You, Again by Lane Hayes

The hometown hockey hero and his best friend’s brother…

VINNIE

Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. I’ve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now it’s over, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.

So I'm going home to Elmwood.

But I’ll tell you what I’m not gonna do—I’m not going to coach my buddy’s junior hockey league. No chance. I don’t know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coach—who happens to be my best friend’s brother—hates me. With reason.

That may be old news, yet something tells me we’re going to have to deal with the past.

And that's almost as scary as coaching teens.

NOLAN

No, I don’t hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.

He’s cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeah… after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. But I’m a responsible adult now. I run my family’s business, and with the help of my ex, I’ve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.

So maybe my life isn't particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isn’t the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.

And I’m not coaching with him. No way.

Ugh…

I can’t believe I’m doing this again.

You, Again is a male-male, bisexual, best friend’s brother, frenemies-to-lovers romance featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in The Elmwood Stories!
For book three, Holiday Crush, click HERE.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US) Narrated by Nick J. Russo
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a series of hockey romances based in the town of Elmwood, and I read all three in one go, which I highly recommend as they work really well together! In this first book we learn about the heritage of hockey in the town, but that the ice rink is definitely past its best, even if it produced some successes – such as Vinnie, who has just retired. He isn't really sure what the future holds, but he has little interest in coaching juniors.

It is a lot of fun seeing his hometown through his eyes, much changed due to him having been too busy to visit for quite a while. And the biggest change? His brother's best friend Nolan's family diner! It has a fancy French-Canadian chef, and a menu to match – although, thankfully, you can still get a burger and shake. Nolan is all grown up and, for some reason, is giving Vinnie the feels... something that none of his female friends have done as yet.

As Vinnie comes to terms with his change in heart over coaching, he also discovers that Nolan makes his heart beat at double speed. I really loved that Nolan was prepared to give Vinnie the opportunity to explore his feelings, without pressuring him. It was very loving, even if neither of them really thought about that at the start.

A very enjoyable read with plenty of hockey and romance!


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
You, Again is the first book in The Elmwood Stories series.

Hockey has been Vinnie's life for as long as he could remember. He's had a great career over the last sixteen years. After he retires, the only logical option is to go to his hometown, Elmwood, Vermont, even though he has no idea what the future holds for him. His best friend, Ronnie, bought the hockey rink they grew up playing in and wants Vinnie's help coaching teens. His name alone will help bring in more kids, but coaching teens is not something Vinnie wants, especially when the other coach is his best friend's brother, Nolan, and Nolan hates him for good reason.

Nolan is Ronnie's younger brother and as kids, the three of them did everything together. Nolan knew he was gay when he was younger, and Vinnie was his first crush. Nolan never intended to come back to Elmwood, but the death of his father meant he was needed to help run the diner. Nolan took over the diner and with the help of his head chef, Jean-Claude, they've turned the diner into bigger and better than it ever was before. Nolan helps his brother coach the juniors and being around Vinnie is going to be harder than he expected because Nolan is still completely attracted to Vinnie.

Vinnie and Nolan have a past to work through and Vinnie comes to terms with how Nolan makes him feel. I loved watching Vinnie come to terms with his life post hockey and learn to love coaching the kids. Nolan and Vinnie's relationship was so sweet. Their chemistry was instant and explosive.

I read the series out of order but had no issue. I easily fell in love with this town and the people and couldn't wait for more.

 

 

LANE HAYES loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions and/or were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards.

She loves red wine, chocolate, and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Connect with Lane Hayes!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  TikTok  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Lane's Lovers

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of You, Again (The Elmwood Stories #1) by Lane Hayes to read and review.