What's worse than getting an iced caramel macchiato spilled down the front of your shirt? Forgetting to lock the bathroom door when you go change...
"NO THANK YOU!" That’s the best I could come up with when I realize the bathroom door has just swung open. With little old me standing out in the open in my birthday suit.
But Satan himself must’ve invented these insanely loud hand dryers. Because the man strolls right on in.
“Do you have no manners?” I demand. “More than you, it seems.” He gives me an up-down that misses absolutely nothing. “But,” he adds, “I’ve got an idea.”
Then he does something I never saw coming. He locks the bathroom door behind him.
OFFSIDE DEVIL is the first book in the Phoenix Angels Hockey duet. The story continues in Book 2 of the series, OFFSIDE ANGEL.
Woah. This went from a hockey romance to some weird twisted murder mystery thriller and ending in a cliffhanger. So dumb and the plot was way too complex. I JUST WANTED SOME RELIABLE HOCKEY GARB OKAY.
Mariah Wolfe excels at the duo story telling platform. She knows how to set up character arcs and plot lines that continually drive the reader forward and then, as in the case of Offside Devil, leave readers with a cliffhanger that isn’t torturous but definitely leaves you wanting to know what happened next. What I loved most about this story is the imperfect characters. It showed a hockey player with true demons in his past trying to doing the best he can. And a girl who craves more from life but is terrified to take it when it’s offered. I wish we had been clued in a bit more quickly to Mira’s past and about 10% of the story be cut back for simplicity, but it was a great first book. I’m eager to read its follow-up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The love that this author poured into these characters is astounding, overwhelming at times. Zane and Mira love Aiden with all their hearts and the author conveyed the strength of a parents love perfectly. It’s hard for a book to make me cry, but I was sobbing like a baby near the end of this book.
The only negatives I have to say is that the cover design doesn’t match the characters which kept throwing me off. Also, Mira’s kickboxing skills are mentioned multiple times, so I expected her to eventually kick some butt in self defense or something, but it never happened.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I thought this was a super good read. The characters were super loveable most of the time. And who doesn't love a solid hockey romance
Mira and Zane have a lot of back and forth banter. There was some mystery and a little bit of suspense that kept me wanting more. It is book one of two and I can't wait to read the next one. There is spice in this book that's pretty intense. Check trigger warnings before reading it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Mariah Wolfe for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book when I first read it, but I feel like as I read on, it dragged on for too long. And I could see similarities between this series and Blue Line Lust. Although I didn't enjoy my time, I was also very busy and a lot of things happened which kept me from binging it. There is an audience for this book, and I loved it overall. I would recommend this book and Mariah Wolfe's Blue Line Lust series as well.
Dual POV, not a standalone, book 1 of duet, check trigger warnings Hockey romance, single dad/nanny, fake dating, secret identity, found family
Mira is down on her luck, hiding a huge secret, and always has a foot out the door to run. Zane is hockey star wanting to be the next team captain who is also in recovery for addiction when he suddenly finds himself a single dad of a 4 yr old boy. After an unconventional meeting at the coffee shop where Mira works, they meet again when Zane finds himself in need of a nanny. The ante gets upped when a CPS employee with a grudge baits Zane into asking Mira to be his fake girlfriend so he can show how stable he is for his son. After the lines get blurred and a sudden threat from Mira's past resurgences, will being with Zane and his son be enough keep Mira from running again?
I am quickly becoming a fan of Mariah Wolfe. I love how these duets are just more than a typical hockey romance. There's this element of suspense she adds that just keeps me coming back for more. The MCs are so fleshed out as characters and the growth they have throughout the story is so well written. I really like how their relationship develops and the cliffhanger just tugs at the heartstrings so you want to know what happens next. Doesn't hurt that both books release on the same day, so no waiting! It can sometimes get tricky when there's a kid in the story, the dialogue is either wonky for the kid's age or the kid is written kind of annoying. But my heart just aches for little Aiden with what his past must have been like in his short life and his healing now that he's with Zane. Such a sweet little guy! Plus, the side characters are so awesome, you find yourself wanting to hang out with them. Excited to see what happens in the next book with these characters!
This review covers book one + two, but does not contain spoilers. 🖤
Mira prides herself on being able to keep people at a distance. No ties. No bonds. Always ready to be back on the run. But when Zane Whitaker busts into her work bathroom while she’s half naked, her entire world gets turn upside down.
Zane ust found out he’s up for the captain position on the Phoenix Angels hockey team. He has a job he loves, incredible friends, and he’s finally got his life back on track. Until a social worker shows up at his door with a boy who ends up being his 4 year old son. Before he knows it, he has CPS workers in his house turning his life upside down and dragging his past back into the light.
While looking for a nanny, Mira shows up at his door for the job, and he jumps on the opportunity to have her close by. Before they know it, they’re fake dating so Mira can save up money to run again, and Zane can convince CPS that he’s a fit father.
But the past always has a way of coming back to bite us in the ass.
The Phoenix Angels Hockey duet is a two part hockey romance with drama, found family, fake dating, a touch her and 💀 MMC, and an FMC who isn’t afraid to get a little stabby when need be. Which let’s be honest - we love to see.
It’s spicy, the banter is top notch, the side characters are amazing, and the story (while longer than most romance books) stays interesting and well paced from beginning to end.
This is full of sweetness, angst, drama and it ends on a cliffhanger ahhh so be prepared to read book two offside Angel. Our fmc is a strong feisty woman with a tough putter shell hiding a tender frightened little girls trauma inside. The mmc is sexy and has his own traumas, making him out up walls he immediately crashes down he definitely falls first. Trigger warnings child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse...addiction,CPS interventions, parents dying from drug overdose, murder. Spice level for me 2.5/5 not extremely detailed no kink etc but still good, these two definitely want one another and were rooting for them. When the s hits the fan, our mmc disappoints us even when we understand his need for no lies he does a good job of pushing her right out the door only her past has caught up to her and now he wants to find her, protect her but can't...cliffhanger! This author has a good grasp balancing the intimate with real life stuff, details on the sons way of coping with his trauma and how she wrote the fmc was spot on from someone who experienced it first-hand. I had to tell myself to breathe, I felt her fear Trigger warnings!! Highly recommend this book liking forward to a happily ever after book two.
I was instantly sucked into the story and couldn't put it down. I really wanted to know what Mira was so afraid of in her past.
Zane is a recovering addict and his ex-girlfriend has recently died of a drug overdose, leaving behind a four year old son, and she had told the social worker the father is Zane. After a paternity test confirms that he's the father, he accepts custody and responsibility of the boy. He needs a nanny and Mira aces the interview. Then CPS comes to visit and Zane panics and tells them Mira is his girlfriend. The fake dating begins.
From the moment we meet Owen, Zane's NA sponsor, I cannot stand him. He's unnecessarily rude to Mira and dismisses how important it is for a traumatized child with selective mutism to have a caregiver they feel safe with. And that is exactly how the four year old feels with Mira from the moment they met. I will begrudgingly say that my opinion of him marginally improved as the duet went on, but I never really liked the character ever.
This is book 1 of 2, so it ends on a cliffhanger. And oh, boy, is it a tough one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
📚Review ~ Offside Devil (Phoenix Angels Hockey #1) 🖋Author ~ Mariah Wolfe 🖋Features: Sports Romance, Hockey, MC protector ⭐️Rating: 5/5
“Every decision we make has a lifetime of reasonings and justifications behind it. Nothing is ever quite what it seems.”
Zane and Mira are fantastic together. Mira’s blunt and no-nonsense attitude is exactly what Zane needs to keep him from running all over her. As a last-minute choice, she is the perfect nanny for his newly discovered young son. Not only is she able to empathize with the trauma his son has experienced, but Mira is also a calming constant in Zane’s role as a father.
But, there’s a reason why Mira understands what Zane’s son has been through. Unfortunately, it’s a reason she can’t keep hidden much longer.
Wow, that was an emotionally charged intense thrill ride of a story! I loved all the tension and will-they-or-won't-they vibes. The push and pull between them was off the charts.
I really enjoyed Zane. He was a very real feeling character who had past struggles but made a change. I admired him for what he did to better himself. He was relatable and easy to commiserate with.
Mira was so sweet. She was great with Aiden and pretty good at putting Zane in his place too. I felt bad for her past but I think it helped her connect with Aiden. She had been through a lot but still had a fairly good outlook on life. I can understand her hesitancy with wanting to move forward but I admired her for taking a chance.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved both the characters and the banter between them. The story was interesting and very well written. It kept my attention from start to finish and had a nice dose of mystery and suspense mixed in. Overall a great read that I would highly recommend!
This is book 1 of the “Phoenix Angels Hockey” series and has a cliffhanger. The book introduces us to the complex characters of Mira and Zane who have both had difficult times in their pasts involving abuse and substance addiction. The author brilliantly evokes their physical, mental and emotional struggles and the intensity of their connection and relationship. There are several steamy scenes which are all intense, and may feel rough to some readers, as well as fierce dialogue between the main two characters which all add to the simmering tension and atmosphere in the story. They are surrounded by a cast of well-developed characters who support them and add levity to the story. This was a real page turner for me and I recommend to anyone who enjoys grittier steamy romances. I can’t wait to read book 2!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Look, I like my romance with a lil drama and this fit the bill.
ZANE!! A possessive king, we love him. Plus look at these microtropes: - nanny x single dad - instalove - slow burn
These are some of my favorite things. Yes - I ate this book up especially after reading incredibly slow over the last several weeks. I am right out of any slump I was in.
Mira is doesn't let anyone get close to her and Zane has only been worried about himself for the last several years as he's overcome his addiction and past relationship. He wakes up one day to find out he has a 4 year old son, and his ex has passed away, leaving his son without a parent, hence why he's now on his doorstep. He needs a nanny and in steps Mira - a recommendation for the job and when she appears on his doorstep they both realize, they already know each other.
Definitely check trigger warnings - there's talks of addiction and DV.
Although this story is on the very long side it is a good one. There is a bit of dragging the story out in the middle twenty chapters and I found myself thinking "get on with it". The biggest disappointment is after seventy nine chapters it is a cliffhanger. Mira has a hidden past and meets Zane in the coffee shop she works at. He saves her from an attack and she rungs to her friend's house. Taylor recommends her to Zane as a nanny to his four year old son he only found out about days before. This is one of those books you either love or hate, definitely one you need to read to decide for yourself.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had my attention from start to finish. I was a little nervous to start a bigger book because they usually do not keep my attention, but this one did not disappoint. Mariah Wolfe excellently weaves in plot twists that leave you guessing and anxiously waiting to find out what happens next. This is a spicy enemies to lovers book and while it starts off as a slow burn it definitely becomes intense midway through. Zane and Mira are perfect for each other and like most couples, they have challenges to overcome to have a healthy and strong relationship. I cannot wait for book two to see what happens next in this series.
Offside Devil by Mariah Wolfe is a good, and enjoyable hockey fake marriage secret baby enemies to lovers romantic suspense read with a dual point of view. This story is not a standalone read it is a duet. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, well written, and they have great chemistry. This story does end in a cliffhanger. This story is a very entertaining page turning romance read that will take you on an emotionally charged thrilling intense story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mariah Wolfe is a new auto-read author for me after this series.
I loved the characters, the plot, the pace, the spice... Just everything... Mariah Wolfe did an amazing job of bringing all the characters emotions and thoughts out on the page in a way that just pull me into the story.
Check contect warnings, and be aware that this book ends on a cliffhanger, so make sure you have both books in this duet available so you don't have to wait before starting book 2. :)
I will be re-reading this duet again soon, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Mariah's work...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG this was book was so fun to read. I loved it and enjoyed on how they carry themselves in this story. It was a steamy page turner and the suspense intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. It was very much addicted moment between Zane and Marie as the chemistry between them was romance and joy. The physical attraction was like firework and more. With the spice and of deeper love for one another. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and sensation connection on the hockey ice. I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones
Never have I picked up a Volume 2 so fast! Could this be a Lifetime movie? Yeah Could this be a Hallmark movie? no way, too much sizzle in this family setting!
Do I like Mira and Zane as people? Mostly Do I like Mira and Zane together? usually Do I like Mira and Zane and Aiden? YES
Nothing is more important than the family you have to support you. Here's how it works. Teammates, best friends, coaches. There's a trust there... but you have to accept it.
This book drops off at a horrible, terrible place. Thus grabbing Volume 2 (Offside Angel) before I'd even returned this book to Kindle Unlimited.
This is the beginning of Mira and Zane's story told in two books. We find out what Mira has had to endure throughout he life and who she really is and Zane the man who comes into her life. There is suspense, drama, danger, secrets, and the beginning of a romance. I will be reading the next book. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I haven't laughed this hard in a long time! Mira is strong and independent and won't back down while Zane is the tough enforcer that's also a big teddy bear. The sexual tension between these two was explosive! Their two friends doing everything to try and make both admit their attraction was hilarious. Excited to read the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aside from the frequent harsh profanity, I enjoyed the author's writing style. The dialogue is snappy, as are the characters' internal thoughts. There's lots of meat to the story outside of the romance (for both Zane and Mira) and the characters are well-written and easy to like. Overall, it's a strong first book in the series.
Heat index: Spicy. Multiple detailed sex scenes as well as frequent sexual thoughts on the part of both protagonists.
OMG this was book has my attention from start to finish. It was a full of steam and suspense. The chemistry between Zane and Marie was undeniable. The spice and the deep love for each other was incredible. This book takes you on an emotionally charged suspenseful story. This book does end in a cliffhanger. This story is not a standalone read it as a duet. Can't wait to read the next book.
This book is most likely written by ChatGPT. And that book cover is ridiculously AI generated. All the books by this socalled "author" are most likely written by Chat GPT. And also, this author used to have a completely different name. It all seems so fake and shallow. Releasing books written by ChatGPT, just to make money while not having a talent for writing. This has nothing to do with actual litterature.
Zane & Mira: Book 1 of Phoenix Angels Hockey Series: I love Mariah Wolfe’s duets & this one was great too. Between the characters and the storyline, they offer more than a standard hockey romance. Aiden and the other side characters were written well too. Love it when an author is able to have kids dialogue and/or interactions done well. Can’t wait to finish with part 2!.
I really enjoyed part 1 of this duology. I am a fan of darker romance so this was a surprise! Amazing twists and turns. I hated Zane at some points but he redeemed himself.
The real question is...what is with this cover? Mira has long BLACK hair...says so from the first few sentences of Zane's first chapter...