Breaking the Ice by Beth Bolden (Portland Evergreens book 4)

Turning away from the players for one book the Portland Evergreens are getting two new coaches... and they may just break more than the ice...

From the Breaking the Ice blurb:

Coach Gavin Blackburn has been through hell.

Three years ago, he was on top of the world, courted by the best teams in the NHL to coach their players.

His wife’s unexpected death destroyed him, and sent him running from hockey. He thought he’d left the sport behind forever, but when his ex-player shows up at his remote cabin, begging him to return to Portland University to coach the Evergreens again, he agrees.

The last thing Gavin expected was their mentor-student relationship to turn into something entirely different now that Zach is grown up. He certainly never expected to feel attraction again, or to feel it for a man. For Zach.

Or for Zach to want him back, with a passion Gavin couldn’t deny even if he wanted to.

He’s too old, too washed up, too destroyed by grief, and has no intention of dating ever again, but maybe it’s own assumptions that need to be broken and re-made.

Maybe it’s Zach who needs to be the one who break him down and make him into something new. Give him something new: a wild, unexpected and unprecedented love affair.

Heather's Review:

Be prepared to face a world of slow build and pining as Zach takes it upon himself to bring Gavin back to fighting form and then prove to him that he's worthy of a second chance at love...  I don't blame Gavin for having walls... or Zach for his own internal struggle with wanting more with Gavin... but darn it if the author doesn't take our patience (and Zach's) to the extreme...

There's lots of hockey, lots of communication and lots of support... it almost feels like they are dating without the benefits... 

This is one of those hard earned HEAs that by the time you get to the end feels so worth the read!  Just trust me and pack your patience - you'll thank me for suggesting it.  This book is part of a series, but can easily be read standalone for the tropes.

Breaking the Ice is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription