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Defenseman No. 9: A Friends to Lovers MM Hockey Romance (The Hockey Gods Series Book 4) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 128 ratings

From USA TODAY BESTSELLING author Xavier Neal comes a laugh-out-loud, college sports, best friends-to-lovers, M/M romance with a spin!

He's the strong, silent, scary-sized hockey defenseman who always does what's best for the team.

He's the loud, over-the-top, dancer who has no idea his best friend is in love with him.

Add in a problem creating ex-boyfriend as well as a few leaked secrets and these two college students have one chaotic summer ahead of them.

TROPE CHECK
Tortured Alpha Male
Friends-to-Lovers
College/New Adult
Opposites Attract
High Heel Loving Hero

(New edits, new content, new updates - May 2024)

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There are 6 books in this series.
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Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08PG57XHD
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4282 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08QB5KZQ2
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 128 ratings

About the author

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Xavier Neal
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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”.

Website link: https://www.xavierneal.com/

Newsletter link: https://bit.ly/XNNLSUB

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
128 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2023
    This is book #4 of the 5 book The Hockey Gods series. Each book focuses on one of the 'crew' playing for the Vlasta University hockey team.
    All the others are MF, and I loved the introduction of an MM romance in the series.

    • Friends to Lovers
    • College sports

    "Just how much is this big, burly, brooding defenseman willing to sacrifice to prove his love for this loud mouth, fun-loving, tiny dancer?"

    Hugo Rhinehart is a 6'4" 220lb defenseman on the team, and believes that it's not only his duty to protect his team mates on the ice, but also his mission in life.

    Crash Donovan is his long-time best friend, and is studying dance at the university. He is a twink like out and proud gay man who has not been lucky in love.

    Hugo has always been a safe haven for Crash as he stumbles from one abusive relationship to another.

    Although Hugo has never hidden his sexual orientation from his crew, he is not out in the wider world. He has never been known to have a relationship and hides his true feelings for Crash under the friendship umbrella.

    When Crash is invited to a beach get-away with the crew and their partners, the simmering tension and unresolved feelings come to a head.

    There was so much to love about both these characters. On paper they are complete opposites. Hugo is the silent brooding type, happy to stay in the background, protecting and caring for those he loves. Crash is flamboyant, complex and sometimes selfish character who has so much baggage from his past.

    Their journey is not an easy one, often intense and emotional, but there are lots of swoon worthy moments, and plenty of steam. Learning that honest communication is key for them to find their way ahead.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2021
    A young adult novel with a great moral about communication and consent within our relationships. I liked the push about being an integral part of a team, and how selfishness can be our downfall.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 January 2021
    I really enjoyed this m/m book. I love the main characters and I’m glad they managed to work through their differences. Glad they got their happy ending. Great way to end the series.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2020
    I was given this book in turn for an honest review.

    Move over Vlasta Vipers hockey gods, the sweetest, strongest and sexiest member has arrived, and I absolutely love and adore Rhinehart, he blew me away, I love, love, love him! All of him! There is so much to him, that the other books in this series have not revealed about him, he is fiercely loyal, protective, caring, understanding, non-judgemental and when he loves, he loves hard and with everything he has.

    Xavier Neal truly puts you through the wringer with this story, it is not so much about the push and pull between two characters fighting their feelings, so much as finally going for what, and more importantly, WHO they wanted. They may have forgotten to explain their intentions at the start, that this was not some fling, it was the REAL thing, and here in lies their greatest issue, communication! I think we can all be guilty of this and this story pushes home how important communication is for every relationship!

    The relationship between Rhinehart and Cash was intense in so many ways. Emotionally, sexually, their whole relationship is a strong, beautiful, breath-taking, swoon worthy, HOT powerful beauty, that I honestly could not get enough of. When they were on the same page, working together, not letting those outside voices try and weasel their way in, your heart swells with so much passion, it feels like it might burst with the overwhelming feeling of the love they share.

    If you love MM Romance’s and enjoy a story that builds up your heart, close to bursting, to then rip it apart and then carefully, heartbreakingly, build it back up again, this story is for YOU!

    Although Defenseman No.9 is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2022
    A m/m love story. Not my usual first choice, but I've enjoyed this author so much as I've gone through the series, I thought I'd give it a chance. I'm so glad I did🧡
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2020
    4.25 Stars
    I LOVED this. I'm kicking myself for just finding this new to me author, but what a way to start my Xavier Neal journey. This is a very touching, very deep, friends to lovers story with Defenseman Hugo who is the textbook definition of stoic cinnamon roll and his lifelong friend and crush Crash, a dancer and someone who doesn't see his own worth. But Hugo does, he's always seeing Crash and looking out for him. It broke my heart what both of them had to go through and sometimes I really did wanna shake Crash, but MAN I had tears in my eyes an awful lot with this one. I'm obsessed and now I wanna binge everything. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2020
    Yet again another amazing read to add to book shelf xavier I absolutely love this series and this book totally had me engrossed right from the blurb to very last page and I still was left loving these characters and there story and wanting more.no spoilers from me but this was a brilliant 5 star read

Top reviews from other countries

  • Ms.A
    4.0 out of 5 stars Banter, friendship and so much 🩷
    Reviewed in Canada on 14 July 2024
    Hugo and Crash are such amazing supportive… at least Hugo is! That overall protective, confident, and person who is ALWAYS there is just the person who needed to break down Crash’s walls. Loved all the banter and the supportive community that the two have created.
  • Becky R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rhinehart will steal your heart
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2020
    He will ALWAYS be MY BOO. Just to be clear Rhinehart is my Boo. He is on loan to his soulmate but he is my spirit hockey player. I want to hold him, run my fingers through his hair, and be supportive of everything in his life...since I am not even in the running for his forever. Sigh.

    This giant teddy bear of a man is absolutely swoon worthy. He is wonderful, supportive, protective, adventurous in the bedroom, and worships the ground the love of his life walks on. He is kind, thoughtful, shy, and feels everything deeply. I need this man in my life. Even if it's as his BFF - watch out G Unit, I'm coming for you! Rhinehart stole my attention early on in this series and he will forever have a piece of my heart.

    I may not like his choice (scoffs at the little diva dancer) but I absolutely support him in his love. Clearly, I've adopted a mom roll because no one is good enough for my Boo.

    Fall for Rhinehart the way I know you already have. Expand your palate with his shots and learn that the biggest guy in the room shouldn't be the one you fear.

    Just remember Xavier Neal is going to make it hurt- hurt so good. The feels will catch up to you. Anger is justified but violence is not- so just angry message her. It works. Like meditation but better! Lol.

    No need to be on the defensive when No. 9 is on your line, in your life, or at your back!

    ****

    "Ugh, for real! That's what you have to say!?!" [Taps the mic.]
    "This is how you review the book!?! I spend an extra few minutes getting ready for the big reveal- HELLO, STELLA McCartney stilettos!!!! and YOU cut me out." [Glares hard, sassy, and long at Becky.] "This is unacceptable. I will have to monolog. You can not be left with that festering pile as a review."

    "Where is the sparkle, BECKY?" (Said in a sassy and condescending tone)

    [Mic squeak.]

    "I may not be worthy [sneer and sarcasm dripping] but you don't really know the whole story!" [Smug look sent Becky's way] "She doesn't want to spoil it [finger quotes and OTT hand signals] but she is making it out to be worse than it is." [Muffled comment from Rhinehart seemingly trying to pacifiy the tiny diva dancer]

    "No. I will tell it like it is. Haters gonna hate. Right, BECKY!? [Glare that makes Becky worry a bit that she was harsh]

    "I am underrepresented, under appreciated, and not going to let this go. I am not perfect (except in these shoes and on the dance floor). I have not been treated well except by one man. ONE man adores me, worships me, and has been there for me. I didn't see it. But that wasn't the end of our story, BECKY! You read it all! You know what happens! You ...want these shoes. Own it!"

    [Becky sighs loud, long, and in defeat]

    [Becky coughs into the mic]

    "Tiny Diva Dancer is right. I love them together ...NOW. I adore their ever after and he and his glitter dancing have absolutely grown on me...like a mold colony attacking bread that's been left out. [Smirks because Rhinehart cringed at that] But that's MY BOO and your soul mate, we just have to share him like you and G Unit. [Looks at TDD, aka. CRASH] We have to because we are family and you aren't getting rid of me!"
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Straight Up Good!!
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 February 2022
    I have been trying to come.up.with such a worthy review on what was such a wonderful story. The writer leads us into one of the most fun and sexy stories that also filled with the happily ever after. I like the fact that we get this big burly guy who knows himself and what he wants and the fact that he has two of the most understanding and woke parents is just boss! This is a story not only about love ,but its about loving you and the one you are with. The writer captures all this magic and then some.Take the time to crash the boards with a real defenseman!
  • Dan Baxley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 June 2024
    This book was so good I read it in one setting. I absolutely adored Hugo and Crash, their love was truly beautiful.
  • Jackie Bragg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love has no Boundaries
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2020
    Hugo and Crash has been friends since thier childhood.

    Hugo is the quite, protective one of the Hockey God's. He cares for those that close to him by supporting them and making sure that they lives are comfortable.

    Reinhardt is that true friend that everyone wants in thier life. He is smart, compassionate.

    What I loved about Hugo is his huge heart. He is not a perfect person, but his on drying loyalty to those in circle is truly spectacular.

    Then there is Crash.

    Reinhardt and Crash has been have been childhood friends live forever.. The chemistry between those two are off the chart hot.

    You can feel the vibes that these two brings to the story. But it was not all roses for Reinhardt to get close to his one true obsession.

    So my Boy set on the sidelines and watched his Love be destroyed over and over again by his self-destructive love life with the wrong guys..

    Then one weekend changed everything, and Rhinehart's Fantasy ( Like Mariah Carey Song) came to life.

    Crash is everyone's dirty little secret his whole life. He has self-destructive and self esteem issues. All Crush does it smile on the outside, even through his inside is in pain.

    I felt so type of way when Crash ex was abusive. He only wanted to someone to be there for him, and to love him for him.

    In Reinhardt Crash found that and more.

    The ability to be himself. To love himself and others without thinking they wanted something back.

    I love how Xavier continues to shine and Evolve with her writing.

    Lord I can't wait to read Pucks story.....

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