Goal Lines & First Times: CU Hockey Series, Book 3

As usual, Finley’s and James’ collaborations are bloody delightful to read. Goal Lines & First Times was no exception. It’s low-angst, feel-good, MM-love of the young-and-slightly-stupid-in-a-fun-way variety. The jock edition.I thought I knew what demi meant. Sort of. That in order to feel sexual attraction, they need an emotional bond first. But from the descriptions in this book, it seems that my understanding of the term wasn’t completely accurate. And it’s always great to learn something new. However, I’m still not sure I completely get it since some parts didn’t quite made sense to me. On the one hand, forming emotional bonds to fictional characters is apparently easier to do for someone who’s demi, so the Witcher thing was… a thing. But then Seth thought Cohen was hot in a way that was set apart from the whole Witcher costume. And he got off on thinking about Cohen, without knowing Cohen was the guy he was texting? Nope. Still can’t make sense of that.Well, anyway. This was an easy, cute and unobtrusive read. And either I’ve gotten desensitized to steam, or this book was less explicit than the previous two. Whichever it is, it’s a shame. I would have loved me some more raunchiness. The way Finley and James previously have been able to combine humour and coming out with sexy shenanigans pretty much makes the perfect story. Goal Lines & First Times didn’t quite live up to that. It felt a bit more bland than what I’ve come to expect from these two.But no matter. I love this series. And getting to revisit the other guys from book #1 and #2 was awesome. Seth and Cohen can’t compete with either Foster & Zack or with Jacobs & Beck, but this is still a solid 4-star read.Side note. And a miniscule detail that bugged me a whole lot. The cover pic. I know Finley and James like to use photos of guys with their faces completely visible. Granted, they’re always bare-chested (good choice that), but I have such a hard time ignoring those faces. The whole point of reading instead of watching a movie is that you get to use your own imagination. Sure, the basic descriptions of the characters are there, but when it comes down to it you’re free to decide how the MCs look. And for this whole read, I just couldn’t get the photo of Cohen’s face out of my head. Maybe that’s the reason I didn’t appreciate the nakey-scenes in this book? I just wish all authors would stop putting full-on face photos of their sexy/hot/beautiful MC on the covers of their books. Beauty is subjective. And yes. The cover of Goal Lines & First Times was a complete mood killer for me.Yes I said it.I really disliked the cover of this book.So much.

**********Contains Spoilers**********Wow, i loved this book. Eden & Saxon have done it again. I loved how Ritchie aka Cohen & Seth aka Einstein had been chatting for months without even realising that they were talking to each other. I’m glad Seth found a boyfriend like Ritchie, as he was so understanding when they were chatting and listening to everything Seth said about being on the ace spectrum and that he’s Demi. Even though he wanted to meet Seth after chatting him pretty quickly but respected that Seth was born the way he is, he then spoke to Ray when he noticed the ace pride flag so they could have a chat about the guy that he’s been talking to online and that he’s demi, about how he can make a relationship work if possible and the best way to go about maybe meeting up as he likes this guy but doesn’t want to make him uncomfortable or move too fast. Ray is surprised and initially thinks that he’s hitting on them, but offers sound advice. I love how Seth and Foster start to slowly sort out their issues, or well Seth’s issues with Foster.Man the way Seth’s parents find out that he’s with a guy totally cracked me up. Lol poor Ritchie trying to save Seth by blurting out random stuff. I loved getting snippets of Beck & Jacobs as well as Foster & Zach. I feel sorry for Asher, even though he’s been a complete a*se to everyone, especially Seth. He’s lost so much already and seems to have a lot more resentment for his brother & new coach Wesley, than Seth has for Foster and he seems like he needs someone to love him despite all his faults, very badly. I wonder who it end up being. Since he seems to hate taking orders, I think he’d do well with someone actually making him s*bmit so he can get out of his head for once and finally let go. He’ll fight it until they’ve earned his complete trust. I guess we’ll find out when the next book is released. I love all these guys and I can’t wait to read more. I’d recommend this book, series & authors to everyone.

Absolute perfection! Each book I read in this series has been my favorite. I think no way the next one will be better and then bam, INCREDIBLE! I can’t get over how amazing this series is. I could not put this book down. I am head over heels in love with Richie Cohen and Seth Grant. Having met them both in previous books, I wouldn’t have out them together but holy oh my gosh does it work!Both guys not sure of themselves decide to try a dating app to help figure it out. Their witty banter back and forth had me laughing, I mean it fully on body shaking laughter. Seth’s insecurities met with Richie’s not wanting to break Seth before they even met was amazing. And when they finally met, fireworks!!? I was crying happy tears of joy. I’m crying right now thinking about that part, I loved it so much.The fact that they ran into each other but had no clue who each other were, absolute perfect writing. Perfect concept. Perfect storyline. Perfect, perfect, perfect! I am head over heels in love with this series. Bringing back characters from the previous two books was like I giant family reunion. I laughed so much. I cried so much. This book gave me all the feels. An absolute must devour over and over.

***3.5 Stars***“Thank you.”“For?”“Needing me.”“Always.” He kisses my ear. “Only you, Einstein.”Cohen and Seth are individually trying to figure out where they are on the sexual identity scale. Both are given advice to maybe explore online dating to see if that helps them. They begin talking to each other but not truly knowing who the other is. This whole thing is adorable and fun and I looooved it. There's something about that texting/mystery online dating thing that I love so much. They really get to know one another and it's funny and cute. Then when they finally figure it out it's awkward and again so cute. Cohen and Seth have a really great dynamic. Also Beck figuring it out and all his "diversions" were hilarious. I love him.Honestly this book was gonna be a 4 star for me because I really enjoyed the building of their friendship and relationship and even them together. But at one point it started to feel a too long. Also not helped by the fact that while I get the whole "couldn't keep their hands off each other," even when other things were happening, it felt very much that's all that was happening. Plus, Seth's jealousy didn't feel right and actually sat really wrong with me especially towards the end. I've said it before that jealousy is my jam in books but it felt out of character and really jerkish on Seth's part. Also also, I think Zach & Foster were let off the hook. They should have apologised in my opinion. Look, Seth messed up where Cohen was concerned. That was not the thing to do. His anxiety and panic led to his decision but that doesn't make it ok. But where Zach and Foster were concerned, I feel like he was wary but still encouraging. Especially where Zach is concerned... He was being told he was too much and then they abandoned him and made him constantly doubt himself. And the whole "Cohen is soooo stupid" and no one actually cutting off or stopping that narrative was kind of horrible.Asher is definitely intriguing but also I'm not sure. He seems so angry which is understandable but I can't get a read on him. Interesting to see where his story goes!

This was sweet and hot and a great story from start to finish.I loved how they took their time learning each other and their 'first meeting' was nerve wracking, funny, hot and so so sweet.I really loved their story, they are both well rounded characters and I enjoyed being part of their journey

Im so in love with this series. I loved this instalment so much. I can see why some people may not like Seth’s character but I connected with him. I like that this series allows for different personalities and identities and shows that each one of them has their right fit. This wasn’t the easiest to read in the series but I think that’s also because the personalities were complex and the most real so far. They had dimensions that were almost a subtext. I could go on and on but let’s just say a solid 4.5 🌟

I think Seth and Richie are my favourite. The online flirting works well to build suspense. But the books do suffer from being same-y. Phrases, scenes, character descriptions all get used again and again. Everyone's parents are the same characters, there's not a lot of depth. Great works of literature these are not.It was obvious Asher would be a protagonist of the 4th book. And probably's Seth's friend Tyson. Zach and Foster also appear a lot in this one and are quite unlikeable/insufferable tbh.

I confess that Goal Lines & First Times did take me some time to get into. I didn't think much of Seth in Power Play's & Straight A's, but he really made up for it in this book - he was such an interesting character. I also loved his relationship with Cohen. I can't wait for Asher's book!!