Face Me Off

Cessna U Hockey #2

by Kimberly Readnour

She’s the temptation I can’t escape, no matter the cost.

Maddy Grimes wants to shed her good-girl image, and somehow, I’ve become the guy to help her do it.

The problem?

She hates my guts. And who can blame her after what I did?

Her family is about to crush everything my dad and I have worked for, yet … I can’t stay away. One heated mistake turns into a pact we swear will stay secret.

But the more time I spend with Maddy, the harder it is to pretend this is just a frenemy-with-benefits fling. She’s chaos to my discipline, temptation to my control, and the one thing I want more than the future I’ve been fighting for.

When secrets unravel and loyalty is tested, I’ll have to choose: protect my family or risk everything for the girl who has the power to ruin or save me.

Falling for Maddy could cost me my dreams. Letting her go might cost me everything.

Genres: Romance, Hockey, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, New Adult, Contemporary, Slow Burn

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2025

About the author

Kimberly Readnour lives in the Midwest with her husband and a very snuggly cat.

Having a true passion for romance and HEAs, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.

Unexpected Love, book two of the Unforeseen Destiny Series, is a #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in the Medical Romance. Her series, the Bad Boys Redemption, has spent many weeks on Amazon's sports fiction bestseller list.

Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn't running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.

You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyrea...

Reviews

[Ayanna S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review ✨

Rating : 3.6 ⭐s



I absolutely loved this book , it was so good !

Tropes : frenemies to lovers
Hidden Relationship
Artist x hockey
Forbidden romance
Tutor
Highschool sweethearts
College romance

Not only did it bring the spice but it also gave everything else it needed too .

[Leah Pretty Pistolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️3🌶️

OMG I just LOVE hockey romance stories SO much and this one I just ate right up! They were enemies but they can't keep their hands off of each other and the spice is on 🔥🔥!

Due to an accident there is an ongoing lawsuit between Ryan and Madison's parents and it makes things between them extremely difficult. Ryan's not willing to let Madison's parents keep them apart and he comforts her parents, when he did this, he even won my heart❤️🫶 Madison and Ryan make it work when they realize they feelings are more than just intimate and they are in love with each other😏🥰 And with all of Ryans hard work and dedication his dreams of the NHL may come true!

This amazing book will be released on January 9th! Which happens to be my birthday as well! If you love hockey romance and enemy to lovers tropes, this book is for you!

Thank you Kimberly for having me on your ARC team 🫶❤️🥰

[Kimberly Readnour]

Coming 1-9-25

[Linda Olinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s the poor scholarship kid in high school when he meets Maddy Grimes and is immediately smitten. They become good friends. But when his dad is injured working for Maddy’s dad, everything changes! Her parents have high standards for her to meet and dating a landscaper’s son is not one of them!
Now Ryan is a hockey star at Cessna U and Maddy is a smart girl taking premed requirements.
The underlying friendship and attraction are still there. And, it soon becomes irresistible!
An a my amazing story about star crossed lovers. Beautifully written with relatable characters and some hockey hotness on the side!
Another great book by Kimberly Readnour!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face Me Off is the second college sports romance in the Cessna U Hockey series. Madison and Ryan used to be friends growing up, but when family drama got in the way that ended. Now it’s a few years later and they are both in college and unable to fight the pull between them. Madison and Ryan are forced together in physics class and that might just be exactly what they need to see what they’ve been missing all these years. Going from friends to enemies to lovers to so much more, this book is full of emotions, chemistry and finding yourself. Will Madison and Ryan be able to make this last or will their family drama get in the way once again?

College hockey romances are my favorites and I loved the first book in this series so I knew this was going to be another great one. I was hooked from the very first chapter and loved Ryan and Madison together. Their past added so much to this story and helped with the tension and chemistry between them. I really liked how this book was parallel to the first book in the series instead of happening afterwards like most romance series. The chemistry and fire in this romance was so strong and so great. It made for a great romance read that I am sad to see end. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series and recommend this to college hockey romance fans!

[Stephannie Tolitsky- Seppyreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seppy's 5-Star Review:

Madison and Ryan were friends, with each having a crush on the other. Until tragedy strikes, leaving each other heartbroken and hurt. Madison is angry with Ryan, so much so she says she hates him. What happens when these two reconnect ? Can Ryan successfully win her back?

I loved this story. There are a lot of secrets being kept between the characters that broke an almost budding relationship in high school. Now, in college, Madison is trying to reinvent herself because she is tired of not being her true self. Ryan can't get Madison out of his head and begs her to help him understand the class they have together. Ryan is also tired of being what everyone else needs and not pursuing his actual dreams. One of his dreams is to show Madison she his one and only.

I really love sports romance and this one is knocked it out of the park good . I love character development and growth among characters. I devoured this one and loved these two together. But they have to find themselves first before they can truly be together. It was a great book because I was invested in the characters and hoped for their HEA.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this amazing series, and this is Ryan and Maddy’s story.
Ryan and Maddy were friends growing up, until they were torn apart by family, drama. Now a few years later they are both at Cessna U, where Ryan is a hockey star, and when they cross paths, the sparks fly.
This is a well written story which has family dynamics, friendships, emotions, frenemies / lovers, challenges, temptation, drama, challenges, engaging and realistic characters, secrets, loyalty, tension, forbidden romance, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, heartfelt, and compelling addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I haven’t read the first book in this series, but I can definitely say that this story does read as a stand-alone. At no time was I left scratching my head wondering what I might have missed, in fact, Kimberly reveals enough about book one that everything slots into its place nicely but still doesn’t detract from Maddy & Ryan’s story in any way.
These two have a troubled past, and I really felt for both of them because it wasn’t about them but rather their families. But as the story progresses, I was beside myself in happiness that they decided to put their budding relationship first. It is not smooth sailing, but being each other’s biggest supporter made this story the incredible read it ended up being for me.
By the time I finished the book, I was in two minds. I had a smile on my face from what I had just read, and a bit of disappointment as well because I just wanted it to keep going and going.

[Inês Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Well I liked the book but I’m a little disappointed. In book 1 Ryan and Maddy are described as enemies who hate each other but that’s not what happened here. Maddy was hurt because Ryan mistreated her in their high school years and that was it. Their chemistry was really god and they were very cute together but I was expecting a little more groveling from him, they got together really fast so the supposed hate they had didn’t really existed. Overall, it was a cute story.

[FireSerene Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan and Maddy's undeniable chemistry leads to a secret pact that challenges their personal goals and family responsibilities. A slow-burning romance that ignites from the start, showcasing layered characters as they navigate the challenges.

[Allegra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️

My first Kimberly Readnour book and I did determine that this can be an interconnected standalone and book 1 doesn’t HAVE to be read first.

I always like a good forbidden romance and that’s what this book is.Ryan and Maddy knew each other in high school. Her dad warned him off, he listened and apparently to her that meant he betrayed her. She “hated” him since, but she really never hated him and he never hated her. He needs help with a class and after hearing she needs “lessons”, he offers a deal that lasts a very short time before they develop feelings.

- I liked that Ryan was willing to act on his attraction after their high school days of one sided “hatred”. He wanted to be with Maddy, not just have a physical relationship.
- I liked that Maddy wasn’t a typical rich girl. She could have been less of a people pleaser to everyone and more of one with Ryan when it was warranted.
- The spicy scenes were just spicy enough but at times seemed out of place. More college kids being college kids. That being said, it is a college romance so it makes sense.
- The side characters were ridiculous and added a little extra humour into the story.

- Maddy is tired of trying to gain her parents’ approval. She doesn’t want to be a dentist she wants to be an artist. All it takes is 1 legit conversation and proof, and her parents completely change their opinion.
- Her dad forbade her from being with Ryan. He is beneath them. Again, all it took was one face to face conversation and they completely changed their opinion.
- Ryan can’t pursue hockey because he needs a stable future. No one told him that, he just decided it. In reality, it was dumb because he can continue school and wait to see if he gets drafted.
- I also am not sure how I feel about the nickname Ryan called Maddy. Toots isn’t something I would think is cute for college guy would call his girlfriend. I would have been happier with Babe or even just Mads 🤷🏼‍♀️
- Misuse of sports terminology is a big pet peeve. Hockey has Periods not Quarters.

All in all, if you are looking for an easy read with spice, you got it. It is predictable and doesn’t have much by way of adversity, but it was still enjoyable.

Tropes:
College Hockey Romance
Frenemies With Benefits to Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Secret Relationship
Poor Boy vs Rich Girl
Mutual Longing

Thank you Kimberly and Valentine PR for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.

[Liz Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
Face Me Off by kimberly-readnour
5⭐ / 3🔥🌶

I am brand new to kimberly-readnour but I am officially a new fan. I love hockey romance. I love college romance. I love forbidden romance. And I love a dirty talking MMC. This had it all.

Ryan and Madison used to be really close, best friends crushing on each other. But on the same day that Ryan planned to ask Maddie to be his date to prom, Maddy’s pompous jerk of a Dad warns Ryan that he needs to stay away from Maddy because he’s not good enough for her. Just as Ryan goes to argue or even continue with his plan, his dad (an employee of Maddy’s Dad) is injured on the property). Now several years later while attending college, Maddy and Ryan are face to face again. She hates him because he hurt back in HS and hates that her parents are forcing her to be a dentist. Ryan is a star hockey player on his college team, but in order to stay eligible and get into PT school he will need Maddy’s help to study. After a frenemies with benefits pact is made, real feelings start to resurface… There’s just one problem, his dad is in a lawsuit with her dad.

When push comes to shove, love wins. They fall hard and fast, him especially. She’s fighting her parents to pursue what she wants most, art. Ryan supports her, she supports him. They finally can’t keep it a secret anymore and when truths are revealed…. Well you just need to read it to find out how good it truly gets!

kimberly-readnour nails the emotions, the turmoil, the heartbreak, the chemistry and spice perfectly. I loved everything about this book and barely put it down! This story is the perfect face off for the Cessna U Hockey Series continuation. I cannot wait to go back and read book 1 and I cannot wait for book 3.

I highly recommend you add this book to your TBR today!!!! Thank you kimberly-readnour and @valentine_pr_ for my ARC.

#arc #arcreview #arcreader #angrycatreads #angrycatreviews #kimberlyreadnour #cessnauhockeyseries #cuhockeybook2 #frenemiestolovers #hockeyromance #hefallsfirst #spiceycollegeromance

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deke Me was the first of Readnour’s books that I’ve read and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Face Me Off takes place about the same time frame with related characters. And while you don’t HAVE to have read the first book there were a few moments that would make a bit more sense afterward – only because both Maddy & Ryan are friends with Amanda & Blake so some of their romance is mentioned here.

I felt like this one has a bit more steam than the previous one – I mean it does start as a “with benefits” situation so you gotta have those bennies, right? But I still loved the characters. Both are struggling with balancing what they want against the expectations of others. They also have some history together that has left them with hurt feelings and baggage. It’s a nice little Romeo & Juliet story – with a better ending, of course.

I did have some issues tho. While Readnour gives us some delightful characters, and I found Ryan’s cheekiness and confidence appealing, if I had to hear about the size of his package one more time …. it wasn’t even him! Yes, honey, I’m thrilled for you. There was also some overuse of metaphors and similes. It can make the writing interesting but if there are so many that I notice how often “like” and “as” are used then it might be a bit much.

These are nitpicky things but the one that I think needed a bit more development were Maddy’s parents. Are they caring parents that just didn’t understand their daughter? Were they looking out for the family and doing what they thought was best for everyone? Are they rich aholes? I wanted to understand them but I just never could get a good feel for them and in this case it’s really important.

But Readnour’s writing is smooth, her books move quickly, and are easy to read. Her characters are interesting, fun, and have a conflict that may be somewhat predictable but it isn’t heavy handed or overdone. Based on these two books I am definitely going to keep an eye out on the next one in this series and will be adding some of the others to my TBR pile.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re the one thing I want but shouldn’t have.”

Face Me Off was a sweetly emotional, second chance, enemies to lovers story with two characters that pushed and challenged each other to follow their dreams. Maddy and Ryan had complicated and hurtful past, but after an unexpected encounter at a party, they are unable to resist each other when they find themselves being study partners. What develops is a complex story of being true to yourself when others want you to follow their dreams instead of your own.

“She’s the reason I push myself on the ice and strive to be a better man. My love for her only makes me stronger, both as player and as a person.”

Maddy was snarky and feisty, but she felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to live up to what her family wanted. She longs to follow her own path and to create what makes her happy, but it’s not until Ryan helps her see that she needs to live for herself that she begins to take control of her own life.

“We’re both stuck between what we want and what we’re supposed to do, trapped by expectations and duty.”

Ryan felt the same deep sense of responsibility as Maddy and is trying to be practical about his life choices rather than following his dreams. Maddy pushes him and challenges him to look at life in a different way.

“I want her to know that she is worth the risk. That I’m worth the risk.”

The banter and chemistry between Ryan and Maddy was electric and I loved how they communicated with one another. They took time to listen and be vulnerable even when it hurt. Both characters grew so much throughout the story. Face Me Off was a beautiful story of healing, self-growth and awareness and so much love.

[Jill Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This is book 2 in the series.)
When Maddy returns home during Spring-break from CU, she runs into Ryan Sorensen at a party. They’d been best friends throughout highschool but Ryan had hurt her. She now considers him her nemesis, but when things get heated between them, she knows afterwards they’d made a mistake, and runs. He’s a hockey, player with a reputation.
He’d also become good friends with her roommate and best friend Amanda at CU. They’d always managed to keep it separate. Amanda had become her family.
Maddy has a strained relationship with her beyond strict parents, having to follow their plan and not her dream.
Ryan has adored Maddy for years. A misunderstanding broke them but now he could put things right. He needs a study partner in physics and Maddy could help. He didn’t just need to keep his grade up for his Hockey Scholarship, he was studying to be a physicist therapist. Hockey’s his dream but life happened.
As the frenemies grow even closer, things get more complicated. Their families have been at odds for years. No one can know.
They have to keep things between them secret…
This was a thoroughly enjoyable frenemies-with-benefits read. Maddy and Ryan’s chemistry is electric, and things get serious fast. Their complicated history has them believing in each other, but can they believe in themselves. Superb.

Blake and Amanda’s story came first. The books are interwoven with events correlating, but I’d begun with book 2 and it wasn’t to the detriment of this story.
I have since started reading book 1 and it flushes this story out really well. Neither way is wrong.

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #2 in the Cessna U Hockey series by Kimberly Readnour and was an enjoyable read for me.
The Face Me Off story focuses on Maddy and Ryan who have a complicated past due to an incident involving their parents, causing a bit of a rift between the pair. After a steamy encounter at a party in the summer, they find themselves sharing a class on returning to college and make an agreement to help each other out.

You can see from the start that Ryan has it bad for Maddy and pretty much always has, even though Maddy try’s to forget about the encounter they shared, the pull between them is undeniably strong and the terms of their agreement quickly begins to change.

This story takes you on a journey where both Maddy and Ryan struggle with following parent expectations and responsibilities, causing them to push their own dreams aside in fear of upsetting the ones they love.

I really liked the development between Maddy and Ryan, they both strive to follow their dreams throughout this story and the way they constantly pushed and encouraged each other to follow the paths in life that would make them happy, was so nice to see. The pair of them show they are really meant to be, by not only showing their vulnerabilities to each other, but by communicating and pushing through them together, helping to get them to that happily ever after.

This was the first book I have read of this series, but I still found it very easy to follow along and from the snippets we got throughout from Blake and Amanda’s story, I’m very intrigued and will be moving on to that one next.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥 Forbidden tension, red-hot chemistry, and a rivalry that could wreck everything. 🔥

He was never supposed to be the one who made her break the rules. She was never supposed to be the one to tempt him off his path. But Maddy Grimes wants to shed her good-girl image, and he’s the bad-boy hockey player whose every move threatens to bring his family’s empire to its knees. One steamy mistake and a pact sealed in secret is all it takes to blur the lines between enemies and something so much more.

Why You’ll Love It:
• Enemies-to-Lovers Fire: It’s all sparks, snark, and stolen moments behind closed doors.
• Forbidden Temptation: Family loyalty, future dreams, and the cost of desire clash in every sizzling scene.
• Hockey Heat: Step into the high-stakes world of Cessna U’s hockey elite, where goals aren’t just scored on the ice.
• Deep Emotional Pull: Beneath the grudge and the banter is a connection that might just be worth risking everything.

As loyalties falter and secrets threaten to explode, will he choose protecting his family’s legacy or following his heart straight into Maddy’s arms? With lives and futures on the line, Face Me Off delivers a rollercoaster of angst, passion, and exhilarating romance that you won’t be able to put down.

#SportsRomance #HockeyRomance #EnemiesToLovers #ForbiddenLove #FamilyDrama #NewAdultRomance #SpicyReads #KimberlyReadnour #CessnaUHockey #MustRead #BookTok #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #TBRAlert

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face Me Off ( Cessna U Hockey Series Book 2 ) perfection absolute perfection, a emotional rollercoaster that sucks you right in from the very first page , keeps you up reading well into the early morning hours and without a doubt leaves you craving so much more . I’m such a sucker for a great hockey / sports romance and I have to say this is one of the best series I’ve read in such a long time . And we’re only on book 2 . There really are no perfect words to express how much I absolutely adored both Ryan and Madison’s characters. Ryan is a college hockey player whose biggest dream is to make the NHL . Madison is in college pursuing a major she hates and one her parents think is best for her . Her passion and dream is to be an artist . These two have a history together, they were friends until something happened that fractured that friendship. Fate definitely has plans for them though because unexpected circumstances bring them back together and phew was the chemistry still there . All the angst , the humor , the witty banter, the secrets, the drama , the heartbreaking and heartfelt moments, the family and friendships, the second chances, I really was not prepared for all the emotions I ended up feeling, the way their story pulled at all my heartstrings, the moments I smiled, laughed, cried , and yes even yelled outta pure frustration all while cheering so freaking hard . Face Ms Off is a must read
2 minutes ago

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy and Ryan's story has some underlying drama, a lawsuit between their parents, and a general socioeconomic divide that casts a long shadow over their relationship throughout the book, but if you're looking for a sexy, fun, light-hearted read, then this delivers in spades.
They're college kids, almost buckling under the weight of parental expectations, and while we get to see them struggle with those expectations, we also see them strive for their dreams throughout the course of the story.
We get good interactions from secondary characters within the hockey team, especially Amanda and Blake from Deke Me, but as previously noted, the drama comes from their interactions with the parents.
Their past high school experiences starts them out as frenemies when we meet them here at University, but Ryan has always had it bad for Maddy and it's fulfilling watching their relationship develop.
They are engaging characters with great dialogue, it's witty, light and fun, and will make you laugh at times, their chemistry is undeniable and together they create heat that scorches the pages.
I found this to be a really enjoyable read which has me looking forward to more from this author.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie Grimes is a good girl,but she longs to have more , a whirl. His pact with her ,after a heated error , his frenemy has a way of setting him into a frenzy with heat. It’s hard to resist her , to stay away. It’s sweet. . They’re frenemies with benefits .its so exquisite. But whose side is he on anyway , when loyalties are called upon? When it comes to the fray. She’s the one ,he’s sure of that ,what of the pact? The more time in arms succumbing to her charms he’s in awe in fact as well as a score ,she’s the cure for his ails. But that means his loyalty to family fails…Madison and Ryan used to be friends before a family falling out saw it’s bitter end ,but years later in college they’re stuck together for physics and their chemistry cannot be ignored ,it’s past pretend. It’s positively screaming to be explored! Face Me Off , brings the heat and what a story,Phew it’s great! I applaud Kimberly Readnour. I loved it any rate. You can be sure of that . It’s very well written I can tell you , of these awesome characters ? Phew 😮‍💨 Smitten ! They’re neat especially when they bring the heat. The storytelling is good as I knew it would be ,this fine author can sell anything to me . Her writing is awesome and has visionary.

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not open this book up in a public place like a orthodontist office where people can see what you are reading..you know like I did. This book starts out with a bang and I mean that literally! Ryan and Maddy have that much of a connection and it helps that they have been crushing on each other since high school.
Maddy is the only child and her parents want only the best for her. She's going to school for something she wanted when she was younger but it doesn't make her happy anymore. Art is her passion now and well Ryan as well.
Ryan is in a bad spot, his dad got hurt and isn't able to work, he wants him to stay away from Maddy and focus on hockey plus his studies. Maddy's family is the reason he's hurt.
This book is truly finding your passion, proving it's worth everything and then showing those who don't believe in you, that this is what you want in life. That includes relationship. They have to hide throughout most of this book, which hurt because they were so cute together!!
This book was so so good though!! I haven't read book 1 yet but you really don't need to, to love Ryan and Maddy's story!!

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan is a college hockey player with NHL dreams, but his father was injured in an accident and he feels responsible in taking care of his family. Madison is in college, with a major that she hates, but feels guilty for not doing what her parents want her to do. Her dream is to be an artist.

Ryan and Madison have a past, were friends, until the accident with Ryan's father and the drama between their two families. Ryan and Madison have great chemistry, she understands him, and they cheer for each other. These two characters grow together, have undeniable chemistry, and are willing to fight for each other despite the demands from their parents. I could not believe the comments that Madison's parents made to her about her dream and even her best friend. I love the strength that Madison had to not only submit artwork to a contest that relayed her deep pain. This allowed her to be true to herself no matter how hard it is. I am loving this series and I cannot wait to see more from this series.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Kimberly Readnour and Valentine PR.

[Sarah (lou_reads_romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Blake and Amanda’s fake dating storyline in the first in this series….this time we meet both their best friends..Ryan and Madison properly as they attempt to pretend they are enemies and enter into an arrangement….a trading skills arrangement!
I did enjoy these two, their families have a rather horrible history and the fallout is still causing problems for Ryan and his father. So their ‘friendship’ is not something they can easily announce…their sneaking around builds a better bond between them as they both navigate their futures while trying to please everyone else’s expectations!

I’m not sure there was as much depth with these two as I felt with the first couple and the whole careers path problem did kind of resolve quickly….Madisons parents are certainly not the best….! However, I loved Ryan and his banter….he had the measure of Maddy and treated her exactly as she needed to be!

An enjoyable visit with these hockey guys and I’m excited to find out how the next player is going to be blindsided…..

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic hockey romance! With an intensity that matches the frustration and risk of a secret romance, a relentless need and drive to make it work, and a freedom, support, and trust that Ryan and Maddy only find with each other, it tugs a few heart strings, lays it all on the line, delivers some seriously big heat, and worms its way right into your heart.
Loved that this read is never really a question of if Maddy and Ryan want to be together, it’s how they can get past all the obstacles and life changing consequences in their path to make it work and what they’re comfortable with giving up. It builds the frustration and how much it affects these two so well and totally brings it home and cements how much you love them when it all snaps, battle lines are drawn, and they take a stand for each other. Just a read full of comfort, support, and a really great love story where fighting for each other means finally fighting for yourself and it’s amazing.

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artist at heart Maddy is the wealthy girl to Ryan’s position as the landscaper’s son, yet they were besties in childhood, until an accident changed Ryan’s father forever. A cruelly blunt, scheming admonition by Maddy’s father to Ryan tore apart he and Maddy as prom approached.

Now both college students, and Ryan a student athlete, they’re back in each others’ orbit for the summer where they’re chummy in a whole new way. Some misunderstandings have them sniping at each other every chance they get, and despite their explosive chemistry they’re in complete denial about their true feelings.

This was what I’d label spicy YA: the interactions between Maddy and Ryan read very young - undoubtedly because they are - however their actions are anything but childlike.

I received an advance reader copy from Valentine PR, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Ashley Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Face me off
This was a spicy, second chance, friends to lovers, forbidden love romance. Ryan and Maddy were very close in high school until her dad causes an accident that changes his dad’s life forever. They were forced apart and into career paths that neither of them really want. What happens when these frienemies with benefits catch real feelings, and can they ever tell their family the dreams they really have. Will they support them or loose each other forever.
Four star read his was a spicy, second chance, friends to lovers, forbidden love romance. Ryan and Maddy were very close in high school until her dad caused an accident that changed his dad’s life forever. They were forced apart and into career paths that neither of them wanted. What happens when these frienemies with benefits catch real feelings, and can they ever tell their family the dreams they have? Will they support them or lose each other forever?

[Cori Hamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The banter and chemistry was hot from the very beginning with these two. You could definitely feel the desire they had for each other, even when they were fighting it tooth and nail.

Maddy and Ryan are both struggling with pleasing their family, even when it’s not what they want. As their relationship developed, they were able to figure out how to stand up to their parents and fight for what they want. The vulnerability these two showed with each other was beautiful.

While we got Ryan and Maddy’s story, Amanda and Blake had their fake relationship story as well. I loved seeing the tidbits of their story and am excited to read their book.

Favorite Quote:

“And what about now?” Do you still…”
“Do I still what?” Ryan’s gaze finds mine again.
“Do you still watch me?”
“Every chance I get. Every damn chance.”

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book thatI have read by this author, but it won’t be the last.
Even though this is the second book in the series, not reading the first book did not impact my enjoyment of reading this book.
I loved both of the main characters, Maddy and Ryan. Maddy is a contradiction which makes her an interesting character. She is feisty to her friends and especially with Ryan, but is subservient to her parents. This gives an interesting dynamic and also put me through an emotional rollercoaster when reading her story. I loved Ryan as he is determined personally and professionally and absolutely adores Maddy.
This is such a good read and is filled with such interesting characters. There are many emotional ups and downs that kept me hooked from the first page.
I will be circling back to read the first book in the series!

[Christina Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book! The struggle to free themselves from their parents strong influences on them and be who and what they want to be! It’s very well written. You can feel their struggle with being true to themselves and trying to not disappoint their parents. It gives a modern day Romeo and Juliet vibe with a HEA

Maddie is an artist in school for dentistry. Her parents are wealthy and extremely over barring. She’s loved Ryan for years and with the lawsuit between their families, she must stay away. He is the enemy.

Ryan is a hockey player hoping to go pro while also taking classes to be a physical therapist. He’s main concern is taking care of his father and getting Maddie back. He’s loved since he first saw her and will not let their parents keep them apart

I gave FaceTime Me Off 4 Stars 3.5 Spice
The spice was spicin

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy was raised in an affluent family and has always done what was expected of her. She is hoping that college will be her opportunity to follow her own dreams and become the woman she wants rather than the woman others want her to be. She knows that she should keep her distance from Ryan because of their pasts but her heart doesn’t agree.

Ryan’s upbringing was very different from Maddy’s and he feels the expectation from his father as well. Their families share a tumultuous past which makes the relationship and feelings that Maddy and Ryan complicated but some things are meant to be.

Ryan and Maddy see each other for who they are and are there for each other as they pursue what will truly make each other happy which includes each other.