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Star Crossed Skates
Rodriguez has established himself as the Seattle Puckaneers' most charming player.
When a chance encounter with a local figure skater leaves him completely iced out, he's determined to know why she's the only person who won't give him the time of day. After months of tentative friendship he finally gets a shot when she needs a date to her sister's wedding. One weekend in Toronto pretending to be hers? He'd fly across the country for far less.
Juliette Chastain knows better than to trust hockey players.
But when she finds out that her ex-boyfriend will be bringing his new fiancée to her sister's wedding desperation makes her do something she asks the one man she's been trying to avoid for help.
What starts as an elaborate performance becomes dangerously real. The notes he leaves on her pillow. The way he looks at her when no one's watching. The kiss that was supposed to be for show but feels like far more.
Back home, the fake relationship has become the most real thing either of them has experienced. But she's terrified of getting burned again, and he's a professional athlete whose life is chaos and uncertainty.
When pretending becomes impossible, they'll have to is love worth the risk when everything feels too good to be true?
When a chance encounter with a local figure skater leaves him completely iced out, he's determined to know why she's the only person who won't give him the time of day. After months of tentative friendship he finally gets a shot when she needs a date to her sister's wedding. One weekend in Toronto pretending to be hers? He'd fly across the country for far less.
Juliette Chastain knows better than to trust hockey players.
But when she finds out that her ex-boyfriend will be bringing his new fiancée to her sister's wedding desperation makes her do something she asks the one man she's been trying to avoid for help.
What starts as an elaborate performance becomes dangerously real. The notes he leaves on her pillow. The way he looks at her when no one's watching. The kiss that was supposed to be for show but feels like far more.
Back home, the fake relationship has become the most real thing either of them has experienced. But she's terrified of getting burned again, and he's a professional athlete whose life is chaos and uncertainty.
When pretending becomes impossible, they'll have to is love worth the risk when everything feels too good to be true?
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
11 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, listen to me. This book is insanely good. I do not even know how to explain it, but from the 10 percent in, maybe even earlier, you are already watching an exquisite man completely lose his mind, obsess, and basically worship the ground that woman walks on. Rodríguez, you are my man and the whole world needs to know you 😭😭😭😭
Huge thanks to Luna Literary and Tisha for letting me read this ARC ❤️🫰🏻
I absolutely loved the story of Rodríguez and Juliette. This is one of those stories where everything is built so well and so naturally that before you realize it, you are fully invested.
Rodríguez is the kind of man who knows exactly what he wants and does not hesitate. Confident, driven, with a clear goal and one mission only: to win over Juliette, the woman he saw once and instantly knew he needed to know more about.I loved the way they meet because it feels real. Pure coincidence. That is how life works, putting the right people in your path exactly when you need them the most, whether it is for something new, a change, or to turn everything upside down.
Juliette has her life perfectly structured. Training, meal preps, classes, work, and her “boyfriend”. What she never expected was to catch the attention of a hockey player who became obsessed with her while watching her train figure skating and even recorded a video of her as a silent spectator.From the very beginning, Juliette knew he was dangerous. Charming, insanely attractive, talented, and persistent. She knew that if she gave him even the smallest bit of hope, she would be done for. What she did not expect was to find out that her “boyfriend” was a complete idiot and that she now had a bigger problem. She had to go to Toronto for her sister’s wedding and, on top of that, her stupid ex boyfriend was going to be there with his new “girlfriend”.
So what happened next. Our beloved Rodríguez did what any man in love would do. He proposed a deal to help her survive those difficult days. Of course, he also wanted to use that time to show her what a good man he truly was and that he could be so much more than something fake.
In the end, this book was incredible. The chemistry between them was intense, the spicy scenes were sweet and well done, and the kisses were explosive.
Infinite stars for this book. Thank you again for letting me read this ARC ⭐✨
Huge thanks to Luna Literary and Tisha for letting me read this ARC ❤️🫰🏻
I absolutely loved the story of Rodríguez and Juliette. This is one of those stories where everything is built so well and so naturally that before you realize it, you are fully invested.
Rodríguez is the kind of man who knows exactly what he wants and does not hesitate. Confident, driven, with a clear goal and one mission only: to win over Juliette, the woman he saw once and instantly knew he needed to know more about.I loved the way they meet because it feels real. Pure coincidence. That is how life works, putting the right people in your path exactly when you need them the most, whether it is for something new, a change, or to turn everything upside down.
Juliette has her life perfectly structured. Training, meal preps, classes, work, and her “boyfriend”. What she never expected was to catch the attention of a hockey player who became obsessed with her while watching her train figure skating and even recorded a video of her as a silent spectator.From the very beginning, Juliette knew he was dangerous. Charming, insanely attractive, talented, and persistent. She knew that if she gave him even the smallest bit of hope, she would be done for. What she did not expect was to find out that her “boyfriend” was a complete idiot and that she now had a bigger problem. She had to go to Toronto for her sister’s wedding and, on top of that, her stupid ex boyfriend was going to be there with his new “girlfriend”.
So what happened next. Our beloved Rodríguez did what any man in love would do. He proposed a deal to help her survive those difficult days. Of course, he also wanted to use that time to show her what a good man he truly was and that he could be so much more than something fake.
In the end, this book was incredible. The chemistry between them was intense, the spicy scenes were sweet and well done, and the kisses were explosive.
Infinite stars for this book. Thank you again for letting me read this ARC ⭐✨
February 18, 2026
star crossed skates….lovers or friends
Star Crossed Skates -
By Tisha Patrick
2/14/2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
FMC Juliette ice skater.
MMC Rodriguez plays hockey for the puckaneers.
These two are epic. Quite different start to a friends to lovers romance. I’m loving it. MMC Rodriguez sees our FMC ice skating and is immediately taken by her beautiful skating. Juliette ignores him famously for months. He calls her Juju or ice queen, she doesn’t want to let him in. We know how this may go….
He so falls first, but she catches up….eventually. A forced proximity situation makes things all the better.
“Juliette “Ice Queen” Chastain was using me as a teddy bear and has no idea I know.” This was one of my favorite lines. You have got to read this book. The Banter, the friendship is emotional and amazing. Thank you Tisha Patrick for letting me read this book. Can’t wait for more!!
Star Crossed Skates -
By Tisha Patrick
2/14/2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
FMC Juliette ice skater.
MMC Rodriguez plays hockey for the puckaneers.
These two are epic. Quite different start to a friends to lovers romance. I’m loving it. MMC Rodriguez sees our FMC ice skating and is immediately taken by her beautiful skating. Juliette ignores him famously for months. He calls her Juju or ice queen, she doesn’t want to let him in. We know how this may go….
He so falls first, but she catches up….eventually. A forced proximity situation makes things all the better.
“Juliette “Ice Queen” Chastain was using me as a teddy bear and has no idea I know.” This was one of my favorite lines. You have got to read this book. The Banter, the friendship is emotional and amazing. Thank you Tisha Patrick for letting me read this book. Can’t wait for more!!
February 19, 2026
there were parts where i felt like they weren’t necessary but all in all it was a good book.
romeo and juliette? i died when her whole family found out.
very curious to what happened to sienna though? she disappeared all of a sudden. no explanation, nothing.
i love how the wags took juju in.
and the way he cherished, cared, and loved her? so cute.
romeo and juliette? i died when her whole family found out.
very curious to what happened to sienna though? she disappeared all of a sudden. no explanation, nothing.
i love how the wags took juju in.
and the way he cherished, cared, and loved her? so cute.
December 3, 2025
beta read💕
March 6, 2026
I received a copy of this book through the author’s ARC program, in return for an honest review.
Juliette and Rodriguez had so much chemistry! They were multidimensional, flawed, and genuine. Their interactions felt natural and easy, and overall the story flows really well. I personally loved their banter, and even their relationships with friends and family seem real, especially Juliette’s relationship with her sister, and the team group chat. Overall, this was such a fun, easy read, and I really enjoyed it!
SPOILERS:
There were a couple small things bugged me; the concussion recovery, and the Sienna situation. The concussion recovery storyline feels very inaccurate, from personal experience. With such a severe concussion, the recovery time before Rodriguez feels okay enough to be out and about would’ve been weeks, not days. And the Sienna situation… sort of never resolved? I expected to hear more about that towards the end, even if that was only in the form of a restraining order being put in place. It felt like that was just thrown in to force a third act breakup, with no real resolution.
Star Crossed Skates was my first Tisha Patrick read, and now I need to go back and start from the beginning of the series! 🫣
Juliette and Rodriguez had so much chemistry! They were multidimensional, flawed, and genuine. Their interactions felt natural and easy, and overall the story flows really well. I personally loved their banter, and even their relationships with friends and family seem real, especially Juliette’s relationship with her sister, and the team group chat. Overall, this was such a fun, easy read, and I really enjoyed it!
SPOILERS:
There were a couple small things bugged me; the concussion recovery, and the Sienna situation. The concussion recovery storyline feels very inaccurate, from personal experience. With such a severe concussion, the recovery time before Rodriguez feels okay enough to be out and about would’ve been weeks, not days. And the Sienna situation… sort of never resolved? I expected to hear more about that towards the end, even if that was only in the form of a restraining order being put in place. It felt like that was just thrown in to force a third act breakup, with no real resolution.
Star Crossed Skates was my first Tisha Patrick read, and now I need to go back and start from the beginning of the series! 🫣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 19, 2026My first ARC of 2026 and wow what a start.
I love a golden retriever man and an “icy” girl combo so naturally I ate this right up. Juliette is perfectly content with her life just as it is until a phone call from her “ex” boyfriend. Her ex who is also her sisters fiancé’s best friend. Who is also the best man in their wedding and Juliette is the maid of honor- recipe for disaster. So after MONTHS of attempts from the golden boy hockey player Rodriguez who’s been trying to get her attention she gives him a bone at just the right time and he offers to be her fake boyfriend and attend the wedding to help her out. Rodriguez knows this means nothing in her eyes, but he can change her mind- he knows it he just has to show her how good they can be together and show her how she should’ve been treated. And boy does he deliver. The banter between not only these two, but the group chat with the guys was absolutely amazing. Finding out Rodriguez’s real name- I won’t spoil it- find out for yourselves!
I love a golden retriever man and an “icy” girl combo so naturally I ate this right up. Juliette is perfectly content with her life just as it is until a phone call from her “ex” boyfriend. Her ex who is also her sisters fiancé’s best friend. Who is also the best man in their wedding and Juliette is the maid of honor- recipe for disaster. So after MONTHS of attempts from the golden boy hockey player Rodriguez who’s been trying to get her attention she gives him a bone at just the right time and he offers to be her fake boyfriend and attend the wedding to help her out. Rodriguez knows this means nothing in her eyes, but he can change her mind- he knows it he just has to show her how good they can be together and show her how she should’ve been treated. And boy does he deliver. The banter between not only these two, but the group chat with the guys was absolutely amazing. Finding out Rodriguez’s real name- I won’t spoil it- find out for yourselves!
February 15, 2026
Wow...this book is beyond amazing. Literally, I have been writing, deleting, and rewriting this review because my words don't seem to be doing it justice. Rodriguez and Juliette are perfect for each other even though they seem like an unlikely couple.
Juliette is serious, and disciplined to a fault. As a competitive figure skater, her life revolved around strict routines, training, and meticulously planning to stay physically and mentally healthy for competitions. This dedication to her sport caused problems with her long-term boyfriend which led her to impulsively reinjure her stress fracture. She is the eldest sibling and would do anything for her family, even endure her sister's wedding in which her ex is a part of.
Rodriguez is a NHL player who has too much time on his hands. He likes social media and adores sharing his life with his fans. After sustaining an injury, he needs to rest but he hates the quiet and sitting still. He us like a golden retreiver puppy needing attention. He is a good friend and teammate but hates being on the sidelines.
He became borderline obsessed with Juliette after first seeing her skate. Something about her caught his attention and wouldn't let go. He started dropping by her practices to try to get to know her. He was persistent, even when she gave him the ice queen cold shoulder. He didn't know she had a boyfriend at first but after the breakup, she finally agreed to coffee. Soon they were on their way to becoming friends. After learning about her trip home for the wedding, he offered to go with her for support and to be her "boyfriend". For Rodriguez, it wasn't an act, he was already in deep. He wanted no one but her, she was reluctant to be anything other than friends after being hurt badly. She no longer trusted easily.
During the trip, they got closer and Juliette saw the real Rodriguez. He became someone she wanted, someone she could trust. Someone she could see herself with long term, especially after standing up fir her time after time. He continued to put her first. After returning to their real lives, their relationship continued until a misunderstanding and lack of communication threatened to derail their newfound love. Rodriguez and Juliette were both devastated for different reasons, but after another on ice injury, they both had to talk. They had to work together, they had to decide if being together was better than being apart? Was love worth the risk. Could this Romeo and Juliette pairing get their happily ever after?
I loved this book so much and will definitely be reading it again! Thank you Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for the ARC and the opportunity to review this outstanding book!
Juliette is serious, and disciplined to a fault. As a competitive figure skater, her life revolved around strict routines, training, and meticulously planning to stay physically and mentally healthy for competitions. This dedication to her sport caused problems with her long-term boyfriend which led her to impulsively reinjure her stress fracture. She is the eldest sibling and would do anything for her family, even endure her sister's wedding in which her ex is a part of.
Rodriguez is a NHL player who has too much time on his hands. He likes social media and adores sharing his life with his fans. After sustaining an injury, he needs to rest but he hates the quiet and sitting still. He us like a golden retreiver puppy needing attention. He is a good friend and teammate but hates being on the sidelines.
He became borderline obsessed with Juliette after first seeing her skate. Something about her caught his attention and wouldn't let go. He started dropping by her practices to try to get to know her. He was persistent, even when she gave him the ice queen cold shoulder. He didn't know she had a boyfriend at first but after the breakup, she finally agreed to coffee. Soon they were on their way to becoming friends. After learning about her trip home for the wedding, he offered to go with her for support and to be her "boyfriend". For Rodriguez, it wasn't an act, he was already in deep. He wanted no one but her, she was reluctant to be anything other than friends after being hurt badly. She no longer trusted easily.
During the trip, they got closer and Juliette saw the real Rodriguez. He became someone she wanted, someone she could trust. Someone she could see herself with long term, especially after standing up fir her time after time. He continued to put her first. After returning to their real lives, their relationship continued until a misunderstanding and lack of communication threatened to derail their newfound love. Rodriguez and Juliette were both devastated for different reasons, but after another on ice injury, they both had to talk. They had to work together, they had to decide if being together was better than being apart? Was love worth the risk. Could this Romeo and Juliette pairing get their happily ever after?
I loved this book so much and will definitely be reading it again! Thank you Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for the ARC and the opportunity to review this outstanding book!
March 1, 2026
📖Book Review📖
Star Crossed Skates
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
I was very kindly given an arc copy of this from Luna literacy and Tisha Patrick.
I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve read a hockey romance but Im very happy to say that I really enjoyed this and would like to read the rest of the books in the series and other work by Tisha. The writing and pacing was good, and there was a good spice - plot ratio.
I’m not sure if it was just me but didn’t anyone else get major icebreaker vibes between Juliette and Rodriquez? Especially at first with her being all black cat energy and him all golden retriever.
And their names were funny but also kinda romantic I can’t lie. 😂😍
Im in a massive reading slump where it’s taking me ages to read a single book but this was so so good, the banter and conversations between Rodriguez and Juliette was so much fun and the book had me laughing and smiling whilst reading it.
The third act argument (that’s what I’m gonna call it) was kinda dumb and did annoy me a bit, not for the reasons you guys probably think but because ROMAN DIDNT TELL HER ABOUT THE SITUATION BEFORE HAND!!! Dunno what went through his head 😂 (clearly nothing) but the grovelling after made up for it in my opinion, I can’t lie what he was saying to Juliette and about her was really cute and swoony.
The group chat was amazing, it was so funny 😂 it definitely added something to the book. I want all their stories now.
And the spice was spicing 👌🏻😮💨🥵
Honestly one of the best hockey romances I’ve read so far, I loved it a lot and definitely recommend you read this if you haven’t already.
I definitely recommend this author if you haven’t read her work already and I’m off to go and look at her other books because I need the others in this series now 😂
Tropes
🏒Hockey play x ⛸️Figure skater
💋Rom-com
🐶Golden retriever x 🐈⬛Black cat
🥰Enemies to friends to lovers
🩷Fake dating
🛏️Only one bed
😍He falls first
🗣️Nicknames and code words
❤️🔥Slow burn
💪🏻Emotional growth
🏠Forced proximity
🔁Opposites attract
4.5⭐️
4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
Star Crossed Skates
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
I was very kindly given an arc copy of this from Luna literacy and Tisha Patrick.
I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve read a hockey romance but Im very happy to say that I really enjoyed this and would like to read the rest of the books in the series and other work by Tisha. The writing and pacing was good, and there was a good spice - plot ratio.
I’m not sure if it was just me but didn’t anyone else get major icebreaker vibes between Juliette and Rodriquez? Especially at first with her being all black cat energy and him all golden retriever.
And their names were funny but also kinda romantic I can’t lie. 😂😍
Im in a massive reading slump where it’s taking me ages to read a single book but this was so so good, the banter and conversations between Rodriguez and Juliette was so much fun and the book had me laughing and smiling whilst reading it.
The third act argument (that’s what I’m gonna call it) was kinda dumb and did annoy me a bit, not for the reasons you guys probably think but because ROMAN DIDNT TELL HER ABOUT THE SITUATION BEFORE HAND!!! Dunno what went through his head 😂 (clearly nothing) but the grovelling after made up for it in my opinion, I can’t lie what he was saying to Juliette and about her was really cute and swoony.
The group chat was amazing, it was so funny 😂 it definitely added something to the book. I want all their stories now.
And the spice was spicing 👌🏻😮💨🥵
Honestly one of the best hockey romances I’ve read so far, I loved it a lot and definitely recommend you read this if you haven’t already.
I definitely recommend this author if you haven’t read her work already and I’m off to go and look at her other books because I need the others in this series now 😂
Tropes
🏒Hockey play x ⛸️Figure skater
💋Rom-com
🐶Golden retriever x 🐈⬛Black cat
🥰Enemies to friends to lovers
🩷Fake dating
🛏️Only one bed
😍He falls first
🗣️Nicknames and code words
❤️🔥Slow burn
💪🏻Emotional growth
🏠Forced proximity
🔁Opposites attract
4.5⭐️
4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
February 18, 2026
I had to push past the first section of this book. If you enjoy golden-retriever energy and a persistent MMC, Rodriguez may not bother you the way he initially bothered me. Jules clearly states multiple times that she isn’t interested, yet he continues to pursue her in an effort to crack the “ice queen” exterior. Some readers may find this dynamic endearing; for me, it was less appealing.
That said, the writing itself is solid—actually quite good. I read this as an ARC, and as someone who genuinely enjoys sports romance, the premise absolutely drew me in.
We’re given a grumpy girl meets sunshine boy pairing with Juliette and Rodriguez. As a grumpy girl myself, I immediately connected with Jules and appreciated her strength and confidence. I wanted to see her continue to stand firmly in who she is without needing to soften for the sake of romance. Rodriguez, on the other hand, took longer to grow on me. What he frames as passion sometimes read to me as over-persistence, particularly early on. There are moments where boundaries feel blurred—he struggles to take rejection at face value and has to delete footage filmed without permission—which may be playful or amusing for some readers, but didn’t fully work for me.
However, Rodriguez isn’t a flat character. One aspect I appreciated was his emotional awareness—he notices when Jules is struggling and, rather than pushing her directly when she’s made her feelings clear, seeks advice from others on how to support her. That added depth and intentionality to his character.
Much like a happy dog, Rodriguez did grow on me. Around the 10% mark, I began to see that his behavior isn’t rooted in creepiness but in drive—both as an athlete and as someone who commits fully to what he wants. That determination is ultimately what helped me warm up to him.
While this MMC wasn’t entirely my type, the book is well written, thoughtfully constructed, and will likely appeal to readers who enjoy persistent sunshine heroes paired with grumpy, guarded FMCs.
That said, the writing itself is solid—actually quite good. I read this as an ARC, and as someone who genuinely enjoys sports romance, the premise absolutely drew me in.
We’re given a grumpy girl meets sunshine boy pairing with Juliette and Rodriguez. As a grumpy girl myself, I immediately connected with Jules and appreciated her strength and confidence. I wanted to see her continue to stand firmly in who she is without needing to soften for the sake of romance. Rodriguez, on the other hand, took longer to grow on me. What he frames as passion sometimes read to me as over-persistence, particularly early on. There are moments where boundaries feel blurred—he struggles to take rejection at face value and has to delete footage filmed without permission—which may be playful or amusing for some readers, but didn’t fully work for me.
However, Rodriguez isn’t a flat character. One aspect I appreciated was his emotional awareness—he notices when Jules is struggling and, rather than pushing her directly when she’s made her feelings clear, seeks advice from others on how to support her. That added depth and intentionality to his character.
Much like a happy dog, Rodriguez did grow on me. Around the 10% mark, I began to see that his behavior isn’t rooted in creepiness but in drive—both as an athlete and as someone who commits fully to what he wants. That determination is ultimately what helped me warm up to him.
While this MMC wasn’t entirely my type, the book is well written, thoughtfully constructed, and will likely appeal to readers who enjoy persistent sunshine heroes paired with grumpy, guarded FMCs.
March 1, 2026
I’m giving Star Crossed Skates four stars because overall I genuinely had such a great time with it. The opening completely hooked me. Rodriguez seeing Juliette on the ice and instantly falling for her was adorable, and I loved how their dynamic began with her firm no and his unwavering optimism. The grumpy girl and sunshine boy pairing really shines here.
Juliette is disciplined, guarded, and deeply committed to her routines as a figure skater. When her long distance boyfriend of three years breaks up with her just before he is meant to move, and she later learns he had been cheating, it makes sense that she retreats even further into herself. Rodriguez, meanwhile, keeps showing up in small but meaningful ways. Coffee runs, daily texts, shared rides, and steady support slowly build a genuine friendship. While his pursuit feels a little intense at first, it becomes clear that his persistence is rooted in care and determination rather than ego.
The tension truly ramps up at her sister’s wedding. With her ex standing as best man and bringing his new fiancée, emotions are already running high before she even walks into the venue. Rodriguez stepping in as her fake date adds another layer of pressure and chemistry. Being forced into close quarters, sharing lingering glances, and navigating family expectations creates some of the most charged moments in the book. For Juliette it may start as pretending, but for Rodriguez it never is. Watching her walls crack in those high stress, high emotion moments was one of my favorite parts of the story.
That said, the final ten to twenty percent felt slightly off for me. The emotional pacing shifted and a few of the conflicts that had been building either wrapped up too quickly or faded into the background. I found myself wanting a bit more follow through to match the strength of the first half.
Even so, this was such a sweet and comforting sports romance. The banter sparkles, the chemistry feels earned, and Rodriguez fully embodies that devoted golden retriever hero energy. If you love fake dating, slow burn, friends to lovers, and a hockey player who falls first and never looks back, this one is definitely worth picking up
Juliette is disciplined, guarded, and deeply committed to her routines as a figure skater. When her long distance boyfriend of three years breaks up with her just before he is meant to move, and she later learns he had been cheating, it makes sense that she retreats even further into herself. Rodriguez, meanwhile, keeps showing up in small but meaningful ways. Coffee runs, daily texts, shared rides, and steady support slowly build a genuine friendship. While his pursuit feels a little intense at first, it becomes clear that his persistence is rooted in care and determination rather than ego.
The tension truly ramps up at her sister’s wedding. With her ex standing as best man and bringing his new fiancée, emotions are already running high before she even walks into the venue. Rodriguez stepping in as her fake date adds another layer of pressure and chemistry. Being forced into close quarters, sharing lingering glances, and navigating family expectations creates some of the most charged moments in the book. For Juliette it may start as pretending, but for Rodriguez it never is. Watching her walls crack in those high stress, high emotion moments was one of my favorite parts of the story.
That said, the final ten to twenty percent felt slightly off for me. The emotional pacing shifted and a few of the conflicts that had been building either wrapped up too quickly or faded into the background. I found myself wanting a bit more follow through to match the strength of the first half.
Even so, this was such a sweet and comforting sports romance. The banter sparkles, the chemistry feels earned, and Rodriguez fully embodies that devoted golden retriever hero energy. If you love fake dating, slow burn, friends to lovers, and a hockey player who falls first and never looks back, this one is definitely worth picking up
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
This was such a cute read!! Rodriguez is our MMC and he falls head over heels for Juliette, who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. She's got some mighty high walls built up. But after her long distance bf of 3 years breaks up with her after cheating on her for the last 4mo, Rodriguez's persistent friendliness pays off. They start an easy friendship that quickly turns into daily texting and sharing rides home.
When she finds out her ex-boyfriend is bringing his now FIANCÉE to her sisters wedding, Rodriguez offers to go with her and be her fake boyfriend, thinking that maybe she'll see him in a different light. But after only a short while, her pretend feelings don't feel so pretend anymore, and he admits he was never pretending. The true test begins when they fly home, back to reality where things quickly get serious. Juliette is afraid to get hurt again, and Rodriguez's hockey career already makes for a chaotic life.... Will outside forces tear them apart or can they come out stronger than ever?
I enjoyed a lot of this story, the banter was great, Juliette really opened up throughout the book which was so nice to see her bloom. I was left with questions though, like what happened to Sienna? There was a whole storyline with her that was kind of threatening and then she was just... never mentioned again?? Did not match the storyline that had been built up at all. I also felt like things with Garrett/his fiancée were left sort of strange; there was so much drama and then just, nothing, not even with the fiancée. Aside from that though this was a quick read, and I'm excited to read the next book about a certain young couple....
Thank you to Luna Literacy PR and the author for allowing me to read and review!!
When she finds out her ex-boyfriend is bringing his now FIANCÉE to her sisters wedding, Rodriguez offers to go with her and be her fake boyfriend, thinking that maybe she'll see him in a different light. But after only a short while, her pretend feelings don't feel so pretend anymore, and he admits he was never pretending. The true test begins when they fly home, back to reality where things quickly get serious. Juliette is afraid to get hurt again, and Rodriguez's hockey career already makes for a chaotic life.... Will outside forces tear them apart or can they come out stronger than ever?
I enjoyed a lot of this story, the banter was great, Juliette really opened up throughout the book which was so nice to see her bloom. I was left with questions though, like what happened to Sienna? There was a whole storyline with her that was kind of threatening and then she was just... never mentioned again?? Did not match the storyline that had been built up at all. I also felt like things with Garrett/his fiancée were left sort of strange; there was so much drama and then just, nothing, not even with the fiancée. Aside from that though this was a quick read, and I'm excited to read the next book about a certain young couple....
Thank you to Luna Literacy PR and the author for allowing me to read and review!!
Review of advance copy
Star Crossed Skates was such a fun, swoony read—and honestly, it hit every single note I wanted it to.
Rodriguez is that infamous hockey star—the content-creating, confident, larger-than-life kind of guy—but the moment he catches sight of Juliette, the so-called Ice Queen, he’s completely undone. Watching him go from star-struck to utterly devoted was one of my favorite parts of this story. He doesn’t push, doesn’t demand—he just wants a chance to talk to her, and that alone made him impossible not to love.
Juliette (Juju <3) had my whole heart. She’s disciplined, graceful, and laser-focused on skating, patiently waiting for her boyfriend of three years to finally move to Seattle—until he drops a bombshell no one sees coming. Betrayed and heartbroken, she does what she’s always done: puts on a brave face and strives to be perfect, especially with her sister’s wedding looming and the unavoidable reunion with her ex ahead.
Enter Rodriguez, willing to shove his own feelings aside just to be there for her. The fake dating plan? Foolproof. Iconic. And yes, fake dating always works out… right? Maybe. Especially when the chemistry is undeniable and the devotion runs deep.
These two are the absolute epitome of the fake dating trope done right. The slow burn, the emotional support, the way Rodriguez shows up for Juliette without expecting anything in return—it was everything. I loved how soft he was with her, how steady, and how genuinely invested he became in her happiness.
If you love fake dating, sports romance, and a hero who is completely gone for the woman he adores, Star Crossed Skates deserves a spot on your TBR. I ate this one up. 💙⛸️🏒
Rodriguez is that infamous hockey star—the content-creating, confident, larger-than-life kind of guy—but the moment he catches sight of Juliette, the so-called Ice Queen, he’s completely undone. Watching him go from star-struck to utterly devoted was one of my favorite parts of this story. He doesn’t push, doesn’t demand—he just wants a chance to talk to her, and that alone made him impossible not to love.
Juliette (Juju <3) had my whole heart. She’s disciplined, graceful, and laser-focused on skating, patiently waiting for her boyfriend of three years to finally move to Seattle—until he drops a bombshell no one sees coming. Betrayed and heartbroken, she does what she’s always done: puts on a brave face and strives to be perfect, especially with her sister’s wedding looming and the unavoidable reunion with her ex ahead.
Enter Rodriguez, willing to shove his own feelings aside just to be there for her. The fake dating plan? Foolproof. Iconic. And yes, fake dating always works out… right? Maybe. Especially when the chemistry is undeniable and the devotion runs deep.
These two are the absolute epitome of the fake dating trope done right. The slow burn, the emotional support, the way Rodriguez shows up for Juliette without expecting anything in return—it was everything. I loved how soft he was with her, how steady, and how genuinely invested he became in her happiness.
If you love fake dating, sports romance, and a hero who is completely gone for the woman he adores, Star Crossed Skates deserves a spot on your TBR. I ate this one up. 💙⛸️🏒
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spoilers??
SUMMARY:
Star Crossed Skaters follows Juliette, a figure skater who teaches children at a local rink. She lives a pretty average life, she has her job, her loving family and her long distance boyfriend of three years. (Who you’ll soon learn to hate) 👀
However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Rodriguez, a persistent hockey player who is determined to win her heart.🏒⛸️ Despite her initial reluctance, Rodriguez's relentless charm and unwavering confidence gradually break down Juliette's defenses. ❤️🔥 Dude does not understand the word no!! Especially when it comes to serving golden retriever energy to the ice queen 🧊👸🏼
Rodriguez is the definition of he falls first and never gets up!!😍😍
This new friendship?? romance?? situationship?? takes a playful twist when Rodriguez agrees to fake date during Juliette's sister's wedding. 👀The setup leads to a series of humorous and heartwarming moments involving Juliette’s family but also tense and thrilling as problems arise with Juju’s ex.
And yes, we do get to see A LOT of Rodriguez’s protective side🤤🤤
As they spend more time together, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur, and both characters discover deeper feelings for each other.❤️
POSITIVES:
Trisha skillfully combines hockey and figure skating, family dynamics, a jealous, problematic ex, and the journey of romance, making this book an engaging read I couldn’t put down!!✨✨
The chemistry between Juliette and Rodriguez is palpable, and their growth as a couple is beautifully portrayed through Rodriguez acts of love and their pure devotion to each other. 💕
I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers, a long with the rest of the series which provides an equally warm, loving feeling!
⭐️Quote Of The Book⭐️
"𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑘𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘, 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟, 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢."
SUMMARY:
Star Crossed Skaters follows Juliette, a figure skater who teaches children at a local rink. She lives a pretty average life, she has her job, her loving family and her long distance boyfriend of three years. (Who you’ll soon learn to hate) 👀
However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Rodriguez, a persistent hockey player who is determined to win her heart.🏒⛸️ Despite her initial reluctance, Rodriguez's relentless charm and unwavering confidence gradually break down Juliette's defenses. ❤️🔥 Dude does not understand the word no!! Especially when it comes to serving golden retriever energy to the ice queen 🧊👸🏼
Rodriguez is the definition of he falls first and never gets up!!😍😍
This new friendship?? romance?? situationship?? takes a playful twist when Rodriguez agrees to fake date during Juliette's sister's wedding. 👀The setup leads to a series of humorous and heartwarming moments involving Juliette’s family but also tense and thrilling as problems arise with Juju’s ex.
And yes, we do get to see A LOT of Rodriguez’s protective side🤤🤤
As they spend more time together, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur, and both characters discover deeper feelings for each other.❤️
POSITIVES:
Trisha skillfully combines hockey and figure skating, family dynamics, a jealous, problematic ex, and the journey of romance, making this book an engaging read I couldn’t put down!!✨✨
The chemistry between Juliette and Rodriguez is palpable, and their growth as a couple is beautifully portrayed through Rodriguez acts of love and their pure devotion to each other. 💕
I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers, a long with the rest of the series which provides an equally warm, loving feeling!
⭐️Quote Of The Book⭐️
"𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑘𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘, 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟, 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Fake dating ➝ he falls first 😩 ➝ hockey x figure skater 🏒⛸️
This was such a fun, swoony, spicy hockey romance and I ate it up. Fake dating + hockey x ice skater pairing? Immediate yes. But also… Romeo and Juliette (JuJu)?? I mean COME ON 🥹 I was already sold.
What really made this shine for me was the team dynamic. The Seattle Puckaneers group chats are elite tier—chaotic, supportive, and absolutely incapable of keeping secrets. I love when a team feels like a true found family, and Tisha Patrick delivered.
Romeo being down bad from the start? Say less. I will always choose the man who falls first and spends the rest of the book obsessed—and he did not disappoint. The way he shows up for JuJu, the way he wants her, the way he supports her… top tier book boyfriend behavior.
And I loved getting glimpses of past couples—it makes this whole world feel connected and addictive in the best way.
💖 What I Loved
📱 The Seattle Puckaneers group chats (elite, chaotic, no secrets ever)
🫶 Team dynamics + ride-or-die friendships
😍 Romeo being down BAD for JuJu
🔁 Catching up with past couples
🔥 End-of-season spice payoff
👀 Teasers for upcoming books that have me hooked
The spice was definitely spicing, especially toward the end of the season 🔥 If you love an MMC who is fully obsessed, very enthusiastic, and cannot get enough of his girl… you’re going to have a great time.
And that ending!!! Tisha left us with SO much to look forward to. The teases for the next books?? I’m already sat and impatient because I need those stories immediately 👀
🏒 Tropes
💌 Fake dating
😩 He falls first (and HARD)
🏒 Hockey x figure skater
🔥 Opposites attract
👯♂️ Team found family
📱 Group chat chaos
This was such a fun, swoony, spicy hockey romance and I ate it up. Fake dating + hockey x ice skater pairing? Immediate yes. But also… Romeo and Juliette (JuJu)?? I mean COME ON 🥹 I was already sold.
What really made this shine for me was the team dynamic. The Seattle Puckaneers group chats are elite tier—chaotic, supportive, and absolutely incapable of keeping secrets. I love when a team feels like a true found family, and Tisha Patrick delivered.
Romeo being down bad from the start? Say less. I will always choose the man who falls first and spends the rest of the book obsessed—and he did not disappoint. The way he shows up for JuJu, the way he wants her, the way he supports her… top tier book boyfriend behavior.
And I loved getting glimpses of past couples—it makes this whole world feel connected and addictive in the best way.
💖 What I Loved
📱 The Seattle Puckaneers group chats (elite, chaotic, no secrets ever)
🫶 Team dynamics + ride-or-die friendships
😍 Romeo being down BAD for JuJu
🔁 Catching up with past couples
🔥 End-of-season spice payoff
👀 Teasers for upcoming books that have me hooked
The spice was definitely spicing, especially toward the end of the season 🔥 If you love an MMC who is fully obsessed, very enthusiastic, and cannot get enough of his girl… you’re going to have a great time.
And that ending!!! Tisha left us with SO much to look forward to. The teases for the next books?? I’m already sat and impatient because I need those stories immediately 👀
🏒 Tropes
💌 Fake dating
😩 He falls first (and HARD)
🏒 Hockey x figure skater
🔥 Opposites attract
👯♂️ Team found family
📱 Group chat chaos
Review of advance copy received from Author
I accidentally clicked that I was an ACR, but I’m a beta reader. I don’t know how to change that but nevermind😄
Just when I thought no one could possibly outdo Brody, who was definitely my favorite throughout the entire series, Rodriguez appeared and proved me wrong. Without any exaggeration, Rodriguez is book boyfriend number one, and it will be very hard for anyone else to top him. The way he actively takes care of Juju is everything. While reading the book, I thought several times that Juliette didn’t deserve him and wondered how she could be so cold toward him when he was trying to get to know her. In the end, I forgave her too :)
What I maybe missed a little in the book was a deeper background to Juliette’s stiffness. Okay, she’s probably just like that by nature, but at the beginning I got the impression that she became that way because of her parents’ attitude toward her. I had a prejudice against them, but in the end they turned out to be completely likable while reading the book, and I didn’t see a major problem in the way they treated her. I would just have liked that part to be described a bit differently or in more detail.
The rest of the book completely swept me off my feet. Finally, I have to mention how much I liked that their physical relationship didn’t happen too quickly or without much thought, but was built very slowly and gradually… a true slow burn :) Tisha, you write beautifully, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next books.
Just when I thought no one could possibly outdo Brody, who was definitely my favorite throughout the entire series, Rodriguez appeared and proved me wrong. Without any exaggeration, Rodriguez is book boyfriend number one, and it will be very hard for anyone else to top him. The way he actively takes care of Juju is everything. While reading the book, I thought several times that Juliette didn’t deserve him and wondered how she could be so cold toward him when he was trying to get to know her. In the end, I forgave her too :)
What I maybe missed a little in the book was a deeper background to Juliette’s stiffness. Okay, she’s probably just like that by nature, but at the beginning I got the impression that she became that way because of her parents’ attitude toward her. I had a prejudice against them, but in the end they turned out to be completely likable while reading the book, and I didn’t see a major problem in the way they treated her. I would just have liked that part to be described a bit differently or in more detail.
The rest of the book completely swept me off my feet. Finally, I have to mention how much I liked that their physical relationship didn’t happen too quickly or without much thought, but was built very slowly and gradually… a true slow burn :) Tisha, you write beautifully, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next books.
February 14, 2026
3.5⭐️
3🌶️
This was my first read of the Seattle Puckaneers series, and author Tisha Patrick.
Was the story a bit cliched? Yes. A bit fragmented? Yes. Did I throughly enjoy it? Also yes!
Rodriguez is a total golden retriever and you can’t help but love him. Juliette’s character is more complex but also very relatable. I loved seeing more of her personality come out through the book as her relationship with Rodriguez developed.
When I say the book is a bit fragmented, I mean that it seems to include some very distinct substories that all come together to tell the bigger story. Think like a season long sitcom… the whole season is telling a story arc, but it’s broken down into individual episodes that can also be self contained. I don’t think this was a bad thing - just different from many of the other novels I’ve read. (I actually appreciated that there were some times that felt like a good spot to break for the night!)
That being said, some of the “substories” seemed a bit unnecessary to the overarching story.
‼️ SPOILER WARNING ‼️
The conflict with Sienna felt a bit disjointed from the rest of the story. Perhaps I feel overly critical of this part because it led to the dreaded miscommunication third act breakup. I don’t think the addition necessarily hurt but it also didn’t add anything. To me, the approach Rodriguez took to this situation felt out of character from what we had seen earlier on.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the chemistry between Rodriguez and Juliette. And the spice was 🔥! The book was a nice palate cleanser between dark romances, and delivered exactly what expected. I’ll be adding the rest of the series to my TBR. 😊
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3🌶️
This was my first read of the Seattle Puckaneers series, and author Tisha Patrick.
Was the story a bit cliched? Yes. A bit fragmented? Yes. Did I throughly enjoy it? Also yes!
Rodriguez is a total golden retriever and you can’t help but love him. Juliette’s character is more complex but also very relatable. I loved seeing more of her personality come out through the book as her relationship with Rodriguez developed.
When I say the book is a bit fragmented, I mean that it seems to include some very distinct substories that all come together to tell the bigger story. Think like a season long sitcom… the whole season is telling a story arc, but it’s broken down into individual episodes that can also be self contained. I don’t think this was a bad thing - just different from many of the other novels I’ve read. (I actually appreciated that there were some times that felt like a good spot to break for the night!)
That being said, some of the “substories” seemed a bit unnecessary to the overarching story.
‼️ SPOILER WARNING ‼️
The conflict with Sienna felt a bit disjointed from the rest of the story. Perhaps I feel overly critical of this part because it led to the dreaded miscommunication third act breakup. I don’t think the addition necessarily hurt but it also didn’t add anything. To me, the approach Rodriguez took to this situation felt out of character from what we had seen earlier on.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the chemistry between Rodriguez and Juliette. And the spice was 🔥! The book was a nice palate cleanser between dark romances, and delivered exactly what expected. I’ll be adding the rest of the series to my TBR. 😊
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2026
Star Crossed Skates by Tisha Patrick is a heartfelt hockey romance with all the tropes I love , fake dating, slow burn, and a hero who is completely gone from the start.
Rodriguez falls for Juliette the first time he sees her skating, but she keeps turning him down due to a long-distance relationship. When that relationship ended in heartbreak, just weeks before her boyfriend was meant to move to Seattle, she’s left devastated, especially after learning he’d been cheating.
Rodriguez never pushes, though. Instead, he shows up in the sweetest ways, bringing her coffee, building a friendship through texts and shared meals, and being a steady, comforting presence. When Juliette is forced to attend her sister’s wedding, where her ex is the best man, Rodriguez agrees to be her fake boyfriend. For him, it’s a chance he’s been waiting for.
Watching their friendship grow into something deeper was beautiful. Rodriguez is charming, warm, and completely devoted, a true golden retriever hero who treats Juliette like a queen. Their chemistry builds naturally, and the emotional payoff is so satisfying.
The hockey team dynamics and banter add so much heart and humour, and the Calgary setting gives the story an extra spark. Even the side characters, especially the coach, had standout moments that had me kicking my feet.
This is a heartfelt, swoony hockey romance with strong character development and a hero who will absolutely steal your heart. Rodriguez will not disappoint. 💛🏒
Rodriguez falls for Juliette the first time he sees her skating, but she keeps turning him down due to a long-distance relationship. When that relationship ended in heartbreak, just weeks before her boyfriend was meant to move to Seattle, she’s left devastated, especially after learning he’d been cheating.
Rodriguez never pushes, though. Instead, he shows up in the sweetest ways, bringing her coffee, building a friendship through texts and shared meals, and being a steady, comforting presence. When Juliette is forced to attend her sister’s wedding, where her ex is the best man, Rodriguez agrees to be her fake boyfriend. For him, it’s a chance he’s been waiting for.
Watching their friendship grow into something deeper was beautiful. Rodriguez is charming, warm, and completely devoted, a true golden retriever hero who treats Juliette like a queen. Their chemistry builds naturally, and the emotional payoff is so satisfying.
The hockey team dynamics and banter add so much heart and humour, and the Calgary setting gives the story an extra spark. Even the side characters, especially the coach, had standout moments that had me kicking my feet.
This is a heartfelt, swoony hockey romance with strong character development and a hero who will absolutely steal your heart. Rodriguez will not disappoint. 💛🏒
Review of advance copy
Juju and Roro – a match made in heaven.
Rodriguez is a driven hockey player, an extrovert and completely gone for the beautiful, reserved Juliette, a talented ice skater.
While he does everything in his power to gain her attention, she sidesteps all hi advances.
But when opportunity knocks, Rodriguez takes his chance to show Juliette his true self, his feelings and how determined he is to make her happy.
He loves fast, hard and loud and Juliette has her walls up to protect herself from heartache.
The story is a complete slow-burn, but its pace is perfect, the writing well done, the characters have depth and the spice is on point.
Star Crossed Skates is literally and Romeo and JulietTE romance, that you definitely need to read to understand it! Don’t worry… it has nothing to do with the Shakesperean tragic story.
Tisha Patrick gives us a beautiful romance about love at first sight, sacrifice, selflessness, support and the perfect book boyfriend to swoon over for.
The way the characters start of as friends, learn about each other and fall in love makes it real.
A story about a fake relationship that never felt fake, that is intense, pure and worth the risk.
Thank you for the ARC.
Rodriguez is a driven hockey player, an extrovert and completely gone for the beautiful, reserved Juliette, a talented ice skater.
While he does everything in his power to gain her attention, she sidesteps all hi advances.
But when opportunity knocks, Rodriguez takes his chance to show Juliette his true self, his feelings and how determined he is to make her happy.
He loves fast, hard and loud and Juliette has her walls up to protect herself from heartache.
The story is a complete slow-burn, but its pace is perfect, the writing well done, the characters have depth and the spice is on point.
Star Crossed Skates is literally and Romeo and JulietTE romance, that you definitely need to read to understand it! Don’t worry… it has nothing to do with the Shakesperean tragic story.
Tisha Patrick gives us a beautiful romance about love at first sight, sacrifice, selflessness, support and the perfect book boyfriend to swoon over for.
The way the characters start of as friends, learn about each other and fall in love makes it real.
A story about a fake relationship that never felt fake, that is intense, pure and worth the risk.
Thank you for the ARC.
February 14, 2026
I recieved this beautiful book, even arc form, this storyline is just a beautifully written cleansing palette. As, I’m currently in my dark romance/thriller era. But this was a nice change..
I loved how the author introduced the characters almost like a “hallmark movie.” The MMC just reminds me of a fluffy tall golden retriever, that swoons on it and gets the girl. This story follows the MFC which is an ice figure skater, that reminds me of myself. Her character seems to be a strong independent young lady, that is focused on her dreams don’t want to be bothered with boys, but when Rodriguez comes in he changes Juliette’s mind and heart and soul on love. Rod, is your everyday “Mr. Mcdreamy” oh la la la, the chemistry between these two is hott. The sweet banter is every girl’s wet dream, this storyline just captured me from the start. This was a one of my favorite reads in 2026. This is one of my first by Tisha Patrick & won’t be my LAST.
So here is my rating
5✨character building/storyline plot
5✨🥵🌶️like I said these two kept me invested in the story.
Tisha thank you kindly for trusting me in reading this gem! Happy Reading, go get your copy now 2/14/26 she is released in the wild on the best day ever Valentine’s Day the day of love💕
I loved how the author introduced the characters almost like a “hallmark movie.” The MMC just reminds me of a fluffy tall golden retriever, that swoons on it and gets the girl. This story follows the MFC which is an ice figure skater, that reminds me of myself. Her character seems to be a strong independent young lady, that is focused on her dreams don’t want to be bothered with boys, but when Rodriguez comes in he changes Juliette’s mind and heart and soul on love. Rod, is your everyday “Mr. Mcdreamy” oh la la la, the chemistry between these two is hott. The sweet banter is every girl’s wet dream, this storyline just captured me from the start. This was a one of my favorite reads in 2026. This is one of my first by Tisha Patrick & won’t be my LAST.
So here is my rating
5✨character building/storyline plot
5✨🥵🌶️like I said these two kept me invested in the story.
Tisha thank you kindly for trusting me in reading this gem! Happy Reading, go get your copy now 2/14/26 she is released in the wild on the best day ever Valentine’s Day the day of love💕
February 25, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and spoilers below.
2.5 stars rounding up to 3 stars.
Faking dating? Check. Hockey player? Check. He falls first? Check. These were some of the elements in the book and there was potential for it, but for me, the book fell a little flat.
Though the book is on the longer side (around 400 pages), it goes by quickly. However, while I was reading, I kept expecting a conflict to arise between Juliette and Rodriguez. For most of the book, it's just them fake dating to make Juliette's ex, Garrett, jealous. There were 2 minor conflicts--1) Melissa (Garrett's fiancée aka the girl he cheated on with) hitting on Rodriguez and 2) Emma (Rodriguez's ex) trying to worm her way back into his life. Both of these conflicts got resolved fairly quickly in a few chapters. I thought the author's decision to bring in Emma was random and Juliette breaking up with him because of he had coffee with Emma and he didn't tell Juliette was dramatic. I also got annoyed with Juliette for comparing Garrett cheating on her with Rodriguez not telling her about having coffee with Emma.
Overall, I thought this book was okay if you're looking for a fluffy read.
2.5 stars rounding up to 3 stars.
Faking dating? Check. Hockey player? Check. He falls first? Check. These were some of the elements in the book and there was potential for it, but for me, the book fell a little flat.
Though the book is on the longer side (around 400 pages), it goes by quickly. However, while I was reading, I kept expecting a conflict to arise between Juliette and Rodriguez. For most of the book, it's just them fake dating to make Juliette's ex, Garrett, jealous. There were 2 minor conflicts--1) Melissa (Garrett's fiancée aka the girl he cheated on with) hitting on Rodriguez and 2) Emma (Rodriguez's ex) trying to worm her way back into his life. Both of these conflicts got resolved fairly quickly in a few chapters. I thought the author's decision to bring in Emma was random and Juliette breaking up with him because of he had coffee with Emma and he didn't tell Juliette was dramatic. I also got annoyed with Juliette for comparing Garrett cheating on her with Rodriguez not telling her about having coffee with Emma.
Overall, I thought this book was okay if you're looking for a fluffy read.
February 27, 2026
This book was such a cute read. If you enjoy Golden Retriever MMCs, Ice Queen FMC, One Bed, Fake Dating, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, and Slow Burn, then this is definitely the book for you!
Juliette catches Rodriguez's attention when he sees her skating one day and that is the day our MMC is hooked on her! He definitely brings his golden retriever energy to the table every time he sees her and pursues her relentlessly. Almost too relentlessly but he doesn't step over the line. Juliette is a very structured and organized FMC who dodges Rodriguez at every turn. At first it's because she has a long distance boyfriend but when he breaks up with her and she finds out why she is even more standoffish with Rodriguez until she isn't. Her ex is the best man in her sister's wedding where she is to be the maid of honor. After forming a friendship Juliette and Rodriguez decide to attend the wedding together as a couple (enter fake dating). While this is fake for Juliette, Rodriguez decides to use this opportunity to show her how good they would be together.
If you're looking for a good comfort read, this is definitely it!
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
Juliette catches Rodriguez's attention when he sees her skating one day and that is the day our MMC is hooked on her! He definitely brings his golden retriever energy to the table every time he sees her and pursues her relentlessly. Almost too relentlessly but he doesn't step over the line. Juliette is a very structured and organized FMC who dodges Rodriguez at every turn. At first it's because she has a long distance boyfriend but when he breaks up with her and she finds out why she is even more standoffish with Rodriguez until she isn't. Her ex is the best man in her sister's wedding where she is to be the maid of honor. After forming a friendship Juliette and Rodriguez decide to attend the wedding together as a couple (enter fake dating). While this is fake for Juliette, Rodriguez decides to use this opportunity to show her how good they would be together.
If you're looking for a good comfort read, this is definitely it!
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
February 28, 2026
Star-Crosssed Skates (Seattles Puckaneers Book 4)
Author: Tisha Patrick
Star-Crossed Skates is a friends-to-lovers romance book. Our FMC, Juliette, is a figure skater, and our MMC, Rodriguez, plays hockey for the Puckaneers. Rodriguez sees Juliette ice skating, and he’s a smitten kitten from day one. Juliette is annoyed at his very presence and ignores him at first. Rodriguez wears her down after a few months, and they become friends. Juliette runs into a problem when she needs a date for an out-of-town wedding. Rodriguez offers to be her date, and she accepts. From that point forward, we see the same sweet, caring Rodriguez, but we see a different side of Juliette. She lets down some walls and eventually comes out to play for real.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am giving it 4 out of 5 stars. The author has a way of writing her characters that makes them feel believable and relatable. The banter between the two was great. The slow burn was slow, moving, and really well done. If you love fake dating, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, the he-falls-first/golden-retriever hero, and hockey, then you will definitely enjoy this one! Thank you to @lunaliterary.management and @tisha.patrick_author for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.
Author: Tisha Patrick
Star-Crossed Skates is a friends-to-lovers romance book. Our FMC, Juliette, is a figure skater, and our MMC, Rodriguez, plays hockey for the Puckaneers. Rodriguez sees Juliette ice skating, and he’s a smitten kitten from day one. Juliette is annoyed at his very presence and ignores him at first. Rodriguez wears her down after a few months, and they become friends. Juliette runs into a problem when she needs a date for an out-of-town wedding. Rodriguez offers to be her date, and she accepts. From that point forward, we see the same sweet, caring Rodriguez, but we see a different side of Juliette. She lets down some walls and eventually comes out to play for real.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am giving it 4 out of 5 stars. The author has a way of writing her characters that makes them feel believable and relatable. The banter between the two was great. The slow burn was slow, moving, and really well done. If you love fake dating, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, the he-falls-first/golden-retriever hero, and hockey, then you will definitely enjoy this one! Thank you to @lunaliterary.management and @tisha.patrick_author for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC
Holy 🔥. How is each book getting better?! Dex from book 2 was my favorite but he’s been bumped down for Rodriguez.
These two have the golden retriever/black cat vibes we all love. Rodriguez was down bad for Juliette from his first time seeing her and our loveable golden retriever is all in. Juliette is a PT student, ex figure skater who uses the same facility as the hockey team and cannot be bothered with the annoying Rodriguez. But life throws some curve balls, her long distant boyfriend dumps her (amount another thing) and she needs a fake date to her sister wedding, where said ex is the best man. Rodriguez goes as her date and these two realize it’s not fake after all. Add in a fight & being detained on the wedding day = perfect.
Once they get back to Seattle, we get some ex drama from his ex (not really a huge deal- he would never cheat!) and playoff season.
I absolutely loved those two and cannot wait for the rest of the groups stories and getting to still see Roman, Dex, Brody and their wives.
Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes
Do I need a trophy? Yes. Already pre-ordered.
Holy 🔥. How is each book getting better?! Dex from book 2 was my favorite but he’s been bumped down for Rodriguez.
These two have the golden retriever/black cat vibes we all love. Rodriguez was down bad for Juliette from his first time seeing her and our loveable golden retriever is all in. Juliette is a PT student, ex figure skater who uses the same facility as the hockey team and cannot be bothered with the annoying Rodriguez. But life throws some curve balls, her long distant boyfriend dumps her (amount another thing) and she needs a fake date to her sister wedding, where said ex is the best man. Rodriguez goes as her date and these two realize it’s not fake after all. Add in a fight & being detained on the wedding day = perfect.
Once they get back to Seattle, we get some ex drama from his ex (not really a huge deal- he would never cheat!) and playoff season.
I absolutely loved those two and cannot wait for the rest of the groups stories and getting to still see Roman, Dex, Brody and their wives.
Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes
Do I need a trophy? Yes. Already pre-ordered.
February 11, 2026
✨ ARC Review ✨
This book was everything I hoped it would be and more!!
I was already in love with Rodriguez from the previous books and especially the teaser in book 3!
He really lived up to the expectations! Even as the funny and carefree character we know him to be, we got to see the caring and thoughtful side of him in this book.
Him and Juliette were perfect together. He brought out the happy and carefree side of her that she was hiding without even realising. All he wanted was for her to be happy and he did exactly that.
I love a man that gets shot down multiple times and on the last try it pays off enough to shock him!!
Honestly the whole story with the fake dating aspect was beautiful! I had so much fun reading this and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
This whole team is so so fun to read about especially the Pucks group chat! I love a team group chat!
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for giving me the opportunity to read Star Crossed Skates as an advanced copy!
This book was everything I hoped it would be and more!!
I was already in love with Rodriguez from the previous books and especially the teaser in book 3!
He really lived up to the expectations! Even as the funny and carefree character we know him to be, we got to see the caring and thoughtful side of him in this book.
Him and Juliette were perfect together. He brought out the happy and carefree side of her that she was hiding without even realising. All he wanted was for her to be happy and he did exactly that.
I love a man that gets shot down multiple times and on the last try it pays off enough to shock him!!
Honestly the whole story with the fake dating aspect was beautiful! I had so much fun reading this and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
This whole team is so so fun to read about especially the Pucks group chat! I love a team group chat!
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for giving me the opportunity to read Star Crossed Skates as an advanced copy!
February 28, 2026
Give me a hockey romance to read, and I'll read it. Combine that with some of my favorite tropes, and I'm going to read the away. I couldn't put this book down!
A chance encounter at the local rink, Rodriguez sees a lone figure skater on the ice who grabs his attention. He wants to know who she is and wants to know more about her. Juliette is a competitive figure skater, college student, and ice skating teacher. She has her hands full, and the last thing she needs is the golden retriever hockey player consistently trying to weave himself into her life. He's persistent. Almost to a fault. But when Juliette gets dumped, she finally agrees to a coffee date with Rodriguez. After all, coffee is harmless, right?
When Juliette hears that her ex-boyfriend is now bringing his fiancée to her sister's upcoming wedding, she's desperate to find a solution. Enter Rodriguez, who offers to be fake boyfriend. Being there to support her is top priority, but if can also give her a glimpse of a real relationship, he'll take it. I was kicking my feet when she agreed to him coming to the wedding, and then screaming when they arrive at the hotel and there's only one bed. There are so many details about their relationship I loved - the constant stream of texts when they aren't together, daily lunches, the notes he leaves her in the mornings, the way he remembers her coffee order. It's the perfect slow burn build, and that scene when Juliette realizes that her feelings aren't fake any more, was perfect. The events on the day of the wedding had me flipping page after page, and laughing out loud when you found out Rodriguez's first name. The ongoing group chat between the players throughout the book was hilarious, and I'm so glad we had that, especially during the wedding weekend, and that wild hockey game hockey at the end of the book - and that bet?! Wheeeew!
This book was such a great time, I loved it! Star Crossed Skates is part of a series and can be read as a standalone, but you're missing out if you don't read the other three books!
A chance encounter at the local rink, Rodriguez sees a lone figure skater on the ice who grabs his attention. He wants to know who she is and wants to know more about her. Juliette is a competitive figure skater, college student, and ice skating teacher. She has her hands full, and the last thing she needs is the golden retriever hockey player consistently trying to weave himself into her life. He's persistent. Almost to a fault. But when Juliette gets dumped, she finally agrees to a coffee date with Rodriguez. After all, coffee is harmless, right?
When Juliette hears that her ex-boyfriend is now bringing his fiancée to her sister's upcoming wedding, she's desperate to find a solution. Enter Rodriguez, who offers to be fake boyfriend. Being there to support her is top priority, but if can also give her a glimpse of a real relationship, he'll take it. I was kicking my feet when she agreed to him coming to the wedding, and then screaming when they arrive at the hotel and there's only one bed. There are so many details about their relationship I loved - the constant stream of texts when they aren't together, daily lunches, the notes he leaves her in the mornings, the way he remembers her coffee order. It's the perfect slow burn build, and that scene when Juliette realizes that her feelings aren't fake any more, was perfect. The events on the day of the wedding had me flipping page after page, and laughing out loud when you found out Rodriguez's first name. The ongoing group chat between the players throughout the book was hilarious, and I'm so glad we had that, especially during the wedding weekend, and that wild hockey game hockey at the end of the book - and that bet?! Wheeeew!
This book was such a great time, I loved it! Star Crossed Skates is part of a series and can be read as a standalone, but you're missing out if you don't read the other three books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW*
I was kindly given an ARC of Star Crossed Skates and this was so good! from the moment I started reading, I fell in love with Rodriguez!! he is a dream and I loved how serious and fascinated he was with Juliette. he understood her so well and they were so cute together! they were really right for each other, their banter was so good and they were sweet together, they understood each other so well. they’re both sweet and genuine people and I loved seeing their story play out, they felt so happy and comfortable with each other and it was amazing to see. the spice was so good, was obsessed and the boys group chat was hilarious! it was written well, such a sweet read and it was so wholesome (the concussion scene was so loving and funny!!) really enjoyed reading this, very interested in the next book! (thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Star Crossed Skates releases February 14!
4.25⭐
I was kindly given an ARC of Star Crossed Skates and this was so good! from the moment I started reading, I fell in love with Rodriguez!! he is a dream and I loved how serious and fascinated he was with Juliette. he understood her so well and they were so cute together! they were really right for each other, their banter was so good and they were sweet together, they understood each other so well. they’re both sweet and genuine people and I loved seeing their story play out, they felt so happy and comfortable with each other and it was amazing to see. the spice was so good, was obsessed and the boys group chat was hilarious! it was written well, such a sweet read and it was so wholesome (the concussion scene was so loving and funny!!) really enjoyed reading this, very interested in the next book! (thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary Management for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Star Crossed Skates releases February 14!
4.25⭐
Review of advance copy
So good!
I loved how this story flowed, the amazing characters that you get to love plus the banter between all of the hockey players.
Rodriguez, hockey player for Seattle Puckaneers sees Juliette ice skating and is smitten.
She rebuffs him repeatedly until she doesn’t and they form a friendship.
While Rodriguez wants more he does not push her as she is recently single but when an opportunity presents he takes it and runs.
Well not quite runs, gets on a flight with her back to her home town, to her sister’s wedding where they fake a relationship.
But is it really fake when feelings are involved?
A lot more happens in the story to bring them together, but all is not smooth sailing.
Will they work through it and realise that they are perfect together?
This was a great storyline and I loved my time spent with Juliette and Rodriguez.
Looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this book.
I loved how this story flowed, the amazing characters that you get to love plus the banter between all of the hockey players.
Rodriguez, hockey player for Seattle Puckaneers sees Juliette ice skating and is smitten.
She rebuffs him repeatedly until she doesn’t and they form a friendship.
While Rodriguez wants more he does not push her as she is recently single but when an opportunity presents he takes it and runs.
Well not quite runs, gets on a flight with her back to her home town, to her sister’s wedding where they fake a relationship.
But is it really fake when feelings are involved?
A lot more happens in the story to bring them together, but all is not smooth sailing.
Will they work through it and realise that they are perfect together?
This was a great storyline and I loved my time spent with Juliette and Rodriguez.
Looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
Thank you to Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this book.
February 14, 2026
3.5⭐️
I honestly really enjoyed this books vibes for 3/4 of the book and it would have been an easy 4 if the last 1/4 didn’t happen. I was so excited to find out more about Rodriguez and Juliette’s story because I had been enjoying the little tidbits we’d gotten. They were so cute and I loved how much her family loved him and realized that he was the best person for her because he saw her as she was. I loved that he was honest with her when asked at the wedding and seemed to understand why she has trust issues.
The parts I didn’t like…the 3rd act break up. It seemed so out of character for him..and I wish it wouldn’t have happened. I think 2026 should be the year of no 3rd act breakups. Also some of the side stories that added drama just kind of disappeared. Where did Garrett go? What happened to S? Who knows. But honestly overall a fun read. Rodriguez for the most part is a top MMC.
Thank you Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the eARC.
I honestly really enjoyed this books vibes for 3/4 of the book and it would have been an easy 4 if the last 1/4 didn’t happen. I was so excited to find out more about Rodriguez and Juliette’s story because I had been enjoying the little tidbits we’d gotten. They were so cute and I loved how much her family loved him and realized that he was the best person for her because he saw her as she was. I loved that he was honest with her when asked at the wedding and seemed to understand why she has trust issues.
The parts I didn’t like…the 3rd act break up. It seemed so out of character for him..and I wish it wouldn’t have happened. I think 2026 should be the year of no 3rd act breakups. Also some of the side stories that added drama just kind of disappeared. Where did Garrett go? What happened to S? Who knows. But honestly overall a fun read. Rodriguez for the most part is a top MMC.
Thank you Tisha Patrick and Luna Literary for the eARC.
February 28, 2026
Fun, cute, light-hearted, and heartwarming.
Love at first skate...
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love it when the MMC is down bad for his girl and Rodriguez did not disappoint. For him, it was over the first time he saw her on the ice and I couldn't get enough of how he pursued her relentlessly (but not in a creepy way).
I love when things start with the MCs being strangers, there's not enough of that imo. I had the best time reading this book, it gave me all the butterflies.
Rodriguez and Juliette's gradual slow-burning build-up from strangers to friends to lovers was so satisfying. Their flirty banter was adorable.
Tropes:
Hockey
Ice queen
Fake dating
Slow-burn
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
One bed
He falls first and harder
Golden retriever MMC
Dual POV
Check TW
Thank you Luna Literary and Trisha Patrick for the opportunity to read this book.
Love at first skate...
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love it when the MMC is down bad for his girl and Rodriguez did not disappoint. For him, it was over the first time he saw her on the ice and I couldn't get enough of how he pursued her relentlessly (but not in a creepy way).
I love when things start with the MCs being strangers, there's not enough of that imo. I had the best time reading this book, it gave me all the butterflies.
Rodriguez and Juliette's gradual slow-burning build-up from strangers to friends to lovers was so satisfying. Their flirty banter was adorable.
Tropes:
Hockey
Ice queen
Fake dating
Slow-burn
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
One bed
He falls first and harder
Golden retriever MMC
Dual POV
Check TW
Thank you Luna Literary and Trisha Patrick for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to read the arc for an honest reviews... let's go!!!
First I had been in a book slump all of Jan, this beautiful piece of literature graced my inbox. I downloaded my copy and started. And wow that the journey begin.
While We have our serious and reserved girlie (figure skater), we have a very confident and extroverted dude (Hockey player). Our dude fall first and goes for it. She's not sure....life happens. Opportunity arises. Does it work?
Bad summary over. Now let's get to the feels: this book was beautifully written. I haven't read any of her others and this was the first book for me in the series. The writing flowed, the story continued to grow and build and didn't stall. As the reader you needed to find out WTF was gonna happen next. The journey the characters went on, the story that was built with them...incredible
First I had been in a book slump all of Jan, this beautiful piece of literature graced my inbox. I downloaded my copy and started. And wow that the journey begin.
While We have our serious and reserved girlie (figure skater), we have a very confident and extroverted dude (Hockey player). Our dude fall first and goes for it. She's not sure....life happens. Opportunity arises. Does it work?
Bad summary over. Now let's get to the feels: this book was beautifully written. I haven't read any of her others and this was the first book for me in the series. The writing flowed, the story continued to grow and build and didn't stall. As the reader you needed to find out WTF was gonna happen next. The journey the characters went on, the story that was built with them...incredible
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