I love stories about estranged couples who reconnect. Who are offered a second chance at a happy ending. Add to that some hockey, and I was sold! Unfortunately, the book didn’t quite deliver.
For a second chance at love, I expect some… love. And yet, I saw a lot of lust–Blaire and Jasper mostly think about their physical attraction for each other, and how they were highly compatible in bed–and some memories that aren’t even detailed, just called ‘good times’. And that’s it. They have almost no cordial conversation, no adult talk about compromises and sacrifices, and yet they hope for a future together after one tumble in the bed. Besides thinking the other is hot, they always think about their flaws. How can they expect to have a better relationship than the first time?
They DO end up making compromises and sacrifices, but like the first time around, it isn’t concerted. They just make decisions by themselves and hope that the other will go along with them. I admit, they have a couple of cute domestic scenes together, but they also highlight that they can’t function alone anyway, so why not being helpless together? Failing at the romance is the worst fail for a romance novel.
You know what I was interested in? Their families’ financial and legal troubles, and how they affect them. Not the technicalities, but how they hid them from Blaire, and how Blaire wasn’t interested in understanding what happened and avoided the subject altogether; why Jasper’s family thought little of him and used him; what the link was between the Leightons and the Flints… In other words, everything that was only sketched. A couple of phone calls, some miraculous resolution, and voila.
Thare are some interesting relationships in the story, and they aren’t romantic. Jasper’s rivalry with Bryce was nicely developped, as well as Blaire and Avery’s friendship. And of course, Blaire and the horses. Though there was some hockey thrown in there, the book had more dressage than skating. That may have been the most original thing in this story.
I feel like this book missed its goal. Too bad.
Quickie
- Series: Scoring #7 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #hockey romance #estranged couple #second chance #opposites attract #horses
- Triggers: N/A
- Main couple: Blaire Leighton & Jasper Flint
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 3/5
- + if you love horses, it’s the hockey romance you’re looking for… what?
- – where’s the love? sorry, can’t see it