The Crease

I see you! Only 3 words but such a powerful impact! I see you, just you, not the public persona, not the projection you think someone is, not the talented player! They can build a person from scratch or destroy them if they lack sincerity and conviction. Max Latham has been waiting his whole life to hear them. Just when everything comes crashing down because of yet another unwanted media scandal with him at its epicenter, these words finally come from a totally unexpected place, from someone he never thought would notice him. And they are wrapped in an irresistible package with so much genuine care that Max is blindsided. Why right now, why Deryke? A guy who he has seen only in passing, will stop him from spiralling. He's not the only one confused and lost. Deryke is equally blinded by the frantic desire to take care of Max, to protect him, to get to know him. I'm not a fan of hockey novels, but even though the characters are professional hockey players and hockey is the only life they know, this isn't a hockey-centric book with all the endless terms /that flew right over my head/, wins and losses,sport politics or the game itself. It's a heavy emotional read about the life behind the rink and the lights; a story about the internal battles, struggles and hurdles, every player face in different ways behind closed doors. The Crease tells the story of Max and Deryke during the summer break between hockey seasons. Crea Reitan is a master at capturing real emotions and beautifully incorporating them into her books. And these emotions are so strong and vibrant, they color the pages and the reading experience in a way nobody could be indifferent to what's happening or why. For me, personally, it's deeply thought-provoking. I truly admired Deryke's larger than life personality- the way he picked up the pieces of Max and glued them back together. And not only that but such a heartwarming bi awakening laced with humour and easy acceptance. Max and Deryke clicked together on a deep, visceral level but it wasn't easy with the demons of insecurity and mistrust, plaguing Max. The most important- Deryke won the fight with the demons and I had wonderful time reading about it.