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San Francisco Strikers #6
Going All In
A meddling mother. A bad boy of hockey. A fake relationship that isn't as fake as they'd planned. All Darcy Collins wants is to focus on finishing her master’s degree. She doesn’t have the time to get involved with anyone. But her meddling mother is persistent in her unwanted matchmaking for Darcy. When her mother tries once again to set her up on a date, Darcy tells her she’s already seeing the San Francisco Strikers' latest handsome hockey star, Jake Northman. Her mother doesn’t have to know they’d only met last week and had gotten off to a rocky start. Traded to the San Francisco Strikers after a terrible season and off ice antics with his old team in New York, Jake’s out to prove he’s reformed his ways and is all-in with his new team. Dating a good girl might go a long way toward proving he’s trying to shed his bad-boy reputation. Besides, the long-legged sexy brunette is certainly easy on the eyes. Jake’s happy to go along with the hoax, but when things start to heat up between them, will they go all in to turn a fake romance into true love? This is a full length fake relationship sports romance. Standalone. HEA guaranteed! No cliffhanger.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2020
254 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Kay
24 books494 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, Stephanie Kay has always loved a good romance, and she got hooked on the dirty ones at the tender age of 14, when she told her mother that if the cover wasn’t a bodice ripper, then there was no sex in the book. As an avid mystery reader, her mother never checked to see if Stephanie was lying. Twenty plus years later, Stephanie’s most prized possession is her Kindle, and she may have a Hallmark movie obsession.
She has called California, Maryland, and Rhode Island her home, but now lives in New Hampshire with her husband where she asks him incessant questions until he escapes to go hiking in the mountains. That’s the only time she can get him out of the house so she can get her writing in. Married couples shouldn’t both work from home!
Sports were never her thing, but after beta reading for another hockey author and buying NHL Game Center within one month of watching her first hockey game a few years ago, she dove into learning everything she could about the sport and the hot men that play it. Now she spends her spare time visiting hockey arenas in the name of research and loving every second of it.
You can find her online at www.stephkaybooks.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. Please join her reader group for updates and excerpts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/19224...
You can also email her at stephanie@stephkaybooks.com
She has called California, Maryland, and Rhode Island her home, but now lives in New Hampshire with her husband where she asks him incessant questions until he escapes to go hiking in the mountains. That’s the only time she can get him out of the house so she can get her writing in. Married couples shouldn’t both work from home!
Sports were never her thing, but after beta reading for another hockey author and buying NHL Game Center within one month of watching her first hockey game a few years ago, she dove into learning everything she could about the sport and the hot men that play it. Now she spends her spare time visiting hockey arenas in the name of research and loving every second of it.
You can find her online at www.stephkaybooks.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. Please join her reader group for updates and excerpts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/19224...
You can also email her at stephanie@stephkaybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 2, 2020
I loved the story until Darcy was an idiot and then I could of cared less about her. Jake was wonderful and he gets all three stars!!
Good hockey chatter and game activity.
Good hockey chatter and game activity.
January 29, 2025
I actually really enjoyed reading this!
I am not a big fan of contemporary or third person but it was written in a way that felt captivating even if nothing too crazy/dramatic happened. I value the realness of the story and how cute the development of the relationship was. I also LOVE the amount of time was spent talking about hockey. This was a true hockey romance and not just "theres a hot guy who plays hockey." I also felt like it was clear that the author either understands hockey or at the very least did her research.
An enjoyable, quick, easy read about a fake relationship (that was never actually fake <3 ) with romance and humour throughout.
I am not a big fan of contemporary or third person but it was written in a way that felt captivating even if nothing too crazy/dramatic happened. I value the realness of the story and how cute the development of the relationship was. I also LOVE the amount of time was spent talking about hockey. This was a true hockey romance and not just "theres a hot guy who plays hockey." I also felt like it was clear that the author either understands hockey or at the very least did her research.
An enjoyable, quick, easy read about a fake relationship (that was never actually fake <3 ) with romance and humour throughout.
March 12, 2020
All Darcy wants is to finish her education with as little interruption as possible. Enter a meddling mother and Jake and Darcy have unwittingly started a fake relationship, to keep her happy. What happens when fake, is not so fake anymore? Can these two opposites make it work? I really enjoyed the banter between these two. Darcy, a hockey convert!! Loved this story and all the secondary characters as well. Highly recommend!!
February 29, 2020
I loved this book! it was the perfect trope for me, fake relationship, hockey and a swoony hero? what's not to love? perfect read!
February 29, 2020
It feels like home when I read another book in the Strikers Series! Darcy & Jake, a chance meeting, a mutual beneficial agreement with all the highs and lows, add HOCKEY, it doesn't get much better.
Once again I could not put it down and was sad to finish! Happy to see our old friends from the previous books make their appearance!
If you haven't read book 1, please do! Thanks Stephanie!
Once again I could not put it down and was sad to finish! Happy to see our old friends from the previous books make their appearance!
If you haven't read book 1, please do! Thanks Stephanie!
March 4, 2020
So much love for this story!
So glad for the return of the Strikers! Love Darcy and *finally* getting Jakes story. They say Darcy tamed the bad boy of hockey but really she wrapped him up in all the feelings. I do love a good fake relationship and this did not disappoint. The feels for this one were both fire and so melty!
So glad for the return of the Strikers! Love Darcy and *finally* getting Jakes story. They say Darcy tamed the bad boy of hockey but really she wrapped him up in all the feelings. I do love a good fake relationship and this did not disappoint. The feels for this one were both fire and so melty!
August 20, 2022
My favorite of the series so far; fake realationship that turns to more. Smart banter, swoony and sexy moments, and two people learning to let go and let someone be there for them. It was good to see them both grow; Jake settling down and Darcy learning there's more to life than studying. I felt they complemented each other well.
May 15, 2025
Ha sido una lectura muy dulce y he tenido una sonrisa en la cara la mayor parte del tiempo. Eso si, el conflicto del tercer acto no me ha gustado nada, me parece que se podía haber planteado mejor y, sobre todo, haberlo solucionado mejor con más desarrollo. Porque yo soy él y no habría perdonado tan rápido después de lo que él se acababa jugando, no sé cómo no estaba más resentido.
February 29, 2020
All the feels!
I loved this book. The characters were so well written that they felt like real friends. The emotional rollercoaster you go on is beautiful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a HEA!
I loved this book. The characters were so well written that they felt like real friends. The emotional rollercoaster you go on is beautiful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a HEA!
March 30, 2020
Loved it
What a great book. They were perfect for each other. They were friends first and helped each other out. Then feelings got in the way. They feel in love with each other and were perfect. Great book
What a great book. They were perfect for each other. They were friends first and helped each other out. Then feelings got in the way. They feel in love with each other and were perfect. Great book
August 23, 2021
Great series
Enjoyed the first six books of this series. Very well written. Characters keep me interested. None overly unlike able like some writers portray them. Story really kept me interested and didn’t want to put it down.
Enjoyed the first six books of this series. Very well written. Characters keep me interested. None overly unlike able like some writers portray them. Story really kept me interested and didn’t want to put it down.
March 2, 2022
I am so.loving this series!
Another great story here by Stephanie! Each book in this series gets better and better! If you haven't started this yet and you love hockey and romance, start enjoying this one! 5 hockey stars for this one!
Another great story here by Stephanie! Each book in this series gets better and better! If you haven't started this yet and you love hockey and romance, start enjoying this one! 5 hockey stars for this one!
December 3, 2023
This is the 6th book in the San Francisco Strikers series. It is the story of bad boy hockey star Kake Northman and science nerd grad student Darcy Collins. To solve some issues they begin a fake relationship that turns real.
February 28, 2020
So good
I cannot believe we wait so long for a book, to devour it in hours. Stephanie keep them coming for your fans!! You never disappoint us.
I cannot believe we wait so long for a book, to devour it in hours. Stephanie keep them coming for your fans!! You never disappoint us.
May 22, 2020
It was a very good book. Read it all in one day. Couldn't put it down.
August 31, 2020
Sincere Love
This is a refreshingly sweet and sincere love story with endearing characters that will have you enjoying their journey to unconditional love and family.
This is a refreshingly sweet and sincere love story with endearing characters that will have you enjoying their journey to unconditional love and family.
December 6, 2021
Going All In.
Jake and Darcy
A fake relationship that turns real.
Darcy needs to get her mother off of her back. The constant set up with “nice boys” was getting old. She needed to find a solution that would allow her to continue her studies, working towards her master’s degree, and make her mother happy.
Enter Jake.
He wants to continue playing in San Francisco, he needs to sign a new contract. To do that, he needs to clean up his image and behavior. Keep himself out of the penalty box, and find a steady, nice girl to be seen with.
A win-win for both of them. A fake relationship. A few pictures posted to social media, a few dates out in public. No problem. Until they renegotiate the terms of their agreement, and feelings get involved.
I was not sure how I was going feel about Jake. He’s been around for a few books, and I was never much of a fan of his character. He was the stereotypical pro athlete. Cocky, arrogant, smug and quite the player. On and off the ice. The bad boy of hockey. But I actually loved him in this book. Yes, he was still confident and cocky. But it was cute and playful. For someone so opposed to relationships, he was really good at it. It was obvious his feelings for Darcy were real.
Darcy was one of those characters you just want to slap some sense into. She was so hyper focused on her degree and studying she forgot to look up from her books and live her life. She saw only her degree. And she ends up making a stupid mistake when she misses one appointment. She panics. It was a bit ridiculous. But when she steps away from the books she was great. A lot of fun. I loved when all of the women were together, they definitely had a good time. And her mother. Oh my. There’s a difference between wanting your children to be happy, and needing to cut the apron strings and let your children breathe. I’m sure the author was trying to make her quirky and fun, but that’s not how she came across to me. She was a nightmare.
Overall I liked the book. It was a cute story. And there was lots of hockey. I loved that.
Dual points of view. No cheating, no cliffhanger. A happy ending. And a surprise engagement (finally!)
Jake and Darcy
A fake relationship that turns real.
Darcy needs to get her mother off of her back. The constant set up with “nice boys” was getting old. She needed to find a solution that would allow her to continue her studies, working towards her master’s degree, and make her mother happy.
Enter Jake.
He wants to continue playing in San Francisco, he needs to sign a new contract. To do that, he needs to clean up his image and behavior. Keep himself out of the penalty box, and find a steady, nice girl to be seen with.
A win-win for both of them. A fake relationship. A few pictures posted to social media, a few dates out in public. No problem. Until they renegotiate the terms of their agreement, and feelings get involved.
I was not sure how I was going feel about Jake. He’s been around for a few books, and I was never much of a fan of his character. He was the stereotypical pro athlete. Cocky, arrogant, smug and quite the player. On and off the ice. The bad boy of hockey. But I actually loved him in this book. Yes, he was still confident and cocky. But it was cute and playful. For someone so opposed to relationships, he was really good at it. It was obvious his feelings for Darcy were real.
Darcy was one of those characters you just want to slap some sense into. She was so hyper focused on her degree and studying she forgot to look up from her books and live her life. She saw only her degree. And she ends up making a stupid mistake when she misses one appointment. She panics. It was a bit ridiculous. But when she steps away from the books she was great. A lot of fun. I loved when all of the women were together, they definitely had a good time. And her mother. Oh my. There’s a difference between wanting your children to be happy, and needing to cut the apron strings and let your children breathe. I’m sure the author was trying to make her quirky and fun, but that’s not how she came across to me. She was a nightmare.
Overall I liked the book. It was a cute story. And there was lots of hockey. I loved that.
Dual points of view. No cheating, no cliffhanger. A happy ending. And a surprise engagement (finally!)
March 1, 2020
What a wonderful book to read! Going All In has everything fans of contemporary romance will love: a fake relationship, lots of steamy and sweet moments, witty banter between the two main characters and a well-developed storyline that hooks the reader in. Stephanie Kay has wowed me with Going All In and it’s a 5 star read from me!
Book 6 in the San Francisco Strikers series, Going All In continues the series with Darcy Collins and Jake Northman. Darcy is a college student with one thing on her mind, her studies and graduating in May before beginning her doctorate studies. A passionate learner, her friend Ally is always convincing Darcy to let loose and have some fun. It’s on one very rare night with Ally that she meets Jake, mistaking him for a waiter at Casino Night, an event his hockey team, the San Francisco Strikers put on every year. Jake currently has a reputation that needs curbing, and Darcy is trying to get her mother off her case about finding a man. Cue, a mutually- beneficial fake relationship! The chemistry is instantaneous between these two and makes for perfect reading as we follow their journey.
I laughed out loud at so many interactions and scenes in this book, I also swooned at particularly romantic ones too. I loved the developing feelings these two shared and their vulnerability, it made for a real story, one that held my interest and kept me turning the pages the whole way through! And the hockey made this book totally next level for me as I love sports romance!
This was my first book in this series, and I was able to follow along really well, so it’s a definite standalone. I will be going back to read books 1-5 though as I want more of the Strikers!
Thanks to the author for an early copy of this book. The opinions are my own and this is an honest review.
Book 6 in the San Francisco Strikers series, Going All In continues the series with Darcy Collins and Jake Northman. Darcy is a college student with one thing on her mind, her studies and graduating in May before beginning her doctorate studies. A passionate learner, her friend Ally is always convincing Darcy to let loose and have some fun. It’s on one very rare night with Ally that she meets Jake, mistaking him for a waiter at Casino Night, an event his hockey team, the San Francisco Strikers put on every year. Jake currently has a reputation that needs curbing, and Darcy is trying to get her mother off her case about finding a man. Cue, a mutually- beneficial fake relationship! The chemistry is instantaneous between these two and makes for perfect reading as we follow their journey.
I laughed out loud at so many interactions and scenes in this book, I also swooned at particularly romantic ones too. I loved the developing feelings these two shared and their vulnerability, it made for a real story, one that held my interest and kept me turning the pages the whole way through! And the hockey made this book totally next level for me as I love sports romance!
This was my first book in this series, and I was able to follow along really well, so it’s a definite standalone. I will be going back to read books 1-5 though as I want more of the Strikers!
Thanks to the author for an early copy of this book. The opinions are my own and this is an honest review.
February 29, 2020
Reviewed based on an ARC received in return for an honest review* Another fantastic read from Stephanie! The story of Darcy and Jake is full of relatable, quirky characters that are adorkable, and sexy romance that made me want to read more - hockey butts anyone?! The pretend relationship is a tried and true trope and Stephanie writes it well - giving the reader the enjoyment of seeing how the characters develop and acknowledge the realness of not-so-pretend feelings - the texting back and forth was the best! Not only does the book have a sweet and sexy romance, but it has a healthy dose of hockey action, both on-ice and chirps in the locker room (and I adore that Jake feels the same way about shootouts as me ;)). The nods throughout to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice made me smile from ear to ear. I also enjoyed that loved characters from the Strikers' series play a role in the book and it doesn't feel forced or artificial (do I sense a Baz romance coming down the pike? ;))
Overall, one of my favourites from Stephanie (Finn and Sophia will always be #1) and makes me even more excited for the next!
Overall, one of my favourites from Stephanie (Finn and Sophia will always be #1) and makes me even more excited for the next!
February 29, 2020
Sports romance novels are my favourite genre. If the sport happens to be hockey I am fairly certain I am going to love the book even more. As much as I love the romance side, it is the sports action that pulls me in just as much. In Going All In, Stephanie has plenty of on ice action that not only was relevant to the story but also added to it.
Now onto to romance side with Jake & Darcy. Fake Relationship is a trope I am drawn to time and again. And I really enjoyed Stephanie's take on it. For two people that had their own end game with agreeing to a fake relationship, I loved how for Jake at least it all fell into place naturally. The same could not be said for Darcy, but she ended up by realising that her goals could move slightly to the side to allow herself someone special in her life.
This has been a fantastic series, and I have my fingers crossed that there are more books to come. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book
Now onto to romance side with Jake & Darcy. Fake Relationship is a trope I am drawn to time and again. And I really enjoyed Stephanie's take on it. For two people that had their own end game with agreeing to a fake relationship, I loved how for Jake at least it all fell into place naturally. The same could not be said for Darcy, but she ended up by realising that her goals could move slightly to the side to allow herself someone special in her life.
This has been a fantastic series, and I have my fingers crossed that there are more books to come. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book
February 24, 2020
I fell in love with Jake during Penny and Ethan’s What Happens in Italy! And could not wait til he got all the feels! Darcy is an absolute spitfire! And fell in love with her on page 2! I LOVE HEA! Darcy’s mother pushes her to make up a fake boyfriend and Jake needs a girl to keep his cockiness to a minimum. Going all in is the 6th book of the series and has characters from pervious books! It can be read as a stand-alone or in order! But if you read this one first you will be itching to read all the others because you will be hooked!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2020
I went all in with Going All In, and it DID NOT disappoint! Darcy just wants to finish her master's without her mom trying to set her up with random guys. Jake is the hot shot trying to clean up his image. So they agree to fake dating...what could go wrong?!
The book can be read as a standalone, but Stephanie Kay interweaves the other characters into her books, and their interactions are touching and hilarious! I loved this book and enjoyed every page of it...steamy scenes, funny scenes, hockey scenes - loved them all!!!
**I received an ARC for an exchange for my honest opinion.
The book can be read as a standalone, but Stephanie Kay interweaves the other characters into her books, and their interactions are touching and hilarious! I loved this book and enjoyed every page of it...steamy scenes, funny scenes, hockey scenes - loved them all!!!
**I received an ARC for an exchange for my honest opinion.
February 28, 2020
What happens when a cocky hockey player looking for redemption meets a nerdy girl who doesn't like hockey with a mother that could rival Mrs. Bennett (Pride & Prejudice)? A sweet story where real love blooms out of pretend love.
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to keep reading because the story was so good. The characters are so real with their own quirks. You can feel their love and frustration and actually relate to them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but I would have read the book anyway because the others in this series have been so great.
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to keep reading because the story was so good. The characters are so real with their own quirks. You can feel their love and frustration and actually relate to them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but I would have read the book anyway because the others in this series have been so great.
February 29, 2020
Amazing!!! The Stirkers are by far one of my favorite hockey series. This latest book in the series just adds to my love for them. Darcy, the single minded heroine, is adorkable. Then there is Jake, the overly confident “player”. I was in stitches from their first meeting. Nothing like a bruise to the ego when you aren’t recognized at a team event and are told that tennis is the best sport ever. Meddling momma and a fake relationship ensue.
Stephanie Kay is just an awesome wordsmith. If you haven’t read her what are you waiting for?!
Stephanie Kay is just an awesome wordsmith. If you haven’t read her what are you waiting for?!
February 19, 2020
I love reading romance. To get lost in the story, feel all the feelings, and enjoy the ending, which is usually a happy one. This story doesn’t disappoint and hits all the things I love about a romance. Plus if you’ve read the other books, you’ve got the familiarity of characters you know. If you haven’t that’s ok because the author writes in a way that won’t leave you lost.
Thank you again to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you again to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 7, 2020
"and then you kissed all the words out of my brain,..." . Definitely the best line ever!
I absolutely loved this book. Darcy and Jake make a really great fake couple. As usual, Stephanie Kay does not disappoint. Her books are full of sass, snark, and chemistry between characters, always leaving me wanting more.
I absolutely loved this book. Darcy and Jake make a really great fake couple. As usual, Stephanie Kay does not disappoint. Her books are full of sass, snark, and chemistry between characters, always leaving me wanting more.
August 25, 2023
3.5 stars - there was no conflict, really, at all. No angst. No emotional trip until near the end. I did care enough to speed through it, so there’s that. I think Stephanie enjoys making her heroines the bad guys, which is somewhat atypical.
February 17, 2020
Great story! Connected with the characters immediately and loved how characters from prior books lives continued.
March 24, 2020
There was no conflict here, everything and everyone was saccharine, hollow, boring and repetitive; the girl never acted like a scientist, the guy never acted like a bad boy.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews