Sin Bin Situation

Hot Shots #5

by Lyssa Lemire

He’s everything I hate about hockey players. And now he’s my new roommate.

Ryder Hendricks: The most notorious playboy on campus. Infuriatingly sexy with captivating amber eyes paired with a sinfully sculpted body—and arrogant as hell, because he knows it.

Me: A wallflower future librarian whose idea of an exciting night is curling up with a good book or proofreading an essay.

Now we’re living together in a house so small we can hardly turn around without bumping into each other.

And, as much as I’d love to deny it, I can hardly close my eyes without imagining his big, strong hands all over me, proving that his reputation in the bedroom is well-deserved.

Would it be so bad if I gave into temptation and crossed the line?

Ryder Hendricks may be able to break my headboard, but if I keep my guard up, there’s no way he can break my heart … right?

Sin Bin Situation is a full-length, standalone college hockey romance novel. It features hilarious banter, lots of steam, lovable characters, and two total opposites forced to be roommates who find out they fit each other like perfect puzzle pieces. Happily-ever-after guaranteed!

Tropes:
boy obsessed / he falls first
forced proximity / roommates
bad boy hero
reverse grumpy sunshine
dual POV

Genres: Hockey, Sports Romance, Sports, Romance, Hockey Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2023

Reviews

[Abbie]

to my friends that are seeing this cover, leave me alone it actually turned out to be a really cute book

[Luna ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

»You're unbelievable.«
»You're unbelievably beautiful. Dance with me.«

★ ★ ★

❥ 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒄𝒆
Her character was a little cliché like she is a grey mouse and studies library science? Come on.

❥ 𝑹𝒚𝒅𝒆𝒓
He was so funny, his sayings were hilarious sometimes. Overall he is a big golden retriever.

✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This was fun and under normal circumstances a quick read.
It‘s nothing special and there are many books with the fuckboy x goodgirl trope. It was interesting that they room together I liked how the author describes everything.
Candace and Ryder have a great vibe and I enjoyed reading their story.
Still there was something missing in this book. Don‘t get me wrong it was fun and everything but has a forgettable storyline, so 3 stars. I absolutely understand if people rate this book higher so if you like hockey/college romance in general then go and read it!


𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 3/5
spice: 1/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 4/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes

𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
slow burn, college, hockey, roommates, goodgirl x fuckboy, nerd girl, dislike to love

[Onii0n · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF after 70% felt like a wattpad story :(

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

repeat after me — never trust book recommendations from tiktok !!!!!!!

omfg u think i would have learned this already with how many times i’ve been burned but noooooo i thought this one would be good

👁️👄👁️

its not!!!! its so not!!! dare i say even one of the worst books i’ve had the misfortune of reading

i just ,,, everyone in this book is terrible like literally no redeeming qualities and also like the author veered a little too close to racial sterotypes in a way that felt overtly racist also like the main girl fully should be on the sex offender registry but whatever

no! not! recommend!

[Melanie Cummins · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those tik Tok ones you should avoid. What a boring book

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I opened this book only to realize I’d already read it 🤦‍♀️ it’s been at least 6 weeks and I don’t remember too much from it - but from what I do, I did enjoy it.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ just what I needed

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not expecting much due to the title and cover of this book. However, neither reflect the book accurately. Candace and Ryder had a cute story. I would've loved more scenes of tension and getting to know one another.
That being said, there were also a number of grammatical errors in this one and some word choices that were a bit odd in some spots. Breasts being described as hemispherical was a... choice. Also, the conflict was one I've seen a few too many times and one I find quite aggravating.
It had its moments where it was an enjoyable read though.

[clara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

„Ich habe ein Zitat auf TikTok gesehen und wollte das Buch dann lesen…“ well… so war es tatsächlich. Aber irgendwie konnte es mich absolut nicht überzeugen.

Die Connection der beiden Charaktere war so oberflächlich und irgendwie fande ich sie auch bisschen anstrengend…

[Xiraani · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuteee but got rlly spicy out of nowhere
(not bad if u r into that!)

[Lynn Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot shot falls in love 😘

Cute story. Sad that his folks couldn’t allow their son to love to just love. The story was short and sweet.

[Caitlin Pinkerton · Rating 1 out of 5]

so fucking boring and just like a child has written it

[Shaunie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 star⭐

The enimies part was so good. The banter, the tension, the dialogue. Everything was golden.

But when they turned lovers idk I felt like the chemistry just wasn't there, and the as soon as the problem came into the picture it just tumbled down from there.

The inner momologuing from both main characters was whiny and I would've rather read the actions been played out instead of talked about. Then the reunion was lack luster. Like there were flashes of the charmingly devilish hockey player and flashes of the sarcastic librarian but then they were gone.
Also I don't know the point of her friends except for they were that. Other than being judgy about her wine consumption and offering little to no helpful relationship advice. They were just there.

Then the end was very cheesy Rom com instead of Ryder pulling one over in his dad, severing ties and the epic come back it was just an angry phone call.

Also the dad was giving goofy villian vibes instead of rich bastard. The ending was just too sweet and you really didn't feel the emotion that was in the first half.

And the fmc at the end seemed like this totally different person. Caring so much about the design of there apartment and wearing his jersey all seductively. Like where did the awkward, tea and a good book girl go?

We never found out what the painting that got dropped was and why it was so significant. She shouldve introduced the little boy reading about cows to Ryder. He was never mentioned again. No idea how the public speaking presentation went. I assumed she passed.

It was like once they got together there love was talked about instead of shown and felt. The story had really good bones. And the begining had me laughing and smiling to myself and all the right vibes are there.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace and Ryder

Candace, a college librarian studies student is mad when the school can’t increase the library budget but decides to give a huge amount towards the hockey team and takes it out on Ryder. Ryder, has been skating through life, not taking his grades seriously and partying until his rich parents cut him off. When they first become roommates, tension is high and combustible. As Ryder starts to take his grades seriously and gets a part time job, Candace realizes there is more to the hot hockey player. Sweet, low angst/drama, slow burn but then pretty spicy with a cute HEA

[Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, it's not the worst Lyssa Lemire book I've read
In fact it's top 3 best ones
She really outdid herself with this one, third act breakup, climax, plot It wasn't horrible
But I still think her books are a little too cliche for me
"Ryder Hendricks, amazing hockey player, Bad boy and Rich kid extraordinaire becomes roomate with the one girl who turned him down, the bookish, librarian coded good girl; will they or will they not fall in love?"
Cliche isn't bad but when all your work is cliche, it really goes to say a lot about you (you enjoy a lot of cliche ,familiar ,and comfortable books )
Once again, nice book, I kind of enjoyed this one

[Shannon Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing was a bit boring at times and there were a couple typos but otherwise the book was good. Pretty basic plot but entertaining nonetheless! There was a third act breakup which I don’t love but it worked out in the end as always. I wouldn’t speak anything terrible about this book but I don’t think I would go out of my way to recommend it either. I loved the Offside Play though, I thought the writing was good and much better than this book, so was disappointed when I went from that book to this one. Still thought this was an entertaining book and I did enjoy the read

[Aldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno, creo que le voy a dar un solido 3.5 ☆☆☆, porque 4 sería mucho para lo que fue, pero la verdad que estuvo piola. Obvio hubo cosas que decís ay chicos daaale, pero son las típicas de los libros. Lo del papá del pibe agitandosela cuando lo único que podía hacerle mal, ni siquiera era un mal asegurado, que te haces el malo manda más? Sali de acá. Por otro lado me gustó el romance de ellos dos, kinda metas. También me gustó leer como el chabón iba madurando a lo largo del libro, cosa que no suele verse. Ella re chill, no diría que la amo, pero me cae bastante bien.

[Thaimelly Rigobello · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an easy read. It has banter, emotions, friendship and love. Ryder is a hot shot hockey player that has his world turned upside down. Candy is a librarian trying her best to create a better world for kids. They hate each other but they end up together and it is a nice ride. Their group of friend is amazing. The bonus scene is so nice too!!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryder had finally been cut off from his spoiled life and had to learn to make it on his own in life and with school.

Candace had her life set and didn't like that the hockey team because they were receiving funds the library needed.

So when they end up as roommates, will they be able to get along? Will sparks fly and love happen? You will fall in love with them and their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TELA666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute but steamy opposites attract with a lot of character growth for Ryder. It is set in the senior year of college and the solution to the main problem felt appropriate, I was worried it would be over the top or unrealistic. I've read books 2 & 4 of this series and this is my favourite of them, now to read the two I've missed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lebo💫🤍 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Okay, Ryder and Candace. I liked them, after like 60% of the book. I was really excited to read this one because I liked Ryder as a side character in the other books, and I love a good character arc because he lost his lil trust fund and was going to experience middle class life. Candace was cute but boring.

Um, the "Ryder is a lazy student" storyline was kind of tired to me, and this is why:

I felt it was really stupid because he's attending college and doesn't go to class? Or do his assignments? That makes no sense whatsoever. Also, what the heck does he think college is? Ridley University wasn't made so a bunch of promising hockey players could sign with Philadelphia after getting a degree they had no interest in. And he doesn't have any sort of learning setback (lyssa could've made the book better if she wrote that in); bro just fumbles the bag he was so graciously born with for a taste of middle-class life because he's a lazy bum. seriously? How are you 23 and have no initiative in your life except making pucks hit the back of nets and hooking with random puck bunnies? Grow up and graduate.

Ryder mentions how his dad always calls him useless. Now, after he explained their family dynamic, it was pretty obvious what was going on. Ryder's dad just wanted his only son to be a carbon copy of him and because he didn't get a "proper" return with one of his many investments, he doesn't exactly know how to control his disdain. this is why i felt bad for Ryder, because he was never gonna get his father's approval and it was so obvious from jump. but parental validation isn't an easy thing to not want so, i don't blame him. i just wish he realized it sooner and just lived his life and made sure he secured the NHL bag before he ruined things. while we're talking about ruining things, how are you 23 and your parents still control your trust fund? doesn't it just get handed to you when you become an adult? (idk how this works but I've seen shows and movies where that happened and now it didn't happen with him)

Onto Candace.

I liked her but there was something that got to me that I haven't seen anyone mention. Candace was incredibly judgmental of Ryder before she started getting along with him. and she would say very rude things and it especially annoys me that after she sees who he really is, she doesn't have one of those "I was so wrong about him, he's so sweet, kind, caring etc" moments where she corrects herself. she and Kennedy from the third book in this series both did it and they both didn't admit they were wrong. it just doesn't sit right with me like you made atrocious assumptions about someone you barely knew (iwl some of them were fair given their reps but not all of them) and then when you get that D and realize he's literally such a normal, charming and pretty human being you don't correct yourself? weird. and don't tell me that's how ETLs work because Candace and Kennedy were both whipped enough to be like 'i was totally wrong about him" and gush about him afterwards. like dude.

anyway, other than that she was an okay character. kinda boring but she's okay.

now lets talk about their relationship.

1. it felt like lust more than anything because these people didn't go on dates and didn't even have one wholesome scene while they were supposed to be dating. like every single scene after they get together except the breakup scene and post Ryder's dad's ultimatum was just them sleeping together. Like "oh i wanna surprise candace when i pick her up from work then we get home and boink" "Ryder just got back from practice and now we boink" the last conversation they had that had substance was the truth or dare one when Ryder started venting for a second and thats really disappointing. and then as a last-ditch attempt, when they break up and miss each other both of them just mention random things like "when we would have late night talks or watch netflix" like please give me a scene where they do wholesome relationship things like that and then i’ll believe you.

2. Ryder had no game whatsoever. when they meet in the club, the lines he throws at her are so blegh. they gave 2016 macho bro for me, and all of his childish responses during their "banter" just made me cringe. like you can tell Ryder hasn't ever tried to properly flirt with someone bc he was just surrounded by puck bunnies who were determined to spend the night with thee Ryder Hendricks. Pathetic.

3. the reason their banter made me cringe is because every two seconds he would say "a girl has never spoken to me like this with witty remarks and sass"😑. no bro, she just isn't desperate to sleep with you. Candace would respond in the most normal way someone would if they just didn't like you that much and yes some of it was witty but most of it wasn't. like how are you rich and you've been surrounded by so much plastic in your life that you get so stunned when a girl has a smart mouth? we're not a dime a dozen, we're just not desperate.

anyway, Ryder getting Blaze to help him was very smart and i honestly didn't see it coming, i thought after he got his trust fund back, he would just buy the building because he has the means to maintain it and then he would spill his guts to Candace and then graduation (we were robbed of a graduation scene) then NHL then a wedding, but the ending was okay. where is Ryder's family though? do they just not speak to each other? Like his mom doesn’t even care?

Ok im done.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series keeps getting better and better.
Ryder and Candace are my favourite couple so far but I'm also partial to men learning life lessons story.
Not a lot of hockey in this one and i found myself wishing for a bit more but overall a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story. I love how the author introduced me the reader to her main characters. It was through great dialog and a well written scene. Candace and Ryder had good chemistry, although I liked them before any sparks flew between them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[eli windsor · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4 stars

yea no i did not enjoy this one. tiktok set my expectations pretty high but in all honesty when i say this was a quick read, i mean it was a QUICK read. things go from 0 to 100 real fast and had me mad confused😭😭 whatever happened to DEVELOPING feelings😭😭 i did finish it though so it wasn't too bad i guess?

[Sahiba Salmon-Rekhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟🌟 the spook was good! Nothing too special, just a basic hockey romance, but I loved the characters so much. The dad was such a jerk which is like to be expected, but still at your lot to say I would definitely read it as like a little pallet cleanser once again, blood characters loved how Candice was a techno shit type of girl. She’s really iconic!

[Linda Linh · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing comes off like someone writing in their dream journal. Editing is a pet peeve of mine and the fact that Mrs. Lee, the restaurant owner that the MMC works for turns into Mrs. Chang bothers the crap out of me. Lots of typos and the ending resolution for the conflict of the book happens in like 4 pages.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was cute, it was good. cliche, but most of her books have been. cliche doesn’t necessarily mean bad. again, this author desperately needs a new editor. she literally changed the name of a character halfway through…??? like huh??? it was still a pretty enjoyable read so it’s getting 2.5, rounding to 3

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun with great banter, steamy moments and nice characters.
An opposites attract enemies to lovers story about Ryder and Candance, she's a librarian he's a hockey player.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Weatherall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesus Christ idk if the author even got this proof read cause there was a heap of grammar and spelling mistakes sometimes it didn't even make sense lol I skim read the last 20% of this book just to get it done. But I was entertained non the less! Spicy and funny.

[Heather White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Ryder!

I love these two. I love that Candace puts Ryder in his place like no other. She shows him he's not all that, even when she does think naughty thoughts of him. His Dad is a jerk that needs to be put in his place and left there.