Undone by You

TEST

The Chicago Rebels series normally focuses on one of the three sisters who own the Chicago Rebels NHL Franchise, but in this novella, Ms. Meader pauses and focuses instead of two of the organization’s gentlemen; the General Manager and a player. It’s a boss/employee story with the added layer of one of the men not wanting his sexual orientation to be a matter for public debate. In Ms. Meader’s expert hands, Cade and Dante’s story shines.

Dante Moretti is the new GM of the Chicago Rebels – a team not without its drama, history, or gossip fodder. He also happens to be the first openly gay GM in the league and that’s not a small thing. With everything he has on his plate, Dante has no intention of getting embroiled in a relationship with anybody, much less Cade ‘Alamo’ Burnett, one of his players. Fortunately for all of us, Cade has different ideas.

Dante has no issue with the world knowing of his sexual orientation, but Cade’s is not up for public debate and the optics and ramifications of having an out NHL player is not a thing Dante thinks the Rebels can survive. Cade isn’t interested in being outed, he’s just interested in sleeping with his boss. Their chemistry is off the charts, and Cade wants to have some fun. His family dynamics mean the last thing he wants is to become some sort of poster boy, or to have his sexuality be discussed on ESPN, but he simply cannot resist Dante any more.

The plot is very seduction-forward and is moved less by events and more by the two men themselves. As the two begin to realize that what they have is far beyond a casual fling, they must face those demons of being public figures with private lives and it is the negotiation of those events which brings the two men closer.

Individually, I really like these two characters. Dante knows himself, to the very core of his being. His confidence only borders on cocky occasionally, and that makes it all the more fun when Cade simply undoes him. He is so used to being in control that Cade’s seduction tactics take him by surprise and reveal pieces of vulnerability in him that are simply lovely to discover for the reader.

As for Cade; prior to this book, we know him as the laid-back, happy go lucky Texan, who is really close to one of the owners, Violet. They may or may not be sleeping together, no one is sure, but their connection is authentic. In this book, we discover that Violet has been his beard to keep him safe and is more than thrilled to pass his heart off to Dante, as long as Dante is worthy of it.

The true conflict comes from the reasons behind Cade’s decision to keep his sexuality private and they are many of the reasons you’re probably assuming. However, I’m going to let Ms. Meader discuss them with you and let the lads explain themselves. Trust me, it’s all worth your time.

I’m not a regular m/m reader, but I am a devoted Kate Meader reader, and this book just delighted me. If you’re a hockey romance fan, a m/m fan, a boss/employee fan, or a fan of love in general, I’d recommend one-clicking this.

Buy it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

Reviewed by Kristen Donnelly

Grade: B+

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date: 13/03/18

Publication Date: 03/2018

Recent Comments …

  1. excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.

Voracious reader, with a preference for sassy romances and happily ever afters. In a relationship with coffee, seeing whiskey on the side.

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Maria Rose
Maria Rose
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03/13/2018 8:44 am

I’m seeing more of this recently, putting in an LGBTQ romance in the middle of an m/f series and I’m really glad of it. Also, really enjoyed this one too! I’ve been a fan of Kate Meader since her very first Hot in the Kitchen book, before she was as well known. I’ve kept up with her writing career ever since.