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Over the Boards #1
Playing The Point
In hockey getting traded was never easy. Henny knew his trade was coming but he wasn't prepared to go from the Seattle Thunder to playing for what used to be his biggest rivals on ice, the Dakota Crusaders.
He planned to hide everything about himself that prompted the trade. With the preseason over and the regular season in full swing, Henny can only hope that the Crusaders will think he's worth what they paid for him.
He wasn't expecting the current captain of the Crusaders, Matthew Doherty to look past his former team and welcome him onto the team. The way they clicked on ice and how the entire team worked together made the trade easier. Now if he could stop staring at Doherty and focus on hockey, that would be great. He didn't need a repeat of what happened in Seattle. He just wanted to play hockey.
He planned to hide everything about himself that prompted the trade. With the preseason over and the regular season in full swing, Henny can only hope that the Crusaders will think he's worth what they paid for him.
He wasn't expecting the current captain of the Crusaders, Matthew Doherty to look past his former team and welcome him onto the team. The way they clicked on ice and how the entire team worked together made the trade easier. Now if he could stop staring at Doherty and focus on hockey, that would be great. He didn't need a repeat of what happened in Seattle. He just wanted to play hockey.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
7 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Ashley K. Broome
5 books25 followersAshley Broome was born and raised in southern Louisiana. That didn’t stop her from finding her love of hockey and embracing every aspect of it. When it isn’t hockey season she’s typically found sipping on PJ’s Iced Coffee, nudging one of her three cats out of the way, reading whatever book she can get her hands on or she’s plotting latest book ideas out half paying attention to everything going on around her. Playing the Point is her debut M/M Romance novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 14, 2021
To be honest, I should have DNFed this book. When there are 10 typos in just the first chapter, you know the author must not really care or have a proofreader. Ugh, AND spoiler alert the typos continued to the very end. **this is a re-release too... I should add not the original from 2017. It seems the issues were NOT fixed in the re-release version that I got in 2021.
This is told in Henny’s POV. It would have been a better book maybe if we got Matt’s POV too. We learn literally nothing about Matt’s dating history. It’s like he was a pod person that sprung up in his 20s or something.
This was supposed to be an adult romance with hockey players. It read more like a middle school romance where the most risqué sexual activity is holding hands and a few stollen kisses for pages AND pages on end. By the time they finally got to it, the book is over and you are left wanting. Meh 😑
Also Sioux Falls is the progressive city in this story over Seattle.. um let me suspend disbelief for a sec.
Then we get to the end and we’re left with really nothing. Very anticlimactic but I guess that was to be expected.
This is told in Henny’s POV. It would have been a better book maybe if we got Matt’s POV too. We learn literally nothing about Matt’s dating history. It’s like he was a pod person that sprung up in his 20s or something.
This was supposed to be an adult romance with hockey players. It read more like a middle school romance where the most risqué sexual activity is holding hands and a few stollen kisses for pages AND pages on end. By the time they finally got to it, the book is over and you are left wanting. Meh 😑
Also Sioux Falls is the progressive city in this story over Seattle.. um let me suspend disbelief for a sec.
Then we get to the end and we’re left with really nothing. Very anticlimactic but I guess that was to be expected.
October 30, 2018
1.5 stars
aside from the glaring grammatical/spelling/typing errors (like ok, I can forgive grammatical errors when it concerns a self-published book, but at least make sure there are no typos or words missing from your book and the like, that just involves you, yourself, rereading your work), this book was anticlimactic af. also I kept mixing up like 4 of the side characters with each other because they were all pretty much interchangeable, and the romance was a yawn.
this book held promise (I mean, as much as a sports romance can), but it just,,, massively failed to deliver.
though, one good thing I can mention, and definitely appreciate, was how healthy the relationship was between the two MC. I just don't think that's enough for making an interesting romance.
aside from the glaring grammatical/spelling/typing errors (like ok, I can forgive grammatical errors when it concerns a self-published book, but at least make sure there are no typos or words missing from your book and the like, that just involves you, yourself, rereading your work), this book was anticlimactic af. also I kept mixing up like 4 of the side characters with each other because they were all pretty much interchangeable, and the romance was a yawn.
this book held promise (I mean, as much as a sports romance can), but it just,,, massively failed to deliver.
though, one good thing I can mention, and definitely appreciate, was how healthy the relationship was between the two MC. I just don't think that's enough for making an interesting romance.
October 1, 2017
Story I would have given it a 4, writing a 2. There were so many mistakes in the writing (and I don't mean grammar), that I had to reread many sentences. I'm not skimmer, I'm a reader, so when the words are messed up, I struggle. The story however was very good. I enjoyed it tremendously. There could definitely be a second one going on about this couple but I hope the author finds a better editor.
March 24, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
For me this story was a bit of a miss. I didn’t feel a lot of romantic tension between Henny and Matt, who is a very cuddly man. He sends a lot of mixed signals. Likewise, the coming out story was flat. Henny’s fear of discovery drove so much of the tension, yet it was virtually unresolved, despite Henny’s sexuality seeming to be one of the most poorly kept secrets in the story. Henny’s timidness, though he appears to have boundless support, is excruciating. The resolution of the book brings a little bit of heat as he and Matt do connect, but it all seemed pretty nonchalant. There were so many hints and avenues for real growth for the characters, so the ending left me wanting. I’ve read a lot of M/M hockey romance and this one was lackluster and rather forgettable by comparison.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
For me this story was a bit of a miss. I didn’t feel a lot of romantic tension between Henny and Matt, who is a very cuddly man. He sends a lot of mixed signals. Likewise, the coming out story was flat. Henny’s fear of discovery drove so much of the tension, yet it was virtually unresolved, despite Henny’s sexuality seeming to be one of the most poorly kept secrets in the story. Henny’s timidness, though he appears to have boundless support, is excruciating. The resolution of the book brings a little bit of heat as he and Matt do connect, but it all seemed pretty nonchalant. There were so many hints and avenues for real growth for the characters, so the ending left me wanting. I’ve read a lot of M/M hockey romance and this one was lackluster and rather forgettable by comparison.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
November 2, 2017
It was a good book with a good story line and characters. I just felt like the story ended too abruptly. The ending felt like more of an ending for a chapter rather than the end of a book..This book has a lot of potential and I really wish that the author had written more because I feel like it would have made it an awesome read.
November 19, 2017
It was a nice, cute story. Good and funny characters. Henny was suffering with the fact he was traded from a team who didn't want him because of his preferences and in his new team he found a home and family.
The points I didn't enjoy mich were that we spent more time reading about the games than the relationship between Henny and Matt. Also the ending was too abrupt. I would've like more into the story.
The points I didn't enjoy mich were that we spent more time reading about the games than the relationship between Henny and Matt. Also the ending was too abrupt. I would've like more into the story.
March 9, 2021
Henny gets traded to a new team, leaving controversy behind and finds the possibility of love.
This book is an excellent example of a slow burn romance. Henny and Matt were great characters. The chemistry between the two was was enjoyable and at times funny.
It’s no secret I love hockey books and this one was good. Right mix of hockey and romance. The book ended with a happy for now. A bit disappointing, I hope there will be another book.
I received an arc of this book.
This book is an excellent example of a slow burn romance. Henny and Matt were great characters. The chemistry between the two was was enjoyable and at times funny.
It’s no secret I love hockey books and this one was good. Right mix of hockey and romance. The book ended with a happy for now. A bit disappointing, I hope there will be another book.
I received an arc of this book.
July 17, 2021
This was pretty solid! Third person! No alternating POV! A relationship allowed to develop with a nice, natural pace! A team of secondary characters worth spending time with! A genuinely supportive environment! Sex scenes that didn't make me cringe or want to tear my own skin off! This really just needed one more strong edit -- there were some minor copy edit issues and also an accidental shift in POV at one point -- and I think it would've wound up close to the Avon Gale-Michaela Grey end of my quality spectrum. Fun!
January 26, 2018
bit slow....bit routine...bit boring...
November 20, 2017
This one was a bit different than the typical romance books I normally read. Instead of a romance between a male and female, this one is betwee two men. Henny is a hockey player and trades hockey teams. He goes from the Seattle Thunder to the Dakota Crusaders who are major rivals. Henny is hoping to have a better time here than in Seattle. The reason he left wasn't exactly fun. Henny is gay and when his team found out it seemed like they were okay with it, until they just weren't. This made Henny decide while he's playing hockey no relationships for him, just him and his dog Axel. Hockey is enough for Henny at the moment. While starting out in his new team he's very careful that no one finds out his "secret". He doesn't want a repeat of Seattle. He starts becoming close to the captain of the team, Doherty, and sees him as a best friend. This makes him try even harder to make sure no one knows that he's gay. The team is like a big family and he really feels like their his family. After Henny's experience in Seattle this is more than he ever expected. He's starting to fall for his captain and isn't sure what to do until Doherty acts upon it as well. As he tries to figure everything out, they are trying to make it to the playoffs and playing against his old team is anything but easy. To be honest I really enjoyed this story, but for me it kind of felt like there was no real story in this story. Of course we read about his journey in the new team and him coming to terms with all that happens. And of course him falling in love. His sexuality threatens to be outed, but that goes in a different direction. This book kind of stopped all of a sudden and I didn't feel like it was complete. I liked that the romance took awhile to build up and we really got to know the team. I kind of missed Doherty's POV though. I guess I'm just spoiled with all the books that have dual POVs.
June 29, 2019
Playing the Point is a fairly short, low angst, low steam, sweet, feel good MM hockey romance. Brent “Henny” Henderson was traded from the Seattle Thunder to their rival team, the Dakota Crusaders because his Thunder teammates found out he was gay and had a problem with it. It’s understandable that he’s a little leery about the reception he’ll be getting and more determined than ever to keep his orientation under wraps. Much to his surprise the team proves to be very welcoming and the Captain Matt Doherty becomes his bestie.
All is well except that Matt is hot and Henny tries to not think of him in that way. Matt never discusses his sexuality, so it isn’t clear if he’s gay, bi or demi; but a very sweet relationship develops between the two. There is some sexual activity of the third base variety, but not actual sex; at least none that happens on page. The supporting cast consists of Henny’s dog Axel (and how can you not love a guy who loves his dog) and his Crusader teammates who are very accepting and supportive. Not that Henny and Matt are all out, loud and proud; but their teammates make some assumptions.
All the main characters are likeable. Henny and Matt are adorable together. The Russians on the team are a hoot; especially Sluts, the self-proclaimed Ann Landers of the team. And then there’s the young guy on the team, Teppo - the mullet rocking man-whore, who wants to introduce Henny to his lesbian sister so they can bond. Everyone is really endearing, except for the Thunder – they’re assholes.
Generally, I don’t mention lack of editing because I’m perfectly capable of filling in a word or looking over a misspelling or grammatical error; but Playing the Point is in serious need of a decent beta reader. There were a couple of places where it was disruptive to the story and I had to re-read a couple of times and still was asking myself, “what the what”?? But I’m not going to reflect this in my rating. Overall it was a quick, comfort read.
All is well except that Matt is hot and Henny tries to not think of him in that way. Matt never discusses his sexuality, so it isn’t clear if he’s gay, bi or demi; but a very sweet relationship develops between the two. There is some sexual activity of the third base variety, but not actual sex; at least none that happens on page. The supporting cast consists of Henny’s dog Axel (and how can you not love a guy who loves his dog) and his Crusader teammates who are very accepting and supportive. Not that Henny and Matt are all out, loud and proud; but their teammates make some assumptions.
All the main characters are likeable. Henny and Matt are adorable together. The Russians on the team are a hoot; especially Sluts, the self-proclaimed Ann Landers of the team. And then there’s the young guy on the team, Teppo - the mullet rocking man-whore, who wants to introduce Henny to his lesbian sister so they can bond. Everyone is really endearing, except for the Thunder – they’re assholes.
Generally, I don’t mention lack of editing because I’m perfectly capable of filling in a word or looking over a misspelling or grammatical error; but Playing the Point is in serious need of a decent beta reader. There were a couple of places where it was disruptive to the story and I had to re-read a couple of times and still was asking myself, “what the what”?? But I’m not going to reflect this in my rating. Overall it was a quick, comfort read.
March 3, 2021
We are introduced to Henny, who has just been traded to his former teams rival. After the betrayal of his former teammates, it's understandable why he's not in any rush to out himself to his new team. The Martens are a great team, lead by an amazing Captain, and full of friendly, caring guys. They welcomed Henny, and his charming german shepherd, Axel, into the fold immediately. Well, I'm not sure Duffy is crazy about Axel, he thinks he wants to eat him. Lol. But, Duffy has earned my forever praise and loyalty after the save/sacrifice he made. Matt, the team captain, had me melting inside like ice cream on a hot summer day. He's usually very calm, and a soothing person to be around, but if you mess with his team he'll throw down in a heartbeat. This group of players, the entire team/staff, is exactly what Henny needs in his life. They help bring back to joy in the game that was previously missing for him. The relationship between Matt and Henny builds slowly, the connection is instant, but they don't act on it for a while. The angst is low, and overall this story is really sweet. However, the ending just left me feeling cheated. All the build up, the comments and teasing with the teammates, and then no real payoff. I, as a reader, wanted that moment between them and their friends. I wanted to actually get to enjoy them being an out in the open couple. But, it just left me hanging. There were also some editing issues, hopefully, the editor goes over this again. Still like the story, just not crazy about the end.
March 19, 2021
Henn is a hockey player traded to a rival team after homophobic bullying forces him out of Seattle. His new team seems kinder and more cohesive-- possibly more accepting, although Henn isn’t out to all of them, so he can’t be sure. The best part of the new team for Henn, however, is undoubtedly the team captain, Matt, and their slow-burn romance unfolds against the backdrop of their hockey season. I liked both Henn and Matt, but my favorite characters were honestly the rest of their teammates, who are quirky, full of fun, and just generally supportive and awesome. Points, also, for Henn’s awesome dog, who steals all the scenes he’s in. Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read, although I wasn’t sure, when this book ended, if the story is meant to continue. It winds up with not quite a fully developed HEA-- although Matt and Henn are in a good place with each other, a lot is still up in the air. I would love to see what happens next for these two, and their teammates, if only because so many loose ends still remain.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 17, 2021
This book rocks! An amazing story about friendship, hockey and love. Henny has been traded to the Martens after one of his teammates has an issue with him being gay. He’s hesitant with the new team but soon comes to find that they are very welcoming. Matt is the team captain and is supportive of Henny from day one. They play well together and soon Henny is being included in all the off ice things the team does together. Before long, Matt seems to be spending most of his free time at Henny’s house. Things will change while on a road trip and Henny will find that his feelings for Matt are reciprocated. There will be some on ice fireworks as some of the other teams seem to be gunning for Henny. They will make it to the end of the season and Henny and Matt will plan on continuing the relationship they started during the season.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
March 19, 2021
I’m gonna admit, I struggled with this book a little. Something felt...incomplete about it.
It was the fact this was hockey players that drew me to this book. I’ve enjoyed all of the hockey romance I’ve read so far, and this one is okay. The main characters were likable, but I felt like there was more to explore that wasn’t. Maybe that’s because it was only told in Henny’s POV.
Overall I’d say this book was a decent read, but I’m not sure I would stick it on the shelf if books to read again. If you’re looking for a very light, breezy read, featuring a slow burn with not much heat when it’s ignited, then this is the book for you.
***I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
It was the fact this was hockey players that drew me to this book. I’ve enjoyed all of the hockey romance I’ve read so far, and this one is okay. The main characters were likable, but I felt like there was more to explore that wasn’t. Maybe that’s because it was only told in Henny’s POV.
Overall I’d say this book was a decent read, but I’m not sure I would stick it on the shelf if books to read again. If you’re looking for a very light, breezy read, featuring a slow burn with not much heat when it’s ignited, then this is the book for you.
***I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
March 9, 2021
Three and a half stars for this hockey romance. I honestly felt like I was coming in mid-book at the very beginning and actually went to make sure this wasn't a series and I missed the first book. The entire story is told from Henny's point of view which I don't mind however I felt there was a lot missing dialogue wise. The story also seemed to skip over parts that are really needed when this type of narrative is used. I had no clue where Matt was and by the time him and Henny got together it just seemed forced and random. There were some really cute parts of the story and the story itself seemed cute and sweet.
March 14, 2021
This was pretty good. I liked the playful friendship between the main characters and I always love a professional hockey player romance. Unfortunately I felt like the book was lopsided with a majority of the book being lead up and barely any actual relationship, no coming out moment, not even to close friends and no look into what the future looks like for them. I thought the steam was meh though their relationship chemistry was good. I also felt disconnected from Matt since we didn’t get his POV and the author didn’t make a point to include much personal stuff about him through henny’s POV. I just have so many questions left over and am left feeling pretty unsatisfied.
March 16, 2021
Hockey boys in love...
I do love me some hockey boys and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the buildup of Matt and Henny’s relationship and how as the book progressed Henny found that he had some strong allies in his teammates. As the first book of a new series it was well written with a developed storyline and detailed characters that as the book came to an end hinted at several possibilities to who would next get their HEA. Overall a genuinely enjoyable book that left me wanting more. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book.
I do love me some hockey boys and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the buildup of Matt and Henny’s relationship and how as the book progressed Henny found that he had some strong allies in his teammates. As the first book of a new series it was well written with a developed storyline and detailed characters that as the book came to an end hinted at several possibilities to who would next get their HEA. Overall a genuinely enjoyable book that left me wanting more. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book.
April 10, 2021
Blog Sol and Us
PT-BR/EN
♡
A química do Henny e do Matt é mesmo incrível. Eles são um casal gracinha e eu adorei o Matt desde o começo.
Foi bom ler sobre como Henny foi aceito e se sentiu uma parte do time.
Com um monte de personagens ótimos, Playing the Point nos faz nos sentirmos bem.
⋆
Sol and Us ▹ https://linktr.ee/solandus2
♡
Henny and Matt's chemistry is really amazing. They're a sweet couple and I adored Matt from the get-go.
It was nice to read about how Henny was accepted and felt a part of the team.
With a lot great characters, Playing the Point makes us feel good.
⋆
Sol and Us ▹ https://linktr.ee/solandus2
PT-BR/EN
♡
A química do Henny e do Matt é mesmo incrível. Eles são um casal gracinha e eu adorei o Matt desde o começo.
Foi bom ler sobre como Henny foi aceito e se sentiu uma parte do time.
Com um monte de personagens ótimos, Playing the Point nos faz nos sentirmos bem.
⋆
Sol and Us ▹ https://linktr.ee/solandus2
♡
Henny and Matt's chemistry is really amazing. They're a sweet couple and I adored Matt from the get-go.
It was nice to read about how Henny was accepted and felt a part of the team.
With a lot great characters, Playing the Point makes us feel good.
⋆
Sol and Us ▹ https://linktr.ee/solandus2
December 30, 2017
This was a great book. I’m not a sports fan, sorry, but this book got me into enjoying the sport hockey. Henry was traded and had to make it work with a new team because of the situation that happened on the last team. It made him weary of the new team and was a bit closed off till the team made it a point to make him feel welcome. Little by little Doherty made things easier and easier for Henry and enjoyed everything about the team. Henry and Doherty became fast friends and trusting each other more.
January 21, 2018
This is the first book I’ve read by Ashley, I do enjoy MM romance and although this was ok I felt that something was missing. I would have loved to know more about Henny’s feelings from being traded to falling for Doherty, it felt more focused on the hockey and the team dynamics than the romance, maybe this was to set the series up and the following books will be more romance based. It was a nice quick read but I can’t help but think it could have been better.
March 16, 2021
While I prefer a complete and total HEA in a romance, I really enjoyed my first book by this author. It is much more realistic that Matt and Brent would have an HFN rather than an HEA in this time frame. The author introduces the characters well and we see them develop from teammates to friends to more very nicely. I am hoping that in subsequent stories in the series we get to see how this couple is getting on over time.
April 6, 2021
The best trade
Brent 'Henny' Henderson was traded from Seattle to The Sioux Falls Martens and it was the best thing that could of happened, he and team captain Matt Doherty had an instant rapport on and off the ice. But Henny was wary of trusting his teammates after the way his former teammates had turned on him! A great contemporary MM sports romance. A great start for a new series. A fun short read with a slow burn to maximum temperature.
Brent 'Henny' Henderson was traded from Seattle to The Sioux Falls Martens and it was the best thing that could of happened, he and team captain Matt Doherty had an instant rapport on and off the ice. But Henny was wary of trusting his teammates after the way his former teammates had turned on him! A great contemporary MM sports romance. A great start for a new series. A fun short read with a slow burn to maximum temperature.
October 25, 2017
There was potential for this storyline, but so many loose ends were left at the end. There are multiple errors when it comes to word use, missing words, and grammar. I would love for this book to see an editor and for the story to be reworked to fix the loose ends and finish the rivalry issue to some end.
October 29, 2017
Loved this story. Playing the point is an m/m hockey story. Brent is traded to his to rival team. He made the choice after having a conflict with his former team. Not knowing what to expect from his new team. he is watchful to see if they know his secret. He finally lets his guard down and meets someone. This story is great. There are with editing mistakes but you can over look them.
November 6, 2017
Story has lots of potential and some really good characters however it also has a large number of errors and typos. I know this really bugs some people and personally have gave up on books because of it however the story was so good I didn't even consider it. Lots of room for growth into a series with books for all the other players.
November 20, 2017
This is the story of Henny and Doherty, hockey teammates who fall in love. The hockey is exciting, the team bonding is funny, and the romance is hot and sweet. The rivalry with Seattle was ferocious. As other reviewers have noted, the book needs a lot of editing, but the story is solid. I would read more from this author, and I would love to see more about this hockey team.
December 30, 2018
Its not your typical hockey romance you normaly have a girl and a guy but in Playing the point you see a truly special between Henny and Doherty. I think that if there were more books out like this than more relationships would come out. Great story a few grammer and spelling but hey I am not perfect so I am not one to judge. Great story!
February 28, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good story but needed editing. More than a few errors in grammar and missing words. I would have liked a epilogue, for six or twelve months later, as I thought the ending was a little sudden.
I will definitely read more from this author.
I received this book from GRR. This is my honest review.
I will definitely read more from this author.
I received this book from GRR. This is my honest review.
March 11, 2021
A good, unique story worth the read! Henny falls for his team captain, good friends to lovers, sports romance. I would have enjoyed a bit more from this couple-perhaps an epilogue set in the future and some insight into Matt (maybe from his POV) but still a good HFN read.
I received an arc of this book and am leaving my honest review.
I received an arc of this book and am leaving my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews