Coach's Challenge

3.5 stars. Self-proclaimed “asshamster” Vic Kalinski is reformed (sort of), married to the love of his life Dan Arou and co-parenting the toddler that was the product of a one-night stand with a young nursing student. His hockey career is over due to a serious concussion but he is an assistant coach of the Cayuga Cougars. Life is good, until he's hit with a one-two punch: the newest member of the Cougars is Dan's ex-boyfriend. And his father, who walked out when Vic was young, leaving him with an alcoholic and violent mother, suddenly reappears, hoping to re-establish a relationship.

In the past Vic would face problems by drinking, hitting out physically or emotionally, or just leaving. But he's a new man now (sort of). Locey mines both humor and poignancy as Vic tries to be a good husband and talk things out with Dan. They have some impressive fights (and lots of makeup sex), but there's never the threat that their relationship won't survive. Fortunately, Vic has the help of the most patient therapist in history, and some of the best scenes in the book are set in the therapist's office while Vic vehemently denies that any of this therapy bullshit is helping even as he reaches new insights and breakthroughs.

Dan is as wonderful as ever, there are cameos from other series MCs, and Jack is shaping up to be an interesting kid who wants to dress up as Moana for Halloween (anyone who has a problem with that can see Vic about it). Not recommended unless you have read the Point Shot trilogy that introduced Vic and Dan, but it you have you'll be happy to see them again.