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Angry Puck
From USA Today bestselling author and author of The Brimstone Lords MC series comes a brand new steamy hockey romance about two friends who have a major falling out and their very angry reunion.
Two Friends.
One Night.
Game Over.
Friends to enemies to lovers—sounds romantic, doesn't it?
Not so much. In reality, we had angry—well, let's just say we had an angry reunion.
It all started when I offered to be my best friend's date for a charity event. When I say best friend, I mean we met when we were six years old. I came running every time he needed me. And he needed me a lot considering he's the star center for the fastest-rising team in the NHL, the Charleston Copperheads. Yeah, you heard me right. My best friend was the Grant Bishop.
Now I may be curvier than the average girl, but that never seemed to bother him before. But for some reason, for this event, he worried about the media thinking we were together. Talk about a gut punch. That was the moment I realized how one-sided our relationship had always been.
For my peace of mind, I had to cut Grant out of my life cold turkey. I blocked his number, then I changed my own. Finally, I moved back to our hometown to start my catering business, Treat Yourself. It sucked that I had to give up hockey. I loved hockey. But what I didn't love was reminders of my former friend, so hockey had to go.
For three blissful years, I avoided that jerk. Well, that all came to a head—and you get my meaning—when he cornered me against a fence at his cousin's wedding "to talk". And let me just say, that "talk" had some major consequences.
I don't know if I can trust him because I do know my heart can't take another disappointment.
What do I do?
Two Friends.
One Night.
Game Over.
Friends to enemies to lovers—sounds romantic, doesn't it?
Not so much. In reality, we had angry—well, let's just say we had an angry reunion.
It all started when I offered to be my best friend's date for a charity event. When I say best friend, I mean we met when we were six years old. I came running every time he needed me. And he needed me a lot considering he's the star center for the fastest-rising team in the NHL, the Charleston Copperheads. Yeah, you heard me right. My best friend was the Grant Bishop.
Now I may be curvier than the average girl, but that never seemed to bother him before. But for some reason, for this event, he worried about the media thinking we were together. Talk about a gut punch. That was the moment I realized how one-sided our relationship had always been.
For my peace of mind, I had to cut Grant out of my life cold turkey. I blocked his number, then I changed my own. Finally, I moved back to our hometown to start my catering business, Treat Yourself. It sucked that I had to give up hockey. I loved hockey. But what I didn't love was reminders of my former friend, so hockey had to go.
For three blissful years, I avoided that jerk. Well, that all came to a head—and you get my meaning—when he cornered me against a fence at his cousin's wedding "to talk". And let me just say, that "talk" had some major consequences.
I don't know if I can trust him because I do know my heart can't take another disappointment.
What do I do?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
124 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zolton Arthur
46 books241 followersA former preschool teacher, chef, and lastly, a stay-at-home mom, Sarah Zolton Arthur has worn many hats in her life, until graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in English/Creative Writing and finally finding the hat that fits: writing romantic comedies. Above all else, she lives by these rules. Call them Sarah’s life edicts: In Sarah's world, all books have kissing and end in some form of HEA, because all romance heroes deserve love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 18, 2025
I gave it 3 stars but I would probably rate it more as a 2.5.
It was ok but it just felt kind of flat. It had all the components that should have made it a good read but it was like everything was introduced and then quickly resolved. There were so many opportunities for good angst but it was never delved into. I was pretty bored by half way through but I kept going because it felt like something was going to happen…but nothing really ever did. There was no real passion or chemistry coming from either of them even though there were quite a few sex scenes.
I really didn’t like the h. She was kind of whiny and woe is me but at the same time had almost no personality. We know she bakes and she likes having sex with Grant…that’s about it.
The H was pretty much the same. He likes to play hockey and he likes to have sex with the h. His reactions to things that should have made him really upset or furious on the h’s behalf just came off as tepid. Someone threw a puck at the h when she was 8 months pregnant at his game because his father told the press that she trapped him and the baby wasn’t his. It knocked her over and she ended up having a concussion and needed an emergency c-section. When the H later addressed it at a news conference, he thanked the fans for their loyalty to him because they did it in defense of him. Umm what? He should have been saying he didn’t want fans who were scumbags who would throw a puck at a pregnant woman’s head!
A lot of people were really mean to the h about her weight even though she isn’t described as obese, she says she has some chub. So I found it hard to believe so many people would be outright vile to her face about her weight just because she’s dating a hockey player. It’s such a lazy plot device just to cause some angst but it failed to even do that.
One thing I appreciated is that the h did not want to breastfeed. She agreed to express for a while but it was clear she wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the h didn’t breastfeed by choice and it was nice to see a different representation on the matter.
The writing itself is good. I didn’t notice a lot of grammar issues or anything.
Safety was fine. She’d seen him date other women before they became a couple but there were no intimate scenes with OP shown in the book. They were separated for 3 years and neither were celibate. She dated a little bit but hadn’t been with anyone for a few years when they met up again. He said he had an occasional hook up but no dating or relationships and it had been a long time since he’d been with anyone.
No ow/om drama.
I won’t be continuing on with any future books on the series and probably won’t bother with any of the authors other books.
It was ok but it just felt kind of flat. It had all the components that should have made it a good read but it was like everything was introduced and then quickly resolved. There were so many opportunities for good angst but it was never delved into. I was pretty bored by half way through but I kept going because it felt like something was going to happen…but nothing really ever did. There was no real passion or chemistry coming from either of them even though there were quite a few sex scenes.
I really didn’t like the h. She was kind of whiny and woe is me but at the same time had almost no personality. We know she bakes and she likes having sex with Grant…that’s about it.
The H was pretty much the same. He likes to play hockey and he likes to have sex with the h. His reactions to things that should have made him really upset or furious on the h’s behalf just came off as tepid. Someone threw a puck at the h when she was 8 months pregnant at his game because his father told the press that she trapped him and the baby wasn’t his. It knocked her over and she ended up having a concussion and needed an emergency c-section. When the H later addressed it at a news conference, he thanked the fans for their loyalty to him because they did it in defense of him. Umm what? He should have been saying he didn’t want fans who were scumbags who would throw a puck at a pregnant woman’s head!
A lot of people were really mean to the h about her weight even though she isn’t described as obese, she says she has some chub. So I found it hard to believe so many people would be outright vile to her face about her weight just because she’s dating a hockey player. It’s such a lazy plot device just to cause some angst but it failed to even do that.
One thing I appreciated is that the h did not want to breastfeed. She agreed to express for a while but it was clear she wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the h didn’t breastfeed by choice and it was nice to see a different representation on the matter.
The writing itself is good. I didn’t notice a lot of grammar issues or anything.
Safety was fine. She’d seen him date other women before they became a couple but there were no intimate scenes with OP shown in the book. They were separated for 3 years and neither were celibate. She dated a little bit but hadn’t been with anyone for a few years when they met up again. He said he had an occasional hook up but no dating or relationships and it had been a long time since he’d been with anyone.
No ow/om drama.
I won’t be continuing on with any future books on the series and probably won’t bother with any of the authors other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2024
Jaycee and Grant have been friends forever...until she cuts contact with him. Really felt for Jaycee with her being unsure how to proceed but didn't like that she kept pushing him away.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2025
Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 6, 2025
Grant Bishop had just been dumped by Svetlana who dumped him for one of this year’s Stanley Cup-winning eligible bachelors. We both know you weren’t in love with her. “Doesn’t mean I like being dumped. Nobody likes being dumped, Jayce.” “Okay, I’ll give you that, but you’re Grant Bishop. The sexiest man in the NHL. You won’t have any trouble replacing her.” “I see the guy who stood up for girls when they were being bullied back in high school. I see the guy secretly paying for lower-income kids to go to summer camps when your paychecks started rolling in.
I see the guy who sat next to the lonely new girl on the first day of kindergarten at the new school when her life had fallen apart and never left her side.” “Jayce…” He sighed. “You just like me.” “You’re right. I do.” “The team has that charity event tomorrow night.
Svetlana and he were supposed to go. No he needs to bring a date.” “That’s an easy enough fix. I’ll go with you. I can go out tomorrow to find a dress.” “Don’t be ridiculous, Jayce.” “What do you mean ridiculous? You’d have more fun with me, and you know it.” “I would.
But it’s an event. Photographers everywhere are snapping off pictures. My teammates will be there with their wives and girlfriends.” “Right,” she said, beginning to feel a twinge of pain hit her chest. They had been friends for too long. He didn't mean what she thought he meant, right? She sucked it up. Grant loved her. BFFs for life and all. You could do worse than me, you're as your date. Sweetheart, he said in a patronizing tone. “There will be photographers. People will get the wrong idea about us, and you know it.”
His response was cut. Cut deep. She was the one who’d stayed up till three a.m. on school nights letting him vent after another fight with his dad. She was the one who sat on the tailgate of his truck while he shared dreams of making it to the NHL and his fears that he wasn’t good enough. Jayce was the one who’d gone to France to study pastries, but left a year early because big things were happening for him, and he’d needed me to be there for support. But now people would get the wrong idea? I’d always been Jayce.
Jaycee. The chubby one. The “It’s too bad she carries that extra weight, she has such a pretty face” girl. She was that girl in France. Jayce was that girl sitting on his tailgate, and she was that girl at three in the morning. It never bothered him before. “So what?” “So what if people get the wrong idea? What am I missing here, Grant?” “Think about it.” “Think about what? What’s so wrong with me? What’s wrong with the public thinking we’re a couple?” “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re Jaycee.” “Yeah, I am. And you’re Grant—good we know each other’s names because I’m beginning to think I don’t know anything else about you.”
“Come on, sweetheart. That’s just not the way with us.” That deep cut started to kill. It felt like Jayce was dying in front of him. Anger. Humiliation. A healthy dose of sadness. It all bubbled up until she finally had the guts to ask him, “Why? Why isn’t it that way with us? Just tell me that.” His head jerked back in surprise. She swore she stopped breathing for a moment. Okay, so I’d always loved him, loved him, and he’d friendship loved her. He had to know how she felt. What if she’d just ruined things between them? Still, it didn’t stop her mouth from moving.
“You know we could be good together. You know I could make you happy. I already do.” His eyes went sad and placating as if looking at a child. “I don’t know why, Jayce. Because you’re you.” Well, there you go. Jayce hung her head. “Right,” she said, defeated. “I get it.” “No—that came out wrong.” She’d simply provided the ego boosts that he’d needed when he needed one. She now realized that Grant… Grant saw her the same as everyone else in this world, save for her grandfather who treated her like a princess. Fighting back the tears, she gave him one last part of her.
“It came out exactly as you meant it to. Final.” “Jayce—” “Go.” “What?” “Just go. I can’t do this anymore.” “You don’t know what you’re saying.” “I know exactly what I’m saying, and it probably makes me a shitty friend, but I just can’t with you any longer. It hurts too damn much. Though just remember, you aren’t without fault here, either. You’ve always known how I felt and every time it didn’t work out with some beautiful woman, you came back to me to bolster your ego. Except I don’t know why since I’m clearly not good enough for you.
How does that work, exactly?” Grant ran his hand through his hair like a frustrated parent. “Jayce, stop.” “Stop? I should’ve stopped this years ago. I should’ve never come back from France. That was my chance to cut the ties that no longer served me and I couldn’t do it because you’re you. But you knew that. It’s why you asked me to come back. Leading me around by your invisible leash like a damn dog. It’s just like Lincoln said.” Lincoln was Grant’s best bro on the team, his wing. Grant arrived at her place all sad.
She heard Linc saying hurtful things about Jayce when she opened the door. Grant quickly hung up, but she’d heard. Jayce got it, Linc wanted a certain aesthetic to the women they hung around and Jayce didn’t fit that at all. Svetlana was beautiful, but he’d find someone else if he didn’t have Jaycee following him around like a dog. Being Jayce, she never let on to Grant how much that hurt because she cared about Grant, and didn’t want to make his life any harder at the moment. Now though, it hit her that her supposed best friend never went out of his way to make her life easier.
He used to, but that had been a long time ago—high school. Back then he’d protected her from anybody who talked sh-t about her. She felt stupid and humiliated all in one fell swoop. What everyone must have thought about her. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” He stood from the sofa, taking a step toward her. Jayce held her hand up to stop him. No. No way did he get to touch her as if she meant a damn thing to him. She didn’t need his lies in the form of hugs or kisses to the top of her head. “Get out, Grant. I don’t want to see you again.
This”—I waved my hand between us—“is over. Find a new fat friend to massage your ego. I’m done.” Before giving him the chance to say anything else that would no doubt rip her heart out, she turned away from him and walked to her bedroom, locking the door. There, she slid down the wooden panel until her bottom hit the floor. Jayce pressed her face to her knees and she cried silent tears until she eventually heard the front door shut. Only then did the real sorrow flow. She bought out her rental agreement on the apartment that she could barely afford.
Jayce quit the job she’d hated since she got it. She had been willing to endure because she loved Grant, and he needed her. Before she knew it she was packed up and on her way back home to a new life without Grant. Jayce could live without his non-stop texts and calls. Finally, she just changed her phone number. She redecorated her old bedroom at her grandfather's and was loving it, however, she couldn't find a bakery job. And then the old pie shop in town became available and caught her when there was a sign stating another price drop.
Three months after moving home to Beckman, Michigan, “Treat Yourself” opened for business. A whole new life without Grant has begun. But can Grant stay away? Or had he let the best thing in his life get away? Will they have their 2.0?
I see the guy who sat next to the lonely new girl on the first day of kindergarten at the new school when her life had fallen apart and never left her side.” “Jayce…” He sighed. “You just like me.” “You’re right. I do.” “The team has that charity event tomorrow night.
Svetlana and he were supposed to go. No he needs to bring a date.” “That’s an easy enough fix. I’ll go with you. I can go out tomorrow to find a dress.” “Don’t be ridiculous, Jayce.” “What do you mean ridiculous? You’d have more fun with me, and you know it.” “I would.
But it’s an event. Photographers everywhere are snapping off pictures. My teammates will be there with their wives and girlfriends.” “Right,” she said, beginning to feel a twinge of pain hit her chest. They had been friends for too long. He didn't mean what she thought he meant, right? She sucked it up. Grant loved her. BFFs for life and all. You could do worse than me, you're as your date. Sweetheart, he said in a patronizing tone. “There will be photographers. People will get the wrong idea about us, and you know it.”
His response was cut. Cut deep. She was the one who’d stayed up till three a.m. on school nights letting him vent after another fight with his dad. She was the one who sat on the tailgate of his truck while he shared dreams of making it to the NHL and his fears that he wasn’t good enough. Jayce was the one who’d gone to France to study pastries, but left a year early because big things were happening for him, and he’d needed me to be there for support. But now people would get the wrong idea? I’d always been Jayce.
Jaycee. The chubby one. The “It’s too bad she carries that extra weight, she has such a pretty face” girl. She was that girl in France. Jayce was that girl sitting on his tailgate, and she was that girl at three in the morning. It never bothered him before. “So what?” “So what if people get the wrong idea? What am I missing here, Grant?” “Think about it.” “Think about what? What’s so wrong with me? What’s wrong with the public thinking we’re a couple?” “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re Jaycee.” “Yeah, I am. And you’re Grant—good we know each other’s names because I’m beginning to think I don’t know anything else about you.”
“Come on, sweetheart. That’s just not the way with us.” That deep cut started to kill. It felt like Jayce was dying in front of him. Anger. Humiliation. A healthy dose of sadness. It all bubbled up until she finally had the guts to ask him, “Why? Why isn’t it that way with us? Just tell me that.” His head jerked back in surprise. She swore she stopped breathing for a moment. Okay, so I’d always loved him, loved him, and he’d friendship loved her. He had to know how she felt. What if she’d just ruined things between them? Still, it didn’t stop her mouth from moving.
“You know we could be good together. You know I could make you happy. I already do.” His eyes went sad and placating as if looking at a child. “I don’t know why, Jayce. Because you’re you.” Well, there you go. Jayce hung her head. “Right,” she said, defeated. “I get it.” “No—that came out wrong.” She’d simply provided the ego boosts that he’d needed when he needed one. She now realized that Grant… Grant saw her the same as everyone else in this world, save for her grandfather who treated her like a princess. Fighting back the tears, she gave him one last part of her.
“It came out exactly as you meant it to. Final.” “Jayce—” “Go.” “What?” “Just go. I can’t do this anymore.” “You don’t know what you’re saying.” “I know exactly what I’m saying, and it probably makes me a shitty friend, but I just can’t with you any longer. It hurts too damn much. Though just remember, you aren’t without fault here, either. You’ve always known how I felt and every time it didn’t work out with some beautiful woman, you came back to me to bolster your ego. Except I don’t know why since I’m clearly not good enough for you.
How does that work, exactly?” Grant ran his hand through his hair like a frustrated parent. “Jayce, stop.” “Stop? I should’ve stopped this years ago. I should’ve never come back from France. That was my chance to cut the ties that no longer served me and I couldn’t do it because you’re you. But you knew that. It’s why you asked me to come back. Leading me around by your invisible leash like a damn dog. It’s just like Lincoln said.” Lincoln was Grant’s best bro on the team, his wing. Grant arrived at her place all sad.
She heard Linc saying hurtful things about Jayce when she opened the door. Grant quickly hung up, but she’d heard. Jayce got it, Linc wanted a certain aesthetic to the women they hung around and Jayce didn’t fit that at all. Svetlana was beautiful, but he’d find someone else if he didn’t have Jaycee following him around like a dog. Being Jayce, she never let on to Grant how much that hurt because she cared about Grant, and didn’t want to make his life any harder at the moment. Now though, it hit her that her supposed best friend never went out of his way to make her life easier.
He used to, but that had been a long time ago—high school. Back then he’d protected her from anybody who talked sh-t about her. She felt stupid and humiliated all in one fell swoop. What everyone must have thought about her. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” He stood from the sofa, taking a step toward her. Jayce held her hand up to stop him. No. No way did he get to touch her as if she meant a damn thing to him. She didn’t need his lies in the form of hugs or kisses to the top of her head. “Get out, Grant. I don’t want to see you again.
This”—I waved my hand between us—“is over. Find a new fat friend to massage your ego. I’m done.” Before giving him the chance to say anything else that would no doubt rip her heart out, she turned away from him and walked to her bedroom, locking the door. There, she slid down the wooden panel until her bottom hit the floor. Jayce pressed her face to her knees and she cried silent tears until she eventually heard the front door shut. Only then did the real sorrow flow. She bought out her rental agreement on the apartment that she could barely afford.
Jayce quit the job she’d hated since she got it. She had been willing to endure because she loved Grant, and he needed her. Before she knew it she was packed up and on her way back home to a new life without Grant. Jayce could live without his non-stop texts and calls. Finally, she just changed her phone number. She redecorated her old bedroom at her grandfather's and was loving it, however, she couldn't find a bakery job. And then the old pie shop in town became available and caught her when there was a sign stating another price drop.
Three months after moving home to Beckman, Michigan, “Treat Yourself” opened for business. A whole new life without Grant has begun. But can Grant stay away? Or had he let the best thing in his life get away? Will they have their 2.0?
May 3, 2025
Miserable Males
Almost every male in this book, except Pap and the bakery staff, was the worst. I have no clue why Grant stayed friends with Linc when he constantly disrespected Jaycee. Also, Jaycee drinking coffee and not caring for herself while pregnant was so silly. Finally, the things that various characters said about Jaycee and her body was ridiculous. I’ve been fat my entire life and no one has ever been as vile to my face as the characters in this book were to Jaycee. Also, the book was paced too quickly, despite being long. This easily could have been a novella. Finally, the time jumps in the beginning of the book were confusing.
Almost every male in this book, except Pap and the bakery staff, was the worst. I have no clue why Grant stayed friends with Linc when he constantly disrespected Jaycee. Also, Jaycee drinking coffee and not caring for herself while pregnant was so silly. Finally, the things that various characters said about Jaycee and her body was ridiculous. I’ve been fat my entire life and no one has ever been as vile to my face as the characters in this book were to Jaycee. Also, the book was paced too quickly, despite being long. This easily could have been a novella. Finally, the time jumps in the beginning of the book were confusing.
April 22, 2025
Honestly it's a 2.5 star read but I rounded up. There are editing/proofreading issues throughout the book. Names being wrong(Benny/Denny, Pap,pap), sentences not making sense, etc. It's mostly a cute story but the dad, the fans (who throws a puck a someone without getting arrested?), and her sense of self was a bit too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
Literally the worst book I’ve read this year. I love my sports romance/hockey smut but this was just tragic. The main character was so self deprecating I wanted to slap her every page. Nothing was ever good enough. She annoyed me so much, so needless to say I do not recommend at all!!!
November 19, 2025
Look I get this is "just" a smutty little fiction book, but I've been sitting with this in my head for a couple days and it's still bothering me. The handling of Jaycee being attacked at the game is harmful. Head trauma is incredibly serious and should always be checked out by a medical professional. There is so much wrong about the assault scene and the aftermath. No one checking on a pregnant woman with a head injury, no bystanders stepping in, no arena security detaining/removing the assailant, no closure of anything even happening to the guy by the end of the book is wild. The fact that she was even allowed on a plane feels even dumber and her driving when getting back to Michigan is nuts. There are so many wrong things happening here and so many ways there could have been drama that didn't need to involve the assault of a pregnant woman with no one noticing/stepping in/helping in any way. If I'm being generous I would say it is meant to be commentary of the para-social relationships we form with celebrities/athletes/online personalities, etc and how harmful that can be when we take defending those people against perceived attacks too far. That said, I find it hard to believe that no one is stepping in when seeing a pregnant woman get assaulted and that an entire crowd at a hockey game cares or knows that much about the private life of a player that they would be okay with a pregnant woman (even one they hate) being assaulted. I am a huge hockey fan and other than thinking it's cute when their babies are at the game I couldn't care less about a player's personal life unless it is affecting their performance on the ice. And even then it's none of my business. I already had my issues with the pacing and the time jumps and the way some delicate subjects were trivialized but from family day to the end I just could not with this book. I initially gave this 2 stars, but writing this makes it feel more like a 1 star to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Trigger warnings:
Fat phobia
Unexpected pregnancy
Pregnancy complications
Violence
Pros:
I enjoyed the phrasing and writing style and felt that the use of multiple points of view was done pretty perfectly.
The butler is a great character who seems not only good at his job but like he is a genuine and kind person. He isn’t just working for pay he cares about the people in his care and does more than needed because of it.
Cons:
A comment is made that Jaycee isn’t one to have her life run but that is exactly what has happened the entire book. As soon as she doesn’t push Grant away and has sex with him other people take over making her decisions through emotional manipulation and blatant disrespect. Her grandfather who is supposed to seem like a great guy is particularly bad about this between pushing her to tell Grant before she is ready, helping move her belongings despite her clearly stating she is not moving to booking a flight on the say-so of her employees. Grant doesn’t listen to her fears or concerns just tells her he doesn’t care about them. There is no validation of her feelings and there is no healthy discussion and planning g between them on how to move forward so they can both be as happy and as comfortable as possible.
Despite all the jumps forward I don’t remember seeing any conclusion on what happens to Grant’s father.
Fat phobia
Unexpected pregnancy
Pregnancy complications
Violence
Pros:
I enjoyed the phrasing and writing style and felt that the use of multiple points of view was done pretty perfectly.
The butler is a great character who seems not only good at his job but like he is a genuine and kind person. He isn’t just working for pay he cares about the people in his care and does more than needed because of it.
Cons:
A comment is made that Jaycee isn’t one to have her life run but that is exactly what has happened the entire book. As soon as she doesn’t push Grant away and has sex with him other people take over making her decisions through emotional manipulation and blatant disrespect. Her grandfather who is supposed to seem like a great guy is particularly bad about this between pushing her to tell Grant before she is ready, helping move her belongings despite her clearly stating she is not moving to booking a flight on the say-so of her employees. Grant doesn’t listen to her fears or concerns just tells her he doesn’t care about them. There is no validation of her feelings and there is no healthy discussion and planning g between them on how to move forward so they can both be as happy and as comfortable as possible.
Despite all the jumps forward I don’t remember seeing any conclusion on what happens to Grant’s father.
March 2, 2024
Jaycee has been in love with Grant since they were six when he befriended the outcast chubby girl. Now he's the star center of an NHL team, the guy all the puck bunnies dream of, and she's had to endure his latest arm candy. When his date backs out of a charity event Jaycee volunteers to go. Now, she's always been curvier than his slew of girlfriends, but he didn't have to shoot her down in quite that way. And she's had enough. After twenty years of always being there for him she quits cold turkey, blocking his calls and moving away. When they see each other again three years later, Grant confronts her and they have it out... in a way with major consequences. Grant had already decided that he wasn't giving her up again before he found out, now he has to convince her.
I liked these characters after Grant got over himself and finally went after what he wanted and stopped worrying what people would think. Jaycee is very body concious so naturally trouble arises when she's targeted by the media. I like how protective Grant is with her though, it was really super sweet. Overall I thought it was a cute story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I liked these characters after Grant got over himself and finally went after what he wanted and stopped worrying what people would think. Jaycee is very body concious so naturally trouble arises when she's targeted by the media. I like how protective Grant is with her though, it was really super sweet. Overall I thought it was a cute story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 6, 2024
MMC/FMC- Grant and Jaycee
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Sports Romance (hockey)
Heat- 🌋🌋☄️ (1🌋=2☄️) they do the things often but it wasn’t always hot.
Series? Not sure
Safety? Y
Triggers- Body Shaming, Menacing, Mild Violence, Explicit Erotic Content
Tropes- Friends to Lovers, Surprise Pregnancy, One Night Stand
What I thought- there was nothing wrong with this book per se, but I wasn’t excited about it. The bedroom scenes were sometimes like reading furniture assembly instructions. I did like that she was a successful businesswoman in her own right. I loved the character Pap and even Linc grew on me. But I just didn’t feel the sizzle I like in my romance. And I felt like the same thing happened over and over: 1) person says something awful to Jaycee about her weight and appearance and how Grant is out of her league. 2) Jaycee gives in to her insecurities 3) Grant assures Jaycee that he finds her hot and he adores her. This happened at least three times, and it got a little old.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Sports Romance (hockey)
Heat- 🌋🌋☄️ (1🌋=2☄️) they do the things often but it wasn’t always hot.
Series? Not sure
Safety? Y
Triggers- Body Shaming, Menacing, Mild Violence, Explicit Erotic Content
Tropes- Friends to Lovers, Surprise Pregnancy, One Night Stand
What I thought- there was nothing wrong with this book per se, but I wasn’t excited about it. The bedroom scenes were sometimes like reading furniture assembly instructions. I did like that she was a successful businesswoman in her own right. I loved the character Pap and even Linc grew on me. But I just didn’t feel the sizzle I like in my romance. And I felt like the same thing happened over and over: 1) person says something awful to Jaycee about her weight and appearance and how Grant is out of her league. 2) Jaycee gives in to her insecurities 3) Grant assures Jaycee that he finds her hot and he adores her. This happened at least three times, and it got a little old.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2024
Jaycee (Jayce) & Grant: They have been best friends since they were 6. She has always know she was in love with him. When she realized that it hurt too much to continue to be there for him when he wasn’t there for her, she broke up their friendship, and moved back home to start over without him. It took the break up to realized he always did have more feelings for Jayce, but with his track record with woman, it was safer to keep her as a friend. After 3 years, he starts his mission to win back Jayce.
The self depreciation Jace goes through was hard to read, but it shows how it’s hard to get past when other people like to point out your flaws. Especially when he is a hot hockey player, and she understands why people wouldn’t understand them actually being together.
Second-chance hockey romance with family drama, public scrutiny, and filled with him chasing her. It was sad to read, but it was soooo good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The self depreciation Jace goes through was hard to read, but it shows how it’s hard to get past when other people like to point out your flaws. Especially when he is a hot hockey player, and she understands why people wouldn’t understand them actually being together.
Second-chance hockey romance with family drama, public scrutiny, and filled with him chasing her. It was sad to read, but it was soooo good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2024
Good story. Lifelong best friends Jayce and Grant are broken by his complacency and allowing people to be awful to her and it causes her to admit her feelings out loud for the first time, which he does not handle. She does an excellent job of cutting him out for three long years where she creates her own business a gains a great group of friends/employees. Grant decides three years has been long enough—he is getting her back. One encounter against a fence and both their lives change. Jayce has serious self-esteem issues due to her weight. People are terrible to her, including Grant’s dad. She has a really bad habit of running and avoidance. She does it multiple times. Grant is good at fighting for their relationship after the initial head removal from his behind. Jayce puts a lot on him that she shouldn’t. Linc redeems himself. At least he is honest about what he did and why. Lots of sexy times.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
Angry Puck Indeed!
Warning: There is a lot of fat shaming in this book.
What do you do when you fall for your best friend but it is not reciprocated? Jaycee has always been there for Grant but he just can’t see how good he has it with her. She has dropped everything to support him and his NHL career but he can’t be seen with her in public as anything other than a friend. Why? Because she has a little extra junk in her trunk, that’s why.
So Jaycee ends their Friend-zone relationship and moves back home to pursue her dream.
Three years later, fate plays a hand in bringing these two back together one angry puck at a time. Their future looks very different now but why is there always someone with an “opinion” on why Grant would never willingly choose Jaycee, and can she move past it enough to get her HEA?
This is a true love story with many twists and turns that it will keep you turning the page.
I read this book voluntarily for an honest review.
Warning: There is a lot of fat shaming in this book.
What do you do when you fall for your best friend but it is not reciprocated? Jaycee has always been there for Grant but he just can’t see how good he has it with her. She has dropped everything to support him and his NHL career but he can’t be seen with her in public as anything other than a friend. Why? Because she has a little extra junk in her trunk, that’s why.
So Jaycee ends their Friend-zone relationship and moves back home to pursue her dream.
Three years later, fate plays a hand in bringing these two back together one angry puck at a time. Their future looks very different now but why is there always someone with an “opinion” on why Grant would never willingly choose Jaycee, and can she move past it enough to get her HEA?
This is a true love story with many twists and turns that it will keep you turning the page.
I read this book voluntarily for an honest review.
March 6, 2024
Jaycee and Grant have been best friends since they were kids but Jaycee wants more than friendship. She has loved Grant for a long time but as the great Grant Bishop of the NHL Copperheads, he only dates beautiful models. After a breakup, Grant rejects Jaycee's feelings. That was the last straw for Jaycee because she is tired of putting her life and dreams on hold for Grant. She returns to their small hometown ending all communication even blocking his phone number. Three years later Grant finally returns to find Jaycee has become a very successful bakery owner. He refuses to let her walk away from him a second time. He is determined to repair their friendship only now he is the one wanting more. Their story has me so engaged I simply couldn't put it down. Will the rabid fans and paparazzi and the threat they never expected keep Jaycee from giving them a chance? Great read.
March 3, 2024
Just all over the place. It was hard to keep up and know if the characters were having an actual conversation or just a dialog in their own head. Jaycee was so annoying like really. I understood why she left the first time but God forbid Grant breathed too hard and she was threatening to leave again. Also most of the story was just so unbelievable. Like the star hockey player knocked someone up and it took his Dad talking to reporters to break the news to the world. That was the angst and it worked for the story but why leave Grant when he had nothing to do with it. The storyline was ok but the actions of the MFC was cringy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2024
This story was great, just what you would think for friends to ghosted (not so much enemies) and then hopefully to an HEA. There was so much against them being more than friends (or enemies) that it seemed almost everywhere they turned, something else was going to knock their relationship awry. He "grew up", decided what he wanted, and nothing, not even negative perceptions of her size, would get in his way! Will they ever make it to their HEA? You'll be guessing through to the end!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2025
Well written, fast paced
It's well written, it's fast-paced, the story and concept is really good. I'm giving 2 stars cause my problem is that the FMC is a slave to her, vagina, essentially, and that ruins it for me. I mean, sure, they're obviously gonna get together, but she cold turkey cuts communication(it's in the blurb) and he comes back, does the dirty with her twice and, aside from her lazy, passive aggressove comments..everything's all good. No apologies, no groveling, no making him work for it. He just comes back tells her what to do she she does it. It's sad.
It's well written, it's fast-paced, the story and concept is really good. I'm giving 2 stars cause my problem is that the FMC is a slave to her, vagina, essentially, and that ruins it for me. I mean, sure, they're obviously gonna get together, but she cold turkey cuts communication(it's in the blurb) and he comes back, does the dirty with her twice and, aside from her lazy, passive aggressove comments..everything's all good. No apologies, no groveling, no making him work for it. He just comes back tells her what to do she she does it. It's sad.
March 30, 2024
This is a quick and entertaining read. Jaycee and Grant made.a cute couple. I love that Jaycee found the guts to stand up for herself, but I wish that she would have had a little more self confidence. I like that Grant finally started fighting for her. There was a lot of drama and push and pull. Overall this was a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2025
I love a romance that starts off with a heroine who has had enough. Jaycee has finally seen her friendship with Grant in the right light and refuses to be treated as less than any longer. For three years, Jaycee establishes her life back home without Grant. She's independent and killing it. Until he comes home one weekend for his cousin's wedding and an angry reunion becomes a surprise pregnancy.
I enjoyed this one. Haven't hated a character as much as I hated Grant's father in quite some time, so props to Sarah Zolton Arthur!
I enjoyed this one. Haven't hated a character as much as I hated Grant's father in quite some time, so props to Sarah Zolton Arthur!
March 6, 2025
Jaycee and Grant
Another great story from Sarah Zolton Arthur with whimsy, romance and tackling sensitive issues. Jaycee is not anorexic, model thin so some shallow people don't want her with jockeys golden player, Grant. Their story started in kindergarten.
Can't go wrong reading this book.
Another great story from Sarah Zolton Arthur with whimsy, romance and tackling sensitive issues. Jaycee is not anorexic, model thin so some shallow people don't want her with jockeys golden player, Grant. Their story started in kindergarten.
Can't go wrong reading this book.
April 10, 2025
😔🙄
I thought this book had soo much potential. But the MFC drove me insane!! I get having self esteem issues but lord have mercy. She was whiny, annoying, ran from all her problems, ect. I felt the MMC had his work cut out for him trying to Rangel her in. Idk that’s what ruined it for me was her. That is all
I thought this book had soo much potential. But the MFC drove me insane!! I get having self esteem issues but lord have mercy. She was whiny, annoying, ran from all her problems, ect. I felt the MMC had his work cut out for him trying to Rangel her in. Idk that’s what ruined it for me was her. That is all
July 11, 2025
LOVED THIS PLUS SIZED HOCKEY ROMANCE
Long time friends, unrequited love, unfortunate words spoken, years apart, and love found. Loved the supporting characters. I can’t imagine being with someone in the public eye and being chastised for my weight because of the perfect specimen you were in love with. I only wished that we could have known the outcome of the scumbag father.
Long time friends, unrequited love, unfortunate words spoken, years apart, and love found. Loved the supporting characters. I can’t imagine being with someone in the public eye and being chastised for my weight because of the perfect specimen you were in love with. I only wished that we could have known the outcome of the scumbag father.
March 5, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the storyline. Grant and Jayce make a cute couple. I liked the way Grant went all in. I found Jayce a tad annoying but I know she was ruled by lingering doubts and fears. I liked the side characters as well. Overall a decent read.
I enjoyed the storyline. Grant and Jayce make a cute couple. I liked the way Grant went all in. I found Jayce a tad annoying but I know she was ruled by lingering doubts and fears. I liked the side characters as well. Overall a decent read.
March 7, 2024
It was an easy read; the story has its ups and downs, but he was all in when he went for it.
Her insecurities are all too real; sadly, many people feel the need to be mean.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Her insecurities are all too real; sadly, many people feel the need to be mean.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2024
This was a quick, fun read thanks to the entertaining characters and engaging story line. I can't wait for my next adventure with Sarah Zolton Arthur.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 22, 2024
Best friends forever but Jaycee felt invisible as Grant didn't want anything more than friendship. Until Jaycee left...
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this engaging entertaining and unputdownable story. Interesting characters that had me hooked. There's a HEA.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this engaging entertaining and unputdownable story. Interesting characters that had me hooked. There's a HEA.
January 12, 2025
Great Potential
Loved the characters and the plot but the spicy scenes and transitions between chapters and sections need a lot of work. Flashbacks would have worked great with this book.
Loved the characters and the plot but the spicy scenes and transitions between chapters and sections need a lot of work. Flashbacks would have worked great with this book.
January 30, 2025
Angry Puck
Well written with a happy ending. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I did think the body shaming seemed extreme, and usually, by the time you are 28, you have acceptance of yourself. Grant's dad was ridiculous and sad.
Well written with a happy ending. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I did think the body shaming seemed extreme, and usually, by the time you are 28, you have acceptance of yourself. Grant's dad was ridiculous and sad.
March 5, 2024
Enjoyed this friends to enemies to lovers book. It was cute. Had a great time reading it. The characters were pleasant to read about.
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