Boots & Scars is Book 7 of The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series. And it just keeps getting better and better! Be sure to read the trigger warnings as there is rape, assault, drugs, and other dark themes. This one is an OTT, opposites-attract, age-gap, grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, dark romance. Everly is a girl who has been homeschooled and sheltered for most of her life. She is naive and a complete ray of sunshine looking for her fairytale love story at the academy. Cooper is a hunky, grumpy, ex NHL player nicknamed "the Beast" for his temper. He was raised by an abusive father and has both physical and emotional scars. After being kicked out of the league, he is being punished and teaching skating at the academy. Cooper and Everly have numerous connections, and Cooper just wants to bring her down. But when her prince charming turns out to be a monster, Cooper is there to pick up the pieces. Can Cooper protect her and show her not all men are evil? Can Everly show Cooper his scars don't define him, and he's worthy of love? Cooper was so nasty early on, but I loved that Everly called him out on his behavior. Their romance was a bit of a slow burn, but when it ignited, it was an inferno. They had insane chemistry, and we do get a happy ending, but this was another dark roller-coaster ride getting there. I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.