This series is working for me so far. Each book is a complete standalone. The only thing in common is that the main characters are hockey players who are about to retire, or forced to retire due to different circumstances, thus have to figure out if they want to continue with playing hockey or is there something better out there for them.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say Marek Hafer is related to Vic Kalinski or they're in close acquaintance. Marek is the tamer version of Victor, less like an asshole. He's like a sweet teddy bear.

Upon meeting Shey, his next door neighbor who is a yoga teacher, he's instantly enamored and also a little annoyed. He's not just gonna start drinking tea and get up at the ass crack of dawn to meditate just to impress the guy. Nooo, that's not Marek.

When everyone expects him to be the tough guy on the ice, he realizes he doesn't want that anymore, even though his anger gets the better of him from time to time. But Shey makes him want to be a better person. And he's really trying. Past mistakes and hurt feelings come to the surface and he works really hard to redeem himself.

So all in all, I found Marek really endearing, even in his brutish moments, and the way he behaved towards Shey made me want to constantly hug him.
Looking forward to the next. ( )