Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is a very sweet hockey romance about a hot hockey player that has been yearning for a player’s ex-girlfriend for years and her reluctance to trust again. Callie’s bakery is in the verge of bankruptcy and her rent just went up. River finally sees his chance to go for Callie and her sweet daughter Nora, and he’s decided to shoot his shot. He offers to let her live with him, but she must sleep in his bed – just sleep, for now. Callie reluctantly agrees, thinking it’s the only way to stay afloat until she figures things out, which she always does.

I like how River treats Callie. He has no problem showing her just how much she means to him and showing her, rather than telling, how she deserves to be treated. The way he interacts with Nora is absolutely adorable and so contrary to how her own dad treats her. River’s teammates show him support for his actions toward Callie, recognizing that her ex is being a total tool and deserving of their disdain.

Callie was harder to like. I get being hesitant to trust, but nothing in River’s actions gave off “playa” vibes and so her back and forth about him rang a bit false. It was odd that she gave other people the benefit of the doubt, and yet not River when he was so consistent. Between this, and the book being a bit too slow and long for my taste, is what brought the rating down a star.

I received a complimentary e-copy from Valentine PR. All opinions are my own.