Overview

Set in the traditionally homophobic world of amateur hockey, this book follows gay goalie Cooper in his struggle with his feelings for a teammate and coming out to his team. Cooper has been hooking up with teammate Pesh in secret, and has to play along when Pesh dates a girl and even tolerate locker-room homophobic talk. When Pesh outs Cooper online, trying to better his own chances at playing pro, Cooper chooses self-esteem and honesty over sex. With a strong and relatable main character, this book is a realistic, positive look at teen relationships -- gay or straight. Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group

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9781459415782

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Reviews

Coccia scores with this gay athlete's journey. Tall, husky, blond Cooper is a superstar goalie for his new hockey team in Toronto, but unlike with his old team, he isn't out to anyone. Things change when he rooms with Pesh, a teammate with dreams of going pro. Pesh makes sure they room together on away games to ensure they have time alone, and as their sexual relationship develops, Pesh insists they are just having fun, no strings attached. Meanwhile, Pesh does everything he can to fit in with the team and continues dating Bobbi, a girl with ambitions for a sports PR management career. Cooper agrees to keep quiet about his relationship with Pesh while beginning his own friendship with Bobbi that begins to complicate things. As Bobbi also helps Cooper build his online image, she urges him to come out in order to positively influence hockey culture. Witnessing homophobic locker-room exchanges, Cooper weighs the risks of being open about his sexuality, both personally and in the context of the sport he loves--and as his physical relationship with Pesh heats up, he is forced to make some difficult choices. Stinging secrets, betrayals, and steamy attractions fuel this quick-paced addition to the series lineup that will draw in and retain the interest of reluctant readers. Most characters are presumed White; Pesh is Sri Lankan Canadian. Sweet heat melts the ice, and relationship woes guide growth.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (5/27/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Fans of hockey are likely to pick up this book and will learn about healthy romantic relationships and the experience of LGBTQ+ players of the sport. -- CM: Canadian Review of Materials The realistic and engaging content, relatable characters and fast-moving plot will be of interest to reluctant readers, beginning readers, and strong readers looking for a quick, interesting read. Highly Recommended. -- CM: Canadian Review of Materials Will draw in and retain the interest of reluctant readers. -- Kirkus Reviews

"""Coccia scores with this gay athlete's journey . . . Sweet heat melts the ice, and relationship woes guide growth.""--Kirkus Reviews -- (5/27/2021 12:00:00 AM) ""Recommended for high school libraries.""--School Library Journal -- (8/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)"

Author Information

PAUL COCCIA has a specialist in English from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. He is the author of the YA novel Cub. Paul lives in Toronto, Ontario.

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