The Penalty (New York Gods #3)

Here's Andi Jaxon's "The Penalty." It's the third novel in her New York Gods series.

["I’ve been kept away from my destiny as long as I’ve been alive.

I'm the bastard, banished from Manhattan, and forbidden from my dream of playing college hockey for the Gods because no one can find out about me.

But now Dad's dead and guess who's in the will? So my dream of playing for the Gods can finally come true, but I have to find my place in my half brother's shadow while dealing with my rival Teddy, who's been a thorn in my side since juniors.

He’s cocky, infuriating, and the biggest himbo I’ve ever met.

Half the time I think he hates me. But it all comes out after a drunken night and now I can’t get him out of my head.

Exile is over, and I’m here to make their lives a living hell."]

At first, I totally didn't remember if the previous book ended with Owen and Oliver finding out about Rhys. Then I read the first chapter, and I started to remember that plot twist...then I questioned my sanity in general. 

Speaking of sanity, I fucking looooove Teddy. He's a giant, adorable golden-retriever himbo goalie. It's a lot (he's a lot), but he's so genuine and kind and lost. He takes everything seriously and has no sarcasm-detector and is just gullible as hell. He’s Joey Tribbiani’s “it’s a moo point” to the fucking extreme. He's a little frustrating at times (headache inducing), but I'm fucking obsessed with him. 

...So is Rhys. Not that he doesn’t have tons of other stressful shit on his plate at the moment, why nooot fall for his best friend's brother? 

I love this this series blended into the new Gods Versus Monsters series, even if keeping everyone straight was a mind fuck (and knowing that there was a good year+ and other plot points we have seen yet that tooo place between “No Pucks” and “The Penalty.”

BUT, the cross over got us lots of hockey and queer love and future couples. There were also sooooo many “fucking goalies” moments! I’m obsessed!!

In this half of the universe, Owen and Colin are still my favorite though. 

Trigger Warnings: suicide, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, medication doses, misunderstanding/confusion about sex/safe sex, parental infidelity, family conflict due to will/affair child, underage drinking, and more. JR apologized twice about the "awful Gen-Z" texting; take that however you will (it did suck, though).

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