Playing Offsides

Wyncote Wolves #3

by Cali Melle

Cameron
Two things I never thought I’d a say:
My entire future is about to go up in flames.
And Aspen Rossi is my ticket to keeping my scholarship.
The only problem..She hates me.

Aspen
The last thing that I want to be doing is tutoring Cameron Sawyer.
When he asked for my help, I tried to resist but tutoring another student would look good on my application for med school.
That’s all he is—a means to an end.
However, the more time that we spend together, the harder it is to ignore his charm.
Cam is starting to grow on me, but I can’t get involved with him.
We want two different things out of life We’re on two separate paths…

Our dreams can’t coexist and neither can our hearts. Even if they keep playing offsides.

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

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2022

About the author

Cali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

'🅿🅻🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶 🅾🅵🅵🆂🅸🅳🅴🆂' Is the third full length romance book in the 'Wyncote Wolves' series by author cali Melle. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives. Cameron and Aspen.

Loving this series with the hotter than hell hockey players and the girls that claim them. This was easy to get into, can be read as a stand-alone. These two were perfection and perfect for each other, they just made it all seem so effortless from friends to more a wee hick-up along the way but was the perfect results.

Cameron plays hockey for the Wyncote Wolves, but when his grade starts to slip in biology and his scholarship and career in hockey are in jeopardy with the regional championship coming up and not wanting to be benched he seeks out nerdy girl Aspen for help.

Hockey is Cameron's life, he lives and breathes it, his parents put everything on the line to get him where he is today. His end game is getting drafted in the NFL, so he can't afford any distractions.

Aspen is a studios student, she studies hard wanting to get into medicine when she graduates so she's fully focused on that.

Even those these two have shared classes together in the past they have never actually spoken to each other before.

'𝑾𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔. 𝑯𝒆'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎'𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒚. 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕.'

But working one on one side by side, hours at a time, things go from never talking to wanting to spend time with each other, lines get blurry, neither want to complicate things with their chosen careers but that string keeps pulling them closer and closer together.

                  

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cameron and Aspen were everything!! Golly... this series keeps getting better and better. I heard that Cam would maybe beat out the hero from book 2 for top spot - well, almost! Daddy August was just something.

Cameron needs help. On the down low though. He refuses to let his teammates know that he is struggling to remain on the team. There is a girl who he has never talked to, has had multiple classes with and is beyond studious. She'd be the perfect tutor for me. They orbit different worlds. His revolves around hockey, college, partying and girls. Hers resolves around studying and being a homebody. She refuses to depend on anyone and will make her own way in this world.

There isn't a chance that anyone is gonne be catching feelings. No time for that!
One thing leads to another and the perpetual single, never settling down into a relationship couple of people start drifting over the line of just tutor/student. First it's acquaintance, then friends, then friends with add ons and so on.

This story was packed with heart. It brought the feels and simply made you fall in love with these two! Can't wait for the next one!!

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling with his biology class, Cameron Sawyer’s position on the Wyncote Wolves hockey team, as well as his scholarship, are on the line. Despite his trepidation, he asks Aspen Rossi, a pre-med sophomore to tutor him.

As driven individuals, catching feelings was not in the plans for either Cam or Aspen. It was sweet seeing the evolution of their relationship from tutor to friends with benefits to hopelessly in love. I am enjoying this series so much and can’t wait to see which Wyncote Wolf falls next.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗂 Genre: Sports Romance

✨ Tropes: College, Friends-to-Lovers

🫦 Kinks: n/a

⛔️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave you wanton.

⚠️ Safety Squad: OW Drama (Very Minor),

📣 Type: Playing Offsides is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "No feelings!!!"stars***



"We tried to fight fate -we tried to fight love...
But in the end, love will always win."

This series is getting better and better... and the third book had many sweet and antsy moments...
Cameron and Aspen were perfect for each other, even though it took them some time to realize and accept it!!!
Yes, they couldn't be more oppossite from each other, he was the jock and she was the nerd after all, but when they were in the same room sparkles were flying all around them...
I love these hockey guys and I love their girls and of course, I can not wait for Hayden's turn!!!

"Love isn't something I wanted before... until I found myself falling for Cam."

Cameron lives and breathes hockey... NFL is his biggest dream, but because of Biology, this dream of his is in jeopardy.
In order to keep his scholarship intact, he needs to find a tutor. And who's better than the nerdy girl???
Aspen had her own goals and aspirations... She just wanted to get into med school and she is working very hard to achieve this goal... She doesn't need any distraction and Cameron Sawyer is exactly that... But tutoring him will be good on her resume, so she have to help him...

"This isn't a friendship; this has no room to grow into something more. It's simply an arrangement between the two of us."

I liked witnessing two people that they barely know each other to become friends and then something more...
But both Cameron and Aspen are against feelings and complications and whatever it's that's brewing between them, it has to stay tucked deep down inside of them...
After all, nothing good can come for them developing feelings for each other since they are taking so different paths in life...
But heart doesn't always agree with the mind, so their story will become messy and what a beautiful mess will be!!!

"Feelings aren't an option and I need all of these feelings to disappear immediately."

I really loved Cameron. He was appearing as a player, but honestly, I just saw a nice guy with heart of gold... From the very first moment, Aspen became his soft spot and it was showing brightly!!!
Aspen was a beautiful creature inside and outside and even though she appeared as the nerdy type, she was anything but that!!! I liked how she became when Cameron started to slip through her armor!!!
These two were just perfect for each other and I enjoyed their journey very much!!!

"I fucked around and got attached. And now I need to figure out how to detach myself from the one person my heart desires."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another butterfly-inducing, feel good, sugary treat. It’s just adorable y’all- and with the friends with benefits, opposites attract good girl/naughty boy, college hockey tropes it’s a super enjoyable, fast-paced, one-sit escape. This series is just enchanting and is such easy, lovable fun.

This story is fast-paced and super sweet with some spice- with just a dash of angst. Cali has built a great college world with a lovable friend group, and creates two leading characters that you can’t help but adore. Super heavy on the swoons when it comes to these two- I love the whole friends with benefits storyline. The chemistry is really charming, wit some heat, and the love story just the right dash of saccharine. It’s the perfect light and uplifting dreamy romance to gobble up quickly. Can’ t wait for more from this world!

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was literally the exact same as the last one same series same like everything including the f-ing baby girl shit don’t even get me started. yeah i’m just bored, but this one was a bit better than the last one. the characters had more chemistry in my opinion. also, side note yes i picked it off the cover again but y’all the kindle cover was completely different and the guy was way hotter and less creepy i swear. and i’m sick of characters getting married after two months of knowing each other like woah y’all slow down. anyways, it was just a basic, smutty, read when ur bored, quick read.
oh also another side note i have a kindle unlimited membership for those who r unaware and that is the only reason i read rlly bad books cuz i’m not paying for them.

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk what went wrong with this book, but i just wasn't a big fan of the hero hiding the fact that they were friends just because she was a nerd.
also, why does the author has to write paragraphs telling the stories of the previous couples? i know this is to get ppl to read the previous books, but paragraphs?
but if you want a friends-to-lovers romance, between a sporty hero and a nerdy heroine, read this :)

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiktok hyped up this book. It’s another basic sports romance book with no interesting pieces to it. I couldn’t even finish it because it was just so common and boring. The characters weren’t interesting, they didn’t have any trials to overcome so sadly it gets a 3. We love a hockey trope book however, the plot was just not good.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRHTEExf/
Hockey trope with savior vibes from girl

[ridley widley · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was bored and uninterested and i don't think i retained a singular thing that happened in this book.

it felt so cliche like where she's the smart tutor girl who is super hostile to the mmc at the start for virtually no reason and is "not like other girls" because she doesn't like to party and he's the playboy hockey player who's allergic to relationships and puts hockey before literally anything else so he can go to the nhl. i'm not saying that being cliche is always a bad thing but here it just felt so lazy.

and their friends with benefits situation lasted like what 3 fucks before cam decided that he was done and he needed to cut it off!

also what is up with the extremely fast engagements in all these books?? you mean to tell me that after only actually dating for 6 months in COLLEGE your gonna propose???

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review

The characters in Wyncote Wolves get more and more interesting with each new story in the series! I can't believe how much I loved Cameron & Aspen, and I have to say that I loved that Cali Melle wrote a simple story for these two, but full of feelings, love and with a small dose of angst that made everything even more interesting.

Although August is still my favorite hockey player, Cameron has one of the personalities I enjoy reading about the most: he is the playboy with a deeper story than he seems, flirtatious, playful and the soul of the party that I couldn't help but fall in love with, especially after reading how hard he and his family have fought to fulfill his dream, and how Cameron doesn't want to let them down. I also loved learning a little more about his relationship with August, Logan & Hayden, and the profound moments he shared with the latter two were some of my favorite things about his character.

Aspen was a very nice surprise: with her own difficulties, a VERY smart & kind girl, with a flirtatious & sassy side that I LOVED, I love that her character stands up to Cameron when necessary, that she make him suffer a little and to surprise him with his attitude in the least expected moments, plus, I really liked her determination to be successful, fulfill his dreams and have the life she wants.

Cameron & Aspen's paths cross when Cameron is about to lose his dream due to his bad grades and decides to ask Aspen to tutor him, some of which later evolves into a friends with benefits relationship and turns both their lives upside down, as their attraction is impossible to ignore, but Cameron isn't cut out for relationships, and Aspen isn't willing to opening her heart to anyone, however, all the time they spend together helps them to really get to know each other, to trust each other and makes them realize that maybe there could be something more between them, but not without some difficulties.

📚Aspen: 5/5
🏒Cameron: 5/5
📚Plot: 4/5
🏒Love story: 5/5
📚Secondary characters: 5/5
🏒Universe: 5/5
📚Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 3/5

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta

Los personajes en Wyncote Wolves son más y más interesantes con cada historia nueva en la serie! No puedo creer lo mucho que amé a Cameron & Aspen, y tengo que decir que me encantó que Cali Melle escribiera una historia sencilla para estos dos, pero llena de sentimientos, amor y con una pequeña dosis de angustia que hizo todo aún más interesante.

Aunque August sigue siendo mi jugador de hockey favorito, Cameron tiene una de las personalidades que más disfruto leer: es el playboy con una historia más profunda de lo que parece, coqueto, juguetón y el alma de la fiesta de quien no pude evitar enamorarme, especialmente después de leer lo mucho que él y su familia han luchado por cumplir su sueño, y como Cameron no quiere decepcionarlos. También me encantó conocer un poco más de su relación con August, Logan & Hayden, y los momentos profundos que compartió con los dos últimos fueron de mis cosas favoritas acerca de su personaje.

Aspen fue una muy agradable sorpresa: con sus propias dificultades, MUY inteligente, amable y con un lado coqueto & atrevido que AMÉ, me encanta que su personaje le haga frente a Cameron cuando es necesario, que lo haga sufrir un poco y que lo sorprenda con su actitud en los momentos menos esperados, además de que me gustó muchísimo su determinación por ser exitosa, cumplir sus sueños y tener la vida que desea.

Los caminos de Cameron & Aspen se cruzan cuando Cameron está a punto de perder su sueño debido a sus malas calificaciones y decide pedirle a Aspen que sea su tutora, algo de después evoluciona a amigos con beneficios y pone de cabeza la vida de ambos, pues su atracción es imposible de ignorar, pero Cameron no está hecho para las relaciones, y Aspen no está dispuesta a abrir su corazón a nadie, sin embargo, todo el tiempo que pasan juntos los ayuda a conocerse realmente, a confiar en el otro y los hace darse cuenta de que tal vez podría haber algo más entre ellos, pero no sin algunas dificultades.

📚Aspen: 5/5
🏒Cameron: 5/5
📚Trama: 4/5
🏒Historia de amor: 5/5
📚Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏒Universo: 5/5
📚Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 3/5

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam & Aspen

Hockey romance
College
Opposite attract
Tutoring
FWB

Aspen & Cameron (Cam)

I love the change up. It’s usually the girl who is poor and down on her luck. But here we’ve got a hockey star who’s almost failing class and his scholarship is in jeopardy.
I love that he’s a family guy, he knows what his family did to get him to where he’s at and he fully plans to reciprocate once he’s made it the NHL. Love a man who loves his family !!

Cam is a flirty thing, very charming. He’s that typical hockey guy who thinks he’ll never settle down while watching his friends one by one find the women meant for them.

Aspen is smart. She knows hockey is his number one and only. And she’s not under the impression that she can create more with Cam beyond their arrangement.

They have an easy banter that flows well. Their chemistry is so evident, and I love that we don’t have to wait too long before the sparks fly. I really enjoy Cali Melle’s writing style, this was a quick read and very enjoyable.

This was a cute FWB to lovers sport romance.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, Cameron and Aspen are 100% my favorite couple from this series so far. Cali Melle has done a great series with this college hockey romance but Cameron and Aspen gave everything they were supposed to give.

He needs a tutor, she can help him. Despite them not running the same circles, they become the unlikely of friends and friends with benefits because the chemistry and tension between them was hot. I loved their dynamic, it was so much fun, steamy, hot and the idea that opposites do attract. I loved how the books and characters all connect and form a big group of friends that are like family and my only issue is that i wish this book was longer because I wanted more of them but I do appreciate that the story and book was not dragged out and it was quick passed and overall, I cant wait for the next book!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

Cali Melle's Playing Offsides is a friends to lovers romance that centers on hockey player Cameron Sawyer and Aspen Rossi, a pre-med student.

For me, the player x tutor cliché will always be a hit. I find this trope and its moments to be just perfection. For this reason, I cherished Cam and Aspen's relationship.

Honestly there’s not much  to say about this book; it was enjoyable to read, but there wasn't much to really get into.

The book was enjoyable, but I didn't think it was necessary for Cam and Aspen to break up over hockey.

[Shonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Playing offsides” is book 3 in the wyncote wolves series. Cali Melle has knocked this story right out of the park.

Cameron is about to find himself in a bind his grades are slipping and to be able to play the game he loves his grades need to be up. Cameron needs a tutor to help him. This is where he crosses paths with Aspen this girl is super smart as well as beautiful. As Cameron and Aspen spend more time together they develop insane chemistry but Cameron doesn’t do relationships hockey has to be number one in his life. Will Aspen and Cameron cross that line?

I devoured this incredible story. Aspen and Cameron where everything I didn’t know I needed and I know you need this incredible story in your life.

Make sure you one click “playing offsides” I can’t recommend this story enough.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
FIVE STARS ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing 🤩 I loved every minute of it, I loved how their characters developed and the story line just fitted perfectly with them both.

It only took me so long to finish the book because I started a new job and was just too tired to read 🙈

It’s definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who likes sports romances but also academic romances too 🥰

[Fiction Vixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.3/5 ⭐

Same old stuff but a different book 👀

Didnt like it as much as the other 2

[melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

i see the words friends with benefits and immediately wanna smack them both in the face

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

La escritura es demasiado básica para mi gusto y no hay profundidad en los personajes principales. Los monólogos internos son repetitivos y la trama no tiene un rumbo claro.

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite out of the series, but still a good quick read with a real low level of angst. Both of our characters, Cameron and Aspen, are both against relationships and anything that takes away from school and hockey, respectively. When Cam asks Aspen to tutor him so he can get his grade back up so he doesn't lose his spot on the team, they quickly become aware of the attraction between them. But are they going to be willing to risk everything for a chance at everything?

I don't know if it was because I felt this book was a bit rushed, or I was just expecting more, or if it was just me in general, but after the last book I couldn't wait to get more of these hockey boys since they deliver the emotions so well.. but Cam just didn't for me. Maybe it's because the relationship itself was so short and they fell in love so quickly (which normally doesn't bother me) but the fact that these two didn't communicate that well either just grated on me a bit. I'm still happy they got their HEA and can't wait for more, but this just wasn't my favorite

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **

[Zara Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

I really enjoyed this book at first… Right away, it was a change from tutoring in exchange for fake dating / getting a crush’s attention / making an ex jealous / romance tips and I enjoyed that. Then I liked the initial character dynamics between Aspen and Cameron leading up to their first tutoring session.

What I really didn’t like started with the “best friend” Delilah. She kept asking Aspen to go to a party or something, but she was too pushy about asking Aspen to drink… At some point earlier in the book, she hit us with this:

“One of these days, I’m forcing you to come along and you’re going to actually get drunk,” she tells me, her bright blue eyes searching mine. “And don’t even try and tell me that it’s happened before. At most, I’ve seen you get a buzz. You need to have at least one drunken night during your college years and I hate to break it to you, babe, but you’re running out of time.”

I strongly disagreed with this statement — so I seriously respected Aspen agreeing to go to the party with her own terms:

“You’re really going to come with me? I promise you won’t have to babysit me this time.”
“Yes, I will come. And no, you aren’t dressing me. I’m going to wear what I want and do what I want while I’m there, okay?” I warn her, narrowing my eyes. “Our college experiences don’t have to be the same, but since it’s your birthday and you’re practically leaving me no choice, I’ll go.”

We love a fmc fighting peer pressure. It wasn’t as annoying as the typical “I’m not like other girls who like to party” because it was a bit more relatable, but Delilah’s antics continued once they were at the party:

“You know, I really kind of hate beer.”
Delilah laughs, rolling her eyes at me. “Yeah, I know. You hate anything that could be remotely fun. I’ll be honest, though, it does taste pretty disgusting, but it gets better the more you drink it.”
“I said I would drink, I didn’t say I was going to get trashed like you do.”
Delilah shrugs. “Whatever. You letting loose a little bit is still a win in my book. Now, come play beer pong with me if we can get on the table.”

I was still super happy for Aspen standing her ground, but I didn’t like Delilah for directly and indirectly trying to tell her what to do. Like not even two paragraphs later —

“Delilah has an uncanny way of getting her way through various forms of manipulation. Lifting my beer to my lips, I take another sip of the liquid, regretting it as I taste the bitter flavor on my tongue.
“Drink up,” she shouts over the loud music that plays in the background. “I’m going to go get us two more cups, because you know we have to drink during the game.”
“Do I really have to?” I groan, my shoulders sagging. I hate the taste of this shit and really don’t want to drink any more. “I’ve played before without drinking.”
Delilah rolls her eyes. “Suit yourself”

Aspen doesn’t deny that Delilah has a way with manipulation, and that seriously emphasized why I don’t like her… AND THEN I got upset when Aspen ended up drinking more than she planned while playing beer pong WITH DELILAH… Like if she decided to do it all on her own, I wouldn’t have cared what happened, but knowing how Delilah kept shoving the idea down her throat when she made it so clear she wasn’t for it got me frustrated.

Now for the “romance” — I hated it Starting with Aspen’s interaction with Cam after the game of beer pong at the party…. She was drunk when he called her “breathtaking,” and when she says he’s only saying that because he’s drunk, he admits he isn’t… they didn’t kiss or anything, but I also didn’t like how friendly they were getting while Aspen could barely stand, so I was relieved when Cam stopped it. It doesn’t help that I lost some respect for Cam in an earlier scene when we were hit with this cliche conversation:

“Oh shit. A new prospect for you? What happened to the last girl?”
“Julia?” I ask him, shaking my head as a soft laugh falls from my lips. “You know how it goes. Just a distraction and nothing more. We ended shit because she wanted more and not with me… not that I wanted more anyways.”

TOTALLY haven’t heard this one before… A classic playboy talking shop with his friends 🙄 So when he essentially rejects Aspen and says they can’t be anything more than friends after their convo at the party, she’s reasonably upset. But mans is so dense (as men are) and really said this:

“Although, I’m a little confused after the other night. I thought we had come to terms with being friends, but with the cold shoulder she’s giving me right now, I’m not sure she actually meant it”

I’m sooooo suck of drama like this, the whole “let’s be friends even though we both know we’re super attracted to each other and want to act on it,” especially when characters are like “There’s no room for me in her life, just like there’s no room for her in mine.” — Wise words from Cameron whatever his last name is. As Delilah so eloquently put it when Aspen said she and Cam were “just friends”—

“I mean, let’s be real. Do friendships really work between two people who are attracted to each other?”

The only valid thing Delilah has said this entire book is calling out those two’s definition of “just friends”

So all those thoughts were formulated by the 35% mark…. I was honestly very ready to be done with the book, especially since the “I can’t risk falling for _____” inner monologues got too repetitive and annoying for me. Same for the “sexual tension” they claimed to feel when it seemed nonexistent with the way it wasn’t built up… which was proven with how anticlimactic the first kiss was, and even worse when a fwb deal was thrown in 🙄

The “breakup” was very dumb because neither of the two could own up to their feelings. A simple question like “why do you want to end it” instead of being like “yeah I agree, let’s end it” would’ve EASILY avoided the pointless 2 week breakup… I was so over the relationship by the time they got back together, and then they get ENGAGED six months later??? Idk, the pacing felt so off and nothing was believable for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

I felt nothing for this book by the end, but it was a lot better than the first one I read with Logan and Isla. It’s still a very generic strangers to friends to lovers with an equally cliche friends with benefits dynamic added in, but whatever, at least I finished the book.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I couldn’t put down a novel written by Ms. Cali Melle. I always have a soft spot for the jock who falls for the nerdy girl troupe. Cam & Aspen 🖤🖤🖤🖤 you can’t always help who you fall in love with! Sometimes it’s just meant to be! Between love, biology, & hockey 🖤💋

Favorite quote:

𝑰’𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔, 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍. “𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.”

[Annabelle (annabelles.shelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I started reading this book I found myself captivated by it, utterly delighted by this tale of opposites attracting and loving every minute these two focused individuals spend together getting distracted by one another. Much about this story is familiar, the storyline a bit cookie cutter, but it still worked its way into my heart and with each turn of the page I was rooting for them more and more to embrace what was oh so obvious...they are utterly perfect for each other!

At the start of the story Cameron Sawyer seems to have it all...a top spot on the hockey team, lots of lady fans to entertain him, and a future that looks oh so bright. The truth though is slightly different and as readers get to know Cam they see someone struggling with school which leaves his hockey future hanging in the balance and has him reaching out to the only person he knows who can help him. Little does he know the effect she'll have on his future...and his heart! Cam lives and breathes hockey with his goal to play in the NHL. It's a laser-focused goal that leaves him no time for messy distractions, distractions like feelings and love. So the smart and nerdy Aspen seems like the perfect tutor...until the time they spend together takes an unforeseen turn towards romance in a sweet and sensual connection that warmed my heart and put a smile on my face. Cam's a delicious hero with a good heart, one he doesn't let just anyone see. He's a good son too, one who wants success for the parents who've always pushed him and my heart hurt from all the pressures weighing on him, both the pressures others put on him and the pressures he puts on himself. He just wants to keep away from any entanglements until after reaching his goal which he's very open about from the start...but readers know exactly what's going to happen and it made for a satisfying journey as strangers became friends who became lovers.

Aspen Rossi's a delightful heroine, one who's much more than what she appears. To the world she's smart and nerdy, a homebody who doesn't like the party scene. But as the story progressed readers discover a heroine who's sassy and doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She knows what she wants and doesn't want any distractions either to reaching her goal of med school. She too is fine with a friends with benefits relationship with Cam, but before long their slow burn connection sparks with feelings too intense to ignore. And that's when things become really complicated for this endearing couple.

Though the romance between Cam and Aspen took a familiar path I still found this an enjoyable read courtesy of a wonderful main couple who are more similar than what they thought. On paper they were thought to be opposites but in reality they were just what the other needed. They were a strong support for each other and laid themselves bare to one another which strengthened their connection. For the most part there was very little angst in this story, but there was a bit of a hiccup in the latter half that felt unnecessary. Despite that, there's still lots to love about this book. I'm especially left excited for the next installment in this series as Hayden will be taking center stage. The interactions between him and Cam were intriguing and thoroughly entertaining, so I'm definitely looking forward to getting to see more fully into his heart and soul in a series that's a nice addition to the genre.

[Wendy *cr8zysockbookblock* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! I CANNOT get enough of this series and these amazingly alpha Wyncote Wolf hockey players and the fabulously lovely ladies that bring these big ‘ol boys to their knees. As I suspected, Cameron and Aspen were magical together.

Cam and Aspen couldn’t be from more different worlds. Cam’s life is all about hockey. He’s got goals for his future in the sport and doesn’t plan to let anything get in his way… well, that is until there’s a drop on his biology grade that threatens not only his scholarship but his place on the hockey team unless he gets it back up higher. Aspen is all about knocking school out and becoming a kick-fanny doctor. When he arrives to class he realizes that the adorable self proclaimed “ nerdy, pre-med” student was the perfect tutor to help him get his grade back up, he just had to convince her to get on board.

I loved the chemistry they had, the fun banter. The unofficial “ not friendship” they formed. They had this level of comfort with each other and even shared some vulnerable moments. They are both fun loving, beautiful, caring people who deserved to find their person, even when that was the last thing either of them were looking for at that time in their lives.

This story had it all. Swoony, spicy and heartfelt moments. Funny, serious and super sweet times too. Great characters and plenty of hockey time fun. The chemistry between all the characters is just loud at loud, fist pumping good lines. I just continue to be obsessing over this series and the phenomenal team of Wyncote boys. Cali Melle has penned for us.
I’m addicted to these hockey hotties and the sassy heroines that give these guys a good kick in the ICE that sure leaves their mark on their hearts. There is no better time than today to get started on this amazing series of inner connected standalones told in dual POV. Cam and Aspen were everything I was hoping they would be, and SO.MUCH.MORE!! So ready to get Hot and Heavy with Hayden. Five Freaking Fabulous Stars for these Hockey Stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam Sawyer is part of, the original four, (August, Logan, Cam, & Hayden) all from their, hometown. As close as, brothers. Mess with one, and you mess with, them all. However, when, Cam is called into the coach's office, he already knew the problem. He is having a problem in biology, putting his scholarship in jeopardy. Not to mention, possibly letting the team down, by not being able, to play. Coach told him he is too good of, a player, to allow that, to happen.

Cam told him, that he had a plan, worked out. And, he did. Cam, unlike the majority of, the team, needs his scholarship. His people are hard-working people, who are providing him the money for, the extras that the scholarship, doesn't cover. All in hopes of, him being picked, to play in, the NHL. Losing his scholarship would be, like a slap in the face, of his family. They have worked so hard, and sacrificed so, much over many, many years, to get him this far, to fail.

So, the next time he had, biology class he sat next, to the smartest girl in class. For one thing, she is gorgeous. The second thing is, that he needs, to humble himself, and ask for, Aspen Rossi's help, to tutor him. However, his ask is layered. Not only does he need help, in the way of, tutoring for biology, but it also needs, to be top secret, and oh yeah, he can’t pay. Tutoring, no problem. Top secret, no problem. No pay, double no problem, and Aspen tells him, she can put, it on her resume.

What Aspen finds out, at the study sessions are, that Cam sells himself short. He has a different way of learning, another way to absorb the information, being taught. As they work together, they find out that they, enjoy each other's company. What seals their attraction is, seeing each other, at a party. Cam sees, that other guys are noticing, the shy wallflower he knows, Aspen, to be without the alcohol.

It's after a study session, and the sexual tension is, running high. But then, it’s like you could see, the black curtain come down, and the lights go out. Yet, the sparks are, still there. With that, Cam asks, Aspen, to dinner on the second try, of restaurant choices, and they end up at, the sports bar. The one where, the team hangs out. My thoughts go, to PUCK BUNNIES! Well, Cam didn't get, that memo. Sure enough, his go-to regular, hit-and-dip chick is, there and she is, sauced up.

She is honing in, like a missile right, for him. Letting Aspen know not, to get comfortable because he always, comes crawling back in bed with her, at her place, sooner rather than later. He doesn't say anything, to the she-devil, so Aspen excuses herself, to use the restroom. This is when things become, very interesting. Although, both are navigating through murky waters, and for sure, unchartered. And, the best advice he gets, when he turns his life upside down is, from, Hayden if you can believe it.

A very good book. Of two people not looking for love or even a relationship, they stumble into it and it turns into more than they ever expected life would afford them due to their pasts.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Wildfire Marketing and Cali Melle for once again providing me with an ARC for this amazing series.

Let me start off by saying that this series has become one of my comfort reads. Honestly. And you might ask why I rated them all 4 stars instead of 5. You might rate a book 5 stars, even though you know you'll never want to reread it. You might rate a book 3 stars and you reread it twice every year. It's not about the stars, it's about the feeling, it's about smiling like a maniac at your book because it's just that sweet. Or panting because it's that hot. You get the drill.

While we saw a little bit of Cameron in the previous two books, it definitely wasn't like Logan and August. He was introduced, but the other two books didn't involve as much of him as we came to expect by now. It was honestly exciting, because I felt like I already knew August before I even read his books. But Cameron and Aspen? Completely new, exciting and surprisingly interesting.

This your typical 'jock needs tutoring from shy, nerdy girl'. Kind of. Because, Holy SHIT. Aspen surprised the shit out of me. Yeah, she's nerdy and quiet. But that girl has a mouth on her, sassy as fuck and she just knows exactly what she wants. I love it.

Cameron wasn't like I expected either. They were both contradicting what we initially thought of them. Yes, Cameron is a player, but he has his reasons and is always honest about it.

They both are honest about the fact that they want each other, but they don't want the feelings, the relationships etcetera.

Simple, right?

❝Cameron Saywer is the biggest temptation in my life and I don't know how much longer I'll be able to fight against these feelings.❞

I knew it. You knew it. We all knew it. They're bound to fall in love. It always happens, they never see it coming and it always, ALWAYS end in heartbreak.

I must say Cali did a solid job at not only breaking my heart, but breaking Cameron AND Aspen' as well. This was one of the cleanest and most exciting (hear me out, really) breakups I've ever read about.

❝I'm ready to dive in, baby. I want to drown in your ocean and never come up for air again.❞

Not sure of he's talking about her heart or pussy, but I mean... Fair enough.

This was honestly a 5 star read until the very last 10 percent of the book. The last few chapters and especially the epilogue didn't make sense for these two. Yeah, I get it. We all want them to live happily ever after. But this, at least for me, didn't make any sense and it made me bring down my rating to 4 stars instead.

Cali does an amazing job at making you love these characters. I absolutely love hockey still plays a big part in these books. I love the games, I love the excitement from these guys when they're on the ice. Add in the spice and you got yourself a solid read you can't put down.

I can't wait for Hunter's story. I feel like that's gonna be an intense one.


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[Aundi Living That Book Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Wyncote Wolves Series, this book focuses on Cameron and Aspen. This was a quick read that overlaps into the stories prior, so I recommend reading them in order. It’s not necessary but it does help give a little more depth to the story. This book had a lot of good things it including the seamless way that Cali writes, it also had a different feel than the books before because the characters themselves were more serious personality wise. That added a different layer to the story bringing out a bit more in the book.

One of the things about this book is that it has insta-love. Their entire relationship is about a month long. While insta-love isn’t my favorite it can be if done correctly. However, with Cameron and Aspen I didn’t feel their relationship. You don’t get enough of a chance to really see them grow and develop as a couple. Especially since they didn’t know each other prior to Cameron asking Aspen for help tutoring. Had they known each other before this, the insta-love part would have felt more believable. It went from tutoring to more rather quickly. I feel like if more pages had been added you would have had the opportunity to really see the progression of their relationship and the feelings between them mature and build. As it was, they get together then the culmination of their end and then their HEA. All of it happens within about a weeks’ time.

Also, the reason for the break-up didn’t make much sense. There was really no reason for it. And yes, they are on two separate paths future wise but not to the extent that it would be an issue. Their lack of communication on this aspect bothered me. I feel the whole break-up was unnecessary and not really needed. Especially since it only lasted for a week. Had they just talked to each other or really Cameron talk to Aspen it could have been avoided and you could have just had more of them learning about each other and really building on them as a couple.

All in all, I would have liked more to the story. I think additional pages would have really fleshed out the issues and would have allowed them as a couple to really feel more authentic and less forced. Their relationship didn’t feel natural and effortless and that’s something I was really missing in this book. I love Cali’s writing and will continue to read her wonderful stories this one was just missing a little something for me.

3.5 Stars

[Booksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 186
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘋𝘰𝘫𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘵 - 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

*** Thank you to the author @authorcalimelle and @wildfiremarketingsolutions for giving me a change to read this book.***


___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭____________

"𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴. "


𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ College Hockey
✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Sports Romance
✔️ Tutor


"𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦...𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴. "


𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨 is the third book in the 𝘞𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 series by the author Cali Melle. I absolutely and whole hatedly ADORE this series. I recommend it to everyone, that is just how much I love it. And book 3 did not dissapoint!!!

This book follows the story of Cameron and Aspen. Cameron is a part of the Wyncote Wolves hockey team, but he's also a scholarship student. When his biology grade falls below a C, he has to find a way to bring it up or he will lose his spot on the hockey team and his scholarship. Aspen is always focused on school, wanting to go into medicine when she graduates. But her friend Delilah is always trying to get her to come along to parties and have more fun with her.


"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘪𝘳."


When Cam asks Aspen to help him with his grades, he asks her not to share it with anyone because doesn't want people to know he's struggling in class, and she agrees. But when their tutoring arrangement turns into something more, everything starts to change. How will their arrangement work and will they be able to just keep it professional? Well, you'll just have to read this book to find out.

[Marta. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Podemos decir que ha estado mejor de lo que me pensaba cuando estaba empezándolo. Si leéis mi reseña del anterior libro veréis que estaba un poco desganada por continuar con la saga. Aún así, lo he leído, y bastante rápido la verdad. Tengo que decir que esta vez la historia es un poco diferente a los dos romances anteriores y es bastante menos dramática, cosa que me parece bien, ya que siendo todas historias de amor entre un jugador de hockey y una chica, todos los tíos del mismo equipo, y todo conectado, le da un poco más de realismo, en el sentido de que no es todo el rato la misma historia romántica. También se agradece que las personalidades de los protagonistas de los diferentes libros cambien un poco. Sin embargo, algo que he notado desde el principio es que tengo la sensación de que todo pasa muy rápido, me falta un poco más de transfondo y profundidad de los nuevos personajes. Vaya, que da la sensación que la autora se ha quedado sin ideas y no quiere repetirse. Ya de por si es más corto en páginas que el resto, y de verdad que tiene el material para que la historia tenga más chicha, porque la idea general que se cuenta de los protagonistas tiene mucho potencial. Tampoco me quejo porque en lugar de profundidad a la historia podría haber añadido relleno, y eso tampoco lo queremos.
En general puedo decir un poco lo mismo que los anteriores libros, que ha sido entretenido y que no me arrepiento de haberlo leído, pero me ha dejado un poco una sensación de vacío o de falta de algo. No sé si me explico bien, pero espero que la reseña tenga sentido. En estos momentos tengo que decir que sí que me apetece empezar el siguiente, porque sé que va también sobre patinaje sobre hielo, algo que me gusta, y ya no tengo tanto odio por el personaje que hará de protagonista.

[Christy Davisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this quick friends with benefits to lovers hockey sports romance. Angst and spice makes everything nice and this is a great book to grab.

This one was a fun and easy read. Loved how both anti-feelings these two were from the start. Cam was just looking to find a tutor and Aspen was just the perfect smart girl to help him stay on his team and keep his scholarship also. He doesn't do feelings or relationships other than hookups or friends with benefits now.
Aspen is the girl who wants nothing to do with relationships and only relies on herself but she isn't quite as immune to Cameron Sawyer as she thought she was.

I loved that these two were so forward about what they thought they wanted from one another from the start. I loved watching these two slowly develop feelings that neither would admit to. This had a slow burn feel in the beginning to quickly heating up the spice level and angst as the story progressed. I really loved their story because you feel all those first times of falling in love and not sure how to deal once it happens. Following the unsure to a HEA was so much fun.

I had the pleasure of reading this one early and totally fell in love with these characters. It was fun, angsty, and spicy. If you love two unlikely individuals catching feelings but not sure what to do, then this is a definite must read for you! If you love sports romances or hockey romance you definitely want to grab this one and enjoy the ups and downs of their friends with benefits to more romance.