Fear of Intimacy

Falling #2

by Kenadee Bryant

Tasha Davis has always longed for the all-consuming, earth-shattering love that sweeps her off her feet-like her best friends have found. But when her family’s wealth turns her into little more than a pawn in their social game, finding that kind of love feels impossible. As her parents push her toward a perfect match of their own making, Tasha decides it’s time to take control of her life-and her heart.

Trevor Hall, the cocky right winger for the Toronto Knights, is known for three his charm, good looks, and a string of short-lived flings. But meeting Tasha takes him by surprise, and for the first time, Trevor finds himself wanting more than just a casual night together. He wants her. The fierce, independent woman with a heart he can’t help but chase.

As sparks fly and their worlds collide, Tasha and Trevor must decide if they’re ready to risk it all for a love that could change everything.

Genres: Hockey, Sports Romance, Romance, Sports, Hockey Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2025

Reviews

[Hillary Gable · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could negative rate this book, I would

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟, 3🌶️

[Caitlin Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m going to have a fear of reading romances after this… so many errors in this book it’s like no one proof read it and it’s not even just grammatical errors but also plot errors, normally little mistakes don’t bother me but this was happening constantly.

the main character, tasha, is wildly inappropriate when it comes to her job, i mean why is she sharing her patients business with her friends, even if she doesn’t say the name of the patient, it’s still weird. and no hockey player is showing up to his gfs job TWO HOURS before his game starts. telling someone you love them, after what i assume was three weeks, is wild. i know these books aren’t supposed the realistic but it’s like the author wasn’t even trying, from the terrible writing and what seems to be little research about hockey this book was a tough read.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing ! Finding your voice. Breaking out of generational family trauma. Being brave and fighting for what you believe in and what you want. While also fighting to take back your voice and strength after having it stolen from u. And finding a man that is so loving and patient and empowering with you and gives u all the strength and love and reminders you need to constant tell you u are worthy and loved 💌❤️

[Hildur Marín · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alveg fín en frekar langdreginn á köflum

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was dying to know Tasha and Trevor's story after I finished Fear of Falling so you can imagine how happy I was to get this ARC!

Let me start by saying the spice was absolutely ✨immaculate✨ Lowkey wasn't prepared for how spicy this couple would be, but I wouldn't have any other way. The chemistry and tension between Tasha and Trevor was extremely hot and intimate, which made the developing relationship so enjoyable.

The friends to lovers was executed so well. Getting to see the two become closer and find comfort in each other was heartwarming. And seeing Tasha navigate through her feelings and learn to accept the love she deserves touched my heart. Trevor is perfect for her. He is OBSESSED with Tasha and the way he cares for her is so sweet! He's so patient and considerate with Tasha which melted my heart. If your love language is words of affirmation, Trevor Hall is your man. Another book boyfriend you must read!

And if you love found family as much as I do, this book highlights the friend group in this series so nicely. Seeing them come together having fun and being silly made me so happy. Overall, I really loved reading this and can't wait for Lydia and Landon's story!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even more mid than the first one

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings are listed in the book

Oh my goodness, I am so thankful for finding Kenadee earlier this year because I have found a new favourite author!

After discovering her debut book 'Fear of Falling' earlier this year, I quickly fell in love with the characters, the world building, and the storytelling, (and of course the ice hockey aspect😉) that I found my first 5⭐️ of 2025!

So when it came around to arc signs up for Fear of Intimacy, I jumped at the chance to be back in this world and see what is in store for the rest of the characters!
Overall, I'm so eager to continue this series!

If you love ice hockey romances and are fans of Elle Kennedy, Becka Mack, Avery Keelan, Hannah Grace, Stephanie Archer, Hannah Cowan, Liz Tomforde, and overall, just love ice hockey players that are obsessed with their girls and the best group of friends anyone could ask for, then this series is for you!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
💜Dual pov
💜Friends to lovers
💜Spicy sports romance
💜Cocky hockey player
💜Found family
💜Calls her Sunshine
💜No 3rd act break up

Just pure joy, I had a blast reading this and felt the love between characters coming off the pages and so much laughter - Mateo is my favourite 😂 (iykyk)

Basically just read this series for yourself! You'll find this series on Amazon (KU) kindle, and paperback!

💜Here some highlights:

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞.”
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.”

“𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲.”

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.”

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just start by saying I adored Tasha & Trevor's story... Their story felt real and was such a good friends to lovers story

Trevor is amazing. Every girls dream. The care he has for Tasha is so sweet and how he falls first but valued their friendship and her as a person enough to not do anything about his feelings #swoonworthy

I loved how Tasha thinks, she is definitely a relatable character. When she finally took that leap and stopped overthinking everything, it was one of my favorite parts of this book. She went for what she wanted and didn't care about anyone else, something I am sure we all wish we had done at least once in our life. I was definitely saying "You go girl" in that moment.

This book touched on past trauma, showed character growth and was definitely a sweet but spicy read

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
2.5🌶

*ARC REVIEW*

Tasha and Trevor were the cutest couple ever. Their chemistry was off the charts, and it was fun to see their relationship bloom from friends to lovers. They were able to heal each other and it was really beautiful.

Trevor is 1000% boyfriend goals. He's sweet, possessive, protective, and has a filthy mouth. He is completely OBSESSED with Tasha, and it melted my heart.

Tasha had a crappy family that didn't support her, and all she wanted was someone to care for her. She was super supportive of Trevor in a way that no one had been before.

It was just a TAD bit too long, personally. There was a lot of inner molongue that was a little repetitive.

Overall, it was a beautifully written story, and I look forward to the next one!

Read this if you enjoy:
💗 Professional Hockey Player
💗 Found Family
💗 Reformed Playboy
💗 Friends to Lovers
💗 Traumatic Pasts

[Naylah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐
Spice: 2🌶️
FMC: Tasha Davis
MMC: Trevor Hall

The chemistry between Tasha and Trevor was through the roof, and I enjoyed every second of it. It was clear Trevor fell first & hard for her since the moment they met (which already happened in Fear Of Falling), but Tasha needed a little more time. Their friendship started as a bantering one, and I definitely laughed so many times.

Tasha was struggling with things that happened in the past, and her parents weren’t the loving type either. So Tasha wasn’t really sure what love was. I absolutely loved how patient Trevor was. He was fostering growth and understanding, recognizing that love isn't something that can be rushed and that it requires time to develop.

I was surprised that Tasha went to Trevor when her parents came with a stupid idea that she just didn’t want to agree on. But it did give her a push in the right direction that she needed to trust the process and see where their relationship could end up.

As soon as their relationship starts, it is a lot of cuteness, caring, and enjoying each others time. Trevor is really sweet and giving Tasha control and letting her know that she is always allowed to speak up and tell what she wants or doesn’t want. Their relationship is really equal, and they have good communication, which is definitely a plus in my book.

I really enjoyed the book and went through it pretty quickly. Now i’m very excited to read Fear To Love, and learn more about Landon and Lydia. I really believe this is gonna be a good one.

Tropes:
🟣 friends to lovers
🟣 he falls first & hard
🟣 found family
🟣 traumatic pasts
🟣 hockey romance
🟣 reformed playboy
🟣 no 3rd act breakup
🟣 dual first person pov

Quotes:
“You stole my heart the second you started arguing with me about fries and ice cream. I was just waiting for you to feel the same.”
”You know, if you keep bringing me food, I just might fall in love with you.” - “Maybe that’s my plan.”
’The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was going to come into my life and completely wreck it. And not a single part of me cared.’
"You are mine, Sunshine. You'd do well to remember that.”
’Trevor was my home. He was the person I'd been searching for my whole life and now that he was mine, I wasn’t ever letting go.’
’A sense of warmth and contentment filled me as I thought about the future, the promise of what was to come igniting a quiet excitement within me. I couldn’t wait to see what was in store.’
"You think too highly of me” - "You think too little of yourself”

[Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha and Trevor were the cutest! Their chemistry was amazing, and it was so fun watching them go from friends to lovers. They really helped each other out. It was beautiful. Tasha had a terrible family who didn't support her, and all she wanted was someone who cared. Found family for the win. I loved the breaking out of the generational trauma aspect the most. Super relatable characters.

[Jordan Sudduth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love. Never knew I’d like hockey rom but so good and i love her writing. Easy to read fast

[evermorespages · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25✨

thank you to @kenadeebryantauthor & @naughtynookpr for the arc!!

i was absolutely hooked on the crumbs of tasha and trevors relationship in FOF and was so desperate for their book! they did not disappoint!

the tension and flirty banter between them continued into fear of intimacy and i ate it up. the way tasha hated how attractive she found trevor and how trevor physically could not take his eyes away from her🙂‍↕️

one of my favourite aspects of this book was the friends to lovers trope! while on a group holiday they bond and get closer, sharing secrets and pasts and small moments. watching that progression and the trust be built between them was beautiful! it was healing, natural & so soft🥹

the teasing, the flirting, the tension and hidden relationship aspect was so fun & hot & their intimate connection was tangible. but their emotional intimacy was the thing i loved most about them!

the care trevor showed toward tasha from the jump was so sweet. from helping her when she’s drunk to their late night beach meetups, & making sure everyone was on time for something she was excited about (despite him being chronically late) they had me melting over how genuine and beautiful their relationship was.

trevor, aka beast on the ice & star right winger for the toronto knights, is a man down BAD. he was so crazy about tasha and that translated clearly through his actions. he was flirty & teasing but gentle & charming & just so lovely🥲

and tasha davis, a fiercely independent counsellor who hated how bad she wanted him, could only resist for so long. he gently knocked down her walls and loved every part of her. she was such a strong character, and one who would do anything for the people she loved. i adored her passion for her job and her care for trevor. she was so giddy around him and it was so sweet to read how comfortable and safe he made her feel, and how valued and loved she made him feel.

i loved them so much and just like in the first book the found family vibes were amazing! i love all of the relationships and friendships in this series, and can’t wait for lydialandon!! their crumbs🤭😮‍💨

💜⛸️🐢☀️

[Alexandra Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear of intimacy by Kenadee Bryant
Book 2 of The Falling Series
✨Summary✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
HEA with no 3rd act breakup
POV: dual
Tropes: Hockey player, Counselor, Found Family, Second Chance (kinda), Protective MMC, Tattoed MMC, He Falls First and Hard, Secret Relationship

Trevor Hall is a cocky, playboy star hockey player. Tasha Davis is a rebellious counselor with a complicated past and deeply strained family relationships. Their connection first sparks in Book 1 when they share a kiss before Tasha panics and avoids Trevor for months. When their friend group goes on a pre-season weeklong vacation, the tension between them finally cracks and they begin to open up to one another. As they grow closer, Tasha is blindsided when her parents inform her that they have arranged her marriage to the son of a business partner. She immediately runs to Trevor, forcing her to confront just how deep her feelings truly go. From there, the story follows Trevor and Tasha as they navigate a secret relationship (they want to keep the relationship secret while they decide if they want more) while working through personal trauma, trust issues, and emotional growth, both individually and together.

Trevor was easily the highlight of this book for me. He falls for Tasha early and hard, and once he understands her past trauma, he is patient, gentle, and unwavering in his support. He never makes her question how he feels, which allows Tasha the space to slowly let her guard down and trust him. His attentiveness and emotional maturity made him incredibly easy to root for.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and had been looking forward to Trevor and Tasha’s book ever since meeting them in Book 1. That said, I didn’t find the writing to be quite as strong as the first book. There were a noticeable number of typos, grammatical errors, and some minor inconsistencies. You also have to suspend disbelief a bit when it comes to certain hockey details and aspects of Tasha’s work as a counselor. These issues ultimately held my rating back. Without Trevor and the strong side characters, I likely would have rated this closer to 3⭐️.

I did love getting more time with Josie and Wyatt, and the found family dynamic continues to be one of the strongest elements of the series.

There is mention of SA in Tasha’s past, occurring a few months before she meets Trevor. It is not graphic or detailed. There is also a reveal later regarding the perpetrator that serves as a mild plot twist.

A few personal annoyances impacted my enjoyment. During the group trip, the female characters repeatedly get drunk and need to be taken care of by the men, which is just not a dynamic I personally enjoy. I also struggled with Tasha’s continued contact with her parents. Given her background and profession, it was frustrating to see her allow them to continually belittle her. Additionally, the idea that seeking counseling as a counselor was portrayed as a weakness felt unrealistic, as most counselors actively participate in therapy themselves.

Despite its flaws, this book still delivered an emotionally satisfying romance with a standout MMC and strong found family elements. I remain invested in the series and can’t wait to read about Lydia and Landon next (I also really hope we get a story for Matteo in the future).

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The expectation I had for this book was set pretty high as I loved book 1, Fear of Falling, and this met my expectations!

Tasha and Trevor were amazing together. Friends to lovers with all the banter and spice and swoon worthy love that you want. I want a man like Trevor in my life! #yummyanddirtyandsweetman!

Trevor is the bad boy, tatted up hockey star, who would poke at you because you’re cute. The kinda guy that Tasha despised and never saw coming. After a kiss they shared, she had to ignore him and fight her feelings and attraction, and her embarrassment. But each time she saw him, was near him, she couldn’t stop drooling over him because he’s so dang handsome and sexy.

For me, this was just enough of a slow burn to keep me wanting more! The kind of slow burn that made me scream at them to make a move! But once that moved happen, it was a fast and loving bond and love between them! - and the way their relationship came to light was so fun and jaw dropping!

Tasha and Trevor fought their feelings for an awhile, so as the sexual tension grew between them, so did the feelings. The more they hung out, the more they were seeing each other for who they truly were, it was magical.

Their love for each other is freaking couple goals! They had eachother’s back no matter what. No judgement from where they came from and the trauma they overcame. I love how they are the couple that didn’t hide their feelings, one they were falling in love.

The spice was absolutely amazing and *chefs kiss.* I wasn't prepared for how spicy this couple would be, but I wouldn't have any other way. Trevor took me by surprise, and Tasha is such a tease! The chemistry and tension between Tasha and Trevor was extremely hot and intimate, which made the developing relationship so enjoyable.

Trevor is perfect for Tasha. He is OBSESSED with her and the way he cares for her is sooo sweet! He's so patient and considerate with Tasha which melted my heart. If your love language is words of affirmation, Trevor Hall is your man. Another book boyfriend you must have and read!

I loved seeing all the friends again. They weren’t just side characters you saw every so often. It was soo nice seeing Josie and Wyatt again. Seeing Josie’s and Tasha friendship more was nice. The friendship group is just amazing and when the group is together you get the full effect of their personalities and their support system. I want friends like Josie, Mila and Lydia.

Just like in book 1, Mateo stole the chapter every time he’s in it! 😆🤣🤭 I can not wait for his book!

I wish we got Trevor’s POV a bit more but when we did it was 🤌*chefs kiss*

My favorite scenes were the BBQ. The Gala. Girls v Guys hockey game and all of Australia!! 🇦🇺

[Lisa Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love Fear of Intimacy. The premise had so much potential - friends to lovers, a protective hockey player, a counselor heroine trying to navigate her own emotional wounds - and while some moments were sweet and meaningful, the execution just didn’t land for me overall.

Let’s start with the positives: Trevor was the heart of this book. He’s got the “he falls first” energy down pat and genuinely tries to make Tasha feel safe and seen. His effort to respect her boundaries and build a connection beyond just physical attraction is admirable. The found family vibes were nice too, especially the warmth of the friend group and the lack of a third-act breakup, refreshing in this genre.

But despite all that, this book didn’t work for me.

Tasha’s character felt underdeveloped and often inconsistent. She's introduced as this grounded, empathetic counselor, but throughout the story, her decisions and emotional reactions felt disjointed. She spends so much time pushing Trevor away only to swing hard in the other direction the moment he does something sweet. I get that trauma recovery isn't linear - but her inner world needed more clarity and depth to make those shifts feel real, not just convenient for plot advancement.

The writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing. There’s a lot of emotional potential here - Tasha’s past, her cold relationship with her parents, Trevor’s broken home - but the pacing never gives those heavier moments room to breathe. Everything moves fast: trauma is disclosed, comfort is given, sex scenes follow almost immediately after. It felt like we were supposed to feel something intense, but I mostly just felt rushed through it all.

Also, the book relies heavily on repetitive banter and steamy scenes to carry the romance forward. While that may work for some readers, I personally needed more emotional build-up and communication. Trevor and Tasha go from push-and-pull to suddenly fully in love without truly unpacking the baggage that’s held them back.

And the big confrontation at the gala? It was supposed to be this major turning point, but it felt more like an overstuffed climax. There was just too much - assault, betrayal, parental drama, public spectacle - and not enough room for the emotional consequences to land.

In the end, Fear of Intimacy tried to balance heartfelt recovery with steamy romance, but the result was uneven. Trevor deserved a more layered story, and Tasha needed more time to truly grow. I appreciate the themes it attempted to tackle - consent, past trauma, emotional safety - but I wish they’d been handled with more nuance and less rush.

[Kate Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book title: Fear of Intimacy
Author: Kenadee Bryant
Pages: 434
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️.5

Tasha Davis and Trevor Hall

❣️Review does not contain spoilers:❣️

We already knew that these two would be good. I love Tasha and I wanted to know more about her past. I love that all the friends are getting together!

To be honest, I got tired of this book. I got to about 60% and then skimmed. I think I was just over it and am in a reading slump. I enjoyed what I read but I do not think that my rating is 100% accurate so I just gave a mid rating and left it there.


👀You would love this book if you like: 👀
Hockey Romance
Friends to Lovers
Cocky MMC
Found Family
He Falls First and Hard

**SPOILERS** Notes:
- Love the dedication
- Tasha was a therapist
- Well her parents suck a$$
- Josie and Tasha best friends throughout college and life…more like sisters than best friends
- Loc. 249…I love this girl group
- Tasha and Trevor playing cards on the plane is so cute and fun!
- OOO tasha’s claws coming out to play when the flight attendant gets too touchy!
- Trevor is so smitten with her…I love it. His first POV chapters and he is obsessed
- HE CALLS HER SUNSHINE!!!!!!
- Lol the girls drunk on margaritas at the beach and the boys coming to the rescue
- LOL trevors streaking story
- Them chasing each other with sand is the cutest thing loc. 988
- Threatening as a squirrel lol
- Hahaha Tasha fantasizing about Trevor’s thigh loc 1101
- I love the photo shoot on the boat and trevor pulling out his phone and taking a picture of Tasha and saying perfect
- Lydia and Landon lol loc. 1209
- Loc 1390 “you think too little of yourself” Trevor! What sweet words!
- I love that they decided to go on their on adventure together alone
- LOL the waterfall scene!!
- Not me crying at watching Joise and Wyatt getting engaged and wanting Tasha to a have that too
- Them grinding at the club together ❤ “No one is allowed to touch you when im around”
- He took care of her when they went back to the hotel…he is a sweetheart
- Omg he bought her a stuffed turle…..MY EYES!!!!
- Her mother made an arranged marriage for her without asking!!
- She drove to trevors house and admitted she wanted him!! Loc. 2192
- TREVOR KISSED HER!!!
- They fell asleep in each other’s arms…I love it so so much
- Stop it right now…loc 2371 he is eating her out on the granite counter tops
- Their first time together is amazing…
- Wow there is so much of Tasha’s POV 45%
- He brought her food!! Loc. 2785
- I love Trevor’s sassy mouth!!
- I love that he is already claiming her loc. 2922
- Stop it…the pumpkin date!!

[Telle Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started strong but went downhill fast

***Trying to keep spoilers at a minimum but it won’t be zero so proceed with caution***

2/5 ⭐️ because the beginning was enjoyable.

I almost DNF’d at 75% for two reasons… first because of how unrealistic all the hockey content got. Between talking about a ref pulling a penalty card, giving penalties that don’t make sense but are needed for the story, who takes care of injured players during a game, who has access to locker rooms etc., etc., etc., it took me too far out of the story. The problem is at points of the book there was intentional accuracy to the game so for Bryant to then just write whatever helps the story when need be is just frustrating.

Second, a lot of the rest of the story also became unrealistic - the bathroom scene at the club after some away games was just absurd and honestly so cringy because of the “this would never happen” factor - but more than that I personally thought there was so much unnecessary content. Tasha was legitimately bordering on pathetic for most of the relationship building part of the story. I know she’s supposed to be written as traumatized and vulnerable but what actually comes across for most of the book is her being fragile and weak which should not be synonymous with traumatized/vulnerable. And I probably shouldn’t even get started with her parents. It felt like I was reading about cartoon villains and it lead to a lot more “this would NEVER happen” moments. I kept going cause I wanted to like this book. I liked Fear of Falling so I wanted to believe the ending would redeem Fear of Intimacy, but it didn’t quite get there for me.

And for the very specific to me part of the critique… anytime the idea of “a therapist going to therapy isn’t a good look” is implied or implicitly said, you’ve all but lost me. No real therapist thinks this way because it’s actually insulting to anyone who attends therapy. Imagine a medical doctor being like “ugh… a doctor getting medical attention for an injury/illness isn’t a good look”. *insert eyeroll*

And finally, there were some timeline errors and quite a few grammatical errors that grated on my nerves just because I was already critical of the book. That usually doesn’t bother me too much but it was noticeable in Fear of Intimacy.

Based on Fear of Intimacy, I don’t know that I’ll be returning for Landon and Lydia’s book.

[Lindseyrenee · Rating 1 out of 5]

should have been 70 pages shorter

I almost DNFed this book about 75% because it just got a boring, but I decided to stick with it and push through in case there was a good third act conflict.

There wasn’t.

I don’t know why the FMC still speaks to her parents. I don’t know why she agreed to go to the fundraiser. She doesn’t get any support from them, so I’m not sure why she thinks them wanting her to marry someone specific to support their business has literally anything to do with her.

She may be not that bright, because hoo boy does the FMC make some comments in this book:

“A counselor seeing a counselor? Not a good look.” In what world?!?!? This is VERY normal, if not expected!

Compares herself to a psychiatrist—uhhhh no a counselor and a psychiatrist have two very different jobs.

The FMC makes a goal during some hockey game they played and says “I finally understood why the guys celebrated when they made a goal during a real game.” Really??? She had no idea before that why they might celebrate??? Take this girl’s counseling license away bc she lacks any sort of empathy.

Threatens to go to the police and have the guy who SAed her “thrown in jail for the rest of his life.” The SA happened a year prior, she never filed a police report, and there was no physical evidence, but sure. Maybe if her parents were richer than god she could bribe the police. But no, we already know her hockey bf has more money than her parents combined, so actually they aren’t that rich.

Didn’t see a counselor/therapist after she was SAed despite having panic attacks. Honestly, take away her license again, this girl lacks self awareness and objectivity.


That’s just what I remember offhand. I also think the friends are jerks, constantly standing her up in their group vacation which, yes, does mean she gets alone time with the MMC, but also makes them terrible friends.

Then again, she forgets about an event that was basically the point of the trip and nearly misses it, so she’s also a terrible friend.

This doesn’t really have anything to do with the plot, but no random hotel worker in Australia is going to recognize Canadian hockey players. Maybe I’d find the upgrades and attention to service realistic if it was bc of points status the guys had from so much team trace, but we’re told it was because they were recognized as hockey stars.

Nope.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Trevor and Tasha’s romance so much and love that Wyatt and Josie got engaged while on holiday in whitsunday island, Australia and love that the whole gang Wyatt, Josie, Landon, Lydia, Bryant, milia, Trevor and Tasha all went on vacation together and I just love their friendship group so much and love the spicy scenes between Trevor and Tasha and I really liked that Trevor and Tasha opened up to each other about there families like Trevor’s parents are alcoholics and only wanted to know him when he has money and Tasha’s parents are snobby wealthy people who care about themselves and their image and I didn’t like them in the book and I don’t like Alexa tasha’s ex best friend and Daniel who sexually assaulted Tasha in a club but I loved it when Trevor defended Tasha while her parents did nothing and I love that Trevor and Tasha were seeing each other in secret and I love Wyatt’s family so much since they took in Trevor since his parents aren’t in the picture and I love it when Trevor calls Tasha sunshine because of her blonde hair and the other nicknames like baby and I love that the friends made a bet on Trevor and Tasha on when they announce they are together and I just love that this romance so much and Trevor is one of my new book boyfriends and love that Trevor ask Tasha to move in with him and Tasha love languages is physical touching and I am loving this falling series by kenadee Bryant writing so much and I can’t wait to read Landon and Lydia’s book next in this series and love seeing hockey players and little kids interact so much and I didn’t want to put this book down and I just love the Toronto Knights that the guys play for and love that Tasha loves being a therapist and loves her patients and Trevor is a cocky hockey player and Tasha likes to read in her spare time and love Tasha and Josie friendship so much they are sisters and Tasha is Josie’s made of honour as well as her best friend and love that Trevor is a gentleman in the book and love that Trevor and Tasha bicker like a old married couple and love the sexual tension brewing between Landon and Lydia in the book

Spicy
Dual PoV
Found family
Friends to lovers
Calls her sunshine
He falls harder
No third act break up
Interconnected hockey romance series
Under 420 pages
Love Wyatt’s family ( Wyatt, Landon,Mateo, and their mom Everlyn)

[athra.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Fear of Intimacy* is an emotional rollercoaster that captures the complexities of love, vulnerability, and personal growth, and Kenadee Bryant has crafted an unforgettable journey through the lives of Tasha and Trevor.

Firstly, Tasha and Trevor are some of the best characters I've come across in a long time. Tasha is a character who is so closed off, shy, and hesitant about opening up to others. She holds her feelings back, but as the story progresses, we see her slowly open up to Trevor. Watching her experience love and the admiration she so deeply deserves warmed my heart. Tasha has her quirks, and she definitely has a crazy side, but seeing her come out of her shell was beautiful to witness.

Trevor, on the other hand, is the perfect match for Tasha. He’s a down-to-earth, patient, and slightly dorky hockey player who is almost too good to be true. He has this perfect blend of dominance and respect, and the way he helps Tasha navigate some of the most difficult parts of her life is truly admirable. His character is so well-rounded, and his vulnerability—something that’s often missing in male protagonists—was incredibly refreshing. I needed to see a MMC (male main character) who shows emotion, and Trevor definitely delivered on that front.

The couple’s dynamic was absolutely perfect. From their little adventures to the spicy moments, it was clear that they deserved a happy ending. As they navigated their newfound relationship, it was clear that Trevor’s emotional depth and Tasha’s slow opening up created the perfect balance. Their growth throughout the book was beautifully done, and it made me root for them even more.

Kenadee Bryant has officially earned a spot on my “author buy” list. The love between the friend group was something I could feel deeply—everyone needs that kind of support and connection in their lives. I couldn't put this book down, and I can't wait for the next one, especially after the tantalizing glimpse we get of Wyatt and Josie.

In short, *Fear of Intimacy* is a must-read for anyone looking for an emotional, heart-warming romance that’s both spicy and full of growth. Bryant has created a story that sticks with you long after the last page.

[Alisceith · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ “You are so strong… And when you think you aren't, I will be right here to remind you.” ✨

✨ “I felt safe. Whole. Protected. Wanted. There was no fear there. Not with Trevor.” ✨

Reading this book is the best overnight decision I’ve ever made. I’m absolutely honored to have this book be my first 5-rated book this year !! 🤩

The chemistry between Trevor and Tasha were just amazing. How the writing and plot improved from the first book, together with the flow of how to the story goes! A little bit proofreading and clean up ou.d be nice when it comes to dialogues between characters, but woah.. This book made me feel so many emotions, including the feeling of wanting someone like Trevor Hall in my life.

Trevor Hall. He’s someone who didn’t let his past and environment affect the way he grows up. He’s someone who will be a constant presence in your daily life and ensure you that you have the power over yourself and not other people. He’s more than what other people (ehem paparazzi) could ever write about. He has so many layers to himself, as he so said, that you’ll just be left wanting to uncover more things that he doesn’t let other people see.

Tasha Davis. A counselor who denies her own advice to her patients, but I guess it goes with the occupation. She’s someone who has been hurt and is trying hard to bounce back from what made her fear intimacy. She’s someone who’s slowly falling for a man who keeps stealing her attention with his very existence, while also breaking down the walls she built around her heart. Finally, she’s someone who knows she can finally feel safe with the person who made sure to make her remember… that feeling safe can be with a person you can never expect.


Other notes:
I am such a fan of how the book portrayed the feelings of seeing your bestfriend having their happily ever after in the lens of someone who wants the same for themselves. It’s real and just clicks into someone’s feelings that sometimes we have to acknowledge ourselves. I’m also such a fan of the last chapter where they did that as a group. Truly a found family event that I hope to happen again in the future 😂

Again, this is the best one-day-read book that I’ve ever picked up on so far. 🫶🏼🫶🏼 Sorry not sorry Wyatt, but Trevor wins in my book. No hard feelings.

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - possible spoiler!

Summary:
Tasha Davis longs for a love that will sweep her off her feet, just like the love her best friend has found. Tired of her parents trying to control her, she decides she has to take control of her own life.
Trevor Hall is a hockey player who is known for his good looks. Meeting Tasha takes him by surprise. He wants her - the fierce and independent woman.

They must decide if they are willing to risk everything for the love that might change things.



I liked that there’s a content warning before you begin Tasha and Trevor’s story - we like books with warnings 🙂
While I was reading the books, I felt like it kept me interested and wanting to continue reading. I didn’t feel like it got boring at any point.
I LOVED the fact that Trevor could see how Tasha was feeling in the different situations there were. He’s a sweetheart.

I was a little bit confused because the attraction between Tasha and Trevor happened a little bit fast? Apparently something has happened between them months before they really started to get to know each other, so I think that might be the reason why the attraction was right there.

We can’t ignore the fact that this book got some spice. While I have nothing against spice, I felt like some of the spicy scenes came at some not-fitting-moments. Also, there was a moment when they started to make out and I was like “Right now?”.

There’s a character named Mateo and he was funny 😂

I felt like we didn’t get as much of that drama as I expected when it came to Tashas parents. Not many scenes with the parents and the arranged marriage thing were a bit weird too. I’m not sure how I felt about it.

I have another thing to say. I couldn’t take it seriously at first with the MMC’s name. Trevor. It reminds me of a scene where Hardin kicks a door and he says “Fucking Trevor”.

Overall I think it was a nice read.

Tropes:
He falls first
Found family
Friends to lovers
New adult romance
Dirty mouth hockey player
No 3rd act breakup
Dual POV

If you like hockey romance with some spice and these tropes, you might like this book.

I’ll give this book 4 stars out of 5.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have read this book in advance, and I want to sincerely thank @kenadeebryantauthor for trusting me.

Fear of Intimacy is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, featuring Tasha Davis, a counselor, and Trevor Hall, a hockey player for the Toronto Knights. The two have known each other for a while, as they’re part of the same friend group, but the vacation they’re about to take will completely change the course of their relationship.

Diving into this story felt like becoming part of a big family, and that’s why I can’t recommend it enough. I also loved how, despite being the second book in the series, it was perfectly understandable even without having read the first one. Too often, I come across books marketed as standalones that leave gaps if you haven’t read the previous installment. But with Fear of Intimacy, that wasn’t the case, making the reading experience even more enjoyable and immersive.

This book delivers powerful and meaningful messages, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. I grew deeply attached to the characters, both main and secondary, and I truly hope to read more about them in the future.

Thank you, Tasha, for teaching us to believe in ourselves, to always get back up no matter what life throws at us, and to fight for what we stand for, even when it feels like the world is against us. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to make our voices heard.

Thank you, Trevor, for showing us the value of patience and perseverance. For proving that, with dedication and hard work, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. And for reminding us that our past doesn’t define us, it’s the present we choose to build that truly matters.

And finally, thank you, @kenadeebryantauthor , for writing this beautiful story. For giving us not only Tasha and Trevor’s heartfelt romance, but also a journey of personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery.💜

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha and Trevor were definitely swoon-worthy!

I didn't read book one and was able to follow along just fine, but I am planning to go back and read it because I really enjoyed this book. I'm also really looking forward to the next one.

Getting into the book I thought it would all take place on their vacation and while that was a big part of it, there was more of them after. I liked that it took a while for them to come together so they were really building their connection. I loved how Trevor treated Tasha and showed she mattered in the little ways because I believe the little things make sure a big difference. Their banter, their flirting, their chemistry - all in all they were such a great couple to read. Their spice was spicing!

I really enjoyed the side characters and as I mentioned plan on reading the other books. I also liked how much the side characters were included, so I'm looking forward to reading book one and seeing if there's a lot of build up between Tasha and Trevor in it. I particularly like that with how their families are, they have their found family in their friends to rally around them and be their support system. Trevor's protectiveness over Tasha at the gala was great, and her standing up to her parents' insane demand prior was good but I kind of wish they got more of a consequence for being awful. So relieved Tasha and Trevor have Wyatt's family and their group of friends so they can just not give their families the time of day.

I'm very curious to see if Mateo is going to get his own book in the future because his shenanigans were very entertaining. I look forward to Lydia and Landon's story and I can't wait to go back and see how it all started. Great read, and definitely a fan of this new-to-me author!

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you read Kenadee’s first book in her Falling series, hopefully you picked up on the hints of Trevor and Tasha and couldn’t wait for their book. Thankfully, she didn’t make us wait long and their story is here! I always love romances that start out as friends first and grow into something more. Such a solid foundation for the romance to be built on.

Trevor shows Tasha so much warmth, tenderness, and care that I couldn’t help but love his character from early on. As he gets to know Tasha more and more, he keeps falling more and more in love with her. He wasn’t afraid to show her his softer side and let her in.

Tasha is a fiercely independent woman, who tries to resist Trevor, but ultimately fails. The walls she has built around her heart, slowly begin to crumble as his genuine affection for her continues to show itself. The healing that is allowed to take place is beautiful and easy to relate to. Her love for her job and strength she shows to those she cares for was amazing to read about too.

Kenadee delivers an amazing book with MCs that steal your heart and have you rooting for them from the beginning. Readers are reminded that although you can’t choose the family you are born into, you can choose the family you surround yourself with. With side characters rounding out this story to make it an amazing read, I can’t wait for the next story in this interconnected series.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
🏒Friends to Lovers
🌹Sports Romance
🏒Found Family
🌹Reformed Playboy
🏒Healing from Trauma
🌹No Third Act Breakup

[Payton Sowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE STARS.. hands down.. FIVE!

If there is one thing I can guarantee from Kenadee, it is that she's going to give you a man who can never get enough of his girl. Tasha and Trevor's story is truly so sweet, coming from broken pasts, these two deserved the love that each of them could provide. They make me laugh with their bantering back and forth, which only continued as their relationship progressed. I loved watching these two grow throughout the course of the book - their hidden moments between the two of them, the trust they build with one another, the promises to always be there, the unspoken words that they just know what each other is saying.

While the story revolves around Tash and Trev - it is also SO important to acknowledge Josie's friendship and loyalty to Tash. I really enjoyed getting to see deeper into their friendship throughout this story. I also really LOVED getting to see Josie and Wyatt's (Fear of Falling: Book 1) relationship flourish, and be blessed with Mateo's crazy banter with his brothers over the girls!

If I could sell you on this book with one part, it would be: "He defended me. He protected me. He loved me." ... Tasha Davis, honey... you deserve this life with Trevor. Forever.

I cannot wait to watch Landon and Lydia's story come to life... THOSE TWOOOOO ARE SOMETHING I'M READY FOR NEXT!!

[Doom Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Currently 9% in
One star will be deducted from the overall rating because the author doesn't understand how seasons and hemispheres work; they also do not understand how the offseason works in hockey.

If it was summer in Toronto, when everyone left Toronto to go to Australia, it would be winter there.

**Book completed**
Over 30% of the book was the group taking a 5 day vacation to Australia.
This book is another example of an author jumping on a trend (in this case hockey romances) and not researching the subject. Ain't no way a group of hockey players goes on an international trip less than two weeks before the season starts. Did the author forget about training camp? Pre-season?

Also, the verbiage and syntax used when talking about the reigning Stanley Cup champions was wrong and felt very cringe.

Stanley Cup wasn't mentioned one time; just "the Cup." Did the author not know she could use the proper name for the greatest trophy in sports?

The book is riddled with double punctuation, comma splices and fragmented sentences.

One last thing: the book was boring. Like, there wasn't a plot. It was just two people fighting their attraction to each other until they didn't. No angst, no external or internal conflicts with long lasting plot implications, just reading about a people who like to have sex with each other.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars

I really enjoyed watching Trevor and Tasha’s story unfold. Their dynamic was engaging, and their chemistry was well-developed throughout the book. The banter, flirting, and hidden relationship aspect kept things fun, but it was the emotional intimacy that really stood out. Trevor’s patience and care for Tasha melted my heart, and her giddy, confident energy around him was so sweet to read.

Tasha’s passion for her work and her loyalty to the people she loves made her such a strong, relatable character. The friends to lovers trope was executed wonderfully, and seeing them grow closer while navigating their emotions was genuinely touching. I also appreciated the plot twist; it added some shock factor that I didn’t see coming!

While the book had plenty of highlights, I felt it was just a tad too long—some of the inner monologue felt repetitive and slowed the pacing. I also would’ve loved more chapters from Trevor’s perspective, as his point of view was fantastic when we got it.

Overall, this was a sweet and heartfelt hockey romance with great side characters and touching moments. It may not have been perfect, but it was still a fun read. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book and am excited to see how Lydia and Landons story unfolds.