The Blueliner

Chesterboro University #2

by Josie Blake

I’m no Romeo, but Shea Carmichael is so off-limits, her name might as well be Juliet.

Shea's my best friend’s sister... and the only girl I’ve ever wanted. She’s always had a boyfriend, though, so I’ve been able to keep my distance. Now she's single. As her friend, she asks me to help her navigate our campus dating scene. Of course, I agree. I promised her brother I’d keep her safe—and keep my hands to myself. The only problem? The more time I spend with her, the harder it is to deny how I feel.

Except I’m holding my life together by a thread. I need to rehabilitate my hockey career after spending a year recovering from concussions, and my family is in financial ruin. I shouldn’t be anywhere near Shea with my mess, but what’s between us is real and the attraction is too hard to resist.

When everything starts to unravel, though, can we find a way to keep our forbidden romance from ending in tragedy?

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Romance, Contemporary, Hockey Romance, College

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2021

About the author

Josie Blake writes feel-good contemporary romance with heat and emotion. Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic sons. When she isn't writing, she can be found next to a hockey rink or swimming pool, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.

Reviews

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'll take care of her." It's true but God help me. I have no idea how I'll come out on the other end".

The Blueliner by Josie Blake is the second book in her Chesterboro University series. The books can all be read as standalones, but the characters are connected by the university's ice hockey team. This is Linc and Shea's story.

We first met Linc in The Captain and we catch up with him here, recovering from a series of concussions and struggling to get back on the ice. Shea is his bestfriend Colt's little sister, and Linc has been in love with her FOREVER. Shea has recently split up with her cheater of a boyfriend, and Colt has asked Linc to look out for her at Chesterboro where they both go to school.

And everybody knows that your bestfriend's sister is strictly off limits right? Right?! 😈

I totally love this series by Josie Blake. I read a lot of dark romance and it makes a nice change to read a series where the characters are upbeat and wholesome - where the guys are the type of sons you'd like to raise, and that you'd be happy for your daughters to marry. So cute, but also steamy enough to satisy 🔥.

If your favourite tropes include these, you are gonna LOVE this one:

❤ bestfriend's sister
❤ friends to lovers
❤ sports romance
❤ protective boyfriends

Recommended.

4 angst-free ✨✨✨✨

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-stars for The Blueliner

This is a great brothers best friend, college sports romance. Linc had a teenage crush on his best friends sister but didn't act on it, bro code and all. He felt a bit more settled when she had a long-term boyfriend. But what happens when Shea broke up with her boyfriend of four years especially when Linc's best friend is worried about his sister and asks Linc to keep an eye on her at college. With her boyfriend not in the picture, Linc has a hard time watching out for her for his best friend while still trying to keeping enough distance from Shea to keep himself and his feelings for her in check. Josie Blake does an amazing job showing Linc and Shea's connection and chemistry throughout the book. My only negative is I don't like how the author leaves the reader hanging at the end of the book, too much is left unanswered with Linc and Shea and their future. Personally, I prefer a HEA instead of a HFN, too many question are left at the end which happened in both book 1 and 2 of the series. But I still enjoyed reading both books and would totally recommend reading The Blueliner (and The Captain)! I can't wait for book 3, The Playmaker. Just a side note, recommend for 18+ as Josie Blake does know how to write those steamy scenes.
Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I also purchased the book/read with Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited opinion with my voluntary review.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

the amount of hockey romance i read is slightly alarming

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from the fact that they lived on campus, and talked about being in college, this almost read like a pro-hockey romance. Which I liked! They had bigger fish to fry than college drama. Shea and Linc were both focused on what came after college, something a lot of college romances lack! Linc is also focused on the fact that Shea is not only off limits, but he’s not good enough for her either. As soon as her brother said “she’s practically a sister to him”, and Linc said “there would never be anything between Shea and me”, and the brother replied “you’d never get with my sister” I was BEYOND thrilled for what was to come! Shea had a cute teenage crush on Linc, until she heard almost that exact conversation play out between them when they were younger. They tend to live separate lives, until this year when Shea asks him to help her find someone for…beneficial reasons. And now there’s no more avoiding each other. Plus, the pull between them has become to strong to keep them apart. Her parents are smothering her, and not in a helpful way. Between her parents and her brother, she’s not really living her own life. Until she takes it by the horns and starts making choices for her! Something I really enjoyed about Shea! What I didn’t like? The way she walked away from Linc when he opened up to her, and gave her all his demons. He finally allows himself to be vulnerable, and the one thing he fears the most happened. Everything became so complicated. And then it was very easily fixed. Too easily fixed. He didn’t even grovel. Well, I take that back. Linc did in fact grovel, to her brother.

My Favorite Quotes:
• “I can’t help looking at you.”
• “I don’t want anyone’s hands on you but mine.”
• “You are all I want in this whole world.”
• “I want you to see us.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Brother’s BFF
7/10 Friends to Lovers
5/10 Slow Burn
8/10 Sports Romance

[Marcy Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

an ok follow up to book 1

Don’t get me wrong, I really did like this book. Shea & Linc had a great story, it’s just that it really bothers me how authors forget who was in the first book.

There’s barely any mention of Hannah & Cord. The trouble I have with series is that most authors don’t mention or barely mention characters from previous books. I’m not sure why that is, but it really bothers me that both these characters were mentioned throughout the first one but the Hannah & Cord are briefly mentioned in one part. Shea & Hannah were friends; Linc and Cord were friends, but now they’re nothing to each other? Not a great way to keep your reader invested in your books. I like keeping up with all characters in a really good series, as it should be but I can see that’s not how this author writes.

It’s the lack of wanting to keep all the characters alive that quickly shows me that this author isn’t for me. Sorry, but I tried. I’m sad that I’ll never know how the rest of the team ends up but I can’t get past the almost complete disregard of past characters.

As much as I loved the first book and that the second had so much potential, I wouldn’t recommend this “series” to anyone. Or, I should say, to anyone who loves a series that enhances and includes all characters in some way.

[J M L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left wanting more

I enjoyed this book right up until the ending, which seemed a bit abrupt and incomplete. Throughout the book Link's biggest source of anxiety was whether or not he would get the NHL offer he needed to relieve the pressures of his other problems, but the book ends and I'm left still wondering and feeling a bit jipped. I was invested in Link and Shea's story right up to the end. In my humble opinion this story needed one more chapter or an epilogue to tie up loose ends.

[Heather McDearman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed the rest. Got about 70% through before losing interest. Not bad, just predictable.

[Jeanne Jabour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was really hot, exciting and un-put-down-able!
I love my Josie Blake books!! And The Blueliner is no exception, in fact it awakened a lot of memories for me and resonated really close to home! This is her second book in the new series and the protagonists (Linc and Shea) were previously introduced in The Captain, the first book in the series. Linc is an amazing character, and his situation is truly thought provoking. It never dawned on me how tenuous an athletic college scholarship could actually be for the athlete. Unlike an employee who is injured on the job, if an athlete is injured playing for their college, they are in jeopardy of losing their scholarship and it usually means an end to their plans for advancing their education because they only keep the scholarship for as long as they are playing! At least an injured employee can obtain some benefits for being hurt on the job, but not the college athlete! And, the real rub when you think about it is the fact that colleges make a bundle off their athletic teams. So, an injury without some compensation to the athlete seems extraordinarily unfair when one realizes the school pocketed some big bucks when the athlete was playing. The Blueliner brought me way back to my college and law school days trying to make ends meet and living in constant fear of my world collapsing around me for want of another $200 or $300 to complete that final tuition payment or buy food or make rent. But it was much more than just these memories, Linc has great heart and motivation to play at his very best so he can lift himself and his family from difficult circumstances to better himself and their lives.
Enter Shea, sister of Linc’s very best friend in the world who happens to live the polar opposite (disgustingly rich) of his lifestyle, which cannot have been easy for Linc, sitting at the table of their home eating dinner night after night, always looking but never touching! Shea is the icing on the cake, she is incomparable to all other women in every way, a dream only, one that becomes a nightmare because of Linc’s intense and overwhelming feelings for her that can never be acted upon…until they are! OK, no more hints about the plot which took me by surprise in more than a few places. This story was really hot, exciting and un-put-down-able! Buy it and read it and keep it on your shelf when you want to be infused with every emotion and feeling known to mankind. It was that good a read!

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linc is best friends with her brother, Colt. Colt and, Linc played hockey together forever. Shea is, Colt’s little sister. She’s the girl that, Linc lost his heart, to the minute he, sees her. The same is true, for Shea. Even though, Linc comes from the working class, and, Colt from the elite, there has never been any shade. They have never put any on him, or his family, from either of, his parents.

If anything, they have always opened their home, and arms, to him as a second son. Not to mention his family, as an extended family. When Mrs. Carmichael has a party, she never excludes him from introductions. After our hug of course, to doctors, bankers, and even senators. He is proud of, the way his mother, and Mrs. C raised him. Because face it, he was at the Carmichael’s house, as much as, he was at home.

After, four years of going, to school together Linc and, Shea are finally going, to graduate. Even though Shea and, Colt are twins, Colt was signed as a pro hockey player, already. Colt asks Linc to keep an eye on, Shea since her A-hole ex-boyfriend, Justin got engaged. When they just broke up, four months ago, and now he is engaged. Now, he shows up at Shea’s parent's home, for the end of, the summer joint party, her mom and his, has thrown for years. PRICK!

Throughout the story, Justin sees Shea, and, Linc together, and becomes more clingy, and, needy toward wanting, to talk to her, and meet up with her. Shea is, oh he//, to the no. You see she finds out that for most of, their relationship he cheated. It's when she caught him red-handed so, to speak she tapped out. After a gala where Colt tricked, Linc and, Shea, to be each other's date that they became an us, instead of me.

Linc has a lot on his plate but refuses to, share the load with, Shea or, Colt. Shea feels like they are getting closer, but the wall is still there. She does find out, he is having anxiety attacks getting on the ice, his mom is bad off with her MS, and the family’s financials aren’t good. All of this is causing a lack of, sleep and lack of, appetite. He looks like, the walking dead. Something will have, to give. Especially, since he said he wants, to keep them a secret, for a bit. Just until they can tell, Colt in person.

The ending came too fast. No resolve to the ending. For her yes. For him, it's on hold. Don't know if he makes it or not. To the pros, that is. Linc just is in a holding pattern.

[Kiera Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh ✨✨✨✨✨for our Linc.

Linc so far is my favourite character of Josie. I think it was his work ethic as well as his morals that really had me from the start- his family is suffering and he hands down is trying to do everything he can to get his contract in order to provide financial security for his family.

This is a bestfriends sister trope- she 100% is off limits but when Shea becomes single Linc really struggles to keep his feelings hidden especially as they spend more time together around campus.

Childhood friends- to lovers is everything you need. There is a lot of character development in this for Linc, there is talk of anxiety following on from a hockey related injury which is something I felt was perfectly spoken about.

Josie defiantly does her research- some people wing it but I never feel like this with Josie's stories and after the first book I am so relieved that she carried on the way she has.

Shea comes from money- but she doesn't seem like the stuck up rich girl that usually occurs when the female character has money. No both her and her twin have such a strong work ethic. Her brother (who I hope we get a future book of) is a NHL player killing it in Philadelphia and Shea works on building projects for those who are unfortunate and don't hold a lot of funds.

For me this is a 5* because of how well all the characters are written- Sure there is a lot of backward and forward before they finally take the leap and become lovers (again this is a slow burn about half way we get the sauce) but it's still such a great read. I stand by wishing we get an epilogue further into their future the ending seems to leave me a little on edge.

✨✨✨✨✨ for the story
✨✨ for the smut
✨✨✨✨✨ for the author.

[Patricia Brioux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Linc and Shea, SWOON:) What a cute read. It held all the right feels; best friends sister, friends to lovers, college sports romance, and absolute sweetness overload. Plus, the writing is fun, free, and feel-good and I am quickly falling in love with this little group from Chesterboro. If I were to nitpick anything, it'd be simply I miss me some Hannah and Cord something fierce, crossing my fingers to hear from them soon, and I'm sitting idle to see where Linc and Shea finally settle.

Character Recap

*I love reading about men who carry that old-school wholesome soul vibe; you know, the ones that will lean over and kiss you for no other reason than to just say hi, OR, the ones that will squeeze you just that little bit tighter for a split second because he can't fathom to be separated from you for any length of time, and the BEST, that man who values family above all else. You know the man I'm talking about; this was Linc. Yes, they made an agreement that when the time was right they would divulge their relationship, so some may argue he isn't this man, that he was a coward who was hiding his women but NO, you could see it in the stolen moments between classes OR the way he would hold her cheek, BUT my favourite, those sweet bedroom cuddles, like, still my beating heart. I just love him to pieces. AND Shea, she was one kick-a*s woman; the woman literally has the world at her fingertips and she chooses to work her butt off, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, wanting to better herself and those less fortunate; yes QUEEN! A power couple with big hearts is all I have to say.

*Solid 4-star READ and would recommend this cute series for anyone who loves: hockey, college, friends to lovers, and best friends sister!

[Danielle P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second read for me but I had very little recollection of the story so it felt like a first read. Having just finished book 1 of this series, I can say that I think Blake definitely hit her stride more with this one. Linc and Shea felt like a more solid pairing than Cord and Hannah (although they're great, I felt they lacked some chemistry building) but again, I do feel like they lacked a little something. There was more hockey in this one, which is a big step up from the complete lack of it in book 1. I kinda wish that Linc's resistance didn't drag on for such a long time before they finally got together and I wish we'd had more exploration into their actual coupling. It felt a little rushed going from avoiding getting together to the third act break up stage to the final resolution. Like book 1, I felt there was a lack of banter. A good romance for me has fun banter. I like to be able to laugh with my characters and Shea and Linc's story felt far heavier than it needed to be. The mental health aspect was a fabulous inclusion and it was well portrayed but I think when you have such a heavy subject matter you need to balance it with lightness and that's where I feel Blake doesn't quite hit the mark. So far these stories have leant too far into the heavy and lacked enough lightness to keep the equilibrium. It's probably a personal thing but for me, it's a huge bummer because these stories have fabulous potential with a little tweaking. I loved Linc, he felt like such a sweetheart and Shea was a relatable character. Their growth throughout felt authentic and they are strong characters individually. For me, this book was really just missing that banter and some more light to really bring it home. It's still a good read and worth adding to your TBR!

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 2 of the Chesterboro University series and focuses on Linc and Shea. Linc is best friends with Shea's brother and has been in love with her for years but has never acted on it. They both want each other and end up having a secret "friends with benefits" relationship even though they both want it to be more but they don't communicate what they both want which leads to more confusion for them than they need. Linc also had a lot going on with his life between hockey and his family (which he doesn't tell anyone about) so he constantly pushes off telling people about him and Shea which also leads to unsettled feelings. Lack of communication from Linc definitely play the biggest role in the unsettled nature of their relationship but I was really happy when they finally decided to take the plunge and be all in together. I loved seeing them grow together and find what truly makes them happy. This was such a great story and a great addition to the series! I can't wait to see what the rest of the series has to offer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linc is a hockey player who is struggling with a lot of things; injuries, panic attacks, his mother's illness, money troubles, his hopeless crush on Shea... Shea is his best friend Colt's sister and Colt has declared her off limits to hockey players. Shea recently ended a bad relationship and is trying to figure out where she wants her career to go. She is a volunteer involved in designing buildings for Habitats of Humanity but her father wants her working for his construction business. Linc and Shea eventually act on their mutual attraction to each other but Linc is not great on sharing things overall and it's especially hard to tell Colt that they're dating.

I liked this book because it's engagingly written and the characters are nice and many-dimensional. There is some great dialogue and it was overall an entertaining read. Although I tend to think that jealous brothers who run around punching people yelling, "why are you kissing my sister", are a stupid trope. . It's 2021, sisters get to decide who gets to kiss them. Brothers do not need to guard their sisters' virginity any more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lishy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blueliner by Josie Blake is the second book in her Chesterboro University series. The books can all be read as standalones, but the characters are connected by the university's ice hockey team. This is Linc and Shea's story who we met in The Captain, first book in the series. Linc is struggling with a lot of things; injuries, panic attacks, his mother's illness, money issues and his hopeless crush on Shea... Shea is his best friend Colt's sister and Colt has declared her off limits to hockey players. Shea recently ended a bad relationship and is trying to figure out where she wants her career to go. She is a volunteer involved in designing buildings for Habitats of Humanity but her father wants her working for his construction business. Shea asks him to help her figure out Chesterboro’s dating scene and they have a friends with benefits relationship. I really like Josie's writing style a lot. There was a little bit of slow burn for these two friends and a little angst. If you like best friend's sister, friends to lovers, sports romance, protective boyfriends trope, this book is for you.

[Samantha Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dual POV, brothers best friend, forbidden love, poor boy/rich girl, sports romance, third act break up

These books are weird because they start at the third act break up of the previous book. So they hint at the reunion (and eventual HEA) but I guess it works for the time lines for a longer series otherwise everyone would be graduating constantly. Anyways, so if you read the previous book, you know where this book starts, and if you didn't, you kinda get a spoiler on how the previous book ends.

This one has Shea and Linc, both from the same hometown and sharing a BFF, Shea's twin brother. Shea just gets out of a long term relationship with a douchebag and instead of Linc making his move, he keeps telling himself she's off limits even tho they've both harbored crushes on each other forever.

Linc also has family drama with his mom's health and has a few scares since he is injury prone and wants to play for the NHL. I feel like I read this fast and enjoyed it enough, but trying to write this review is hard because there's nothing super unique about this story. Still liked it enough tho to read onto the next.

[Koodie's Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the series

Although I didn't "get into" this book as quickly or easily as its predecessor, it's still a good story. Hence my star rating.
The storyline still has an originality to it, which is refreshing.
I did need to take a break, as my lacklustre enthusiasm was ruining any enjoyment, and actually I'm glad I did!
Upon returning to it, I discovered a new found enthusiasm and finished reading it on a much higher high note than when I left it.
Make no mistake, it's just as well written as the first book in the series and has all the emotional roller coasters that I anticipated. Plus it has my favourite ending.....a HEA!
In its' defence I can't, in all honesty, say that it isn't worthy of a 5* review as it's just as likely that I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I began reading. Therefore potentially not giving the book the justice it deserved.
However one can only speak as you find.... I'm sure many will think otherwise and give it a 5* rating.
So, onto book three in the series!
ENJOY! ❤️

[Lori]

**ARC Review** We first met Shea and Linc in the first Chesterboro University Novel, the Captain. This is book 2 in the series. I fell in love with this author/series after book 1 so I was super excited to have the opportunity to read and review book 2. I am a sucker for college, hockey romances written in dual pov. Add in a friends to lovers, best friends sisters trope and I'm totally here for it. Needless to say, I loved this book. I really like Josie's writing style a lot. There was a little bit of slow burn for these two friends and a little angst. Sweet Linc has some serious issues he's working through and Shea is finding herself after a bad break up. I loved seeing how they grew as people and came together. The side characters were fun as well...definitely looking forward to the next book!

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linc has loved his best friend's sister forever, but has never even hinted anything inappropriate towards her due to that friendship. When she breaks it off with her long term boyfriend it is harder to resist, especially when she asks him to help find a date for an upcoming event.

Shea has always assumed Linc thought of her as a sister, but the night of the gala everything changes and they agree to keep their relationship a secret from her brother. But the truth always has a way of coming out and not only has Linc her brother and herself.

I loved this story, as the brother's best friend is one of my favorite tropes. The road to a HEA is bumpy when you tie in secrets being not just kept from her brother, but Linc not being forthcoming regarding the drama in his life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[everything.kate.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my….a delightful (sexy) ride ride in the ups and downs of ultimate “She’s mine, don’t touch.”

I don’t do spoilers, but, even in the blurb as Lion’s life is falling apart…he falls for his best friend’s baby sister…or had he been all along?

Can two dynamic personalities come together and work through a quagmire?

I loved this story, it was real, fun and yet, had that realism I love from this series and J.Blakes’ stories.

The range of characters never fails to delight and in each part of the series, each story ties in, but you see some of the same faces.

The spice in this….🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
The story is 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

There are some slight possible triggers in this, but…it was cathartic to me to read how he moved along.

The series can be read as standalone or a series, I’ve been reading the series all out of order….and it is still awesome

Read this.

[Jennifer Squillante · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second interrelated standalone of the Chesterboro University series. You do not need to read The Captain, which is the first book (but I recommend it), but it is where we initially meet Linc.

Blueliner is Linc and Shea's story.

"In my mind, no one will ever be good enough for Shea. Especially me. Because even though she’s single, that doesn’t mean I ever stand a chance with her. Even if I did, she’s my best friend’s sister. Strictly off-limits. I take a deep breath, steadying myself on that certainty."

Linc, he grew up with Shea and her twin brother Colt, and attends the same college as Shea. Linc has promised to keep is eye on Shea for Colt, as she has just split from her "butthead" of a boyfriend. Like a good friend, he agrees, but what he doesn't count on are the feelings for her he thought he pushed away all those years ago.

Shea, Single for the first time in a long time, and while she is not looking for another relationship, she is looking for a little bit of fun. She asks Linc to vet the guys before dating them, this was she knows she is getting a good one. At least one that she knows she can have, because for as long as she can remember, the one guy she always wanted has been off-limits.

This was a slow-burn Friends to lovers novel. It was very clear from the start that both of these characters had feelings for each other and while it did not take Shea long to come to terms with it, Linc was a different story, felt he had more to lose if he gave in. He also never saw himself as good enough for Shea. The way Linc was written was relatable, not only were you reading the struggle, but you could feel it too. Shea is a great FMC, she is strong and sassy.

There were moments in the novel that felt choppy, but those were small and overall did not deter from the reading of the novel. I am hoping that we great more of these two in the next novel.


Tropes:
*Hockey Romance
*Brother's Sister
*Friends to Lovers
*"F" it Moment
*Spicy Spice
*Slow-burn
*Hockey Family

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet sports romance that kept me in my feels from chapter one. I love when the guys has always been in love with the girl, but never pushed it due to her brother being his best friend. Shea wasn’t a typical meek female character and I loved watching as she got closer to Linc, she found herself and the strength she had hidden. Linc , He’ll make you swoon. He’s so sweet and he’s been dealt a bad hand, but isn’t a bad guy.

I do wish there had been an epilogue of some kind because it felt like the book just ended, but I know this is a series so hopefully we’ll get glimpses of them in coming books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SusieQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blueliner by Josie Blake was an awesome best friend/little sister romance with lots of emotion and of course steam. Linc is best friends with her brother Colt but he's in love with Shea, Colt's twin. He knows they come fr9m different worlds and she is definitely off limits but when she breaks up with her obnoxious ex boyfriend, it becomes harder to keep his hands to himself. Soon they find themselves in a secret fling. But Linc is dealing with some serious family issues plus his hockey career is in jeopardy. What happens when Linc allows his insecurities and doubts keep them apart or will they get their HEA? Plus Colt will not be happy if he finds out his best friend is seeing his sister. 5 stars!

[Nonna 2K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, Solid Story

Linc and Shea’s story was good. He’s her brother’s best friend and has been part of her life for years. She’s recently broken up with her boyfriend of 4 years and plans to focus on herself in school this year. School where Linc also attends. Linc is having a hard time getting back on the ice after a series of concussions benched him last year. He’s struggling mentally and emotionally due to that and things happening with his family. Shea and Linc are attracted to each other, but miscommunication and loyalty place walls in their path. They find their HEA after getting together secretly, then being found out and parting for a bit. This is the second book I’ve read from Josie Blake and I look forward to continuing the series.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Add "brother controls who sister dates" tropes to one of my most misliked tropes. So often those friends he doesn't want her to date are the ones who obviously really care for her and should be with her. Linc is no exception ... he's proven time after time THEIR WHOLE LIVES that he is good for her and Colt is still being a baby about it all.

This is another predictable book like the first one in this series was too but I'm enjoying the predictability and the fact that the "big problem" that causes the break up isn't that bad and doesn't last too long in this series. The author goes a little too deep on why the people have problems and I'd like that to be a little toned back but overall this is a nice, chill series to kick off the year with.

[Helena Almeida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book by this author that I'm reading and her writing style hasn't done it for me yet.
The book feels chopped, almost like there was more to the story that was cut out for whatever reason.
The characters, Shea and Linc, were not very captivating either.
Linc is a college hockey player, that it struggling to come back from an injury, and that’s aggravated by family issues, all while keeping it all bottled up inside.
Shea is his best friend twin sister, and according to their bro-code, off limits. She just broke up with her boyfriend of 4 years and asks Linc to help her get back in the game.
It's a short book, but for whatever reason it took me more than normal to read it. Guess I wasn't really invested in the story. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. *Spoiler*
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Shea always had a crush on Linc ever since she has known him. But what she didn't know was that Linc has always had the same feelings for her. Once they both figured out that they had feelings for each other, they knew they couldn't stay away from each other. The only problem was that Linc and Colt were best friend's and their was a bro code that they lived by and instead of telling him his feelings he thought it would be best to hide it. Love this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

a must read

I love linc and Shea. Their complex love story is so beautiful. Linc falling for his best friend sister wasn’t part of his plan but what the heart wants it wants I guess. Amongst his difficult love life, he’s facing many hardships with his potential future hockey career, his unwell mother, and his ability to help take care of his family. Shea is a woman whose life has always been figured out for her- work for her father, marry the “perfect” boy, and be the prim and proper daughter. As these two try to figure out how to manage it all will their secret love affair be the gasoline on the dumpster fire? Find out by reading The blueliner.

[Samantha Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

shea Carmichael, LOML

Im obsessed with shae, it was so refreshing to have a female leading lady like her. Obviously adherent to the required cheesiness of the genre but even when existing in that space of “she has no idea how beautiful she is” “she thinks she’s a loner but she lights up every room and everyone considers her a friend,” Shae’s personality and insecurities shine through so realistically. the author did such a good job shinning towards the very real way complacency in relationships can warp how you view your worth and the goals you have, attaching this constant air of uncertainty to things that are important to you. Well done