REVIEW: Next Season by Lane Hayes (The Elmwood Series #2)

NEXT SEASON

The Elmwood Stories - Book Two

by Lane Hayes

Release Date: October 30, 2023

Review

Oh man, I love this series of Lane’s, about NHL players who for one reason or another find themselves in Elmwood.

I especially adored this story with Jean-Claude, the French Canadian chef. He’s fantastique! The quick-witted, slightly sarcastic, and drole man who was a bit of mystery in book one. Such a kind and steady man. He may be closed off to many, but witnessing him with Riley was wonderful. (I may also secretly wish I could date a chef!)

“If I made it, I knew it was delicious. If you don’t like it, you probably had bad taste.” - preach Jean-Claude!

Riley was a sweetheart himself. It was hard not to feel for the man who desperately wants to retire on his own terms, not taken out by an injury. Hockey was his everything. I can totally get why it would be so heartwrenching to think you might simply drift away from something that had consumed so much of you life.

Together they are wonderful and cute, but also incredibly hot. Together they help each other find their dreams and love. I would happily read many more books about these two!

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Synopsis

The injured hockey player and the grumpy chef…

Riley

My time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.

Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion. It’s a doozy too—the kind that’s going to keep me off skates for a while.

Which is how I end up in a small New England town in the middle of nowhere Vermont, eating every meal at a diner where a grumpy chef from Quebec makes haute cuisine…and burgers. Jean-Claude is funny and charming and—

Okay, I have a crush on a gay man.

This is a new one.

Jean-Claude

Confused straight men are entertaining. But Riley is…fascinating, sexy, and curiously vulnerable. His injury has rocked his confidence a bit, so perhaps he’s in need of a friend. Any friend. Even moi .

I’m an unlikely choice, but maybe he just likes my tuna salad.

No…I think it’s me.

And though I’m happy to help him explore his bisexual curious side, I have career concerns of my own. See, the things I love most about Elmwood seem shaky and uncertain, but not Riley. He’s solid and genuine. Suddenly, this temporary secret liaison feels more real than anything in my life.

I need more than this season. I want it all. With Riley.

Next Season is an MM bisexual-awakening romance featuring a grumpy chef, an injured hockey player, and a big HEA in a small town where anything can happen.

About Lane Hayes

Lane Hayes is finally doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters.

Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. She is the bestselling author of the Better Than, Right and Wrong, A Kind of stories and Leaning Into Series and the Out in College series. Lane’s novels placed first in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in an empty nest.

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