Oliver Doyle needs to win. After his reign as one of Canada's top curlers is cut short by scandal, he arrives in Glasgow to coach Scotland's next big team to a national championship. All that stands in the way of Oliver's redemption is a band of upstarts led by an infuriatingly cute skip.

Luca Riley needs to chill. Or so he's always believed, crafting a Zen-like serenity to carry his underdog curlers to the edge of greatness. To reach Nationals, Team Riley just have to keep calm and beat their arch-rivals--and their hot new Canadian coach--in one final bonspiel.

Luca and Oliver form an instant, irresistible bond. For the first time, Oliver shares the secret shame that's kept him off the ice for years, and Luca finds true acceptance for who he is. As the tournament races toward a nail-biting climax, Oliver must face his past before it consumes him again. And Luca must choose between the dream he can taste and the man he could love.

*** 3 indecisive stars ***

"Hey, this means Warriors have finally got all the letters in LGBT!"

I struggled to get involved with the characters, and finish the story. Robert was a sweetheart. Liam was an indecisive prick sometimes. I feel Robert deserved to be treated a lot better than he was by Liam.

"We don't work the way we used to." Liam's chest tightened. Here it comes. A minute from now, my BFF will be my BFNMBNLFYST (Best Friend No More Because Nothing Lasts Forever You Stupid Twit).

"It's my fault," Robert said. "I know it. You know it."

You kinda was a twit, Liam. I didn't really understand what your problem was to get together! They both had been pining for each other for a while. I kinda expected a great build up, of the getting together, but they

A lot of back and forth, is what.

I dipped into 2-2,5 stars rating at some point, but I settled on a bit generous 3 stars. I'm still continuing with the series, though, when the next books are out.

Ben's eyes went tender as they rose to meet Robert's. "That's him, isn't it?" He gave Robert an affectionate shoulder bump. "The one you want?"

Aw, that was a sweet scene. And hello to Ben. I'm kinda relived the scene leading up to this quote didn't come to anything. Heh, double meaning there too. LOL

**** 4,5 grand stars ****

 

"I cannae leave you." He pressed his lips to Andrew's ear. "I need you."

 

"You can't win me back." Andrew swallowed to keep from choking on his tears. "You can't win back what you never lost."

What a grand story! I don't think I've ever used the word grand before describing a book, but this really was. I'm very impressed with the author with how she managed to make this book about so many subjects, the biggest being politics, but still make it a great romance!

Colin is from "the bottom" of society, and Lord Andrew is from "the top". They are very different, have very different opinions and values, they were raised differently. They're basically from opposite worlds. Still, they find common ground and fall in love, even though the road to get there is filled with bumps.

The setting for this story is the Scottish referendum for independence taking place in September, 2014. As Cockburn says in her post script:

(...) the referendum was more than background for the story. It was the story. Yes or No, "indyref" would change the lives of modern-day Scots--especially young Scots like Colin and Andrew, brand-new adults still searching for their place in the world. (...) 

Though Colin and Andrew are fictional characters, all historical details in this book are accurate to the best of my knowledge.

So not only are the two main characters from opposite sides of the society, but they're also on opposite sides of Scottish independence. And they're not alone either, since they both experience pressure from their own "worlds".

What I really loved about this story was how much the story (and the characters) developed and progressed. Looking back on the start of the book now, it started out as an ordinary/normal opposite attracts story, but it turned into something much more grander. I'm really in awe. The story of Colin and Andrew was so much deeper than what I had expected! And I also learned something. I felt I got a deeper look into Scotland, and its people.

The book felt so real. So honest. So, well grand. Even though the results of the referendum is know, Cockburn still managed to do a spin on it, and surprise and awe me.

Colin and Andrew are the best!

Highly recommended!

Oh, and kilts. ;)

Wow, those last 20-30% tho!