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Stone Creek University #1
Hard Edge
He's a hockey star with a GPA problem. She *needs* to keep her tutoring job. What happens if their spark burns the rulebook?Neal Sweeney is the campus golden boy. He works hard and lives hard, but when his grades threaten his ability to play forward for SCU, the math department sets him up with a tutor.Studious, serious, and totally off limits, Dahlia Wardzinski steps into the study lounge and Neal is ready to learn whatever she's teaching. The only problem? Dahlia is a woman who follows the rules. She can't risk her work-study funding to cross a line with Neal.Things heat up when Neal makes a play in the library, and Dahlia finds herself doing things she never imagined. Will Dahlia's boss find out how badly she wants to let him score? Will she wind up just another notch on Neal Sweeney's bedpost? Hard Edge is a stand-alone sports romance with a guaranteed HEA.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2017
114 people are currently reading
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October 20, 2020
Neal and Dahlia are an unlikely combination but Dahlia quickly learns that Neal has goals beyond the ice - her. It's a sweet, steamy, cute story with a little bit of drama and presented by a pleasant narrator.
Story: 4 Stars
Narration: 4 Stars
Story: 4 Stars
Narration: 4 Stars
December 9, 2022
Audiobook
Dahlia and Neil
This was good/fine.
Dahlia and Neil
This was good/fine.
September 16, 2020
Great Story & Narration🎧 Sweet & Spicy🔥Hot!
Hard Edge
A Hockey Romance (Stone Creek University)
By: Lainey Davis
Narrated by: Crystal Crockett
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. I adored the two lead characters, they are likable, realistic and easy to relate to. Dahlia Wardzinski, a senior with goals of graduate school, she is depending on her tutoring job to help with her tuition and to get her into an exception graduate program in a school of her dreams. She is assigned a new student to tutor, Neal Sweeney, the star player of SCU’s Hockey team. Their first meeting is not the best, he comes off as a non-caring jock, he comes on to her and she wants to keep things professional so she pushes him away. But the chemistry between them is electric and with his persistence she could only deny it and him for so long. Lainey Davis fits an impressive amount of story into her novella sized book and I enjoyed how everything played out. The story is fast paced and nicely plotted with plenty of drama, a touch of angst, some heartfelt and emotional moments and some hot romance. Lainey Davis, thank you for another great story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Crystal Crockett is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She does a great job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. She sets the perfect tone for the story, captures the characters emotions and projects them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
Hard Edge
A Hockey Romance (Stone Creek University)
By: Lainey Davis
Narrated by: Crystal Crockett
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. I adored the two lead characters, they are likable, realistic and easy to relate to. Dahlia Wardzinski, a senior with goals of graduate school, she is depending on her tutoring job to help with her tuition and to get her into an exception graduate program in a school of her dreams. She is assigned a new student to tutor, Neal Sweeney, the star player of SCU’s Hockey team. Their first meeting is not the best, he comes off as a non-caring jock, he comes on to her and she wants to keep things professional so she pushes him away. But the chemistry between them is electric and with his persistence she could only deny it and him for so long. Lainey Davis fits an impressive amount of story into her novella sized book and I enjoyed how everything played out. The story is fast paced and nicely plotted with plenty of drama, a touch of angst, some heartfelt and emotional moments and some hot romance. Lainey Davis, thank you for another great story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Crystal Crockett is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She does a great job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. She sets the perfect tone for the story, captures the characters emotions and projects them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
March 14, 2024
1 star, M/F, contemporary sports romance
Story exists just for sex scenes. I don't expect much character development in such a short book, but I do expect more than a character sketch. The MMC can be anyone for a long while into the book because he barely has a personality.
Why does the MMC like the FMC? No idea. Why does the FMC like the MMC? No idea. Do the main characters communicate? Nope. No sexual tension. No connection. No emotion. Just a flat story.
Even during the big climax/"struggle" of the story, the FMC freaks out and the MMC just stares at her. She runs away and then avoids him for two days even though he attempts to reach out. It makes zero sense. They should have communicated about what happened and figured it out as a couple, as neither actually did anything wrong to the other.
In addition to that, the FMC doesn't attend or watch on TV the MMC's playoff game during those two days because she's too busy worried about herself. The reader is supposed to believe the FMC is in love with the MMC when she doesn't care about an important game for him? When they weren't even fighting?
Overall, I couldn't give this more than one star. There was nothing redeeming about this story.
Story exists just for sex scenes. I don't expect much character development in such a short book, but I do expect more than a character sketch. The MMC can be anyone for a long while into the book because he barely has a personality.
Why does the MMC like the FMC? No idea. Why does the FMC like the MMC? No idea. Do the main characters communicate? Nope. No sexual tension. No connection. No emotion. Just a flat story.
Even during the big climax/"struggle" of the story, the FMC freaks out and the MMC just stares at her. She runs away and then avoids him for two days even though he attempts to reach out. It makes zero sense. They should have communicated about what happened and figured it out as a couple, as neither actually did anything wrong to the other.
In addition to that, the FMC doesn't attend or watch on TV the MMC's playoff game during those two days because she's too busy worried about herself. The reader is supposed to believe the FMC is in love with the MMC when she doesn't care about an important game for him? When they weren't even fighting?
Overall, I couldn't give this more than one star. There was nothing redeeming about this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
2.5 (Notice how I rounded down)
Was there a plot?
Yeah, if you count sex
Was it good?
Not really.
The majority of the book was made up of scenes like "OMG we can't be together this is wrong!" and "We shouldn't be doing this, it's not right" (Spoilers: They do it anyway. MANY times.)
After all that, suddenly she's in love with him? What? Girl, you spend more time in his bed than actually talking to him. The only times that you talk outside of the bedroom are during your study sessions when you are teaching him math or waiting while he finishes the problems.
The one time (I mean one time) she ever talks personally with him is when she mentions a dead mom who we didn't even know about in the middle of the goddamn book!
Anyway, there wasn't even a real problem to solve. The supposed problem was "What if we get caught?! 😱
They eventually get caught, but no one cared! The math department guy even encouraged it!?
Whatever.
There was no plot
There was no real conflict
Not recommended unless you only care about smut.
Even in the epilogue they're screwing!
In conclusion, all I have to say is that luckily it was short.
Was there a plot?
Yeah, if you count sex
Was it good?
Not really.
The majority of the book was made up of scenes like "OMG we can't be together this is wrong!" and "We shouldn't be doing this, it's not right" (Spoilers: They do it anyway. MANY times.)
After all that, suddenly she's in love with him? What? Girl, you spend more time in his bed than actually talking to him. The only times that you talk outside of the bedroom are during your study sessions when you are teaching him math or waiting while he finishes the problems.
The one time (I mean one time) she ever talks personally with him is when she mentions a dead mom who we didn't even know about in the middle of the goddamn book!
Anyway, there wasn't even a real problem to solve. The supposed problem was "What if we get caught?! 😱
They eventually get caught, but no one cared! The math department guy even encouraged it!?
Whatever.
There was no plot
There was no real conflict
Not recommended unless you only care about smut.
Even in the epilogue they're screwing!
In conclusion, all I have to say is that luckily it was short.
November 12, 2022
This was an easy read. It was very hot, if you know what I mean.
Dalia needs her tutoring job to pay for her course and Neil needs his grades to pick up to get through to his chosen college.
Dalia is a stickler for rules but Nail seems to have other ideas.
Both hit it off straight away. Their chemistry is hot. But Dalia can lose her job if her employer finds out she is having a relationship with her client.
Also Coach has Forbidden them from having a relationship because it affects their performance.
But Neil is hard to resist when he goes all alpha on her.
I must say it was very spicy and I needed cooling down a lot haha.
Then the coach catches them in the act.
Can they survive this dilemma? Will he pass and will she keep her job long enough to get her through the year?
Read the book and find out.
Dalia needs her tutoring job to pay for her course and Neil needs his grades to pick up to get through to his chosen college.
Dalia is a stickler for rules but Nail seems to have other ideas.
Both hit it off straight away. Their chemistry is hot. But Dalia can lose her job if her employer finds out she is having a relationship with her client.
Also Coach has Forbidden them from having a relationship because it affects their performance.
But Neil is hard to resist when he goes all alpha on her.
I must say it was very spicy and I needed cooling down a lot haha.
Then the coach catches them in the act.
Can they survive this dilemma? Will he pass and will she keep her job long enough to get her through the year?
Read the book and find out.
May 30, 2025
I mean, I powered through the book, cause once I start I'm determined to finish a book... and i always want to give a book a fair shot. But for the MMC to be sexually feeling the FMC up, after just meeting for the first time, was not sexy. Nor was it sexy for it to happen again in Chapter 2, and for Dahlia to be like "this was the best sex of my life" all cause he got handy? 👀 huh? Her best friend was even questioning her choices and trying to help her see reason, and it didn't seem to be sticking, even then that this wasn't normal, and defiantly was not okay, no matter how sexually frustrated you are.
Overall the story wasn't bad, but it definitely felt really rushed, and the beginning just kind of gave me a bad taste for the rest of the story. I'm all for a developed intimate story and relationship, but to be frank, Dahlia seemed a bit desperate.
Overall the story wasn't bad, but it definitely felt really rushed, and the beginning just kind of gave me a bad taste for the rest of the story. I'm all for a developed intimate story and relationship, but to be frank, Dahlia seemed a bit desperate.
October 17, 2020
This is book 1 in Davis' Stone Creek University series and is the story of math geek Dahlia and college hockey star Neal. This was a definite college age read / listen with plenty of life altering decisions and stress to be had. Oh the stress and angst of possibly making the wrong decision that will effect your happily ever after dreams...Both of our main characters come from family lives that include hardships and thru both have a hard time letting others in and expressing emotions. Loved the smooth flowing storyline which was a great mix of romance and erotic stream. Loved how Neal showed Dahlia from the start her importance and how she was a little slow on the uptake. Narration was very well done - a perfect afternoon listen / escape. I loved it - and I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
October 22, 2020
Title: Hard Edge
Author: Lainey Davis
Format: Audio
Narrator: Crystal Crockett
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Sports (hockey), enemies to lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 1 of Stone Creek University
POV: Dahlia
Steam Level: Hot
5/5
Hard Edge is a great start to the Stone Creek University series. Hard Edge is a standalone and quite fun. The snark was great and I loved the punny humor. The forbidden nature of their relationship made it even hotter. Neal's possessiveness and Dahlia's quick-wit and take no bull attitude combine to make a fiery explosion of wills, steam, and love. I would have loved Neal's POV as well.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Author: Lainey Davis
Format: Audio
Narrator: Crystal Crockett
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Sports (hockey), enemies to lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 1 of Stone Creek University
POV: Dahlia
Steam Level: Hot
5/5
Hard Edge is a great start to the Stone Creek University series. Hard Edge is a standalone and quite fun. The snark was great and I loved the punny humor. The forbidden nature of their relationship made it even hotter. Neal's possessiveness and Dahlia's quick-wit and take no bull attitude combine to make a fiery explosion of wills, steam, and love. I would have loved Neal's POV as well.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
November 2, 2020
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.
This is Stone Creek University Novella book one, as I found with Deep In the Pocket, SCU book 2, Lainey Davis has a fantastic talent for providing a well fleshed out story in miniature form. There's something about being on the precipice of adulthood without the safety net of college, and parents that ups the stakes in this romance.
Shy Maths nerd + Hot Hockey Player = Steamy Goodness.
Neal and Dahlia have great chemistry, and while she tries to keep their tutoring gig strictly professional as she needs her job to get her through grad school, his persistence and charm is just too hard for her to resist.
This is Stone Creek University Novella book one, as I found with Deep In the Pocket, SCU book 2, Lainey Davis has a fantastic talent for providing a well fleshed out story in miniature form. There's something about being on the precipice of adulthood without the safety net of college, and parents that ups the stakes in this romance.
Shy Maths nerd + Hot Hockey Player = Steamy Goodness.
Neal and Dahlia have great chemistry, and while she tries to keep their tutoring gig strictly professional as she needs her job to get her through grad school, his persistence and charm is just too hard for her to resist.
April 17, 2023
New Adult, collegiate, "fling-to-forever" romance
This is a typical, New Adult, college romance, in which a handsome, ripped, promiscuous jock seduces his gorgeous, geeky math tutor. There is so much focus on the romantic protagonists' thinking about sex, talking about sex and engaging in sex, from start to finish in this story, there is little page space left over for an authentic, emotional connection to develop between them. However, because this is a romance novella, the author fulfills the genre expectation of an HEA, regardless of how improbable it is.
This is a typical, New Adult, college romance, in which a handsome, ripped, promiscuous jock seduces his gorgeous, geeky math tutor. There is so much focus on the romantic protagonists' thinking about sex, talking about sex and engaging in sex, from start to finish in this story, there is little page space left over for an authentic, emotional connection to develop between them. However, because this is a romance novella, the author fulfills the genre expectation of an HEA, regardless of how improbable it is.
September 17, 2020
This was a sweet short listen. It starts off pretty fast. Neal is a cocky hockey player and he wants what he wants. I really like seeing a Hero stopped in his tracks by the right girl. This has some hot steam going on also. There is a very cute ending.and left me smiling. Crystal does a good job.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
AudiobookObsession
AudiobooksUnleashed
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
AudiobookObsession
AudiobooksUnleashed
September 24, 2020
*review for audible version*
Instant attraction and chemistry for Neal and Dahlia! Neal can't keep his hands to himself when he's around Dahlia and Dahlia can't help but give in. A sort of forbidden relationship because Dahlia is Neal's tutor and she's depending on this to further her chance at a better opportunity. There's some bumps in the road for these two but their inevitable. The steam is off the charts delicious and I couldn't get enough. A short listen that packs all the punch!
Instant attraction and chemistry for Neal and Dahlia! Neal can't keep his hands to himself when he's around Dahlia and Dahlia can't help but give in. A sort of forbidden relationship because Dahlia is Neal's tutor and she's depending on this to further her chance at a better opportunity. There's some bumps in the road for these two but their inevitable. The steam is off the charts delicious and I couldn't get enough. A short listen that packs all the punch!
October 30, 2020
Neal is a college hockey star who needs help in math, to bring up his grades and stay on the team. Dahlia, a math wizard, was hired to tutor him. He's off limits to her, but that doesn't stop him from trying. Dahlia can't risk losing her job over him. Their connection is electric. it's a fun, steamy, sports romance I really enjoyed listening to.
Crystal Crockett narration was very goo. I received the audio from Story Origin and offered my honest review
Crystal Crockett narration was very goo. I received the audio from Story Origin and offered my honest review
June 1, 2025
2 solid stars
There's "insta-love" and then there's whatever this was.
The insta-atraction didn't make sense. The OTT physicality upon their FIRST MEET was wild. And that pretty much set the tone for the whole book. No depth to the characters, the MMC felt weirdly possessive of the FMC... All of it was ick for me.
I think it the book length was doubled the author could've given the characters and their relationship a chance to develop organically.
There's "insta-love" and then there's whatever this was.
The insta-atraction didn't make sense. The OTT physicality upon their FIRST MEET was wild. And that pretty much set the tone for the whole book. No depth to the characters, the MMC felt weirdly possessive of the FMC... All of it was ick for me.
I think it the book length was doubled the author could've given the characters and their relationship a chance to develop organically.
July 5, 2018
Loved it!
I have recently discovered Lainey Davis's books and have really enjoyed the two that I have read. They are quick, easy reads that hold your attention, but don't big down and lose you to wordy descriptions and other "stuff" that you don't need. The characters are well developed and the cast of side characters makes me smile. Good work Ms Davis!
I have recently discovered Lainey Davis's books and have really enjoyed the two that I have read. They are quick, easy reads that hold your attention, but don't big down and lose you to wordy descriptions and other "stuff" that you don't need. The characters are well developed and the cast of side characters makes me smile. Good work Ms Davis!
October 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this fast paced story about hockey player Neal and his math tutor Dahlia. The attraction between them is there, right from the start. I loved the hot scenes very much and the story never gets complicated or boring.
This review is based on the audiobook.
I liked the narrator, Crystal Crockett. She did a great job.
This review is based on the audiobook.
I liked the narrator, Crystal Crockett. She did a great job.
May 28, 2021
Book 1 in the Stone Creek University series. Neal is having problems with his grades and Dahlia is ask to be his tutor. From the very start Neal has more on his mind then math. They finally decide to get together but they have to keep it a secret because Dahlia is afraid She will lose her chance to go to MIT. They do get caught and all works out for the best.
June 24, 2019
Good sports read
The story is more insta love so as long as you’re ok with that you’ll like this one. I love a good sports romance and this one was pretty good. A bit faster in the love then I’d like but overall a good quick read.
The story is more insta love so as long as you’re ok with that you’ll like this one. I love a good sports romance and this one was pretty good. A bit faster in the love then I’d like but overall a good quick read.
September 21, 2019
Seriously enjoyed this
I took a fresh from RH to search for a book that would make me feel good without being heavy. So not disappointed. Amazing, never a cringy moment. Such good writing. Well recommended.
I took a fresh from RH to search for a book that would make me feel good without being heavy. So not disappointed. Amazing, never a cringy moment. Such good writing. Well recommended.
March 11, 2023
While this is certainly better than the second book of this series, it still isn't that great.
I think the biggest thing I dislike about this story is that the authors makes the fmc really, really smart, but then turns her into an idiot over a male.
I hate that. So much.
I think the biggest thing I dislike about this story is that the authors makes the fmc really, really smart, but then turns her into an idiot over a male.
I hate that. So much.
July 11, 2023
I just can’t do insta-love and I didn’t give a shit about the characters. There was no time dedicated to character development and no details to care about. Felt like a washed up Wattpad. Sped through after 60% so I could finish it sooner and move on.
June 10, 2025
2.5 Stars
It was fine. Boy these two were horny. I thought it was a little surface level and just didn't like how it started. Maybe I was in such a different space when I was in college but it felt a little disjointed at times.
It was fine. Boy these two were horny. I thought it was a little surface level and just didn't like how it started. Maybe I was in such a different space when I was in college but it felt a little disjointed at times.
March 4, 2019
Nice story. Loved Sean and Dahlia. Easy, enjoyable read.
April 23, 2019
Good story
I’m finding I couldn’t put this hockey story down till I finished. Characters were well developed and believable . I’m hoping to read more by this author.
I’m finding I couldn’t put this hockey story down till I finished. Characters were well developed and believable . I’m hoping to read more by this author.
October 3, 2019
Really good read. Spent the night up to finish it. The characters were easy to fall for and the story line flowed!
October 27, 2019
If you're looking for a great story arc, some super sexy scenes, and college love, this is definitely the one for you!!
June 20, 2022
Very short read, but cute and to the point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews