A review by ljamison01
Defensive Zone by Jodi Oliver

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the third book in the Chicago Thunder series, it’s a MM hockey romance. This was a fast paced extremely sweet, adorable angst, drama free book. Carter and Zach have known each other since then were young children. They went to the same college and then both went on to have professional athletic careers one in football and one in hockey. Zach has been in love with Carter for over 20 years but has remained just his friend. These two spend their off seasons together and travel and vacation together. However it is getting harder for Zach to keep pretending to be just his friend. Especially when Carter meets a woman and says “she could be the one. “ Zach decides it’s time t9 cut his losses and protect himself. He begins to pull away from his friend, dodging phone calls, finding excuses not to see him and refusing to respond to his texts. Carter knows something is wrong but is clueless but when an accident occurs suddenly everything changes. This book was so stinking cute. These two men were the mushiest cinnamon roll guys. So sweet, thoughtful and loving. I liked the fact that Carter was a POC but the author was very subtle about that and it really could have added a different component to the story. I throughly enjoyed this feel good book that just made me smile the whole time I read it. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but certainly intend to.