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The Blade Kings #2
Total Shutdown
The plan was simple: just me, my boy and hockey.
I’m the unapproachable NHL captain with a reputation for chewing up reporters in interviews, forwards on the ice and shutting down anyone who tries to get close to me. And that’s how I like it—no feelings, no complications, and zero chance of reliving the grief I experienced when my wife passed away seven years ago.
But sometimes the best laid plans go up in flames, and that’s exactly what Collins Mackenzie does when strolls into a bar one post-game night and gives me a taste of the cold shoulder I’ve bestowed on all those around me.
The only person she doesn’t dismiss? My boy. In fact, she lights him up with her pink hair and perfectly winged eyeliner, leaving him fascinated and me infatuated.
There’s only one problem: she’s nine years younger, convinced I’m not her type and doesn’t do relationships. She doesn’t even hang around in the same city beyond a few months. Trouble is, I want her permanence right next to me—on the couch watching movies and in my bed on lazy mornings.
I’m ready to chase her, no matter where she goes or how quickly she hits the accelerator. This girl is a ride I never want to get off.
I’m the unapproachable NHL captain with a reputation for chewing up reporters in interviews, forwards on the ice and shutting down anyone who tries to get close to me. And that’s how I like it—no feelings, no complications, and zero chance of reliving the grief I experienced when my wife passed away seven years ago.
But sometimes the best laid plans go up in flames, and that’s exactly what Collins Mackenzie does when strolls into a bar one post-game night and gives me a taste of the cold shoulder I’ve bestowed on all those around me.
The only person she doesn’t dismiss? My boy. In fact, she lights him up with her pink hair and perfectly winged eyeliner, leaving him fascinated and me infatuated.
There’s only one problem: she’s nine years younger, convinced I’m not her type and doesn’t do relationships. She doesn’t even hang around in the same city beyond a few months. Trouble is, I want her permanence right next to me—on the couch watching movies and in my bed on lazy mornings.
I’m ready to chase her, no matter where she goes or how quickly she hits the accelerator. This girl is a ride I never want to get off.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
1498 people are currently reading
4875 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Stilling
10 books855 followersRuth Stilling is a lover of all things escapism and can be mostly found with her head buried in a spicy book, writing her latest romance novel or out in the open air and nature, away from the bustle of life. As clumsy as she is crazy, Ruth enjoys creating relatable, loveable, swoon-worthy and strong willed main characters who find their happy ending. That said, she prides herself on taking her readers on emotional rollercoasters and always recommends reading her books with tissues on hand to wipe away the tears of joy, laughter and sometimes heartache.
Ruth lives in Derbyshire, England with her own personal book boyfriend (lucky girl), her six year old son and her two feisty chihuahuas.
Keep up to date with Ruth's latest content and exciting projects by following her on social media: @authorruthstilling
Ruth lives in Derbyshire, England with her own personal book boyfriend (lucky girl), her six year old son and her two feisty chihuahuas.
Keep up to date with Ruth's latest content and exciting projects by following her on social media: @authorruthstilling
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May 1, 2025
𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒏, 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒔, 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.
Ruth Stilling not only writes amazing spicy scenes 🥵 (specially this book DAMN) she also creates characters you want to root for from the very beginning. I freaking loved Total Shutdown, and that was mostly thanks to the main characters, especially Collins.
Collins a fiesty "i’ll do what I want” kind of girlie who values her independence and refuses to rely on anyone. I NEED HER CONFIDENCE OKAY! AGH Collins is literally the ride-or-die friend who will have your back no matter what, and I adored her the entire way through 💖
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅, 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅, 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒐—𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆—𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆.
And the MMC, Sawyer?? 🥵 He is amazing too. A 35-year-old single dad, widowed and finally ready to move forward because as soon as he met Collins HE KNEW! SWOON!!! His obsession? Instant. Put together a woman who’s hard to get, even harder to break down, and a patient older man who knows exactly how to pursue, and you get THE PERFECT COMBO FOR A LOVE STORYYYY 😩🔥
“𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍.”
I adored this book because I am hook, line, and sinker when the MMC is the one doing the chasing and trust me, Sawyer CHASES. Watching Collins slowly but surely fall was so satisfying. Her POV was full of internal conflict, emotional push and pull, and as a reader, I WAS HOOKED. Ruth nailed the balance between romance and real, raw human emotion by exploring both their pasts and insecurities with care.
I also want to take a moment to say how much I loved the way Sawyer and Collins communicated throughout the book, both as a couple and as friends. A lot of people forget that preferences in the bedroom come down to open, honest communication, and seeing that freedom to talk so naturally with a partner was such a refreshing and important part of this story. In other words, ily Ruth.
A biker who works on motorcycles and it’s a sports romance with hockey as it's focus?? I don’t know why I was eating that combo up, but we need more books like thissss!!! 🏍️🏒
I seriously recommend Ruth’s books across the board every single one hits. If you’re into sports romance with a sprinkle of mental health and personal growth, do yourself a favor and pick up any of her work. You won’t regret it! 🙌✨
tropes
💚 sports romance
💚 he falls first
💚 biker x hockey athlete
💚 age gap (he's 35 x she's 26)
💚 single dad
💚 no third act breakup
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ she's a biker and he's a single dad hockey player AGHHHH GIMMEEE 🫴🫴
Thank you Ruth Stilling & Wordsmith Publicity for this eARC
Ruth Stilling not only writes amazing spicy scenes 🥵 (specially this book DAMN) she also creates characters you want to root for from the very beginning. I freaking loved Total Shutdown, and that was mostly thanks to the main characters, especially Collins.
Collins a fiesty "i’ll do what I want” kind of girlie who values her independence and refuses to rely on anyone. I NEED HER CONFIDENCE OKAY! AGH Collins is literally the ride-or-die friend who will have your back no matter what, and I adored her the entire way through 💖
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅, 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅, 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒐—𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆—𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆.
And the MMC, Sawyer?? 🥵 He is amazing too. A 35-year-old single dad, widowed and finally ready to move forward because as soon as he met Collins HE KNEW! SWOON!!! His obsession? Instant. Put together a woman who’s hard to get, even harder to break down, and a patient older man who knows exactly how to pursue, and you get THE PERFECT COMBO FOR A LOVE STORYYYY 😩🔥
“𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍.”
I adored this book because I am hook, line, and sinker when the MMC is the one doing the chasing and trust me, Sawyer CHASES. Watching Collins slowly but surely fall was so satisfying. Her POV was full of internal conflict, emotional push and pull, and as a reader, I WAS HOOKED. Ruth nailed the balance between romance and real, raw human emotion by exploring both their pasts and insecurities with care.
I also want to take a moment to say how much I loved the way Sawyer and Collins communicated throughout the book, both as a couple and as friends. A lot of people forget that preferences in the bedroom come down to open, honest communication, and seeing that freedom to talk so naturally with a partner was such a refreshing and important part of this story. In other words, ily Ruth.
A biker who works on motorcycles and it’s a sports romance with hockey as it's focus?? I don’t know why I was eating that combo up, but we need more books like thissss!!! 🏍️🏒
I seriously recommend Ruth’s books across the board every single one hits. If you’re into sports romance with a sprinkle of mental health and personal growth, do yourself a favor and pick up any of her work. You won’t regret it! 🙌✨
tropes
💚 sports romance
💚 he falls first
💚 biker x hockey athlete
💚 age gap (he's 35 x she's 26)
💚 single dad
💚 no third act breakup
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ she's a biker and he's a single dad hockey player AGHHHH GIMMEEE 🫴🫴
Thank you Ruth Stilling & Wordsmith Publicity for this eARC
April 29, 2025
2⭐️
2🌶️
After finishing Total Shutdown, it’s clearer than ever to me that Ruth has completely lost her way as an author. It started becoming obvious with Rulled Out (the final book in her previous series), but Perfect Deke, the first book in this new series, really drove the point home, and Total Shutdown just cemented it. I already didn’t like Perfect Deke, but somehow this one was even worse.
Collins (what even is that name?) was straight-up awful. She’s cold, condescending, and treats Sawyer like crap—for no reason. They’re sleeping together, and she calls the sex “average” because he didn’t know she was into kink, despite her never once communicating that. She rates him a six (seriously), mocks his fading tattoos as if being 35 makes him a senior citizen, and acts like she's the hottest thing alive while treating him with zero respect. There’s no chemistry. None. And yet Sawyer’s head over heels? Why? There’s no chemistry between them, none. Sawyer just comes off desperate and inexplicably obsessed with someone who clearly doesn’t even like him, let alone love him.
The emotional depth of the book is completely missing. These characters supposedly have tragic pasts, but we’re never shown real emotional intimacy. It's all shallow, surface-level lust, and by the end, I still don’t feel like I know who they are. Sawyer is a widower who supposedly loved his wife deeply, and yet he says he's never felt a connection like this before? That line alone felt like a slap in the face to everything we were told about his past. If Ruth didn’t want to write a grieving love story, she should’ve made his marriage a convenience or something else less emotionally deep. This just made him come off as shallow and disloyal.
Then we have Ezra, his son, who is written like he’s six or seven, not twelve. It feels like Ruth is basing him off a younger child (maybe her own?), and it shows. He’s 12, but you’d never guess it. The book acts like he’s a little kid—he’s said to be on a “sugar high,” he needs a babysitter, and he supposedly “imprints” on Collins after one brief conversation, like he's a kindergartner meeting a Disney princess. At that age, kids are moody, private, and not immediately charmed by random women on motorcycles. And worse, Sawyer barely seems to care where Ezra is half the time—like when his kid is off on a motorcycle ride, and instead of worrying, he’s snooping through Collins’ stuff? It’s bizarre. And Ezra's selfishness? Choosing a random bike over his dad winning the Stanley Cup? It’s absurd and deeply ungrateful considering everything Sawyer has sacrificed.
As for side characters: I was right about Archer and Daisy, and I hate that I was. Why can’t even one Thompson woman be with a non-toxic man? Daisy and Liam were happy, and instead, Ruth ruined them just to shove her together with Archer. And now Jenna is also conveniently breaking up with her boyfriend? Are healthy relationships not allowed anymore? Also, Daisy being Kendra’s maid of honor instead of her actual best friend Jenna made zero sense and felt like a forced plot device.
All in all, Total Shutdown was hollow, emotionally lazy, and deeply frustrating. Ruth used to write strong emotional arcs and believable characters, but now it’s like she’s more interested in forced drama, surface-level sex, and breaking up good relationships just for shock value. I genuinely don’t know if I’ll pick up another book from her after this.
2🌶️
After finishing Total Shutdown, it’s clearer than ever to me that Ruth has completely lost her way as an author. It started becoming obvious with Rulled Out (the final book in her previous series), but Perfect Deke, the first book in this new series, really drove the point home, and Total Shutdown just cemented it. I already didn’t like Perfect Deke, but somehow this one was even worse.
Collins (what even is that name?) was straight-up awful. She’s cold, condescending, and treats Sawyer like crap—for no reason. They’re sleeping together, and she calls the sex “average” because he didn’t know she was into kink, despite her never once communicating that. She rates him a six (seriously), mocks his fading tattoos as if being 35 makes him a senior citizen, and acts like she's the hottest thing alive while treating him with zero respect. There’s no chemistry. None. And yet Sawyer’s head over heels? Why? There’s no chemistry between them, none. Sawyer just comes off desperate and inexplicably obsessed with someone who clearly doesn’t even like him, let alone love him.
The emotional depth of the book is completely missing. These characters supposedly have tragic pasts, but we’re never shown real emotional intimacy. It's all shallow, surface-level lust, and by the end, I still don’t feel like I know who they are. Sawyer is a widower who supposedly loved his wife deeply, and yet he says he's never felt a connection like this before? That line alone felt like a slap in the face to everything we were told about his past. If Ruth didn’t want to write a grieving love story, she should’ve made his marriage a convenience or something else less emotionally deep. This just made him come off as shallow and disloyal.
Then we have Ezra, his son, who is written like he’s six or seven, not twelve. It feels like Ruth is basing him off a younger child (maybe her own?), and it shows. He’s 12, but you’d never guess it. The book acts like he’s a little kid—he’s said to be on a “sugar high,” he needs a babysitter, and he supposedly “imprints” on Collins after one brief conversation, like he's a kindergartner meeting a Disney princess. At that age, kids are moody, private, and not immediately charmed by random women on motorcycles. And worse, Sawyer barely seems to care where Ezra is half the time—like when his kid is off on a motorcycle ride, and instead of worrying, he’s snooping through Collins’ stuff? It’s bizarre. And Ezra's selfishness? Choosing a random bike over his dad winning the Stanley Cup? It’s absurd and deeply ungrateful considering everything Sawyer has sacrificed.
As for side characters: I was right about Archer and Daisy, and I hate that I was. Why can’t even one Thompson woman be with a non-toxic man? Daisy and Liam were happy, and instead, Ruth ruined them just to shove her together with Archer. And now Jenna is also conveniently breaking up with her boyfriend? Are healthy relationships not allowed anymore? Also, Daisy being Kendra’s maid of honor instead of her actual best friend Jenna made zero sense and felt like a forced plot device.
All in all, Total Shutdown was hollow, emotionally lazy, and deeply frustrating. Ruth used to write strong emotional arcs and believable characters, but now it’s like she’s more interested in forced drama, surface-level sex, and breaking up good relationships just for shock value. I genuinely don’t know if I’ll pick up another book from her after this.
May 20, 2025
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 4.25 stars ⭐️
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 april 29
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 april 30
arc review 💌
release date: may 1
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
💚 he falls first
🏒 hockey captain mmc
💚 grumpy x black cat
🏒 age gap (9 years)
💚 boy obsessed
🏒 found family
this was so fast paced and really fun. i haven't read anything by ruth until now and will definitely be checking out her other works sometime soon!!
sawyer and collins originally had a one night stand, but they had feelings for each long before. sawyer was crushing on collins for months before they actually spent time together.
i loved the relationship between collins and ezra, it was so pure and seeing ezra find joy in something was adorable. collins falling in love with ezra and his dad was the most wholesome thing ever and i just love the whole found family of this book.
i got second hand embarrassment when archer walked in on them... at jake's house.
also we NEED archer and darcy's book, they just seem so perfect - coach's daughter, teammate/best friend's sister, brother's best friend, forbidden, reformed playboy??
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
🗝 ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ quotes
₊ ⊹ it's not hard to fall harder for the person who makes the world a better place for your child
₊ ⊹ hand over a little of that control, baby. you can trust me with it.
₊ ⊹ life is about compromise or just finding the joy in others living their dreams.
₊ ⊹ feel alive when i'm around you, baby girl.
₊ ⊹ there's not a single part of my heart that doesn't belong to you. if you want me, you have me. forever.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
🤍┆｡𖦹°‧ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
love the cover on this one and it sounds so good. like fmc is #thebolter coded and he's a single dad 🤭
thank you to wordsmith publicity and the author for a digital arc in exchange for my honest review
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 april 29
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 april 30
arc review 💌
release date: may 1
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
💚 he falls first
🏒 hockey captain mmc
💚 grumpy x black cat
🏒 age gap (9 years)
💚 boy obsessed
🏒 found family
this was so fast paced and really fun. i haven't read anything by ruth until now and will definitely be checking out her other works sometime soon!!
sawyer and collins originally had a one night stand, but they had feelings for each long before. sawyer was crushing on collins for months before they actually spent time together.
i loved the relationship between collins and ezra, it was so pure and seeing ezra find joy in something was adorable. collins falling in love with ezra and his dad was the most wholesome thing ever and i just love the whole found family of this book.
i got second hand embarrassment when archer walked in on them... at jake's house.
also we NEED archer and darcy's book, they just seem so perfect - coach's daughter, teammate/best friend's sister, brother's best friend, forbidden, reformed playboy??
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
🗝 ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ quotes
₊ ⊹ it's not hard to fall harder for the person who makes the world a better place for your child
₊ ⊹ hand over a little of that control, baby. you can trust me with it.
₊ ⊹ life is about compromise or just finding the joy in others living their dreams.
₊ ⊹ feel alive when i'm around you, baby girl.
₊ ⊹ there's not a single part of my heart that doesn't belong to you. if you want me, you have me. forever.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
🤍┆｡𖦹°‧ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
love the cover on this one and it sounds so good. like fmc is #thebolter coded and he's a single dad 🤭
thank you to wordsmith publicity and the author for a digital arc in exchange for my honest review
July 22, 2025
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Age Gap
✨ Single Dad
✨ He Falls First
✨ Golden Retriever x Black Cat
✨ Found Family
October 15, 2025
Well Hello Sawyer & Collins...
KU Read
330 Pages
The Blade Kings Book 2
Hockey Romance
Hockey Captain x Biker Babe
Single Dad/Widow
Age Gap
He Falls First and falls hard
Found Family
Kinks
I'm not sure who I love more, feisty Collins and all her badassery or Sawyer and his cool started hockey Dad determination to get the girl... Like damn he knew what he wanted a fought for it. Ezra gets an ovation for being a realistic pre-teen with his antics and the trouble he gets into while still being a good kid.
I didn't think I was gonna get into this book but it grabbed me and ran, I really enjoyed it and especially the fact they their was no 3rd act break up or miscommunication at the end when they'd fought so hard to get where they were. Great read.
KU Read
330 Pages
The Blade Kings Book 2
Hockey Romance
Hockey Captain x Biker Babe
Single Dad/Widow
Age Gap
He Falls First and falls hard
Found Family
Kinks
I'm not sure who I love more, feisty Collins and all her badassery or Sawyer and his cool started hockey Dad determination to get the girl... Like damn he knew what he wanted a fought for it. Ezra gets an ovation for being a realistic pre-teen with his antics and the trouble he gets into while still being a good kid.
I didn't think I was gonna get into this book but it grabbed me and ran, I really enjoyed it and especially the fact they their was no 3rd act break up or miscommunication at the end when they'd fought so hard to get where they were. Great read.
July 16, 2025
men with tattoos !!!!!!!
May 1, 2025
RUTH!!!! Girl, every book you write just keeps getting better and better! The way that I straight devoured this one! I didn't want to put it down. I truly loved everything about Sawyer and Collins story.
Collins straight delivers the best black cat energy. She has witty and snarky comments, she's a little brat and loves to take control. And then you have our hot single dad Sawyer, who is the complete opposite of Collins. He is a golden retriever who is OBSESSED with Collins and will literally chase her til the end of the earth to make her his. And he does just that. He shows up day in and day out, breaks down every wall she has built and proves to her that he is everything that she wants in life. I loved his relentless pursuit.
Another thing that I really loved, Collins' relationship with Sawyer's 12 year old son Ezra. They truly had a beautiful bond. The way they connected through their love of motorcycles. And I loved how Collins embraced Ezra as her own without taking the role of his mother. Collins stepped into Sawyer and Ezra's life and brought a whole new perspective which changed them. She made them happier after losing Sophie, Ezra's mother and Sawyers wife tragically years ago. It was truly beautiful to read. It's what I would hope to have relationship wise with a stepchild.
I also loved the power struggle that Collins and Sawyer were constantly toying with. Collins is 100% in control of her life. She doesn't get close to people, never stays in one place long, never shows her emotions and is most definitely NEVER vulnerable. But the way she allowed Sawyer to take control, showed such growth in Collins. And in a sense, I related to that in such a strong way.
Lastly, we need to talk about the goodness that was the spice. Ruth, this one is the spiciest one yet! When Collins finally gave Sawyer a chance, she rated his performance a 6 out of 10! I cackled so hard at that. He was so appalled he was DETERMINED to up his score. And when I tell you he accomplished his mission... 👀 He was a good boy and put in the hard work. Collins would tell you in the end he got an A+. They explored together and allowed each other to have control at varying stages of their relationship if you get what I am putting down. Let's just say, I hope you enjoy Chapter 25 and 37. You're welcome 😘
And lastly, I am so dang excited for the nest book! I am already feral for Archer!
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Hockey Romance
- Single Dad x Biker Girl
- Black Cat x Hockey Captain
- Man Obsessed
- He Falls First and HARD
- Age Gap
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Ruth Stilling and Wordsmith Publicty for allowing me the pleasure to read Total Shutdown as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Collins straight delivers the best black cat energy. She has witty and snarky comments, she's a little brat and loves to take control. And then you have our hot single dad Sawyer, who is the complete opposite of Collins. He is a golden retriever who is OBSESSED with Collins and will literally chase her til the end of the earth to make her his. And he does just that. He shows up day in and day out, breaks down every wall she has built and proves to her that he is everything that she wants in life. I loved his relentless pursuit.
Another thing that I really loved, Collins' relationship with Sawyer's 12 year old son Ezra. They truly had a beautiful bond. The way they connected through their love of motorcycles. And I loved how Collins embraced Ezra as her own without taking the role of his mother. Collins stepped into Sawyer and Ezra's life and brought a whole new perspective which changed them. She made them happier after losing Sophie, Ezra's mother and Sawyers wife tragically years ago. It was truly beautiful to read. It's what I would hope to have relationship wise with a stepchild.
I also loved the power struggle that Collins and Sawyer were constantly toying with. Collins is 100% in control of her life. She doesn't get close to people, never stays in one place long, never shows her emotions and is most definitely NEVER vulnerable. But the way she allowed Sawyer to take control, showed such growth in Collins. And in a sense, I related to that in such a strong way.
Lastly, we need to talk about the goodness that was the spice. Ruth, this one is the spiciest one yet! When Collins finally gave Sawyer a chance, she rated his performance a 6 out of 10! I cackled so hard at that. He was so appalled he was DETERMINED to up his score. And when I tell you he accomplished his mission... 👀 He was a good boy and put in the hard work. Collins would tell you in the end he got an A+. They explored together and allowed each other to have control at varying stages of their relationship if you get what I am putting down. Let's just say, I hope you enjoy Chapter 25 and 37. You're welcome 😘
And lastly, I am so dang excited for the nest book! I am already feral for Archer!
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Hockey Romance
- Single Dad x Biker Girl
- Black Cat x Hockey Captain
- Man Obsessed
- He Falls First and HARD
- Age Gap
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Ruth Stilling and Wordsmith Publicty for allowing me the pleasure to read Total Shutdown as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
May 13, 2025
5⭐️ Beta/ARC review
This book gets ALL the stars. If I had to choose just one MMC from Ruth’s hockey world she has created, I think Sawyer just might have kicked JJ off his pedestal. Sawyer is the absolute perfect grumpy, broody MMC and Collins is the definition of give zero fucks badass FMC. I love them both so much & this book is 🤌🏼
Full RTC
This book gets ALL the stars. If I had to choose just one MMC from Ruth’s hockey world she has created, I think Sawyer just might have kicked JJ off his pedestal. Sawyer is the absolute perfect grumpy, broody MMC and Collins is the definition of give zero fucks badass FMC. I love them both so much & this book is 🤌🏼
Full RTC
April 30, 2025
This book was a 4.5 star read for me! I think the only reason for me that it wasn't a FULL 5 stars was because I had a hard time wrapping my head around how Collins was IN THE BEGINNING. The more I got to know her the more I understood why she was the way she was. Yall Sawyer was on another level obsessed. The dude would not take no for an answer (in the best way). He KNEW there was something special about Collins. He KNEW she felt something too. I have had the pleasure of reading several boy obsessed books recently, but I feel like Sawyer is top 5. He was just so swoony and desperate but recognized that he needed to wait for Collins to get there with him. There is always something so magical about watching a black cat let her walls down. Especially with the one person she is most scared to let them down around. Collins had always been a runner. Watching her put down roots and owning those roots made my heart full! The chemistry between these two was TOP NOTCH. I loved how things were *vanilla* at first but the more that Collins opened up was when things kicked it up a notch. I loved watching Sawyer navigate being a single dad and watching Ezra fall in love with Collins. It was like she was able to open the eyes and hearts for both Sawyer and Ezra. I think that was what helped her recognize what she was feeling.
This night is what Sawyer has been waiting for for like a year. Collins came back with him from the bar. And they had a night. The problem. She wakes up and acts like it was nothing. Nothing special. Nothing memorable. And she wants it on the DL. This all feels wrong. He knows he wants more but she seems scared. So he does what she wants. But things have shifted now. And he doesn't like it. So he calls her out. He decides to push a little. He decides to show his cards. He sees how she is with his son. He sees how good they could be together. He just needs to get her there. So after A LOT OF REJECTION she accepts. He gets to show her how unvanilla he can be. There just needs to be trust and acceptance of what this could be. He starts treating her like they are together. He starts to weave their story together. He has never felt like before. When she starts to let him, it's like he is basking in the sun. It just feels so good and so natural. So he gives her more and more. And she gives in return. When she finally accepts them, he is beyond elated because he has known for a while how he feels. How his son feels. And he is ready for their future to begin. For them to be a true team.
Collins has always been a bit of a drifter. She has never put down roots. Roots lead to attachment which can lead to heartbreak. But there is something about this town that is keeping her interest. She knows what it is or rather WHO it is. But refuses to acknowledge it. Until one night she can't fight it anymore. So she goes homw with Sawyer Bryce. Hockey extraordinaire. And it is better than ok but not great. In his defense she didn't tell him what she liked. And in the morning she dips and wants to act like it never happened. It can't happen again because he makes he feel things and long for things she hasn't wanted in a WHILE. But then she meets his son Ezra. And they click in the most unexpected way. She realizes that Sawyer isn't going anywhere. And in fact he seems to be slowly circling her like a shark waiting to see where she is most vulnerable. She can only fight it for so long. So when he asks her out she says yes. She can't take the feeling of rejecting him anymore. She can't take seeing his disappointed face anymore. She can't deny herself these feelings anymore. And of course she experiences a completely different side of him. This man who is giving her space to figure this out while also telling her how much he wants this and more. Is she ready to go all in with him and open her heart up like she wants? Or will old habits die hard and her running kick in? The longer she stays the more the answer is clear to her.
Collins and Bryce were SOO wonderful. It was a bit rocky there for a minute but once Collins gave in to her feelings it was magical. Watching her navigating being an adult in Ezra's circle was adorable. Watching Sawyer watch it happened was swoon worthy. This man was BEYOND boy obsessed in the best way. I am LOVING this series yall! If you haven't picked it up, you should. The characters are wonderful. There is this huge sense of found family for all of them. Ruth does a wonderful job weaving these stories together. I can't WAIT for the next one :)
Thank you to Wordsmith Publicity and Ruth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This night is what Sawyer has been waiting for for like a year. Collins came back with him from the bar. And they had a night. The problem. She wakes up and acts like it was nothing. Nothing special. Nothing memorable. And she wants it on the DL. This all feels wrong. He knows he wants more but she seems scared. So he does what she wants. But things have shifted now. And he doesn't like it. So he calls her out. He decides to push a little. He decides to show his cards. He sees how she is with his son. He sees how good they could be together. He just needs to get her there. So after A LOT OF REJECTION she accepts. He gets to show her how unvanilla he can be. There just needs to be trust and acceptance of what this could be. He starts treating her like they are together. He starts to weave their story together. He has never felt like before. When she starts to let him, it's like he is basking in the sun. It just feels so good and so natural. So he gives her more and more. And she gives in return. When she finally accepts them, he is beyond elated because he has known for a while how he feels. How his son feels. And he is ready for their future to begin. For them to be a true team.
Collins has always been a bit of a drifter. She has never put down roots. Roots lead to attachment which can lead to heartbreak. But there is something about this town that is keeping her interest. She knows what it is or rather WHO it is. But refuses to acknowledge it. Until one night she can't fight it anymore. So she goes homw with Sawyer Bryce. Hockey extraordinaire. And it is better than ok but not great. In his defense she didn't tell him what she liked. And in the morning she dips and wants to act like it never happened. It can't happen again because he makes he feel things and long for things she hasn't wanted in a WHILE. But then she meets his son Ezra. And they click in the most unexpected way. She realizes that Sawyer isn't going anywhere. And in fact he seems to be slowly circling her like a shark waiting to see where she is most vulnerable. She can only fight it for so long. So when he asks her out she says yes. She can't take the feeling of rejecting him anymore. She can't take seeing his disappointed face anymore. She can't deny herself these feelings anymore. And of course she experiences a completely different side of him. This man who is giving her space to figure this out while also telling her how much he wants this and more. Is she ready to go all in with him and open her heart up like she wants? Or will old habits die hard and her running kick in? The longer she stays the more the answer is clear to her.
Collins and Bryce were SOO wonderful. It was a bit rocky there for a minute but once Collins gave in to her feelings it was magical. Watching her navigating being an adult in Ezra's circle was adorable. Watching Sawyer watch it happened was swoon worthy. This man was BEYOND boy obsessed in the best way. I am LOVING this series yall! If you haven't picked it up, you should. The characters are wonderful. There is this huge sense of found family for all of them. Ruth does a wonderful job weaving these stories together. I can't WAIT for the next one :)
Thank you to Wordsmith Publicity and Ruth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 9, 2025
Another amazing read by my girl Ruth Stilling!! I thought Jack was my number one but here comes in Sawyer taking his spot. He is perfect. I mean come on, he is grumpy, broody hockey player? Oh, and did I forget a single dad?! YEAH, HE IS JUST EVERYTING. I could talk about Sawyer all day but really, I am actually in love with Collins Mackenzie. I might have the biggest girl crush on her. She is a biker?! UNWELL.
Collins and Sawyer had SOO much tension and the banter?! Idk about you, but I love me some good banter and man did Ruth give us the best! I love how Collins will take no crap from anyone, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She does have walls up for a reason and here comes Sawyer and his 12-year-old son knocking down those walls. I love their chemistry soo much. He is soo protective of her and he will do everything in his power to make Collins his. The spice is spicy. There are SOO many scenes that will live in my head rent free and if you know, you know. PERFECTION.
I am convinced that Ruth can never disappoint me. Her writing is SOOO GOOD. If she writes it, I will be reading it and automatically buying the paperback for my bookshelf because these covers are AMAZING. If you haven’t read this series yet, here is your sign!!
Thank you so much Ruth for this eARC! I love them with my entire heart.
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
💚Biker FMC
🏒Single Dad
💚 He Falls First and Hard
🏒Grumpy Hero x Black Cat FMC
💚 Age Gap
Collins and Sawyer had SOO much tension and the banter?! Idk about you, but I love me some good banter and man did Ruth give us the best! I love how Collins will take no crap from anyone, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She does have walls up for a reason and here comes Sawyer and his 12-year-old son knocking down those walls. I love their chemistry soo much. He is soo protective of her and he will do everything in his power to make Collins his. The spice is spicy. There are SOO many scenes that will live in my head rent free and if you know, you know. PERFECTION.
I am convinced that Ruth can never disappoint me. Her writing is SOOO GOOD. If she writes it, I will be reading it and automatically buying the paperback for my bookshelf because these covers are AMAZING. If you haven’t read this series yet, here is your sign!!
Thank you so much Ruth for this eARC! I love them with my entire heart.
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
💚Biker FMC
🏒Single Dad
💚 He Falls First and Hard
🏒Grumpy Hero x Black Cat FMC
💚 Age Gap
April 22, 2025
Ruth delivered another perfect hockey player that I’m obsessed with! The mouth on this man… I tell ya it’s always the quiet ones.
Total Shutdown is book 2 in the Blade Kings series. This story is about a hockey playing single dad who falls hard af for a witty biker chick that doesn’t do commitment.
Collins is a drifter, never stays in one place for too long, doesn’t have many friends and absolutely never catches feelings. She’s been through some things that scarred her. This poor girl has been on her own for too long. I wanted to squeeze her so tight and shake some sense into her.
Sawyer is the captain of his NHL team, a single dad & a widow. This man has been through some shit too and he is wayyy too sweet for his own good. I absolutely loved his character and how utterly obsessed he was with Collins from the start. Let me tell you the man was determined & I was here for it.
Now for my favorite character… sweet Ezra. My god this boy was so cute and too stinkin smart. I loved how intuitive he was and how open he was with Collins. And the fact that he just wanted his dad to be happy??!! Ugh so sweet.
The banter between these two was top tier and I loved how Collins always delivered the sass. When she rated his “performance” so brutally I was cackling.
I’m so excited to continue this series!! Thank you Ruth and Wordsmith Publicity for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!
4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
•age gap (she’s 26, he’s 35)
•hockey player MMc
•biker chick fmc
•he falls first and harder
• k*nk exploration
• single dad
Total Shutdown is book 2 in the Blade Kings series. This story is about a hockey playing single dad who falls hard af for a witty biker chick that doesn’t do commitment.
Collins is a drifter, never stays in one place for too long, doesn’t have many friends and absolutely never catches feelings. She’s been through some things that scarred her. This poor girl has been on her own for too long. I wanted to squeeze her so tight and shake some sense into her.
Sawyer is the captain of his NHL team, a single dad & a widow. This man has been through some shit too and he is wayyy too sweet for his own good. I absolutely loved his character and how utterly obsessed he was with Collins from the start. Let me tell you the man was determined & I was here for it.
Now for my favorite character… sweet Ezra. My god this boy was so cute and too stinkin smart. I loved how intuitive he was and how open he was with Collins. And the fact that he just wanted his dad to be happy??!! Ugh so sweet.
The banter between these two was top tier and I loved how Collins always delivered the sass. When she rated his “performance” so brutally I was cackling.
I’m so excited to continue this series!! Thank you Ruth and Wordsmith Publicity for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!
4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
•age gap (she’s 26, he’s 35)
•hockey player MMc
•biker chick fmc
•he falls first and harder
• k*nk exploration
• single dad
April 27, 2025
— ARC Review : 5 stars ✰
spice level : 4/5 🌶️
- tropes :
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏍️ Single Dad/Biker Girl
🖤 Black Cat/Grumpy NHL Captain
🥰 Age Gap
💞Found Family
: ̗̀➛ This is the second arc I’ve received from Ruth Stilling, and once again, she never disappoints!
Even though I didn’t read the previous book beforehand, I’m honestly glad it didn’t rely heavily on flashbacks or past events. I never once felt like I was missing out or confused. The story just flowed perfectly on its own.
This one features a single dad trope where the mother has passed away. What I really LOVED was how the mmc didn’t fall into the usual “trauma-dumping” trap like there was no over-the-top comparison between the fmc and his late partner. It kept the emotional parts genuine without making it heavy or guilt-laden. Besides, the bond between the fmc and the mmc’s child felt so natural, like not forced or overly cheesy. Plus, the kid was written really well for his age.
And let’s be real, the smut was absolutely on point!
The tension between them was everything I wanted! That slowburn craving, the chemistry sizzling between them, and when she finally lets him in? CHEFS KISS!💋
────୨ৎ────
Thank you to Ruth Stilling and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
spice level : 4/5 🌶️
- tropes :
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏍️ Single Dad/Biker Girl
🖤 Black Cat/Grumpy NHL Captain
🥰 Age Gap
💞Found Family
: ̗̀➛ This is the second arc I’ve received from Ruth Stilling, and once again, she never disappoints!
Even though I didn’t read the previous book beforehand, I’m honestly glad it didn’t rely heavily on flashbacks or past events. I never once felt like I was missing out or confused. The story just flowed perfectly on its own.
This one features a single dad trope where the mother has passed away. What I really LOVED was how the mmc didn’t fall into the usual “trauma-dumping” trap like there was no over-the-top comparison between the fmc and his late partner. It kept the emotional parts genuine without making it heavy or guilt-laden. Besides, the bond between the fmc and the mmc’s child felt so natural, like not forced or overly cheesy. Plus, the kid was written really well for his age.
And let’s be real, the smut was absolutely on point!
The tension between them was everything I wanted! That slowburn craving, the chemistry sizzling between them, and when she finally lets him in? CHEFS KISS!💋
────୨ৎ────
Thank you to Ruth Stilling and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
May 1, 2025
This one was a lower mid rating for me because I felt like the story had promise and there were elements I liked- such as Collins’ relationship with Ezra, but the balance of spice and plot was a bit unbalanced and the characters didn’t get super deep. Their relationship was mainly physically driven and we didn’t get to see a lot of emotional connection and growth, therefore their connection and chemistry seemed to be lacking on page. The side characters were there, but didn’t add a lot to the story other than Ezra and Archer. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me, but it’s likely because of the overwhelming amount of explicit scenes I had to skip through and felt like I only read maybe half the book at that point.
April 30, 2025
I’ve enjoyed all of Ruth’s books but this one just didn’t do it for me. I was a bit bored and not very interested in either of the main characters, it could have been my mood though.
May 23, 2025
DNF @ 54%
I liked Nadia’s 2 star review and she recapped it perfectly. It’s missing tension and what are the first names the author chose. no good.
I liked Nadia’s 2 star review and she recapped it perfectly. It’s missing tension and what are the first names the author chose. no good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2025
Sawyer & Collins
June 23, 2025
literally begging for it to end
April 29, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
Total Shutdown by Ruth Stilling
“And now, as I watch the way she lights up my boy, there’s a real part of me that worries if she does leave—unlike a tornado, where you can rebuild and recover from its destruction—moving on from her impact might not be as easy, and perhaps not just for me, but for Ezra too.”
“Before, I’d never have described Collins as unhappy—more content with what she had in life. But after seeing these images and catching a glimpse of a smile I’ve never seen, I realize my girl has layers for days.”
“Because I feel like I’m in an impossible situation with us—I’m chasing you even if you don’t want me to. When I asked you to come home with me a second time, it wasn’t purely so I could wrap you around me again. At the risk of repeating myself, all I want is your time and attention, all to myself. At first, it was a fascination with the pink-haired girl who had said I wasn’t her type. And now … now it’s a need, Collins. So, yeah, I’m going to chase you because I have no choice.”
Sawyer is a single dad, hockey captain and has a filthy mouth in the bedroom. Collin is such a feisty black cat fmc and fiercely independent. These two are perfect for each other! There is chemistry right from the start even though Collin tries to deny it. Sawyer doesn’t give up and chances after her and finally lands the girl. I loved seeing the friend group together again, and see Collin’s relationship with Sawyer’s son grow. This book is sweet, spicy and panty melting good! And I love it! Cannot wait for Archer’s story next!!
Tropes:
Hockey Romance
Found Family
Age Gap
Single Dad
One Night Stand
Spice starts at 2%🌶️
Spice: 4/4🌶️
Stars: 5/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited on May 1st
Total Shutdown by Ruth Stilling
“And now, as I watch the way she lights up my boy, there’s a real part of me that worries if she does leave—unlike a tornado, where you can rebuild and recover from its destruction—moving on from her impact might not be as easy, and perhaps not just for me, but for Ezra too.”
“Before, I’d never have described Collins as unhappy—more content with what she had in life. But after seeing these images and catching a glimpse of a smile I’ve never seen, I realize my girl has layers for days.”
“Because I feel like I’m in an impossible situation with us—I’m chasing you even if you don’t want me to. When I asked you to come home with me a second time, it wasn’t purely so I could wrap you around me again. At the risk of repeating myself, all I want is your time and attention, all to myself. At first, it was a fascination with the pink-haired girl who had said I wasn’t her type. And now … now it’s a need, Collins. So, yeah, I’m going to chase you because I have no choice.”
Sawyer is a single dad, hockey captain and has a filthy mouth in the bedroom. Collin is such a feisty black cat fmc and fiercely independent. These two are perfect for each other! There is chemistry right from the start even though Collin tries to deny it. Sawyer doesn’t give up and chances after her and finally lands the girl. I loved seeing the friend group together again, and see Collin’s relationship with Sawyer’s son grow. This book is sweet, spicy and panty melting good! And I love it! Cannot wait for Archer’s story next!!
Tropes:
Hockey Romance
Found Family
Age Gap
Single Dad
One Night Stand
Spice starts at 2%🌶️
Spice: 4/4🌶️
Stars: 5/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited on May 1st
May 5, 2025
Total Shutdown by Ruth Stilling
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️
I'm so happy to be back in this world! After enjoying Jack and Kendra's story and catching a glimpse of Sawyer and Collins, I couldn't wait to dive into their story. When Sawyer first meets Collins in the previous book, he's instantly drawn to her, and that attraction keeps growing. They end up having a one-night stand, but while Sawyer senses a special connection, Collins isn't ready for a serious relationship. Still, Sawyer is determined to win her over!
Sawyer is not only a hockey captain but also a single dad. Since his wife passed away, he hasn't found a serious connection with anyone—until Collins comes along. At first, he’s intrigued by her free spirit and adventurous nature, but as he gets to know her better, he feels something special between them. Collins loves to travel and doesn't stay in one place for long, which makes her hesitant to settle down. Although she initially tries to keep her distance, little by little, her walls start to come down, and she finds herself opening up to Sawyer.
I loved how obsessed Sawyer is with Collins! His determination to make her his is so sweet, and I admired his honesty about his feelings. He opens his heart to her and never gives up, showing patience and understanding. Watching him win her over is just heartwarming! I also loved Collins’ independence and confidence. It’s her first time experiencing feelings like this, and it’s beautiful to see her gradually embrace that vulnerability. Plus, the way she connects with Sawyer’s son, Ezra, is so sweet—they hit it off right away!
Overall, this book is a fantastic addition to the series! The spice is even hotter than the last one, and I loved it. And that sneak peek of the next couple? I was screaming with excitement! I can’t wait to read their story next!
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️
I'm so happy to be back in this world! After enjoying Jack and Kendra's story and catching a glimpse of Sawyer and Collins, I couldn't wait to dive into their story. When Sawyer first meets Collins in the previous book, he's instantly drawn to her, and that attraction keeps growing. They end up having a one-night stand, but while Sawyer senses a special connection, Collins isn't ready for a serious relationship. Still, Sawyer is determined to win her over!
Sawyer is not only a hockey captain but also a single dad. Since his wife passed away, he hasn't found a serious connection with anyone—until Collins comes along. At first, he’s intrigued by her free spirit and adventurous nature, but as he gets to know her better, he feels something special between them. Collins loves to travel and doesn't stay in one place for long, which makes her hesitant to settle down. Although she initially tries to keep her distance, little by little, her walls start to come down, and she finds herself opening up to Sawyer.
I loved how obsessed Sawyer is with Collins! His determination to make her his is so sweet, and I admired his honesty about his feelings. He opens his heart to her and never gives up, showing patience and understanding. Watching him win her over is just heartwarming! I also loved Collins’ independence and confidence. It’s her first time experiencing feelings like this, and it’s beautiful to see her gradually embrace that vulnerability. Plus, the way she connects with Sawyer’s son, Ezra, is so sweet—they hit it off right away!
Overall, this book is a fantastic addition to the series! The spice is even hotter than the last one, and I loved it. And that sneak peek of the next couple? I was screaming with excitement! I can’t wait to read their story next!
May 19, 2025
This is sweet and cozy single dad hockey romance with some hot spice. Sawyer is a single dad and the “I’m getting too old for this sh*t” NHL player who hasn’t dated much since his wife passed. Collins is a mid-twenties Harley motorcycle riding and mechanic, who doesn’t stay in one place too long. They have been stealing glances and dancing around each other for a year until it combusts with a single night. She doesn’t want more and Sawyer is struggling with that idea. Sawyer’s 12 yr old son meets Collins and becomes obsessed with bikes and starts to come out of his shell more. This just makes Sawyer fall even harder, but gives another reason for Collins to be apprehensive of a relationship. She knows what it is to lose people and he’s already lost his mother she doesn’t want to cause Ezra more pain. He can’t get Collins out of his mind and decides he is going to chase her and convince her they are worth the risk. I didn’t feel there was that much chasing when it came to convincing Collins to give Sawyer a chance. I loved that Collins was the one who rode motorcycles and wore all black with pink hair. This was a well written romance full of sweet moments and the spicy scenes were hot. I didn’t feel that strong of a connection with the characters, that something special for me was missing and they felt under developed. Overall I enjoyed the story and would read more of The Blade Kings series.
Thank you to Ruth Stilling and WordSmith Publicity for the privilege to read an advanced copy of Total Shutdown
3.5⭐️
2.5🌶️
📚ARC Review All thoughts & opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
Thank you to Ruth Stilling and WordSmith Publicity for the privilege to read an advanced copy of Total Shutdown
3.5⭐️
2.5🌶️
📚ARC Review All thoughts & opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
May 16, 2025
this author is just not it she creates some boring books
April 18, 2025
“Often, the greatest gifts are the ones we were never seeking out. And I was never looking for him or the family I’m now a part of and love with my entire heart.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ruth does it again, and this might even be her sexiest book yet. Sawyer and Collins have enough sexual chemistry to burn down Brooklyn. Their spicy scenes, specifically the car, then at their friend’s apartment… yall are not ready 🥵🥵 Collins is the ultimate Black cat, bad bitch, independent woman, calls all the shots FMC, and I don’t blame Sawyer for chasing her bc honestly I think I’m in love with her too! Sawyer with his Daddy status, those glasses, and that dirty talk… yeah sign me, I’d like to order one tall dark handsome Blade Kings Captain. Ruth has this unique ability to write the swooniest men that you wanna bang, but also writes FMC you want to be best friends with, and I love this about her books!
I also love that we still got glimpses of the whole friend group, and cameos from Scorpions too. It makes my heart so happy reading about them all, because I feel like this group of found family are truly my real life friends.
Sawyer and Collins inevitably falling in love was so much fun to see because damn was Sawyer down bad for her. But he never gave up, and slowly Collins let more and more of her guard down, until eventually she showed him all of her. Once that happened their relationship felt so natural and perfect, and I love that there was no third act breakup.
And now secondary to Sawyer and Collins falling in love, was Collins and Ezra (Sawyers son) falling in love. The bond that Collins formed with Ezra was so sweet, so natural, and so wholesome. She truly felt like she was exactly what he was missing in life, and I love watching how much she fell for him. The three of them together felt so complete.
And I cannot conclude this review without screaming that ARCHER is getting his freaking book next, and IYKYK and I’ll be screaming until July when it comes out. It’s finally timeeeeeeee for our most anticipated couple .
Blade Kings continues to deliver the signature spice, emotional love stories, and epic found family we were introduced to with the Seattle Scorpions. If you haven’t read these books yet, please DO it, you are missing out big time!!!!!!
Tropes:
🏒Age Gap(she’s 26, he’s 35)
🤍He falls first and harder
🏒Hockey Romance
🤍Black cat FMC, Biker girl
🏒Single Dad, hockey captain
🤍Found family
🏒No third act break up
🤍Spicy (kink exploration)
Spicy chapters:
Ch 1, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 25, Ch 32, Ch 33, Ch 37, Ch 42
Some of my favorite quotes (meanwhile I highlighted half the book):
“Nice name. But I think I prefer Baby Girl.”
“Come home with me,” I repeat. “Let me be your toy. You can ride me all night and call all the shots on what we do.”
“Hand over a little of that control, Baby. You can trust me with it.”
“I could be in so many different places right now; still, I’m not. Because sitting in this family box, next to a twelve-year-old boy who is fast turning into my best friend, and watching the Blades host the Scorpions is exactly where I want to be.”
“I miss my mom,” he continues. “But if you asked me which of Dad’s dreams I’d want to come true, I think I’d choose someone who makes him happy instead of him lifting the Stanley Cup.”
“I have to go after what I want.” I press my hands over hers. “And what I want is you.”
“To be absolutely clear, if you get into my car and come home with me tonight, I’m not holding back, Collins. With your body, your mind, or in my own head. I’m giving you everything.”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about that night, you know. I mean, I tried to forget about it and move on, but deep down, all I wanted was to have you back inside me.”
“All I want is to be inside this girl constantly; I need it like I need the air in my lungs.”
“you know I’ve been enraptured since the day I set eyes on you at Lloyd’s. Your web is one I never want to break free from. If you’ll let me stay.”
“I begin eating my sandwich as we sit in Sawyer’s truck, attempting to satisfy my horny thoughts with calories. We finished up shopping, and rather than fuck in aisle three, like we both wanted, we compromised and headed for Chick-fil-A.” (I literally LOLed)
“But it’s the beat of my heart that tells the real truth—the way it hammers against my ribs every time I see you, how it feels so fucking full when you sit on my lap like this. Each time you light up my boy, it does something to me that I’ll take with me to my grave—it makes me feel like I have a second chance at love.”
“I just need you to know that I’ve fallen so damn hard, and there’s no going back for me. You blow my mind every second of the day, and I’m so fucking in love with you. There’s not a single part of my heart that doesn’t belong to you. If you want me, you have me. Forever.”
“I never want to live another year of my life without you by my side, beside Ezra’s too.”
“She rides the road like she owns it, just like she does me.”
“What about like this? With my hand around your throat? I know you aren’t big on jewelry, but this hand necklace was made for you, wouldn’t you say?”
“So, give it to me. Decorate my insides with your cum and show me all the ways you own this pussy.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ruth does it again, and this might even be her sexiest book yet. Sawyer and Collins have enough sexual chemistry to burn down Brooklyn. Their spicy scenes, specifically the car, then at their friend’s apartment… yall are not ready 🥵🥵 Collins is the ultimate Black cat, bad bitch, independent woman, calls all the shots FMC, and I don’t blame Sawyer for chasing her bc honestly I think I’m in love with her too! Sawyer with his Daddy status, those glasses, and that dirty talk… yeah sign me, I’d like to order one tall dark handsome Blade Kings Captain. Ruth has this unique ability to write the swooniest men that you wanna bang, but also writes FMC you want to be best friends with, and I love this about her books!
I also love that we still got glimpses of the whole friend group, and cameos from Scorpions too. It makes my heart so happy reading about them all, because I feel like this group of found family are truly my real life friends.
Sawyer and Collins inevitably falling in love was so much fun to see because damn was Sawyer down bad for her. But he never gave up, and slowly Collins let more and more of her guard down, until eventually she showed him all of her. Once that happened their relationship felt so natural and perfect, and I love that there was no third act breakup.
And now secondary to Sawyer and Collins falling in love, was Collins and Ezra (Sawyers son) falling in love. The bond that Collins formed with Ezra was so sweet, so natural, and so wholesome. She truly felt like she was exactly what he was missing in life, and I love watching how much she fell for him. The three of them together felt so complete.
And I cannot conclude this review without screaming that ARCHER is getting his freaking book next, and IYKYK and I’ll be screaming until July when it comes out. It’s finally timeeeeeeee for our most anticipated couple .
Blade Kings continues to deliver the signature spice, emotional love stories, and epic found family we were introduced to with the Seattle Scorpions. If you haven’t read these books yet, please DO it, you are missing out big time!!!!!!
Tropes:
🏒Age Gap(she’s 26, he’s 35)
🤍He falls first and harder
🏒Hockey Romance
🤍Black cat FMC, Biker girl
🏒Single Dad, hockey captain
🤍Found family
🏒No third act break up
🤍Spicy (kink exploration)
Spicy chapters:
Ch 1, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 25, Ch 32, Ch 33, Ch 37, Ch 42
Some of my favorite quotes (meanwhile I highlighted half the book):
“Nice name. But I think I prefer Baby Girl.”
“Come home with me,” I repeat. “Let me be your toy. You can ride me all night and call all the shots on what we do.”
“Hand over a little of that control, Baby. You can trust me with it.”
“I could be in so many different places right now; still, I’m not. Because sitting in this family box, next to a twelve-year-old boy who is fast turning into my best friend, and watching the Blades host the Scorpions is exactly where I want to be.”
“I miss my mom,” he continues. “But if you asked me which of Dad’s dreams I’d want to come true, I think I’d choose someone who makes him happy instead of him lifting the Stanley Cup.”
“I have to go after what I want.” I press my hands over hers. “And what I want is you.”
“To be absolutely clear, if you get into my car and come home with me tonight, I’m not holding back, Collins. With your body, your mind, or in my own head. I’m giving you everything.”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about that night, you know. I mean, I tried to forget about it and move on, but deep down, all I wanted was to have you back inside me.”
“All I want is to be inside this girl constantly; I need it like I need the air in my lungs.”
“you know I’ve been enraptured since the day I set eyes on you at Lloyd’s. Your web is one I never want to break free from. If you’ll let me stay.”
“I begin eating my sandwich as we sit in Sawyer’s truck, attempting to satisfy my horny thoughts with calories. We finished up shopping, and rather than fuck in aisle three, like we both wanted, we compromised and headed for Chick-fil-A.” (I literally LOLed)
“But it’s the beat of my heart that tells the real truth—the way it hammers against my ribs every time I see you, how it feels so fucking full when you sit on my lap like this. Each time you light up my boy, it does something to me that I’ll take with me to my grave—it makes me feel like I have a second chance at love.”
“I just need you to know that I’ve fallen so damn hard, and there’s no going back for me. You blow my mind every second of the day, and I’m so fucking in love with you. There’s not a single part of my heart that doesn’t belong to you. If you want me, you have me. Forever.”
“I never want to live another year of my life without you by my side, beside Ezra’s too.”
“She rides the road like she owns it, just like she does me.”
“What about like this? With my hand around your throat? I know you aren’t big on jewelry, but this hand necklace was made for you, wouldn’t you say?”
“So, give it to me. Decorate my insides with your cum and show me all the ways you own this pussy.”
April 30, 2025
📖 𝙏𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜
“𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴.”
“𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩?” 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. “𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵? 𝘖𝘳 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦?” 𝘐 𝘱𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥, 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”
I don’t know how Ruth keeps doing it, but I SWEAR, her books just get better and better. This single dad romance had me in a chokehold. Everything about Sawyer & Collins’ journey to love was fantastic.
Sawyer Bryce has spent years only focusing on being a dad to his son, Ezra, and being the best captain he could be to his hockey team, The Blade Kings. He gave up notions of love after losing his wife. When he first encounters Collins and she immediately turns down his help, he starts to feel things he hasn’t in years.
Collins Makenzie likes living on the edge of her seat. She doesn’t stay in one place long and definitely doesn’t let people into her heart. When she begins making friends and connecting with the hot hockey dad, her world is thrown for a loop.
I. LOVED. Collins. Everything about her comes off as ‘black cat’ energy, but she really has such a sweet heart. Her relationship with Ezra was so dang heartwarming!
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰’𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”
The spice in this book was WILD. Collins is a woman who likes certain things in the bedroom and has felt shamed for that in her past. Sawyer made sure that ALL her fantasies were fulfilled, and then some! 😮💨🫠❤️🔥
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯�� 𝘐 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺-𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘥.”
This book has a bit of a cliffhanger that preps us for the next book, so be READY!
🩷 There’s a special moment with Jack & Kendra and it had me allllllll in my feels. 🫶🏼🥹
If you love hockey romances, you seriously have to read alllll of Ruth’s books!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
🫶🏼 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘥
⛸️ 𝘕𝘏𝘓 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯
❤️🩹 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘴
🏍️ 𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭
🍷 𝘈𝘨𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘱 (9𝘺𝘳𝘴)
❤️🔥 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
🩷 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🤭 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴
“𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴.”
“𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩?” 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. “𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵? 𝘖𝘳 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦?” 𝘐 𝘱𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥, 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”
I don’t know how Ruth keeps doing it, but I SWEAR, her books just get better and better. This single dad romance had me in a chokehold. Everything about Sawyer & Collins’ journey to love was fantastic.
Sawyer Bryce has spent years only focusing on being a dad to his son, Ezra, and being the best captain he could be to his hockey team, The Blade Kings. He gave up notions of love after losing his wife. When he first encounters Collins and she immediately turns down his help, he starts to feel things he hasn’t in years.
Collins Makenzie likes living on the edge of her seat. She doesn’t stay in one place long and definitely doesn’t let people into her heart. When she begins making friends and connecting with the hot hockey dad, her world is thrown for a loop.
I. LOVED. Collins. Everything about her comes off as ‘black cat’ energy, but she really has such a sweet heart. Her relationship with Ezra was so dang heartwarming!
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰’𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”
The spice in this book was WILD. Collins is a woman who likes certain things in the bedroom and has felt shamed for that in her past. Sawyer made sure that ALL her fantasies were fulfilled, and then some! 😮💨🫠❤️🔥
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯�� 𝘐 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺-𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘥.”
This book has a bit of a cliffhanger that preps us for the next book, so be READY!
🩷 There’s a special moment with Jack & Kendra and it had me allllllll in my feels. 🫶🏼🥹
If you love hockey romances, you seriously have to read alllll of Ruth’s books!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
🫶🏼 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘥
⛸️ 𝘕𝘏𝘓 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯
❤️🩹 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘴
🏍️ 𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭
🍷 𝘈𝘨𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘱 (9𝘺𝘳𝘴)
❤️🔥 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
🩷 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🤭 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴
December 28, 2025
I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first book. Apparently, the single dad trope will always get me.
Collins was a strong, independent FMC, and I really liked her dynamic with Ezra. Their relationship was genuinely sweet. As for Daddy Sawyer? The man knew from the moment he saw her that she was the one, and he was patient, persistent, and all in.
And let’s not forget the smut… 🫣🥵🥵 🥵
Overall, a fun, easy read that worked better for me than book one and kept me invested in the series.
Collins was a strong, independent FMC, and I really liked her dynamic with Ezra. Their relationship was genuinely sweet. As for Daddy Sawyer? The man knew from the moment he saw her that she was the one, and he was patient, persistent, and all in.
And let’s not forget the smut… 🫣🥵🥵 🥵
Overall, a fun, easy read that worked better for me than book one and kept me invested in the series.
April 29, 2025
Ruth just knows how to write a hockey romance. Daddy Sawyer was perfection. Collins was such a badass, I want to be her when I grow up 😅. This was probably Ruth’s spiciest book and I am here for it!
Sawyer is a single dad and hockey captain that can’t get enough of badass, biker Collins. This man is obsessed and Collins is it for him. The tension and chemistry was HOT. Collins really made Sawyer work for it and the banter had me giggling and blushing! I also loved the relationship between Sawyer’s son, Ezra, and Collins. The three of them grew into their own family and it was so beautiful!
I also loved how we still got to have little cameos from the Seattle Scorpions. I’ll never be able to let that series go so I love that everyone is all connected. The found family in this series is just perfect and I can’t wait for what’s next!
Total Shutdown | Ruth Stilling | the Blade Kings series book 2 | 5•1•2025
✨single dad
✨NHL captain
✨he falls first
✨found family
✨no third act break up
Thank you Ruth and Wordsmith PR for the arc!
Sawyer is a single dad and hockey captain that can’t get enough of badass, biker Collins. This man is obsessed and Collins is it for him. The tension and chemistry was HOT. Collins really made Sawyer work for it and the banter had me giggling and blushing! I also loved the relationship between Sawyer’s son, Ezra, and Collins. The three of them grew into their own family and it was so beautiful!
I also loved how we still got to have little cameos from the Seattle Scorpions. I’ll never be able to let that series go so I love that everyone is all connected. The found family in this series is just perfect and I can’t wait for what’s next!
Total Shutdown | Ruth Stilling | the Blade Kings series book 2 | 5•1•2025
✨single dad
✨NHL captain
✨he falls first
✨found family
✨no third act break up
Thank you Ruth and Wordsmith PR for the arc!
July 7, 2025
Rich, hot hockey guy falls in love with poor, hot motorcycle girl
May 1, 2025
"Kissing Sawyer, I know that would be different. The kind of different that would make me wonder when he’d do it again."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I don’t know how it’s possible for Ruth to keep writing couples that I fall in love with even more, but Total Shutdown was another knockout for me!! I LOVED the unconventional start to this book and couldn’t put it down from that first chapter!
Collins is the definition of Black Cat Energy. She’s a spitfire FMC that has worked hard to carve a place in a male dominated industry. In a word - she’s a badass. But the best part? She has a heart of gold. Seeing her soften slowly but surely with Sawyer and his son Ezra, until she feels secure enough to let herself be loved by them and take space in their lives… so beautiful 🫶🏻 Ezra’s bond with Collins was incredibly sweet and the way Collins cared for him so deeply melted my heart.
Sawyer is another top shelf MMC with the most caring soul and fierce determination to show Collins that she is worthy of love. After losing is wife, he’s not afraid to put his heart on the line again and chase his attraction to Collins. It wouldn’t be a Ruth book if he wasn’t absolutely obsessed with her (and he really is!), but I loved Sawyer’s maturity in balancing his affection for Collins with his responsibility as a parent.
Let’s Talk Spice: IT WAS SO GOOD! I loved every single line written in the spicy chapters of this book. Collins is kinkier than a garden hose and I WAS HERE FOR IT! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 (Seriously, this edit could have been 40 slides entirely made up of amazing spicy scenes!) I love a girl who knows what she wants/needs and isn’t willing to settle for less. Collins was determined to put Sawyer through his paces before committing to him and the wait is so worth it. The chemistry and tension that builds between them is electric. Sawyer redeems his average first performance with Collins with the FILTHIEST mouth and proves to her over and over again that he can keep up with her adventurous spirit. You’ll love it!
Another fantastic book in the Blade Kings series that you’ll want to read in one sitting! Thank you so much to Ruth & Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC opportunity 💚
May 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
Man oh man Ruth really has a way of making you fall …and fall hard. Honestly I fell harder for our FMC Collins and I’m a happily married woman 🤣 our grumpy single dad MMC falls hard for the black cat FMC who loves her Harleys! And let me tell you …she makes him work for it…and after their one night stand (that she RATES average) he sets out to prove he can be anything but vanilla. Honestly besides the perfect spice the story alone was great! Ezra stole the show for me and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the Blade Kings!
3 🌶️
Man oh man Ruth really has a way of making you fall …and fall hard. Honestly I fell harder for our FMC Collins and I’m a happily married woman 🤣 our grumpy single dad MMC falls hard for the black cat FMC who loves her Harleys! And let me tell you …she makes him work for it…and after their one night stand (that she RATES average) he sets out to prove he can be anything but vanilla. Honestly besides the perfect spice the story alone was great! Ezra stole the show for me and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the Blade Kings!
April 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book a lot !! Thank you Ruth stilling and wordsmith pr !! For the arc!!
Now this was definitely more enjoyable than the first book in this series . I really enjoyed this a lot - I LOVED SEEING THE BOND BETWEEN Collins & Ezra ( Sawyers son) I really did enjoy the first book in this series but this one beats it fr!! This book felt different and I enjoyed it a lot!!
I loved how much of a part of the story Ezra was !! I enjoyed how much of the story revolved around Ezra and Collins having this bond - where she’s like his dad’s cool friend!! I love it when the fmc bonds with the mmcs kid fr!!! - obviously Ezra is older than most kids that appear in books that are single parent as he’s 12 ( not younger) & she’s not his nanny or anything like that !!
I enjoyed the romance that was kinda a slowburn - the mmc fell first as usual!! Of course as usual I ate it up . I obviously never hate that trope !! This book took a a while for the couple to get together ( Properly) but when they did it was worth it - cus they don’t break up!!
I like that sawyer calls her baby girl - it made me swoon .
The spice in this book was hot fr - which if you know me recently isnt something I say often anymore
This is a motorcycle romance of sorts - COLLINS LOVES HARLEYS AND OWNS ONE AND WORKS AT A motorcycle repair shop ( for most of this book) this is also a hockey romance as Sawyer is a hockey player.
This is an age gap romance ( 9 years ) as Collins is 26 & sawyer is 35!!
I have a feeling the next book will be about ARCHER AND DARCY ( DARCY IS JACKS SISTER) & the book after that may be about Jenna !!
Now this was definitely more enjoyable than the first book in this series . I really enjoyed this a lot - I LOVED SEEING THE BOND BETWEEN Collins & Ezra ( Sawyers son) I really did enjoy the first book in this series but this one beats it fr!! This book felt different and I enjoyed it a lot!!
I loved how much of a part of the story Ezra was !! I enjoyed how much of the story revolved around Ezra and Collins having this bond - where she’s like his dad’s cool friend!! I love it when the fmc bonds with the mmcs kid fr!!! - obviously Ezra is older than most kids that appear in books that are single parent as he’s 12 ( not younger) & she’s not his nanny or anything like that !!
I enjoyed the romance that was kinda a slowburn - the mmc fell first as usual!! Of course as usual I ate it up . I obviously never hate that trope !! This book took a a while for the couple to get together ( Properly) but when they did it was worth it - cus they don’t break up!!
I like that sawyer calls her baby girl - it made me swoon .
The spice in this book was hot fr - which if you know me recently isnt something I say often anymore
This is a motorcycle romance of sorts - COLLINS LOVES HARLEYS AND OWNS ONE AND WORKS AT A motorcycle repair shop ( for most of this book) this is also a hockey romance as Sawyer is a hockey player.
This is an age gap romance ( 9 years ) as Collins is 26 & sawyer is 35!!
I have a feeling the next book will be about ARCHER AND DARCY ( DARCY IS JACKS SISTER) & the book after that may be about Jenna !!
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