Line Mates & Study Dates

by Saxon James and Eden Finley

I should just stop making assumptions about the next books in this series. Because every time I do, I find myself having to backtrack.

"I'm not sure I will continue with the series - I liked Jacobs but I'm not sure I particularly care enough to read his story - but I may pick up Seth's book with the hopes of seeing more Zach/Foster. " ... I ended up loving Jacobs and Beck as much if not slightly more than Zach and Foster.

"I also didn't really like Asher so if he's the subject of the next one, I'm not sure I'll continue." ... OMFG ASHER!!!! I had no idea. None. Of what was coming my way.

Asher is incredible. The layers people, the layers. Almost immediately Finley and Saxon changed my mind. Having the narration from Asher's POV was ideal because straight away we see that for all Asher talks a big game, he's an absolute mess. He knows he's a mess but he can't seem to help it. I felt so sorry for him. I felt sorry for that whole family - they've been through so much and no 20 year olds should have to be responsible for 5 kids - family or not. Any kids would be a lot - five? Fk.

Kole was a bit harder to get a read on. I would say if this book had any weaknesses, Kole's character development would be it. We know and learn a lot about Asher but I don't really feel we got to know Kole quite as well. That said, I still loved them both.

And together they were perfect. Much like Jacobs and Beck, Asher and Kole's chemistry was off the charts. I loved both the friendship and the romance between them and adored the banter between them - the banter between them was snarky and had me cackling away.

I love the hockey aspect of these books and I love that Asher got closer to his teammates in this one. I love that very little can shock the team as well.

I grab my coffee and follow him to the table where Rossi, Simms, Kaplan, and Stalberg are already sitting. Asher steals a chair from another table, and before I can grab one of my own, he sits down and pulls me onto his lap. I tense, and Asher’s holding his breath. But there’s barely a break in the conversation. Slowly, I relax in Asher’s hold and chance a quick look at him. He’s confused, and I can’t blame him. Are they ignoring us on purpose? Asher steals a quick sip of my coffee and loops his arm tighter around my waist. “Really not going to say anything, huh?” he finally asks.

Rossi looks over. “What, are we supposed to act surprised?” “You knew?” The four of them exchange looks, and Simms cocks his head. “Wait, did you guys think you were subtle?” “Well, yeah.” Don’t they realize how painful it’s been to keep our hands to ourselves?

“Let’s review,” Rossi says, clearly amused. “Asher waits for you after every practice, you arrive together, you study together, you share a room at away games—where you really could try to be more quiet, by the way—West treats Kole like another brother, Coach can’t look at Asher without scowling, more so than usual, and if I have to hear the phrase Kole said one more time, my brain will start leaking out of my ears.”

I’m … kinda shocked. “And people say jocks are stupid.”
“You forget I was friends with Foster, and Beck and Jacobs, and Cohen. I’ve given up assuming people are straight, and you two have been behaving just like those other idiots.”

It’s the first time I think I’ve actually been glad to be outsmarted by jocks. “Who else knows?” Asher asks. “Literally the whole team,” Simms says. “We’ve known for ages.” “And no one said anything?” Stalberg screws up his face. “No offense, man, but none of us want to know about your sex life. That’s a strictly kiss and don’t tell situation.”

Finley, Eden; James, Saxon. Line Mates & Study Dates (CU Hockey Book 4) (pp. 284-285). Kindle Edition. LMFAO. Poor Asher going for the shock factor and ending with being shocked himself.

Overall it was fantastic and I loved it. I'll definitely be reading West's story. I can't wait to find out what happens there. 4.5 stars.