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Wyncote Wolves #4
The Faceoff
Eden
After experiencing a nasty break-up during my freshman year, there is one type of guy that I refuse to get involved with.
Anyone from the university’s hockey team.
Hayden King is arrogant, cocky, has a reputation for being a playboy and there isn’t a single thing about him that I like.
One drunken summer night turns into a bad decision with Hayden. One that I swear that I’ll never make again.
But once senior year starts, I can’t seem to get away from him. He’s everywhere I go, everywhere I turn.
He’s under my skin and I find myself making mistake after mistake with him.
We better learn from our mistakes before our hearts get involved…
Hayden
Eden Finley is as cold as the ice that she skates on.
She’s the best figure skater at Wyncote University and I don’t know how I missed her when I first came here.
After one night with her over the summer, I can’t get her out of my head.
She has a chip on her shoulder, a nasty attitude and she hates my guts.
Which all only makes her more appealing.
I live for the chase, for the challenge.
And Eden Finley has no idea what she’s gotten herself into….
318 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2022
About the author
Cali Melle
39 books1,509 followersCali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
November 6, 2022
Despite her trepidation to become involved with another hockey player, Eden Finley is unable to deny the chemistry and intoxication she feels every time Hayden King is near.
Persistent in his pursuit, Hayden is determined to thaw her icy façade. However, Eden, a figure skater working toward her Olympic dreams has neither the time nor interest in anything more than the enemies-to-lovers arrangement she settles on with the playboy hockey star. Yet, feelings quickly get in the way of their no strings setup.
While not a particularly novel storyline, I really liked the characters and their journey to HEA. It was a sweet and steamy, fast-paced read. Just what I was in the mood to read.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥵🤫🥵🥺😘
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: College, Enemies-to-Lovers, One Night Stand, Fcuk Buddies
💋 Kinks: n/a
⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
🚩 Safety Squad: OW Drama
📣 Type: The Faceoff is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Persistent in his pursuit, Hayden is determined to thaw her icy façade. However, Eden, a figure skater working toward her Olympic dreams has neither the time nor interest in anything more than the enemies-to-lovers arrangement she settles on with the playboy hockey star. Yet, feelings quickly get in the way of their no strings setup.
While not a particularly novel storyline, I really liked the characters and their journey to HEA. It was a sweet and steamy, fast-paced read. Just what I was in the mood to read.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥵🤫🥵🥺😘
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: College, Enemies-to-Lovers, One Night Stand, Fcuk Buddies
💋 Kinks: n/a
⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
🚩 Safety Squad: OW Drama
📣 Type: The Faceoff is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
November 17, 2022
The lesson here is: Don’t trust booktok all the time guys. instant love can be good if its written the right way & this was not. The author’s style is also very tell-not-show. I kept a running list of all the inconsistencies and things and quotes I did not like so here they are:
“There’s something about the softness in his eyes, the parts of him he keeps hidden from the world and shields with his playboy facade. I’m not saying he isn’t a playboy, because I know about Hayden and his history. But there’s a softer side, hiding behind the arrogance he constantly emits. There are layers to him, yet no one takes the time to notice.” She says this during their THIRD time talking. And in the two times before this, they didn’t have conversations that lasted more than 8 minutes.
“We had a one-night stand over the summer and sure, we’ve had a few run-ins since then… but what could possibly be going on in that mind of his that involves me?” THIS WAS SAID, I KID YOU NOT, TWO PAGES AFTER THE QUOTE BEFORE THIS. Like please girl. You’re right. He doesn’t know ANYTHING about you except your name. Which he only figured out the LAST time he saw you. Now you think you know whats underneath? But actually you don’t because it’s a one night stand?
“I hate leaving her here like this, but I recognize the guy she’s talking to. I didn’t notice at first, but it’s someone she’s been hanging out with occasionally. I can’t remember his name for the life of me, though.” She says about her best friend. How convenient.
“I want to taste you, baby. Your attitude might be salty, but I have a feeling this pussy tastes sweeter than heaven.” I don’t even have words for this one.
60% in you learn that his parents never trusted that he could make it in hockey and its legit an inner dialogue for a page and then it’s never touched on again. He never opens up to her about it. She never knows. In fact they don’t know anything about each other’s home life or family.
“I know the guys have mentioned before that Eden only cares about Eden, but I’ve seen a different side of her.” — You literally havent? You’ve fucked 3 times & hung out maybe 5 times total at this point, and none of it was a conversation that was open or deeper than “I cant get you out of my head” and “you’re just like the other hockey playboys, you’re just gonna hit it and quit it!” Shut up.
Also, if the author ends a chapter with a “….” one more time, like enough is enough.
Written 70%: SHES IN LOVE WITH HIM? THEY BARELY TALK. THERES LITERALLY A WHOLE PAGE OF HIS DIALOGUE WHERE HE JUST COMPLAINS THAT SHE NEVER OPENS UP.
In the span of a chapter at 91% in, she sees him talking to a girl, leaves the bar, tries to go home, he catches up to her, explains, she says she doesnt believe him, he tells her he loves her, she says it back & they fuck. thats the big fight? thats the groveling?
Six months later. He proposes.
Also the smut was bad.
“There’s something about the softness in his eyes, the parts of him he keeps hidden from the world and shields with his playboy facade. I’m not saying he isn’t a playboy, because I know about Hayden and his history. But there’s a softer side, hiding behind the arrogance he constantly emits. There are layers to him, yet no one takes the time to notice.” She says this during their THIRD time talking. And in the two times before this, they didn’t have conversations that lasted more than 8 minutes.
“We had a one-night stand over the summer and sure, we’ve had a few run-ins since then… but what could possibly be going on in that mind of his that involves me?” THIS WAS SAID, I KID YOU NOT, TWO PAGES AFTER THE QUOTE BEFORE THIS. Like please girl. You’re right. He doesn’t know ANYTHING about you except your name. Which he only figured out the LAST time he saw you. Now you think you know whats underneath? But actually you don’t because it’s a one night stand?
“I hate leaving her here like this, but I recognize the guy she’s talking to. I didn’t notice at first, but it’s someone she’s been hanging out with occasionally. I can’t remember his name for the life of me, though.” She says about her best friend. How convenient.
“I want to taste you, baby. Your attitude might be salty, but I have a feeling this pussy tastes sweeter than heaven.” I don’t even have words for this one.
60% in you learn that his parents never trusted that he could make it in hockey and its legit an inner dialogue for a page and then it’s never touched on again. He never opens up to her about it. She never knows. In fact they don’t know anything about each other’s home life or family.
“I know the guys have mentioned before that Eden only cares about Eden, but I’ve seen a different side of her.” — You literally havent? You’ve fucked 3 times & hung out maybe 5 times total at this point, and none of it was a conversation that was open or deeper than “I cant get you out of my head” and “you’re just like the other hockey playboys, you’re just gonna hit it and quit it!” Shut up.
Also, if the author ends a chapter with a “….” one more time, like enough is enough.
Written 70%: SHES IN LOVE WITH HIM? THEY BARELY TALK. THERES LITERALLY A WHOLE PAGE OF HIS DIALOGUE WHERE HE JUST COMPLAINS THAT SHE NEVER OPENS UP.
In the span of a chapter at 91% in, she sees him talking to a girl, leaves the bar, tries to go home, he catches up to her, explains, she says she doesnt believe him, he tells her he loves her, she says it back & they fuck. thats the big fight? thats the groveling?
Six months later. He proposes.
Also the smut was bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2023
For something labeled as an enemies to lovers…the enemies weren’t even really enemies and the angst lasted maybe 2 chapters and then he was like deeply in love…
ugh enemies to lovers just shouldn’t be referenced in the title of this book…false advertising.
Without thinking about that aspect…the book lacked personality. The first 10% was really good which kept me reading but the writing lacked description and fell flat for me.
The characters felt boring and they weren’t real. (I know they’re not but i don’t want to feel that way when i’m reading a book). They were just super disingenuous in my eyes.
The concept was there but the pace of the book was too fast and it felt disingenuous. If you put a book in 5X speed it would be this book🫢 I wish the author spent a little more time on character building and descriptive words.
SPOILER - how do they have sex a few times and hang out once (maybe twice) and they’re in love with each other? i’m sorry but that’s not love…that’s a red flag girl RUN
(i wanted to DNF this but I really wanted to review it and i feel like you can’t fully review a book without reading it all and you know when i write long reviews…the book was either really good or really not good)
I will say there were some really beautiful lines in this book but just not quite enough to be a good book. Also really great first two smut scenes😍
2/5⭐️
ugh enemies to lovers just shouldn’t be referenced in the title of this book…false advertising.
Without thinking about that aspect…the book lacked personality. The first 10% was really good which kept me reading but the writing lacked description and fell flat for me.
The characters felt boring and they weren’t real. (I know they’re not but i don’t want to feel that way when i’m reading a book). They were just super disingenuous in my eyes.
The concept was there but the pace of the book was too fast and it felt disingenuous. If you put a book in 5X speed it would be this book🫢 I wish the author spent a little more time on character building and descriptive words.
SPOILER - how do they have sex a few times and hang out once (maybe twice) and they’re in love with each other? i’m sorry but that’s not love…that’s a red flag girl RUN
(i wanted to DNF this but I really wanted to review it and i feel like you can’t fully review a book without reading it all and you know when i write long reviews…the book was either really good or really not good)
I will say there were some really beautiful lines in this book but just not quite enough to be a good book. Also really great first two smut scenes😍
2/5⭐️
November 8, 2022
Cali Melle is becoming a queen of the quick and spicy hockey read. And I loved how in Faceoff we also get a figure skating trope as well- double the ice, double the fun. This whole crew is a lot of fun, and Cali balances great spice and heat in these feel good, fast-paced, light reads.
This one has a bit more angst, as our heroine has a bit of a bias against hockey players, and so these two have a bit of frenemies vibes, though it doesn't really feel enemies to me since our hero is trying to thaw our figure skating ice queen. Hayden is super delightful as a book boyfriend- not your typical "jock"- he's forthcoming and open and puts it all out there. And he wants more with Eden. Eden's baggage by past hockey player dating, so she's pretty stubborn. While I got her hesitation, at times she felt a bit static- but I don't love paper-thin and immovably biased as a character arc in general. Fortunately, she I liked her sass, and once these two hit a stride, I liked her more. Cali gives us lots of spice in this one- perhaps the spiciest yet, and I really loved the ending. Overall, its another cute story.
This one has a bit more angst, as our heroine has a bit of a bias against hockey players, and so these two have a bit of frenemies vibes, though it doesn't really feel enemies to me since our hero is trying to thaw our figure skating ice queen. Hayden is super delightful as a book boyfriend- not your typical "jock"- he's forthcoming and open and puts it all out there. And he wants more with Eden. Eden's baggage by past hockey player dating, so she's pretty stubborn. While I got her hesitation, at times she felt a bit static- but I don't love paper-thin and immovably biased as a character arc in general. Fortunately, she I liked her sass, and once these two hit a stride, I liked her more. Cali gives us lots of spice in this one- perhaps the spiciest yet, and I really loved the ending. Overall, its another cute story.
November 3, 2022
This book was 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 I needed in my life and 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮!! The leading ladies keep getting sassier and the leading men more swoony!! Gahhh this book hit me in the feels 100%!!
𝓗𝓪𝔂𝓭𝓮𝓷 and 𝓔𝓭𝓮𝓷 were damn near perfection. I couldn't put this down. I devoured it. They captivated me and had me rooting for them nonstop. Dare I say my favorite couple? Pretty sure King kicked Daddy August to the curb in the top spot for book boyfriend!
One night, one bad decision - brought them together. The pull was strong with these two. Trying to keep the distance only lasted so long and then destiny stepped in. Their chemistry was pure 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮. They set my kindle a blaze! Enemies to benefits always bring the heat and this one did not disappoint.
Can't wait to read the next one in this series!!
𝓗𝓪𝔂𝓭𝓮𝓷 and 𝓔𝓭𝓮𝓷 were damn near perfection. I couldn't put this down. I devoured it. They captivated me and had me rooting for them nonstop. Dare I say my favorite couple? Pretty sure King kicked Daddy August to the curb in the top spot for book boyfriend!
One night, one bad decision - brought them together. The pull was strong with these two. Trying to keep the distance only lasted so long and then destiny stepped in. Their chemistry was pure 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮. They set my kindle a blaze! Enemies to benefits always bring the heat and this one did not disappoint.
Can't wait to read the next one in this series!!
September 2, 2025
Book 4 in the Wyncote Wolves series, FMC Eden wants nothing to do with hockey players, but a one nightstand with cocky Hayden King begins repeating over and over before they both are in too deep to walk away. He fell first, and he fell way too fast. Definitely an instalove type romance, it all just was hard to feel connected because it lacked the tension, will they, won’t they, I crave.
November 11, 2022
***4 "Enemies with benefits!!!" stars***
"You want me to be your bad decision?"
Each addition in this series is becoming more delicious than the previous one!!!
I was anticipating Hayden King's story and it took me by surprise how much he got into Eden very fast...
Eden was a broken angel and she was refusing to give her heart to someone who might damage her again...
These two had started simple, but when things are really simple and easy???
"I'm terrified to get lost in his stormy waters. Because I know that once I'm lost in them, I will never come back for air. I'd drown in Hayden King, letting him drag me to the bottom of his ocean."
Eden and Hayden had spent a drunken night together back in summer and they kept on with their lives....
As the new semester is starting, they are getting all the time in each other's way and the sparkle that started that night is becoming something bigger...
But there are complications between them... Hayden is a notorious player in the campus who has declared that he would never be in a relationship and Eden who has burnt in the past by a hockey player is hating everything that Hayden represents...
Still... it is impossible to not repeat the same mistake over and over again...
"She might hate me, but I'm intrigued. And the more she gives me her anger and challenges me, the more I want to play with her."
I really liked these two... They were just perfect for each other, even when they were fooling themselves...
Eden got under Hayden's skin very soon and even though she thought she hated him, his attention was making the ice around her heart to melt little by little...
Can these two defend the odds and commited to each other when there is not an option for a future together?? Or are they bound for a heartbreak???
"I don't know what we're doing anymore, but we're sure as fuck playing with fire. And we're bound to get burned."
Honestly, I thought very little of Hayden before, but he proved me wrong in here!!!
Yes, he was a player but with Eden, he was a different man and I loved him for that!!!
Eden was afraid to let go and I can totally understand her hesitations but from time to time, she was overreacting!!!
Still.. these two had made a deal and this deal was the beginning of the end... Or was it the beginning for something great and permanent???
"Why are you here, Hayden?"
"Because I couldn't stay away."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"You want me to be your bad decision?"
Each addition in this series is becoming more delicious than the previous one!!!
I was anticipating Hayden King's story and it took me by surprise how much he got into Eden very fast...
Eden was a broken angel and she was refusing to give her heart to someone who might damage her again...
These two had started simple, but when things are really simple and easy???
"I'm terrified to get lost in his stormy waters. Because I know that once I'm lost in them, I will never come back for air. I'd drown in Hayden King, letting him drag me to the bottom of his ocean."
Eden and Hayden had spent a drunken night together back in summer and they kept on with their lives....
As the new semester is starting, they are getting all the time in each other's way and the sparkle that started that night is becoming something bigger...
But there are complications between them... Hayden is a notorious player in the campus who has declared that he would never be in a relationship and Eden who has burnt in the past by a hockey player is hating everything that Hayden represents...
Still... it is impossible to not repeat the same mistake over and over again...
"She might hate me, but I'm intrigued. And the more she gives me her anger and challenges me, the more I want to play with her."
I really liked these two... They were just perfect for each other, even when they were fooling themselves...
Eden got under Hayden's skin very soon and even though she thought she hated him, his attention was making the ice around her heart to melt little by little...
Can these two defend the odds and commited to each other when there is not an option for a future together?? Or are they bound for a heartbreak???
"I don't know what we're doing anymore, but we're sure as fuck playing with fire. And we're bound to get burned."
Honestly, I thought very little of Hayden before, but he proved me wrong in here!!!
Yes, he was a player but with Eden, he was a different man and I loved him for that!!!
Eden was afraid to let go and I can totally understand her hesitations but from time to time, she was overreacting!!!
Still.. these two had made a deal and this deal was the beginning of the end... Or was it the beginning for something great and permanent???
"Why are you here, Hayden?"
"Because I couldn't stay away."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
January 13, 2024
2 ☆
damn this book was so short but somehow it felt so long to read.
okay this was really bad and i’m so sad cause i love it when the trope is figure skater fmc x hockey player mmc but this felt so flat?
nothing happened there was literally no plot at all and don’t get me wrong sometimes i enjoy reading just romance with no plot but the two characters had no chemistry whatsoever, one day she despises him and the other she is in love with him..
we had no cute moments between them and no background story on either of them which felt so weird we literally learned more about her roommate family than hers😭 i just couldn’t get emotionally attached to either of the characters and even the side characters were annoying af..
i ended up skimming through the last 30 pages cause i couldn’t do this anymore
this book was definitely not for me and i think i just don’t like the author’s writing in general.
i will probably stop trying to read her books for my own good😇
damn this book was so short but somehow it felt so long to read.
okay this was really bad and i’m so sad cause i love it when the trope is figure skater fmc x hockey player mmc but this felt so flat?
nothing happened there was literally no plot at all and don’t get me wrong sometimes i enjoy reading just romance with no plot but the two characters had no chemistry whatsoever, one day she despises him and the other she is in love with him..
we had no cute moments between them and no background story on either of them which felt so weird we literally learned more about her roommate family than hers😭 i just couldn’t get emotionally attached to either of the characters and even the side characters were annoying af..
i ended up skimming through the last 30 pages cause i couldn’t do this anymore
this book was definitely not for me and i think i just don’t like the author’s writing in general.
i will probably stop trying to read her books for my own good😇
February 23, 2023
not dating until the last chapter of the book and getting engaged six months later is crazzzzzyyy bro
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2022
This was a quick reverse grumpy/sunshine romance, and although I did like it, i didn't connect with this book or the characters like I wanted to. I don't know if it was the fact that there was a lot of telling versus showing what happened in their relationship, or it was the fact that these two barley knew each other and then all of a sudden Eden said she was in love with Hayden, or it was the fact that she was still so adamant that she didn't want to get too close to him literally a chapter before that, or all the above. Or maybe it was because they never had a conversation about anything real, which made me sad because Hayden was SO sweet and unlike the facade he projected, and I wanted to see more of that. I wanted Eden to see more of that. Honestly, I wanted her to see him as more than just another douche hockey player who was inevitably going to break her heart.
That's not to say I didn't like Eden, because I did. I loved how strong she was, and how she definitely knew her worth. She had her heartbroken by a hockey player her freshman year, and has kept her distance from everyone on the team since. So when she has a one night stand with one of them -- and the biggest playboy of all to boot -- she never expects anything to come of it.
Hayden has to be one of the sweetest heroes, and he's so unlike what he portrays himself to be. Did he used to be a cocky playboy? Yes, but he doesn't deny that. But Eden makes him want more, and he does everything to prove that he's not what she thinks he is, and that *he* isn't the one who broke her heart. He goes above and beyond to be there for her in all the ways she'll let him, and that scene when he shows up to her figure skating competition with flowers in his hand and tears in his eyes? SWOON. He was just so different than I expected him to be, and I loved that so much. I just wish the girl he loved saw that as well.
I had my issues with this book, but I'm still such a huge fan of this author and this series and I cannot wait for more of the series! This is still a good addition this this series as well, and it's definitely worth an afternoon read!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
That's not to say I didn't like Eden, because I did. I loved how strong she was, and how she definitely knew her worth. She had her heartbroken by a hockey player her freshman year, and has kept her distance from everyone on the team since. So when she has a one night stand with one of them -- and the biggest playboy of all to boot -- she never expects anything to come of it.
Hayden has to be one of the sweetest heroes, and he's so unlike what he portrays himself to be. Did he used to be a cocky playboy? Yes, but he doesn't deny that. But Eden makes him want more, and he does everything to prove that he's not what she thinks he is, and that *he* isn't the one who broke her heart. He goes above and beyond to be there for her in all the ways she'll let him, and that scene when he shows up to her figure skating competition with flowers in his hand and tears in his eyes? SWOON. He was just so different than I expected him to be, and I loved that so much. I just wish the girl he loved saw that as well.
I had my issues with this book, but I'm still such a huge fan of this author and this series and I cannot wait for more of the series! This is still a good addition this this series as well, and it's definitely worth an afternoon read!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
November 7, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Sports Romance,
GrumpyXSunshine,
I hate you but I wanna F💥ck you, Enemies with Benefit
Ice-skater & Hockey Player
Things I totally adored: The Angst & Tension (it had me hot & bothered for quite a while) & He is actually a softie ❤️🥹
If mistakes like one night stand with the assumed playboy of the university leads to the greatest love of their life then let me make one too 😂❤️
Hayden King had to leave his university because he hooked up with the daughter of his coach and obviously it went wrong.
Eden Finley got her heart broken up by a hockey player and swore off every hockey player (friends or not).
But then one summer, Hayden becomes Eden’s bad decision.
“I’m not here to exchange names or numbers with you. I’m here because I need a distraction and you looked like the perfect candidate for a bad decision when I saw you across the fire.”
Believing it to be a one night thing she moved on, but little did she know that she gave him an inch only she could rub.
This book is filled with Angst & Tension, Hayden trying to break her walls down, (the grovelling even when it wasn’t his mistake), I loved it all❤️⛸️💥❄️👀🏒
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Sports Romance,
GrumpyXSunshine,
I hate you but I wanna F💥ck you, Enemies with Benefit
Ice-skater & Hockey Player
Things I totally adored: The Angst & Tension (it had me hot & bothered for quite a while) & He is actually a softie ❤️🥹
If mistakes like one night stand with the assumed playboy of the university leads to the greatest love of their life then let me make one too 😂❤️
Hayden King had to leave his university because he hooked up with the daughter of his coach and obviously it went wrong.
Eden Finley got her heart broken up by a hockey player and swore off every hockey player (friends or not).
But then one summer, Hayden becomes Eden’s bad decision.
“I’m not here to exchange names or numbers with you. I’m here because I need a distraction and you looked like the perfect candidate for a bad decision when I saw you across the fire.”
Believing it to be a one night thing she moved on, but little did she know that she gave him an inch only she could rub.
This book is filled with Angst & Tension, Hayden trying to break her walls down, (the grovelling even when it wasn’t his mistake), I loved it all❤️⛸️💥❄️👀🏒
January 3, 2024
(3.25☆)
Cali Melle's The Faceoff is a dislike to lovers romance that centers on the relationship between figure skater Eden Finley and hockey defenseman Hayden King.
This was the one I had expected to dislike the most out of the entire Wyncote Wolves series. I had just assumed that Hayden would never be able to find redemption because I had only known him as a playboy in the earlier books, but I was mistaken.
But the way Sterling and the other guys on the hockey team cared for Eden was EVERYTHING. My heart would melt knowing that they were only watching out for her and wanted the best for her.
Also, I adored how Eden gave Hayden shit and refused to give into his bs, despite the fact that we now knew why he was the way he was.
However, I feel as though there was something missing between Eden and Hayden. I just feel like there could have been a little more between them, but I'm not exactly sure what.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading about Hayden's redemption arc and watching him fall in love with Eden.
Cali Melle's The Faceoff is a dislike to lovers romance that centers on the relationship between figure skater Eden Finley and hockey defenseman Hayden King.
This was the one I had expected to dislike the most out of the entire Wyncote Wolves series. I had just assumed that Hayden would never be able to find redemption because I had only known him as a playboy in the earlier books, but I was mistaken.
But the way Sterling and the other guys on the hockey team cared for Eden was EVERYTHING. My heart would melt knowing that they were only watching out for her and wanted the best for her.
Also, I adored how Eden gave Hayden shit and refused to give into his bs, despite the fact that we now knew why he was the way he was.
However, I feel as though there was something missing between Eden and Hayden. I just feel like there could have been a little more between them, but I'm not exactly sure what.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading about Hayden's redemption arc and watching him fall in love with Eden.
November 6, 2022
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review
Ranking: 4.5⭐
Definitely every Wyncote Wolves book is unique and Cali Melle gives me cuter and cuter couples with each new release! Hayden & Eden took me by surprise throughout their entire story and I enjoyed them much more than I expected, plus I'm falling more and more in love with these guys and I can't wait to read the next book.
Eden is my second favorite girl after Poppy! She is a strong, hard-working girl, who is very focused on fulfilling her dreams as a figure skater, her personal story is quite interesting and a bit sad: in her first year at Wyncote< /i> she was betrayed by one of the hockey players and now she considers all of them her number 1 enemies, which has made her protect her heart, isolate herself from people, and puts her in a big dilemma when her attraction to Hayden becomes present.
Hayden is the playboy of the hockey team, a boy who came to Wyncote after a scandal that reaffirmed his reputation and for whom the sport and reaching the NHL is the most important thing, however, Hayden is much deeper than he seems, and although his family and personal story is only mentioned in passing, I think it was very interesting to get to know that other side of him, as well as his flirtatious & conceited personality that he shows to everyone, and the sweet, tender, considerate and thoughtful side that he only shows when he is with Eden.
I think what I loved most about The Faceoff was that Hayden was everything that Eden hates and tries to avoid, and still ends up totally in love with him! Plus that I loved how everything happened between them from a casual summer night, going through an arrangement of enemies with benefits until reaching the moment in which neither of them can continue to hide what they really feel for the other, it was a real up and down full of tension, complicated situations, fears, vulnerability and really getting to know each other, so I enjoyed Hayden & Eden enormously, much more than I expected and can't wait to recommend it whenever I can!
⛸️Eden: 4/5
🏒Hayden: 5/5
⛸️Plot: 4/5
🏒Love story: 5/5
⛸️Secondary characters: 5/5
🏒Universe: 5/5
⛸️Cover: 5/5
My favorite in the series🤩
🌶️: 3/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Definitivamente cada libro de Wyncote Wolves es único y Cali Melle me da parejas más y más lindas con cada nuevo lanzamiento! Hayden & Eden me tomaron por sorpresa durante toda su historia y los disfruté mucho más de lo que esperaba, además de que cada vez me enamoro más de estos chicos y no puedo esperar a leer el siguiente libro.
Eden es mi segunda chica favorita después de Poppy! Es una chica fuerte, trabajadora, que está muy concentrada en cumplir sus sueños como patinadora artística, su historia personal es bastante interesante y un poco triste: en su primer año en Wyncote fue traicionada por uno de los jugadores de Hockey y ahora los considera a todos sus enemigos número 1, lo cual la ha hecho proteger su corazón, aislarse de las personas, y la pone en un gran dilema cuando su atracción por Hayden se hace presente.
Hayden es el playboy del equipo de hockey, un chico que llegó a Wyncote después de un escandalo que reafirmó su reputación y para quien el deporte y llegar a la NHL es lo más importante, sin embargo, Hayden es mucho más profundo de lo que parece, y aunque su historia familiar y personal solo se menciona de pasada, creo que fue muy interesante conocer ese otro lado de él, al igual que la personalidad coqueta & engreída que le muestra a todos, y el lado dulce, tierno, considerado y detallista que solo deja ver cuando está con Eden.
Creo que lo que más amé de The Faceoff fue que Hayden fuera todo lo que Eden odia e intenta evitar y aún así termine totalmente enamorada de él! Además de que me encantó como se dio todo entre ellos desde una noche de verano casual, pasando por un arregle de enemigos con derechos hasta llegar al momento en que ninguno de los dos puede seguir ocultando lo que siente realmente por el otro, fue un verdadero sube y baja lleno de tensión, situaciones complicada, miedos, vulnerabilidad y conocerse realmente el uno al otro, por lo que disfruté enormemente de Hayden & Eden, mucho más de lo que esperaba y no puedo esperar a recomendarlo siempre que pueda!
⛸️Eden: 4/5
🏒Hayden: 5/5
⛸️Trama: 4/5
🏒Historia de amor: 5/5
⛸️Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏒Universo: 5/5
⛸️Portada: 5/5
Es mi favorita de la serie 🤩
🌶️: 3/5
Ranking: 4.5⭐
Definitely every Wyncote Wolves book is unique and Cali Melle gives me cuter and cuter couples with each new release! Hayden & Eden took me by surprise throughout their entire story and I enjoyed them much more than I expected, plus I'm falling more and more in love with these guys and I can't wait to read the next book.
Eden is my second favorite girl after Poppy! She is a strong, hard-working girl, who is very focused on fulfilling her dreams as a figure skater, her personal story is quite interesting and a bit sad: in her first year at Wyncote< /i> she was betrayed by one of the hockey players and now she considers all of them her number 1 enemies, which has made her protect her heart, isolate herself from people, and puts her in a big dilemma when her attraction to Hayden becomes present.
Hayden is the playboy of the hockey team, a boy who came to Wyncote after a scandal that reaffirmed his reputation and for whom the sport and reaching the NHL is the most important thing, however, Hayden is much deeper than he seems, and although his family and personal story is only mentioned in passing, I think it was very interesting to get to know that other side of him, as well as his flirtatious & conceited personality that he shows to everyone, and the sweet, tender, considerate and thoughtful side that he only shows when he is with Eden.
I think what I loved most about The Faceoff was that Hayden was everything that Eden hates and tries to avoid, and still ends up totally in love with him! Plus that I loved how everything happened between them from a casual summer night, going through an arrangement of enemies with benefits until reaching the moment in which neither of them can continue to hide what they really feel for the other, it was a real up and down full of tension, complicated situations, fears, vulnerability and really getting to know each other, so I enjoyed Hayden & Eden enormously, much more than I expected and can't wait to recommend it whenever I can!
⛸️Eden: 4/5
🏒Hayden: 5/5
⛸️Plot: 4/5
🏒Love story: 5/5
⛸️Secondary characters: 5/5
🏒Universe: 5/5
⛸️Cover: 5/5
My favorite in the series🤩
🌶️: 3/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Definitivamente cada libro de Wyncote Wolves es único y Cali Melle me da parejas más y más lindas con cada nuevo lanzamiento! Hayden & Eden me tomaron por sorpresa durante toda su historia y los disfruté mucho más de lo que esperaba, además de que cada vez me enamoro más de estos chicos y no puedo esperar a leer el siguiente libro.
Eden es mi segunda chica favorita después de Poppy! Es una chica fuerte, trabajadora, que está muy concentrada en cumplir sus sueños como patinadora artística, su historia personal es bastante interesante y un poco triste: en su primer año en Wyncote fue traicionada por uno de los jugadores de Hockey y ahora los considera a todos sus enemigos número 1, lo cual la ha hecho proteger su corazón, aislarse de las personas, y la pone en un gran dilema cuando su atracción por Hayden se hace presente.
Hayden es el playboy del equipo de hockey, un chico que llegó a Wyncote después de un escandalo que reafirmó su reputación y para quien el deporte y llegar a la NHL es lo más importante, sin embargo, Hayden es mucho más profundo de lo que parece, y aunque su historia familiar y personal solo se menciona de pasada, creo que fue muy interesante conocer ese otro lado de él, al igual que la personalidad coqueta & engreída que le muestra a todos, y el lado dulce, tierno, considerado y detallista que solo deja ver cuando está con Eden.
Creo que lo que más amé de The Faceoff fue que Hayden fuera todo lo que Eden odia e intenta evitar y aún así termine totalmente enamorada de él! Además de que me encantó como se dio todo entre ellos desde una noche de verano casual, pasando por un arregle de enemigos con derechos hasta llegar al momento en que ninguno de los dos puede seguir ocultando lo que siente realmente por el otro, fue un verdadero sube y baja lleno de tensión, situaciones complicada, miedos, vulnerabilidad y conocerse realmente el uno al otro, por lo que disfruté enormemente de Hayden & Eden, mucho más de lo que esperaba y no puedo esperar a recomendarlo siempre que pueda!
⛸️Eden: 4/5
🏒Hayden: 5/5
⛸️Trama: 4/5
🏒Historia de amor: 5/5
⛸️Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏒Universo: 5/5
⛸️Portada: 5/5
Es mi favorita de la serie 🤩
🌶️: 3/5
November 11, 2022
First of all a big thank you to Cali Melle and Wildfire Marketing for providing me with this ARC.
I know.. I know.. I said it last time, and I'll say it again. I was SO excited for Hayden's book. I said the same thing about August' book, and Cameron's book. And I'll probably say the same thing about Asher's book.
I knew this was going to be a good one. Hockey players and figure skaters... It's bound to give trouble. They're just natural enemies. And Hayden and Eden? They're no different.
Maybe they're worse. Eden, who's heart is colder than the ice she skates on. Hayden, who never took anything serious beyond hockey.
A one night stand, that should've ended that night. A mistake, that followed them everywhere.
❝I want to make a mistake with you and hopefully fucking learn from it this time.❞
Well, did they? Come on, guys. We all know how this goes, and we're all freaking here for it.
The two are like fire and ice. They don't go together, they don't even want to go together. Eden wants nothing to do with Hayden, while Hayden doesn't need someone getting attached to him.
These two were so perfect together. Their sexual tension is through the fucking roof. And they know it. They know how good they are together, but at the same time they don't want anything to do with each other. One's just scared, scorned by a former lover. The other.. Scared as well? It's hard to tell what Hayden really feels and thinks. Hockey is his priority, and it always will be. Right?
❝Why are you here, Hayden?❞ ❝Because I couldn't stay away.❞
I told you so. I. Told. You. So. Friends with benefits or enemies with benefits in this case, it never works. Someone is bound to fall in love eventually.
Our boy fell so soon. He didn't even know it, he didn't even realize it. Hayden, sweetheart. You fell the moment you fell into bed with her the very first time.
And Eden. Our sweet girl. She didn't want any of this, so she told us. But deep down, deep deep down, we all knew that all she wanted was to be loved.
Cali once again did an amazing job at Hayden and Eden's story. I absolutely loved their story, their highs and lows, the love they found in and for each other. It was an amazing journey.
I can't wait for Asher's story. Cali keeps adding people to this amazing hockey family and I'm so freaking here for it.
---
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December 9, 2022
I received this book as an ARC and admittedly have not read the other books but definitely want to go back to do it now! I really enjoyed this one.
For me the only downside was it did feel a bit short. I felt there was definitely more moments between Eden and Hayden we could have had and things to explore.
However, that being said, i was also able to sit and binge read this in almost one sitting. It was fast paced but it read so easily and flowed really well. I got absorbed right into the story.
I also really liked that the relationship felt natural. These two went from thinking they were gonna hook up once, to hooking up regularly, to realising they had feelings for each other and then having to work out how to admit that out loud. I think we all either have experienced this ourselves or know someone who has so it felt really relatable and real.
Can’t wait to get to the others.
Tropes:
Sports romance
Fling to something real
Enemies(from the girls side) to lovers
Steam:
🔥🔥🔥.5
For me the only downside was it did feel a bit short. I felt there was definitely more moments between Eden and Hayden we could have had and things to explore.
However, that being said, i was also able to sit and binge read this in almost one sitting. It was fast paced but it read so easily and flowed really well. I got absorbed right into the story.
I also really liked that the relationship felt natural. These two went from thinking they were gonna hook up once, to hooking up regularly, to realising they had feelings for each other and then having to work out how to admit that out loud. I think we all either have experienced this ourselves or know someone who has so it felt really relatable and real.
Can’t wait to get to the others.
Tropes:
Sports romance
Fling to something real
Enemies(from the girls side) to lovers
Steam:
🔥🔥🔥.5
November 6, 2022
This is such a great series, it ticks all the boxes for me so I know I am halfway in love with the story even before reading the first chapter.
Hayden is a somewhat new transfer to Wyncote and Eden thinks she has him all worked out. Yes, she has good reason to think that, and for the short amount of time she has known of him, he keeps proving her opinions correct.
But as they slowly get to know each other, she tries to stick to her beliefs yet Hayden is showing her a whole different side of himself. What I liked about this part was that even he knew he was going against character. It was so wonderful to read him through these changes and by the end of the book I was happy that there wasn’t an over dramatization of the conflict part in this story. Not that I mind that in my romance novels, but this book didn’t warrant that in my opinion, mainly because of how their story originally started out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book
Hayden is a somewhat new transfer to Wyncote and Eden thinks she has him all worked out. Yes, she has good reason to think that, and for the short amount of time she has known of him, he keeps proving her opinions correct.
But as they slowly get to know each other, she tries to stick to her beliefs yet Hayden is showing her a whole different side of himself. What I liked about this part was that even he knew he was going against character. It was so wonderful to read him through these changes and by the end of the book I was happy that there wasn’t an over dramatization of the conflict part in this story. Not that I mind that in my romance novels, but this book didn’t warrant that in my opinion, mainly because of how their story originally started out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book
December 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this fast-paced, light, sports romance. There was angst, animosity, and I wanted more. This was a necessarily unique plot, but I loved the characters and their relationship which made this book what it was. Hayden was refreshing as he wasn’t the typical jock. He was open, and laid it all out there. Eden was stubborn, sass, and hesitant because of her past. There were times where her character felt a bit stiff, but together these two were great. I loved how natural their relationship developed and this book was quite spicy! This was a cute story and I can’t wait to read more by Cali Melle.
What to Expect:
🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 One Night Stand
🏒 College
🏒 Hockey Romance
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What to Expect:
🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 One Night Stand
🏒 College
🏒 Hockey Romance
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 2, 2023
2⭐️
I don’t know what compelled me to read this book considering I didn’t like Cross Checked Hearts. This book was not for me. Eden and Hayden confused me. They both hated love and then fell in love so fast, that math isn’t adding up. I felt like there were so many plot holes and it was just so fast. There is no way they went from hating each other to loving each other that fast. Don’t get me wrong, I love enemies to lovers, but this book was so not it. This book was not for me!
Favorite Quote:
“And Eden Finley just so happens to be my favorite distraction.”
I don’t know what compelled me to read this book considering I didn’t like Cross Checked Hearts. This book was not for me. Eden and Hayden confused me. They both hated love and then fell in love so fast, that math isn’t adding up. I felt like there were so many plot holes and it was just so fast. There is no way they went from hating each other to loving each other that fast. Don’t get me wrong, I love enemies to lovers, but this book was so not it. This book was not for me!
Favorite Quote:
“And Eden Finley just so happens to be my favorite distraction.”
January 21, 2023
i don't know how i feel about this book, on one hand, it was a very meh book, but on the other is better than the previous book, so...
the romance between a hockey player and an ice skater is cute, but we barely get to know the characters, all i know about the heroine is that she's an ice skater, she likes the hero and she once dated a hockey player!
i complained because in the last book, we got too much couple drama from the first book couple, and this time we didn't get that, so I'm happy.
at the end of the day, this was an average read, it took me a few hours and it passed the time.
the romance between a hockey player and an ice skater is cute, but we barely get to know the characters, all i know about the heroine is that she's an ice skater, she likes the hero and she once dated a hockey player!
i complained because in the last book, we got too much couple drama from the first book couple, and this time we didn't get that, so I'm happy.
at the end of the day, this was an average read, it took me a few hours and it passed the time.
March 2, 2023
Cute, quick read
A reverse grumpy/sunshine where the guy falls first? Yes, please!
Plot was a more realistic romance and the spice was well placed, not over the top drawing away from the story. I wish there would have been a bit more from the epilogue and bonus chapter about what happened after the events that take place.
A reverse grumpy/sunshine where the guy falls first? Yes, please!
Plot was a more realistic romance and the spice was well placed, not over the top drawing away from the story. I wish there would have been a bit more from the epilogue and bonus chapter about what happened after the events that take place.
December 14, 2022
Kinda rushed but a quick read
December 25, 2022
the start was addicting. but then i lost interest in the last third of the book
November 17, 2023
Es una historia decente pero aburrida por lo repetitiva que es. Decayó en algunas partes y se volvió predecible porque no hay giros ni angustia. Y ni siquiera sentí emoción o química entre los personajes principales.
May 12, 2024
This book was a super quick and cute read. It left me feeling all fuzzy inside and the story had no real dull moments!
August 29, 2024
Ça m’a pas marqué, je m’en souviendrai clairement pas dans 2 mois.
November 7, 2022
Fun, hypnotic and riveting this is enemies with benefits at its very best I loved this book so much Hayden was everything that man has my heart he was low key a softie and I ate it up.
Calle has became one of my favorite one-click others ever I love her writing and her plots they are flawless face off owned me.
This book had my heart. I'm utterly enthralled.
I've fallen irrevocably in love Hayden and Eden and there journey this is my favorite of the series..
“5 stars!”
Calle has became one of my favorite one-click others ever I love her writing and her plots they are flawless face off owned me.
This book had my heart. I'm utterly enthralled.
I've fallen irrevocably in love Hayden and Eden and there journey this is my favorite of the series..
“5 stars!”
February 28, 2023
You can tell this book wanted to be smut but it wasn’t. Dull storyline.
December 2, 2023
a veces una chavalita solo necesita un libro con una portada horrible to get back into reading.....
November 11, 2022
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
After getting little snippets of Hayden over the last couple books, I was thrilled he was finally getting his own. I couldn’t wait to unbox the mystery that is Hayden. Though I was slightly disappointed by this book. I found it to lack the fast paced drama that the other books had. While this would be great for someone looking for a light easy read I found myself hoping for more. The climax was rather anticlimactic and the book felt rushed like some novellas. I also found the use of the terms “God and Goddamn” to be extremely overused and unnecessary.
That being said, it was a great pallet cleanser. I was able to relax and enjoy the journey Eden and Hayden were on without any angst or unexpected turns.
I am looking forward to Asher’s books and can’t wait to see what Calie has in store for him.
Spice Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
After getting little snippets of Hayden over the last couple books, I was thrilled he was finally getting his own. I couldn’t wait to unbox the mystery that is Hayden. Though I was slightly disappointed by this book. I found it to lack the fast paced drama that the other books had. While this would be great for someone looking for a light easy read I found myself hoping for more. The climax was rather anticlimactic and the book felt rushed like some novellas. I also found the use of the terms “God and Goddamn” to be extremely overused and unnecessary.
That being said, it was a great pallet cleanser. I was able to relax and enjoy the journey Eden and Hayden were on without any angst or unexpected turns.
I am looking forward to Asher’s books and can’t wait to see what Calie has in store for him.
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