The Husband Game (Relationship Goals Book 1) by Brigham Vaughn; Narrated by James Edward Jones


What happens in Vegas can't stay in Vegas for Charlie and Dustin. They agree to stay married to keep the optics positive around Dustin's professional hockey career, but Dustin wouldn't mind keeping Charlie forever. Only Charlie has to accept that someone could actually love him, flaws and all, but Dustin is just the man to convince him. Charlie and Dustin play The Husband Game.


From the blurb:

Hockey Captain Wed in Secret Vegas Ceremony – Partner’s Identity Remains a Mystery


What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Or does it?

Toronto Fisher Cats ice hockey captain Dustin Fowler attended the NHL awards and came home with more than the Ted Lindsay Award.

A cryptic social media post from the hockey forward himself revealed that he was wed in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas this past weekend.

His caption stating, “Sorry, ladies, Toronto’s most eligible bachelor just went off the market. I married my kitten tonight and I’ve never been happier,” sent tongues wagging across the league.

But who is “Kitten”?

Without verification from either the team’s head office or the new groom, rumors swirl about exactly who Fowler’s partner is.

A credible source from within the organization suggests that “Kitten” is none other than retired men’s figure skating champion Charlie Monaghan.

We here at JockGossip would like to offer our warmest congratulations to the newlyweds.

TRIGGER WARNING: Contains scenes and frank discussions of eating disorders (anorexia) and past parental abuse/neglect.


Lesetiger's review:

A spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas and then waking up the next morning. Ice hockey captain Dustin has married figure skater Charlie in a late-night affair. Unfortunately, the “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” doesn't work out. When Dustin looks at his cell phone, he realizes that the news has already spread on social media because he made a post. Together with the PR team, they decide to make the wedding look real.

I've read about this topic before and I liked the way the author handled it. The story doesn't have a lot of drama, like an immediate break-up, because the two MCs communicate well with each other - at least most of the time.

I already knew Dustin and Charlie from the Rules of the Game series. You can also read this book as a standalone, but then you're missing a few pieces of the puzzle from the past, which isn't a big deal.
I like the author's wonderful writing style and was therefore quickly drawn into the story.

This time, at least as far as the emotional development is concerned, things move a little more slowly. Dustin and Charlie couldn't be more opposite, but they have a great attraction. I love how they gradually get closer to each other and enjoy each other's company more and more. Eventually they open up to each other and talk about their problems. Charlie has problems with anorexia and a toxic family relationship, which haven't gone away even after the wedding. The author deals with the subject sensitively and openly, which I found really good.

Dustin is very supportive in everything and it was nice to see the walls slowly being torn down.
I've read a few of the author's books before, but I liked this one the best so far, even if playing ice hockey is rather incidental here because of the post-season break.

The audiobook was read by James Edward Jones and he portrayed the emotions well. I was also able to tell the protagonists apart very well. The audiobook is almost 13 hours long, but it flew by.


The Husband Game is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription. The audiobook is available on the author's website at https://brighamvaughnshop.com/products/the-husband-game-the-relationship-goals-series-1-audiobook-copy

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