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Love on the Line #2
Wanting the Winger
Sebastian Stone has a wedding to stop. His best friend’s sister is planning to make an epic mistake in six months, but no one else seems to get it.
So when Lainey Morris needs a place to stay in Cleveland for a four-month long research project, Bash offers her his house. As a pro hockey player, he’s on the road a lot, but when he’s home, he makes his case against her marrying Shane—or anyone else.
She’s stubborn and often has her head in a book, but Lainey is also beautiful, funny and sweet. Plenty of men would like to lock her down, but she needs to focus on herself. Take her time. Wait until she’s at least thirty.
Bash plans to use logic and reason to persuade Lainey to stay single, but everything falls apart when he finally figures out the he’s in love with her. But is it too late to hope she might feel the same?
So when Lainey Morris needs a place to stay in Cleveland for a four-month long research project, Bash offers her his house. As a pro hockey player, he’s on the road a lot, but when he’s home, he makes his case against her marrying Shane—or anyone else.
She’s stubborn and often has her head in a book, but Lainey is also beautiful, funny and sweet. Plenty of men would like to lock her down, but she needs to focus on herself. Take her time. Wait until she’s at least thirty.
Bash plans to use logic and reason to persuade Lainey to stay single, but everything falls apart when he finally figures out the he’s in love with her. But is it too late to hope she might feel the same?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2025
41 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Rothert
89 books2,277 followersBrenda Rothert is the author of more than thirty Contemporary Romance novels. You can learn more about her books at her website, www.brendarothert.com, which features teasers, excerpts and trailers for her books. Follow her here:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 27, 2025
the setup…
Cleveland Crush pro hockey player Sebastian (Bash) Stone offers his childhood best friend’s little sister Delaney (Lainey) Morris his house to stay in while she’s in Cleveland working on a four month research project. She’s just gotten her masters in microbiology and this project is critical for her PhD goals. But both have a dilemma. Bash can’t stand her crummy fiancé and Lainey had a big crush on Bash when she was seventeen and professed her love to him. She still smarts from the rejection, though he’s starting to feel much differently for the woman she’s become. Uh, oh.
the heart of the story…
Poor Bash. He’s gotten a player reputation so even Lainey’s brother would be wary of him setting his sights on his little sister. And Lainey knows she settling for fiancé Shane who’s definitely the lamest relationship partner. But Bash is determined to derail that engagement and boy does he give it his all! It’s a slow burn for these two to finally acknowledge their romantic feelings for each other. Thank goodness for their friends who nudged in just the right ways and at the right times.
the bottom line…
It’s a cute story complete with a big grand gesture, including a lovable Great Dane named Bruce (think Bruce Wayne to Bash’s Batman) and the wonderful group of friends from the first book. I loved getting updates about those secondary characters who are important in this story. And, I learned a lot more about the rigorous training and travel routines professional hockey players undertake as it’s not at all glamorous. I’m loving this series and it set up the next book perfectly.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Cleveland Crush pro hockey player Sebastian (Bash) Stone offers his childhood best friend’s little sister Delaney (Lainey) Morris his house to stay in while she’s in Cleveland working on a four month research project. She’s just gotten her masters in microbiology and this project is critical for her PhD goals. But both have a dilemma. Bash can’t stand her crummy fiancé and Lainey had a big crush on Bash when she was seventeen and professed her love to him. She still smarts from the rejection, though he’s starting to feel much differently for the woman she’s become. Uh, oh.
the heart of the story…
Poor Bash. He’s gotten a player reputation so even Lainey’s brother would be wary of him setting his sights on his little sister. And Lainey knows she settling for fiancé Shane who’s definitely the lamest relationship partner. But Bash is determined to derail that engagement and boy does he give it his all! It’s a slow burn for these two to finally acknowledge their romantic feelings for each other. Thank goodness for their friends who nudged in just the right ways and at the right times.
the bottom line…
It’s a cute story complete with a big grand gesture, including a lovable Great Dane named Bruce (think Bruce Wayne to Bash’s Batman) and the wonderful group of friends from the first book. I loved getting updates about those secondary characters who are important in this story. And, I learned a lot more about the rigorous training and travel routines professional hockey players undertake as it’s not at all glamorous. I’m loving this series and it set up the next book perfectly.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
June 24, 2025
Thanks to Hambright for the complimentary ARC.
Sebastian Stone needs to stop Lainey Morris's wedding. Lainey is his best friend's little sister. She's brilliant, beautiful and much too good for her terrible fiancé. So when Lainey needs a place to stay in Cleveland for a few months to work on a research project at a local university, professional hockey player Bash is more than happy to open his home to her while he talks her out of this wedding. Lainey has had a crush on Bash for as long as she can remember and foolishly confessed her feelings to him when she was 17. Bash turned her down and since then she's been trying to forget her feelings for him. But now they're living together and with Bash's quest to break up her engagement, how will they navigate their relationship?
I requested this ARC because it was a short read and I generally like best friend's sister as a trope– especially for a short book. It tends to work because the characters already know each other so we don't have to spend a lot of time on exposition. I thought the trope was deployed well in this book. I believed that Lainey had been in love with Bash since they were kids and I bought into Bash's challenges with her initial confession (she was a minor, he was an adult– he made the right choice) and his changing feelings for her.
What didn't work for me in this book was everything else. It's under 200 pages so an author has to be super careful about what else you can load into what is essentially a novella. There was a huge group of friends who I believe were established in this first book of this series. They all had backstories together and a sort of shorthand which I found to be overwhelming in a short book. This book also spent a lot of time on the heroine's IBS. Now I don't have any issue with including her medical condition in the book. People with IBS fall in love, too. It was the amount of page time devoted to the IBS in a 182-page book. Also, DON'T EAT FONDUE IN PUBLIC IF YOU HAVE IBS, signed the daughter of a lactose intolerant who insists on eating cheese.
I am giving this one 2.5 stars for the deployment of the trope but nothing else worked for me.
Sebastian Stone needs to stop Lainey Morris's wedding. Lainey is his best friend's little sister. She's brilliant, beautiful and much too good for her terrible fiancé. So when Lainey needs a place to stay in Cleveland for a few months to work on a research project at a local university, professional hockey player Bash is more than happy to open his home to her while he talks her out of this wedding. Lainey has had a crush on Bash for as long as she can remember and foolishly confessed her feelings to him when she was 17. Bash turned her down and since then she's been trying to forget her feelings for him. But now they're living together and with Bash's quest to break up her engagement, how will they navigate their relationship?
I requested this ARC because it was a short read and I generally like best friend's sister as a trope– especially for a short book. It tends to work because the characters already know each other so we don't have to spend a lot of time on exposition. I thought the trope was deployed well in this book. I believed that Lainey had been in love with Bash since they were kids and I bought into Bash's challenges with her initial confession (she was a minor, he was an adult– he made the right choice) and his changing feelings for her.
What didn't work for me in this book was everything else. It's under 200 pages so an author has to be super careful about what else you can load into what is essentially a novella. There was a huge group of friends who I believe were established in this first book of this series. They all had backstories together and a sort of shorthand which I found to be overwhelming in a short book. This book also spent a lot of time on the heroine's IBS. Now I don't have any issue with including her medical condition in the book. People with IBS fall in love, too. It was the amount of page time devoted to the IBS in a 182-page book. Also, DON'T EAT FONDUE IN PUBLIC IF YOU HAVE IBS, signed the daughter of a lactose intolerant who insists on eating cheese.
I am giving this one 2.5 stars for the deployment of the trope but nothing else worked for me.
June 19, 2025
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for this ARC!
Sebastian “Bash” is a hockey player and Lainey is Sebastian’s best friend’s little sister. Lainey was always the science nerd. She always had a crush on him but now she’s marrying someone else. Bash offers Lainey to move in with him for her new research. He starts realizing that he has to stop her from marrying her awful fiancé.
Lainey takes a little while to figure out that her fiancé isn’t good enough for her. When Bash starts to show interest, she’s more than a little confused!
This was a quick romance with a little spice and some grand gestures!
Sebastian “Bash” is a hockey player and Lainey is Sebastian’s best friend’s little sister. Lainey was always the science nerd. She always had a crush on him but now she’s marrying someone else. Bash offers Lainey to move in with him for her new research. He starts realizing that he has to stop her from marrying her awful fiancé.
Lainey takes a little while to figure out that her fiancé isn’t good enough for her. When Bash starts to show interest, she’s more than a little confused!
This was a quick romance with a little spice and some grand gestures!
July 8, 2025
This was just absolutely not for me.
First chapter we start out with fat shaming. The dudes friends literally called him Fatman since he says he has a deep voice like Batman. Like. Seriously? Describing a Black woman wearing a shirt "as white as her teeth" is giving major ick.
The dialogue felt cringey and forced, there was absolutely nothing endearing me to the characters, and overall I just did not have a good time.
thank you hambright pr for the gifted arc
First chapter we start out with fat shaming. The dudes friends literally called him Fatman since he says he has a deep voice like Batman. Like. Seriously? Describing a Black woman wearing a shirt "as white as her teeth" is giving major ick.
The dialogue felt cringey and forced, there was absolutely nothing endearing me to the characters, and overall I just did not have a good time.
thank you hambright pr for the gifted arc
June 27, 2025
This was an amazing book. I love reading
Hockey romance books. I 10/10 recommend this book
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Slice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Hockey romance books. I 10/10 recommend this book
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Slice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 24, 2025
Lainey needs a place to stay while working on a research project. Her brothers best friend Sebastian offers up a room at his house for free and she jumps at the opportunity to take it, despite the fact that she used to have a massive crush on him in her teens. It's no big deal now as she's happily engaged and completely over being rejected by him years ago. Except he's not convinced she's marrying the right man, and is on a mission to convince her otherwise.
*****
This one had a decent start and solid banter and chemistry between the leads. I do think a bit too much time was focused on side characters and Lainey's IBS as the story progressed, as it took away from pages that could have been dedicated to the romance developing a more.
I absolutely loved Sebastian pointing out how Shane was terrible for her despite everyone thinking he was a jerk about it, as it kept the tension up and the story flying. However, once she sorted out her issues with Shane, I felt like the story kind of fell off in tension, despite her and Seb finally coming together. I would have liked more issues with Shane in order to have the story progress with a bit more pressure as it kind of went from conflict, to solved, to immediately everyone is content. Even though he wasn't a great partner, you'd think there'd be more mourning or fallout after everything, and instead it resolved a little too fast.
Despite that, the writing was interesting and I read this easily in one sitting, although there was a scene at the end with the dog and dog caretaker that was honestly gross and I'm not sure why it was included. All in all, I'd recommend this as a light read, with heavy IBS representation and barely any spice.
*****
Thank you to Hambright PR for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****
This one had a decent start and solid banter and chemistry between the leads. I do think a bit too much time was focused on side characters and Lainey's IBS as the story progressed, as it took away from pages that could have been dedicated to the romance developing a more.
I absolutely loved Sebastian pointing out how Shane was terrible for her despite everyone thinking he was a jerk about it, as it kept the tension up and the story flying. However, once she sorted out her issues with Shane, I felt like the story kind of fell off in tension, despite her and Seb finally coming together. I would have liked more issues with Shane in order to have the story progress with a bit more pressure as it kind of went from conflict, to solved, to immediately everyone is content. Even though he wasn't a great partner, you'd think there'd be more mourning or fallout after everything, and instead it resolved a little too fast.
Despite that, the writing was interesting and I read this easily in one sitting, although there was a scene at the end with the dog and dog caretaker that was honestly gross and I'm not sure why it was included. All in all, I'd recommend this as a light read, with heavy IBS representation and barely any spice.
*****
Thank you to Hambright PR for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 26, 2025
Wanting the Winger is a light, flirty romance that delivers on charm, chemistry, and second-chance tension. Bash is the protective hockey player you can’t help but root for, and Lainey is sweet, smart, and easy to love. Their history gives the story that perfect friends-to-lovers edge, and the slow burn between them builds just right.
The banter is fun, the vibes are cozy, and the moments of intimacy hit in all the right ways. The friend group adds personality, especially with their themed hangouts (fondue night definitely stands out). There’s no third-act breakup, which keeps the story feeling refreshingly smooth, and the grand gesture at the end is the kind that makes you smile.
If you’re in the mood for something quick, feel-good, and a little spicy, this one is an easy win. It’s got warmth, laughter, and just enough tension to keep you turning pages.
The banter is fun, the vibes are cozy, and the moments of intimacy hit in all the right ways. The friend group adds personality, especially with their themed hangouts (fondue night definitely stands out). There’s no third-act breakup, which keeps the story feeling refreshingly smooth, and the grand gesture at the end is the kind that makes you smile.
If you’re in the mood for something quick, feel-good, and a little spicy, this one is an easy win. It’s got warmth, laughter, and just enough tension to keep you turning pages.
June 30, 2025
⭐️3🌶️2💧0
I liked that this had an IBS rep- something different!- however for such a short book, the focus was spent on it a little too long for my liking. More time could have been spent on angst, tension or even spice! I feel like everything was too rushed and could have been better as a full length book with more drama! Like maybe some disgruntled ex moments? It just needed something!!!
But.. For an in between read it was fine.
#wantingthewinger #brendarothert #darkromance #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #darkromance #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover
I liked that this had an IBS rep- something different!- however for such a short book, the focus was spent on it a little too long for my liking. More time could have been spent on angst, tension or even spice! I feel like everything was too rushed and could have been better as a full length book with more drama! Like maybe some disgruntled ex moments? It just needed something!!!
But.. For an in between read it was fine.
#wantingthewinger #brendarothert #darkromance #steamybooks #bookrecs #steamyreads #audiobook #bookaholic #readingtime #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #bookreview #booktok #reading #booklover #bookworm #booknerd #goodreads #aussiebookstagrammers #aussies #australianreaders #darkromance #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #instabook #booksofinstagram #booksarelife #spicybooklover
June 18, 2025
This was cute and quick. I enjoyed the dual POV's here. Especially Bash's because we, as the reader, gets to be in what feels like a secret between us and the MMC.
Bash adores Lainey, but is in denial. Obviously everyone but Bash and Lainey see right through it (this is not a spoiler). So watching Bash stop being silly and realize his feelings is definitely one of the highlights of this book.
There is no third act breakup, so you can just read this book and relax. Which is always nice.
I feel like this book goes from one big swing to the next. I almost wish there was a bit more conflict between Lainey and Shane in here to fill out those swings a bit.
Did I love it? No.
Did I enjoy it and still prioritize reading this over doing anything else? Yes!
spice: Open door
Bash adores Lainey, but is in denial. Obviously everyone but Bash and Lainey see right through it (this is not a spoiler). So watching Bash stop being silly and realize his feelings is definitely one of the highlights of this book.
There is no third act breakup, so you can just read this book and relax. Which is always nice.
I feel like this book goes from one big swing to the next. I almost wish there was a bit more conflict between Lainey and Shane in here to fill out those swings a bit.
Did I love it? No.
Did I enjoy it and still prioritize reading this over doing anything else? Yes!
spice: Open door
July 12, 2025
This was a quick and cute read - it reads more like a longer novella to me. This book is funny and I really liked the friend group dynamics. And sourdough (IYKYK.)
Lainey had a crush on Bash but when she asked him to prom and he said no, she did her best to move on. Now she’s engaged and needs a temp place to stay while she’s in Cleveland and he offers her his place…but what happens when he realizes he is in love with her?
I liked Lainey and Bash. She is smart and funny and Bash was all in for her!
✨ What To Expect:
🥅 Hockey romance
💋 Brother's best friend
❤️🔥 He Used To Be Her Crush
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Friends to lovers
🕯️ Slow burn
🐷 Darling the pig
💒 Stop the wedding
🧬 Women in STEM
💞 Unrequited love
🏥 IBS Rep
Lainey had a crush on Bash but when she asked him to prom and he said no, she did her best to move on. Now she’s engaged and needs a temp place to stay while she’s in Cleveland and he offers her his place…but what happens when he realizes he is in love with her?
I liked Lainey and Bash. She is smart and funny and Bash was all in for her!
✨ What To Expect:
🥅 Hockey romance
💋 Brother's best friend
❤️🔥 He Used To Be Her Crush
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Friends to lovers
🕯️ Slow burn
🐷 Darling the pig
💒 Stop the wedding
🧬 Women in STEM
💞 Unrequited love
🏥 IBS Rep
June 26, 2025
“All I’m saying is, keep an open mind. Don’t overlook what’s standing right in front of you.”
If you are looking for a sweet and short read, this is it. We all know hockey romance is my jam and this brother’s best friend hit just the right spot! At 182 pages it is on the short side, it read a bit more as a novella to me, but it packed a lot in for the duration. I love the whole friend group. I missed book 1, but now I really want to get to Suki and Carter story.
Bash (Sebastian) and Lainey are perfect for each other, Bash just needed to stop and acknowledged his strong feelings for her were actually love, not brotherly concerned. And Lainey just had to believe that she was too good to settle and that she deserved to be swept off her feet.
3.75⭐️ Rounding up to 4. Thank you to Hambright PR and the author Brenda Rothert for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.
If you are looking for a sweet and short read, this is it. We all know hockey romance is my jam and this brother’s best friend hit just the right spot! At 182 pages it is on the short side, it read a bit more as a novella to me, but it packed a lot in for the duration. I love the whole friend group. I missed book 1, but now I really want to get to Suki and Carter story.
Bash (Sebastian) and Lainey are perfect for each other, Bash just needed to stop and acknowledged his strong feelings for her were actually love, not brotherly concerned. And Lainey just had to believe that she was too good to settle and that she deserved to be swept off her feet.
3.75⭐️ Rounding up to 4. Thank you to Hambright PR and the author Brenda Rothert for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.
June 29, 2025
This was my first hockey romance and I really liked it! I can’t say I related much to the hockey part but I really enjoyed Bash and Lainey. Also, Bash is a great hockey player name. 😂
🧊I loved Bash and his friends were really fun. I enjoyed they gave him crap about his feelings he wouldn’t acknowledge too.
🧊Lainey was a fun FMC. She’s a scientist. She has IBS (relateable) and I loved how Bash was cool about it and tried to make her feel better.
🧊It’s really short (180 pages) but that was the perfect length for the book. It had a cute backstory and so based on that setup you didn’t need a lot of build up time.
🧊There’s no epilogue 🙌🏻🙌🏻
🧊There’s a cute pig and a cute dog, which I loved, especially the pig.
🧊All the friendships in this were so good. I also really liked the way Bash told Lainey about his feelings and I love a good 80s jam so I liked that theme in the book.
🧊I don’t know if this will start me down a path of sports romances but I did really enjoy this and I thought it was cute and fun!
❄️Tropes❄️
-Best Friend’s Sister/Brother’s Best Friend
-Childhood Crush
-STEM FMC
-Friends to Lovers
Thank you so much @netgalley and @brendarothert for the copy. All opinions are my own. 🫶
🧊I loved Bash and his friends were really fun. I enjoyed they gave him crap about his feelings he wouldn’t acknowledge too.
🧊Lainey was a fun FMC. She’s a scientist. She has IBS (relateable) and I loved how Bash was cool about it and tried to make her feel better.
🧊It’s really short (180 pages) but that was the perfect length for the book. It had a cute backstory and so based on that setup you didn’t need a lot of build up time.
🧊There’s no epilogue 🙌🏻🙌🏻
🧊There’s a cute pig and a cute dog, which I loved, especially the pig.
🧊All the friendships in this were so good. I also really liked the way Bash told Lainey about his feelings and I love a good 80s jam so I liked that theme in the book.
🧊I don’t know if this will start me down a path of sports romances but I did really enjoy this and I thought it was cute and fun!
❄️Tropes❄️
-Best Friend’s Sister/Brother’s Best Friend
-Childhood Crush
-STEM FMC
-Friends to Lovers
Thank you so much @netgalley and @brendarothert for the copy. All opinions are my own. 🫶
June 20, 2025
As someone who is a scientist and has IBS I appreciate the rep and the description of the drive for science and the constant stress and evaluation that comes with having this chronic disease. I’m sorry but to choose a partner LET ALONE MARRY ONE who is not respectful is just not it. I could not get past her accepting that.
I just felt like this book lacked the emotional depth of the first book, which is fine if that’s what you want as a reader! For me I just wanted a bit more and this felt flat. I looooved all the friends and side characters like before and how they seamlessly accepted Laine.
Finally, there were some uncomfortable moments. It started off quickly with fat shaming which was so ick and not funny in the way it was intended. They literally nicknamed the MC “Fatman”. Also there was a line describing a Black character saying “her bright white shirt matched her teeth” and it just felt cringy and unnecessary.
Thanks Hambright PR for the eARC.
I just felt like this book lacked the emotional depth of the first book, which is fine if that’s what you want as a reader! For me I just wanted a bit more and this felt flat. I looooved all the friends and side characters like before and how they seamlessly accepted Laine.
Finally, there were some uncomfortable moments. It started off quickly with fat shaming which was so ick and not funny in the way it was intended. They literally nicknamed the MC “Fatman”. Also there was a line describing a Black character saying “her bright white shirt matched her teeth” and it just felt cringy and unnecessary.
Thanks Hambright PR for the eARC.
June 22, 2025
Looking for something light, fast-paced, funny, real-life, and a pet 🐷 …. this book is the perfect summer read!
Best friend’s sister, close proximity, can’t resist the 🥵 hockey player ❤️ sign me up! Can be read as a standalone, but recommended to read book 1.
Best friend’s sister, close proximity, can’t resist the 🥵 hockey player ❤️ sign me up! Can be read as a standalone, but recommended to read book 1.
July 12, 2025
The was a light flirty read for me. I loved the banter and chemistry between Bash and Lainey. I love a good brother’s best friend trope and forced proximity. If you are in the mood for a quick hockey read this is for you.
August 18, 2025
This book had me laughing from the first page! It was so funny! It does start with the fmc in a relationship with someone else but it had no 3rd act break between the fmc and the mmc which is always a plus!
July 8, 2025
ARC Review
3/5 stars
2/5 spice
This was a cute and quick read. I enjoyed both Lainey and Bash as individual characters and as a couple. I think Lainey was a bit harsh on Bash when he turned her down in the past, but homegirl was 17 and he was 21, so yes, as he should have turned her down. Bash was truly an amazing friend to Lainey, always willing to do whatever it took to make her happy.
I wish there were more plot development and more drama. I wanted more drama with Shane; it felt like his character was here, then gone, and never seen or heard from again. Maybe see bash punch him in the face, but I digress.
Overall, I liked this book, but not as much as the first one. If you are looking for a quick, spicy read the this is the book for you.
Thank you Hambright for the ARC
3/5 stars
2/5 spice
This was a cute and quick read. I enjoyed both Lainey and Bash as individual characters and as a couple. I think Lainey was a bit harsh on Bash when he turned her down in the past, but homegirl was 17 and he was 21, so yes, as he should have turned her down. Bash was truly an amazing friend to Lainey, always willing to do whatever it took to make her happy.
I wish there were more plot development and more drama. I wanted more drama with Shane; it felt like his character was here, then gone, and never seen or heard from again. Maybe see bash punch him in the face, but I digress.
Overall, I liked this book, but not as much as the first one. If you are looking for a quick, spicy read the this is the book for you.
Thank you Hambright for the ARC
June 29, 2025
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is book 2 in the Love on the Line series but can be read as a standalone. This time NHL winger Bash finds love with Lainey, the little sister of his childhood best friend. She's moving to Cleveland to work on a 4 month research project and he offers her his home to live in while she's there. Lainey had a huge crush on Bash when she was younger (he's 4 years older than her). When she was 17 and he was 21 and already in the NHL she asked him to take her to her prom. He naturally said no and her heart broke. Now Lainey is engaged to marry Shane, a worthless POS not worthy of her. Bash has no trouble reminding Lainey every chance he gets that he's not worthy of her. He thinks he's being a good friend. Until he can't deny he's actually got feelings for her. Now, just to make her believe his feelings are real.
I love the found family Bash created with his teammates and their friends. They welcome Lainey into their group with arms wide open and for the first time she's found true friendships, including girlfriends, she can confide in and trust. Bash is sweet, thoughtful, and protective of Lainey. Lainey suffers from IBS and the author did a great job of showing her struggles with the condition. Bash is there to take care of Lainey like Shane never did. Lainey is smart, stubborn, and determined to not fall for Bash and humiliate herself again. Who cares that he's got that deep Batman gravely voice. Or pecs as hard as rocks. Or an 8 pack. It's fine. It's fine. Everything is just FINE.
This is a cute fun read that can be read in one sitting. Thank you Hambright PR and the author for the complimentary e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
This is book 2 in the Love on the Line series but can be read as a standalone. This time NHL winger Bash finds love with Lainey, the little sister of his childhood best friend. She's moving to Cleveland to work on a 4 month research project and he offers her his home to live in while she's there. Lainey had a huge crush on Bash when she was younger (he's 4 years older than her). When she was 17 and he was 21 and already in the NHL she asked him to take her to her prom. He naturally said no and her heart broke. Now Lainey is engaged to marry Shane, a worthless POS not worthy of her. Bash has no trouble reminding Lainey every chance he gets that he's not worthy of her. He thinks he's being a good friend. Until he can't deny he's actually got feelings for her. Now, just to make her believe his feelings are real.
I love the found family Bash created with his teammates and their friends. They welcome Lainey into their group with arms wide open and for the first time she's found true friendships, including girlfriends, she can confide in and trust. Bash is sweet, thoughtful, and protective of Lainey. Lainey suffers from IBS and the author did a great job of showing her struggles with the condition. Bash is there to take care of Lainey like Shane never did. Lainey is smart, stubborn, and determined to not fall for Bash and humiliate herself again. Who cares that he's got that deep Batman gravely voice. Or pecs as hard as rocks. Or an 8 pack. It's fine. It's fine. Everything is just FINE.
This is a cute fun read that can be read in one sitting. Thank you Hambright PR and the author for the complimentary e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
July 13, 2025
"So weird. I have no idea where these thoughts are coming from because... Lainey’s Lainey. My childhood best friend’s younger sister. She’s pretty much the last person whose ass I should be thinking about."
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Read: 07/09 – 07/12/2025
Published June 26, 2025
🏒 My thanks to Hambright PR & Author Brenda Rothert for the gifted copy!!🏒
Genre:
Contemporary Sports Romance
New Adult Romance
Hockey Romance
Tropes and Themes:
Age Gap: less than ten years
Sports Romance 🏒Professional Hockey Star
Brother’s Best Friend / Best Friend’s Younger Sister
Stop the wedding!!!
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Spicy🔥
“I don’t want her, and I don’t want Shane to have her. I care about her and I don’t want to see her make the biggest mistake of her life.”
Full Review: https://awellreadwomanblog.wordpress....
Wanting The Winger, a hockey romance by Author Brenda Rothert, is a story about the evolution of love, and how two people destined to be together, will eventually find one another again when the timing is right.
Lainey is a Microbiologist, engaged to be married, and in graduate school working on her Doctorate. Studying gut health is important to her because of a condition she has: IBS. When she is tasked with a four month long research project, her older brother’s best friend, professional Hockey Star and her high-school crush, Sebastian “Bash” Stone, offers her his place to stay.
"He’s not my crush anymore, but my nervous system didn’t get the memo... Adrenaline floods my bloodstream and my heart rate kicks up as he approaches, grinning lazily. I reason with myself. It’s not really butterflies in my stomach—it’s blood diverting from my digestive system toward my organs and muscles. That backward baseball hat and grin still get me every time, even after all these years... Guilt stabs me in the gut because I’m only supposed to get butterflies for Shane, my fiancé."
Lainey is no longer the kid Bash remembers. She’s a beautiful and smart twenty-five-year-old woman no longer hiding her figure in hoodies and jeans. Moreover, she’s way too good for Shane, her fiancé, and Bash isn’t shy about his feelings, even telling her if it were him, he’d treat her different. Lainey doesn’t know how to process that information, especially remembering the trauma of his rejection when she boldly asked him to Prom and he said no. She knows she’s settling for Shane, who doesn’t give her butterflies and never will. And after spending time with Bash, it becomes painfully clear that Shane does the bare minimum. She worries her feelings for Bash never truly went away, racking her brain with guilt. In defense, she freezes him out, angry with his criticism of Shane, but mostly fearing she will fall in love with him. However, Bash is a professional Hockey player and a little ice isn’t going to stop him from ensuring Lainey doesn’t make the biggest mistake of her life.
"After The Incident, though, I wised up. I started dreaming of becoming an independent, accomplished scientist who signed her name, Dr. Delaney Morris, instead of Mrs. Sebastian Stone."
I loved these characters and their sense of humor so much. I’m not a sports romance fan but I am a fan of good writing and this was a great story with some great tropes! Bash was too much, when he told Lainey and Shane they had to sleep in separate bedrooms — I was rolling! 😂 He was doing everything in his power to make Shane’s stay uncomfortable which didn’t take much. This was eye-opening to Lainey. Shane wasn’t a fighter when it came to their relationship, and it showed when it mattered.
"Lainey is smart, beautiful and funny. She deserves to be treated like a ___ queen. And if she won’t see reason, I’ll sabotage her ___ relationship however I can."
I loved the disability representation and how the MMC, Bash was so caring and helpful during her flares, including clearing the local pharmacy of all pharmaceuticals related to stomach health, plus Gatorade, which he surprised Lainey with once she emerged from the bathroom. In contrast, her fiance hadn’t checked in once with her, disappointingly. I really liked how Bash handled her illness, with compassion and care unlike her insensitive fiancé. I also liked how this novel delves into how her illness affected her daily, bringing awareness to something that a lot of people are too embarrassed to discuss. Lainey would get herself into an otherwise ordinary situation that would escalate quickly and her inner narrative was hilarious. Anytime she was racing toward a toilet, I was sympathetic but couldn’t help but laugh because she was too funny. Think Bridesmaids after the food poisoning incident. 😂
Bash’s grand gesture was swoonworthy and heartwarming. It was everything Lainey needed and more.
Wanting the Winger by Brenda Rothert is a story about embracing the journey and how if it’s meant to be, it will be, at the right time. Highly recommended to fans of sports romance, swoonworthy heroes, women in STEM, excellent, witty banter, forced proximity, and disability representation!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Read: 07/09 – 07/12/2025
Published June 26, 2025
🏒 My thanks to Hambright PR & Author Brenda Rothert for the gifted copy!!🏒
Genre:
Contemporary Sports Romance
New Adult Romance
Hockey Romance
Tropes and Themes:
Age Gap: less than ten years
Sports Romance 🏒Professional Hockey Star
Brother’s Best Friend / Best Friend’s Younger Sister
Stop the wedding!!!
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Spicy🔥
“I don’t want her, and I don’t want Shane to have her. I care about her and I don’t want to see her make the biggest mistake of her life.”
Full Review: https://awellreadwomanblog.wordpress....
Wanting The Winger, a hockey romance by Author Brenda Rothert, is a story about the evolution of love, and how two people destined to be together, will eventually find one another again when the timing is right.
Lainey is a Microbiologist, engaged to be married, and in graduate school working on her Doctorate. Studying gut health is important to her because of a condition she has: IBS. When she is tasked with a four month long research project, her older brother’s best friend, professional Hockey Star and her high-school crush, Sebastian “Bash” Stone, offers her his place to stay.
"He’s not my crush anymore, but my nervous system didn’t get the memo... Adrenaline floods my bloodstream and my heart rate kicks up as he approaches, grinning lazily. I reason with myself. It’s not really butterflies in my stomach—it’s blood diverting from my digestive system toward my organs and muscles. That backward baseball hat and grin still get me every time, even after all these years... Guilt stabs me in the gut because I’m only supposed to get butterflies for Shane, my fiancé."
Lainey is no longer the kid Bash remembers. She’s a beautiful and smart twenty-five-year-old woman no longer hiding her figure in hoodies and jeans. Moreover, she’s way too good for Shane, her fiancé, and Bash isn’t shy about his feelings, even telling her if it were him, he’d treat her different. Lainey doesn’t know how to process that information, especially remembering the trauma of his rejection when she boldly asked him to Prom and he said no. She knows she’s settling for Shane, who doesn’t give her butterflies and never will. And after spending time with Bash, it becomes painfully clear that Shane does the bare minimum. She worries her feelings for Bash never truly went away, racking her brain with guilt. In defense, she freezes him out, angry with his criticism of Shane, but mostly fearing she will fall in love with him. However, Bash is a professional Hockey player and a little ice isn’t going to stop him from ensuring Lainey doesn’t make the biggest mistake of her life.
"After The Incident, though, I wised up. I started dreaming of becoming an independent, accomplished scientist who signed her name, Dr. Delaney Morris, instead of Mrs. Sebastian Stone."
I loved these characters and their sense of humor so much. I’m not a sports romance fan but I am a fan of good writing and this was a great story with some great tropes! Bash was too much, when he told Lainey and Shane they had to sleep in separate bedrooms — I was rolling! 😂 He was doing everything in his power to make Shane’s stay uncomfortable which didn’t take much. This was eye-opening to Lainey. Shane wasn’t a fighter when it came to their relationship, and it showed when it mattered.
"Lainey is smart, beautiful and funny. She deserves to be treated like a ___ queen. And if she won’t see reason, I’ll sabotage her ___ relationship however I can."
I loved the disability representation and how the MMC, Bash was so caring and helpful during her flares, including clearing the local pharmacy of all pharmaceuticals related to stomach health, plus Gatorade, which he surprised Lainey with once she emerged from the bathroom. In contrast, her fiance hadn’t checked in once with her, disappointingly. I really liked how Bash handled her illness, with compassion and care unlike her insensitive fiancé. I also liked how this novel delves into how her illness affected her daily, bringing awareness to something that a lot of people are too embarrassed to discuss. Lainey would get herself into an otherwise ordinary situation that would escalate quickly and her inner narrative was hilarious. Anytime she was racing toward a toilet, I was sympathetic but couldn’t help but laugh because she was too funny. Think Bridesmaids after the food poisoning incident. 😂
Bash’s grand gesture was swoonworthy and heartwarming. It was everything Lainey needed and more.
Wanting the Winger by Brenda Rothert is a story about embracing the journey and how if it’s meant to be, it will be, at the right time. Highly recommended to fans of sports romance, swoonworthy heroes, women in STEM, excellent, witty banter, forced proximity, and disability representation!
August 15, 2025
This was a good read. I didn’t read the other books in the series, and honestly, I don’t think you have to. That said, it’s possible this may have impacted how connected I felt to the story.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
1. Intelligent FMC– FMC, Lainey, was a scientist, which I loved.
2. IBS representation – This was great! I didn’t know much about IBS before, but this story gave me a better understanding, so it was unexpectedly educational.
3. MMC’s attentiveness was Swoony – The MMC, Bash, was incredibly considerate. Whenever Lainey had an IBS flare-up, he’d have drinks ready in case she got dehydrated, and he never once made her feel weird or different because of it. The way he worried about Lainey, texting her if she wasn’t home yet, always making sure she was okay, was sweet.
4. Found family – Lainey didn’t seem to have many friends at first, so I loved seeing her find a girls’ group that embraced her completely. She fit right in, and the entire crew welcomed her.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
1. The book felt a little bland/flat to me. It was a quick read. I finished it in just a couple of hours. It held my attention at first, and the beginning was strong. I was excited to see how the whole Shane situation would work out and how the MCs would end up together. But toward the end, something was missing. It just fell flat.
2. I liked both characters individually, but I didn’t feel strongly about them getting together. Part of me thought: “Why did it take Bash so long to confess his love? Was it just because she was engaged that he finally wanted her?”
3. I also didn’t love how much Lainey seemed to be into Bash, almost settling for Shane because she couldn’t have the MMC.
4. I wish the author had spent more time developing Lainey and Bash’s relationship and chemistry. There was a lot of focus on her IBS and the friend group, but not enough on the romance itself. It was like I blinked, and suddenly, they were together.
5. The pig/dog/dog-sitter subplot, though a little funny, was weird for me, especially the ending and the whole prostate situation.
Don’t get me wrong, this was a good read overall. This was my first book from this author, and I liked some elements of her writing enough that I’ll check out more of her work. But for this one specifically, it was just okay. If you’re looking for a quick romance with light drama, a touch of spice, a swoony MMC, and a scientist FMC, this could be the one for you.
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃:
Childhood Crush to Lovers
Brother's Best Friend
Scientist FMC
Pro Hockey Player MMC
Found Family
Roommates to Lovers
She's Engaged
IBS Rep
Open Door Spice
No Third Act Breakup
Low on the Drama
HEA
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
1. Intelligent FMC– FMC, Lainey, was a scientist, which I loved.
2. IBS representation – This was great! I didn’t know much about IBS before, but this story gave me a better understanding, so it was unexpectedly educational.
3. MMC’s attentiveness was Swoony – The MMC, Bash, was incredibly considerate. Whenever Lainey had an IBS flare-up, he’d have drinks ready in case she got dehydrated, and he never once made her feel weird or different because of it. The way he worried about Lainey, texting her if she wasn’t home yet, always making sure she was okay, was sweet.
4. Found family – Lainey didn’t seem to have many friends at first, so I loved seeing her find a girls’ group that embraced her completely. She fit right in, and the entire crew welcomed her.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
1. The book felt a little bland/flat to me. It was a quick read. I finished it in just a couple of hours. It held my attention at first, and the beginning was strong. I was excited to see how the whole Shane situation would work out and how the MCs would end up together. But toward the end, something was missing. It just fell flat.
2. I liked both characters individually, but I didn’t feel strongly about them getting together. Part of me thought: “Why did it take Bash so long to confess his love? Was it just because she was engaged that he finally wanted her?”
3. I also didn’t love how much Lainey seemed to be into Bash, almost settling for Shane because she couldn’t have the MMC.
4. I wish the author had spent more time developing Lainey and Bash’s relationship and chemistry. There was a lot of focus on her IBS and the friend group, but not enough on the romance itself. It was like I blinked, and suddenly, they were together.
5. The pig/dog/dog-sitter subplot, though a little funny, was weird for me, especially the ending and the whole prostate situation.
Don’t get me wrong, this was a good read overall. This was my first book from this author, and I liked some elements of her writing enough that I’ll check out more of her work. But for this one specifically, it was just okay. If you’re looking for a quick romance with light drama, a touch of spice, a swoony MMC, and a scientist FMC, this could be the one for you.
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃:
Childhood Crush to Lovers
Brother's Best Friend
Scientist FMC
Pro Hockey Player MMC
Found Family
Roommates to Lovers
She's Engaged
IBS Rep
Open Door Spice
No Third Act Breakup
Low on the Drama
HEA
July 19, 2025
Sports romances hold a special place in my reading heart, and when I saw Wanting the Winger available through Hambright PR, I didn't hesitate to request it. My history with Brenda Rothert's work goes back to before 2017, and I was fortunate enough to meet her at RT2017 in Atlanta—a dream vacation that remains one of my favorite literary memories. That connection made diving into Sebastian's story even more meaningful.
Wanting the Winger delivers everything I love about the best friend's sibling trope wrapped in the high-energy world of ice hockey. Sebastian "Bash" is our charming winger who opens his home to Lainey, his best friend Eric's little sister. She's pursuing her dreams as a microbiologist with a new lab position, but there's one massive complication: her engagement to Shane, a man Bash absolutely despises. The tension between wanting to protect his friend's sister while harboring deeper feelings creates delicious conflict that had me turning pages well into the night.
What makes this romance truly exceptional is Brenda Rothert's fearless approach to real-life challenges. Lainey lives with IBS, and rather than glossing over this reality, the author tackles it head-on—accidents, embarrassment, and all. This representation struck me deeply, bringing back bittersweet memories of my mother, who dealt with similar bowel and kidney issues. I remember those frantic stops at op shops to buy emergency clothes when we were out together. She passed away in December 2013, and reading about Sebastian's unwavering support for Lainey during her most vulnerable moments reminded me of the grace and dignity my mum deserved during her struggles.
The normalization of chronic illness within a romance narrative is groundbreaking. Too often, these conditions are hidden or sanitized in fiction, but Brenda Rothert presents them as simply part of life—messy, inconvenient, but never defining. Sebastian's response to Lainey's condition showcases true intimacy: seeing someone at their most vulnerable and choosing love anyway.
The hockey backdrop provides exciting energy, but the emotional core drives this story. The chemistry between Sebastian and Lainey builds naturally from friendship to something deeper, while the looming presence of her unsuitable fiancé adds perfect tension. Brenda Rothert balances steam with genuine emotion, creating characters who feel authentic both on and off the ice.
Wanting the Winger succeeds as both an engaging sports romance and a thoughtful exploration of acceptance, vulnerability, and finding someone who loves all of you—even the parts society tells us to hide.
July 4, 2025
°Book Review°
Wanting the Winger by Brenda Rothert
This is the second book in Brenda Rothert’s Love on the Line series, delivers a charming friends-to-lovers story set against the gritty, demanding world of professional hockey. Sebastian “Bash” Stone, a pro hockey player with a reputation as a player, finds himself at odds with his best friend’s little sister, Delaney “Lainey” Morris, who’s engaged to someone he can’t stand. When Lainey moves in with Bash during a critical research project, old feelings and new tensions ignite in a slow-burning romance that’s both heartfelt and fun.
The author's writing is warm and engaging, with sharp dialogue and well-drawn characters. The chemistry between Bash and Lainey is palpable, and the story balances humor with emotional depth. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayal of the challenges professional athletes face—the grueling travel, intense training, and the personal sacrifices behind the glamour. The inclusion of a lovable Great Dane named Bruce adds a delightful touch of levity.
At its core, Wanting the Winger is about second chances and confronting the past. Lainey’s lingering feelings from a teenage crush and Bash’s determination to protect her from a bad relationship create a slow but satisfying build-up. The story thrives on the tension of unspoken emotions and the support of a tight-knit friend group, making the romance feel earned rather than rushed.
Lainey stands out as a smart, driven woman pursuing a demanding microbiology research. While the romance is central, Lainey’s independence and Lainey’s ability to hold her own in a male-dominated sports world is refreshing. The story subtly highlights the importance of women’s agency, even in traditional or competitive environments.
This is a delightful, feel-good read perfect for fans of slow-burn romance and sports stories. Rothert’s blend of humor, heart, and hockey culture makes this book a winning addition to the series—and a great entry point for those new to hockey romance.
Wanting the Winger by Brenda Rothert
This is the second book in Brenda Rothert’s Love on the Line series, delivers a charming friends-to-lovers story set against the gritty, demanding world of professional hockey. Sebastian “Bash” Stone, a pro hockey player with a reputation as a player, finds himself at odds with his best friend’s little sister, Delaney “Lainey” Morris, who’s engaged to someone he can’t stand. When Lainey moves in with Bash during a critical research project, old feelings and new tensions ignite in a slow-burning romance that’s both heartfelt and fun.
The author's writing is warm and engaging, with sharp dialogue and well-drawn characters. The chemistry between Bash and Lainey is palpable, and the story balances humor with emotional depth. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayal of the challenges professional athletes face—the grueling travel, intense training, and the personal sacrifices behind the glamour. The inclusion of a lovable Great Dane named Bruce adds a delightful touch of levity.
At its core, Wanting the Winger is about second chances and confronting the past. Lainey’s lingering feelings from a teenage crush and Bash’s determination to protect her from a bad relationship create a slow but satisfying build-up. The story thrives on the tension of unspoken emotions and the support of a tight-knit friend group, making the romance feel earned rather than rushed.
Lainey stands out as a smart, driven woman pursuing a demanding microbiology research. While the romance is central, Lainey’s independence and Lainey’s ability to hold her own in a male-dominated sports world is refreshing. The story subtly highlights the importance of women’s agency, even in traditional or competitive environments.
This is a delightful, feel-good read perfect for fans of slow-burn romance and sports stories. Rothert’s blend of humor, heart, and hockey culture makes this book a winning addition to the series—and a great entry point for those new to hockey romance.
July 10, 2025
"Wanting the Winger" is a truly engaging and emotionally rich contemporary romance that draws you in from the very first pages. It skillfully builds on a foundation of shared history, simmering attraction, and a refreshing honesty about the messy realities of life and relationships.
The characters are a definite highlight. Lainey's journey is particularly compelling, showcasing her intelligence, her strength in navigating personal challenges like IBS, and her desire to find genuine happiness. Bash, the titular winger, is a charismatic and complex lead. His protective nature and underlying depth make him incredibly intriguing, and his internal struggles add significant layers to his character.
The chemistry between Bash and Lainey is palpable from the outset, fueled by a long-standing connection and undeniable tension. The narrative expertly weaves a "friends-to-more" dynamic, keeping you invested in their evolving relationship. Beyond the central pair, the vibrant cast of supporting characters from the close knit hockey team to Lainey's newfound circle of friends adds humor, warmth, and a rich sense of community to the story.
The pacing is well executed, allowing emotional stakes to build naturally, leading to both poignant and amusing moments. The book's willingness to delve into realistic themes, including body image and personal vulnerabilities, adds a refreshing authenticity to the romance genre.
While overall fantastic, there were occasional moments where the intensity of certain character interactions could feel a bit unyielding. However, this is a minor point in an otherwise absorbing narrative.
"Wanting the Winger" is a highly rewarding read for those who appreciate contemporary romance with well-developed characters, genuine emotional depth, and a compelling "will they/won't they" dynamic. It's a story that stays with you long after the final page.
The characters are a definite highlight. Lainey's journey is particularly compelling, showcasing her intelligence, her strength in navigating personal challenges like IBS, and her desire to find genuine happiness. Bash, the titular winger, is a charismatic and complex lead. His protective nature and underlying depth make him incredibly intriguing, and his internal struggles add significant layers to his character.
The chemistry between Bash and Lainey is palpable from the outset, fueled by a long-standing connection and undeniable tension. The narrative expertly weaves a "friends-to-more" dynamic, keeping you invested in their evolving relationship. Beyond the central pair, the vibrant cast of supporting characters from the close knit hockey team to Lainey's newfound circle of friends adds humor, warmth, and a rich sense of community to the story.
The pacing is well executed, allowing emotional stakes to build naturally, leading to both poignant and amusing moments. The book's willingness to delve into realistic themes, including body image and personal vulnerabilities, adds a refreshing authenticity to the romance genre.
While overall fantastic, there were occasional moments where the intensity of certain character interactions could feel a bit unyielding. However, this is a minor point in an otherwise absorbing narrative.
"Wanting the Winger" is a highly rewarding read for those who appreciate contemporary romance with well-developed characters, genuine emotional depth, and a compelling "will they/won't they" dynamic. It's a story that stays with you long after the final page.
June 23, 2025
Thank you so much to Hambright PR for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for goodreads ⭐️💫
Wanting the Winger was a quick, fun romance that had some really charming elements—plus a few things that didn’t totally land for me. Overall, I’d say this one falls right in the middle: enjoyable, lighthearted, and with enough moments I liked to make me curious about reading more from Brenda Rothert, who has a lot of books!
What I liked:
• The sourdough references were weirdly delightful (you’ll get it when you read it)
• Some of the inner monologue and banter made me laugh out loud
• I loved the friend group dynamic—especially their themed hangouts like fondue night
• No third act breakup!! 🙌
• The grand gesture at the end was really sweet
• It was a fast, easy read with surprisingly spicy moments (the spice was hot?? 🥵🔥)
That said, there were a few things that didn’t work for me:
• The FMC has IBS and it is mentioned A LOT. The constant IBS jokes/dialogue felt like a lot. As someone with chronic stomach issues, I didn’t really need or want to see it show up this often in a romance.
• Some of the 29 yo MMC’s lines were… a bit much. A little immature or overly graphic in a way that pulled me out of the moment.
• I’m also not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, and this book leaned on it a bit more than I prefer.
If you’re looking for a short, spicy, funny read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this could be a fun pick! I’d definitely try something else from this author—overall I had a fun time!!
TROPES
💋 Brother's best friend
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Friends to lovers
🕯️ Slow burn
🐷 Darling the pig
💒 Stop the wedding
💞 Unrequited love
🥅 Hockey romance
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for goodreads ⭐️💫
Wanting the Winger was a quick, fun romance that had some really charming elements—plus a few things that didn’t totally land for me. Overall, I’d say this one falls right in the middle: enjoyable, lighthearted, and with enough moments I liked to make me curious about reading more from Brenda Rothert, who has a lot of books!
What I liked:
• The sourdough references were weirdly delightful (you’ll get it when you read it)
• Some of the inner monologue and banter made me laugh out loud
• I loved the friend group dynamic—especially their themed hangouts like fondue night
• No third act breakup!! 🙌
• The grand gesture at the end was really sweet
• It was a fast, easy read with surprisingly spicy moments (the spice was hot?? 🥵🔥)
That said, there were a few things that didn’t work for me:
• The FMC has IBS and it is mentioned A LOT. The constant IBS jokes/dialogue felt like a lot. As someone with chronic stomach issues, I didn’t really need or want to see it show up this often in a romance.
• Some of the 29 yo MMC’s lines were… a bit much. A little immature or overly graphic in a way that pulled me out of the moment.
• I’m also not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, and this book leaned on it a bit more than I prefer.
If you’re looking for a short, spicy, funny read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this could be a fun pick! I’d definitely try something else from this author—overall I had a fun time!!
TROPES
💋 Brother's best friend
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼 Friends to lovers
🕯️ Slow burn
🐷 Darling the pig
💒 Stop the wedding
💞 Unrequited love
🥅 Hockey romance
June 27, 2025
3.5 stars
Wanting The Winger by Brenda Rothert is swoony hockey romance with some of my favorite tropes. Second chance. Brother's best friend. Cinnamon roll hero. Adorable quirky heroine. It was full of sweetness, heartwarming feels and sometimes, scorching hot chemistry.
Sebastian "Bash" Stone, the star winger of Cleveland Comets, is in trouble. He has feelings for his best friend's sister for a while but she is engaged and she is coming to live with him for this summer as she has a research project in his town. Lainey had a crush on him when she was young but Bash turned her down..for obvious reasons. The forced proximity is difficult for her too. Is Bash's disapproval of her fiance purely from.concern? Or he wants his chance?
I loved Bash! He is so swoony and then he surprised me with his dirty side in bedroom. He is fiercely protective of Lainey. He wants the best for her and that's why he wants her to see that her fiance isn't the right choice. He is so witty and caring and gives all the golden Retriever vibes. Lainey got her heart broken when she was 17 and she redirected her energy to build her career in microbiology and she succeeded. But she has insecurities and that's why she settled for her fiance. It's a dicey situation. Bash doesn't want her to make a mistake but he also doesn't want to intrude and affect her decision. Lainey cannot believe the man who still gives her butterflies also wants her. The drama was minimal though and they both decided to give in to their feels. Their banter and the slow burn was so good. The bromance and the love from.the team members' families were special here.
I expected some more tension between Lainey and Bash. The sexual tension was there but their emotional conflicts resolved way too easily. The big crew of other hockey players and their group was entertaining for sure but they distracted me too. The start was solid but I feel somehow unfulfilled.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Wanting The Winger by Brenda Rothert is swoony hockey romance with some of my favorite tropes. Second chance. Brother's best friend. Cinnamon roll hero. Adorable quirky heroine. It was full of sweetness, heartwarming feels and sometimes, scorching hot chemistry.
Sebastian "Bash" Stone, the star winger of Cleveland Comets, is in trouble. He has feelings for his best friend's sister for a while but she is engaged and she is coming to live with him for this summer as she has a research project in his town. Lainey had a crush on him when she was young but Bash turned her down..for obvious reasons. The forced proximity is difficult for her too. Is Bash's disapproval of her fiance purely from.concern? Or he wants his chance?
I loved Bash! He is so swoony and then he surprised me with his dirty side in bedroom. He is fiercely protective of Lainey. He wants the best for her and that's why he wants her to see that her fiance isn't the right choice. He is so witty and caring and gives all the golden Retriever vibes. Lainey got her heart broken when she was 17 and she redirected her energy to build her career in microbiology and she succeeded. But she has insecurities and that's why she settled for her fiance. It's a dicey situation. Bash doesn't want her to make a mistake but he also doesn't want to intrude and affect her decision. Lainey cannot believe the man who still gives her butterflies also wants her. The drama was minimal though and they both decided to give in to their feels. Their banter and the slow burn was so good. The bromance and the love from.the team members' families were special here.
I expected some more tension between Lainey and Bash. The sexual tension was there but their emotional conflicts resolved way too easily. The big crew of other hockey players and their group was entertaining for sure but they distracted me too. The start was solid but I feel somehow unfulfilled.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
June 26, 2025
4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🏒Brother’s Best Friend
💙Friends to Lovers
🏒Slow Burn
💙Stop the Wedding
🏒Unrequited Love
💙Hockey Romance
Wanting the Winger is a fast, flirty, brother’s bestie, friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the cozy, swoony check boxes. Lainey moves in with her older brother’s best friend Bash while she works on a research project in Cleveland��oh, and did I mention she’s engaged to a guy who absolutely does not deserve her? Bash thinks so too, but he’s not exactly neutral (winkyfaceee!!)—especially since he’s been falling for Lainey harder and faster than he ever expected. Their forced proximity amps up the tension, especially as Lainey’s old crush starts to feel a lot less one-sided, and Bash begins to realize that being her protector isn’t enough—he wants to be her EVERYTHING!!!
The chemistry between Bash and Lainey totally worked for me—the slow-burn buildup, the natural banter, and the way their connection deepened with every shared moment (and awkssss for them, that IBS convo 😂 But def a good giggle). While Lainey’s blind spot with her fiancé was definitely ANNOYING at times (HELLOOOO RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE!!!), the payoff was still satisfying once the emotional walls came down. I adored the warm, supportive hockey crew, and Bash’s sweet-but-scorching cinnamon roll vibes made me MELTTTT. If you’re in the mood for a bingeable, low-angst romance with just the right amount of spice and heart, Wanting the Winger is a great pick.
A HUGE thank you to Brenda Rothert and Hambright PR for sending this one over to read. I haven’t been a big fan of hockey romances (there are just sooo many–not that I actually dislike them!!!) but I am SOOO glad I took a chance on this one. It’s a good one!!!
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🏒Brother’s Best Friend
💙Friends to Lovers
🏒Slow Burn
💙Stop the Wedding
🏒Unrequited Love
💙Hockey Romance
Wanting the Winger is a fast, flirty, brother’s bestie, friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the cozy, swoony check boxes. Lainey moves in with her older brother’s best friend Bash while she works on a research project in Cleveland��oh, and did I mention she’s engaged to a guy who absolutely does not deserve her? Bash thinks so too, but he’s not exactly neutral (winkyfaceee!!)—especially since he’s been falling for Lainey harder and faster than he ever expected. Their forced proximity amps up the tension, especially as Lainey’s old crush starts to feel a lot less one-sided, and Bash begins to realize that being her protector isn’t enough—he wants to be her EVERYTHING!!!
The chemistry between Bash and Lainey totally worked for me—the slow-burn buildup, the natural banter, and the way their connection deepened with every shared moment (and awkssss for them, that IBS convo 😂 But def a good giggle). While Lainey’s blind spot with her fiancé was definitely ANNOYING at times (HELLOOOO RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE!!!), the payoff was still satisfying once the emotional walls came down. I adored the warm, supportive hockey crew, and Bash’s sweet-but-scorching cinnamon roll vibes made me MELTTTT. If you’re in the mood for a bingeable, low-angst romance with just the right amount of spice and heart, Wanting the Winger is a great pick.
A HUGE thank you to Brenda Rothert and Hambright PR for sending this one over to read. I haven’t been a big fan of hockey romances (there are just sooo many–not that I actually dislike them!!!) but I am SOOO glad I took a chance on this one. It’s a good one!!!
June 22, 2025
Book two in the Love on the Line series is here, and you know I was all over it the second Hambright PR had it up for request, straight to the Kindle it went! After loving book one, my expectations were high, and this cute little gem did not disappoint. Short? Yep. Sweet? Absolutely. Fast-paced? Blink and you're at the epilogue. Basically, the ideal palette cleanser between heavier reads.
The dual POV? Perfect. For such a quick read, it was SO satisfying getting inside both Bash and Lainey's heads, we knew exactly what was brewing, just waiting for that moment to hit. And when it did it was adorable. I'm here for the best-friend’s-little-sister trope, and Brenda Rothert totally delivered.
That said, with such a speedy plot, I did wish for a little more mess. The love triangle tension with Shane, the man she was engaged to at the beginning, felt a bit underdeveloped. One second he’s there, the next we’ve moved on. I needed a bit more drama to really savor that final payoff.
Still, this was an easy, feel-good read with just the right amount of longing and slow-burn romance. Watching Lainey and Bash realise they’ve still got sparks flying after all these years? YES PLEASE. Also, Bash’s totally obvious jealousy whenever Shane was in the room? 10/10 entertainment. Shane was the worst, and I’m glad he knew it.
Lainey, though? Total queen. Smart, self-aware, and not about to settle for anything less than she deserves.
Now, I’m ready for book three, because if the hints in this one are anything to go by, it might just be my fave of the series.
Big thanks to Hambright PR for the E-ARC!
✧.* Best Friends Little Sister
✧.* Hockey Romance
✧.* IBS Rep
✧.* Friends to Lovers
✧.* FMC in STEM
my bookstagram!
The dual POV? Perfect. For such a quick read, it was SO satisfying getting inside both Bash and Lainey's heads, we knew exactly what was brewing, just waiting for that moment to hit. And when it did it was adorable. I'm here for the best-friend’s-little-sister trope, and Brenda Rothert totally delivered.
That said, with such a speedy plot, I did wish for a little more mess. The love triangle tension with Shane, the man she was engaged to at the beginning, felt a bit underdeveloped. One second he’s there, the next we’ve moved on. I needed a bit more drama to really savor that final payoff.
Still, this was an easy, feel-good read with just the right amount of longing and slow-burn romance. Watching Lainey and Bash realise they’ve still got sparks flying after all these years? YES PLEASE. Also, Bash’s totally obvious jealousy whenever Shane was in the room? 10/10 entertainment. Shane was the worst, and I’m glad he knew it.
Lainey, though? Total queen. Smart, self-aware, and not about to settle for anything less than she deserves.
Now, I’m ready for book three, because if the hints in this one are anything to go by, it might just be my fave of the series.
Big thanks to Hambright PR for the E-ARC!
✧.* Best Friends Little Sister
✧.* Hockey Romance
✧.* IBS Rep
✧.* Friends to Lovers
✧.* FMC in STEM
my bookstagram!
July 10, 2025
When you are teenager, putting yourself out there asking your crush to prom is a big deal. It's an even bigger deal when he's a hockey player, your brother's best friend, in his early 20's, and you drove hours to ask him. Lainey was hoping for a yes but instead received her first heartbreak. She ended up going to college for microbiology and has an amazing research project in Cleveland. Enter Bash.
Bash is a pro hockey player and we met him in Carter's book. Bash tells Lainey she can stay at his house while she completes her research. Bash is not a fan of her fiance, Shane, so things get very rocky when he comes for a visit. Bash has no issues telling him he is a bad person and tells Lainey every chance he gets that he is wrong for her.
When Lainey finds Shane cheating, she finally understands Bash was really just looking out for her best interest. What Lainey doesn't know is Bash has feelings for her and he's keeping it a big secret. Lainey's feelings never went away. They were just moved to the back of her mind.
When Suki, Carter's wife, makes fast friends with Lainey she starts to really enjoy her time in Cleveland. She even loves Suki and Carter's Darling, the 280+ pound house pig as well as Bash's big Great Dane, Bruce. But she is going to be leaving when her research is over unless her or Bash make a move.
I loved getting to see the story continue on from book 1 with the same characters. I also loved that Lainey had a medical issue that a lot of people suffer with, making her very relatable. Shane shamed her for it but Bash shows her the way any man should react to her issues. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
Bash is a pro hockey player and we met him in Carter's book. Bash tells Lainey she can stay at his house while she completes her research. Bash is not a fan of her fiance, Shane, so things get very rocky when he comes for a visit. Bash has no issues telling him he is a bad person and tells Lainey every chance he gets that he is wrong for her.
When Lainey finds Shane cheating, she finally understands Bash was really just looking out for her best interest. What Lainey doesn't know is Bash has feelings for her and he's keeping it a big secret. Lainey's feelings never went away. They were just moved to the back of her mind.
When Suki, Carter's wife, makes fast friends with Lainey she starts to really enjoy her time in Cleveland. She even loves Suki and Carter's Darling, the 280+ pound house pig as well as Bash's big Great Dane, Bruce. But she is going to be leaving when her research is over unless her or Bash make a move.
I loved getting to see the story continue on from book 1 with the same characters. I also loved that Lainey had a medical issue that a lot of people suffer with, making her very relatable. Shane shamed her for it but Bash shows her the way any man should react to her issues. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
June 24, 2025
Lainey Morris is smart, sweet, and way too good for her fiancé. At least, that’s what Sebastian “Bash” Stone thinks—and he’s determined to prove it. When Lainey temporarily moves to Cleveland for a research project, Bash offers up his place. He's a pro hockey player who’s on the road a lot, so it makes sense… except for the fact that Lainey is his best friend’s little sister—and she used to have a huge crush on him.
Bash wants to talk her out of this wedding, but things get complicated when he realizes he doesn’t just care about her—he’s falling for her. Hard.
This was a fast, bingeable read that gave me best friend’s little sister vibes with a side of forced proximity. The chemistry between Lainey and Bash worked, and their banter felt natural and easy. Lainey’s old crush and Bash’s slow realization of his feelings made the tension stretch in just the right ways.
There were a few bumps. For such a smart woman, Lainey’s blind spot about her fiancé was frustrating. And while I’m all for realistic rep, the focus on her IBS took up space that could’ve gone to the romance. The side characters from the hockey friend group also made the short page count feel a bit crowded.
Still, I finished this in one sitting. The payoff between Lainey and Bash was satisfying, and if you're looking for a low-angst, hockey-adjacent romance with a protective hero and second-chance feelings, this one checks the box. Just maybe don’t eat fondue while reading it.
᪥ Brother’s Best Friend
᪥ Friends To Lovers
᪥ Slow Burn
᪥ Unrequited Love
᪥ Hockey Romance
᪥ Dual POV
Bash wants to talk her out of this wedding, but things get complicated when he realizes he doesn’t just care about her—he’s falling for her. Hard.
This was a fast, bingeable read that gave me best friend’s little sister vibes with a side of forced proximity. The chemistry between Lainey and Bash worked, and their banter felt natural and easy. Lainey’s old crush and Bash’s slow realization of his feelings made the tension stretch in just the right ways.
There were a few bumps. For such a smart woman, Lainey’s blind spot about her fiancé was frustrating. And while I’m all for realistic rep, the focus on her IBS took up space that could’ve gone to the romance. The side characters from the hockey friend group also made the short page count feel a bit crowded.
Still, I finished this in one sitting. The payoff between Lainey and Bash was satisfying, and if you're looking for a low-angst, hockey-adjacent romance with a protective hero and second-chance feelings, this one checks the box. Just maybe don’t eat fondue while reading it.
᪥ Brother’s Best Friend
᪥ Friends To Lovers
᪥ Slow Burn
᪥ Unrequited Love
᪥ Hockey Romance
᪥ Dual POV
June 26, 2025
Wanting the Winger by Brenda Rothert gave me all the warm, fluttery feelings I crave in a friends-to-lovers romance—plus a surprisingly adorable pig named Darling who totally stole the show. Bash is the classic grumpy hockey player with a heart of gold, and watching him try (and fail) to “reason” Lainey out of marrying the wrong guy was both hilarious and painfully sweet. The “brother’s best friend” tension was perfection, and you could feel the unspoken history and hidden feelings simmering under every awkward shared space and late-night conversation. It’s a slow burn done right—with glances, half-meant words, and quiet moments that made me ache for them to finally see what was so obvious to me. I especially loved how Bash’s plan to stop the wedding backfired beautifully into something real and unexpected.
That said, I wish the story had taken a little more time to unfold—everything started building so well, but the ending felt a bit rushed to me. The connection between Bash and Lainey deserved a few more pages to breathe, especially after such a satisfying slow burn. I was fully invested in their journey (and Darling’s antics), so when things sped up, I felt like I didn’t get the emotional payoff I’d been waiting for. Still, the mix of heart, humor, and hockey kept me turning pages, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, trope-filled romance with just the right amount of angst. It’s a solid 4-star read that left me smiling... and maybe wishing for just one more chapter.
That said, I wish the story had taken a little more time to unfold—everything started building so well, but the ending felt a bit rushed to me. The connection between Bash and Lainey deserved a few more pages to breathe, especially after such a satisfying slow burn. I was fully invested in their journey (and Darling’s antics), so when things sped up, I felt like I didn’t get the emotional payoff I’d been waiting for. Still, the mix of heart, humor, and hockey kept me turning pages, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, trope-filled romance with just the right amount of angst. It’s a solid 4-star read that left me smiling... and maybe wishing for just one more chapter.
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