REVIEW: Between the Blue Lines by ML Goodlow

BETWEEN THE BLUE LINES

by ML Goodlow

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Review

This was a good first book, and I enjoyed the world that the author created.

The connection between the two men was tentative. Tristan has been burned in the past, so he is reluctant to make friends, let alone have a romantic partner. But Austin is patient but persistent.

This is a point of tension that threatens their relationship but it’s resolved well.

I’m intrigued enough to read the next book, and to see more of the team.

Add to your TBR List

GOODREADS LINK

Synopsis

Austin Axman is the golden boy of the Forest River Evergreens. As Captain, he’s the ‘fixer’—the man who keeps the peace and ensures the locker room stays a sanctuary. But when the team signs Tristan Reece, the league’s most elite and most enigmatic goalie, Austin’s diplomatic skills meet an ice-cold wall. Tristan is a man of silence, shadows, and a predatory grace that makes Austin’s protective instincts flare in ways he can’t explain.

Tristan has spent his career building a fortress around his heart. One malicious rumor in his past nearly cost him everything, and now he lives by a single rule: total professional isolation. No friends, no distractions, and absolutely no personal exposure. But Austin Axman’s sun-warmed heat is a persistent threat to Tristan’s frozen defenses.

When a housing mix-up forces them into the ultimate proximity as roommates, the tension between them reaches a breaking point. What starts as teammate friction ignites into a passionate, no-holds-barred attraction that threatens the very stability Austin works to protect and the secrecy Tristan needs to survive.

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, can they find a middle ground between the blue lines, or will the weight of their secrets shatter the only team they’ve ever called home?

About ML Goodlow

M.L. Goodlow calls the beautiful Pacific Northwest home, where rain, evergreens, and hockey somehow all make perfect sense together. A proud Air Force veteran of 16 years and a retired state trooper after 25 years of service, she traded in uniforms for storytelling but still brings the same dedication and grit to everything she does. She’s just beginning her writing journey in the, bringing a lifelong love of storytelling and found family to the pages. She writes as a LGBTQ storyteller in sports romance/contemporary romance.

When she's not writing, you'll likely find her on the ice as a sled hockey goalie because stopping pucks is just as satisfying as crafting a great story. An avid reader turned writer, she's just beginning her author journey and loving every minute of it

ML has a passion for adventure, especially when it involves tropical beaches or cruise ships, and balances that with a love of cooking, crafting homemade shoes, and experimenting as a former competitive wine maker. She values time with her friends, laughter, and making memories wherever she goes.

At home, she's never alone. Her loyal battle buddy, Seti, her amazing 4-legged companion, is always close by, keeping her grounded and reminding her to enjoy the simple moments, whether on the page or in life. M.L. Goodlow believes in passion, resilience, and finding joy in every chapter.

Where to find them: