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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
fake dating for .2 seconds. sucked me in & then crossed the line
[4 stars]
The book is so cute, no third-act break up or miscommunication. None any cringe trope. The chemistry between Rory and Hazel is natural and full of cute moment.
Though there are too many possessive and protective words had been used in this book. Why those words need to be used in every single chapter???! Forgive me to not having English as first language, I swear that I read no less than 10 times I misread possessive as possessed (because it’s too much) and wondered if the author just decided to randomly drop some spiritual elements :)))
The book is so cute, no third-act break up or miscommunication. None any cringe trope. The chemistry between Rory and Hazel is natural and full of cute moment.
Though there are too many possessive and protective words had been used in this book. Why those words need to be used in every single chapter???! Forgive me to not having English as first language, I swear that I read no less than 10 times I misread possessive as possessed (because it’s too much) and wondered if the author just decided to randomly drop some spiritual elements :)))
4⭐️
Can’t go wrong with a hockey romance imo. Just a straight up good book!
Can’t go wrong with a hockey romance imo. Just a straight up good book!
I loved this book so much! The only reason why it isn’t 5 stars is because it wasn’t exactly life changing to me but it covered issues that I could relate to and helped me connect with the characters in the books which I absolutely love!
Hazel’s character and focus towards body positivity made me so happy especially with how passionate she was towards her mum. I felt like I could relate to her mum in some aspects and I could even relate to Hazel and her thoughts towards her mothers views. It gave two opposing thoughts to body image that I can imagine most people deal with at least once in their life and her mum seeking help towards the end of the book made it seem more possible to accept your body no matter what which I absolutely love.
Watching Rory develop throughout the book was amazing and I am so happy I read this book. At first he was selfish and viewed himself as the “villain” but he learnt to receive and give love to others which brought back a part of him that he lost when he was younger. I also could relate to him losing his passion for the sport he loved and reading this book made me think about finding that passion again which I think some people might need to learn.
I know this is just a cheesy hockey romance but I love how Stephanie Archer manages to include topics/issues (especially ones that aren’t really discussed) into her books instead of just giving it a predictable plot that you could read anywhere else. I’m really looking forward to the next book! I love Nathan so much and am glad he’s finally going to have a book.
Hazel’s character and focus towards body positivity made me so happy especially with how passionate she was towards her mum. I felt like I could relate to her mum in some aspects and I could even relate to Hazel and her thoughts towards her mothers views. It gave two opposing thoughts to body image that I can imagine most people deal with at least once in their life and her mum seeking help towards the end of the book made it seem more possible to accept your body no matter what which I absolutely love.
Watching Rory develop throughout the book was amazing and I am so happy I read this book. At first he was selfish and viewed himself as the “villain” but he learnt to receive and give love to others which brought back a part of him that he lost when he was younger. I also could relate to him losing his passion for the sport he loved and reading this book made me think about finding that passion again which I think some people might need to learn.
I know this is just a cheesy hockey romance but I love how Stephanie Archer manages to include topics/issues (especially ones that aren’t really discussed) into her books instead of just giving it a predictable plot that you could read anywhere else. I’m really looking forward to the next book! I love Nathan so much and am glad he’s finally going to have a book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
OH MAN RORY MILLER!!
I think I have a new #1 book boyfriend. This guy has it all - funny, charming, charismatic, protective, obsessed, sweet, thoughtful, caring and sexy as hell. He is the total package and I'm in love.
Aside from my love for Rory, I REALLY enjoyed this one - significally more than Behind the Net. This book is exactly what you would want from a hockey romance. Hazel has a rule against dating hockey players after being heartbroken by her high school/college hockey boyfriend. The last things she's interested in Rory Miller, the perceived cocky, arrogant and stuck up captain of the professional hockey team she works for. When her ex gets traded to the team, she asks Rory if he'll agree to fake date her to make her ex jealous. Rory, who's secretly been pining for Hazel for years, happily agrees.
Normally I don't like the Fake Dating trope because the miscommunication element drives me nuts, but that is not the case here. I was never annoyed, but rather just excitedly waiting for them to accept they're meant to be.
Both Rory and Hazel have so much depth to their characters. I loved seeing them show up for each other, and help each other to transform into the better, braver and happier people they end up becoming at each other's side.
Hazel's career is focused on body positivity and making sure all bodies feel comfortable in movement, and I just loved the messages around this throughout the book. The story also touches on prioritizing a work/life balance, and finding joy in your passions again - both such great reminders to live life fully and fight for your own happiness, whether that is to feel good about yourself or what you're doing with your life.
Of course I also love the Vancouver Storm hockey family, and can't wait to dive into Hayden's book next. Stephanie Archer does a great job of keeping you hooked with the romance, while incorporating moments of the team dynamic we all love and want when we read sports romance books.
My other favorite thing - Rory's nickname for Hazel. That made me laugh and it was just perfect for them.
My only critism of this book is that I felt the resolution of Rory's conflict with his parents and Hazel's with her mom was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see that unfold a little bit more before it wrapped up, but as it was not the central plot to the story, I understand why Stephanie maybe didn't prioritize it.
And I cannot end this review without giving Connor Crais a shout out for his audiobook narration. I have said it once and I'll say it again - he has the hottest voice I've ever heard, and any character he narrates is instantly ratcheted up 10x in my book! Not only did his honey voice lend itself perfectly to Rory's charm and appeal, but he also handles the more emotional and tender moemnts so well too. You can't help but love him. Kitt Swan was also solid as Hazel. I thought she did a great job conveying Hazel's gaurded vulnerability in the beginning, to her coming out of her shell, braver and happier than ever. If you are an audiobook lover, do not skip this one!
Read this if you like:
- Hockey Romance (professional, not college)
- Fake Dating
- He falls first and hard
- Possessive/Protective MMC
- Fun and flirty banter
- Spice, spice spice
- Hockey family dynamics
I'm sad this one is over.
I think I have a new #1 book boyfriend. This guy has it all - funny, charming, charismatic, protective, obsessed, sweet, thoughtful, caring and sexy as hell. He is the total package and I'm in love.
Aside from my love for Rory, I REALLY enjoyed this one - significally more than Behind the Net. This book is exactly what you would want from a hockey romance. Hazel has a rule against dating hockey players after being heartbroken by her high school/college hockey boyfriend. The last things she's interested in Rory Miller, the perceived cocky, arrogant and stuck up captain of the professional hockey team she works for. When her ex gets traded to the team, she asks Rory if he'll agree to fake date her to make her ex jealous. Rory, who's secretly been pining for Hazel for years, happily agrees.
Normally I don't like the Fake Dating trope because the miscommunication element drives me nuts, but that is not the case here. I was never annoyed, but rather just excitedly waiting for them to accept they're meant to be.
Both Rory and Hazel have so much depth to their characters. I loved seeing them show up for each other, and help each other to transform into the better, braver and happier people they end up becoming at each other's side.
Hazel's career is focused on body positivity and making sure all bodies feel comfortable in movement, and I just loved the messages around this throughout the book. The story also touches on prioritizing a work/life balance, and finding joy in your passions again - both such great reminders to live life fully and fight for your own happiness, whether that is to feel good about yourself or what you're doing with your life.
Of course I also love the Vancouver Storm hockey family, and can't wait to dive into Hayden's book next. Stephanie Archer does a great job of keeping you hooked with the romance, while incorporating moments of the team dynamic we all love and want when we read sports romance books.
My other favorite thing - Rory's nickname for Hazel. That made me laugh and it was just perfect for them.
My only critism of this book is that I felt the resolution of Rory's conflict with his parents and Hazel's with her mom was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see that unfold a little bit more before it wrapped up, but as it was not the central plot to the story, I understand why Stephanie maybe didn't prioritize it.
And I cannot end this review without giving Connor Crais a shout out for his audiobook narration. I have said it once and I'll say it again - he has the hottest voice I've ever heard, and any character he narrates is instantly ratcheted up 10x in my book! Not only did his honey voice lend itself perfectly to Rory's charm and appeal, but he also handles the more emotional and tender moemnts so well too. You can't help but love him. Kitt Swan was also solid as Hazel. I thought she did a great job conveying Hazel's gaurded vulnerability in the beginning, to her coming out of her shell, braver and happier than ever. If you are an audiobook lover, do not skip this one!
Read this if you like:
- Hockey Romance (professional, not college)
- Fake Dating
- He falls first and hard
- Possessive/Protective MMC
- Fun and flirty banter
- Spice, spice spice
- Hockey family dynamics
I'm sad this one is over.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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:
Yes