Today is the day that TAMING OF THE CREW by Xavier Neal is officially available! This is the fifth book in the Hockey Gods series that is set in Vlasta University in Vlasta, Wisconsin. This new adult/college romance tells the story of Patrick Peck- the captain of the Vipers hockey team, and Nyeena Stiles- the niece of Coach Stiles. This opposite attracts story will hit you in the feels, and have you falling hard for the couple. Now TECHNICALLY this is a standalone, and you can read it as such. That being said, you miss out on the knowledge of the other couples, and may not fully understand the banter or nicknames. So if you were me, start from the beginning with Can't Block My Love.
Friends, you are going to love Peck! This man is 100% dedicated to hockey. It is essentially his everything. His parents have made sure of that. This is his senior year at Vlasta University, and once again he's been chosen to be the Captain of the hockey team. This year though, Peck's brother is joining the team, and this could go either way. The Peck family is not close. Not at all. There are major issues that are brought on by the parents. You'll learn about those as the story progresses. Peck (Patrick) is ready for a fantastic final season. That is until Nyeena Stiles makes her appearance. Nyeena knocks him off balance, and he is immediately taken by her. Meanwhile Nyeena has just moved to Vlasta so that she could receive treatment for a disease that really one has one cure. Meeting Peck, and falling for him was the last thing on her mind. Yet her she is, living her life to the best of her ability with Peck and his crew by her side. All is going amazing, until the moment it's not.
I was not prepared for the emotional scenes in this book. Yes, Xavier Neal warned me that tissues would be needed, but I wasn't expecting the story to go the route it did. So please have tissues ready for when you read Taming of the Crew. Everything about this story drew me in. Peck was a familiar face and I had been waiting for the day he found his person. I enjoyed getting to catch up with the crew, and witness how they added Nyeena into the fold so easily. I enjoyed how finding a passion aside from hockey altered Peck's life. He found something else to bring him joy, and to focus a bit on. Yes he wasn't 100% focused on hockey, but that was a good thing. It allowed him to be a better player, because he finally knew what a life off the ice could be like. Nyeena is a fiery, passionate, independent, intelligent woman, and I loved it. She is a fantastic character who is dealing with some major health issues. Yet she didn't let that really slow her down. She was determined to live the best life she could with the time she's been given. The relationship between Peck and Nyeena had a bit of the instalove elements, but this was most definitely a slow burn. And oh what a slow burn it was. SO GOOD!
I want to bring up the big moment that happens...don't worry I'm not going to say what it was because spoilers. I do want to say that it was intense. It was emotional. It truly showed a found family relationship, and how those who love you will be by your side. Also, my gut totally called the resolution. From the moment things were set into place, and little tidbits of info were dropped, in my mind I was thinking "hmmm I wonder". This big moment though, I'm going to be thinking about it for a while. Peck and Nyeena's story is definitely my favorite of the series. If there is another addition to the Hockey God's series, I'm not certain it could top Taming of the Crew.
If you enjoy a good slow burn, then please read this book. If you enjoy sports romance, read this book. If you enjoy new adult romances set at college, read this book. If you are a person who lives in Wisconsin, and you like to see your state represented in a book, read this book. Basically just read this book! I honestly think you'll love it. Just have those tissues close by.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Taming of the Crew. I love the folks from Vlasta University, and I hope you'll read their stories and fall for them too.
Laura
Once upon a time, the Vlasta Vipers hockey team was so incredible — on and off the ice — they were almost mythical.
All the other college athletes across the country wanted to be them.
All the chicks who glided into their gazes were excited to bang them.
Their reputation was that of Gods who wore skates instead of sandals.
And thanks to a certain center's constant leadership on the ice, they are true champions once again.
Captain Patrick Peck lives and breathes hockey, yet one glimpse at his head coach's loud-mouth, full of life niece who has just moved to Vlasta, and suddenly, he wants more.
More days of watching old TV shows and less days of listening to hockey podcasts.
More nights of hearing her scream his name and less nights of scheduling extra practices.
More memories out of the rink and less memories of only being loved in it.
Will this overly focused center be able to balance hockey and love, or will he be forced to abandon one for the other?
Add Taming of the Crew to your Goodreads TBR!
Are you new to the Hockey Gods and Vlasta University? Start here↓
Can't Block My Love
The Forward Must Cry
Defenseman No.9
About the Author
Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.
In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).
She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.
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Thank you to Xavier Neal, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Taming of the Crew.
