3.75 ⭐️
Sin Bin
is book one in
Bainbridge Hockey, Year Two
series.
Author Andi Burns has us following the story of Fallon Zabek; younger sister to Booker Zabek from
Bainbridge University
series. And Oliver ‘Ollie’ Louis Jablonski, the defenseman for Bainbridge Hockey team.
The story made for a cute read, particularly in seeing the witty banter between Fallon and Ollie. Which was unexpected considering it was an Enemies to Lovers trope.
Yet in the moments they shared, when in one another’s presence, it made you think otherwise.
Something that became more noticeable and a given as their living situation that made them roommates helped their relationship to eventually evolve and grow overtime.
Fallon and Ollie’s journey was quite the ride.
Although it may have started off slow, their status taking them from Enemies to somewhat friends over time. There was still drama to be had, with the bumps in the road they faced individually and together, considering the situations and events occurred.
Particularly during their trip, when everything kicked into high gear from the aftermath of the mess they found themselves in.
Yet it was funny to see both their reactions and how they took it, more so when it came to the involvement of friends and family who had something to say. Leading to some more drama.
Despite how it started and where the journey took Fallon and Ollie, one thing that could be denied was their playful yet teasing banter paved the way for their crazy chemistry they shared. Always setting off sparks.
It was no surprise when the metaphorical fire alarms went in every steamy moment shared, anytime they got down and dirty. Which took place many, many times.
One thing was for sure, other than the chemistry they shared, physical and emotional. Ollie and Fallon were made for one another with being perfect together. Seeing and learning through Ollie's POV chapters proved as much.
Not only did he really and truly care about Fallon, but the distance he went proved it too. Having learnt ASL just for her, as well as always being there for her, while trying to do everything for her, even if it meant risking it all.
Given the representation the author Andi Burns included when it came to the disable community, she truly did a good job.
Seeing as Fallon was deaf, it meant the incorporation of ASL which we see throughout.
Something author Andi ensured to inform us of from the very beginning with a note making clear of what to expect and when to know about its use within the dialogue when it came to Fallon interacting with others, as well as others interacting with her through ASL.
While
Sin Bin
had it moments of being a good read, unfortunately it wasn’t without its moments that I wasn’t so keen on.
One being the steamy scenes, seeing as they seemed to become the main focus with the spotlight shining down heavily with how long and often it occurred.
And while that necessarily is not a bad thing, in this case, it felt like the rest of the story was forgotten IMO, having been put on the back burner. At least until close towards the end, when the focus came back around.
The lead up to the ending felt too rushed with how quickly everything came together. Only to then abruptly end.
Given all the spicy scenes, IMO one or two could’ve been substituted with allowing more time to play out the conflict that led to the end.
With that said, author Andi Burns still did a good job with
Sin Bin
in the story she created for Fallon and Ollie, having still liked it. Especially with the inclusion of ASL representation, that was well established and thorough.
And although this wasn’t my favourite read from the series, I still look forward for more to come with Dutton Wagner’s story
Body Check
next.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.