Him

Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley were best friends throughout their years at elite hockey camp, until one drunken night in their final summer changed everything. Years later, they find themselves facing each other as rivals on opposing college hockey teams, forced to confront their complicated past. Their reunion brings up unresolved feelings and questions about sexuality, friendship, and identity. As they reconnect, both must navigate their careers in hockey while dealing with their growing attraction and the potential consequences of coming out in professional sports. The story alternates between Jamie and Wes's perspectives, exploring their individual struggles with self-discovery and the evolution of their relationship from childhood friends to something more. Their dynamic is shaped by years of shared history and the pressures of competitive sports. Him examines themes of sexual awakening, the intersection of athletics and sexuality, and the courage required to be authentic in environments that don't always welcome difference. The novel considers how friendship can transform into love and the challenges of maintaining both personal truth and professional aspirations.

Readers give high marks to the friends-to-lovers romance and natural chemistry between Jamie and Wes. Many reviews note the authentic hockey elements and how the sports backdrop enhances rather than overwhelms the story. Readers praise: - Believable dialogue and banter - Balance of humor and emotional depth - Dual POV narration - Sexual tension and steam level - Character development beyond the romance Common criticisms: - Some find the resolution too neat - Side characters lack depth - A few readers wanted more hockey scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (42,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,300+ ratings) BookBub: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Sample review: "The relationship progression feels organic and the angst isn't manufactured. Their friendship grounds everything." - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect mix of sweet and steamy with two leads who actually communicate." - Amazon reviewer

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🏒 The authors, Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, originally wrote Him as a passion project, taking a break from their usual publishing commitments because they were so invested in the story. 🌈 This book helped pave the way for mainstream M/M romance in contemporary sports fiction, becoming one of the most successful hockey romance novels featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists. ⭐ Him went on to win the RITA Award for Best Contemporary Romance (Mid-Length) in 2016, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in romance literature. 🎓 The story's setting at Lake Placid Training Center was inspired by real-life hockey training facilities, including the actual Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. 📚 The success of Him led to an equally popular sequel called Us, which continues Jamie and Wes's story, proving that readers wanted more representation of long-term LGBTQ+ relationships in sports romance.