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Rinkside in the Rockies #1
Sugar and Ice
Sugar and Ice is the first full-length novel in the Rinkside in the Rockies series by Aven Ellis!
Josephine Rossi has recovered from a broken heart, but has vowed that she's all about the desserts now as a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. Cheesecake never breaks your heart. Unless it cracks on the top, but still, it tastes amazing if you bake it just right. She knows what to do in the kitchen as far as making luscious desserts. Men? Apparently she's not so good at figuring them out, so she refuses to bother. Josephine knows it is safer to stay in the kitchen than to take another chance with her heart.
Denver Mountain Lions forward Cade Callahan is passionate about hockey, but is also about finding love. He thought he had it once, but a disastrous romance last holiday season has him keeping his heart in check. While he’s fearless on the ice, he’s guarded with his heart. Cade is determined history won’t repeat itself again. He won’t let his guard down until he’s certain he’s met The One.
However, Cupid's arrow might just strike when these two least expect it. When an oven goes out, and a cheesecake for testing has to be baked, and Cade just happens to live in the same building with a working oven...Well, things other than cheesecake might just heat up in the kitchen. Can these two passionate people learn to trust their hearts again? Can love override fear for Josephine and Cade? And will they find the combination of sugar and ice is the sweetest one of all?
Josephine Rossi has recovered from a broken heart, but has vowed that she's all about the desserts now as a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. Cheesecake never breaks your heart. Unless it cracks on the top, but still, it tastes amazing if you bake it just right. She knows what to do in the kitchen as far as making luscious desserts. Men? Apparently she's not so good at figuring them out, so she refuses to bother. Josephine knows it is safer to stay in the kitchen than to take another chance with her heart.
Denver Mountain Lions forward Cade Callahan is passionate about hockey, but is also about finding love. He thought he had it once, but a disastrous romance last holiday season has him keeping his heart in check. While he’s fearless on the ice, he’s guarded with his heart. Cade is determined history won’t repeat itself again. He won’t let his guard down until he’s certain he’s met The One.
However, Cupid's arrow might just strike when these two least expect it. When an oven goes out, and a cheesecake for testing has to be baked, and Cade just happens to live in the same building with a working oven...Well, things other than cheesecake might just heat up in the kitchen. Can these two passionate people learn to trust their hearts again? Can love override fear for Josephine and Cade? And will they find the combination of sugar and ice is the sweetest one of all?
297 pages, ebook
First published December 28, 2016
1,041 people are currently reading
1,546 people want to read
About the author
Aven Ellis
46books815followersUSA Today bestselling author Aven Ellis began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes romantic comedies featuring royals, billionaires, aristocrats, and athletes.
Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.
Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating speciality M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing.
Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.
Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating speciality M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing.
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January 5, 2017
Once again, Aven Ellis has combined three of my favorite things, hockey, desserts and sweet romance. SUGAR AND ICE could be one of Ms. Ellis’s best stories ever and that is saying something because when this woman writes, she scores!
Josephine is a goddess in the kitchen, but in love, she has felt the agony of defeat. When a broken oven threatens to topple her latest cheesecake creation, she does what any smart woman would do, runs to the apartment shared with the most gorgeous hockey player on the Denver Mountain Lions team. (Hey, no one ever called her stupid!) Okay, so she wasn’t prepared for what she saw when she knocked on the door�
Cade is a one man wrecking crew on the ice, but a mere slip of a girl totally demolished his heart and now he is determined to steer clear of involvements. Until That Girl finally comes into his life, his heart is going to be locked up tight. What he finds when he opens the door to his apartment is about to set his heart into high gear, but unlike on the ice, he must proceed with caution or end up in the penalty box again.
Ms. Ellis brings this sweet romance to a slow boil until it is cooled to perfection as two damaged souls take a chance on finding the perfect recipe for love. Hang on to your hearts, Josephine is going to rock your world with her generous nature while she sets you to grinning when it comes to her anal-retentive boss. This woman is fearless in the kitchen and proving to be a force to be reckoned with against one of hockey’s greatest! Cade, oh yes, he is hot, he is a hockey player and he is a cream puff off the ice when he falls for Josephine’s zest for life! The problem is, can he get over his past long enough to look to his future?
Aven Ellis, once again you have given me just what I needed, a terror on the ice who is a cupcake in the real world, a feisty gem of a woman who knows her way to a man’s stomach and straight into his heart just by being herself. I was a goner for this one from the broken oven and the apron!
I received this copy from Aven Ellis for my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Rinkside in the Rockies - Book 1
Publication Date: December 28, 2016
Publisher: Aven Ellis
Genre: Sports Romance | Romantic Comedy
Print Length: 261 pages
Available from:
For Reviews & More:
Josephine is a goddess in the kitchen, but in love, she has felt the agony of defeat. When a broken oven threatens to topple her latest cheesecake creation, she does what any smart woman would do, runs to the apartment shared with the most gorgeous hockey player on the Denver Mountain Lions team. (Hey, no one ever called her stupid!) Okay, so she wasn’t prepared for what she saw when she knocked on the door�
Cade is a one man wrecking crew on the ice, but a mere slip of a girl totally demolished his heart and now he is determined to steer clear of involvements. Until That Girl finally comes into his life, his heart is going to be locked up tight. What he finds when he opens the door to his apartment is about to set his heart into high gear, but unlike on the ice, he must proceed with caution or end up in the penalty box again.
Ms. Ellis brings this sweet romance to a slow boil until it is cooled to perfection as two damaged souls take a chance on finding the perfect recipe for love. Hang on to your hearts, Josephine is going to rock your world with her generous nature while she sets you to grinning when it comes to her anal-retentive boss. This woman is fearless in the kitchen and proving to be a force to be reckoned with against one of hockey’s greatest! Cade, oh yes, he is hot, he is a hockey player and he is a cream puff off the ice when he falls for Josephine’s zest for life! The problem is, can he get over his past long enough to look to his future?
Aven Ellis, once again you have given me just what I needed, a terror on the ice who is a cupcake in the real world, a feisty gem of a woman who knows her way to a man’s stomach and straight into his heart just by being herself. I was a goner for this one from the broken oven and the apron!
I received this copy from Aven Ellis for my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Rinkside in the Rockies - Book 1
Publication Date: December 28, 2016
Publisher: Aven Ellis
Genre: Sports Romance | Romantic Comedy
Print Length: 261 pages
Available from:
For Reviews & More:
Want to read
February 7, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/7/2019)! 🎁�
Blurb:
Josephine Rossi has recovered from a broken heart, but has vowed that she's all about the desserts now as a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. Cheesecake never breaks your heart. Unless it cracks on the top, but still, it tastes amazing if you bake it just right. She knows what to do in the kitchen as far as making luscious desserts. Men? Apparently she's not so good at figuring them out, so she refuses to bother. Josephine knows it is safer to stay in the kitchen than to take another chance with her heart.
Denver Mountain Lions forward Cade Callahan is passionate about hockey, but is also about finding love. He thought he had it once, but a disastrous romance last holiday season has him keeping his heart in check. While he’s fearless on the ice, he’s guarded with his heart. Cade is determined history won’t repeat itself again. He won’t let his guard down until he’s certain he’s met The One.
However, Cupid's arrow might just strike when these two least expect it. When an oven goes out, and a cheesecake for testing has to be baked, and Cade just happens to live in the same building with a working oven...Well, things other than cheesecake might just heat up in the kitchen. Can these two passionate people learn to trust their hearts again? Can love override fear for Josephine and Cade? And will they find the combination of sugar and ice is the sweetest one of all?
Blurb:
Josephine Rossi has recovered from a broken heart, but has vowed that she's all about the desserts now as a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. Cheesecake never breaks your heart. Unless it cracks on the top, but still, it tastes amazing if you bake it just right. She knows what to do in the kitchen as far as making luscious desserts. Men? Apparently she's not so good at figuring them out, so she refuses to bother. Josephine knows it is safer to stay in the kitchen than to take another chance with her heart.
Denver Mountain Lions forward Cade Callahan is passionate about hockey, but is also about finding love. He thought he had it once, but a disastrous romance last holiday season has him keeping his heart in check. While he’s fearless on the ice, he’s guarded with his heart. Cade is determined history won’t repeat itself again. He won’t let his guard down until he’s certain he’s met The One.
However, Cupid's arrow might just strike when these two least expect it. When an oven goes out, and a cheesecake for testing has to be baked, and Cade just happens to live in the same building with a working oven...Well, things other than cheesecake might just heat up in the kitchen. Can these two passionate people learn to trust their hearts again? Can love override fear for Josephine and Cade? And will they find the combination of sugar and ice is the sweetest one of all?
January 21, 2017
*** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Sugar and Ice is the first book in Aven Ellis new Rinkside in the Rockies series. If you’re a fan of sweet romance, hockey and baking then this book is perfect for you.
Josephine Rossi loves to bake. Cade Callahan loves playing professional hockey. Both have been hurt before, and therefore both are guarded with their hearts. However, when Josephine and Cade meet, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover that Sugar and Ice are the perfect combinations.
Sugar and Ice was an enjoyable, entertaining read and of course, Aven and her fantastic storytelling meant it was hard not to love the characters. Cade is a sweetheart, and there is so much more to him that just hockey. Jojo is lovely, independent and passionate about her baking. JoJo and Cade were adorable, and perfect together and their relationship was flirtatious and cute.
There were some great secondary characters, such as Sierra’s and Jude who’s love story was told in Hold the Lift which where we first met JoJo and Cade. One secondary character that I adored was JoJo's grandmother, Nonna as she made me laugh many times and always had wise words about finding that one true love for JoJo. This book is a tell tell sign that Aven like JoJo is passionate about baking and cooking. She must have had great fun doing research for this one. I absolutely had a craving cheesecake while reading it.
Sugar and Ice is a delicious mixture of humour, romance, love, friendships, family, and cuteness. It was a fun, endearing, engaging and easy read which was topped off with an extra helping of Funfetti.
Another winning read from the delightful Aven Ellis.
Sugar and Ice is the first book in Aven Ellis new Rinkside in the Rockies series. If you’re a fan of sweet romance, hockey and baking then this book is perfect for you.
Josephine Rossi loves to bake. Cade Callahan loves playing professional hockey. Both have been hurt before, and therefore both are guarded with their hearts. However, when Josephine and Cade meet, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover that Sugar and Ice are the perfect combinations.
Sugar and Ice was an enjoyable, entertaining read and of course, Aven and her fantastic storytelling meant it was hard not to love the characters. Cade is a sweetheart, and there is so much more to him that just hockey. Jojo is lovely, independent and passionate about her baking. JoJo and Cade were adorable, and perfect together and their relationship was flirtatious and cute.
There were some great secondary characters, such as Sierra’s and Jude who’s love story was told in Hold the Lift which where we first met JoJo and Cade. One secondary character that I adored was JoJo's grandmother, Nonna as she made me laugh many times and always had wise words about finding that one true love for JoJo. This book is a tell tell sign that Aven like JoJo is passionate about baking and cooking. She must have had great fun doing research for this one. I absolutely had a craving cheesecake while reading it.
Sugar and Ice is a delicious mixture of humour, romance, love, friendships, family, and cuteness. It was a fun, endearing, engaging and easy read which was topped off with an extra helping of Funfetti.
Another winning read from the delightful Aven Ellis.
July 22, 2024
The instalove and the flowery, over the top dialogue between love interests made this oh so cringy. Not for me.
March 23, 2021
3.5 stars.
i thoroughly enjoyed ninety percent of this book. it made me smile and actually laugh in some places, and the romance was sweet. i think the reason it didn’t get the five stars i wanted to give is for two reasons, the first being insta-love.
i get it. there is no formula to happily ever after. people fall in love in a week and end up together forever. others date for ten years and divorce the year they get married. and that’s fine.
three days is a ridiculously short time.
and i wouldn’t even mind it if josephine and cade got to know each other better, but they literally met when cade was wearing a towel. a fucking towel. they were making out fifty pages in. like i said, i would be fine if they fell in love super fast. maybe. if they had just gone on, like, two dates first? and actually talked before cade turned on the smolder and said, “can i kiss you?�
yeeeeeesh. too much too soon for me.
the other problem is that the book’s climax is, in its entirety, two fights. they could possibly both be the climax? anyway, the second one made sense, if it felt a little rushed and forced because ellis wrote cade as the perfect, strong yet tender man without a single flaw, and she needed him to be set off somehow.
it’s the first one where i take issue.
cade bakes a cake for josephine and everyone tries it. they pretend it tastes great, but cade forgot butter, so it tastes like sawdust. then cade tries it. he says it tastes like shit. he starts yelling at josephine for lying to him about a piece of cake.
this scene rubbed me the wrong way.
it reminded me of travis and abby in beautiful disaster, a book i could not stand. i felt that the romance at the heart of beautiful disaster was going to turn abusive, given time. this is what i thought when cade started yelling. i know he has trust issues, and that’s fine, but this doesn’t sound normal. you don’t start screaming at your girlfriend in front of her friends because she didn’t want to say your cake tastes like shit. it felt forced and unnatural and just did not feel right to read.
also, when cade came back to apologize after the second fight, he slammed josephine’s door into the wall so hard, it made a hole. just saying. i like him. but it’s those tiny details that make me feel like this is not going to end well for either of them.
that’s all, though!
i thoroughly enjoyed ninety percent of this book. it made me smile and actually laugh in some places, and the romance was sweet. i think the reason it didn’t get the five stars i wanted to give is for two reasons, the first being insta-love.
i get it. there is no formula to happily ever after. people fall in love in a week and end up together forever. others date for ten years and divorce the year they get married. and that’s fine.
three days is a ridiculously short time.
and i wouldn’t even mind it if josephine and cade got to know each other better, but they literally met when cade was wearing a towel. a fucking towel. they were making out fifty pages in. like i said, i would be fine if they fell in love super fast. maybe. if they had just gone on, like, two dates first? and actually talked before cade turned on the smolder and said, “can i kiss you?�
yeeeeeesh. too much too soon for me.
the other problem is that the book’s climax is, in its entirety, two fights. they could possibly both be the climax? anyway, the second one made sense, if it felt a little rushed and forced because ellis wrote cade as the perfect, strong yet tender man without a single flaw, and she needed him to be set off somehow.
it’s the first one where i take issue.
cade bakes a cake for josephine and everyone tries it. they pretend it tastes great, but cade forgot butter, so it tastes like sawdust. then cade tries it. he says it tastes like shit. he starts yelling at josephine for lying to him about a piece of cake.
this scene rubbed me the wrong way.
it reminded me of travis and abby in beautiful disaster, a book i could not stand. i felt that the romance at the heart of beautiful disaster was going to turn abusive, given time. this is what i thought when cade started yelling. i know he has trust issues, and that’s fine, but this doesn’t sound normal. you don’t start screaming at your girlfriend in front of her friends because she didn’t want to say your cake tastes like shit. it felt forced and unnatural and just did not feel right to read.
also, when cade came back to apologize after the second fight, he slammed josephine’s door into the wall so hard, it made a hole. just saying. i like him. but it’s those tiny details that make me feel like this is not going to end well for either of them.
that’s all, though!
March 13, 2019
Such a fun story! I really enjoyed Sugar and Ice. I look forward to reading more in the Rinkside in the Rockies series.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
February 27, 2019
Josephine was a recipe tester who meets Cade who is a professional hockey player. They realize they see each other for themselves and it feeds their attraction. What ended up making me crazy was JoJo’s constant insecurities due to her ex cheating on her. Cade has his own issues due to an ex. They were great together, but I found it cheesy. No cliffhanger and HEA.
December 31, 2016
*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Sugar and Ice marks the first full length novel of Aven Ellis� new hockey series Rinkside in the Rockies.
Josephine Rossi works for Bake it! Magazine, she is passionate about baking and she is still recovering from a broken heart.
Cade Callahan is a gorgeous hockey player, who loves the outdoors and adventures. He is passionate for hockey and a badass on ice. He hates the Christmas season and is very protective of his heart though.
Cade and Josephine have met before, because their best friends Sierra and Jude are dating and the live in the same apartment building. When Jojo’s oven strikes, the only solution is Cade’s oven. Jojo is wearing her family’s apron and the apron has a legend. According to her Nonna she is going to marry Cade, because he saw her in the apron. I just adore these family related details in this story and we also get to know Jojo’s family. Nonna is amazing and her mum is just so funny to read about.
Anyway, back to the story, the moment he sees her in that apron the sparks fly and their chemistry is unique, amazing and one of a kind. You can feel it through the pages, Aven Ellis� writing captures it beautifully and has created a wonderful story around their chemistry.
Cade and Jojo have a natural banter and what they have is just special.
Of course there are some ups and downs in their relationship, but that’s part of the storyline and their personalities. Given their past both characters are careful when it comes to love and emotions. They have difficulties sharing their real feelings, but it’s totally understandable.
This book doesn’t have that many hockey related scenes, but it includes lots of baking and cooking. I absolutely loved these scenes and Jojo’s passion really comes through. She fights for what she wants, even though it’s not always easy in her job and she makes a great friend in the progress. We get introduced to Skye and later also Maxime, Cade’s and Jude’s teammate, and they way they have met practically calls for a new book in this series. I loved reading about Jude and Sierra again and they are both so great with Jojo. If you’d like to get to know them a bit better, read Hold the Lift a cute short story about how they met.
A big part of Aven Ellis� books is the humor in her writing, it’s just fab. She manages to combine the humor with emotions, feelings, love, family and authenticity. Another thing I admired in this book were the outdoors Jojo got to experience through Cade. The writing was so vivid, descriptive and fresh, I felt like being in this setting with the characters.
I think one of the best words to describe this book is SWEET. It’s sweet on so many levels and ways, I devoured every single page.
Sugar and Ice marks the first full length novel of Aven Ellis� new hockey series Rinkside in the Rockies.
Josephine Rossi works for Bake it! Magazine, she is passionate about baking and she is still recovering from a broken heart.
Cade Callahan is a gorgeous hockey player, who loves the outdoors and adventures. He is passionate for hockey and a badass on ice. He hates the Christmas season and is very protective of his heart though.
Cade and Josephine have met before, because their best friends Sierra and Jude are dating and the live in the same apartment building. When Jojo’s oven strikes, the only solution is Cade’s oven. Jojo is wearing her family’s apron and the apron has a legend. According to her Nonna she is going to marry Cade, because he saw her in the apron. I just adore these family related details in this story and we also get to know Jojo’s family. Nonna is amazing and her mum is just so funny to read about.
Anyway, back to the story, the moment he sees her in that apron the sparks fly and their chemistry is unique, amazing and one of a kind. You can feel it through the pages, Aven Ellis� writing captures it beautifully and has created a wonderful story around their chemistry.
Cade and Jojo have a natural banter and what they have is just special.
Of course there are some ups and downs in their relationship, but that’s part of the storyline and their personalities. Given their past both characters are careful when it comes to love and emotions. They have difficulties sharing their real feelings, but it’s totally understandable.
This book doesn’t have that many hockey related scenes, but it includes lots of baking and cooking. I absolutely loved these scenes and Jojo’s passion really comes through. She fights for what she wants, even though it’s not always easy in her job and she makes a great friend in the progress. We get introduced to Skye and later also Maxime, Cade’s and Jude’s teammate, and they way they have met practically calls for a new book in this series. I loved reading about Jude and Sierra again and they are both so great with Jojo. If you’d like to get to know them a bit better, read Hold the Lift a cute short story about how they met.
A big part of Aven Ellis� books is the humor in her writing, it’s just fab. She manages to combine the humor with emotions, feelings, love, family and authenticity. Another thing I admired in this book were the outdoors Jojo got to experience through Cade. The writing was so vivid, descriptive and fresh, I felt like being in this setting with the characters.
I think one of the best words to describe this book is SWEET. It’s sweet on so many levels and ways, I devoured every single page.
February 13, 2017
The best love stories begin with the most hilarious events. Jo is a recipe tester for Bake It! Magazine. While she's making her possibly best cheesecake ever her oven stops working. The only people she knows who would let her use an oven are Cade and Jude, who live in the same building. Jo rushes to their apartment to see if they can help her. Cade opens the door and when they start talking they're really noticing each other for the first time.
Cade is a professional hockey player for the Denver Mountain Lions. It's his passion, but it's also the only thing about him that people know and see. Cade loved someone once, at least he thought he did. It turned out that the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with didn't feel the same way and broke up with him in the worst possible way. Now Cade is spending his time with lots of women, but he doesn't let anybody come close.
Jo is so much fun. I loved how passionate she is about her job and admired the confident way she stands for her recipes. Her Italian family is loud and dramatic and her nonna is fabulous! I would love to have a nonna like her. Jo is someone who will always give people a chance. She sees the good in them and takes time to really get to know someone. She is really clumsy, which causes multiple hilarious moments. Jo is kindhearted and caring, she's a great person to be around, but isn't a pushover. I loved everything about her.
Cade is fearless when he's on the ice. He stands for his team and will take down anyone if need be. Cade is intelligent and he learned how to get under the skin of his opponents. He's very interested in history and loves spending time outdoors. Fishing, canoeing or hiking, Cade does it all. Cade is a different person on and off the ice. He's a loyal friend and makes sure that everybody is having a good time. The fact that he's tall, muscular, sweet and gorgeous made me fall in love with him right away.
When I read a book written by Aven Ellis I find myself laughing out loud all the time. I love the characters she comes up with. They always make me smile and I connect with them right from the start. Sugar and Ice is a beautiful story about two amazing people who are willing to give love a second chance. Cade and Jo's chemistry is obvious and I liked the way they communicate with each other through loving little jokes. They made Sugar and Ice feel so real and reminded me of when me and my husband were getting to know each other. A story by Aven Ellis never dissapoints and I have devoured every book she's ever written. I highly recommend the wonderful Sugar and Ice, it's a delicious story filled with mouthwatering descriptions of cupcakes and food.
Cade is a professional hockey player for the Denver Mountain Lions. It's his passion, but it's also the only thing about him that people know and see. Cade loved someone once, at least he thought he did. It turned out that the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with didn't feel the same way and broke up with him in the worst possible way. Now Cade is spending his time with lots of women, but he doesn't let anybody come close.
Jo is so much fun. I loved how passionate she is about her job and admired the confident way she stands for her recipes. Her Italian family is loud and dramatic and her nonna is fabulous! I would love to have a nonna like her. Jo is someone who will always give people a chance. She sees the good in them and takes time to really get to know someone. She is really clumsy, which causes multiple hilarious moments. Jo is kindhearted and caring, she's a great person to be around, but isn't a pushover. I loved everything about her.
Cade is fearless when he's on the ice. He stands for his team and will take down anyone if need be. Cade is intelligent and he learned how to get under the skin of his opponents. He's very interested in history and loves spending time outdoors. Fishing, canoeing or hiking, Cade does it all. Cade is a different person on and off the ice. He's a loyal friend and makes sure that everybody is having a good time. The fact that he's tall, muscular, sweet and gorgeous made me fall in love with him right away.
When I read a book written by Aven Ellis I find myself laughing out loud all the time. I love the characters she comes up with. They always make me smile and I connect with them right from the start. Sugar and Ice is a beautiful story about two amazing people who are willing to give love a second chance. Cade and Jo's chemistry is obvious and I liked the way they communicate with each other through loving little jokes. They made Sugar and Ice feel so real and reminded me of when me and my husband were getting to know each other. A story by Aven Ellis never dissapoints and I have devoured every book she's ever written. I highly recommend the wonderful Sugar and Ice, it's a delicious story filled with mouthwatering descriptions of cupcakes and food.
February 11, 2019
2 & 1/2 stars rounded up.
This came up for free on Amazon, seeing hockey in the description, so I grabbed it, not double checking anything. Ugh, I was too far into the story when I realized why it seemed so familiar, that it was an author I didn't want to read more from, so I just kept reading hoping it would get better. I'm thinking that switching hockey teams, from Dallas to Colorado, thru me off & is why I didn't put it together as the same author, though the cover should have set off a feel of familiarity. This is another story (like the others that I've read from this author) that is supposed to involve hockey & romance. The major draw for me, is the hockey, the only professional sport that I like & would willingly go to & watch games. So other than the guy being a hockey player -for a profession & her going to just one of his games, where the game really isn't talked about much, the hockey is non-existent in this book. I almost feel the hockey player for a profession is to enable a wealthy environment (since it's always a big player making millions that's the hero of her books) for the name dropping by the author and time away from the relationship (for relationship challenges or for emotional angst) for the away games. And there are lots of clothing brands, cosmetic brands, and locales for the rich- mentioned thru the book. I believe this author must be a snob to do so much name dropping in her books, as the average reader doesn't shop/live like that. I'd rather spend my money on books than designer anything. It definitely alienates me as a reader. As to the plot, the relationship moved way to fast for their broken heart situations of the pair, making it unbelievable. I also feel the author is relying on a set formula/outline to follow, so the stories all seem alike, they all follow the same plot to a degree, with a few random things thrown in to try to make them different, but not actually enough to not be repetitive & predictable. I was not impressed enough with the characters to even remember their names to write this review a few days later, & wasn't inspired enough to even look them up. I'm definitely going to try harder to avoid more books from this author in the future.
This came up for free on Amazon, seeing hockey in the description, so I grabbed it, not double checking anything. Ugh, I was too far into the story when I realized why it seemed so familiar, that it was an author I didn't want to read more from, so I just kept reading hoping it would get better. I'm thinking that switching hockey teams, from Dallas to Colorado, thru me off & is why I didn't put it together as the same author, though the cover should have set off a feel of familiarity. This is another story (like the others that I've read from this author) that is supposed to involve hockey & romance. The major draw for me, is the hockey, the only professional sport that I like & would willingly go to & watch games. So other than the guy being a hockey player -for a profession & her going to just one of his games, where the game really isn't talked about much, the hockey is non-existent in this book. I almost feel the hockey player for a profession is to enable a wealthy environment (since it's always a big player making millions that's the hero of her books) for the name dropping by the author and time away from the relationship (for relationship challenges or for emotional angst) for the away games. And there are lots of clothing brands, cosmetic brands, and locales for the rich- mentioned thru the book. I believe this author must be a snob to do so much name dropping in her books, as the average reader doesn't shop/live like that. I'd rather spend my money on books than designer anything. It definitely alienates me as a reader. As to the plot, the relationship moved way to fast for their broken heart situations of the pair, making it unbelievable. I also feel the author is relying on a set formula/outline to follow, so the stories all seem alike, they all follow the same plot to a degree, with a few random things thrown in to try to make them different, but not actually enough to not be repetitive & predictable. I was not impressed enough with the characters to even remember their names to write this review a few days later, & wasn't inspired enough to even look them up. I'm definitely going to try harder to avoid more books from this author in the future.
February 20, 2018
I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Aven Ellis for letting me be a part of the Beta Reading for this book. I adore Aven's writing and it's so much fun to be there right from the beginning, to see her ideas turn into such wonderful stories.
This is the first full length book in this series. Hold the Lift was the previous novella which follows Sierra and Jude. and it follows JoJo and Cade. JoJo is Sierra's flat mate and Cade coincidentally is Jude's. While they have briefly met they do not really know eachother. When JoJo's oven breaks just as she needs to put some very important cheesecakes in Cade is her only hope to get them baked.
I'm going to say now that this book should come with a warning that reads "Buy with Cheesecake". During the few days that I spent reading this I think I consumed at least 3 individual sized cheesecakes but if I wasn't on a diet it would have been 3 large ones.
JoJo or Josephine, is a recipe taster for Bake it! magazine but she wants to do much more than just tasting. She has many ideas for future articles but her boss doesn't think she can make it.
Cade is extremely passionate about hockey but he wants a girl that sees him for more than just the game. After last years relationship disaster he's looking for someone who's real.
I adored this book because it's fun. JoJo and Cade's brewing relationship is full of teasing and banter which makes the book as light an airy as a sponge but hidden inside are some deep and real issues that we can all relate to.Aven's writing gives you the perfect mix of these two elements.
I have been with Aven since her first book Connectivity and it has been an honour to see book after book as she has grown. How she has improved and excelled her self with each new book. I honestly cannot wait to see what she brings for us next.
This is the first full length book in this series. Hold the Lift was the previous novella which follows Sierra and Jude. and it follows JoJo and Cade. JoJo is Sierra's flat mate and Cade coincidentally is Jude's. While they have briefly met they do not really know eachother. When JoJo's oven breaks just as she needs to put some very important cheesecakes in Cade is her only hope to get them baked.
I'm going to say now that this book should come with a warning that reads "Buy with Cheesecake". During the few days that I spent reading this I think I consumed at least 3 individual sized cheesecakes but if I wasn't on a diet it would have been 3 large ones.
JoJo or Josephine, is a recipe taster for Bake it! magazine but she wants to do much more than just tasting. She has many ideas for future articles but her boss doesn't think she can make it.
Cade is extremely passionate about hockey but he wants a girl that sees him for more than just the game. After last years relationship disaster he's looking for someone who's real.
I adored this book because it's fun. JoJo and Cade's brewing relationship is full of teasing and banter which makes the book as light an airy as a sponge but hidden inside are some deep and real issues that we can all relate to.Aven's writing gives you the perfect mix of these two elements.
I have been with Aven since her first book Connectivity and it has been an honour to see book after book as she has grown. How she has improved and excelled her self with each new book. I honestly cannot wait to see what she brings for us next.
January 3, 2017
TBH, Aven could literally just write out the ingredients found in Special K, call it a book, and I would give it 5 stars.
January 7, 2017
Things I love: Cupcakes, hockey players, and Aven Ellis books. This book again was no exception to the lovely hockey romances Aven is known for.
Question: where does one find a hot hockey player at?
Question: where does one find a hot hockey player at?
February 21, 2019
Sweet, safe, a little bit dull but easy to read. Romance but no heat and definitely no hockey.
June 14, 2020
What a cute, romantic, fun read. Josephine Camilla Rossi (JoJo) has recently broken up (or been broken up with) her boyfriend. Cade Callahan hot-star-hockey-player has been jilted and had his heart broken, too. But when he meets JoJo she is refreshing and he sees something in her that most women who fall at his feet don't have: a true interest in him and who he is as a person, not just the hockey star. And she discovers that he reads, loves history, and has a brain for more than "just hockey."
JoJo is really into baking and she is offered a position with Skye Reeve, a reality TV star. Josephine gets an email that she was selected to feature Skye in Bake It magazine. Cade tells her that Skye is in it for the fame, but she doesn't believe him. When JoJo goes to collaborate with Skye on a cupcake recipe, she finds out something a bit shocking: .
I thought it was super cute and I really enjoyed it. It's a fluff read and let me just say that it's the first time I'd ever heard of pasta sex. LOL
JoJo is really into baking and she is offered a position with Skye Reeve, a reality TV star. Josephine gets an email that she was selected to feature Skye in Bake It magazine. Cade tells her that Skye is in it for the fame, but she doesn't believe him. When JoJo goes to collaborate with Skye on a cupcake recipe, she finds out something a bit shocking: .
I thought it was super cute and I really enjoyed it. It's a fluff read and let me just say that it's the first time I'd ever heard of pasta sex. LOL
January 2, 2017
Josephine Rossi is a vivacious Italian woman with a passion for baking. After having her heart broken, she's shielded herself from relationships and instead is throwing her heart and soul into her job at Bake It! magazine. She tests recipes but would LOVE to ghostwrite a cookbook so that people can taste her recipes for once! When her oven quits working as she's trying to bake THE best cannoli cheesecake to impress her boss, she ends up having to use Cade Callahan's oven-hottie and hockey player with a penchant for fighting on the ice! The two spend hours talking about family traditions, history, and each other's dreams and goals while JoJo's cheesecake bakes, and immediately sparks are flying! JoJo has on an apron that has been passed down from generation to generation, and like any good family heirloom, it has a story-if a man sees you in that apron, you're bound to marry him! I loved all the baking and food testing scenes in this book, as well as any scene involving JoJo's grandmother, Nonna as she is hilarious!
Cade, like JoJo, has been hurt in past relationships, so of course the two of them are taking it slow. JoJo goes on a hike and fishing with Cade, since he loves the outdoors, and JoJo attempts to teach him how to make homemade pasta, but well, other things are on the menu that night! I really liked the chemistry between the two of them; it just felt so real. Like all of Aven's books, you really become invested in the characters and truly sense what they would be like if they were in real life! This combination of sugar and ice mixed perfectly together!
Just when I think I've found my favorite Aven couple, a new book comes out and I fall in love with another one! This book was just so fun and sweet you can't help but love it. And now I really want Funfetti cupcakes and cheesecake ;)
*I received a copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*
Cade, like JoJo, has been hurt in past relationships, so of course the two of them are taking it slow. JoJo goes on a hike and fishing with Cade, since he loves the outdoors, and JoJo attempts to teach him how to make homemade pasta, but well, other things are on the menu that night! I really liked the chemistry between the two of them; it just felt so real. Like all of Aven's books, you really become invested in the characters and truly sense what they would be like if they were in real life! This combination of sugar and ice mixed perfectly together!
Just when I think I've found my favorite Aven couple, a new book comes out and I fall in love with another one! This book was just so fun and sweet you can't help but love it. And now I really want Funfetti cupcakes and cheesecake ;)
*I received a copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*
December 25, 2016
Sugar and Ice is a warm and cosy romance, which has provided me with a new book boyfriend in Cade. He is so much more than just an ice-hockey player, and its all his other qualities plus his good looks that have drawn both me and Josephine Rossi to him.
Josephine has a brilliant sounding job, she is a recipe taster, and some of the desert descriptions are to die for. They sound mouth wateringly delicious, and once I googled what funfetti was, I can say that I loved the idea of a funfetti cupcake, even if Josephine's boss wasn't so keen.
There is a great sense of humour with this story, and the fishing trip will stay with me for a while, although if I was ever in that same situation, my reaction would probably be identical to Josephine's. The writing is warm and welcoming, and it was great to see two characters who have been burned by love before, try to take things slowly despite the amazing chemistry between them.
I was slightly surprised there wasn't huge amounts of hockey in this book, but we are introduced to a couple of the other players on the Denver Mountain Lions, who I suspect may feature in future books in this series.
Cade has a love of the great outdoors, and with a Rockies backdrop, the scenery was breathtakingly gorgeous. From their first proper meeting very early into the story, I was hooked, and despite knowing pretty much what the overall outcome would be, I loved reading about the journey, and the various dates, especially the Halloween party.
Sugar and Ice is another wonderful romance by Aven Ellis, and it was refreshing for it to be set in a new location with a whole new team of gorgeous hockey players to be introduced to.
Thank you so much to Aven Ellis for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Josephine has a brilliant sounding job, she is a recipe taster, and some of the desert descriptions are to die for. They sound mouth wateringly delicious, and once I googled what funfetti was, I can say that I loved the idea of a funfetti cupcake, even if Josephine's boss wasn't so keen.
There is a great sense of humour with this story, and the fishing trip will stay with me for a while, although if I was ever in that same situation, my reaction would probably be identical to Josephine's. The writing is warm and welcoming, and it was great to see two characters who have been burned by love before, try to take things slowly despite the amazing chemistry between them.
I was slightly surprised there wasn't huge amounts of hockey in this book, but we are introduced to a couple of the other players on the Denver Mountain Lions, who I suspect may feature in future books in this series.
Cade has a love of the great outdoors, and with a Rockies backdrop, the scenery was breathtakingly gorgeous. From their first proper meeting very early into the story, I was hooked, and despite knowing pretty much what the overall outcome would be, I loved reading about the journey, and the various dates, especially the Halloween party.
Sugar and Ice is another wonderful romance by Aven Ellis, and it was refreshing for it to be set in a new location with a whole new team of gorgeous hockey players to be introduced to.
Thank you so much to Aven Ellis for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 10, 2019
One Star, DNF @ 33% This book was so sugary it made me want to puke—and I don’t mean the sugar used by Josephine, the baker heroine, in her recipes. I am talking the putrid dialogue and sappy storyline that I actually managed to drudge through for 30% of the book. MAYBE the author is setting up some kind of plot other than sap, sap, sap, but I saw zero signs of it, and I decided I wouldn’t waste anymore time on what read like a teenaged girl’s fantasy night time fantasy. (Yummy cakes! Perfect men who loooove to chat about sweet and intelligent things, fall for you from the start, and think you are wooooonderful because you’re soooo different from other women.) Seriously? I read a LOT of cheesy romance and adore it, but these characters were so cardboard that it was painful to read.
NOTE: this book should NOT be listed in the Sports Romance category as far as I can tell. Yes, the main male character plays hockey, but for the 30% of the book I have read, it is LITERALLY a passing mention. It has yet to affect the plot or the characters, and the heroine basically ignores it. Maybe it comes into play later, but for a story to fall under a certain genre/trope it should be more than in passing during the first period of the book (Yes, hockey reference there.) You wouldn’t call something a Cowboy Romance just because it is mentioned that he owns a ranch (despite him living in the city and his ranch ownership having zip to do with the story.). If you are going to categorize something in a certain manner on Amazon (this is listed under the Sports Romance section) then it should involve that genre/trope from the start rather than making it a passing thing.
NOTE: this book should NOT be listed in the Sports Romance category as far as I can tell. Yes, the main male character plays hockey, but for the 30% of the book I have read, it is LITERALLY a passing mention. It has yet to affect the plot or the characters, and the heroine basically ignores it. Maybe it comes into play later, but for a story to fall under a certain genre/trope it should be more than in passing during the first period of the book (Yes, hockey reference there.) You wouldn’t call something a Cowboy Romance just because it is mentioned that he owns a ranch (despite him living in the city and his ranch ownership having zip to do with the story.). If you are going to categorize something in a certain manner on Amazon (this is listed under the Sports Romance section) then it should involve that genre/trope from the start rather than making it a passing thing.
December 29, 2016
From the moment the oven quit and Cade opens his door, allowing JoJo to bask in his phsique, wearing nothing but a towel, I was in love with these two as a couple. I loved how the attraction was felt and mutual, how they both know there is something there but both have reasons of their own to take this relationship slowly, to see where it leads them. They say opposites attract and it couldn't be truer with these two. Cade loves the outdoors and JoJo feels at home in a kitchen baking. And yet...they have feelings for each other and want to be together.
Aven spins a realistic story about two people who love each other but are battling the odds of past relationships and the differences in their lives. With every book she writes, the characters are unique and the story is captivating. There is no miracle cure to their relationships and nothing that destroys them, only to suddenly be fixed in a page. They have conflicts and at times they feel as if they are not going to be fixed but the author finds a believable way for them to find their HEA. An added bonus is seeing characters from other books in the series! I found myself wrapped up in future characters stories, like Max! I am so waiting to read his HEA!!! One click this book today, YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Aven spins a realistic story about two people who love each other but are battling the odds of past relationships and the differences in their lives. With every book she writes, the characters are unique and the story is captivating. There is no miracle cure to their relationships and nothing that destroys them, only to suddenly be fixed in a page. They have conflicts and at times they feel as if they are not going to be fixed but the author finds a believable way for them to find their HEA. An added bonus is seeing characters from other books in the series! I found myself wrapped up in future characters stories, like Max! I am so waiting to read his HEA!!! One click this book today, YOU WILL LOVE IT!
December 30, 2016
Loved JoJo and Cade!!! Such a sweet (no pun intended) love story with two people who were hurt by love in the past and trying to take it slow. Their reluctance to trust in their feelings almost ruined their relationship but in the end, the love they had for each other was too strong to walk away from.
A great new series by Aven Ellis! Can't wait to read more of the Rinkside in the Rockies series!
A great new series by Aven Ellis! Can't wait to read more of the Rinkside in the Rockies series!
December 23, 2016
Cade is my new book boyfriend! Aven is an evil genius set on making you accomplish nothing but reading her books in one sitting. Jojo and Cade are heartstoppingly adorable. I also loved seeing more of Sierra and Jude's storyline. If you're looking for a light-hearted romance, this is it!
Note, I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Note, I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2021
I didn’t finish the book. I found myself skimming through most of the pages because the story was bland. The author created a great concept with a lot of potential to be funny, sexy, or both. The character profiles changed with the scenario. The heroine would be strong, then meek/mild, then strong again. The consistency was missing.
July 12, 2019
This was not the book for me, unfortunately. I think I am just not Aven Ellis's audience. No hard feelings, but it was just so sappy and the dialogue was too on the nose, and not at all how humans speak, especially not how I picture hockey players speaking. It was sort of a hockey lite romance, really.
December 25, 2016
LOVED this book. Another hit! Bigger review to come!!
December 28, 2016
Love it!
Another wonderful book from Aven Ellis. I couldn't get enough of this book. It's a wonderful new series in a wonderful web of hockey love stories
Another wonderful book from Aven Ellis. I couldn't get enough of this book. It's a wonderful new series in a wonderful web of hockey love stories
December 29, 2016
review to come
March 18, 2019
What the fresh hell was this? My eyes are stuck to the back of my head
November 3, 2023
This was a FREE book for a Stuff Your Kindle Day!
So, I came across this book and it sounded cute and right up my alley, baking and ice hockey, bring it on! Then I started reading the actual book and, what even? It starts out with our hero, JoJo, explaining how she works in recipe testing for a baking magazine in Denver. This is when warning bells started and I should have just stopped. No baking magazine would EVER have a testing kitchen in Denver. Read the back of any cake box on the shelf, there are special instructions for baking at high altitudes because baking is SCIENCE. Please enjoy this explanation from King Arthur Baking website:
"The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure. While this is an excellent environment for training athletes, it is a difficult one for baking recipes. Baking depends on the specific interactions of several kinds of ingredients: flour, leavening, fats, liquid. To complicate things further, individual microclimates vary greatly in the mountains, so the adjustment that works for you may not work for your neighbor down (or up) the road."
So yeah. The author either doesn't know anything about baking, or just doesn't care because she wanted to set this in Colorado and who would even know about the baking thing (hint: literally anyone who has read the back of a brownie box).
Alright, I decided to ignore this and continue on. Maybe I'll fall in love with the characters... Shockingly, I pretty much hated everyone down to Nonna, the lovable Grandma who makes innuendos and drinks like a fish . JoJo and Cade fall in love over her baking, his love of history (What? Not his hockey playing? No, she doesn't care about hockey because ☆SHE is NOT like OTHER girls�) and her honesty, because all other females are not honest. Way to just dismiss all other females Cade. Of course there are bumps in their near-perfect relationship, but they are mostly minor and low stakes.
The writing style, the lack of editor (an injury moves from the left to the right side of Cades' face a few pages later), and the characters who seem to have a terrible time communicating like adults make this a slog to get through.
So, I came across this book and it sounded cute and right up my alley, baking and ice hockey, bring it on! Then I started reading the actual book and, what even? It starts out with our hero, JoJo, explaining how she works in recipe testing for a baking magazine in Denver. This is when warning bells started and I should have just stopped. No baking magazine would EVER have a testing kitchen in Denver. Read the back of any cake box on the shelf, there are special instructions for baking at high altitudes because baking is SCIENCE. Please enjoy this explanation from King Arthur Baking website:
"The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure. While this is an excellent environment for training athletes, it is a difficult one for baking recipes. Baking depends on the specific interactions of several kinds of ingredients: flour, leavening, fats, liquid. To complicate things further, individual microclimates vary greatly in the mountains, so the adjustment that works for you may not work for your neighbor down (or up) the road."
So yeah. The author either doesn't know anything about baking, or just doesn't care because she wanted to set this in Colorado and who would even know about the baking thing (hint: literally anyone who has read the back of a brownie box).
Alright, I decided to ignore this and continue on. Maybe I'll fall in love with the characters... Shockingly, I pretty much hated everyone down to Nonna, the lovable Grandma who makes innuendos and drinks like a fish . JoJo and Cade fall in love over her baking, his love of history (What? Not his hockey playing? No, she doesn't care about hockey because ☆SHE is NOT like OTHER girls�) and her honesty, because all other females are not honest. Way to just dismiss all other females Cade. Of course there are bumps in their near-perfect relationship, but they are mostly minor and low stakes.
The writing style, the lack of editor (an injury moves from the left to the right side of Cades' face a few pages later), and the characters who seem to have a terrible time communicating like adults make this a slog to get through.
June 9, 2019
Who doesn't love a hot hockey player????? And especially when the book is a freebie.
Okay - so the story follows JoJo/Josephine who works as a recipe tester/creator. She loves cooking, but is more passionate about baking. She is on the mends of a broken heart. During one of her baking days at home, her ovens dies so she runs upstairs to her friend's boyfriend's apartment hoping to borrow his. Well, the roommate, Cade, is there instead. And he is a hunky hockey player. Cade lets her use the oven but wants to have a slice of the cheesecake and her company. They talk and fall for each other.
Such a cheesy, cheesy romance and I adored it. So cute and fluffy and super Chick Lit worthy. I want this to be a Hallmark movie!!!!!
I liked JoJo. She was over-the-top, but fun.
I adored Cade, but he was too perfect at first. History fan and a hockey player???? Wha? WHO DUG INTO MY MIND AND CREATED HIM! Gah! But yes, we do find out later he isn't perfect. He really has trust issues because of his ex. Thank goodness. I was worried he was going to be the perfect guy eva without a flaw. *wipes sweat from brow*.
I had to take a break from this for a couple of days. Not that it was bad. It was too sweet for me. The beginning was over-the-top cute and sweet. About halfway is when we hit some snags in this relationship. It saved the story, to be honest.
The ending was good. But I did hate how quickly they were able to fix all their issues. Two fights overall? Nah. Not realistic.
I loved Skye. I want to read her story!!!!! She needs a HEA.
Mmmm...I also wasn't a huge fan of the format. It read like a diary sometimes. I got used to it....but yeah - not my favorite. HOWEVER, I did like how each chapter began with JoJo's mission of the day. It makes me wanna do one! But I am FAR too lazy for that.
Overall, this wasn't bad. It was fun and light. Not realistic enough at the ending there, but it was fun. I'll give this 3 stars.
Okay - so the story follows JoJo/Josephine who works as a recipe tester/creator. She loves cooking, but is more passionate about baking. She is on the mends of a broken heart. During one of her baking days at home, her ovens dies so she runs upstairs to her friend's boyfriend's apartment hoping to borrow his. Well, the roommate, Cade, is there instead. And he is a hunky hockey player. Cade lets her use the oven but wants to have a slice of the cheesecake and her company. They talk and fall for each other.
Such a cheesy, cheesy romance and I adored it. So cute and fluffy and super Chick Lit worthy. I want this to be a Hallmark movie!!!!!
I liked JoJo. She was over-the-top, but fun.
I adored Cade, but he was too perfect at first. History fan and a hockey player???? Wha? WHO DUG INTO MY MIND AND CREATED HIM! Gah! But yes, we do find out later he isn't perfect. He really has trust issues because of his ex. Thank goodness. I was worried he was going to be the perfect guy eva without a flaw. *wipes sweat from brow*.
I had to take a break from this for a couple of days. Not that it was bad. It was too sweet for me. The beginning was over-the-top cute and sweet. About halfway is when we hit some snags in this relationship. It saved the story, to be honest.
The ending was good. But I did hate how quickly they were able to fix all their issues. Two fights overall? Nah. Not realistic.
I loved Skye. I want to read her story!!!!! She needs a HEA.
Mmmm...I also wasn't a huge fan of the format. It read like a diary sometimes. I got used to it....but yeah - not my favorite. HOWEVER, I did like how each chapter began with JoJo's mission of the day. It makes me wanna do one! But I am FAR too lazy for that.
Overall, this wasn't bad. It was fun and light. Not realistic enough at the ending there, but it was fun. I'll give this 3 stars.
December 20, 2020
This is one of the worst kindle books I have ever purchased for 99 cents.
I honestly can't fathom how this book has gotten so many terrific reviews.
The book is centered around this Italian baker Josephine and a famous aggressive hockey player Cade.
The romance moved way too quickly, by page 5, JoJo was already falling for the hunky hockey player 2 floors up. They shared their first kiss 24% into the book. The romance was way too sweet and mushy (and I eat sweet romance up, this was just way too much) I also felt that every romantic scene felt forced. It just didn't sit right with me.
If you go into this book and expect to get a good amount of hockey, like the description implies, don't fool yourself. The author does not represent hockey well. JoJo only goes to one game and even then her focus isn't even on the game itself.
I hated JoJo, she was annoying and clumsy. She got a fishing hook stuck in Cade's knee on some weird fishing date and passed out. she tripped on some hike because she was looking at his butt. She has the personality of a unseasoned potato chip. Her inner thoughts and dialogue were dry and boring, found myself skipping over most of the pages.
The conflict was probably the most unrealistic situation possible.
I mean come on people, he got pissed over the fact that she lied about his cake being tasty. SHE MADE ONE LITTLE ITTY BITTY LIE ABOUT WHAT HIS CAKE TASTED LIKE. and when he tasted it and realized it was absolutely disgusting he blew up at her. like its your own damn fault you cant bake, don't be toxic.
I could go on and on but I'll save your time.
This book was terrible, don't waste your time.
I honestly can't fathom how this book has gotten so many terrific reviews.
The book is centered around this Italian baker Josephine and a famous aggressive hockey player Cade.
The romance moved way too quickly, by page 5, JoJo was already falling for the hunky hockey player 2 floors up. They shared their first kiss 24% into the book. The romance was way too sweet and mushy (and I eat sweet romance up, this was just way too much) I also felt that every romantic scene felt forced. It just didn't sit right with me.
If you go into this book and expect to get a good amount of hockey, like the description implies, don't fool yourself. The author does not represent hockey well. JoJo only goes to one game and even then her focus isn't even on the game itself.
I hated JoJo, she was annoying and clumsy. She got a fishing hook stuck in Cade's knee on some weird fishing date and passed out. she tripped on some hike because she was looking at his butt. She has the personality of a unseasoned potato chip. Her inner thoughts and dialogue were dry and boring, found myself skipping over most of the pages.
The conflict was probably the most unrealistic situation possible.
I mean come on people, he got pissed over the fact that she lied about his cake being tasty. SHE MADE ONE LITTLE ITTY BITTY LIE ABOUT WHAT HIS CAKE TASTED LIKE. and when he tasted it and realized it was absolutely disgusting he blew up at her. like its your own damn fault you cant bake, don't be toxic.
I could go on and on but I'll save your time.
This book was terrible, don't waste your time.
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