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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
***ARC REVIEW***
Seal the Deal by Hailey Rodger
Out now & FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
Summer camp nostalgia + hockey romance + single mom + second chance + blending a family + HEA = an amazing debut novel! A big congrats from me to Hailey Rodger!
The flashbacks to summer camp 12 years ago gave me butterflies! Jake and Charlie were so cute and so end game. I liked the way their present storyline echoed their past.
Jake was just so perfect, and Charlie's kids were super cute. The way Charlie and Jake navigated a relationship while also giving the utmost consideration to her kids' wellbeing was done very well. And I'd like to kick Charlie's ex husband right in the crotch!
This story had feels, it showed realistic parenthood challenges, and it had some good steamy scenes. I love a man that proves if he wanted to he would! And, Boy does Jake want to!
By the way, Zoe gets the award for BFF of the year. Everyone needs a friend like Zoe. I can't wait to read her story. Her flirtationship with Chase was just too good!
4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary Management for the ARC!
Seal the Deal by Hailey Rodger
Out now & FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
Summer camp nostalgia + hockey romance + single mom + second chance + blending a family + HEA = an amazing debut novel! A big congrats from me to Hailey Rodger!
The flashbacks to summer camp 12 years ago gave me butterflies! Jake and Charlie were so cute and so end game. I liked the way their present storyline echoed their past.
Jake was just so perfect, and Charlie's kids were super cute. The way Charlie and Jake navigated a relationship while also giving the utmost consideration to her kids' wellbeing was done very well. And I'd like to kick Charlie's ex husband right in the crotch!
This story had feels, it showed realistic parenthood challenges, and it had some good steamy scenes. I love a man that proves if he wanted to he would! And, Boy does Jake want to!
By the way, Zoe gets the award for BFF of the year. Everyone needs a friend like Zoe. I can't wait to read her story. Her flirtationship with Chase was just too good!
4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary Management for the ARC!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After Charlie’s divorce, she heads to the states with her two children where she unexpectedly encounters the summertime crush she had as a teenager. She and Noah navigate reacquainting with each other and acting on the feelings they never did a decade ago. I appreciated getting Charlie and Noah’s backstory from flashbacks included and although I am a big fan of childhood friends to lovers- their present tense relationship seemed rushed and almost unrealistic. Likewise, their romance was full of sweetness, however it seemed to lacked the tension and banter I’ve come to enjoy in this genre. It was a pleasure to read about Noah’s compassionate actions towards a Charlie’s struggling children was so enduring and Charlie’s ex-husband proved to be a great villain and provided much needed conflict to move the plot along. There were several repetitions in both words and scenes but overall a good debut from the author and it will be good to see how her writing style progresses as she continues on with the series. Many thanks to the author and Luna Literary Management for an advanced copy -my thoughts are honest and voluntary.
Considering this is Hailey's debut novel, I personally think you wouldn’t know it!I I’ve read a few this year which feel a bit meh but not this one. This deserves all the love!
I’ve only ever got emotional reading one book previously, but reading this one and the end scene with Jake’s mum I actually had tears in my eyes. And I know no one knows me, but I’m not an emotional person so it just shows how it made me feel!
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book. Literally everything was perfect: from the main characters, the kids and even Charlie &Jake at summer camp 12 years ago. I do love a dual timeline!
I also really enjoyed Meadow & Noah, and how Hailey wrote them. Even though they were young, to me they didn’t come across as normal kids in books. Instead I felt like they was observant and upstanding on what all the adults was doing!
I also loved Zoe, I think we all deserve one in our corner!
I can’t write too much of a review without typing up the whole plot, but people please read this book if you love: single mum x hockey player or even protective mmc. It came out today and I reckon it would be a great weekend read, it’s also on kindle unlimited!
No pressure Hailey, but I need Zoe & Chase book now😍
I’ve only ever got emotional reading one book previously, but reading this one and the end scene with Jake’s mum I actually had tears in my eyes. And I know no one knows me, but I’m not an emotional person so it just shows how it made me feel!
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book. Literally everything was perfect: from the main characters, the kids and even Charlie &Jake at summer camp 12 years ago. I do love a dual timeline!
I also really enjoyed Meadow & Noah, and how Hailey wrote them. Even though they were young, to me they didn’t come across as normal kids in books. Instead I felt like they was observant and upstanding on what all the adults was doing!
I also loved Zoe, I think we all deserve one in our corner!
I can’t write too much of a review without typing up the whole plot, but people please read this book if you love: single mum x hockey player or even protective mmc. It came out today and I reckon it would be a great weekend read, it’s also on kindle unlimited!
No pressure Hailey, but I need Zoe & Chase book now😍
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“i love her in the cracks of time, in the pauses, in the places people forget to look. even in the dark spaces where nothing else exists, she’s there. filling everything.”
this was one of the CUTEST romance books i’ve read, and it’s a hockey romance? swoon.
charlie was so, so protective over her kiddos that the fierce way she loved and cared for them melted my heart. dealing with her unserious and emotionally abusive ex is a feat all on it’s own, especially with two young kids. although she’s strong, she isn’t the best at asking for help, which is totally understandable. when jake comes in and stands his ground saying that he’s on her side and not going anywhere no matter what, she has no choice but to accept his help (help that she secretly wanted to ask for). charlie has become one of my favourite book characters, and i’m so very glad i got the opportunity to meet her!
jake was everything charlie needed, and charlie and her kids were everything jake needed. they all complemented each other so well, and jake didn’t miss a beat when interacting with meadow and noah in the slightest. his insistence on being there for them and getting to know them was quite literally unconditional. not to mention how protective he became over them (and charlie) in such a short time. but honestly, i’d fall head over heels for those kids too, especially meadow (my fav!). his ability to lift charlie up and help her grow into her new life was everything to me, and she helped him be the best version of himself even when she didn’t know it. oh, and the stars that jake drew in his notebook? i. was. done. for.
i absolutely adored their little inside jokes and nicknames, and the brownie thing??? so freaking CUTE! i can’t wait to read more of hailey’s work soon!
thank you so much to luna literary management and the author for the e-arc! 🌙
✧ he falls first
✧ found family
✧ second chance
✧ right person, wrong time
✧ single mom x hockey player
this was one of the CUTEST romance books i’ve read, and it’s a hockey romance? swoon.
charlie was so, so protective over her kiddos that the fierce way she loved and cared for them melted my heart. dealing with her unserious and emotionally abusive ex is a feat all on it’s own, especially with two young kids. although she’s strong, she isn’t the best at asking for help, which is totally understandable. when jake comes in and stands his ground saying that he’s on her side and not going anywhere no matter what, she has no choice but to accept his help (help that she secretly wanted to ask for). charlie has become one of my favourite book characters, and i’m so very glad i got the opportunity to meet her!
jake was everything charlie needed, and charlie and her kids were everything jake needed. they all complemented each other so well, and jake didn’t miss a beat when interacting with meadow and noah in the slightest. his insistence on being there for them and getting to know them was quite literally unconditional. not to mention how protective he became over them (and charlie) in such a short time. but honestly, i’d fall head over heels for those kids too, especially meadow (my fav!). his ability to lift charlie up and help her grow into her new life was everything to me, and she helped him be the best version of himself even when she didn’t know it. oh, and the stars that jake drew in his notebook? i. was. done. for.
i absolutely adored their little inside jokes and nicknames, and the brownie thing??? so freaking CUTE! i can’t wait to read more of hailey’s work soon!
thank you so much to luna literary management and the author for the e-arc! 🌙
✧ he falls first
✧ found family
✧ second chance
✧ right person, wrong time
✧ single mom x hockey player
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Medical content, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Pregnancy
We love a supportive and caring MMC and Jake is the definition of if he wanted to he would. Right person, wrong time is real and Charlie and Jake prove that in this sweet and spicy second chance romance. I wouldn't have believed this was a debut novel if I didn't know that going in.
Charlie and Jake had something special over a decade ago, sharing a magical summer together as camp counselors. When the summer ended, they went their separate ways and built their lives apart. Charlie went on to marry and start a family and Jake pursued his NHL dreams. Only Charlie was the one that got away and Jake never let the memories of her go.
Charlie uproots her life and starts over as a single divorced mom of 2. I applaud Charlie for walking away from her horrible marriage and being an amazing mom as she tries to rebuild a new life for her and the kids. When she attends one of Jake's hockey games and he sets his eyes on her, he sees this as the second chance he's wanted forever. Jake refuses to let her get away again, and he's nothing if not determined to make her his again.
I loved the passion and commitment Jake had for not only Charlie, but her kids as well. He was fully in it from the beginning and willing to do whatever it took to win her heart and build a future with them.
Give me a caring, possessive man with a dirty mouth that falls first and HARD any day of the week. Jake was book boyfriend gold.
I really enjoyed the past and present jumps as it gave such insight into Charlie and Jakes connection then and now, and built the foundation for the future they wanted to build together.
I know Hailey Rodger has more great things in store for us with the Colorado Storm series if the introduction of the side character friends and teammates are any indication and I can't wait to read more.
Charlie and Jake had something special over a decade ago, sharing a magical summer together as camp counselors. When the summer ended, they went their separate ways and built their lives apart. Charlie went on to marry and start a family and Jake pursued his NHL dreams. Only Charlie was the one that got away and Jake never let the memories of her go.
Charlie uproots her life and starts over as a single divorced mom of 2. I applaud Charlie for walking away from her horrible marriage and being an amazing mom as she tries to rebuild a new life for her and the kids. When she attends one of Jake's hockey games and he sets his eyes on her, he sees this as the second chance he's wanted forever. Jake refuses to let her get away again, and he's nothing if not determined to make her his again.
I loved the passion and commitment Jake had for not only Charlie, but her kids as well. He was fully in it from the beginning and willing to do whatever it took to win her heart and build a future with them.
Give me a caring, possessive man with a dirty mouth that falls first and HARD any day of the week. Jake was book boyfriend gold.
I really enjoyed the past and present jumps as it gave such insight into Charlie and Jakes connection then and now, and built the foundation for the future they wanted to build together.
I know Hailey Rodger has more great things in store for us with the Colorado Storm series if the introduction of the side character friends and teammates are any indication and I can't wait to read more.
🏒 New Book Review 🏒
Title: Seal the Deal
Author: Hailey Rodger
Genre/s: sports romance (hockey)
My format: eBook 📱
Tropes:
✨ Hockey romance
✨ Second chance romance
✨ Protective cinnamon roll
✨ Single mom
✨ Right person / wrong time
✨ A baked good that's so glad it's not sentient and doesn't have eyes
✨ MCs in their 30s
✨ No 3rd Act Break Up
✨ He's a simp but he's mouthy
It isn’t often that a book has me spamming the author with my reactions, but this one… this one had me being annoying chatty LOL
This is Hailey Rodger’s debut novel, but it reads like a new release from a seasoned author. The writing is so beautiful but still easy to consume.
Book boyfriend material right here friends, the way this man loved her… the way he loved HER KIDS?! Broke my heart and put it all back together again. Absolutely adored every moment that this man was on the page. Protective without being overbearing, sexy but not ONLY about sex, great dad material... Love love love him. I’ll take 3!
Hailey really tested my poker face with these spice scenes too… holy dooly were they hot… I think I have a comment from the author commending me on reading one scene in particular in public cause 🥵
Another thing I loved was how the author kept the children on-page for so much of the book, and so realistic in their mannerisms and actions. Too often in books they kind of magically disappear or head off with the grandparents for the night etc.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
I LOVED this book and these characters so much. Charlie and Jake are just the best.
Charlie and Jake worked at a summer camp and became close friends. However, they never pursued anything, so they ending up going their separate ways. Jake went off to the NHL, and Charlie pursued a career and marriage in another country. When Charlie’s marriage to her piece of crap ex is over, she gets a job in Colorado and moves herself, and two kids, to start all over. However, all it took was one hockey game for their paths to cross and give them another chance at a future together.
The portrayal of Charlie’s struggle with the aftermath of her marriage is so raw and hits the reader hard. She went through a lot with Alex and still is dealing with him and the impacts on her mental state. It was heartbreaking to watch her struggle with this trauma, but her journey was beautiful and proves that healing can happen, no matter what.
Jake is a solid man who cares so much about Charlie and her kids, Meadow and Noah. He is their protector and would do anything for them. He loves them as if they were his own.
Charlie is so strong and used to handling everything on her own and watching her learn to lean on others and get help was so rewarding to witness. She grows so much as a mom, woman and partner. She does a lot of hard work on her own but Jake supports her every step of the way and pushes her when she needs it. He challenges her and it is exactly what she needed to grow.
Meadow and Noah are so cute! Love that they are complex characters and add another layer to the story.
I loved the flashbacks we got to when they were at camp. Just showed how close they were and also showed the foundation they were building on as adults. Their friendship was so strong, even back then.
I felt so connected to their romance and journey. I was cheering for them every step of the way. Also, the texting conversations had me giggling.
I could go on and on.. but you should just trust me and read this book!
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Hailey Rodger, for giving me this ARC.
This book had its positives and its negatives. I liked the base of the story and the little details. I really liked the chapter titles and characters. The fluffy-ness was what kept me reading.
Before I start listening some of the negatives please keep in mind that I did enjoy the story. I don't hate it. I known all of this is going to sound harsh but I'm just trying to be honest.
The negatives about this was that everything felt very predictable and I have the feeling like it's done before. I don't know I just felt like some things were very similar to something else. For example Captain Thunder and Lady Lightning that is just a bit too similar to the nickelodeon series "The Thundermans". It's just those kind of things that I feel are too similar.
This book had its positives and its negatives. I liked the base of the story and the little details. I really liked the chapter titles and characters. The fluffy-ness was what kept me reading.
Before I start listening some of the negatives please keep in mind that I did enjoy the story. I don't hate it. I known all of this is going to sound harsh but I'm just trying to be honest.
The negatives about this was that everything felt very predictable and I have the feeling like it's done before. I don't know I just felt like some things were very similar to something else. For example Captain Thunder and Lady Lightning that is just a bit too similar to the nickelodeon series "The Thundermans". It's just those kind of things that I feel are too similar.
Hailey Rodger's debut novel Seal the Deal is an absolute triumph! From the very first page, she had me hooked. As a fan of heartfelt dedications, I have to say her opening words were perfect—not only setting the tone for the story but also delivering a beautiful message to readers: "For anyone who's ever felt like they are too much and not enough all at once, or felt they need to prove they're worthy of love. You aren't. You don't. I'm glad you exist." It's the kind of sentiment that resonates deeply and is woven throughout the book.
Charlie and Jake's story begins when they're both 18-year-old camp counselors. Over the course of that summer, they form a deep friendship and make a pinky promise to do their best and succeed in life. Charlie returns to New Zealand, eventually marries, and has two kids. Meanwhile, Jake heads back to the States and gets drafted into the NHL.
Fast forward 12 years: Charlie, now divorced, moves to Denver for a job, bringing her kids with her. The unexpected reunion with Jake at one of his hockey games stirs up old feelings. Jake’s thoughts upon seeing her again will make any reader swoon: “More than anything, I want to know everything about her for the last twelve years. Have you been happy? Have you been loved? Did you love someone else? Did they see you the way I do?”
Jake is absolutely swoon-worthy, and their reconnection is full of tension, emotion, and so much heart. The angst, the rekindling of their friendship, and the way their relationship evolves had me captivated from start to finish. Seal the Deal is a beautiful, touching journey, and I loved every moment of it. Seal the Deal is a beautiful, moving story that exceeded all my expectations. Hailey Rodger has truly created a stunning debut novel that I will be thinking about for a long time!