I’d never date a hockey player…or an ex’s brother. But this bad boy has me breaking all my rules.
A new dating app claims to have found my perfect weekend hookup. We can’t send pictures of our faces; anything else is open game.
So when I finally meet the dirty-talking stranger of my dreams… I nearly faint when I see it’s my brother’s supposed saint of a teammate. Michael Ferguson–the son of Houston’s most renowned pastor.
His family represents everything good, innocent, and wholesome. With the exception of his brother, who I used to date.
On paper, we couldn’t be more different. But with the mouth on this man and the way his muscles harden at my touch… Nothing stays off-limits.
I’ve seen a side of the Heatwave’s good boy that nobody knows. But his future is already written, and I can’t be in it. Until two pink lines change everything.
He’ll stop at nothing to make me his. Even if it means burning down everything he’s ever known.
Offensive Plays is a spicy brother’s teammate pro hockey romance. It’s the third book in the Houston Heatwave series and can be enjoyed as a standalone. No cheating. No love triangles. Just a whole lot of delicious forced proximity chemistry leading to a happily ever after.
Just a bunch of odd plot pieces that just didn’t work for me.
He’s her brothers hockey teammate and her former neighbor growing up. She once dated his brother when they were teens. He’s had a crush on her forever - she’s his perfect girl.
He’s from this religious family and his father is a minister. I find it odd that he’d have a pierced d and that he’d program a hookup dating app and still be religious. I just don’t think theses things match up.
I also didnt like her modeling. It seemed to be a horrible experience for her and she was already rich so she didn’t need to put herself through that.
Then the sex… some tying up and umm some daddy was slipped in there… just too much. Biggest problem she dated his brother in high school… and she got pregnant and the mother forced her to have an abortion and sign an nda. Super creepy to get pregnant to brothers - both by accident.
Accidental pregnancy but he’s happy right away - they move in together- married, baby girl - and oh she gets into the Olympics as an ice skater…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was just okay for me. I did enjoy how it was short and nothing really dragged. Golden retriever and black cat if you like that sort of trope. I love a good hockey romance and this incorporated a lot of that. The app was a cool concept but I hated the fact that he created the app. That was a weird unnecessary detail and I would have preferred if they just met by actual fate on the app. In the beginning there was an error with her username where it was incorrect and that bugged me. Like who proofread this and missed that lol. The spice was okay and was always cut short. There was a decent amount but it just really didn’t do much for me. I read this book less than 24 hours ago and read the whole thing in an afternoon and I really cannot remember probably 1/2 of the book. Wasn’t too memorable for me and I wouldn’t really recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Truthfully the story starts off a little slow for me, which made it difficult but it picks up rather quickly and immediately you will fall in love.
Butterfly aka Liberty aka Libby and StrangerDanger 23 aka Michael aka Fergie were childhood friends who eventually part ways due to a reason that only Libby and others are aware of. Michael has had a crush on Libby since they were kids and had hoped that she would choose him only for her to end up in a relationship with his older brother, Jonah. Well obviously it did not work out between Libby and Jonah. Libby, a model who had taken a break, is back in her hometown of Houston and is adjusting to her new normal. Michael plays for the local professional hockey team, the Houston Heatwaves, along with Libby's brother, Zane. The two are paired aka matched to each other on a new hook up app. Surprisingly they realize that they have more in common than they think.
Throughout the story, you see how the two's relationship develops while also learning new things about each other that they weren't aware of as children but also as adults. Secrets are revealed, tears are cried and laughter is had.
Anne Martin did an excellent job of conveying the love story of Libby and Michael but also the epilogue made it soooo much better. I fell in love with the story around the middle but the ending just wrapped it up in a bow for me.
Overall this story was well worth reading and has now peaked my interest to read the stories of everyone else in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cat’s Stats MMC/FMC- Michael (hockey player) and Libby (model) Genre- Sports Romance (hockey) Length- 34 chapters plus epilogue; 238 pages Heat- ☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️ With piercings Series? Y, and so far, the whole series is excellent Safety? Y Triggers- There are some sensitive topics, so be warned. Including past pregnancy terminating medical procedure (I don’t know if I can use the word starting with A on these sites), involuntary nudity, body shaming, borderline religious trauma. Also blackmail, language, explicit erotic content. Tropes- Childhood Friends, Secret Crush, Ex’s Brother, Love In an Elevator, Tinder Is the Night, Surprise Pregnancy, Secret Relationship, Pierced Hero, Cinnamon Roll to Alpha, FWB, Pen Pals Mewsings In basic premise, this book is like an R rated version of the movie You’ve Got Mail. With super steamy scenes and some sensitive topics. The hero is an Ultimate Book Boyfriend: he’s hot, smart, good at the zexytime, and worships the heroine. I hereby give this book 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I've read by Anne Martin and definitely won't be my last. I immediately was smitten with Fergie. He was madly in love with Libby and determined to break down her walls, no matter how much having them up made sense for her. Michael is the picture perfect boyfriend, the kind you wanna climb like a tree when he gets home after a long day on the ice (he also has the perfect ladder to climb). Libby was a little hard for me to like in the beginning but once the story progressed and I learned more about her, her attitude/behavior were more acceptable. This is one of the very few surprise baby books I have read and even though children were a touchy subject for Libby, I'm very happy about how the book ended. I'm always a sucker for a good hockey romance especially one that invovles "your brother's teammate". Overall I would rate this book at 3.8 stars, it didn't blow me away but at the same time it kept me interested and kept me scrolling.
“Are you saying you like the way I worship you, Libby?”
Michael is a professional hokey player that has a secret crush: one of his teammates sister. Libby is a model trying to get her way in the industry and at the same time is her brothers team biggest fan and supporter. They match in an app and start getting interested in each other, even though they shouldn't. So they start a friends-with-bennefits kind of relationship, that quicky escalades. They fall helplessly for one another. Libby is so independent and gives all of her to her loved ones, but at the same time need so much love and never reaches out and asks. That's where Michael comes in and starts being all she needs! He worships her in all the ways possible and impossible too. It's so amazing his dedication to her... it has me swooning a couple of times!
"One thing you need to know about me, is that I’ll always put your needs above my own” 😍🥰
The way he persues her and chases her even when she pushes him vack because she believes she is no good for him! Well.. he is wow!
Auction - Charity: a not so blind date! It’s amazing being on the internet and conversing with strangers gives one the freedom to say and do things without any collateral damage.
Michael aka Fergie - Ice Hockey star for the Houston Heatwave Libby sibling to Heatwave member but also a model in her own right, also known as ‘Butterfly’ also comes with burdens.
An NDA signed by Libby at an age where she was vulnerable by whom? Michael’s mum - the Pastors wife.
Everyone loves a sports read. Ice Hockey & NFL are generally the go to storylines. This was such a pleasure to read. There was no macho sports star to over embellish here. There was a secret though and it almost destroyed a few lives. Taking advantage of an innocent teen is hurtful. Some people love power play to their advantage.
The Heatwaves aren’t over. One can enjoy reading about the next player from the Charity Auction Date night cause.
Libby is on a dating app looking for a hookup when she meets someone that she really likes. They make plans to meet and when she goes to meet him its Michael, her ex's brother. So, she leaves before he can see her, and he thinks he has been stood up. Michale is attracted to Libby but never thinks he'll get a chance. However, now that she won him at a celebrity auction, he sees it as a chance to be with her. When they end up at her place its not before he realizes that she is the woman he has been messaging with. Michael is determined to get Libby to be his. Libby wants to be with Michael especially after they learn she's pregnant, but she knows his family will be a problem. Can Michael show her that he wants her no matter what others say or think?
This is an amazing story that once I started it I couldn't put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Offensive Play is a charming mix of childhood friends-to-lovers, second chances, and a surprise pregnancy, all wrapped in a hockey romance package. Libby and Michael were once close as kids, but time, distance, and a messy relationship with Michael’s older brother pulled them apart. Now reunited through a hookup app, sparks fly the moment they realize who’s on the other end of the screen.
Michael, the quiet “good boy” of the Heatwave team, hides a lot behind his reputation—including years of longing for Libby. Libby, a former model starting over, brings sass and vulnerability to every scene. Their relationship feels genuine as it slowly evolves from tension to trust, all while navigating complications with family, fame, and faith.
This book dives deeper into both characters’ emotional baggage while maintaining the signature banter and heat of the series. If you’re into forbidden hookups, secret crushes finally acted on, and cinnamon-roll hockey players with dirty mouths, this one scores big.
"I would burn the world down twenty times over if it meant making her mine."
"You think one night would be enough for me to get my fill of you?"
“I would never let you be the other woman, Libby. You deserve to be someone’s only.”
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Libby isnt falling for ANY guy in sports but Michael isn't giving up.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
From the start I was worried because I didn't like the fmc. She was grumpy and rude BUT we find out why she was the way she was. Then my heart broke for her. Michael was so sweet and understanding of Libby. I loved the team and Libby's family/friends. They all took such good care of each other. The plot was understandable and fun. I enjoyed this one and hockey romances are a hit or miss for me.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
• Hockey • Unexpected pregnancy • He falls first • "Good girl" • Brothers ex
Offensive Plays is book three in the Heatwave Hockey series and, in my opinion, the best one yet.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Spice Level: On page - 3 out of 5 peppers
LIKES -While there is drama, it's not as overwhelming as it was in the previous books -Realistic characters with realistic issues -Moves quickly with angst and drama that isn't drawn out
DISLIKES -I'd have liked a bit more resolution about what happened with the family after some particular information came to light close to the end
I enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend giving it a read if you enjoy hockey romance.
I'd especially recommend giving it a try if you thought the previous books were just a bit too extreme. I look forward to reading what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🏒 Ice hockey 🏒 Forced proximity 🏒 Brother’s teammate 🏒 Ex boyfriend’s brother 🏒 Childhood friends 🏒 Surprise pregnancy
So this was my first book by Anne and often diving in part way through a series can be a colossal mistake, thankfully in this case it wasn’t and the fact this story pins itself as an interconnected standalone very much stood the test of time. I was able to follow the story throughout without any issues and few attached to all of the characters we met along the way.
Indy terms of characters I much preferred Michael over Libby but that’s just personal preference, I found him a lot more engaging and easy to understand from the get go. Libby was very standoffish but it all comes to light as to why once the story progresses and then you can’t help but feel for her and everything that has happened previously.
Having now finished book three, I’m left with the same feelings I had at the end of 1 and 2, mainly…did I miss something?
Setting aside the loads of grammatical and punctuation errors, this series reads like I’m supposed to know more about the characters than I actually do. Like in Book 2, there is a whole, serious history that serves to define the characters, only for those major details getting shoved into the last 3% of the book.
I could buy that Libby is a freak in the sheets, but Fergie, I just don’t see it. Particularly his…accessories… I kept waiting for a believable explanation as to why he made that choice, but it just doesn’t come together, particularly since the book lacks the heat you’d expect from a couple that is allegedly matched on a hookup app based on their very kinky kinks. Boring, really.
Anne Martin has ramped up the heat in the third book of the Houston Heatwave series! Michael “Fergie” is a dirty-talking, pierced, sexy hockey player who realizes that his childhood crush is his perfect match. Libby is the redheaded, independent, sassy, sister of his teammate and his childhood crush. However, circumstances and something dark from Libby’s past hinders their chances of becoming a couple.
Ms. Martin includes appearances from the other smexy Heatwave hockey team members, including couples from the previous two books in the series. The sad revelation at the climax explains the reason Libby has been reluctant to form a serious relationship with anyone. I don’t reveal spoilers in my reviews and hope no one else does.
The story was entertaining and held my interest throughout the book. The characters had depth, and we are provided with a happy ending. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Libby is an aspiring model who vows to never date a hockey player. Michael is a star hockey player who has had a crush on Libby for years. They both join a dating app in hopes to find a weekend fling, little do they know the person they have been talking to each other.
Book trigger warning mention of abortion.
Oh my goodness this story is swoony worthy. Michael is all the good donimate alpha with the sweet caring vibes and Libby is sassy and a spitfire. There are so many twists and turns in this book and I didn't want to put it down. This is a couple you want to see win and thankfully they do. Happy reading!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Offensive Plays by Anne Martin I’m a fan of the Houston Heatwave series so was super excited to read this instalment… and I was not disappointed! Michael and Libby are loveable characters, drawn to each other, and not afraid to leap in. And surrounded by the rest of the team/crew, always makes for witty banter that feels authentic. The secret that Libby keeps had me guessing until it was finally revealed…. And I have some serious anger issues targeted towards a certain meddling woman! Seriously….. just why woman?! All in all, Offensive Plays is fast paced, sizzling hot and entertaining! Highly recommend if you love hockey romances, or even if you don’t. Another hit Ms Martin, *chef’s kiss* 4 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
New author to me. I love hockey romance and this was a good one. Also brothers teenage ex girlfriend that other brother loves at first sight. Libby has mental trauma and it comes out as being flighty and a crusher but she needed love and a strong man and Micheal was that. I wish it would have told a bit more about Michael’s family. I needed that closure. The spice was there but only a few descriptions the others Closed door BUT with a Jacobs ladder all needed to be out in open. The book has feels and keeps you on edge. Micheal was a swoony book bf. The HEA is good.
Every book in this series has had me yelling “your and you’re are not the same word!!!” There are also extra words and other grammatical typos. It is distracting but not so distracting to get me to DNF. I also found this storyline tortured. It needed another 80-100 pages to develop the characters enough to give a damn about any of them. Some of the sex scenes were good, but like the rest of the book, rushed and needing way more development. I had hopes based on the ratings of this series, but I can’t convince myself to read another book in this series.
Dating app conversations draw Libby and Michael together, but it turns out they have a past. Considering she is his childhood crush and he finds a mutual attraction has developed between them, he is determined not to let her go. This story was emotionally intense as more background on Libby is rebelaed later in the plot. I loved how Michael truly felt strongly about supporting her and proving their love could make them stronger.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Couldn't put it down. Dual POV, anonymous messaging trope, nerdy MMC, insecure-on-the-inside FMC. Libby is very much like her brother, broken and damaged and hiding her story. I love how Fergie coaxes her when she needs it, and helps her through her issues/traumas. He has his own family issues and never feeling good enough. Libby helps him see himself as worthy. Their journey together and to each other is so nice to see. And the way that they both knew each other and can joke with each other is so refreshing.
This is the third book in the series but it can be standalone.
FANTASTIC book. It was mind blowing of suspense and forbidden romance. It was a steamy page turner . I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. Could this chemistry and physical attraction will jeopardize his career. Was love going to the down fall for them as the find a battle line and sexual tension. I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
This book started out hot and just kept going. There were a lot of humor, secrets, surprises, and lots of steamy moments. I was very surprised by Michael and how caring he was but also took charge. He worshiped Lobby and was exactly what she needed. I also loved the banter between all the hockey players and all the house rules. A very fun and exciting read!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Offensive Plays: A Surprise Baby Hockey Romance story of Michael and Libby..They were childhood friends but when someone who doesn't want you to be a part of a family because of others wrong doing is not great..He's a hockey player,a geek and a pastor son who lonly ove one woman his friend,the woman who is wild and his brother ex..An emotional,with ups and down,entertaining,steamy,with family drama and second chances.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Libby had a rough time growing up but now she was content with her life. She wasn't looking for love but it found her. Only it came in the form of her brother's teammate and her childhood boyfriends brother, Michael Ferguson.
Only Libby did realize that Michael had always loved her. So when they made a deal, they both got more than they bargained for. A baby, a forever and lots of love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Michael and Libby were adorable. His forever love for her was evident, and it was fun watching him heal her with his love. The story left a few things undone for me, namely what happened with his mom and brother. And her topless and lingerie modeling pictures. The thing that really got me as unbelievable was in 4 years, After having a baby, she all the sudden is a professional, competing at the very tip top level.
Quick read, nicely written. I feel like I might have benefited more from reading the other books in the series first even though this is, in theory, a stand alone. But I didn’t really lose anything by reading this first (probably only). Characters were likable enough, I just think there was something missing to make it go from okay to solid and satisfying.
Such a cute story! I only wish the book had been a bit longer! It felt a little bit rushed towards the end. However, I loved it! It was sweet, romantic, and had humor. It also had some spice. I love the “found family” vibes this series has been giving. I love the little community they have in these books! And the humor! It keeps me wanting more. Really hoping that Keelan & Rina’s story is coming soon!🤞🏻 I need so many more books in this series! I’m loving it.
I read this because I was in a big mood for an accidental pregnancy book, but it let me down ... the pregnancy comes only in the second half of the book. I also started the series with this book and I felt like I came in mid- storyline because of a few things talked about I definitely recommend reading the second book in the series before going on to this one since it fills in some gaps that will make stuff easier to understand.
She has gone on a dating site where everything is on except their names. She is in for a shock when she meets him his brother is her ex. He is supposed to be a good boy but what they get up to is not good. His future is all planned out but two pink lines may change it all. What is going to happen? How will she get on? What will his brother do? See where they will take you