Back to Center

Mohegan U Hockey, Book 2

By: Ryan Taylor, Joshua Harwood

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

Eckie:

There are ways to get ahead in college hockey, but having a meltdown, trying to get rid of your coach, and stalking his boyfriend isn’t one of them. Is it really a surprise that I wound up in a hospital facing my demons instead of getting ready to play for the pros and taking care of my baby? I needed the world’s biggest redo, but the probability of a second chance was about the same as….

Jack Rogan walking through the door. But there he was! Jack was one of my coaches, and I was pretty sure he was straight. His easy laugh and sympathetic ear put a smile on my face. He made me believe I could turn my life around. But as much as I liked him, I knew I had to put my fantasies aside. With obligations to meet and amends to make, I didn’t have time to obsess about a guy who was out of my reach.

So why did I say yes when he offered me a place to stay while I got on my feet?

Jack:

I was done with relationships. A fractured heart had made sure my walls were high, and my shields were strong. There wasn’t a man I couldn’t resist—until Eckie.

After driving everyone away in an avalanche of self-destruction, he was getting much needed help, and I wondered if I should go see him. A single visit turned into the best part of every day, and I was hooked. When I was with Eckie, the world made sense again. There were only two years separating us, but since I was one of his coaches, spending time together was dangerous. If we kept it up, who knew what I might do?

Maybe something brilliant, like asking him to stay with me when he left the hospital. I knew it was risky, and I told myself I was only being a friend. But the truth was, I liked feeling things again.Eckie was seeking redemption; Jack was trying to do the right thing. Neither planned on anything beyond friendship. Will following their hearts leave them worse than before, or will they find what they’ve needed all along?

©2023 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood (P)2023 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Eckie and Jack

"𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆."

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, the second book in the Mohegan U Hockey series by Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood is Eckie and Jack's story.

Eckie has hit rock bottom and the only thing left to do is finally get the help he needs. Eckie did not expect Jack to support him in his journey and become a great friend and then eventually so much more with Eckie and his little man.

Eckie and Jack both have demons from their past and are on paths to healing. They build a friendship that grows into so much more. Eckie truly does redeem himself from book one and is such a great dad. I am enjoying this series and am excited to see what comes next.

Alexander Cendese does another great job of narrating the story and bringing the characters to life but I am not totally convinced he is the right fit for all of Ryan and Josh's characters. I totally agree with Alexander as Eckie but not as Jack, but that's just me.

Get ready for... sports (hockey), coach/player, college, friends to lovers, single dad, hurt/comfort, mm, and dual first-person point of view.

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 has a heat level of 3 flames and gets 4 maple leafs!

What a redemption!!

Oh, I absolutely loved Jack and Eckie’s story!! I was kind of hesitant with Josh and Ryan tackling such a unique redemption story, but I will never doubt their skills again! They went above and beyond your typical redemption, adding Levi in the mix was an additional bonus.

Eckie turned himself completely around, successfully completing a 180 in his therapeutic journey, familial relationship, and hockey career. Absolutely loved Josh’s role in his redemption, as he was his biggest supporter.

This was my first audio with Alexander Cendese as the narrator and did he deliver! Vocals play a primitive role in an audiobook and some just don’t have what it takes to bring the characters to life, but Alexander added an additional layer to this wonderful masterpiece!

Eckie!!!

When I read the first book I was immediately infatuated with what Eckies story could be! The authors truly brought his story to life and didn’t disappoint ! It did take me a few chapters to fully get invested but once I did it took off from there. Alexander Cendese did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life and I want more!!

Great Story

I loved the story so much that it felt like it was over too soon. Cendese’s narration once again did not disappoint. The story flowed - the characters were distinct enough to keep them clear.

The Redemption of Eckie

Narration: This was pretty on par with book 1. I didn't have to speed it up a ton like I tend to do with a few others. The pacing and voices were enjoyable. They fit the MCs and nothing beats when they get all breathless during the steam. ;)

Review: I honestly didn't know how to feel when I heard that the next book in the Mohegan U Hockey series was going to be about Eckie. I finished listening to Cracks in the Ice really disliking him. This is not surprising since Eckie was a jerk and quite frankly a bully throughout that book. He even went so far as to locking Cole in a room with him, terrifying the guy. It was no wonder Benny pulled Eckie from the hockey team, which in turn furthered his mental health decline. Thankfully, I think that was the push Eckie needed to take some control of his spiraling by checking himself into the hospital for treatment.

While getting treatment at the hospital over the Summer, Jack, the assistant coach of the Mohegan hockey team, pays him a visit. Surprised by the complete 180 in attitude, Jack continues his visits almost daily. The two get to know one another and become incredibly close. Jack is Eckie's first true friend. He sees something in him. He believes in him so much that when Eckie gets discharged and has no place to go, Jack sweetly offers his spare room to help Eckie get on his feet. However, it doesn't stay his room for long because it turns out there's more to their feelings than friendship.

I applaud the authors for their mental health rep. Depression is no joke and it often gets swept under the rug as something less than other mental health issues. I was happy to see it get the respect and spotlight it deserved. This book had a lot of talking about feelings and emotions as that is something Eckie was taught by his doctors to help him mentally. I do have to admit, that there is a fair amount of crying that occurs. Doesn't matter if it's a happy or upsetting occasion, tears are flowing more than what I'm used to in a sports romance. I guess I've just been more exposed to the toxic masculinity environment that can be seen in male dominated sports. Despite the tears, this one ends on a lovely HEA giving both men their dreams and each other. Exactly the way a romance should end if you ask me.

A redemption story you won't soon forget

Narration:

Alexander Cendese did a wonderful job portraying every emotion portrayed throughout this story. He had me falling in love with Back to Center all over again. He brings a level of reliability to the characters with his narration. I enjoy listening to him, and I can't help but grin when he's speaking in my ear. He's easily one of my favorite narrators for good reason. He's just fun and charming, and he brings the story to life very well.

Storyline:

When I first met Eckie, I could tell there was something in him that said there was more than meets the eye. Don't get me wrong, he was a class act (and not the good kind), but there was something behind his behavior, and I hoped we would learn more about him. When I heard that the second book in the series was going to be his, I was ecstatic. I love, love, love a redemption story. Like Coach, Benny Caldwell says, "Everyone needs a second chance now and then." This is Eckie's, and he makes the most of it.

From the moment Back to Center began, my heart ached for Eckie. We get to see his dad's horrid behavior right from the start. It gives you a very good look into exactly what Eckie has had to deal with his whole life, and it's just unacceptable. Don't even get me started on parents like his. It sets the tone for what's to come because, unfortunately for Eckie and those he loves, this is not the last we see of his dad.

As I write my review, I'm drawn back into all the emotions this book has invoked. That is a sign of a very well-written book. This book will have you going through a range of emotions, most of which are positive, I assure you. It had me laughing, goofy grinning, shocked, excited, emotional, enraged, and last but certainly not least, incredibly happy and satisfied.

I loved Eckie and Jack's relationship from the start. You can feel the sincerity and the depth of their feelings when Jack walks into Eckie's room to see if he needs a ride. I enjoyed the pace and the realism of it. As happy as I was for Eckie to have Jack in his life, Eckie had just as much to offer Jack. Jack had his heart shattered and had his struggles. They are there for each other as equals. So even though this is Eckie's redemption story, it's also so much more.

I can't write a review for this book and leave out two things–hockey and Levi, Eckie's adorable baby boy. The authors continue to keep us on our toes with exciting scenes of hockey games and even practices. This is not a hockey book in name only. It's true–there's not as much hockey as their previous series, Bethesda Barracudas Hockey, but they did not leave us hanging or missing out. I enjoyed it all. And Levi? Such a sweet baby that felt just as real as the rest of the story. These authors are "The Kings of Details" in my book. They will have you not only feeling the story but living it as well. I can't stop thinking about it. I already want to read it again.

If you haven't read any of their books, I highly suggest you start with this series. This book can easily be read on its own. You will see some things in book one where Eckie wasn't nice AT ALL, but this book is written so that you will not be confused or lost if you start here. I am notorious for reading series out of order, and from my experience with these authors and their books, I stand by their statement that it's a standalone.

If you have read their other books, you will recognize a few guest appearances at the training camp. I love when past characters make appearances in future books. It's like running into an old friend. Not to worry if you don't know these guys, as that, too, doesn't affect the story. It will, however, pique your curiosity.

I can't get enough of these authors' books. They just keep getting better and better! I'm already dying to read the next book. Fingers crossed for a book for Mad Dog. I may or may not have fallen in love with him. He may not seem like whom you picture for the nickname, Mad Dog, but, well... you'll see. You NEED to read this book. It will make a lasting impression and leave you in a blissful state of the best book hangover you've ever had. Read it, and you shall see.

Redemption done right

I was hesitant to listen to Eckie's story since he was such a horrible character in book 1, but I am SO GLAD I bought it.


This book was such a beautiful book 😍 It wasn't just a great redemption story, but it also stressed the importance of mental health very well. Mental health can be so tricky to express well in books especially fiction books, but that is not the case here.
This book is full of love, compassion, forgiveness, friendships mended and friendships built, second chances earned and given It truly is a wonderful book One that can be read more than once. The HEA was so dang beautiful ❤️

I loved it!

Alexander Cendese did a fantastic job performing this story. I loved it when I read it with my eyes and even more listening to it! There really isn't much else I can say that I didn't say in my original review so I'm pasting a copy of it below:

I absolutely love it when a pretty horrible secondary character in one book gets redemption as an MC in his own story. After reading Cracks in the Ice (book one in this series) I was so hoping that Eckie would get his own book. While each book in this series can be read as a standalone, I hope you will read book one first. I think reading that story will give you a better appreciation of who Eckie becomes in Back to Center.

Eckie has overcome so many things during the summer after he has his huge meltdown. He spent time in an inpatient center getting treated for his extreme depression. His type of depression resulted in him acting out rather than folding inward and hiding from life. He’s ready to start his new life and can only hope that he can get his scholarship reinstated.

Jack never intended to keep visiting Eckie while he was getting treatment; he thought it would just be a one-time thing. He was surprised to find himself enjoying the time they spent together and even more surprised when he offers Eckie a place to stay when he is released from the hospital.

This story really got to me in a lot of ways. Depression is something I can relate to even though I don’t know anyone who has the type that Eckie has. I liked how Eckie used the techniques he learned during treatment to help keep himself centered when life throws things at him. His relationship with Jack starts out as friends and slowly evolves into more. Eckie showed so much maturity when he insisted on keeping his relationship with Jack from going too far until his divorce was final.

This is a fairly low angst story but there were some pretty tense moments when Eckie’s crazy parents went even more crazy than I could imagine. Eckie’s ex-wife also showed a lot of maturity and I thought it was great how the two of them eventually ended up as friends and wanted only the best for their son.

I have to note that I’ll probably never be much of a sports fan but I’ve been enjoying learning about hockey from the many stories I’ve read by this writing duo as well as a few other favorite authors. I’m really looking forward to whatever Taylor and Harwood write next.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What a surprise!!!

Having been introduced to Eckie in another book by these authors, I was wholeheartedly prepared to not like Wckie. They wrote a heartwarming story of redemption, accepting one’s true self, and falling in love with your soulmate. This is a wonderful love story in a college hockey team setting that I highly recommend. It will brighten your day! The narrator does an excellent job performing the story.

Fabulous!!

Alexander Cendese took an absolutely wonderful book and added a whole new dimension. This is the best redemption story! It’s exciting, sweet, steamy and just plain heartwarming. Eckie, you and Jack deserve all the good things!💜