Jaded

Lex Easton’s Jaded is a heartfelt, gritty MM hockey romance that delivers far more than just swoony chemistry. At its core, this is a story about second chances, healing, and finding meaning when life doesn’t go as planned. Nat, once a rising hockey star, is now scraping by as a Zamboni driver and single dad. Olli, the Dingoes’ new captain, is battling his own demons while trying to salvage his shot at the NHL. Neither expects to find something real in each other—but what begins as tension-filled banter quickly turns into something deeper.

The relationship between Nat and Olli is slow-burn perfection, filled with hurt/comfort, vulnerability, and moments of genuine tenderness. The nicknames “Mouse” and “Ghost” are surprisingly intimate and endearing, capturing the soft, guarded sides of both men in a way that lingers long after the final page. The representation of depression and mental health is handled with honesty and care—raw without being overly dramatic, and truly reflective of real-life struggles.

Set against the backdrop of a dying hockey town and an underground fight-club-style league, Jaded adds enough grit and atmosphere to make the emotional moments hit even harder. Some pacing issues in the middle and underdeveloped side characters keep this from being a five-star read, but the connection between Nat and Olli shines. This is an emotional, bruised, and beautiful start to the Day River Dingoes series.

I received this book for free from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.