What do you think?
Rate this book
Toronto Blaze #2
Playmaker
Cooper
I grew up in a family of wealthy lawyers. As a result, I hate lawyers, and my mega successful career as a hockey player is about as far away from them as I could get. Despite the money and awards, as far as they’re concerned, I’m still the black sheep.
I need an impressive date for my sister’s wedding. The tax lawyer with the ugly dress, being sneered at by an asshole who’s a clone of my brother, would be perfect. In return, I can show her how to navigate the country club he’s taunting her about. She’s suspicious but I talk her into it.
Over the summer of golf lessons, I get to know the woman beneath the prickles. Other than my family, she’s the only one who sees past my surface layers. Unlike them, she connects with me like no one else ever has. But when feelings develop, she runs. I’m fast on the ice, but I might not be able to catch her.
I grew up in a family of wealthy lawyers. As a result, I hate lawyers, and my mega successful career as a hockey player is about as far away from them as I could get. Despite the money and awards, as far as they’re concerned, I’m still the black sheep.
I need an impressive date for my sister’s wedding. The tax lawyer with the ugly dress, being sneered at by an asshole who’s a clone of my brother, would be perfect. In return, I can show her how to navigate the country club he’s taunting her about. She’s suspicious but I talk her into it.
Over the summer of golf lessons, I get to know the woman beneath the prickles. Other than my family, she’s the only one who sees past my surface layers. Unlike them, she connects with me like no one else ever has. But when feelings develop, she runs. I’m fast on the ice, but I might not be able to catch her.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
12 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Kim Findlay
40 books481 followersKim Findlay left Canada on a sailboat and spent five years cruising the Caribbean with her husband and the world's cutest dog. After two years on the island of Saint Martin, She's on her next adventure living in France! Bucket list accomplished!
She's now working on the fifth book of the Toronto Blaze series, which includes some characters from Halftime. She's also starting on a series set in France. Join her newsletter to keep up!
She's now working on the fifth book of the Toronto Blaze series, which includes some characters from Halftime. She's also starting on a series set in France. Join her newsletter to keep up!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 31, 2024
Sports romance novels are my absolute favorite books to read, but when that sport so happens to be ice hockey, I’m halfway in love with it before even reading the first word.
Cooper and Callie’s story had me invested right from the beginning. These two are total opposites, and to begin with their coming together as a “couple” was almost clinical in a business type of relationship.
But as this is a romance novel, I knew that they weren’t going to continue this way. When their relationship started to change, it was everything I was hoping it would be. They may be total opposites but together as a couple they couldn’t be any stronger.
But without giving too much away, that third act breakup almost destroyed me. At this point I honestly thought Kim had done me dirty. Well, I should have had more faith because the ending just made this book even better.
Cooper and Callie’s story had me invested right from the beginning. These two are total opposites, and to begin with their coming together as a “couple” was almost clinical in a business type of relationship.
But as this is a romance novel, I knew that they weren’t going to continue this way. When their relationship started to change, it was everything I was hoping it would be. They may be total opposites but together as a couple they couldn’t be any stronger.
But without giving too much away, that third act breakup almost destroyed me. At this point I honestly thought Kim had done me dirty. Well, I should have had more faith because the ending just made this book even better.
May 31, 2024
ARC Review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Playmaker is the second book in the Toronto Blaze series and features Whittaker Cooper (aka Cooper) and Calliope ‘Callie’ Smith.
After overhearing Callie’s coworker giving her a hard time about bidding on golf lessons at a charity event, Cooper offers to give her lessons at the country club that he’s a member at, in exchange for a wedding date to his sisters wedding.
Callie reluctantly agrees because she wants to impress the partners at her law firm hoping one day she would also make partner.
The two begin lessons and Cooper also helps her learn the proper etiquette for the club house. The two begin spending more and more time together but remain just friends.
That is until they travel for Coopers sisters wedding. Coopers family considers him the failure of the family despite him being a star hockey player with a number of endorsement contracts with mega companies.
After witnessing how Coopers family treats him, Callie suggests they hook up. What happens when more then friendly feelings come to light, can Cooper and Callie make promises to each other or will one of them go running ?
I couldn’t wait for Coopers book, and Kim did not disappoint! I LOVED this book so so much! I felt such a connection to Callie and thought she was such a well rounded character. Cooper was utter protection as I suspected he would be.
Thank you Kim for the ARC, I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Blaze series! While this is book 2 in the series it can be read as a standalone but some of the side characters are introduced in the first! Do yourself a favour and grab this one soon!
Playmaker is the second book in the Toronto Blaze series and features Whittaker Cooper (aka Cooper) and Calliope ‘Callie’ Smith.
After overhearing Callie’s coworker giving her a hard time about bidding on golf lessons at a charity event, Cooper offers to give her lessons at the country club that he’s a member at, in exchange for a wedding date to his sisters wedding.
Callie reluctantly agrees because she wants to impress the partners at her law firm hoping one day she would also make partner.
The two begin lessons and Cooper also helps her learn the proper etiquette for the club house. The two begin spending more and more time together but remain just friends.
That is until they travel for Coopers sisters wedding. Coopers family considers him the failure of the family despite him being a star hockey player with a number of endorsement contracts with mega companies.
After witnessing how Coopers family treats him, Callie suggests they hook up. What happens when more then friendly feelings come to light, can Cooper and Callie make promises to each other or will one of them go running ?
I couldn’t wait for Coopers book, and Kim did not disappoint! I LOVED this book so so much! I felt such a connection to Callie and thought she was such a well rounded character. Cooper was utter protection as I suspected he would be.
Thank you Kim for the ARC, I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Blaze series! While this is book 2 in the series it can be read as a standalone but some of the side characters are introduced in the first! Do yourself a favour and grab this one soon!
June 3, 2024
Callie & Cooper were easy to fall in love with. My absolute adoration came from his smart use of his ad placements. I laughed out loud and totally related to that feeling. Callie was so focused on not being where she came from I was so enamored with her dedication to success.
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.
Read
May 31, 2024One of my hockey romance edits, available now!
http://editsbykristi.com/playmaker
http://editsbykristi.com/playmaker
May 14, 2024
I enjoyed this book! It had me hooked from the start and I finished it in one day! Callie comes from a rougher background cause for her to lack trust in people and while Cooper came from a life of privilege, it also has its own hardships. I love the banter between Callie and Cooper and how they understand each other while still being so different. I was provided with an ARC for an honest review.
February 22, 2025
*4.5 stars
June 4, 2024
Callie is a tax lawyer trying to make partner at her law firm but she grew up in a foster home and while she has the smarts she just doesn’t have the socializing/country club type etiquette down that the law firm will expect of a partner. A competing coworker harasses her at a charity function where one of the hockey players, Toronto Blaze team captain Cooper overhears. He steps in offering golf and etiquette lessons for returning a favor of attending his sister’s wedding as his plus one. Callie doesn’t understand why when he is very attractive but finds out he comes from a family of lawyers that look down on his hockey career but also that he doesn’t want to take someone that is looking for more and being his date to a wedding often makes females think there is more on the plate.
The two make a deal and get to work on making over Callie’s wardrobe first and then work on her golf game. Callie struggles as she really doesn’t want to be in the spot light but Cooper works with her to understand that in the lawyer world appearance is often the first step. I loved that she was the grumpy one to start and he was the sunshine type but also that she became very protective of him when the wedding finally rolled around. I also really enjoyed that they had a support system in their select friends like roommate/best guy friend Darcy for Callie and the hockey team plus Hunter/Faith for Cooper and how they were rooting for them in the end. And I absolutely loved that Hunter and Faith’s little girl Hailey loved Cooper and announced she was going to marry her godfather “Kook” and didn’t like Callie because the toddler was jealous…she could see what was happening before the adults did! Great backstory, characters and story line along with a ton of spice and this book hit it all for me!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The two make a deal and get to work on making over Callie’s wardrobe first and then work on her golf game. Callie struggles as she really doesn’t want to be in the spot light but Cooper works with her to understand that in the lawyer world appearance is often the first step. I loved that she was the grumpy one to start and he was the sunshine type but also that she became very protective of him when the wedding finally rolled around. I also really enjoyed that they had a support system in their select friends like roommate/best guy friend Darcy for Callie and the hockey team plus Hunter/Faith for Cooper and how they were rooting for them in the end. And I absolutely loved that Hunter and Faith’s little girl Hailey loved Cooper and announced she was going to marry her godfather “Kook” and didn’t like Callie because the toddler was jealous…she could see what was happening before the adults did! Great backstory, characters and story line along with a ton of spice and this book hit it all for me!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2024
This is Book 2 in the Toronto Blaze series and can be read as a standalone. This is the story of Callie, a tax lawyer with minimal fashion sense, and Cooper, a professional hockey player who is all about fashion and looking “the part.”
Callie wants to make partner and is attending a charity event with her firm. She is nervous, wants to make a good impression and, unfortunately, is wearing a dress the does not fit and is hideous. Cooper is also at this event and is obsessed with the ugliness of the dress.
There is a silent auction and Callie bids on gold lessons as she was invited by the partners to participate in a golf tournament. Cooper sees her bid and after talking with her offers her a deal. He will teach her to play golf if she will be his plus one to sister’s wedding. He needs to bring home a “respectable” girl home to his family of lawyers. What would be more respectable than bringing home a tax lawyer?
Callie is an FMC with walls built around her and she states she firmly does not do relationships or love. I loved her. I also wanted to kick several characters, including the MMC, for not realizing the hurt they were causing when they commented on her clothes. As a reader, you fully understood why she dressed to be unnoticeable.
I did enjoy how Callie and Cooper slowly and much to their surprise became friends. The spice in the book did not occur until the last quarter of the book.
Yes, there is a 3rd act break up, but the HEA is worth it. If you like sweet hockey romances with a side of spice and relatable characters, this is one you need to read.
Callie wants to make partner and is attending a charity event with her firm. She is nervous, wants to make a good impression and, unfortunately, is wearing a dress the does not fit and is hideous. Cooper is also at this event and is obsessed with the ugliness of the dress.
There is a silent auction and Callie bids on gold lessons as she was invited by the partners to participate in a golf tournament. Cooper sees her bid and after talking with her offers her a deal. He will teach her to play golf if she will be his plus one to sister’s wedding. He needs to bring home a “respectable” girl home to his family of lawyers. What would be more respectable than bringing home a tax lawyer?
Callie is an FMC with walls built around her and she states she firmly does not do relationships or love. I loved her. I also wanted to kick several characters, including the MMC, for not realizing the hurt they were causing when they commented on her clothes. As a reader, you fully understood why she dressed to be unnoticeable.
I did enjoy how Callie and Cooper slowly and much to their surprise became friends. The spice in the book did not occur until the last quarter of the book.
Yes, there is a 3rd act break up, but the HEA is worth it. If you like sweet hockey romances with a side of spice and relatable characters, this is one you need to read.
June 13, 2024
great follow up for the series!
cooper is the captain of the toronto blaze ice hockey team. callie is a tax attorney with a very prestigious firm in toronto. they meet at a charity function. cooper introduces himself after he overhears another lawyer speaking down to callie. he knows the type. he offers to help her - golf lessons in exchange for being his friend-date to his sister's wedding. in hopes of not embarrassing herself at the firm's golf tournament, or at the country club hosting it, she accepts.
cooper comes from a wealthy family of lawyers, all of whom look down on him and his career choice, even though he's more successful than any of them are. they think he's just a dumb jock. so he figures that callie is exactly the type of person they would never expect to see him with. they're total opposites.
but as they spend their summer sundays on the fairways, they let down their guards and show a little more of themselves than they mean to. carefully constructed walls come down, but is that enough?
callie's life has taught her that everybody leaves. she trusts the security of careful planning and becoming a partner at her firm. not some guy who she just met, no matter that he sees her like no one else does. they have nothing in common. no. she can't risk that kind of pain ever again.
can cooper make the play that will win callie's heart?
omg - the slow burn as they get to know each other as friends is just perfect! by the time they consider more, it's like a cork about to pop! so yummy!
i received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
cooper is the captain of the toronto blaze ice hockey team. callie is a tax attorney with a very prestigious firm in toronto. they meet at a charity function. cooper introduces himself after he overhears another lawyer speaking down to callie. he knows the type. he offers to help her - golf lessons in exchange for being his friend-date to his sister's wedding. in hopes of not embarrassing herself at the firm's golf tournament, or at the country club hosting it, she accepts.
cooper comes from a wealthy family of lawyers, all of whom look down on him and his career choice, even though he's more successful than any of them are. they think he's just a dumb jock. so he figures that callie is exactly the type of person they would never expect to see him with. they're total opposites.
but as they spend their summer sundays on the fairways, they let down their guards and show a little more of themselves than they mean to. carefully constructed walls come down, but is that enough?
callie's life has taught her that everybody leaves. she trusts the security of careful planning and becoming a partner at her firm. not some guy who she just met, no matter that he sees her like no one else does. they have nothing in common. no. she can't risk that kind of pain ever again.
can cooper make the play that will win callie's heart?
omg - the slow burn as they get to know each other as friends is just perfect! by the time they consider more, it's like a cork about to pop! so yummy!
i received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2024
Another score in this series! This was a very engaging story and I enjoyed it. A good second book in the series. It is a hockey romance, although it takes place during the off-season so there is not as much hockey content. The characters were engaging and a lot of fun. Both Cooper and Callie were very strong leads. Callie’s best friend Darcy was an excellent secondary character and I enjoyed the hockey team dynamics, even if their interactions were a little more limited by the timing. The romance had great build-up and intensity. Their paths crossing at a social event, it led to a deal between charming professional hockey player, Cooper and prickly tax attorney Callie. He would teach her to golf and how to fit in at the country club (“It was all about being exclusive. Setting up rules to identify and keep out anyone different. Someone like me. I needed to bluff my way through until I was a partner.”) if she would accompany him to his sister‘s wedding, helping him face down his judgemental family of lawyers. The bargain came with strings neither of them expected as feeling developed. This was complicated further by Callie’s fear of letting other people in. “I’d learned a lot of lessons in my life. And one I clung to was to rely on no one else. If I earned something, it was mine, and it was a lot harder to take it away.” This is the second book in a series, but It reads well as a standalone. There are elements included in the story that involve foster care, and family estrangement. This is a detailed open-door romance with innuendo and strong harsh language throughout.
June 2, 2024
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Cooper and Callie
Genre- Sports Romance (hockey, golf)
Length- 307 pages
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋 Very, very sensual
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- explicit erotic content, language, on-ice violence, Karens and Chads
Tropes- Adorable Moppet, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine, Makeover, Opposites Attract, Team Captain
Mewsings
I really enjoyed this book. It was never boring. Her learning to golf was a major plot line, but the story didn’t get bogged down by golf details. I liked the makeover aspect (I love reading about fashion, especially when the wearer isn’t a size zero model type). It was cool that she was the grump and he was the sunshine! And the Adorable Moppet trope had a twist- the little girl didn’t immediately adore the FMC. I liked both main characters and loved to hate the entitled Chads. Not much about it I didn’t like. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
MMC/FMC- Cooper and Callie
Genre- Sports Romance (hockey, golf)
Length- 307 pages
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋 Very, very sensual
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- explicit erotic content, language, on-ice violence, Karens and Chads
Tropes- Adorable Moppet, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine, Makeover, Opposites Attract, Team Captain
Mewsings
I really enjoyed this book. It was never boring. Her learning to golf was a major plot line, but the story didn’t get bogged down by golf details. I liked the makeover aspect (I love reading about fashion, especially when the wearer isn’t a size zero model type). It was cool that she was the grump and he was the sunshine! And the Adorable Moppet trope had a twist- the little girl didn’t immediately adore the FMC. I liked both main characters and loved to hate the entitled Chads. Not much about it I didn’t like. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2024
This was my first book by Kim Findlay. Although it is the second book of the Toronto Blaze series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. However I am curious to know more back story about Seb, Cooper's best friend, so have already started to read Book 1 (Playing to Win).
This book had so many check marks for me.... Hockey team having just lost the Stanley Cup✅ The current Stanley cup game will be played tomorrow night! While I wait to watch it on TV, I was getting my fill on my kindle with Cooper and other members of The Blaze. Sad to hear mention of my own local team not playing well, but we will be back! ✅ Callie was being instructed on her golf game by Coop, another interest of mine. ✅
Nice to have a female lead that has succeeded in life after such challenging beginnings. She struggled to trust almost everyone but her room-mate, but finally over came her fears. The spicy scenes were well done. ✅
Looking forward to the 3rd instalment which will be another member of The Blaze hockey team.
This book had so many check marks for me.... Hockey team having just lost the Stanley Cup✅ The current Stanley cup game will be played tomorrow night! While I wait to watch it on TV, I was getting my fill on my kindle with Cooper and other members of The Blaze. Sad to hear mention of my own local team not playing well, but we will be back! ✅ Callie was being instructed on her golf game by Coop, another interest of mine. ✅
Nice to have a female lead that has succeeded in life after such challenging beginnings. She struggled to trust almost everyone but her room-mate, but finally over came her fears. The spicy scenes were well done. ✅
Looking forward to the 3rd instalment which will be another member of The Blaze hockey team.
June 6, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Playmaker is the second book of the Toronto Blaze series and it does not disappoint. Cooper is the captain of the Blaze, and is coming off of the loss of the Stanley Cup. He comes from a long line of pretentious and uppity lawyers with whine he does not fit in. Callie grew up in foster care and is trying to make partner in a law firm. They meet at a charity function, and so began their plan to help each other out. This is a feel good story of two misfits working together, only to find what they need in each other. I rated this book 4.5/5, as I did not some typo’s through the book. If you love a good hockey romance, with a happy ending… give the playmaker a shot (pun intended). I can’t wait to see what Kim has in store for Josh, aka “Ducky”!
June 25, 2024
This was a fun and entertaining tale of Cooper and Callie.
Cooper is the black sheep of the family, even though he is a very successful hockey player, his family of layers look down on him. Callie comes from the wrong side of the tracks and has worked hard to prove herself in the business world, but sometimes it is more than work that gets up where you need to be.
When their worlds collide at a galla, Cooper convinces Callie to be his date to his sister's wedding and he will help her navigate the world of wealth and country clubs.
Mean girls, snobs and kisser this story takes you on a fun ride that leads to finding what they heart really wants.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cooper is the black sheep of the family, even though he is a very successful hockey player, his family of layers look down on him. Callie comes from the wrong side of the tracks and has worked hard to prove herself in the business world, but sometimes it is more than work that gets up where you need to be.
When their worlds collide at a galla, Cooper convinces Callie to be his date to his sister's wedding and he will help her navigate the world of wealth and country clubs.
Mean girls, snobs and kisser this story takes you on a fun ride that leads to finding what they heart really wants.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2024
I'm a sucker for a fake relationship trope but this one was a little different as the relationship between Cooper and Callie was more of a business arrangement with little promise of feelings. Cooper needs someone to take to his brother's wedding and since he comes from a family of lawyers that have zero respect for his hockey career, tax attorney Callie is a good choice. Meanwhile, Callie needs to learn how to golf so she can avoid being embarrased at a golf tournament later in the summer that her firm holds. So golf lessons for wedding date it is...
Neither of these two are open to a relationship as Callie comes from foster care beginnings and has worked hard to find success and has no time or desire for a partner. Cooper has been treated poorly by family and women only want him for his money and fame, so he keeps things quick and casual. You can see where this is going....time spent together starts with a friendship and grows, still they keep things platonic until the wedding when Callie recognizes the horrible way Cooper is treated by his family and offers a release. Once that door is open, there is no going back.
Of course we had the third act break up and it really was rough, but with the help of some friends and a lot of maturity, these two find their way back to each other.
Fun spin on the fake relationship!
Neither of these two are open to a relationship as Callie comes from foster care beginnings and has worked hard to find success and has no time or desire for a partner. Cooper has been treated poorly by family and women only want him for his money and fame, so he keeps things quick and casual. You can see where this is going....time spent together starts with a friendship and grows, still they keep things platonic until the wedding when Callie recognizes the horrible way Cooper is treated by his family and offers a release. Once that door is open, there is no going back.
Of course we had the third act break up and it really was rough, but with the help of some friends and a lot of maturity, these two find their way back to each other.
Fun spin on the fake relationship!
May 25, 2024
Loved it! I have read the first novel in this series and really liked it! This novel did not disappoint. I was excited to jump in and dive back into this series. From the first chapter this novel pulled me back in and held on tight. I loved Callie and Cooper. They had both come from different worlds growing up. I loved their chemistry. It was so good! I loved the dialogue and banter between them. I love when you lose track of time reading a novel, and I stayed up most of the night reading. I could not put it down because I needed to know what was coming next. I loved it! I loved watching them fall in love. I can't wait to see what this author has coming next.
June 13, 2024
This is the next book in the Toronto Blaze series, following Playing to Win. This is a feel good story of two misfits working together, only to find what they need in each other. Cooper is the captain of the Toronto Blaze ice hockey team. Callie is a tax attorney with a very prestigious firm. They're total opposites. Great backstory, characters and story line along with a ton of spice. The slow burn as they get to know each other as friends is just perfect. I loved that she was the grumpy one to start and he was the sunshine type. Great follow up for the series! I can’t wait to see what Kim has in store for Josh, aka “Ducky”!
June 4, 2024
Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes:
- Hockey Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Opposites Attract
- Reluctant Makeover
- Country Club Lessons
- Family Wedding
I enjoyed reading ‘Playmaker’, I love a good hockey romance. Playmaker is the second book in the Toronto Blaze series and it did not disappoint. I really liked the makeover part because I can seriously respect a man who just wants people to look their best.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes:
- Hockey Romance
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Opposites Attract
- Reluctant Makeover
- Country Club Lessons
- Family Wedding
I enjoyed reading ‘Playmaker’, I love a good hockey romance. Playmaker is the second book in the Toronto Blaze series and it did not disappoint. I really liked the makeover part because I can seriously respect a man who just wants people to look their best.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
April 25, 2025
Kim Findlay is a great writer! Now that that’s out of the way. I love love love Cooper from the first of Kim’s books I read. Callie is great & showing her trauma in a realistic way makes her even more real. Learning that they get along after what was a simple bargain was sweet. Their confusion when they both catch feelings came thru the pages with true pain. I look forward to reading more of this series!
June 3, 2024
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Cooper and Callie helped each other. While pretending to be in a fake relationship, they fell for each other. They are opposites but together they are whole. I'm glad they both overcame their pasts so they can be together.
June 7, 2024
Cooper and Callie had me hooked from the start !! This is my first book by Kim Findlay and I’m a definite fan!! This book has it all , witty charm and humor, spice, the emotions and so much more!! This book is a definite must read!❤️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2024
Playmaker: A Hockey Romance
Book 2 of The Toronto Blaze Series
Kim Findlay
The highs, the lows, the up and downs, back and forths, I love it all. That is how real love is. It’s messy and imperfect. Sometimes you have to fight hard for what you want. Great read.
Book 2 of The Toronto Blaze Series
Kim Findlay
The highs, the lows, the up and downs, back and forths, I love it all. That is how real love is. It’s messy and imperfect. Sometimes you have to fight hard for what you want. Great read.
May 31, 2024
Very sweet hockey romance- both main characters were nicely developed / and had their own past issues/trauma that gave them trust issues. Neither character was typical so I enjoyed watching their story unfold. Can’t wait for Ducky’s story.
January 1, 2025
It was captivating. A very fascinating read indeed. Ice Hockey and Romance is a subject matter that is a great combination.
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.
November 13, 2024
Love Cooper and Callie! Book is well written. Characters believable. Perfect amount of humor and real life.
December 23, 2024
Opzich wel grappig. Niet heel bijzonder maar de trope blijft leuk!
January 4, 2026
I’ll be honest I wasn’t to sure on this book to start with. I was intrigued but it was a real slow burn but it truly did not disappoint. I really loved both the FMC and MMC.
May 29, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so when the opportunity came along, I grabbed this one as quick as I could!
This story focuses on Cooper, the captain of the Toronto Blaze hockey team, but - not really. The team is easy to love, and I really enjoyed being back with all the characters. I really connected with Callie's desire to fit in with "the country club" elite, as she did not grow up with anything close to wealth or stability. But you know who did? Yup, you guessed it, Cooper! But as we learn throughout this read, money cannot buy happiness.
I loved the fashion guidance that both Darcy and Cooper provided Callie, (totally necessary) and her overall transformation into the person she wants to be. The relationship between Cooper and Callie is absolutely adorable and steamy, and I loved the twists and turns of their HEA journey. I am very addicted to this engaging and entertaining series, and look forward to the next installment in this series.
This story focuses on Cooper, the captain of the Toronto Blaze hockey team, but - not really. The team is easy to love, and I really enjoyed being back with all the characters. I really connected with Callie's desire to fit in with "the country club" elite, as she did not grow up with anything close to wealth or stability. But you know who did? Yup, you guessed it, Cooper! But as we learn throughout this read, money cannot buy happiness.
I loved the fashion guidance that both Darcy and Cooper provided Callie, (totally necessary) and her overall transformation into the person she wants to be. The relationship between Cooper and Callie is absolutely adorable and steamy, and I loved the twists and turns of their HEA journey. I am very addicted to this engaging and entertaining series, and look forward to the next installment in this series.
September 16, 2024
Kim Findlay's novel "Playmaker", the second book in the "Toronto Blaze" series, had me hooked from the first pages. Kim Findlay has once again done a great job, both the story and the characters are engaging. Although some of the characters may be familiar to readers from "Playing to Win", the first book in the series, "Playmaker" can be read as a standalone.
The novel's protagonists, Callie and Cooper, seem very different at first glance, yet as we move forward in the story, it becomes apparent that they have much more in common than we might first think. Callie, who works at a successful law firm, is working to become a partner at the firm, while Cooper, the captain of the Toronto Blaze, despite growing up among lawyers, has chosen hockey.
Cooper's family never really accepted that the man chose hockey over Harvard, and this tension runs throughout the story. Callie, on the other hand, who grew up in foster care, has always worked hard to achieve her goals, and in that struggle, social norms were secondary to her. But to become a partner at the law firm, these formalities are essential, and Callie is forced to learn not only to play golf, but also the rules of manners in the elite circles.
A special deal is made between the two – Cooper teaches Callie how to play golf and the unwritten rules of the elite, and in return, Callie goes with him to his sister's wedding. This deal provides a great ground for the characters to develop and get to know each other. As time passes, the two characters grow closer and closer, and despite deep wounds and traumas from their pasts, they are able to open up to each other truly.
I particularly enjoyed getting to know the captain side of Cooper as he genuinely cares for the other players. Another endearing side of Cooper's character is his friendship with Hunter and Faith and his relationship with his goddaughter, which makes him even more human.
Overall, "Playmaker" is a worthy continuation of the "Toronto Blaze" series. The two main characters, Callie and Cooper, are intelligent and interesting characters whose stories are told from dual POVs, but both are equally enjoyable reads. During their time together, the walls between them slowly break down and the two characters grow closer.
I'm looking forward to the next novel in the series and I'm sure Kim Findlay won't disappoint. If you like sport-romance novels full of emotion and deep characters, then "Playmaker" is the perfect read for you!
I received a free copy of "Playmaker" by Kim Findlay via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The novel's protagonists, Callie and Cooper, seem very different at first glance, yet as we move forward in the story, it becomes apparent that they have much more in common than we might first think. Callie, who works at a successful law firm, is working to become a partner at the firm, while Cooper, the captain of the Toronto Blaze, despite growing up among lawyers, has chosen hockey.
Cooper's family never really accepted that the man chose hockey over Harvard, and this tension runs throughout the story. Callie, on the other hand, who grew up in foster care, has always worked hard to achieve her goals, and in that struggle, social norms were secondary to her. But to become a partner at the law firm, these formalities are essential, and Callie is forced to learn not only to play golf, but also the rules of manners in the elite circles.
A special deal is made between the two – Cooper teaches Callie how to play golf and the unwritten rules of the elite, and in return, Callie goes with him to his sister's wedding. This deal provides a great ground for the characters to develop and get to know each other. As time passes, the two characters grow closer and closer, and despite deep wounds and traumas from their pasts, they are able to open up to each other truly.
I particularly enjoyed getting to know the captain side of Cooper as he genuinely cares for the other players. Another endearing side of Cooper's character is his friendship with Hunter and Faith and his relationship with his goddaughter, which makes him even more human.
Overall, "Playmaker" is a worthy continuation of the "Toronto Blaze" series. The two main characters, Callie and Cooper, are intelligent and interesting characters whose stories are told from dual POVs, but both are equally enjoyable reads. During their time together, the walls between them slowly break down and the two characters grow closer.
I'm looking forward to the next novel in the series and I'm sure Kim Findlay won't disappoint. If you like sport-romance novels full of emotion and deep characters, then "Playmaker" is the perfect read for you!
I received a free copy of "Playmaker" by Kim Findlay via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews