I’m just suggesting a super casual outing where we do some low-key ogling

Common Goal was very readable, but perhaps suffered from having been read after a string of excellent books. While I read it quickly and enjoyed it while I read it, it hasn’t stayed with me. It also suffers a bit in comparison to Reid’s Heated Rivalry, a book that captured magic. Eric and Kyle’s story is much gentler, and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s a 3.5 star read.

Eric is recently divorced, getting ready for the end of his hockey career and thinking about exploring his attraction to men. Kyle is a grad student and a bartender at a gay bar frequented by Scott and Kip from Game Changer. They meet at Scott and Kip’s engagement party and gradually become friends, initially bonding over art and ignoring their attraction. The age gap between them bothers them both, but for different reasons. Kyle has a history of being attracted to older man and those relationships ending badly. Eric doesn’t want to take advantage of Kyle’s youth.

Eventually, Eric confesses to Kyle that he is bi, but has never dated or had sex with a man. He feels embarrassed by his lack of experience. Kyle volunteers to teach Eric how to pick up men and how to have sex with a man. Part of the joy is reading these two who very clearly have feelings for each other pretend they do not have feelings for each other while having sexy times. Reid definitely has a way with people being dumb about their feelings.

Eric and Kyle are lovely characters, essentially kind and caring. While there’s nothing wrong with Common Goal, it didn’t sparkle for me. It will be someone else’s catnip though.

I received this as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.