Rules of Engagement
An M/M Hockey Romance (Rules of the Game, Book 5)
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Rules of Engagement
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Narrated by:
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James Edward Jones
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By:
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Brigham Vaughn
About this listen
Rule #1: Don't fall in love with your best friend's brother
After Anders Lindholm lost his wife and baby daughter in a car accident, he knew he’d never find love like that again.
Hockey, routines, and his team are all that have kept him going since.
But as he approaches 40, an injury makes him consider what life after retirement will be like.
And when his teammate, who just so happens to be his best friend’s brother, offers him a helping hand—in more ways than one—it reawakens something in Anders he can’t deny.
Rule #2: Don’t let anyone know the real you
Kelly O’Shea has been in love with Anders since he was 15. He’s been hiding the fact that he’s gay for just as long.
He loves his family, but their overprotective meddling is what made him move halfway across the country and hide who he was.
Although Kelly and Anders both agreed it would stay casual, Kelly begins to hope that maybe they’ll eventually be more than just friends with benefits.
And the more time they spend together, the faster the ice around Anders’ heart melts.
But with a playoff spot to clinch, fractures within the team, and overprotective brothers to worry about, Anders’ fear of letting go of the past isn’t the only challenge they’ll have to overcome.
Trigger warning:
Non-graphic mentions of death of secondary characters, including a child. Grief. Brief and non-graphic mention of suicidal ideation. Talk of homophobia and homophobic slurs.
Non-graphic mentions of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
©2022 Brigham Vaughn (P)2023 Brigham VaughnContinue the series
Listener received this title free
I really like the series. This time it's about Anders and Kelly. I was really looking forward to Anders story. He has a sad past and everyone is not supposed to get just one chance in life. But can Anders take it?
As you would expect, the story was emotional. There were many interesting themes like grief, rejection, a second chance at love, outing, of course loving family and hot scenes.
Kelly is a great character, very kind and always supportive. You just have to like him.
I really enjoyed the hockey scenes, could have listened to more of those.
The story was entertaining and engaging.
Narrator James Edward Jones did a great job. I could tell the protagonists apart well, but sometimes I would have liked him to convey the emotions a little better.
An emotional story
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Listener received this title free
Narrator: great.
Loved it
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I really felt for Anders, he'd lost so much and was still grieving, but I liked that he was open enough to give Kelly a chance despite his misgivings.
Kelly was a great character, I felt his family was overpowering and this definitely impacted him.
Seeing more of Jack Malone's toxic behaviour made me grateful I've already read the next book and know how that all turns out.
I really enjoy this series and love getting to know the players more with each book.
Another great read/listen.
Loved Kelly and Anders
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Listener received this title free
This is such a well written slow burn story which is, in parts, sweet, endearing, with witty banter,full of tension, respect, turmoil, undeniable chemistry, and true love. Kelly's yearning for Anders, and his despair in thinking that his love is a lost cause is palpable. There's also some homophobia thrown in, which is underlying the story throughout. I'm loving this series, both on ebook and the audible version. The narrator does a good job recreating both the MCs and the secondary characters.
heart break to love
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To start, I adored Kelly. Oh, a ginger. Be still my beating heart. He’s also a guy who’s in the closet, but not happy there. He’s afraid of disappointing his huge Irish Catholic family, so he’s moved hundreds of miles away. Only to continue living a lie. He meets lots of nice ladies, but he’s not attracted to them. He keeps up appearances so as to not arouse suspicion from his teammates, but he also knows he doesn’t want to live this way forever. He’s barely started his pro career. He might have a good eighteen or so years to go. That’s a long time to live being unhappy.
Anders also tugged at my heart strings. A widower, having lost his beloved wife and precious daughter, he’s continued on with his hockey career because he doesn’t know what else to do. And his teammates have been there to support him all the way. His career is coming to an end. But life has gotten interesting since his best friend’s younger brother has joined the team. He knows Kelly. Has known the kid since the kid was fifteen. Now the kid’s a healthy, hearty, and sexy twenty-four. And straight.
Or so Anders believes.
Just like Kelly’s pretty sure Anders is straight.
But this is an m/m romance, so I trust you can figure out where this is headed.
The execution, though, was what made the story so great. Brigham brought together two guys who need each other and yet she keeps throwing obstacles in their way. Not the least is Anders’ scruples and stubbornness. Good think Kelly is just as stubborn.
I enjoyed the book thoroughly and can’t wait to pick up the next one. I’ll also say James Edward Jones did a great job narrating. I haven’t heard him before, but he’s definitely on my radar for the future. So glad I caught this one.
Anders and Kelly
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