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Falling for the Pucking Grump
He’s in black ice skates, ripped black jeans, and a yellow and black New Brunswick Wolverines shirt that fills out his vast shoulders, brawn biceps, flat torso, and anything else he has going down underneath his shirt.
Reid doesn’t utter a word when he stops within two feet of me, even taller and more intimidating than yesterday because I think being on the ice is his superpower, and he looks like he can do anything on it.
My life takes an unexpected turn when I meet Reid "The Reaper" Pierce- the grumpy enforcer for the New Brunswick Wolverines.
When the gorgeous hockey bad boy is slapped with a fifteen-game suspension, he is forced to rebuild his tarnished image.
Reid reluctantly becomes an assistant coach for a youth hockey team.
A challenge, to say the least, for the broody, alpha left winger, given his lack of kid-friendly skills.
Enter Hollyn Mayfield.
I'm sunshine with a dash of nerdiness and a touch of self-consciousness.
I find myself thrust into the role of the other assistant coach.
My expertise? Mostly handing out juice boxes and snacks to kids during practice.
An unlikely duo, we strike a deal.
I'll help him ease up on the kids, reducing post-practice tears and parent complaints.
In return, he'll assist me in scoring a date with my crush, the head coach Weston Higgins.
Weston, as Reid points out, is a B-class wannabe.
Despite this, I remain determined to snag that date.
Reid agrees to teach me about hockey, hoping it will help me connect with Weston.
Along the way, though, he might want to keep me with his jersey number on my back.
Falling for the Pucking Grump is a Grumpy/Sunshine, Guy Falls First, Hockey Romance. This is Book 1 in the standalone series New Brunswick Wolverines.
Reid doesn’t utter a word when he stops within two feet of me, even taller and more intimidating than yesterday because I think being on the ice is his superpower, and he looks like he can do anything on it.
My life takes an unexpected turn when I meet Reid "The Reaper" Pierce- the grumpy enforcer for the New Brunswick Wolverines.
When the gorgeous hockey bad boy is slapped with a fifteen-game suspension, he is forced to rebuild his tarnished image.
Reid reluctantly becomes an assistant coach for a youth hockey team.
A challenge, to say the least, for the broody, alpha left winger, given his lack of kid-friendly skills.
Enter Hollyn Mayfield.
I'm sunshine with a dash of nerdiness and a touch of self-consciousness.
I find myself thrust into the role of the other assistant coach.
My expertise? Mostly handing out juice boxes and snacks to kids during practice.
An unlikely duo, we strike a deal.
I'll help him ease up on the kids, reducing post-practice tears and parent complaints.
In return, he'll assist me in scoring a date with my crush, the head coach Weston Higgins.
Weston, as Reid points out, is a B-class wannabe.
Despite this, I remain determined to snag that date.
Reid agrees to teach me about hockey, hoping it will help me connect with Weston.
Along the way, though, he might want to keep me with his jersey number on my back.
Falling for the Pucking Grump is a Grumpy/Sunshine, Guy Falls First, Hockey Romance. This is Book 1 in the standalone series New Brunswick Wolverines.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
367 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 23, 2024
AUDIBLE REVIEW
Book itself was an easy read. Cute but definitely rushed. It was free so extra good for the cost. HOWEVER I read this on Audible and the narrator was an AI voice and it literally gave me a migraine. Voice didn't match either character and there was no intonation. It sucked. They need to hire an actual human to read it. I'll volunteer myself even 😂 just get that robot garbage out of here especially with the spicy scenes.
Book itself was an easy read. Cute but definitely rushed. It was free so extra good for the cost. HOWEVER I read this on Audible and the narrator was an AI voice and it literally gave me a migraine. Voice didn't match either character and there was no intonation. It sucked. They need to hire an actual human to read it. I'll volunteer myself even 😂 just get that robot garbage out of here especially with the spicy scenes.
March 3, 2024
I’m all for cheesy, but this was pretty cringy. I did enjoy that Hollyn wasn’t afraid to be herself and enjoyed to eat. Everything just moved way too fast too. I’m glad it was free 🤷🏻♀️
March 29, 2024
Read like a Hallmark movie but with a sex scene where I truly could not figure out what on earth was happening
July 13, 2024
Oh my goodness Hollyn and Reid story was absolutely adorable. I just loved this book so much. The grumpy hockey player meets his match to an adorable bookworm. I had a smile on my face throughout the whole time. I can’t wait go read the next book in this series. 🩵
February 21, 2024
Where do I begin?
It's hard to believe that this book us written by a woman as an example of romance.
Spoiler Alert:
Hollyn has a crush on a loser who ignores her until someone else shows interest, then treats her badly on their date when he finally asks her out. She waffles but finally ditches him for Reid, who has been telling her that Weston is a loser and she deserves better. Then Reid proceeds to sleep with her, then abandon her completely the next morning, even packing his stuff and moving back to his home base, which is five hours away, without even saying goodbye. She follows him to give him a piece of her mind about not at least telling her that he was leaving town early, and he's utterly rude and crude to her. She tries to ditch him and he goes after her, saying they aren't finished talking. She, rightly so, says there's nothing left to say. He thinks to himself, "I want her to fight for me". What do you call driving five hours to chase you down, only to be treated as badly as the other jerk did? At least he didn't sleep with her first! He keeps thinking, "I want her, but I don't want to want her" and finally says that he wants to try. What a ringing endorsement, but she of course immediately takes him back. Even in the epilogue when he tells her that he loves her, she thinks he's about to break up with her.
Besides him being an utter jerk all the way to the end, the backstory doesn't quite make sense. I get him needing to do public service to help his image after his suspension, but why so far away from his home base? And why do so many sports romances have the main male character act like he can't be in a relationship if he's a professional athlete? Come up with something more reasonable.
In the end, she deserves better than Weston or Reid.
It's hard to believe that this book us written by a woman as an example of romance.
Spoiler Alert:
Hollyn has a crush on a loser who ignores her until someone else shows interest, then treats her badly on their date when he finally asks her out. She waffles but finally ditches him for Reid, who has been telling her that Weston is a loser and she deserves better. Then Reid proceeds to sleep with her, then abandon her completely the next morning, even packing his stuff and moving back to his home base, which is five hours away, without even saying goodbye. She follows him to give him a piece of her mind about not at least telling her that he was leaving town early, and he's utterly rude and crude to her. She tries to ditch him and he goes after her, saying they aren't finished talking. She, rightly so, says there's nothing left to say. He thinks to himself, "I want her to fight for me". What do you call driving five hours to chase you down, only to be treated as badly as the other jerk did? At least he didn't sleep with her first! He keeps thinking, "I want her, but I don't want to want her" and finally says that he wants to try. What a ringing endorsement, but she of course immediately takes him back. Even in the epilogue when he tells her that he loves her, she thinks he's about to break up with her.
Besides him being an utter jerk all the way to the end, the backstory doesn't quite make sense. I get him needing to do public service to help his image after his suspension, but why so far away from his home base? And why do so many sports romances have the main male character act like he can't be in a relationship if he's a professional athlete? Come up with something more reasonable.
In the end, she deserves better than Weston or Reid.
February 2, 2024
This was a grumpy/sunshine sports romance.
I loved this book. Great complex characters. Fantastic plotline. Highly recommend!
Hollyn Mayfield is a self-emplyed graphic designer who works remotely. She tends to be a bit of a hermit so her brother-in-law got her a job helping coach a kids hockey league team.
Reid Pierce plays wing for the New Brunswick Wolverine hockey team. He is an enforcer, a grump, has anger issues and is very broody. Gets suspended for 15 games. He is convinced he has no time for dating though he is very attracted to Hollyn.
Reid's manager Dylan tells him he has to clean up his image for the NHL. Dylan arranged for Reid to coach a kids hockey league team in Boston during his suspension. The "head coach" Weston has not done any training with the boys. Reid takes over coaching the kids and teaching them how to play. Hollyn put is in charge of juice boxes. Hollyn has a crush on Weston and makes excuses for his lack of coaching. She makes an agreement with Reid, she'll keep the parents away from him if he helps her get a date with Weston. They become friends and he takes her to New Jersey to see his team play. She eventually gets a date with Weston and it is a disaster fortunately Reid is in the bar and they take off together. They spend the night together only for Reid to panic and take off before she wakes. She drives down to Jersey and tells him off. They end up hooking up again and he tells her he is all in. His team wins the playoffs and they get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book. Great complex characters. Fantastic plotline. Highly recommend!
Hollyn Mayfield is a self-emplyed graphic designer who works remotely. She tends to be a bit of a hermit so her brother-in-law got her a job helping coach a kids hockey league team.
Reid Pierce plays wing for the New Brunswick Wolverine hockey team. He is an enforcer, a grump, has anger issues and is very broody. Gets suspended for 15 games. He is convinced he has no time for dating though he is very attracted to Hollyn.
Reid's manager Dylan tells him he has to clean up his image for the NHL. Dylan arranged for Reid to coach a kids hockey league team in Boston during his suspension. The "head coach" Weston has not done any training with the boys. Reid takes over coaching the kids and teaching them how to play. Hollyn put is in charge of juice boxes. Hollyn has a crush on Weston and makes excuses for his lack of coaching. She makes an agreement with Reid, she'll keep the parents away from him if he helps her get a date with Weston. They become friends and he takes her to New Jersey to see his team play. She eventually gets a date with Weston and it is a disaster fortunately Reid is in the bar and they take off together. They spend the night together only for Reid to panic and take off before she wakes. She drives down to Jersey and tells him off. They end up hooking up again and he tells her he is all in. His team wins the playoffs and they get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2024
Reid Pierce is a devastating force on and off the ice that takes nothing from anyone and isn’t afraid to state exactly what is on his mind. As an incredible hockey player he is feared by some and tested by others, but he didn’t get the nickname “the reaper” for no reason, but now his on ice fights has landed him in some heat and now he needs to show the media a softer side, if he can. Cleaning up his reputation isn’t going to be easy for him when he is coaching a youth league team and the happy assistant, Hollyn is his complete opposite. Reid isn’t made for what he is thrown into and is desperate to escape, but Hollyn makes a deal and together they try to make Reid’s time with the kids a little easier. Hollyn is the light to Reid’s darkness and they shouldn’t make sense together, but the more time they spend together the more Reid starts to see her in a different light. I loved this story and enjoyed the grumpiness that was Reid and how when it came to Hollyn he didn’t completely become a different person acting all bubbly and happy, no he was still a grump just with a softer side he gave to her.
February 12, 2024
Falling for the Pucking Grump is a steamy, slow-burn, OTT, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her hockey player romance. Reid is the hunky, grumpy enforcer on the professional hockey team, the New Brunswick Wolverines. Hollyn is a sweet, sassy, and curvy bookworm who is a ray of sunshine. When Reid ends up suspended for 15 games due to a fight, he ends up coaching a kids team. Hollyn is the assistant. At first, Reid is ready to quit but agrees to stay n Hollyn deals with the parents and other issues. In exchange, Hollyn wants help from Reid to win over Weston, the other coach she has a crush on. He agrees to the same. The two grow close over time, but what happens when real feelings develop? Reid doesn't do relationships, and Hollyn is a quality relationship material girl. I really loved this couple. Their sassy banter was hysterical, and the chemistry was pure fire! Talk about hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥. And after a little angst, we got an amazing HEA. These two just balanced each other so well. I loved it!! This is my favorite Natalie Belle book so far!!!.
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 11, 2024
I honestly don't know how anyone can rate this over 3. It wishes it was mediocre. How did this get a green light?? It's like someone's unfinished rough draft was published. It's when stuff like this gets to see the light of day that makes everyone else think they too can write.
Obviously, with barely 200 pages, it's gonna be an insta love. It's no surprise it's not done well. Especially the end. Yup, I made it to the end. The end just reinforces the rough draft idea.
If you don't care about hockey and how well it's written, you can skip the rest. Yes, it's fiction but it's so annoying when it's inaccurate.
I don't know how many times I have to say it... if you don't know much about a sport, do research or don't write about it!!
There's no way a suspended player would be sent hours away, during the season, to try to clean up their image. There are certain things suspended players cannot do. Research.
It's like people form an idea about hockey based on beer league antics and think it applies across the board.
I'm done writing about this. I wouldn't recommend this author at all.
Obviously, with barely 200 pages, it's gonna be an insta love. It's no surprise it's not done well. Especially the end. Yup, I made it to the end. The end just reinforces the rough draft idea.
If you don't care about hockey and how well it's written, you can skip the rest. Yes, it's fiction but it's so annoying when it's inaccurate.
I don't know how many times I have to say it... if you don't know much about a sport, do research or don't write about it!!
There's no way a suspended player would be sent hours away, during the season, to try to clean up their image. There are certain things suspended players cannot do. Research.
It's like people form an idea about hockey based on beer league antics and think it applies across the board.
I'm done writing about this. I wouldn't recommend this author at all.
June 9, 2024
I saw this was a short hockey romance and free with Audible, so I clearly had to give it a shot. This is the first book I've seen narrated by a computer. I was curious to hear the difference and I have to say... NOT HERE FOR IT.
Hollyn is helping out with a youth hockey team with head coach Weston, a wannabe pro hockey player who never made it past tryouts. When actual pro hockey player Reid is suspended from the league for fighting, he's sent to help the team. He's annoyed from the get go. Weston isn't even leaving the office and coaching the team. Hollyn somehow has a crush on him. He can't stand the team crying and their incessant need for snacks. Hollyn makes a deal with him to stay and help in exchange for him helping her get a date with Weston. Of course they get to know one another and everything changes.
This might have been a better read had the author or their publisher actually used human dual narration. The weirdness of the intimate scenes being narrated by this female computer generated voice was so cringe worthy. USE A HUMAN FOR NARRATION.
⭐⭐
Hollyn is helping out with a youth hockey team with head coach Weston, a wannabe pro hockey player who never made it past tryouts. When actual pro hockey player Reid is suspended from the league for fighting, he's sent to help the team. He's annoyed from the get go. Weston isn't even leaving the office and coaching the team. Hollyn somehow has a crush on him. He can't stand the team crying and their incessant need for snacks. Hollyn makes a deal with him to stay and help in exchange for him helping her get a date with Weston. Of course they get to know one another and everything changes.
This might have been a better read had the author or their publisher actually used human dual narration. The weirdness of the intimate scenes being narrated by this female computer generated voice was so cringe worthy. USE A HUMAN FOR NARRATION.
⭐⭐
January 25, 2024
MMC/FMC- Reid and Holly’s
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Sports Romance (Hockey)
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋. I love when the characters are supposedly kissing to make someone jealous and then the kiss takes on a life of its own.
Series? N
Safety? Y
Triggers- On-Ice Violence, Explicit Erotic Content
Tropes- Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Romantic Wingman
What I liked- I enjoy the trope with the romance with the romantic wingman, and it’s done very well here. And Reid’s hockey team is a hoot. Yes, I used the word Hoot unironically.
What I didn’t- Reid spent too much time wearing a shirt.
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- 🌋🌋🌋. I love when the characters are supposedly kissing to make someone jealous and then the kiss takes on a life of its own.
Series? N
Safety? Y
Triggers- On-Ice Violence, Explicit Erotic Content
Tropes- Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Romantic Wingman
What I liked- I enjoy the trope with the romance with the romantic wingman, and it’s done very well here. And Reid’s hockey team is a hoot. Yes, I used the word Hoot unironically.
What I didn’t- Reid spent too much time wearing a shirt.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 3, 2024
What an ice melting, mesmerizing and HOT book Natalie has delivered to us. Hollyn is an assistant hockey coach to kids and Reid is a bad boy hockey player who lands himself in some trouble and ends up being by Hollyn's side as a kid's hockey coach. When these two HEAT up the hockey rink and then the bedroom this book takes you to a whole new world. I am not going to say how the book ends, but I promise you when you read the wedding vows between Hollyn and Reid, it will make you smile and chuckle out loud. It is really sweet and funny.
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 26, 2024
The way that they met was just perfect, he was hooked on her and didn't even know if yet. He is doing what he can to show the kids how the game of hockey is played with no help from the actual coach. He is a rough and tough guy so crying is something he doesn't handle. She just wants to keep everyone happy and make things easier for him, little did she know just how difficult that would be. I love how she is so open about who she is and he is the same. They make a great team and I would love to see what happens next for them.
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 2, 2024
I’m down bad for grumpy/sunshine and this hit the spot. He was more than grumpy he was kinda rude, especially in the beginning. I loved how he admired her right from the start (so cute). I wish we could have gotten more into him being a hot head. I feel like the fmc kinda just brushed over his severe violent tendencies. I get it’s hockey but the way it was described was OTT. I think so points could have been expanded more but I’m also greedy and wanted more time to enjoy the book. Spice didn’t start until over halfway and there wasn’t much but it was still hot. Despite my criticism I adored this and couldn’t put it down!
April 29, 2024
Hollyn and Reid
Reid, a suspended hockey player is sent to coach a hockey little league where he finds assistant coach, Hollyn. Hollyn, knowing nothing about hockey took the job to break out of her shell and finds she’s crushing on her boss, Head Coach Weston.
Right away there is crazy chemistry and hilarious dialogue between Eeid and Hollyn. Despite his loathing for Weston, Reid agree to try and snag Hollyn a date with her crush.
As Reid coaches not only the kids but also Hollyn on the game, the two become friends and then lovers.
SLOW burn, doesn’t heat up until about 75%but then the spice is great. Low drama, great dialogue and storyline with extended HEA.
Reid, a suspended hockey player is sent to coach a hockey little league where he finds assistant coach, Hollyn. Hollyn, knowing nothing about hockey took the job to break out of her shell and finds she’s crushing on her boss, Head Coach Weston.
Right away there is crazy chemistry and hilarious dialogue between Eeid and Hollyn. Despite his loathing for Weston, Reid agree to try and snag Hollyn a date with her crush.
As Reid coaches not only the kids but also Hollyn on the game, the two become friends and then lovers.
SLOW burn, doesn’t heat up until about 75%but then the spice is great. Low drama, great dialogue and storyline with extended HEA.
February 12, 2024
This is the first in a new series, and this is Reid and Holyn’s story.
Reid is the grumpy, and bad boy, enforcer for the Wolverines, who needs to clean up his image, and he is forced to become coach kids, while Holyn is assistant coach and in charge of juice boxes.
This is a well written story which is a grumpy / sunshine hockey romance, with humor, witty banter, family, friendships, opposites attract, chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining captivating page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reid is the grumpy, and bad boy, enforcer for the Wolverines, who needs to clean up his image, and he is forced to become coach kids, while Holyn is assistant coach and in charge of juice boxes.
This is a well written story which is a grumpy / sunshine hockey romance, with humor, witty banter, family, friendships, opposites attract, chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining captivating page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 2, 2024
Great weekend read
I read “Falling for the Pucking Grump” in one sitting. Fun to follow two people obviously attracted to one another, but neither wanting to admit it. A graphic designer just volunteering her time to help coach the kids hockey team and a grumpy die-hard NHL player, suspended for fighting and forced to help coach the same group of kids. Lots of inner-thought dialogue, letting you know exactly what’s happening. Plenty of flirty banter. Overall fun read. Recommended for those who love a happy ending.
I read “Falling for the Pucking Grump” in one sitting. Fun to follow two people obviously attracted to one another, but neither wanting to admit it. A graphic designer just volunteering her time to help coach the kids hockey team and a grumpy die-hard NHL player, suspended for fighting and forced to help coach the same group of kids. Lots of inner-thought dialogue, letting you know exactly what’s happening. Plenty of flirty banter. Overall fun read. Recommended for those who love a happy ending.
March 4, 2024
I’d say it was cute, but Reid doesn’t approve of “cute”
It was still cute, though. Certainly the curmudgeon has mellowed out by now, right?
Anyway, Grumpy NHL wall of anger meet sunshiney bookworm.
Who is *not* hot for you. She wants your new boss. Ouch.
To be fair, Reid did an admirable job of being hands off, but let’s see, married to a sport? Or sleeping with a spicy woman that’s got your number?
And not just the one ironed onto your jersey.
Very cute. Took a bit long for the setup, but the second half was a lot smoother. And hello picture-perfect HEA.
It was still cute, though. Certainly the curmudgeon has mellowed out by now, right?
Anyway, Grumpy NHL wall of anger meet sunshiney bookworm.
Who is *not* hot for you. She wants your new boss. Ouch.
To be fair, Reid did an admirable job of being hands off, but let’s see, married to a sport? Or sleeping with a spicy woman that’s got your number?
And not just the one ironed onto your jersey.
Very cute. Took a bit long for the setup, but the second half was a lot smoother. And hello picture-perfect HEA.
February 2, 2024
This book had me giggling, smiling like a weirdo, kicking my feet, and rolling my eyes. The plot moved at a great pace, and I was invested in how the situation was going to play out.
I wanted to shake some sense into Hollyn in the beginning, like girl, you have a hottie right in front of you!! She got there in the end and I enjoyed being along for the ride.
It was a slow burn but when the spice hit, oh baby!
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
I wanted to shake some sense into Hollyn in the beginning, like girl, you have a hottie right in front of you!! She got there in the end and I enjoyed being along for the ride.
It was a slow burn but when the spice hit, oh baby!
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
February 3, 2024
A fantastic 4 star read
If you love hockey romance then I highly recommend Reid & Hollyn's story. The author had me hooked from page 1 & I couldn't help laughing at the banter between the two of them. He's a grumpy alpha hockey player & she's all sunshine with a hint of nerd. Will they give in to the undeniable attraction that has flared between them?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you love hockey romance then I highly recommend Reid & Hollyn's story. The author had me hooked from page 1 & I couldn't help laughing at the banter between the two of them. He's a grumpy alpha hockey player & she's all sunshine with a hint of nerd. Will they give in to the undeniable attraction that has flared between them?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2024
Heating Up Hockey
Hollyn and Reid form an unlikely partnership when they are both tasked with coaching for a kid's hockey team. Their story contains a mentor/mentee trope teaching her how to get another guy to date her. However, the connection between Reid and Hollyn is simmering to the surface as they get closer, and things do not go as planned. This was an exciting story, I truly enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hollyn and Reid form an unlikely partnership when they are both tasked with coaching for a kid's hockey team. Their story contains a mentor/mentee trope teaching her how to get another guy to date her. However, the connection between Reid and Hollyn is simmering to the surface as they get closer, and things do not go as planned. This was an exciting story, I truly enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2024
Had to quit because FMC was written as a silly doormat who giggles constantly. She has a crush on another coach in order to give them a little angst and normally I'm all for that but the guy wasn't any competition against the MMC. He was a complete user, lazy AF, terrible at his job, incompetent and totally abuses his position. And she sees all of this - hell, the MMC points it out in painful detail- and she STILL crushes on him. Are you fucking kidding me???
February 16, 2024
Reid and Hollyn
This is such a good book and my first book by this author, too. Reid is a professional hockey player badboy with an attitude. After getting slapped with a suspension, Reid finds himself coaching a youth hockey league - Enter Hollyn, who owns her own graphic design business but picked up a side gig coaching hockey too...this book has angst, tension, and spiciness. I do feel like the ending and epilogue were rushed, though.
This is such a good book and my first book by this author, too. Reid is a professional hockey player badboy with an attitude. After getting slapped with a suspension, Reid finds himself coaching a youth hockey league - Enter Hollyn, who owns her own graphic design business but picked up a side gig coaching hockey too...this book has angst, tension, and spiciness. I do feel like the ending and epilogue were rushed, though.
February 21, 2024
Entertaining!
Reid is the best kind of grump - no filter, unapologetic, and low tolerance for fools. The book has an intense chemistry between Reid and Hollyn, but it is also quite humorous. I especially like Reid’s wake up call with coaching little kids who don’t understand the “there’s no crying in hockey” (literally) philosophy.
Hollyn is a real treat and such a fun character to loosen up the grump. I really enjoyed the book.
Reid is the best kind of grump - no filter, unapologetic, and low tolerance for fools. The book has an intense chemistry between Reid and Hollyn, but it is also quite humorous. I especially like Reid’s wake up call with coaching little kids who don’t understand the “there’s no crying in hockey” (literally) philosophy.
Hollyn is a real treat and such a fun character to loosen up the grump. I really enjoyed the book.
March 25, 2024
I loved it!
This author writes really great dialog, which is a feat. Her characters each had very distinct tones and she wrote the gruff and broody hockey player so well I could really see and hear him perfectly in my mind.
This was the quintessential grumpy/sunshine trope and it was a pleasure to read. I look forward to reading the other hockey players stories, (I'm assuming they will each get their own story).
This author writes really great dialog, which is a feat. Her characters each had very distinct tones and she wrote the gruff and broody hockey player so well I could really see and hear him perfectly in my mind.
This was the quintessential grumpy/sunshine trope and it was a pleasure to read. I look forward to reading the other hockey players stories, (I'm assuming they will each get their own story).
February 18, 2025
Reid was a phenomenal character. It's rare to love both lead characters. Well done!
I usually don't write reviews, but this book was really good. The main characters is what I enjoyed most. Their wasn't any whining, manipulation, or stupid games. Reid was an amazing character. It's been a long time since I've read a character like him. The lead characters had the communication down. A really good pair those too. I highly recommend this book.
I usually don't write reviews, but this book was really good. The main characters is what I enjoyed most. Their wasn't any whining, manipulation, or stupid games. Reid was an amazing character. It's been a long time since I've read a character like him. The lead characters had the communication down. A really good pair those too. I highly recommend this book.
February 28, 2024
I do like the story. I like the characters. I am listening to it on Audible. I will say that it gets confusing having a book read to you by AI. Sometimes it is hard to follow. I can't tell if the character is talking in their head or out loud to other characters. Would always prefer a real person and NO AI. Thank goodness it was free.
May 15, 2024
awww
Now that was so freakin cute. Ugh. There were some oh no he didn’t moments but those were remedied so fast and there was no miscommunication (well no major miscommunication) which I freaking loved. They were so adorable and the perfect grumpy/sunshine! Perfect pick me up book. Loved it.
Now that was so freakin cute. Ugh. There were some oh no he didn’t moments but those were remedied so fast and there was no miscommunication (well no major miscommunication) which I freaking loved. They were so adorable and the perfect grumpy/sunshine! Perfect pick me up book. Loved it.
June 19, 2024
The beginning was great, but the mfc kept crushing on the "head coach" for no good reason. She had proof that he was a loser and then still went out with him. She felt bad for ditching him when he was flirting with their waitress. WTH! The end was super rushed and like it was written by a completely different person.
September 11, 2024
It took me a while to read this, I was on and off it, but everytime I came back it hooked me the exact same way everytime. The dialogue is funny, the 🌶️ is hot but also appropriately placed. I.e. they don’t start 🌶️ until they’ve fallen for each other and in the climax of the moment. It was like instant attraction but slow burn enough to get to know the characters and love them.
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