REVIEW: Rules of Engagement by Brigham Vaughn (Rules of the Game: Evanston River Otters #3)

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Rules of the Game - Book Four

by Brigham Vaughn

Release Date: September 29, 2022

Review

This was a lovely story full of emotion. Two teammates, one at the beginning of his career, and the other nearing its end.

They’ve known each other for much longer than that though. Anders is also best friends with Kelly’s very overprotective brother. Kelly has been there through the years that Anders was married to the love of his life, had a daughter, and when he lost them both tragically. He loved him when he was 15, and he loves him still.

As Kelly struggles to sort out whether or not he’ll ever have a chance, and Anders is struggling with accepting that it’s okay to love again, all the while worrying about Kelly being outed, and Anders contemplating what he’ll do when his career is over.

There are plenty of emotions in this one, but it’s beautifully punctuated with humour and light moments. And of course plenty of steam (Kelly’s been waiting a long time, he’s not going to waste a second!).

I highly recommend Rules of Engagement, but also all the stories of this very queer hockey team. Their paths aren’t always easy, but it’s always worth it in the end.

4.5 Stars

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Synopsis

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 forty, 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 fifteen. He’s been hiding the fact that he’s gay for just as long.

He loves his family, but their over-protective 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.

About Brigham Vaughn

Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

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