Review: Freezing the Puck by Lasairiona McMaster*

 

'Justin

I thought I’d left my past in Minnesota when I moved to Iowa, but it was right there waiting for me.
Long blonde hair, curves in all the right places, and a death glare that hits harder than a slap shot to the solar plexus. On the ice, I’m a pro at blocking shots, but Savannah Bowen has slipped behind all my defenses and made a home in my heart.
I had no intention of revisiting the past, but when she’s damn near everywhere I go, I’m a goner.

Savannah
Hell freakin’ no.
It doesn’t matter that Justin Ashe is seven feet tall and sexy as sin, or that I’ve had a crush on him for years. He cheated on my best friend in high school, and that makes him off limits.
I can’t be with him, but damn, it’s impossible to stay away from him. Girl Code says uteruses before duderuses.
He’s supposed to be my enemy, but the more I see of him, the blurrier the lines get.'

It's official Lasairiona McMaster has started a new series (of course she forewarned us it was coming) and I say goodbye to any productivity whenever release day arrives. I fell in love with Lasairiona with her Jeremy Lewis series and she has fast become one of my favourite authors. So of course when I got the chance to start her new series I jumped with both feet and I fell in love again. 

This book is the first in the brand new 'Cedar Rapid Racoons' series, now we were teased about possible stars of this series in her novella 'Two for Tacos' so I was already pumped. This book centres on Justin and Savannah and is told of the course of 31 Chapters as well as an epilogue.

We first heard about Justin back in the Snow Pirates in passing mention due to his past connection with Molly Morrison (Two for Roughing). Justin is juggling many balls in this book being a hockey player, a student, a part time job and a romance author. He is also very in touch with his feelings. Readers get a real look at this when reading in his point of view. 

Meanwhile our lead female character is Savannah, who was besties with Molly in High School. Not only that Savannah is book worm after my own heart. She is a very relatable character who all book lovers will adore. Admittingly her life is not like a romance book with a family secret being revealed and her body/heart lusting after the guy who cheated on her best friend in high school.

This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance that is easy to sink your teeth into. From the main characters 'trying' to deny the chemistry that is clear to the readers from the get go, to the funny moments and metaphors that long term readers of Lasairiona know and love her for. 

Now no fear there are steamy scenes within this book and they are delicious as always. Especially when Justin is an empathetic character who wants to please Savannah in every aspect!

Something I adored about this book is when you are reading from Justin's point of view you find out just how in touch this guys is with his feelings. He isn't afraid of being the first one to fall in love, and he isn't afraid of telling the readers that there will be no 'third act break up'.

Overall this book starts this series off on a great foot and most definitely with a bang. I personally can't wait to read the rest of the series. They will all be added to my TBR and no plans will be made when it comes to release day. Don't believe get your copy HERE and let me know what you think. 

Until Next Time

Emma

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Blog Tour: Nobody Puts Romcoms in the Corner by Kathryn Freeman*

 

'Sally is a classic romantic and Harry is a classic cynic, but when a drunken bet leads the new flatmates to (badly) recreate ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing, and the video goes viral (#EpicRomcomReenactmentFailure), they both realise there’s potential financial benefit in blundering their way through the romcom lexicon for their suddenly vast social media following.

Now, as Harry and Sally bring major romcom moments to new life – including recreating that classic diner scene – their faking it turns to making…out and suddenly they’re living a real life romcom of their own! But like all the greatest love stories, the road to happily ever after is paved with unexpected challenges for this hero and heroine…'

This is book 7 in Kathryn Freeman's Romcom Collection series. Now I personally have read every book in this collection. What can I say they are amazing and I love Romcoms. However each book in this collection can be read as a standalone! Though this reader highly recommends you read them all. 

This edition to the collection is all about Sally and Harry who are complete opposites. Sally is a bona fide romcom lover who is waiting to hear the 'bells ring'. Whereas Harry is not a romance lover and doesn't really believe in love. Understandable given his backstory but we digress.  

There story is told over the course of 35 Chapters as well as a Prologue. Now I have to admit  you will find yourself so invested in this story that you may discover when you pay attention to chapter names that you have read multiple. For example when I first started this book I was only going to read the prologue and possibly chapter one, instead I read all the way to chapter three. I was that engrossed in the story that I couldn't put it down. 

One of the best things about this book is that it is truly a Romcom at it's finest. I could see this being a movie. From the moment these characters meet not only do they have some undeniable chemistry but they also have moments that will leave the reader laughing. Now I don't mean a small giggle, I mean laughing out loud and then re reading the section just to make sure you have read it right!

Now let's talk about the Author Kathryn Freeman, who for as long as she can remember has always wanted to write a book. It may have something to do with her obsession with reading romance. However real life interfered and she headed off in a different direction - into the world of Science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. She did end up writing but it was about disease and medicine. Decades later, she is finally doing what she always wanted to do. Kathryn has a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card ( the answer is yes), so all the romance in her life is in her head. Then again, his unstinting support of her career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Overall, if you couldn't already tell I fell head over heels in love with this book. I would love to see it made into a movie! The only downside I see is that the TikTok account mentioned in the book does not exist. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. You can get your copy HERE.

Until Next Time

Emma

XX