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A heartbroken hockey player and an up-and-coming country music star fake it for the cameras (or do they?) in Cait Nary’s delightfully sexy new novel. Brody Kellerman has a plan. First, become the best defenseman in professional hockey. Second, get over his ex-boyfriend so he can focus on his game. Hooking up with the singer at his buddy’s wedding was the perfect solution, but it was never meant to be more than a one-night stand. Seamus Murry has never planned a thing in his life, including hooking up with a smoking-hot hockey player. Being ghosted sucks, but at least one good thing came from it—the breakout hit song of the summer. Now he’s one of country music’s brightest stars, but one slipup—or in this case, video—might cost him his career. When their video goes viral, Brody and Seamus agree to fake a relationship. But soon it's impossible to remember what is real and what's pretend, and although Brody has no intention of falling for freewheeling Seamus's charm…life doesn't always go according to plan.
Publication Year: 2022
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4.5 stars
Although this book came out a couple of years ago, I hope there will be more in this series. I love this universe of tough marshmallows. Though the characters in this book play for a different hockey team than the characters in Season’s Change, it’s the same universe and there are some cameos.
Brody and Seamus are so good together, even when they both think they’re just going to have a one-night stand. They are still very aware of the other’s moods for the most part. There are some things Brody misses, but it’s understandable with how much they drank and how confident and flirty Sea has been. This story is a classic case of miscommunication and the main characters not talking things out. What I love and found different is the way Brody eventually learns what will trigger Sea’s insecurities that cause his defenses to go up and figures out a new way to talk about their problems.
These two spend shockingly little time together being as they are in a fake relationship. In some ways, it makes sense since they are both in demanding careers that keep them on the go. Yet I would have liked to see them spend more time together because it is always magical when they are getting along and relax with each other.
Another thing worth noting is how certain people react to the forced coming out of these two. Sea’s parents talk about how they were careful with the church they attended to be sure their kids wouldn’t get hatred fed to them, and there is an old pastor who is standing up for them and their relationship. These things are just blips in the overall story, but they are nice touches to show how the world is (hopefully) changing for the better.