e-Audio, 10:35:41
Narrated by: Jeremy Carlise Parker
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Published by: Harlequin Audio
Read from: December 16-17, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby (I also received a copy of this e-ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning:
For Readers Interested In: Contemporary Romance, Adult, Sports (Hockey), 2sLGBTQ+ (Lesbian), Rivals to Lovers, Netgalley, Realistic FictionEx-lovers. Ex-rivals. New cohosts. Oh, puck.
Cut from the US women’s hockey team right before her third chance at gold, Natalie Carpenter is scrambling for a plan that’ll help her avoid moving back home. The answer: a guest-hosting gig on Wake Up, USA’s winter games coverage. Her cohost: Darcy LaCroix, Nat’s ex-girlfriend, one-time college teammate turned adversary.
Since leaving Team Canada, Darcy has worked hard to make a name in broadcasting. If her big break requires sharing screen time with the former cocky freshman who turned her world upside down, so be it. At this point, there’s nothing between them except history.
But audiences disagree. #PuckingHotties is trending hard, and Nat and Darcy agree to lean into it—for ratings, obviously. It’s not like Nat can forget the way Darcy broke her heart or their bitter team rivalry.
Between working, traveling together and that irresistible spark, it’s getting hard to separate what’s real and what’s for the camera. Because somewhere underneath everything that went wrong is the sneaking suspicion that nothing will ever feel quite this right again.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I was so excited for this one! I mean sapphic, sports, and romance? Yes please! And while it was ok, it didn’t do everything I wanted it to be if that makes sense. I don’t think it was bad, but it also wasn’t what I expected.
I say that because I thought it was a bit repetitive. Like they said ten thousand times it seemed like that Nat was so upset and hurt about the young girl taking her spot. It was like in every chapter. And yes, I get it, it was all she thought about because she was hurt. But when it came down to it, she didn’t show any kind of growth after that. Like she never acknowledged that they were good, she never acknowledged that she was getting older, nothing. Her growth only came centered around Darcy. And though that may be something real, I wanted something more. And there was a chance for something more too so I think it was fair for me to say this.
As for the characters, I really think that Nat had some real work to do on herself before going to anyone else. ESPECIALLY Darcy. She was taking everything out on her and then when it came down to it, she went against her when she was the number one person who should have been happy for her. But she spent the entire book basically being jealous of everything. Idk if this is me being me tho and mad and holding grudges. Because I know how I am. But to be honest, I think that was a real thing to be mad about. I truly think she had to work on herself first. And Darcy was so meek. Like they were real deal opposites attract. It was cute, until someone thought they were together and one of them panicked.
As for them turning to romance, I didn’t really feel like it flowed together. I think that was the problem for the whole book actually. The way it flowed was weird. She was mad at everything but still attracted to her. But then was like flirting with her but also still being mean to her? I didn’t understand the kind of flirting. But I never say anything because I never know how much of that is me and how much of that is a legit concern lolol
This is why I don’t want to say I didn’t enjoy it. But I finished it and I was happy they made it. Even if I didn’t actually care for how they got there. It was ok for what it was. I do like a little more sports in my sports romance, but I did like it. And I hope that y’all read it and like it too. if you do, let me know what you think. Let me know if i made all this up in my head or not lol
Overall, I give this
