Vicious Game

by Marie Rae

I barely survived High School, but it taught me a valuable skill. Hiding. Blending into my surroundings like a chameleon, ensuring that I’m never on anyone’s radar again. If I tiptoe through the shadows, I’ll be able to cling to normality. It’s worked well for me so far. I excelled through college, and I’m working my dream job at a leading Publishing House in New York.

I’m happy.
As happy as a girl in the shadows can be.

Well, I was…. until the ruthless playboy of ice hockey, Cain Carter, gate-crashed my party for one. It was supposed to be a short assignment. Help our firm’s leading ghostwriter with the initial research for Cain’s autobiography. He had a tarnished reputation to restore, and I received an opportunity to climb the career ladder and make a name for myself at work. Win–Win.

I had all the best intentions in the world.
But you know what they say about good intentions…. supposedly, the road to hell is paved with them. Except, no one warned me that Cain Carter would be waiting for me at the gates, ready to drag me out of the shadows and into the flames.
But maybe for the first time in his life, he’s the one who’s bitten off more than he can chew. And I may just stand back and watch him choke.

Genres: Sports Romance, Sports, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Hockey

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2024

About the author

Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/author/mariera...

Tik Tok @marierae91

Reviews

[Emma Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A corny/cliche light read to bring things back up after a book about serial killers. Totally on par for a smut romance and it kept me hooked.

[M19arta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, but I do find it to be a romance story that only works on paper.
We have a handsome hockey player who can melt the panties of any woman (*sigh*), and then we have a heroine who just can’t say no to him because he’s so hot. Emotions play a secondary part in their relationship; it’s all about passion most times.

I liked the push and pull between Ava and Cain and some of the drama. There were plenty of steam and bedroom scenes, and they were nicely done.

I couldn’t help but think how toxic they are together at times, as well as immature, but again, the book was nicely written and so enjoyable that I was able to turn a blind eye to the rest.

I would give it 3 for the overall plot, but because I had so much fun reading it, I decided to give it 4 stars.

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

[Taylor Ablerts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grumpy sunshine hockey romance about two people learning to allow themselves to be loved again. 🏒 📕🩷

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not usually one for hockey romances but this was the perfect blend between plot and spice with a little bit of hockey thrown in. Being able to get Cain’s backstory and learning why he treats people the way he did was heartbreaking. But as he gets closer to Ava and decided to let her in the fall happened fast. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where someone’s emotions did a complete 180 in such a short amount of time. While their relationship was definitely up and down and there were times where they were semi toxic together and a little immature it all works out in the end.

[Afroditi Darzenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

My actual rating is 3,5/5.
My initial thought was that I liked Ava better than Cain, BUT one thing I really liked about him was that when he made that stupid bet, he had the balls to admit his feelings and take it back almost immediately, AND, one thing I didn't like about her (something that often happens with the female leads in romance novels really) was that even though she believed she had solid reasons to turn him down, he only had to touch/kiss her to make her putty in his hands. I hated that! So in the end I liked them the same...
All in all, it was a fun read. The only thing I'm not too happy with is the timeline -it felt a bit rushed- but that may be a me thing.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

This was an unusual story about hockey player and a junior staffer at a publishing company. There meet cute was adorable and forecaster a passionate relationship filled with lots of fun banter. The backstory for the female and male leads break your heart. Together they quiet their personal pain and replace it with love. Well done.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining ice hockey romance book that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The characters are well written with steamy chemistry together. The storyline is intriguing and dramatic as the elements unfold. I enjoyed this book.

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

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the a huge hockey romance reader, but I am definitely a lover of enemies to lover trope and this one was a perfect combination of both. MMC is the typical jock/ladies man and our FMC in a precarious situation. Pretty entertaining read overall.

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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain and Ava's story is one of enemies to lovers in this ice hockey world. They are assigned to work together, opposites who slowly bring out the best in each other. A beautifully written story.

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

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good Hockey Romance, with a story that I enjoyed. I loved the relationship and the steam was a definite plus for me! I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!.

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

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Cain

God I loved this book! I would have given it 10 stars! Cain is the sweetest, I love these enemies to lovers stories, they’re so entertaining. Don’t miss the story between Cain and Ava, it was awesome!

[Rose Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow to the end

It's definitely a slow burn, but it's worth the read. Good book. Loved the characters. New to me author did a great job of showing growth between main players. Good start to series. HEA

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. The main characters had a lot of issues to work through so was nice to see the development at the end. I loved their chemistry and playful banter.

[Evann Mckine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good!!

I enjoyed every second of this book it was equal parts steamy 🥵 and sweet 🥰 if you want a quick read highly recommend this book

[Gwendolin Eachells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

It was a prefictsnle outcome but I guess thats what we look for..
I like how we got there. A good read indeed.

[Kathy5hrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

[Allyson Tickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything you could dream of and more. It was written so beautifully and the storyline was great! Also, 100/10 for spiciness 👌🏼

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 20%. I just can't get past him being a jackass manwhore and her being such a scared little mouse. Not going to rate.

[Christopher Jos. Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring and predictable.

[sandra silliman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed this book and the characters that are in this book and how the characters had to over come

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately a dnf. I have it at an okay rating but I realized while reading this that I just really dislike most men. The writing was ok tho for the part I read!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite book this year!!! I laughed and cried and was mad, all the feelings!! I love a reformed bad boy especially one who didnt want to reform but love does things! The MFC was strong even when she didnt feel like it. Im so glad in the end she found her forever love!!! I cant say enoigh good about this story so I'll sum it up to, it was FANTASTIC!!!!!
Will for sure look for this author again!!!!.

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

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was meh. The main couple, Ava and Cain, pretty much were horny for each other from the start, it was so called love at first sight blah blah, lots of spice for those who are interested. There was really nothing special, it was boring, flat and predictable. Another thing that I found ridiculous is that Ava was interested or liking all the dudes she works with. First it was her coworker that she had a crush on and he liked her too, then she met Cain her new client which made her horny from the get go and if you think this is the end well no she's going to be hired by the new client later on who she apparently went to college with and right away he was inviting her out for drinks and more, of course she was considering it but she was into Cain still. I mean the lack of professionalism and everyone hitting on each other at work made this story even more hilarious. Writing style was not great either. This is second book by this author that received 1 star from me.

[Chronic Chihuahua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh Coward

I always find it so cowardly when a man shows up to events on the arm of another person, and presenting a unit to the world, while telling themselves they are in love with someone else.

Its a cowardly man that creates the image of something he isn't doing, just to score points and then pretend hes saving her from his choices.

Would have been nice had he learnt to stop dehumanising women but thats hollywood and corporations for you, walk around with a model for the job.

Snore.

Genuinely do not understand why she still has feelings for him in the end.

She still isn't used to his muscles.

Its like...haven't you touched them?

Oh right this is toddler love, where obsession, not inspiration, is the limit.

Would have been nice had they been somewhere different at the end instead of still playing games.