What happens when a one-night-stand turns into a whole complicated mess including secret identities and a list of rules meant to be broken...
The only thing Rylee and Zak have in common is one hot night and a penchant to avoid complicated relationships. But keeping their distance forces a charade and secrets pile up. As the ticking clock counts down to the self-imposed expiration of their fling, they find themselves embroiled in a hot mess so deep that it gets harder and harder to keep pretending there's no relationship to see here .
The facts He falls first and harder...
The Groupie , a Boston Brawlers Hockey Spin-off, is the second book in the Some Girls Like It Cold Series. It can be read as a stand-alone. This story about a one-night-stand gone wrong, has plenty of edge with a dash of humor where the hunky guy falls first and gets the reluctant dream girl against massive odds for a deeply satisfying HEA Ending! (duh!) ( language and sex for a mature audience. )
The title of the book is a bit misleading as neither of the main characters really look like groupies. This story is somewhat unusual for a hockey romance in that the heroine Rylee is also an athlete, an Olympic snowboarder. Currently she worries about an ankle injury as well as her foster mother's health. Her past has made her skittish about commitment and when she hooks up with Zak, an ice hockey player with an unwelcome reputation as an eligible bachelor they're both happy to consider it a temporary fling. He changes his mind first and wants more. But she needs to prove herself that she doesn't need a man to succeed.
It was OK, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. There were minor continuity problems and some awkward typos. I spent some time wondering what the "Devil's winter" and "emotions of every kid" were all about until I realized it was meant to be winger and kind. There's a scene when the hero meets the heroine's foster mom and tells her that she must be mama Cass, like they met for the first time. But they were already hugging in a previous scene.
I received a free copy and this is a voluntary review.
Rylee is an Olympic snowboarder an intense athlete. Worries about her foster mom and her old ankle injury. Just one night needs to go forget her woes and just have one sensational hook up to put her right….Zac is an IceHockey player with an unwanted reputation as Boston’s most eligible bachelor with women throwing themselves at him , he shies far from it all and doesn’t want a relationship. When he hooks up with a woman who’s on the same page ,just a fling . Even agreeing to a two week thing ….right , just give me an a happy ever after already! Great story , and hey it’s hockey what’s not to love ? Am I right? Compelling story
Zak is very unhappily Boston's Bachelor of the Year. He just wants to hide until all of the fuss dies down but no one will let him forget that title or the many women throwing themselves at him. He has no interest in settling down right now and he's not even interested in seriously dating anyone. He's having fun. Rylee has problems she needs to fix but she wants one night of fun with a hot guy. When she sees Zak across the room at a bar, she knows he's the one she wants for one night of no strings attached fun. The fun rapidly turns into an agreement to spend two weeks together no strings attached. And that quickly turns into feelings. Can two people who are relationship averse find a way to move from no strings to happily ever after?
I enjoyed how both characters started in the same place and came to realize, one step at a time, that they needed to redefine where there were on the relationship scale. The journey was FAST but there were steps along the way and a lack of communication between them that all made sense. His friends and her family really meshed well with their relationship arc. Rylee's drive to go to the Olympics was good. The author did a good job showing how hard Rylee worked to get on the team and why she is so determined to get a medal. I loved the little twist of Zak working in the background to help Rylee out financially and the fact that she saw through the rouse almost immediately. They are both smart, hardworking, kind, caring, and determined characters. The make sense together in the end. There is even a happily ever after moment at the end that was really nice. I liked the brief appearances by the characters from the prior Boston Brawlers stories.
I thought Zak's "tragic" backstory fell flat. I get that he lives with the pain of what happened but it kept showing up in the story in odd ways. It was very moving when he explained it to Rylee and how that moment in time drives him forward but other than that, meh. Rylee is tough and a bit calculating. The story of her background kind of explained why but it felt somehow incomplete. There was no explanation as to why Rylee stayed so hardened and distrusting even after Mama Cass entered her life. It was odd. There were a couple of other issues in the story that seemed to be left hanging. For example, Zak's mother wanting to get in the middle of his relationship with Rylee. Given that he is from such a tightknit family, I wanted closure on that issue.
The Groupie is a story set in the world of the Boston Brawlers hockey team. Some of the old characters are back but there are lots of new players on the team. This is a contemporary romance set mostly in Boston with a backdrop of hockey (but only a little bit of hockey). I will definitely read more from this author in the future. Full transparency, I'm a fan of this author and read pretty much everything she write.
This is book number 3 in ( some girls like it cold) Zak is the bad boy, different woman every night, bachelor of the year. Rylee is a snowboarder with a hurt ankle and a sick mamma. She throws caution to the wind one night when she walks into a bar where Zak is and sits on his lap. They go home for the night. Have a one night stand that rocks both their worlds. Rylee warns Zak she’s only there for two weeks. And that’s all this can be. Zak falls hard and first. Pursues Rylee to make her believe they can be more even though she’s holding back. Rylee feels like she cannot give in to her feelings for Zak until she proves she can make it on her own without a man. I loved the background stories for both on why they are who they are. Families and friends are important. Zak was a great boyfriend from the start and it was fun watching him pursue Rylee. Loved this story and the HEA. Can’t wait for the next one.
It was a good story with a lot of humour and drama. I thought Sheila was a good sport throughout whenever people asked her to do things-- I hope people treat her well in return and don't just use her. I found it interesting that Rylee seemed to be working against her healing and we didn't see her mentally preparing for the Olympics even if she couldn't physically train (but then again, I'm not an elite athlete so I have nothing to compare against). My biggest issue is that I hate in books when the FMC has a big life/career event, one that requires her complete focus and to be in that moment, and the MMC just ambushes that moment with his declaration of love. That happens in this book. Wouldn't that just wreck her headspace? I just don't find it respectful or supportive. But maybe that's just me. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Zack is the "most eligible bachelor" in Boston. Rylee is an Olympian, although she's just hurt her ankle and is in Boston to see her foster mother and maybe to see a doctor. Rylee walks into a group of Boston Brawlers and seats herself in Zack's lap, without knowing who he is. Each is interested in a one night stand. However, he is smitten with her. She's still got her mind on other things so she has no time for a relationship.
This is a sexy sports romance, even though one of the parties is reluctant. Interesting story - is her Mamma going to be OK? Will Rylee be well enough to compete? Will Zak's infatuation with Rylee going to affect is hockey play?
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.
This is an enjoyable story; however, I was challenged with feeling a connection to Rylee, the female main character.
Due to her background she has reason to be extremely closed off and prickly, but she’s also someone who lives for today and takes chances. She was bold enough to walk into a bar and sit on a stranger’s lap, Zak’s,. She is bold enough to go home with home him for a one encounter, but when he pushes for more time together she’s resistant and difficult.
Zak is a big muscular teddy bear who is trying to live down being named Bachelor of the Year (BOY) by a Boston magazine. His love life is under attack by women seeking him out due to his BOY status.
Zak falls hard for Rylee which is sweet and super sexy. The steam between them sizzles. Rylee’s foster Mom’s health, and Rylee’s injured ankle potentially impacting her spot on the Olympic Snowboard team are big parts of the story.
Overall this was an enjoyable and entertaining read. I received a free ARC from the author and Hidden Gems; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
The Groupie is the 2nd book in the Some Girls like it Cold series and is a spin off from the Boston Brawlers series. It is a standalone, and features Rylee and Zak. Zak is a pro Hockey player and Rylee is an Olympic Snowboarder but when they first meet they don't disclose who they are. But they have lots of chemistry and cant stay away from each other even though they are both used to casual hookups rather than relationships.
This book was an enjoyable read, I loved the chemistry between these two but it took a while to gel to Rylee. I loved Zak and how he fell first. It is another great addition to this series.
Zak and Rylee had tonnes of chemistry and when they first meet are insatiable for each other. At first Rylee is hesitant to let him know anything about her and Zak lies about being a pro hockey player.
Both are used to causal hook ups and definitely don't want relationships, but it all changes when they meet each other and can't get enough.
Rylee frustrated me at times with her reluctance to let Zak in, but boy was he persistent!
I loved that she was also a pro athlete and had her own faults to redeem from.
This was an enjoyable read and another great addition to this series.
Very good, simple and hot, right from the start. 4.5 I really liked this very good romance between 2 characters, Rylee and Zac who above all do not seek to have a serious relationship, to remain discreet and who, for that, decide to see each other in secret for a limited time. Between their professional sports career and the evolution of their personalities, desires and needs, the story is exciting, touching, while remaining simple, hot, despite Ryley's vehemence in the face of any romance. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I’m a big fan of Stephanie Queen and love all the books I’ve read of hers. And This was a cute wonderful story. It’s Zak and Rylee’s story. He’s a Boston Brawlers hockey player who has been featured in a magazine as the Bachelor of the Year and he feels this is going to ruin his life style. In comes Rylee and he is attracted to her. she is in town to recover from an ankle injury that possibly could ruin her chances in the Olympics as a snowboarder. I really enjoyed reading fast paced HEA.
Entertaining book that kept me engaged. There are some cringe worthy moments, such as, Riley walking into a bar she's never been in and just going up to Zak and sitting in his lap. I definitely rolled my eyes at that. There were a few other instances in the book where I thought that would never happen, once I got past those moments, the rest of the story had real emotions and had me rooting for Zak to win Riley over. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This book was a surprise. I had not read the snippets Stephanie put out, do I was surprised when Rylee showed up and attached herself to the Boston Brawlers Groupie contingent. She was a new face, and bold as brass! Zak was immediately smitten. But she’s so independent she gives him a run for his money! Great story with lots of hockey and steam! Definitely a ONE CLICK!
So much passion between these two. They started off in the funniest meet cute but from there they exploded all over the pages with passion and feelings. They were goners from the start but their pasts wouldn't let them admit it. Loved these two and all their friends and family! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy
Zak isn't looking for a hook up, but his plans change when Rylee walks into the bar and sits on his lap. Instantly, the attraction is off the charts and they decide to limit this just to one night... but neither expect wishing it could last longer.
However, with their situations being what they are, can they make any sort of relationship even work?
The Groupie by Stephanie Queen was a nice little surprise for me. It's a short, easy to read romcom that was enjoyable. It's a great palette cleanser when you've been reading too many dark romances.
It had a good storyline and it kept me entertained to the very end. I love that Zak is the one that falls first and falls hard.
Het was vlot en amuserend. Einde wel afgeraffeld. Zo fijn dat ze zo seks positief was en lekker in haar vel over het algemeen. Hij viel snel voor haar. Wel erg dat ze iets met haar enkel had als olympische speler. De titel klopt totaal niet
Enjoyed the fun characters and hunky hockey players. I enjoyed a the strong female character working through what it means to be strong but also in a relationship for her. Will read more Stephanie Queen books.
Stephanie Queen The Groupie: a Hockey Rom-Com (Some Girls like it Cold) No catching feelings I loved this story about Zak and Rylee! They each didn't want a relationship, but couldn't keep away from each other. I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
Even though I'm not a hockey fan I still love Stephanie Queen's hockey romances. Zac and Rylee made me smile the way they kept trying to deny their feelings for each other. There's lots of heat and their story is well told. An enjoyable read.
Okay I loved this! 2 cold sport worlds colliding in the best possible way! The notorious Batchelor and the independent woman desperate to never be tied down fall in love through.. well you know.. but the friendship and love that comes from them is incredible!!
Steamy and heartwarming…he falls first and she makes him work for it. Strong and relatable Rylee brings big bad alpha hockey player Zak to his knees and I’m here for it. Cheers!
These two were hot together. Their chemistry from the beginning was of the charts. I love how she walked in the bar, set her eyes on him and decided, yup, that's the one. He was smitten from the beginning.
I enjoyed Zak and Rylee’s story. They’re both determined to not catch feelings, best laid plans and all. You don’t have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this story either. Looking forward to more in this series.
I remember reading this and thinking “she’s not a groupie.” Maybe that’s why the title is the way it is. Rylee, the Olympic snowboarder, who is visiting home incognito is trying to visit her foster mom and sister while getting her ankle checked up, is looking for some fun while shes out. It doesn’t help that Zak is playing incognito as well to hide his newfound title as most eligible bachelor that paints a bullseye on him to all available women. It’s no surprise that the two people who want to keep their identities and careers hidden make a go at each other, only to come face to face at the ice rink the next day. This was a good one from Queen. I remember loving her Boston Brawlers series and this spin off series has been fun. I enjoyed this story and I liked how much Zak took care of Rylee. He didn’t just try to take care of her also, he was being protective of her. And his grand gesture was awesome also. I thought Rylee was really stubborn and it came off as annoying sometimes but I guess she had a lot to lose if she didn’t make it on the team. This was a good read. Would definitely recommend for sports romance readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a copy.
Very good, simple and hot, right from the start. 4.5 I really liked this very good romance between 2 characters, Rylee and Zac who above all do not seek to have a serious relationship, to remain discreet and who, for that, decide to see each other in secret for a limited time. Between their professional sports career and the evolution of their personalities, desires and needs, the story is exciting, touching, while remaining simple, hot, despite Ryley's vehemence in the face of any romance. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book