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The Remington Royals #1
Scoring the Princess
She was always meant to be mine.
My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player.
There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits.
No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind.
Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner.
Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince.
I tried to forget about her.
Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed.
Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined.
The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved.
I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player.
There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits.
No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind.
Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner.
Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince.
I tried to forget about her.
Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed.
Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined.
The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved.
I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
508 people are currently reading
1751 people want to read
About the author
Siena Trap
18 books528 followersSiena is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a love of sports is bred into a girl's DNA. Her love of romance novels came early as well. She would often accompany her romance reviewer mom to book lovers' and romance writers' conventions, where she sat in on workshops and met numerous best-selling authors. It wasn't long before she was filling notebooks with her own stories, which often starred herself and a certain real-life prince.
As luck would have it, she met and married a handsome athlete instead. After several temporary residencies in multiple states and Germany, they finally settled in Michigan, the land where youth hockey reigns supreme.
Her stories no longer feature herself but draw from her past experiences as an educator, businesswoman, fashion consultant, and world traveler when creating her strong heroines. “Oh yes,” she says with a wink and a smile, “There are bits of me in all of them.” Now, she spends her days writing happily ever afters for fictional characters and her evenings at the local hockey arenas cheering for her three children.
As luck would have it, she met and married a handsome athlete instead. After several temporary residencies in multiple states and Germany, they finally settled in Michigan, the land where youth hockey reigns supreme.
Her stories no longer feature herself but draw from her past experiences as an educator, businesswoman, fashion consultant, and world traveler when creating her strong heroines. “Oh yes,” she says with a wink and a smile, “There are bits of me in all of them.” Now, she spends her days writing happily ever afters for fictional characters and her evenings at the local hockey arenas cheering for her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 9, 2024
This was nearly a DNF for me but I kept pushing along I hopes it would get better. It did pick up for a little but before turning into a dumpster fire the last quarter of the book. Natalie is so annoying the entire book! I get she has trauma (which we don't even really get any information on except with little Liam told Jaxon). I get she's wary of men's intentions, but Jaxon more than proved himself to her multiple times over. Not only was he there for her, but he was there for her children and truly cared for them. She kept him at arms length when he had every right to demand to be part of the pregnancy. I don't know if she expected for Jaxon and Charlie to remain her dirty little secret forever. Did she think that the news was never going to come out? Jaxon got a tattoo but never mentioned Natalie, it was an honest mistake. The things she said to him were far more hurtful than anything Jaxon said to her. He had nothing to be sorry for in my opinion. She needed to grovel after what she put him through.
Read
October 14, 2023I'll put in a star rating later.
I'll preface this by saying I'm not a big romance reader. Or a hockey fan. Ok.
Natalie and Jaxon have like no personalities apart from the fact that they're hot for each other. Oh and Jaxon really likes hockey and Natalie's a mom.
Natalie has deep PTSD caused by her cartoonishly villainous ex husband and desperately needs therapy (and so does Jaxon after getting dragged into her shit) but therapy doesn't exist in this universe ig?? Like she even had an ED????
Very exposition heavy tell not show kind of writing. You know what everyone's thinking at all times but not in a cool omniscient narrator kinda way, but in a "all the drama and mystery about the characters has been removed" kinda way.
Sex scenes are fine. Like I guess you could read it just for the porn but there's better porn out there. There are a few typos in the book. Hmm, what else. I guess I gotta read book #2 about Liam???? Lmao
I'll preface this by saying I'm not a big romance reader. Or a hockey fan. Ok.
Natalie and Jaxon have like no personalities apart from the fact that they're hot for each other. Oh and Jaxon really likes hockey and Natalie's a mom.
Natalie has deep PTSD caused by her cartoonishly villainous ex husband and desperately needs therapy (and so does Jaxon after getting dragged into her shit) but therapy doesn't exist in this universe ig?? Like she even had an ED????
Very exposition heavy tell not show kind of writing. You know what everyone's thinking at all times but not in a cool omniscient narrator kinda way, but in a "all the drama and mystery about the characters has been removed" kinda way.
Sex scenes are fine. Like I guess you could read it just for the porn but there's better porn out there. There are a few typos in the book. Hmm, what else. I guess I gotta read book #2 about Liam???? Lmao
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
This COULD HAVE been a four star read except the third act break up ruined it. I’m not a fan of third act break ups in the first place but this one was dumb asf, and written to make the female mc seem like a victim in a situation where she was most definitely the villain. She did not deserve Jaxon at all after her behavior in that incident, let alone her forcing him to tell no one about her or HIS CHILD for over a year due to her own paranoia.
The male mc was great, some of the side characters were good. The plot was otherwise good. It was really the female mc and the third act breakup that hurt it.
The male mc was great, some of the side characters were good. The plot was otherwise good. It was really the female mc and the third act breakup that hurt it.
June 14, 2024
⭒ Rating: 4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TROPES:
cinnamon roll mmc 🩵
single mom 🩵
he falls for her kids 🩵
hockey superstar 🩵
he always loved her 🩵
fallen princess 🩵
supportive girl gang 🩵
psycho ex 🩵
emotional abuse 🩵
blurb: She was always meant to be mine. My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player. There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits. No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind. Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner. Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince. I tried to forget about her. Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed. Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined. The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved. I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
review:
this was a quick and easy read. not sutle and complexed at all. a very nice break from my dark romance kick i've been on lately. and matched my intrest very much. a lot of trauma and past abuse was used in this book strongly also including PTSD. the storyline was pretty basic nothing out of the ordinary or typically exciting it was just normal. this isn't my first siena trap book and won't be my last because i am really a fan of her writting. but when i move onto liams story i find i won't enjoy it as much because i find him problematic! (but we'll see)
the spicy scences were ok. a bit closed door if i say so myself... natalie was not at all fair to my boy jaxon. they lacked personality too which was hard to picture then at times but i wroked through it. i'd definitely reccomened some therapy to them both to have a happy healthy life together. (which you can see they do from her other books) also a bit repetitive and back in forth with her trusting jaxon and then not being able to i feel like she should have worked on that a little before going forward in there relationship even if there daughter charlie had to experince her parents seperated for a bit so nataile could find her true self.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TROPES:
cinnamon roll mmc 🩵
single mom 🩵
he falls for her kids 🩵
hockey superstar 🩵
he always loved her 🩵
fallen princess 🩵
supportive girl gang 🩵
psycho ex 🩵
emotional abuse 🩵
blurb: She was always meant to be mine. My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player. There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits. No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind. Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner. Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince. I tried to forget about her. Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed. Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined. The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved. I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
review:
this was a quick and easy read. not sutle and complexed at all. a very nice break from my dark romance kick i've been on lately. and matched my intrest very much. a lot of trauma and past abuse was used in this book strongly also including PTSD. the storyline was pretty basic nothing out of the ordinary or typically exciting it was just normal. this isn't my first siena trap book and won't be my last because i am really a fan of her writting. but when i move onto liams story i find i won't enjoy it as much because i find him problematic! (but we'll see)
the spicy scences were ok. a bit closed door if i say so myself... natalie was not at all fair to my boy jaxon. they lacked personality too which was hard to picture then at times but i wroked through it. i'd definitely reccomened some therapy to them both to have a happy healthy life together. (which you can see they do from her other books) also a bit repetitive and back in forth with her trusting jaxon and then not being able to i feel like she should have worked on that a little before going forward in there relationship even if there daughter charlie had to experince her parents seperated for a bit so nataile could find her true self.
September 10, 2023
🇦🇷🇨 🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
🌟- 5 / 🌶- 3
Dual POV | HEA
🇵🇱🇴🇹 & 🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
After an emotionally abusive ten year marriage, Natalie is single and living with her three kids across the world from her ex. After a much needed one night stand with the hockey playing hottie next door two pink lines are about to throw a wrench in everyone's lives again.
Jaxon and Natalie were so cute. You could really tell how much he loved her and how patient he was with her through the book even at times when she really didn't deserve it. The way he supports her from day one of finding out that she is pregnant while also being there for her three kids from her former marriage, really showed what a freaking top notch guy he was; baby daddy goals for sure.
Natalie at times got on my nerves, and while I sympathized with her character and what she went through, she also didn’t seem to put a lot of work into moving forward and healing from her trauma - but instead using it as a crutch to hide out and not face her new reality.
The spice in the book was good when it was there. I appreciated seeing the boundaries being respected by both characters while also seeing a few good girls thrown in there to make me swoon.
I don't usually like surprise pregnancy tropes, but this one is so well done and is not cringey like many can be. While it’s an obvious main plot point through the book it is not the only storyline.
Liam (her ex-brother in law), Amy, and Hannah along with Jaxons momwere all such great side characters and really added to the story. I loved seeing them all interact. Liam and Amy’s book is going to be so good I cannot wait to read it. I would have liked to see more actual hockey in the book but that is a personal preference.
Siena Trap did an amazing job writing this book. The flow of the book, the character development, and the connection was all there. Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for the series!
-----
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
✸ surprise pregnancy
✸ hockey player / princess
✸ found family
✸ mutual pining
🇹🇷🇮🇬🇬🇪🇷🇸
✸ spousal abuse
🌟- 5 / 🌶- 3
Dual POV | HEA
🇵🇱🇴🇹 & 🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
After an emotionally abusive ten year marriage, Natalie is single and living with her three kids across the world from her ex. After a much needed one night stand with the hockey playing hottie next door two pink lines are about to throw a wrench in everyone's lives again.
Jaxon and Natalie were so cute. You could really tell how much he loved her and how patient he was with her through the book even at times when she really didn't deserve it. The way he supports her from day one of finding out that she is pregnant while also being there for her three kids from her former marriage, really showed what a freaking top notch guy he was; baby daddy goals for sure.
Natalie at times got on my nerves, and while I sympathized with her character and what she went through, she also didn’t seem to put a lot of work into moving forward and healing from her trauma - but instead using it as a crutch to hide out and not face her new reality.
The spice in the book was good when it was there. I appreciated seeing the boundaries being respected by both characters while also seeing a few good girls thrown in there to make me swoon.
I don't usually like surprise pregnancy tropes, but this one is so well done and is not cringey like many can be. While it’s an obvious main plot point through the book it is not the only storyline.
Liam (her ex-brother in law), Amy, and Hannah along with Jaxons momwere all such great side characters and really added to the story. I loved seeing them all interact. Liam and Amy’s book is going to be so good I cannot wait to read it. I would have liked to see more actual hockey in the book but that is a personal preference.
Siena Trap did an amazing job writing this book. The flow of the book, the character development, and the connection was all there. Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for the series!
-----
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
✸ surprise pregnancy
✸ hockey player / princess
✸ found family
✸ mutual pining
🇹🇷🇮🇬🇬🇪🇷🇸
✸ spousal abuse
April 17, 2024
This was going to be a solid 4 star read for me but the last 10% of the book really just bombed. The final 40pgs had me questioning if I even wanted to finish the book. Without giving spoilers I found the FMC to be so overdramatic and I feel like she back tracked on her character growth healing journey at that point. I was literally reading parts out loud to my boyfriend because I couldn't believe some of this bullsh!t. I really enjoyed the book up to that point and was really wondering why people didn't talk about this book more. The last 10% answered that question though.
This being said I read the book in like 2 days and will be reading the next one in this interconnected stand alone series.
Slight spoilers but I feel like the MMC did basically nothing wrong and for him to be the one to feel / be treated at fault felt very wrong to me. Especially because as we learn through the epilogue nothing happened and he was right when he said nobody cares.
If I am going to be so for real this is a couple that idk if they stay together after the book ends. Hate to say it but thats more on Natalie's issues than Jaxon's. Jaxon is basically a perfect partner. Anyway, here's to hoping the next book doesn't flop 🙏
This being said I read the book in like 2 days and will be reading the next one in this interconnected stand alone series.
Slight spoilers but I feel like the MMC did basically nothing wrong and for him to be the one to feel / be treated at fault felt very wrong to me. Especially because as we learn through the epilogue nothing happened and he was right when he said nobody cares.
If I am going to be so for real this is a couple that idk if they stay together after the book ends. Hate to say it but thats more on Natalie's issues than Jaxon's. Jaxon is basically a perfect partner. Anyway, here's to hoping the next book doesn't flop 🙏
November 21, 2023
This book was great until I hit about 80%, and I started getting bored. I felt like some things were left unfinished, and then some things were overdone. It wasn't really a royal book, in my opinion, and I think I could have done without that part of the storyline.
It was a good read, and I'm glad I finished it.
It was a good read, and I'm glad I finished it.
May 8, 2024
Overall I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I really like this series & all of the characters!! But,,, There is something about the way this author writes about her characters that create completely contradictory stories.
So Natalie marries a prince, and his parents take HER side (although agreeable) and send her to the U.S with their three children, zero fight involved? Literally so unrealistic. Also the fact that she married a prince being a nobody, very unrealistic and incessant storyline. I would have much rather preferred a POS deadbeat to some prince who is conveniently gonna forget about his HEIRS? Lmao make it make sense!
Another thing, this book was great otherwise until about 65% through. Then it felt rushed and silly. Their “huge” fight was pointless & if I’m being honest the author has an issue with creating the “sweet, caring, perfect man” yet whenever an argument happens he becomes a lethal POS. Then we are supposed to forgive him for being a major crybaby?
Overall I will continue reading because it keeps me so entertained but I just had to say this lmao.
So Natalie marries a prince, and his parents take HER side (although agreeable) and send her to the U.S with their three children, zero fight involved? Literally so unrealistic. Also the fact that she married a prince being a nobody, very unrealistic and incessant storyline. I would have much rather preferred a POS deadbeat to some prince who is conveniently gonna forget about his HEIRS? Lmao make it make sense!
Another thing, this book was great otherwise until about 65% through. Then it felt rushed and silly. Their “huge” fight was pointless & if I’m being honest the author has an issue with creating the “sweet, caring, perfect man” yet whenever an argument happens he becomes a lethal POS. Then we are supposed to forgive him for being a major crybaby?
Overall I will continue reading because it keeps me so entertained but I just had to say this lmao.
September 10, 2023
Scoring princess was a lovely blend of royalty and ice hockey. I wasn't so sure how it would all come together but it did. And boy did it in come together in a spectacular way
👑 he's always loved her
👑 he falls first
👑 single mum
👑supportive girl gang
👑found family
All the characters come together beautifully, I wish it didn't have the 3rd act breakup and we got to see some justice over what the psycho ex had put Natalie through. But that's the excitement of this book being in a series... I hope we will get to see that in the next 2x books. The next 2x books are following the side of the royal family but I do hope they incorporate the same girl gang members and the characters don't switch up too much!
Great debut novel I highly recommend! Read the book in a day 4.5⭐️3🌶️ (Arc Review)
Triggers - Domestic abuse / Eating disorders
👑 he's always loved her
👑 he falls first
👑 single mum
👑supportive girl gang
👑found family
All the characters come together beautifully, I wish it didn't have the 3rd act breakup and we got to see some justice over what the psycho ex had put Natalie through. But that's the excitement of this book being in a series... I hope we will get to see that in the next 2x books. The next 2x books are following the side of the royal family but I do hope they incorporate the same girl gang members and the characters don't switch up too much!
Great debut novel I highly recommend! Read the book in a day 4.5⭐️3🌶️ (Arc Review)
Triggers - Domestic abuse / Eating disorders
September 23, 2023
I received this book as an eARC. All opinions are my own.
First of all, can I just say… give me the rest of this series asap because i’m truly SO excited to see how the rest of the storylines pan out!!!
In all seriousness, i absolutely adore hockey romance books, and this is truly one of my favorites. it amazes me how this book encapsulated so many different things like going from a serious topic like abusive relationships, to a cutesy/loveable christmas hallmark movie, to a hot and spicy read!!! I think one of my favorite parts of this book was probably the valentines day scene… it brought back allll of the nostalgia from my childhood.
Natalie and Jaxon’s relationship is truly one of a kind and tugged at my heartstrings at every single chapter. i can’t wait to see what else this author has in store ❤️
First of all, can I just say… give me the rest of this series asap because i’m truly SO excited to see how the rest of the storylines pan out!!!
In all seriousness, i absolutely adore hockey romance books, and this is truly one of my favorites. it amazes me how this book encapsulated so many different things like going from a serious topic like abusive relationships, to a cutesy/loveable christmas hallmark movie, to a hot and spicy read!!! I think one of my favorite parts of this book was probably the valentines day scene… it brought back allll of the nostalgia from my childhood.
Natalie and Jaxon’s relationship is truly one of a kind and tugged at my heartstrings at every single chapter. i can’t wait to see what else this author has in store ❤️
October 1, 2023
As a New England hockey mom, I was really excited to read this book. The thought of the author in the stands with the other moms collaborating over this plot is charming and relatable, as is this story.
Pros:
All I expected was “hockey romance” - I expected predictability, but this (happily) surprised me, especially the first few chapters. The romance is well written - doesn’t feel too cliche. I also really enjoyed the dual-pov.
I really liked the exploration of how her ex husband’s treatment affected her. I will keep this vague to avoid spoilers, but I find his behavior in the second half to be unrealistic for his personality type - which teeters closely towards plot-hole for me. (But I’ll happily ignore it!)
Cons:
•I think some of these characters need active counseling. I find it concerning that the friends didn’t encourage this.
•I would have liked to see the female apologize.
•Overuse of the word “baby” (my personal cringe). It was mentioned 154 times in this book, only half of the time referring to an actual baby.
Overall, I enjoyed this read - I have shared it with friends and I’ll be looking forward to book 2 & 3 and the eventual Comets Hockey books too!
Pros:
All I expected was “hockey romance” - I expected predictability, but this (happily) surprised me, especially the first few chapters. The romance is well written - doesn’t feel too cliche. I also really enjoyed the dual-pov.
I really liked the exploration of how her ex husband’s treatment affected her. I will keep this vague to avoid spoilers, but I find his behavior in the second half to be unrealistic for his personality type - which teeters closely towards plot-hole for me. (But I’ll happily ignore it!)
Cons:
•I think some of these characters need active counseling. I find it concerning that the friends didn’t encourage this.
•I would have liked to see the female apologize.
•Overuse of the word “baby” (my personal cringe). It was mentioned 154 times in this book, only half of the time referring to an actual baby.
Overall, I enjoyed this read - I have shared it with friends and I’ll be looking forward to book 2 & 3 and the eventual Comets Hockey books too!
November 14, 2023
Adorable
This was a very cute book of past trauma that comes back to haunt u. I felt so bad for Nat and bein there myself for 12 years. I could definitely feel what she felt. I loved this book, and it gives all other survivors hope.
This was a very cute book of past trauma that comes back to haunt u. I felt so bad for Nat and bein there myself for 12 years. I could definitely feel what she felt. I loved this book, and it gives all other survivors hope.
January 2, 2024
Good mix of spice and plot. One night stand turned slow burn with a HEA. No triggers, ex princess and the hockey star.
Great book to start off the new year.
Great book to start off the new year.
August 17, 2024
The FMC was so unlikable. Blah
September 26, 2023
ARC review. This book was simply amazing, I devoured this in one day! So many of my favorite things!
❤️single mom
❤️he falls first
❤️hockey hottie
❤️loves her kids
Jaxon is the ultimate book boyfriend that you can’t help but fall for. The way he loves Natalie and her kids and embraces it all is so sweet. He helps her build herself back up from her crappy ex. If you’re looking for a hockey romance with a single mom ex princess you’ve got to add this to your tbr!
❤️single mom
❤️he falls first
❤️hockey hottie
❤️loves her kids
Jaxon is the ultimate book boyfriend that you can’t help but fall for. The way he loves Natalie and her kids and embraces it all is so sweet. He helps her build herself back up from her crappy ex. If you’re looking for a hockey romance with a single mom ex princess you’ve got to add this to your tbr!
December 31, 2023
ARC Review: Thank you, Siena Trap, for the opportunity to be selected to read the ARC for "Scoring the Princess: A Hockey Romance" (The Remington Royals Book 1).
Thoughts: Scoring the Princess: A Hockey Romance is Book #1 of The Remington Royals series. I enjoyed reading this book and watching the character develop. It was the first ice hockey romance book I have read and it features many great characters. Overall, it was a great debut novel, and I highly recommend it to those readers who are interested in these many tropes.
Synopsis: She was always meant to be mine. My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player. There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits. No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind. Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner. Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince. I tried to forget about her. Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed. Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined. The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved. I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
Tropes:
- Hockey Superstar
- Fallen Princess
- Sports Romance
- Single Mum
- He Falls First, Has Always Loved Her
- Surprise Pregnancy
- Supportive Girl Gang
- Found Family
Book Info:
Genre: Sports Romance
Pages: 373
Average Rating: 3.98
Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.
★★★★☆
----------------------------
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Thoughts: Scoring the Princess: A Hockey Romance is Book #1 of The Remington Royals series. I enjoyed reading this book and watching the character develop. It was the first ice hockey romance book I have read and it features many great characters. Overall, it was a great debut novel, and I highly recommend it to those readers who are interested in these many tropes.
Synopsis: She was always meant to be mine. My status as one of the league’s superstars means I can have any woman I want. Puck bunnies line up at the chance to score with a hockey player. There’s just one problem . . . the only woman I want is off-limits. No woman can compare to Natalie Remington—at least not the perfect version of her I’ve created in my mind. Until I laid eyes on her, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. One smile from her and I was a goner. Too bad for me, she’s already taken—married to a prince. I tried to forget about her. Until . . . one day, she showed up on my doorstep, and everything changed. Now, my dream girl is within reach, and I’m getting a taste of what life at her side might look like. It’s better than I ever imagined. The shadow cast by her toxic ex-husband is hard to shake, but I’m determined to show Natalie how she deserves to be loved. I’ve racked up a lot of accomplishments over the course of my career, but one goal trumps them all: scoring the princess.
Tropes:
- Hockey Superstar
- Fallen Princess
- Sports Romance
- Single Mum
- He Falls First, Has Always Loved Her
- Surprise Pregnancy
- Supportive Girl Gang
- Found Family
Book Info:
Genre: Sports Romance
Pages: 373
Average Rating: 3.98
Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.
★★★★☆
----------------------------
Full book reviews on Instagram, TikTok, Goodreads & Storygraph (@readwithbec_)
June 8, 2025
Although this book is the first book that introduced us to the Conneticut Comets and Natalie and Jaxon, I didn't start with their story, I started with Bagging The Blueliner and Hannah and Cal's story. So reading this was like a beautiful prequel I was coming home to. I knew where their story had ended while reading the 3 books in the Connecticut Comets book series and was excited to learn how they got there. This book deeply satisfied all of my questions about their love story.
I had learned how Jaxon fell in love with Natalie the moment he saw her at 18 in a flashback in Hannah and Cal's book Bagging The Blueliner, and knew he didn't actually get his hands on her for years to come, ending in a beautiful happily ever after. But what happened in between? What had happened that finally led them together? Their story, from first passings to the years of lived separate lives, to finally the universe lining them up at the exact moment they both needed, was really relatable to my own second chance romance. The vulnerability in Natalie's healing and Jaxon's care in that made me reflect on my journey as a single mom at one point, and this book just really was chicken soup for the soul for me in a lot of ways.
Natalie's new life now that she is away from such a rough beginning, and going forward as a single mom with so many littles and so much emotional trauma that it leads her to falling into the arms of a safe space in her home town, truly fits the type of situations you get yourself in to, when you are so emptionally spent. A face from home and a memory attached to who she was prior to so much pain feels she, if even for only one moment. Jaxon Slate, who just happens to not only still be obsessed with her but lives right next door. The ultimatum and opportunity to use this safe space for one night is set on the table, and Natalie and Jaxon collide very quickly and in a way I wasn't expecting but heavily enjoyed, finally getting a look at how this Comit player faired in taking care of his lady! lol.
After the heated choice was made, neither thought anything of it. Well Jaxon thought a lot of it actually because it only worsened his nonstop obsession with Natalie and his world was about to change as fate was lining him up to score the goal he had been after without even really having to put much effort in... well, not until later, and then he would be making a lot of effort, and rightfully so. Most of this story is Natalie healing emotionally, physically and even sexually from so much past abuse in her previous marriage, and watching Jaxon rise to meet every challenge in showing her that he's interested in more than just simply being responsible for his actions and choices. This story really spoke on just how important a partner who truly has your best interest at heart can heal you in all the ways you thought you would be broken forever. The story of fate and crossed paths blends together in such a beautiful way. Watching Jaxon not only show up for Natalie but who he is as a man, a father, and a partner to someone off the ice.
There wasn't a lot of serious drama in this plot and I was expecting more of a mic drop to happen in that area, especially with how Leo's personality had been played up, but there wasn't a lot to navigate there. This plot really focuses more on Natalie's future and the pain of the scars from the past versus heavily keeping her past tangibly present in her current choices. This is a story of two people realizing how much they were destined for each other and what they have to do to reach the mutual wanted goal of happiness together. There was the moment at 70% that makes you hold your breath waiting for the future to play out, but the argument in true style of Trap in these books, our female lead started drama for the sake of the drama, knowing this man did everything right the whole time. Like Cal. Like Benji. Like Braxton. lol! These men always show up, and our girls start such undeeded separation for the sake of proving they should be together.... obviously. lol. The best hockey romance tripe plot twist, am I right!
I loved the representation of a good step dad by Jaxon and how having that representation in a family can make such a difference. His stepping up to care for Natalie's kids from her previous marriage was so deep for me, and it was represented so well and so strong. There were moments that really made your throat tight, and your stomach ached for what the kids are going through as well. It's all so well noted in this plot.
Overall, this book was intimate and sweet, and emotional. It's such a feel-good story and introduced the characters in such great ways. The spice wasn't super heavy, but the moments that happened were so real and true to the progression of the relationships at play and situations at hand. Pregnant sex is a tricky situation, and it was done well here. Jaxon is a book boyfriend to be respected, lol!!
For the beginning book in the universe, that is the Conneticut Comets, this was a great starting place even if I'm reading it as a prequel. It hit just right. I am now moving on to Amy and Liam's story, which I also already know the ending to due to reading the C.C. books first. But how did Liam win over the girl who vowed to always be the single aunt in the friend group? I am excited to find out!
I had learned how Jaxon fell in love with Natalie the moment he saw her at 18 in a flashback in Hannah and Cal's book Bagging The Blueliner, and knew he didn't actually get his hands on her for years to come, ending in a beautiful happily ever after. But what happened in between? What had happened that finally led them together? Their story, from first passings to the years of lived separate lives, to finally the universe lining them up at the exact moment they both needed, was really relatable to my own second chance romance. The vulnerability in Natalie's healing and Jaxon's care in that made me reflect on my journey as a single mom at one point, and this book just really was chicken soup for the soul for me in a lot of ways.
Natalie's new life now that she is away from such a rough beginning, and going forward as a single mom with so many littles and so much emotional trauma that it leads her to falling into the arms of a safe space in her home town, truly fits the type of situations you get yourself in to, when you are so emptionally spent. A face from home and a memory attached to who she was prior to so much pain feels she, if even for only one moment. Jaxon Slate, who just happens to not only still be obsessed with her but lives right next door. The ultimatum and opportunity to use this safe space for one night is set on the table, and Natalie and Jaxon collide very quickly and in a way I wasn't expecting but heavily enjoyed, finally getting a look at how this Comit player faired in taking care of his lady! lol.
After the heated choice was made, neither thought anything of it. Well Jaxon thought a lot of it actually because it only worsened his nonstop obsession with Natalie and his world was about to change as fate was lining him up to score the goal he had been after without even really having to put much effort in... well, not until later, and then he would be making a lot of effort, and rightfully so. Most of this story is Natalie healing emotionally, physically and even sexually from so much past abuse in her previous marriage, and watching Jaxon rise to meet every challenge in showing her that he's interested in more than just simply being responsible for his actions and choices. This story really spoke on just how important a partner who truly has your best interest at heart can heal you in all the ways you thought you would be broken forever. The story of fate and crossed paths blends together in such a beautiful way. Watching Jaxon not only show up for Natalie but who he is as a man, a father, and a partner to someone off the ice.
There wasn't a lot of serious drama in this plot and I was expecting more of a mic drop to happen in that area, especially with how Leo's personality had been played up, but there wasn't a lot to navigate there. This plot really focuses more on Natalie's future and the pain of the scars from the past versus heavily keeping her past tangibly present in her current choices. This is a story of two people realizing how much they were destined for each other and what they have to do to reach the mutual wanted goal of happiness together. There was the moment at 70% that makes you hold your breath waiting for the future to play out, but the argument in true style of Trap in these books, our female lead started drama for the sake of the drama, knowing this man did everything right the whole time. Like Cal. Like Benji. Like Braxton. lol! These men always show up, and our girls start such undeeded separation for the sake of proving they should be together.... obviously. lol. The best hockey romance tripe plot twist, am I right!
I loved the representation of a good step dad by Jaxon and how having that representation in a family can make such a difference. His stepping up to care for Natalie's kids from her previous marriage was so deep for me, and it was represented so well and so strong. There were moments that really made your throat tight, and your stomach ached for what the kids are going through as well. It's all so well noted in this plot.
Overall, this book was intimate and sweet, and emotional. It's such a feel-good story and introduced the characters in such great ways. The spice wasn't super heavy, but the moments that happened were so real and true to the progression of the relationships at play and situations at hand. Pregnant sex is a tricky situation, and it was done well here. Jaxon is a book boyfriend to be respected, lol!!
For the beginning book in the universe, that is the Conneticut Comets, this was a great starting place even if I'm reading it as a prequel. It hit just right. I am now moving on to Amy and Liam's story, which I also already know the ending to due to reading the C.C. books first. But how did Liam win over the girl who vowed to always be the single aunt in the friend group? I am excited to find out!
September 26, 2023
{I received in ARC in exchange for an honest review.}
Hockey meets royalty in this second-chance romance between a hunky hockey star and a fallen princess who just escaped from a loveless marriage. It all starts with a baseball in the neighbor's yard… Natalie is a princess by marriage who just divorced her abusive ex, and she is going through a lot of things–including being a single mother to 3 young kids–when she comes across Jaxon Slate again after 10 years. Jaxon Slate is a top hockey star when Natalie comes knocking on his door 10 years after their first encounter–better known to Jaxon as the day he fell for Natalie Remington. The two collide in one passionate night that leads to an unexpected surprise…
Natalie and Jaxon worked so well together, once Natalie decided to let her walls down and let Jaxon into her life–and her kids’ lives as well. Natalie experienced a lot of mental and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex for basically their entire marriage. Natalie was only 18 when she got married, so she really had a hard time breaking free of her ex and his abuse, but once she did she was much better off. And it helped her find Jaxon again, too. Jaxon was patient with her from the very start of their new relationship; he was always making sure that she was okay and reassuring her that he wasn’t like her ex at all. He was there for her and never pushed her to share her story or let her walls down before she was truly ready to do so. And, to top it all off, Jaxon was amazingly sweet with Natalie’s kids; he treated them better than their biological father ever did and it was unbelievably sweet and endearing–honestly, I think that’s one of the main things that helped Natalie open up to Jaxon more. Jaxon is just the sweetest angel baby cinnamon roll you could ever meet and he loves with his whole heart! It was hard to believe he was a hockey player sometimes because you expect them to be much more serious and broody (sometimes they might even be seen as violent), but not Jaxon Slate. He was never afraid to be vulnerable with Natalie, even when she wasn’t always ready to be vulnerable with him. He was kind and patient with her throughout the book and I think it really helped Natalie to open up with him and see that not all men are like her terrible ex. Jaxon was an amazing father figure to Natalie’s kids throughout the book, too; he always treated them like his own kids and they absolutely fell in love with him because of it (just like Natalie)! I also appreciated that Jaxon was able to bring Natalie out of the shell she retreated into because of her ex; he made her laugh and smile and made her come alive rather than just managing through life as she had been. They truly brought out the best in each other despite all their ups and downs, both individually and as a couple, and it was a really amazing thing to see. This book is a great start to this series, and I can’t wait to see what the other Remington Royals get up to next!
Hockey meets royalty in this second-chance romance between a hunky hockey star and a fallen princess who just escaped from a loveless marriage. It all starts with a baseball in the neighbor's yard… Natalie is a princess by marriage who just divorced her abusive ex, and she is going through a lot of things–including being a single mother to 3 young kids–when she comes across Jaxon Slate again after 10 years. Jaxon Slate is a top hockey star when Natalie comes knocking on his door 10 years after their first encounter–better known to Jaxon as the day he fell for Natalie Remington. The two collide in one passionate night that leads to an unexpected surprise…
Natalie and Jaxon worked so well together, once Natalie decided to let her walls down and let Jaxon into her life–and her kids’ lives as well. Natalie experienced a lot of mental and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex for basically their entire marriage. Natalie was only 18 when she got married, so she really had a hard time breaking free of her ex and his abuse, but once she did she was much better off. And it helped her find Jaxon again, too. Jaxon was patient with her from the very start of their new relationship; he was always making sure that she was okay and reassuring her that he wasn’t like her ex at all. He was there for her and never pushed her to share her story or let her walls down before she was truly ready to do so. And, to top it all off, Jaxon was amazingly sweet with Natalie’s kids; he treated them better than their biological father ever did and it was unbelievably sweet and endearing–honestly, I think that’s one of the main things that helped Natalie open up to Jaxon more. Jaxon is just the sweetest angel baby cinnamon roll you could ever meet and he loves with his whole heart! It was hard to believe he was a hockey player sometimes because you expect them to be much more serious and broody (sometimes they might even be seen as violent), but not Jaxon Slate. He was never afraid to be vulnerable with Natalie, even when she wasn’t always ready to be vulnerable with him. He was kind and patient with her throughout the book and I think it really helped Natalie to open up with him and see that not all men are like her terrible ex. Jaxon was an amazing father figure to Natalie’s kids throughout the book, too; he always treated them like his own kids and they absolutely fell in love with him because of it (just like Natalie)! I also appreciated that Jaxon was able to bring Natalie out of the shell she retreated into because of her ex; he made her laugh and smile and made her come alive rather than just managing through life as she had been. They truly brought out the best in each other despite all their ups and downs, both individually and as a couple, and it was a really amazing thing to see. This book is a great start to this series, and I can’t wait to see what the other Remington Royals get up to next!
November 8, 2023
★★★★. Single mom, check. Surprise pregnancy from a one night stand, check. A man having a ten year crush on said ex-princess, check check. Natalie is a single mom of three who recently just divorced her abusive ex husband, Leo. In doing so, she moves back home with her three children, her brother in law, and best friend. There she meets, Jaxson. The most perfect man ever.
Natalie. I felt for her so much. Her backstory and how Leo treated her was horrible. To find out he basically trapped her into marriage for all those years so she could never leave was disgusting. How he mentally and emotionally ruined her. How her parents didn’t even care. Too see her grow and find herself again was wonderful. Her love for her children was the best thing. She always put them first and made sure they were happy and healthy. She started to get a little annoying with the whole paranoia thing with the media when there was no like big thing with it.
Jaxson. He was perfect. Not one flaw. He’s loved Natalie since he met her and fell in love because of her laugh. He found her again and immediately was ready to make her his. He stepped up for her three children and kept all his promises of being there for them. He was so excited to become a father to Charolette and to be with Natalie. His relationship with everyone was so different and I loved how the author showed that. His love and devotion to Natalie, perfect.
I don’t blame him at all for the third act because he was pushed to say those things. I thought the third act was a little dumb as there wasn’t any reason for her to get mad. Her paranoia got the best of her and everyone seemed to allow the paranoia to take control of her. And the epilogue proved he was right when they got married and literally nobody, not one person, cared.
“God, that woman. My love for her grew by the day-
-hell, it grew every time she opened her mouth.”
"Nat, I made a promise to you. That I'd never take her from you. I keep my promises. Always. I want to be a part of Charlie's life, but you will always have the power to set the terms. I trust you. I've seen how you'd put your own life on the line for your kids. How could I not want that for our daughter?"
Natalie. I felt for her so much. Her backstory and how Leo treated her was horrible. To find out he basically trapped her into marriage for all those years so she could never leave was disgusting. How he mentally and emotionally ruined her. How her parents didn’t even care. Too see her grow and find herself again was wonderful. Her love for her children was the best thing. She always put them first and made sure they were happy and healthy. She started to get a little annoying with the whole paranoia thing with the media when there was no like big thing with it.
Jaxson. He was perfect. Not one flaw. He’s loved Natalie since he met her and fell in love because of her laugh. He found her again and immediately was ready to make her his. He stepped up for her three children and kept all his promises of being there for them. He was so excited to become a father to Charolette and to be with Natalie. His relationship with everyone was so different and I loved how the author showed that. His love and devotion to Natalie, perfect.
I don’t blame him at all for the third act because he was pushed to say those things. I thought the third act was a little dumb as there wasn’t any reason for her to get mad. Her paranoia got the best of her and everyone seemed to allow the paranoia to take control of her. And the epilogue proved he was right when they got married and literally nobody, not one person, cared.
“God, that woman. My love for her grew by the day-
-hell, it grew every time she opened her mouth.”
"Nat, I made a promise to you. That I'd never take her from you. I keep my promises. Always. I want to be a part of Charlie's life, but you will always have the power to set the terms. I trust you. I've seen how you'd put your own life on the line for your kids. How could I not want that for our daughter?"
February 26, 2025
coming around for the backlog
I’m circling back around to this book after coming to Mrs Trap at the release of Bagging the Blue Liner (which I loved!). But I think that does change my view of this book a little.
I honestly really enjoyed this book. I loved getting the back story that’s been dropped in bits and pieces in later books. But it’s almost like seeing your parents make out. Haha! Natalie and Jaxon are totally the mom and dad of the crew in the Connecticut Comets series and seeing them in compromising scenes here took a little getting used to. Don’t get me wrong, they’re hot as heck and I absolutely fell in love with them all over again.
I can definitely see the progression in writing style from this book to the later ones, but that by no means made this difficult to read. In fact I couldn’t put it down.
My biggest complaints are only two: Natalie’s decision to get with Jaxon initially didn’t really have a big set up. We knew how he felt about her and there were hints she thought something about him, but we never really get a moment of her mulling over her lack of a sex life and then deciding to do something about it. Secondly, I felt the last bit was rushed. The dark night of the soul hit at 90% so there wasn’t a lot of time for reflecting and even less time to show them coming back together. They both said some horrible things to each other but Jaxon was (in my opinion) unforgivable. I wanted some serious groveling after that and while his grand gesture was pretty good, I think Natalie let him off too easy.
On the flip, my favorite parts of this book are the things that made me fall in love with Jaxon in the later books. That man is just so dreamy. On top of being a hunky hockey star, he’s such a devoted family man. From the get go, he’s all in with Natalie’s other children and that just made me melt. I love a good step-parent-not-a-step-parent trope.
I’m circling back around to this book after coming to Mrs Trap at the release of Bagging the Blue Liner (which I loved!). But I think that does change my view of this book a little.
I honestly really enjoyed this book. I loved getting the back story that’s been dropped in bits and pieces in later books. But it’s almost like seeing your parents make out. Haha! Natalie and Jaxon are totally the mom and dad of the crew in the Connecticut Comets series and seeing them in compromising scenes here took a little getting used to. Don’t get me wrong, they’re hot as heck and I absolutely fell in love with them all over again.
I can definitely see the progression in writing style from this book to the later ones, but that by no means made this difficult to read. In fact I couldn’t put it down.
My biggest complaints are only two: Natalie’s decision to get with Jaxon initially didn’t really have a big set up. We knew how he felt about her and there were hints she thought something about him, but we never really get a moment of her mulling over her lack of a sex life and then deciding to do something about it. Secondly, I felt the last bit was rushed. The dark night of the soul hit at 90% so there wasn’t a lot of time for reflecting and even less time to show them coming back together. They both said some horrible things to each other but Jaxon was (in my opinion) unforgivable. I wanted some serious groveling after that and while his grand gesture was pretty good, I think Natalie let him off too easy.
On the flip, my favorite parts of this book are the things that made me fall in love with Jaxon in the later books. That man is just so dreamy. On top of being a hunky hockey star, he’s such a devoted family man. From the get go, he’s all in with Natalie’s other children and that just made me melt. I love a good step-parent-not-a-step-parent trope.
September 24, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Review: Scoring the Princess by Siena Trap
Series: Remington Royals, Book 1
Narrators: Mia Madison & Patrick Zeller
Listening Length: ~11 hours
Publisher: Tantor Media
💫 Tropes You’ll Meet Here:
- Royalty meets sports romance
- Golden retriever hero x guarded heroine
- Forbidden love / off-limits crush
- Trauma recovery arc
- Third-act breakup (and yes, we’re side-eyeing it)
- Groveling hero (maybe too much grovel?)
🎙️ Voice Acting vs. Narration
Let’s be clear: this is voice acting, not just narration.
- Patrick Zeller delivers every ounce of golden retriever energy with emotional depth and charisma.
- Mia Madison brings vulnerability, strength, and nuance to Natalie’s voice especially in scenes that touch on trauma and healing.
Together, they elevate the story beyond the page.
👑 Character Breakdown
Natalie Remington – Princess, survivor, and woman on the edge of reclaiming her life. She’s healing from emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, and anorexia. Her arc is powerful, but her choices...especially around the third-act breakup......might leave you frustrated.
Jaxon- Hockey superstar with heart-of-gold energy. He’s patient, devoted, and borderline perfect until one minor mistake sends the plot spiraling. His grovel game is strong, but the emotional logic? Debatable.
---
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
This book includes sensitive themes:
- Emotional abuse
- Manipulation and gaslighting
- Disordered eating (anorexia)
- Toxic relationships and trauma recovery
Please check content warnings before diving in.
🧊 Final Thoughts
The premise? Platinum.
The narration? Stellar.
The emotional payoff? Complicated.
If you love royal romance with heart and healing, this might hit. But if you need your third-act breakups to be earned and your heroines to apply consistent logic… you might find yourself yelling Girl, be serious! mid-listen.
Series: Remington Royals, Book 1
Narrators: Mia Madison & Patrick Zeller
Listening Length: ~11 hours
Publisher: Tantor Media
💫 Tropes You’ll Meet Here:
- Royalty meets sports romance
- Golden retriever hero x guarded heroine
- Forbidden love / off-limits crush
- Trauma recovery arc
- Third-act breakup (and yes, we’re side-eyeing it)
- Groveling hero (maybe too much grovel?)
🎙️ Voice Acting vs. Narration
Let’s be clear: this is voice acting, not just narration.
- Patrick Zeller delivers every ounce of golden retriever energy with emotional depth and charisma.
- Mia Madison brings vulnerability, strength, and nuance to Natalie’s voice especially in scenes that touch on trauma and healing.
Together, they elevate the story beyond the page.
👑 Character Breakdown
Natalie Remington – Princess, survivor, and woman on the edge of reclaiming her life. She’s healing from emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, and anorexia. Her arc is powerful, but her choices...especially around the third-act breakup......might leave you frustrated.
Jaxon- Hockey superstar with heart-of-gold energy. He’s patient, devoted, and borderline perfect until one minor mistake sends the plot spiraling. His grovel game is strong, but the emotional logic? Debatable.
---
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
This book includes sensitive themes:
- Emotional abuse
- Manipulation and gaslighting
- Disordered eating (anorexia)
- Toxic relationships and trauma recovery
Please check content warnings before diving in.
🧊 Final Thoughts
The premise? Platinum.
The narration? Stellar.
The emotional payoff? Complicated.
If you love royal romance with heart and healing, this might hit. But if you need your third-act breakups to be earned and your heroines to apply consistent logic… you might find yourself yelling Girl, be serious! mid-listen.
September 15, 2023
Scoring The Princess 🏒👑 by Siena Trap
Dual POV/HEA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Plot & Review
After getting out of an emotionally abusive 10 year marriage, Natalie, single mom of 3, seems to finally start settling into her new life in America. That is until one day her son throws a ball into a neighbors backyard. After a much needed one night stand with the sexy hockey player next door, Natalie’s life gets turned upside down again.
I loved all the different relationships throughout this book. Jaxon and Natalie were absolutely perfect for each other. I loved watching how Jaxon brought out so many different sides to Natalie and I really enjoyed watching Jaxon step up into the role of a father not only for his own kid but for Natalie’s other kids. The kids and Jaxons bond was the most adorable thing ever.
I’m not typically one that is a fan of the surprise pregnancy trope but this one was done pretty well and I actually enjoyed it. The first 5 chapters of the book were very fast paced and I’m more of a slow burn girly and there was a ton of information to take in very quickly but once I was able to fully understand the relationships and what was happening I couldn’t put the book down.
I’m also a sucker for good side characters. If the author can get me not only attached to the MC’s but also the other people involved it makes it much more enjoyable and Siena did just that. I loved Amy and Hannah’s relationship with Natalie and although at times Liam drove me nuts I liked his character as well. My favorite side character hands down was Jaxon’s mom. She is absolute perfection and that woman could do no wrong in my eyes.
Overall great debut novel and I would recommend to my friends and I can’t wait to see how all the other stories come together in her next few books!
Tropes
* surprise pregnancy
* hockey player / princess
* found family
Triggers
* spousal abuse
Dual POV/HEA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Plot & Review
After getting out of an emotionally abusive 10 year marriage, Natalie, single mom of 3, seems to finally start settling into her new life in America. That is until one day her son throws a ball into a neighbors backyard. After a much needed one night stand with the sexy hockey player next door, Natalie’s life gets turned upside down again.
I loved all the different relationships throughout this book. Jaxon and Natalie were absolutely perfect for each other. I loved watching how Jaxon brought out so many different sides to Natalie and I really enjoyed watching Jaxon step up into the role of a father not only for his own kid but for Natalie’s other kids. The kids and Jaxons bond was the most adorable thing ever.
I’m not typically one that is a fan of the surprise pregnancy trope but this one was done pretty well and I actually enjoyed it. The first 5 chapters of the book were very fast paced and I’m more of a slow burn girly and there was a ton of information to take in very quickly but once I was able to fully understand the relationships and what was happening I couldn’t put the book down.
I’m also a sucker for good side characters. If the author can get me not only attached to the MC’s but also the other people involved it makes it much more enjoyable and Siena did just that. I loved Amy and Hannah’s relationship with Natalie and although at times Liam drove me nuts I liked his character as well. My favorite side character hands down was Jaxon’s mom. She is absolute perfection and that woman could do no wrong in my eyes.
Overall great debut novel and I would recommend to my friends and I can’t wait to see how all the other stories come together in her next few books!
Tropes
* surprise pregnancy
* hockey player / princess
* found family
Triggers
* spousal abuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2024
Oh. My. God. I didn’t think Jaxon could have gotten any better while I read Bagging the Blueliner and Surprise for the Sniper. And yet, here I am, proven wrong. Wanting to know how Jaxon and Natalie’s story came about was one thing but reading it- was a completely different experience.
Natalie, coming from a broken and abusive marriage with 3 gorgeous kids, is a strong ass woman. Especially with how that low life piece of shit treated her. I wanted to punch him in the face. Not even kidding. But I loved how his OWN DAMN BROTHER helped her escape from him. That fucking tells you something. But coming back to Hartford couldn’t have been the better decision, especially with a guy like Jaxon in its presence. And that one ball over the fence changed everything. I could have not been more in love with Jaxon to the fact he took on the father figure role to Amelia, Jameson, and Beau, but also allowed Natalie to break out from her shell and become the girl he had seen all of those years ago- the one he fell in love with, all the way back then. How no matter if she had a sudden trigger, having a breakdown or was swooning her, he always made her feel safe and loved. Oh, and I died, a lot, at their confessions and their spicy scenes. Jaxon knows his way with his words, and he even had me going. Not to mention little miss Charlotte, who happened to bring this whole thing together *smirk*.
I just freaking loved everything about this book (apart from Leo’s appearances) and I could not be happier with how their love story came about, even though I knew how their future played out before reading the start to their forever. Seeing Natalie break out into her old self and her character development from wanting to hide in Jaxon’s trunk to the happy and free person was just amazing to see. That having that support and love from where you need it most, can change you for the better. Jaxon and Natalie forever! <3
Natalie, coming from a broken and abusive marriage with 3 gorgeous kids, is a strong ass woman. Especially with how that low life piece of shit treated her. I wanted to punch him in the face. Not even kidding. But I loved how his OWN DAMN BROTHER helped her escape from him. That fucking tells you something. But coming back to Hartford couldn’t have been the better decision, especially with a guy like Jaxon in its presence. And that one ball over the fence changed everything. I could have not been more in love with Jaxon to the fact he took on the father figure role to Amelia, Jameson, and Beau, but also allowed Natalie to break out from her shell and become the girl he had seen all of those years ago- the one he fell in love with, all the way back then. How no matter if she had a sudden trigger, having a breakdown or was swooning her, he always made her feel safe and loved. Oh, and I died, a lot, at their confessions and their spicy scenes. Jaxon knows his way with his words, and he even had me going. Not to mention little miss Charlotte, who happened to bring this whole thing together *smirk*.
I just freaking loved everything about this book (apart from Leo’s appearances) and I could not be happier with how their love story came about, even though I knew how their future played out before reading the start to their forever. Seeing Natalie break out into her old self and her character development from wanting to hide in Jaxon’s trunk to the happy and free person was just amazing to see. That having that support and love from where you need it most, can change you for the better. Jaxon and Natalie forever! <3
September 23, 2023
Natalie Remington got what every girl wanted: the prince. But behind closed doors he wasn’t a prince but a monster. So Natalie, with the help of her BIL/MIL flee Belleston with her 3 children back to the states. Nestled in the comfort of her home with her children, best friend, and ex-BIL trying to avoid the paparazzi and regain her old self for the sake of her kids. One evening she goes next door to retrieve her sons ball that went over the fence, but she knew the neighbor on the other side of the fence, it was Jaxon Slate the man she’d known for years.. Once a rookie, now the hotshot hockey Captain. Nat decides to take control of her life and decides she’s gonna to proposition Jaxon for just one night to rock each others worlds and help her move on from her ex husband. But sometimes one night has its consequences that leave a life lasting mark. Natalie & Jaxon must navigate a new life while avoiding the paparazzi and keeping it all secret to keep her family safe. But how long can Jaxon go not telling his friends / family about being someone’s “dirty secret” when he just wants the world to know she’s finally HIS. This royal romance is going to take you quite the roller coaster of emotions.
📚 Hockey / Contemporary Romance
📚 Surprise Pregnancy
📚 Single Mom
📚 Friends to Lovers
📚 One Night Stand
📚 Dual POV
This is a cutely written ex princess meets hockey stud. I love how we got great backstory information on each character and some of the side characters also! The character development was laid out I just feel like the ending was rushed. But overall such a cute story with a touch of spice 💕🌶️
📚 Hockey / Contemporary Romance
📚 Surprise Pregnancy
📚 Single Mom
📚 Friends to Lovers
📚 One Night Stand
📚 Dual POV
This is a cutely written ex princess meets hockey stud. I love how we got great backstory information on each character and some of the side characters also! The character development was laid out I just feel like the ending was rushed. But overall such a cute story with a touch of spice 💕🌶️
October 18, 2023
This gave off Sweet Temptation’s vibes, but, of course, with a lot lighter details and events.
If Giulia in Sweet Temptation managed to heal everyone with her kindness, patience and grace, then, I’d say, Jaxon is definitely her male version here.
Love his bond with the kids, they were so freaking cute and he was such a golden retriever, I really love it.
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate Amy, the FMC’s best friend? She was so rational, straightforward but at the same time very sweet and supportive. Seriously, not everyone can do what she did for Natalie and her family, even siblings or family members, it’s really rare and I’m damn jealous, Natalie you lucky b.
However, while this was cute and all, I think the interactions between our 2 mains, at least the on page ones, weren’t enough. I mean I’m so glad that we got to see the whole pregnancy and life with the baby in the storyline, not just the epilogue. And I get it that was why the author only put the highlight events in. But it kinda backfired since there were too little interactions for these too many time jumps, their chemistry thus seemed a bit lacking and, to me, wasn’t enough for them to drop the L bomb.
Moreover, idk, I didn’t really like the conflict. I get it, I understand why they did what they did, but I think the conflict would have been better if it was executed differently and, with everything that had happened so far to that point of the story, the mains could have handled it so much better, just saying…
Also, the ending was a bit rush for my liking. Would love to see them settle down before jumping into the epilogue right after solving the problem like that.
Still, overall, this was very cute and wholesome, I enjoyed it a lot and had a great time!
If Giulia in Sweet Temptation managed to heal everyone with her kindness, patience and grace, then, I’d say, Jaxon is definitely her male version here.
Love his bond with the kids, they were so freaking cute and he was such a golden retriever, I really love it.
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate Amy, the FMC’s best friend? She was so rational, straightforward but at the same time very sweet and supportive. Seriously, not everyone can do what she did for Natalie and her family, even siblings or family members, it’s really rare and I’m damn jealous, Natalie you lucky b.
However, while this was cute and all, I think the interactions between our 2 mains, at least the on page ones, weren’t enough. I mean I’m so glad that we got to see the whole pregnancy and life with the baby in the storyline, not just the epilogue. And I get it that was why the author only put the highlight events in. But it kinda backfired since there were too little interactions for these too many time jumps, their chemistry thus seemed a bit lacking and, to me, wasn’t enough for them to drop the L bomb.
Moreover, idk, I didn’t really like the conflict. I get it, I understand why they did what they did, but I think the conflict would have been better if it was executed differently and, with everything that had happened so far to that point of the story, the mains could have handled it so much better, just saying…
Also, the ending was a bit rush for my liking. Would love to see them settle down before jumping into the epilogue right after solving the problem like that.
Still, overall, this was very cute and wholesome, I enjoyed it a lot and had a great time!
September 12, 2023
***ARC Review***
Who doesn't love a book that makes the best TV show reference?! I loved this book about a single mom trying to leave a toxic relationship and doing her best to navigate her new life. Natalie was mentally and emotional abused by Leo, then finds the courage to leave him with her children and finds love with her best friend and ex-brother-in-law. Both do what they can to show her love and protection. She finds comfort in her neighbor Jaxon, who plays for the Connecticut Comets professional hockey team. Natalie has always been off limits because she has been like the coach's daughter; but that all changes when she goes to his house to retrieve a baseball her son threw over the fence. Natalie "lets her hair down" for one night and thinks that will be it, until she becomes sick and finds out she is pregnant, even though they used protection.
Such a beautiful love story not only between Jaxon and Natalie, but also between Jaxon and Natalie's children, Amelia, Jameson, and Beau. Love the FRIENDS reference when Natalie is talking to Amy about sleeping with Jaxon, "First things first. Which one of you went backpacking in Western Europe?" My heart absolutely broke when they split and how hurt Natalie was, but was put back together after his grand gesture. Love it! Can't wait to read the next books to see where the characters go.
Who doesn't love a book that makes the best TV show reference?! I loved this book about a single mom trying to leave a toxic relationship and doing her best to navigate her new life. Natalie was mentally and emotional abused by Leo, then finds the courage to leave him with her children and finds love with her best friend and ex-brother-in-law. Both do what they can to show her love and protection. She finds comfort in her neighbor Jaxon, who plays for the Connecticut Comets professional hockey team. Natalie has always been off limits because she has been like the coach's daughter; but that all changes when she goes to his house to retrieve a baseball her son threw over the fence. Natalie "lets her hair down" for one night and thinks that will be it, until she becomes sick and finds out she is pregnant, even though they used protection.
Such a beautiful love story not only between Jaxon and Natalie, but also between Jaxon and Natalie's children, Amelia, Jameson, and Beau. Love the FRIENDS reference when Natalie is talking to Amy about sleeping with Jaxon, "First things first. Which one of you went backpacking in Western Europe?" My heart absolutely broke when they split and how hurt Natalie was, but was put back together after his grand gesture. Love it! Can't wait to read the next books to see where the characters go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
3.75/5 ⭐️
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book because of how quick it escalated in the first few chapters, but I ended up really liking it and it was super cute and wholesome.
I’m definitely not one for a pregnancy trope book, especially when it’s right off the bat, but this book made me love the aspect and made this book what it was.
Natalie is a traumatized ex-princess who was married to an emotionally manipulative prince before running off with her three kids who she would do anything for. Leaning her background was heartbreaking, all I could think of was Princess Diana (even though her death was before I was even born) and how much Natalie reminded me of her with her devotion to her kids. I’m glad she finally got her happy ending, she fucking deserves it.
Jaxon is the next door neighbor professional hockey player who’s been in love with Natalie for forever. Watching him take in Natalie’s kids as his own, playing the father figure they so much deserve warmed my heart so much. The fluffy feeling that I literally couldn’t help but smile while reading most of the book. It was so sweet and wholesome to watch each of the relationships he had with the kids and Natalie as well.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book because of how quick it escalated in the first few chapters, but I ended up really liking it and it was super cute and wholesome.
I’m definitely not one for a pregnancy trope book, especially when it’s right off the bat, but this book made me love the aspect and made this book what it was.
Natalie is a traumatized ex-princess who was married to an emotionally manipulative prince before running off with her three kids who she would do anything for. Leaning her background was heartbreaking, all I could think of was Princess Diana (even though her death was before I was even born) and how much Natalie reminded me of her with her devotion to her kids. I’m glad she finally got her happy ending, she fucking deserves it.
Jaxon is the next door neighbor professional hockey player who’s been in love with Natalie for forever. Watching him take in Natalie’s kids as his own, playing the father figure they so much deserve warmed my heart so much. The fluffy feeling that I literally couldn’t help but smile while reading most of the book. It was so sweet and wholesome to watch each of the relationships he had with the kids and Natalie as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2025
Loved reading Jaxon and Natalie’s story!
Jaxon Slate and Natalie Remington had me hooked right from the beginning!
Natalie struggles with her past but with the support of her best friend and her big brother she makes some progress towards bettering her life. But when Jaxon steps in she finds her light and starts to be more of herself. With Jaxon in the picture Natalie’s walls starts to slide down as she starts to trust that Jaxon is going to keep his promises that he makes. He makes a huge difference in her and her kids’ lives, and she realizes that he is just what her family needed. He loves her kids as if they were his own even if they are not his biologically.
This book is spicy and I loved every bit! He puts her needs first before his own! And he makes sure that she feels like she is in control since she was controlled and mentally abused by her ex husband.
Jaxon may make his own mistakes along the way but he learns from them to be a better man for Natalie. He wants her to know that he is there for her and that she will always be put first.
Their love story is beautiful and I loved seeing their relationship grow over through out this book. And loved the bonus scene at the end of this book!!
Jaxon Slate and Natalie Remington had me hooked right from the beginning!
Natalie struggles with her past but with the support of her best friend and her big brother she makes some progress towards bettering her life. But when Jaxon steps in she finds her light and starts to be more of herself. With Jaxon in the picture Natalie’s walls starts to slide down as she starts to trust that Jaxon is going to keep his promises that he makes. He makes a huge difference in her and her kids’ lives, and she realizes that he is just what her family needed. He loves her kids as if they were his own even if they are not his biologically.
This book is spicy and I loved every bit! He puts her needs first before his own! And he makes sure that she feels like she is in control since she was controlled and mentally abused by her ex husband.
Jaxon may make his own mistakes along the way but he learns from them to be a better man for Natalie. He wants her to know that he is there for her and that she will always be put first.
Their love story is beautiful and I loved seeing their relationship grow over through out this book. And loved the bonus scene at the end of this book!!
November 29, 2024
another hockey romance I devoured in one go! I literally couldn’t put this one down, the story of healing from such bad trauma was so raw and well written, it was such a realistic take on it and made the plot that much more emotional! the relationship journey was one of finding a way to love yourself and the person that wants to give you the world! as for the fmc, natalie, god she went through a lot during this, my heart broke for her, her healing journey was so beautifully written, and seeing someone finally put her first and reading the weight come of her shoulders with it, and when her personality started shining through, I got EVEN more emotional seeing her so happy! as for the mmc, jaxon, what an ANGEL, so patient and caring to her and her kids, he truly lifted them all up after everything they’d been through, and seeing him become a member of the family whilst taking care of them all, ISTG this book was just a rollercoaster of emotions and CRYING! I think the third act breakup was very rushed, I wished it was a little longer to really flesh out that part of the story! overall, I loved this book a lot, such good representation of mental health and a healing journey!
April 25, 2025
started good, ended bad
This started as a fun little romance, nothing too exciting, but enjoyable
It hit difficult topics on mental/emotional abuse and while thats a sad topic its important to be more open about it
Its clear that the FMC has big trust issues, but the MMC shows over and over he is a good man
Then at 90% in he makes a mistake and the FMC complete derails, there is no rationality, she allows her trauma to take over and under supposed claim of protecting her children she kicks the MMC out, not sure how this protects her children when they adore him and feel safe and loved with/by him and she just rips him away
Anything he said was twisted as negatively as possible and when he takes her by her word and leaves her alone that off course is also used against him in her head, pretty much damned if he does, damned if he doesnt
I had been rooting for the FMC the entire time, but the ending was utterly dissatisfying, my neck hurts from the whiplash, she owed him an apology, past trauma explains but doesnt excuse certain behaviours
A shame that the last few chapters made it such a frustrating read
This started as a fun little romance, nothing too exciting, but enjoyable
It hit difficult topics on mental/emotional abuse and while thats a sad topic its important to be more open about it
Its clear that the FMC has big trust issues, but the MMC shows over and over he is a good man
Then at 90% in he makes a mistake and the FMC complete derails, there is no rationality, she allows her trauma to take over and under supposed claim of protecting her children she kicks the MMC out, not sure how this protects her children when they adore him and feel safe and loved with/by him and she just rips him away
Anything he said was twisted as negatively as possible and when he takes her by her word and leaves her alone that off course is also used against him in her head, pretty much damned if he does, damned if he doesnt
I had been rooting for the FMC the entire time, but the ending was utterly dissatisfying, my neck hurts from the whiplash, she owed him an apology, past trauma explains but doesnt excuse certain behaviours
A shame that the last few chapters made it such a frustrating read
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