This book was not what I expected (and I liked it). When I signed up for this ARC, I was signing up for a dark hockey/gymnast romance. Don’t get me wrong, this book definitely has those elements, but there’s so much more to it. It can be triggering to survivors of DV or rape, so please know that up front. But this book does a great job in dealing with those triggers and the strain of trauma, while also progressing the storyline in unique ways. There are so many layers to these characters and this storyline, you might get whiplash reading twist after twist. 😆 However the author takes care of you by delivering plenty of understanding/supportive partner moments, spicy passionate moments, and adorable couple-y moments that leave you with hearts in your eyes. 😍

Whew! When Theo speaks Italian… DAMN! Starting off as a fake boyfriend under the guise of protecting his teammate’s little sister, we quickly find out there is so much more to this story. Between athletic excellence, pining, relationship betrayals, surprise attacks, and shocking reveals, this book covers a lot of bases (and the author is just getting started…). M. George plays with chapter layouts to convey funny character traits and hilariously cute text messages between our star couple will have you swooning. However, there are trigger warnings to be mindful of, but if you like dark romances and if you like hockey/sport romances, then this book is the best of both worlds. Why choose, am I right? 😏

This book was NOT what I expected; it was more and I couldn’t put it down (especially during the last third of the book 😳🫣). 

(I received this as an ARC from Happily Booked PR, but all thoughts are my own!)