Listen free for 30 days
-
Linemates
- Narrated by: Michael Pauley
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: LGBTQ+, Romance
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £19.39
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Egotistical Puckboy
- Puckboys, Book 1
- By: Eden Finley, Saxon James
- Narrated by: Iggy Toma, Alexander Cendese
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game. I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids. My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all. He's cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he's the sexiest man I've ever known. We'll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens. That doesn't stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.
-
-
Entertaining
- By HMM on 16-06-22
-
Strong Side
- By: Alison Hendricks
- Narrated by: Chistopher Boucher
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Hawkins is about to throw the biggest Hail Mary pass of his career. If he can't turn NFL recruiters' heads this year, he'll lose his shot at the one thing he's ever been good at. But every quarterback needs a man he can count on down the field. For Jason, that man just might be the Tigers' new receiver, Derek Griffin. Four years ago, Derek nearly lost everything after being outed by his teammates. Now he finally has a chance to get it all back as a walk-on for Eastshore College.... if he can resist his immediate attraction to the gorgeous and very straight star quarterback.
-
-
Sexy and so well narrated
- By Mandy ryder on 19-12-18
-
Off the Ice
- Hat Trick, Book 1
- By: Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn
- Narrated by: Kirt Graves
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan Holt knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire and finish his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least, not until summer classes end.
-
-
Taboo with a hint of BDSM
- By Thais Dematte on 09-02-20
-
My Lucky #13
- Hockey Hotties, Book 1
- By: Piper Rayne
- Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Savannah Peachwood
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lucky. The one adjective used to describe my entire hockey career. I prefer to call it hard work - at least I did until my game went to complete crap. I haven’t scored in eight games, and the team owner is talking about trading me. I’ve never believed in superstitions. Never needed one. I suppose I was “lucky” in that way. But now the best way to refer to me is desperate. I’d wear the same socks for an entire year just to be the high-scoring center I used to be. Imagine my surprise when after spending New Year’s Eve with a woman, I score a hat trick in the next game.
-
-
Brilliant listen!
- By Ms RD on 15-07-21
-
Breakaway
- Scoring Chances, Book 1
- By: Avon Gale
- Narrated by: Scott R. Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, 20-year-old Lane Courtnall's future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It's a strange way to begin a relationship.
-
-
Was not sure if this was for me
- By Monzie42 on 14-07-17
-
Rebound
- Pucks & Rainbows, Book 1
- By: L.A. Witt
- Narrated by: Nick J. Russo, Michael Ferraiuolo
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A 40-something single dad, a 20-something hockey star, and a whole lot of baggage. No, this couldn’t possibly blow up in their faces. Officer Geoff Logan has his plate full. His cop’s salary and Marine retirement aren’t enough to make ends meet. He’s got war wounds and demons that are in it for the long haul. His teenagers are, well, teenagers, plus they’re pissed that he left the boyfriend they loved. Can’t a guy catch a break?
-
-
A thoughtful and insightful story
- By Wendy on 02-09-21
-
Egotistical Puckboy
- Puckboys, Book 1
- By: Eden Finley, Saxon James
- Narrated by: Iggy Toma, Alexander Cendese
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game. I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids. My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all. He's cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he's the sexiest man I've ever known. We'll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens. That doesn't stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.
-
-
Entertaining
- By HMM on 16-06-22
-
Strong Side
- By: Alison Hendricks
- Narrated by: Chistopher Boucher
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Hawkins is about to throw the biggest Hail Mary pass of his career. If he can't turn NFL recruiters' heads this year, he'll lose his shot at the one thing he's ever been good at. But every quarterback needs a man he can count on down the field. For Jason, that man just might be the Tigers' new receiver, Derek Griffin. Four years ago, Derek nearly lost everything after being outed by his teammates. Now he finally has a chance to get it all back as a walk-on for Eastshore College.... if he can resist his immediate attraction to the gorgeous and very straight star quarterback.
-
-
Sexy and so well narrated
- By Mandy ryder on 19-12-18
-
Off the Ice
- Hat Trick, Book 1
- By: Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn
- Narrated by: Kirt Graves
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan Holt knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire and finish his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least, not until summer classes end.
-
-
Taboo with a hint of BDSM
- By Thais Dematte on 09-02-20
-
My Lucky #13
- Hockey Hotties, Book 1
- By: Piper Rayne
- Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Savannah Peachwood
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lucky. The one adjective used to describe my entire hockey career. I prefer to call it hard work - at least I did until my game went to complete crap. I haven’t scored in eight games, and the team owner is talking about trading me. I’ve never believed in superstitions. Never needed one. I suppose I was “lucky” in that way. But now the best way to refer to me is desperate. I’d wear the same socks for an entire year just to be the high-scoring center I used to be. Imagine my surprise when after spending New Year’s Eve with a woman, I score a hat trick in the next game.
-
-
Brilliant listen!
- By Ms RD on 15-07-21
-
Breakaway
- Scoring Chances, Book 1
- By: Avon Gale
- Narrated by: Scott R. Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, 20-year-old Lane Courtnall's future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It's a strange way to begin a relationship.
-
-
Was not sure if this was for me
- By Monzie42 on 14-07-17
-
Rebound
- Pucks & Rainbows, Book 1
- By: L.A. Witt
- Narrated by: Nick J. Russo, Michael Ferraiuolo
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A 40-something single dad, a 20-something hockey star, and a whole lot of baggage. No, this couldn’t possibly blow up in their faces. Officer Geoff Logan has his plate full. His cop’s salary and Marine retirement aren’t enough to make ends meet. He’s got war wounds and demons that are in it for the long haul. His teenagers are, well, teenagers, plus they’re pissed that he left the boyfriend they loved. Can’t a guy catch a break?
-
-
A thoughtful and insightful story
- By Wendy on 02-09-21
-
Changing Lines
- Harrisburg Railers Hockey, Book 1
- By: RJ Scott, V.L. Locey
- Narrated by: Sean Crisden
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the youngest of the three Rowe brothers, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers. Jared Madsen is Tennant’s new coach and the sexiest thing on which he’s ever laid eyes. Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. Nine years his junior and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows his heart could get him into trouble again.
-
-
Loved it
- By choccygrl on 15-08-18
-
The Blueprint
- By: S.E. Harmon
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, Sean Crisden
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kelly Cannon is satisfied with his life. He has friends, a wonderful family, and a great job. But his love life has reached a new level of pitiful. Why? Well, his heart decided to break all the rules. Don't fall in love with a straight guy. And definitely don't fall in love with your best friend. NFL standout Britton "Blue" Montgomery has pressure coming at him from all sides. When Kelly admits he's in love with Blue, bonds are tested, and Blue has to decide what's really important.
-
-
Blue...I dislike you...a lot!!
- By BevS on 02-03-19
-
Bully & Exit
- The Midwest Series, Book 1
- By: Brigham Vaughn
- Narrated by: James Edward Jones
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nathan Rhodes has put hockey first for most of his life, but as graduation looms, he has a different goal in mind. He needs to come out and reclaim his first love. If only Caleb will believe him....Theater geek Caleb Stockwell gave up on love when his boyfriend chose the closet over being with an openly bisexual guy. Now, he hides his heartbreak behind a string of casual hookups. He loves the drama on stage, but he’s done with the drama of Nathan Rhodes. For good.
-
-
Second chance
- By Lesetiger on 26-08-21
-
Fire in the Ice
- By: Ryan Taylor, Joshua Harwood
- Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hockey right winger Tyler Jensen isn’t thrilled to get the news he’s been traded to the Bethesda Barracudas. The team may be red-hot in the rankings, but there’s someone there he’d rather not have to see every day. Defenseman Kevin Moore is living the dream playing for the Barracudas - until he hears that his old high school crush Tyler is joining the team. Ty was once everything Kev wanted, but their age difference got in the way. In Bethesda, Tyler doesn’t take long to notice that Kevin has grown up into precisely the kind of man he can’t resist.
-
-
Love on the Ice - brilliant narration!
- By Lesetiger on 22-03-22
-
Undercover
- Vino & Veritas Series
- By: Eliot Grayson
- Narrated by: Cooper North, Tim Paige
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He's a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears...and other places. Tall, dark, and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats.
-
Bat Boy
- Easton U Pirates Series, Book 1
- By: Christina Lee
- Narrated by: Iggy Toma, Kale Williams
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With a baseball scholarship to Easton University and awesome family and friends, my life is pretty golden. Except, things have never come together for me in the romance department. Until Kellan Crawford walks onto the field as the team's newest bat boy. Bells and whistles go off in my body, and just like that, I'm totally crushing on a guy for the first time in my life. Too bad he's the coach's son and officially off-limits.
-
-
nothing special
- By HMM on 01-07-22
-
The Assist
- Smart Jocks, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Jenshak
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What's the probability of insulting the one guy on campus I need to help me pass statistics? If I knew, I wouldn't be standing in front of Wes Reynolds begging him to tutor me. Basketball player, sexy, arrogant, always sleeping through class...these are the things I knew about him. What I didn't know is that he is a seriously smart jock.
-
-
A COLLEGE SPORTS ROMANCE
- By Jan on 21-10-21
-
Out in the Deep
- Out in College, Book 1
- By: Lane Hayes
- Narrated by: Michael Dean
- Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Derek Vaughn is a little too serious. He’s a type-A controlling personality with a penchant for order and a love of water polo. But he’s determined to enjoy his last year of college. The real world with a serious job and big expectations can wait for a few months. He’s going soak up every minute on campus with his friends and teammates before he moves on. The only possible kink in his plan is the new guy on the team...also known as his nemesis.
-
-
Lovely
- By RachelM on 26-06-20
-
Nineteen
- By: Tracey Ward
- Narrated by: Matthew E. Berry
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Butler Shay sucks. He'll tell you that the second you meet him, because as unscrupulous as he is, he's not a liar. He doesn't have time for games or feelings. He's going to go pro one day and that means complete focus on football. No distractions. No infatuations.
-
-
Nineteen
- By C. Watkins on 08-05-21
-
Top of Her Game
- By: M Ullrich
- Narrated by: Keira Grace
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kenzie Shaw is the most sought-after rookie in women’s major league soccer, but her life changes forever when she’s drafted in her home state of New Jersey. After all, it’s not every day you get a chance to play alongside your idol and the woman you’ve crushed on for years. Sutton Flores has soccer in her blood. Her father raised her to play, her brothers pushed her even harder, and her coaches shaped her into a superstar athlete.
-
-
Enjoyable but peculiar football (soccer) rules
- By FC51 on 25-11-20
-
Secret Puck
- Campus Nights, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Jenshak
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Vanessa Edwin
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Secretly hooking up with the team captain's sister was a bad idea. In my defense, the first time I saw her I didn't know who she was. Kind, gorgeous, a little naïve. Ginny brightened my world from day one. I knew I was no good for her. She was just out of a relationship, and I had a reputation for having a new girl in my bed every weekend. I tried to do the right thing. Honest. I'm the one who insisted we should be just friends. That lasted about as long as you'd expect. But Ginny? She's the best - best friend, best everything.
-
-
love love love!
- By 💜SarahBookNerd💜 on 07-07-21
-
Crossroads
- By: Riley Hart
- Narrated by: Sean Crisden
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After divorcing the woman he'd been with since he was 17, Nick Fuller is starting over. He owns the restaurant of his dreams, and he's determined to meet new people, find new passions, and experience life to its fullest. Easier said than done - that is until he meets his new neighbor, Bryce Tanner. Neither man has ever wanted another guy, but there's a connection between Nick and Bryce from the start - a spark they can't deny.
-
-
EXCELLENT BOOK
- By Killian Anderby on 01-03-18
Summary
Life is going pretty well for Derek LaVigne. He's playing professional hockey in Los Angeles where hockey is barely on the radar, and this allows him to live in relative anonymity. Derek's world is tilted on its axis when he's traded to the Detroit Wheels. Not only is this one of the top teams in the National Hockey League, he'll also be playing in a city that lives and breathes hockey. It sounds like a dream come true, but soon enough it becomes clear it isn't.
The reason for Derek's change of heart is Trevor Ladouceur. Five years ago Derek and Trevor were linemates on Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. They were inseparable both on and off the ice and became known as the Wonder Twins. After winning the gold medal, they slept together. Trevor was gone the next morning, and they haven't spoken since. Now they're together again, and the expectation is for the Wonder Twins to help Detroit win the Stanley Cup. Much to Derek's dismay, he realizes he's falling in love with Trevor all over again.
More from the same
What listeners say about Linemates
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Havan_IronOak
- 30-11-15
Teammates, linemates, roommates even mates
Derek and Trevor were two hockey players who played so well as juniors that their Team Canada won the Gold Medal at the World Junior Championship and they both went on to the NHL.
Of course, that night after they won the gold they slept together but in the morning when Derek awoke he was alone. Trevor's gay panic and abandonment left a deeply wounded Derek. It's now 5 years later. Derek is playing hockey in L.A. and has been able to explore his sexuality a bit because hockey isn't really on anyone's radar out there.
But he's been traded to the league leading Detroit team where Trevor is playing (and dating the local weather girl). Detroit's coach wants to "reunite the wonder twins" but in a city where hockey players are famous, how will Derek deal with finding his place on this much better team, resolve his issues with his old flame and still be true to himself?
D.K. Dunn has done a great job here. The story is compelling, the hockey details are spot on, the Michigan setting is exactly right (even down to a casual mention of Euchre) and the two guys seem realistic and both are sympathetically drawn. This is one of the best M/M sports centered books I've encountered.
However don't go into this expecting anything too steamy. No one even gets laid in the first 15 chapters. This is a sweet tale of coming-out and redemption and of re-establishing a relationship that was ended prematurely. But don't ever forget, this is also a hockey story. The MC's may be athletes but with all the scrapes and bruises and brittle machismo attitudes that the sport is known for.
Michael Pauley does the narration here and does a great job of voicing Derek from whose POV the story is told. He gets the attitude as well and the pacing during key sports scenes works really well.
*** Note: I received a copy of this audiobook for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Morgan A Skye
- 24-09-15
Great narration, not a great story
Derek is gay and plays for the NHL team in LA. He gets traded to Detroit for a chance at the Stanley cup. He should be psyched but he’s absolutely not because this will pit him head to head with the hit and run lover he had 5 years ago who left him all alone after a night of drunken sex.
Trevor, who is now 24, “can’t be gay” and play professional hockey – or so he tells himself. He continually pushes Derek away and claims that the night they spent together was a mistake.
As they Wonder Twins begin to work with one another to win the cup, they begin to form a somewhat stable friendship, or at least not openly hostile.
Trevor’s hot girl-friend – who is a total bitch – finally tires of playing second or third fiddle to hockey, the dogs and even Derek – and drops him. Trevor is forced to re-evaluate his life and realizes Derek has been right for him all along.
**
So… I wanted to like this. I like the idea of GFY/OFY, hot hockey players? – oh yeah; coming out stories – you bet! – enemies to lovers – awesome! This sounded like it had a bit of all that. Yeah, no.
It had a guy with his head in his a** the ENTIRE time, constant back and forth between the two MCs over the SAME ISSUE and only pne – count it – one sex scene at the very end of the book. It also had a long list of things that bugged me: making most of the women in their lives act like b*tches, making fun of being gay, no coming out for either character and a totally unbelievable “I love you” declaration that came from out in left field.
When we get to the end I have absolutely no belief that this relationship will work out and really I didn’t even care by that point. I sort of liked Derek, but never cared for Trevor at all. There was a LOT of hockey, a smidge of sexual tension, and very little romance.
Audio
Michael Pauley did a good job with this book. He tried to give all the various hockey guys a unique voice and even tried a little Canadian accent now and then –eh? At times he sounded almost out of breath and I can’t tell if it was because Trevor always was angry but his narration make him always sound that way.
I can’t really recommend this book, it didn’t do it for me on any level, but the narration wasn’t the problem.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nova
- 26-01-22
What a difference
It amazes me how much better Michael can narrate a story these days. his performance is not the best part of this story. its a good sports romance, characters are well defined and each has their own personality. worth the credit and your time to listen.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Zell Oakley
- 17-07-20
Well-written, very focused on hockey
So it seems a little redundant to point out that a book about two hockey players in love is very focused on hockey. But let's be honest, a lot of these sports romances are pretty interchangeable, typically formulaic love stories with the chosen sport as a backdrop. But not this one; D.K. Dunn seems to be a genuine hockey fan and you will get a LOT of hockey jargon (shouldn't be too confusing to newcomers, but I am a hockey fan so I can't say for sure) and a lot of focus on the games. I see this as a huge positive! It's not often a sports romance feels like a sports romance, or that the protagonists actually seem like athletes.
Derek is a (closeted) gay hockey player who has just been traded to a better team. Great news, right? Except one of his new teammates is another closeted hockey player whom Derek had a fleeting encounter with years ago. And though they're both closeted, Trevor (the new teammate) is so closeted he's actually in denial of his sexuality and isn't at all happy to see Derek again. Can these two crazy kids put aside their differences and become a couple? Probably, but life is about the journey. And this journey is super fun, filled with great secondary characters, exciting hockey games, and pretty good pacing, such that it's shot to the top of my list of favorite M/M sports romances (one of my favorite subgenres).
Trevor has a girlfriend acting as a beard who is pretty awful, but I'm still surprised that other reviewers are taking issue with Trevor's character and saying they didn't WANT the two of them to get together. If anyone comes out looking a little bad here, it's Derek, who is SUPER pushy with someone who is obviously going through a sexuality crisis. Something that's interesting to me is that even though Derek is jealous of Trevor's girlfriend and other girls, there isn't a single time when Derek questions if Trevor might be bisexual, probably a good indication that this book was written in 2015, a couple years before romance writers everywhere seemed to get the impression that 80% of the LGBT community is composed of the "B" portion. I'm not complaining--the book works better with Trevor being gay and not bi--it's just an observation. Less forgivable from a character standpoint is Derek's constant nagging and poking at Trevor for not coming to terms with his sexuality. It's not a flaw in the BOOK per se, but it's definitely a character flaw. And it's good that some characters have flaws, even 1st person protagonists! Neither character here is perfect, and that, for me, is a reason to recommend it.
Michael Pauley (aka Michael Dean) is hit or miss for me, but he was definitely a hit here. I thought his narration was excellent. Pauley is always a reliable narrator who sort of gets a little TOO into it sometimes, particularly during sex scenes. Luckily this book has very few sex scenes, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere.
There exists a sequel to this book, on Kindle, that came out in 2018, which is sadly not available on audiobook and, even more sadly, appears to be the only other thing this author has written, at least that I could find. It's really a shame because the sequel is very good (told from Trevor's point of view), and both books have excellent writing. Linemates is perfectly serviceable as a standalone but there are a couple things you may expect to happen in this book which don't happen until the next book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Troy
- 19-03-16
Amazing love story
I’m not usually a fan of sports-related books so I’m not sure how this one ended up in my queue but I’m glad I gave it a shot. Linemates was an awesome romance between two hard headed and perfectly matched men.
Hockey player Derek LaVigne is both excited and nervous when he is traded to the Detroit Wheels. It’s the team he’s always wanted to play on since he was young but one of his teammates is ex-lover—Trevor Ladouceur. Years back Derek and Trevor had some hot and heavy sex and Derek in love right away. However, Trevor took off and never contacted him again.
I’m a big fan of sexual tension between characters and that’s what most of this book is about. There’s a push and pull between Trevor and Derek that had me hanging on every word. I couldn’t wait to plug in my earphones and find out what was going to happen next.
Because of the mostly unrealized sexual tension there is a lack of actual romance in the book. In fact there is no sex until the very end. That’s something some readers might see as a negative, but not me. I thought it was perfect because any sooner it wouldn’t have been realistic. Both Derek and Trevor had growing to do, mostly Trevor.
One thing that some readers might take offense to is the homophobic remarks made by Trevor’s and Derek’s teammates. Yes, they were offensive but they were also authentic. Anyone that’s been in a men’s locker room or worked in a mostly male environment know that that kind of conversation is commonplace.
One of my complaints is that there weren’t many positive female characters. Trevor’s girlfriend is written as such a stereotypical bitch that it was hard to see any reason whatsoever Trevor would want to be with her. Yeah, he was using her as a beard but she’d still need to be a decent enough person he’d want to spend time with her.
Overall, an enjoyable story I would recommend highly.
Michael Pauley did an amazing job with this book. He absolutely nailed Derek, whose POV the story is written in. There are a lot of supporting characters in the book, mainly Trevor and Derek’s teammates, and Pauley did a good job making them all distinct. I will definitely listen to anything by him in the future.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- A. Clark
- 17-12-15
DNF
I was really excited that there was a book that has hockey elements to it, but man I could not finish. Four hours in, and I found myself actively hoping that the main characters DIDN'T get together.
Also, I didn't care for the narrator. All of his secondary characters sounded the same, and his female voices were TERRIBLE.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lifesavr
- 03-10-15
Good coming out story - Sports
Another in closet gay professional sports romance. I listen and read a lot of these stories, this one I liked a lot. The read was good. It was still a little distant when it comes to character development, but it kept my interest to the very end.
I wish it went a little further than it did. The sex was good, wasn't what I consider over focus.