Thin Ice by Lane Hayes Instagram Tour

The hunky dad, the hockey coach, and a new start...

BRYSON

Elmwood isn’t good for my love life. Hey, I’m a positive person and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about small-town living, but I haven’t had a date in years. That’s fine—my son is and always has been my number one focus.

Except now he’s grown and gone. And it’s lonely.

Okay, yes, the new hockey coach is hot and single, but he’s off-limits. Smitty’s trouble with a capital T, and his baggage might outweigh mine. Besides, we said nothing would happen after “that” night. It was a one-time, never to be repeated deal.

At least… that’s what I thought.

SMITTY

Am I sad about retiring from pro hockey? Honestly, no. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t in pain. I need a rest and I could use a distraction from unwelcome memories at home. Stat.

So… Elmwood.

Look, we all know I won’t last a whole season of coaching high school kids, but stepping in till they find a better candidate is a good temporary plan. And Bryson’s here.

There’s something about the hot dad with the sunny smile and bad dad jokes that makes me feel alive again. I’m not in the market for forever—been there, done that. Look, I’ve taken risks for my sport, but I’m not giving my heart away again. I know thin ice when I see it.

Or do I?

Thin Ice is an MM bisexual, age-gap, small-town romance featuring a silver fox dad, the new hockey coach, and a fresh start on solid ground.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of The Elmwood Stories!
For book one, You, Again, click HERE.
For book two, Next Season, click HERE.
For book three, Holiday Crush, click HERE.

 

 

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)

Audiobook (US)
Narrated by Nick J. Russo
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Smitty gamely followed me to the next vignette at Pinecrest’s premiere home and furniture boutique. “It’s a coffee table, Bry. It serves two functions—a footrest and a place to leave dishes… and the remote control. Anything is fine.”

“Yeah, right,” I huffed. “Somehow I doubt the guy who couldn’t live with yellow walls and had lots of opinions about the sectional he special ordered doesn’t care about the coffee table that will go in the same room.”

Smitty darted his gaze around the store and leaned in close. “Places like this intimidate the fuck out of me. It smells like a perfume factory and everyone is smiling… but their eyes are dead. Like they’re zombies. Is this a Pinecrest thing or a bougie thing? I don’t do well with hot cotchure.”

I burst into laughter. “Haute couture?”

“Sure, whatever.”

I brushed my hand against his in a show of solidarity, then linked our pinkies for a brief moment and pointed at a handsome dark-wood coffee table with a wide base. “What about that one?”

Smitty shrugged. “Looks nice.”

“I think so too.” I clandestinely checked the tag. “Yikes. It’s pricey. Let’s keep looking.”

“Do they have a coffee table with cupholders?”

“Absolutely not, and why would anyone want a cupholder in a coffee table?”

Smitty widened his eyes comically. “Are you kidding me? Why would anyone not want a safe place to plop a cup? You never have to worry about spilling a drink or knocking it over, and you wouldn’t have to fumble for it when you’re watching a game, ’cause your cup is right where you left it.”

“Okay, that’s a whole lot of nonsense. And thankfully, a moot point.” I glanced at our surroundings as if to be sure that was true and noticed the salesperson watching us from the register. I couldn’t remember her name off the top of my head, but I was pretty sure I’d sold her and her partner a house two years ago. I lowered my voice and added, “They don’t have such a thing, but even if they did, I’d stop you from buying it.”

“How? I’m bigger than you. And I’m fast. I could whip out my credit card in a flash and shove this fucker into my truck before you could say ‘No, bad table!’”

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I haven't read any of the previous books and I didn't feel like I was missing anything, so this could be read as a standalone.

I instantly loved Bryson and Smitty. These two were H.O.T. right from the start. I don't usually like books that involve sports, but this one was a good balance of hockey and the relationship between Bryson and Smitty. Each man has baggage that they carry from their past and they both need to work through that baggage. The chemistry is off the charts and the sexy times are steamy!!! There was very little angst, and the story was well paced. I actually didn't want the book to end. The day after I finished the book, I was actually sad that I wouldn't be reading about Bryson and Smitty again. And O.M.G. that epilogue!!! Great book, highly recommend.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Thin Ice is the fourth book in The Elmwood Stories series. It can be read as a standalone without issue but reads better when you know the town and its residents better.

Bryson has always put his son first after his divorce. He hasn't had a date in years but that's okay, it's a small town where everyone knows everything. Now that his son is grown and out living his own life playing hockey, Bryson is lonely. Bryson has a one-night stand with his son’s hockey nemesis, Smitty, and he can't seem to get the man out of his head. When Smitty moves to Elmwood in the house across the street and becomes the new high school hockey coach, Bryson doesn't know what to do about his attraction or his son's hatred of Smitty.

Smitty was asked to help coach in Elmwood after his retirement. He's not sure if that is something he wants to pursue until he sees how happy his ex-wife is with her new husband and baby on the way. After the one night he spent with Bryson he’s excited about seeing him again in Elmwood, but Bryson isn't as happy as Smitty would like. But that doesn't stop him from becoming the best friend Bryson could have – and throw in a side of friends-with-benefits and Smitty can't get enough. What he doesn't see coming is the feelings he didn't know he was catching. Can he give Bryson everything he needs when he can't even come out? Is he ready to be out and how will it affect everything he's he worked for?

I love this little town and everything it has to offer. I so enjoy getting to see past couples and getting glimpses of what's happening in their lives. Bryson and Smitty have so much chemistry and they grow together as their feelings develop for each other. Smitty is a fun character while Bryson is a bit of a control freak – it's a fun combination.

I can't wait for more in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and I loved being back with the gang and reading the next installment in this very engaging ice hockey series.

I love how this book starts, setting out the attraction and chemistry from the get go – but also erecting a barrier which is hard to ignore. It sits in our mind as we find them in the same town, with multiple points of contact, but still the issues which need resolution.

Bryson is a super cool dad, and a successful if lonely man in Elmwood – his moment of madness with soon to retire AHL defenseman Smitty is excusable, is it not? But when Smitty ends up living across the road and coaching the school hockey team... how is he supposed to stay away, but how could it ever work? The negotiations, the honesty, and the clear building of a deep and fun friendship is central to this really enjoyable read.

My only complaint... it finished too soon, and I greedily wanted more – hopefully the next installment will give us more of their story, even if only on the sidelines!

 

 

 

LANE HAYES lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.

She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes… romance is much more satisfying!

Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate… in any order. Add a book and she’s set!

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Thin Ice (The Elmwood Stories #4) by Lane Hayes to read and review.