Liv Garrison needs a shoulder to cry on. I'm giving her that and a whole lot more. The media, the fans, my teammates, my coaches, all expect more from me than they do other hockey players. That’s what happens when you’re Crew Westwood, the son of hockey’s beloved golden boy. I was pretty good at handling the pressure until my wife blew up our marriage and I responded by almost blowing up my house. Not my finest hour, but I’ve never been an emotionless robot like my twin brother. Now I have it all under control. I’m happy with who I am and my single, carefree life. Until a trip to Vegas, and the best one night stand of my life, changes everything. Turns out my ‘sexy stranger’ is actually the cousin of my teammate and best friend. Tate always told me Liv Garrison was the one who steered clear of all things hockey. He said she was a shy, innocent, virgin. Well… not anymore. If Tate finds out about my steamy night with Liv, I’m screwed. But what has me even more terrified is that fact that I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s the most beautiful, authentic, kind, hilarious and accidentally sexy woman I’ve ever met. Liv’s also got secrets she doesn’t want to talk about, just like me. I can’t fall in love again. I’m not cut out to handle that level of emotions. I have to stay away… my brain keeps sending that memo, but my heart, and the rest of my body, refuse to listen.
Victoria Denault loves ocean air, seventies music, strong heroines and flawed heroes. She is a former journalist, stand-up comic and corporate marketing minion. Victoria is a Canadian and former Californian who currently lives in a 225 year-old house with her husband, their Chihuahua Maximus and more spiders than she cares to think about.
Wait, what?! I’m pretty sure this was the first time ever I have read about heroine faking the big O, while being with the hero for the first time. It’s always earth-shattering, incredibly good and they come multiple times in every possible way.
Damn, color me impressed.
You also don’t get many bi heroes, unless it’s an mm or some sort of a reverse harem type of romance, so - again - color me impressed!
The story itself was pretty good too. I still wish those books were longer, so there was a chance to dig deep (hockey pun intended) into the story, get some proper tension and angst, too. Being as short as those books are, it all feels too easy and superficial and it never feels like a HEA, more like a HFN.
Still, I’m enjoying this series and I’m looking forward to read more.
I’ve read the entire first GEN to the series and I’m so glad that she is writing a second GEN. Crew and Olivia had so much chemistry. I loved all the family dynamics, the friends dynamics. Also, Victoria writes Los Angeles like it is which not many authors do. Can’t wait for Nash.
What's a wee bit of arson to get your ex out of the house?
I feel like that was the only thought running through Crew Westwood's mind when he decided to drag his mattress from the bedroom to the front yard and light the thing on fire. His (now ex) wife wasn't on it--thankfully? TBD honestly--but it got some major attention. Now he's in Vegas with his teammates after winning the Stanley Cup and doing what he can to stay *under* the radar.
Liv has always been the quiet cousin. The steadfast, reliable, ... eh. Fine. Boring one. But that's done. After a life-changing situation, she's taking charge and doing things outside her comfort zone. An impromptu trip to Vegas with her cousin Tate to celebrate with the team, she decides to go for broke, so to speak. Breaking her V-card streak is the goal of the night and Crew is the man for the job. He just doesn't know that's in the fine print. *** Victoria Denault loves surprises. Well, giving them at least. I can't speak for receiving... anyways. Back on topic. The fact is, I love discovering different sides to her characters and this time was no different. Crew isn't just the tatted, chaotic divorced hockey star the world sees him as. He's got secrets he's not willing to share with just anyone. It's the "holding to the vest" mentality, though, that's got him feeling friction with his twin, Nash, and even Olivia.
As the one night stand turned situationship turned committed relationship progresses, you get to see the connection between Liv and Crew grow stronger. Their spicy scenes are fun and funny which is one of my favorite combos. Truly. I love when the characters can laugh as they get hot and heavy when the situation fits. And these two FIT!
This is the 3rd book in the Hockey Royalty series--a 2nd gen series that follows the kids of the Hometown Players series. Do you *have* to read the first two in this series? Eh, no. But you should. Do you *have* to read the Hometown Players series? Again, no... but you SHOULD. Yeah yeah, it'll add depth to understanding the characters you meet. Sure sure. BUT ALSO... those books are freaking amazing and should be read for that reason alone!
Crew is the third book in the Hockey Royalty series and what a great addition it was!
Crew Westwood has gone through a divorce and he's gone to Vegas to celebrate winning the Stanley Cup with his teammates. His plan while there is to enjoy himself, but to also do exactly what most people don't when in Vegas and that is stay under the radar.
Olivia Garrison has been through a something that has altered her life and she's ready to do something outside her comfort zone. She's typically the quiet, reliable one, but this time, she's ready to be daring while in Vegas with her cousin, Tate.
When Crew and Liv meet, the attraction is immediate. They decide to spend the night together and little does Crew know, but this night means more to Liv than any other. As their relationship evolves, we learn a lot more about both of them and what makes them tick.
I always enjoy Victoria Denault's books and this one was no exception. I really liked both of these characters and how much we got to know them. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
I went in to this book a little skeptical because I absolutely loved Crew's parents' book and then Liv's parents...well, Devin and Callie are my fave Denault couple. So I went in refusing to have high expectations and be disappointed. I had no need to worry, because Crew and Liv melted my heart.
I love that Crew is written without shame that he's bi. There is some drama about that and I'll admit that for a few chapters I felt pretty icky about a character until that resolved, but in typical Victoria Denault fashion, the issue is tackled and resolved with thoughtfulness.
I loved Liv's resolve to live her life after having something traumatic happen to her. She spends the whole book thinking she's the opposite of her parents and then finds out how similar she is to Callie.
I love that Denault tackles so much human feeling in her books. These books are so much more hockey romances. She gets into some deep stuff and while, yes, each couple gets their HEA, they come through with awesome character development. I hope that more people pick up these books so she keeps writing in the future!
I am beyond honoured to receive an ARC and provide a review. If you've read my reviews before, you know that I include Victoria Denault as one of my favourite authors. Not afraid to include topics that are hard in her writing, she still brings us strong heroines and heroes with love, humour and 'all the feels'. Book three of the Hockey Royalty series brings off spring from two hockey families together. Crew and Olivia find each other and overcome barriers to provide us an entertaining, sexy and heartwarming story.
Lets not forget the supporting characters - parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins. Endless entertaining conversation and support. I'm sure other women will appreciate lines like "I actually had a hot flash during sex the other day. Threw your father right off of me and ran to the window for air." Thank you for always keeping it real. Solid 5 star hockey love story.
I love all of Victoria Denault’s books. She’s an instant buy for me. The Hockey Royalty series is a next generation series (the kids of her Hometown Players series as well as other crossover characters). I love that it’s like getting a novel-length epilogue for the characters we know and love from her other novels (I’m a big Callie fan). Her characters are hilarious and relatable. She writes the kind of friend groups and families that I wish I had or want to marry into. If you like witty banter, sassy FMCs, and sexy, Golden Retriever Bad Boy book boyfriends, this series is for you. Crew and Olivia were such an amazing couple, and there was no 3rd act breakup/stupid misunderstanding! I can’t wait for the next one…that ending! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (one of my fav tropes). Bring on Tenley’s book!
Crew and Liv are an unlikely couple. Especially since the players on the Quake are so close and have a no sleeping with each others family members rule. But Crew had no idea who Liv was at the time they met. That rule only became a complication when they both wanted to see each other again. Liv's crazy family has their nose in everything and Liv and Crew both have some secrets so they lay low in the beginning. These two are really sweet together I like their dynamic! Really excited about the next in series as well!
Crew is probably my favorite MMC of this series thus far! He has his baggage but he still handles it like an adult. Gives me all the “good guy” vibes! The pace of him and Livs romance is just right and I appreciated the level of details about each of their lives and background.
As usual Denault knows just how to sprinkle in our minor characters stories to keep us hooked and ready for the next book!
Already cant wait for the next like 4 books in this series and the escape from the world it will surely provide!
Loved it so much! Crew is the 3rd book in the Hockey Royalty book. I'm loving seeing the kids of all of the characters I love. Crew and Olivia were both damaged in some way. It was really phenomenal to see them both heal in their own ways. It was absolutely beautiful. I loved how they both helped each other in their own ways and loved seeing them fall for each other. As always everything Victoria Denault writes is pure magic! I can't wait to see what she has in store next.
I really enjoyed the story Crew and Liv and their failed attempts at a one night stand. Their chemistry was just fantastic and their banter was so fun. This book definitely deals with some deeper topics. Both Liv and Crew have a lot of layers to them. These are interesting, and charismatic characters. And they kept my attention the entire time. This might be my favorite book so far in the hockey royalty series I can't wait for the next installment.
Oh My! Bravo! I was on edge the whole book! It definitely keep me on my toes! Haha There were a few things that caught me by surprise, but what is a Victoria Denault book with out a few of those!
I loved these two!! I felt like you got to really get to know the characters and while you have the characters set up, I felt like these two you got personal with! While they overcame obstacles, you got to see them grow in their own and together!
I loved them and I’m so happy they got their happily ever after! If you want a hockey romance with forbidden love, and amazing characters, you should grab this one for sure!
I loved this so much. I can't keep all the families straight despite reading all the previous books (as most were read a while ago) but it doesn't matter. The characters stand as they are and the backgrounds with the parents only adds an extra layer of joy to be able to catch up with them again.
Rest of the review to follow when I can organise my thoughts. Right now all I can think about is "talk to me goose" and it's making me want to watch a double feature with both films. 😂
Updated to add: What I love about this series is there's always that little bit more to the characters so they're more relatable and believable. They have things going on in their lives or past relationships that they have to deal with in order to move on. And how they reach their HEA is just really well thought out and written. I always enjoy books by this author and she is a long time favourite of mine. Crew is now up there with Conner and Tate and I have no idea who my favourite in the series is. Such a dilemma! But a good one to have.
It's a great story about two people both going through some very real things. Liv and Crew might be from two very famous hockey families, but the roads they take in this story are very real and will have just about everyone seeing a little of yourself in each of them. I highly, highly recommend this book!
An amazing read for an amazing series. Love the idea of hockey royalty. It's very nice to catch up with the Garrison crew. Liv is a sweetheart. Crew is all alpha and hot. Liv is wise beyond her years. So much love and acceptance. Can't wait for the next installment of Hockey Royalty.
Crew and Liv story is one of new beginnings and overcoming personal trauma. Helping each other and falling in love in the process. With a rétrospective of all the previous heroes from all the great books that Victoria as been given us since the beginning. Loved it!!!
Awe....another 5 star read from this author. I absolutely love her stories they are always perfect in everyway. Crew and Liv were so fun to watch as their story played out. I am loving this series and characters. This is one series I highly recommend.
Couldn’t put it down-check! Didn’t want it to end-check! A must read-check! What a great story! I loved Olivia & Crew’s HEA! Very much looking forward to more in this series!
CREW- you are my new favourite Hockey Royalty man…
TROPES: 🏒 One-and-NOT-done 🏒 They fall together 🏒 Commitment-phobe 🏒 Best friend’s Cousin 🏒 NO THIRD-ACT BREAKUP 🏒 Emotional Scars 🏒 Opposites Attract
this book is so steamy and so wonderful omg…
Crew Westwood is a hockey star and soon to be Captain of the Quake. Being freshly divorced has left him with some scars and promising he will never be in another relationship again.
Olivia Garrison has fresh scars of her own that have her going on a trip to Vegas with the only goal of losing her v*rginty.
When a one-night stand ends up being the most incredible night of their lives, they just can't leave each other alone...but dating a teammate's family member is against the rules. The tension, the secrets, the STEAM- I couldn't get enough of Crew & Liv.