AUDIO REVIEW: 'Coach's Challenge' by Avon Gale
Title: Coach’s Challenge
Series: Scoring Chances #5
Author: Avon Gale
Narrator: Scott R. Smith
Published: June 26, 2017
Audio: December 26, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 6 Hours and 50 Minutes/200 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Audiobook; Athlete/Sport: Hockey; Coming Out; HEA
About Coach's Challenge
It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens--the most hated team in the ECHL--he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds out the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression---especially when Shane’s rough good looks have Troy thinking inappropriate thoughts about a player, even if he’s set to retire at the end of the season.
Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon, and with a team that doesn’t trust him, Troy, or each other. Despite his determination not to get involved, Shane unwittingly becomes part of the team...and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff, out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.
REVIEW:
Avon Gale’s Coach’s Challenge, book 5 of the Scoring Chances series, is definitely one of my top favorites. It’s right up there with books 1 and 3! Troy and Shane have some pretty amazingly hot chemistry and narrator Scott R. Smith does not disappoint in his delivery. Some reviewers say this can be read as a standalone but for me having read the previous books I felt like I was coming home to some of my favorite hockey players.
In Coach’s Challenge out and proud Coach Troy Callahan has taken on the task of whipping the Asheville Ravens into shape. The team is known for their aggressive and bullying behavior and Troy is not having any of that!
Shane North has had a mostly mediocre hockey career and he’s joined the Ravens to play out his last year in the sport.
Shane and Troy get off to a rocky start. Shane doesn’t make the best impression and even though Troy comes down hard on him in his no nonsense manner, he’s definitely interested in his new player. I love the fact that Troy is ten years older than Shane. There’s the whole coach/player dynamic that Ms.Gale flawlessly pulls off. Troy knows he shouldn’t cross that line and Shane knows he should resist but when these two finally give in to their attraction it’s fireworks all around.
Scott R. Smith does such an excellent job with translating the tension and humor with his voice. Troy is all growly, alpha man, barking orders and talking dirty and all of that comes through with his telling.
Troy knows he shouldn’t cross that line and Shane knows he should resist but when these two finally give in to their attraction it’s fireworks all around.
I think what I love most about this book, and the series as a whole, is the author’s talent at writing dialogue. These character's banter back and forth and their scenes are filled with either humor or that ever present sexual tension, making Coach’s Challenge one of those books that you just can’t put down. These guys go at it hard - verbally and sexually - and it’s lots of hot fun.
Shane is such a lovable character. He’s eager to end his career on his own terms. Settling into his new surroundings with new team members gets off to a shaky start but soon the tensions in the locker room ease and the Ravens start to play like a real team. Shane’s always felt like he never lived up to his full potential in his career and it makes him seem vulnerable and I like that about him. He isn’t arrogant or a trouble-maker, he just wants to play hockey.
Having fell in love with the Scoring Chances series as each book is published I wait until the audio is released.
There’s just something amazing about Scott R. Smith’s voice. I adore the way he tells the story and how he “becomes” each character.
He brings Troy’s arrogance to life and the scenes that are dialogue heavy are awesome. His tone for Shane and Troy is perfect as well as the timing and pacing of the story.
Coach’s Challenge is more of a hot and heavy romance, as opposed to sweet, and the writing and narration truly deliver. If you’re a lover of sexy men and hockey players then the Scoring Chances series is for you!
A copy of Coach’s Challenge was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Dreamspinner Press, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
Meet the Author
Avon grew up in the southern United States, and now lives with her very patient husband in a liberal Midwestern college town. When she’s not writing, she’s either doing some kind of craft project that makes a huge mess, reading, watching horror movies, listening to music or yelling at her favorite hockey team to get it together, already. Avon is always up for a road trip, adores Kentucky bourbon, thinks nothing is as stress relieving as a good rock concert, and will never say no to candy.
At one point, Avon was the mayor of both Jazzercise and Lollicup on Foursquare. This tells you basically all you need to know about her as a person.
For more from Avon be sure and visit her website.
