Ethan (Hockey Bros Book 1) by Beth Bolden

As advertised, this story starts a new series about three brothers who all play professional hockey. Ethan is the youngest Barnes brother and has his eyes set on another up and comer player named Hank. Once they can manage to be in the same city together, there's nothing that will come between them.


From the blurb:

There’s nothing Ethan Barnes has wanted more than to play hockey with his brothers. Avery, Charlie and Ethan have been dreaming about uniting the Barnes brothers on one team since they were barely old enough to hold a hockey stick.

Starting his rookie season on the New York Bandits, Ethan’s finally going to get the chance to play with his brother Charlie. But while Charlie’s great—a fantastic roommate, a better teammate, and a damn good forward—it turns out the guy Ethan’s really interested in doesn’t have a last name of Barnes.

Hank Tucker’s been working his ass off for two years to make the Bandits opening roster as one of their starting defensemen. What he needs is determination, hard work and focus.

What he doesn’t need is a rookie forward with a famous last name, who, since the first time they met at development camp last year, has permanently moved into his thoughts with his rumpled curls and magnetic smiles and killer body. No matter how grumpy Hank is or how determined he is to shake him, Ethan’s sunshine ends up buried deep under Hank’s skin.

Hank’s always been sure he was straight. But Ethan tempts him and entices him and ultimately, makes himself so irresistible Hank’s got no shot at holding back.

Especially when it turns out that Ethan’s not just been working hard to make a spot on the Bandits’ roster but in Hank’s bed, too.


SNik's review:

First in series (Hockey Bros). Teammates. Slow burn. Dual POV. 

Ethan and Hank are both destined for the New York Bandits professional hockey team, but when they meet it is during a time when neither has been firmly placed on the roster. So they spend months apart building a friendship and attraction waiting for the chance to be together as teammates and maybe more. 

This series is obviously set up to focus on the Barnes hockey brothers, so there is quite a bit about their family relationship, and hockey, and then the title character and their romantic interest. Ethan and Hank were both really likable, thoughtful characters, and even though they are young, they manage to communicate honestly in a really sweet but certainly mature way. I really enjoyed how careful they are with each other, checking in with their feelings and thoughts as they navigate something brand new for both of them (although they are apart for a large portion of the book which is not my favorite kind of slow burn). A supportive cast of secondary characters rounded out this story, along with some hockey playing and family dynamics that really showcased the Barnes boys.

Heather's review:

Ethan is sunny and adorable!  Hank is grumpy and sweet!  This book is the perfect introduction to the Barnes Brothers series, blending a slowly building text to romance relationship with an introduction to the Barnes family dynamic...  This romance feels carefully crafted and well paced.  It's got a queer awakening, friends to lovers and a dash of opposites attract mixed with Beth Bolden's dash of sports romance charm... lots of great secondary characters and a secondary storyline that makes you want to jump into book 2 right away!

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