What do you think?
Rate this book
The Elmwood Stories #6
Puck Love
Two rivals, one secret, and a shot at forever…
Jake
Favorite things and hockey, family, friends.
Least favorite person in the entire history of the Mason Trinsky.
I have my reasons, but since you’re curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, he’s a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends and I grudgingly accept that he’ll be a coach at Elmwood Junior’s Camp this summer, however, I plan to keep my distance.
Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.
Guess who I’m stuck with?
Trinsky
Favorite things and hockey, surfing, and my kid brother
Least favorite person in the entire history of the Jake Milligan
Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, it’s all in good fun.
Until it starts to feel…complicated. I shouldn’t care if he’s happy, should I? I don’t want to be Jake’s friend. I don’t want to have feelings for him at all.
The only thing that matters is hockey. It's all about the puck. Not love.
Or is it?
Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockey’s hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at forever…
Jake
Favorite things and hockey, family, friends.
Least favorite person in the entire history of the Mason Trinsky.
I have my reasons, but since you’re curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, he’s a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends and I grudgingly accept that he’ll be a coach at Elmwood Junior’s Camp this summer, however, I plan to keep my distance.
Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.
Guess who I’m stuck with?
Trinsky
Favorite things and hockey, surfing, and my kid brother
Least favorite person in the entire history of the Jake Milligan
Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, it’s all in good fun.
Until it starts to feel…complicated. I shouldn’t care if he’s happy, should I? I don’t want to be Jake’s friend. I don’t want to have feelings for him at all.
The only thing that matters is hockey. It's all about the puck. Not love.
Or is it?
Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockey’s hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at forever…
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2025
128 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Lane Hayes
107 books1,689 followersLane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
April 11, 2025
3.5 stars
A fun and light read. I liked being in Elmwood again. The relationship between Jake and Trinsky focuses too much on the physical, but their banter is entertaining and there are sweet moments, too. Though I have to say that both of them read younger than they are and I had to remind myself that they are in their thirties.
Enjoyable while reading it, but nothing that memorable for me.
A fun and light read. I liked being in Elmwood again. The relationship between Jake and Trinsky focuses too much on the physical, but their banter is entertaining and there are sweet moments, too. Though I have to say that both of them read younger than they are and I had to remind myself that they are in their thirties.
Enjoyable while reading it, but nothing that memorable for me.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 18, 2025
Puck Love is the sixth book in The Elmwood Stories series by Lane Hayes. This is Jake’s book and it was just wonderful. I have loved Elmwood, Vermont from the very first book in this series. I so wish I could walk down main street and get coffee or go into the diner or the bakery. To go back and visit this perfect little town and visit all the characters I’ve grown to love was such a wonderful treat.
Jake Milligan is thirty two years old. If you remember, he is the son of Bryson Milligan from book four, Thin Ice. He’s all grown up now and is a famous hockey star playing for Boston. He loves his job, and he loves his life. There is just one thing that he doesn’t love, that actually drives him crazy. And that is Mason Trinsky.
Mason Trinsky is the same age as Jake I believe and plays for the Denver Condors. The press has loved the rivalry between Mason and Jake, always finding ways to keep it going. Mason seems to take extreme pleasure in finding ways to poke at Jake when they’re on the ice. To find any way he can to irritate him!
Both men love hockey and both men love to give back to the community. But, when they are paired together on a camping trip in Elmwood, and actually start to get to know each other, things take a startling turn when they realize that they don’t dislike each other as much as they thought they did. And when they are both volunteering at the Junior Hockey Camp in Elmwood, they have the rest of the summer to keep on getting to know each other.
Watching these two let their guards down and redirect all that energy between them into something positive was so much fun. Jake’s dad’s book was my favorite of the series so I just knew I would love getting to know Jake as an adult. And it was wonderful to see how Bryson and Smitty were doing. Mason was so much fun with all his antics. He was actually perfect for the oh so serious Jake. If you haven’t read this series, I really recommend it. Every book is amazing.
“He felt like Christmas morning and my favorite birthday presents wrapped in one sexy package.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Jake Milligan is thirty two years old. If you remember, he is the son of Bryson Milligan from book four, Thin Ice. He’s all grown up now and is a famous hockey star playing for Boston. He loves his job, and he loves his life. There is just one thing that he doesn’t love, that actually drives him crazy. And that is Mason Trinsky.
Mason Trinsky is the same age as Jake I believe and plays for the Denver Condors. The press has loved the rivalry between Mason and Jake, always finding ways to keep it going. Mason seems to take extreme pleasure in finding ways to poke at Jake when they’re on the ice. To find any way he can to irritate him!
Both men love hockey and both men love to give back to the community. But, when they are paired together on a camping trip in Elmwood, and actually start to get to know each other, things take a startling turn when they realize that they don’t dislike each other as much as they thought they did. And when they are both volunteering at the Junior Hockey Camp in Elmwood, they have the rest of the summer to keep on getting to know each other.
Watching these two let their guards down and redirect all that energy between them into something positive was so much fun. Jake’s dad’s book was my favorite of the series so I just knew I would love getting to know Jake as an adult. And it was wonderful to see how Bryson and Smitty were doing. Mason was so much fun with all his antics. He was actually perfect for the oh so serious Jake. If you haven’t read this series, I really recommend it. Every book is amazing.
“He felt like Christmas morning and my favorite birthday presents wrapped in one sexy package.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
March 23, 2025
Lane Hayes is leaving Elmwood with a BANG! I pucking loved Jake and Mason's HEA.
Fierce competitors to lovers to friends to FOREVER.
Low on the angst, high on the heat, with humor and banter thrown in.
Everyone in Elmwood is thriving. Jake's three lil' siblings are adorable, and Eddy, Mason's teenage bro, is too cute. The way Mason doted on Eddy was sweet beyond words.
It's hard to do wholesome and sexy, but Puck Love managed just that. Very believable bi-awakening too.
I wanted a refreshing, happy story, and I got one.
Fierce competitors to lovers to friends to FOREVER.
Low on the angst, high on the heat, with humor and banter thrown in.
Everyone in Elmwood is thriving. Jake's three lil' siblings are adorable, and Eddy, Mason's teenage bro, is too cute. The way Mason doted on Eddy was sweet beyond words.
It's hard to do wholesome and sexy, but Puck Love managed just that. Very believable bi-awakening too.
I wanted a refreshing, happy story, and I got one.
April 1, 2025
someone please give me a decent enemies to lovers to read, I’m losing my mind here.
March 14, 2025
A perfect ending to this amazing series! Honestly I'm so sad that we're leaving Elmwood after this book 😭
Jake and Mason were just adorable! I loved their rivalry and how they pushed each other's buttons. I equally loved them learning more about each other and re-evaluating their opinions of each other. Their romantic relationship though was just so sweet. The way they can just talk everything through and know that they're in this together.... Adorable 😍 This book also had the perfect balance between the romantic relationship development, getting to know the characters and the spicy scenes.
There's nothing in this book that I didn't enjoy! I didn't want the book to end, it gave that feeling of a warm hug the whole way through and I wasn't ready to give that feeling up.
I'm going to miss Elmwood - it's been so easy to picture this town as a real place, to imagine being there and the characters in this series have been brilliant.
Definitely looking forward to the new college hockey series, and I'm also excited to get to know another of the towns too.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
Jake and Mason were just adorable! I loved their rivalry and how they pushed each other's buttons. I equally loved them learning more about each other and re-evaluating their opinions of each other. Their romantic relationship though was just so sweet. The way they can just talk everything through and know that they're in this together.... Adorable 😍 This book also had the perfect balance between the romantic relationship development, getting to know the characters and the spicy scenes.
There's nothing in this book that I didn't enjoy! I didn't want the book to end, it gave that feeling of a warm hug the whole way through and I wasn't ready to give that feeling up.
I'm going to miss Elmwood - it's been so easy to picture this town as a real place, to imagine being there and the characters in this series have been brilliant.
Definitely looking forward to the new college hockey series, and I'm also excited to get to know another of the towns too.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
March 20, 2025
Lane signs off on this first part of her Vermont-based small town series with Elmwood's home town boy Jake Milligan and his rival on the ice Mason Trinsky.
On the surface, it's a kinda enemies to lovers romance, but really it's about two people overcoming their misconceptions of the other outside of the rink and seeing that there's far more depth than the surface view.
In Jake's case, it's his fears that his career is drawing to a close and that he's not sure what his future holds, tied in with the fact his dad's got a new young family (see Thin Ice for details of that) and he's got residual guilt over the sacrifices his dad made for him growing up.
Mason's hiding a whole boatload of vulnerabilities, from his upbringing, to his younger brother's special needs, to his fairly justified mixed feelings about his mother, and then, on top of that, to his bisexual and possibly demi-sexual awakening.
It's the final element that sparks off the narrative in this story as the rivalry on the ice boils over while the two men are forced to share a tent on a sponsored camping trip organised through Vinnie's ice hockey program (see You, Again for more).
From clashing egos to clashing lips, the tension sparks into flames with both men fighting against the attraction they have for the other.
And it's this slow build-up of them starting with just friendly text messages - and scorching hot sexual encounters - which turns into more as the story develops.
It's full of pithy dialogue, smart-mouthed comebacks, funny comments and the sweetest bunch of kids who make up both of their extended families.
I love a small town vibe, I live in one after all, and I love that there's a real sense of community in Elmwood and especially surrounding the rink that Vinnie and Ronnie have built up, that everyone looks out for each other, the gentle ribbing and mickey taking that's meant with kindness.
It all builds up into a truly lovely read that really makes you smile from start to finish. This is the last in the Elmwood section, but Lane's planning to return to the area with stories based in one of the other towns after her next series wraps up.
I, for one, cannot wait!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
On the surface, it's a kinda enemies to lovers romance, but really it's about two people overcoming their misconceptions of the other outside of the rink and seeing that there's far more depth than the surface view.
In Jake's case, it's his fears that his career is drawing to a close and that he's not sure what his future holds, tied in with the fact his dad's got a new young family (see Thin Ice for details of that) and he's got residual guilt over the sacrifices his dad made for him growing up.
Mason's hiding a whole boatload of vulnerabilities, from his upbringing, to his younger brother's special needs, to his fairly justified mixed feelings about his mother, and then, on top of that, to his bisexual and possibly demi-sexual awakening.
It's the final element that sparks off the narrative in this story as the rivalry on the ice boils over while the two men are forced to share a tent on a sponsored camping trip organised through Vinnie's ice hockey program (see You, Again for more).
From clashing egos to clashing lips, the tension sparks into flames with both men fighting against the attraction they have for the other.
And it's this slow build-up of them starting with just friendly text messages - and scorching hot sexual encounters - which turns into more as the story develops.
It's full of pithy dialogue, smart-mouthed comebacks, funny comments and the sweetest bunch of kids who make up both of their extended families.
I love a small town vibe, I live in one after all, and I love that there's a real sense of community in Elmwood and especially surrounding the rink that Vinnie and Ronnie have built up, that everyone looks out for each other, the gentle ribbing and mickey taking that's meant with kindness.
It all builds up into a truly lovely read that really makes you smile from start to finish. This is the last in the Elmwood section, but Lane's planning to return to the area with stories based in one of the other towns after her next series wraps up.
I, for one, cannot wait!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
March 30, 2025
Romantic comedy / enemy to lovers of NHL players Jake and Mason.
I am diving into an established series without reading the prior first 5 books 😅 so I’m guess there will be cameos from previous books but I wont know.
This is book 6.
Jakes opinion of Mason :-
‘Trinsky was a conceited dickwad with more confidence than sense. He played dirty and mean and had the audacity to laugh off hits like a seasoned fighter while his opponents limped to safety.’
Masons opinion of Jake:-
‘A golden boy with intense eyes, edgy energy, a shiny leather jacket, and— What the fuck?’
An enemies to lovers story with the main characters as professional NHL players.
“Why is ‘Trinsky-Milligan Feud’ trending?”
Mason and Jake are coaches for the Elmwood charity camping trip… and camp partners.
“Bonding with the enemy for publicity. This is like a bad episode of Survivor in the making.”
Over 48 hours a lot can happen. Two campers go home sick. One tent and our two hockey nemesis’s. Two more campers get sick and go home. The videographer gets injured plus a concussion and is taken by the EMT’s. Mason kisses Jake and has a tiny gay freak out. Jake kisses Mason then it’s game on. There’s orgasms and a sex tree 🤣
“I don’t like you any more than you like me, and I’m not gay or bi, so this has to be an anomaly. Maybe it’s a matter of blowing off steam.”
On the last night…
“One tent,” I deadpanned. “Again? Seriously?”
‘Jake fucking Milligan had the upper hand here, and I had more of a problem with that than I did with the concept that I too might be bi. Yes, I was aware that was messed up, but that was how shit always seemed to go with us. I was also aware that I’d never know for sure if I was bi unless… “We have to do it again.”
Experimentations. Playful sexy teasing banter. More orgasms.
Two weeks later they are in LA, doing a tv interview about the charity camping trip and then find themselves at Masons beach house.
‘My heart pounded against my rib cage. It was so like him to casually discuss our hump-and-grind fests over lunch with the soundtrack of screeching seagulls, giggling children, and a mishmash of music on the beach. There was so much static in the air and yet, he had my undivided attention. “Oh?”
More sexy times. Some communication and boundaries are set. Secret sexy unserious and fun non-relationship it will be.
Next minute Jake is meeting Mason’s brother and mother. 😅🤦🏻♀️
‘Three days in bed with a man. That was a new one.’
Intimate talks. Feelings are developing. Sex is happening.
They agree to have the rest of the summer and then end whatever this is , for the sake of their NHL careers.
They fall in love but it feels hopeless.
It’s not and they have a happy ending.
Ps Ok I’m guessing the previous books were these characters love stories
‘Denny…who also happened to be married to a man. And his husband, Hank, was a fuckin’ cowboy from Colorado.
Former players who’d come out—like Vinnie Kiminski, Riley Thoreau, Court Henderson, and Smitty Paluchek—had changed the game.’
I am diving into an established series without reading the prior first 5 books 😅 so I’m guess there will be cameos from previous books but I wont know.
This is book 6.
Jakes opinion of Mason :-
‘Trinsky was a conceited dickwad with more confidence than sense. He played dirty and mean and had the audacity to laugh off hits like a seasoned fighter while his opponents limped to safety.’
Masons opinion of Jake:-
‘A golden boy with intense eyes, edgy energy, a shiny leather jacket, and— What the fuck?’
An enemies to lovers story with the main characters as professional NHL players.
“Why is ‘Trinsky-Milligan Feud’ trending?”
Mason and Jake are coaches for the Elmwood charity camping trip… and camp partners.
“Bonding with the enemy for publicity. This is like a bad episode of Survivor in the making.”
Over 48 hours a lot can happen. Two campers go home sick. One tent and our two hockey nemesis’s. Two more campers get sick and go home. The videographer gets injured plus a concussion and is taken by the EMT’s. Mason kisses Jake and has a tiny gay freak out. Jake kisses Mason then it’s game on. There’s orgasms and a sex tree 🤣
“I don’t like you any more than you like me, and I’m not gay or bi, so this has to be an anomaly. Maybe it’s a matter of blowing off steam.”
On the last night…
“One tent,” I deadpanned. “Again? Seriously?”
‘Jake fucking Milligan had the upper hand here, and I had more of a problem with that than I did with the concept that I too might be bi. Yes, I was aware that was messed up, but that was how shit always seemed to go with us. I was also aware that I’d never know for sure if I was bi unless… “We have to do it again.”
Experimentations. Playful sexy teasing banter. More orgasms.
Two weeks later they are in LA, doing a tv interview about the charity camping trip and then find themselves at Masons beach house.
‘My heart pounded against my rib cage. It was so like him to casually discuss our hump-and-grind fests over lunch with the soundtrack of screeching seagulls, giggling children, and a mishmash of music on the beach. There was so much static in the air and yet, he had my undivided attention. “Oh?”
More sexy times. Some communication and boundaries are set. Secret sexy unserious and fun non-relationship it will be.
Next minute Jake is meeting Mason’s brother and mother. 😅🤦🏻♀️
‘Three days in bed with a man. That was a new one.’
Intimate talks. Feelings are developing. Sex is happening.
They agree to have the rest of the summer and then end whatever this is , for the sake of their NHL careers.
They fall in love but it feels hopeless.
It’s not and they have a happy ending.
Ps Ok I’m guessing the previous books were these characters love stories
‘Denny…who also happened to be married to a man. And his husband, Hank, was a fuckin’ cowboy from Colorado.
Former players who’d come out—like Vinnie Kiminski, Riley Thoreau, Court Henderson, and Smitty Paluchek—had changed the game.’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
This was utterly adorable.
I wasn't too sure about Trinsky at first, but he really came around and I started liking him more and more.
This was such a nice, angst free book, I loved it.
I wasn't too sure about Trinsky at first, but he really came around and I started liking him more and more.
This was such a nice, angst free book, I loved it.
March 28, 2025
This was actually very good until the epilogue, where once again this author has characters who stated they didn’t want kids, decide to adopt kids. I do understand people change their minds. But this is a trend with this author and they’re clearly baby obsessed so I think I will avoid Lane Hayes and her heteronormativity from now on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
Arc Review
Back to the wonderful place called Elmwood we go.
Jake Milligan loves being the hockey playing son of Bryson (Thin Ice). He adores his family, and his best friend Denny (Hot Shot). He is an easy going guy and seems to get on with everyone, with one exception, Mason Trinsky.
Mason Trinsky lives for hockey. In the final of the Stanley Cup, he becomes distracted by the animosity towards Jake when he sees him in the stands, and consequentially looses the final, and blames Jake. He keeps his private life very close to his chest.
On the off season, Elmwood hosts a hockey camp for juniors. Jake and his family help out as much as they can. At the last moment one of the coaches drops out due to illness. Seeing this as a business opportunity Trinsky’s agent has him drafted in to help out. One catch is he is paired with Jake, they have to lead a team and share a tent.
Trinsky and Jake hookup when things boil over. They decide they don’t actually hate each other. Jake starts to see a different side to Trinsky, one of a caring, thoughtful older brother. He would do anything for Eddie, who has special needs. He lets Jake in slowly, and they start to fall in love.
This is yet another exceptional trip to Elmwood. Lane Hayes had created such a wonderfully excepting world. This is one of the best enemies to lovers I have read recently. Jake and Trinsky are described perfectly. The way Eddie was written was beautiful. The story as always flows easily.
I know it has to end somewhere, but I really do not want to ever say goodbye to Elmwood.
Back to the wonderful place called Elmwood we go.
Jake Milligan loves being the hockey playing son of Bryson (Thin Ice). He adores his family, and his best friend Denny (Hot Shot). He is an easy going guy and seems to get on with everyone, with one exception, Mason Trinsky.
Mason Trinsky lives for hockey. In the final of the Stanley Cup, he becomes distracted by the animosity towards Jake when he sees him in the stands, and consequentially looses the final, and blames Jake. He keeps his private life very close to his chest.
On the off season, Elmwood hosts a hockey camp for juniors. Jake and his family help out as much as they can. At the last moment one of the coaches drops out due to illness. Seeing this as a business opportunity Trinsky’s agent has him drafted in to help out. One catch is he is paired with Jake, they have to lead a team and share a tent.
Trinsky and Jake hookup when things boil over. They decide they don’t actually hate each other. Jake starts to see a different side to Trinsky, one of a caring, thoughtful older brother. He would do anything for Eddie, who has special needs. He lets Jake in slowly, and they start to fall in love.
This is yet another exceptional trip to Elmwood. Lane Hayes had created such a wonderfully excepting world. This is one of the best enemies to lovers I have read recently. Jake and Trinsky are described perfectly. The way Eddie was written was beautiful. The story as always flows easily.
I know it has to end somewhere, but I really do not want to ever say goodbye to Elmwood.
March 31, 2025
nhl
enemies to lovers
romantic, they fall hard
love this series
double bi awakening
2 bisexual reps
enemies to lovers
romantic, they fall hard
love this series
double bi awakening
2 bisexual reps
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
Can never go wrong with a Lane Hayes book! I love Mason & Jake such a sweet story line for archenemies. Even though it was sweet & slow burn the chemistry between these characters is really good. I can’t wait to see what the new series is going to look like. Can’t believe we are leaving Elmwood now.
March 27, 2025
This is finally Jake Milligan‘s book. We’ve seen him grow up from teenage phenom to an NHL veteran. He’s always been a good guy, great son, and now he’s also enjoying being a big brother and veteran hockey player. He still loves hockey and he’s very popular in the sport.
But there’s one player he doesn’t like, and that’s Mason Trisky. Their on-and-off-ice taunting and teasing have been picked up by the media, and they’ve been called be arch rivals. They really get under each other’s skin. It seems to be a hate-hate relationship until they’re forced onto a community camping trip, and all of that frustration and intensity swirls around until it’s let out by some close personal contact that was unexpected. But now they’re both thinking about each other a bit differently, and even Mason is thinking about himself differently.
One man is barely experienced and the other one has no experience in the bisexual sphere, but they figure out that they’re each other‘s only safe option for exploration. And boy, do they start exploring. But along the way, they actually start to see the other real person underneath their public persona and actually start to like each other. And that just makes it messy.
Public enemies, private lovers, secret feelings, and big decisions. It's complicated.
This is a feisty, sexy, sweet, enemies-to-lovers-to-friends-with-benefits-to-secret romance centered around hockey and Elmwood. I actually really like Trinsky. He’s funny, outgoing, snarky, but he does have a big heart. I loved him and his brother together. And Jake’s always had this Mr. perfect, good guy veneer, but underneath that he’s a bit lonely and looking for a connection and a purpose for the future after hockey. I really enjoyed how their dynamic changed throughout. I always enjoy visiting Elmwood and the characters that I have come to love.
But there’s one player he doesn’t like, and that’s Mason Trisky. Their on-and-off-ice taunting and teasing have been picked up by the media, and they’ve been called be arch rivals. They really get under each other’s skin. It seems to be a hate-hate relationship until they’re forced onto a community camping trip, and all of that frustration and intensity swirls around until it’s let out by some close personal contact that was unexpected. But now they’re both thinking about each other a bit differently, and even Mason is thinking about himself differently.
One man is barely experienced and the other one has no experience in the bisexual sphere, but they figure out that they’re each other‘s only safe option for exploration. And boy, do they start exploring. But along the way, they actually start to see the other real person underneath their public persona and actually start to like each other. And that just makes it messy.
Public enemies, private lovers, secret feelings, and big decisions. It's complicated.
This is a feisty, sexy, sweet, enemies-to-lovers-to-friends-with-benefits-to-secret romance centered around hockey and Elmwood. I actually really like Trinsky. He’s funny, outgoing, snarky, but he does have a big heart. I loved him and his brother together. And Jake’s always had this Mr. perfect, good guy veneer, but underneath that he’s a bit lonely and looking for a connection and a purpose for the future after hockey. I really enjoyed how their dynamic changed throughout. I always enjoy visiting Elmwood and the characters that I have come to love.
March 14, 2025
I love a good enemies to lovers, and Jake and Mason definitely hit that vibe. On and off the ice, Mason loves to rile Jake up in any way possible. While Mason can be more loose and goody, to him, Jake is a lot more uptight. And the public loves the rivalry between them. Though Mason may have pushed the limits a bit in his latest mouthing off that leads the two of them to spend a chunk of the summer together and making friends just a bit. And though neither are exactly happy about it, they won’t back down either or make excuses. But both are very surprised when they start to realize that there is more to the other than they thought and they may not actually know one another that well. Add in the fact that their heated rivalry actually translates to some pretty hot chemistry between them. Next thing you know, they are hooking up and neither really want to stop. Or acknowledge just yet it could be more. I really loved Jake and Mason! Their banter was a ton of fun and their chemistry was awesome. I also loved how they really starting really seeing who each other were. Rather than just the surface stuff. And of course, I loved being back in Elmwood and seeing so many favorite characters. This was probably my favorite of the series and you definitely don’t want to miss this one!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2025
The books in this series just kept getting better and better! This was such a fun wee read! It's exactly what I needed, at this shitty time, to help me forget what's going on in the world. Also, I do love me a cute romance, with small town vibes, and these expectations were met in spades😊
I loved both Jake and Trinsky, they're so well written. They start out disliking each other, Trinsky constantly chirping Jake on the ice, Jake though gives as good as he gets. I don't want to go into details, (no spoilers ), but they eventually discover that they have a lot in common, all the feels, emotions and that the heat between them is sizzling (so so hot), 🔥 🥵
Trinsky had such a mischievous side, with all his pranks and sassy attitude, he's the total opposite of Jake. I loved the witty banter, and flirting between the two, along with their humorous escapades, keeping the book light and funny. But also, the bond between the two, that's deep, emotional, and touching. A special mention here for Trinsky's brother, Eddie....what a lovely and pure soul 🥰
Once again another excellent read from Lane!! It was an easy read, full of love, found family, emotional and had me hooked from the start. The ending is beautiful 😭
"I’ll come live with you in Elmwood, and we’ll coach teenage punks. And we’ll visit Eddie and my mom in California all the time and stay at my mobster house and we’ll go camping and I’ll share my tent, my sleeping bag, and whatever the fuck else you want. Just give us a chance and be mine, Jakey. Please…be mine.”
Gutted when it ended, cos the series ended too. Hope Lane chucks the odd short story into the mix, so I can keep up with much loved characters. One of my favourite series, highly recommended..
I loved both Jake and Trinsky, they're so well written. They start out disliking each other, Trinsky constantly chirping Jake on the ice, Jake though gives as good as he gets. I don't want to go into details, (no spoilers ), but they eventually discover that they have a lot in common, all the feels, emotions and that the heat between them is sizzling (so so hot), 🔥 🥵
Trinsky had such a mischievous side, with all his pranks and sassy attitude, he's the total opposite of Jake. I loved the witty banter, and flirting between the two, along with their humorous escapades, keeping the book light and funny. But also, the bond between the two, that's deep, emotional, and touching. A special mention here for Trinsky's brother, Eddie....what a lovely and pure soul 🥰
Once again another excellent read from Lane!! It was an easy read, full of love, found family, emotional and had me hooked from the start. The ending is beautiful 😭
"I’ll come live with you in Elmwood, and we’ll coach teenage punks. And we’ll visit Eddie and my mom in California all the time and stay at my mobster house and we’ll go camping and I’ll share my tent, my sleeping bag, and whatever the fuck else you want. Just give us a chance and be mine, Jakey. Please…be mine.”
Gutted when it ended, cos the series ended too. Hope Lane chucks the odd short story into the mix, so I can keep up with much loved characters. One of my favourite series, highly recommended..
March 23, 2025
“I have an idea.”
“No,” he deadpanned.
“It’s a good one, Jakey.”
“I doubt it, Mason.”
My smile threatened to crack my face in half. “I like the way you say my name. Like you’re sort of annoyed, but maybe…not.”
This is why I always investigate Lane Hayes' new releases. Cause when she hits, she hits. Puck Love is now competing with A Kind of Romance as my favorite Hayes book. It's funny, because I tried other books in this series and was pretty meh on them. This one, though? LOVED IT!! And that's pretty much down to Jake Milligan and Mason Trinsky. At times, the energy between those two crackled.
“So you just happened to have a tent in your trunk?”
Jake’s lips curved in a shy smile. “No. This was a surprise. Like…a date, but without any weirdness.”
“Oh. Did you bring Pop-Tarts?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
Idk, there is just something about hockey-romances between rivals that hit different. If anything, I wish Puck Love had been a years-spanning story.
April 7, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is the sixth, and basically last, book in Hayes’ Elmwood Stories series. Elmwood is a small town in Vermont where hockey rules and retired hockey players fall in love. Jake has been in the background of several books, first as a teen and then as a player in his own right, and Trinsky has made appearances too. While there’s a time jump in the world to age Jake and Trinsky up, it still is best read in order as there are plenty of cameos from earlier characters.
This book has the same lighthearted feel as the rest of the series, with just a bit of angst and seriousness throughout that gives the story some weight. Anyone who has been reading along won’t be surprised by this MC pairing.
This was a good story to bring the series to a close, but it appears the universe is alive and thriving, with more to come from a new series in the future. In the meantime, if you’re a fan of hockey romance, then definitely pick up this book and this series.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is the sixth, and basically last, book in Hayes’ Elmwood Stories series. Elmwood is a small town in Vermont where hockey rules and retired hockey players fall in love. Jake has been in the background of several books, first as a teen and then as a player in his own right, and Trinsky has made appearances too. While there’s a time jump in the world to age Jake and Trinsky up, it still is best read in order as there are plenty of cameos from earlier characters.
This book has the same lighthearted feel as the rest of the series, with just a bit of angst and seriousness throughout that gives the story some weight. Anyone who has been reading along won’t be surprised by this MC pairing.
This was a good story to bring the series to a close, but it appears the universe is alive and thriving, with more to come from a new series in the future. In the meantime, if you’re a fan of hockey romance, then definitely pick up this book and this series.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
May 16, 2025
I always get a kick out of Lane Hayes' novels, and Puck Love is a prime example of what I enjoy the most about their writing. Fun, engaging characters with just enough tension to make the enemies to lovers to friends theme work for me. A cast of creative characters (teammates, family members) which add richness to the story. And steamy, well written romance scenes which will make everyone happy.
I read Puck Love as a standalone with no trouble at all.
The audio version of Puck Love is nicely performed by Nick J. Russo. Russo does a really great job with the supporting cast and coming up with unique voices for them.
an audiobook copy of Puck Love was provided for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
I read Puck Love as a standalone with no trouble at all.
The audio version of Puck Love is nicely performed by Nick J. Russo. Russo does a really great job with the supporting cast and coming up with unique voices for them.
an audiobook copy of Puck Love was provided for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
May 11, 2025
Review to follow.
March 25, 2025
ADORED!
OMG Jake and Trinsky stole my freaking heart. I thought nothing could surpass Smitty but they are neck and neck! I mean, Jake IS Bryson’s kid so it makes sense.
We have rivals turn loved and what an explosion it was!
Snark, laughs, sweet sweet moments, HOT scenes and best of all, heartfelt and vulnerable moments.
I’m honestly still swooning. May need an extra short of them because I’m just in love.
I loved seeing Trinsky’s sweet big brother side, and how Jake let himself relax and embrace chaos too. Adored.
OMG Jake and Trinsky stole my freaking heart. I thought nothing could surpass Smitty but they are neck and neck! I mean, Jake IS Bryson’s kid so it makes sense.
We have rivals turn loved and what an explosion it was!
Snark, laughs, sweet sweet moments, HOT scenes and best of all, heartfelt and vulnerable moments.
I’m honestly still swooning. May need an extra short of them because I’m just in love.
I loved seeing Trinsky’s sweet big brother side, and how Jake let himself relax and embrace chaos too. Adored.
March 17, 2025
Puck Love by Lane Hayes is the 6th book in her Elmwood Stories series. It is the story of two men who hate each other but once they are put in a situation to get to know each other better realize they really like what they see and have to overcome some obstacles to find love. Jake Milligan plays NHL hockey for Boston and Mason Trinsky plays for Denver. They have hated each other almost from the beginning of facing each other on the ice which they have done for several years. Jake thinks Mason is conceited with more confidence than sense, who plays dirty and mean and laughs about it. Trinsky thinks Jake is snobby, uptight, and too perfect. Jake tries his best to avoid him but when they are playing against each other it is a little difficult and they have created quite a feud that social media has picked up on. Yet both have a secret attraction to each other that they can’t quite believe is happening and do everything they can to not think about it. Elmwood is known for its hockey and for camps for kids and since Jake grew up there he is behind them 100%. During the summer they have a charity camping trip with pros and people willing to pay big bucks to camp with them as well as the juniors camp for up-and-coming young players who want to hone their skills with the pros. Trinsky has worked at the camp for several years but Jake has always avoided him as much as he could. This year Jake’s partner for the camping trip had to back out and who do they get to replace her? Trinsky of course. On the first day there are competitions at the lake and the grandfather and one of the twins gets sick and has to leave. When it’s time to retire for the night, they realize they have to share a tent and that doesn’t go over well. When Trinsky insults Jake’s playing it leads to fight that ends in an embrace with the anticipated bodily effects happening. Then the next day the other two family members get sick and go back to Elmwood which leaves Trinsky and Jake hiking together to the next campsite. Jake is now finding Trinksy compelling, disgusting, and fascinating all at once and when they go swimming they kiss and have a very hot time in the water which leaves them wanting more. Then Jake is called to LA to have an interview with Trinsky which his manager says he needs to do because his contract is up and he wants to be signed by Boston again. It goes well and Trinsky, who is from LA, shows him around and he meets his mother and brother, Eddie. This leads to them spending the rest of the week together, getting to know each other, and having some hot love scenes. Now Jake is falling for Mason who he has found out is a thoughtful, patient, and kind over the top goofball and Mason learns about Jake’s family and how he grew up and realizes how much he likes him too. The Juniors Camp goes well but both have to keep up the ruse of hating each other because they are worried about their careers if people find out they are together, but their families know them and have figured it out. They think that their relationship will be over when camp ends but they both realize they love each other and are willing to try to make it work long distance, keeping it as quiet as they can until they find the right time to tell everyone about being together and in love. I really enjoyed this story. At first Jake and Mason are about as opposite as they can be and really get on each other’s nerves. But once they are put in a situation where they have time to talk to each other and get to know one another they realize that they really like what they see and want to be together. And they have some very hot times together as they explore that side of their relationship. They have some hard decisions to make in order to stay together but in the end love wins. It was fun to see many of the characters in previous books from the Elmwood series as well as meet their families and see them all help the guys when it was needed. I highly recommend this opposites attract, only one bed hockey story between two rival players who hate and antagonize each other at first, but as they learn who they really are inside like what they learn a lot and this turns to love.
March 20, 2025
'I stared up at Jake’s beautiful face, memorizing the faint lines at his eyes and the wide arc of his smile. I couldn’t remember ever hating him or thinking he was less than f**king perfect.
Perfect for me.'
There was a welcome return to Elmwood when I read Lane Hayes' new release, Puck Love.
Visiting Elmwood is always like being wrapped in a warm hug.This cosy welcoming town is full of wonderful characters who feel like old friends.
It was with a touch of melancholy that I began the final instalment of this fantastic series of Elmwood Stories. However, Lane Hayes made sure that the series went out on a high note with Puck Love, Jake Milligan and Mason Trinsky's story.
To say that Jake and Trinsky don't get along is an understatement 😅 #shinyjacket, but when one of the pro players can't make the annual summer junior hockey camp in Elmwood, Trinsky is called up. And given the press furore over their rivalry, both guys need to play nice!
Things don't always go to plan, however, when they are paired together for a camping trip. Some of the one-liners and barbs between them are hilarious! And yes, there is only one tent!
But as they start to see another side to their rival, and they realise they don't actually know each other, tensions build and spill over in the most delicious exploration between them.
As Jake and Mason (I love how he calls him by his name 🫠) spend the summer hooking up and, whilst they don't want to admit it, falling in love, we go on this wonderful journey with them and I totally fell in love with these two.
Jake is a character we've met throughout the Elmwood Stories, and I loved getting to know him more and seeing him as a big brother to his dad, Bryson, and Smitty's three young kids. Meanwhile, Mason hasn't always had things easy in life, and when we get to know him, we realise just how wonderful a guy he truly is. I adored seeing him with his brother, Eddie. I honestly have loved each couple in this series, but Jake and Mason are my favourites 😍🥹🫶
Puck Love made me laugh; it made me cry, and it made me fall completely head over heels for these guys. This book was unputdownable!
I loved getting to see a glimpse into the lives of all of our beloved characters from this series, and whilst I'm so sad this is the end of the journey in Elmwood, I'm excited for more from the Four Forest area with Lane Hayes' turning the focus to Wood Hollow in the future (and I'm hoping on some Elmwood cameos!)
Goodbye Elmwood, it's been an absolute joy, and I know I'll revisit you for rereads many times 🫶🏒♥️✨️
Perfect for me.'
There was a welcome return to Elmwood when I read Lane Hayes' new release, Puck Love.
Visiting Elmwood is always like being wrapped in a warm hug.This cosy welcoming town is full of wonderful characters who feel like old friends.
It was with a touch of melancholy that I began the final instalment of this fantastic series of Elmwood Stories. However, Lane Hayes made sure that the series went out on a high note with Puck Love, Jake Milligan and Mason Trinsky's story.
To say that Jake and Trinsky don't get along is an understatement 😅 #shinyjacket, but when one of the pro players can't make the annual summer junior hockey camp in Elmwood, Trinsky is called up. And given the press furore over their rivalry, both guys need to play nice!
Things don't always go to plan, however, when they are paired together for a camping trip. Some of the one-liners and barbs between them are hilarious! And yes, there is only one tent!
But as they start to see another side to their rival, and they realise they don't actually know each other, tensions build and spill over in the most delicious exploration between them.
As Jake and Mason (I love how he calls him by his name 🫠) spend the summer hooking up and, whilst they don't want to admit it, falling in love, we go on this wonderful journey with them and I totally fell in love with these two.
Jake is a character we've met throughout the Elmwood Stories, and I loved getting to know him more and seeing him as a big brother to his dad, Bryson, and Smitty's three young kids. Meanwhile, Mason hasn't always had things easy in life, and when we get to know him, we realise just how wonderful a guy he truly is. I adored seeing him with his brother, Eddie. I honestly have loved each couple in this series, but Jake and Mason are my favourites 😍🥹🫶
Puck Love made me laugh; it made me cry, and it made me fall completely head over heels for these guys. This book was unputdownable!
I loved getting to see a glimpse into the lives of all of our beloved characters from this series, and whilst I'm so sad this is the end of the journey in Elmwood, I'm excited for more from the Four Forest area with Lane Hayes' turning the focus to Wood Hollow in the future (and I'm hoping on some Elmwood cameos!)
Goodbye Elmwood, it's been an absolute joy, and I know I'll revisit you for rereads many times 🫶🏒♥️✨️
March 23, 2025
A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people
Rating: 4.5🌈
It’s fitting that Lane Hayes brings her heartwarming series, The Elmwood Stories, to a close with one of the boys who we met in the earlier books.
Now grown and playing in the NHL, Jake Milligan is one of the boys we met from the first Elmwood junior hockey camp, and along with Denny Mellon, who’s been a character we’ve watched as their parents got their own romances in the early books.
So it’s perfect that the series finale will have Jake’s own story and we get to see many other familiar faces in this book as Jake’s enemies to lovers story unfolds.
The “enemy” is hockey arch rival Mason Trinsky, a trash talking, exuberant player who has made their rivalry a media firestorm to Jake’s chagrin.
Elmwood’s Junior Hockey Camp is now a huge success, with famous players participating as coaches and that’s how both Trinsky and Jake end up as partners for a camp weekend.
It’s a terrific story that Lane manages to bring together elements of bi awakening, Trinky’s family members with special needs as well as his mother’s history of addiction and recovery. That balances so well with the fears and need for control of Jake’s upbringing.
But we get juicy, sexy scenes of discovery, great characters, hockey, adorable kids in Eddie, Nathan, Ella and Charlotte. Truly a fabulous heartwarming story of love , family and finding your forever home.
Elmwood and its magical, small town places hold a special place in my heart. I know that I’ll be revisiting it and it’s love stories.
Lane is going to bring us a new series based in the neighboring town, Wood Hollow, and hopefully we will see some crossovers in characters. Vermont’s fictional Four Forest area has so much to offer and more towns to explore.
A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people.
The Elmwood Stories:
You, Again #1
Next Season #2
Holiday Crush #3
Thin Ice #4
Hot Shot #5
Puck Love #6
Rating: 4.5🌈
It’s fitting that Lane Hayes brings her heartwarming series, The Elmwood Stories, to a close with one of the boys who we met in the earlier books.
Now grown and playing in the NHL, Jake Milligan is one of the boys we met from the first Elmwood junior hockey camp, and along with Denny Mellon, who’s been a character we’ve watched as their parents got their own romances in the early books.
So it’s perfect that the series finale will have Jake’s own story and we get to see many other familiar faces in this book as Jake’s enemies to lovers story unfolds.
The “enemy” is hockey arch rival Mason Trinsky, a trash talking, exuberant player who has made their rivalry a media firestorm to Jake’s chagrin.
Elmwood’s Junior Hockey Camp is now a huge success, with famous players participating as coaches and that’s how both Trinsky and Jake end up as partners for a camp weekend.
It’s a terrific story that Lane manages to bring together elements of bi awakening, Trinky’s family members with special needs as well as his mother’s history of addiction and recovery. That balances so well with the fears and need for control of Jake’s upbringing.
But we get juicy, sexy scenes of discovery, great characters, hockey, adorable kids in Eddie, Nathan, Ella and Charlotte. Truly a fabulous heartwarming story of love , family and finding your forever home.
Elmwood and its magical, small town places hold a special place in my heart. I know that I’ll be revisiting it and it’s love stories.
Lane is going to bring us a new series based in the neighboring town, Wood Hollow, and hopefully we will see some crossovers in characters. Vermont’s fictional Four Forest area has so much to offer and more towns to explore.
A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people.
The Elmwood Stories:
You, Again #1
Next Season #2
Holiday Crush #3
Thin Ice #4
Hot Shot #5
Puck Love #6
April 23, 2025
Jake und Mason, den aber alle nur Trinsky nennen, sind von Beginn an ihrer Karrieren Rivalen. Inzwischen sind sie beide Anfang Dreißig und das Ende ihrer aktiven Laufbahnen kommt in Sicht. Doch beide sind noch nicht bereit in Rente zu gehen. Obwohl Jake in Boston nicht seine beste Saison gespielt und Trinsky mit Denver den Cup nicht gewonnen hat, geht für sie das Leben und eben auch die Karriere weiter.
Im Sommer vor der anstehenden Saison bringt sie jedoch das Schicksal zusammen und beim Elmwood Junior Camp werden sie genötigt zusammenzuarbeiten. Zu allem Unglück werden sie dabei auch noch von einem Kameramann begleitet; PR ist alle! Für Jake und Mason eine ziemliche Herausforderung und natürlich verläuft nichts wie es soll ....
Jake ist den Lesern der Reihe gut bekannt und man durfte seine Karriere in den Nebenhandlungen der anderen Bücher verfolgen. Im Gegensatz zu seinem Vater ist Jake Single. Aber er liebt die große Familie seines Vaters und versteht sich auch sehr gut mit seinen Stiefvätern. Manchmal überkommt ihn ein wenig das Gefühl der Einsamkeit. Vor allem, als er Mason näher kommt. Und dieser fürchterliche, arrogante und überhebliche Kerl löst einfach etwas in ihm aus, das er nicht erwartet hat. Jake weiß, dass er bisexuell ist, hat sich aber nicht geoutet. Für Mason hingegen kommt alles sehr unerwartet. Doch er ist kein Feigling und zeigt Mut, als es darum geht seine eigene Sexualität zu hinterfragen und kennenzulernen.
Im ersten Teil des Buches kann man schon verstehen, dass Jake mit Mason nur wenig anfangen kann. Und woher da diese Aversion kommt. Aber Mason ist ein echt netter Kerl und Jake entdeckt viele unerwartete Seiten an dem Spieler, der aus Californien kommt und dort auch noch Familie hat.
Das Buch hat natürlich seine "dramatischen" Szenen, aber es ist unglaublich witzig und humorvoll geschrieben. Es macht Spaß ein weiteres Mal nach Elmwood zu reisen und dort all die liebgewonnen Helden der vergangenen Geschichte wieder zu treffen. Man lernt aber auch neue Protagonisten kennen, die diese Serie sehr bereichern. Vor allem Masons jüngerer Bruder ist mir sehr ans Herz gewachsen.
Im Sommer vor der anstehenden Saison bringt sie jedoch das Schicksal zusammen und beim Elmwood Junior Camp werden sie genötigt zusammenzuarbeiten. Zu allem Unglück werden sie dabei auch noch von einem Kameramann begleitet; PR ist alle! Für Jake und Mason eine ziemliche Herausforderung und natürlich verläuft nichts wie es soll ....
Jake ist den Lesern der Reihe gut bekannt und man durfte seine Karriere in den Nebenhandlungen der anderen Bücher verfolgen. Im Gegensatz zu seinem Vater ist Jake Single. Aber er liebt die große Familie seines Vaters und versteht sich auch sehr gut mit seinen Stiefvätern. Manchmal überkommt ihn ein wenig das Gefühl der Einsamkeit. Vor allem, als er Mason näher kommt. Und dieser fürchterliche, arrogante und überhebliche Kerl löst einfach etwas in ihm aus, das er nicht erwartet hat. Jake weiß, dass er bisexuell ist, hat sich aber nicht geoutet. Für Mason hingegen kommt alles sehr unerwartet. Doch er ist kein Feigling und zeigt Mut, als es darum geht seine eigene Sexualität zu hinterfragen und kennenzulernen.
Im ersten Teil des Buches kann man schon verstehen, dass Jake mit Mason nur wenig anfangen kann. Und woher da diese Aversion kommt. Aber Mason ist ein echt netter Kerl und Jake entdeckt viele unerwartete Seiten an dem Spieler, der aus Californien kommt und dort auch noch Familie hat.
Das Buch hat natürlich seine "dramatischen" Szenen, aber es ist unglaublich witzig und humorvoll geschrieben. Es macht Spaß ein weiteres Mal nach Elmwood zu reisen und dort all die liebgewonnen Helden der vergangenen Geschichte wieder zu treffen. Man lernt aber auch neue Protagonisten kennen, die diese Serie sehr bereichern. Vor allem Masons jüngerer Bruder ist mir sehr ans Herz gewachsen.
April 12, 2025
Puck Love is the last book in The Elmwood Stories series (insert tears here) by Lane Hayes. I have loved every book and every character! But the series is going out with a big bang! Enemies to lovers doesn't even quite explain Jake and Trinsky's relationship. Jake hates Trinsky. Always has. Thinks he's obnoxious and a loud mouth. Even though his dad and stepdad tell him he's a really great guy. Trinsky does not hate Jake, but he says and does things that really piss Jake off. On purpose of course. Now they are stuck together on a camping trip and then coaching in Elmwood for the summer. Jake is bi, but not out to anyone. Trinsky is straight. Until he spends a few days with Jake and realizes something about Jake specifically just gets him going. He's never found another man attractive and doesn't even now. Except for Jake. Jake learns more about Trinsky on their trip and it turns out he doesn’t really hate him. He's mostly really attracted to him and that is a problem. After one sexy encounter in the woods, Trinsky is all in. He doesn't care that Jake is a man, he just wants to spend time with him in and out of the bedroom. Jake is a little more reluctant but the more he gets to know him, the more he likes. He even starts to call him by his first name, Mason. It's sexy and sweet. Since they are in Elmwood together for the summer, may as well spend as much time together as they can. After that it's back to their hockey teams and back in the closet. People start to notice that they don't hate each other anymore and they become better friends than they ever thought they could. Jake and Trinsky are so different yet they just fit together. When Jake decides it's time to come out Trinsky didn't know he was going to do it so soon. But he's not afraid and he wants to be with Jake. Can they make it work and still have their careers? Oh man! These two are so freaking great! I laughed the whole time and loved seeing all my favorites from Elmwood! I'm going to miss these characters so much! But Lane has a new hockey series and new characters for us to love! Yay!
May 11, 2025
Loved the Book and Loved the Series
I have really enjoyed this series based in the small town of Elmwood, a town that has more than its share of hot gay men who all share a love of hockey.
Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope and Lane left two fantastic characters for the last book in the series. Jake Milligan, son of the lovely Bryson, has grown up through this series of books and we have seen him attain his goal of playing in the NHL. This book shows us an older Jake, who has played for Boston for 12 years and now at 32 is aware that retirement is looming. His nemesis Trinsky, who plays for Denver, rubs Jake up the wrong way all the time. I can’t remember Jake being a grump but he certainly was at the start of the book. Trinsky on the other hand was a loud and funny extrovert who loved to wind Jake up and he did it so well. He was also a power house on the ice, far more aggressive than Jake.
Each year Jake helps other ex pros living in Elmwood coaching young children and taking people on a weekend camping trip. Over the series we have seen the hockey camp grow and well known players retire from the NHL to join the coaching staff. This year the pro teamed up with Jake has to pull out and Trinsky is asked to step in. When Jake finds out he is furious, Trinsky finds him amusing and everyone else has to endure the sniping and bickering. When Trinsky has to share Jake’s tent their bickering takes a different turn.
We get to catch up with previous characters, spend time in LA with Trinsky’s young brother, spend time in the wilds around Elmwood, have time on the ice, have a bi-awakening, a blossoming romance, heat and lots of banter and humour. I will miss these guys. The series has been entertaining, the characters interesting and likeable and the writing wonderful.
I listened to the whole series because Nick J Russo was the narrator and as usual he did a brilliant job!
A series I definitely recommend.
I have really enjoyed this series based in the small town of Elmwood, a town that has more than its share of hot gay men who all share a love of hockey.
Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope and Lane left two fantastic characters for the last book in the series. Jake Milligan, son of the lovely Bryson, has grown up through this series of books and we have seen him attain his goal of playing in the NHL. This book shows us an older Jake, who has played for Boston for 12 years and now at 32 is aware that retirement is looming. His nemesis Trinsky, who plays for Denver, rubs Jake up the wrong way all the time. I can’t remember Jake being a grump but he certainly was at the start of the book. Trinsky on the other hand was a loud and funny extrovert who loved to wind Jake up and he did it so well. He was also a power house on the ice, far more aggressive than Jake.
Each year Jake helps other ex pros living in Elmwood coaching young children and taking people on a weekend camping trip. Over the series we have seen the hockey camp grow and well known players retire from the NHL to join the coaching staff. This year the pro teamed up with Jake has to pull out and Trinsky is asked to step in. When Jake finds out he is furious, Trinsky finds him amusing and everyone else has to endure the sniping and bickering. When Trinsky has to share Jake’s tent their bickering takes a different turn.
We get to catch up with previous characters, spend time in LA with Trinsky’s young brother, spend time in the wilds around Elmwood, have time on the ice, have a bi-awakening, a blossoming romance, heat and lots of banter and humour. I will miss these guys. The series has been entertaining, the characters interesting and likeable and the writing wonderful.
I listened to the whole series because Nick J Russo was the narrator and as usual he did a brilliant job!
A series I definitely recommend.
April 6, 2025
This is the sixth and final book in The Elmwood Stories series. You really should read this series in order as all the characters appear throughout all the books. This is the story of Jake Milligan and Mason Trinsky. Both are professional hockey players playing in the NHL. They both begin to have a rivalry on and off the ice. Neither thinks very much of the other. Trinsky thinks that Jake is unimaginative, old and stuck in the mud. Jake thinks that Trinsky is a loud mouth jerk who always wants to be the center of attention. While Jake doesn't comment to give the story any more traction, Trinsky spouts off without thinking and makes the situation worse. And when things look as bad as they can be, the guys learn that there is always room for more problems. Both have volunteered for a camping / fan weekend excursion. What they don't know is that they will be on the same team and in the same small tent. People are jokingly wondering if they will kill each other while they are out in the wilderness. The video photographer along with them is certainly getting lots of material to use. This is their story. I liked how they couldn't stand each other and slowly worked their way to friends. They began to see who the other person was behind the professional mask that they always wear in public. It was nice to see that they could admit that they might have been wrong. And when their friendship grows, I love how much energy they put into keeping it going while playing and living in different cities. The book is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed it.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2025
The final book in the Elmwood series gives us the story of Jake and his on-ice nemesis Mason Trinsky. As with the other books in the series, the town of Elmwood takes centre stage for most of the action and I loved the glimpses of some of the earlier couples and people and businesses in the wider community.
Over the course of this series we’ve seen the growth of the town hockey camp, with some of the young characters from the earlier books growing up and becoming professional players by the later books - and Jake is another one of these, like Denny in the last book (Hotshot). I like a series that includes both father and son having their own stories (read Thin Ice for Jake’s Dad’s story). There’s something for everyone, with a wide age range of main characters throughout the series.
Jake and Trinsky were both likeable characters, and despite it being set up as an enemies to lovers trope, it was more a case of each one not really understanding the other until they got to know each other better and learnt a little of each other’s backgrounds. Once they started to become friendly (and started hooking up), the scenes of them just being friends and talking were some of my favourites.
The usual cast of supporting characters make an appearance, but I particularly enjoyed getting to know Trinsky’s younger brother Eddie and meeting Jake’s siblings and seeing how both men cared for their families.
Although this is the end of the Elmwood series, I’m pleased to see that Lane Hayes is planning a connected series with one of the neighbouring towns, it will be interesting to see what she has planned for us with the new characters - and I’m sure we will see some guest appearances.
Over the course of this series we’ve seen the growth of the town hockey camp, with some of the young characters from the earlier books growing up and becoming professional players by the later books - and Jake is another one of these, like Denny in the last book (Hotshot). I like a series that includes both father and son having their own stories (read Thin Ice for Jake’s Dad’s story). There’s something for everyone, with a wide age range of main characters throughout the series.
Jake and Trinsky were both likeable characters, and despite it being set up as an enemies to lovers trope, it was more a case of each one not really understanding the other until they got to know each other better and learnt a little of each other’s backgrounds. Once they started to become friendly (and started hooking up), the scenes of them just being friends and talking were some of my favourites.
The usual cast of supporting characters make an appearance, but I particularly enjoyed getting to know Trinsky’s younger brother Eddie and meeting Jake’s siblings and seeing how both men cared for their families.
Although this is the end of the Elmwood series, I’m pleased to see that Lane Hayes is planning a connected series with one of the neighbouring towns, it will be interesting to see what she has planned for us with the new characters - and I’m sure we will see some guest appearances.
May 28, 2025
4.75 stars- This was by far the best book in this series (although admittedly I skipped book 5 due to the many poor reviews and my complete lack of interest in the synopsis- it was nice seeing Denny happy in this book though). I lovedddddd Jake and Mason (Trinsky) so much!! And I’m starting to think I may just be an enemies to lovers girlie (in addition to being a friends to lovers fan) even though before recently I though enemies to lovers wasn’t for me. This book would have been 5 stars if the ending hadn’t yet again been so freaking rushed. I do not understand why Lane Hayes rushes all her endings so much but I wanted more. Their reunion was so quick and I wanted it to be longer. Then there was a huge time jump in the epilogue and everything was just summarized. I wanted more about the reactions when they came out as a couple. More about how their life was in the years between the end and the epilogue. Why rush the good part? Maybe we’ll get an extended epilogue for these two!?m
Here’s how I would rank the books in this series
1) Puck Love- Trinksy and Jake (Book 6)
2) Next Season- JC and Ty Riley (Book 2)
3) You Again- Vinnie and Nolan (Book 1)
4) Holiday Crush- Ivan and Court (Book 3)
5) Thin Ice (Bryson and Smitty)
Did not read- Hot Shot- Denny and Hank (would consider reading if someone *really* convinced me!)
All of the endings are wayyyyy too rushed. Nick J. Russo’s narration on all of them is absolutely fabulous!
Here’s how I would rank the books in this series
1) Puck Love- Trinksy and Jake (Book 6)
2) Next Season- JC and Ty Riley (Book 2)
3) You Again- Vinnie and Nolan (Book 1)
4) Holiday Crush- Ivan and Court (Book 3)
5) Thin Ice (Bryson and Smitty)
Did not read- Hot Shot- Denny and Hank (would consider reading if someone *really* convinced me!)
All of the endings are wayyyyy too rushed. Nick J. Russo’s narration on all of them is absolutely fabulous!
March 20, 2025
We are back in Elmwood for the final installment of the series and it was everything I hoped for and more.
Jake, a familiar face in Elmwood is having a difficult season and is annoyed at Mason Trinsky, his rival on the ice.
Trinsky is a cocky but brilliant player and is loved by the media so when he accidentally blames Jake's leather jacket as a reason for losing the Stanley Cup the press start the story of a feud.
Their agents seeing dollar signs, throw them together for a charity camping trip that will be filmed reality TV style
The sass and sniping in the men's conversation have them realise that they don't know each other, just the public personas they wear as a shield.
What the author does so well is the incremental steps toward understanding, respect, friendship and smexy times to become a love story. The vulnerability of them putting down their masks, Mason accepting his interest in a relationship with a man and Jake learning to navigate his way out of the closet was a beautiful tale of acceptance and compassion for themselves and each other
The back drop of small town Elmwood, the cast of previous books being included and the descriptive prose that make you feel like a fly on the wall all come together for a thoroughly entertaining read
I'm really going to miss this series.
I received an ARC from GRR but this opinion is all mine.
Jake, a familiar face in Elmwood is having a difficult season and is annoyed at Mason Trinsky, his rival on the ice.
Trinsky is a cocky but brilliant player and is loved by the media so when he accidentally blames Jake's leather jacket as a reason for losing the Stanley Cup the press start the story of a feud.
Their agents seeing dollar signs, throw them together for a charity camping trip that will be filmed reality TV style
The sass and sniping in the men's conversation have them realise that they don't know each other, just the public personas they wear as a shield.
What the author does so well is the incremental steps toward understanding, respect, friendship and smexy times to become a love story. The vulnerability of them putting down their masks, Mason accepting his interest in a relationship with a man and Jake learning to navigate his way out of the closet was a beautiful tale of acceptance and compassion for themselves and each other
The back drop of small town Elmwood, the cast of previous books being included and the descriptive prose that make you feel like a fly on the wall all come together for a thoroughly entertaining read
I'm really going to miss this series.
I received an ARC from GRR but this opinion is all mine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews