A Grumpy/Sunshine Forced Proximity Sports Romance
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Off the Ice by Jaqueline Snow
ISBN 9798356707049
Published 7 October 2022
Pages 302
Genre Sports Romance
Falling for the hopeless romantic was never part of the plan…
Elle Van Helsing wants to start her life away from home. Constantly living under the shadow of her brother, she plans to find romance and survive on her own: even if its financially harder than she thought. Getting a job at a dive bar three doors down from her new place is the perfect solution. Well, it was, until the owner has a family emergency and asks his nephew to help out in his absence. The guy she used to have a crush on until he ruined it.
Cal Holt might be a legend on the ice, but off it? He’s alone and likes to keep it that way. It’s easier to protect himself when he’s always a jerk, but the one person who gets under his skin is Elle. Torn between wanting to get to know her and pushing her away, he’s surprised when he learns she hates him. She looked at him differently the year before, and now that they’re stuck managing a bar for a few weeks, tensions rise.
She’s a hopeless romantic who wants grand gestures and sees the world through rose-colored glasses. He’s a grumpy cynic with a permanent scowl. She dreams of love, and he wants a one-night stand. She plans to build a life on campus, and he plans to leave and head to the NHL. Complete opposites in every way, they shift from enemies to friends…but Cal refuses to fall in love, and Elle deserves more. For the girl who never felt enough and the guy terrified to feel, fear might ruin their chance at finding love.
What is Off the Ice about?
Off the Ice is the last book in the Central State series by Jaqueline Snow.
Elle Van Helsing wants to start fresh, finding romance and independence away from her brother’s shadow. She gets a job at a dive bar, only to be confronted by Cal Holt, the nephew of the bar owner and the guy who once ruined her crush. Cal, a legendary hockey player off the ice, prefers to stay isolated but finds himself drawn to Elle. As they work together, their tension shifts from animosity to friendship. Elle, a hopeless romantic, dreams of love, while Cal, a grumpy cynic, avoids commitment. Their opposite desires and fears challenge their budding relationship, risking their chance at love.
My thoughts about Off the Ice
I’ve never been more endeared by a male lead than Cal Holt. Beneath his grumpy exterior lies the softest heart, and his adorable moments made me pause multiple times to gather myself. Witnessing his growth and development from the beginning of the series was incredible, and seeing Elle grow into herself was equally rewarding. Cal truly stole the show for me, especially when he suggested a Secret Santa gift exchange with the team in the last book.
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