Thank you Rae Quinn for the chance to be an ARC reader for Hate To Need You
I loveeeee a good second chance romance and Rae absolutely wrote a delicious and heartwarming second chance romance.
My thoughts-
Ellie- such a good hearted person. I adore her 🥰 she was always trying to take care of Jamie and bring him comfort. Jamie- perfect golden retriever. Had some anger issues but Ellie honestly helped him through his episodes with such gentleness.
I had so much fun while reading this one. Ellie and Jamie have such great chemistry together. I loved watching Ellie grow as a person. She always stood up for herself and never let anyone else dull her shine. The tension between Ellie and Jamie? Chefs kiss. You could literally cut it with a knifeeeee. Banter? Top notch. Overall such a great book, quick and entertaining. 4.0/5⭐️
I was selected to be an ARC reader for Hate To Need You. This is the final book in the Ellington U series coming April 25!
Normally, I do not go for second chance romances because I’m a firm believer that someone is a part of your past for a reason. However, this book may have changed my mind in some aspects.
The story follows Ellie and Jamie who have recently reunited in a forced proximity situation while working at the same university. Her as the new theater director and him as the new hockey coach. Jamie made some poor decisions while they were together, including leaving her at 18 with no explanation. He clearly has a lot of explaining and groveling to do and you’ll have to read the book to find out just how much.
This story shows just how deep of a bond first loves contain and how as much as you want to hate someone, you may not have a choice in the end. People can grow and people can change.
Thank you to Rae Quinn for this opportunity. I truly enjoyed this read and I really look forward to seeing everyone’s opinions when the book releases!
Ellie and Jamie are the cutest! The banter is spot on and it’s not just your typical college hockey romance. It’s got the twist of not being students so it isn’t a rinse and repeat of other books. The spice was spicy. Jamie is a golden retriever that’s been raised around some German shepherds. He’s got his anger issues but knows Ellie is the safety blanket he needs. Ellie is a queen and knows her worth! I love them! 3.5 ⭐️
I was selected for an ARC read by Rae Quinn and I really enjoyed this book. I'm giving it a 4, but it's more of a 3.5 for me. It was a fun, quick read that if you're big on hockey and second chance romance, it's worth giving a read. I'll be reading the other two in the series now that I know it's a series.
I am so grateful to have been selected for this ARC read! This is the first book in the Ellington U series that I have read, however it will not be my last.
I loved the resiliency that Ellie demonstrated throughout this book. She got through a difficult period of Jamie abandoning her and although I questioned her return to Jamie at the end of the story, I did like that the universe did bring them together again and to reconcile their feelings for one another.
Jamie is such a sweet guy!!! He is the ultimate Golden Retriever boyfriend (with some hints of Doberman, if you know what I mean). I really disliked him in the beginning but he did grow on me as the story continued.
I want to thank Rae Quinn for giving me this opportunity as an ARC reader and I wish her all the best with the success of this story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rae Quinn's Hate To Need You is a sharp and emotional layered romance. That leans into one of the genre's most compelling tension, the push and pull between pride and vulnerability. At its core, the novel explores what happens when two people who are determined to stand on their own are forced to confront how much they actually rely on eachother. Quin build her story around charachters who feel lived rather idealized. The protagonist Ellie guarded independence is both her strength and her greatest weeknesss, and the author does a strong job of showing how past disappointments shapes Ellie's reluctance to trust. The love interest Jamie, is not simply a love interest but a fully realized character with his own emotional and mental spots. Their dynamic thrives on friction, stubborness, a little miscommunication, endeniable chemistry and the tension that carries the narrative forward. One of the novle's strengths is its dialogue. Conversations feel natural, often laced with wit but they also carry emotional weight. Arugments don't just serve as dramatic spikes, they revel deeper insecurities and unspoken needs. Quinn resists the urge to resolve conflicts too quickly, allowing discomfort to linger in a way that feels honest. Which makes the story feel more relatable and true. The pacing is generally effective, though at times the back and fourth can feel slightly repetitive. Still, this repetition mirrors the characters internal struggle, reinforcing the idea that growth is rarely linear. When breakthroughs do happen, they feel earned rather than covenient. Thematically, Hate To Need You delves into the of dependency on how needing someone can feel like a loss of control. Quinn challenges that notion, suggesting that vulnerablilty is not a weakness but a form of courage. The romance while central is much about self acceptance as it is about partnership. Overall, this is a satisfying read for fans of character driven romance. It doesn't rely on romanctic gestures as much as it does on emotional authenticity, making the eventual resolution feel both intimate and impactful. It delivers a thoughtful and engaging story about love, trust and the complicated act of letting someone in.
Rae Quinn’s Hate To Need You is an emotionally charged romance that really leans into the push and pull between two strong willed humans.
Ellie is written as someone whose independence feels like both her armor and her flaw. Her guarded nature makes sense based on what she has been through, and the story does a good job of showing how her past disappointments shape the way she struggles to trust and open up. Jamie is more than just a love interest. He feels like a fully developed character in his own right, with his own emotional struggles and quiet moments of weakness that make him feel real rather than idealized.
Their dynamic is built on tension, stubbornness, miscommunication, and undeniable chemistry. Every interaction between them feels like a mix of conflict and attraction, which keeps the story moving even when things get messy. The dialogue is one of the strongest parts of the book. Conversations feel natural and often sharp, but they also carry emotional weight underneath the surface. Their arguments are not just there for drama, they reveal deeper insecurities and the things neither of them wants to say out loud.
The pacing works well overall, though there are moments where the back and forth between Ellie and Jamie can feel a bit repetitive. That said, it also reflects how real emotional growth is not straightforward. They do not change all at once, and the repeated clashes reinforce that struggle. When they finally do start to break through their barriers, those moments feel earned rather than rushed.
Overall, this is a strong character driven romance that focuses more on emotional depth than grand romantic gestures. It feels honest, intimate, and grounded in the complicated reality of trust and connection. It is a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys slow emotional build, tension filled dynamics, and a romance that grows through conflict and understanding.
Ok, I’m going to preface this because, while I liked the story, and I mostly liked the characters at the end… my early feelings really coloured how I felt about the book. So I had to really sit back, and think as objectively as possible to truly give my thoughts….
Early in the book… my thoughts as I was reading….
* Oh my lord…. Jamie is not hero material.
* “He didn’t care how I felt back then, why would he care how I feel now?” Preach.
* He doesn’t regret leaving her behind, happily brags about being with all the puck bunnies and is just crude and rude….
* The way they ended… and the only reason they’re in proximity again is that he got injured and may never play again? Yeah… No.
* Considering his history… do they not believe in protection? Gross.
* He’s so wishy-washy. I get her hesitation, but him???
I don’t know what the author’s thought process was, but Jamie really grated on me, and even situations that may have drawn sympathy from some readers just really hit me as disingenuous ploys to get you on his side.
I had issues with the timeline, and I’m not sure if I was reading it wrong? There was a mention about 4 years, then it was 6 years, then it was 9 years…? It seemed to cement as 9 years, but who knows…
Then, there was some information that was essentially glossed over towards the end that may have redeemed him, but it was a bit too little, too late for it to be effective. It really needed to be addressed.
Overall, a decent story, and it almost felt like he had 2 personalities. The player we met at the start who was proud of ghosting her for a hockey career, then the sweet, yet dominant cinnamon roll who would give her the world. I like the second version. Wish I never met the first.
Thanks Rae for the advance copy, it was certainly an interesting read.
First of all, im very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book in advance, and im really glad I did! I believe this is the last book in the series, but after this, im definitely going to go back and read her other books! Now for the review!
Honestly, Im was a little iffy about reading this book. This book has the second chance romance trope in it, and im not too too intrested in it. But honestly, this is the second book that I've read this year that has this trope that I LOVEDDD!! This book exceeded my expectations honestly. This book had the right amount of romance and not too much spice. This book was so great and honestly was a big distraction from my break up that recently happened. The characters in this book were so well written! Ellie was such a sweet heart she was just trying to make sure that she didn't get her heart broken again. Jamie he was very persistent and made his motives clear from the start. I have never seen a book where there was theater involved in it, so it made me really excited to read it. Im not new to the hockey romance club, but I felt this had a different feel to the other books. Rae Quinn showed Jamies' vulnerable side in a way that other romance authors dont. Overall, the book was so good 5 stars all the way around, and im so grateful to have been able to read this book early. I did put it down for a bit while I struggled to even touch my kindle but as soon as I started reading where I left off I couldn't stop reading (Honestly I read 48% of the book in one night... It did make me mega tired in the morning but made it through)
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Second Chance Forced proximity Anxiety rep Theater girl FMC Pro Hockey MMC
After spending some time acting on broadway, Ellie Monroe is called back to her Alma mater Ellington U to cover as theater director. Wanting the chance to prove she has what it takes to direct, Ellie accepts the position and the campus housing that’s offered. But a mix up from the university has Ellie sharing a house with the newly hired hockey coach. Unfortunately for her, it just so happens to be the same man that broke her heart at 18.
All Jamie Patterson ever wanted was to play professional hockey. He made the choice at 18 to pack up and pursue his dream, leaving his girlfriend of 4 years behind without a word. Now Jamie is trying to get back to the NHL after a major knee injury, accepting the position as Ellington U’s hockey coach to pass the time while he rehabs. He never thought he’d see Ellie again, but now that he has he’s realized what a mistake leaving her was.
Ellie’s mission: put all of her energy into directing a good show and avoid Jamie at all costs Jamie’s mission? Get Ellie back
It felt like I was in a spicy Hallmark movie and I 100% mean that as a compliment. A good, lighthearted story that had me smiling and giggling for most of it. We love an MMC that grovels and is obsessed with his girl. Experiencing Ellie and Jamie learn these new versions of each other and fall in love all over again was so sweet. Definitely a good read if you’re in need of some happy, bubbly vibes.
I really wanted to love this one. I’m usually a big fan of second chance romance and sports romance, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
This is my first book by this author and I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t read the other books in this intertwined series or not, but it really felt like there was so much story missing. The spicy scenes are fantastic, truly.. but unfortunately I felt like the romance and the connection between Jamie and Ellie was nonexistent. It seemed like a lot of repetition around the issues and some overwriting on things that I felt took away from the story. I felt some scenes were over explained but didn’t provide substance to the story itself. I would have loved more scenes between Ellie and Jamie that showed why they loved each other. Jamie is kind of just a jerk too. Even in his redeemable moments he’s not quite convincing. There’s also zero character growth in my opinion for either main character.
There were also quite a bit of missing words and typos, but this could’ve been due to my copy being an advanced reader copy and I would’ve been able to ignore it better if the story didn’t drag in areas.
Overall, it’s a cute, spicy romance that has a good ending. I just would’ve loved more story and less filler.
If you’re into any of these, this could still very much be the book for you! - second chance romance - forced proximity - sexy spice
If there is one trope that will get me every single time, it is 'he falls first.' But Hate to Need You hits differently because Jamie fell first nearly a decade ago and has basically just been holding his breath until he could find his way back to Ellie.
This story was such a fun, high-tension ride... We have Ellie, who is back at her alma mater to run the theater department, and Jamie, the NHL star goalie who is back to coach while he is rehabbing from a career-threatening injury. The catch? They have history. Like, "ghosted at eighteen and haven't spoken since" kind of history. And thanks to a housing mix-up, they are now… roommates!
Jamie is the ultimate mix of a cocky athlete and obsessed hero; he has the NHL ego, but he is a total goner for Ellie. He definitely had to do some groveling (as he should!) and watching him navigate his own vulnerability while trying to win Ellie back was everything. Ellie is such a powerhouse; she is focused on her career and carries herself with such boss energy even when Jamie is doing his best to distract her.
The banter was sharp, the "forced proximity" tension was high, and the mix of hockey vibes with a theater backdrop felt so fresh. It is spicy, it is emotional, and it is the perfect way to wrap up the Ellington U series.
Huge thank you to Rae Quinn for the ARC copy! All opinions are my own.
Are you brave enough to give love a second chance? Do you believe someone can grow and not repeat the past? Is real love worth the risk, when you know how hard you'll break if it all falls apart again? Those are the questions Rae Quinn asks in the 3rd book of her Ellington University series.
Exes Jamie and Ellie are thrown together into some nontraditional staff housing while working for a semester at her old university. He's on a medical break from his NHL team and coaching the school's struggling hockey team. She's looking into the possibilities of a more stable role in the theater industry by taking a teaching/directing position at her alma matter. It's been 9 years since he ghosted her for his hockey dreams and where he sees an opportunity to win back everything he's lost, she's unready to let him steamroll his way into her heart - even if her body remembers his like they've never been apart.
What really warmed my reader's heart was the time that the author devoted to the MCs' inner monologue. Of course there is banter, steamy scenes, and action to move the plot - but really getting inside the characters' minds is what made the story. On a side note - the group chat between the hockey bros was hilarious and definitely added a fun and quirky group dynamic surrounding the NHL team!
I wanted to throw this book across the room but it was on my Kindle so I practiced some self-restraint. You might LOVE this couple's journey though - and here's why:
🎭 She's an actor/theater director 🏒 He plays hockey but he's hurt ❤️🩹 Second chance romance 🏠 Forced proximity 🤬 Hate to love
Jamie (he's the hockey player) is such an asshole in the beginning. He left her to go play pro. Dropped Ellie like she's a frog who peed on him and ran faster than Forrest Gump. Like seriously I wish I didn't hear his thoughts because they're just so perfectly awful in a realistic hockey way. Hooooooly. Shoresy would punch this guy in the face.
His thoughts, his actions, his everything is just *ugh* up until a certain point, where he grows and changes and blah blah blah...that's where the real depth of the story is. He grows into a man who deserves Ellie and treats her right, but like, nah man. Just no. I am not here to reward this asshole for years of bad behavior.
Rae Quinn's done a fantastic job of writing a realistic hockey player douchecanoe and I just hate him. I feel like Sid when he talks about the Flyers... "I don't like them because I don't like them."
I've read plenty of books where the MMC was a bag of dicks, but this one might take the cake for wanting to throw him off a cliffhanger.
I have to start by saying this was my first book by Rae Quinn, getting it as an ARC Book. Even though Hate to Need You is the third book in the series, but is also a Standalone I had no trouble jumping in. I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially because I don’t usually pick up hockey romances. I’ve always felt like they can be a bit overrated. But honestly, this book completely changed my perspective. The story has so many elements I love: second chances, “the one that got away,” forced proximity/roommates, and that perfect mix of tension and hate-to-love chemistry. On top of that, the blend of hockey and theater background. What really stood out to me was how immersive the writing felt. Rae Quinn has a way of describing scenes that made it easy to picture everything like it was playing out right in front of me. I felt pulled into the characters lives and emotions.
There’s also just the right amount of spice, nothing over the top, but enough to keep things interesting.
Overall, I’m really glad this was my introduction to Rae Quinn’s work. It definitely won’t be my last. I’ve already added more of her books to my TBR. If you’re on the fence about hockey romances like I was, I’d honestly recommend giving this one a shot. It might surprise you too.
Hate To Need You by Rae Quinn is the third and final standalone in the Ellington U novels. This is the first book I have ever read by Rae, and I'm a fan. I'm definitely going to go back and read the other two novels in this series. These can be read in any order, but you will get spoilers from previous books. Hate To Need You had the following tropes: second chance romance, forced proximity, slow burn, and hockey star x theater director. It's been around a decade since Jamie, the hockey star, left Ellie, the theater director, without a word. Now, they are both back at Ellington U and forced to live in the same house. This book will make you feel all the emotions. The characters are full of banter, pain, second chances, spice, and love. Rae writes in a way that makes you feel for the characters and what they are going through. I highly recommend reading Hate to Need You to see if Jamie and Ellie can overcome the pain of the past. I've been in a reading slump before this book, and I think it's safe to say that this book helped fix that. I'm excited to read more books by Rae and meet other characters she has created.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Overall, I found the story to be enjoyable enough, but it didn’t fully resonate with me. My biggest struggle was with the main characters I didn’t feel particularly connected to either the FMC or MMC, and as a result, I didn’t really feel their romance develop in a believable or compelling way.
The dialogue, especially between Ellie and Lainey, often came across as childish given that they are nearly 30. It made some interactions feel less authentic and pulled me out of the story at times.
For most of the book, the reason behind their breakup was presented one way, but toward the end it felt like the narrative shifted in an attempt to redeem Jamie. That change seemed to lessen his accountability rather than add meaningful depth to his character.
This is the third book in a series, I was surprised that I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing key context by not reading the first two books beforehand.
But I did struggle to see what Jamie actually did to earn a second chance or demonstrate real growth. Their rekindling seemed to stem more from convent circumstance his knee injury and inability to continue in the NHL rather than from any clear personal change. I found myself wishing Ellie had questioned him more and pushed for deeper accountability.
In the end, it was an okay read for me, but not one that left a lasting impression on me.
I received this book as an ARC. Hockey romances and second chance romances are some of my favorite types of things to read about. This book definitely did not disappoint. Even though this book can be read as a standalone I read the last book before this for a little context. Doing that was probably the best decision since I was able to see how the found family translated into this book. Since this is a second chance, Ellie was talking to her best friend Lainey about seeing the mmc again. While reading I realized Lainey talking to Ellie sounds exactly like me when I’m talking my friends out of getting back with their ex. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked seeing how much Lainey and Ellie cared about each other in Lainey’s book and seeing that be translated into this one. I really think this book was done right. I also think another thing that was done well was how messy Ellie’s emotions felt while thinking about what she was going to do. She didn’t know the right decision to make and that’s ok because that’s life.
There was a history that the characters had to give this book the second chance romance background.
I loved how Jamie knew he was wrong and let Ellie know that he was in the wrong and he is sorry to have done what he did.
Ellie tries hard not to let him back in but she never stopped loving Jamie.
When they finally break I was expecting a little more groveling from Jamie not for him to basically give her no choice.
Ellie should have made him fight harder.
The plot and development of the story was great. There was a missed opportunity with Ellie's brother and Jamie's confrontation in the parking lot. I think Ellie should have been walking up to them to hear what happened and to give some background on why there was such animosity between them after so many years.
Overall a good book and a good read.
Thank you Rae Quinn for letting me read an early copy of this book.
This is the third in a series of interconnected standalone novels. You don’t have to read the first two to understand this one but…why wouldn’t you when this one was so easy to enjoy? I will absolutely be reading the others before long.
This book is great! I was sucked in from the first few lines (which is extremely rare for me), having to force myself to put it down and sleep.
I’m a sucker for second chance romance, forced proximity, slow burns, and all the “good girl” moments I can possibly get. This book has them all! And add that sparkle of vulnerability that comes in crashing waves — I’m sold!
Can Jamie and Ellie overcome their past and find their way back to happily ever after? Pick up a copy of Hate to Need You and find out for yourself. You won’t regret it!
Thank you, Rae Quinn, for the opportunity to read this! I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions upon release and to grab a copy of my own for the shelf! (April 25th! Preorder yours now!)
Hate to Need You - it feels pretty obvious before cracking open the book. And by chapter 4, you know exactly how it's going to go. Two exes (the one that got away & absolutely loved but now hate) have to be housemates, just fill in the gaps. Jamie is arrogant and Ellie is theatrical.
Pucks and Props... perfect title! I was not expecting that addition to the story.
But despite the chiches, I read this in one sitting and couldn't stop. Jamie and Ellie are captivating with their own passions and motivations. They are honest with their emotions albeit initially only to themselves. The emotions from the past are heavy in their interactions and reservations but also fuel for their direction. I love their passion! I love their personal strengths. I love how they compliment each other rather than cower to their relationship, which I did not realize was a theme until the end. I also did not realize this was the finale of a series. It definitely stands on its own.
tug and warn of lust, longing, love and forgiveness
Okay hear me out, I typically don’t go for second chance romance books but something about this book just called to me and told me I needed to read it and man oh man and I’m glad I listened!
We LOVE a dominant, confident man, with a smidge of possessiveness and a tad bit of jealousy, but also know how to grovel and does he grovel!
Jamie and Ellie were high school sweethearts. They were each other’s first love and firsts of everything else in between. Unfortunately right after graduation life took and unexpected turn and poor decisions are made. 9 years later they are brought back together in a way that was super unexpected. Some call it a misfortunate turn of events, some say stars aligned, they universe’s doing, fate.. but whatever it may be it clearly needed to happen whether they even understood why or agreed to it. Jamie was a pro NHL hockey star but a knee injury had him taking a step back to heal. In the meantime he was offered a coaching job at a university… Ellie is an actor and was offered a director’s position at the SAME university. Both offered housing including so they both agreed.. sounds great! what could go wrong? Well they didn’t know that either of them would be at the same university since they haven’t spoken in almost a decade or they would be HOUSEMATES!!!! From there, lots and lots of banter and trying to.. key word here.. TRYING to hate him but no matter how much they tried to keep their distance from one another the universe spoke again and made it pretty much impossible. And no matter how much you want to hate someone, sometimes you just can’t. you don’t choose who you fall in love with it’s only what you do with it. You can either accept it and understand that people make mistakes and can change. Or you walk away… I won’t leave any spoilers but I will leave you with its does end on a very happy HEA 🥰
Tropes Ron-com with some spice Second chance Forced proximity Public places 🥵 Back and forth banter Emotional betrayal/ abandonment Knee injury- end of career (entire life’s goal/dream) what now ? Tug of war of feelings
Favourite quotes
“You’re mine, Ellie,” he tells me, his voice hoarse with desire. “Do you understand? Mine. Not Freddie’s, or any other man.”
“I can’t go back in time, Ellie. I can’t change the past. But I can change the future. I should have asked you to come with me years ago and I didn’t. So, I’m asking you now.”
Absolutely devoured this book … this second chance spicy romance … when Jamie thought he had it all leaving at 18 for the NHL …. But got humbled with an injury that could make him lose it all until he takes a job through his recovery for a Local College hockey team as Coach only to come face to face with his first love that he left years ago without a word ….. now he has to live with her on Campus because of a housing misunderstanding … now his only thought … How to get Ellie to let her walls down apologize for the past and to make her his only Future even if it means giving up his dream to go Back to the NHL (because he’s that obsessed )
*second Chance *forced proximity *hockey player *Theatre Director *He’s Obsessed *Fuck It Moment (so good) * a slow burn (but not to long ) *the spice is spicing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First and foremost, this was a first read for this author and I was in love with the story right off the bat! I was selected for her ARC team and was ecstatic!
I’m a sucker for a good hockey romance but I enjoyed the history these main characters had prior to their “forced proximity” 😉. Other micro tropes include; ✨Locker room fun 😉 ✨”Tell me you’re mine” ✨”Let me devour you sweetheart” ✨”Use your words baby girl”
This book was spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and I loved every moment 😈
The banter/enemies to lovers vibe always hits hard for me as a trope as well, but this knocked it out of the park. I hate giving away spoilers but if you enjoy a great hockey romance with a dark past that turns RomCom then this is up your alley. I read this is a single day, had to know how it ended no matter how hard it was to stay awake! Hope you all enjoy!
Hate to Need You by Rae Quinn had such a cute setup—forced proximity mixed with an ex-to-something-new dynamic is exactly my kind of trope. I really liked the idea of these two being pushed back together and having to figure things out in close quarters.
That said, the pacing felt off. It was slow in parts, but then the actual relationship development felt rushed, like we skipped over some of the emotional work that would’ve made it hit harder. Also… the implied cheating situation didn’t sit right with me. It’s brought up enough to matter, but then kind of brushed aside, and she seems to move past it pretty quickly without much real resolution.
There are definitely sweet moments and I liked them together overall, but I just wanted more depth and consistency. Cute concept, just didn’t fully land for me.
JAMIE PATTERSON!!!!!! sir, I did not like him in the beginning. He was so cocky it irked me 😂 BUT, he redeemed himself. AND THEN we learned the truth of why he stayed away for so long (looking at you Holland 🧐) I loved how this book showed the vulnerable side of Jamie and his struggles with anxiety/panic attacks. I think, in my opinion, there aren't enough books that focus on the mental health of an athlete that goes through something hard and the pt they do as well. I loved seeing that.
And then, I also loved Ellie's character. Even though at times she seemed unsure, she found her confidence. And there is nothing better I love seeing, than female confidence and strong female friendships. She still should have made Jamie grovel for her. I feel like he didnt grovel enough 😅
Hate To Need You : An Ellington U Novel 🏒Hockey Romance 🔥Second Chance Romance 🏒Forced Proximity 🔥and all the feels Ellie and Jamie !! Oh my gosh !! How these two just hooked me so completely. And the way their journey touched my heart and resonated with me on so many levels I most certainly was not expecting. I absolutely loved the fact that they had a past history together, I loved the fact that they got a second chance at love and watching the progression of their relationship, watching their characters grow all while overcoming so many obstacles and fall in love was so beautiful and so emotional. This is so much more than your typical feel good hockey / second chance love story . It’s a journey about first love and how strong that bond is . That even though things may happen that tear you apart , those feelings don’t go away so easily .
This is the third book in the series. I read the first two books just prior to reading this but it can definitely be read as a standalone if you haven’t read the others.
I don’t always love a second chance romance but I think this book might have changed my mind. Jamie knew he was in the wrong when he left Ellie the first time and I liked that she didn’t make it easy for him to win her over again. The forced proximity made for some good yearning that led to just the right amount of spice. Add in a little bit of hockey and a little bit of theater and you’ve got the perfect combo for a feel good, happily ever after contemporary romance!
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After realizing that this is the 3rd book in a series, I had to go back and read the first two! This book can be read as a standalone, however the first two books will give you background on secondary characters. This second chance romance will give you all the feels. I found that the book had good character development, however I did find it quite repetitive. Sometimes in the words the characters said, or just in the descriptive language used for the characters. I feel like some of it could have been left out. The ending had a nice feel good moment. Overall, it had hockey, second chance romance, college feels, lots of tension, spice, slow burn and banter. Everything you need in a hockey romance!
❤️🩹Second Chance romance❤️🩹 🏡Forced Proximity🏡 😬Anxiety Rep😬 🎭Theatre FMC🎭 🏒Pro Hockey MMC🏒 🤬Hate to Love😍
Ellie and Jamie are high school sweethearts turned enemies after he leaves her for the NHL at 18 years old to pursue his dreams. Seven years later Ellie is acting in New York City living out her dreams when she gets a call from her college dean to be the Theatre Director for a semester. What she doesn’t expect is her ex boyfriend becoming the new hockey coach while he’s out on injury leave from the NHL. Did I mention they’re forced to share housing while they both work there too? Download now to find out how they make it work. Discover a story about second chances, healing and finding love again after time passed.