4/5 This is my second book in the Unlucky 13 series and I'm glad I enjoyed this story after not finishing a few previous ones. I knew I must read Isabel Lucero's book because I remember enjoying her book Dysfunctional. Having liked her second book, I know that I will definitely read more of her stories in the future. The story follows Devin and Jarrod who meet after eleven years of not seeing each other. They went to school together, where they were friends, but now, after all these years, they accidentally met in a paradise private hotel. The two couldn't be more different, Jarrod is a famous hockey player who wanted to go on vacation after his team lost the playoffs, and Devin is a sex worker going on his first much-needed and well-deserved vacation. Additionally, Devin openly likes men and Jarrod thought he was straight all his life, but their short stay changes everything for them. Their story to finally be together takes some time, but when they finally overcome all their problems, all you will feel is genuine happiness for them. This type of books with bi-awakening, in this case Devin-awakening, usually give me anxiety because too often their coming out is caused by some photo or gossip column. I personally hate that, but let’s just say this book turned out to be a pleasing surprise in this situation. A very sweet, kind of emotional, romantic, pleasing surprise. The beginning of the book was very honeymoon-ish for them, but the happiest didn't last very long, because eventually they had to go back home to their different lifestyles. Fortunately, love wins and despite a few ups and downs on their way, they finally find their way back to each other. I'll be honest here and say halfway through the book I wanted them to finally come up with something to get back together quicker, but when I finished the book I realized I liked that their love story took a while and was quite realistic. I'm not the biggest fan on insta-love, so if you don't like it either, you'll probably like this story too. “I don’t know what you’ve done to me,” he whispers huskily into my neck. “You take my breath away while simultaneously granting me exactly what I need to feel alive.” “I love you.” I hug him and kiss his neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you. I have to say it for all the times I didn’t.” He wraps his legs around me. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” The ending, although not very realistic, because everything went smoothly and worked for them, still did not change my opinion about the book, because it brought me so much happiness. I was pretty much crying in the last chapter and epilogue. They were happy tears, obviously. I don't like that part, but there were a few things I would have done differently. Jarrod sexual/ Devin awakening happened slightly too fast and even though I usually like smut in books, here it felt like it was too much of it. I was constantly thinking "Damnn, another scene?". The whole l anticipation for it was okay, because they didn't jump right into bed and the final act took place later, but if the book had at least three or two scenes less, it wouldn't change anything in the story. This is my personal opinion though, so it might not be the case for everyone. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series, because as not the fan of the vacation-themed books, I surprisingly really like the books I read so far. If you feel like reading a book about a goalie x p*rn star with tropical island vibes, bi?-awakening, great chemistry and a big portion of smut, run and add it to your tbr! *I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

I’ve read so many hockey romances I couldn’t even count how many there’s been. What I can count is how many were MM Romances, while this story didn’t blow me away in the hockey focus it was incredible in the bi-awakening our hockey player went through 🥹 I have rarely read a more beautiful story about two men, but one doesn’t consider himself to be gay. Just that he loves HIS man. I felt like I was with Jarrod, holding his hand as he processed his feelings and worked through them to better himself for Devin, and the amount of patience Devin carried as he let Jarrod work through what he was feeling… it was incredible. This was an incredible story about taboo / secret relationships, and the ending was an absolute surprise. Beyond happy for these two and so thankful to have read their story 💚 Open door 🌶️ Very (MM) Spicy. 3.5 ⭐️ 3🌶️