When Helena began to tease her triumphant return to hockey romance, I could not be more excited for her to kick off a new series. I adore her hockey romances and am so excited to have a Toronto-set hockey romance. This book is perfect for existing and new fans of Helena’s work alike who want their hockey romance scorchingly hot but also laugh-out-loud funny.

I am a Helena Hunting review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

A brand new standalone hate-to-love, brother’s best friend hockey romance.

My new roommates are two pro hockey players.
First, my manwhore older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).
This was a last resort.
No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and ball sweat.
But here I am, trying to get my life together.

Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence.
He never wears a shirt.
We can’t seem to stop fighting.
He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago.
I know better than to trust him.

I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place.
And not accidentally let Tristan rail me into next week.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Beatrix and Tristan are the lead characters and when we meet them they hate each other. Tristan is a hockey player on the same team as Beatrix’s brother Flip and the boys are also roommates. Beatrix, or Trix ends up moving in when she needs to get out of her unsafe apartment the only problem is that she and Tristan hate each other. The early part of the book has them bickering and playing tricks on one another, but over time the facades they put up melt away. Tristan has such a sweetness in him and I loved when Trix brought that out. It would be rude to not mention how many wonderful side characters Helena introduces from the other hockey players to the group of girls Trix befriends, it is the girls, especially with their heartwarming found family that will have readers begging for future instalments.
• Setting: I was ecstatic to start this and see Helena set a book in Toronto! She lives in the GTA and rarely writes about her home, even rarer for us to get hockey romances set in Canada so I loved the Canadian touch this one had.
• Pacing: I did find the beginning of this book a little slow and it took me a few characters to be invested in why Trix and Tristan hated each other. Warning you as well that it is decently chunky so it did take me quite a few hours to read, but at the same time, I was having such a wonderful time with all the characters and having a longer book did set up many potential future books to look forward to.
• Romance: Helena announced a while ago that this was the spiciest book she had ever written, and after reading the vast majority of her backlist I was super intrigued to see what she was going to throw at us readers. All I can say is after I read Chapter 12 (winky face and I am never looking at a cucumber the same way again) I understood why this was Helena’s steamiest yet! I adored all of it from the crazy spice to the Helena Hunting signature sometimes out-of-pocket banter. It is hard not to cheer on Tristan and Beatrix as they sneak around her brother and deny the depth of their feelings for each other. For all the talk of spice and banter, this book is quite emotional and I welled up at times when Trix and Tristan were navigating how they could be together. The tension, sparks, and chemistry are off the charts so this is an essential read for hockey romance fans everywhere!

If You Hate Me receives 4.5/5 stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Paperback | Audio

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Thank you again to Helena and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Helena Hunting’s If You Hate Me ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Pucked is still one of my favourite hockey romance series I have ever read! When I first heard about this prequel I was ecstatic to be back in this universe, and to get a glimpse into a love story I never thought I would get to read.

I am a Helena Hunting review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting comes a new story in her Pucked series. The untold story of Skye and Sidney, and the origin story where Vi and Miller are teens when their parents start dating and fall in love…

I accidentally grabbed the wrong drink at the coffee shop. On the upside, the hot guy it belonged to chased me down to kindly swap with me. On the down side, the reason I grabbed the wrong drink in the first place is because the hot guy had just caught me checking out his ass…sets.

In my defense, his rear view is rather magnificent.

In true, humiliating form, I word-vomited a bunch of horrible nonsense. Including an unnecessary explanation of the trauma I’d evaded thanks to his chasing me down. Nothing could ruin my lactose-intolerant day faster than my one true dairy.

I did not expect him to ask me out on a date after that.

I also didn’t expect the date to go well since my tendency to truth-vomit is high, and not everyone finds that quality endearing.

But apparently he does. Because he asks me out again.
And again.

Sidney Butterson (yes, it’s a weird last name) ticks all my boxes.
He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s employed and he’s ridiculously hot.
There’s one catch.

We’re both single parents. With teens.

And if our kids don’t like each other?
Well, we’re doomed.

* *Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.* *

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: I adore all the Pucked characters so much! This is the first time we have been in Skye and Sidney’s heads and I was so excited for this prequel. For Skye, you cannot help but root for the strong single mom who really does best by her daughter. You can see where Violet gets so many of her character quirks from the lactose intolerance to the blurting of thoughts. Speaking of Vi, I loved the insight into teenage Violet, because what fan of Pucked does not have a soft spot for the quirky queen herself. We also got a peak at teenager Miller, through Sidney and oh boy was it fun to see the hockey star as a teen boy throwing rockous house parties. Finally a word of Sidney, the swoony gentleman who did not just sweep Skye off her feet but us all.
• Pacing: This is billed as a novella, but do not fear it is quite a long one. I really enjoyed the length of time we spent with Skye and Sidney. So often these prequel stories are too short to really grow invested in the relationship and that was not the case with this one.
• Romance: I loved Skye and Sidney so much, and from their coffee shop meet cute I was rooting for them! I loved all the spice Helena gave us in a prequel about the parents! It was a lovely amount of steamy and tension for a couple finding their second chance at love a bit later in life. It was also really refreshing to read a single-parent romance, wherein they aren’t just both single parents, but they are parenting teenagers. Often the trope just features little kids, but little adults throw in a whole new dynamic to building a relationship. Ultimately though for fans of the Pucked series, this will feel like returning home, it is so nostalgic and just a wonderful time.

Where It Begins receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

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Thank you again to Helena and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Helena Hunting’s Where It Begins ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I adored Jasper and Sloane’s story the first time, the second time made me never want their road trip to end.

Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now.

But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either.

To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.

The man I’ve loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor.

But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have.

Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.

Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me.

But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: I love both Sloane and Jasper so much. When we meet Sloane she is about to embark on a trainwreck of a marriage to a man that would make her father happy but not herself. She’s been in love with Jasper since they met as kids and she’s learned to hide not just her feelings for him but just about all her other complexities from her family. This book is as much a journey for Sloane’s character as it is for her romance with Jasper. She learns that she does not have to settle or keep her fierce kindness and loyalty stuffed inside herself. Jasper is such a great hero too. He’s a hockey goalie in the NHL an elite athlete at the top of his game, while also still being that shy boy the Eatons adopted as their own. Jasper’s deep brothership with Beau and the other Eaton boys, and his father-son relationship with Harvey are some of the shining gems of this book.
• Setting: The story begins in Chestnut Springs, with Jasper and Sloane almost hiding at the Wishing Well ranch once she has gone full-on runaway bride. Then the two of them are presented with the chance to go on a road trip and who does not love this trope in a romance?! So many nights at hotels, that have only one room left with only one bed in them! Also Elsie Silver I see the Rose Hill cameo and of course, they go to Ruby Creek and visit Gold Rush Ranch. I found this part even more compelling in my second read-through, so much so that after this I went and binged the entire Gold Rush Ranch series.
• Pacing: This book is just so easy to get lost in, maybe it is the road trip vibes but this is one of Elsie’s easiest books to read in just a few sittings. I also find this one of her least rushed endings, which is a problem I usually run into with some of her books.
• Romance: Sloane and Jasper will melt your heart with their adorable friends finally telling each other that they have had deep romantic feelings for each other for years! For years without telling the other person. So when that combo hits you get toe-curling good smut, thanks again to the only one-bed trope. But the way they support each other against everything the world is throwing at them, you cannot help but feel so heartwarmed by this couple.

Powerless receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo

Thank you again to Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.

The post Elsie Silver’s Powerless Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

It still doesn’t feel real that this is a real book! My favourite thing about this story was just how nostalgic the reading experience felt. But that nostalgia was balanced with an original story that all hockey romance fiends are going to love!

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.

Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word
with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Gigi Graham and Luke Ryder are the main characters of The Graham Effect. Gigi is the daughter of Hannah and Garrett the main characters from The Deal, the first book in the Off-Campus series. Gigi is just a mini-Garrett Graham, and I loved her for it! She’s got his sass and I loved how she held her own in every situation this book threw at her. Her determination is commendable too, as throughout this book her quest for a spot on the Women’s Olympic Ice hockey team is unmatched! Ryder is her love interest, and you won’t be able to help it he’s so easy to fall for. Another hockey player which I loved as both characters could bond over their shared love. Now I must say the cameos are one of the best parts for the loyal Elle Kennedy readers out there! I loved seeing Hannah and Garrett as parents, along with meeting Gigi’s brother Wyatt and a few of the other characters at Briar U.
• Setting: It felt so nostalgic to return to Briar University! I have such a soft spot for hockey romances with college settings, they are probably some of my favourite college romances to read. There is an additional setting near the end of the book that takes the plot on a sharp left turn, I’d say you have to read it for yourself because Elle sure takes the entire Graham family on a journey.
• Pacing: Fans will be delighted that you will have a sizeable Elle Kennedy hockey romance to escape into. For being a slightly larger book, it is paced incredibly well, and the plot never slows so I was hooked into the story at all times. I found the ending a tad rushed, but that did not deter from the fact that I loved the pacing of the buildup just so much.
• Romance: Gigi and Ryder hate each other when our story starts, but their undeniable chemistry has them catapulted into a friends-with-benefits arrangement. From that FWB dynamic to them being unable to keep their feelings to themselves. Fear not this is not a situation where neither of them share their feelings for a while, rather they are so communicative, and I loved that! Now in the past, I would not have added Elle Kennedy to a list of best smutty scene writers, I always enjoyed her spice, but she did not write the kind of scenes you go read again and again. In this one though there are so many iconic scenes from the shower to the library that will live on in this fandom for infamy! Needless to say, if you like your college hockey romance with spicy heat but also heartwarming you will love this.

The Graham Effect receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo

Thank you again to Bloom and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Elle Kennedy’s The Graham Effect ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This one just did not hit for me. It put me into a deep reading slump and if not for the fact that I wanted to review it I don’t know if I would have finished it.

I am a Lauren Blakely review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

The hotshot new hockey player, the veteran team captain, and the woman they fall for when she becomes the new team mascot in a fake marriage hockey rom com!

When my ex trades me out for a better model—my boss—I don’t take getting screwed over lying down.

Instead, I get a glow up, not only landing a new job with the hockey team but also scoring the city’s hot new hockey player as my plus one to my ex’s wedding. Then, the sexy team captain starts flirting with me, too.

But one night after a win, I accidentally marry that intense new guy after the captain dares us to say I do. One dare leads to another, and I’m experiencing double the pleasure as I say puck yes to both players sharing me on my wedding night.

In the morning, when hubby and I are on our way to get an annulment, the team owner spots our rings and invites the new it couple to attend her upcoming charity golf tournament.

Looks like I have to fake it as Mrs. Hockey for the hockey season and the wedding season. There’s only one problem.

We’re not just a couple. Both guys want more of me.

And pretty soon I’ve got a bigger problem – I’m falling for my fake husband and my secret boyfriend at the same time.

Puck Yes is a standalone hockey, fake marriage, neighbors-to-lovers, spicy workplace MFM romance with a guaranteed why-choose style HEA! No swords cross. This story is perfect for fans of Lily Gold, Emily Rath and Lauren Blakely’s Double Pucked!

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Ivy falls for both Hayes and Stefan in Puck Yes. When we meet Ivy she is quitting her job and throughout the book, she does go through some character development. Then there are the hockey players, Hayes and Stefan, with Hayes being the new guy and Stefan being much more of the suave cool guy. None of the three characters really stood out to me.
• Setting: The boys play for the San Francisco Avengers so the majority of this story is set there. There is a key exception which is obviously alluded to in the synopsis, they do all go to Vegas and 2/3 get hitched!
• Pacing: There was seemingly too much and not enough going on in this story. It was so spice forward I did not really get attached to the plot happening between those chapters. This also has too many tropes, which is something Lauren does every once in a while when she tries to stuff too much into this book. I did not really like the fake relationship aspect at all and would have rather had the three of them navigate coming together without that.
• Romance: So, I already said this book was spice forward and the quality of many of those scenes is why this is a three-star, rather than a two from me. Lauren has really got sex scenes nailed down and I enjoyed them. If you have read any of my other reviews it is my preference in poly romance for sword-cross, I want all the characters to really be together. Most of the issues with the pacing all over the place and not getting attached to the characters had me just not that invested in this throuple. Still suffice it to say, if you love poly hockey romance then you will probably get a kick out of this still.

Puck Yes receives three out of five stars.

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Thank you again to Lauren and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Lauren Blakley’s Puck Yes ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I adored this book which comes to me as no surprise because I love Sarina Bowen’s M/M romances! I did find it a bit slow going but once I was hooked it was blast off and I tore through the rest of the book.

TOMMASO
The furniture district is my personal hell. I don’t know my ass from an ottoman. But when a hot designer comes to my rescue, I realize my problems are bigger than the house I’m trying to furnish.
A scorching kiss over fabric samples makes me question all my choices. But is it too late to change my entire life to get more of them?
CARTER
I need this gig, but my cocky new client leaves out a couple crucial
He doesn’t mention that he’s a famous hockey player. And he doesn’t own up to the way he’s always trying to undress me with his dark, broody eyes.
The man throws out more mixed signals than a broken traffic light. I’ve never been more sexually frustrated in my entire life. I need to back away before I do something stupid, like lose my heart.
Oops. Too late.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our heroes are the hockey player Tommaso and the interior designer Carter. Tommaso is the grump and Carter is the sunshine, but I could not help but find them both endearing. Both read a bit like lost souls, as while Carter struggles to find a healthy financial footing, Tommaso is struggling with his sexuality. I got attached to each of them super quickly as I wanted them together so badly. This book also had some great side characters, I loved Carter’s friend Rio and his man and of course, I loved Tommaso’s mom. Fans of the first book The New Guy will be so happy with all the cameos from Hudson and Gavin.
• Setting: This is Sarina’s first hockey romance that is not predominately set within the world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. Instead, the end of the last instalment put us behind the scenes of the Colorado Cougars. It is a whole new team to explore and I liked the change of pace from busy Brooklyn to the quiet moments of Colorado. As Tommaso brings Carter in to furnish his place it should come as no surprise that the majority of the book takes place inside Tommaso’s home. It really made it feel like this romance was given a safe place to blossom.
• Pacing: It was in the pacing where this book fell a tad short for me. I struggled to get into it, as the first few chapters simply don’t grip you. There was some point where I realized I was hooked and at that point, I did not want to stop reading. Then the feelings of poor pacing crept back in at the end. Don’t let that dissuade you if you are open to much more of a slow-burn romance.
• Romance: The grump and the sunshine sure had a slow-burn romance. As I got to know these characters it made total sense, Carter had been hurt before and Tommaso had never embraced falling for a man before. It is not a complete sexual awakening, rather Tommaso suppressed what he truly wanted due to family issues and his working through that had me tearing up at a few points. I adored their first kiss, and their first time you just have to savour the moments leading up to them.

I’m Your Guy receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Audio

Thank you again to Sarina and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sarina Bowen’s I’m Your Guy ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

The next story in this set of second-generation Pucked novels is just as heartbreaking and heartrending as its predecessors. I adore this series so much and was so happy with BJ’s story. All the fans who have been waiting to get in his head will be very happy.

I am a Helena Hunting review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

The first time I met Winter Marks, I almost took her out with my Jeep.
To be fair, she came out of nowhere.

I flirted with her, and she flipped me off and disappeared into the woods on her bike.
But she left me a souvenir: a single hockey skate.

Seemed to me that divine intervention shouldn’t be ignored.

She was my icy Cinderella and I would be her Prince Not-So-Charming.

Winter was more than just a sassy, badass hockey-playing hottie.
She’s stuck in a prison of a life. And I’m the perfect escape.

Neither of us expected to fall.
Or for the truth to shatter us.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: BJ Ballistic is our hero (I know the name is quite the mouthful, gotta love the humour of the Pucked series seeping into this one) and I loved him. He is a figure skater, a nice switch-up from the hockey players of previous novels. He was selfless and caring. He was the perfect guy for Winter. She needed BJ and his friends and family to step in and help her from her life’s attempt at drowning her. She is a dedicated hockey player with a heart of gold. I love the wider cast of characters just so damn much. I loved seeing Lily and Randy as parents and it’s not like BJ keeps it easy for them to be super loving and understanding. The way they welcomed Winter into their family warmed my heart.
• Setting: This story is set in the lakeside community where the Pucked families have vacation houses. Most of this book takes place over a summer break. I loved this blip that BJ and Winter lived through, a summer fling that grows into so much more. One of my favourite parts of this story is all the time spent at the ice rink. It is such an important setting for so many aspects of the book. Side note I loved Alex’s girls hockey program and how the Canadian welfare state inspired giving back to these girls.
• Pacing: I truly escaped into the first part of this story, as I reflected on earlier I got so attached to the summer love story, that I even needed time to adjust once they went back to school in the fall. This story progressed in the beginning and as story beats were hit I couldn’t help but be brought to tears. I couldn’t recommend adding this to a binge read and making sure you have taken in the joy that is
• Romance: This romance was just perfect. Winter and BJ were so in need of a great love and they deserved to find each other. This relationship was tested constantly, Helena did not make it easy of these guys. You are going to root for them every step of the way. They do get pretty hot and heavy though and Helena never disappoints in that department. When a relationship gets me hot and bothered while making me cry my eyes out I know it’s a good one.

Shattered Truths receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

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Thank you again to Helena and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Helena Hunting’s Shattered Truths ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This book is two things I have been dying to see Lauren Blakley write: a hockey romance and a why choose! I knew Lauren’s style would suit the Lily Gold type of book, and this sure delivered. It is so much fun and definitely a great place to start for readers who are starting their journeys into reading throuples/triads/poly relationships.

I am a Lauren Blakely review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.

A jilted book nerd, a plan for sweet revenge, and the two hockey stars who volunteer as her tributes…

When I discover my boyfriend is cheating on me, I move out right away taking what I love most – my dog. As I fly out the door, I make sure to swipe the thing my ex loves best. The VIP tickets he won to a hockey game, complete with the chance to spend an evening with the city’s two biggest NHL stars. I can’t wait to snap selfies with my ex’s idols and rub it in his face. Except, when I head out with the two hockey studs, they have something else in mind besides sweet revenge. Would I like to spend the night…with both of them? Talk about the VIP experience. That’s what I get for one knee-weakening, sheet-grabbing night. In the morning, I plan to return to my bestie’s house to crash on her couch with my dog. But when they learn what happened with my awful ex, they ask me to be their temporary roomie for the week. Oh, and one of them needs my help with his grumpy reputation. The other? Well, he wants me to be his fake date at an upcoming wedding. Looks like I’m about to get double pucked. Again.
Double Pucked is a roomies to lovers, fake dating, image makeover, super spicy hockey rom com with a guaranteed why-choose style HEA! No swords cross. The two guys are all about HER all throughout! This story is perfect for fans of Lily Gold and Emily Rath!

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our heroine is Trina, a book nerd who doesn’t really know a lot about hockey, but does know she wants to piss off her cheating ex. So she steals his VIP tickets to a hockey game, which includes a meet and greet with two hockey players. After the VIP experience night, Trina begins to live every gal’s fantasy, she has the love and attention of not one but two hockey players. Readers are bound to love Trina, as she moves into Chase’s place for a week with her no-nonsense attitude and adorable dog. Speaking of Chase, he and Ryker are our heroes. Do you love a grumpy hero? Do you love a sunshine hero? You get both in this book! Chase is sunshine, the protector and super loyal. In contrast, Ryker is the grump, married to the sport. I did feel Trina’s character felt more developed than the hockey boys and would have loved to have seen some better balance there.
• Setting: The story is set in San Franciso, a setting that will be familiar to fans of Lauren’s sports romances. The boys play for rival teams, San Francisco Sea Dogs and California Avengers. I do wish there was more hockey in this hockey romance. I was excited to see Lauren’s take as she has done virtually every other sport already and we needed more time on ice and with the teams.
• Pacing: This story was paced very well. Funnily enough, the majority of it takes place in a week. You may think one week is not long enough to fall in love with one man, but Lauren will show you it is long enough to fall for two.
• Romance: I loved that once Trina barrels into their lives the boys shower her affection in different yet equal ways. I want to be forthright here, I prefer sword cross in my poly romance, but I get why Lauren did it the way she did. She was able to balance showing these new romantic relationships blossoming with the ever-present and hugely important friendship between the two guys. They don’t just need Trina’s love, they need each other’s friendship. But don’t get me wrong the relationship part is the best part. From their first scene together these three were smoking hot. If you love when Lauren Blakley pushes the steam then this will be one that makes you happy. Along with all the great sex scenes, there were so many adorable quiet moments of pancake breakfasts and dog walks. Making this a story equally sweet and a scorcher!

Double Pucked receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Follow Lauren on all her social channels…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Goodreads

Thank you again to Lauren and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.

The post Lauren Blakely’s Double Pucked ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This book is a culmination of so much I love about Sarina Bowen’s work. First off, it’s part of the Brooklyn Bruisers world one of my fave hockey romance series ever. Plus Sarina is so good at writing M/M love stories. Yet, she has not written a gay hockey romance since Him and Us, which she co-wrote with Elle Kennedy. Everyone will eat up The New Guy. If you especially loved Him and Us then The New Guy will pull on the same emotional heartstrings.

My name is Hudson Newgate, but my teammates call me New Guy.

That was my nickname in Chicago, too. And Vancouver. That’s what happens when you keep getting traded. Brooklyn is my last chance, especially after my poor performance last season.

But I can make this work. The new guy knows to keep his head down and shoot the puck. The new guy puts the game first.

What he doesn’t do is hook up with the other new guy—a hot athletic trainer who lives in my building. Gavin needs this job with my team. He’s a single dad with responsibilities.

We can’t be a couple. My arrogant agent–who’s also my father–will lose his mind if I’m dating a dude. And my team needs me to score goals, not whip up a media circus.

Too bad Gavin and I are terrible at resisting each other…

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our heroes are Gavin and Hudson. We met Gavin fresh to New York City, ready to start a new chapter in his life. I got attached to him so quickly. He is a single dad, as his late husband died in an accident and had adopted this young girl two years before he and Gavin got together. Jordyn is an adorable kid, and no surprise because her dad Gavin is such an incredibly endearing and kind guy. We meet Hudson when Gavin does, in a bar watching a hockey game. Hudson should be playing for the Brooklyn NHL team but he’s out with an injury. He is the perpetual “New Guy” who keeps getting traded around the league. He’s got a controlling father as his agent, who is forcing him to remain in the closet. I loved how Hudson can be adorably awkward especially when it comes to his feelings for Gavin.
• Setting: I love this world so damn much! As Sarina grows her Brooklyn hockey world, I just never want to leave it. Previous fans of Sarina’s hockey books will be ecstatic as there were just so many sweet moments with the other team members and the extended organization.
• Pacing: I enjoyed every moment of this story so much, that I never wanted it to end. I loved that right away it was set up that we were not only an epic love story but also the first time that in Sarina’s hockey world, we would see the ups and downs of navigating coming out as a hockey player. I hope we see even more diverse stories come into this universe.
• Romance: This relationship starts off with a great meet cute. Just two guys in a bar, that should be watching a hockey game, and instead are unable to keep their eyes off each other. Plus we get such a steamy kiss as a tease for the intensity to come. Sarina did a great job of building the sexual tension between Gavin and Hudson. Once those two collided every scene was not just super hot, but brought an emotional intensity. I cried after so many scenes in this book, which is not something I usually find myself doing when I read Sarina’s books.

The New Guy receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Audio

Thank you again to Sarina and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sarina Bowen’s The New Guy ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I adore Sarina’s hockey romance and this premise is super intriguing. Plus if you are lacking a vacation to Italy this summer, don’t worry Sarina has you covered!

“He needs an image makeover, she needs a mojo upgrade. A new lessons-in-seduction hockey romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Sarina Bowen.

After I’m arrested for throwing a raucous party, my hockey team says I have an image problem. And I need to fix it, stat.

Charity work? Check. Haircut? Sure. But I draw the line at hiring my neighbor to style me. In the first place “style” shouldn’t be a verb. And I’m tired of people who’d judge me on appearances.

Vera and I don’t see eye to eye on anything. She wants me to try on clothes, while I just want to remove hers. She’s distractingly pretty, with soulful eyes and a sinful mouth that likes to argue with me.

But when management threatens my summer vacation, I grudgingly agree to Vera’s unusual proposal: she’ll give me an image makeover. But in return, she wants lessons in the art of seduction.

It sounds a little nutty, but I know a good opening when I hear it. Besides, it’s not like I’ll ever fall for her…”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our leads in this story are Vera and Ian and I loved both of them! Vera is a stylist with a killer personality to go with her killer style. I loved how relatable she is to so many of us girls. Except not all of us get to ask a hot hockey player for lessons in seduction when we are nervous about bedroom stuff. And omg I loved Ian. He is the type of guy who doesn’t know how dedicated, loyal, kind and caring he is. But he is also incredibly hot, a dirty talker who has got quite the moves in and out of the bedroom. I adore all the characters in the entire Brooklyn series and how Sarina does such a great job incorporating them into each instalment. It was adorable to get to vacation with characters like Neil, Charli, Castro, and Heidi Jo.
• Setting: I loved the settings of this book. Obviously, the Brooklyn Bruisers team is based in New York City. Vera and Ian are neighbours and most of the other teammates are not too far away. For most of the book, our characters were off on a fantastic Italian vacation. One of the other Bruisers, Niel Drake (whom you will remember from Shenanigans) borrows his family place on Lake Como. I loved all the day trips to Milan to go shopping and to see the opera.
• Pacing: The book was paced perfectly. The relationship was built at a perfect pace, not too fast or too slow. I loved that we got to spend so much time in Italy! It was just so damn wonderful.
• Romance: Damn these two had some great sexual tension. They were compatible from page one. I loved how it took them some time to stumble into bed together. Once they did it was electric. I loved that the trope was lessons, always so much fun. These two have the type of relationship that you cannot help but root for. They were two lonely people at their core, who both deserved the love and companionship the other could bring to the table. Italy was such a beautiful backdrop to see these two struggle to deny just how deep their feelings are for each other. All I want is more hockey boys and more summer vacations.

Love Lessons receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google

Thank you again to Sarina and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sarina Bowen’s Love Lessons ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.