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vilma19's review
4.0
This was better than the second book - Sophie has grown a lot as a person and the plot is definitely moving more forward than before.
I LOVE the way K.R. Collins writes hockey scenes, they are so intense and breathtaking I'm sitting on the edge of my seat every time. Of course, her ability to write captivating hockey scenes is no news, they have been top notch since "Breaking the ice".
The things that have been improved are the characters. Finally (!) Elsa is in the US playing for the Condors and I absolutely loved how Sophie and Elsa kicked the other teams' asses together. They are certainly a force to count with. With another woman on the team, Sophie shows a different side of herself and it's uplifting to read how much she has grown as both an adult, woman and a captain for her team.
I really hope it will be a fourth book about Sophie, Elsa, all the Condors players, Dima, AND the other women now playing in the league (especially Lexie)!
I LOVE the way K.R. Collins writes hockey scenes, they are so intense and breathtaking I'm sitting on the edge of my seat every time. Of course, her ability to write captivating hockey scenes is no news, they have been top notch since "Breaking the ice".
The things that have been improved are the characters. Finally (!) Elsa is in the US playing for the Condors and I absolutely loved how Sophie and Elsa kicked the other teams' asses together. They are certainly a force to count with. With another woman on the team, Sophie shows a different side of herself and it's uplifting to read how much she has grown as both an adult, woman and a captain for her team.
I really hope it will be a fourth book about Sophie, Elsa, all the Condors players, Dima, AND the other women now playing in the league (especially Lexie)!
judeinthestars's review
5.0
4.5* – This series is on its way to being the most frustrating while clearly addicting I’ve read in a long time. I’m going to try not to spoil too much, but damn, it’s not gonna be easy. If you’re worried I might fail and don’t want to ruin your own enjoyment of this book, maybe all you need to know is that it could have been a full 5* if the author had taken it just a step further in the relationship department.
K.R. Collins writes hockey beautifully. I don’t think I’ve ever watched an entire ice hockey game (I’m French, hockey is definitely not my sports), yet when reading her books, I’m a Concord Condors fan all the way. The plays she describes are utterly exciting, the suspense is thrilling and breathtaking. We know that, we’ve known it since book 1, [b:Breaking the Ice|44026234|Breaking the Ice (Sophie Fournier, #1)|K.R. Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550341904l/44026234._SY75_.jpg|68455404]. The real suspense here pertains to Sophie’s love life. Or rather lack thereof so far. I know romance isn’t everything, and I don’t really need it in every book I read but when a novel is released by an LGBTQA publisher with tags such as “bisexual”, “demisexual”, “lesbian”, “romance” or “slow burn”, you can’t blame readers for believing they mean something. In this instance, I think that something will be the slowest burn ever, but that’s only speculation on my part. Also, Sophie is such an endearing character and her growth over the series is so beautiful that I plain and simple want more, for her and for me.
Sophie Fournier’s third season in the NAHL is bound to be very different from her first two: she’s not the only woman in the League anymore and what’s more, she’s not the only woman in her team anymore. After postponing her arrival last season, Elsa Nyberg is finally here, and the two of them take to each other like ducks to water, both off and on the ice. There’s a connection between the two young women (it’s sometimes difficult to remember, but Sophie is still too young to drink alcohol at the beginning of this book) that Sophie, whose life has always been focused on hockey, fails to identify for what it is, or at least for all that it is. The athletic crush, the very needed friendship with another female player, the novelty of having a roommate are all she sees. Once again, as I wrote above, this is only speculation, but all the signs are there of something more. The matter of the moment, however, is to win the Maple Cup. While things may get better and better, Sophie still has to prove herself day in, day out, but this season, she’s got more backup and more opportunities than ever.
As the first and only woman in the league until now, Sophie has had her way of dealing with the pressure, the demands of both management and the media, the love and the hate of fans. Now that other women have also been drafted, different personalities come into play, and if we get a fourth book (I might be frustrated, I still want a fourth book), I hope we’ll get to see more of that, more of how these other female players capitalise on the path Sophie has opened.
This instalment brings back the energy and exhilaration of the first one. Every scene about hockey is fantastic, whether it’s the games, Sophie’s efforts at motivating her team, everything. I’m still very annoyed at her father’s attitude but she seems to have made her peace with it and to only take the good, in a very mature way. In this book, the third in the series, we get to see more of the adult she’s becoming, the human being, the woman, not just the player anymore. She’s more open with her badassery, her snark, her sense of humour. She’s more comfortable with the other players on her team and it shows in the best way. She was a bit boring in the first two books, she’s becoming quite captivating, as others are also coming to find out. In book 2, [b:Sophomore Surge|48668348|Sophomore Surge (Sophie Fournier, #2)|K.R. Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572728564l/48668348._SY75_.jpg|74012587], most of the off the ice scenes centred on Sophie’s friendship with Dima, the Russian star of the Boston team and her official “rival”. Dima’s still in the picture, and I really enjoy their relationship, but Elsa is now centre stage, and that’s a big part of what makes this third book so exciting. The relationship dynamics are very different, more layered, more complex. Collins writes these scenes very well too and I can’t wait to see where she’ll take the story next.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
K.R. Collins writes hockey beautifully. I don’t think I’ve ever watched an entire ice hockey game (I’m French, hockey is definitely not my sports), yet when reading her books, I’m a Concord Condors fan all the way. The plays she describes are utterly exciting, the suspense is thrilling and breathtaking. We know that, we’ve known it since book 1, [b:Breaking the Ice|44026234|Breaking the Ice (Sophie Fournier, #1)|K.R. Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550341904l/44026234._SY75_.jpg|68455404]. The real suspense here pertains to Sophie’s love life. Or rather lack thereof so far. I know romance isn’t everything, and I don’t really need it in every book I read but when a novel is released by an LGBTQA publisher with tags such as “bisexual”, “demisexual”, “lesbian”, “romance” or “slow burn”, you can’t blame readers for believing they mean something. In this instance, I think that something will be the slowest burn ever, but that’s only speculation on my part. Also, Sophie is such an endearing character and her growth over the series is so beautiful that I plain and simple want more, for her and for me.
Sophie Fournier’s third season in the NAHL is bound to be very different from her first two: she’s not the only woman in the League anymore and what’s more, she’s not the only woman in her team anymore. After postponing her arrival last season, Elsa Nyberg is finally here, and the two of them take to each other like ducks to water, both off and on the ice. There’s a connection between the two young women (it’s sometimes difficult to remember, but Sophie is still too young to drink alcohol at the beginning of this book) that Sophie, whose life has always been focused on hockey, fails to identify for what it is, or at least for all that it is. The athletic crush, the very needed friendship with another female player, the novelty of having a roommate are all she sees. Once again, as I wrote above, this is only speculation, but all the signs are there of something more. The matter of the moment, however, is to win the Maple Cup. While things may get better and better, Sophie still has to prove herself day in, day out, but this season, she’s got more backup and more opportunities than ever.
As the first and only woman in the league until now, Sophie has had her way of dealing with the pressure, the demands of both management and the media, the love and the hate of fans. Now that other women have also been drafted, different personalities come into play, and if we get a fourth book (I might be frustrated, I still want a fourth book), I hope we’ll get to see more of that, more of how these other female players capitalise on the path Sophie has opened.
This instalment brings back the energy and exhilaration of the first one. Every scene about hockey is fantastic, whether it’s the games, Sophie’s efforts at motivating her team, everything. I’m still very annoyed at her father’s attitude but she seems to have made her peace with it and to only take the good, in a very mature way. In this book, the third in the series, we get to see more of the adult she’s becoming, the human being, the woman, not just the player anymore. She’s more open with her badassery, her snark, her sense of humour. She’s more comfortable with the other players on her team and it shows in the best way. She was a bit boring in the first two books, she’s becoming quite captivating, as others are also coming to find out. In book 2, [b:Sophomore Surge|48668348|Sophomore Surge (Sophie Fournier, #2)|K.R. Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572728564l/48668348._SY75_.jpg|74012587], most of the off the ice scenes centred on Sophie’s friendship with Dima, the Russian star of the Boston team and her official “rival”. Dima’s still in the picture, and I really enjoy their relationship, but Elsa is now centre stage, and that’s a big part of what makes this third book so exciting. The relationship dynamics are very different, more layered, more complex. Collins writes these scenes very well too and I can’t wait to see where she’ll take the story next.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
elvang's review
4.0
This is the third season in the NAHL and Sophie has finally got her wish and now shares her apartment with roommate and winger Elsa Nyberg. She is determined to win the Maple Cup for X in his last season as a Concord Condor and once again needs to prove she deserves to be accepted as an equal in this once all male hockey league. Nothing in life comes easy for pioneers like Sophie Fournier. She has to lead the perfect life while dealing with negative Press reporters, contract extensions based on performance and the hatred of fans across the league.
The introduction of Elsa, Lexi and Gabrielle spark new life into this series. Sophie has spent a lifetime controlling her temper, her actions and her private life so women will not be written off as fragile, emotional or temperamental in the hockey world. Now here comes hothead Lexi, revenge seeking Elsa and the talented goalie Gabrielle, sent to the minors without getting a chance to showcase her talents. I loved it. If you are a hockey fan or a sports fan you must read this series. The hockey action is play by play but easy to visualize even if you’ve never watched a game. The emotions and team spirit are there. So are the ups and downs of a long season facing teams hoping to settle grudges from last season. For all the great guys on Sophie’s team, there are men who desperately want to put Sophie in her place and prove they are bigger assets to their teams than she is as Captain of her team.
My desire to see Sophie find someone to love and something to take her mind off the stress she puts on herself might become reality. Having Elsa as a roommate has let us see the softer side of Sophie Fournier. Nothing says stress relief like a woman to cuddle. I love Elsa’s confidence and “take no crap from anyone” attitude. Her frustrations on the ice point to her naivete which sets up barriers between her and Sophie at times. Both women have much to learn about sharing a space and a life together. I’m still hopeful the innocent kisses we get in Lighting the Lamp will lead to more but if Sophie turns out to be more ARO than lesbian I’ll be okay with that too.
Terrific series for hockey fans and everyone who loves watching women excel in sports.
The introduction of Elsa, Lexi and Gabrielle spark new life into this series. Sophie has spent a lifetime controlling her temper, her actions and her private life so women will not be written off as fragile, emotional or temperamental in the hockey world. Now here comes hothead Lexi, revenge seeking Elsa and the talented goalie Gabrielle, sent to the minors without getting a chance to showcase her talents. I loved it. If you are a hockey fan or a sports fan you must read this series. The hockey action is play by play but easy to visualize even if you’ve never watched a game. The emotions and team spirit are there. So are the ups and downs of a long season facing teams hoping to settle grudges from last season. For all the great guys on Sophie’s team, there are men who desperately want to put Sophie in her place and prove they are bigger assets to their teams than she is as Captain of her team.
My desire to see Sophie find someone to love and something to take her mind off the stress she puts on herself might become reality. Having Elsa as a roommate has let us see the softer side of Sophie Fournier. Nothing says stress relief like a woman to cuddle. I love Elsa’s confidence and “take no crap from anyone” attitude. Her frustrations on the ice point to her naivete which sets up barriers between her and Sophie at times. Both women have much to learn about sharing a space and a life together. I’m still hopeful the innocent kisses we get in Lighting the Lamp will lead to more but if Sophie turns out to be more ARO than lesbian I’ll be okay with that too.
Terrific series for hockey fans and everyone who loves watching women excel in sports.
mjsam's review
4.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 3 in the Sophie Fournier series, and while I was disappointed in Book 2, the series rebounds here. In all honesty, this is what I thought book 2 would be.
So, Sophie is starting her third season with the Condors and Elsa has finally decided to show up. She and Sophie bond from the start and their relationship is intimate, even though it remains platonic. It’s not explicitly stated but Sophie appears to be demisexual. This is billed as a slow burn, and that seems to be because Sophie is incapable of reading romantic cues. Elsa does everything but pee on her leg and Sophie still doesn’t seem to realise what’s going on. Hopefully in book 4 someone will clue her in, since it seemed obvious to everyone but Sophie.
As usual Sophie puts the weight of the world on her shoulders, and is constantly under pressure as a result of her own and everyone else’s expectations. There’s also another woman, Lexi, added to the league, and she provides some comedic breaks in the book just through her attitude. Gabrielle, who joined the league last time, appears again, but her rise isn’t as rapid as Sophie’s, or Elsa’s.
Those who love hockey/sport will likely get more out of those scenes than I did, they all started to blur after awhile, in all honesty, Sophie’s relationships with her various teammates, other hockey players, and especially with Elsa were what held my interest. I loved Elsa’s fierce protective streak when it came to Sophie, but honestly wish she’d had the courage to just tell Sophie she was interested in more, especially when it became obvious that Sophie wasn’t reading the cues. Hopefully book 4 will develop their relationship further, I guess we shall see. 4 stars
This is book 3 in the Sophie Fournier series, and while I was disappointed in Book 2, the series rebounds here. In all honesty, this is what I thought book 2 would be.
So, Sophie is starting her third season with the Condors and Elsa has finally decided to show up. She and Sophie bond from the start and their relationship is intimate, even though it remains platonic. It’s not explicitly stated but Sophie appears to be demisexual. This is billed as a slow burn, and that seems to be because Sophie is incapable of reading romantic cues. Elsa does everything but pee on her leg and Sophie still doesn’t seem to realise what’s going on. Hopefully in book 4 someone will clue her in, since it seemed obvious to everyone but Sophie.
As usual Sophie puts the weight of the world on her shoulders, and is constantly under pressure as a result of her own and everyone else’s expectations. There’s also another woman, Lexi, added to the league, and she provides some comedic breaks in the book just through her attitude. Gabrielle, who joined the league last time, appears again, but her rise isn’t as rapid as Sophie’s, or Elsa’s.
Those who love hockey/sport will likely get more out of those scenes than I did, they all started to blur after awhile, in all honesty, Sophie’s relationships with her various teammates, other hockey players, and especially with Elsa were what held my interest. I loved Elsa’s fierce protective streak when it came to Sophie, but honestly wish she’d had the courage to just tell Sophie she was interested in more, especially when it became obvious that Sophie wasn’t reading the cues. Hopefully book 4 will develop their relationship further, I guess we shall see. 4 stars
chevrongurl's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
K.R. Collins writes hockey beautifully. I live Australia and so ice hockey only on the tv sometimes, yet when reading her books, I’m a Concord Condors fan all the way. I literally made myself my own jersey. The plays she describes are utterly exciting, the suspense is thrilling and the words give me the vision of the game. The character development in this book was superb. The whole dynamics of the team are genuine and I love Sophie is a girl that does really know to friends a with girl, she loves hockey and hockey players. I love all of it.
mxphoebesviewpoint's review
4.0
Welcome to the third season for the race to the Cup for Sophie Fournier in Lighting the Lamp by K.R. Collins. Collins starts us off right at the draft and takes us through training and through the tensenseness of the season. We feel the stress that Sophie feels and the joy of the wins. Ice hockey flows through the pages like a puck sliding along the ice.
I recommend reading the first two books in the series because Collins does not rehash any previous relationships so you have no clue of past histories except by people’s comments that they even knew each other for a while or by an action taken that someone is at a stage of a relationship. This can leave the reader feeling a little in the dark about where relationships stand.
Collins writes an amazing piece on a woman’s journey in sports and the obstacles she faces to play in a sport which is considered a male’s sport. Lighting the Lamp illuminates not just the sport, but the dedication needed to not just thrive, but to succeed no matter your gender.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
I recommend reading the first two books in the series because Collins does not rehash any previous relationships so you have no clue of past histories except by people’s comments that they even knew each other for a while or by an action taken that someone is at a stage of a relationship. This can leave the reader feeling a little in the dark about where relationships stand.
Collins writes an amazing piece on a woman’s journey in sports and the obstacles she faces to play in a sport which is considered a male’s sport. Lighting the Lamp illuminates not just the sport, but the dedication needed to not just thrive, but to succeed no matter your gender.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
xtinaaws's review
4.0
This hockey drama is another great addition to the series. What I love about the whole series is that it doesn't actually matter if you know hockey or not. This one takes place during Sophie's 3rd year in the NAHL and continues to follow her as the first and only woman in the league. This one was almost as enjoyable as the first.
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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. All opinions my own.
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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. All opinions my own.
hexthebookworm's review
5.0
So good! Sophie finally gets to play with Elsa and they are living their best life. Like with previous books in this series, the timeline runs from the draft to the end of season awards and the themes focus mostly on Sophie's struggles with being a model minority with the added issues of being on the asexual spectrum (she is demi). The latter is what I enjoyed the most as it was reminiscent of many stories my ace friends have shared with me and it was the newest element, without which this entry would have been too close to book 2. I also liked that the other coaches got some development and Sophie starts to see more clearly the nature of her relationship with Coach Butler.
If I had a complaint, it would be the lack of resolution to the developing romantic subplot, however, I am allosexual so that is 100% my problem and what fanfic is made for*. Heck, even if none of my many, many ships don't sail, I would still continue reading this series. Condors for life!
*I want to make an otome (dating sim) where the player is Sophie so I can romance Dima, Elsa, and Lexie. I want to have my three cakes and eat them too.
If I had a complaint, it would be the lack of resolution to the developing romantic subplot, however, I am allosexual so that is 100% my problem and what fanfic is made for*. Heck, even if none of my many, many ships don't sail, I would still continue reading this series. Condors for life!
*I want to make an otome (dating sim) where the player is Sophie so I can romance Dima, Elsa, and Lexie. I want to have my three cakes and eat them too.
booksandbreadcrumbs's review
4.0
This was even better than the first two books. It was super compelling and full of tension and stakes the whole way through, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next book, hopefully soon.
Also, I hate both the coach and Sophie's dad.
Also, I hate both the coach and Sophie's dad.
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