to be perfectly transparent, this is one of the most confounding books I have ever read. as a lifetime lover of baseball (go mets, even though they stto be perfectly transparent, this is one of the most confounding books I have ever read. as a lifetime lover of baseball (go mets, even though they stink this year), it was so exciting to gain access to a sports romance centered around the sport. as we know, hockey romances are all the rage, it's nice to see other athletes get their due now and then.
3.5 ★
however, this is my warning to future readers: much of the plot of the art of catching feelings centers around a major miscommunication-slash-catfishing situation, one that is consciously continued by daphne and supported by some in her life. this presented a real moral dilemma for me as someone who hoped to root for chris and daphne. while the pair did share nice moments and I found the book engaging overall, it felt wrong to support their romance for much of the story because the foundation of it was a lie. though her intention was not to do wrong or harm chris, the length of time she allowed him to believe something negated that for me.
since this is the third alicia title I have read, I do believe to be a talented writer. it just feels unfortunate that this was the story chosen for this couple. when you are asked to turn a blind eye to the actions of one character to support a romance, it's tough to feel a true investment in their journey. having said all of that, the book was readable and well-written, so it didn't feel right to drop my rating too much.
thanks to berkley and alicia thompson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
for delilah baker and ian chase, it was always going to be them – it was just a matter of timing. in the game changer, these childhood friends fall fafor delilah baker and ian chase, it was always going to be them – it was just a matter of timing. in the game changer, these childhood friends fall fast in love and commit to the happy ending they deserve, no matter the hurdles.
when ian is traded back to boston's hockey team in need of a reputatiion repair and delilah's television production team desire a ratings boost, the circumstances align perfectly to get these lovebirds in a room, to really get the rumors flying. having grown up together thanks to ian being delilah's older brother's friend, old feelings resurface upon reintroduction and it is full steam ahead from there, pun intended. honestly, there were even moments where the game changer felt a bit like a second book in a series where the couple have settled in and look to work out the kinks that could keep them apart. while that insta-love aspect didn't impact my overall enjoyment much, it was a touch too fluffy at times. just a personal preference thing ultimately.
having also read lana ferguson's the fake mate, I have such appreciation for her versatile storytelling and the courage it must take to tackle plots on opposite sides of the romance genre. in this book, we get a hockey romance from an author whose last release was omegaverse centric. having to shift gears like that can't be an easy task. it's even more impressive to pull it off and delivered a low-stakes romance, full of heat and swoon. delilah and ian's dynamic felt effortless. readers on the hunt for a breezy read will be in good hands with this one.
thanks to berkley and lana ferguson for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review....more
another win from tessa! there's just something about her specific brand & style of writing that scratches an itch for me. filled with witty dialogue aanother win from tessa! there's just something about her specific brand & style of writing that scratches an itch for me. filled with witty dialogue and the perfect level of spice, fangirl down fully leaned into its wacky premise — fangirl nurses down-and-out athlete back to prominence — and it paid off. while I originally worried the premise would result in lots of cheesy moments, I was instead met by such a fun and delightful romance. given she was paired with a once-great hero in wells, josephine was a wonderful lead and impressive in her own right. her ability to cut through all of his doubt and bluster was truly a skill, a major stepping stone towards their happy ending.
there was a lot of satisfaction to see both characters getting what they needed to obtain peak fulfillment. wells and josephine's spark burned bright and never wavered. once they knew they wanted it to be them forever, the pair weren't deterred by the realistic hurdles that might stand in their way. lastly, the final chapter before the epilogue made me so emotional. getting to witness two lifetimes' worth of dreams and dedication result in an incredible accomplishment was wonderful. even if you're not a fan of golf, tessa may just change your mind with this read.
additionally, the quick snippet we got of the dynamics between burgess, tallulah and lissa was perfect. their book, the au pair affair, is next in the series, and if there's one thing I love, it's a single dad romance.
thanks to netgalley, avon / harper voyager and tessa bailey for this eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
though I enjoyed fangirl down, the first book in this series, quite a bit more, the au pair affair was still an entertaining read. centered around burthough I enjoyed fangirl down, the first book in this series, quite a bit more, the au pair affair was still an entertaining read. centered around burgess and tallulah, an aging hockey player and single father and the spunky nanny he hires, the au pair affair is classic tessa — witty, steamy and fun. it was a nice touch to have burgess fall first and fast while his girl was more skeptical about a commitment given the substantial trauma she was grappling with. that push and pull resulted in a lot of appealing tension and heat. however, and this was something I could sense throughout most of the book, I was consistently left wanting more. this book was good, there is no denying that, but it could have been more, been better. the synopsis promised one thing and we sort of got another. this is marketed as an age-gap romance involving a sports figure and his daughter's nanny. and yet, we got just one hockey game and almost no instances where tallulah actually nannied lissa.
ultimately, this story was a good time. the romance was solid and the steam provided what it needed to. despite some of my small criticism, I did enjoy the au pair affair and will absolutely be tuning into book three. it is sure to be a wild ride given the teasers we got about the couple here.
thanks to avon and tessa bailey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
"made you off limits, britta. it’s a rule that is rarely invoked among the group. but once it’s done, it’s fucking done.” he leans over until our fore"made you off limits, britta. it’s a rule that is rarely invoked among the group. but once it’s done, it’s fucking done.” he leans over until our foreheads are a breath apart. “if you don’t like it, then stop being my dream girl.”
short and sweet and spicy! sumner was the ultimate golden retriever hero, in love with his woman from the very first moment, and britta was wonderfully sassy and independent, though she was eventually softened by sumner's commitment and goodness. though I do wonder how much tessa knows about hockey given some of the first few copies, I really have no complaints with this novella. her staple witty dialogue and narrations kept me engaged throughout.
my mother raised me to be an unholy terror on the ice but a gentleman as soon as I take off my skates. like a fucking canadian should be, she’d say. ...more
we should all be so lucky to find a single hockey dad to pleasure us under the northern lights. good for you, rory evans.
canadian boyfriend was a souwe should all be so lucky to find a single hockey dad to pleasure us under the northern lights. good for you, rory evans.
canadian boyfriend was a soulful tale overall, highlighting the journey that comes after loss and the healing time, and perhaps even a person, can offer. there was a lot of great therapy rep in this book, for each of the three main characters. that learning and discovery was vital, not only to the their own development but to mike and aurora's romance. while I was first skeptical of the time jumps included, the fact that the story took place over more than a year gave way to a strong foundation for a happy ending.
additionally, mike and olivia's dynamic added a nice complexity. now on the other side of their wife and mother's tragic death, there was a great struggle that occurred as they were tasked to redefine their family. eventually, thanks to valuable communication, their sweet bond was strengthened and enhanced by the addition of rory.
highly recommend the audiobook for this title. both narrators really nailed the emotion required as the late conflict evolved. all in all, canadian boyfriend made me smile and offered lots of warm feelings. ...more
"if you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” his eyes are begging, pleading. “make it with me.”
despite not reading the earlier books in this "if you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” his eyes are begging, pleading. “make it with me.”
despite not reading the earlier books in this series, I still felt compelled to pick up caught up on its release day since it spoke to my sports, single parent trope loving heart. and it delivered everything I hoped it would! from the very first chapter, I was hooked. this addicting story had me racing through chapters, never wishing to put my kindle down. miller and max and malakai became the sweetest family, supported by such incredible secondary characters.
it was like there was a tether holding him to you. he couldn’t look away. couldn’t stay away.
a little, quick read that was plenty enjoyable. jace, indit was like there was a tether holding him to you. he couldn’t look away. couldn’t stay away.
a little, quick read that was plenty enjoyable. jace, indy and baby cohen made for the cutest little family, so much so that I didn't even mind the insta-love. ...more
it’s like she and I are tethered together, but she’s the strong one. the pillar. and when troubled waters wash me downstream, all I have to do is follit’s like she and I are tethered together, but she’s the strong one. the pillar. and when troubled waters wash me downstream, all I have to do is follow the rope that ties me back to her. it always leads me back to her.
4.5 stars
this was the small town, friends to lovers romance of my dreams! and like, I knew it would be good, that I would fall in love with jasper and sloane, but they still managed to exceed my every expectation. we don’t deserve elsie! somehow, she found the perfect formula here, delivering a story that probably had crack in it.
will likely reread this book a half-dozen times more just to experience the build up to chapter twenty again — IYKYK (hint: spicy shower stuff)
loved the security sloane and jasper found in each other. the friendship they built as kids carried them through a whole lifetime together, giving them a chance to get the timing right, a chance to flourish with the other by their side. sloane learned some valuable lessons about loyalty and her own strength while jasper was able to heal some old wounds by trusting their love, trusting that he’s worthy of this happiness they cultivated. obsessed is two small a word to describe just how happy this book made me!
can’t wait to see what the eaton fam get up to next in winter and theo’s book....more
this was awesome! going in, I sensed I would enjoy it since it has so many of my favorite tropes - sports romance and reverse grumpy original review:
this was awesome! going in, I sensed I would enjoy it since it has so many of my favorite tropes - sports romance and reverse grumpy / sunshine. nathan and anastasia's dynamic evolved so wonderfully as they navigated falling in love fast. additionally, I appreciated that their was an emphasis on therapy and mature communication. there's nothing like rooting for a couple that actively works to improve their relationship, a couple that talk about sharing a future and fight for it.
overall, this was a super solid debut novel, establishing a world for a series that promises more great couples and stories to come. given the number of characters introduced, I'm curious to see who will be featured next!
lastly, I adored the epilogue! it was so sweet and lovely and domestic. if there is one thing I love in my favorite romance books, it is a fluffy conclusion that wraps the story up in a nice, little bow, HEA included....more
A solid sports romance with a spunky heroine and a rough-around-the-edges cowboy hero.
The first half of the book was stronger for me. I enjo3.5 Stars
A solid sports romance with a spunky heroine and a rough-around-the-edges cowboy hero.
The first half of the book was stronger for me. I enjoyed the dynamic Summer and Rhett had as “babysitter” and client as they worked to improve his public perception after a scandal. Summer wasn’t one to mince words or bow to Rhett, giving him a run for his money at every turn.
But once they got together, I lost some interest unfortunately. They fell so fast in love and just missed some of that fire from the beginning of their relationship.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, just nothing special. The synopsis and teaser chapter for Cade’s, Rhett’s older brother, book does sound intriguing! I’ll definitely check that one out in October, when it releases. ...more
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