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Saints of Redville #1
Sweet Collide
A standalone hockey romance.
Aiden Slate.
Pro hockey star. Captain of the Redville Saints. And the bane of my existence.
All it takes is a little liquid courage to storm his castle.
Or, in this case, a cushy five-star hotel suite.
I’m supposed to give him a piece of my mind.
To unleash a decade of pent-up anger.
What I’m not supposed to do is sign an NDA meant for another woman.
He thinks I’m here to relieve his stress.
Well, he’s in for a rude awakening.
Problem #1? The boy I grew up with doesn’t remember me.
Problem #2? I fall to my knees at his command. Literally.
Next thing I know, I agree to be his fake girlfriend.
He doesn't realize I’m the girl he left behind ten years ago.
The last thing I'll do is admit it.
Because Aiden might have abandoned me all those years ago.
But me? I’ll forever be his.
Aiden Slate.
Pro hockey star. Captain of the Redville Saints. And the bane of my existence.
All it takes is a little liquid courage to storm his castle.
Or, in this case, a cushy five-star hotel suite.
I’m supposed to give him a piece of my mind.
To unleash a decade of pent-up anger.
What I’m not supposed to do is sign an NDA meant for another woman.
He thinks I’m here to relieve his stress.
Well, he’s in for a rude awakening.
Problem #1? The boy I grew up with doesn’t remember me.
Problem #2? I fall to my knees at his command. Literally.
Next thing I know, I agree to be his fake girlfriend.
He doesn't realize I’m the girl he left behind ten years ago.
The last thing I'll do is admit it.
Because Aiden might have abandoned me all those years ago.
But me? I’ll forever be his.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2024
3464 people are currently reading
28797 people want to read
About the author
Ava Harrison
43 books3,675 followersAva Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.
When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.
When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 911 reviews
May 12, 2024
Sometimes I ask myself, “Girl, why do you do this to yourself?”
The answer is always: because I’m apparently a masochist
The answer is always: because I’m apparently a masochist
April 28, 2024
Skimmed, almost DNF. Started out promising then just got boring. 🥱
*I felt I needed to explain a little more…
The early years had me hooked, but once I got to the first part of the adult years - I had a gut feeling how the first ‘meeting’ or ‘reunion’was going to turn out between ‘Pip’ and Aiden. As I was reading I kept cringing and hoping beyond all hope that it was not going to be what I thought it was going to be….alas, it was 🫤. I hung in there and continued to read, pretending that it didn’t happen that way, and it wasn’t too bad it was just something about the way everything came together was slow and I felt pieces were missing. I don’t know. I can’t quite pinpoint it. I just know it did not grab my attention.
*I felt I needed to explain a little more…
The early years had me hooked, but once I got to the first part of the adult years - I had a gut feeling how the first ‘meeting’ or ‘reunion’was going to turn out between ‘Pip’ and Aiden. As I was reading I kept cringing and hoping beyond all hope that it was not going to be what I thought it was going to be….alas, it was 🫤. I hung in there and continued to read, pretending that it didn’t happen that way, and it wasn’t too bad it was just something about the way everything came together was slow and I felt pieces were missing. I don’t know. I can’t quite pinpoint it. I just know it did not grab my attention.
September 3, 2024
3.5🌟
I do love me a sports romance, and this was an amazing palate cleanser after back-to-back fantasy reads! You have Cassidy, aka Pip, who recognizes her childhood BFF, Aiden Slate, on TV. After so many years of him 'abandoning' her, she decides to give him a piece of her mind, but he doesn’t recognize her.
✧things I loved ✧
✨secret identity trope: I was basically like, I NEED TO KNOW!
✨the dynamic between them—how he’s falling for her while she’s falling for him all over again (once as a kid and now).
✨dual POV.
✨their spicy meet-cute reunion.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a sports romance and is okay with mental health topics like anxiety, childhood trauma, and OCD.
Thank you Hambright PR for giving me an eBook in exchange for my honest review!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: omg i know i have so many CR but is a long weekend and I adore a sports romance so 😬✨
I do love me a sports romance, and this was an amazing palate cleanser after back-to-back fantasy reads! You have Cassidy, aka Pip, who recognizes her childhood BFF, Aiden Slate, on TV. After so many years of him 'abandoning' her, she decides to give him a piece of her mind, but he doesn’t recognize her.
✧things I loved ✧
✨secret identity trope: I was basically like, I NEED TO KNOW!
✨the dynamic between them—how he’s falling for her while she’s falling for him all over again (once as a kid and now).
✨dual POV.
✨their spicy meet-cute reunion.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a sports romance and is okay with mental health topics like anxiety, childhood trauma, and OCD.
Thank you Hambright PR for giving me an eBook in exchange for my honest review!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: omg i know i have so many CR but is a long weekend and I adore a sports romance so 😬✨
April 27, 2024
I make these specific notes for myself because I read a lot of books and I’m trying to keep which one is which in my head. But you’re welcome to them.
Overall rating: 2/5 I'm sorry, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't what it should have been.
Romance sub-category: Second chance, workplace, sports
How weird were the MCs names? Aiden and Cassidy/Pippa - normal white American names
What were the MCs ages, and did those ages make me uncomfortable? Mid- to late-20s in the present, and 13 (her) and 18 (him) in the past. But nothing romantic happened when they were kids, so don't stress.
Red hair and/or green eyes check: It's been a few days since I read it, but I don't think so.
Sweet, spicy or filthy? A bit spicy. Open door but nothing too graphic.
It’s a romance book, so was it clear WHY the MCs fell in love? Yes, but her love is rooted in their past and his is rooted in their present. MMC has a lot of what they refer to as 'rituals' (very broadly, OCD behaviours) that he's been trying to keep secret his whole life. FMC seems to be the only person who accepts these rituals without making him feel embarrassed or awful about them and helps him deal with them without judgement, so he finds in her a sense of peace that has been seriously lacking. For FMC, he was the boy who protected her when she was a kid, until he didn't and she ended up hating him. In the present she gets past her anger and starts falling back on those feelings of safety around him. They both had terrible childhoods and there is a shared sense of survival between them.
Was the drama/tension that impacted the romance/led to third act break up before the HEA believable? [SPOILERS] Okay, so FMC spent most of the book keeping her 'real' identity secret from him. She knows from the first second of their meeting as adults who he is, but he doesn't recognise her (which I actually loved because, for real, if I ran into someone as an adult who I knew for 8 months as a kid, I absolutely would not recognise them). Also, she goes by a different name as an adult than she did as a kid. She spends months living with this guy, anticipating all his 'rituals' and helping him cope, and when he finally finds out that she's that girl who he used to think of as a little sister and she's known all along, he blows up and walks out. To me, totally understandable and believable. But then the next day, he's like 'oh well, you had your reasons, let's fuck some more'. He just seemed to rationalise it very quickly. And the whole part with MMC's agent threatening FMC to tell the truth OR ELSE just seemed very low stakes.
Was it funny? No.
Did I cry? No. And given the plot points, I should have been crying a lot. For me, there just wasn't enough depth to it to drag me in. The villains (plural!) came across as almost cartoonish and surface level, so I didn't connect with the emotional harm they laid at the MCs' feet.
How strong were the supporting characters? Villains everywhere! MMC's mother was your garden variety evil book mother with a drug addiction who was always scheming for money. There was an evil local news reporter who was going to BLOW THIS STORY WIDE OPEN by EXPOSING that the MMC had anxiety and OCD, like that was somehow going end MMC's career or something? And there was an EVIL teammate who openly sexually harassed FMC and hated MMC for reasons and got MMC's mother involved or something...I don't know, it got pretty boring.
Did the supporting characters have names that were too similar, making me have to stop and think hard about which one was which before I could move on? Didn't care enough to be confused.
Was there a pregnancy/children in the epilogue? Can't remember anymore, but probably.
Did I have to Google something, and if yes, was that something dirty? Nope.
Was there a dog? Nope.
What else? For a story that had a professional sports star who apparently liked to be in control sexually, a FMC who fought her way out of an abusive, poverty-striken childhood, a FMC who felt abandoned by the MMC as a kid, a hidden identity trope and a FMC who [SPOILER] allegedly killed someone, this book should have been significantly better. But nothing really went beyond the surface. It was like a situation was presented to us, and the reader was left to draw on previous books they may have read with similar situations to recognise that the situation was emotional or bad. For me, there wasn't an attempt to make those situations and feelings exist in their own right in this book.
[SPOILER] The whole thing with FMC thinking that she killed a guy when she was a kid was glossed over and resolved in, like, half a chapter with MMC throwing some money around to get the autopsy report so he could reassure her she wasn't responsible for it, and then FMC immediately got over it.
The stuff with the reporter about to expose the MMC's OCD behaviour was treated by everyone as they enormous thing, with his agent being like "We've got to get ahead of this story and release a statement to the press and public immediately!". While I fully understand that this was a really big thing for the MMC, it made no sense that the agent was feeding into it instead of trying to reassure him that no one would give a shit.
Anyway. Overall, I didn't feel like I was given enough material to connect with, the drama wasn't handled well, and in the end I didn't really care about any of these people.
Overall rating: 2/5 I'm sorry, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't what it should have been.
Romance sub-category: Second chance, workplace, sports
How weird were the MCs names? Aiden and Cassidy/Pippa - normal white American names
What were the MCs ages, and did those ages make me uncomfortable? Mid- to late-20s in the present, and 13 (her) and 18 (him) in the past. But nothing romantic happened when they were kids, so don't stress.
Red hair and/or green eyes check: It's been a few days since I read it, but I don't think so.
Sweet, spicy or filthy? A bit spicy. Open door but nothing too graphic.
It’s a romance book, so was it clear WHY the MCs fell in love? Yes, but her love is rooted in their past and his is rooted in their present. MMC has a lot of what they refer to as 'rituals' (very broadly, OCD behaviours) that he's been trying to keep secret his whole life. FMC seems to be the only person who accepts these rituals without making him feel embarrassed or awful about them and helps him deal with them without judgement, so he finds in her a sense of peace that has been seriously lacking. For FMC, he was the boy who protected her when she was a kid, until he didn't and she ended up hating him. In the present she gets past her anger and starts falling back on those feelings of safety around him. They both had terrible childhoods and there is a shared sense of survival between them.
Was the drama/tension that impacted the romance/led to third act break up before the HEA believable? [SPOILERS] Okay, so FMC spent most of the book keeping her 'real' identity secret from him. She knows from the first second of their meeting as adults who he is, but he doesn't recognise her (which I actually loved because, for real, if I ran into someone as an adult who I knew for 8 months as a kid, I absolutely would not recognise them). Also, she goes by a different name as an adult than she did as a kid. She spends months living with this guy, anticipating all his 'rituals' and helping him cope, and when he finally finds out that she's that girl who he used to think of as a little sister and she's known all along, he blows up and walks out. To me, totally understandable and believable. But then the next day, he's like 'oh well, you had your reasons, let's fuck some more'. He just seemed to rationalise it very quickly. And the whole part with MMC's agent threatening FMC to tell the truth OR ELSE just seemed very low stakes.
Was it funny? No.
Did I cry? No. And given the plot points, I should have been crying a lot. For me, there just wasn't enough depth to it to drag me in. The villains (plural!) came across as almost cartoonish and surface level, so I didn't connect with the emotional harm they laid at the MCs' feet.
How strong were the supporting characters? Villains everywhere! MMC's mother was your garden variety evil book mother with a drug addiction who was always scheming for money. There was an evil local news reporter who was going to BLOW THIS STORY WIDE OPEN by EXPOSING that the MMC had anxiety and OCD, like that was somehow going end MMC's career or something? And there was an EVIL teammate who openly sexually harassed FMC and hated MMC for reasons and got MMC's mother involved or something...I don't know, it got pretty boring.
Did the supporting characters have names that were too similar, making me have to stop and think hard about which one was which before I could move on? Didn't care enough to be confused.
Was there a pregnancy/children in the epilogue? Can't remember anymore, but probably.
Did I have to Google something, and if yes, was that something dirty? Nope.
Was there a dog? Nope.
What else? For a story that had a professional sports star who apparently liked to be in control sexually, a FMC who fought her way out of an abusive, poverty-striken childhood, a FMC who felt abandoned by the MMC as a kid, a hidden identity trope and a FMC who [SPOILER] allegedly killed someone, this book should have been significantly better. But nothing really went beyond the surface. It was like a situation was presented to us, and the reader was left to draw on previous books they may have read with similar situations to recognise that the situation was emotional or bad. For me, there wasn't an attempt to make those situations and feelings exist in their own right in this book.
[SPOILER] The whole thing with FMC thinking that she killed a guy when she was a kid was glossed over and resolved in, like, half a chapter with MMC throwing some money around to get the autopsy report so he could reassure her she wasn't responsible for it, and then FMC immediately got over it.
The stuff with the reporter about to expose the MMC's OCD behaviour was treated by everyone as they enormous thing, with his agent being like "We've got to get ahead of this story and release a statement to the press and public immediately!". While I fully understand that this was a really big thing for the MMC, it made no sense that the agent was feeding into it instead of trying to reassure him that no one would give a shit.
Anyway. Overall, I didn't feel like I was given enough material to connect with, the drama wasn't handled well, and in the end I didn't really care about any of these people.
May 18, 2024
This book started out with a bang and a super interesting backstory of the two MC's as friends that bonded from trauma and parental neglect. She gives him her last little bit of money so that he can make his tournament and get out of that environment, the only thing she asks is that he never forget her. Unfortunately, that was the last time she saw him. When Pip felt abandoned and forgotten, I felt that for her. 10 years later the MMC is in the NHL and FMC is going through new adult growing pains, without a job, sleeping on her friends couch, trying to find a way into grad school. Through shenanigans, she ends up drunk walking into his hotel room to confront him while he is waiting for a hook-up situation that his agent set up for him. We get fast burn which I love, they end up having a steamy night together. Aiden feels that Cassidy's a calming influence on him after she helps him with one of his compulsions without judgment. This part really doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but he hires her as a full-time compulsion assistant or something, but he needs her there after hours and doesn't want people to think he's having sex with her, (even though he did) so he gets her to agree to be his fake girlfriend. Even though nothing about this makes sense, I like the storyline enough to just go with the plot. After this, the storyline kinda slows down and drags a bit. We get to see a lot of their interactions, we see them both loving through the results of their traumas and the ways they have grown and changed and also the ways they've stayed the same and that connection was grea. However, when the truth of everything finally came out, I was disappointed in that the H truly did abandon her. He didn't even attempt to find her for over 5 years. Sure he saved money to pay her back, but he never contacted her or let her know how he was or anything. He didn't recognize her and he was not nearly as heartbroken about not seeing her again as she was. She wrote him letters for YEARS and he barely spared more than a thought for her other than a few little homages to their friendship and put some money aside for her, but even that was a miniscule amount in comparison to what he actually made. He admits that if she'd told him who she was, he'd never have started a romantic relationship with her and he would have sent her away. That just didn't sit well with me at all. Especially the way the h excuses it all and let's it go. I was really hoping for him to have the same longing to be near her as she had for him. That being said, seeing him finally put down his walls and her learning to trust him again was well done. I was hoping for more from her dark reveal of why she was so upset he left her, but overall, I enjoyed reading this book.
August 29, 2024
“I’d gladly fall on my sword to heal him. To save him” (can you heart my cries from across the internet???)
This was different than any hockey romance I had ever read. Going in I did not expect the emotional depth that this book brought while reading. just looking at the cover I thought this was going to be a cute, fun hockey romance… and it was don’t get me wrong… however it was so much more. Ava Harrison did not hold back on this one, and I cannot wait to read book two when it is released. In this book you’ll find
🏒 Second Chance Romance
💙 Hidden Identity
🏒 Mental Health Representation
💙 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🏒 It’s Always Been You
💙 Crawl to me 🫦
Thank you to @ & @ for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review🫶🏼
This was different than any hockey romance I had ever read. Going in I did not expect the emotional depth that this book brought while reading. just looking at the cover I thought this was going to be a cute, fun hockey romance… and it was don’t get me wrong… however it was so much more. Ava Harrison did not hold back on this one, and I cannot wait to read book two when it is released. In this book you’ll find
🏒 Second Chance Romance
💙 Hidden Identity
🏒 Mental Health Representation
💙 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🏒 It’s Always Been You
💙 Crawl to me 🫦
Thank you to @ & @ for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review🫶🏼
September 13, 2024
5 ⭐ 3 🌶️ 5 🎧
That was so dang good. It was more emotional than I expected, but also funny and so sweet. The tension you feel as a reader just waiting for her secrets to spill was unbelievable. I usually don't love that trope, but there was something about this story that made it so good. I think in part because you knew Cassidy had good reasons and that she tried many times to tell him, but just couldn't...
I adored both of these characters to pieces. I loved Aiden and his OCD and the way he treated Cass. He was so swoon worthy, but also this broke boy I wanted to wrap up in a hug and never let him go. Cassidy was amazing, I loved how well she took care of Aiden and always put his needs first. She was even more broken than I expected as well, and in much different ways.
The ending was incredible. Watching these two find their happily ever after together was everything and more. I loved seeing them find peace in their pasts as well.
I'm really hoping we get more from this world. I'm unaliving for Dane's story especially, but also Emma and Molly and pretty much everyone but Billy, that guy can duck off. *laughs*
I just re-listened to the audio book and it was sooo good. Angelina Rocca is one of my favorites and she did an amazing job narrating Cassidy and Christian Fox was fantastic as Aiden too. The production was great as well and made this a must listen.
That was so dang good. It was more emotional than I expected, but also funny and so sweet. The tension you feel as a reader just waiting for her secrets to spill was unbelievable. I usually don't love that trope, but there was something about this story that made it so good. I think in part because you knew Cassidy had good reasons and that she tried many times to tell him, but just couldn't...
I adored both of these characters to pieces. I loved Aiden and his OCD and the way he treated Cass. He was so swoon worthy, but also this broke boy I wanted to wrap up in a hug and never let him go. Cassidy was amazing, I loved how well she took care of Aiden and always put his needs first. She was even more broken than I expected as well, and in much different ways.
The ending was incredible. Watching these two find their happily ever after together was everything and more. I loved seeing them find peace in their pasts as well.
I'm really hoping we get more from this world. I'm unaliving for Dane's story especially, but also Emma and Molly and pretty much everyone but Billy, that guy can duck off. *laughs*
I just re-listened to the audio book and it was sooo good. Angelina Rocca is one of my favorites and she did an amazing job narrating Cassidy and Christian Fox was fantastic as Aiden too. The production was great as well and made this a must listen.
September 11, 2024
Tropes-
✌🏼Second Chance Romance
🫣 Hidden Identity
🏒 Protective NHL MMC with a dirty mouth
🩷 Childhood friends to Lovers
🫶🏼 ”It’s Always Been You” vibes
🏡 Found Family
💸 Rags to Riches
💊 Mental Health Representation
😭 Emotional
❤️🔥 Fake dating
🌶️ "Crawl to me"
"He broke his promise. He left and never thought of me again. He didn’t protect me."
"Pinky promise on my puck."
✨️ This book took me for a ride. I felt for the characters from the beginning. Both of them had rough upbringings, but Aiden was Pip (Cassidy)'s safe place. He left her behind. Now they're both adults, and they have a spicy meet-cute type situation. The whole time, you're wondering when he will find out who she really is, and what will happen? I found the characters relatable, the story compelling, and I didn't want to put it down.
If any of these tropes sound like something you'd like, I would definitely recommend you give this book a read or listen!
Thank you to @avaharrisonauthor and @hambright_pr for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review! 🫶 I thoroughly enjoyed it!
✌🏼Second Chance Romance
🫣 Hidden Identity
🏒 Protective NHL MMC with a dirty mouth
🩷 Childhood friends to Lovers
🫶🏼 ”It’s Always Been You” vibes
🏡 Found Family
💸 Rags to Riches
💊 Mental Health Representation
😭 Emotional
❤️🔥 Fake dating
🌶️ "Crawl to me"
"He broke his promise. He left and never thought of me again. He didn’t protect me."
"Pinky promise on my puck."
✨️ This book took me for a ride. I felt for the characters from the beginning. Both of them had rough upbringings, but Aiden was Pip (Cassidy)'s safe place. He left her behind. Now they're both adults, and they have a spicy meet-cute type situation. The whole time, you're wondering when he will find out who she really is, and what will happen? I found the characters relatable, the story compelling, and I didn't want to put it down.
If any of these tropes sound like something you'd like, I would definitely recommend you give this book a read or listen!
Thank you to @avaharrisonauthor and @hambright_pr for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review! 🫶 I thoroughly enjoyed it!
September 17, 2024
This was my first Ava Harrison and I was really sucked into this at the beginning. It had a very powerful start. These two broken kids who break away from their past and get a second chance at life. The way they were bonded as kids was so sweet to see. There wasn't anything romantic back then, Cassidy is too young but they still had a connection and shared their childhood trauma with each other.
When we are in the current time, I just wanted them to heal each other. Cassidy's identity is hidden for a good long time but they still find ways to connect and help each other. Aiden gives her someone to focus on other than herself and Cassidy helps ease the mind spirals he gets in.
The fake dating was cute and I loved as they fell as adults. I was really happy for their HEA. They both had been through so much and seeing them rise above it and be happy was great!
This was narrated by Christian Fox and Angelina Rocca and I thought they did really well. I did have 1 little issue with the audio book though, and it wasn't due to the narrators. There are many flashbacks throughout the story, which makes complete sense based on their history. HOWEVER, when consuming this only as an audio book... it's unclear when we go into flashbacks. If you read the ebook, it has italics to differentiate, but we need a better indicator for the audio.
Anyway, it was a very lovely romance. Some great spice and a triumphant story of rising above your tough beginnings.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: neglectful parents, attempted SA, grief
*Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for an ALC of this title.*
When we are in the current time, I just wanted them to heal each other. Cassidy's identity is hidden for a good long time but they still find ways to connect and help each other. Aiden gives her someone to focus on other than herself and Cassidy helps ease the mind spirals he gets in.
The fake dating was cute and I loved as they fell as adults. I was really happy for their HEA. They both had been through so much and seeing them rise above it and be happy was great!
This was narrated by Christian Fox and Angelina Rocca and I thought they did really well. I did have 1 little issue with the audio book though, and it wasn't due to the narrators. There are many flashbacks throughout the story, which makes complete sense based on their history. HOWEVER, when consuming this only as an audio book... it's unclear when we go into flashbacks. If you read the ebook, it has italics to differentiate, but we need a better indicator for the audio.
Anyway, it was a very lovely romance. Some great spice and a triumphant story of rising above your tough beginnings.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: neglectful parents, attempted SA, grief
*Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for an ALC of this title.*
August 21, 2024
An emotionally compelling hockey romance with lots of build up and emotional wreckage that will keep you wanting for more...
When this book arrived to my attention as a potential read, the synopsis and I won't lie; the cover hooked me in. Was I expecting to instantly fall in love with it? Yes, actually I was. Did I? No, sadly because I had really high expectations. This book I would rationally give it a 3.5, maybe closer to 3 from the beginning of its story.
This story is not perfect. And not a story that after being 24% through, I would normally grab and thoroughly read it. The density and its heavy weight of emotional turmoil between both characters really did give me a headache at first. There were plenty of things that bothered me about both characters that are Cassidy aka Pip, and Aiden. But surprisingly enough, I could not put this book down! I lost some minor sleep actually because I simply wanted to, urgently wanted to know what would happen next. Finally when the truth came out, you could feel that heavy weight being dropped and the book itself felt lighter as well.
When I first got this book I thought; "Oh great, a new author! Let's give this a try!" And after doing some thorough Goodreads search on Ava, I realized that I have read her books in the past already. I guess my feelings have not changed on her writing.
Overall, I did enjoy my time reading this novel. It was emotionally heavy that's for sure. The headache from those emotions will slowly go away. This is the kind of book I would recommend for those angst emotional readers that would like to go on a rollercoaster ride filled with all kinds of feelings.
Complimentary copy kindly provided by the publicist in exchange for an honest review...
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When this book arrived to my attention as a potential read, the synopsis and I won't lie; the cover hooked me in. Was I expecting to instantly fall in love with it? Yes, actually I was. Did I? No, sadly because I had really high expectations. This book I would rationally give it a 3.5, maybe closer to 3 from the beginning of its story.
This story is not perfect. And not a story that after being 24% through, I would normally grab and thoroughly read it. The density and its heavy weight of emotional turmoil between both characters really did give me a headache at first. There were plenty of things that bothered me about both characters that are Cassidy aka Pip, and Aiden. But surprisingly enough, I could not put this book down! I lost some minor sleep actually because I simply wanted to, urgently wanted to know what would happen next. Finally when the truth came out, you could feel that heavy weight being dropped and the book itself felt lighter as well.
When I first got this book I thought; "Oh great, a new author! Let's give this a try!" And after doing some thorough Goodreads search on Ava, I realized that I have read her books in the past already. I guess my feelings have not changed on her writing.
Overall, I did enjoy my time reading this novel. It was emotionally heavy that's for sure. The headache from those emotions will slowly go away. This is the kind of book I would recommend for those angst emotional readers that would like to go on a rollercoaster ride filled with all kinds of feelings.
Complimentary copy kindly provided by the publicist in exchange for an honest review...
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August 29, 2024
Waking her up in the middle of the night to fuck the insomnia out of me is more than crossing a line.
Welllllll
I’d gladly fall on my sword to heal him. To save him.
4.5 stars
I went into this thinking it was going to be a cute little hockey romance and BAM emotional distress ensues and I spend the entire book on the edge of my seat trying to hold on for dear life.
In a good way. lmao
“I’ll never forget you.” I stick my pinky out. “Pinky promise on your puck.”
He links our fingers together with a smirk. “I promise.”
Cassidy - you broken, broken woman. I could feel her emotions, her past trauma, her pain, and I wanted to cry with her. I like the coping mechanisms she used (it’s a common practice for real-life panic attacks) and that they were included here. She was so attentive to Aiden, attentive to the point where she constantly put herself last, and that hurt my little heart.
Something about Cassidy feels safe. She takes care of me in ways I never knew I needed. I can trust her. There’s only one problem, I can’t stop thinking about touching her. Kissing her. Fucking her.
Aiden - oh man, what a MMC. I’ve never read one like him before and it was re-fresh-ing. Aiden suffers from anxiety and compulsions (I’m sure there is another diagnosis for it, but I’m not familiar with anxiety-induced compulsions or just compulsion in general so I won’t make assumptions). His need for control in his life after the shit he went through as a kid was heartbreaking and I LOVED that it was included in this book as a main plot point, instead of pushed to the side or immediately cured or something.
“Turn around and get on your hands and knees. Ass up.”
There was spicy spice, what else would you expect from a man who needs control and plays hockey
“Umm. Hi to you, too.” She giggles, allowing me to drag her off.
“No time for hello,” I say as I find the door to the storage closet and fling it open. The moment we’re inside, I slam the door shut, and we are bathed in darkness. “Take your pants off,” I command. I can barely see her, but I can hear her intake of breath.
“What?”
“You heard me. Pants. Off. Now. I need to fuck you in my jersey.”
*smirky smirk*
This woman is strong. Courageous. Dangerous. She’s the kind of girl worth falling for.
If you like:
✌🏼Second Chance Romance
🫣 Hidden Identity
🏒 NHL player with a dirty mouth
🩷 Childhood friends to Lovers
🫶🏼Pinky Promises
🏡 Found Family
💸 Rags to Riches
💊 Mental Health Representation
😭 She takes care of and protects him
❤️🔥 Fake dating
🌶️ Crawl to me
This girl is good for me. Too good. I can get used to this.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for sending me this finished copy in exchange for an honest review!! Will we get a Dane or Hudson book?? *pleads*
Aiden has always hated crowds. He told me back at the trailer that he tried to work on controlling his anxiety, but he hated it. It looks like he’s doing better than the last time I saw him, but at what cost to him? How will he suffer later?
^ that quote - yes, wow, yes. This applies to mental and physical health so much. We can show nothing in public but at a cost, a cost that we'll pay for later.
Welllllll
I’d gladly fall on my sword to heal him. To save him.
4.5 stars
I went into this thinking it was going to be a cute little hockey romance and BAM emotional distress ensues and I spend the entire book on the edge of my seat trying to hold on for dear life.
In a good way. lmao
“I’ll never forget you.” I stick my pinky out. “Pinky promise on your puck.”
He links our fingers together with a smirk. “I promise.”
Cassidy - you broken, broken woman. I could feel her emotions, her past trauma, her pain, and I wanted to cry with her. I like the coping mechanisms she used (it’s a common practice for real-life panic attacks) and that they were included here. She was so attentive to Aiden, attentive to the point where she constantly put herself last, and that hurt my little heart.
Something about Cassidy feels safe. She takes care of me in ways I never knew I needed. I can trust her. There’s only one problem, I can’t stop thinking about touching her. Kissing her. Fucking her.
Aiden - oh man, what a MMC. I’ve never read one like him before and it was re-fresh-ing. Aiden suffers from anxiety and compulsions (I’m sure there is another diagnosis for it, but I’m not familiar with anxiety-induced compulsions or just compulsion in general so I won’t make assumptions). His need for control in his life after the shit he went through as a kid was heartbreaking and I LOVED that it was included in this book as a main plot point, instead of pushed to the side or immediately cured or something.
“Turn around and get on your hands and knees. Ass up.”
There was spicy spice, what else would you expect from a man who needs control and plays hockey
“Umm. Hi to you, too.” She giggles, allowing me to drag her off.
“No time for hello,” I say as I find the door to the storage closet and fling it open. The moment we’re inside, I slam the door shut, and we are bathed in darkness. “Take your pants off,” I command. I can barely see her, but I can hear her intake of breath.
“What?”
“You heard me. Pants. Off. Now. I need to fuck you in my jersey.”
*smirky smirk*
This woman is strong. Courageous. Dangerous. She’s the kind of girl worth falling for.
If you like:
✌🏼Second Chance Romance
🫣 Hidden Identity
🏒 NHL player with a dirty mouth
🩷 Childhood friends to Lovers
🫶🏼Pinky Promises
🏡 Found Family
💸 Rags to Riches
💊 Mental Health Representation
😭 She takes care of and protects him
❤️🔥 Fake dating
🌶️ Crawl to me
This girl is good for me. Too good. I can get used to this.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for sending me this finished copy in exchange for an honest review!! Will we get a Dane or Hudson book?? *pleads*
Aiden has always hated crowds. He told me back at the trailer that he tried to work on controlling his anxiety, but he hated it. It looks like he’s doing better than the last time I saw him, but at what cost to him? How will he suffer later?
^ that quote - yes, wow, yes. This applies to mental and physical health so much. We can show nothing in public but at a cost, a cost that we'll pay for later.
January 28, 2025
definitely not my favorite..
i loved aiden he was perfect
i also like when books actually talk about mental health and mental disorders so i liked that it was a big part of this book.
but cassidy.. not my favorite at all she pissed me off sm. ever single time she said “i’ll tell him later” “soon” it made me want to shut the damn book.
i hate books where things would be okay if they just talked. i get it makes the book but come on you can only drag that on for so long.
this book was the definition of a slow burn but.. with out the burn? if that makes sense..
i loved aiden he was perfect
i also like when books actually talk about mental health and mental disorders so i liked that it was a big part of this book.
but cassidy.. not my favorite at all she pissed me off sm. ever single time she said “i’ll tell him later” “soon” it made me want to shut the damn book.
i hate books where things would be okay if they just talked. i get it makes the book but come on you can only drag that on for so long.
this book was the definition of a slow burn but.. with out the burn? if that makes sense..
April 24, 2024
These two broken cuties, they just melt my heart <3
June 26, 2024
Sweet Collide
Enjoyed it. Cassidy and Aiden have been through a lot and continue to go through even more.
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Mistaken identity
Enjoyed it. Cassidy and Aiden have been through a lot and continue to go through even more.
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Mistaken identity
September 17, 2024
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow! What a book! A great sports/hockey romance.
Here me out, him not knowing who she was for so long did drive me a bit nuts, but I really enjoyed the FMC coming out of her shell the more comfortable she got while in her current situation.
I enjoyed that the book had a strong mental health rep and really promoted how strongly trauma can effect a person.
I loved the ending and felt the author did a really good job of tying it all up.
You get:
• Dual POV
• Spicy
• Sports Romance
• Fake Dating
• Hidden Identity
• Childhood Friends To Lovers
• Past Trauma
I recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
Wow! What a book! A great sports/hockey romance.
Here me out, him not knowing who she was for so long did drive me a bit nuts, but I really enjoyed the FMC coming out of her shell the more comfortable she got while in her current situation.
I enjoyed that the book had a strong mental health rep and really promoted how strongly trauma can effect a person.
I loved the ending and felt the author did a really good job of tying it all up.
You get:
• Dual POV
• Spicy
• Sports Romance
• Fake Dating
• Hidden Identity
• Childhood Friends To Lovers
• Past Trauma
I recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
April 20, 2025
This book definitely helped me get out of my reading slump! It has some trauma heavy content, but the plot is different than other spicy romance stories I’ve read. Definitely recommend it!
September 12, 2024
Exactly what I needed as we approach hockey season again 👏🏼👏🏼
This book was so great! I loved the characters, the relationship and getting to know them and their pasts.
Uncovering what happened between these two, why Aiden never came back, what happened to Cassidy. The journey was a treat.
I really enjoyed the story, their interactions and how ultimately understanding Aiden was! It was a nice change of pace from the usual “I can’t believe you kept a secret in gonna be mad about it until I get over it”.
Audiobook provided by Hambright PR and Ava Harrison💖
This book was so great! I loved the characters, the relationship and getting to know them and their pasts.
Uncovering what happened between these two, why Aiden never came back, what happened to Cassidy. The journey was a treat.
I really enjoyed the story, their interactions and how ultimately understanding Aiden was! It was a nice change of pace from the usual “I can’t believe you kept a secret in gonna be mad about it until I get over it”.
Audiobook provided by Hambright PR and Ava Harrison💖
September 9, 2024
Oof. I wasn’t expecting such turmoil when I started this. Loved the opening with the past and would have liked to see more flashbacks.
I like to read about broken people and Aiden and Cassidy definitely fit that. I struggled with the identity deceit but can’t deny it was handled better than I expected. The chemistry between them was on every page, they were connected.
I worried at times how it would turn out because her love for him stemmed from the past and his love was built in the present. Their childhood trauma and mental health play a big role in this and this made me see them in a different way.
I enjoyed this one and while surprised not at all disappointed.
I like to read about broken people and Aiden and Cassidy definitely fit that. I struggled with the identity deceit but can’t deny it was handled better than I expected. The chemistry between them was on every page, they were connected.
I worried at times how it would turn out because her love for him stemmed from the past and his love was built in the present. Their childhood trauma and mental health play a big role in this and this made me see them in a different way.
I enjoyed this one and while surprised not at all disappointed.
August 29, 2024
Fake dating x hockey romance are two favorite tropes I love to read. So when you put them together you have a winning combination in my opinion. I love the mental health rep in this one!! So much honesty and meaningful things happen that really pull at the heartstrings.
Aiden and Cassidy, the two main characters, share a connection that is so emotional and complex. I adored their story. I felt like the mental health rep so well done between the two main characters and their struggles you just really felt connected to them both!
Such a great hockey romance and with lots of build up to secrets you just want to keep reading to learn more!
The only reason this wasn’t a solid 5 stars is due to some pacing issues but besides that, I absolutely adored this book.
Aiden and Cassidy, the two main characters, share a connection that is so emotional and complex. I adored their story. I felt like the mental health rep so well done between the two main characters and their struggles you just really felt connected to them both!
Such a great hockey romance and with lots of build up to secrets you just want to keep reading to learn more!
The only reason this wasn’t a solid 5 stars is due to some pacing issues but besides that, I absolutely adored this book.
August 5, 2024
Sweet Collide
It’s us. It’s always been us. I’ll stand by your side until the end. No matter where the road takes us. Now and forever.”
star rating: 3 ★ ★ ★
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The truth shall set you free, they say, but in reality we must set ourselves free. That’s what Aiden & Cassidy learned. Because as much as they helped heal one another, a lot of it had to be dealt with alone.
Two people destined for one another, destined to protect, to love, and to care for one another. Fate has a funny way of pulling the strings.
It’s us. It’s always been us. I’ll stand by your side until the end. No matter where the road takes us. Now and forever.”
star rating: 3 ★ ★ ★
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The truth shall set you free, they say, but in reality we must set ourselves free. That’s what Aiden & Cassidy learned. Because as much as they helped heal one another, a lot of it had to be dealt with alone.
Two people destined for one another, destined to protect, to love, and to care for one another. Fate has a funny way of pulling the strings.
May 26, 2024
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳: ̗̀➛ ❝ 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐜𝐤. ❞ ✧
🏒𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆;
╰► Sport Romance (hockey)
╰► Fake Dating
╰► Friends to lovers
╰► Mental Health rep
╰► Secret identity
╰► Toxic Parents
╰► Forced proximity
➤ 𝚃𝙷 𝙾 𝚄 𝙶 𝙷 𝚃 𝚂
It started off with great potential but then became a bit dull and predictable. The main characters, though reasonably intelligent, just didn’t have the personality or the courage to sit down and really get to know each other like adults. It's always a bit disappointing when a book doesn’t live up to its glowing reviews. However, I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy it and connect with the characters – it just wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
★★☆☆☆
“𝙽𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜, 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎…𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚎, 𝙿𝚒𝚙.”
“𝙾𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎, 𝙸’𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
“𝙿𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎?”
“𝙾𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚞𝚌𝚔.”
𝙰 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐.
𝙰 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎.
🏒𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆;
╰► Sport Romance (hockey)
╰► Fake Dating
╰► Friends to lovers
╰► Mental Health rep
╰► Secret identity
╰► Toxic Parents
╰► Forced proximity
➤ 𝚃𝙷 𝙾 𝚄 𝙶 𝙷 𝚃 𝚂
It started off with great potential but then became a bit dull and predictable. The main characters, though reasonably intelligent, just didn’t have the personality or the courage to sit down and really get to know each other like adults. It's always a bit disappointing when a book doesn’t live up to its glowing reviews. However, I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy it and connect with the characters – it just wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
★★☆☆☆
“𝙽𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜, 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎…𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚎, 𝙿𝚒𝚙.”
“𝙾𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎, 𝙸’𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”
“𝙿𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎?”
“𝙾𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚞𝚌𝚔.”
𝙰 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐.
𝙰 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎.
May 10, 2024
Saw it on a must-read author’s newsletter and wanted to give it a try.
Overall, a mess. This book tried to do a lot, and seemed promising in the beginning, but unraveled.
Hate when there’s lying at the foundation of a relationship.
The stories (present and flashback) tried to be significant and earnest but missed both by a mile. Each scene felt forced and unnatural. The setup is strange, the pace is strange, the depth of feeling on her end for someone she knew for apparently 8 months as a preteen?
And he has OCD- so what? The lies around it are worse than the compulsions themselves. He’s still a professional athlete. And she’s catfishing him. Too many major problems that ultimately weren’t woven together well and didn’t provide any feeling of relief or resolution. Our MCs barely grew, the plot was sloppy. Save your time.
Overall, a mess. This book tried to do a lot, and seemed promising in the beginning, but unraveled.
Hate when there’s lying at the foundation of a relationship.
The stories (present and flashback) tried to be significant and earnest but missed both by a mile. Each scene felt forced and unnatural. The setup is strange, the pace is strange, the depth of feeling on her end for someone she knew for apparently 8 months as a preteen?
And he has OCD- so what? The lies around it are worse than the compulsions themselves. He’s still a professional athlete. And she’s catfishing him. Too many major problems that ultimately weren’t woven together well and didn’t provide any feeling of relief or resolution. Our MCs barely grew, the plot was sloppy. Save your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2024
WOW! It's been a minute since I've read a hockey romance and I was thrilled with how much game time/ practices were included in the book. Sometimes I miss the sports part of a sports romance and Sweet Collide delivered.
Cassidy and Aiden develop an unlikely friendship after she moves to the trailer park were Aiden months later has to make the tough decision to leave with the help of Cassidy. Fast forward 10 years and Aiden doesn't recognize her 🫣 Cassidy wants nothing more than to protect Aiden so she agrees to work for him while fake dating so the press doesn't get wind of his compulsions. Honestly this book was emotional. You have some fun moments but what really captivated me was their raw vulnerability through out the book. I felt for both of them so much.
I'd love to see what else Ava has in store for us. Thank you @hambright_pr and @avaharrisonauthor for the gifted copy
Cassidy and Aiden develop an unlikely friendship after she moves to the trailer park were Aiden months later has to make the tough decision to leave with the help of Cassidy. Fast forward 10 years and Aiden doesn't recognize her 🫣 Cassidy wants nothing more than to protect Aiden so she agrees to work for him while fake dating so the press doesn't get wind of his compulsions. Honestly this book was emotional. You have some fun moments but what really captivated me was their raw vulnerability through out the book. I felt for both of them so much.
I'd love to see what else Ava has in store for us. Thank you @hambright_pr and @avaharrisonauthor for the gifted copy
December 8, 2024
I've never been more confounded on the timeline and pacing ever before with a book
I also genuinely considered stopping at 25% but had a lil hope it would get better (it really didn't)
The amount of fad-y and trendy words used in this made my wanna claw my eyes out. Sus was used 4 times too many and I can't believe I actually read her-"we have to be endgame" him-"we are endgame" with my own two eyes.
I also genuinely considered stopping at 25% but had a lil hope it would get better (it really didn't)
The amount of fad-y and trendy words used in this made my wanna claw my eyes out. Sus was used 4 times too many and I can't believe I actually read her-"we have to be endgame" him-"we are endgame" with my own two eyes.
January 12, 2025
When people think of hockey romances they think of them being all sweet and an easy read. I thought this at first too but it is definitely something totally different. This is one of the best mental health book that I've read because it shows that people don't just open up about their trauma. In other books you see the character just give into telling people about things that have scarred them but that's not how life actually works with people who have been abused or have trauma. This is definitely a book that highlights how tough the world actually is but also how good and rewarding it can be at the same time.
December 10, 2024
I binged this is one sitting and couldn’t put it down! I was immediately hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was going to happen. It was way more emotional than I expected from a hockey romance but it was different than most I have read and I really enjoyed that! This isn’t your typical hockey romance! It was quite an emotional ride. I really enjoyed Aiden and Cass’ story and the depth of their love.
If you love…
- Hockey Romance
- Fake Dating
- Secret Identity
- Dual POV
- Second Chance Romance
- Crawl to me
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Secrets
If you love…
- Hockey Romance
- Fake Dating
- Secret Identity
- Dual POV
- Second Chance Romance
- Crawl to me
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Secrets
April 19, 2024
This had such a good first half. The h and H met when she was 12, moving to a trailer park where the 18 year old H lived, after her alcoholic father had lost them everything else. They became friends and she helped him get to the start of his hockey dreams by giving him what little money she had. He promised not to forget her.
The story begins 10 years down the track.
Unsure why I skipped through the 2nd half. Can’t really put my finger on it.
The story begins 10 years down the track.
Unsure why I skipped through the 2nd half. Can’t really put my finger on it.
October 15, 2024
this was so not what i was expecting from a hockey romance but it was very refreshing
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