about the quality of the hockey in the book because I’m “one of those” people who like hockey as a setting for a romance, but don’t know much about it. It is what it is.
Good romance, nice team dynamic, happy me.
April 4, 2024
Fans of best friends to lovers hockey - THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! Delay of Game by @aribaranwrites is such a sweet story - Nate and Zach are so oblivious and their codependency is off the charts. I couldn't get enough! Add in LOTS of hockey, anxiety and Jewish rep, and an audiobook narrated by Cooper North and this book is an absolute must-read.
Nate is the reluctant captain of a scrappy underdog NHL team, trying his hardest to stay in control when he's always on the verge of spiraling. When Zach Reed is traded to his team, they slowly become extremely close friends - buying houses walking distance from each other, spending all their free time together. So, when they start messing around with each other, they don't think about it all that much for a while. Then Zach decides to make a deal - whenever they hook up, their team seems to win, so they should keep doing it… right? Things are going well until stronger feelings start getting in the way - how will these two guys whose lives are so wrapped up in each other already take their relationship to the next level?
Golden retriever Zach had me from the very beginning - ALL he wants to do is please Nate and make him feel good about himself. It is SO sweet and endearing, but gosh I wish they'd just freaking talk to each other about their feelings! For two guys who talk ALL the time about EVERYTHING, the fact that they can't decide that they are actually in a relationship with each other was kind of hilarious. Nate's untreated anxiety is really hard to read about (hits a little close to home, I AM Nate) - it's nothing overly extreme, but it permeates every aspect of his life. I loved how focused Zach was on helping him - the affirmation s3x scene was probably one of the sweetest, hottest things I've ever listened to 🥹. LOVE.
I listened to this one as an audiobook primarily because Cooper North was narrating it. His voice IS MM hockey for me - it's so perfect. Ari's writing is excellent and lends itself so well to audio. Highly recommend this series (and especially this book) in general and the audiobook in particular. Totally underrated and SO good.
Nate is the reluctant captain of a scrappy underdog NHL team, trying his hardest to stay in control when he's always on the verge of spiraling. When Zach Reed is traded to his team, they slowly become extremely close friends - buying houses walking distance from each other, spending all their free time together. So, when they start messing around with each other, they don't think about it all that much for a while. Then Zach decides to make a deal - whenever they hook up, their team seems to win, so they should keep doing it… right? Things are going well until stronger feelings start getting in the way - how will these two guys whose lives are so wrapped up in each other already take their relationship to the next level?
Golden retriever Zach had me from the very beginning - ALL he wants to do is please Nate and make him feel good about himself. It is SO sweet and endearing, but gosh I wish they'd just freaking talk to each other about their feelings! For two guys who talk ALL the time about EVERYTHING, the fact that they can't decide that they are actually in a relationship with each other was kind of hilarious. Nate's untreated anxiety is really hard to read about (hits a little close to home, I AM Nate) - it's nothing overly extreme, but it permeates every aspect of his life. I loved how focused Zach was on helping him - the affirmation s3x scene was probably one of the sweetest, hottest things I've ever listened to 🥹. LOVE.
I listened to this one as an audiobook primarily because Cooper North was narrating it. His voice IS MM hockey for me - it's so perfect. Ari's writing is excellent and lends itself so well to audio. Highly recommend this series (and especially this book) in general and the audiobook in particular. Totally underrated and SO good.
February 14, 2024
I am sorry to say, I was not a fan of this one. I'd been eager to read it because I greatly enjoyed the previous book, Game Misconduct, but this one felt like a chore to read through. The story could have benefited from more patience, more time sitting with it, more development, and more editing. I still feel like I hardly know or like the main characters, and found the side couples (Mike and Danny, Bee and Makela) infinitely more interesting. This one is more in the vicinity of 2.5 stars for me. .
I will say, though, that the story started off okay enough before these faults became apparent. I am still interested in Ari Baran's work and will pick up another book of theirs in future.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will say, though, that the story started off okay enough before these faults became apparent. I am still interested in Ari Baran's work and will pick up another book of theirs in future.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2024
wow! a philly team winning the cup in my lifetime!
Rep: Jewish bi mc with anxiety, bi mc, Black side character, gay side characters
CWs: drug & alcohol use, body dysmorphia
Rep: Jewish bi mc with anxiety, bi mc, Black side character, gay side characters
CWs: drug & alcohol use, body dysmorphia
October 21, 2023
Immediate response: Aaaaaw 🥰🥰🥰 Sweet baby hockey bros finally learn how to use their words and have an hea. And there’s a deliciously domestic Mike and Danny cameo. Yes, please.
Okay, now the Actual Review
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Game Misconduct. Delay of Game is not Game Misconduct. I still loved it. Some light spoilers ahead.
In Delay of Game, Nate and Zach are teammates on Philadelphia's pro hockey team. Zach is a recovering party boi. Nate has anxiety. Both of them, but mostly Zach, use the word "bro" a lot; there is a hierarchy of bros. Nate and Zach are best bros. They're also hopelessly attracted to one another, but instead of talking about it they drunkenly hook up, and then keep hooking up under the superstitious guise that they've started winning because they're banging now, and to stop would obviously result in losses. Duh. Why else would they keep having sex? Because they love each other? Shut up, you do.
My main issue with this book was that the central conflict revolves around a non-/mis-communication, which is one of my least favorite types of conflict. Boys, just talk to each other already! Set aside your pride and/or anxiety, and use your freaking words. Jesus. Ugh.
Where Game Misconduct is raw and rough edges, Delay of Game is oh-so-soft and tender. It's a low-angst, low-stakes, very sweet friends to lovers hockey romance. Like Game Misconduct, though, Delay of Game confronts serious mental health issues, and to some extent the lack of treatment for mental illness in pro hockey, which I greatly appreciated. Also like Game Misconduct, Delay of Game deals in vibes over plot, which, for me, is ideal in a hockey romance (and, if I'm being honest, most romances). Ari Baran excels at developing flawed and lovable characters and building chemistry between them, and this results in relationships that are believable -- that I find myself rooting for and then thinking about long after their books are over.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Okay, now the Actual Review
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Game Misconduct. Delay of Game is not Game Misconduct. I still loved it. Some light spoilers ahead.
In Delay of Game, Nate and Zach are teammates on Philadelphia's pro hockey team. Zach is a recovering party boi. Nate has anxiety. Both of them, but mostly Zach, use the word "bro" a lot; there is a hierarchy of bros. Nate and Zach are best bros. They're also hopelessly attracted to one another, but instead of talking about it they drunkenly hook up, and then keep hooking up under the superstitious guise that they've started winning because they're banging now, and to stop would obviously result in losses. Duh. Why else would they keep having sex? Because they love each other? Shut up, you do.
My main issue with this book was that the central conflict revolves around a non-/mis-communication, which is one of my least favorite types of conflict. Boys, just talk to each other already! Set aside your pride and/or anxiety, and use your freaking words. Jesus. Ugh.
Where Game Misconduct is raw and rough edges, Delay of Game is oh-so-soft and tender. It's a low-angst, low-stakes, very sweet friends to lovers hockey romance. Like Game Misconduct, though, Delay of Game confronts serious mental health issues, and to some extent the lack of treatment for mental illness in pro hockey, which I greatly appreciated. Also like Game Misconduct, Delay of Game deals in vibes over plot, which, for me, is ideal in a hockey romance (and, if I'm being honest, most romances). Ari Baran excels at developing flawed and lovable characters and building chemistry between them, and this results in relationships that are believable -- that I find myself rooting for and then thinking about long after their books are over.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
November 25, 2024
I thought Zach and Nate were really cute together and had a lot of chemistry, and that alone saved this for me, but the story had too many plot holes for me to enjoy their romance in this friends-to-fuck buddies-to lovers opposites attract hockey teammates romance.
First the prologue opens with bad boy hockey darling Zach going on a sex-filled drunken bender after he finds out he's getting traded to Philly. Then I get whiplash when all of a sudden he's reformed his behavior and is best friends with the team's uptight captain, Nate, despite a rocky start when he hated him and thought him condescending. I wanted more development of their friendship. I like friends to lovers arcs best when you can see their emotional intimacy build. In this it was cute how they flirted shamelessly but were totally oblivious about it, but that was about it.
Then potential conflicts were rushed through, like after they were sleeping together and the team spent a holiday dinner with Nate's parents and everything was like normal. With being so close to his parents, it was a good opportunity to show some tension and his parents noticing something different about him. But it felt like just a few paragraphs of team bonding instead. I did, however, enjoy the team as a found family elements in this.
I also thought Nate's bi awakening was rather rushed.
This story moved a lot between exposition and heavy angst/internal conflict that wasn't really about what I thought they should be angsting about, more about cheesy "Was I really looking at him like that?" sorts of lines. There was very little external conflict. I find myself having a limit these days on how much angst I can tolerate. I don't like being so much in their heads that I'm no longer rooting for them to be together. In the end I never really felt sold on their love story, even though the sex scenes were hot. They just seemed like angsty teenage girls to me catching feelings for the first time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First the prologue opens with bad boy hockey darling Zach going on a sex-filled drunken bender after he finds out he's getting traded to Philly. Then I get whiplash when all of a sudden he's reformed his behavior and is best friends with the team's uptight captain, Nate, despite a rocky start when he hated him and thought him condescending. I wanted more development of their friendship. I like friends to lovers arcs best when you can see their emotional intimacy build. In this it was cute how they flirted shamelessly but were totally oblivious about it, but that was about it.
Then potential conflicts were rushed through, like after they were sleeping together and the team spent a holiday dinner with Nate's parents and everything was like normal. With being so close to his parents, it was a good opportunity to show some tension and his parents noticing something different about him. But it felt like just a few paragraphs of team bonding instead. I did, however, enjoy the team as a found family elements in this.
I also thought Nate's bi awakening was rather rushed.
This story moved a lot between exposition and heavy angst/internal conflict that wasn't really about what I thought they should be angsting about, more about cheesy "Was I really looking at him like that?" sorts of lines. There was very little external conflict. I find myself having a limit these days on how much angst I can tolerate. I don't like being so much in their heads that I'm no longer rooting for them to be together. In the end I never really felt sold on their love story, even though the sex scenes were hot. They just seemed like angsty teenage girls to me catching feelings for the first time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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