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St. Cloud Hockey #1
Faceoff
He’s the cocky captain of the men’s hockey team, and now we’re stuck together for a class project.
LUZ
The days in my hockey career are numbered after an accident years ago that left me with chronic pain. Now that I’ve become the captain of the women’s team at my jock-hating ivy league college, the last thing I need is any distractions from school or hockey.
But then something that can only be defined as a meet-disaster with Max Cassiano, the men’s team captain, leads to open hostility between our teams. Fortunately, that whole mess helps me ignore how freaking hot he is.
Kinda.
MAX
I might seem like the hottest prospect to everyone in town, but I’m chopped liver to my massive Italian family. My focus has to be on my hockey career if I want to wow them, and I’m sure being named captain of the men’s team is the ticket.
Until a snobby professor pairs me up for an assignment with the one distraction I can’t seem to Luz, the captain of the women’s team. And she’s way cuter than anyone who hates me has a right to be.
Sparks fly when we faceoff off the ice, but can we win this game if our teams hate each other?Faceoff is a dual POV, fade-to-black hockey college romance with mild language, and heat without spice. It’s the first book in the St. Cloud Hockey trilogy and can also be read as a standalone.
Tropes:
Rivals to lovers.
Cinnamon roll hero.
Forced proximity.
Secret dating.
He falls harder.
No 3rd act breakup.
Closed Door.
LUZ
The days in my hockey career are numbered after an accident years ago that left me with chronic pain. Now that I’ve become the captain of the women’s team at my jock-hating ivy league college, the last thing I need is any distractions from school or hockey.
But then something that can only be defined as a meet-disaster with Max Cassiano, the men’s team captain, leads to open hostility between our teams. Fortunately, that whole mess helps me ignore how freaking hot he is.
Kinda.
MAX
I might seem like the hottest prospect to everyone in town, but I’m chopped liver to my massive Italian family. My focus has to be on my hockey career if I want to wow them, and I’m sure being named captain of the men’s team is the ticket.
Until a snobby professor pairs me up for an assignment with the one distraction I can’t seem to Luz, the captain of the women’s team. And she’s way cuter than anyone who hates me has a right to be.
Sparks fly when we faceoff off the ice, but can we win this game if our teams hate each other?Faceoff is a dual POV, fade-to-black hockey college romance with mild language, and heat without spice. It’s the first book in the St. Cloud Hockey trilogy and can also be read as a standalone.
Tropes:
Rivals to lovers.
Cinnamon roll hero.
Forced proximity.
Secret dating.
He falls harder.
No 3rd act breakup.
Closed Door.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2024
94 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 22, 2024
Wow, it was an incredibly adorable story! A story where both are captains of their respective hockey teams? A little rivalry, perhaps? Let me tell you, Luz and Max stole my heart.
From their very first encounter, these two didn't get along. Luz is the captain of the women's hockey team, while Max leads the men's hockey team (and let's be clear, these are the first-ever hockey teams at St. Cloud University). Right from the start, we noticed a difference in how each team is treated, and I appreciated that the book portrayed these things realistically. Now, by some twist of fate (let's call it that to avoid insults), they're paired up for an economics project and have to spend more time together. This is where it all begins, and their relationship gradually grows. They face the prejudices some students at the university hold against athletes, deal with Max's family (who didn't exactly win me over), and navigate the challenges of being captains of teams who simply can’t be together.
This story has everything I love and on a more personal note, the fact that Luz is Venezuelan fills me with pride. Reading dialects from my country in a book always brings me joy but seriously, having a female team captain? And in hockey? It's a dream come true.
Overall, this book was good. Their relationship developed beautifully, and the way they supported each other when nobody else could know about them. oh, that study date in the library? I fell in love with that scene. And the ending? Everything I could ask for. Now, I'll patiently wait for the next book.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
¡¡Oh, fue una historia súper adorable!! ¿Una historia donde los dos son los capitanes de sus respectivos equipos de hockey? ¿Una pequeña rivalidad? A ver, que Luz y Max se robaron mi corazón.
Desde el primer encuentro estos dos no se llevaron bien; Luz es la capitana del equipo de hockey de mujeres y Max es el capitán del equipo de hockey de hombres (dejando claro que son los primeros equipos de hockey de la universidad de St. Cloud) desde casi el primer momento vemos una diferencia entre los tratos para cada equipo y me gusto que el libro tratara ese tipo de cosas de una manera realista, ahora bien, estos dos por obra del destino (digamos eso para no insultar) son emparejados para un proyecto de economía y tienen que pasar más tiempo juntos, aquí es donde todo empieza y su relación crece poco a poco, se enfrentan juntos a todos los perjuicios que tienen algunos alumnos de la universidad solo por ser deportistas, a la familia de Max que muy bien no me cayeron, a todo lo que conlleva ser capitanes de equipos que NO pueden estar juntos.
Esta historia tiene todo lo que me gusta, además y aquí ya es más personal que Luz sea venezolana me llenó de orgullo, leer dialectos de mi país en un libro siempre me trae alegría pero vamos ¿tener una capitana de equipo? ¿Y de hockey? EL SUEÑO.
En general este libro fue bueno, la relación creció de buena manera, como entre los dos se apoyaban aun cuando nadie podía saber de ellos ¿la cita de estudio en la biblioteca? oh dios, me enamore de esa escena ¿el final? todo lo que pude pedir, ahora a esperar el siguiente libro (pacientemente).
From their very first encounter, these two didn't get along. Luz is the captain of the women's hockey team, while Max leads the men's hockey team (and let's be clear, these are the first-ever hockey teams at St. Cloud University). Right from the start, we noticed a difference in how each team is treated, and I appreciated that the book portrayed these things realistically. Now, by some twist of fate (let's call it that to avoid insults), they're paired up for an economics project and have to spend more time together. This is where it all begins, and their relationship gradually grows. They face the prejudices some students at the university hold against athletes, deal with Max's family (who didn't exactly win me over), and navigate the challenges of being captains of teams who simply can’t be together.
This story has everything I love and on a more personal note, the fact that Luz is Venezuelan fills me with pride. Reading dialects from my country in a book always brings me joy but seriously, having a female team captain? And in hockey? It's a dream come true.
Overall, this book was good. Their relationship developed beautifully, and the way they supported each other when nobody else could know about them. oh, that study date in the library? I fell in love with that scene. And the ending? Everything I could ask for. Now, I'll patiently wait for the next book.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
¡¡Oh, fue una historia súper adorable!! ¿Una historia donde los dos son los capitanes de sus respectivos equipos de hockey? ¿Una pequeña rivalidad? A ver, que Luz y Max se robaron mi corazón.
Desde el primer encuentro estos dos no se llevaron bien; Luz es la capitana del equipo de hockey de mujeres y Max es el capitán del equipo de hockey de hombres (dejando claro que son los primeros equipos de hockey de la universidad de St. Cloud) desde casi el primer momento vemos una diferencia entre los tratos para cada equipo y me gusto que el libro tratara ese tipo de cosas de una manera realista, ahora bien, estos dos por obra del destino (digamos eso para no insultar) son emparejados para un proyecto de economía y tienen que pasar más tiempo juntos, aquí es donde todo empieza y su relación crece poco a poco, se enfrentan juntos a todos los perjuicios que tienen algunos alumnos de la universidad solo por ser deportistas, a la familia de Max que muy bien no me cayeron, a todo lo que conlleva ser capitanes de equipos que NO pueden estar juntos.
Esta historia tiene todo lo que me gusta, además y aquí ya es más personal que Luz sea venezolana me llenó de orgullo, leer dialectos de mi país en un libro siempre me trae alegría pero vamos ¿tener una capitana de equipo? ¿Y de hockey? EL SUEÑO.
En general este libro fue bueno, la relación creció de buena manera, como entre los dos se apoyaban aun cuando nadie podía saber de ellos ¿la cita de estudio en la biblioteca? oh dios, me enamore de esa escena ¿el final? todo lo que pude pedir, ahora a esperar el siguiente libro (pacientemente).
April 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💙Rivals to lovers
💙Forced proximity
💙Sports romance
💙Latina FMC
Luz and Max are captains of their hockey teams, and they don't get along. To make matters worse for their relationship, the difference in treatment each team receives is clear. We can see the indifference the women's team receives, and I thought it was very well portrayed. We know it's unfortunately a reality.
Even though they don't get along, they're forced to spend more time together due to an economics project. With this proximity, sparks start to fly, and the attraction they feel for each other becomes undeniable.
I have to say, Max was a character I wasn't prepared for in terms of how much he'd make me smile and warm my heart. Luz is an excellent female main character. She's super powerful and strong, even after everything she's been through.
I loved how their relationship developed and the banter between them was spot on.
Thank you so much, Mari Loyal, for sending me this ARC.
💙Rivals to lovers
💙Forced proximity
💙Sports romance
💙Latina FMC
Luz and Max are captains of their hockey teams, and they don't get along. To make matters worse for their relationship, the difference in treatment each team receives is clear. We can see the indifference the women's team receives, and I thought it was very well portrayed. We know it's unfortunately a reality.
Even though they don't get along, they're forced to spend more time together due to an economics project. With this proximity, sparks start to fly, and the attraction they feel for each other becomes undeniable.
I have to say, Max was a character I wasn't prepared for in terms of how much he'd make me smile and warm my heart. Luz is an excellent female main character. She's super powerful and strong, even after everything she's been through.
I loved how their relationship developed and the banter between them was spot on.
Thank you so much, Mari Loyal, for sending me this ARC.
April 4, 2024
Thank you to Mari Loyal for sending me an eARC!
Faceoff was an adorable hockey romance! First off, I love that in this sports romance, both the MMC and the FMC are the athletes. I think Luz and Max's relationship felt very balanced because of this. Seeing the two of them as rival hockey captains brought out so much great tension! I think my favorite moments, though, were when the two of them were sneaking around and dating in private while trying (and failing) to be inconspicuous in public. Their flirty banter was top notch!
I enjoyed reading Mari Loyal's traditionally published works under her other pen name, and definitely picked up on the themes from that book that I loved, including themes of family and endurance. I also love how Luz's chronic pain was included in the book as well. I recommend picking this book up if you're looking for a closed-door hockey romance with a Latina FMC!
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Faceoff was an adorable hockey romance! First off, I love that in this sports romance, both the MMC and the FMC are the athletes. I think Luz and Max's relationship felt very balanced because of this. Seeing the two of them as rival hockey captains brought out so much great tension! I think my favorite moments, though, were when the two of them were sneaking around and dating in private while trying (and failing) to be inconspicuous in public. Their flirty banter was top notch!
I enjoyed reading Mari Loyal's traditionally published works under her other pen name, and definitely picked up on the themes from that book that I loved, including themes of family and endurance. I also love how Luz's chronic pain was included in the book as well. I recommend picking this book up if you're looking for a closed-door hockey romance with a Latina FMC!
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
March 30, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5
This was such a fun debut college hockey romance—loved it! Great rivals to lovers with a cinnamon roll MMC. I enjoyed the mix of college life and hockey. And the kissing scenes were 🔥! Definitely brought the heat with out getting spicy, which I appreciate.
My only minor issue was that I felt like there wasn’t really a reason for the immediate hatred between the men’s and women’s hockey teams, so some of that conflict didn’t make a lot of sense to me. However, it didn’t impact my love of the story much because the romance was SO GOOD! 😍
Thank you to the author for the gifted ebook!
Content: Kissing, some mild language
This was such a fun debut college hockey romance—loved it! Great rivals to lovers with a cinnamon roll MMC. I enjoyed the mix of college life and hockey. And the kissing scenes were 🔥! Definitely brought the heat with out getting spicy, which I appreciate.
My only minor issue was that I felt like there wasn’t really a reason for the immediate hatred between the men’s and women’s hockey teams, so some of that conflict didn’t make a lot of sense to me. However, it didn’t impact my love of the story much because the romance was SO GOOD! 😍
Thank you to the author for the gifted ebook!
Content: Kissing, some mild language
April 3, 2024
A rivals-to-lovers hockey romance from debut author, Mari Loyal!
Luz is the captain of her college’s women’s hockey team. Max is the captain of his college’s men’s hockey team. And yes, they may represent the same college, but that doesn’t mean their teams get along. At all. In fact, they kind of hate each other and it’s only fair that Luz and Max hate each other too. Especially after their “meet-hate” they had on the ice.
However, as the two are forced to work together off the ice, sparks may or may not start flying. But, how can they even think about liking each other when their own teams despise each other?
🏒
First off, congratulations Mari on a fabulous debut!
Faceoff was fun and flirty, without an unnecessary 3rd act breakup.
It had everything I love about college romances:
— sports
— banter
— awesome friend groups
— realistic drama
and also featured deeper topics like chronic pain and women in sports.
I found Faceoff to be an enjoyable read with likeable character! I loved how much of a softy Max was for Luz. He was willing to do whatever, acknowledged when he was wrong, and stand up on her behalf.
Luz was also a fabulous FMC. She was a tough cookie and I loved it. She was devoted to her sport, her team, and doing what was right.
I’m excited to see how the rest of this series pans out! Mari can write really well and is sure to make an impact in the hockey romance world!
Thank you, Mari, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Luz is the captain of her college’s women’s hockey team. Max is the captain of his college’s men’s hockey team. And yes, they may represent the same college, but that doesn’t mean their teams get along. At all. In fact, they kind of hate each other and it’s only fair that Luz and Max hate each other too. Especially after their “meet-hate” they had on the ice.
However, as the two are forced to work together off the ice, sparks may or may not start flying. But, how can they even think about liking each other when their own teams despise each other?
🏒
First off, congratulations Mari on a fabulous debut!
Faceoff was fun and flirty, without an unnecessary 3rd act breakup.
It had everything I love about college romances:
— sports
— banter
— awesome friend groups
— realistic drama
and also featured deeper topics like chronic pain and women in sports.
I found Faceoff to be an enjoyable read with likeable character! I loved how much of a softy Max was for Luz. He was willing to do whatever, acknowledged when he was wrong, and stand up on her behalf.
Luz was also a fabulous FMC. She was a tough cookie and I loved it. She was devoted to her sport, her team, and doing what was right.
I’m excited to see how the rest of this series pans out! Mari can write really well and is sure to make an impact in the hockey romance world!
Thank you, Mari, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 26, 2024
Thank you to the author for this ARC of Faceoff by Mari Loyal. All opinions are my own.
What an amazing debut! If you’re looking for a closed-door college hockey romance, then I would recommend checking this one out!
One thing that was unique about this story that I enjoyed was that both main characters were hockey players. It was fun to see the rivalry between Max and Luz. I also enjoyed that hockey was talked about throughout the story, unlike some other hockey romance books.
The family dynamics were interesting in this book, and I’m excited to learn more about each character’s family in the coming books.
Max and Luz had such great chemistry! While this book is closed door, their kisses were sizzling and descriptive.
I loved how sweet and wholesome Max could be. While he was very charming, there were also some really sweet moments for him.
It was nice to see chronic pain representation in this book, and I really felt for Luz with her struggles. I loved how supportive Max was towards her without making her feel weak.
Overall, this was such a cute romance, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
What an amazing debut! If you’re looking for a closed-door college hockey romance, then I would recommend checking this one out!
One thing that was unique about this story that I enjoyed was that both main characters were hockey players. It was fun to see the rivalry between Max and Luz. I also enjoyed that hockey was talked about throughout the story, unlike some other hockey romance books.
The family dynamics were interesting in this book, and I’m excited to learn more about each character’s family in the coming books.
Max and Luz had such great chemistry! While this book is closed door, their kisses were sizzling and descriptive.
I loved how sweet and wholesome Max could be. While he was very charming, there were also some really sweet moments for him.
It was nice to see chronic pain representation in this book, and I really felt for Luz with her struggles. I loved how supportive Max was towards her without making her feel weak.
Overall, this was such a cute romance, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
June 21, 2024
St Cloud, widely known for academics, has added two hockey teams with scholarship students. The student body is less than pleased but the hockey teams even more so at having to share facilities and accommodations. Luz and Max rapidly lean into the rivals aspect with their teammates but also can't help a huge side of flirting while forced to work together on a class project.
Such a strong debut! I never know what I’m going to get with a cold call (an unknown author to me sliding into my dm’s) but this was so fun. I adored the main character interactions and the transitions from bitter rivals to lovers was perfect.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Why it’s not a five star: my only hiccup literally is the editing. I loved everything about this coming of age, new adult (closed door) read except there were some sentencing/grammar choices that took me out of the story as I tried to filter the meaning.
Such a strong debut! I never know what I’m going to get with a cold call (an unknown author to me sliding into my dm’s) but this was so fun. I adored the main character interactions and the transitions from bitter rivals to lovers was perfect.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Why it’s not a five star: my only hiccup literally is the editing. I loved everything about this coming of age, new adult (closed door) read except there were some sentencing/grammar choices that took me out of the story as I tried to filter the meaning.
March 23, 2024
Thank you to the author for the eARC via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own
3.75 STARS
At the Ivy League college St. Cloud, the hockey players are seen as dumb nuisances by the rest of the student body. It does not help that the men’s hockey team acts like pricks around campus. For the first year ever, St. Cloud has both a men’s and a women’s hockey team. Unfortunately this means the two have to share facilities and equipment.
On day one, Max Cassiano and Luz Rodriguez have a horrible run-in. This leads to open hostility between the two teams and it spreads like wildfire. Both Max and Luz are named captain of their respective teams and unfortunately have a class together. Luz vows to ignore him and focus on hockey and school. Max knows he has to focus on hockey if he ever wants to make it pro. Unfortunately, their professor has other ideas when he pairs the two “dumb” jocks together for their semester-long entrepreneurship project. But sparks begin to fly between the two and they begin to wonder if just maybe they can break their own rule…
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• cinnamon roll men
• forced proximity
• rivals to lovers
• secret dating
• closed door romance
CW: Luz suffers (pre book) an injury during hockey which impairs her ability to walk and gives her chronic pain. By the time of this book she is able to play hockey, but there is mention and description of this injury.
3.75 STARS
At the Ivy League college St. Cloud, the hockey players are seen as dumb nuisances by the rest of the student body. It does not help that the men’s hockey team acts like pricks around campus. For the first year ever, St. Cloud has both a men’s and a women’s hockey team. Unfortunately this means the two have to share facilities and equipment.
On day one, Max Cassiano and Luz Rodriguez have a horrible run-in. This leads to open hostility between the two teams and it spreads like wildfire. Both Max and Luz are named captain of their respective teams and unfortunately have a class together. Luz vows to ignore him and focus on hockey and school. Max knows he has to focus on hockey if he ever wants to make it pro. Unfortunately, their professor has other ideas when he pairs the two “dumb” jocks together for their semester-long entrepreneurship project. But sparks begin to fly between the two and they begin to wonder if just maybe they can break their own rule…
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• cinnamon roll men
• forced proximity
• rivals to lovers
• secret dating
• closed door romance
CW: Luz suffers (pre book) an injury during hockey which impairs her ability to walk and gives her chronic pain. By the time of this book she is able to play hockey, but there is mention and description of this injury.
May 29, 2024
This book is perfection
Luz and Max's romance is exactly what I look for in romance books.
From their bristly and disastrous meet cute, to the super charged banter throughout the book, to the way they become each other's support system. Sigh just everything about this book is amazing.
As they are in forced proximity they must put all past arguments and animosity in the back burner. Working together for a class project really helps them realize all those charged and heated arguments stand for a lot more than they thought. Which makes them fall into this really grounded support system for each other. Even as they fight through the ways they self sabotage and push away, the way their bond forms is a force.
The athletisim in this is also so powerful. Luz, as she fights through the aches and pains from her injury, and sets such a powerful example to her team as to what an elite athlete is. Just wow. I am still so impressed with her.
Max as well, for years articles have been written about him, with good reason.
The perfect amount of time spent on games and cool hockey moves too! It really enhanced the scenes.
Epilogue was so good too.
The perfect hockey romance read with a Latina lead! Latinx romance gold!
Luz and Max's romance is exactly what I look for in romance books.
From their bristly and disastrous meet cute, to the super charged banter throughout the book, to the way they become each other's support system. Sigh just everything about this book is amazing.
As they are in forced proximity they must put all past arguments and animosity in the back burner. Working together for a class project really helps them realize all those charged and heated arguments stand for a lot more than they thought. Which makes them fall into this really grounded support system for each other. Even as they fight through the ways they self sabotage and push away, the way their bond forms is a force.
The athletisim in this is also so powerful. Luz, as she fights through the aches and pains from her injury, and sets such a powerful example to her team as to what an elite athlete is. Just wow. I am still so impressed with her.
Max as well, for years articles have been written about him, with good reason.
The perfect amount of time spent on games and cool hockey moves too! It really enhanced the scenes.
Epilogue was so good too.
The perfect hockey romance read with a Latina lead! Latinx romance gold!
April 12, 2024
Faceoff By Mari Loyal is the first book in the St. Cloud Hockey Series. It is a closed door romcom. I can honestly say I absolutely adored this book. Luz & Mac were such great characters. I love that they are both athletes. You don't see that too often. They are captains for the newly St. Cloud Hockey women's and men's teams, respectively, so having to share everything makes for a good rivalry. The banter and chemistry were perfection. I can't wait to read more from Mari and more of this series.
🏒 College Hockey Romance
💙 Rivals to Lovers
🏒 Secret Dating
💙 No Third Act Breakup
🏒 Dual POV
💙 Closes Door Rom-com
"I have a name, and it's definitely not Tinker Bell. But surely yours must be Big Turd on A Stick."
"Dude, you just climbed Max Cassiano like a tree. What did it feel like?"
"You're a S'more. Singular." My finger brushes softly over his top lip, enoght to put him on edge but not to hurt. "Slightly hard on the outside, but once you get through that little shell, you're all gooey on the inside." "Hardy Har Har."
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
🏒 College Hockey Romance
💙 Rivals to Lovers
🏒 Secret Dating
💙 No Third Act Breakup
🏒 Dual POV
💙 Closes Door Rom-com
"I have a name, and it's definitely not Tinker Bell. But surely yours must be Big Turd on A Stick."
"Dude, you just climbed Max Cassiano like a tree. What did it feel like?"
"You're a S'more. Singular." My finger brushes softly over his top lip, enoght to put him on edge but not to hurt. "Slightly hard on the outside, but once you get through that little shell, you're all gooey on the inside." "Hardy Har Har."
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
April 10, 2024
4 stars
-
super fast paced and easy to read.
i really enjoyed the overall story of a university implementing two hockey teams and seeing how the student body reacts to having new students who aren’t necessarily “just like them” be at the school. i loved seeing our main characters overcome their own personal challenges while still being open to love. i really loved that the relationship between the main characters didn’t have any miscommunication which can be common in books that are “rivals” to lovers.
-
however there were some things i didn’t like about it.
-
1. the romance felt a but sudden, i personally didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters, especially in the beginning and i felt like it could have used more building up to it, even the dialogue just felt a bit off at times.
2. the two teams “rivalry” just felt a little childish and petty although some issues they had were valid problems.
-
super fast paced and easy to read.
i really enjoyed the overall story of a university implementing two hockey teams and seeing how the student body reacts to having new students who aren’t necessarily “just like them” be at the school. i loved seeing our main characters overcome their own personal challenges while still being open to love. i really loved that the relationship between the main characters didn’t have any miscommunication which can be common in books that are “rivals” to lovers.
-
however there were some things i didn’t like about it.
-
1. the romance felt a but sudden, i personally didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters, especially in the beginning and i felt like it could have used more building up to it, even the dialogue just felt a bit off at times.
2. the two teams “rivalry” just felt a little childish and petty although some issues they had were valid problems.
March 27, 2024
I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review
This book was so cute! I loved how they came together even though there teams did not like each other. They were so supportive of each other. It was so good to see the improvements in their families because damn at times I wanted to hit someone. I can’t wait for book two
This book was so cute! I loved how they came together even though there teams did not like each other. They were so supportive of each other. It was so good to see the improvements in their families because damn at times I wanted to hit someone. I can’t wait for book two
March 26, 2024
*** ARC REVIEW ***
thank you Mari for give me this opportunity to read “face off”! it’s definitely a 4,65 it’s not a them maybe i need more spicy scenes… idk.
i really excited for the next book of this series.
entonces espero giving 5 stars to others!
thank you Mari for give me this opportunity to read “face off”! it’s definitely a 4,65 it’s not a them maybe i need more spicy scenes… idk.
i really excited for the next book of this series.
entonces espero giving 5 stars to others!
March 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the chemistry between the main characters was just incredible and the family relationships and developing relationships were all so interesting.
March 27, 2024
Thank you to the author for the eARC via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If I could describe Faceoff in one word, it'd be marshmallow.
I love a good hockey romance, and this one did it justice! Luz and Max are 3D — got so much on their hands with their families and lives, and we see the struggle of them trying to resist each other. I think my favorite part of Faceoff was their separate lives, where we saw them being humans and, of course, the sexual tension.
They are both in a committed relationship with hockey — captains of their teams — but can't deny the chemistry between them. It was refreshing to see how they fought against their feelings but once assured, they were bold about it. THE FIRST KISS SCENE. CHEF'S KISS.
Max is my soft spot, because he's just the cutest human being beneath his hard body. It made me tear up how thoughtful and soft he is toward Luz. His first encounter with her family made me laugh hard.
Overall, I LOVE THIS BOOK. Mari's writing doesn't disappoint. I can't wait to read more of this universe and Mari's writing. If you love hockey romance with non-toxic characters, a good hook and it's-slow-but-it-burns romance, Faceoff is for you!
If I could describe Faceoff in one word, it'd be marshmallow.
I love a good hockey romance, and this one did it justice! Luz and Max are 3D — got so much on their hands with their families and lives, and we see the struggle of them trying to resist each other. I think my favorite part of Faceoff was their separate lives, where we saw them being humans and, of course, the sexual tension.
They are both in a committed relationship with hockey — captains of their teams — but can't deny the chemistry between them. It was refreshing to see how they fought against their feelings but once assured, they were bold about it. THE FIRST KISS SCENE. CHEF'S KISS.
Max is my soft spot, because he's just the cutest human being beneath his hard body. It made me tear up how thoughtful and soft he is toward Luz. His first encounter with her family made me laugh hard.
Overall, I LOVE THIS BOOK. Mari's writing doesn't disappoint. I can't wait to read more of this universe and Mari's writing. If you love hockey romance with non-toxic characters, a good hook and it's-slow-but-it-burns romance, Faceoff is for you!
March 31, 2024
I’m excited this was a series because there were a lot of side characters I enjoyed! This was a sweet, rivals to lovers college romance. I enjoyed the banter, chronic illness representation, and the spice even being a closed door romance! I enjoy all levels of spice, but this was the best closed door romance I’ve read! There was still connection and passion and you could feel the attraction between the two.
****I was lucky enough to receive an e-arc of this book! All opinions are my own****
****I was lucky enough to receive an e-arc of this book! All opinions are my own****
May 27, 2024
Thank you to Mari Loyal for the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
Face off is a sweet, closed door romance between two hockey players. Playing in different teams at the same university, they are at the forefront of the rivalry between Bolts and Strikes. So when Max and Luz get paired together for a group project, the banter will continue outside the ice rink.
Before this, I had only read one hockey romance (not even a good one), so this book was a true redemption for my relationship with the subgenre.
I loved the portrayal of very different ethnicities through both main characters, as well as the little sprinkles of Spanish on Luz’s POV.
The banter was something else! Very outside the box, it made me laugh out loud while reading this in public, or during the late hours of the night.
Besides having a unique story, from the plot itself to the many aspects of representation depicted, Mari’s writing was such a pleasant surprise. The descriptions of hockey games and gym sessions were so vivid, and all thoughts are articulated in such a bright and witty tone. Always with the right amount of comedy and/or fluff!
The only negative I would pinpoint is the pacing. It was adequate for most of the book, but I did find it too rapid or too dragged out in certain chapters, which was enough of a challenge to not consider this a five-star book.
All in all, this love story was like a warm hug in a cold night, and I can’t wait for the next instalment on this series!! (Hockey player and aspiring romance author?? Count me in!!!)
Face off is a sweet, closed door romance between two hockey players. Playing in different teams at the same university, they are at the forefront of the rivalry between Bolts and Strikes. So when Max and Luz get paired together for a group project, the banter will continue outside the ice rink.
Before this, I had only read one hockey romance (not even a good one), so this book was a true redemption for my relationship with the subgenre.
I loved the portrayal of very different ethnicities through both main characters, as well as the little sprinkles of Spanish on Luz’s POV.
The banter was something else! Very outside the box, it made me laugh out loud while reading this in public, or during the late hours of the night.
Besides having a unique story, from the plot itself to the many aspects of representation depicted, Mari’s writing was such a pleasant surprise. The descriptions of hockey games and gym sessions were so vivid, and all thoughts are articulated in such a bright and witty tone. Always with the right amount of comedy and/or fluff!
The only negative I would pinpoint is the pacing. It was adequate for most of the book, but I did find it too rapid or too dragged out in certain chapters, which was enough of a challenge to not consider this a five-star book.
All in all, this love story was like a warm hug in a cold night, and I can’t wait for the next instalment on this series!! (Hockey player and aspiring romance author?? Count me in!!!)
July 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: sports romance
Content: a lot of mild/moderate language (140ish instances with 💩 being the most common), some crude language (ti**, bas****, di**), strong innuendo, heavy makeouts (but no spice!), some underage drinking, some tense family relationships
When Mari made this book free a week or two ago, I snatched it up! I've had my eye on it and I was so happy to read it during Hispanic Heritage Month because Luz, our FMC, is Venezuelan American!
Luz and Max are both freshman hockey players at St. Cloud University for the school's newly formed teams. From the get go, there is animosity between the men's and women's teams and also between Max and Luz. They seem to keep showing up in the same places: class, training facilities, parties...and eventually they are put together as partners on a project. After one kiss that Luz "owes" Max after losing a game, they quickly realize that one kiss is not going to be enough. Because of the hostility between teams, they keep their relationship a secret for a while.
I loved Luz's determination and tenacity to go after what she wanted. She lives with chronic pain from a spinal cord injury and it was awe-inspiring to read her story! The way that she supported Max and showed him love when his family was not was just beautiful.
And Max! What a big cinnamon roll of a guy. He genuinely wanted to see Luz shine!
Okay, and both Thanksgiving dinner scenes made me so happy! Also, the epilogue was WONDERFUL.
Genre: sports romance
Content: a lot of mild/moderate language (140ish instances with 💩 being the most common), some crude language (ti**, bas****, di**), strong innuendo, heavy makeouts (but no spice!), some underage drinking, some tense family relationships
When Mari made this book free a week or two ago, I snatched it up! I've had my eye on it and I was so happy to read it during Hispanic Heritage Month because Luz, our FMC, is Venezuelan American!
Luz and Max are both freshman hockey players at St. Cloud University for the school's newly formed teams. From the get go, there is animosity between the men's and women's teams and also between Max and Luz. They seem to keep showing up in the same places: class, training facilities, parties...and eventually they are put together as partners on a project. After one kiss that Luz "owes" Max after losing a game, they quickly realize that one kiss is not going to be enough. Because of the hostility between teams, they keep their relationship a secret for a while.
I loved Luz's determination and tenacity to go after what she wanted. She lives with chronic pain from a spinal cord injury and it was awe-inspiring to read her story! The way that she supported Max and showed him love when his family was not was just beautiful.
And Max! What a big cinnamon roll of a guy. He genuinely wanted to see Luz shine!
Okay, and both Thanksgiving dinner scenes made me so happy! Also, the epilogue was WONDERFUL.
May 20, 2024
This book was so much fun. There is so much to it? Family drama. Problematic views of people in sports. Old injuries causing chronic pain. Secret romance. IT IS SO GOOD.
Quick takes:
🏒 Enemies to lovers.
🏒A FIESTY female protagonist. She is strong, she is single minded. She is TOUGH and I love her.
🏒 A sweet as tiramisu male protagonist— we are talking gooey center sweet.
🏒 They hate each other. Their coaches hate each other. Their teams hate each other. They are the hockey Romeo and Juliet.
🏒 FORCED. PROXIMITY. They have to work on a school project, because they’re both hockey players and their teacher sucks, but also? Thanks teach!
💋 make-out sessions that will melt the ice in a hockey rink.
It is perfect, their tension was THICK enough to cut with a KNIFE. She sticks up for him in the sweetest birthday scene ever. Max and Luz are so much fun to read about. Pick this book up. Read it. Love it. 👏👏👏🤩
April 7, 2024
I love a good sports romance, and this book knocked my romance socks right off my feet. Mari is the pen name for Marianna, who wrote As Long As You Love Me (one of my favourite reads from 2023). Mari’s books are perfect for bookworms looking for a book with no sex or swearing. Now, don’t think that because there is no sex, there is no spice or heat, and there is plenty of spicy tension in this book. This college sports romance is told from Luz and Max’s POV. I enjoyed this book and ended up reading most of it in one sitting. Plenty of things make this book great: the story is interesting, there is plenty of depth, and the characters and the problems they are dealing with are real and relatable.
This story follows Luz and Max, who both attend the same college and are captains of their hockey teams. Luz and Max get off on the wrong page right from the beginning, mainly because there is this rivalry/hatred for each other’s teams. These two teams do not get along, and some hilarious and unhappy antics ensue. I have always loved books that have antics, so this was right up my alley. This book takes place at the college Luz and Max attend, so be prepared for some college drama. There are parties, boy/girl problems, roommate problems, class drama, and, of course, delicious high-tension library scenes. I enjoyed the academic setting; Mari really knows how to write an interesting and relatable college romance. The problems and situations these characters face feel real, and I really enjoyed watching friendships form as the academic year progressed. Both MCs have very complicated and complex relationships with their families. Watching as Luz and Max try to deal with these complicated family matters gives their characters depth, especially Max’s character.
Luz and Max are wonderful characters. Luz has a strong and fierce personality. She is quick to anger and will defend those she cares about with all she has. I adored Luz’s strength. It was what made her shine in this book. Her back story is one of overcoming all odds to continue doing what she loves. Sorry, I know that is a bit vague, but I don’t want to give any spoilers away. Her character also deals with chronic pain, and I loved that representation in this story. I have a family member who also lives with chronic pain, and I see how living with that condition can dictate how you can live your life. Mari really handles this issue with thought and care. Max is a big old cinnamon roll. He was just so delightful, and I loved being around him. People around him often say him as being the dumb jock, but there is so much more to his character, and I loved peeling back those layers and learning more about him.
As I mentioned before, this is a closed-door romance. There are plenty of make-out scenes, but nothing progresses further than that on the page. I loved the romance in this book. Luz and Max have this intense spark between them right from the moment they first clashed on the ice rink. The chemistry is there, and so is the rivalry. The first bit of this romance has Max and Luz trying to beat each other at various games and also trying to stop those feelings they are starting to have for each other. Things progress to a hidden relationship because of the feud between their two teams. I liked everything about their relationship. Some moments had me chuckling, swooning, and falling in love. There is still plenty of heat between these two, and Mari knows how to build up that tension.
Faceoff is a fun and fabulous sports romance, and I cannot wait to read the next installment of the series.
Thank you to the author for sending us a digital copy.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
This story follows Luz and Max, who both attend the same college and are captains of their hockey teams. Luz and Max get off on the wrong page right from the beginning, mainly because there is this rivalry/hatred for each other’s teams. These two teams do not get along, and some hilarious and unhappy antics ensue. I have always loved books that have antics, so this was right up my alley. This book takes place at the college Luz and Max attend, so be prepared for some college drama. There are parties, boy/girl problems, roommate problems, class drama, and, of course, delicious high-tension library scenes. I enjoyed the academic setting; Mari really knows how to write an interesting and relatable college romance. The problems and situations these characters face feel real, and I really enjoyed watching friendships form as the academic year progressed. Both MCs have very complicated and complex relationships with their families. Watching as Luz and Max try to deal with these complicated family matters gives their characters depth, especially Max’s character.
Luz and Max are wonderful characters. Luz has a strong and fierce personality. She is quick to anger and will defend those she cares about with all she has. I adored Luz’s strength. It was what made her shine in this book. Her back story is one of overcoming all odds to continue doing what she loves. Sorry, I know that is a bit vague, but I don’t want to give any spoilers away. Her character also deals with chronic pain, and I loved that representation in this story. I have a family member who also lives with chronic pain, and I see how living with that condition can dictate how you can live your life. Mari really handles this issue with thought and care. Max is a big old cinnamon roll. He was just so delightful, and I loved being around him. People around him often say him as being the dumb jock, but there is so much more to his character, and I loved peeling back those layers and learning more about him.
As I mentioned before, this is a closed-door romance. There are plenty of make-out scenes, but nothing progresses further than that on the page. I loved the romance in this book. Luz and Max have this intense spark between them right from the moment they first clashed on the ice rink. The chemistry is there, and so is the rivalry. The first bit of this romance has Max and Luz trying to beat each other at various games and also trying to stop those feelings they are starting to have for each other. Things progress to a hidden relationship because of the feud between their two teams. I liked everything about their relationship. Some moments had me chuckling, swooning, and falling in love. There is still plenty of heat between these two, and Mari knows how to build up that tension.
Faceoff is a fun and fabulous sports romance, and I cannot wait to read the next installment of the series.
Thank you to the author for sending us a digital copy.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
March 27, 2024
4 Stars.
🏒 The vibes:
- College hockey romance.
- Enemies to lovers.
- Forbidden romance
- Chronic pain rep
- He falls hard
⛸️ My thoughts:
I found the relationship between Lux and Max to be adorable. Max was such a heart throb, cinnamon role cutie. I loved getting backstories for both characters, and I felt like their connection made sense to me. I liked their chemistry together, and I loved their communication with eachother during some rough familial moments.
🥅 There’s a lot of book time spent on the ice during hockey games. If you love a sports romance with a lot of action of that featured sport, you might really enjoy this one.
🏒 My main issue with this one was the rivalry and not understanding the why of it. I generally love enemies to lovers if I feel like the “enemies” part makes sense to me. In this case, Max is instantly super hostile to Max for literally no reason other than he’s on the men’s hockey team and she’s on the women’s team. There’s mention of the MMC being someone the FMC should hate but it’s not explained why. They’re captains of their hockey teams at college, but I guess I didn’t realize that the men and women sports hate eachother???? I’m just confused 😭 and this did take me out of the story at several points in the plot.
🏒 Overall - the short chapters made this a quick read. While there were things that didn’t work for me, I actually really enjoyed this book overall. I found myself wanting to pick it up over other books. I thought it was a great debut by the indie author Mari Loyal, and I do plan to read her next release which I consider a win.
Releases April 4, 2024.
Thank you so much to Mari Loyal for the gifted copy.
‼️ Reasons to further explain rating- do not read if you don’t want to know spoilers: ‼️
The rival situation as mentioned above did not work for me. I did not like the hostility and hatred between the teams. Ex- Luz is full on swinging punches; swinging hockey sticks; jumping on rival teammates to take gym equipment; yelling at rival teammates when they pass them in halls; etc. whyyyyyy????? The rivalry did play as the main plot and conclusion in the book, so in a way it worked but the reasoning of the hatred was never explained and I couldn’t understand it. There were moments when the coaches of the teams had no idea how to lead teams and made the 18 year olds be that role. 🙈.
🏒 The vibes:
- College hockey romance.
- Enemies to lovers.
- Forbidden romance
- Chronic pain rep
- He falls hard
⛸️ My thoughts:
I found the relationship between Lux and Max to be adorable. Max was such a heart throb, cinnamon role cutie. I loved getting backstories for both characters, and I felt like their connection made sense to me. I liked their chemistry together, and I loved their communication with eachother during some rough familial moments.
🥅 There’s a lot of book time spent on the ice during hockey games. If you love a sports romance with a lot of action of that featured sport, you might really enjoy this one.
🏒 My main issue with this one was the rivalry and not understanding the why of it. I generally love enemies to lovers if I feel like the “enemies” part makes sense to me. In this case, Max is instantly super hostile to Max for literally no reason other than he’s on the men’s hockey team and she’s on the women’s team. There’s mention of the MMC being someone the FMC should hate but it’s not explained why. They’re captains of their hockey teams at college, but I guess I didn’t realize that the men and women sports hate eachother???? I’m just confused 😭 and this did take me out of the story at several points in the plot.
🏒 Overall - the short chapters made this a quick read. While there were things that didn’t work for me, I actually really enjoyed this book overall. I found myself wanting to pick it up over other books. I thought it was a great debut by the indie author Mari Loyal, and I do plan to read her next release which I consider a win.
Releases April 4, 2024.
Thank you so much to Mari Loyal for the gifted copy.
‼️ Reasons to further explain rating- do not read if you don’t want to know spoilers: ‼️
The rival situation as mentioned above did not work for me. I did not like the hostility and hatred between the teams. Ex- Luz is full on swinging punches; swinging hockey sticks; jumping on rival teammates to take gym equipment; yelling at rival teammates when they pass them in halls; etc. whyyyyyy????? The rivalry did play as the main plot and conclusion in the book, so in a way it worked but the reasoning of the hatred was never explained and I couldn’t understand it. There were moments when the coaches of the teams had no idea how to lead teams and made the 18 year olds be that role. 🙈.
March 27, 2024
When I tell you that Luz and Max have a HOLD on me, I am not joking - the amount of squeals, kicking my feet in the air, giggling I did while reading Faceoff is actually kinda embarassing, I may have also cried 😂 what can I say? I love Max and Luz so much, I'm so happy this is a series because I'm not ready to say goodbye yet! 🫶🏻
Now into why I loved Faceoff, first and foremost, the most badass FMC, truly Luz is an inspiration, a strong female who knows how to communicate, be a leader, sets boundaries, and nothing will stop her from reaching her goals - I was in awe with Luz majority of the book, thank you Mari for writing a strong FMC 🫶🏻
I love Max as well, the pinning he had for Luz was just 🤌🏻 chefs kiss. My heart was hurt for Max because he wanted to be loved and he lacked that in some instances, like c'mere big guy, I love you 🤧
Max was a great friend, a great supporter of Luz and overall someone I would want in my corner.
SPICE - WITHOUT THE SEXY TIME!! I repeat, a closed door hockey romance and it was wonderfully written. I truly loved all the secret kisses, pinning and wandering thoughts, it was enough to keep me satisfied and engaged with the story!
One of the major things I loved about this book was the communication, between Max and Luz, Max and his family, Luz and her family. I'm going to highlight Max and Luz stepping away from a disagreement, taking a few days to think of what they both wanted and then connecting when both were in the right mind set! I really really appreciate Mari writing characters who can communicate effectively and when they can't, are willing to take a step back - communication is key!!
The Rodriguez and Cassiano families 🥹🫶🏻 parents willing to communicate, apologize and be supportive - we love to see it!!
If you love secret dating, rivals to lovers, hockey romance, and forced proximity with closed door spice then you need to pick this book up! Comes out April 4th, 2024 and is available for preorder 🥹🫶🏻
Thank you Mari for the eARC!
Now into why I loved Faceoff, first and foremost, the most badass FMC, truly Luz is an inspiration, a strong female who knows how to communicate, be a leader, sets boundaries, and nothing will stop her from reaching her goals - I was in awe with Luz majority of the book, thank you Mari for writing a strong FMC 🫶🏻
I love Max as well, the pinning he had for Luz was just 🤌🏻 chefs kiss. My heart was hurt for Max because he wanted to be loved and he lacked that in some instances, like c'mere big guy, I love you 🤧
Max was a great friend, a great supporter of Luz and overall someone I would want in my corner.
SPICE - WITHOUT THE SEXY TIME!! I repeat, a closed door hockey romance and it was wonderfully written. I truly loved all the secret kisses, pinning and wandering thoughts, it was enough to keep me satisfied and engaged with the story!
One of the major things I loved about this book was the communication, between Max and Luz, Max and his family, Luz and her family. I'm going to highlight Max and Luz stepping away from a disagreement, taking a few days to think of what they both wanted and then connecting when both were in the right mind set! I really really appreciate Mari writing characters who can communicate effectively and when they can't, are willing to take a step back - communication is key!!
The Rodriguez and Cassiano families 🥹🫶🏻 parents willing to communicate, apologize and be supportive - we love to see it!!
If you love secret dating, rivals to lovers, hockey romance, and forced proximity with closed door spice then you need to pick this book up! Comes out April 4th, 2024 and is available for preorder 🥹🫶🏻
Thank you Mari for the eARC!
March 26, 2024
Okay, I am completely and utterly obsessed with the St Cloud Hockey series. Mari Loyal, thank you so much for sending me an E-ARC of your fabulous debut! I absolutely inhaled this one. I’ve recently been getting so into sports romances, hockey especially, so this was sent to me at the perfect time. I fell in love with Luz and Max from the beginning, and seeing them go from hating each other to falling in love completely melted my heart. Which is ironic considering this is about ice hockey. There was a mixture of drama, hockey and fluffy romance in this book, the perfect combination to the best hockey romances! I have to comment on the banter between these two as well, the nicknames and the way they spoke to each other just made this relationship for me!
Luz and Max are both on differing hockey teams at the same college, but being at the same college doesn’t mean that they’re acquaintances. Actually, it’s pretty much the exact opposite, the hostility between the two teams is real, and you could cut the tension with a knife. Unfortunately for them, Luz and Max are forced together both on the ice and in a class project, and they must put their differences aside, and try and form some kind of agreement. Maybe it’ll lead to friendship, but maybe something more ;).
I adored both Luz and Max for very different reasons, Luz’s take no shit attitude, and Max ending up being one of the purest of book boyfriends, but they ended up working so well together. I absolutely love the grumpy x sunshine trope but more so when the FMC is the grumpy one, and this book was a perfect example! Faceoff is fast paced but the romance is slow burn, giving these characters ample time to transition from enemies to lovers. As much as I loved Luz and Max, I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and watch some of the other characters fall in love too.
Check out ‘Faceoff’ if you love the following tropes:
・❥・Rivals to Lovers
・❥・Forced Proximity
・❥・Secret Dating
・❥・Grump x Sunshine
・❥・Closed Door Romance
・❥・No Third Act Breakup
Luz and Max are both on differing hockey teams at the same college, but being at the same college doesn’t mean that they’re acquaintances. Actually, it’s pretty much the exact opposite, the hostility between the two teams is real, and you could cut the tension with a knife. Unfortunately for them, Luz and Max are forced together both on the ice and in a class project, and they must put their differences aside, and try and form some kind of agreement. Maybe it’ll lead to friendship, but maybe something more ;).
I adored both Luz and Max for very different reasons, Luz’s take no shit attitude, and Max ending up being one of the purest of book boyfriends, but they ended up working so well together. I absolutely love the grumpy x sunshine trope but more so when the FMC is the grumpy one, and this book was a perfect example! Faceoff is fast paced but the romance is slow burn, giving these characters ample time to transition from enemies to lovers. As much as I loved Luz and Max, I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and watch some of the other characters fall in love too.
Check out ‘Faceoff’ if you love the following tropes:
・❥・Rivals to Lovers
・❥・Forced Proximity
・❥・Secret Dating
・❥・Grump x Sunshine
・❥・Closed Door Romance
・❥・No Third Act Breakup
April 4, 2024
First I want to thank Mari Loyal for reaching out to me and giving me this opportunity, forever grateful! Anything else in the future, I’d love an ARC from you!
The dedication is so freaking cute. Like I wasn’t even getting into the book yet and I was loving it
I like that there are girl coaches - I like that she’s soft but harsh when needed. It was very empowering so I was digging that. I also really liked that there was a girl’s hockey team
There’s lots of banter and funny comebacks from the very start. The back and forth retort had me laughing my bum off. The banter had me smiling throughout the whole book fr
I like that the bar’s name is O’Malley’s - reminds me of Grey’s Anatomy!!
The title is very fitting, because the faceoffs weren’t just hockey-related.. so I loved the subtlety
Mari Loyal’s style of writing and the way her characters and stories live rent free in my mind kind of reminds me of Sarah Adam’s books. They’re both my comfort authors and the way all the books I have read by both authors have been comfort books for me .. speaks volumes
“sink or swim” - I love how competitive they both are and I could absolutely relate with that so much it kept me wanting to read more and more to see who wins and what happens next
The kissing scene in the equipment room made me miss my non-existent man and lemme tell you.. it made me feel things
The way this man knows exactly what he’s doing and what to say .. even though he thinks he’s acting like an idiot .. it’s just .. he’s perfect. Its the little things I swear
Everything about this book was so good. I liked how the characters were entangled in Max’s side of the family and I liked what Luz went through and how their project came to help them both.. it’s different and I really really enjoyed that book!
ALSO, there’s a glossary for Spanish vocabulary! Like what? I haven’t seen that done before 🤧
The dedication is so freaking cute. Like I wasn’t even getting into the book yet and I was loving it
I like that there are girl coaches - I like that she’s soft but harsh when needed. It was very empowering so I was digging that. I also really liked that there was a girl’s hockey team
There’s lots of banter and funny comebacks from the very start. The back and forth retort had me laughing my bum off. The banter had me smiling throughout the whole book fr
I like that the bar’s name is O’Malley’s - reminds me of Grey’s Anatomy!!
The title is very fitting, because the faceoffs weren’t just hockey-related.. so I loved the subtlety
Mari Loyal’s style of writing and the way her characters and stories live rent free in my mind kind of reminds me of Sarah Adam’s books. They’re both my comfort authors and the way all the books I have read by both authors have been comfort books for me .. speaks volumes
“sink or swim” - I love how competitive they both are and I could absolutely relate with that so much it kept me wanting to read more and more to see who wins and what happens next
The kissing scene in the equipment room made me miss my non-existent man and lemme tell you.. it made me feel things
The way this man knows exactly what he’s doing and what to say .. even though he thinks he’s acting like an idiot .. it’s just .. he’s perfect. Its the little things I swear
Everything about this book was so good. I liked how the characters were entangled in Max’s side of the family and I liked what Luz went through and how their project came to help them both.. it’s different and I really really enjoyed that book!
ALSO, there’s a glossary for Spanish vocabulary! Like what? I haven’t seen that done before 🤧
April 8, 2024
What a sweet debut! I must be in my hockey romance era because I’m adding this one to the list of hockey romance books I’ve enjoyed!
Luz and Max. This story blended two rivals from two different cultures so well. It had a wonderful mix of heart, spunk, and sizzle without too much spice. Luz was driven, hardworking, and sassy. She worked hard through her difficulties and never gave up. Max pushed through difficulties with his family and feelings of inferiority to be the best he could be. I loved how both families were able to overcome their differences and how the story really showed the importance of family having your back.
Max and Luz had great chemistry. I will say, as more of a slow burn lover, it came on a little fast for me, but I enjoyed watching them fall for each other. There were some swoony kisses, but nothing overly descriptive, so this is a great read for more closed door readers. My one nitpick is these characters are in college and there is some underage drinking, but Mari does note that on her website and state that isn’t something she condones, but is something that can happen with college students. Some decisions that are made by students in that age group aren’t the smartest. I think this is a good way to handle the topic!
If you are in your hockey romance reading era and need a new series to start, you should check this one out! And if you are a lover of epilogues like me, you’ll love the one in this book!
Read this one if you love:
-Rivals to Lovers
-A Cinnamon Roll Hero
-Forced Proximity
-Secret Dating
-When the Guy Falls Harder
-No Third Act Breakup
-Closed Door/Fade to Black Romance
*Thank you Mari for sending me an earc! I really enjoyed your story and am excited for book 2!
Luz and Max. This story blended two rivals from two different cultures so well. It had a wonderful mix of heart, spunk, and sizzle without too much spice. Luz was driven, hardworking, and sassy. She worked hard through her difficulties and never gave up. Max pushed through difficulties with his family and feelings of inferiority to be the best he could be. I loved how both families were able to overcome their differences and how the story really showed the importance of family having your back.
Max and Luz had great chemistry. I will say, as more of a slow burn lover, it came on a little fast for me, but I enjoyed watching them fall for each other. There were some swoony kisses, but nothing overly descriptive, so this is a great read for more closed door readers. My one nitpick is these characters are in college and there is some underage drinking, but Mari does note that on her website and state that isn’t something she condones, but is something that can happen with college students. Some decisions that are made by students in that age group aren’t the smartest. I think this is a good way to handle the topic!
If you are in your hockey romance reading era and need a new series to start, you should check this one out! And if you are a lover of epilogues like me, you’ll love the one in this book!
Read this one if you love:
-Rivals to Lovers
-A Cinnamon Roll Hero
-Forced Proximity
-Secret Dating
-When the Guy Falls Harder
-No Third Act Breakup
-Closed Door/Fade to Black Romance
*Thank you Mari for sending me an earc! I really enjoyed your story and am excited for book 2!
April 2, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up — If I'm being honest, I didn't expect to love this one as much as I did! I'm a bit harder on romance books as it is, so this ended up being a pleasant surprise!!
Faceoff is a lightly forbidden ("lightly" because the stakes aren't fantasy-high), enemies-to-lovers, closed-door romance between sassy, unfiltered Luz Rodriguez and 6'3", softer-than-he-looks Max Cassiano.
“[…] 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘰𝘧𝘧, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩.”
Even with tropes I don't usually like (instant attraction, lots of fawning over physical traits, a bit of miscommunication), I really liked this story. I loved the struggles that both characters face (I felt like it was really fleshed out and made sense), I loved the supportive characters, I loved the diversity representation — I just felt like it was all really well done! The author had me smiling from ear-to-ear with the banter and cheering during the intense games — I was invested! It's a little cheesy at first (you get used to it), and has some corny scenes; but aside from that, it's good, in my opinion! Dual POV, short chapters, easy-to-follow writing — all checkmarks in my books!
ps. that dedication?! Come on!! And the epilogue? So stinkin' cute!!!
I cannot wait for the rest of the series! Please tell me JT, Britt, Chelsea, Lynn, and Olivia get books!!! GAH! Dying to read more!!
*Thank you to the author for the e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own!
Faceoff is a lightly forbidden ("lightly" because the stakes aren't fantasy-high), enemies-to-lovers, closed-door romance between sassy, unfiltered Luz Rodriguez and 6'3", softer-than-he-looks Max Cassiano.
“[…] 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘰𝘧𝘧, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩.”
Even with tropes I don't usually like (instant attraction, lots of fawning over physical traits, a bit of miscommunication), I really liked this story. I loved the struggles that both characters face (I felt like it was really fleshed out and made sense), I loved the supportive characters, I loved the diversity representation — I just felt like it was all really well done! The author had me smiling from ear-to-ear with the banter and cheering during the intense games — I was invested! It's a little cheesy at first (you get used to it), and has some corny scenes; but aside from that, it's good, in my opinion! Dual POV, short chapters, easy-to-follow writing — all checkmarks in my books!
ps. that dedication?! Come on!! And the epilogue? So stinkin' cute!!!
I cannot wait for the rest of the series! Please tell me JT, Britt, Chelsea, Lynn, and Olivia get books!!! GAH! Dying to read more!!
*Thank you to the author for the e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own!
August 29, 2024
The Characters
Like I said at the beginning of this post Faceoff left me smiling like very few books do. Mari Loyal managed to combine some spectacularly spunky characters with just the right amount of tension and sarcasm to make them highly enjoyable. They make you wish you could watch them in real life.
Luz and Max are some of my all-time favorite characters because of that reason.
Both Luz and Max are college freshmen and get this, Luz is a hockey player too! They both end up being captains of their respective inaugural teams.
I loved all the secondary characters and their rivalries, but I also liked how they all supported each other too. I do hope that Mari Loyal goes on to write some spin-off series about these characters cough *hint hint* cough. As I am so not ready to leave the St. Cloud realm she created.
The Setting/Plot
It may surprise you to know that I've read just about every hockey romance out there, yet I rarely take the time to review them. Why might you ask? Because after a while, most follow the same pattern, just like most romances now days, but Faceoff surprised me in the best of ways.
Mari Loyal set the plot up with a spectacular opening chapter and NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP. A college romance centered around a lot of Hockey, good sub-plots of learning who you are, overcoming your past, and having the courage to choose it all.
This book has cemented Mari Loyal as an Auto-Buy author for me.
5 hockey stickers. 🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒
*Note: This book does have some mild language and is closed door.
Like I said at the beginning of this post Faceoff left me smiling like very few books do. Mari Loyal managed to combine some spectacularly spunky characters with just the right amount of tension and sarcasm to make them highly enjoyable. They make you wish you could watch them in real life.
Luz and Max are some of my all-time favorite characters because of that reason.
Both Luz and Max are college freshmen and get this, Luz is a hockey player too! They both end up being captains of their respective inaugural teams.
I loved all the secondary characters and their rivalries, but I also liked how they all supported each other too. I do hope that Mari Loyal goes on to write some spin-off series about these characters cough *hint hint* cough. As I am so not ready to leave the St. Cloud realm she created.
The Setting/Plot
It may surprise you to know that I've read just about every hockey romance out there, yet I rarely take the time to review them. Why might you ask? Because after a while, most follow the same pattern, just like most romances now days, but Faceoff surprised me in the best of ways.
Mari Loyal set the plot up with a spectacular opening chapter and NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP. A college romance centered around a lot of Hockey, good sub-plots of learning who you are, overcoming your past, and having the courage to choose it all.
This book has cemented Mari Loyal as an Auto-Buy author for me.
5 hockey stickers. 🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒
*Note: This book does have some mild language and is closed door.
March 29, 2024
Faceoff by Mari Loyal is an amazing debut novel that features college hockey romance, rivals to lovers, and fans of The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams will love!
I just want to start off and say that having a latina main character in a hockey romance is something that I loved seeing as a latina myself that is also a reader and hockey fan. I loved the Latin representation in this book, the fact that Luz speaks Spanish and is so proud of her culture and seeing that in the book. I also really liked that it’s multicultural because she’s latina and he’s Italian and seeing them show and share both their cultures was something that made their connection special.
I will always be a fan of dynamics that have rivals to lovers, disliking each other but they tease each other and give each other nicknames and she’s not a fan of his but his nickname for her is too cute. You can really see the chemistry between Luz and Max and them teasing each other to being friends, falling for each other, being each others person and how sweet and caring he is and supportive of her. I love how Luz is so determined, strong, she does what sets her mind to and doesn’t let things knock her down. This book felt like a hug that gives you all the warm fuzzy butterflies and feels. I couldn’t stop reading it and devoured it in a day. Fans of sport romance will love this. I cannot wait to see what Mari Loyal has in store next. Thank you so much for the ARC.
I just want to start off and say that having a latina main character in a hockey romance is something that I loved seeing as a latina myself that is also a reader and hockey fan. I loved the Latin representation in this book, the fact that Luz speaks Spanish and is so proud of her culture and seeing that in the book. I also really liked that it’s multicultural because she’s latina and he’s Italian and seeing them show and share both their cultures was something that made their connection special.
I will always be a fan of dynamics that have rivals to lovers, disliking each other but they tease each other and give each other nicknames and she’s not a fan of his but his nickname for her is too cute. You can really see the chemistry between Luz and Max and them teasing each other to being friends, falling for each other, being each others person and how sweet and caring he is and supportive of her. I love how Luz is so determined, strong, she does what sets her mind to and doesn’t let things knock her down. This book felt like a hug that gives you all the warm fuzzy butterflies and feels. I couldn’t stop reading it and devoured it in a day. Fans of sport romance will love this. I cannot wait to see what Mari Loyal has in store next. Thank you so much for the ARC.
May 10, 2024
Full review on thegraduatedbookworm.com
First, I'd like to thank Mari Loyal for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I have to say, it's been a hot minute where I read a book that wasn't filled with steam and I still really enjoyed the story! Like if you're a fan of Lynn Painter, you may enjoy this college sports romance as well!
Right from the beginning, you dive into this rivals to lovers story and the angst and tension between the two is so thick, I swear everyone could really see what was going on except them at times! I really loved that Mari was able to blend the hockey aspect perfectly into every day life and school since it is a college book.
Now while there isn't a ton of spice going on (the author does state this before going into the book) I will say I found there to be more emotion pulling at the heartstrings, and seriously how book boyfriend worthy Max is. I can't say much without spoiling, but he is seriously the best with how he takes care and shows Luz how he feels for her. Not to mention all of their friends and teammates around. The connection and hilarious banter they all have made me love them even more!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Faceoff and I can't wait to read book 2 in the series! This was really entertaining, a page turner, and of course all the fun aspects of a hockey romance! The emotional tugging, laugh out loud moments, and swoon-worthy romance was a great read! I'd definitely recommend grabbing this to read!
First, I'd like to thank Mari Loyal for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I have to say, it's been a hot minute where I read a book that wasn't filled with steam and I still really enjoyed the story! Like if you're a fan of Lynn Painter, you may enjoy this college sports romance as well!
Right from the beginning, you dive into this rivals to lovers story and the angst and tension between the two is so thick, I swear everyone could really see what was going on except them at times! I really loved that Mari was able to blend the hockey aspect perfectly into every day life and school since it is a college book.
Now while there isn't a ton of spice going on (the author does state this before going into the book) I will say I found there to be more emotion pulling at the heartstrings, and seriously how book boyfriend worthy Max is. I can't say much without spoiling, but he is seriously the best with how he takes care and shows Luz how he feels for her. Not to mention all of their friends and teammates around. The connection and hilarious banter they all have made me love them even more!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Faceoff and I can't wait to read book 2 in the series! This was really entertaining, a page turner, and of course all the fun aspects of a hockey romance! The emotional tugging, laugh out loud moments, and swoon-worthy romance was a great read! I'd definitely recommend grabbing this to read!
April 10, 2024
Synopsis:
Luz and Max are the captains of the same college's hockey teams, and the whole environment makes these teams dislike each other. The captains are no different, but it seems they can't stay away from each other and can't deny their attraction.
Includes:
✨Rivals to More
✨Hockey Captains
✨College Romance
✨Nicknames
✨Latin / Italian Cultures
✨Cinnamon Roll Hero
✨Off-Limits
🌶️Heat Level:
Just (Hot) Kisses
Make Out Sessions
Mild Language
Innuendo
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥🔥🔥
My opinion:
This is a great debut sports romance. The chemistry is on point, the personalities are strong and the cultures are well represented. I love me some golden retriever hero with a spunky heroine. Their backstories were displayed in a good way and the entire book made sense and felt good to read. If you like a hot (but not spicy) sports romance, I recommend this one.
TW:
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
Luz and Max are the captains of the same college's hockey teams, and the whole environment makes these teams dislike each other. The captains are no different, but it seems they can't stay away from each other and can't deny their attraction.
Includes:
✨Rivals to More
✨Hockey Captains
✨College Romance
✨Nicknames
✨Latin / Italian Cultures
✨Cinnamon Roll Hero
✨Off-Limits
🌶️Heat Level:
Just (Hot) Kisses
Make Out Sessions
Mild Language
Innuendo
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥🔥🔥
My opinion:
This is a great debut sports romance. The chemistry is on point, the personalities are strong and the cultures are well represented. I love me some golden retriever hero with a spunky heroine. Their backstories were displayed in a good way and the entire book made sense and felt good to read. If you like a hot (but not spicy) sports romance, I recommend this one.
TW:
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
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