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Lakes Hockey #1
Before We Came
Birdie
My mother's funeral unraveled decades of secrets hidden from me—horrible secrets. I’ve learned my past is more sinister than I could have ever imagined. Everything has been a lie, right down to the name on my driver’s license. Now there’s only one direction for me to turn: to the people who have been searching for me all these years.
One of those people is my new-found brother’s best friend: Lonan Burke, star defenseman for the Minnesota Lakes. The physical attraction we share offers an easy distraction as I discover who I am. The more we give in to each other, the more he wants to keep me. But I’ve already spent my life in captivity—I want to be free.
Lonan
She’s back. We were kids the last time I saw her, but my innocent crush from childhood is full-grown now. And it’s not so innocent anymore. She’s a breath of fresh air from the series of one-night stands since being drafted into the NHL. I’ve got one shot with her, and I’m not taking it for granted.
When her story hits the media, I offer her a place to hide. For the first time, my frigid condo feels like a home, and she’s made me believe the future I’ve always wanted is within reach. Birdie is it for me, we've always been inevitable, and I'll spend the rest of my life proving it if it means I can spend it with her.
Note: This 18+ spicy hockey romance features dirty-talking, praise, a brother's best friend, suspense, forced proximity, second-chance love, angst, and of course, a happily ever after.
CW: Kidnapping, fatal car accident details, manipulation, suicide mentioned. Off-page childhood emotional and physical abuse. Off page child death.
My mother's funeral unraveled decades of secrets hidden from me—horrible secrets. I’ve learned my past is more sinister than I could have ever imagined. Everything has been a lie, right down to the name on my driver’s license. Now there’s only one direction for me to turn: to the people who have been searching for me all these years.
One of those people is my new-found brother’s best friend: Lonan Burke, star defenseman for the Minnesota Lakes. The physical attraction we share offers an easy distraction as I discover who I am. The more we give in to each other, the more he wants to keep me. But I’ve already spent my life in captivity—I want to be free.
Lonan
She’s back. We were kids the last time I saw her, but my innocent crush from childhood is full-grown now. And it’s not so innocent anymore. She’s a breath of fresh air from the series of one-night stands since being drafted into the NHL. I’ve got one shot with her, and I’m not taking it for granted.
When her story hits the media, I offer her a place to hide. For the first time, my frigid condo feels like a home, and she’s made me believe the future I’ve always wanted is within reach. Birdie is it for me, we've always been inevitable, and I'll spend the rest of my life proving it if it means I can spend it with her.
Note: This 18+ spicy hockey romance features dirty-talking, praise, a brother's best friend, suspense, forced proximity, second-chance love, angst, and of course, a happily ever after.
CW: Kidnapping, fatal car accident details, manipulation, suicide mentioned. Off-page childhood emotional and physical abuse. Off page child death.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2023
5487 people are currently reading
44183 people want to read
About the author
Sloane St. James
7 books4,047 followersSloane St. James began writing in 2022, it combines two of her favorite things, books and getting plowed. She enjoys writing strong, witty females and the dirty-talking men that love them--with a little suspense tossed in wherever she can. As an avid hockey fan, her Lakes Hockey series was a natural place to start and debuted in March 2023.
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and, of course, reading romance.
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and, of course, reading romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,819 reviews
July 29, 2024
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July 8, 2023
Blown away!
Umm, why the fudge is this not talked about more than it is!! This was Sloane St. James' first book.. her first!! And it was perfection!!
I was hooked from the first page, sucked right in! I read it in one day and completely ignored the world outside of this book and any adult responsibilities that I may or may not have needed to deal with.
Before We Came follows Birdie and Lonan. I don't like giving any spoilers, so I won't go into too much detail, but the plot was so gripping. I honestly wasn't expecting that storyline, and I was completely enthralled! Birdie, having gone through everything she did, was such a strong person. Yes, she had "trust issues upon trust issues," but they were valid, and she handled herself in all the realistic ways that one normally would. Lonan, a hockey playing hottie, has been through his own hardships, but I absolutely adored his connection to family and his adoration for B. Birdie and Lonan had so much chemistry. They sparked from their first (first 👀) encounter, and it never dimmed. I loved their banter, and I laughed at their antics many times.
That first 🔥 scene!! Hot damn 🥵. His dirty mouth! He is the perfect mix of sweet and dominant, and I loved everything that came out of his hot AF mouth!
This book had me laughing, crying, rooting for both mcs in everything they did, my heart racing, toes bouncing on the edge to see where things would end up! It was a mix of steamy smut, thrilling crime, love, growth, forgiveness, humour, and family. I loved all of it. Everyone needs to get on this! Highly recommend!
Umm, why the fudge is this not talked about more than it is!! This was Sloane St. James' first book.. her first!! And it was perfection!!
I was hooked from the first page, sucked right in! I read it in one day and completely ignored the world outside of this book and any adult responsibilities that I may or may not have needed to deal with.
Before We Came follows Birdie and Lonan. I don't like giving any spoilers, so I won't go into too much detail, but the plot was so gripping. I honestly wasn't expecting that storyline, and I was completely enthralled! Birdie, having gone through everything she did, was such a strong person. Yes, she had "trust issues upon trust issues," but they were valid, and she handled herself in all the realistic ways that one normally would. Lonan, a hockey playing hottie, has been through his own hardships, but I absolutely adored his connection to family and his adoration for B. Birdie and Lonan had so much chemistry. They sparked from their first (first 👀) encounter, and it never dimmed. I loved their banter, and I laughed at their antics many times.
That first 🔥 scene!! Hot damn 🥵. His dirty mouth! He is the perfect mix of sweet and dominant, and I loved everything that came out of his hot AF mouth!
This book had me laughing, crying, rooting for both mcs in everything they did, my heart racing, toes bouncing on the edge to see where things would end up! It was a mix of steamy smut, thrilling crime, love, growth, forgiveness, humour, and family. I loved all of it. Everyone needs to get on this! Highly recommend!
August 4, 2025
Truly orgasmic 🙂↕️
(This had some of the best spicy scenes and the plotline was unique)
.
I looked at this cover and came 🙂↕️🤩
(This had some of the best spicy scenes and the plotline was unique)
.
I looked at this cover and came 🙂↕️🤩
July 29, 2023
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I enjoyed this one and I liked the characters but I don't think the whole kidnapping storyline was done justice. It's a big thing for Birdie to deal with and yet there was a good chunk of the book where it was barely mentioned other than the ends of chapters that showed parts of her mom/kidnappers diary. I thought that storyline was really interesting so I would have loved to see more of it or see how Birdie was dealing with it all but instead it was mainly shoved into the background. I still liked seeing Birdie and Lonan together and also the side characters so I did like this one overall. And I'll definitely be reading the next one for Micky's story
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I enjoyed this one and I liked the characters but I don't think the whole kidnapping storyline was done justice. It's a big thing for Birdie to deal with and yet there was a good chunk of the book where it was barely mentioned other than the ends of chapters that showed parts of her mom/kidnappers diary. I thought that storyline was really interesting so I would have loved to see more of it or see how Birdie was dealing with it all but instead it was mainly shoved into the background. I still liked seeing Birdie and Lonan together and also the side characters so I did like this one overall. And I'll definitely be reading the next one for Micky's story
May 14, 2023
The first part of this book was great and the rest half was just.....there. 😂🤷
It starts off with the Elizabeth finding out that her name is Bridget and she was kidnapped at the age of 6 by a woman named Juliette while on a trip to niagra falls. She does a genetic test and finds out her parents name and goes to see them.
She travels from canada to the us where she has a one night stand with a really hot dude and she literally just wants to wham bam thank you mam him. The next day, she goes to her old house. That part when she sees her mom after following her mom into target made me cry.
And then she finds out her one night stand was really her brothers best friend. As she's talking to her best friend on the phone, he eaves drops on her while shes saying that she might go back home to canada. he manipulates the press to find out her story and has her move in with him to his penthouse and be his chef to help her lay low while the press is going nuts over the story.
I think where this book really lost me was when he proposes to her to get her to stay in the USA (her visa was about to expire) and she says no. Her reason being that shes not in the right place in her life to be married to him. I thought the reason was a bit flimsy to be honest and they're separated for a time. He's in pictures with lots of different women and she's all by her lonesome 🙄🙄🙄
Then they go to a gala and she goes with this dude named nate because she doesn't want to be stag while Lohan the H might have arm candy with him. He actually invites ow 😂😂😂😂(shes a puck bunny who came uninvited to his penthouse when he was effing h). He invites Nikki the ow and tells her to be his date for one hour but it's only for looks and that he's really not interested in her in anything other than one hour of her on his arm. She still tries to get with him at the gala and he gets her an uber. Why bother in the first place?! why not just come by yourself and make your intentions known? Why aren't you man enough to come to a party alone? That's some beta shit man.
Anyway, there's no closure with her kidnapper Juliette at the end and it just didn't end with a solid ending for me 😐🤷
It starts off with the Elizabeth finding out that her name is Bridget and she was kidnapped at the age of 6 by a woman named Juliette while on a trip to niagra falls. She does a genetic test and finds out her parents name and goes to see them.
She travels from canada to the us where she has a one night stand with a really hot dude and she literally just wants to wham bam thank you mam him. The next day, she goes to her old house. That part when she sees her mom after following her mom into target made me cry.
And then she finds out her one night stand was really her brothers best friend. As she's talking to her best friend on the phone, he eaves drops on her while shes saying that she might go back home to canada. he manipulates the press to find out her story and has her move in with him to his penthouse and be his chef to help her lay low while the press is going nuts over the story.
I think where this book really lost me was when he proposes to her to get her to stay in the USA (her visa was about to expire) and she says no. Her reason being that shes not in the right place in her life to be married to him. I thought the reason was a bit flimsy to be honest and they're separated for a time. He's in pictures with lots of different women and she's all by her lonesome 🙄🙄🙄
Then they go to a gala and she goes with this dude named nate because she doesn't want to be stag while Lohan the H might have arm candy with him. He actually invites ow 😂😂😂😂(shes a puck bunny who came uninvited to his penthouse when he was effing h). He invites Nikki the ow and tells her to be his date for one hour but it's only for looks and that he's really not interested in her in anything other than one hour of her on his arm. She still tries to get with him at the gala and he gets her an uber. Why bother in the first place?! why not just come by yourself and make your intentions known? Why aren't you man enough to come to a party alone? That's some beta shit man.
Anyway, there's no closure with her kidnapper Juliette at the end and it just didn't end with a solid ending for me 😐🤷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
2.5 stars
This book and it's plot has so much potential and could have been a great one to me, but sadly I have too many issues with it.
To name a few: time jumps that I couldn't follow; plot holes that raised more question marks for me than necessary, thing that felt repetitive more than once and from time to time things popped up that made no sense to me (eg. the diary entries, which IMO didn't add value or information to the story and just felt random).
In addition to that I think there were chapters that felt like gap fillers, that didn't add to the story. Instead for having those, I wished for more family reunion interaction, which came way too short for me here or having the kidnapping story explored more.
Another thing you should know: if you pick up the book thinking it's a hockey romance, you might be disappointed. There is a hockey playing hero, but that's almost as much as there is to a hockey romance.
Don't get me wrong, the idea of the story is refreshing and I had high hopes for it. At the beginning it was intriguing and I thought I'd care for the characters. But at one point I got lost and I found myself I didn't care for them anymore. I could have stopped there, but being at 80% I just pushed through.
This book and it's plot has so much potential and could have been a great one to me, but sadly I have too many issues with it.
To name a few: time jumps that I couldn't follow; plot holes that raised more question marks for me than necessary, thing that felt repetitive more than once and from time to time things popped up that made no sense to me (eg. the diary entries, which IMO didn't add value or information to the story and just felt random).
In addition to that I think there were chapters that felt like gap fillers, that didn't add to the story. Instead for having those, I wished for more family reunion interaction, which came way too short for me here or having the kidnapping story explored more.
Another thing you should know: if you pick up the book thinking it's a hockey romance, you might be disappointed. There is a hockey playing hero, but that's almost as much as there is to a hockey romance.
Don't get me wrong, the idea of the story is refreshing and I had high hopes for it. At the beginning it was intriguing and I thought I'd care for the characters. But at one point I got lost and I found myself I didn't care for them anymore. I could have stopped there, but being at 80% I just pushed through.
July 5, 2024
The first 50% of this book I was OBSESSED with. There was definitely a romantic suspense element and "it's always been you" romance that had me HOOKED. But then the second half was just a cute romance of them falling in love. I would have loved the angst and suspense to carry through the rest of the book! Though I do love a man obsessed, and the hero was determined to make the heroine his. I'm definitely excited to try out more from this author!
February 8, 2024
This started out so amazing! I absolutely loved the storyline and the characters.. The final 30% ruined it for me though. Lolan has good intentions but asking Birdie to marry him to keep her in the country, after everything she's been through and everything she's told him.. yikes. But it gets worse in the following weeks when he's pictured almost every night with a different woman so Birdie is devastated thinking he's moved on. She finally decides it's time to move on so she brings a date to an event they'll both be at and when he learns that he decides it's a great idea to bring an ex-fuck (who almost ruined their relationship from the start) as his date. He only realizes it was stupid after her brother/his best friend lays into him. The immaturity is revolting. I hate men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
SOOOOOOO much better than i thought it would be!!!! 🎧🎧
March 8, 2024
DNF @ 50%
I loved the basis of the plot of this book! Birdie is great and is handling what is an absolutely traumatic and insane time in her life with such grace and a lot less panic attacks than I would that’s for sure! But I really cannot bring myself to like Lonan even a little bit. He starts out as a player sleeping around which is fine but he truly has such little regard for these women it is gross. And the way he speaks to and about them is just not it. But even with all of that I was okay with him until he CALLED THE MEDIA AND LEAKED BIRDIES STORY SO SHE WOULDN'T LEAVE! This woman just found out that she was abducted by the woman who she thought was her mother and has been reunited with her long lost family after more than 20 years and instead of supporting her and giving her space to find her footing and be there for her you throw a hissy fit and call the media because you overheard a one side conversation. Dude grow up and ask her how she is doing and if she doesn’t tell you RESPECT THAT AND GIVE HER SPACE! Then he basically coerces her into staying with him at his place so she will be safe from the media. Who will keep her safe from you bro!? And then she tells him numerous times I’m not ready for a relationship and things are crazy I can only be your friend and he just ignores her REPEATEDLY and won’t just let her be.
I loved the basis of the plot of this book! Birdie is great and is handling what is an absolutely traumatic and insane time in her life with such grace and a lot less panic attacks than I would that’s for sure! But I really cannot bring myself to like Lonan even a little bit. He starts out as a player sleeping around which is fine but he truly has such little regard for these women it is gross. And the way he speaks to and about them is just not it. But even with all of that I was okay with him until he CALLED THE MEDIA AND LEAKED BIRDIES STORY SO SHE WOULDN'T LEAVE! This woman just found out that she was abducted by the woman who she thought was her mother and has been reunited with her long lost family after more than 20 years and instead of supporting her and giving her space to find her footing and be there for her you throw a hissy fit and call the media because you overheard a one side conversation. Dude grow up and ask her how she is doing and if she doesn’t tell you RESPECT THAT AND GIVE HER SPACE! Then he basically coerces her into staying with him at his place so she will be safe from the media. Who will keep her safe from you bro!? And then she tells him numerous times I’m not ready for a relationship and things are crazy I can only be your friend and he just ignores her REPEATEDLY and won’t just let her be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
I think is missing something in this book. The fmc is annoying and the feels are superficial.
Unfortunately.
Unfortunately.
May 12, 2025
"I’ll never take for granted this second chance. A second chance to fall in love with you for the first time."
Very spicy.
Just go in blind and have fun.
It's not perfect, but it was so good (and it was Sloane's first book!).
I would have binged it if not for work. I will need to get my hands on the next one soon.
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I started this with zero knowledge of the story, and I am so happy I did.
I am eating it up! Already 25% in and I just started it like two hours ago or something...
Very spicy.
Just go in blind and have fun.
It's not perfect, but it was so good (and it was Sloane's first book!).
I would have binged it if not for work. I will need to get my hands on the next one soon.
-------------
I started this with zero knowledge of the story, and I am so happy I did.
I am eating it up! Already 25% in and I just started it like two hours ago or something...
June 1, 2024
Rating 5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
🏒 Childhood to lovers
🏒 Best friend's sister
🏒 Praise kink
🏒 Reformed Playboy
🏒 Some exhibitionism
🏒 Filthy mouth MMC
🏒 Alpha hero <3
🏒 Has actual plot with suspense
🏒 Found family
Omg, I actually loved this book. It felt like I was reading a true crime with some romance in it, but it was heavily focused on the romance, to be honest. We have Birdie, who found out that her life is a LIE, and she finds out deep dark secrets about the time she grew up with the adult she was with! So she just flew out to seek out the truth and who her real family is.
During her journey, she just wanted to feel what freedom was like and met Lonan, who she doesn't know is a famous NHL player, and her (childhood bestfriend) had the best sex of her life.
This was a refreshing book, and it was a fun read. I typically don't read Friends to Lovers, but this one was a great read. Holy shit, it's freaking hot AF! LIKE OMGGGGGGGG, I died. Literally, I read this, and I couldn't put it down. I could definitely feel the angst, and I know that Birdy felt trust issues cause of what she went through because she felt she wasn't good enough and gaslit by the previous fake parent, but Lonan came through for her till the end. I can't wait for Micky's story (Her BFF)!
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
🏒 Childhood to lovers
🏒 Best friend's sister
🏒 Praise kink
🏒 Reformed Playboy
🏒 Some exhibitionism
🏒 Filthy mouth MMC
🏒 Alpha hero <3
🏒 Has actual plot with suspense
🏒 Found family
Omg, I actually loved this book. It felt like I was reading a true crime with some romance in it, but it was heavily focused on the romance, to be honest. We have Birdie, who found out that her life is a LIE, and she finds out deep dark secrets about the time she grew up with the adult she was with! So she just flew out to seek out the truth and who her real family is.
During her journey, she just wanted to feel what freedom was like and met Lonan, who she doesn't know is a famous NHL player, and her (childhood bestfriend) had the best sex of her life.
This was a refreshing book, and it was a fun read. I typically don't read Friends to Lovers, but this one was a great read. Holy shit, it's freaking hot AF! LIKE OMGGGGGGGG, I died. Literally, I read this, and I couldn't put it down. I could definitely feel the angst, and I know that Birdy felt trust issues cause of what she went through because she felt she wasn't good enough and gaslit by the previous fake parent, but Lonan came through for her till the end. I can't wait for Micky's story (Her BFF)!
November 4, 2025
▹TL;DR Review: Very spicy book with a surprising dark, suspenseful plotline. I was pleasantly surprised!
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.75 ouf ot 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader and 🎧Audiobook (Dual narration rating: 3.5/5)
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: When Birdie attends her mother’s funeral, she uncovers decades of hidden secrets and learns that nearly everything she believed about her past has been a lie. Needing refuge from the media storm, she reconnects with Lonan Burke, her childhood best friend and an NHL star defender, who offers sanctuary in his penthouse and maybe more than just comfort.
– FMC: “Birdie” (aka “Little Bird”). In her late 20s. On a journey of self-discovery. Aspiring chef. Wrestling with trust due to trauma.
– MMC: Lonan Burke. In his early 30s. Elite hockey f-boy. Hung up on someone from his past. Willing to change his ways for a second chance.
– Location: Vancouver, Canada and Minneapolis, MN
– POV: Dual first-person, with additional journal entries from a separate POV
– Spice: 7-9 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: childhood friends, second chance, one-night stand, forced proximity/roommates, he falls first and hard, sport romance (hockey), suspense, complex family events
– Content warning: adoption, fatal car accident, emotional abuse, media frenzy, kidnapping (off page), identity trauma, caretaker manipulation, family member with hoarding tendencies
– Representation: Reconnecting with family
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Skinny Love by Bon Iver (Birdy’s version)
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ If one of your favorite books as a tween/teen was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
➼ A SPICY romance with an equally good plotline
➼ Learning something shocking about your past as an adult and then scrambling to keep it all together
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——✧—————————Slow Burn
Sweet—————————✧——Spicy
Light/Fluffy———————✧————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This was surprisingly dark and I LOVED that. It has a plotline in it that I won’t spoil for you by saying too much, but I was floored by it. While this is a very spicy book, it was balanced beautifully by an intriguing and suspenseful story.
You do have to suspend your disbelief a bit more than I personally like to do…just ignore some of the “coincidences”. But if you can do that, this is a fun, slightly dark, very sexy book.
The “hockey” in this book was kind of a background character more than a true “hockey romance” imo. It’s not that it was forgotten or anything, but I could have used even more hockey if I’m being totally honest. I’m so excited to continue this series.
I also LOVE that this takes place in Minneapolis (as a native North Dakotan). But…the narrator butchered the pronunciation of lutefisk (it should be “LOO-tah-fisk” and not “lute-fisk”); he also said “MAL-dives” instead of “mol-deevs” but I’m a snob I guess. ☺
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.75 ouf ot 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader and 🎧Audiobook (Dual narration rating: 3.5/5)
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: When Birdie attends her mother’s funeral, she uncovers decades of hidden secrets and learns that nearly everything she believed about her past has been a lie. Needing refuge from the media storm, she reconnects with Lonan Burke, her childhood best friend and an NHL star defender, who offers sanctuary in his penthouse and maybe more than just comfort.
– FMC: “Birdie” (aka “Little Bird”). In her late 20s. On a journey of self-discovery. Aspiring chef. Wrestling with trust due to trauma.
– MMC: Lonan Burke. In his early 30s. Elite hockey f-boy. Hung up on someone from his past. Willing to change his ways for a second chance.
– Location: Vancouver, Canada and Minneapolis, MN
– POV: Dual first-person, with additional journal entries from a separate POV
– Spice: 7-9 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: childhood friends, second chance, one-night stand, forced proximity/roommates, he falls first and hard, sport romance (hockey), suspense, complex family events
– Content warning: adoption, fatal car accident, emotional abuse, media frenzy, kidnapping (off page), identity trauma, caretaker manipulation, family member with hoarding tendencies
– Representation: Reconnecting with family
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Skinny Love by Bon Iver (Birdy’s version)
╰┈➤ ❝And I told you to be patient; and I told you to be fine; and I told you to be balanced; and I told you to be kind.❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ If one of your favorite books as a tween/teen was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
➼ A SPICY romance with an equally good plotline
➼ Learning something shocking about your past as an adult and then scrambling to keep it all together
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——✧—————————Slow Burn
Sweet—————————✧——Spicy
Light/Fluffy———————✧————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This was surprisingly dark and I LOVED that. It has a plotline in it that I won’t spoil for you by saying too much, but I was floored by it. While this is a very spicy book, it was balanced beautifully by an intriguing and suspenseful story.
You do have to suspend your disbelief a bit more than I personally like to do…just ignore some of the “coincidences”. But if you can do that, this is a fun, slightly dark, very sexy book.
The “hockey” in this book was kind of a background character more than a true “hockey romance” imo. It’s not that it was forgotten or anything, but I could have used even more hockey if I’m being totally honest. I’m so excited to continue this series.
I also LOVE that this takes place in Minneapolis (as a native North Dakotan). But…the narrator butchered the pronunciation of lutefisk (it should be “LOO-tah-fisk” and not “lute-fisk”); he also said “MAL-dives” instead of “mol-deevs” but I’m a snob I guess. ☺
August 20, 2023
Some books have a plot and some don’t.
January 14, 2025
I skimmed this whole series and it was great for brain candy reading time like while I'm doing paperwork or folding laundry.
A LOT of smut! But also a lot of angst so I read particularly for those potions and quite literally fast forwarded through the rest.
A LOT of smut! But also a lot of angst so I read particularly for those potions and quite literally fast forwarded through the rest.
April 5, 2024
This book had so much potential for me, I would love to read a book with a similar premise but there were just too many issues for me to rate it at all
- The MMC was just awful, I don’t even hate the reformed playboy trope but he just disrespected women so blatantly it made me feel itchy. On top of that he was just so immature, egotistical and possessive and not in a fun way.
- I really hate it when MMC and FMC describe how they “talk about anything and everything” and they just get each other blah blah but we don’t see any of it? I felt like there was barely any dialogue between the characters and i just couldn’t believe the relationship or chemistry because it didn’t exist. Also one whole scene from the past does not convince me that they were always destined to be together
- Sorry but you can’t be the brothers best friend trope when the brother is in approximately 5 scenes and doesn’t seem to have a particularly close relationship with the MMC or the FMC
- What was the point of the kidnapping? It ended up being mostly irrelevant- I would have loved to have seen more relationship building with her family, or even more internal struggle to transition into her old life rather than her “trust issues” towards Lonan
- The fact there was zero closure with her kidnapper was annoying, if the rest of the plot had been done well I would have been able to forgive this but unfortunately not.
- Fuck all the way off with the Nikki stunt. And Lonan only seemed to sexualise Birdie? Like at the gala he just kept thinking about how he was going to have sex with her - nothing about how he missed their relationship (which he couldn’t because we had NEVER SEEN IT)
Anyway I’ll probably never read another of this authors books again. I wish I’d DNF’d
- The MMC was just awful, I don’t even hate the reformed playboy trope but he just disrespected women so blatantly it made me feel itchy. On top of that he was just so immature, egotistical and possessive and not in a fun way.
- I really hate it when MMC and FMC describe how they “talk about anything and everything” and they just get each other blah blah but we don’t see any of it? I felt like there was barely any dialogue between the characters and i just couldn’t believe the relationship or chemistry because it didn’t exist. Also one whole scene from the past does not convince me that they were always destined to be together
- Sorry but you can’t be the brothers best friend trope when the brother is in approximately 5 scenes and doesn’t seem to have a particularly close relationship with the MMC or the FMC
- What was the point of the kidnapping? It ended up being mostly irrelevant- I would have loved to have seen more relationship building with her family, or even more internal struggle to transition into her old life rather than her “trust issues” towards Lonan
- The fact there was zero closure with her kidnapper was annoying, if the rest of the plot had been done well I would have been able to forgive this but unfortunately not.
- Fuck all the way off with the Nikki stunt. And Lonan only seemed to sexualise Birdie? Like at the gala he just kept thinking about how he was going to have sex with her - nothing about how he missed their relationship (which he couldn’t because we had NEVER SEEN IT)
Anyway I’ll probably never read another of this authors books again. I wish I’d DNF’d
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
Really really want to love this one but I think I may have not been in the best mood and it was a little insta lovey for my liking
June 18, 2024
actually the worst book i’ve ever read, it’s not even a one star. You booktok bitches wouldn’t recognize a well written book if it slapped you across the face. If you rated this shit 4-5 stars just know im judging your horrible, deceiving and smut (which is not even good and i would dare to say DISGUSTING) driven mind. no plot and no vibes. “Can’t believe this is the authors first novel” ???? I can. It’s ass
March 26, 2024
The plot in this book is so interesting. Got me hooked since page one. I love how it’s evolving, yet I am no fan of hookups and one night stands. Nope.
Plus reading through the story, she’s supposed to be an introvert who easily blushes especially around him. She says she’s never been bold before yet she’s into one night stands. I say BS! 🙄
The story is very fast paced. The author skipping over some important parts of their dialogues. I prefer a bit more conversations rather than rundowns.
Also, it’s a bit too surreal for a fiction. She hasn’t seen her family in 20+ years yet her mom takes one look at her and recognises her without doubting her one single iota. Also, she’s part of the family again as if she’s never been gone.
When are men gonna get it into their heads that flirting with women to make as jealous will only make us angrier and have less respect for them.
All in all it was a meh read.
Plus reading through the story, she’s supposed to be an introvert who easily blushes especially around him. She says she’s never been bold before yet she’s into one night stands. I say BS! 🙄
The story is very fast paced. The author skipping over some important parts of their dialogues. I prefer a bit more conversations rather than rundowns.
Also, it’s a bit too surreal for a fiction. She hasn’t seen her family in 20+ years yet her mom takes one look at her and recognises her without doubting her one single iota. Also, she’s part of the family again as if she’s never been gone.
When are men gonna get it into their heads that flirting with women to make as jealous will only make us angrier and have less respect for them.
All in all it was a meh read.
January 7, 2024
Sooo, I dove into this book with high expectations, the beginning had me hooked. But, unfortunately, it fizzled out pretty quickly. The writing style was super robotic. It just didn’t work for, it made me cringe a bit.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I truly believe the author’s got talent, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea. Maybe I will try again some of her work in the future. 🙂
Now, don’t get me wrong, I truly believe the author’s got talent, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea. Maybe I will try again some of her work in the future. 🙂
October 8, 2025
Wow! This book was such a ride!
5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
December 31, 2023
Great debut novel!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1\2
Trope: ONS, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
There were so many things I loved about this book and I always find it impressive when debut novels can shake me up like this one did! The storyline waa fantastic. Very original and I loved the almost fated aspect to Birdie and Lonan's relationship. I love stories of childhood sweethearts finding their way back together. I got literal chills a couple times because of how the story played out. Birdie was a complex character with a lot to work through: the neglect of her childhood as well as the overwhelming expectations of her family. Lonan wasn't as complex, he was all in, but his execution sucked on more than one occasion, lol. I've read a lot of criticism about the ending, which I think is being overstated. Is the ending perfect? No. Do I wish it played out a little different? 🤷🏻♀️ Still really enjoyed the story and am super excited to see what's to come from this brand new author!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1\2
Trope: ONS, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
There were so many things I loved about this book and I always find it impressive when debut novels can shake me up like this one did! The storyline waa fantastic. Very original and I loved the almost fated aspect to Birdie and Lonan's relationship. I love stories of childhood sweethearts finding their way back together. I got literal chills a couple times because of how the story played out. Birdie was a complex character with a lot to work through: the neglect of her childhood as well as the overwhelming expectations of her family. Lonan wasn't as complex, he was all in, but his execution sucked on more than one occasion, lol. I've read a lot of criticism about the ending, which I think is being overstated. Is the ending perfect? No. Do I wish it played out a little different? 🤷🏻♀️ Still really enjoyed the story and am super excited to see what's to come from this brand new author!
December 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
DNF40%
Take this like the tiniest grain of salt! Continued large amounts of time jumping will completely ruin a book for me. Especially when the main characters are interacting and building their relationship, but we don’t get to see it. I don’t know why, but it seems to be an issue I keep having so I think it’s just a “my preference problem”. The plot line and characters did seem to be very good in this so it was a bummer that I couldn’t get past the time skipping. 🤷♀️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
DNF40%
Take this like the tiniest grain of salt! Continued large amounts of time jumping will completely ruin a book for me. Especially when the main characters are interacting and building their relationship, but we don’t get to see it. I don’t know why, but it seems to be an issue I keep having so I think it’s just a “my preference problem”. The plot line and characters did seem to be very good in this so it was a bummer that I couldn’t get past the time skipping. 🤷♀️
May 29, 2024
3/5 ⭐️
Початок книги був дуже хороший. Я була заінтригована, хотілося дізнатися історію головної героїні. Мені не вистачило детективної складової, була така чудова зав'язка, було замало шматочків щоденників. Друга пловина книги просто про стосунки, Бірді пройшла через дуже складну травму, має проблеми з довірою, але ніхто не думає про її психологічний стан належним чином, навіть недостатньо переживань самої героїні, тільки все про сексуальну напругу з Лонаном. Де відновлення стосунків з родиною? Де намагання головної героїні переварити своє викрадення? ох...
Відносини Бірді і Лонана були нормальні, деякі учинки головного героя були для мене не ок, але що ж.
Книга мала великий потенціал, але, на жаль, для мене книга не захоплива.
Початок книги був дуже хороший. Я була заінтригована, хотілося дізнатися історію головної героїні. Мені не вистачило детективної складової, була така чудова зав'язка, було замало шматочків щоденників. Друга пловина книги просто про стосунки, Бірді пройшла через дуже складну травму, має проблеми з довірою, але ніхто не думає про її психологічний стан належним чином, навіть недостатньо переживань самої героїні, тільки все про сексуальну напругу з Лонаном. Де відновлення стосунків з родиною? Де намагання головної героїні переварити своє викрадення? ох...
Відносини Бірді і Лонана були нормальні, деякі учинки головного героя були для мене не ок, але що ж.
Книга мала великий потенціал, але, на жаль, для мене книга не захоплива.
April 23, 2024
“You don’t ever have to apologize. I know how hard you’ve been working to accept yourself and accept love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, baby. For you to let me love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
This book is Solane St.James first book and she killed it. I FREAKING LOVE IT! It has become one of my favorite books. ❤️🥰
Lonan & Birdie draw you in from the very beginning. Right when the book starts the plot captures your attention. (You definitely will need tissues.) Then once they connect you are completely sucked into this story. And the spice 🥵 is award winning. Solane did not hold back AT ALL.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Truly outstanding, girl! *chefs kiss 🤌🏼
5/5 ⭐️
5/5 🌶
🏒Tragic past
🏒BFF Sister
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒It’s always been her
🏒Childhood friends
🏒Alfa Hero/Dom
🏒Forced proximity
🏒Found family
ALC REVIEW
“I decided to marry Bridget when I was eight. I don’t need to think anymore.”
Before We Came (ALC)
Written: Sloane St.James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Narrated: Edward Black & Chloe Ryan
Production by: Podium
Available: April 23, 2024 on Audible
WOW!!! Is what I have to say about this ALC. I fell head over heels for this book when I first read it a year ago. I FELL HARD ALL OVER AGAIN!!! This is a book I always said I would like to read as if it was for the first time and I felt like I did when I listened to it. I seriously ugly cried all over again. My favorite characters coming to life was the biggest highlight for me. Edward Black did an amazing job as the voice of Lonan Burke. His sultry voice drips sex appeal. Chloe Ryan as Birdie was exactly how I imagined Birdie would sound These narrators delivered the story, the banter, and the spice was all pure chef’s kiss perfection. 🤌🏼
Downloaded this audio .You will have zero regrets
Thank you so much Sloane for the ALC ❤️
This book is Solane St.James first book and she killed it. I FREAKING LOVE IT! It has become one of my favorite books. ❤️🥰
Lonan & Birdie draw you in from the very beginning. Right when the book starts the plot captures your attention. (You definitely will need tissues.) Then once they connect you are completely sucked into this story. And the spice 🥵 is award winning. Solane did not hold back AT ALL.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Truly outstanding, girl! *chefs kiss 🤌🏼
5/5 ⭐️
5/5 🌶
🏒Tragic past
🏒BFF Sister
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒It’s always been her
🏒Childhood friends
🏒Alfa Hero/Dom
🏒Forced proximity
🏒Found family
ALC REVIEW
“I decided to marry Bridget when I was eight. I don’t need to think anymore.”
Before We Came (ALC)
Written: Sloane St.James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Narrated: Edward Black & Chloe Ryan
Production by: Podium
Available: April 23, 2024 on Audible
WOW!!! Is what I have to say about this ALC. I fell head over heels for this book when I first read it a year ago. I FELL HARD ALL OVER AGAIN!!! This is a book I always said I would like to read as if it was for the first time and I felt like I did when I listened to it. I seriously ugly cried all over again. My favorite characters coming to life was the biggest highlight for me. Edward Black did an amazing job as the voice of Lonan Burke. His sultry voice drips sex appeal. Chloe Ryan as Birdie was exactly how I imagined Birdie would sound These narrators delivered the story, the banter, and the spice was all pure chef’s kiss perfection. 🤌🏼
Downloaded this audio .You will have zero regrets
Thank you so much Sloane for the ALC ❤️
October 7, 2024
2 Stars
I really didn’t like this book.
The relationship between the MMC and FMC was incredibly dysfunctional. The MMC didn’t want to give the FMC any space to recover from her lifelong kidnapping. He’s upset that she won’t marry him after only three months of being back. 🙄
There’s tons of OW drama. After the FMC refuses to marry the MMC (even though she wants to but just isn’t ready), he goes off with a bunch of puck bunnies every night. The FMC isn’t sure if he’s actually sleeping with them or not, but she’s heartbroken. The MMC keeps flaunting these girls in front of her, acting like a total jerk. This issue is never addressed. They make up at the end, and the FMC just forgets about all the women. It was frustrating and left a bad taste in my mouth.
The writing was also weird. It’s in first person, but half the book felt like it was written in fast-forward. We only get brief overviews of what’s happening most of the time, which left me feeling disconnected from the story.
On top of that, the amount of internal musings and narration was exhausting.
Even the steam was a letdown. There was a ton of foreplay but only a couple of actual sex scenes (one at the beginning and one toward the end), which was really disappointing.
All in all, I can’t say there was anything good about this book. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I definitely wouldn’t reread it.
I really didn’t like this book.
The relationship between the MMC and FMC was incredibly dysfunctional. The MMC didn’t want to give the FMC any space to recover from her lifelong kidnapping. He’s upset that she won’t marry him after only three months of being back. 🙄
There’s tons of OW drama. After the FMC refuses to marry the MMC (even though she wants to but just isn’t ready), he goes off with a bunch of puck bunnies every night. The FMC isn’t sure if he’s actually sleeping with them or not, but she’s heartbroken. The MMC keeps flaunting these girls in front of her, acting like a total jerk. This issue is never addressed. They make up at the end, and the FMC just forgets about all the women. It was frustrating and left a bad taste in my mouth.
The writing was also weird. It’s in first person, but half the book felt like it was written in fast-forward. We only get brief overviews of what’s happening most of the time, which left me feeling disconnected from the story.
On top of that, the amount of internal musings and narration was exhausting.
Even the steam was a letdown. There was a ton of foreplay but only a couple of actual sex scenes (one at the beginning and one toward the end), which was really disappointing.
All in all, I can’t say there was anything good about this book. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I definitely wouldn’t reread it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
3.5
This was very good. I enjoyed the bit of mystery sub plot here and the romance between was really great. The spice was HOT.
After 60% it kind of plateaus a bit for me. Like I felt I could stop reading there and be happy. I didn’t need to get to the end bc they seemed to already have had their HEA if that makes sense? I’m glad I finished though: I think this was a good intro to the series and I’m excited to keep going.
This was very good. I enjoyed the bit of mystery sub plot here and the romance between was really great. The spice was HOT.
After 60% it kind of plateaus a bit for me. Like I felt I could stop reading there and be happy. I didn’t need to get to the end bc they seemed to already have had their HEA if that makes sense? I’m glad I finished though: I think this was a good intro to the series and I’m excited to keep going.
May 11, 2023
This review is a testament to two things:
1. The extent of my stubbornness and refusal to DNF books that I have no business wasting precious hours of my life on.
2. The indisputable fact that nobody should trust BookTok recommendations. In this vein, at the time of this review, this book has a 4.30 rating on Goodreads. How? Howwwwww? It is a mystery - as is the whereabouts of this book’s editor.
You may, however, enjoy this book if you:
- still watch Days of Our Lives
- have a condition where you immediately forget words as you read them and thus are unlikely to be bothered by plot holes, weird time jumps, and things that generally make no sense
- hate dictionaries
1. The extent of my stubbornness and refusal to DNF books that I have no business wasting precious hours of my life on.
2. The indisputable fact that nobody should trust BookTok recommendations. In this vein, at the time of this review, this book has a 4.30 rating on Goodreads. How? Howwwwww? It is a mystery - as is the whereabouts of this book’s editor.
You may, however, enjoy this book if you:
- still watch Days of Our Lives
- have a condition where you immediately forget words as you read them and thus are unlikely to be bothered by plot holes, weird time jumps, and things that generally make no sense
- hate dictionaries
April 21, 2024
This girl was not sufficiently traumatised. No way she’s totally chill about being kidnapped for 20+ years??
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