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emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where do I even start?! Face Off is everything I crave in a sports romance and more - Chelsea Curto completely delivered with Emmy and Maverick's story. This book had me hooked from page one and absolutely refusing to put it down.
Emmy is such a fierce, resilient, complex heroine. A woman in professional ice hockey? Yes, please. I loved her vulnerability and her strength- her insecurities about being sexualized in the NHL felt so raw and real. Her journey to self-belief hit hard. And let’s be honest, watching her outplay cocky men on the ice? Satisfying doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Now enter Maverick. Former playboy? Check. Unexpected softie with a heart of gold? DOUBLE check. He’s cocky, charming, and so frustrating and yet also kind, nurturing, and emotionally open in a way that totally shattered me. The banter? Electrifying. The tension? Dripping. And the way he consistently shows up for Emmy - defending her, caring for her, loving her quietly and loudly. Ugh, he’s everything.
The slow burn, the heated one-night stand-that-wasn’t, the little gestures. Maverick had me falling in love right alongside Emmy. I also love how their intimate scenes are sexy and emotionally loaded, full of consent, communication, and growth. And when they finally admit their feelings? I was SOBBING.
Chelsea Curto also gave us rich side characters that I genuinely care about. They added so much depth to the world and gave Emmy and Mav the support system they both never had before. And the ending? Bittersweet perfection.
If you love sports romance, fierce heroines, cinnamon roll men in playboy disguise, and electric chemistry that lights up every chapter - you need to read Face Off. This isn't just a 5-star book, it's a top-shelf forever favorite.
BRB rereading immediately.
Emmy is such a fierce, resilient, complex heroine. A woman in professional ice hockey? Yes, please. I loved her vulnerability and her strength- her insecurities about being sexualized in the NHL felt so raw and real. Her journey to self-belief hit hard. And let’s be honest, watching her outplay cocky men on the ice? Satisfying doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Now enter Maverick. Former playboy? Check. Unexpected softie with a heart of gold? DOUBLE check. He’s cocky, charming, and so frustrating and yet also kind, nurturing, and emotionally open in a way that totally shattered me. The banter? Electrifying. The tension? Dripping. And the way he consistently shows up for Emmy - defending her, caring for her, loving her quietly and loudly. Ugh, he’s everything.
The slow burn, the heated one-night stand-that-wasn’t, the little gestures. Maverick had me falling in love right alongside Emmy. I also love how their intimate scenes are sexy and emotionally loaded, full of consent, communication, and growth. And when they finally admit their feelings? I was SOBBING.
Chelsea Curto also gave us rich side characters that I genuinely care about. They added so much depth to the world and gave Emmy and Mav the support system they both never had before. And the ending? Bittersweet perfection.
If you love sports romance, fierce heroines, cinnamon roll men in playboy disguise, and electric chemistry that lights up every chapter - you need to read Face Off. This isn't just a 5-star book, it's a top-shelf forever favorite.
BRB rereading immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Sexual harassment
Minor: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail