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Crossing the Line
Discover a BRAND NEW steamy, off-limits Ice hockey sports romance from USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson. Perfect for fans of Elle Nicoll, Helena Hunting and Chelsea Curto
'No one does hockey romance like Kelly Jamieson!' Bestselling author, Kate Meader
Rule #1 Do not cross the line with best friend’s sister
Ben
On the ice I’m formidable, relentless and I lead by example. Now my coach wants me to step up as Captain – and lead the team off the ice too. But this is my worst nightmare; I’d rather play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking! To make matters worse, my best friend’s sister has shown up out of the blue to live with us temporarily. We have a history… it’s awkward, she’s starting to invade my fantasies and I can’t seem to escape her. But maybe she could be the answer to my problems…
Mabel
Moving in with my brother was not part of my life plan, but I have no choice at the moment. I need to get away and start my life over. I just wish I didn’t have to share the condo with Ben. I thought I’d buried my teenage crush, but seeing him all the time has me fascinated with him all over again! But now he’s asking for my help to be more outgoing and confident, and basically fake it until he makes it. Sure I can help, but that would mean a lot of time alone. I need to stay strong and resist the obvious temptation...
Perfect for fans of Elle Nicoll, Helena Hunting and Chelsea Curto
'No one does hockey romance like Kelly Jamieson!' Bestselling author, Kate Meader
Rule #1 Do not cross the line with best friend’s sister
Ben
On the ice I’m formidable, relentless and I lead by example. Now my coach wants me to step up as Captain – and lead the team off the ice too. But this is my worst nightmare; I’d rather play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking! To make matters worse, my best friend’s sister has shown up out of the blue to live with us temporarily. We have a history… it’s awkward, she’s starting to invade my fantasies and I can’t seem to escape her. But maybe she could be the answer to my problems…
Mabel
Moving in with my brother was not part of my life plan, but I have no choice at the moment. I need to get away and start my life over. I just wish I didn’t have to share the condo with Ben. I thought I’d buried my teenage crush, but seeing him all the time has me fascinated with him all over again! But now he’s asking for my help to be more outgoing and confident, and basically fake it until he makes it. Sure I can help, but that would mean a lot of time alone. I need to stay strong and resist the obvious temptation...
Perfect for fans of Elle Nicoll, Helena Hunting and Chelsea Curto
Audible Audio
First published February 1, 2025
153 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Jamieson
136 books2,643 followersKelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 70 romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex,” “sweet and satisfying,” and “blisteringly sexy.” She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season! She loves hearing from readers, so please visit her website at www.kellyjamieson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
November 24, 2024
i've never read anything by this author before and let me tell you, if it wasn't for one of my favourite tropes (brother's best friend) i probably wouldn't have picked this book up purely because of the cover lol. i really don't like it. 😭
🦇 i was never into hockey romance but i found out with this one that i don't really mind it. sports ain't really my typical go to but in this case it didn't bother me as much.
🦇 i also continue to love brother's best friend trope even though in this one it was done fine. i expected more of a bad boy and self-assured type, but ben was a softie and that was cute. i just prefer banter, humorous and assertive type guys in my books lol.
🦇 i could relate a lot to ben for being socially awkward, you'll never see me do public speaking. 🙅🏻♀️
🦇 the characters were alright, i don't think i have a favourite, but more relatable one was definitely ben for being reserved and disliking people.
🦇 the writing style wasn't anything special but it was definitely easy to get into and there were a few great things that the characters talked about which i found interesting. specifically about introverts, vulnerability and the fact that society usually blamed the victims rather than perpetrators.
🦇 the sex scenes didn't really do much for me, i found it a bit underwhelming, basically like any other typical romance book lol, i did ship the couple though.
🦇 i also don't like the talk about kids and breastfeeding in general in books and this one had that. also it gets really sad at 70% regarding baby death so trigger warnings for that!
🦇 the brother-sister relationship was also relatable to me since i have a brother that's older than me so i could understand smitty's overprotectiveness of mabel.
🦇 the ending was cute, i didn't expect anything different from what it was and it was fine. it wasn't my favourite book of all time but i'm glad i gave it a shot! i'll also have to check for more hockey romance books lol.
🦇 i was never into hockey romance but i found out with this one that i don't really mind it. sports ain't really my typical go to but in this case it didn't bother me as much.
🦇 i also continue to love brother's best friend trope even though in this one it was done fine. i expected more of a bad boy and self-assured type, but ben was a softie and that was cute. i just prefer banter, humorous and assertive type guys in my books lol.
🦇 i could relate a lot to ben for being socially awkward, you'll never see me do public speaking. 🙅🏻♀️
🦇 the characters were alright, i don't think i have a favourite, but more relatable one was definitely ben for being reserved and disliking people.
🦇 the writing style wasn't anything special but it was definitely easy to get into and there were a few great things that the characters talked about which i found interesting. specifically about introverts, vulnerability and the fact that society usually blamed the victims rather than perpetrators.
🦇 the sex scenes didn't really do much for me, i found it a bit underwhelming, basically like any other typical romance book lol, i did ship the couple though.
🦇 i also don't like the talk about kids and breastfeeding in general in books and this one had that. also it gets really sad at 70% regarding baby death so trigger warnings for that!
🦇 the brother-sister relationship was also relatable to me since i have a brother that's older than me so i could understand smitty's overprotectiveness of mabel.
🦇 the ending was cute, i didn't expect anything different from what it was and it was fine. it wasn't my favourite book of all time but i'm glad i gave it a shot! i'll also have to check for more hockey romance books lol.
January 13, 2025
Ben is a good hockey player, but to become a Captain he has to also show his face at the events outside the arena and the locker room. There's just one big problem: he is an introvert. Here comes Mabel, his teammate's sister, she is a social butterfly who will happily help him to reach his goal in order to put her life problem on hold.
Kelly Jamison wrote this sports romance with a little spin,where the jock is the awkward shy one, and the librarian is the friendly outgoing one. I've adored how Mabel and Ben supported each other, emphasizing their values, and accepting their flaws without judging. Both these characters are eandearing, and I've felt seen for my shyness and chaotic mind.
Crossing The Line was a very good read, that I recommend. I want to make a little warning if you have a trigger for toxic partners, because the heroine was in a bad relationship that made her lose some self esteem.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
March 5, 2025
It’s the quiet librarian and boisterous hockey player trope flipped on its head! Also gave some the cutting edge vibes. Enjoyed this a lot- it is as advertised.
January 1, 2025
TLDR: Mid hockey romance
The Good: The overall plot and ideas behind the writing were decent. The characters were likeable and the tropes were everything I love. Brothers best friend? YES. Hockey romance? Yess. Forced proximity, and childhood crushes? Yes yes. The intention was there and it had good potential.
The Bad: There were tons of hockey cliche’s, mansplaining about hockey, and a real lack of depth (even when dealing with some pretty ouch topics). There was barely any tension or emotion from the characters and it just fell flat for me. There were also side stories that didn’t contribute to the overall arc of the couple - is this seed planting for future couples in future books? Either way, it was distracting and left me dazed and confused.
The Ugly: This story includes undisclosed child loss (not to a main character). This didn’t advance the plot one bit and should have been edited out - or at the very least, disclosed in a trigger warning list.
The Good: The overall plot and ideas behind the writing were decent. The characters were likeable and the tropes were everything I love. Brothers best friend? YES. Hockey romance? Yess. Forced proximity, and childhood crushes? Yes yes. The intention was there and it had good potential.
The Bad: There were tons of hockey cliche’s, mansplaining about hockey, and a real lack of depth (even when dealing with some pretty ouch topics). There was barely any tension or emotion from the characters and it just fell flat for me. There were also side stories that didn’t contribute to the overall arc of the couple - is this seed planting for future couples in future books? Either way, it was distracting and left me dazed and confused.
The Ugly: This story includes undisclosed child loss (not to a main character). This didn’t advance the plot one bit and should have been edited out - or at the very least, disclosed in a trigger warning list.
Read
January 20, 2025okay so i fear having this book on my account but I need the pages for the reading goal don’t hate
Uhm legit this whole thing was brain rot, i also had no idea it literally came out like last week (tf) i was just scrolling on the kobo plus library and it was like “new in romance” and it was short so i read it because the other book im reading rn is very serious bc its greek mythology and i think i needed a book that didnt take a lot of brain power so here we are
legit this sort of had no plot really that wasnt like super predictable but it was fine. i do love me an introvert though lol. uhm also wtf the spicy scenes were weird as fuck like this is why I don’t read smut anymore dude
like it was fine but whatever it was just a brain rot reset read I guess
also legit what the fuck is hockey romance bro this is weird as fuck
Uhm legit this whole thing was brain rot, i also had no idea it literally came out like last week (tf) i was just scrolling on the kobo plus library and it was like “new in romance” and it was short so i read it because the other book im reading rn is very serious bc its greek mythology and i think i needed a book that didnt take a lot of brain power so here we are
legit this sort of had no plot really that wasnt like super predictable but it was fine. i do love me an introvert though lol. uhm also wtf the spicy scenes were weird as fuck like this is why I don’t read smut anymore dude
like it was fine but whatever it was just a brain rot reset read I guess
also legit what the fuck is hockey romance bro this is weird as fuck
November 25, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley & Kelly Jamieson for the ARC.
Crossing the Line is a brother's best friend pro hockey romance, so pretty much what everyone likes to read right?! Haha.
I really loved that we have a MMC hockey player that's actually not a wh0re for once. Ben is shy, quiet and absolutely lovable. He puts himself out there and takes risks even tho he is scared shitless.
Mabel is the complete opposite, she's loud, colourful and eccentric. But opposite attracts right?! After being belittled and abused by her ex-boyfriend she finds herself finding confort in her high school crush who happens to be living with her brother.
There is a part in the book that's very sad and I recommend reading the trigger warnings before in case one applies to your situation. Overall it is a really good read and I enjoyed the book a lot.
Crossing the Line is a brother's best friend pro hockey romance, so pretty much what everyone likes to read right?! Haha.
I really loved that we have a MMC hockey player that's actually not a wh0re for once. Ben is shy, quiet and absolutely lovable. He puts himself out there and takes risks even tho he is scared shitless.
Mabel is the complete opposite, she's loud, colourful and eccentric. But opposite attracts right?! After being belittled and abused by her ex-boyfriend she finds herself finding confort in her high school crush who happens to be living with her brother.
There is a part in the book that's very sad and I recommend reading the trigger warnings before in case one applies to your situation. Overall it is a really good read and I enjoyed the book a lot.
November 29, 2024
ARC Review: Thank you Kelly and Netgallery for allowing me to pre read this book.
I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked at hockey romance, and brothers best friend. 🤤
This was a beautifully written love story, and the spicy scenes were well written. It was not ALoT of smut so I wouldn’t necessarily class this as erotica, but it was an amazing love story. I would recommend this book to people forsure! Great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked at hockey romance, and brothers best friend. 🤤
This was a beautifully written love story, and the spicy scenes were well written. It was not ALoT of smut so I wouldn’t necessarily class this as erotica, but it was an amazing love story. I would recommend this book to people forsure! Great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 12, 2024
A smutty hockey romance. The story has duel povs as we read the story of these two characters trying to navigate life after leaving an abusive relationship and the other trying to learn to come out of their shell to advance in their career. *Trigger warning, loss of a child. Alludes to abuse
This was a cute, quick read, great for sports romance fans.
This was a cute, quick read, great for sports romance fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
3.0 stars. Start of a new hockey series. A slow start. I've read other sports romance books by this author that were better efforts. I did skim off and on for at least half or more. Just couldn't hold my attention. These characters are ok, just not that interesting. Hockey player/Ben is an introvert. He's likable, quiet, and later on, he shows his sweet side. Mabel refers to herself as a "cornflake" and she's not wrong. The last quarter of the book had me upping my review to 3 stars, but overall, it's just an okay read.
December 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Summary:
Crossing the Line by Kelly Jamieson is a heartfelt and spicy hockey romance that brings together a shy, introverted hero and a bold, extroverted heroine in a story about love, healing, and finding the courage to be yourself. Featuring tropes like brothers-best-friend, friends-to-lovers, and a touch of emotional abuse recovery, this is a fun and moving pick for romance lovers.
Full Review:
As a mood reader, I often crave different kinds of stories depending on the week. This week, I wanted something light, romantic, and a little spicy—and Crossing the Line absolutely delivered. This book is everything I love in a sports romance: a sweet yet steamy storyline, hockey hunks, and relatable characters with depth and charm.
The standout element for me was the dynamic between the shy, socially awkward hero and the bold, sunshine heroine. Watching the heroine encourage him to step out of his comfort zone while still respecting who he truly is was beautiful. The underlying message of the story—that you don’t have to change to be accepted, and that imperfection is part of what makes us unique—really resonated with me.
Jamieson also strikes a good balance between lighthearted fun and deeper emotional moments. While the story is mostly an easy and enjoyable read, it touches on heavier themes like emotional abuse, adding complexity and depth to the characters.
For fans of Icebreaker, this book is a fantastic addition to the hockey romance genre. It’s the perfect palette cleanser after heavier reads or fantasy series—a no-brainer, feel-good romance that I devoured in no time. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a cozy, uplifting escape!
Tropes & Themes:
• Brothers-best-friend
• Friends-to-lovers
• Hockey romance
• Emotional healing
Available 12-01-2025❤️
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Summary:
Crossing the Line by Kelly Jamieson is a heartfelt and spicy hockey romance that brings together a shy, introverted hero and a bold, extroverted heroine in a story about love, healing, and finding the courage to be yourself. Featuring tropes like brothers-best-friend, friends-to-lovers, and a touch of emotional abuse recovery, this is a fun and moving pick for romance lovers.
Full Review:
As a mood reader, I often crave different kinds of stories depending on the week. This week, I wanted something light, romantic, and a little spicy—and Crossing the Line absolutely delivered. This book is everything I love in a sports romance: a sweet yet steamy storyline, hockey hunks, and relatable characters with depth and charm.
The standout element for me was the dynamic between the shy, socially awkward hero and the bold, sunshine heroine. Watching the heroine encourage him to step out of his comfort zone while still respecting who he truly is was beautiful. The underlying message of the story—that you don’t have to change to be accepted, and that imperfection is part of what makes us unique—really resonated with me.
Jamieson also strikes a good balance between lighthearted fun and deeper emotional moments. While the story is mostly an easy and enjoyable read, it touches on heavier themes like emotional abuse, adding complexity and depth to the characters.
For fans of Icebreaker, this book is a fantastic addition to the hockey romance genre. It’s the perfect palette cleanser after heavier reads or fantasy series—a no-brainer, feel-good romance that I devoured in no time. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a cozy, uplifting escape!
Tropes & Themes:
• Brothers-best-friend
• Friends-to-lovers
• Hockey romance
• Emotional healing
Available 12-01-2025❤️
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 12, 2025
I love a good hockey romance story and Crossing the Line has it all from easy to like characters and a storyline that is a perfect mix of fun and serious moments. And throw in a best friend/teammates sister with a touch of opposites attract and I am all in!
Ben is definitely an introvert and quiet off the ice. He doesn’t do well in social situations with strangers but once he hits the ice he’s confident and has a knack for seeing what the team needs to do to improve and win games and the coach and owner see his potential for a spot as captain next season. However, he needs to completely step out of his comfort zone to make the team happy.
Mabel is Ben’s teammates, Smitty’s sister and she just got out of an emotionally abusive relationship. She wants to find herself again and has some self trust issues when it comes to men, but she also has a knack of living life and is outgoing. So, with her talent for talking to anyone Ben asks for her help and she reluctantly says yes. These two have known each other each other for a long time and now that they are sharing an apartment with Mabel’s brother, this might just be their time for a little romance and steamy moments. They are both making changes in their lives and find themselves leaning on one another as they navigate what comes next both in their careers and in their personal lives. I loved their journey and was thrilled to be along for the ride.
Ben is definitely an introvert and quiet off the ice. He doesn’t do well in social situations with strangers but once he hits the ice he’s confident and has a knack for seeing what the team needs to do to improve and win games and the coach and owner see his potential for a spot as captain next season. However, he needs to completely step out of his comfort zone to make the team happy.
Mabel is Ben’s teammates, Smitty’s sister and she just got out of an emotionally abusive relationship. She wants to find herself again and has some self trust issues when it comes to men, but she also has a knack of living life and is outgoing. So, with her talent for talking to anyone Ben asks for her help and she reluctantly says yes. These two have known each other each other for a long time and now that they are sharing an apartment with Mabel’s brother, this might just be their time for a little romance and steamy moments. They are both making changes in their lives and find themselves leaning on one another as they navigate what comes next both in their careers and in their personal lives. I loved their journey and was thrilled to be along for the ride.
November 30, 2024
Thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
2.5 ⭐
The story follows Mabel, a quirky librarian and sister of a hockey player, and Ben, an introvert who happens to be her brother’s best friend. The two end up living in the same apartment and striking up a deal in order to help Ben become more outgoing, and that’s how the story unfolds.
I’m a sports romance enthusiast so when I found this in my read now section I had to read it. It was my first time reading this author, so it was also my first approach to her writing style which is my main problem with this book. Especially in the fmc pov, I found the style hard to enjoy. It felt like the author was trying too hard to make her seem quirky and funny, but, again, I haven’t read anything else from her so I could be misinterpreting it.
2.5 ⭐
The story follows Mabel, a quirky librarian and sister of a hockey player, and Ben, an introvert who happens to be her brother’s best friend. The two end up living in the same apartment and striking up a deal in order to help Ben become more outgoing, and that’s how the story unfolds.
I’m a sports romance enthusiast so when I found this in my read now section I had to read it. It was my first time reading this author, so it was also my first approach to her writing style which is my main problem with this book. Especially in the fmc pov, I found the style hard to enjoy. It felt like the author was trying too hard to make her seem quirky and funny, but, again, I haven’t read anything else from her so I could be misinterpreting it.
November 26, 2024
Kelly Jamieson is always one of my go to authors and Crossing the Line absolutely gives you everything you are looking for.
We meet hockey player, the broody introvert Ben Antonov not one for being out going or really spending time with people but when his best friends sister shows up at the door he knows that what he remembers about her is that she is the total opposite of him.
Mabel Smits has always been the loud and fun outgoing one, you can even say a bit flaky but when she leaves a toxic relationship she needs to find herself once again so showing up on her brothers doorstep she never expects to see the one man she always crushed on growing up.
Ben & Mabel are two people both looking for a new start, him with his career and her just finding herself once again. We watch how not only they help the other but we also watch how the attraction grows.
This couple definitely have a lot of work ahead of them but if they stand by each other they can definitely get to have a HEA.
We meet hockey player, the broody introvert Ben Antonov not one for being out going or really spending time with people but when his best friends sister shows up at the door he knows that what he remembers about her is that she is the total opposite of him.
Mabel Smits has always been the loud and fun outgoing one, you can even say a bit flaky but when she leaves a toxic relationship she needs to find herself once again so showing up on her brothers doorstep she never expects to see the one man she always crushed on growing up.
Ben & Mabel are two people both looking for a new start, him with his career and her just finding herself once again. We watch how not only they help the other but we also watch how the attraction grows.
This couple definitely have a lot of work ahead of them but if they stand by each other they can definitely get to have a HEA.
December 19, 2024
Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Kelly Jamieson for giving me a chance to read this arc early! From the first page, I loved Mabel. She had been through a tough relationship but stuck to her guns and was determined to figure out the next steps for her career and her life. I also loved that she was unique and outgoing. As she and Ben started falling for each other, I quickly realized he was her perfect match. I was so glad that Mabel loved and appreciated Ben as he was. This is one of the best hockey romances I have read.
November 27, 2024
This is a seemingly sweet, brothers best friend sports romance, with forced proximity and a dash of second chance in there too.
The characters were likeable, with their own challenges, it was good to see their growth and progression.
I found some of the subject matter difficult to read, I wasn’t overly keen on the choice of charity, especially when you’re hit with the subject of child loss at 70%. I didn’t pay attention to the trigger warnings and so it came as a shock and almost felt like an unnecessary situation for Ben to deal with, it was an extreme that felt a little out of place
The characters were likeable, with their own challenges, it was good to see their growth and progression.
I found some of the subject matter difficult to read, I wasn’t overly keen on the choice of charity, especially when you’re hit with the subject of child loss at 70%. I didn’t pay attention to the trigger warnings and so it came as a shock and almost felt like an unnecessary situation for Ben to deal with, it was an extreme that felt a little out of place
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
This one started out slow for me. While I liked Mabel right away, it took me longer to like Ben. He came off very standoffish. Once his personality started to come through it was fun to see him kinda come into his own, to take his place on the team as a leader and with Mabel. It was interesting how the relationship changed between Mabel and Ben, they became friends and much more. It did suck how their relationship was out and almost ended. Glad to see how things ended with them with everyone finally 100% behind them and them happy.
November 27, 2024
Received as an arc from NetGalley.
Mabel's relationship ends so she moves in with her professional hockey playing brother, the only issue is his friend and teammate is also crashing with him for a few months. When Ben is told he needs to up his public image if he wants to becoming team captain, he approaches Mabel to help him gain confidence and perfect his small talk.
This was my first time reading this authors work. I found it easy to read with enjoyable moments. For the hockey romance fans, this is what you expect it to be. If at the time I'm in a hockey romance mood, I'll read more of her works.
Mabel's relationship ends so she moves in with her professional hockey playing brother, the only issue is his friend and teammate is also crashing with him for a few months. When Ben is told he needs to up his public image if he wants to becoming team captain, he approaches Mabel to help him gain confidence and perfect his small talk.
This was my first time reading this authors work. I found it easy to read with enjoyable moments. For the hockey romance fans, this is what you expect it to be. If at the time I'm in a hockey romance mood, I'll read more of her works.
November 25, 2024
Enjoyable, quick read about a shy hockey player and his roommate/teammate’s sister. Ben is a leader on the ice, but shy and not comfortable speaking up. Mabel is crashing at her brother’s condo after leaving an abusive relationship. Her spark was dulled but she’d working on getting back to her outgoing, personable self. Ben asks Mabel to be his extrovert coach when he has a chance to be team captain. This open door story follows the brother’s best friend trope. It’s a quick and easy read, especially if you like hockey romances.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 5, 2025
New to Kelly Jamieson, I have to applaud her ability to immerse the reader in the heat of the game and then seamlessly flip the script, placing you in the heart of her characters. A surprisingly unexpected mix of sweet and sorrow, Crossing the Line is more than your typical hockey romance - it's a testament to self-discovery, self-love, and the transformative power of acceptance from others.
Sleeping on her twin brother’s couch was never where Mabel expected her life to end up. She was happy-ish, with a job she loved and a man she thought she would marry. But that man turned out to be a narcissistic, manipulative monster who love-bombed her into blindness, taking over her entire life. When he gave her an ultimatum - to choose between him or her best friend - she realized it was time to cut her losses and walk away. Unfortunately, Julian doesn’t take rejection well. So now Mabel isn’t just crashing on a couch - she’s hiding, trying to recover from the wreckage of her shattered life. The last thing she needs while licking her wounds is an audience - especially from the one guy who spent most of their childhood avoiding her like she had a contagious disease. Sure, she’d been infatuated with Ben for years, but he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. That was then. This is now.
And now, who was Mabel kidding, Ben was still impossible to ignore. She can’t seem to stop her eyes from wandering his way, but she’s not foolish enough to risk her heart again. She’s focused on putting her life back together, and falling for Ben is not happening.
Ben, on the other hand, already has enough on his plate. He’s working hard to prove he deserves to be team captain, his coach is forcing him to be more outgoing (and he’d honestly rather play hockey naked than leave his introvert bubble), and he’s now the spokesperson for a charity. The last thing he needs is his best friend’s twin sister showing up out of nowhere and crashing on the couch. It’s easy to leave their past behind him… until Mabel starts creeping into his present - specifically his dreams and fantasies. But no matter how tempted he is, it can’t happen. She’s off-limits, and he’s determined to focus on becoming the leader his team and coach expect him to be.
Still, when Ben realizes he needs help breaking out of his shell, the solution seems obvious: ask Mabel to coach him on being more extroverted. It means spending time together, yes, but he’s convinced they can keep things professional, for the sake of his friendship with her brother Marek, and out of respect for Mabel’s recent messy breakup. They have to.
As a longtime fan of hockey romances, I truly enjoyed Mabel and Ben’s sweet, heartfelt story. Watching Mabel rediscover herself and witnessing Ben’s growth alongside his team was utterly satisfying. That said, I couldn’t help but feel the story was somewhat incomplete by the end. The narrative spends a lot of time on Ben’s desire to earn the captain position and his team’s quest to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but we’re never told what happens. Did they make it past the first round? How far did they go? While this lack of resolution might not bother readers more invested in the romantic arc, as a hockey fan, I wanted to know!
On a lighter note, I’m officially adding the word “pregret” to my vocabulary. That scene was pure gold - and even better was how it played out (no spoilers, but it’s worth the wait). As is typical with sports romances, the secondary characters were a riot. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Sarah Adams’s The Game Plan with all the team antics. The way they ripped on each other showed the strength of the team and their brotherhood as players, which set a solid foundation for a pivotal scene later in the book.
As for the overall story, I was genuinely surprised to learn that Kelly Jamieson has written over 50 novels and novellas. While I found this story entertaining, the writing occasionally felt underdeveloped - more novice than polished. One particular issue stood out: Jamieson’s tendency to repeat lines or ideas verbatim rather than rephrasing for emphasis. At first, I thought it was an oversight, but it happened multiple times, and each instance left me thinking, “Wait, didn’t she already say that?” Since this is an ARC, it may be something buffed out before publication, making it a moot point. If so, fantastic. If not, while it doesn’t hinder the story, self appointed members of the grammar police may take notice.
Beyond that, I had a larger issue with the lack of a trigger warning regarding the death of a child. While the event occurred off-screen, it significantly impacted the story’s tone. I understand how it was used to push Ben out of his comfort zone and highlight his empathy and compassion, but the entire subplot felt disconcerting. It disrupted the book's lighthearted feel, dropping a ten-pound weight into the narrative without much warning. While Jamieson eventually tied everything back into the narrative by showcasing the team’s camaraderie, their drive to win for their teammate, and the community's support, I can’t help but feel that, unless this is setting the stage for Alfie’s story, the same emotional depth could have been achieved in a less hard-hitting way.
As for the spicy scenes, they didn’t quite hit the mark. The focus seemed to be more on how Ben carried himself - i.e., his transition from quiet and reserved to more vocal, rather than on the actual physical connection. The build-up was more intense than the steamy scenes, making the almost moments hotter than the actual intimate connections, which fizzled rather than scorched.
Looking deeper, the story centers around three key themes: narcissism, introversion, and acceptance/teamwork. While Mabel’s experience in a toxic, narcissistic relationship is well-explored, some of the conversations about it felt overly long and unrealistic. That said, readers will walk away with an understanding of terms like love bombing, signs/red flags of narcissistic or manipulative behavior, and the reasons why someone might stay in such an unhealthy relationship. I would definitely give a standing ovation to how she highlights society's perspective on women in abusive relationships and the tendency to blame the victim - especially when the partner is emotionally and psychologically abusive, leaving scars that are harder to detect by the outside world. On the topic of introversion, while I appreciated the focus on Ben’s struggles, I felt disheartened by the implication that his introversion was a problem he needed to fix in order to succeed. Introversion exists on a spectrum, and not all introverts experience it as a hindrance the way Ben did. While Mabel’s constant reminders that there was nothing wrong with Ben helped balance this portrayal, the idea that introverts need external validation to be accepted rubbed me the wrong way. Still, I respect that this may have been Jamieson’s personal perspective as an introvert herself.
All that said, the introduction of the players - particularly Archie’s final comment - and the scenes involving Alfie hint at the potential for this to become a series. While my journey with The Storm ends here, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy heartfelt twists on classic romance tropes.
Sleeping on her twin brother’s couch was never where Mabel expected her life to end up. She was happy-ish, with a job she loved and a man she thought she would marry. But that man turned out to be a narcissistic, manipulative monster who love-bombed her into blindness, taking over her entire life. When he gave her an ultimatum - to choose between him or her best friend - she realized it was time to cut her losses and walk away. Unfortunately, Julian doesn’t take rejection well. So now Mabel isn’t just crashing on a couch - she’s hiding, trying to recover from the wreckage of her shattered life. The last thing she needs while licking her wounds is an audience - especially from the one guy who spent most of their childhood avoiding her like she had a contagious disease. Sure, she’d been infatuated with Ben for years, but he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. That was then. This is now.
And now, who was Mabel kidding, Ben was still impossible to ignore. She can’t seem to stop her eyes from wandering his way, but she’s not foolish enough to risk her heart again. She’s focused on putting her life back together, and falling for Ben is not happening.
Ben, on the other hand, already has enough on his plate. He’s working hard to prove he deserves to be team captain, his coach is forcing him to be more outgoing (and he’d honestly rather play hockey naked than leave his introvert bubble), and he’s now the spokesperson for a charity. The last thing he needs is his best friend’s twin sister showing up out of nowhere and crashing on the couch. It’s easy to leave their past behind him… until Mabel starts creeping into his present - specifically his dreams and fantasies. But no matter how tempted he is, it can’t happen. She’s off-limits, and he’s determined to focus on becoming the leader his team and coach expect him to be.
Still, when Ben realizes he needs help breaking out of his shell, the solution seems obvious: ask Mabel to coach him on being more extroverted. It means spending time together, yes, but he’s convinced they can keep things professional, for the sake of his friendship with her brother Marek, and out of respect for Mabel’s recent messy breakup. They have to.
As a longtime fan of hockey romances, I truly enjoyed Mabel and Ben’s sweet, heartfelt story. Watching Mabel rediscover herself and witnessing Ben’s growth alongside his team was utterly satisfying. That said, I couldn’t help but feel the story was somewhat incomplete by the end. The narrative spends a lot of time on Ben’s desire to earn the captain position and his team’s quest to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but we’re never told what happens. Did they make it past the first round? How far did they go? While this lack of resolution might not bother readers more invested in the romantic arc, as a hockey fan, I wanted to know!
On a lighter note, I’m officially adding the word “pregret” to my vocabulary. That scene was pure gold - and even better was how it played out (no spoilers, but it’s worth the wait). As is typical with sports romances, the secondary characters were a riot. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Sarah Adams’s The Game Plan with all the team antics. The way they ripped on each other showed the strength of the team and their brotherhood as players, which set a solid foundation for a pivotal scene later in the book.
As for the overall story, I was genuinely surprised to learn that Kelly Jamieson has written over 50 novels and novellas. While I found this story entertaining, the writing occasionally felt underdeveloped - more novice than polished. One particular issue stood out: Jamieson’s tendency to repeat lines or ideas verbatim rather than rephrasing for emphasis. At first, I thought it was an oversight, but it happened multiple times, and each instance left me thinking, “Wait, didn’t she already say that?” Since this is an ARC, it may be something buffed out before publication, making it a moot point. If so, fantastic. If not, while it doesn’t hinder the story, self appointed members of the grammar police may take notice.
Beyond that, I had a larger issue with the lack of a trigger warning regarding the death of a child. While the event occurred off-screen, it significantly impacted the story’s tone. I understand how it was used to push Ben out of his comfort zone and highlight his empathy and compassion, but the entire subplot felt disconcerting. It disrupted the book's lighthearted feel, dropping a ten-pound weight into the narrative without much warning. While Jamieson eventually tied everything back into the narrative by showcasing the team’s camaraderie, their drive to win for their teammate, and the community's support, I can’t help but feel that, unless this is setting the stage for Alfie’s story, the same emotional depth could have been achieved in a less hard-hitting way.
As for the spicy scenes, they didn’t quite hit the mark. The focus seemed to be more on how Ben carried himself - i.e., his transition from quiet and reserved to more vocal, rather than on the actual physical connection. The build-up was more intense than the steamy scenes, making the almost moments hotter than the actual intimate connections, which fizzled rather than scorched.
Looking deeper, the story centers around three key themes: narcissism, introversion, and acceptance/teamwork. While Mabel’s experience in a toxic, narcissistic relationship is well-explored, some of the conversations about it felt overly long and unrealistic. That said, readers will walk away with an understanding of terms like love bombing, signs/red flags of narcissistic or manipulative behavior, and the reasons why someone might stay in such an unhealthy relationship. I would definitely give a standing ovation to how she highlights society's perspective on women in abusive relationships and the tendency to blame the victim - especially when the partner is emotionally and psychologically abusive, leaving scars that are harder to detect by the outside world. On the topic of introversion, while I appreciated the focus on Ben’s struggles, I felt disheartened by the implication that his introversion was a problem he needed to fix in order to succeed. Introversion exists on a spectrum, and not all introverts experience it as a hindrance the way Ben did. While Mabel’s constant reminders that there was nothing wrong with Ben helped balance this portrayal, the idea that introverts need external validation to be accepted rubbed me the wrong way. Still, I respect that this may have been Jamieson’s personal perspective as an introvert herself.
All that said, the introduction of the players - particularly Archie’s final comment - and the scenes involving Alfie hint at the potential for this to become a series. While my journey with The Storm ends here, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy heartfelt twists on classic romance tropes.
April 23, 2025
I held high hopes for this book as I was reading - I recognised a name thrown in a few chapters in. It was a charter from one of her other books that I had read on the interactive story app “Chapters”. And it’s one of my favourites on that app! So I was excited to have this ARC…
But then, it got cringey. And just not great. I skipped over so much as it was repetitive and just not needed for the story at all.
Small errors made me a little annoyed - Mable had been there a couple of weeks and the fundraiser was the following week. Then suddenly, 2 chapters later it was a few weeks later…. No fundraiser?
Then a line was like “it had been a month since the all star games” …. So it had now been 5 weeks since the fundraiser was supposed to happen?
Finally the fundraiser happened.
THEN when her brother found out about Mable & Ben, Ben said they had been hooking up “for weeks”. Her brother responded: “she’s only been here a month!”
No. It had been at least three months by the written timeline. I’m not sure the author kept note on that which was disappointing.
It just dragged and nothing really happened. And the thing with the married team mate and his family!? What was that needed for!? There best be a story on him somewhere in the future otherwise that story line was COMPLETELY unnecessary.
———
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
But then, it got cringey. And just not great. I skipped over so much as it was repetitive and just not needed for the story at all.
Small errors made me a little annoyed - Mable had been there a couple of weeks and the fundraiser was the following week. Then suddenly, 2 chapters later it was a few weeks later…. No fundraiser?
Then a line was like “it had been a month since the all star games” …. So it had now been 5 weeks since the fundraiser was supposed to happen?
Finally the fundraiser happened.
THEN when her brother found out about Mable & Ben, Ben said they had been hooking up “for weeks”. Her brother responded: “she’s only been here a month!”
No. It had been at least three months by the written timeline. I’m not sure the author kept note on that which was disappointing.
It just dragged and nothing really happened. And the thing with the married team mate and his family!? What was that needed for!? There best be a story on him somewhere in the future otherwise that story line was COMPLETELY unnecessary.
———
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
December 1, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Boldwood Books via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars.
A terrific story, with awesome characters and amazing dialogue, “Crossing the Line”, by Kelly Jamieson, features a fascinating introverted hero and is an interesting outlook on how to be quiet and reserved in a world of constant exposure.
I loved the depth of the leads and how they’re so different in some aspects and yet fit so well together.
Ben is an incredibly hot hockey player who enjoys reading by the fireplace! Mabel is the opposite, an outgoing, extroverted and impulsive librarian.
I liked watching them getting close, going from friends to lovers, and how their past played into the romance. The dialogue is fabulous, really engaging and often funny.
I enjoyed how Ben’s issues are handled and adored the “king of awkward” and how cool Mabel helps him.
They both have a heart of gold and reveal it differently. They’re both vulnerable, too, and honest, and those traits are wonderfully written.
A really enjoyable read!
4.5 stars.
A terrific story, with awesome characters and amazing dialogue, “Crossing the Line”, by Kelly Jamieson, features a fascinating introverted hero and is an interesting outlook on how to be quiet and reserved in a world of constant exposure.
I loved the depth of the leads and how they’re so different in some aspects and yet fit so well together.
Ben is an incredibly hot hockey player who enjoys reading by the fireplace! Mabel is the opposite, an outgoing, extroverted and impulsive librarian.
I liked watching them getting close, going from friends to lovers, and how their past played into the romance. The dialogue is fabulous, really engaging and often funny.
I enjoyed how Ben’s issues are handled and adored the “king of awkward” and how cool Mabel helps him.
They both have a heart of gold and reveal it differently. They’re both vulnerable, too, and honest, and those traits are wonderfully written.
A really enjoyable read!
December 18, 2024
This had lots of potential for me and ticked all the boxes for what I look for in a sports romance but it just fell very flat.
It didn’t feel like there was a story being told just lots of sentences put down, it was lacking in chemistry for the main two characters and even they were a bit robotic- the whole book almost felt like it was going through the motions without enough emotion in it.
This may just be the writing style that didn’t suit me but unfortunately I just couldn’t get past it to enjoy.
I received this book as an ARC and provide and honest review
It didn’t feel like there was a story being told just lots of sentences put down, it was lacking in chemistry for the main two characters and even they were a bit robotic- the whole book almost felt like it was going through the motions without enough emotion in it.
This may just be the writing style that didn’t suit me but unfortunately I just couldn’t get past it to enjoy.
I received this book as an ARC and provide and honest review
January 9, 2025
DNF -- I liked Ben and Mabel. I didn't love that the ex-boyfriend subplot wasn't mentioned in the synopsis because I might not have picked this up if it had been. However, I enjoyed the characters enough to keep reading until chapter 20. Dead babies should automatically require a content warning in my opinion, even if they don't belong to the MCs. I absolutely would have passed on this if I had known. There were other ways for Ben to show leadership without sticking that in.
January 13, 2025
There was no reason to kill off a teammate’s baby. It didn’t advance the plot in any meaningful way.
Other than that unnecessary downer plot point, this book was just another brother’s best friend hockey romance, nothing special.
Other than that unnecessary downer plot point, this book was just another brother’s best friend hockey romance, nothing special.
January 7, 2025
As far as Hockey romances go, I found myself really enjoying this one. There was a new twist on the typical "hot hockey player meets gorgeous girl and romance follows" trope that I've found seems to be a bit more normal than not. In this one - Ben is an introvert; he's shy and unsure and just really wants to please his coach, but when he's told he's being considered for Captain, but will need to do public speaking in order to be the Captain... well - that's his worst nightmare.
Mabel is the sister of Ben's teammate, and though he's known her since they were kids he has absolutely no desire to be around her. Only, he doesn't get that luxury - he's crashing at her brothers place until his condo is ready, and Mabel - well, Mabel is escaping an abusive ex and needs a place to go. So she ends up on her brothers couch and it's not a situation either of them saw coming.
Where Ben is shy and quiet, Mabel is extroverted and shiny. She's been beaten down and gaslit to a point where she almost truly lost herself, but she works hard at finding herself again and he's there for all of it.
I LOVED the team - the entire team is a fantastic group of guys. I struggled with the nicknames vs real names for a bit, but by the end I felt pretty comfortable and that I knew the main characters. I also loved her brothers protectiveness of his sister and see that it only ever came from a place of love and confusion - confusion as to why she was suddenly single. I also loved her girlfriends and can't wait for more with them as well! Her narcissistic ex is described so well, and I love that it was really mentioned how it can beat a person down and cause harm - how it can truly prevent one from leaving because of the shame. I also absolutely loved how it was all "resolved" and how Mabel worked on healing and recovering from it one step at a time with Ben's support and hope to see a bit more about it in future books. I also liked the angle that the book had on Ben supporting a foundation that took care of abused children - though I do feel like some more advocacy could be pushed in that regards.
The things I didn't like? Much less powerful than what I did. I didn't like the hockey mansplaining and just the lack of originality but hey, it's a hockey romance and right now I know the field is absolutely saturated with those so I give the author props for trying. I also would have liked a bit more in exploring the depth of the shame - it was touched on just enough to leave me wanting more. I also am not sure in what way the author is leaning as to the next book - usually when there's a series starting you kind of have an inkling as to which way the following books may go, and what characters they may have be featured but I got none of that with this read, so who knows? The spice was - well, it was spicy but it wasn't anything off the charts, nor was it anything I hadn't read before so that was just a bit lackluster. The child loss also was completely unnecessary and for sure at least needed an intense trigger warning - and I do urge caution to anyone that reads this and has issues with that.
Overall though I really enjoyed this one and will be interested to see what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Kelly Jamieson for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Mabel is the sister of Ben's teammate, and though he's known her since they were kids he has absolutely no desire to be around her. Only, he doesn't get that luxury - he's crashing at her brothers place until his condo is ready, and Mabel - well, Mabel is escaping an abusive ex and needs a place to go. So she ends up on her brothers couch and it's not a situation either of them saw coming.
Where Ben is shy and quiet, Mabel is extroverted and shiny. She's been beaten down and gaslit to a point where she almost truly lost herself, but she works hard at finding herself again and he's there for all of it.
I LOVED the team - the entire team is a fantastic group of guys. I struggled with the nicknames vs real names for a bit, but by the end I felt pretty comfortable and that I knew the main characters. I also loved her brothers protectiveness of his sister and see that it only ever came from a place of love and confusion - confusion as to why she was suddenly single. I also loved her girlfriends and can't wait for more with them as well! Her narcissistic ex is described so well, and I love that it was really mentioned how it can beat a person down and cause harm - how it can truly prevent one from leaving because of the shame. I also absolutely loved how it was all "resolved" and how Mabel worked on healing and recovering from it one step at a time with Ben's support and hope to see a bit more about it in future books. I also liked the angle that the book had on Ben supporting a foundation that took care of abused children - though I do feel like some more advocacy could be pushed in that regards.
The things I didn't like? Much less powerful than what I did. I didn't like the hockey mansplaining and just the lack of originality but hey, it's a hockey romance and right now I know the field is absolutely saturated with those so I give the author props for trying. I also would have liked a bit more in exploring the depth of the shame - it was touched on just enough to leave me wanting more. I also am not sure in what way the author is leaning as to the next book - usually when there's a series starting you kind of have an inkling as to which way the following books may go, and what characters they may have be featured but I got none of that with this read, so who knows? The spice was - well, it was spicy but it wasn't anything off the charts, nor was it anything I hadn't read before so that was just a bit lackluster. The child loss also was completely unnecessary and for sure at least needed an intense trigger warning - and I do urge caution to anyone that reads this and has issues with that.
Overall though I really enjoyed this one and will be interested to see what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Kelly Jamieson for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2025
Crossing the line
By: Kelly Jamieson
Opposites so good together!
💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕
In an all new series from one of my favorites we get Ben and Mable’s story. He’s an introvert and she’s very outgoing but both have hearts of gold. Page after page these two come together and it was truly enjoyable watching them connect on multiple ways. The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.
Authors blurb: Ben
On the ice I’m formidable, relentless and I lead by example. Now my coach wants me to step up as Captain – and lead the team off the ice too. But this is my worst nightmare; I’d rather play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking! To make matters worse, my best friend’s sister has shown up out of the blue to live with us temporarily. We have a history… it’s awkward, she’s starting to invade my fantasies and I can’t seem to escape her. But maybe she could be the answer to my problems…
Mabel
Moving in with my brother was not part of my life plan, but I have no choice at the moment. I need to get away and start my life over. I just wish I didn’t have to share the condo with Ben. I thought I’d buried my teenage crush, but seeing him all the time has me fascinated with him all over again! But now he’s asking for my help to be more outgoing and confident, and basically fake it until he makes it. Sure I can help, but that would mean a lot of time alone. I need to stay strong and resist the obvious temptation...
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕
By: Kelly Jamieson
Opposites so good together!
💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕
In an all new series from one of my favorites we get Ben and Mable’s story. He’s an introvert and she’s very outgoing but both have hearts of gold. Page after page these two come together and it was truly enjoyable watching them connect on multiple ways. The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.
Authors blurb: Ben
On the ice I’m formidable, relentless and I lead by example. Now my coach wants me to step up as Captain – and lead the team off the ice too. But this is my worst nightmare; I’d rather play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking! To make matters worse, my best friend’s sister has shown up out of the blue to live with us temporarily. We have a history… it’s awkward, she’s starting to invade my fantasies and I can’t seem to escape her. But maybe she could be the answer to my problems…
Mabel
Moving in with my brother was not part of my life plan, but I have no choice at the moment. I need to get away and start my life over. I just wish I didn’t have to share the condo with Ben. I thought I’d buried my teenage crush, but seeing him all the time has me fascinated with him all over again! But now he’s asking for my help to be more outgoing and confident, and basically fake it until he makes it. Sure I can help, but that would mean a lot of time alone. I need to stay strong and resist the obvious temptation...
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕
January 5, 2025
Crossing the Line is a new best friend’s little sister, hockey romance from author Kelly Jamieson and I'm always happy to read a book by this author.
Ben Antonov is an introvert and truly does not like being in the spotlight, but when his coach and the GM tell him he is in the running to be team captain and ask him to be the team representative with an abused children’s charity he knows he has to summon the courage to be more outgoing. When he arrives back at the apartment with his friend and teammate, Smitty, who he is staying with until his condo is ready he finds out Smitty’s sister, Mable will be staying with them for awhile following a bad break-up. It wouldn’t be so bad, but Mable had a crush on him in high school and also humiliated him once so he’s a bit put out. He also notices Mable has changed and isn’t quite the bubbly and wacky person she once was, she is however still outgoing and offers to help him prepare for his meeting with the charity people and to become more comfortable with public speaking.
I liked these two quite a lot and Mable had removed herself from a toxic relationship. What I didn’t like was she didn’t set the record straight with her family and her ex was continually harassing them after she blocked him. While I understood her reason, I felt it caused more harm than good because they didn’t know the situation and would have hopefully been more understanding of her feeling if they had.
I enjoyed watching Ben’s confidence grow as he practiced what Mable helped him with and as he did his “homework.” While he’ll never be an outgoing personality he proved he could take charge and be comfortable speaking if he was well prepared.
It was easy seeing their attraction grow throughout this book and while I worried Mable would end up hurting Ben she thankfully had a sounding board to help her see the light. I have no doubt as their relationship progresses they will only grow stronger as a couple and I hope we get to see this in future books.
I will admit that a lot of characters were introduced in this book and while I understand it was necessary to set up a series and for Ben’s growth as he dealt with issues and problems with his teammates, I felt the relationship aspect kind of got lost.
Crossing the Line was a good book and classic Kelly Jamieson; interesting characters who show growth throughout, steamy intimate moments, and a love story that you can’t help but enjoy.
Ben Antonov is an introvert and truly does not like being in the spotlight, but when his coach and the GM tell him he is in the running to be team captain and ask him to be the team representative with an abused children’s charity he knows he has to summon the courage to be more outgoing. When he arrives back at the apartment with his friend and teammate, Smitty, who he is staying with until his condo is ready he finds out Smitty’s sister, Mable will be staying with them for awhile following a bad break-up. It wouldn’t be so bad, but Mable had a crush on him in high school and also humiliated him once so he’s a bit put out. He also notices Mable has changed and isn’t quite the bubbly and wacky person she once was, she is however still outgoing and offers to help him prepare for his meeting with the charity people and to become more comfortable with public speaking.
I liked these two quite a lot and Mable had removed herself from a toxic relationship. What I didn’t like was she didn’t set the record straight with her family and her ex was continually harassing them after she blocked him. While I understood her reason, I felt it caused more harm than good because they didn’t know the situation and would have hopefully been more understanding of her feeling if they had.
I enjoyed watching Ben’s confidence grow as he practiced what Mable helped him with and as he did his “homework.” While he’ll never be an outgoing personality he proved he could take charge and be comfortable speaking if he was well prepared.
It was easy seeing their attraction grow throughout this book and while I worried Mable would end up hurting Ben she thankfully had a sounding board to help her see the light. I have no doubt as their relationship progresses they will only grow stronger as a couple and I hope we get to see this in future books.
I will admit that a lot of characters were introduced in this book and while I understand it was necessary to set up a series and for Ben’s growth as he dealt with issues and problems with his teammates, I felt the relationship aspect kind of got lost.
Crossing the Line was a good book and classic Kelly Jamieson; interesting characters who show growth throughout, steamy intimate moments, and a love story that you can’t help but enjoy.
January 19, 2025
I enjoyed this opposites attract, best friend's sister/brother's best friend romance novel with added forbidden love, close/forced proximity tropes.
The plot is well written, emotional and has some heartwrenching and heartwarming moments, spicy love scenes and very likable main and side characters. There are a couple of scenes that teared me up.
I loved the chemistry between Mabel and Ben and how their relationship and their understanding and support for each other developed throughout the story despite their different character traits. Their insecurities and vulnerabilities were palpable and I really sympathised with Ben who is a sweet cinnamon roll hero.
After ending her toxic relationship with her narcissistic boyfriend, Mabel leaves her old life behind and moves in with her twin brother Marek in New Jersey to find herself again and start a new life. There, however, she meets Ben, her brother's friend and Hockey teammate, whom she had a crush on as a teenager and who always avoided her.
Ben is a hockey pro and is staying with Marek until his own flat in the condo is ready. He hates crowds and being the centre of attention, he rather prefers to be alone, observe or read a book. Ben isn’t happy about the fact that the lively and chaotic Mabel is moving in with them, as her behavior always made him feel uncomfortable. But Ben soon realises that Mabel is not well. When Ben is offered the position of team captain next season on the condition that he becomes the team's ambassador for a charitable children's aid organisation, it feels like a disaster for the introverted Ben, who doesn't know how and what to speak in public but he would love to become the new captain. So he asks the extrovert Mabel to coach him. Mabel, who previously thought Ben was unapproachable and boring, reluctantly accepts and soon realises that Ben is just extremely shy and that she has misjudged him years ago. They slowly grow closer, but as the sister of his team-mate, she is off-limits for Ben and is still suffers from the consequences of her last relationship…
Overall, a touching and heart-warming story about two endearing personalities who are both afraid of falling in love again and getting hurt all over again for different reasons, which I am happy to recommend!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
The plot is well written, emotional and has some heartwrenching and heartwarming moments, spicy love scenes and very likable main and side characters. There are a couple of scenes that teared me up.
I loved the chemistry between Mabel and Ben and how their relationship and their understanding and support for each other developed throughout the story despite their different character traits. Their insecurities and vulnerabilities were palpable and I really sympathised with Ben who is a sweet cinnamon roll hero.
After ending her toxic relationship with her narcissistic boyfriend, Mabel leaves her old life behind and moves in with her twin brother Marek in New Jersey to find herself again and start a new life. There, however, she meets Ben, her brother's friend and Hockey teammate, whom she had a crush on as a teenager and who always avoided her.
Ben is a hockey pro and is staying with Marek until his own flat in the condo is ready. He hates crowds and being the centre of attention, he rather prefers to be alone, observe or read a book. Ben isn’t happy about the fact that the lively and chaotic Mabel is moving in with them, as her behavior always made him feel uncomfortable. But Ben soon realises that Mabel is not well. When Ben is offered the position of team captain next season on the condition that he becomes the team's ambassador for a charitable children's aid organisation, it feels like a disaster for the introverted Ben, who doesn't know how and what to speak in public but he would love to become the new captain. So he asks the extrovert Mabel to coach him. Mabel, who previously thought Ben was unapproachable and boring, reluctantly accepts and soon realises that Ben is just extremely shy and that she has misjudged him years ago. They slowly grow closer, but as the sister of his team-mate, she is off-limits for Ben and is still suffers from the consequences of her last relationship…
Overall, a touching and heart-warming story about two endearing personalities who are both afraid of falling in love again and getting hurt all over again for different reasons, which I am happy to recommend!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
January 12, 2025
I was ecstatic to be back in Kelly Jameison’s hockey world! Oh how I love how she writes hockey. One of the reasons that I simply adore her books is because they are filled with characters that are not afraid of their feelings, work through them like adults, and are people you genuinely wish you could be friends with. And Crossing the Line was absolutely no different- even though we are on a new team in a new city.
Let’s start with Mabel. She has always been viewed as the quirky flighty sibling and friend. But in reality is very accomplished in her career as a librarian. She is well educated and has a variety of interests. She also has a light around her that draws people to her, but that light has been dimmed a little over the last few years. Fresh out of a toxic relationship she lands on her twin brother, Marek’s couch.
Ben Antonov is living his childhood dream of playing professional hockey with his best friend Marek, or Smitty. However, there is pressure on Ben to be more outgoing and engage with the community more which is not at all in Ben’s wheelhouse. In addition, his best friend, Marek’s twin, arrives in town crashing on their couch. It brings back all his old feelings he once had for….but something is not right with Mabel and he’s the one that notices.
I love the history that Mabel and Ben share- and how their perceptions of one another are so different from what the other thinks it is. These two immediately start to build a friendship and see that the other one has strengths and attributes the other doesn’t have. I really love how Ben was so open and honest about what he sees are his shortcomings, when really those are things that draw most people to him, Mabel included. Ben has a giant heart and is able to see so much, including how much Mabel is hurting and keeping from those closest to her. Mabel and Ben give into their romantic feelings and OH MY GOODNESS. Ben…sweet Jesus this man! The chemistry that this duo have not only between the sheets but outside of them make them such an amazing pair. They truly bring out the best in one another. If you enjoy a brother's best friend, throw in hockey, a book loving librarian, with well developed characters this most definitely is the book for you! Also, if Kelly is a new to you author this is a fantastic place to start but know you will be doing a binge of her other books!
Let’s start with Mabel. She has always been viewed as the quirky flighty sibling and friend. But in reality is very accomplished in her career as a librarian. She is well educated and has a variety of interests. She also has a light around her that draws people to her, but that light has been dimmed a little over the last few years. Fresh out of a toxic relationship she lands on her twin brother, Marek’s couch.
Ben Antonov is living his childhood dream of playing professional hockey with his best friend Marek, or Smitty. However, there is pressure on Ben to be more outgoing and engage with the community more which is not at all in Ben’s wheelhouse. In addition, his best friend, Marek’s twin, arrives in town crashing on their couch. It brings back all his old feelings he once had for….but something is not right with Mabel and he’s the one that notices.
I love the history that Mabel and Ben share- and how their perceptions of one another are so different from what the other thinks it is. These two immediately start to build a friendship and see that the other one has strengths and attributes the other doesn’t have. I really love how Ben was so open and honest about what he sees are his shortcomings, when really those are things that draw most people to him, Mabel included. Ben has a giant heart and is able to see so much, including how much Mabel is hurting and keeping from those closest to her. Mabel and Ben give into their romantic feelings and OH MY GOODNESS. Ben…sweet Jesus this man! The chemistry that this duo have not only between the sheets but outside of them make them such an amazing pair. They truly bring out the best in one another. If you enjoy a brother's best friend, throw in hockey, a book loving librarian, with well developed characters this most definitely is the book for you! Also, if Kelly is a new to you author this is a fantastic place to start but know you will be doing a binge of her other books!
December 7, 2024
Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
I've missed Kelly's books! And then she comes out swinging with this incredible hockey romance story between Ben and Mabel.
One thing I love about Jamieson's stories is that she doesn't write "funny" characters. Like, that's not their entire personality. Don't get me wrong, I do love those kinds of characters! But when you write the most relatable characters as well as Kelly does I don't need them to be a laugh a minute.
Case in point? Mabel is every woman I know who was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD/Autism late in life. She was me at that age. Floundering. Having it *so together* in one area just to feel like your life is falling apart in every other one. Looking up one day and finding yourself staring back at a narcissist who has convinced you that you have zero worth; that they're your key to success. That..
Whoa. That got real deep, real fast. Sorry.
But that's just it. Mabel is literally me. She's my friends (because we ADD'ers clump up). She's women I know who just want to feel good about themselves while everyone they love looks at them with pity.
And then Ben. Ben is such an incredible character. He's a pullover from the Chicago Aces series and I love seeing him grow and develop. As a character and a player. In this book, his coaches want him to step up, become the leader they see in him. The issue is: he's an introvert. He's a balls-to-the-wall player on the ice, but off it he'd rather keep to himself.
He's also crushing on his best friend's twin sister.
This book isn't just hockey--though Jamieson writes those heart pounding scenes beautifully. It's a look back. It's remembering "the good ole days" of high school when everyone is awkward but only a few realize it. It's relationships upon relationships upon relationships. I love how rich this world is and I cannot wait to read the rest of the guys's stories.
Because, oh yeah, Kelly has definitely set this up to be multiple stand-alones. I'm already so invested in Marek and wondering if I've met his future FMC or if she's waiting in the wings. I want all the guys to have HEA ... and eventually the Stanley!
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
I've missed Kelly's books! And then she comes out swinging with this incredible hockey romance story between Ben and Mabel.
One thing I love about Jamieson's stories is that she doesn't write "funny" characters. Like, that's not their entire personality. Don't get me wrong, I do love those kinds of characters! But when you write the most relatable characters as well as Kelly does I don't need them to be a laugh a minute.
Case in point? Mabel is every woman I know who was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD/Autism late in life. She was me at that age. Floundering. Having it *so together* in one area just to feel like your life is falling apart in every other one. Looking up one day and finding yourself staring back at a narcissist who has convinced you that you have zero worth; that they're your key to success. That..
Whoa. That got real deep, real fast. Sorry.
But that's just it. Mabel is literally me. She's my friends (because we ADD'ers clump up). She's women I know who just want to feel good about themselves while everyone they love looks at them with pity.
And then Ben. Ben is such an incredible character. He's a pullover from the Chicago Aces series and I love seeing him grow and develop. As a character and a player. In this book, his coaches want him to step up, become the leader they see in him. The issue is: he's an introvert. He's a balls-to-the-wall player on the ice, but off it he'd rather keep to himself.
He's also crushing on his best friend's twin sister.
This book isn't just hockey--though Jamieson writes those heart pounding scenes beautifully. It's a look back. It's remembering "the good ole days" of high school when everyone is awkward but only a few realize it. It's relationships upon relationships upon relationships. I love how rich this world is and I cannot wait to read the rest of the guys's stories.
Because, oh yeah, Kelly has definitely set this up to be multiple stand-alones. I'm already so invested in Marek and wondering if I've met his future FMC or if she's waiting in the wings. I want all the guys to have HEA ... and eventually the Stanley!
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