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In the Zone #2
Across the Line
Book two of In the Zone
Calder Griffin needs to get back in shape. Sidelined last season by a knee injury, he's determined to return to the San Diego Barracudas and play the best hockey of his career. This might even be the year he gets out of his talented older brother's shadow.
For months, Becca Chen has poured her energy into Cups, the restaurant she owns, desperate to prove to her parents that she can succeed in the career of her choice, not theirs. But after she spends a five-hour plane ride flirting with charming, magic-on-the-ice Calder, she tells herself she needs a fling.
Becca and Calder can't keep their hands off each other, but they know the relationship can't last. They live on opposite coasts, and they're both too devoted to their careers. All they have to do is prevent their feelings from crossing the line from lust to love…
See how Calder's teammate Tim found love in On the Surface.
99,000 words
Calder Griffin needs to get back in shape. Sidelined last season by a knee injury, he's determined to return to the San Diego Barracudas and play the best hockey of his career. This might even be the year he gets out of his talented older brother's shadow.
For months, Becca Chen has poured her energy into Cups, the restaurant she owns, desperate to prove to her parents that she can succeed in the career of her choice, not theirs. But after she spends a five-hour plane ride flirting with charming, magic-on-the-ice Calder, she tells herself she needs a fling.
Becca and Calder can't keep their hands off each other, but they know the relationship can't last. They live on opposite coasts, and they're both too devoted to their careers. All they have to do is prevent their feelings from crossing the line from lust to love…
See how Calder's teammate Tim found love in On the Surface.
99,000 words
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2014
64 people are currently reading
826 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
November 22, 2020
I am confuse with what I am suppose to feel about this book. See... i like the idea of flirting on the plane. First class and next to you is a handsome man. Stranger. The sex is great. Sexy and steamy.
The plot then goes back and forth between the heroine and the hero. We can learn about their past, family and up bringing. While keep having hot sex. I like the whole idea.
But....
Somehow I lost in translation. Somewhere in the middle of the book, I got bored. Is it the story too long? Draging with the same plot over and over again? The cinversation becomes dry?? Not sure.
What I know I end up luke warm to Across the Lane. Nothing memorable feeling at the end.
3 stars
The plot then goes back and forth between the heroine and the hero. We can learn about their past, family and up bringing. While keep having hot sex. I like the whole idea.
But....
Somehow I lost in translation. Somewhere in the middle of the book, I got bored. Is it the story too long? Draging with the same plot over and over again? The cinversation becomes dry?? Not sure.
What I know I end up luke warm to Across the Lane. Nothing memorable feeling at the end.
3 stars
July 21, 2020
3.5 stars.
dnf
March 6, 2016I couldn't connect to it...
I won't rate the book, can't decide if it was my fault for not liking it or the book's fault.
Still, I didn't feel anything! Not even annoyance, lol. I didn't connect to the characters or to the plot, I didn't laugh or cry or smile or frown.
Maybe I'm in a weird place and this read wasn't for me for now. Maybe I'll give it a try again at one point... Ok, why am I lying?! Nope, I won't get back to this book, but hey, maybe you'll like it more!
I won't rate the book, can't decide if it was my fault for not liking it or the book's fault.
Still, I didn't feel anything! Not even annoyance, lol. I didn't connect to the characters or to the plot, I didn't laugh or cry or smile or frown.
Maybe I'm in a weird place and this read wasn't for me for now. Maybe I'll give it a try again at one point... Ok, why am I lying?! Nope, I won't get back to this book, but hey, maybe you'll like it more!
June 6, 2016
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
This second book of the In the Zone series by Kate Willoughby had me tied in knots. Across the Line was one of those books that grabs ahold of you and sucks you in from the beginning. The characters were so developed and the story had so much depth that you couldn't help but feel the emotions that these characters were feeling.
Calder Griffin was tough, sexy, sweet, thoughtful and as stubborn as all get out. As a hockey player overcoming an injury he was focused and worked his butt off to prove himself. However, when his brother got traded to his team it was not welcome news for Calder. He held such deep resentment towards Hart for always making him feel like second best. These two tried my patience as a reader, so I can't imagine what it would have been like being their mom. I wanted to yell at them to talk it out and grow up. See? This book filled me with emotions.
Becca Chen was driven and pretty single minded when it came to her approach to life and business. Meeting Calder and allowing time for a relationship was nowhere near what she was prepared for at this stage of her life, but it happened. I am not a huge fan of how she handled it at all. I think she was trying as much as she knew how to. In her defense, she was raised by parents that weren't exactly hands on, but she still made me crazy. Calder had done everything short of kissing her butt to keep her happy and she just didn't feel that she should give at all. She was driven I'll give her that, but she's also a control freak that caused most of their problems. At least she admitted she was being selfish, but wow. The scene where he mentioned the money he loaned to her and she blew up I just wanted to shake her and say "he wouldn't have said it if you had included him in even one step of your business".
All of that being said once Becca woke up and saw what it was that she was losing it was explosive. The couple was really good together. Becca just needed to open her eyes and see that. I think I loved this book so much because it made me angry, it frustrated me, in short it made me feel. Everything seemed so real. I definitely recommend this book.
You can find this review and others at Books, Chocolate and Lipgloss
This second book of the In the Zone series by Kate Willoughby had me tied in knots. Across the Line was one of those books that grabs ahold of you and sucks you in from the beginning. The characters were so developed and the story had so much depth that you couldn't help but feel the emotions that these characters were feeling.
Calder Griffin was tough, sexy, sweet, thoughtful and as stubborn as all get out. As a hockey player overcoming an injury he was focused and worked his butt off to prove himself. However, when his brother got traded to his team it was not welcome news for Calder. He held such deep resentment towards Hart for always making him feel like second best. These two tried my patience as a reader, so I can't imagine what it would have been like being their mom. I wanted to yell at them to talk it out and grow up. See? This book filled me with emotions.
Becca Chen was driven and pretty single minded when it came to her approach to life and business. Meeting Calder and allowing time for a relationship was nowhere near what she was prepared for at this stage of her life, but it happened. I am not a huge fan of how she handled it at all. I think she was trying as much as she knew how to. In her defense, she was raised by parents that weren't exactly hands on, but she still made me crazy. Calder had done everything short of kissing her butt to keep her happy and she just didn't feel that she should give at all. She was driven I'll give her that, but she's also a control freak that caused most of their problems. At least she admitted she was being selfish, but wow. The scene where he mentioned the money he loaned to her and she blew up I just wanted to shake her and say "he wouldn't have said it if you had included him in even one step of your business".
All of that being said once Becca woke up and saw what it was that she was losing it was explosive. The couple was really good together. Becca just needed to open her eyes and see that. I think I loved this book so much because it made me angry, it frustrated me, in short it made me feel. Everything seemed so real. I definitely recommend this book.
You can find this review and others at Books, Chocolate and Lipgloss
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August 3, 2023Hey there, it's me, Kate, the author. I'd like to thank everyone who takes the time to review or rate the book. As a writer always looking to perfect my craft, I appreciate the comments very much.
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In addition to release announcements, I also include exclusive content, like the alternate epilogue for On the Surface, not available to anyone but you subscribers. Oh, and I won't share your address with anyone, of course. :)
If you would like to be in the loop on my latest releases, please subscribe to my newsletter.
http://www.katewilloughbyauthor.com/p...
In addition to release announcements, I also include exclusive content, like the alternate epilogue for On the Surface, not available to anyone but you subscribers. Oh, and I won't share your address with anyone, of course. :)
August 16, 2014
This book is two things.
First, it is a romance between two characters who don't know how to be in a relationship with each other and who we never really see learn to do so. Second, it is the story of the first player to come out as an active player in the NHL. I don't think it does either of those things particularly well, but if forced to choose, I'd say it does the second slightly better than the first. Emphasis on the word slightly.
I don't think the romance works because of the characters involved and how their relationship develops over the course of the book. When it begins, they're in a long distance relationship and it's a struggle for them. Then, conveniently, Becca's restaurant burns down and it's suspected arson, so Calder uses that to urge her to move to California with him where she can reopen and he'll foot the bill until she gets a check from the insurance company. Fine. I don't think they were ready for that step when it happened and the book certainly proves that to be true, but fine. Moreover, though, they never talk about what living together will mean. When Becca finds a new location and gets fully involved in the process of starting over from scratch, she has no time for him and assumes that he'll be totally fine with that because it's just like hockey. That's maybe true, he'd never really experienced "work" Becca before and it was perfectly logical for him to be upset by what was happening. They also, foolishly, never set limits on the bank of Calder and when he finally gets pissed about her taking money without asking first, she's hurt when it's pointed out that he owns everything she's doing. I sympathize with Becca's character type (I am Becca's character type), but by the end of the book, there's nothing there to make me think that they're really going to be capable of making things work. Yeah, she goes through a thing and I'm supposed to believe it made her change, but we never see that change, because of the jump to the epilogue, so color me skeptical.
The other half of the story is how Calder's older brother Hart comes out. Calder and Hart got along great as kids and then gradually grew apart and have a rough relationship now, even though they're both professional hockey players. When Hart signs a free agent contract with Calder's team, Calder is less than thrilled but gradually warms to the idea of playing with his brother as that gets easier for them both. The only trouble is, he keeps getting told his brother is gay and he doesn't believe it. An opposing player tells him this, Becca tells him this after they have dinner with Hart and his roommate, and he actually asks his brother who never directly answers but lets Calder keep thinking he's not. Then, as if by magic, a local gay teen who also happens to be a hockey player gets beaten up, and Hart blames himself for not being out. Okay. Fine. But he does this in front of most of his team, blindsided brother included. After he's talked down from making a public announcement right that second, Calder goes home and talks to his mom who apparently always knew, leaving Calder as the only one in the family in the dark. And then there's a bad conversation where things between the brothers where things are solved with hugs and just.
I am sick of years of emotional distance being solved by hugs. It's more commonly found in books about estranged parents and children, but it certainly applies here too. Yes, Hart's decision to pull away from his brother when he realized his gay makes a certain amount of sense, and you can't blame a 14-year-old kid for that. But he's not that kid anymore and there are years of a bad relationship there that can't be solved with "I'm gay, so it's not my fault I treated you like shit as a sibling." And I felt like that's what I was being asked to buy into.
This book just ended up not being for me at all, which was disappointing because I liked the first in the series quite a bit. But hey, at least I didn't like this one because of bad hockey. Because the hockey was fine. It was the rest of it that didn't work. That's a kind of progress, right?
First, it is a romance between two characters who don't know how to be in a relationship with each other and who we never really see learn to do so. Second, it is the story of the first player to come out as an active player in the NHL. I don't think it does either of those things particularly well, but if forced to choose, I'd say it does the second slightly better than the first. Emphasis on the word slightly.
I don't think the romance works because of the characters involved and how their relationship develops over the course of the book. When it begins, they're in a long distance relationship and it's a struggle for them. Then, conveniently, Becca's restaurant burns down and it's suspected arson, so Calder uses that to urge her to move to California with him where she can reopen and he'll foot the bill until she gets a check from the insurance company. Fine. I don't think they were ready for that step when it happened and the book certainly proves that to be true, but fine. Moreover, though, they never talk about what living together will mean. When Becca finds a new location and gets fully involved in the process of starting over from scratch, she has no time for him and assumes that he'll be totally fine with that because it's just like hockey. That's maybe true, he'd never really experienced "work" Becca before and it was perfectly logical for him to be upset by what was happening. They also, foolishly, never set limits on the bank of Calder and when he finally gets pissed about her taking money without asking first, she's hurt when it's pointed out that he owns everything she's doing. I sympathize with Becca's character type (I am Becca's character type), but by the end of the book, there's nothing there to make me think that they're really going to be capable of making things work. Yeah, she goes through a thing and I'm supposed to believe it made her change, but we never see that change, because of the jump to the epilogue, so color me skeptical.
The other half of the story is how Calder's older brother Hart comes out. Calder and Hart got along great as kids and then gradually grew apart and have a rough relationship now, even though they're both professional hockey players. When Hart signs a free agent contract with Calder's team, Calder is less than thrilled but gradually warms to the idea of playing with his brother as that gets easier for them both. The only trouble is, he keeps getting told his brother is gay and he doesn't believe it. An opposing player tells him this, Becca tells him this after they have dinner with Hart and his roommate, and he actually asks his brother who never directly answers but lets Calder keep thinking he's not. Then, as if by magic, a local gay teen who also happens to be a hockey player gets beaten up, and Hart blames himself for not being out. Okay. Fine. But he does this in front of most of his team, blindsided brother included. After he's talked down from making a public announcement right that second, Calder goes home and talks to his mom who apparently always knew, leaving Calder as the only one in the family in the dark. And then there's a bad conversation where things between the brothers where things are solved with hugs and just.
I am sick of years of emotional distance being solved by hugs. It's more commonly found in books about estranged parents and children, but it certainly applies here too. Yes, Hart's decision to pull away from his brother when he realized his gay makes a certain amount of sense, and you can't blame a 14-year-old kid for that. But he's not that kid anymore and there are years of a bad relationship there that can't be solved with "I'm gay, so it's not my fault I treated you like shit as a sibling." And I felt like that's what I was being asked to buy into.
This book just ended up not being for me at all, which was disappointing because I liked the first in the series quite a bit. But hey, at least I didn't like this one because of bad hockey. Because the hockey was fine. It was the rest of it that didn't work. That's a kind of progress, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2014
My Review:
I adored the first book that I read in this series. It was my first time reading this author and she made a great first impression. So much so that I basically attacked her in an elevator at RWA in San Antonio last month because I remembered her name. With this second book in the series, this author just made my "auto-buy author" list!! OMG, I loved this book.
Hockey...Cooking...Upstate New York. This book was made of all things good! The heroine, Becca, owns a restaurant on the Commons of Ithaca where she specializes in lettuce cups and soups. She and Calder meet on a flight home from San Diego. He's a pro-hockey player in California...San Diego to be exact. They immediately hit it off, but both have very successful careers on opposite coasts...an impossible situation that will result in heartbreak, so they both resist the temptation...for a little while.
These are complex characters. Calder is coming off seven months laid up because of a knee injury and is an emotional eater. I loved his sweet tooth and that it showed up often throughout the book...esp. when he's stressed. He has a great supportive family who Becca knows and loves too. But he also has a pro-hockey playing brother and has always felt that he's never lived up to Hart, regardless of his own success. I loved the story going on in the background of the conflict between the two brothers...and especially loved where the story line went with Hart. I'd LOVE it if there were characters really like him standing up in the NHL. That was all kinds of awesome.
Becca also has a story line about her independence and the fact that she won't lean on anyone for anything. Her parents were EXTREMELY disappointed with her when she dropped out of medical school and started the restaurant. As a result, she feels like she has to prove something with every point in her career...to the detriment of everything else including herself.
The book was great. I loved the romance and how true it felt. It definitely wasn't all hearts and flowers. These characters have real obstacles and I rooted for them all the way to their Happily Every After. The hockey aspect was fabulously done too...with both the team and Calder's struggles to maintain his career and everything that affects...travel time, injuries, diet, and simple normal stresses. From the aspect of being a hockey girlfriend for Becca to Calder's daily issues with maintaining his career, the book felt very authentic while at the same time the story was absolutely a great one that I didn't want to put down.
There was so much good about this book, but I also need to state that one of those amazing things was the Ithaca, New York setting. I've visited Ithaca and upstate NewYork twice in my lifetime and fell in love with the area. Honestly, even though I'm from Texas, I would move there to live for the rest of my life in a heartbeat. Through this book, I feel like I got to take a little vacation there and I want to go back. Kate Willoughby did a fantastic job capturing the vibe of the Commons and this town that I love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I adored the first book that I read in this series. It was my first time reading this author and she made a great first impression. So much so that I basically attacked her in an elevator at RWA in San Antonio last month because I remembered her name. With this second book in the series, this author just made my "auto-buy author" list!! OMG, I loved this book.
Hockey...Cooking...Upstate New York. This book was made of all things good! The heroine, Becca, owns a restaurant on the Commons of Ithaca where she specializes in lettuce cups and soups. She and Calder meet on a flight home from San Diego. He's a pro-hockey player in California...San Diego to be exact. They immediately hit it off, but both have very successful careers on opposite coasts...an impossible situation that will result in heartbreak, so they both resist the temptation...for a little while.
These are complex characters. Calder is coming off seven months laid up because of a knee injury and is an emotional eater. I loved his sweet tooth and that it showed up often throughout the book...esp. when he's stressed. He has a great supportive family who Becca knows and loves too. But he also has a pro-hockey playing brother and has always felt that he's never lived up to Hart, regardless of his own success. I loved the story going on in the background of the conflict between the two brothers...and especially loved where the story line went with Hart. I'd LOVE it if there were characters really like him standing up in the NHL. That was all kinds of awesome.
Becca also has a story line about her independence and the fact that she won't lean on anyone for anything. Her parents were EXTREMELY disappointed with her when she dropped out of medical school and started the restaurant. As a result, she feels like she has to prove something with every point in her career...to the detriment of everything else including herself.
The book was great. I loved the romance and how true it felt. It definitely wasn't all hearts and flowers. These characters have real obstacles and I rooted for them all the way to their Happily Every After. The hockey aspect was fabulously done too...with both the team and Calder's struggles to maintain his career and everything that affects...travel time, injuries, diet, and simple normal stresses. From the aspect of being a hockey girlfriend for Becca to Calder's daily issues with maintaining his career, the book felt very authentic while at the same time the story was absolutely a great one that I didn't want to put down.
There was so much good about this book, but I also need to state that one of those amazing things was the Ithaca, New York setting. I've visited Ithaca and upstate NewYork twice in my lifetime and fell in love with the area. Honestly, even though I'm from Texas, I would move there to live for the rest of my life in a heartbeat. Through this book, I feel like I got to take a little vacation there and I want to go back. Kate Willoughby did a fantastic job capturing the vibe of the Commons and this town that I love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 30, 2015
Calder is flying back home to see his family for the holidays when he happens to run into a girl he may have bullied a bit in school. He's grown up and matured since then and he feels sorry for his actions then, but he also sees this new beautiful woman she has become and he can't stay away until he gets a bite.
With just a tad less focus on hockey as the first book, ACROSS THE LINE has a lot of small town charm. A boyishly sweet hero with a loving family, and a woman who is used to living life on her own and getting things done by herself because that's how she had to grow up. Their opposites definitely made a perfect blend and I for one gobbled up this story in almost one go. And it combines two things I love to read about in contemporary romance: hockey and food!
Becca is a successful restaurant owner back home and she's not used to having a man in her life. Definitely not used to depending on anyone since her family has never thought her decision of opening a restaurant was good enough. The pressure, the expectations, the lack of support and encouragement, have all made her a bit closed off to others. Including men. Calder has to slowly break through those walls to get in.
Of course, let's talk about the hero. Calder is the type of man you wish could be there for you. He's sweet, he's sexy, he's playful, but he's also that responsible rock to lean on when you need it, that strength pushing you to do better because he knows you can. And he can beat people up with his stick ;) So yeah, he gets all the points!
If you like sweet and sexy contemporary romance, then definitely look at this series. It's got a bit of everything and it feels fresh and fun. It was really enjoyable to read and I can't wait to explore more of the men from this team, especially the playboy Alex!
Reviewed by Francesca
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August 15, 2014
I've wanted to try Kate Willoughby for a while. Her On the Surface book keeps showing up on my recommended list from Amazon due to my hockey obsession. For some reason I never clicked buy. After I received an ARC copy of Across the Line, I immediately purchased book one. I'm now kicking myself for not having read it sooner. I loved the characters in On the Surface and was happy that this hockey book actually included a lot of hockey. Tara Brown, take some notes honey, this is how you write about hockey players.
Across the Line was an equally exciting read. Calder was fun and I really enjoyed his mother. Becca's restaurant idea was really cute and I loved her co-worker. I did want to smack Calder and Becca at one point, but the two did grow over the course of the book. You have to have discord to make a book interesting, so I'll give them their moment of stupidity.
While I think I fell in love with the main two characters in book one a little more, this book felt more important. The minute things started to unravel with Calder's brother, this became more than just a story I was enjoying. It became socially relevant. I cannot thank Willoughby enough for being brave enough to include some controversial issues that seem to finally be getting some attention in the sports world. I was picturing the If you Can Play You Can Play campaign the whole time that scene was unfolding.
I can't wait for a book three.
Across the Line was an equally exciting read. Calder was fun and I really enjoyed his mother. Becca's restaurant idea was really cute and I loved her co-worker. I did want to smack Calder and Becca at one point, but the two did grow over the course of the book. You have to have discord to make a book interesting, so I'll give them their moment of stupidity.
While I think I fell in love with the main two characters in book one a little more, this book felt more important. The minute things started to unravel with Calder's brother, this became more than just a story I was enjoying. It became socially relevant. I cannot thank Willoughby enough for being brave enough to include some controversial issues that seem to finally be getting some attention in the sports world. I was picturing the If you Can Play You Can Play campaign the whole time that scene was unfolding.
I can't wait for a book three.
January 15, 2017
You know what I love?
Books!
You know what I love even more?!
Diversity in books
Praise the heavens cause there is diversity in a book about sports (trust they're hard to find!). Black, Asian, Hispanic - it doesn't matter cause let me tell you they are sorely underrepresented in sport books (not just in Hollywood).
In Across the Lines, Becca and Calder meet and suffer the affects of a long distance relationship. Throw in hockey and a busy restaurant and you got a recipe for trouble.
I love this unique spin on hockey - it's not just another sports romance, not that I would have minded anyway, but it captivates you straight from the beginning. Another good book from Kate Willoughby!
Books!
You know what I love even more?!
Diversity in books
Praise the heavens cause there is diversity in a book about sports (trust they're hard to find!). Black, Asian, Hispanic - it doesn't matter cause let me tell you they are sorely underrepresented in sport books (not just in Hollywood).
In Across the Lines, Becca and Calder meet and suffer the affects of a long distance relationship. Throw in hockey and a busy restaurant and you got a recipe for trouble.
I love this unique spin on hockey - it's not just another sports romance, not that I would have minded anyway, but it captivates you straight from the beginning. Another good book from Kate Willoughby!
September 10, 2014
I had a good time with the first book in this series so I was ready to dive right into this one. This one offered a sizzling romance about a couple that have to learn the importance of being a team and never losing sight of the true goal.
This is a sequel and there are some crossover characters and story lines, but I think it would work just fine out of order or as a standalone though it would of course be better to read them in order.
The story opens with Calder Griffin setting out to go back home to Ithaca, NY to visit his folks before returning to prepare for reporting back to the team fit and ready to play. The five-hour plane ride is not spent sleeping as he imagined, but engaged in conversation with a woman from his past. Becca Chen, the girl he used to pick on, has grown into a sexy woman that he wouldn't mind an encounter with, but he holds back knowing he won't be home for long and relationships, particularly distant ones, aren't his thing. But he's barely home before his loving, but interfering mother insists that he look Becca up and ask her out.
Becca runs her own specialty cafe that makes soups and lettuce cups. Her business is her life and she must succeed to prove to herself and her disapproving parents that she can make it so she maintains tight control. She is attracted to Calder, but knows nothing can come of it. They are both too focused on their careers and live to far apart she tells herself so after a few dates and one satisfying all-night encounter she brushes him off. So why did shoving him brutally, but honestly aside feel so painful?
Calder backed off knowing that she has a point, but still feeling like he wants more with Becca. He lets it ride as he adjusts to the final days of conditioning and reporting back to work for the hockey pre-season along with coming to terms with the fact that his perfect, successful, older brother has just signed to play with the Barracudas for the season. Hart was his idol and his best friend growing up until Hart suddenly pulled back and grew distant. Their relationship has stayed that way for years. Now they have to find a way to stuff down the antagonism and play as teammates on the same line no less. And as for his thing for Becca? He takes the initiative and makes the grand gesture hoping she will be on board with at least trying to make something between them work. He sure hopes so because he has never felt like this about anyone before. He works hard to bring about a relationship and fate gives him a little help so that he has Becca right where he wants her. But geographic distance isn't the only barrier they have between them and it may very well be too much.
This second story carries many of the strengths of the first story like the strong, clean story development, mature feel to the characters, sizzling passion, attention to the development of other relationships beyond the romance so it wasn't told in isolation and of course the light balance between the hockey and the romance. Overall, I liked it, but I wasn't feeling this couple together.
Calder was all that a romance hero should be. He was attracted from the start and worked to make things work even in the midst of all he had going on. It wasn't long into the story that I knew exactly what he would be up against if he pursued Becca and what was coming to knock him off his feet with his brother. I found it hard watching him trying to be understanding as she pulled the 'I can do it myself and I need no one' over and over along with his attempt to be patient as she shoved him aside 24/7 to get her business up and running. The guy gets an isolated day off and she can't even give him an hour. He never stopped loving her though he wisely realized that he couldn't force it if she really didn't want it.
Becca left me feeling blah much of the time, but when she pushed Calder out of her life I just got plain fed up with her. She romanced her cafe and her food more than she did Calder. I mean she got more enthusiastic over creating a new soup or lettuce cup than she did making love. If I don't see or hear 'lettuce cup' for a long time that will be fine with me. Seriously, I think it got more page time than the hockey, romance with Calder and the Hart side story put together. It constantly felt like she was just scratching an itch and that he was in the way to her- like it did to his brother and his friends who all made similar observations. She also seemed to have this superior attitude at times like her opinion was the end all be all mostly when it came to knowing her business, but it bled into her behavior with Calder too. He just wanted to be a part of things in her life and she shut him down and even resented it. Now I know that is sort of the point and why they had trouble that needed to be dealt with, and was, in the end. She had an epiphany and realized it all and apologized which scored back a few points with me. I could respect her for that and that she changed, but unfortunately, it was late in the game and I was just relieved that she finally stopped hurting the poor guy since he really seemed to want her. I will admit to thinking the epilogue was a good thing in that it gave more time for me to know that things had a realistic time to develop off scene since they pretty much were still at the beginning of the relationship in some ways.
So while the romance was a partial miss for me, there was other stuff that really made up for it. I loved that side line story about Calder and Hart. Their reunion going from hostile to sorting stuff out and growing close again was probably my favorite part of the story. The scenes displaying the camaraderie among the guys on the team were good times. Calder's mom was such a scene stealer too. I cracked up at her care packages, cookies and homespun wisdom. I definitely look forward to more Barracuda Hockey romance stories.
All in all, it was another good installment in the series. While the story didn't have the specific appeal as a romance, the other elements were strong and carried it through for me. Sports romance fans should try this series out and not just hockey lovers though they will definitely find these appealing.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sequel and there are some crossover characters and story lines, but I think it would work just fine out of order or as a standalone though it would of course be better to read them in order.
The story opens with Calder Griffin setting out to go back home to Ithaca, NY to visit his folks before returning to prepare for reporting back to the team fit and ready to play. The five-hour plane ride is not spent sleeping as he imagined, but engaged in conversation with a woman from his past. Becca Chen, the girl he used to pick on, has grown into a sexy woman that he wouldn't mind an encounter with, but he holds back knowing he won't be home for long and relationships, particularly distant ones, aren't his thing. But he's barely home before his loving, but interfering mother insists that he look Becca up and ask her out.
Becca runs her own specialty cafe that makes soups and lettuce cups. Her business is her life and she must succeed to prove to herself and her disapproving parents that she can make it so she maintains tight control. She is attracted to Calder, but knows nothing can come of it. They are both too focused on their careers and live to far apart she tells herself so after a few dates and one satisfying all-night encounter she brushes him off. So why did shoving him brutally, but honestly aside feel so painful?
Calder backed off knowing that she has a point, but still feeling like he wants more with Becca. He lets it ride as he adjusts to the final days of conditioning and reporting back to work for the hockey pre-season along with coming to terms with the fact that his perfect, successful, older brother has just signed to play with the Barracudas for the season. Hart was his idol and his best friend growing up until Hart suddenly pulled back and grew distant. Their relationship has stayed that way for years. Now they have to find a way to stuff down the antagonism and play as teammates on the same line no less. And as for his thing for Becca? He takes the initiative and makes the grand gesture hoping she will be on board with at least trying to make something between them work. He sure hopes so because he has never felt like this about anyone before. He works hard to bring about a relationship and fate gives him a little help so that he has Becca right where he wants her. But geographic distance isn't the only barrier they have between them and it may very well be too much.
This second story carries many of the strengths of the first story like the strong, clean story development, mature feel to the characters, sizzling passion, attention to the development of other relationships beyond the romance so it wasn't told in isolation and of course the light balance between the hockey and the romance. Overall, I liked it, but I wasn't feeling this couple together.
Calder was all that a romance hero should be. He was attracted from the start and worked to make things work even in the midst of all he had going on. It wasn't long into the story that I knew exactly what he would be up against if he pursued Becca and what was coming to knock him off his feet with his brother. I found it hard watching him trying to be understanding as she pulled the 'I can do it myself and I need no one' over and over along with his attempt to be patient as she shoved him aside 24/7 to get her business up and running. The guy gets an isolated day off and she can't even give him an hour. He never stopped loving her though he wisely realized that he couldn't force it if she really didn't want it.
Becca left me feeling blah much of the time, but when she pushed Calder out of her life I just got plain fed up with her. She romanced her cafe and her food more than she did Calder. I mean she got more enthusiastic over creating a new soup or lettuce cup than she did making love. If I don't see or hear 'lettuce cup' for a long time that will be fine with me. Seriously, I think it got more page time than the hockey, romance with Calder and the Hart side story put together. It constantly felt like she was just scratching an itch and that he was in the way to her- like it did to his brother and his friends who all made similar observations. She also seemed to have this superior attitude at times like her opinion was the end all be all mostly when it came to knowing her business, but it bled into her behavior with Calder too. He just wanted to be a part of things in her life and she shut him down and even resented it. Now I know that is sort of the point and why they had trouble that needed to be dealt with, and was, in the end. She had an epiphany and realized it all and apologized which scored back a few points with me. I could respect her for that and that she changed, but unfortunately, it was late in the game and I was just relieved that she finally stopped hurting the poor guy since he really seemed to want her. I will admit to thinking the epilogue was a good thing in that it gave more time for me to know that things had a realistic time to develop off scene since they pretty much were still at the beginning of the relationship in some ways.
So while the romance was a partial miss for me, there was other stuff that really made up for it. I loved that side line story about Calder and Hart. Their reunion going from hostile to sorting stuff out and growing close again was probably my favorite part of the story. The scenes displaying the camaraderie among the guys on the team were good times. Calder's mom was such a scene stealer too. I cracked up at her care packages, cookies and homespun wisdom. I definitely look forward to more Barracuda Hockey romance stories.
All in all, it was another good installment in the series. While the story didn't have the specific appeal as a romance, the other elements were strong and carried it through for me. Sports romance fans should try this series out and not just hockey lovers though they will definitely find these appealing.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2014
Rhayne‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Across the Line is a fast- paced book about a fast-paced game and a couple who has to learn to juggle the pace and manage a growing relationship.
This is the second book in the series and I loved the look back we got about the players and characters we met in the first book. I really enjoy the dynamic of the hockey team and what these guys mean to each other on and off the ice.
Calder and Becca share a story that is spicy, sexy and full of spark. I absolutely loved Calder. He was caring, compassionate and full of love he just wants to share. He is coming off an injury shortened season and knows he has to put in a lot of hard work and effort to get back on the ice and compete not only against the other teams, but his brother who has recently been traded to his team. After meeting Becca on a cross country plane ride he’s immediately enamored with her and needs to find a way to keep her in his life. He knows his hockey schedule is demanding. He knows the time and dedication required by him for his future career dreams. But above all, he knows he and Becca share a love that is worth fighting and sacrificing for.
Becca was a bit of a struggle for me. I tried to like her and there are certain parts that I did like about her, but for me she was a character that came across as cold and bitter. I just didn’t have a connection to her and I struggled to find one throughout the book. She has a lot of demons haunting her past that have been brought on by her parents, but once she trusts and loves Calder, she never really lets him in. I felt as though Calder was the one to give and give and apologize over and over again and she pulls him in then pushes him away if the need fits. Her restaurant continually comes first and Calder was the one trying to squirm some time into her life repeatedly.
With that being said, they do get to a point that they recognize the problems they have and learn to adjust and make things better. I liked how their relationship progressed and intensified over time. They both see that they have to make compromises for each other to have any type of a happy future.
I loved the plot. It was much more than a story about two people trying to make things work when they lived on opposite sides of the country. It really has a lot of family issues on both sides that come to a head. That conflict mixed with the aspect of a professional hockey team and the lifestyle that encompasses that makes for an enjoyable read.
I’m excited to read more about this team and see what lies ahead for the future.
3.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Across the Line is a fast- paced book about a fast-paced game and a couple who has to learn to juggle the pace and manage a growing relationship.
This is the second book in the series and I loved the look back we got about the players and characters we met in the first book. I really enjoy the dynamic of the hockey team and what these guys mean to each other on and off the ice.
Calder and Becca share a story that is spicy, sexy and full of spark. I absolutely loved Calder. He was caring, compassionate and full of love he just wants to share. He is coming off an injury shortened season and knows he has to put in a lot of hard work and effort to get back on the ice and compete not only against the other teams, but his brother who has recently been traded to his team. After meeting Becca on a cross country plane ride he’s immediately enamored with her and needs to find a way to keep her in his life. He knows his hockey schedule is demanding. He knows the time and dedication required by him for his future career dreams. But above all, he knows he and Becca share a love that is worth fighting and sacrificing for.
Becca was a bit of a struggle for me. I tried to like her and there are certain parts that I did like about her, but for me she was a character that came across as cold and bitter. I just didn’t have a connection to her and I struggled to find one throughout the book. She has a lot of demons haunting her past that have been brought on by her parents, but once she trusts and loves Calder, she never really lets him in. I felt as though Calder was the one to give and give and apologize over and over again and she pulls him in then pushes him away if the need fits. Her restaurant continually comes first and Calder was the one trying to squirm some time into her life repeatedly.
With that being said, they do get to a point that they recognize the problems they have and learn to adjust and make things better. I liked how their relationship progressed and intensified over time. They both see that they have to make compromises for each other to have any type of a happy future.
I loved the plot. It was much more than a story about two people trying to make things work when they lived on opposite sides of the country. It really has a lot of family issues on both sides that come to a head. That conflict mixed with the aspect of a professional hockey team and the lifestyle that encompasses that makes for an enjoyable read.
I’m excited to read more about this team and see what lies ahead for the future.
July 20, 2015
Two people that have a hectic and have fallen in love but when things get tough will they be able to survive or will that be the end of them.
This is the second installment of In the Zone and I really need to read the first in this series. This is also my first read by this author and I loved it. I was able to get to know the characters and see their relationship flourish. I love it when I get to read a story where they go out on dates and get to know each other and then fall in love. The only thing was it left me wondering if Becca reconciled with her parents or at least talk to them again. I totally understand if she didn’t because they were not support the way Calder’s parents were. But enough of that let’s get to the good part.
Calder Griffin and Becca Chen met on the airplane on the way to New York but what Calder didn’t know was that they knew each other before this plane ride. They have instant chemistry but he will need to do so much more than just charm her pants off. She knows that long distance relationships don’t last she lets him know early on that if they pursue anything it’s just a fling. He lives in the west coast and she lives and the east coast but no matter what when he returns back home he can’t stop thinking about her. His parents love her and I know that his mom was trying to get them together but I think he did just fine winning her heart. They end up making the long distance work and they both know that they love each other but then something happens and he asks her a question that was unexpected. She lost her business and he is willing to help but this is the perfect chance for her to move in with him. Just when you think things are going great between them work interferes with their lives and not only that but Calder let’s his mouth run off.
Across the Line was a good read that I enjoyed. I loved Ms. Willoughby writing it seemed so real even the characters seemed like it could be anyone in real life. The characters were well written and the pace of the story was perfect. There was just the right amount of romance and the chemistry between them is explosive. There were times that Calder deserved a slap across his head but other than that he was a great guy. Now as for Becca she was a very strong, independent woman but at times she needed to lighten up. The banter between Becca and Calder is funny and there was never a dull moment.
I totally recommend this read!! I can’t wait to read Alex Sullivan’s story next.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
This is the second installment of In the Zone and I really need to read the first in this series. This is also my first read by this author and I loved it. I was able to get to know the characters and see their relationship flourish. I love it when I get to read a story where they go out on dates and get to know each other and then fall in love. The only thing was it left me wondering if Becca reconciled with her parents or at least talk to them again. I totally understand if she didn’t because they were not support the way Calder’s parents were. But enough of that let’s get to the good part.
Calder Griffin and Becca Chen met on the airplane on the way to New York but what Calder didn’t know was that they knew each other before this plane ride. They have instant chemistry but he will need to do so much more than just charm her pants off. She knows that long distance relationships don’t last she lets him know early on that if they pursue anything it’s just a fling. He lives in the west coast and she lives and the east coast but no matter what when he returns back home he can’t stop thinking about her. His parents love her and I know that his mom was trying to get them together but I think he did just fine winning her heart. They end up making the long distance work and they both know that they love each other but then something happens and he asks her a question that was unexpected. She lost her business and he is willing to help but this is the perfect chance for her to move in with him. Just when you think things are going great between them work interferes with their lives and not only that but Calder let’s his mouth run off.
Across the Line was a good read that I enjoyed. I loved Ms. Willoughby writing it seemed so real even the characters seemed like it could be anyone in real life. The characters were well written and the pace of the story was perfect. There was just the right amount of romance and the chemistry between them is explosive. There were times that Calder deserved a slap across his head but other than that he was a great guy. Now as for Becca she was a very strong, independent woman but at times she needed to lighten up. The banter between Becca and Calder is funny and there was never a dull moment.
I totally recommend this read!! I can’t wait to read Alex Sullivan’s story next.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
October 27, 2014
To read this review and others like it check out my site at www.homelovebooks.com
I have to admit that this book made me hungry, I want to eat at the restaurant in this book, seriously I want there to be a Cups down the street from me, I would eat there all the time. If you read this book and don’t get the least bit hungry then I think there might be something wrong with you.
I think I might have mentioned this before, but I have never really thought of myself as a hockey fan, I’m a girl with a baseball obsession, but hockey in books just completely works for me, no idea why. Maybe it’s the hot, hunky, incredibly well muscled men that do it for me.
I kind of adored Calder, okay more than adored, I really liked him. He comes home to visit his mother while recovering from a knee injury and meets Becca on the plane, turns out they knew each other when they were growing up, and lets just say Calder might not have been the best of kids to Becca when they were growing up. But boy does he make up for it in this book.
I think part of what I loved about this book was it wasn’t just the story of how two people got together, there was so much more than that, there was the falling for each other, maintaining a long distance relationship, moving to work things out, working out differences with money and career, etc. I loved the realism of the characters.
The only issues I had with the book was at one point Calder does some stuff that seriously annoyed me, and I totally understood why Becca gets pissed. Also there were a couple of instances were the pacing lagged just a little bit, but other than that I thought it was a good read. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series or by this author.
I have to admit that this book made me hungry, I want to eat at the restaurant in this book, seriously I want there to be a Cups down the street from me, I would eat there all the time. If you read this book and don’t get the least bit hungry then I think there might be something wrong with you.
I think I might have mentioned this before, but I have never really thought of myself as a hockey fan, I’m a girl with a baseball obsession, but hockey in books just completely works for me, no idea why. Maybe it’s the hot, hunky, incredibly well muscled men that do it for me.
I kind of adored Calder, okay more than adored, I really liked him. He comes home to visit his mother while recovering from a knee injury and meets Becca on the plane, turns out they knew each other when they were growing up, and lets just say Calder might not have been the best of kids to Becca when they were growing up. But boy does he make up for it in this book.
I think part of what I loved about this book was it wasn’t just the story of how two people got together, there was so much more than that, there was the falling for each other, maintaining a long distance relationship, moving to work things out, working out differences with money and career, etc. I loved the realism of the characters.
The only issues I had with the book was at one point Calder does some stuff that seriously annoyed me, and I totally understood why Becca gets pissed. Also there were a couple of instances were the pacing lagged just a little bit, but other than that I thought it was a good read. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series or by this author.
March 21, 2015
This is the second book in the In the Zone series. Like the first book, there is a lot of reference to and descriptions of hockey in it, which is nice for the fans.
The story follows Calder Griffin and Becca Chen. Calder is one of the enforcer type players that stay in the background on the ice, supporting the runs of the headliners to the goal. He is constantly trying not to be compared to his older brother Hart and found lacking. The story line covers the brothers reunion and changes in their relationship as the story develops. Becca Chen is a cafe owner in Boston. She comes from an Old World Chinese home where she has angered her parents by not following their idea of her life, having planned on her being a doctor. They happen to meet by chance on an airplane and they slowly begin to develop a cross-country relationship. The story primarily focuses on Calder and how he deals with shifting into his first real relationship in a long while and his confusing relationship with his brother.
I liked the story line. It had some general aspects, but the author developed them in a good way. The couple has its share of fights and making-up, but like the other books in the series, this is not an erotica novella. Calder and Becca fight over the same things that most couples fight over, which made the story more realistic and interesting. I particularly liked how the author helped develop Becca near the end of the book. Also, the side story of Hart is done extremely well. I hope he has his own story in the future. Another good read, by Willoughby. I would recommend this to romance and hockey fans.
https://bookmouseblog.wordpress.com/2...
The story follows Calder Griffin and Becca Chen. Calder is one of the enforcer type players that stay in the background on the ice, supporting the runs of the headliners to the goal. He is constantly trying not to be compared to his older brother Hart and found lacking. The story line covers the brothers reunion and changes in their relationship as the story develops. Becca Chen is a cafe owner in Boston. She comes from an Old World Chinese home where she has angered her parents by not following their idea of her life, having planned on her being a doctor. They happen to meet by chance on an airplane and they slowly begin to develop a cross-country relationship. The story primarily focuses on Calder and how he deals with shifting into his first real relationship in a long while and his confusing relationship with his brother.
I liked the story line. It had some general aspects, but the author developed them in a good way. The couple has its share of fights and making-up, but like the other books in the series, this is not an erotica novella. Calder and Becca fight over the same things that most couples fight over, which made the story more realistic and interesting. I particularly liked how the author helped develop Becca near the end of the book. Also, the side story of Hart is done extremely well. I hope he has his own story in the future. Another good read, by Willoughby. I would recommend this to romance and hockey fans.
https://bookmouseblog.wordpress.com/2...
March 3, 2015
4.5 stars.
Why I read it: This is one from my own TBR.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoyed On the Surface, the first book in the In the Zone series very much so I really have no excuse for taking so long to buy and read this one. Especially because it turns out, I pretty much lapped this one up with a spoon.
Calder Griffin is the younger of two hockey playing brothers. At 25, he’s got plenty of hockey left in him and he’s itching to get back onto the ice after a knee injury sidelined him for most of the previous season. On a plane from his home in San Diego to his folks’ place in Ithaca, New York, he meets Becca Chen. Becca had been in San Diego at a restaurateurs convention and was returning home to Ithaca and her cafe, Cups on the Commons. It turns out that Becca and Calder knew each other in elementary school – and when I say knew each other, I mean that he used to tease her horribly.
read the rest: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2015/0...
Why I read it: This is one from my own TBR.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I enjoyed On the Surface, the first book in the In the Zone series very much so I really have no excuse for taking so long to buy and read this one. Especially because it turns out, I pretty much lapped this one up with a spoon.
Calder Griffin is the younger of two hockey playing brothers. At 25, he’s got plenty of hockey left in him and he’s itching to get back onto the ice after a knee injury sidelined him for most of the previous season. On a plane from his home in San Diego to his folks’ place in Ithaca, New York, he meets Becca Chen. Becca had been in San Diego at a restaurateurs convention and was returning home to Ithaca and her cafe, Cups on the Commons. It turns out that Becca and Calder knew each other in elementary school – and when I say knew each other, I mean that he used to tease her horribly.
read the rest: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2015/0...
February 19, 2015
Just some quick thoughts:
I really enjoyed the beginnng of the book and the whole hockey setting but I had a hard time liking the heroine. I loved what she did with her restaurant and that she wanted to pull it off alone but sometimes she came across as so cold-hearted and unfeeling. That being said I thought the food aspect was well done. I was hungry throughout the book.
I really enjoyed the beginnng of the book and the whole hockey setting but I had a hard time liking the heroine. I loved what she did with her restaurant and that she wanted to pull it off alone but sometimes she came across as so cold-hearted and unfeeling. That being said I thought the food aspect was well done. I was hungry throughout the book.
February 25, 2015
Good love story of two people who knew each other yrs ago when they were much younger. Calder used to tease Becca when they were kids now on a plane going home they meet up. Calder is taken with her and does everything in his power to get her to date him. Their relationship starts long distance but a sad turn of events brings Becca to Calder's side of the country to start anew. Her independence puts a strain on their relationship and the unending hrs she puts in to get her new business up and running. Can they make their relationship work? Can two strong willed people survive a relationship? Can't wait for the next book.
October 13, 2014
I read "On The Surface" (book 1), finished it and immediately dove right into book 2. Loved this one too. Loved Calder and Becca. Loved that they actually knew each other ages ago and met up again. Loved that Becca is a smart, strong, very independent woman. Once again, Ms. Willoughy wrote a terrific romance with real characters who are real people and got all the hockey parts right. I'm hoping there's a book 3 in the near future.
August 15, 2014
Calder and Becca were a couple that probably should not have worked but Kate Willoughby made it happen. A hockey player and a restauranteur? I love a strong leading lady, and Calder was no slouch as a hero. Again, a great cast of secondary characters and superb writing.
March 15, 2015
4.5* A really enjoyable read, loved the main characters and the additional storyline. Am looking forward to reading more of this series and hope Alex 'Sully' Sullivan story is next. If you are a fan of Toni Aleo's Assassins series, or Jaci Burton's play by play series you are sure to enjoy this!
November 14, 2015
Aww. ..made me cry!!! great story btn Calder and Becca. a story about relenting control, acceptance and love
August 16, 2014
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B
What stood out most about Across the Line was the romance; it’s a very sweet romance and I liked that it felt like Calder and Becca dealt with real-life issues. There’s nothing overly dramatic or forced about what they go through. But they do have some things to work out and it came across as real as (I assume) dating an NHL player can be!
We follow Calder and Becca through their first meeting on a plane when they realize that they actually went to school together, but it wasn’t a great trip down memory lane. Becca was teased when she was younger and Calder was a part of that. But he’s determined to get to know her and finds reasons to be around her. They do the long distance thing but after a devastating fire changes the direction of Becca’s life, she makes a leap and throws herself into their relationship, fully committed.
I liked how the story and the series in general, focuses on the couple and their issues with making their relationship work. There’s no outside angst, no other parties influencing them, it’s just about the couple, in this case Calder and Becca, trying to mesh their lives to make it work. And it’s hard. There are bumps along the way and in Becca’s case, some eye opening she needs to do on her end. I did find both Calder and Becca to come across a bit immature in some scenes. It was a combination of their actions and dialogue but it came off a bit ‘young’ on page.
That said, Calder is a sweet hero. I like seeing both sides of him, the personal where he’s trying to make a relationship with Becca work, both long distance and when she moves to the west coast to be with him full time and his professional side. Not only his being an NHL player and coming back from an injury, but having to share the ice alongside his brother, a man he butts heads with more times than not. That actually ended up being a really interesting dynamic to see play out, especially when it’s clear that Calder doesn’t know his older brother at all.
While Calder and Becca may not have grabbed me as hard and fast as Tim and Erin did in book 1 of this series, On the Surface, I still enjoyed their romance and seeing their relationship grow. I like what Kate Willoughby’s bringing with this series and look forward to seeing what’s next.
Blog rating: B
What stood out most about Across the Line was the romance; it’s a very sweet romance and I liked that it felt like Calder and Becca dealt with real-life issues. There’s nothing overly dramatic or forced about what they go through. But they do have some things to work out and it came across as real as (I assume) dating an NHL player can be!
We follow Calder and Becca through their first meeting on a plane when they realize that they actually went to school together, but it wasn’t a great trip down memory lane. Becca was teased when she was younger and Calder was a part of that. But he’s determined to get to know her and finds reasons to be around her. They do the long distance thing but after a devastating fire changes the direction of Becca’s life, she makes a leap and throws herself into their relationship, fully committed.
I liked how the story and the series in general, focuses on the couple and their issues with making their relationship work. There’s no outside angst, no other parties influencing them, it’s just about the couple, in this case Calder and Becca, trying to mesh their lives to make it work. And it’s hard. There are bumps along the way and in Becca’s case, some eye opening she needs to do on her end. I did find both Calder and Becca to come across a bit immature in some scenes. It was a combination of their actions and dialogue but it came off a bit ‘young’ on page.
That said, Calder is a sweet hero. I like seeing both sides of him, the personal where he’s trying to make a relationship with Becca work, both long distance and when she moves to the west coast to be with him full time and his professional side. Not only his being an NHL player and coming back from an injury, but having to share the ice alongside his brother, a man he butts heads with more times than not. That actually ended up being a really interesting dynamic to see play out, especially when it’s clear that Calder doesn’t know his older brother at all.
While Calder and Becca may not have grabbed me as hard and fast as Tim and Erin did in book 1 of this series, On the Surface, I still enjoyed their romance and seeing their relationship grow. I like what Kate Willoughby’s bringing with this series and look forward to seeing what’s next.
August 14, 2014
4 1/2 stars - a great second book in the "In The Zone" series
Calder's hockey season did not end the way he would have liked and now he is faced with an off season filled with rehab. On a trip home to see his parents he has a chance meeting with a girl from his past; one that may now be his future.
Calder's character was wrapped around my heart within the first few pages of the book; he acknowledges he is an emotional eater and one who is partial to sweets. A man after my own heart! Then on top of that connection he is a hunky hockey player who has emotional depth and a heart of gold. Becca is not your traditional heroine; going against cultural norms and her parents wishes she left medical school to follow her dream of opening her own restaurant. I liked her independence and her spunk, and I also liked her emotional growth. They found each other by chance and fought hard for an HEA. I truly enjoyed the progression of their relationship; it was not an instant romance and their conflicts were very plausible and something a lot of readers can relate to.
The plot was easy to follow and I found myself not wanting to put down the book. I read it in less than 24 hours (lately with two teenagers, husband and a house to keep on track that is an accomplishment for me). There is a subplot involving Calder's brother Hart; I can only describe it as courageous. It elevated this book to one that will stay with me. That subplot took this book from a good one to a great one! I don't want to say too much but there is a scene where Calder and his brother Hart clear the air - it was just sooo right.
The appearances of characters from On the Surface was expected but their involvement in the story line was integral and gave it depth. New readers to the series should not be discouraged there are no real plot points that are dependent on reading the first book. Honestly you should read it though - this series is about a lot more than hockey. I read a few hockey books before I started this series but it is this series that has peaked my interest in the sport.
Since this book just came out I know I have a wait until book 3 is released; but I really wish I could start it right now.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
Calder's hockey season did not end the way he would have liked and now he is faced with an off season filled with rehab. On a trip home to see his parents he has a chance meeting with a girl from his past; one that may now be his future.
Calder's character was wrapped around my heart within the first few pages of the book; he acknowledges he is an emotional eater and one who is partial to sweets. A man after my own heart! Then on top of that connection he is a hunky hockey player who has emotional depth and a heart of gold. Becca is not your traditional heroine; going against cultural norms and her parents wishes she left medical school to follow her dream of opening her own restaurant. I liked her independence and her spunk, and I also liked her emotional growth. They found each other by chance and fought hard for an HEA. I truly enjoyed the progression of their relationship; it was not an instant romance and their conflicts were very plausible and something a lot of readers can relate to.
The plot was easy to follow and I found myself not wanting to put down the book. I read it in less than 24 hours (lately with two teenagers, husband and a house to keep on track that is an accomplishment for me). There is a subplot involving Calder's brother Hart; I can only describe it as courageous. It elevated this book to one that will stay with me. That subplot took this book from a good one to a great one! I don't want to say too much but there is a scene where Calder and his brother Hart clear the air - it was just sooo right.
The appearances of characters from On the Surface was expected but their involvement in the story line was integral and gave it depth. New readers to the series should not be discouraged there are no real plot points that are dependent on reading the first book. Honestly you should read it though - this series is about a lot more than hockey. I read a few hockey books before I started this series but it is this series that has peaked my interest in the sport.
Since this book just came out I know I have a wait until book 3 is released; but I really wish I could start it right now.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
February 2, 2016
Review Posted: Book Bitch
These books are so cute and adorable. I was really excited to pick this one up and get going, as I liked the first one so much. This one was good - though I was not entirely pleased by the pace of the book. And I really wanted Calder's brother story to be bigger. That was probably the most exciting part for me. I wish he had had his own book really. That relationship was totally awesome.
But other than that, the story was kind of slow moving. And I had a realization that shit was way too good way too early and bad things were on the way for Calder and Becca. That can be annoying...
Naturally, this being an easy going romance, the reason the bad stuff happened was because both parties were being unnecessarily dramatic.
Kind of cute, and kind of necessary. But come on, let's get on with it. Yes, yes you're all adorable. Let's move on and get back to happiness and togetherness.
Ah! It worked. They were adorable again and worked their drama fantastically! Huzzah!
Okay, all that nonsense being said - I did like this story. Yes, the drama in the middle did seem a bit drawn out, but I liked the formation of the story and the development of the characters. I do stand by my earlier comment about big brother having a more interesting story - but - read it and you'll agree. It's pretty great.
Kate Willoughby, this was a great story with awesome characters, you nailed it.
These books are so cute and adorable. I was really excited to pick this one up and get going, as I liked the first one so much. This one was good - though I was not entirely pleased by the pace of the book. And I really wanted Calder's brother story to be bigger. That was probably the most exciting part for me. I wish he had had his own book really. That relationship was totally awesome.
But other than that, the story was kind of slow moving. And I had a realization that shit was way too good way too early and bad things were on the way for Calder and Becca. That can be annoying...
Naturally, this being an easy going romance, the reason the bad stuff happened was because both parties were being unnecessarily dramatic.
Kind of cute, and kind of necessary. But come on, let's get on with it. Yes, yes you're all adorable. Let's move on and get back to happiness and togetherness.
Ah! It worked. They were adorable again and worked their drama fantastically! Huzzah!
Okay, all that nonsense being said - I did like this story. Yes, the drama in the middle did seem a bit drawn out, but I liked the formation of the story and the development of the characters. I do stand by my earlier comment about big brother having a more interesting story - but - read it and you'll agree. It's pretty great.
Kate Willoughby, this was a great story with awesome characters, you nailed it.
July 29, 2014
A few months ago I red and reviewed On The Surface - Book one in Kate Willoughby's new hockey trilogy about the San Diego Barracuda's and I found that story fresh and real, I was hooked. So when I saw book two, Across the Line, on Netgalley? I quickly requested and anxiously waited! I was sure this book would be just as good, and I was definitely right!
Becca and Calder meet on the plane, but soon realize they'd known each other in grade school. From there, their relationship is real in it's progression. It's insta-lust, but definitely not insta-love, and they both know it can never work! I love realistic expectations in romance. But more than that? I love Calder. Becca was great, don't get me wrong, she's a fantastic leading lady. But Calder? He has my heart. He's the "2nd best" sibling, trying hard to fill his brothers shoes. And I just adore him.
It's no secret that I love secondary characters, and this book works well for that! Calder's brother, Hart, plays an excellent role in this one! As does Alex, his friend and teammate. My only complaint? Our check in with Erin and Tim was minor, I felt like that was an afterthought, like they were just thrown in because they 'had' to be. Erin befriends Becca, but we never really see her - we just hear that she was involved. I'd love a few good conversations between these two!
Kate Willoughby's writing is fantastic, her story is fast paced, fun and throws in a few laughs. I find myself not wanting the story to end, and then anxiously awaiting the next in this fantastic series! If you're a fan of Toni Aleo, Catheriny Gayle or Jami Davenport? Then I'm sure you'll love Kate Willoughby's fun hockey romance!
Becca and Calder meet on the plane, but soon realize they'd known each other in grade school. From there, their relationship is real in it's progression. It's insta-lust, but definitely not insta-love, and they both know it can never work! I love realistic expectations in romance. But more than that? I love Calder. Becca was great, don't get me wrong, she's a fantastic leading lady. But Calder? He has my heart. He's the "2nd best" sibling, trying hard to fill his brothers shoes. And I just adore him.
It's no secret that I love secondary characters, and this book works well for that! Calder's brother, Hart, plays an excellent role in this one! As does Alex, his friend and teammate. My only complaint? Our check in with Erin and Tim was minor, I felt like that was an afterthought, like they were just thrown in because they 'had' to be. Erin befriends Becca, but we never really see her - we just hear that she was involved. I'd love a few good conversations between these two!
Kate Willoughby's writing is fantastic, her story is fast paced, fun and throws in a few laughs. I find myself not wanting the story to end, and then anxiously awaiting the next in this fantastic series! If you're a fan of Toni Aleo, Catheriny Gayle or Jami Davenport? Then I'm sure you'll love Kate Willoughby's fun hockey romance!
July 25, 2014
Rebecca Chan (Becca) and Calder Griffin reconnect while on a flight from San Diego to New York. She is a successful restaurant owner in New York and he plays hockey in the NHL for the San Diego Barracudas. Their chemistry is instantaneous but he lives in San Diego and she in New York. Their intention to keep the relationship light fails and they soon find themselves with deeper feelings. But how can a relationship work when their lives are on different coasts?
Across the Line is a great, easy read. I enjoyed learning more about the world of hockey through Calder, as well as the world of a small business/restaurant owner through Becca. There is a brave twist in the story revolving around Calder’s brother Hart that was also very enlightening and appreciated.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys sports romance. This is book 2 in the In the Zone Series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the book so much that I have gone back and purchased the first book in the series and am looking forward to Alex’s story in book 3.
Across the Line is a great, easy read. I enjoyed learning more about the world of hockey through Calder, as well as the world of a small business/restaurant owner through Becca. There is a brave twist in the story revolving around Calder’s brother Hart that was also very enlightening and appreciated.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys sports romance. This is book 2 in the In the Zone Series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the book so much that I have gone back and purchased the first book in the series and am looking forward to Alex’s story in book 3.
May 21, 2016
I love romance and I love hockey so of course when you put them together....heaven. This was the second book in this series and follows Calder and Becca. From their first meeting til the end this was a really good book. I don't think there was as much romance as there was in the first book, but it was still sweet at times and hot as hell other times. They spent a lot of time apart, even starting off in a long distance relationship then once they were in the same city they still seemed to spend most of their time alone. But I guess in a way that made the story work for that happy ending in a bigger, better way. I'm looking forward to more in this series and I'm trying to figure out who is up next. Alex? Locke? Someone else? Regardless of who it will be I'll definitely be picking up a copy.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
July 13, 2014
I loved how Calder couldn't get enough of Becca, "as she pushed the key into the lock, he came up close behind her and whispered, "I'd like for us to meld again." Personally I think the boy doesn't get enough compliments so he's always looking for them, "he shrugged. "but I'm goo in the bedroom, right?" He gave her a sideways glance that had her rolling her eyes as she put her shoes back on. "Well? You came twice, didn't you?" Calder he's always a hungry boy for two things sex, and food, "of course he is. The animal is always hungry." He wrapped his arms around her and nibbled at her shoulder. "The animal thinks they passed a grocery store on the way up." I love a good sports romance and I loved how close Calder was with all the guys on the team and I just loved Calder in general.
September 8, 2014
3 stars for Calder, 1 star for Becca = 2 stars. I wanted to like this book so much but found myself bored by the slow pace and irritated by the heroine. Kudos for blending a storyline with a Chinese chef and a hockey star but after that novelty wore off, I realized that I didn't really like Becca despite Calder's adorable courting. I grew bored with her whining and was really only interested in what happened to Hart, Calder's older hockey star brother, and what this meant for Hart and Calder's relationship.
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