✨ "I had already opened Pandora's penalty box, though, so it was too late." ✨
SOME SPOILER-FREE THOUGHTS: This was such a good read! Avery Keelan has been on my author radar for a while, especially knowing she has a hockey romance series (y'all know what my book weaknesses are!), so I really didn't know what to expect but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I love Keelan's writing style and storytelling ability! This book brought all the hockey, spice, and rivalry that I needed and I can't wait to continue the standalone series!
Finished: april 28, 2024
Reading Method: e-book
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️
What To Expect:
✨ Dual POV
✨ Ex's Rival
✨ Good Girl x Bad Boy
✨ Enemies to Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ Fighting Her Feelings
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Happily Ever After
SPOILERS IN
3...
2...
1...
✨ "As far as women went, I already had enough numbers to start my own Dickdash service." ✨
Before I really get into my review there is one thing that is weighing heavily on my chest...at absolutely no point in this book did I believe Chase Carter had what it takes to be a player lol. He's such a perfect book boyfriend! As fiercely protective as he is and how quickly he falls for Bailey, I found myself questioning him every time he brought up his "sordid past," Like, sure, I get that he was a player before he met Bailey, but the switch that went off in this boy that made his player mindset switch to boyfriend in love so quickly had me debating whether he ever had a player nature or if he was just a sad boy waiting for someone to bring him some sunshine.
I did read a few other reviews before writing my own because I was genuinely curious what people were saying and I noticed a lot of "why was Bailey so insecure when she was literally described as the most beautiful girl in the room by multiple people?" But I didn't feel that way at all. We open with Bailey having her heart broken by a man who has repeatedly made her feel less-than. It's only natural for her to be self-conscious when the only love she's ever known was so toxic. Until Chase, she didn't know what a good, loving relationship was. So it doesn't matter how beautiful and desirable she is, physically. She was made to believe she's not worth someone's love and her insecurity is 100% valid.
But back to the general, I was so surprised by all the twists and turns that this story took. I hate to admit that I expect most new authors I pick up to easily fall into the stereotypical plot outline (meet cute, fall in love, third act breakup, happily ever after) but Keelan gave us so much more! The layers and depth integrated into Chase and Bailey's love story kept me on my toes the entire time. I mean, at a certain point I felt like we started to turn a corner into mystery thriller with Luke being so freaking creepy, having Chase followed, having relationships with women just to secure Chase's sex tape. Like, such a freaking sociopath! I don't think I've hated a character the way I hate Luke in a long time.
Overall, I highly recommend this to all the book besties who can't resist picking up a hockey romance but also crave the depth and character development that we so rarely get in romances. I felt like this spice was great, but think it could have been the slightest bit spicier (I am feeling very spicy lately, so that's just my personal preference and don't think it affects the actual greatness of the book). Avery Keelan's writing and plot are refreshingly unique and I can't wait to dive into Ty's story with the next book!
Check out Offside by Avery Keelan, available now!
All My Love,
Jane-Anne
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