What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. At least that’s what I’ve always heard.
But I’m pretty sure they also say that a diamond lasts forever.
And the mystery woman leaving my sin city hotel room – the one with legs for days and the sexiest backside I’ve ever seen?
She’s wearing one on her left hand that goes right along with the official looking marriage certificate I find in my gym bag even as her intoxicating scent still lingers on my bedsheets.
Although I can’t remember how we got hitched, I know I want her more than I’ve ever wanted a woman before.
With my heart aching in my chest, I make one fatal mistake by letting her leave after our one night of wedded bliss.
She’s my wife and I don’t even know her name.
Apparently, tequila and matrimony don’t mix. But despite my Rochester Riot buddies begging me to forget all about it, destroy the evidence and fly home to fulfill my NHL dreams, I don’t want a divorce.
After 26 years in Corporate leadership at a Fortune 500, I discovered people within the organization lacked integrity. I’d always known deep in my soul that I was trying to fit a square peg in to a round hole since I’m the typical creative type. I miss my staff but I don’t miss the corporate world. It’s been said that the Universe will let you know if something isn’t right for you. The first time, it will hit you with a pebble. Then a brick. Then a boulder. Let’s just say that I got flattened. When my fifteen pound toy dog, Nigel, was threatened, I knew it was time to say goodbye. It’s true. Here’s what I found within the first thirty days of being free. Writing stories from my heart that readers love means more to me than working myself in to an early grave for people who only care about their bottom line. My heart has never been more full and my soul has never been more satisfied. I’ve never worked so hard in my life but it doesn’t even feel like work. It’s worth it. All of it. Because it’s about the joy that’s found within the journey. The highs and the lows because I get to write stories for all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, enjoying and recommending the stories that I write. When you share my work with others, nothing is more rewarding. Your word of mouth is my very best friend … that, and your reviews. There is nothing more important to me than all of you. I love to hear from my readers and answer all communications personally. You can find me at:
Blake deserves better. How the hell are you gonna donate things in his house without asking??? And then when you find out the marriage certificate is fake, you don't hear him out, and you move out and block him. When he tries to tell you he doesn't know, you ignore him. He accidentally washed your prototype in the washing machine, and you get upset. Fine, you were under pressure at work with your new contract, and you being upset was understandable. But when he realizes you donated something sentimental to him, without consulting him, and he tells you that he built it with his DEAD father, and his DEAD mother wrote on the bin, your response is that you don't care because it didn't "fit" his decor and because you assumed someone else left it behind. What the ever-loving fuck? And then you didn't even apologize to him for it. Tbh, you should've grovelled for him more than just wearing a jersey with his number. You INTENTIONALLY hurt him by telling him you don't care that you donated the ships. Yes, you got the ships back. However, your initial response said enough about how much you care about his input in things around the house. You can be anal retentive and still care and be aware of other people's feelings about things in their space when you move into their space, you know? Common sense would say for you to ask him before donating anything in his house. You and your friends can only blame the pressure from your father to be perfect for so much. Mina was genuinely selfish and unwilling to compromise in the relationship or communicate. While Blake tried to tell you he didn't know, and he was also confused about the marriage certificate, you chose to act immaturely and lash out at him.
I respect the other reviews, but Mina just pissed me off to no end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I haven’t read all the books in the Rochester Riot Series so I can honestly say that The Line can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. We all know the saying “ What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas “ well that’s not the case for Blake and Mina’s because one night that neither can remember leaves them with wedding bands and a marriage certificate. So what will Blake do when Mina runs before they even exchange names. Blake is the new player for the Rochester Riot NHL team and his teammates try to make him forget Vegas and file for a divorce but he is having none if that, he is determined to find his wife and he can’t believe they both live in the same town. Can Blake convince Mina to give their marriage a go ? You will need to read the book to find that out but what I will say is, I loved everything about this couple and their journey and I’m sure you will too so all I need to say is please one click this gem.
Dnf at 32% because why was he immediately so in love with her? Like he married her the night he met her, drunk in Vegas, and CANT EVEN REMEMBER HER?! BUT IS TOTALLY HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE? Get me out of here.
4.5 Star review of The Line (Rochester Riot #5) by Colleen Charles
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas or does it? For Blake and Mina their story continues and I really enjoyed this story. Imagine their shock when they realize that they have gotten married. Neither of them remember getting married but it seems that it is real. However Mina leaves before Blake can even get her name, so now what to do? As a member of the Rochester Riot NHL team , they tried to persuade him to get a divorce and move on; however Blake was determined to find her. Their journey was full of twists and turns and made for an entertaining read as Blake realizes that he wants to stay married to Mina. Now if only he can convince Mina that what they have is real and to take a chance on them. I loved the banter and the development of their relationship, it was heart warming and made me smile. Blake and Mina are suited to one another and the chemistry sizzled. A well written story with characters who were easy to relate to.
Blake is a member of the Rochester Riot NHL team. When he and the team are in Vegas, Blake and Mina hook up for a one-night-stand. But this is one night that neither can remember until they find wedding bands and a marriage certificate! Blake can’t remember the details, but he knows he wants to stay married! However, he has no idea who she is or where she came from. If he finds her, will he try to convince her that their marriage could work if they both allow each other a chance to make it real? Grab your copy and see if Blake can successfully track down his new wife. She may be closer than he thinks!
Blake and Mina wake up in Vegas with no clear recollections of the previous evening. She does a runner and Blake finds a marriage certificate after she's gone. The name on the certificate is Mary Smith and Blake has no luck googling her name. But in a huge coincidence, she turns out to live in the same town in Minnesota and her company has been hired to design clothing for his NHL team. He is thirty but he's been playing in Europe so this is his rookie year as a NHL player. Despite the drunken haze nature of their nuptials, Blake wants to give their marriage a real chance and they move in together. This was a nicely written, engaging story with a fresh twist on the Vegas trope. I liked Blake, Mina was a little harder to relate. Who the heck throws away their brand new husband's things without asking him?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Blake has been playing hockey overseas for a cool minute working at his shot at the NHL. He's finally made it so he & some buddies go to Vegas to celebrate where he comes face to face with Olympian Mina. They tie one on & end up getting married, but the next morning when Blake wakes up, he's holding proof of their marriage that he doesn't remember & a missing bride, whose real name he doesn't have. Fate decides to step in, and they end up in the same place plus Mina has been hired to design clothing for his hockey team. Blake wants to give their marriage a real shot but it's not going to be easy convincing his flight risk wife. I LOVED Blake & his buddies as their banter was highly entertaining & kept me laughing. My one issue was Mina, who made a decision or two that I didn't like but I did end up warming up to her. I do know that I need to read the previous books in this series immediately because I know I will love them, and am excited for more in the future! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
The Line, by Colleen Charles, is a delightful story that blends many of the characters of the Duluth Caribou and Rochester Riot hockey series, along with The Caldwell Brothers in Las Vegas. Blake Wales is the newest member of the Rochester Riot, having been signed after playing for years in Europe. He and his teammates, along with some of their in-state rivals, are celebrating his signing in Vegas. They celebrate a little too much and, in the morning, Blake finds himself in bed with a mystery lady. He doesn't remember a thing, but he isn't in the least bit upset because she's a stunner! Mary Wilhemina (Mina) Smith, her sister, Megan, and best friend, Phoebe, are in Vegas to promote their new line of athleisure, CoachB. Tonight is for celebration, but they're going to keep a lid on their liquor. When Mina wakes up beside Blake, with a ring on her finger, she simply can't believe that she has no memory of it whatsoever. She and Blake are going to have to face the fact that they are married, especially when his teammates show him the signed and dated marriage license. But Mina runs from the room and it appears that it really was a classic one night stand, without names or addresses. He can't get her out of his mind and imagine his surprise (and Mina's) when there she is in the offices of the Rochester Riot, showing the owner, coach and team the design of their new uniforms. Neither can believe their eyes and they decide that they should probably give this "marriage" a try. It's a really cute story, even though I was sometimes frustrated by the push, pull and indecision that came between them, but they were a good couple and worked hard to get their HEA. I really enjoyed seeing some of the "old characters" and former locations incorporated into the story. I could just see Dante Giovanetti standing there, pouting and pondering why the Athleisure Convention wasn't held in the Mona Lisa, instead of Nixon Caldwell's Armonico! And Blake couldn't find a better brother-in-law than Adam Spencer, star of the Caribou. His wife, Julia, seemed to be the "adult in charge" as the Caribou and Riot enjoyed their celebration far away from home. Wonderful story, enchanting characters, fabulous location...superb book!
Mina and Blake meet at an upscale bar in Vegas. They click immediately and small world, they’re from the same town in Minnesota! One too many tequila shots later, Mina wakes up in his bed. Panicking she grabs her stuff and runs away. Blake wakes up and tries to catch her but he doesn’t. Fast forward couple of days and they’re back in Rochester, MN and surprise, surprise! They meet again… one little detail… they got married in Vegas and don’t remember a thing! 😱😳 Where to start! My oh, my!!! I first met Blake Wales in Benched, another book by Colleen (book 1 in the Caribou series). Blake is perfection! He’s a steady guy, doesn’t believe in one night stands, wants to get married, have kids, etc. So much so, that his teammates call him “dad” 🤣 Although he’s 30, this is his debut in the NHL (he was playing in Europe). Mina Smith is a former Olympian athlete (volleyball) and now she’s starting her own athletic clothing company. She’s strong, determined, doesn’t want to get involved with anyone since she’s focused on building her brand. Although they don’t remember getting married, there’s a marriage certificate so they decide to explore their feelings. Telling you all I swoon isn’t enough to cover it. Their dates were amazing, they easily fell into a routine. Their love was easy, or so they thought. I didn’t see coming the disagreement they had! But I’m so glad they kept fighting for what they wanted 😍 these two! Love, love, love!
“The Line” was a mostly fun accidental marriage in Vegas. I love accidental marriages of two strangers that meet and have an instant chemistry and a little bit too much alcohol in them.
Blake has been a professional hockey player in Europe for years but has finally made it to the big league in America. When he and his teammates are in Las Vegas to celebrate, he meets Mina and her friends. They spend time together, have too much to drink and end up getting married. But before he can say anything, Mina runs away. But fate ends up intervening and they end up working together. Blake wants a chance to make the marriage work and so does Mina. But a misunderstanding sends Mina running away again.
I loved Blake. He’s so sweet, caring and wants to be married with kids. He worked hard to become the hockey player he is and now wants the second part of his life to start. Blake is definitely husband material. Mina, on the other hand, I could not connect with. I did love that she was a former Olympian and starting her own business. But there are so many things she did that had me yelling at my kindle. She does redeem herself somewhat in the end. I did love all of Blake’s teammates. They had me cracking up, you could tell they were a close group. Phoebe and Silas had some amazing banter. Their book is next and I will definitely be reading it.
The Line by Colleen Charles is a perfect romance between Mina, a designer, and Blake, a newly signed NHL hockey player, and a couple of bottles of top shelf tequila in Vegas! There is immediate and explosive chemistry when they meet. They are so hot for one another that they only exchange first names and start celebrating with the tequila. The next morning, Mina awakens to find herself in bed with a naked Blake, a huge diamond ring (or is it a CZ) on her finger, and absolutely no recollection of what occurred. Mina throws on her dress and runs out of the room as fast as she can just as Blake sees her fleeing through the door. He gives chase hastily putting on a pair of boxers and runs through the hotel hallway calling her name. He really likes Mina and doesn’t want to lose her, but he realizes he has no way of getting in touch with her. When he returns to his room, he discovers a ring on his finger and a Certificate of Marriage on the floor…and that is how their story begins. Ms. Charles creates wonderful main characters and supporting family and friends who will make you feel their excitement, hope, fears, and desires as they face the results of consuming two bottles of tequila accompanied by a raw physical attraction and a sizzling heartfelt connection. Get this book, it is a feel good, hot, steamy, emotional keeper!
Very interesting read! This is a fun take on the trope of waking up married in Vegas after a night of blackout drinking.
Blake is the oldest rookie after being signed to an NHL team at 30. He and his teammates are in Vegas for a teammate bonding/boys adventure.
Mina is the in Vegas with her best friend and her sister to attend a sports clothing conference grow her business. While partying in the exclusive club only for hotel guests, Mina runs into a drunk Blake.
From the morning after when Mina dashes out of Blake’s hotel room until the HEA, these two characters who seem to be opposites in many ways prove how perfect they are for each other. Of course no HEA happens without some bumps and forks in the road, but that just makes the eventual HEA that much more enjoyable.
Blake is definitely a keeper and atypical of the normal male professional athlete generally portrayed in romance novels. His gentlemanly demeanor and his desire to have a wife and family are very endearing and don’t detract from his sexiness. His ability to cheer and celebrate Mina’s business successes was great to see. The characters grow and develop as the story progresses and the dual POVs emphasize the inner dialogues each character has along their growth journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“The Line” is a hockey romance with a drunken Vegas marriage between strangers. It’s the 5th book in the Rochester riots series by Colleen Charles. You can read and enjoy it as a standalone story.
Blake has made the move from the International League to the NHL and is in Vegas celebrating his achievement with his new teammates. After a night of carousing, he wakes up with hangover, wedding band, a marriage certificate and the sight of a woman leaving his hotel room. He desperately wants to find her. As luck and romance would have it, he does. Mina is a former world-class athlete, now a designer of sports related apparel. Her new client? Blake’s team. It’s particularly wonderful for Blake, who wants to convince his reluctant bride to make their marriage work.
I thought this was a fun twist on that typical Vegas marriage trope. I liked Blake’s character a lot, He’s sincere and sweet, and one of the good guys. I wasn’t as much of a fan of Mina, but it’s understandable that one of the main characters needs to be more difficult or unlikable than the other. Blake and Mina have great chemistry together, and much of the dialogue between them is nicely written. His hockey teammates are wonderful secondary characters and also provide great lighthearted moments in the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colleen Charles is heating things up with THE LINE (Rochester Riot #5). Rochester Riot rookie Blake Wales is taken to Las Vegas by some teammates to celebrate his move from the international league to the NHL. He meets Mina Smith, who ionically is also from Rochester, Minnesota. He immediately feels a connection to her. He wakes with a hangover and a woman leaving his room. He tries to stop her with no success. Then he discovers a ring and a marriage certificate. He as to find her, and he has no way to contact her.
Colleen Charles does a great job with this story. I like Mina. She is a former Olympic volleyball player, and she is the owner of CoachB, an athleisure company. Blake is a great guy. He does everything in his power to find Mina. I like both of their values. A one-nightstand is not either of their norm. I appreciated that they were both athletes and could relate to one another. I enjoyed how the story played out and the obstacles the characters lived.
The Line is an excellent addition to the Rochester Riot series. It is an entertaining story and easy read. The characters are likable. The plot is interesting. I recommend it to people who enjoy sports romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This is the fifth book in this incredible series and is Blake and Mina’s story. Blake is a new NHL player for the Rochester Riot’s and learns very quickly what happens in Vegas does not always stay there, as after a night of drinking he wakes up to see a mystery woman disappearing out the door, and he has a ring in his finger and a marriage certificate to prove they are married, only one problem he does not know her name. All his teammates encourage Blake to forget about his wife and divorce her, but he is equally determined to find her and persuade her to give their marriage a chance. Blake and Mina may have no memory about getting married, but the chemistry between them is combustible and undeniable. This is a beautifully written flawless story which has twists, humor, witty banter, family, friendships, and love, which leads to a steamy ad heartfelt addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Hockey player Blake has just gotten his big break with the NHL, and former Olympian Mina's new company is about to break into the athletic wear world when they meet in Vegas, the chemistry is intense. When Mina wakes up the next morning in Blake's bed, this is so out of character, she freaks out sneaks out of the room without saying goodbye. As Blake packs up to head back to Minnesota with his teammates, he finds not only a wedding ring on his finger, but also a marriage certificate signed by 'Mary Smith'. Although he knows that Mina comes from the same town as him, he can't find his 'wife' and despairs of ever seeing her again. Once again, fate intervenes and Blake and Mina are thrown together, but can they make this marriage work? As life throws them curveballs, Blake and Mina have to overcome their insecurities and learn to communicate. Fun story, with great characters.
Hockey player Blake Wales wants to bond with his new team in Las Vegas after being signed by the Rochester Riot. Blake wants the trip to be low key but waking up to a gorgeous blonde leaving his room and finding a marriage certificate on the floor the next morning ended that idea with the name Mary Smith on it.
Mina never planned to see the guy she had a one-night stand with in Las Vegas but finding out that he played for the Rochester Riot, and she had been hired to design their new uniforms. Plus, there was a night that neither of them could remember.
I liked Mina and Blake because they really fit together as a couple even with the crazy start to their relationship.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and Elle Woods PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Being signed by the Rochester Riot to play hockey was a dream come true for Blake so a trip to Vegas with his teammates seems like a great way to commemorate this momentous achievement. Waking up married was a surprise he wasn’t expecting especially when he has no way of tracking down his errant bride.
Mina isn’t sure about a lot of what transpired the night before but the one thing she is sure of is she needs to leave. She doesn’t believe that they will see each other again but fate has other ideas and now they need to decide if what they shared was a fling or the beginning of forever?
Marriage can be challenging under the best of circumstances let alone the way that Blake’s and Mina’s started but they show that with love and understanding it was the best thing to happen to either one of them.
What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, as Blake and Mina find out! This story pulled me in from the start and I loved it! 5 hockey stars for this one! Blake as played in the international league for years, in his thirty's, what's the chance he'll get to play in the NHL. When he finally get's his chance, his teammates take him to Vegas to celebrate! When Blake see's a tall beauty, Mina, he can't help but gravitate to her. The two hit it off, drinking the night away! When she awakes the next morning, finding herself in bed with Blake, she panics and takes off. Will he be able to find her again, or is she gone for good? I enjoyed this story so much, don't miss out on this one, you will love these characters!
They get drunk in Vegas and wake up married. It's an old story, but this one has a delicious twist... Blake and Mina live in the same city, and when he finally finds her, they both want to give their marriage a go. They're funny... They're sexy... They're falling in love... But a team prank gone terribly wrong nearly destroys them. I love Mina - outspoken, smart, talented, beautiful. Her biggest flaw? She likes Cocoa Pebbles (double yuck!!) and hates Cap'n Crunch (the horror!!). Blake is a really good guy, an old soul who wants a wife, kids, home, and a nice life. This has my favorite line ever in a book: "I want to undo his belt and fall to my knees and... Boss. Him. Around." I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Blake and Mina's story is a fun tale with a Vegas accidental marriage turn that keeps you pulled into the story.
Mina Smith is a strong former Olympian athlete, who is determined to focus on her brand and wants to avoid relationships. Blake is focus on the future, which involves marriage and kids. When fate brings them together it puts rings on their fingers, and back again to see where their connection will lead them.
This steamy story will take you on a ride of ups on down and keep you guess till the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
first of all, I loved that Colleen linked the Caldwell series to the Rochester Riot series as they are both phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and read them both! Now, as for Mina and Blake... Blake reminds me of my own husband, who would do anything for me, even before we married. I genuinely liked Mina as the tough, dominant personality that she is, even if I wanted to slap her silly when she jumped off the deep end without getting an explanation. But the H.E.A. was an amazing finish that brought tears to my eyes, and any story that can do that gets 5 stars from me.
This was a fun read! Anytime your the newest player on the team, you know to expect the unexpected but in Blake’s case he fell for Mina and find themselves married. They had great chemistry and it was cute how they finally reconnect after she ran away. But there’s more and that we’re the Rochester Riot hockey team comes in and you have to one click to find out in this newest release that was entertaining and doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait for more of this sports series.
Blake and Mina hit it off right away when they meet in Vegas. He was there with his new teammates to celebrate his signing to the Riots and she was there for a chance to make business contacts for her athletic wear company.
Blake teammates thought it would be a good idea to haze him and set up a fake wedding that he and Mina were kept in the dark about.
When it comes to light, Mins thinks he set it up that way and leaves.
Emotionally charged story that thankfully does have a HEA.
Wow! Another fantastic book in the Rochester Riot series! I loved Mina and Blake’s story! Their both from Rochester, but neither one knew it.They meet in Las Vegas. Due to a drunken night they end up marred. Mina sneaks out and Blake doesn’t know how to find her. Just so happens he sees her on the streets of Rochester. They decide to give their relationship a try. When some events come to the surface, will they stay together? I loved The Line! I can’t wait for the next Rochester Riot book!
This was a very enjoyable book. The storyline is fun and filled with heart. I thought that Blake was seriously swoon worthy and I liked Mina a lot. Together I felt they made a cute couple that delivered some wonderful feels and chuckles as their story unfolded. Altogether, I thought it was great read and a solid entry in this entertaining series. This is my unbiased, unsolicited review.
One night stand/ Vegas wedding, sports romance with the perfect amount of spice added in. I loved how we really got to know the characters. I loved the twist at the end!
This is not the first book in the series but is a complete stand alone. It is actually the second book in the series that I read, however I will be reading the rest now! Everything you need to know is given to you.
I really liked Mina and Blake together, they were each others ying and yang as the book says. There was chemistry from the first meeting, there is some drama thrown in, but it all ends with a HEA. I want to see Phoebe and Silas get together. Great read, would read more of this series!