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To win, you have to play the game... Rising hockey star Nate Calloway has overcome a lot to get where he is. Playing professional hockey for the Las Vegas Sidewinders, he plans to keep his head down and do the one thing he’s good hockey. Everything is going according to plan until a gorgeous, spunky journalist falls into his lap. He might be a pro, but off the ice his lack of experience with women has him struggling to make the right move. Fresh out of college, Chelsea Baldwin has landed her dream job working for a local newspaper and her big break comes much sooner than expected. Finding herself in the locker room of a professional hockey team is a long way from city council meetings and traffic reports, but falling for one of the players—literally—wasn’t how she’d planned to start her career. A pro hockey player and a sports reporter shouldn’t be dating, but undeniable chemistry has them drawn to together, despite the consequences. When the stakes rise, their trust in each other is tested both in and out of the locker room. But this is one game they're determined to win...even if they have to make up their own rules.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2019

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399 people want to read

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Kat Mizera

134 books1,194 followers

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5 stars
302 (54%)
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162 (29%)
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70 (12%)
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17 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Liz.
455 reviews25 followers
dnf
May 20, 2019
This is the first full length contemporary romance I try in a while and I hated every second. To be completely honest, I started it because the hero is a virgin and the premise was somewhat interesting, but it might've been better if it was novella length.

This had snail-crawling story development, lukewarm romance and it was just plain BORING. All the scenes, descriptions and steps were there, but none of the emotion or connection. Lukewarm is putting it kindly actually.

I took a chance on this standalone book (the 7th in the series?) just because it has a virgin hero and somewhat interesting description, and it backfired. Lesson learned.
Profile Image for Terri.
2,886 reviews58 followers
February 15, 2021
DNF at 33% Could have been good. Gets bogged down in repetition and an unawareness of its own potential.

This being the sixth book in a series, and hardly the author's first set of works, I expected better. But I did not get better at all. It's nicely formatted, but it cries out for an editor who loves red pens and demands excess verbiage and nonsense phrasing be upgraded to meaningful prose and unique, intriguing phrasing. And cut out the annoying repetition!

I think a lot of authors don't know how FAST readers read. We'll remember, okay?

MISSED POTENTIAL:
Both these characters are demisexual, but the author seems unaware what that can mean. As a demisexual, I assure you it's no hardship to avoid sex until you get your emotional needs met. It's as common for men as women, just commit to it already.

There are more comments in the highlights.
Profile Image for Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading.
1,495 reviews26 followers
April 10, 2019
Chelsea Baldwin is trying to make her way as a journalist. Her true love is the human interest side of the entertainment industry, but she finds herself in the locker room of the Las Vegas Sidewinders covering a sport she really doesn’t know anything about.

Rooke Nate Calloway can’t help but to rescue the gorgeous journalist looking a bit lost and overwhelmed in his locker room. He knows dating a journalist probably isn’t a good idea, but he can’t help his attraction to Chelsea’s looks or personality.

Nate may be a rising hockey star, but he’s a novice with women. An incident in his past has him taking things slow and waiting for that perfect someone . . . could it be Chelsea?

Chelsea hasn’t had much luck with men. She’s willing to go as slow as Nate needs in order to prove they are in this relationship for more than just a good time sexually. And, he might just be the one!

But, when a story breaks that drags Nate’s past into the spotlight will it destroy their trust and ultimately their relationship or will their love prevail?

I don’t know if Kat Mizera has ever written a sweeter couple! Both Nate and Chelsea feel so fresh and young and somewhat innocent even though they both carry baggage with them. Their relationship is a fabulous slow burn and entertaining as can be. Their BFF’s Torn and Jennifer also have a few scene stealing scenes and laugh out loud moments! Fans of the series will also love Toli’s role as a mentor and voice of reason for Nate.

While this is a love story, I also appreciate how Kat continually tackles serious topics, such as abuse, with grace and dignity. Not only does it add depth to her stories, it also helps bring these topics exposure, giving readers insight into how they affect all walks of life.

As always, Kat Mizera has given readers another fantastic read. 5 stars!
Profile Image for Kelly.
660 reviews15 followers
March 21, 2019
Another great Sidewinders story

Book 11 in the Las Vegas Sidewinders series, I’m still pretty new to both this author and series—I think I’ve read 3 Sidewinders stories at this point about two different couples (one was a novella). Though you don’t need to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one, I think it would add to your experience if you’ve read at least a few—more on that in a moment.

While I really liked the other books in the series I’ve read, it took me a little longer than usual to get into this one. I think it was partly spring fever on my part as I wasn’t as interested in a hockey story as I would usually be. And I also think it was partly that there was a sort of roll call of the Sidewinders’ team members near the beginning, something I’m sure long time fans of the series loved, but with my limited knowledge, I was less invested in.

I did get there eventually though, and as usual, I loved the characters this author created, not only Nate and Chelsea, but secondary characters like Renee, Jen, and Tore as well. I truly felt for Nate and Chelsea throughout the story and its plot twists, and was cheering for them to get their hea.

A slow burn story, there was still plenty of chemistry between Chelsea and Nate, and plenty of feels, too. Another great Sidewinders story. 4.5 stars

B2B Kelly
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews445 followers
March 21, 2019
Nate by Kat Mizera is bk 11 in the Las Vegas Sidewinders series and what a deliciously awesome read this book was.
Nate and Chelsea are the main characters in this story and their tale is complex, sweet, sassy and heartwarming. I loved reading how their love story started off and the roadblocks that were put up in their way. Their story is heartwarming and at times even heartbreaking. Without giving anything away, you'll love Nate, who is the rookie on the Sidewinders team and Chelsea, who is is a reporter for a small newspaper who is covering the Sidewinders.  Theirs is a love story that is meant to be, even with all the ups and downs, twists and turns that happen.
This is one deliciously sweet and sassy story that will have you glued to this story. I loved the secondary characters and hope they get their own story ASAP.

My Rating: 4.7 stars ******
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,992 reviews173 followers
March 20, 2019
Welcome to a world where it's all on nothing. Win or lose, give it everything, you've got. Whether she's breaking, seducing or lifting a heart, mine is Kat Mizera's for the taking. Can't stand hockey, but I love romance. Mizera pulls out all the stops when it comes to telling a story. Awesome characters, heartstopping romance and drama that just won't quit. Nate is the culmination of these three factors and so much more. From laughing eyes to broken hearts, Mizera knows how to play the game.

Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
November 25, 2022
This one was very sweet, a lot of that due to the couple, both of them seemed very innocent. I liked that they talked about issues and came up with a plan that worked for them. It all seemed to be going smoothly until they were betrayed. I didn't believe for a minute that Chelsea did what everyone thought she did and was disappointed that more people weren't backing her. I was glad when finally people started to question things and everything came out in the open, was very glad that Chelsea was there to see it happen. It allowed Chelsea and Nate to get past things and focus on what was important to them, each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,230 reviews219 followers
March 15, 2019
5 star Review Las Vegas Sidewinders: Nate (# 11) by Kat Mizera
Despite the fact that a hockey player should never become involved with a rookie sports reporter that is exactly what happens to Nate Calloway and Chelsea Baldwin.
All Nate wants to do is concentrate on his hockey game, however the intense attraction and chemistry which sizzles between him and Chelsea makes it impossible to ignore.
Will their fledgling relationship be able to withstand the pressures of professional ice jockey and all that comes with dating a high profile player? Or will Chelsea's job interfere and ruin their chance to find happiness? One click and find out.
I loved all the secondary characters in this book and when time permits I will be reading the previous books in the series.
Profile Image for Nicole.
4,264 reviews53 followers
March 24, 2019
I'm a big fan of this series and this was a great addition to the series. I was instantly drawn into Nate and Chelsea's story. I really liked that isn't the typical hero and he's has a little surprising fact about himself. This book had humor that I enjoyed a lot especially in the epilogue. I like the camaraderie between the Sidewinders. They're a tight knit group. Nate and Chelsea's romance is a little forbidden because he's a hockey player and she's the sports reporter following the Sidewinders for immediate future. It has a disaster in the making, but do they have what it takes to make for the long haul?
Profile Image for Nancy Mederos.
88 reviews
March 21, 2019
Yet another captivating hockey romance by Kat Mizera. Nate is a charming, slow-burn, fascinating read. It is the 11th book in the Sidewinders series, I usually don't read a series this long, but the Sidewinders series is an exception. Every book is just as great as the last, if not better. Nate is no exception, I loved that it is one of this first books written by Kat Mizera that doesn’t jump into the steamy scenes. It had me rooting for the hero and heroine until the very end.

Nate is the rookie, a rising hockey star. He has worked very hard and overcome some very traumatic life events, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting ahead in his hockey career. His only sure plan is to play hockey and stay focused on the game. That is until Chelsea literally falls on his lap.

Chelsea is a fresh out of college journalist. Working for the local newspaper lands her a temporary job covering for the sports reporter, who is out sick. At first, Chelsea is nervous and intimidated by the fact she knows absolutely nothing about hockey and is sent out to the Sidewinders game to report on the game. Little did Chelsea know that one reporting assignment was about to change her life.

Kat Mizera is known for making me want to scream. Her books always have an element of surprise, the unexpected turn of events that has the hero and heroine at odds with each other. I almost, almost thought this book would be different. And them bam I get punched with the suspense and scream worthy moment. I knew it! This book couldn’t have been written any different. Another amazing story! I will sit here thinking about Nate and Chelsea until the next Sidewinder.

5 sterling stars!

Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
March 21, 2019
I'm a newer fan of Kat Mizera, and one of the things that I've really noticed, is all of her hockey stories come off as very original from the norm, and I really like that so much. And Nate definitely falls into that category. See, he's the rookie on the Las Vegas Sidewinders, with a ton of demons, but no one knows that. He just comes off as a nice guy who is awkward around women, but he's only interested in hockey, until he sets eyes on a young journalist who literally lands in his lap. Chelsea isn't the normal sports writing for her newspaper, but she's been tasked to take over temporarily since the regular guy is out for health reasons, which is why she finds herself in the locker room after her first ever pro hockey game. It's quickly apparent that she & Nate have strong chemistry, but he's been warned off of her, while she doesn't want to start off by dating a player. However, that chemistry won't be denied no matter what the consequences are. Now, even with the chemistry, it's a slow burn that felt like FOREVER before any sexy times lit the sheets on fire, but all good things come to those who wait they say right?! And Nate & Chelsea were totally cute together, as they're good people. Plus, there's a very entertaining cast of secondaries full of different personalities who add in some hilarious interactions which kept me laughing. And finally, some twists I saw coming, and some I didn't, but all of them had me dropping my favorite f-bomb! I LOVE this series, and hope there's more coming! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
Profile Image for Andrekia.
209 reviews6 followers
March 21, 2019
I love the Sidewinders and Nate is a wonderful addition to the team!

Nate, the new rookie on the team meets novice journalist Chelsea when she literally falls into his lap in the locker room. Sparks fly but neither of them has much experience so they don't immediately engage. When they do, we get the beginnings of a sweet romance between two wonderful characters. However, the road to love never runs smooth. Nate has a secret that gets out and journalist Chelsea is at the center of the story.

I adored Nate and Chelsea and how they related to one another. It was refreshing to see a couple with not a lot of baggage in the romance department. Nate's secret was definitely not one I would have guessed and it was handled in a way that showed grace and courage under fire.

It was great as always to get a peek at all my favorite Sidewinders!
Profile Image for Christine.
457 reviews29 followers
March 21, 2019
Ok people, let's talk about virgins... I adore hockey novels and never thought a virgin NHL player would work but damn I was wrong. Nate and Chelsea's love story will sweep you off your feet and glue you to your kindle till the last page. Nate's story will pull at your heart and Chelsea struggles are completely relatable and this story is 100% buy worthy. 5 "Sleepover" stars for Nate by Kat Mizera
Profile Image for Leah Dynes.
1,038 reviews11 followers
March 22, 2019
Nate and Chelsea are both reluctant to try a relationship with each other, her being a new journalist and him a rookie professional hockey player. But they decide to give it a shot, and are glad they did, until both their worlds come crashing down and their relationship is tested beyond what either of them can imagine. This is a cute love story, with some drama thrown in. I’d recommend this book.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,484 reviews53 followers
April 3, 2019
Love this seeies❤Love the sidewinders .Loved Nate and Chelsea grabbed my heart.Such an amazing broken beautiful intense love story.Ready for Jen and Tore
Profile Image for Ashley.
467 reviews10 followers
March 21, 2019
An emotionally intense story! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read

Chelsea is a journalist who gets thrown into sports reporting. Nate is the newest member of the Sidewinder’s team who has a past that has kept him from relationships, but when sparks fly in the locker room with the newest reported will he act? I loved how the team as it always does rallies behind its teammate when there is a problem. Kat does it again with the story of Nate and Chelsea!
Profile Image for Andi.
1,200 reviews
March 15, 2019
Absolutely loved Nate! He is such an amazing character. Thank you for bringing attention to this awful heartbreaking reality & showing us a strong, male character that dealing with real issues facing many athletes & young people. Thank you also for Chelsea. She was so understanding & supportive & everything you’d want to have in a significant other.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
February 1, 2021
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBook today (2/1/2021)!🎁
Profile Image for Jody.
2,090 reviews61 followers
March 22, 2019
After eleven books you’d think that Ms. Mizera’s Las Vegas Sidewinders series would be getting a bit stale, but that’s not the case with this slow-burn romance between two people just starting out in their careers. From the first page to the last it’s a sweet and sensual tale with an endearing hero and an immensely likable heroine whose road to romance put a smile on my face.

Nate Calloway’s the rookie on the team, a player who’s determined to make his mark through hard work and a serious nature. He takes his teammates advice readily as he wants to be the best player he can be, but when they recommend that he not date the new hockey reporter he finds himself standing strong as she brings a bit of sunshine to his slightly tarnished life. Nate’s a truly likable hero, a bit naive and inexperienced, but his vulnerabilities endear him to me. A traumatic childhood has left its mark on him too, left him leery when it comes to sexuality and relationships, and the reveal of his feelings left me aching for him. It’s a heavy issue that I applaud the author for dealing with and it spoke volumes about his teammates that they supported him through his talking about it out loud. Nate’s a charmer, a true gentleman off the ice, and throughout his burgeoning relationship with Chelsea his words and deeds warmed my heart and I’m still dreaming of this sexy hockey player with a heart of gold.

Chelsea Baldwin’s new to being a sports reporter, but she’s determined to be a success. Though she knows nothing about hockey she jumps into the world wholeheartedly and throughout her time writing there’s a war waging between what her editor wants and what she feels comfortable reporting. There’s an air of youth to her too, an air of uncertainty, that made for a charming start to her and Nate’s relationship. Watching them grow closer was like watching high schoolers on a first date and showed their pairing to be teeming with sexual tension. She’s a strong support to Nate, understanding with his desire to go slow and it made me like her all the more for it. She’s cautious when forming friendships, careful in everything she does, but determined in the path she plans for her life as she balances love with her career.

On a whole this was a sweet and immensely satisfying story of two cautious characters winding their way towards HEA through all the highs and lows of both of their careers. The romance between Nate and Chelsea was a charming one, heartwarming for all the issues they had to work through to be together. Frank talks and unconditional acceptance made them a formidable pairing that I rooted for every step of the way. Surrounding this likable main couple was an immensely appealing cast of secondary characters, Nate’s fellow teammates, who left a lasting impression on me. Players who’ve found their HEA previously are back to update readers on where their relationships are, joined by new players ready to step into the spotlight. Players like Zaan, Ian, and Tore were super sexy and confident and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future. Though they talk a good game when it comes to women, they offer unwavering support to Nate as they help him overcome his fears. Together they’re a true team, playful yet brotherly in their interactions off the ice to remind readers of what makes this series so special. By the turn of the final page I’m left utterly charmed by this couple yet ready for whatever Ms. Mizera has planned next for the Las Vegas Sidewinders!
232 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2019
Loved it

Another great addition to the Sidewinders series. Nate Calloway is the young hotshot on the Las Vegas Sidewinders team but he is not much of a ladies man until Chelsea falls right in his lap. Chelsea is a reporter for a small local newspaper who is forced to fill for the sports guy when he goes out on medical leave after a heart attack. She knows nothing about hockey, all she knows how to write is public interest stories, like flower shows and town meetings. She really doesnt know that it's bad luck to step on the logo on the floor of the locker room until someone tells her then backs her into a corner and into Nate's lap, Well hello there!! This job isn't going to be so bad after all!!
Some very important subjects addressed in this book but I'm not going to give any spoilers! I can't wait to see who gets a book next
Profile Image for Lorelei's Lit Lair.
107 reviews38 followers
April 11, 2019
A sexy hockey romance, filled with drama, passion and down to earth characters.
Profile Image for Lynn Jones.
320 reviews3 followers
April 10, 2019
Awesome

This was a truly awesome story. The author did a great job and made you feel part of the story. I loved Nate and Chelsea and the struggles they went thru.
Profile Image for Lisa.
26 reviews
April 4, 2019
I so loved this book. Nate and Chelsea had immediate chemistry and it was a wonderful to have unfold. Kat Mizera always brings the feels in her books and hits you with some tough topics. This book was no exception. FANTASTIC book. Loved it a lot, as I do all of Kat's books.
31 reviews
April 5, 2019
Fantastic Book

Kat you did a great job, especially introducing Jamie Davenport and Tess Thompson to your readers. All three of you are great!!
Profile Image for Sharon Moritz-rosenthal.
2,272 reviews29 followers
March 22, 2019
I received a review copy of the book before release for an honest review.
This is book 11 in the series and it takes us back to the Las Vegas Hockey Team and we see a lot of the veteran players in this book. The star of this book is rookie, Nate who is a 23 year old good guy and he meets 22 year old brand new reporter Chelsea when she fills in for a sick journalist at her newspaper.

The two have a BIG attraction to each other but she is a reporter and thats something Nate is very careful with so they take things slow. Nate also has a big secret and he trusts Chelsea with it. The thing with this story is they are both VERY young and at times they certainly act like it.

Some things Chelsea does I would have never done though she made some errors in judgment it comes from a sweetheart. She really is a very sweet and honest reporter and at times that is a big issue for her as she is surrounded by hardened journalists.

This was a well written story that was mostly light hearted and follows Chelsea and Nate as they both fall for each other. I loved seeing Toli and the other veterans and having them interact with Nate. Looking forward to more stories in this series with more of the rookies on the team.
Profile Image for Jolene Huber.
878 reviews11 followers
March 21, 2019
Some Skeletons Are Scarier Than Others.

This book is in the Las Vegas Sidewinders series. I would read them in order. It could be read as a standalone. The series seems to have less and less about the other older players in them as they go along. This book is about Nate. He has one of the more difficult pasts of actual players that we have seen. He has to learn how to overcome it and learn to open up. Being a rookie he gets a bit of a harder time than most. With the media and other things. He has Chelsea fall in his lap literally in the locker room. A new journalist, new to hockey. All goes well until the past comes back to haunt him.
Profile Image for Cindy Hughes.
1,637 reviews11 followers
March 21, 2019
Kat has written another fantastic Sidewinders book!
I absolutely loved Nate and Chelsea! They were great characters and perfect for each other! There were some misunderstandings and some down right lies that get in their way to their hea.
I love the Sidewinder stories! They keep getting better with each book! I couldn’t put this down! I’m excited to see who’s story Kat writers next in the Sidewinders series!
46 reviews
March 22, 2019
Great book

Got to see the other characters that started the series.A Serious matter was written about, Kat wrote about it with care! She did a wonderful job. Can't wait for the next book. Good writer!
36 reviews
March 23, 2019
Just keeps getting better

Kat Mazeria did it again! Her stories just get better and better each time! Can’t wait for what comes next!
Profile Image for Kara Quade.
621 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2019
Nate Calloway is a rookie on the Las Vegas Sidewinders. Nate is a considered a nice guy who is awkward around women but is hiding a secret from his past. Chelsea Baldwin is a young reporter fresh out of college working for a local newspaper. Chelsea is given the assignment of covering the Sidewinders while the established reporter is out on medical. Sparks fly between Chelsea and Nate when she falls into his lap during her first foray into the Sidewinders' locker room. Nate is warned away from getting involved with a reporter, and Chelsea doesn't want to start her journalistic career by dating an athlete. After an annual Sidewinder event, Nate and Chelsea decide to get to know each other and date secretly. Nate and Chelsea are both dealing with issues from their past. Will Chelsea walk away when Nate tells her his secret, or will Chelsea decide to take a chance on Nate and their relationship? Will Nate walk away from Chelsea when her newspaper prints his secret for everyone to see, or will Nate trust Chelsea and find the truth? Can Chelsea and Nate overcome their issues and trust in one another? Can Nate and Chelsea find their happily ever after? LOVED Nate by Kat Mizera. Nate is a fantastic book that takes the reader on an emotional journey. The chemistry between Chelsea and Nate is HOT! Chelsea and Nate's friends bring laughter throughout the book. Kat Mizera is a MUST read author. I would highly recommend getting Nate by Kat Mizera. I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest review.
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