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No one knows the real Carter Donovan…

Tattooed hockey hotness.
Mountain of a man.
Beast on the ice.

...And his career is falling apart.

Until he meets Sydney Carroway.

Famous romance author.
Queen of Blue Balls.
All Hail the Queen.

Carter can’t get enough of Sydney and the sexy games they play.
He’s never been more intrigued or turned on by a woman.

But when Sydney gets too close to Carter’s secrets, he needs more than a killer glove save to defend his heart.

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2017

763 people are currently reading
785 people want to read

About the author

Jillian Quinn

62 books1,080 followers
Jillian Quinn is an international bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books are light and funny but also on the steamy side. So, don’t be surprised if you have to fan yourself with your Kindle.

As a lover of coffee and a collector of book boyfriends, you can find Jillian most days, thinking about her next romance novel as she pours another cup.

For more information about Jillian and to get a free novella, visit JillianQuinnBooks.com.

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5 stars
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298 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Candy.
408 reviews38 followers
May 28, 2017
Carter Donovan is the starting goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team. He is a tough player who had been one of the best in the game but for the last season he has struggle with his focus. Carter is use to getting his way with the woman usually choosing to use them one night at a time being a rough lover. Sydney Carroway is a famous erotic author who was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth. She is smart, head-strong & loves control in all aspects of her life. When Carter & Sydney meet on a set up planned by mutual friends both are completely hot for each other. But Sydney likes to play games & make men work for the chance to sleep with her. Carter is so intrigued that he plays along but Sydney asks for more then he can give. After playing games to get in Sydney's pants doesn't end with them in bed, Carter stops talking to her & won't answer her calls or texts. When their mutual friends share the news they are pregnant both Carter & Syndey sense something missing in their own lives. When the friends invite them to brunch, it is time for them to decide what it is they both want. Will Sydney be able to give up her games? Will Carter be able to pull down his walls & let her in? Will they be able to find what they are both looking for?

Donovan is the third installment in Jillian Quinn's Face-Off Series. It is a story of a haunted man & a spoiled rich young lady who have to be willing to let go of their insecurities in order to find love. Carter survived a traumatic upbringing making him closed off to intimacy. Sydney has spent all of her adult life being in control & must learn to let it go to find happiness. What happens when they both take a risk on the other is more then either of them would have expected. This book is meant for mature readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Karin.
2,178 reviews
May 24, 2017
I love the humor along with the heat that Jillian brings to her writing. And I always love her heroes and Carters my favorite!! I love a dirty talking sweetheart and he was just that! Sydney was a tough nut to crack but, Carter was nothing if not determined.

Sydney has mastered the art of playing games cause she refuses to get hurt again and enjoys putting men through the ringer but, when her and Carter meet she knows she's met her match.

Carter is instantly taken with Sydney, she's nothing like the woman he's use to and he knows he wants her like no other, only problem is he gets tired of her games and no longer feels like playing and she starts to realize she's becoming her own worst enemy!!

I love a good sports romance and this type of book is just perfect in that aspect! Can't wait for the next one!!

I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book
459 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2017
I didn't like this one all that much. Both characters, to me, were wildly unlikable. Donovan came off like a real jerk from the get go. I understand he had a bad childhood and was really broken up and embarrassed by it, but I still feel like he treated her like garbage. And the sex? I know she kept insisting she liked it rough and painful, but it didn't really come off that way, at least, at first. And even if she did like it, he probably could have checked in with her at first to see if she consented to it, instead of just going at it in a way that would be really painful for her. The games she played at the beginning were annoying and not sexy. Claim my pussy? What the hell was that? Having said that, I guess I understand why she did it, so that she could see if he wanted more than sex. To do that right away though, I just didn't get it. I also don't get why she apologized for it all so much. It's not like he was a charmer either. I think they both should have been apologizing.

I thought their relationship seemed forced. It starts out with masturbation and mind games, but then all of a sudden, they both decide they love each other and can't live without them? It just didn't work.

Their relationship came off more abusive than sexy/kinky/S&M. I think this one really missed the mark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews113 followers
May 9, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

Very enjoyable read,
Loved Carter but couldn’t Stand Sydney, she really annoyed me , this didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment and I loved the book as a whole .
Very entertaining and addictive reading of this series and this book.
Look forward to reading Jameson next .
Profile Image for Misty's Book Space.
1,060 reviews51 followers
May 24, 2017
** Thank you so much to the author Jillian Quinn for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. **

This is book three in the Face-Off Series but it can be read as a standalone, however, I would recommend you read them in order so you don’t get spoiled for the previous books.

When we first met Sydney Carroway and Carter Donovan in Kane I was so excited to read their story but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I was expecting so much from it that in the end I was left a little disappointed. With that being said I did really enjoy reading it.

Ok, so I loved Carter and Sydney together. They are 100% perfect for each other and the sex between them was super hot, like need a cold shower hot. My problem was that there wasn’t enough of them. Kennedy was a huge part of this book. I understand she is Sydney’s best friend so she was bound to be a big part of Sydney’s story but to me all of the Kennedy talk over shadowed Carter and Sydney’s story. Also, I didn’t like how long it took to get to the actual sex scenes. I understand that it goes along with Sydney playing games with Donovan and that is fine I just wish we would have gotten more because like I said it was HOT HOT HOT!!!

So in conclusion I liked this book but it was by no means my favorite from the series. Is it perfect? No!! But it is a quick hot read with a cute love story and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Robbie.
422 reviews5 followers
Read
August 14, 2018
This one just didn't do it for me. I rated the first in the series a 4, the second a 3, and this one might be a 2.5 max for me. There were just a lot of things that hit me wrong. Some of the dialogue was too on the nose; some of it was over the top smutty but in an obvious way, not a sly fun way -- you better REALLY love the word 'pussy' and the hero always talking about 'claiming' said pussy; and the story here ... wasn't for me. Also, for a professional athlete to say his goal is JUST to make the playoffs? No. Pro athletes want to win it all, or they aren't pro athletes, just guys who play hockey after work. Mostly, I just found myself being annoyed about half the time, and wishing the book was over, so like I said, it's just not the book for me. I'm sure lots of people love it; I'm just not one of them, and no hard feelings, you know? Not sure if I'll continue the series on Hoopla since it seems to go downhill for me as it continues.

Audiobook notes: I've listened to these narrators quite a lot and I'm not sure they were the right choice here, though they are both good in general.
Profile Image for Amanda.
269 reviews60 followers
May 25, 2017
Jillian Quinn created two characters that will forever be my favorite. Carter and Sydney will have you laughing, crying and blushing through every chapter. I love them :).

Carter Donovan is the starting goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers. He’s taking not making the play-off’s personally and just can’t seem to get out of a funk lately. That is until Sydney Carroway, a romance author of all things smut comes barreling into his life. Sydney loves playing games with her men, how else does she get inspiration for her kick-ass novels? It’s all fun and games until reality and secrets take over, and sacrifices have to be made when it comes to their hearts.

“He is one sexy hunk of man. I could let him take me right here in this hallway and have the best night of my life, or I can wait him out, make him beg me for more.”

I don’t know what there is to love more than a great hockey romance. I loved every book in this series so far, but I think Sydney Carroway has to be my favorite character! This girl is like a breath of fresh air, she says whatever comes to her mind, including needing to know every different word there is for a mans penis. Sydney had me laughing so much throughout this book and I just couldn’t get enough. She is defiantly the book bestfriend that you always wanted!

Then there is Carter Donovan, what a hunk of a man! Tattoo’s all over his sculpted body, facial hair that you can’t help but want to feel everywhere. Carter is mysterious, rough and such a caveman but he will most defiantly steal your heart when he opens up. Plus, it’s just a cherry on top that he is from my home state Michigan, that makes me love him that much more.

“I have never had a problem getting laid. All I have to do is dial one of the girls on my list, and they come running over like domino’s pizza hot, ready and here within thirty minutes.”

The angst and flirtation in this book is addicting, Jillian certaintly brought the heat up a notch and I LOVED it. Just when you think Sydney will stop playing games and give in a little bit, she pulls herself away. You’ll be chugging your wine and gripping your kindle trying not to yell at her to just give them what they both want.

As much as I love all that sexual tension, I also have to have some depth to my romance books and boy did I get it! Emotions were tugging at my heart more than once when the secrets and the pasts started pouring out from these two characters. Donovan had everything I loved all wrapped up between that sexy cover!

“No more rules. No more games. You are mine.”

If you haven’t read the Face-Off series yet, then you really need to! I have felt a connection with every character in each book and Jillian brings them with her every time she writes a new one. It’s one of my favorite things about her writing since I get so attached to all of them and Carter and Sydney are defiantly no different!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.**

101 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2018
Hated it! The heroine was horrible! Carter Donovan deserved SO much better than a mean spirited, shallow, cruel, entitled, slutty woman. He would have been MUCH better off with the 'puck bunnies' that the series shames on every other page. If you want to read about a woman who says cock and pussy in literally every sentence or who says to the hero two minutes after meeting him (again, literally two minutes), "Do you want to shove your big, fat cock in me?", and THEN expects to be respected by him, then here is the story for you. I knew the author would try and redeem her later and make us like her, but the damage was done. She was a hateful witch who said she would not have anything to do with him unless his cock was huge AND she said she regretted agreeing to meet him when she saw that he'd trimmed his beard. NO! He deserved better. If you want to read this because you liked Donovan in earlier books, you would do better to skip this and imagine your own story where he actually gets a lovely woman.
Profile Image for Monica.
112 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2017
Oh. My. Gosh!!!

Carter Donovan is a hot bearded smooth talking goalie and one hell of a mouth full... In more ways than one lol. Enter Sydney, writer blogger extraordinare with a feisty attitude and tons of games up her sleeves.

With both having pasts and issues they hide, can they open up to one another in time to save themselves, or has Sydney played her last game? Can Carter allow himself to let down his guard off the ice?

This is full of hot steamy love and and an amazing story line. Once again miss Jillian has stolen my heart, Carter is officially my new book boyfriend ❤💜💙 sorry Kane 💞
Profile Image for Gina *loves sunshine*.
2,223 reviews93 followers
October 28, 2024
Well after really enjoying the first 2 books in the face-off series....I'm sorry to say this one was not fun, not flirty, no hockey, no real story - just a secretive past and a lot of dumb emotional game playing. I think Carter was supposed to come off as cool alpha troubled with secrets hockey star, but it mostly came off as rude and crude. One of those books written with over the top smut that didn't match the characters, kinda ruined the whole series momentum I had so I think I'll stop here and not bother downloading the 4th book.
Profile Image for Veronica LaRoche.
4,617 reviews69 followers
May 21, 2017
Carter Donovan is a sexy bearded, dirty talking hockey player and might have finally meet his match with Sydney. Sydney & Carter I couldn't wait to read ever since Kane and their story was perfect. They are so perfect for each other and of course their sex is scorching hot. This series just gets better and better and can't wait to read Jameson story next

I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book
Profile Image for Ida Jolley.
738 reviews17 followers
May 22, 2017
Another fantastic read by Ms. Quinn in her sports series about hockey players. I totally loved this book because it was extremely funny and sexy, leaving you dying to turn the next page to see what was going to happen. Donovan and Sydney really needed to get it together because the pages were burning up my iPad. If you love a good, funny,sexy love story this is a must read. I received an Arc for my review. Hysterical 🤣🤣
Profile Image for Jamie.
1,096 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2017
Carter donvan will leave you breathless and needing a change of panties. He is hot a puck as the ladies would say. I enjoyed Syndey's character, but she is not the princess that she has to made herself out to be. Deep down both Carter and Sydney have issues that the must deal with in order to be together.I really like Syndey's no nonsense attitude as well as Carter's softer side. I can't wait to catch up with everyone in the next book.
Profile Image for Julie.
896 reviews8 followers
April 30, 2018
Flat, No Tension, and Walking on Eggshells

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.

Flat pacing, no real highs or lows - just things happen, and if something seems like it’s going to be a Big Deal, it’s not, like the heroine mistaking the hero’s sister for his wife/girlfriend, and afterward she has a huge a crying jag over it. But Nothing comes of it. There’s little to no tension, and there’s no subtext. Everything is spelled out. The hero’s mystery is explained in his head while he’s *talking to his sister* and you don’t hear about it again. He doesn’t talk about what the tattoos are hiding with the heroine. It’s frustrating. All the important information isn’t told in scenes to the people who should be present.

The heroine walks on eggshells around the hero, and seriously it doesn’t feel like a healthy relationship. Sure, she played headgames with him, but he shuts her out and she’s *afraid* if she says something wrong, he’ll break up with her. There’s enough of a story here that I’m curious enough to keep reading, mostly hoping that it’ll get better. Kind of like driving on a long flat road and thinking you see mountains in the distance, but it’s a mirage.
Profile Image for Becky.
48 reviews7 followers
June 5, 2017
DNF

I couldn't finish it. The heroine and her ridiculous games and attitude were a huge turnoff. I wanted Donovan to ditch her so bad. Just something about Sydney and her selfishness rubbed me the wrong way. She was even a b@tch to her supposed bff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ViolinVixen.
535 reviews26 followers
May 20, 2017
I’m sure I said this about Parker and Kane too, but this one might be tough to beat. Carter Donovan is my new book boyfriend. I love him so much. He’s a big, beautiful, cuddly teddy bear with a huge heart and filthy mouth.

Carter and Sydney are set up by their best friends Tyler and Kennedy after expressing interest in each other after their first meeting. They hit it off better than anyone expected them to, but where Carter wears his emotions and his intentions on his sleeve, Sydney is much harder to figure out.

She’s her own special kind of crazy and she loves to play games with men. Even though she knows that Carter is something special and worth keeping around, she can’t let him have the power. She makes him jump through hoops in order to get close to her.

Sydney tries to protect her heart by building up impenetrable walls and toying with men. They can’t hurt her, if she hurts them first. But Carter is different. With Carter she’s scared that she’ll be the one left alone and with a broken heart.

Carter’s no dummy though and he starts to think that Sydney is not just playing hard to get, but maybe she’s just flat-out not interested. Sydney’s plan backfires when Carter decides to give her space to sort herself out instead of him falling to his knees as she expected him to.

Can Sydney open up to Carter enough to give him a real chance? Will she drop the games and let herself be vulnerable to him? If she opens up to him, will he be able to trust her with the secrets of his past or will he keep those locked inside to torment himself forever?

This is a fabulous continuation of Jillian Quinn’s Face-Off Series. It’s book 3, but each of the books can be read as standalones. I thought that this book had the super steamy sexy times, the smart and sassy banter and the funny, sweet moments like the first books did, but I thought that this one was a bit deeper. The characters were a lot more complex and the story had a serious, darker side to it, as well as the fun, flirty and filthy romance. I really loved watching the power struggle between Sydney and Carter and I thought that Carter’s seriousness was the perfect balance to Sydney’s crazy.

Sydney and Carter are hot as puck together! I hope you’ll love their story as much as I did.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,470 reviews52 followers
May 24, 2017
I Loved Carter and Sydneys story it totally rocked I couldn't put it down.Their love story is unique.I highly recommend this series:)Also anything Jillian writes is excellent.Cannot wait for her nest book.
Profile Image for Chantelle.
265 reviews7 followers
April 19, 2020
Nope

I’ve read three books in this series thinking maybe they will get better but unfortunately they just get worse. This is so fast paced and cringeworthy. I won’t be reading anymore of this series.
Profile Image for Stacy Barr-sooter.
302 reviews
June 12, 2017
The story lost stars when I had to subscribe to the author in order to get the epilogue to the epilogue. It's a hassle to log into another sight to finish the book when you have the book already. Typically if I like a book on KU ( kindle unlimited ) I will buy the book. I loved this book but will not purchase it for this reason. It's not complete without login to the authors page.
Profile Image for Bianca (BUCHimPULSe).
107 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2020
Erste Sätze:
Zum ersten Mal seit der Highschool bin ich vor einem Date nervös. Und es ist nicht bloß irgendein Date. Ich treffe gleich Sydney Carroway, die berühmte Liebesromanautorin, die aussieht wie ein Pin-up-Girl.

Meine Meinung:
Nicht nur heiße Spielchen werden dem Leser in der Sports Romance „Donovan“ geboten, sondern auch Hauptcharaktere, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten. Zudem hat die Autorin Jillian Quinn im 3. Band ihrer Ice-Breakers-Reihe auch für etwas Dramatik gesorgt. Der Schreibstil ist dabei wieder locker leicht zu lesen, während die Handlung abwechselnd aus Sicht der Protagonisten in der Ich-Perspektive geschildert wird.

Die beiden Hauptcharaktere hat man bereits im 2. Band der Reihe kennengelernt, jedoch wurde ich schon dort nicht richtig warm mit Sydney und das setzte sich leider auch hier lange fort. Sie wirkte auf mich wie eine reiche, verwöhnte Tussi, die immer kriegt, was sie will. Die (erotischen) Spiele, die sie mit Carter Donovan treibt, haben nicht nur ihn fertig gemacht, sondern auch mich. Sehr gut dagegen hat mir die dramatische Komponente gefallen, denn Carter hat so einiges in seiner Kindheit mitgemacht, dass er immer noch nicht verarbeiten konnte.

Wie immer hält sich der Sport-Anteil in Grenzen, so dass meiner Meinung nach jeder das Buch lesen kann, ohne ein Eishockey-Fan zu sein. Außerdem finde ich, dass Sydney sich nach und nach immer weiterentwickelt und somit auch die Liebesgeschichte immer besser wird. Und das Happy End ist einfach nur wunderschön und macht eindeutig Lust auf mehr.

Fazit:
„Donovan“ ist eine locker leicht zu lesende Eishockey-Romance mit heißen Spielen, etwas Dramatik und einem wunderschönen Happy End, während die Protagonisten nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten.

Bewertung:
3,5 von 5 Punkten
Profile Image for Payton (Payton's Book Thoughts).
170 reviews27 followers
June 2, 2017
For the full review, please visit paytonsbookthoughts.wordpress.com

We are back again with the 3rd hot as puck character in the Face-Off series! Carter Donovan was at the center of this book with his princess of a love interest Sydney. I was so excited to learn more about these two character as they developed their relationship with each other.

I absolutely love (as I’m pretty sure I have stated in a previous review) the overlap that takes place in the beginning of this novel! The beginning of Donovan showed us exactly what happened at the end of Kane, but through Sydney and Carter’s eyes. AND I FREAKING LOVE IT every time Jill does this!

There was a lot of Tyler and Kennedy in this book. More so towards the beginning. I do wish we could’ve gotten a little less of them and a little more of Carter and Sydney. But I completely understand why they were so prominent in this story. They are two sets of best friends, so course they all come as a package deal.

In Kane, I really did not care for Sydney. She definitely redeemed herself in this story and there were times I actually felt sorry for her and the things she was putting up with in regards to Carter. One thing that REALLY BOTHERED me about Sydney was that she came off as a whiny brat when it came to Kennedy moving on with her life. The attachment she had to Kennedy came off as a little unhealthy. I feel like she possibly replaced one unhealthy relationship for another.

Let me explain that though because it delves into another issue I had with the book and why I docked it a star for the rating. So after the obligatory separation period that comes with every romance book, Sydney completely changed her tone. She started to do whatever it took to make it work with Carter, which she should have. But Carter wasn’t budging at all and it was EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! JUST TELL ME WHAT YOUR TATTOOS MEAN ALREADY CARTER!

I completely understood Carter’s insecurities and it was nice to have that kind of rep in a book with hot shot hockey players. It made it extremely real and unique in my opinion. I won’t spoil anything for those of you that have no read it yet, but Carter’s insecurities are so real and relatable!

One of my favorite aspects of Jill’s books are her characters backstories and once again she nailed it when these. Carter especially has a heartbreaking back story. I was dying for more information about his life when he was younger and all the things he was keeping hidden! It took so long to get everything figured out. That might be partly why I was so frustrated with Carter not budging because I NEEDED him to share!

I really hated the way that Carter’s secrets were revealed. I was really disappointed in Sydney for forcing it out of him. I wanted him to do it on his own, but at the same time I was desperate to know everything!

My absolute favorite scene from the whole entire book was at the very end. The shower scene where Carter Donovan finally revealed all of his deep dark secrets. It was such as incredible scene! So intimate, so real, so loving, and emotional. I FREAKING LOVED IT! Like OMG I was swooning over that scene!

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, even though I did have a few issues with it. I was torn between a 3 and 4 star rating for this book, but after reading through my review I see that I actually enjoyed it more than I didn’t. I recommend this book to anyone who reads sports romances! It was a really likable story!
Profile Image for Misty (Reds Romance Reviews).
3,402 reviews6 followers
May 22, 2017
Sydney Carroway is a master at playing games, and while most of the time games are fun, this time she has bitten off a little more than she can chew, and the game is getting serious. In the past she was burnt, so she decided from then on that she would be doing the walking away when the relationship started to go south, and decided to make men work for her affections, rather than giving them away so freely. She figures if they are willing to put in the work then they just might be worth keeping around, but when she meets Carter he totally rattles her world, and he isn't so willing to play all her little games. Well, maybe for a bit, but then he grows tired of being strung along, and Sydney begins to realize she may have went too far this time, she knows her and Carter are great together but she just can't bring herself to go all in with him. What if he walks away breaks her heart?

The moment Carter Donovan meets the sinfully sexy Sydney Carrington he is ready to follow her to then end of the earth just to get a taste of her... she pushes him, entices him, and drives him crazy with need. But she wants to play games, and for a while he plays along with the hope that he will be rewarded, but after a while he starts to doubt her intentions and so he walks. But it damn near kills him, he wants her more than he has every wanted anyone else, but she doesn't seem to be a "all-in" kind of girl, and he isn't willing to settle for less. So, now he either needs to change her mind about him, or move on... and he really hopes it isn't the latter!

Once again I have fallen madly in love with one of Ms. Quinn's irresistible hockey players... I have to say I think Donovan might just be my favorite... so far! The moment he wandered onto the page I was smitten with him, there is just something about a sexy hockey player that gets to me, and Donovan GOT TO ME!!! He was alpha to the bone, but had a soft side lingering just below the surface, and a naughty streak a mile long, and when it made an appearance my knees instantly went weak. While I understood Sydney having her reservations about him, I have to say her games were a little much at times, and frustrated me a little... but I loved the story nonetheless! If you like your fairy tales a little on the spicy side, and with a sexy hockey star at the helm than I highly suggest you meet Donovan... he's sure to leave you satisfied!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Profile Image for mellidiezahnfee.
1,021 reviews6 followers
May 3, 2020
Platzhalter für die deutsche Version

Donovan kommt in der Serie ja schon als bester Freund von Tyler vor und hier bekommt er seine eigene Geschichte. Prinzipiell könnte man jedes Buch für sich alleine lesen, aber in der Reihenfolge ergibt es mehr Sinn, da man die Zusammenhänge besser versteht. Sydney ist auch bekannt als die beste Freundin von Kennedy.

Was mir großen Spaß bereitet hat ,war die Tatsache, dass dieser Teil rückblickend parallel mit Tylers und Kennedys Geschichte beginnt, nur eben aus der Sicht von Donovan und Sydney. Sydney war für mich lange Zeit eine reiche Zicke und wie sie mit Donovan umgesprungen ist, war zwar heiß, hat mir charakterlich aber nicht gefallen. Donovan hat ein wohl gehütetes Geheimnis und es ist absolut verwunderlich, dass er Sydney in sein Leben lässt. - Obwohl – Gegensätze ziehen sich an,oder?
Das Buch beschreibt sehr schön, wie Menschen es schaffen können sich zu ändern, Vertrauen zu finden und einen gemeinsamen Weg zu suchen. Die erotischen Momente sind richtig heiß passen aber prima zu beiden Protagonisten.
Zum Ende hin war mir Sydney dann auch ein wenig sympathischer. In diesem Buch fand ich es nicht schlimm, dass ich die Protagonistin nicht so sehr mochte, denn der Schreibstil ist so toll, gefühlvoll und zeigt auch die verletzlichen Seiten der Beiden, dass ich wissen wollte, wie es weiterging und mich am Ende für die Beiden richtig gefreut habe.


Ein toller Band der Serie.
Profile Image for Cat.
2,182 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2023
Another great listen by Jillian Quinn and book 3 in this series.
Its Carter Donovan's turn to try to have an HEA,Goal tender and a mountain of a man who has a reputation as a manwhore and sex god.
Sydney is a romance author a strong woman who loves sex but it seems she seems to scare men away and they just use her to sleep with but not for a relationship.
They have mutual friends and so meet eachother through them and well..their first encounter is a sexy one.
They play games with one another though at first and Carter can't take it so distances himself away from Sydney.
They give a relationship another go.....this time Carter is in control but its a relationship based on sex....he is keeping secrets though from Sydney about his past and this could be the wedge between them that tears them apart.
I enjoyed listening to this story narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell who are excellent once again portraying all of the characters in the book.
I liked it when it stopped being about just sex and they finally began to get to know one another and they were gentler with eachother..Carters confessions were heartbreaking.
This is a steamy listen with some emotions and some humour and very entertaining...
I loved it.
5 Stars.
3,926 reviews31 followers
May 24, 2017
I love the Face-Off series, but this one might just top them all! Carter and Sydney are set up by their friends Tyler and Kennedy, and Sydney is nothing like Carter expected. A romance writer, Sydney hides behind her clever use of words to guard her heart. She plays games as a way to keep the upper hand. But Carter is utterly confused by the mixed signals he's getting. Sydney's plan finally forces Carter to take a step back, leaving her confused as well. Can they reveal their real selves and come clean with each other about their feelings?

This book was hotter than hot. In between the steam, there are humorous and feel good moments, but I really loved the thoughts and reflections of Sydney and Carter. Both are celebrities in their own right, and it gives them an added dimension in the way they handle their lives. Carter was a lot more serious than the other men in this series, and I felt that he was more than Sydney's match when it came to matters of the heart. Another great addition to the series, and I hope there are more to come!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,812 reviews41 followers
May 26, 2017
This series keeps getting better and better. I loved Kane, but I dare say this is better. Carter Donovan just so lovable. He puts up with Sydney’s games when he could easily find a puck bunny to entertain him, but they have a connection that neither one is ready to admit is real.

Her theory is making a guy work for it will make it so much better, but she is pushing him way past his comfort zone and eventually he gives up on her.

Can Sydney redeem herself in time to capture Donovan’s heart?

Although this is book 3 in the series, it can be read as standalone. Although reading this first will make you kick yourself for not knowing the back stories of each of the reoccurring players. There were some fantastically sweet moments and the push and pull between Sydney and Carter was amazing! I can’t wait to see what happens next with these guys who have stolen a piece of my heart.

Hero 5 stars / Heroine 5 stars / Steam 5 stars / Plot 5 stars / Overall 5 Stars
Keys: Dual POV, MF, Twists and Turns, On the edge of my seat, Part of a series, Can be read as a standalone
#MSBB - I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Ree.
2,512 reviews53 followers
July 10, 2017
I was a little put off by this third installment in the series. I didn't like Sydney as a heroine. She was a little too uppity and I didn't even like the way she treated Kennedy, her supposed best friend. She was whiny and manipulative towards her. In "Kane", she was a much more supportive friend.

The games she started with Carter were fun in the beginning, but got old quickly. I didn't appreciate the fact that she pushed him to give her so much of himself and she didn't seem to let him in. We actually learn very little of Sydney in this book, if anything at all.

Carter is what redeemed this book for me. While I was frustrated for most of the book where we didn't really learn anything from him, I was intrigued by his past and the snippets we got before Sydney all but forced it out of him. I understand why he was so wary of serious relationships, and respected his desire to keep his past under wraps.

Though their sex scenes were hot, I had a little trouble believing in their chemistry. There are quite a few plot holes in this installment, but I was excited when I saw the next installment will feature Jameson. I'm definitely going to read THAT one!!!
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
12.2k reviews92 followers
May 25, 2017
Carter and Sydney are best friends with Tyler and Kennedy and they are very attracted to each other. Sydney has decided to test Carter by leading him on and getting him hot and bothered while withholding sex as she worries that once he has her he will be gone.

Carter is initially drawn in but after a while has had enough of the hot/cold attitude and doesn’t answer her texts or messages and Sydney begins to realize how much she misses him. Once she realizes the error of her ways will she be able to convince him to give her a second chance and will Carter ever trust Sydney enough to tell her his secrets?

I loved the banter and humor between the two and their chemistry was explosive! They are complete opposites as Carter is serious and introverted and Sydney is wild and free but together they form a perfect balance. I love this series and I can’t wait to see what Jillian Quinn comes up with next. I voluntarily reviewed this book as an advanced reader copy.
Profile Image for Hanna's Book Obsession.
615 reviews59 followers
May 28, 2017
Oh were to begin. This is my Favorite Jillian Quinn book to date. I Love Sydney and Carter so much!! Like all of Jillian’s characters Sydney and Carter each have a past that stays with them. To be together they have to overcome the walls they each built up.

Carter and Sydney are a lot alike. They are both the best at their profession. Were Carter is a goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers. Sydney is a Best selling Romance Novelist. They are both Strong and independent. They both have walls up so that they won’t get hurt but they seem to be tearing their walls down for each other.

Sydney likes games. She is used to guys just wanting her for one night. So when she meets Carter she knows she wants more than one night with him. She decides to keep him on his toes and to play games to see if he will stay to claim his prize to claim her.

Carter is having troubles with his game. He’s not playing to his best ability and Sydney’s games isn’t helping any but he cant seem to stay away from her.She’s a challenge and he is always up for a challenge. Then things change and he doesn’t want to play games anymore he wants something real. But is Sydney willing to give up the game?

This Book is so Wonderful.Is Sexy and Deep and Fun and so Enjoyable!! I Loved Sydney and Carter!! This book is full of Sexy Times and SEXY they are!! It is fun but it also has those deep moments it is truly wonderful!! I am telling You that you HAVE to read this one!!!! I really love it!
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,117 reviews
May 25, 2017
I love love love Donovan! What a fun character-sexy and fun with a little weird and a touch of darkness. I enjoyed the story the only draw back was Sydney, I didn't care for her attitude in the first part of the book and I found I wanted her games to be over, Donovan deserved to break her walls quicker, he's beyond panty melting. I did find I wanted them both to open up a little quicker, get the flow going a faster just because I wanted to set past the teasing stage a little faster, but that's me wanting them to get busy a little faster, poor Donovan and his tired hand:)
This is the third book in the Face-Off series, first for me to read but after reading and enjoying the characters from the other books I want to pick up the others in the series because I know I'd enjoy them as well.

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book
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