Getting the Grinder

Love on the Line #3

by Brenda Rothert

Mara Torres and I have exactly one thing in we can't stand each other.
She's judgmental, prickly, and makes it crystal clear that even though our best friends are married, it’s all she can do to tolerate me. The feeling is mutual.
So naturally, when I need to invent a fake girlfriend to get my teammate off my back, her name is the one that falls out of my mouth.
I expect her to laugh in my face when I ask for her help. Or maybe throw something at me. What I don't expect is for her to say yes.
Turns out, there’s something she wants enough to agree to the arrangement.
Our friends are used to us looking like we're one argument away from murder. It’s going to be damn near impossible to convince everyone we're in love.
But then something shifts. The bickering gets sharper—and hotter. The fake touches start lasting longer than necessary. And when I finally kiss her, the heat between us isn't fake at all.
Now I can't tell if I want to strangle her or strip her bare. Maybe both.
The worst part? I think she feels the same way.

_____________



Pro Hockey Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Dating
Found Family
Mental Health Rep
Opposites Attract

_____________

Getting the Grinder is the third book in the Love on the Line all books are interconnected standalones about a team of professional hockey players and the women they fall hard for. The books don’t need to be read in order, but future characters appear in each book.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Romance

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Brenda Rothert is the author of more than thirty Contemporary Romance novels. You can learn more about her books at her website, www.brendarothert.com, which features teasers, excerpts and trailers for her books. Follow her here:

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Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars: short, funny, a little spicy and another good read from Rothert!

I was able to read this as an ARC and have already pre-ordered my copy for release day!!

Getting the Grinder is the next book in Brenda’s Love on the Line series. Having read the previous two books, I can say that there is considerable crossover of characters and plot that make this book best enjoyed within the series; it could be read as a standalone, but finer plot points may be missed. Favourite characters from earlier in the series make repeat appearances, and the initial event that causes the “enemies” status is discussed in prior books as well.

Leo and Mara are your quintessential “enemies to lovers” duo, featuring funny quips, lots of sarcasm, and underlying tension that everyone else sees for what it really is. In typical BR fashion, the two find themselves coming together in a unique way. Unlike some EtL plots, the transition feels natural and the reasons for the fake relationship are realistic rather than far-fetched.

This book is a shorter, easy read, though it does feature some material that could potentially be triggering (mention of depression/anxiety/panic attacks, as well as a criminal event involving weapons). These scenes /are/ relevant to the plot but are also short and could be skipped is someone wanted to avoid the trigger.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book and I would happily read it again. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer, so we could have a slower build with a bit more drama. If you’re a fan of hockey romance and strong female characters, this is a good fit for you.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mara and Leo have been flinging insults at each other for over a year, but under the snark and sass attraction was building. When Leo needs a fake girlfriend to avoid being setup with a teammate’s sister so he doesn’t hurt the teammate’s feelings he surprises himself when he names Mara as his girlfriend.

These agree to a fake relationship and to have a cease fire. While spending time together they discover they can get along and the year’s long verbal skirmishes might have just been foreplay.

These two talk and cautiously share their most vulnerable thoughts and feelings which draws them closer together. I really enjoyed seeing how supportive and caring they could be after so much open hostility in the prior two books. I loved getting more time with Carter/Suki and the girls, Bash/Lainey, Dex and Harry.

I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo was a hockey player who had a lot of good friends on the team. He accidentally walked in on Mara one day when she was showering and the two became enemies. The two could sure come up with zingers for each other. You will laugh at the big pig one of Leo’s teammates have that their kids love. When his buddy takes the family on a trip, Leo volunteered to watch the pig. I feel this was the beginning of Mara and Leo getting to know each other better. Then one of the new guys on his team wanted to introduce Leo to his twin sister which Leo did not want to have anything to do with. Leo came up with a white lie that he was dating Mara which was hard for their friends to believe. I was glad that Mara agreed with conditions. Ms. Rothert did a great job explaining Leo and Mara’s backgrounds that molded their personalities. I strongly encourage you to read the book.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the Grinder is NHL player Leo and Assistant Attorney Mara’s enemies to fake to lovers story. It’s book three in the Love on the Line Series and it’s a well written, entertaining read that I quickly became invested in.
Leo and Mara mix in the same circles because they share the same friends who also happen to be his teammates. From the moment I picked this book up the tension between these two was obvious, the snarky comments and the sarcasm can’t be avoided but when Leo needs a fake date it’s Mara he turns to and that’s when things get interesting………
I smiled, I swooned and I laughed out loud as I joined this couple on their journey. Getting the Grinder is a quick read that packs a mighty punch, it’s entertaining, it’s witty and I loved it.

[Carol Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the start of Hockey season especially when Brenda Rothert is gifting us with a fabulous enemies to "lovers" story?
Leo and Mara are oil and water. They only seem to love flinging insults at each other until......
Leo's team mate is bent on having him as his brother-in-law. Leo is not up for the coupling.
Leo and Mara share a love for his team mate and his wife and nieces and pet pig. When Leo fails at helping out the family, Mara actually comes to the rescue - go figure.
As the walls are dropped that the two have built, something begins to blossom between the two - respect, friendship, and an undeniable attraction.
This story of found kindred spirits is beautiful. (Can I say that about a huge Hockey Player?)

[FunUndertheCovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the start of Hockey season especially when Brenda Rothert is gifting us with a fabulous enemies to "lovers" story?
Leo and Mara are oil and water. They only seem to love flinging insults at each other until......
Leo's team mate is bent on having him as his brother-in-law. Leo is not up for the coupling.
Leo and Mara share a love for his team mate and his wife and nieces and pet pig. When Leo fails at helping out the family, Mara actually comes to the rescue - go figure.
As the walls are dropped that the two have built, something begins to blossom between the two - respect, friendship, and an undeniable attraction.
This story of found kindred spirits is beautiful. (Can I say that about a huge Hockey Player?)
review by C. Seymour - blogger

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star Review Getting the Grinder
(Love On The Line #3) by Brenda Rothert

From the first chapter I was drawn into Leo Abbott and Mara Torres’s enemies to lovers story. This was a great addition to the Love On The Line series.

I was interested when I read the blurb for this book and was not disappointed. The characters were easy to relate too and I quickly became drawn into their story.

What starts off as a fake relationship and a means to get revenge on Leo, quickly morphs into something much more.

The story was fast paced and I
I fell hard and fast for Leo and Mara. The chemistry between them sizzled and it was entertaining to watch their relationship develop.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways this one was predictable. You knew Leo and Mara would end up together, despite the hate they threw at each other, which quite honestly, got old fast. I was glad when things changed for them. It was interesting that the person that they hated, all of a sudden became the person they confided in. Each of them had some big secrets, ones that were very different. As they got closer and things changed, it was fun to see how their friends reacted. It was nice to see them happy together at the end after all they went through.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting the Grinder, book three in the Love on the Line series is a sweet romance story with two characters that are so easy to fall for.
The beginning of this story has the enemies to lovers theme going between Leo and Mara, but that quickly changes once they actually get to know one another and let me tell you, once they do all bets are off because they definitely have undeniable chemistry. However, what I really found endearing about these two was their willingness to show their vulnerabilities to one another and that trust propelled their relationship forward quickly.

[Mrs Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy I got to read Leo & Mara's story.  This is book three in the Love On The Line series, and it did not disappoint.

Leo is an NLF player, and Mara is an assistant attorney. They both mix with the same circle of friends, there a lot of tension between these two sarcastic comments every time they see each other.  Leo's teammate's sister is obsessed with him, so he asks Mara to help him out.  Loved these two together they have a great connection, and they are brilliant together.
This book is entertaining and keeps you engaged from the start.
Ready for book 4 😍

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was rather lowkey passionate but still sweet. It wasn't a full on enemies to lovers, because the MCs were already attracted to each other prior to their verbal tango sessions. The whole misunderstanding wasn't that great and very minor. 3 average stars. The MMC was rather sweet and nothing like the usual hockey player characters you'd meet in fiction, whereas the heroine's not my type, while beautiful but has a tough, prickly exterior even if she feels a lot on the inside.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mara and Leo do not like each other. Like, at all! They are constantly bickering and saying not so nice things to each other. It isn’t until Leo needs Mara as a buffer that they become friendly and then something a little more. Finally!!!! I’ve been waiting since Carter’s story if I’m being honest.
I loved the beginning chapters with the dogs and the pig! I’m a sucker for all things animals and kids!
Great story and although it is part of a series, it can be read all on its own.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for Getting the Grinder by Brenda Rothert

Another amazing read. Wow the zingers that both Mara and Leo have for each other are unbelievably funny in a hurtful kind of way. Who knew that they don't really hate each other. You start to root for the both of them. Amazing storyline. Really wonderful way to bring attention about panick attacks and depression. Can't wait for the next installment of Love on the Line series.

[Erica Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell you how happy I was to see that Mara and Leo had a story! And of course Darling made an appearance. I’m glad they finally found out that they don’t Hate each other! This book was steamy and just wanted I needed after a long week. I have been ready books from Brenda Rothert for a long time and after this book I’m never going to stop.

[Paige Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the Grinder is the third book in the Love on the Line series by Brenda Rothert. As soon as I started it, I was immediately sucked into Leo and Mara's story. Even though it reads as a standalone, you definitely want to have read the first two books in the series just for general plot knowledge.

This book is fun and fast-paced with the cutest characters!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate at first sight! One slip of the tongue to get away from a set up leads to a fake relationship in name only that leads to less and less fake and more and more real.

Sweet, spicy, and heartwarming.

[Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and addicting 5 star read.

I laughed quite a bit while reading this enemies to lover story. It does belong to a series but rest assured it can be read as a standalone