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Bending the Rules
- Rules of the Game, Book 1
- Narrated by: James Edward Jones
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
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Bending the Rules
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Summary
Rule number one: Never give up on love.
Hockey is Noah Boucher's life. He even walked away from a chance at a relationship for a career as a star goaltender. But when an injury sidelines him and he crosses paths with the man he left behind, everything changes.
Noah is determined to have it all: a return to the ice, one final season to lead the Toronto Fisher Cats to the Cup—and a future with Simon Lawrence.
Simon is stunned to see Noah again, and all of his old feelings come rushing back, along with off-the-charts chemistry. But Simon has been burned by relationships in the past, and his own career as a photographer and gallery owner is at a turning point. Trusting Noah to put him first—even while struggling to reconnect with his team and dealing with media scrutiny—is a tall order.
When catastrophe strikes just as the playoffs are heating up, Noah will have to make a choice: risk the man he loves or bend the rules to prove this time, Simon comes first.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- choccygrl
- 06-01-23
Sweet second chance romance
Sweet hockey romance. College friends are attracted but never get the chance to act on it. 12 years later fate brings them together again and the spark is still there. But will navigating the last year of Noah's Pro hockey career be too much.
A very cute, second chance romance. Noah is adorable.
Great performance.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Belinda Zamora
- 22-12-22
Wonderful
Noah and Simon, oh my heart!!!
I have read the previous short about these two and while I loved it, I always wished there was more to the story.
I got that and so much more in this full length book.
It was so good to get to see them again and finally get their HEA.
The chemistry between them was always there from their college days but the time just never seemed right.
So when Noah got his shot at an NHL career it seemed as though fate had washed her hands of them.
It was wonderful to see that there was no animosity between them over Noah's decision just a wistful regret on both their parts.
The second chance at romance for them was instantaneous but the road to their HEA was difficult and I absolutely appreciated that they had to work through personal and relationship troubles.
It was realistic and made their ultimate happiness so much more worth it because they both worked hard at being there for each other and while there were some miscommunications and misunderstandings they were dealt with very well.
I loved the heat and chemistry between Noah and Simon, they were so hot together and at the same time so utterly sweet.
I cannot wait for more from this series.
The narration was perfect and absolutely brought this great story to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sarah mitcham
- 23-12-22
an Unexpected Reunion.
MM, Second Chance, Hockey, Contemporary, Romance. A binge listen with angst, heat action and drama throughout. A fantastic introduction to the guys (Toronto Fisher Cats) and brilliantly narrated really bringing the characters to life. Guaranteed HEA.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- L.D.
- 22-12-22
Sweet Romance
Bending the Rules is the first book in the Rules of the Game, a contemporary hockey romance series. The hockey knowledge was on point and really gave the book a depth that would have been missing if the author had just glossed over the hockey stuff. I enjoyed this book because it felt like an honest look at a second chance at love. It was sweet, but it also didn’t shy away from addressing the anxiety and difficulties that come with long distance love. Even though the main characters rekindle their love without much issue, they have to actually put in the hard work to make their relationship – and dreams – come to fruition. This is something that I see glossed over in other romance books, or are made into a plot device that is incredibly dramatic and over the top. It was refreshing to see how two men, when they put their minds to it, are able to make sacrifices and adjustments to make their relationship work. I just really liked that and found the book almost addictive. I finished it one day. The audiobook was narrated by James Edward Jones who does a fantastic job. I loved how he narrated the characters and really seemed to get the voices right for the main characters. The audiobook production was well done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Edga
- 23-12-22
Lovely second chance romance.
strong>Low angst romance</strong>
Great second chance story. Noah and Simon were obviously meant to be together, and after a lot of missing out on the chance for that to be, it finally happens. Noah is wonderful, he totally supports Simon in whatever happens. There's very little angst. It's all about two guys getting together, after being given a second chance, and taking the time to show that they love and are invested in one another. I really enjoyed the ebook, but the audible takes it to another level. James Edward Jones is a new to me narrator, but I felt that he did a good job bringing Simon and Noah alive.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Meph666
- 22-12-22
Great new series!
James Edward Jones provides really wonderful narration for this story and I have high hopes for the rest of the series. The connection and love between the characters shines through, the only thing I would have liked a little more was a bit more difference between the two MC voices as when, mid chapter, it changes POV, it takes a second to realise.
This is a great new hockey series from Brigham Vaughn. It has a second chance, long distance romance between hockey player, Noah, and art gallery owner, Simon. They had an almost thing together in college but Noah got his NHL break and missed their chance. The only time being late works out for Noah is when he has to take a train trip the following day and it leads to him meeting Simon for the first time in twelve years and it's like no time has passed, immediately having that ease of friendship and sparks of attraction. Both are determined to make things work this time but they aren't without hurdles.
Noah is working his way back into the hockey team after months out with a knee injury, Simon is getting his art gallery set up and ready to open, and distance isn't kind when you've got a lot going on either life let alone in both at the same time. There's a bit of angst for all of the setbacks and high emotions they got through but not with each other. I really felt their connection and how they felt about each other, starting something quickly but it felt natural for them. I enjoyed the people around them as well. Simon has a good friend and business partner in Leah. Noah's team are often loud and boisterous, as expected, but they all struggle a little with him coming back to the team after so long out which is understandable. My heart went out to Gabriel, his teammate, roommate and best friend. I was surprised at how little time they spent together but things are explained further in the book.
Definitely another recommended read from this author. I'm excited to hear more from this hockey world. I think Noah and Simon are a great way to start the series and I'm looking forward to Gabriel's next.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JKH
- 23-12-22
My favorite in the series!
Noah and Simon together just make me so happy. The element of serendipity is magical and Brigham Vaughn’s writing is so incredible. Add in James Edward Jones’ performance and you have an absolutely wonderful audiobook.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vania
- 17-12-22
Second chance hockey romance.
I loved this book! Second chances are always my favourite trope, and even though Noah and Simon didn’t really get to have their first real chance back in college, the potential was there. I loved how they immediately caught up where they left off as soon as they reconnected and how, though struggling with long distance and a million things vying for their attention, there were no major hiccups in their relationship.
Loved the narrator’s performance, too.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Larissa_S
- 24-12-22
Enjoyable second chance romance
Like so many second-chance romances, Noah and Simon discover timing is everything. A serendipitous unexpected encounter brings them back together again after not having seen each other since college. The interest and attraction are clearly there as well as the desire to make it work this time to rectify the misunderstandings and poor timing that constantly interfered with their chance to develop a relationship in college. However, even now it’s not smooth sailing. Noah is laser-focused on his comeback from injury, and then there’s the minor detail of them living in two different places.
The story is low-angst and sweet, although it has less hockey in it than I would have expected for a sports romance.
Like the other titles he’s narrated for Vaughn, James Edward Jones gives a solid vocal performance on the audiobook. He’s in touch with his characters and gives a natural flow to the story that I didn’t feel when just reading. Recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ida Umphers
- 23-12-22
Real people
Noah left Simon to pursue a pro hockey career and Simon built a life and business as a photographer. When they reconnect and realize they want to pursue a relationship, though they are mature and committed this time, they discover that life can still get in the way. I loved the realistic mix of pro hockey and all the intrusive media scrutiny they have to endure with Simon's gallery struggles. None of the obstacles and complications felt forced or contrived just to keep them apart or up the angst level. These felt like real people living real lives. James Edward Jones' performance captured that realism. Nothing felt forced or over the top, just real people talking and interacting with each other.
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