Glasgow Lads on Ice Series by Avery Cockburn

In a sport where Murphy’s Law rules supreme, one slip can mean falling behind—or falling in love. 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... moreIn a sport where Murphy’s Law rules supreme, one slip can mean falling behind—or falling in love. 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. less

Garen McLaren is a bit of a mess. But so what? His curling teammates adore his manic energy, and so do the kids he teaches. And nobody does Christmas like Garen. (Snow globes in October? Why not? ) He’s vowed to make this year’s holiday the best ever, despite his hot but Scrooge-y new flatmate. Simon Andreou is a bit of a control freak. The pressures of a new job in a new city are making his head spin... moreGaren McLaren is a bit of a mess. But so what? His curling teammates adore his manic energy, and so do the kids he teaches. And nobody does Christmas like Garen. (Snow globes in October? Why not? ) He’s vowed to make this year’s holiday the best ever, despite his hot but Scrooge-y new flatmate. Simon Andreou is a bit of a control freak. The pressures of a new job in a new city are making his head spin. The last thing he needs is an agent of chaos like Garen for a flatmate—much less the memory of their single naked night together. Just as this odd couple are fumbling toward friendship, a debilitating setback steals Simon’s precious control over life and limb. To be there for Simon, Garen must learn to stop running away when things get tough. And Simon must learn that accepting kindness can be a gift in itself—at Christmas and all year through. This holiday season, treat yourself to this heartwarming stand-alone novel where love defies fear and gingerbread defies gravity! less