Face Off by Chelsea Curto
I’ve been on the fence about whether or not I want to read this series for quite some time now. Since the success of Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, I’ve seen a lot of people talk about how good this series is. Plus, who doesn’t want to read a hockey romance that has a female hockey player? I feel like it’s always the man that’s the player, and that is the case here, but I love that the female character plays also.
Synopsis: Emerson (Emmy) Hartwell has waited for a spot on an NHL roster since she became a professional hockey player, and this season, she’ll finally get a chance to showcase her talents with the struggling D.C. Stars.
Maverick Miller is the best player in the league, but he’s never had a winning record. Team captain and desperate to turn things around, he agrees to play nice with the fiery new left-winger even though they’re total opposites.
After a night where the tension between them reaches a tipping point and they fall in bed together, Emmy and Maverick vow it was only one time. Just once to get it out of their systems so they can play better and help their team.
It doesn’t mean anything. She doesn’t date hockey players. He’s a notorious playboy who doesn’t date. Period.
Except… what should’ve been just once happens again, then again. They tell each other their friends with benefits arrangement is only for the season, but despite facing off on the ice, behind closed doors, the pair is nothing but fire.
On Thin Ice by Olivia Belle
Another debut novel and this one has an absolutely stunning cover. I’ve talked about my past with skating a lot so I won’t rehash it here, but that’s the reason why I instantly bought this book. I love feeling nostalgic about my skating days and wondering what would have happened if I’d kept it up.
Anyway, grumpy x sunshine mixed with forced proximity makes for a great romance book in my opinion. I love the fact that this isn’t a college romance either. They’re contestants on a celebrity ice skating competition, which sounds so up my street it’s crazy. I won’t check this out until I’ve found time to take photos of new books, but it will be high up on my to be read when I do.
Synopsis: They can’t keep skating around their feelings…
When disgraced Hollywood star Luca Vasvault is partnered with drama-averse professional skater Matilda Stevens on Stars on Ice, the pair get off to a less-than-smooth start. Matilda’s dazzling smile and generous spirit immediately set Luca on edge (surely no one can be that nice?) while Luca’s standoffish and brooding behaviour is making Matilda’s job unnecessarily difficult.
Despite their tension behind the scenes, though, there’s no denying their chemistry on the ice. And since Matilda and Luca both need to win for their own reasons, they strike a they’ll work together, playing up their “showmance”, to win the public’s love and better their chances of winning the competition.
After all, they’re both performers for a living. How hard can it be to pretend their feelings are real?
Heart Check by Emily Charlotte
Apparently the theme of this month is ice related sports romances. Clearly watching Off Campus has made me subconsciously buy multiple hockey and figure skating romances. Unlike most of the ones I own though, this one is YA.
I won’t lie, the cute cover is what made me want to buy this, and the fact that it was clearly a hockey romance – which seems to be my favourite type of book at the moment. This is also a debut novel so I’m excited to check out a new author. They’ve also got a sequel planned already which is very interesting. Here’s to hoping it’s a great read.
Synopsis: A star hockey player and his biggest critic must reexamine their assumptions about each other when forced to work together at an after-school job in this feel-good young adult rom-com debut about breaking the ice.
Luke Dawson and Harper Braedon could have been friends. They trade shifts at the same diner, share classes at school, and are driven by their greatest hockey for Dawson and jewelry-making for Harper. But some things aren’t meant to be. Dawson thinks Harper is stuck-up, too good for anything resembling school spirit. Harper thinks Dawson is a self-centered jock, a perfect fit for a hockey team that seems to absorb all the budget away from the arts departments.
When his beloved hockey coach gets fired for misallocation of funds, Dawson is terrified that all his plans for impressing scouts are vanishing before his eyes. A rumor goes around that Harper was the one who got him fired, and suddenly she’s public enemy number one.
But even with their mutual dislike at an all-time high, Harper and Dawson can’t escape splitting shifts forever. Can forced proximity help them find some common ground, or will long-held grudges finally succeed in bringing them both down?
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: The Graphic Novel by Barbara Perez Marquez, Jenny Han & Akimaro
I’m breaking the theme with this one as I absolutely had to talk about it here. I got this graphic novel for £1.59 on my Kindle! That’s so cheap for a graphic novel, especially a new release.
I’ve been so excited for this graphic novel ever since it was announced and I can’t wait to check it out. I may have to make it one of my next reads.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t have a very high average rating so far, so I’m wondering what’s so different from the book that people don’t seem to be enjoying it.
Synopsis: What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved – five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed and, suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
A gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of the global phenomenon To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Starring beautiful full colour art throughout by Chinese artist Li Lu.
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