Strange Love

by Steffanie Blais

For Ivy Owens, the 1980s have been a tumultuous decade. So when a popular hockey player suggests that they pretend to date in order to boost her social status, it's just another strange turn of events for her.

After being kidnapped and forced to live in a cult, all Ivy wants is to fit in and escape her troubled past. But unfortunately for her, that's not how high school works.

Enter Corey Delacour – the handsome, mysterious hockey player who has everyone talking. Corey’s confidence and edgy persona captivate Ivy, and for reasons beyond her comprehension, he finds her just as fascinating.

So when he offers her a chance to fake a relationship with him to prove that popularity isn't everything, she can't resist.

As Corey guides her through the nuances of her newfound high school popularity, the unexpected happens: something far from fake. However, with his dreams of becoming a famous hockey player – can their connection withstand their inevitable reality?

Or will she be left alone once again with a new problem in her hands – a broken heart that belongs to him?

Genres: Romance, Hockey Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey, New Adult

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2024

About the author

Steffanie Blais crafts captivating romantic suspense you can’t put down. Heavily influenced by her father, who was a small-town sheriff for three decades, Steffanie comes by her love of mystery and suspense honestly. When she's not weaving stories with surprising turns, she works as a Registered Dietitian. In rare moments of downtime, Steffanie enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, binge-reading romance and thrillers, or baking while listening to '80s music. For all the latest news, releases, and behind-the-scenes action, subscribe to Steffanie Blais’ newsletter today!

Reviews

[BookishRaquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 4.5/5 🎧

What you’ll find:
- Hockey Romance
- Opposites Attract
- Fake Dating
- Second Chance
- 80s Romance
- First Love
- Past Trauma

When I saw this book was a hockey romance set in the 80s, I knew I had to read it. Although I grew up in the 90s, I am an 80s baby. I love the fashion, the hair, and most of all THE MUSIC.

💭𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
Strange Love is a fresh and original story of teen love. This is not a typical hockey romance, and it definitely took me on an emotional ride. The characters are complex and have fascinating backstories. Ivy was kidnapped by a cult when she was a child, and Corey’s life started with humble beginnings.

I enjoyed Corey and Ivy’s relationship. It was not rushed and felt real. I loved how Corey did not care about what others thought about his decisions and was authentically himself. Despite Ivy’s complicated past and how others treated her, he genuinely cared for her.

Although I did not attend high school in the 1980s, I was able to connect to the characters’ emotions and their overall coming-of-age experience. High school can be challenging, and I loved seeing the characters create great, long-lasting friendships.

🎧𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Samantha Summers & JD Tomlinson performed this audiobook in dual narration. Samantha did well portraying Ivy’s vulnerability, innocence, and strength while she navigated the struggles of immersing herself back into the world she was taken from at a young age. JD captured Corey’s patience and the unwavering support he provided Ivy when she needed it most. Samantha and JD are the perfect duo for this story, and their performances elevated my listening experience.

Thanks to Steffanie Blais for the eARC and ALC. Opinions expressed are my own.

[‌ · Rating 1 out of 5]

EVERYTHING that happened after they broke up pmo so bad so 1 ⭐️

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Love is a tribute to a simpler time when teenage love conquered all and the 80s reigned supreme. Although I grew up more in the 90s, I was still very much an 80s baby and the nostalgia brought butterflies to my heart. The music, the hair, the clothes, but most importantly, as in any other decade, people finding who they truly are is at the heart of this book. We have Ivy who at first appears timid and unsure of herself, but I find is one of the bravest FMCs I’ve ever seen written. Then we have Corey who absolutely adores her despite her haunting past. We also have a great cast of supporting characters who I hope to see more of in the future. What starts as a fake dating scheme quickly turns into a beautiful love story, but all good things must come to an end. It is high school after all. Oh and there’s a cult in there, but you have to read to learn that story! This book has been one of my favorites of this year. I love that even when Corey decided to fake date Ivy, it’s clear from the start he truly cares for her and her well-being. Ivy is unsure of herself and doesn’t recognize how brave she’s always been, but Corey and her group of friends help bring that out in her. When they meet again, there is no animosity but a sharing of love that has always been there. If you’re a fan of forever love and nostalgia, then you will love this book.

[Krystal (readingamongchaos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, refreshing, and enjoyable read! When I saw a post about this book recently I just knew I had to read it asap! It’s an 80’s themed romance my dudes!! There’s also hockey, fake dating, first love, kidnapping, and a cult.

I freaking loved all the 80’s nostalgia in this story! There’s so many iconic references, the lingo, and even the writing itself felt true to the era. And!! The chapter titles are all song titles, which I 💯 sang each time I read them!

Corey and Ivy’s relationship was so endearing. Their young budding love was so sweet and innocent and it made me feel all warm and gooey inside. I absolutely adored them both and loved watching them grow and find themselves throughout the story.

I also loved their supportive and quirky friends, “the rag-tag group of misfits”. I can’t wait for more of their stories. The mean girl “vipers” can kick rocks though!

I really really enjoyed this book and highly recommend!

[Brianna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a debut! This is a book that I didn’t even know I needed to read, but something was missing from my reading history before this! Thank you, Steffanie Blais, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up!

Ivy Owens is abducted and forced to live in a cult’s compound for FOUR YEARS in the 1980’s. When she manages to escape, she goes through a time of recovery before deciding to attend her senior year of high school. On the first day, she catches the attention of star hockey player heartthrob, Corey Delacour. He cannot fathom why people are treating her as if she is an alien or a leper, so he proposes that they fake date to try and get the negative attention from her peers erased. It works like a charm, but after some time, it becomes obvious that there is nothing fake about the feelings Ivy and Corey have for each other, but senior year is quickly coming to an end, and who knows what the future holds?

This was so swoon-worthy! Corey is the kind of MMC that we dream about! I adored the HEA.

Add this one to your list if you like second chance romance, sports romance, hockey romance, recovering from trauma, high school romance, the 1980’s, and HEA’s.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRANGE LOVE
4.5 but rounded up to 5

🖤 Hockey
🖤 Cult
🖤 Kidnapped
🖤 Drug Use
🖤 Fake Dating


Strange love is set in the 80's. I love how each chapter is named after a popular 80s song.

Ivy is kidnapped at the age of 12 while walking to school with her little sister, Nat. She was taken to live at a cult, where she resided for 4 years. Now back home abs in her senior year of high school Ivy must learn to live laugh again.

Corey grew up as "white trash." His dad left when he was 6. He grew up in a trailer park with his mom until he was around 13, when his mom marries Allen. Corey and his mom move in with Allan an hour away. Corey now has been opportunities and can focus more on hockey.

There was an instant connect between Corey and Ivy. I appreciate that the author took the time to build it into something more and didn't rush their relationship.

I loved Strange Love from start to end and definitely want more of Corey and Ivys story.

Can't wait for Taz and Sascha's story in Tainted Love.

[Pepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and quick read. I found myself laughing quite a few times at some goofy one liners like, "Maybe if you ask him nicely, he'll show you his stick?"

I definitely enjoyed the romance part of this story, but the plot wasn't super engaging and the timeline sometimes felt a bit choppy. If the chapter headers consistently had the age + year at the top that would have helped some. After finishing the book, I think if the scenes from the past were told from the perspective of Ivy's journal entries instead of randomly placed flashbacks, that might have helped give a more natural flow to the story too.

📖Bottom line - Strange Love was an enjoyable read. If you like hockey romance, the 80s, and are all about the fake-dating trope, this one's for you!

Thanks to the author, Steffanie Blais, for allowing me to be part of the ARC team and giving me the chance to post an honest review in exchange!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
* Fake dating
* Second chance
* First love
* Past trauma
* 80s hockey romance

This book reminded me so much of my high school days!!! My school or town did not have hockey players or anyone that was kidnapped by a cult, but the fashion and the music took me back!!! I especially loved the talent show scene 💕

This is the story of Ivy and Corey. Ivy was kidnapped by a cult and struggles to fit in at high school. Corey is the popular jock that falls for Ivy and wants to make things better for her. They are so sweet together and I love how their relationship progressed.

This is the first book in The Merrimack Series and I can’t wait to read more!!! I need to know more about Taz and the rooster!!!

[Melanie Lafortune · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book especially the 80s nostalgia and who doesn’t love hockey! Loved the relationship between Corey and Ivy. Loved how the author developed their story

[Heather Gueulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨I couldn’t love this enough! I didn’t realize going in that one of the characters was in a cult but I found that super fascinating and thought it really added to the story. Being set in the 80s gave me all the nostalgia from my childhood. Love the song chapter titles! Also throw in some hockey teenage romance and you have a great book!

[Jess | bookrealmliving | · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW🧡🧡🧡
I didnt grow up in the 80s but this book brought me so much nostalgia for a time that i've always adored! The movie, music, and fashion references were perfect (especially the chapter titles! i love!!!)! Growing up my mom and I would binge 80's movies while i would listen to her stories of reminisce. I am a sucker for John Hughes movies just like the fmc Ivy! Steffanie's writing was beautiful and so full of descriptions I truly could visualize the entire story. The story was super well organized with the different years that are being described. There was not a point in the book where I was bored or waiting for something to happen! I laughed, cried, kicked my feet and twirled my hair! I will absolutely be rereading this book and cherishing all the feelings it brought me 🧡🧡🧡

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon US



Ivy's the new girl in her senior year of high school when she catches the eye of the one of the cool guys. She knows there's not a chance in hell that Corey's really interested in her, not when only one person in the school actually talks to her. But somehow Corey seems really interested, so much that he even proposes a fake dating situation to be a buffer between her and the rest of the mean girls and guys at the school. She had no idea that fake would quickly turn real, and now she's faced with what happens when they graduate and their dreams take a divergent path.



I'm an 80s girl, so this story really resonated with me, even though nothing like what Ivy went through even remotely happened to me. The flashbacks gave a strong view of Ivy's past, and the balance between them and Ivy and Corey and their time together in high school is well done. Really the only complaint I have is that the majority of the story is based on either Ivy's past while she was in captivity, or in the 80s when they were in high school. The actual time of them as a couple in their present was too short for my tastes, but what there was of them in the present was sweet and their chemistry is seriously sizzling. I need to read more 80s love stories now, because Ivy and Corey reminded me just how much I love that decade!



ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Alicia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC READ***

This book was freaking amazing. I'm a hopeless romantic and this book was just so perfect for me. I have so much to say about this book in detail but I cant so I'll go ahead and just list a few points that I LOVED.

P.S. Please go and read this book. Hockey romance. Fake dating. Soulmates. Love at first tart, lol. 80s themed. Steamy at times. Suspense. Thrilling. So much more.

Now, this is a list of how I felt and still feel about the book while reading, what it was about but SPOILER FREE!

- very easy read, had me wanting more and more.

- suspenseful, captivating and thrilling from start.

- very retro and alot of throwbacks.

- very freaking cool chapter titles🎶🎶🎶

- had me smiling ear to ear.

- super cute and adorable while being super grown up.

- CAN'T. GET. ENOUGH.

- in love with this book.

- made me go straight to YouTube and listen my favorite 80s hits because why not?

- it gave off the best feels.

- obsessed with what's to come.

- dramatic I know but the playlist on Youtube went to John Legend's 'Love Me More' and the lyrics spoke truth because "I'm gonna love you now like it's all I have, I know it'll kill me when it's over, I dont want to think about it...". THIS. BOOK. (This is me at chapter 18). I dont want it to end.

- Ivy and Corey are very well written characters. We got a great background story and the way it all came together was well done.

- I would say it was intrigue at first sight but when they fell, they fell, it happened without them even knowing. It was a sight to see.

- hockey romance, thriller, suspense, fake dating, longing and missing, high school romance, second chance love.

- really looking forward to more from this author.

- loved the references to famous movies and songs from back in the days.

- they were innocent but not so innocent *winky eyes*

- when reading this book, you get a certain vibe and then BOOM! it gets pucking TURNT up! 😏

- I dont know what I thought this book would be, but it wasnt this. Listen it gave me all the feels. I was captivated. It took me 48 hours to read this and mind you, I read half one day, skipped a day, and read it the next so basically took me a 24 hours, probably less when the hours are added if you look at it, lol. I. DID. NOT. WANT. IT. TO. END. I needs more, lol.

So yeah, that was long but it was EXACTLY! how I felt. I had been going through a reading slump and this is one of the books that helped me come out of it. It made me excited for reading. It's really damn good and I recommend it to everybody. The overall rating for this book is definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. I'm not stingey, if that's the spelling lol, with giving 5 star ratings. If the book is good, its getting it and this book deserves more.

Again, I look forward to future books by this author and it was a pleasure to have gotten this book as my FIRST ARC! Thanks to Grey's Promotion for selecting me for this ARC and to the author for an amazing book.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I loved that every chapter’s title is an 80s song, I think everyone would agree that the music was awesome. Ivy tells the story of being kidnapped by a cult, not escaping for a few years, readjusting to the outside world, high school, and how she had to let her love go since she was still trying to find herself when graduation came. Corey is the high school heartthrob hockey jock that and takes immediate interest in Ivy. It’s a slow burn book but sooo good. The way Corey takes up for her when the “Vipers” try to sink their teeth in is totally swoon worthy. I really loved this book and that they get their HEA in the end.- Elizabeth



Ivy Owens has been through so much in her life after being kidnapped and forced to live in a cult she is back with her family and struggling to find her way. She keeps to herself at school until she is able to meet a friend but she finds herself constantly being made fun of and mocked by the “popular” crowd.

Corey Delacour has become the golden boy of hockey but he grew up with a single mother and lived in a trailer park until his mom married his step-dad which moved them to a new town and gave their family the resources for him to focus on hockey.

When Corey asks Ivy to be his fake girlfriend to take the pressure off of him will it lead to more or will Ivy once again find herself in a situation that is out of her control?

This was a good book but it is mainly based on the reflecting to the events of the past and not too much about what is actually happening in the current time period.

Ivy was a character who had been through so much and after so much time away from school her parents decided to bring her back into public school for her grade 12 year. At school is she is bullied for her past which she had no control over and I get that’s what kids do but I found it a little frustrating that initially only one girl would talk to her. She was smart but had no real clue what she wanted in her future and that was really understandable after everything she had been through.

Corey was a great guy who had been through his own life experiences with being raised by a single mother and living in a trailer park so he didn’t take things for granted and wasn’t as judgmental as some of those people around him. He had his eyes set on the NHL and wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize his future.

There is something about Ivy that intrigues Corey and he really makes a point of getting to know her and showing that he can be trusted. There is chemistry right away between the two but everything progresses gradually between the two and the two have a great friendship.

The book goes through a lot of ups and downs with Ivy especially as she navigates through everything in her past with both Corey and being kidnapped which is why she struggles with what she wants in the future.

I completely understood what happened after graduation and why things went the way they did. I wasn’t surprised at all about what occurred at Sarah’s wedding but I was very surprised at the lack of talking that happened.

The book was good and enjoyable but almost everything was in the past.

3.5 Stars- Rebecca

[sincity_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book was an 80's themed hockey book, I just had to drop everything to read it. I went in completely blind and I'm so glad I did! (There are trigger warnings, but I would label this more of a fade to black with the darker elements. You get the idea without the details).

“𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆.” “𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗹𝘆, 𝗵𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸?”

What do we think of when we think of the 80's? Big hair, the fashion, iconic music, John Hughes' movies, random ass cults, and high school cliques. I had all these expectations going into this book and it did NOT disappoint. Strange Love reminded me how easy it was to just love and be loved before the world of social media. If you wanted to get to know someone, you had to put in genuine effort. If someone lived far away, you really had to find ways to communicate.

Strange Love is an interesting book. I read a lot, but this one is unique in story which I already love. the plot of the story isn't intense and there are a few spicy scenes. If you're here to cry and read smut, this isn't the book for you. But, if you ask me about an 80's hockey book, this is the only one that'll come to mind. I can not wait for the rest of the series! Dying for Taz and Sascha's story.

𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟴𝟬'𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸. 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟴𝟬'𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀.

𝗦𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮 - 𝗟𝘆𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘇 | 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗷𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗲 & 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 | 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯
Sascha is a fun side character. She wears all black, has sass, and takes no shit from anyone.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘆 - 𝗝𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝘆𝗮𝗻 | 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀
Corey is our MMC. He's the sweetest and has a big heart. He doesn't care about popularity, he just wants the girl.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 | 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸
We all know that group... the one who gave Andie shit the entire movie? Yeah, they make their appearance here.

𝗜𝘃𝘆 - 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗶 | 𝗖𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗠𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲
Ivy is a shy introvert and just wants to survive her senior year. She has long blonde wavy hair, beautiful blue eyes, and is gorgeous.

𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶 - 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗲 | 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸
Another fun side character. She has pale skin, reddish hair, and knows what she wants to do with her life.

𝗧𝗮𝘇 - 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 | 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱
Handsome hearthrob who is an amazing hockey player. Needs to get his life together and he'll go far.

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘆 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘁 | 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲
The big teddy bear of the group.

[Nickie Sale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not someone who really enjoys sports romances as a rule but decided to give this one a try as the blurb really caught my attention. Ivy, the MFC immediately got my attention, kidnapped at age 12 and escaped some 4 years later, is now at school in her final year. Corey is an upcoming Hockey star, also in his final year at school. Ivy and Corey's journey through that final school year and then beyond is told through a series of timehops, in which you learn what happened to Ivy when she was kidnapped and you learn Corey's background. Perhaps strangely the hockey side of the book was not that large, it was more the status hockey gives the players, especially with the girls that came through.

Ivy is the new girl at school, shy not wanting any attention, the odd one out, labelled as weird, but, that doesn't stop her catching Corey's eye. The attraction between them is strong, but Ivy can't understand why he's attracted to her and doesn't want to let herself be drawn in. One group of girls (the group they called Vipers) are mean and nasty to Ivy. Corey suggests to Ivy that she fake dates him, as a way for her to gain popularity and stop the bullying, however it's clear from the start that Corey wants the relationship to be real.

What follows is a really sweet romance, which any lover of romance will most certainly enjoy. The final chapters were sugar sweet, giving you a real ahhhh moment plus a carrot for the next book in series which will certainly answer some questions on the side characters in this book.

But, for me there were some real disconnects in the background storyline. The first thing which struck me was how none of Ivy's peers at school seemed to know that Ivy had been kidnapped when she was 12 and escaped some 4 years later. Would this not have been all over the news? And surely instead of labelling her as "weird" it would have been "that girl who was kidnapped". The other perplexing thing was that during Ivy's flashbacks, she actually says the cult didn't believe in education per say. The only somewhat educational thing was reading books and there's one year missing between her escape and her going to school for her final year. So how could she just "slot in" to final year having missed 5 years of education? If you can push these to one side it is an enjoyable read.

[B.B. Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

💫My Rating: 4.5/5 💫

*rounded up for Goodreads review*

⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
-kidnapping, drug use, human trafficking are mentioned. There is a graphic telling of child kidnapping and life in captivity. No on-page assault related to human trafficking. Descriptive sexual activity is also depicted. Moments of school bullying occur in the story.

📝My Review📝

For a girl who didn’t grow up in the 80’s, this novel by Steffanie Blais has me imagining what life, school, and romance would have been like if I had grown up in this era. From fun foreshadowing through crafty, lyrical, and unique chapter titles to pop culture references, Blias will have you vibing to the 80’s whether it’s through nostalgia or a new found interest!

While the plot focuses on the 80’s culture, you can still enjoy and appreciate the references and understand the fundamental teen coming of age experiences without having to physically experience this era yourself. I found my own emotions mirrored the emotional depiction of many characters during different moments in their life. As a parent myself, I related to wanting what’s best for my child, but also remembered being that angry teen who didn’t understand their parents’ choices. I recognized and smiled at the strong friendships that were established and created, but was also pleased to see many of the MCs stand up against bullying. The bullying scenes and experiences were realistic to what a teenager may have experienced within this setting and particular situation.

Furthermore, I enjoyed and appreciated the dual time line as it helped develop and paint an image of character growth, maturity, and acceptance throughout the story’s contour. However, I did desire a deeper storyline or more moments of the MFC’s traumatic experience in captivity. This was mainly to satisfy my curiosity and interest during those scenes. I don’t feel that these scenes were lacking to the point that it hindered the plot and/or story line.

If you’re into the 80’s, hockey, and contemporary romance with psychological impacted characters, this just may be the book for you.

🤍Thanks to Steffanie Blais for trusting me with their novel in return for my personal review🤍

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

R E V I E W 🫶🏼

📚 Strange Love
📝 Steffanie Blais

𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.75)
𝙶𝙴𝙽𝚁𝙴: Hockey Romance
𝚂𝙿𝙸𝙲𝙴: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨ This was an ARC gifted to me by the author. The following review is my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions. ✨

𝙼𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂 💭
Okay, so I have a confession. This is my first hockey romance 🫣. I know, I’m late to the game. I just didn’t think I’d be super into hockey romance – well any sports romance, really. Well, Strange Love was an absolutely wonderful introduction into the subgenre. This was a surprisingly touching, more than surface-level, endearing love story between two high school seniors who’re from different worlds, yet relate more than they expect. I’m always a fan of a good romance, but they have to have a little something extra in order to tick up over a 4-star rating, and the unique layout of this timeline coupled with the element of self-growth and healing that both Ivy and Corey experience did it for me here. From the very beginning, we learn that Ivy has a traumatic past that involves a kidnapping and being forced into a cult. This story touches on this past through flashbacks of her time there, which coincide with her present-day retelling of the past along with the story of her first love. This book has a sweet second-chance HEA, an exceptional trauma-healing advocacy, and a thoughtful hero. Here’s a breakdown of some of my favorite parts of this read and ultimately why I landed on a 4.75 -star rating:

❤️ 𝙸 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳:

- The unique timeline (present day to flashbacks in two different settings)
- The two MCs were super likeable – a breath of fresh air!
- The group of friends was so entertaining! I’m excited for more from this gang.
- The HEA really got me – “She looks stunning in my Mavericks jersey…” STOP! 😭
- Ivy’s ability to create boundaries for herself. I can’t say much without spoiling, but her decision toward the end of the story was not one you see much in romances, and I commend Steffanie for writing such a mature perspective there.

𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝙸𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 ⤵️
80s-set Mean Girl vibes, hockey romances, that one goth friend, second-chance romance, fake-dating trope, The Breakfast Club friend group

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thought: I really enjoyed this one! It was fun to be transported back to the 80s and experience this decade through the characters eyes. There are underlying themes that make this a heavier read but I think that adds to depth of the story and makes it such a good book. Highly recommend.

This story opens up present day, and then takes us back to the 80s to learn about the main characters and how they got to where they are today.

When Ivy was 12yrs old she was grabbed off the side of the road on her way to school saving her sister from the same fate. She was brought to live in a cult where manipulation was how they controlled you. After four years and the help of a stranger she was able to escape but the trauma still haunts her as she tries to move on. Two years of therapy and she’s ready to return to a normal life. That how she finds herself on the front steps of the HS, her senior year.

Corey grew up in a trailer park and all he’s ever wanted to do is play hockey and take care of his mom. When we was 13 is mom remarried and he moved to a new town and earned his way into the hockey team. Now he plays for a prestigious club team and is captain and hopes to be recruited to Boston to play in college. His life is hockey he doesn’t do distractions. But today as he heads to school there is a beautiful new girl he can’t take his eyes off of.

Corey sees Ivy is struggling, her past is making her a social pariah so he decides to help her out. He proposes they fake date so his popularity can help shield her and give her time to adapt. The only issue is these two didn’t count on the connection they share and fake dating quickly becomes real dating. But the year is coming to an end and a lot of choices have to be made, sometimes it’s the right person at the wrong time.

** Trigger warnings of: child abduction, sex trafficking, cults, drugs and manipulation. **

Literally Themes you’ll find:

* Friends to Lovers
* Fake Dating
* Opposites Attract
* First Love
* Traumatic Past
* Split Timeline
* Dual POV
* 1980s

🩵💕🩵💕🩵💕🩵💕🩵💕🩵

https://www.instagram.com/p/C46hHM3Pk...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cults, the 8os, big hair and great music... and of course HOCKEY! Sign me up for the perfect storm of all things I love. Each chapter was named after a classic 80s song, so of course I was humming the song the whole chapter. The concept of this book was awesome. I loved how it was set up like Ivy recounting her past to her friends, all leading up the moment when she comes face to face with Corey again.

My heart just broke for Ivy. I mean who the fuck bullies a girl that was KIDNAPPED by a damn cult. Like is it her fault? FUCK NO IT ISN'T! Reading her past from the ages of 12-16 when she was in the cult, ugh just literally killed me. That poor friggin girl. I usually hate weak and timid FMC's, but this one I was fully expecting it because obviously, a lot of trauma. But she really wasn't that timid. Of course she had to adjust to life, but she was a bad ass who stood up for herself and I was just living for her energy.

I normally complain about FMCs more than I do MMCs because we all know that women write perfect men, but I felt that Corey was lacking a little depth. For sure he had his moments of substance and development involving his upbringing and all that, but it just seemed very superficial. He felt kind of bland to me. I loved how down bad he was for Ivy, but it seemed like his only personality traits were loving Ivy and hockey. He was just kinda bleh.

I thought the actual writing style of the book was choppy and felt a bit rushed, but the concept and overall story was honestly amazing. I think how it was set up really made it unique and I very much enjoyed it. I am excited to learn more about Taz. That man seems like he has all the depth. Also the freaking talent show performance had me weak. I could picture it perfectly in my head and I was loving every second of it.

Spice: 🌶️

Favorite Quote: "Ivy, you captured my heart the day you nervously nibbled on a Pop Tart in front of school trying to be invisible. But to me, you were never invisible. You shined like the brightest star in the sky." -Corey

Tropes: fake dating, second chance (ish), hockey

[Rebecca Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book but it is mainly based on the reflecting to the events of the past and not too much about what is actually happening in the current time period.

Ivy was a character who had been through so much and after so much time away from school her parents decided to bring her back into public school for her grade 12 year. At school is she is bullied for her past which she had no control over and I get that’s what kids do but I found it a little frustrating that initially only one girl would talk to her. She was smart but had no real clue what she wanted in her future and that was really understandable after everything she had been through.

Corey was a great guy who had been through his own life experiences with being raised by a single mother and living in a trailer park so he didn’t take things for granted and wasn’t as judgmental as some of those people around him. He had his eyes set on the NHL and wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize his future.

There is something about Ivy that intrigues Corey and he really makes a point of getting to know her and showing that he can be trusted. There is chemistry right away between the two but everything progresses gradually between the two and the two have a great friendship.

The book goes through a lot of ups and downs with Ivy especially as she navigates through everything in her past with both Corey and being kidnapped which is why she struggles with what she wants in the future.

I completely understood what happened after graduation and why things went the way they did. I wasn’t surprised at all about what occurred at Sarah’s wedding but I was very surprised at the lack of talking that happened.

The book was good and enjoyable but almost everything was in the past.

[Ada’s Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ I received this book as an ARC for my honest review✨

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hold on to your seats for this whirlwind story and emotions of Ivy and Corey's journey navigating senior year, first love, and life after school.

Ivy has endured unimaginable hardship and is trying to get her life back together after saving her sister, which left her being kidnapped and forced to join a cult that left deep scars. Meanwhile, Cory's upbringing was far from easy, shaping him into a resilient individual, one who is meant for bigger things than their small town has to offer.

As Ivy navigates the complexities of high school life, she is confronted with the harsh realities of social hierarchy. Amidst hurtful remarks and bullying, Cory steps in, pretending to be Ivy's boyfriend to shield her from further pain. Both have goals, Ivy, determined to reclaim control over her life and destiny, and Cory, driven by his ambition to excel in Hockey and make it to the NHL. And together and with an amazing group of friends, they are the support each other needs.

Their bond is one forged on a foundation of mutual respect and empathy. Cory's unwavering patience and support empower Ivy to embrace her strength and independence, even if it's not with him. Ivy's support and determination inspired Cory to pursue his dreams with unwavering passion.

They are the definition of "Right Person, Wrong Time". Their love story is heartwarming and perfect. It never felt rushed or forced. Both are high school students, and I'm glad neither felt too grown or childish. I enjoyed the writing style a lot. I can't wait to see what's next in store for this group of characters.

[Geniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars and 2/5 spicy peppers
I absolutely LOVED LOVED Strange Love by Steffanie Blais. I had the pleasure of meeting Steffanie at Readers Take Denver, and she was the sweetest person. This is the first book I have read of hers, but I will be reading more! Strange Love was unique and highly entertaining. Ivy Owens was kidnapped when she was 12 years old and lived in a cult for 4 years until she escaped, but it is primarily about her coming back to high school for her senior year and trying to live a normal life. There are plenty of bullies, but Ivy finds her way, and starting a fake dating relationship with the popular hockey star Corey Delacour helps. I loved how strong, insightful, and vulnerable Ivy is in the story. Corey is a swoon worthy MMC. Also, I was all for the 80s references to songs, fashion, catch phrases, and more. If you love the 80s, cults, and/or hockey romances you need to read this book! It also appears that this will be part of a standalone series, and the next book will be about Ivy’s friend Sascha, which I will be reading once it is released this summer!

Read If You Like:
All things 80s
Fake Dating
Hockey
Cults and exploring mental health and past trauma
Dual POV

Favorite Quote: ‘“Don’t do that, he says firmly. “Do what?” I feign innocence. “Don’t walk behind me,”... you do that sometimes. You try to make yourself small and invisible, so no one will notice you. If anyone in this school should be noticed, it's you, Ivy Owens. You’re beautiful, smart, kind, and tougher than anyone I’ve ever met.”’

[break.down.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy Owens is no stranger to heartache. After being trapped in a cult and dealing with the healing journey, she misses all of her high school years but is determined to take advantage of the time she has left. She rejoins society as an eighteen-year-old senior and has a hard time adjusting. Meet Corey Delacour - his mom may have married a well-off car salesman but he has never forgotten where he came from. He meets Ivy their senior year and immediately is intrigued by the new girl. He may be one of the most popular hockey players at their school but there is something about Ivy that captivates him. When he convinces her to fake date him in order to get the bullies off her back, neither of them are the prepared for the very real feelings that emerge.

This story is really cute and feels very much like the John Hughes movies referenced within. The author weaves in a lot of really cute details and pop culture references from the 80s that made me smile. The chemistry between Ivy and Corey is really sweet and, while being kidnapped informs Ivy as a character, it does not define her and is (honestly) not at all a focal point of the story. The story really does revolve around these two kids getting to know each other and fall in love.

A warning - I mean it when I say that the cult thing is not at all a focal point of the story. We get flashbacks to the cult but it is not a huge factor in Ivy's story other than that it's the reason she's an "outcast" when she joins the high school. Corey being from a single mom in a low class background is far more central to his character than the cult is to Ivy. I don't think this is a major issue and it did not impact my enjoyment of the story, but if you go in wanting more of the cult stuff then you will be disappointed.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When she was younger, Ivy was kidnapped and forced to live in a cult for four years. After her escape and return to normal high school, she doesn’t exactly know how to fit in. Enter star hockey player Corey Delacour who is instantly drawn to Ivy. Corey offers to fake date Ivy to help her fit in and overcome the bullies who keep challenging her. when fake dating turns to real dating, will this high school romance stand the test of time or suffer the fate of young love?

I am always up for a hockey romance and this one spark my interest even more because it sounded different than anything I’d ever read before. The childhood kidnapping was an interesting angle that I really wanted to see explored and I thought it was well done. The author did a great job weaving everything together and turning this story into so much more than your typical hockey romance. I enjoyed the main characters and how the stories were told. The chapters in this book flip around from different time periods, but I didn’t find it confusing at all. This format was a great way to tell the story and the chapter headings made it clear which time period we were in. There is a little bit of spice in this book, but that’s not the main focus in the story just a compliment to it. I really enjoyed this book and the unique take on a hockey romance. If you are a sports romance fan, this isn’t your typical romance, but it is definitely worth the read!

[Maz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, being a 80's baby I loved this. It was around my childhood time so it was great reminiscing on stuff from back then.
This was a great second chance story, it may be Hockey romance but we didn't get much Hockey in it. That didn't take away from the story.
Beginning of the book we get the back story of their childhood. Both grown up with disadvantages in different ways.
Ivy was kidnapped at age of 12 and managed to escape 4 years later.
The she was trying to live again and in high school. She was classed as the weird one and bullied. Despite trying to be invisible, she caught the eye of Corey.
I loved Corey, he was building himself for a good future. He was soo good to her and you can tell he fell first. Their relationship may started fake but both fell in love. Unfortunately life took them separate ways. I felt so sad for them both, their pain was palpable.
So then we are at the present and he hasn't been home for 5 years. Corey is finally coming home for his sister, Sarah's wedding. This is also Ivy's best friend. They are bound to meet. Both so nervous until they realise their chemistry and love hasn't changed at all.
He is only here for a day before a big move. Will she let him go again? Is Corey risking it all again by asking her to join him again?
Great bunch of friends, emotional, fun banter, memories, love and some spice.
Very different read but very enjoyable.

"But to me, you were never invisible. You shined like the brightest star in the sky.”

[sarah_is_booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. First, I love all of the nostalgic references like the plastic Halloween masks (which were unbearably hot) and quicksand (why was that such a big deal in the 80s/90s??). I also loved how each chapter is the name of a song from the 80s. This book reminded me of a simpler time, and had me reminiscing.

The characters were great. Ivy wants to be invisible, but Corey truly sees her. They had an instant connection, and I loved how Corey cared for her. Both of them are working to overcoming the difficulties in their past, but are able to open up to one another. Their love story was beautiful. In addition to the romance, this book covers a lot of other topics like friendship, overcoming trauma, and navigating what it is like to experience your first love. This was such an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to the next book.

Read if you enjoy:
✔️Fake dating
✔️Hockey
✔️80s romance
✔️Opposites attract
✔️First love
✔️Tragic past
✔️Nonlinear timeline
✔️Dual POV

Thank you @author_steffanieblais for the ARC!

⚠️ TW from the author: kidnapping, drug use, and human trafficking mentioned. (No on-page assault)

Favorite quote: “Remember when I told you watching movies and playing hockey were my favorite things to do? You are new my favorite thing Ivy Owens.

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Strange Love. This is a fake dating hockey romance set in the 80's. Ivy was kidnapped by a cult at 12 then returned home at 16. She is determined to get back to normal and enjoy her senior year back in school. Corey is the popular hockey star in the high school and every girl wants him. He is drawn to Ivy the first time he sees her and comes up with the plan to fake date to get everyone to leave Ivy alone and so he can be her friend. The story follows them as the grow through their senior year of high school.
The reason I cannot give this 5 stars is the timeline. It starts at Sarah's (Ivy's friend and Corey's cousin) wedding. Ivy recounts the story to the other bridesmaids as they are getting ready. The timeline goes back and forth between when Ivy was kidnapped to senior year. This back and forth made for confusion and at times made the story hard to follow. Then the story ended at the wedding where Ivy and Corey say each other for the first time in 5 years. This remeet was only the last 10% of the book. I wanted more of that. I wish this could have been a duet the first was senior year and second their reuniting.
But beyond that, I really did enjoy this book and the portrayal of the 80's. The characters were funny and had some great one-liners throughout. I would recommend this book for all romance lovers.

[books.n.ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Strange Love” by Steffanie Blais is a coming of age, fake dating, strangers to lovers, small town, post-cult kidnapping, hockey infused, high school romance set in the 80s. I know that sounds like a lot, but trust me when I say it ABSOLUTELY works! I read all the themes before going into this thinking there was no-way this would mesh or make sense, but Steffanie absolutely makes it all come together to tell a wonderful story of finding the right person at the wrong time. This story has all of the best 80s references and makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time without being super cheesy. The story follows Ivy Owens and her time of being kidnapped by a cult at 12 years old, her 4 years in captivity and her life afterwards of entering back into the public school system as a senior. The story also revolves around Corey Delacour. A young man that was raised primarily by a single mother in a trailer park until she meets and marries a used car salesman when Corey is 13. Forced to uproot his life and move to a new school, our hockey obsessed MMC finds himself able to work deviously towards his NHL dreams. Ever the typical high school jock heartthrob, Corey is charismatic, popular and all around beloved. I loved their story so much! My only complaint is I didn’t get enough of their happily ever after, but I’m hoping we’ll see more is them in the coming books!

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- 80s references
- Fake dating
- Hockey romance
- Young adult romance

Ah, the nostalgia! The 80s were a magical time for a lot of people as evidenced by the throwback trend that is so popular (and I'm here for it!). This book was not your typical 80s story. It had some deeper topics that are so relevant to the time. I was too young to remember the Adam Walsh disappearance, but I remember the numerous true crime stories and movies...and this was a real issue for the youth of the time.

Ivy was taken as a child to be part of a religious "compound". The story bounces back and forth in timelines to describe her time in the compound and after she escaped. Just the fact that she was able to function at all in society is a testament to the character's depth.

Hockey player Corey is popular in school now, but he hasn't had an easy life. He was raised mostly by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet. After his mother remarries, his life starts to turn around a bit. So when he sees Ivy, he senses something of a kindred spirit in her. She is an outcast in the school because she has been away for so long. Corey feels an urge to help her, plus he is attracted to her, so he proposes that they "date" to up her social status.

What follows is a sweet, heartfelt tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more from this series!