Our Preseason

Ice League #2

by S.C. Kate

Almost pro hockey player TJ Vonnie has almost had a girlfriend countless times, but he can never seem to attain that perfect picture in his head: That he’s playing in the NHL- the Big Show- with a lady and baby watching and wearing his jersey.

TJ was looking forward to inviting another prospective girl to his friends’ upcoming wedding, until they rescinded his plus one.

It isn’t until he’s at the wedding cocktail hour that they enlighten him of the reason behind making him come alone: They think the perfect girl for him is at the wedding.

Only problem- they won’t give him any more details…and he’s stuck holding his friend’s baby because he’s the only one who doesn’t have someone to dance with during the slow songs.
______


For the past five years, Ellie has been busy creating a safe and stable life for herself in the beautiful “Up North” Michigan.

During the week, she hones in on her coaching skills as a figure skating instructor at the local Traverse City rink, and on the weekends, she organizes Happily-Ever-Afters as a wedding planner.

Her current wedding for Jules and Greyson Scott is going fantastically well… Until a baby starts scream-crying louder than the DJ’s music.

Ellie knows that if the baby doesn’t stop, the dance floor vibe will be totally ruined.

Her current mission: Get that baby out of the arms of the clueless guy holding him.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2022

About the author

As a former competitive figure skater, S.C. Kate grew up in rinks and loves them as settings for her contemporary sports romance stories. She lives in metro-Detroit and still frequents arenas to cheer on her siblings during hockey games.

When not writing, she is obsessed with outdoor skating, iced coffee, and traveling around Northern Michigan.

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really on the fence with this book. It wasn't terrible but the characters weren't that likable in my opinion and the story seemed to move in weird paces. There were parts that I liked or at least could appreciate the way Ellie's anxiety was portrayed, but mostly it became exhausting seeing her fly off the handle with little to no explanation. Maybe if we got more of her backstory it would have made more sense but instead we saw her freaking out and frankly being a bitch and we had no idea why. Sure she was keeping her past a secret from TJ but as a reader getting her POV I wanted to understand her more. 

Her and TJ's romance was also not amazing. It lacked a lot of chemistry and connection so in the end it felt unrealistic that they were even together. It was like they went from Ellie hating or at least not wanting anything to do with TJ to suddenly him staying in her home and they're dating all while Ellie was still being really bitchy and closed off and TJ was being a dick but then saying it was to help her? Which that part really put me off his character, he didn't understand her anxiety at all and didn't really seem to even try to but then he'd yell and be rude to her and say it was to get her so mad that she wasn't anxious anymore? It was just odd and since there were no actual discussions between them about her anxiety it didn't feel right. 

[Rachel Savini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Am I having a fun time reading these books? Yes. Are they poorly written? Yes. Am I going to read anything else this author puts out? Also probably yes. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY DOES SAVANNAH HAVE #33 TATTOOED ON HER HIP AND WHY WAS THIS THE SAME NUMBER THE GUYS TAPPED WITH THEIR STICKS ON THE WAY OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM. WHERE IS THIS NICK GUY AND IS WHY IS GRIFF NOW WITH SAVANNAH WHEN HE WAS NICKS BEST FRIEND IM SO CONFUSED

[Puneet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so bad, but I finished it. Tj was sexist and Ellie was annoying. At least this book had less typos, but the writing is just awkward. The explanations of normal things like hockey or spikeball are so unnecessarily wordy. Will not be reading the next book in the series.

[Ingrid · Rating 1 out of 5]

This just was not at all what I expected. Unrealistic characters, unrealistic sequence of events, and literally zero spice.

[alyona · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Why were TJ and Ellie absolutely adorable and perfect?

[hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I lost years off my life by reading this

[Sydney K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm gonna be honest, I had low expectations going into it and they weren't even met. The plot was messy, everything was rushed, and it just wasnt realistic in my opinion. Had some cute moments but they dont make up for the rest of it

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. 100% worth the wait literally perfect

[emilyreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75⭐️ the plot had so much potential but the girl was annoying

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

I loveeeed this book absolutely amazing I won't give spoilers but I finished this in less than a day and let me tell you I will read it again

[✨Anastazja✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Errrrrerr I’m not sure what to think about this, I really wanted a good figure skating romance as there’s so many hockey ones and I’ve only seen one so far and damn from lukov with love set my standards so high I love that book to pieces. This one was just iffy it’s not the worst book ever but it’s not great.

[pen_name27 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unrealistic, annoying, zero smut.

[enmilmundos_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It was sweet, lovely, endearing, ...
The relationship that happens has a lot of development and i love it since the beginning!
It the best slow burn I've read in a long long time. 10/10, 100% recommend it🤍
Pd. That perfect ending, hell yes!!!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN I TELL YOU I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH I COULD EAT UP THE TROPES AHH❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[Ashley Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

Amazing! Read it so fast! I cannot wait till book 3. I knew there was no way you would drop that photo in and not have it do with book 3!

[Heather Bowes-Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really unhappy about this. The first book in this series was an easy read, with good characters and a storyline that was atleast cohesive. Was it groundbreaking? No. But I was entertained.
This was complete rubbish. The writing was poor, the characters had no chemistry and weren’t even likeable. Guess I won’t be reading the third.

[Lila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starting to wonder what I was thinking, continuing this series.

I have to repeat myself, from my review of the first book of the series; feels like a Wattpad story - and not a good one - with bad writing, incomplete characters and dialogues that feel like they were written by a tween.

[MiMi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no words for this book

[Eva]

DNFING AT 33% might come back to it later

[Rachael O’Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie seemed really immature & I feel like the explanation at the end was super rushed / everyone got over differences they had quickly and without any fight after being sooo over the top. I enjoyed the plot & love sports romances but this wasn’t the best I’ve ever read although I did love TJs character. Also the epilogue in the tattoo shop made nearly no sense to me when the next book is about 2 different people unless it somehow connects. Hope so because that part just seemed strange.

[LIA ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･]

wait wait TJ as in epilogue TJ? holy shit why am i just finding out about his book

[bridget williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

one thing abt me is i’m gonna read a hockey romance. taylor swift and metro detroit references got me in this one i cannot lie 🫶🏻

[Eva]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRWQypo6/

[Molly Wolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sexist stereotypes are absolutely bonkers. I’m not reading for some great piece of literature but like at least give the girl a bit more independence and strength on her own rather than being petite and finding protection in a man. Ugh, it was cute at times but then I’d get slapped in the face with some sexist content.

[vera · Rating 2 out of 5]

really meh, I'm not gonna remember any of this tomorrow

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wasn’t a very big fan of the writing style on this one or the way some of the characters acted. they came across very childish and immature, almost over reacting most of the time. i understand that ellie has severe anxiety but some of her reactions were over the top.
i enjoyed the plot but it could have been taken further. i feel like ellie’s backstory was brushed over and more depth into that would have made this book better for me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute! I wished there was more to it! I love the characters and the development between them! Just adorable and perfect!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed it, but I thought that Ellie's journey was a little slow moving. I think that relying on TJ to be her psuedo therapist is never going to make their relationship last. Also, he was clearly so dense about relationships, and just decided that he wanted to be in one. He then picked her, because she had eyes like he had never seen before?????? I dont know, kinda seemed like he just wanted a relationship, picked her, and then got stuck with a boat load of trauma which Ellie clearly needed professional help moving through. Lastely, the reconciliation happened wayyyyy too fast considering their entire relationship took so long to get off the ground. Also, changing the dogs name from Spartacus to Smudgee was such a bad choice. Overall, not enough sex.