The Huckleberry Bookshop

Hockey Sweethearts #5

by Jean Oram

Her hunky, tattooed star forward was supposed to admit defeat this time.
He was supposed to follow her rules.
Not charm his way onto the cover of her upcoming cookbook.

Athena Gavras has a bone to pick with hottie hockey player Chadwick Raul Mullens. He shrugs off her prescribed dietary plans with that stupid, sexy smile that makes her knees shaky, has marched his way into two of her cooking projects and refuses to call her by her real name.

Seriously. Has the man taken too many pucks to the head?

He doesn’t even know the difference between kale and iceberg lettuce. Someone please tell her karma is real and on its way to make amends, because otherwise she’s not sure how much longer she’s going to last…

Chad Mullens has a few secrets. And a crush.

And, this Christmas, she’s just declared war. She’s removed him from her client list which means he’ll be benched until one of them calls a truce.

But two can play her game: he just convinced her publisher that he should be on the cover of her upcoming cookbook as well as join her online cooking show. Merry Christmas, *Tina*.
 
Of course, he could end their battle. He could suck it up, find the words to apologize, and woo the bookish, culinary Athena into forgiveness via his home library and secret rooftop garden.

Or he could kiss her in the corporate office’s elevator and see what happens. Because there’s no way he’s going to show her how real he is under his bad-boy public persona. He’d rather be traded.

Enjoy this enemies to lovers romance as part of the Hockey Sweethearts series or binge read it on its own. A swoonalicious read!

Genres: Romance, Hockey, Contemporary, Sports, Sports Romance

ebook

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

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Jean Oram grew up in an old schoolhouse in a Canadian town, population 100 (cats and dogs not included). She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author of feel-good, heartwarming romances that make readers smile.

Jean lives in Canada with her husband, two kids, cat, dog, and the pesky neighbourhood rabbits that hop through her garden like it's an open salad bar. She can often be found outdoors or reading a book. (And of course at her laptop writing your next irresistible read!)

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Reviews

[Jean Oram]

I love reading enemies to lovers romances and when I wrote this story of Athena and Mullens I just knew it was going to be an enemies situation. And there was no way they were going to call each other by their real names, either! Full out war!

The Huckleberry Bookshop is now available in ebook, paperback, large print and audio (also available in Kobo Plus):
Apple: www.jeanoram.com/APPLEhuckleberry
B&N: www.jeanoram.com/NOOKhuckleberry
Kobo: www.jeanoram.com/KOBOhuckleberry
Google Play: www.jeanoram.com/GOOGLEhuckleberry
Amazon: www.jeanoram.com/KINDLEhuckleberry

If you need more links let me know! <3

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep the tissues handy, the emotional undertow in this book is strong, and it strikes at unpredictable moments. Athena could be the dictionary definition of “Type A” personalities. She’s focused and driven, and skilled at accomplishing too many things at once. On the other hand, Mullens appears to be the consummate playboy, the ultimate rule-breaker, and the perfect joker. But is any of this the truth of the man or just a carefully curated façade? This pair drove me to absolute frustration. From the outside, it was easy to see all the sparks between these two were more than simply hate. And getting to live in their heads made that abundantly clear. Their ending was adorable, however the twist in the bonus chapter has me rabid to dig into the next book, NOW!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chad Mullens has gotten under Athena’s skin from day one when he made fun of her recipe and diet plan. He continues to act like a child around her hiding his attraction but his actions cause many of the other hockey players to not take her seriously. Chad has secrets that soften him when they are revealed and he does work hard to redeem himself and save Athena’s career, but it still hard to get past the first impression of him.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next great addition to the series by Jean Oram.
This is such a fun book with entertaining characters!
Enemies to more in this fun book.
Athena is the Dragon’s dietitian with very strict rules. The Dragons are a pro hockey team with Chad Mullens are one of their top players. Chad goes behind her back and arranges to be a part of her new cookbook. Then things snowball when the publisher wants do some videos with the two of them.

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

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athena and Chad seemed to be totally opposite at first. Athena loved being a dietician for the hockey team, writing cookbooks, and opening a bookstore with her sister. Chad was the hot hockey player who made fun of Athena’s seriousness and her cookbook and acted like a jerk at times. It was crazy how attracted they were to each other but denied it to themselves. It was interesting and heartbreaking at times when Athena got to know the real Chad. Athena’s family was great, especially her younger sister who could get under Athena’s skin for a laugh. I fell in love with the real Chad and all he did for others that he kept secret. This is a sweet romance that I enjoyed following Athena and Chad. I encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always interesting to see what happens when two people clash. In The Huckleberry Bookshop, that clash happens between nutritionist Athena Gavras and hockey player Chadwick Mullens. Athena is just trying to do her job to make sure the team’s players are eating healthy and nutritious foods. She goes out of her way to create tasty recipes for them, instruct them on which foods to seek out and which to avoid. Her purpose is see to it that the team is as strong as possible, in the hopes that they’ll win games. Chad is new to the team. He sneers and jeers at Athena’s efforts. Is it any surprise that the two of them start out as enemies?

There are things Chad is hiding though. Will Athena be able to ferret them out before one of them is removed from the team? Will Chad’s insistence that he partner with Athena on her new cookbook and videos create even more tension between them? And will Athena be able to juggle her work for the team, her cookbook, and opening a new bookstore with her sister?

This book was a delight! The characters are lovely, and the writing is excellent. I loved everything about it, and it definitely kept me turning pages. I highly recommend this book. It’s book five in the Hockey Sweethearts series, but it worked great as a standalone.

I received an e-copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in The Hockey Sweethearts series and it is Athena and Chad’s story. Athena is a nutritionist and her job is to make sure that the Dragon Hockey Team eat healthy and nutritional food to help there strength and win games and even though she is busy she goes out of her way to create tasty recipes and things are going well until a new player makes her life hell especially as Athena had a lot going on with opening a new bookshop with her sister and writing her new cookbook but all she needs now is for someone to give her a break. Chad is new to the Dragon Hockey Team and a star in his own rights but with Athena and her food just rubs him up the wrong way and as he is always in it to win he will always make sure that he does regardless of what she throws at him and he had his own way to make it happen. There is more to Athena and Chad’s story than meets the eye and even though they are the total opposite of each other in every single way and have there ups and downs and disagreements they are just so perfect for each other if only they could communicate, trust each other and call a truce with what is happening between them so that they can get the happiness and future that they both deserve. I absolutely loved this book and I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting because it pulled me in and had me turning the pages to see what would happen next and I can’t wait to read more books in this series.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The old adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach definitely doesn't apply to Dragons hockey star Chadwick Mullens- at least not when it comes to team dietician Athena Gavras, but even though they're as compatible as oil and water, there's a spark there neither can ignore.
The Huckleberry Bookstore is a classic enemies to lovers story that has some very funny moments, a couple of lovable characters and some moments that will tear at your heart.
I've loved most of the Dragons' hockey couples but this might be the best one yet.

[Lennie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never would have thought cooking, book store, and hockey would have anything in common but The Huckleberry Bookshop has all this and more.
He rubbed her the wrong way from the get go - she was determined he was a playboy and not coming near her. You will laugh and cry and really enjoy this great Jean oram story - she never disappoints!
Word of caution - put some time aside to read - this is one book you won't want to put down.

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

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chadwick Mullens plays hockey for the Dragons and Athena Gavras is their team's dietician.  Unfortunately they had not gotten off to a good start when they first met.  I liked how that turned around when Chadwick wanted to help her promote her latest cookbook. The banter between the two characters was so much fun and so was their chemistry,  which made for an interesting story.  It was also fun to see how Athena had misjudged Chadwick's character.  He was full of surprises for her to learn about.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Huckleberry Bookshop: An Enemies to Lovers Sweet Romance by Jean Oram is an excellent book. I could not put it down, her characters Athena and Chad both funny and intensely attractive to each other yet Athena doesn’t want to have Chad around. I love Chad and how determined he is about Athena and what she wants and needs. This is absolutely an amazing story and a wonderful addition to the Hockey Sweethearts series.

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

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athena has a lot happening in her life and doesn't have time to deal with a playboy hockey star who doesn't want to follow the rules. Chad is not really what is public image portrays him as, he does actually follow Athena diet plan but he can't admit it. These two clash every time they come together but slowly Chad works out how to get Athena to see him as more than just an annoyance. Chad and Athena are perfect for each other.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Huckleberry Bookshop is a clean, heartwarming, sports romance between Athena and Chad. I was not prepared to like Chad as well as I did. Once I knew what was going on with him, it explained so much. Both characters had hurts to work past before they could get to an HEA. I enjoyed watching their journey. I could not put the book down so was up way too late finishing it! This well written book is another winner for Ms. Oram!

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

She deserved better…

Athena is smart, accomplished and kind. Yet, Chadwick treats her horribly throughout the book. Making fun of her, her job and honing in on her cookbook at the last minute. He cannot even call her by her real name. Athena. Do woman deserves to end up with this bratty, willful, childish man child. Which is too bad, because Athena is great. Chad cannot even apologize and clings to his butthead image like it’s his baby blanket.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athena is the team dietician. Mullens appears to be leading a mutiny against her advice. Until he worms his way into the cover of her cookbook and then into her life.

This is a sports romance between two people who have been beaten up by life and yet have found fulfillment. And each needs to ensure this relationship is real. Touching and heartwarming. Jean Oram writes stories about realistic feelings, doubts, and fears.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story that explores the relationship between Athena and Chad. When they first meet, Athena unknowingly hits some of Chad’s sore spots. Their mutual antagonism affects the team. Love the banter between them especially during the taping of the cooking show. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

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

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Athena and Chad both have secrets that keep them from looking for meaningful relationships. Chad is a flirt and he can't help himself and while Athena pretends not to be interested she is usually feeling a little flushed. The chemistry between them adds so much fun to this sweet romance. I loved the characters and all the support they get from their friends and family.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athena is the team dietician, and Chadwick is the player who is acting a jerk toward her. Chadwick seems determined to keep up his bad boy persona. I hate the "grade school" attitude to treat someone you are interested in like garbage, but the story is good.

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

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Huckleberry Bookshop" (Hockey Sweethearts Book 5) by Jean Oram was a great read. I enjoyed Athena and Chad's story. This story had romance, enemies to lovers, hockey, family, small-town life, workplace romance, and more. This was a nice addition to this series. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, hockey, small towns, and series.

[John Hibbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

still not a hockey fan but I've decided it doesn't matter when this author focuses on the action off court more than the action on the court. Just waiting for this series to end and I'll start reading again from the beginning.

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

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh many times. It amazes me how two people can be attracted to each other but get so irritated with them too. Athena and Chad have past hurts and each deal with them very differently. Filming them cooking together was very comical yet serious. Enjoyed seeing them move from getting under each other's skin to friendship and love. Loved seeing characters from previous books in this series. Falling in love is not always a smooth ride.

[Jemi Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun!
Athena and Chad got off on the wrong foot - big time! I loved watching them try to figure out why the sparks were there when they hated each other ... didn't they?
A fabulous read!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter between them is both hilarious and emotional.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sweet, funny and entertaining, although it also has some unexpected poignant moments. At first, Athena, the team dietician, and Mullens, the centre for the Dragons hockey team, seem to be at loggerheads, or at least not exactly friendly. She desperately tries to maintain her professionalism in the face of his disdainful, mocking comments even when it encourages his teammates to disregard her nutritional advice and recipes. Calling her “Tina” seems to be just another way to demean her. Even after all that, she still has a crush on him. After an incident at a gala, however, she has had enough.

When she threatens to quit, a move that could jeopardize his career, Mullens manoeuvres his way on to the cover of her new cookbook and onto her proposed YouTube cooking show. Everyone from the team owner, and publicist to her editor and publisher seems to be happy with arrangement, but not Athena. Once again, Mullens has put her in a difficult and uncomfortable position. She can’t voice her displeasure or anger because it might mean that her cookbook would not be published. Working with Mullens turns out to be less difficult than she expected. The big, broody and arrogant hockey player has a charming, self-deprecating side as well as a protective mode. He makes sure that Athena and her cooking skills are highlighted and is on his best behaviour. She has no idea that he regrets his past behaviour toward her and wishes he had handled his own personal pain differently instead of deflecting it by harassing her. He, in fact, really likes Athena and would like to date her. As they work together, Athena is given glimpses and insights into the man underneath the bravado and swagger. Mullens is a man with secrets, some of them painful. Could these two who were once enemies build a future together?

The two main characters, Athena and Mullens, are true-to-life, flaws, quirks and all. They made me laugh, grind me teeth and groan, and even tear up. They grabbed my attention right from the first page and drew me into their wonderfully chaotic story, just as a great book should do. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from the fabulous Jean Oram. Athena and Chadwick are both as stubborn as they come. Neither is going to let the other 'win' their war. The trouble is, that they both secretly have a crush on the other and fate is about to bring them together in spite of themselves. I loved the banter between them. I loved the way Chad caused Athena to realize there was more to life than work. I loved how Athena made Chadwick realize all the things he was missing out on with his bad-boy persona. The journey from friends to lovers is one you don't want to miss. I encourage you to read The Huckleberry Bookshop if you enjoy well-written romances with likable characters and a plot that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. I urge you to read the entire Hockey Sweethearts series.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athena is the team dietician. Mullens appears to be leading a mutiny against her advice. Until he worms his way into the cover of her cookbook and then into her life.

This is a sports romance between two people who have been beaten up by life and yet have found fulfillment. And each needs to ensure this relationship is real. Touching and heartwarming. Jean Oram writes stories about realistic feelings, doubts, and fears.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Huckleberry Bookshop is a clean, heartwarming, sports romance between Athena and Chad. I was not prepared to like Chad as well as I did. Once I knew what was going on with him, it explained so much. Both characters had hurts to work past before they could get to an HEA. I enjoyed watching their journey. I could not put the book down so was up way too late finishing it! This well written book is another winner for Ms. Oram!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Huckleberry Bookshop is a clean, heartwarming, sports romance between Athena and Chad. I was not prepared to like Chad as well as I did. Once I knew what was going on with him, it explained so much. Both characters had hurts to work past before they could get to an HEA. I enjoyed watching their journey. I could not put the book down so was up way too late finishing it! This well written book is another winner for Ms. Oram!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Huckleberry Bookshop is a clean, heartwarming, sports romance between Athena and Chad. I was not prepared to like Chad as well as I did. Once I knew what was going on with him, it explained so much. Both characters had hurts to work past before they could get to an HEA. I enjoyed watching their journey. I could not put the book down so was up way too late finishing it! This well written book is another winner for Ms. Oram!

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so enjoying this series and getting to know all the characters. I loved Chad and Athena’s story. These two so needed each other. They both had hurts from the past that were holding them back and I really enjoyed watching them find their way to each other. I anxiously await the next book in the series. I received this book in advance but truly loved it and voluntarily leave my review.