My Brother’s Enemy by Tijan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tyler Griffin is gorgeous, ruthless, and arrogant.
He’s also one of the best hockey players in the National Hockey League.
Not known to be a fighter on the ice, he has no problem dropping the gloves at the same time.
The sweet side of he has a twin sister that he would do anything for, including disregarding any rules if they mean he can’t protect who he loves.

I know all of this about Tyler because I know him.
We grew up in neighboring towns.
He played against my brothers and ironically, he still does because my brothers are also NHL franchise stars.

The rivalry was in high school.
We’re all adults now.
That means certain grudges should be forgotten…

Wrong.

The rivalry is very much alive.
The hatred is visceral between my brothers and Tyler.
As for myself, I have my own complicated relationship with my brothers.
But things are about to get heated because the NHL team that I recently accepted a position to work for just traded for a certain star Tyler Griffin.

He’s the enemy to both of my brothers, but he’s also mine.

From Rivals to Romance: A Sports Love Story

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️🩷
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍🤓🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: My Brother’s Enemy

Author: Tijan
Genre: Sports Romance
Narrators: Andi Arndt and Tor Thom

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Dylan Rain Conners

Dylan Rain Conners is a woman caught between strength and vulnerability. Living in Kansas City, she impulsively buys a handgun — a decision that shocks even herself, since she can’t bear to touch it, let alone use it for the purpose she intended. Rain is a respected sports psychologist and behavioral consultant, known for her discretion when working with professional teams. With a doctorate in professional athletics, she’s built a career on trust and confidentiality. When a call from Minnesota — the place she spent half her life — pulls her back, she agrees to meet the mysterious caller, knowing that athletes often guard their need for therapy like a secret.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Tyler Griffin

Tyler Griffin is the quintessential hockey star — drafted five years ago, leading New York to five consecutive Stanley Cups, and living under the glare of fame. But beneath the spotlight lies a man scarred by loss. A call from his twin sister Skylar shatters him, echoing the morning he learned of his parents’ fatal accident. His regret deepens when he discovers a hookup filming him for gossip fodder, a reminder of how fame can erode trust. Tyler’s world shifts in that moment, forcing him to confront heartbreak and reevaluate the life he’s built.

📚 The Plot

Rain’s return to Minnesota brings her face-to-face with Mal Benwa, a former hockey player turned representative for the Minnesota Gray Wolves NHL tea. Though wary of hockey — her estranged brothers are NHL stars, and her family ties are fractured — Mal tempts her with an irresistible offer: a lucrative role helping the Gray’s transform into champions. Rain accepts, but only under strict conditions: her family connections must remain hidden, and she will avoid games against her brothers’ teams.

What she doesn’t realize is that the team’s newest trade is none other than Tyler Griffin — the boy from the next town over, her brothers’ fiercest rival, and the man she secretly crushed on in high school. Their collision course is inevitable, and sparks fly as past grudges, buried pain, and undeniable attraction intertwine.

🌟 Strengths

• Rain’s lingering high school crush on Tyler adds delicious tension, rekindled in adulthood with even more intensity.
• Both protagonists carry heavy emotional baggage, making their growth authentic and compelling.
• The story thrives on originality and unpredictability, with twists that genuinely surprise.
• Watching a famous athlete wrestle with jealousy flips the usual sports-romance dynamic, adding fresh energy.
• Strong character development extends beyond the leads, with supporting characters enriching the narrative.

💔 Limitations

• Rain’s struggles are poignant, but her tendency to dwell on her pain occasionally slows the pacing. While her grief feels real and lasting, the repetition risks overshadowing her resilience.

🎙️ Narration

Told in dual POV through duet narration, the audiobook features Tor Thom and Andi Arndt. Though their voices sound slightly older than the characters, both deliver performances full of nuance. Arndt’s clear, emotive tone captures Rain’s vulnerability beautifully, while Thom’s deep, commanding voice embodies Tyler’s physical presence and emotional turmoil. His ability to differentiate characters keeps the listening experience natural and immersive.

💬 Final Assessment

This audiobook blends sports, romance, and emotional healing into a story that feels both intimate and unpredictable. Rain and Tyler’s journey is layered with family estrangement, fame’s pitfalls, and the ache of unresolved attraction. With strong narration and surprising twists, it’s a sports romance that stands out for its originality and emotional depth.

I voluntarily listened to & reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

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