Review: Power Plays & Straight As by Eden Finley & Saxon James (CU Hockey #1)


Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the authors via Foreword PR & Marketing.

Foster's lips brush mine. "Say it." 
And how can I not? How can I hold back something so big that it both confuses me and seems blindingly clear? "I love you too." 
"Of course you do." Foster's lips find my ear. "But I loved you first."

This book was the absolute perfect way to start my week! I've read and loved almost all of Eden Finley's books, but Saxon James is a new-to-me author, and and experience has taught me that sometimes, an author whose solo work I may love may not click as well when they write with someone else. Thankfully, Finley and James appear to work wonderfully well together, creating this lighthearted series starter (YES!) that had me enchanted and the two main characters easily endeared themselves to me. If the rest of the CU Hockey series is as good as this first book, then I'm going to be one heck of a happy camper every single time a new addition is out.

Power Plays & Straight As is the opening salvo in the CU Hockey series, and readers are introduced to twenty-one-year-olds Foster Grant and Zach Sawyer. When Foster's twin brother, Seth, asks him to keep an eye on his best friend, Zach, he adds one pointed reminder: No hitting on Zach. Sure, Foster's got a reputation for being a player on and off the ice, and his bisexuality isn't much of a secret either on campus. And yeah, he's noticed how cute his twin's best friend is the few times he's seen him. But it's not like Zach has actually carried a conversation with him before and Foster's focus now is getting his degree and getting into the NHL. Of course, that was before he started spending time with Zach. The more that they're together, the more Foster wants to know this guy who's got him smitten--but can either afford the distraction?

From the moment Foster (plus Seth) and Zach are introduced, I knew I wanted to know more about these main characters and the rest of the cast of characters. These two were so different, but that made seeing how they actually became friends and then boyfriends an even more interesting AND entertaining journey. Neither one necessarily had any sort of drastic changes in order to fit in with each other or their respective worlds. If anything, it was like they came into their own, becoming more comfortable in their own skin and the realization that dreams could change for the better. The angst was at a bare minimum, but no complaints from this angst addict. Power Plays & Straight As was exactly the lighthearted fare I needed. Five-plus stars.

Release Date: 29 June 2020

Date Read: 28 June 2020

Learn more about Eden Finley and Saxon James.

Purchase Power Plays & Straight As on Amazon.

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