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New York Legends #1
Thrown for a Loop: A New York Legends Hockey Romance
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Expected 4 Nov 25Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 23:33:53
25 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Fans suspect that the bad boy of hockey has a few skeletons in his closet. They have no idea he also has a sparkly bodysuit… #toepick!
When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.
Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.
And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.
Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chris to reprise their flashy routine.
Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart.
When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.
Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.
And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.
Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chris to reprise their flashy routine.
Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart.
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Expected publication November 4, 2025
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About the author
Sarina Bowen
105 books18.7k followers
Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!
You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
July 26, 2025
4 ⭐️
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance hockey romance with mild The Cutting Edge vibes, forced proximity, great side characters and just a touch of spice. As a hockey fan, this hit the spot and was the perfect palate cleanser between some heavier reads.
Ten years ago, teenage hockey player Chase and figure skater Zoe met at a skating camp and had a brief but intense connection until a mistake by Zoe cost Chase his summer job and more, leaving things on a sour note. Now, Zoe is an Olympic silver medalist turned skating coach for the New York Legends, the same team where Chase is a star player struggling through a tough season. Their unexpected reunion is awkward, to say the least. When an old video of their skating routine resurfaces and goes viral, team management sees a PR opportunity and forces them to perform the routine again, this time for charity.
The story is told in dual timelines—present day and ten years ago. In the first half of the book, flashback chapters alternate with the present, which made it a little harder for me to stay focused on what was happening in the present. However, in the second half, the flashbacks are spaced out more, which made it easier for me to stay connected to the present-day story.
Both Zoe and Chase were likable MCs, and I really liked that you could see how they matured in that decade spent apart. The reason for their ten year gap felt plausible, and there was only one tiny miscommunication that got resolved quickly, so huge kudos for handling those aspects well. This was my first Sarina Bowen novel but most definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to Darcy and Tremaine’s story which will be the next in this new series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my eARC. Expected Pub date 11/4/25.
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance hockey romance with mild The Cutting Edge vibes, forced proximity, great side characters and just a touch of spice. As a hockey fan, this hit the spot and was the perfect palate cleanser between some heavier reads.
Ten years ago, teenage hockey player Chase and figure skater Zoe met at a skating camp and had a brief but intense connection until a mistake by Zoe cost Chase his summer job and more, leaving things on a sour note. Now, Zoe is an Olympic silver medalist turned skating coach for the New York Legends, the same team where Chase is a star player struggling through a tough season. Their unexpected reunion is awkward, to say the least. When an old video of their skating routine resurfaces and goes viral, team management sees a PR opportunity and forces them to perform the routine again, this time for charity.
The story is told in dual timelines—present day and ten years ago. In the first half of the book, flashback chapters alternate with the present, which made it a little harder for me to stay focused on what was happening in the present. However, in the second half, the flashbacks are spaced out more, which made it easier for me to stay connected to the present-day story.
Both Zoe and Chase were likable MCs, and I really liked that you could see how they matured in that decade spent apart. The reason for their ten year gap felt plausible, and there was only one tiny miscommunication that got resolved quickly, so huge kudos for handling those aspects well. This was my first Sarina Bowen novel but most definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to Darcy and Tremaine’s story which will be the next in this new series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my eARC. Expected Pub date 11/4/25.
October 27, 2025
Needing a fresh start, former figure skating queen Zoe Carson gets a gig as a hockey skating coach for the NHL team the New York Legends. It would be an easy and even an enjoyable job if she didn’t have to come face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago. But she can handle this inconvenience until she sees the cold fire of anger in his blue eyes whenever he looks at her.
Confused by his anger and the lingering love she still has for him, Zoe tries to keep her distance until a series of unfortunate events, like a brawl at a bar, Chase’s need for help with his skating, and a video of them skating when they were young going viral, force them to be together. They were once magic on and off the ice when they were together, but now their distrust in each other is making them off sync. Can Zoe and Chase put aside their anger and hurt to not only solidify Zoe as a skating coach but also to heal the wounds that have been bleeding all over their lives for a decade?
I am not going to lie, I did not go into this expecting to enjoy it. 😏
I don’t have anything against hockey or romances at all, but perhaps I thought it was going to be slightly cheesy and predictable. Well, most romances are kinda predictable (which is why I enjoy reading them when I want an easy read), but this book was more than just a romance. Sure, it was part of the plot, but it was mainly about Zoe trying to make her mark as a skating coach for the team and realizing she needed to create boundaries with those trying to control her, with a splash of mystery that kept me intrigued to the very end. The romance part was just the cherry on top, which I really appreciate. Not only did I root for Zoe and Chase and their second-chance romance, but I also felt that the ending was well-deserved, given the characters' growth, communication, and eventual resolution. 👏🏼
All that to say, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the terminology and literally everything concerning figure skating and hockey. I feel somewhat smarter now, lol! 😂 I also liked the banter and friendships Zoe created with everyone on and working with the team. It felt real and was more than amusing, putting a stupid smile on my face when the guys would joke around with Chase or defend Zoe. 🤭
This story was just really fun! 🤩 I think I needed it after reading a heartbreaking book, so perhaps it was just right place, right time. Either way, I am so excited that this is going to be a series, which means more hot hockey players and relatable FMCs! Apparently, the next book is about Darcy and Tremaine, so, yes, queen, I am all here for it! 👏🏼😆
I totally recommend this cute and fun hockey romance, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🏒⛸
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Loss of a parent, mentions alcoholic and abusive parent, & blood
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes, but mainly mentions it. (🌶🌶/5)
Confused by his anger and the lingering love she still has for him, Zoe tries to keep her distance until a series of unfortunate events, like a brawl at a bar, Chase’s need for help with his skating, and a video of them skating when they were young going viral, force them to be together. They were once magic on and off the ice when they were together, but now their distrust in each other is making them off sync. Can Zoe and Chase put aside their anger and hurt to not only solidify Zoe as a skating coach but also to heal the wounds that have been bleeding all over their lives for a decade?
I am not going to lie, I did not go into this expecting to enjoy it. 😏
I don’t have anything against hockey or romances at all, but perhaps I thought it was going to be slightly cheesy and predictable. Well, most romances are kinda predictable (which is why I enjoy reading them when I want an easy read), but this book was more than just a romance. Sure, it was part of the plot, but it was mainly about Zoe trying to make her mark as a skating coach for the team and realizing she needed to create boundaries with those trying to control her, with a splash of mystery that kept me intrigued to the very end. The romance part was just the cherry on top, which I really appreciate. Not only did I root for Zoe and Chase and their second-chance romance, but I also felt that the ending was well-deserved, given the characters' growth, communication, and eventual resolution. 👏🏼
All that to say, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the terminology and literally everything concerning figure skating and hockey. I feel somewhat smarter now, lol! 😂 I also liked the banter and friendships Zoe created with everyone on and working with the team. It felt real and was more than amusing, putting a stupid smile on my face when the guys would joke around with Chase or defend Zoe. 🤭
This story was just really fun! 🤩 I think I needed it after reading a heartbreaking book, so perhaps it was just right place, right time. Either way, I am so excited that this is going to be a series, which means more hot hockey players and relatable FMCs! Apparently, the next book is about Darcy and Tremaine, so, yes, queen, I am all here for it! 👏🏼😆
I totally recommend this cute and fun hockey romance, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🏒⛸
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Loss of a parent, mentions alcoholic and abusive parent, & blood
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes, but mainly mentions it. (🌶🌶/5)
September 15, 2025
4 stars
This book was so much fun! I love hockey, figure skating, and Sarina Bowen, so I was sure this would be a win for me. And it was! Chase and Zoe meet at a skating camp when they're teens. A chunk of this book takes place back then, but the majority takes place about 10 years later. Chase is a famous hockey player, and Zoe is a skating coach. I loved watching their second chance love story blossom. I enjoyed the slow burn romance and I'm excited to read more from this series.
This book was so much fun! I love hockey, figure skating, and Sarina Bowen, so I was sure this would be a win for me. And it was! Chase and Zoe meet at a skating camp when they're teens. A chunk of this book takes place back then, but the majority takes place about 10 years later. Chase is a famous hockey player, and Zoe is a skating coach. I loved watching their second chance love story blossom. I enjoyed the slow burn romance and I'm excited to read more from this series.
July 14, 2025
Ten years ago, the characters spent a summer at figure skating camp, quickly fell in love, but one mistake on Zoe’s part tore them apart. Chase is now the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe is their new skating coach. It seems he is still holding a grudge, and she realizes the attraction between them hasn’t gone anywhere.
The moment I got the ARC, I dove right in—this is a brand-new hockey romance from Sarina Bowen! The book follows a dual timeline—we get to see how their love first blossomed, how fiercely Zoe’s mother protected her, and how vulnerable but hopelessly in love Chase was back then. In the present day, things are different—Zoe is a confident woman who can stand her ground, while Chase is a grumpy, closed-off guy. It was so satisfying to watch his walls slowly come down as he let her back into his life.
I also really appreciated how much actual hockey and figure skating are in this book—you can tell the author truly knows what she’s talking about!
The past chapters were written in third person, which made switching between timelines a bit tricky. I would’ve preferred those scenes to also be in the characters’ POVs to keep the emotional flow more consistent.
I finished the book in a day and genuinely enjoyed it! I’m super intrigued by Darcy and Tremaine and can’t wait to read their story next!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓hockey romance
✓second chance
✓dual timeline
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The moment I got the ARC, I dove right in—this is a brand-new hockey romance from Sarina Bowen! The book follows a dual timeline—we get to see how their love first blossomed, how fiercely Zoe’s mother protected her, and how vulnerable but hopelessly in love Chase was back then. In the present day, things are different—Zoe is a confident woman who can stand her ground, while Chase is a grumpy, closed-off guy. It was so satisfying to watch his walls slowly come down as he let her back into his life.
I also really appreciated how much actual hockey and figure skating are in this book—you can tell the author truly knows what she’s talking about!
The past chapters were written in third person, which made switching between timelines a bit tricky. I would’ve preferred those scenes to also be in the characters’ POVs to keep the emotional flow more consistent.
I finished the book in a day and genuinely enjoyed it! I’m super intrigued by Darcy and Tremaine and can’t wait to read their story next!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓hockey romance
✓second chance
✓dual timeline
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and to Grand Central Publishing as well as the author for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
OMMMG I loveeed this book! I couldn't put it down. Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson met at skating camp 10 years ago while they were kids. They had instant connection but Zoe's mom drove them apart. Life goes on and eventually Zoe lands a coaching job at the Legends, New York hockey team, where Chase plays.
Cannot wait to read the rest of series when the books come out. Hopefully they are as great as this one.
OMMMG I loveeed this book! I couldn't put it down. Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson met at skating camp 10 years ago while they were kids. They had instant connection but Zoe's mom drove them apart. Life goes on and eventually Zoe lands a coaching job at the Legends, New York hockey team, where Chase plays.
Cannot wait to read the rest of series when the books come out. Hopefully they are as great as this one.
October 19, 2025
This one was actually really good. Very easy to read and wasn’t as frustrating as I was thinking it was going to be considering the second chance — and effectively the miscommunication I saw coming a mile away — but the way it unfolded was kinda refreshing but also too good to be true?
The reason it’s not exactly five stars is because the way the miscommunication was resolved felt a little anticlimactic?? Like I needed more drama. Maybe that’s just my chaos loving self being greedy but idk it needed a little more umph iykwim.
Other than that I liked the characters, their roles in the book and surprisingly the past/present time jumps too.
I cannotttt wait for Darcy and Tremaine’s book 🤭🤭🤭
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC! ♥︎
The reason it’s not exactly five stars is because the way the miscommunication was resolved felt a little anticlimactic?? Like I needed more drama. Maybe that’s just my chaos loving self being greedy but idk it needed a little more umph iykwim.
Other than that I liked the characters, their roles in the book and surprisingly the past/present time jumps too.
I cannotttt wait for Darcy and Tremaine’s book 🤭🤭🤭
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC! ♥︎
July 15, 2025
I've only read the Him series by this author, but I saw this arc available and it looked really good so I thought "why not?". Well guys, I really love hockey romance.
Thrown for a Loop is told in a dual timeline, first person with our main character, Zoe, in the present and past in second person. Not gonna lie, that threw me off at first, but I soon got used to it and it didn't bother me much. We follow a hockey player and a skating coach that in the past skated together in a skating camp. The dual timeline made the story addictive, I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know what happened. This was the perfect length, the right amount of angst and spice too.
Is it a little cheesy? Yes. A bit too cliche? Definitely. But sometimes that's all you want.
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series, I'll miss these characters in the meantime.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
Thrown for a Loop is told in a dual timeline, first person with our main character, Zoe, in the present and past in second person. Not gonna lie, that threw me off at first, but I soon got used to it and it didn't bother me much. We follow a hockey player and a skating coach that in the past skated together in a skating camp. The dual timeline made the story addictive, I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know what happened. This was the perfect length, the right amount of angst and spice too.
Is it a little cheesy? Yes. A bit too cliche? Definitely. But sometimes that's all you want.
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series, I'll miss these characters in the meantime.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
August 27, 2025
This is a fun and cute little hockey book with a solid storyline and writing. Zoe and Chase first met as coaches at a skating camp years ago. After a contentious ending, they are now back working together, with her as a skating coach and him as a professional hockey player. When their old skating videos resurface, they are brought back together for the good of the team and their reputations.
The setup of this book was interesting. The present-day chapters were told from Zoe’s POV, while the flashbacks were from Chase’s POV. I thought that was a unique choice, but I am not sure it was very effective here. I wished it had been dual POV in both time frames. The flashbacks also stopped halfway through, and I felt the pacing could have been adjusted to carry that structure throughout the entire book.
Overall, it was very cute, but I am especially looking forward to the next book. Those characters caught my eye, and their story seems like it will be even more fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy!
The setup of this book was interesting. The present-day chapters were told from Zoe’s POV, while the flashbacks were from Chase’s POV. I thought that was a unique choice, but I am not sure it was very effective here. I wished it had been dual POV in both time frames. The flashbacks also stopped halfway through, and I felt the pacing could have been adjusted to carry that structure throughout the entire book.
Overall, it was very cute, but I am especially looking forward to the next book. Those characters caught my eye, and their story seems like it will be even more fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy!
July 3, 2025
As soon as I had the chance to read Thrown For A Loop, I took it... and I absolutely loved it. I devoured it, couldn't put it down.
Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson met at a skating camp when they were teens. They started a sweet relationship, but their break up was so devastating they didn't speak ever again. After an incredible career as a figure skater, Zoe has landed a coaching job at the Legends, New York hockey franchise. After so many medals, she has now to win the players trust and to gain their respect, but it won't be easy because Chase is one of them, and he still despise her.
Zoe and Chase are funny, kind, and driven. Their tension and attraction are palpable, but they can't move forward together if they don't clarify what happened in the past first.
I've enjoyed their journey, it was a pleasure to see them get over their misunderstandings and to build a more mature and stronger relationship because they deserve their happily ever after.
Sarina Bowen wrote a new hit with her engaging storytelling, exciting sports scenes, and charming characters. It was a nice touch to tell the present story through Zoe's pov and the past through Chase's one, it set a good flow, also giving more depth to the story and the characters.
I can't wait to continue the series because there are other two players I'm curious about
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
July 12, 2025
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen
It’s the off-season. No NHL games. No highlights. No dramatic fights over puck possession. So what do I do? I read about hot hockey players falling for fiercely independent women who have zero time for their nonsense. Enter Chase and Zoe — and suddenly, my off-season is looking a lot more interesting.
Zoe is a driven, no-nonsense ice skating coach who’s worked hard to carve out a stable, drama-free life. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a cocky hockey player — especially not one who once made her feel like a fool and never really apologized.
But when circumstances force Zoe and Chase, professional hockey player and walking temptations back into each other’s orbit, the spark between them is very much not dead. There’s tension, history, grudges, and a whole lot of banter — and when feelings start to slip through the cracks, things get complicated fast.
Zoe & Chase: Second-Chance Tension Done Right
Zoe is sharp, practical, and has ice in her veins — in the best way. She’s the kind of heroine who keeps her guard up, especially around ex-flings who are too handsome for their own good. She’s focused on her coaching career and has no interest in playing emotional defense against Chase… again.
Chase is charming, slightly clueless, and somehow both cocky and genuinely sweet. He’s carrying a little career baggage, a lot of pride, and more emotional intelligence than you'd expect — when it counts. His arc is all about showing up, growing up, and finally saying what needed to be said years ago.
Their dynamic? Sizzling with unresolved tension, sarcastic quips, stolen glances, and that delicious “we shouldn’t… but we want to” energy. Slow-burn with a history. My favorite kind.
Sass, Spice, and everything nice
There’s no shortage of humor here — Zoe’s internal commentary alone had me grinning. She’s blunt, sharp, and painfully honest in her thoughts, especially when Chase pushes her buttons (which he does. Often. On purpose).
The side characters are fun, vibrant, and bring extra life to the story without stealing focus. And the worldbuilding around the ice — both Zoe’s figure skating world and Chase’s hockey universe — is well done without being overly technical.
And let’s be honest: the spice hits exactly when and how it should. It’s not over the top — it’s earned, intimate, and layered with real emotion. Just how I like it.
4 stars — because even when the rinks are quiet, my love for hockey romance is alive and well.
Thrown for a Loop gives you:
An ice queen coach with a sharp tongue and zero tolerance for BS
A charming, slightly regretful hockey player trying to earn his second shot
Banter that stings, kisses that melt, and tension that refuses to die
And the perfect off-season escape with heart, heat, and humor
Hockey may be out of season — but this romance? Absolute playoff material.
Thank you Netgalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Sarina Bowen for my eArc, I was under no obligation to review, all opinions are my own.
It’s the off-season. No NHL games. No highlights. No dramatic fights over puck possession. So what do I do? I read about hot hockey players falling for fiercely independent women who have zero time for their nonsense. Enter Chase and Zoe — and suddenly, my off-season is looking a lot more interesting.
Zoe is a driven, no-nonsense ice skating coach who’s worked hard to carve out a stable, drama-free life. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a cocky hockey player — especially not one who once made her feel like a fool and never really apologized.
But when circumstances force Zoe and Chase, professional hockey player and walking temptations back into each other’s orbit, the spark between them is very much not dead. There’s tension, history, grudges, and a whole lot of banter — and when feelings start to slip through the cracks, things get complicated fast.
Zoe & Chase: Second-Chance Tension Done Right
Zoe is sharp, practical, and has ice in her veins — in the best way. She’s the kind of heroine who keeps her guard up, especially around ex-flings who are too handsome for their own good. She’s focused on her coaching career and has no interest in playing emotional defense against Chase… again.
Chase is charming, slightly clueless, and somehow both cocky and genuinely sweet. He’s carrying a little career baggage, a lot of pride, and more emotional intelligence than you'd expect — when it counts. His arc is all about showing up, growing up, and finally saying what needed to be said years ago.
Their dynamic? Sizzling with unresolved tension, sarcastic quips, stolen glances, and that delicious “we shouldn’t… but we want to” energy. Slow-burn with a history. My favorite kind.
Sass, Spice, and everything nice
There’s no shortage of humor here — Zoe’s internal commentary alone had me grinning. She’s blunt, sharp, and painfully honest in her thoughts, especially when Chase pushes her buttons (which he does. Often. On purpose).
The side characters are fun, vibrant, and bring extra life to the story without stealing focus. And the worldbuilding around the ice — both Zoe’s figure skating world and Chase’s hockey universe — is well done without being overly technical.
And let’s be honest: the spice hits exactly when and how it should. It’s not over the top — it’s earned, intimate, and layered with real emotion. Just how I like it.
4 stars — because even when the rinks are quiet, my love for hockey romance is alive and well.
Thrown for a Loop gives you:
An ice queen coach with a sharp tongue and zero tolerance for BS
A charming, slightly regretful hockey player trying to earn his second shot
Banter that stings, kisses that melt, and tension that refuses to die
And the perfect off-season escape with heart, heat, and humor
Hockey may be out of season — but this romance? Absolute playoff material.
Thank you Netgalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Sarina Bowen for my eArc, I was under no obligation to review, all opinions are my own.
October 18, 2025
Second chance always hits
Full rtc
Full rtc
September 26, 2025
I love that Zoe, as a former figure skater, was hired to teach the hockey players how to adjust how they skate to make them better players. It’s a unique twist to the hockey trope and made for a fun read.
Chase was awesome. Once he and Zoe got over their past, I knew I’d love him for her. I’m not always a fan of going back in time in a book, but I’ll admit I enjoyed reading how these two first fell in love.
Overall, a fun read with great main characters and fun side-characters.
Chase was awesome. Once he and Zoe got over their past, I knew I’d love him for her. I’m not always a fan of going back in time in a book, but I’ll admit I enjoyed reading how these two first fell in love.
Overall, a fun read with great main characters and fun side-characters.
August 10, 2025
4⭐️
A new hockey series from Sarina Bowen? I jumped on this SO fast. I loved her Brooklyn/Brooklyn Bruisers series and I'm really hoping we get to see some of the Legend's guys get their turn in the spotlight!
Zoe Carson, former Olympic ice dancer, is starting her new job as a skating coach for the New York Legends hockey team. The only problem? Her ex Chase Merritt, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in ten years, plays for said team. The two of them worked at a figure skating camp when they were teenagers, and fell fast and hard for each other. We get a series of flashback chapters of their time at the camp, interspersed with the current timeline.
I don't think the flashback chapters worked that well? We had short chapters in the beginning with frequent flashbacks- so it felt like every time the current timeline was actually getting somewhere plot-wise, you were thrown back to the camp. It was just kind of jarring. I think it also delayed getting to know Zoe and Chase in the now- they barely even spend time together as adults in the first half of the book.
When I first read the synopsis I won't lie, I thought the plot sounded too cheesy for me. But it actually worked and made sense in this world. Chase has had some bad PR lately and when an old video of him and Zoe ice skating at camp resurfaces and goes viral, the Legends team jumps on the opportunity. They ask Zoe and Chase to recreate the routine at an upcoming charity event, and Zoe agrees because she's desperate to make a good impression and get a full-time job. I thought it added some fun to the hockey-filled world, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with for Darcy and Tremaine!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A new hockey series from Sarina Bowen? I jumped on this SO fast. I loved her Brooklyn/Brooklyn Bruisers series and I'm really hoping we get to see some of the Legend's guys get their turn in the spotlight!
Zoe Carson, former Olympic ice dancer, is starting her new job as a skating coach for the New York Legends hockey team. The only problem? Her ex Chase Merritt, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in ten years, plays for said team. The two of them worked at a figure skating camp when they were teenagers, and fell fast and hard for each other. We get a series of flashback chapters of their time at the camp, interspersed with the current timeline.
I don't think the flashback chapters worked that well? We had short chapters in the beginning with frequent flashbacks- so it felt like every time the current timeline was actually getting somewhere plot-wise, you were thrown back to the camp. It was just kind of jarring. I think it also delayed getting to know Zoe and Chase in the now- they barely even spend time together as adults in the first half of the book.
When I first read the synopsis I won't lie, I thought the plot sounded too cheesy for me. But it actually worked and made sense in this world. Chase has had some bad PR lately and when an old video of him and Zoe ice skating at camp resurfaces and goes viral, the Legends team jumps on the opportunity. They ask Zoe and Chase to recreate the routine at an upcoming charity event, and Zoe agrees because she's desperate to make a good impression and get a full-time job. I thought it added some fun to the hockey-filled world, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with for Darcy and Tremaine!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2025
4.5. This was such a cute read! In this book, Zoe and Chase reunite 10 years after their teenage summer fling. Once promising skaters (Zoe as a figure skater, Chase as a hockey player), they are now in new phases of their life -- Chase is a star hockey player on an NHL team while Zoe has retired after going to the Olympics and is now a skating coach for Chase's team. They didn't end their summer of love on a good note, so there's immediate tension when they meet again. The story is told through alternating POV and alternates between present day and flashbacks, adding a nice variety to the read and tension to the plot as you slowly find out what happened in their past.
I will be the first to admit that second chance romance is perhaps my least favorite trope, and author Bowen did an incredible job in making the trope feel fresh and--most importantly for me--not frustrating. Yes, the breakup was based on a miscommunication at the time, but there are nuances to the miscommunication and as adults, the miscommunication is not a belabored plot point (if you can't tell, this is what most bothers me about second chance romances). Instead, I found their teenage romance to be adorably precious and their adult selves to be interesting, well-rounded, and mature as they approached each other again.
I do think there were a few heavier topics that the book introduced that could have been addressed more completely and instead felt a little rushed in the wrap-up (mainly, the issues surrounding Zoe's mom and Chase's dad).
Still, I was glued to this book until I got to the end. I really enjoyed this and I'm already chomping at the bit for the second book in the series (no spoilers, but I can't wait for those characters to get together!)
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
I will be the first to admit that second chance romance is perhaps my least favorite trope, and author Bowen did an incredible job in making the trope feel fresh and--most importantly for me--not frustrating. Yes, the breakup was based on a miscommunication at the time, but there are nuances to the miscommunication and as adults, the miscommunication is not a belabored plot point (if you can't tell, this is what most bothers me about second chance romances). Instead, I found their teenage romance to be adorably precious and their adult selves to be interesting, well-rounded, and mature as they approached each other again.
I do think there were a few heavier topics that the book introduced that could have been addressed more completely and instead felt a little rushed in the wrap-up (mainly, the issues surrounding Zoe's mom and Chase's dad).
Still, I was glued to this book until I got to the end. I really enjoyed this and I'm already chomping at the bit for the second book in the series (no spoilers, but I can't wait for those characters to get together!)
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
Read
July 26, 2025unfortunately i have to stop reading this book at 37%..
when i first started reading again sarina bowen was a go to author for me. her hockey romances were so good, when i saw this one announced i needed to read it. sadly there were just so many cringey moments in the dialogue that i was snuggling to push through the story. the book is told in two timelines and the second timeline has out main male character unironically using the word "dudes" ... no thanks
I gave myself two days and i felt no want to pick this book up and finish it. if it comes out and people looooooove the second half maybe i'll pick it up but this wasn't for me. its sad though because rookie move, another second chance hockey romance by this author, is so, so good..
when i first started reading again sarina bowen was a go to author for me. her hockey romances were so good, when i saw this one announced i needed to read it. sadly there were just so many cringey moments in the dialogue that i was snuggling to push through the story. the book is told in two timelines and the second timeline has out main male character unironically using the word "dudes" ... no thanks
I gave myself two days and i felt no want to pick this book up and finish it. if it comes out and people looooooove the second half maybe i'll pick it up but this wasn't for me. its sad though because rookie move, another second chance hockey romance by this author, is so, so good..
October 9, 2025
#Review: *Thrown For A Loop* - Sarina Bowen [16+]
4.7/5✨
2/5🌶️
I got the chance to read this book after I found it in one of Maren Moore's e-mails. Of course I had to read it, because it's a sports romance story😍, which are one of my favorites!
Our main characters had a pretty complicated history. Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson had met for the first time when they were teenagers. They were both present at a figure skating camp, where they had the chance to get to know each other and slowly to start growing some strong feelings for one another. But things weren't that easy at that time and their beautiful relationship suffered a big blow, which was enough to break everything up for them.
Ten years later and Zoe was trying to start over after her divorce with her ex husband. So, she applied for a job at the hockey team where Chase was now playing for. Their past was still hunting them and it was obvious that Chase wasn't that happy to have Zoe in his proximity everyday. Can they rekindle things after so much time? Can they get pass through the hurt they lived?
It was so captivating to see how everything evolved with Zoe and Chase, in both times they were in each other's company, present and past. Their love was so pure and innocent but people around them were against their relationship, so it was really hard to fight for it at that young age, especially when other things might threaten their future. In the present days, we had a clear loathing there, which created lots of tension between Chase and Zoe, which was something I adored in this story. I loved how determined Zoe was in fighting for her love and also for her new job, which wasn't at all an easy task. Also, I always love these hockey romance stories because of the other team members, which are often so much fun and easy to love. This one had that and I really liked those scenes!
A super sweet, second chance romance, which kept me entranced and made me fall in love with their love story. Even though they didn't have the support they wanted from their families, they went against everything to make sure what they had stood a chance. Perfect for readers who like a story with less spice in it🤭.
✨Tropes
#SecondChance
#EnemiesToLovers
#FirstLove
#SportsRomance
#DualTime
#ForcedProximity
4.7/5✨
2/5🌶️
I got the chance to read this book after I found it in one of Maren Moore's e-mails. Of course I had to read it, because it's a sports romance story😍, which are one of my favorites!
Our main characters had a pretty complicated history. Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson had met for the first time when they were teenagers. They were both present at a figure skating camp, where they had the chance to get to know each other and slowly to start growing some strong feelings for one another. But things weren't that easy at that time and their beautiful relationship suffered a big blow, which was enough to break everything up for them.
Ten years later and Zoe was trying to start over after her divorce with her ex husband. So, she applied for a job at the hockey team where Chase was now playing for. Their past was still hunting them and it was obvious that Chase wasn't that happy to have Zoe in his proximity everyday. Can they rekindle things after so much time? Can they get pass through the hurt they lived?
It was so captivating to see how everything evolved with Zoe and Chase, in both times they were in each other's company, present and past. Their love was so pure and innocent but people around them were against their relationship, so it was really hard to fight for it at that young age, especially when other things might threaten their future. In the present days, we had a clear loathing there, which created lots of tension between Chase and Zoe, which was something I adored in this story. I loved how determined Zoe was in fighting for her love and also for her new job, which wasn't at all an easy task. Also, I always love these hockey romance stories because of the other team members, which are often so much fun and easy to love. This one had that and I really liked those scenes!
A super sweet, second chance romance, which kept me entranced and made me fall in love with their love story. Even though they didn't have the support they wanted from their families, they went against everything to make sure what they had stood a chance. Perfect for readers who like a story with less spice in it🤭.
✨Tropes
#SecondChance
#EnemiesToLovers
#FirstLove
#SportsRomance
#DualTime
#ForcedProximity
October 10, 2025
this unfortunately was a massive loss for me. i really wanted to love this one as second chance is one of my favorite tropes lately & sarina bowen is an auto buy/read author of mine but this book was incredibly surface level and boring if im being completely honest.
i didnt hate everything about it and there were parts i found myself enjoying which is why im leaning towards two stars right now despite my overall feelings of the book. there were times where i really loved our main characters and other times where i felt they were so annoying. same could be said about most of the other characters aside from tremaine and darcy…
the writing of this book felt very chaotic and all over the place, i think the dual timeline really did this book a disservice. while it was nice to get to see some of their past relationship and how they fell for one another i think it definitely could have been done in a few chapters in the beginning and then switch over to current timeline for the rest of the book, it would have possibly made it feel less jarring and weird???
i didnt hate everything about it and there were parts i found myself enjoying which is why im leaning towards two stars right now despite my overall feelings of the book. there were times where i really loved our main characters and other times where i felt they were so annoying. same could be said about most of the other characters aside from tremaine and darcy…
the writing of this book felt very chaotic and all over the place, i think the dual timeline really did this book a disservice. while it was nice to get to see some of their past relationship and how they fell for one another i think it definitely could have been done in a few chapters in the beginning and then switch over to current timeline for the rest of the book, it would have possibly made it feel less jarring and weird???
October 6, 2025
Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars. The story between Zoe and Chase was cute, I love a good second chance story. Overall, I liked Zoe and Chase as the main characters, the book scratches at the surface of their childhood trauma, but I wanted more depth from the story. The flashbacks were interesting, I'm not sure why it was written in 3rd POV. I was also anticipating this big thing to blow up between them, and it was a bit anti-climactic for me. This book was a good palette cleanser for me and a very easy read.
*Second chance romance
*Coach/Hockey player
*1st POV - Zoe with flashbacks in 3rd POV
Format: audiobook (Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale and Ryan Hudson)
Thank you NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
*Second chance romance
*Coach/Hockey player
*1st POV - Zoe with flashbacks in 3rd POV
Format: audiobook (Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale and Ryan Hudson)
Thank you NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
October 17, 2025
Thrown for a loop by Sarina Bowen
ARC from Hackett Audio
Release date: Nov 4th 2025
-gotta love a sports romance/ hockey romance
-Zoe is determined, confident, strong and hilarious love her
-Chase is struggling but I feel like Zoe is about too electrify his life and i’m here for it , also blue eyes are my weakness 😫
-love the two timelines of them first meeting and the second chance time line
-them skating together sounds magical on ice they have so much chemistry and sexual tension
-the spice and forest time flashback was beautiful ✨
-this romance was adorable I loved Chase and Zoey together
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
ARC from Hackett Audio
Release date: Nov 4th 2025
-gotta love a sports romance/ hockey romance
-Zoe is determined, confident, strong and hilarious love her
-Chase is struggling but I feel like Zoe is about too electrify his life and i’m here for it , also blue eyes are my weakness 😫
-love the two timelines of them first meeting and the second chance time line
-them skating together sounds magical on ice they have so much chemistry and sexual tension
-the spice and forest time flashback was beautiful ✨
-this romance was adorable I loved Chase and Zoey together
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
October 5, 2025
3.75/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
Super cute, low-angst second chance romance! Loved the banter and the emotional growth between the characters. It’s cozy, funny, and just the right mix of heart and humor. Not super spicy, but full of feels. Perfect if you want something sweet and satisfying.
The narrators were good, but I hate third person narration. It took me out of the story every time.
Thanks to the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the early audiobook.
1/5 🌶️
Super cute, low-angst second chance romance! Loved the banter and the emotional growth between the characters. It’s cozy, funny, and just the right mix of heart and humor. Not super spicy, but full of feels. Perfect if you want something sweet and satisfying.
The narrators were good, but I hate third person narration. It took me out of the story every time.
Thanks to the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the early audiobook.
July 30, 2025
“Remember you? Zoe, I measure every woman I meet against what we had that summer.”
Thrown For a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance romance that follows skating Coach Zoe Carson and hockey winger Chase Merritt.
For me to really be able to enjoy a romance book, I need both pov’s, not just the girls. So getting Chase’s pov for the past chapters just wasn’t enough for me.
Also, I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance especially when it has a dual timeline, but focusing too much on the past makes me loose interest really fast which is what ended up happening. I found myself skimming majority of the past chapters bc most weren’t needed.
I feel like so much was going on that didn’t need to happen. All the miscommunication, the long chapters, etc.
All in all, the cover and synopsis gave me high hopes for a good second chance romance with angst and yearning but got none of that.
*Thank you to Forever Publishing, and to the author, Sarina Bowen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
Thrown For a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance romance that follows skating Coach Zoe Carson and hockey winger Chase Merritt.
For me to really be able to enjoy a romance book, I need both pov’s, not just the girls. So getting Chase’s pov for the past chapters just wasn’t enough for me.
Also, I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance especially when it has a dual timeline, but focusing too much on the past makes me loose interest really fast which is what ended up happening. I found myself skimming majority of the past chapters bc most weren’t needed.
I feel like so much was going on that didn’t need to happen. All the miscommunication, the long chapters, etc.
All in all, the cover and synopsis gave me high hopes for a good second chance romance with angst and yearning but got none of that.
*Thank you to Forever Publishing, and to the author, Sarina Bowen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
Read
July 17, 20253.5 stars.
I enjoyed "Thrown for a Loop" by Sarina Bowen for the most part. It is a second-chance hockey romance with a lot of trauma and emotional baggage between the two main characters. The story of Zoe and Chase is told in a dual timeline that flips back and forth between the present day and the events of about 10 years ago. Chase is a hockey player and MVP for the New York Legends. He has lost his mojo on the ice. Zoe has just been hired as the team's new coach and has made it her mission to help the men on the team enhance their game any way she can. She has the skills to back it up, being a former champion figure skater. Chase and Zoe have a history, leading to a lot of tension between the two of them. 10 years ago, they were both skating camp counselors who slowly fell in love with each other, despite the protestations of Zoe's overbearing family/mother. Zoe's every movement, caloric intake, and day down to the hour were tracked and scheduled with precision because she had an image and figure to maintain as a skater. When their relationship crashed and burned for *~reasons,*~ the two of them don't speak to each other for almost a decade, until Zoe becomes Chase's coach. I liked the dual timeline that tells Chase and Zoe's history. I do feel like this book is way, way too slow to unfold. Though there is a lot of detail put into their story, nothing really happens between the two of them until about 75% into the book. It took way too long to get to the crux of their feelings unfolding/relationship in the present day. Despite their very intense, very earth-shattering relationship 10 years ago, I didn't feel the depth between the two of them in the present day. There is a little bit of a mystery because Zoe is being given horrible notes from an anonymous person where she is called names and told to leave the team. The mystery is not that difficult to figure out, but that's besides the point. I did like the back and forth banter between the characters once it becomes clear they have to relive their glory days for charity and they are forced to spend more time with each other than is strictly necessary. All in all, I liked this book, though it is not my all-time favorite hockey romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I enjoyed "Thrown for a Loop" by Sarina Bowen for the most part. It is a second-chance hockey romance with a lot of trauma and emotional baggage between the two main characters. The story of Zoe and Chase is told in a dual timeline that flips back and forth between the present day and the events of about 10 years ago. Chase is a hockey player and MVP for the New York Legends. He has lost his mojo on the ice. Zoe has just been hired as the team's new coach and has made it her mission to help the men on the team enhance their game any way she can. She has the skills to back it up, being a former champion figure skater. Chase and Zoe have a history, leading to a lot of tension between the two of them. 10 years ago, they were both skating camp counselors who slowly fell in love with each other, despite the protestations of Zoe's overbearing family/mother. Zoe's every movement, caloric intake, and day down to the hour were tracked and scheduled with precision because she had an image and figure to maintain as a skater. When their relationship crashed and burned for *~reasons,*~ the two of them don't speak to each other for almost a decade, until Zoe becomes Chase's coach. I liked the dual timeline that tells Chase and Zoe's history. I do feel like this book is way, way too slow to unfold. Though there is a lot of detail put into their story, nothing really happens between the two of them until about 75% into the book. It took way too long to get to the crux of their feelings unfolding/relationship in the present day. Despite their very intense, very earth-shattering relationship 10 years ago, I didn't feel the depth between the two of them in the present day. There is a little bit of a mystery because Zoe is being given horrible notes from an anonymous person where she is called names and told to leave the team. The mystery is not that difficult to figure out, but that's besides the point. I did like the back and forth banter between the characters once it becomes clear they have to relive their glory days for charity and they are forced to spend more time with each other than is strictly necessary. All in all, I liked this book, though it is not my all-time favorite hockey romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 15, 2025
ARC Read - Releasing November 2025. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
Hockey - Figure skater second chance romance.
Zoe is starting a new job as a skating coach for the Legends hockey team. A previous professional figure skate herself, she has spent most of her life on the ice, being the quintessential “ice princess”. The only time she really let loose and fell in love was almost a decade ago, one summer fling at a skating camp with a charming hockey player named Chase. Only to have them be torn apart and broken hearted. But coming back to present - this new job happens to be coaching for Chase’s hockey team. And he is none too pleased to see her. As both of them remember the circumstances around their heartbreak differently, they continue to butt heads and fight their natural chemistry. But are they too broken and out of sync to ever rekindle their love? And will outside forces continue to tear them apart?
Hockey - Figure skater second chance romance.
Zoe is starting a new job as a skating coach for the Legends hockey team. A previous professional figure skate herself, she has spent most of her life on the ice, being the quintessential “ice princess”. The only time she really let loose and fell in love was almost a decade ago, one summer fling at a skating camp with a charming hockey player named Chase. Only to have them be torn apart and broken hearted. But coming back to present - this new job happens to be coaching for Chase’s hockey team. And he is none too pleased to see her. As both of them remember the circumstances around their heartbreak differently, they continue to butt heads and fight their natural chemistry. But are they too broken and out of sync to ever rekindle their love? And will outside forces continue to tear them apart?
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for the eARC.
This was my first Sarina Bowen book and it did not disappoint.
I am a sucker for a second chance romance and this was really well done. Zoe and Chase meet during a summer skating camp where they are both counselors. Chase gets to know Zoe and gets her to open up to a world outside of the intense world of figure skating.
Dual timelines set the stage for what went down with Zoe and Chase 10 years ago and what happens when they reconnect as adults when Zoe takes a job working for Chase's hockey team.
This was very sweet and touching with a bit of mystery thrown in. I liked the growth displayed by both MCs and them getting together when they were both ready for love.
I am very interested to read the rest of the series!
This was my first Sarina Bowen book and it did not disappoint.
I am a sucker for a second chance romance and this was really well done. Zoe and Chase meet during a summer skating camp where they are both counselors. Chase gets to know Zoe and gets her to open up to a world outside of the intense world of figure skating.
Dual timelines set the stage for what went down with Zoe and Chase 10 years ago and what happens when they reconnect as adults when Zoe takes a job working for Chase's hockey team.
This was very sweet and touching with a bit of mystery thrown in. I liked the growth displayed by both MCs and them getting together when they were both ready for love.
I am very interested to read the rest of the series!
October 15, 2025
4.5- This was a very easy-to-read, lighthearted, slow-burn, low-spice/fade to black hockey x skating romance. Although there was a slight lack of depth, this story was still gripping and entertaining.
The one thing that slightly bothered me was the flipping from 1st pov to 3rd pov when moving from present-day to flashbacks. It took me a while to get used to it. The present day was mainly told from Zoe's POV (1st), and the flashbacks were mainly Chase's POV (3rd) with a couple from Zoe.
I will continue with this series as it was such a great palate cleanser on top of being a refreshing sports romance.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ALC
The one thing that slightly bothered me was the flipping from 1st pov to 3rd pov when moving from present-day to flashbacks. It took me a while to get used to it. The present day was mainly told from Zoe's POV (1st), and the flashbacks were mainly Chase's POV (3rd) with a couple from Zoe.
I will continue with this series as it was such a great palate cleanser on top of being a refreshing sports romance.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ALC
August 24, 2025
This is a pretty solid hockey romance. I liked Chase and Zoe and felt they worked well together. I especially loved Zoe's strong character and her profession. I didn't love all of the flashbacks and found some of them to be boring and repetitive but I understood the reasoning for them and they did give a bit of understanding/depth to the story. I'm not always a fan of second chance romance but I think this one was done well.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2025
2.75⭐️
Thank you to ForeverPub and Sarina Bowen for an e-ARC of this book!
Unfortunately, despite my love for hockey romances, I did not enjoy this as much as I wanted to and I nearly DNF'd. I think part of the reason is that I didn't like alternating timelines to begin with, and this one was difficult to follow. It was hard to find their purpose at times, and almost halfway through the book, it abruptly stopped after the MCs performance together and it didn't give much of a resolution.
I did enjoy the MMC alot, although his personality was also hard to follow. In the beginning, his disdain for the FMC, Zoe, was very noticeable but once they started getting along, he was almost like a golden retriever? And it wasn't the "I'm grumpy to everyone, but you" scenario either, it seemed like a flip in personality to me.
I also liked the in-depth skating sessions Zoe had and the hockey aspect of the book, I feel like this book had more of that than most hockey romances, which was refreshing to me! Overall, I didn't enjoy it too much and found myself skimming towards the end to finish, but maybe this book could be for someone else!
Thank you to ForeverPub and Sarina Bowen for an e-ARC of this book!
Unfortunately, despite my love for hockey romances, I did not enjoy this as much as I wanted to and I nearly DNF'd. I think part of the reason is that I didn't like alternating timelines to begin with, and this one was difficult to follow. It was hard to find their purpose at times, and almost halfway through the book, it abruptly stopped after the MCs performance together and it didn't give much of a resolution.
I did enjoy the MMC alot, although his personality was also hard to follow. In the beginning, his disdain for the FMC, Zoe, was very noticeable but once they started getting along, he was almost like a golden retriever? And it wasn't the "I'm grumpy to everyone, but you" scenario either, it seemed like a flip in personality to me.
I also liked the in-depth skating sessions Zoe had and the hockey aspect of the book, I feel like this book had more of that than most hockey romances, which was refreshing to me! Overall, I didn't enjoy it too much and found myself skimming towards the end to finish, but maybe this book could be for someone else!
October 7, 2025
Thank you to Forever & Hachette Audio for the eARC/ALC in exhange for a review!
I read this via eARC and ALC and I loved the audio! Brooke Bloomingdale & Ryan Hudson did such a great job bringing both Zoe and Chase to life and I adored hearing their story narrated.
This was the first Sarina Bowen book I've read and it will definitely not be the last. The first half of the book is told in a dual timeline as we learn about young Chase and Zoe - I felt this was done really well, I loved learning about them and how it affected them in present day. I appreciated that this really focused on hockey/figure skating and was invested in the plot. Overall this was super enjoyable and I am REALLY looking forward to reading the next book that was set up ever so nicely.
I read this via eARC and ALC and I loved the audio! Brooke Bloomingdale & Ryan Hudson did such a great job bringing both Zoe and Chase to life and I adored hearing their story narrated.
This was the first Sarina Bowen book I've read and it will definitely not be the last. The first half of the book is told in a dual timeline as we learn about young Chase and Zoe - I felt this was done really well, I loved learning about them and how it affected them in present day. I appreciated that this really focused on hockey/figure skating and was invested in the plot. Overall this was super enjoyable and I am REALLY looking forward to reading the next book that was set up ever so nicely.
July 15, 2025
I know, I know - I always say I hate second chance romance and then I read them anyway. Now that that’s out of the way: this book does second chance romance really well. The main characters, Chase and Zoe, come into their forced proximity with a lot of the same resentments and heartbreak that they parted with ten years earlier. However! The ten years difference in maturity really shows in the way they’re better able to empathize with each other in the present, and I really enjoyed reading it. Not to say they didn’t still have some irritating miscommunication moments (they absolutely did), but it did make the gap make sense. Plus they both went on to live their lives in the interim, which seems necessary for a ten year split, but doesn’t always happen in second chance stories.
I will say I struggled with the pacing in the first half. I think the placement of flashback chapters were much too frequent, and resulted in what felt like kneecapping the forward momentum of the present chapters. I found myself a little frustrated and not as invested in Zoe and Chase’s stories as a result. In the second half, the flashback chapters were much more spaced out, and I felt like I could enjoy the book much more. I also felt like the whole mystery about who was threatening and harassing Zoe could have been fleshed out more.
I liked the friendship which Darcy, the dynamic with the other hockey players, and the way Zoe’s (retired) elite athleticism translated to her work with the hockey players. I found it hilarious and weirdly relatable that she felt like a failure with a silver Olympic medal, and seeing her learn her own boundaries was pretty satisfying.
I’d recommend to fans of Chelsea Curto’s hockey romances, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, and melodramatic male yearning.
Huge thank you to Sabrina Bowen and Forever Publishing at Grand Central Publishing for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Thrown for a Loop releases November 4, 2025.
I will say I struggled with the pacing in the first half. I think the placement of flashback chapters were much too frequent, and resulted in what felt like kneecapping the forward momentum of the present chapters. I found myself a little frustrated and not as invested in Zoe and Chase’s stories as a result. In the second half, the flashback chapters were much more spaced out, and I felt like I could enjoy the book much more. I also felt like the whole mystery about who was threatening and harassing Zoe could have been fleshed out more.
I liked the friendship which Darcy, the dynamic with the other hockey players, and the way Zoe’s (retired) elite athleticism translated to her work with the hockey players. I found it hilarious and weirdly relatable that she felt like a failure with a silver Olympic medal, and seeing her learn her own boundaries was pretty satisfying.
I’d recommend to fans of Chelsea Curto’s hockey romances, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, and melodramatic male yearning.
Huge thank you to Sabrina Bowen and Forever Publishing at Grand Central Publishing for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Thrown for a Loop releases November 4, 2025.
October 27, 2025
This was a magnificent slow burn, the slowest of burns with all of the feels. Zoe and Chase fell hard for one another a decade ago, until their world was ripped out from underneath them. Chase has made it big as a hockey star and Zoe gets hired as a skating coach with the Legends, his team.
She would be lying if she didn't want to mend fences. She doesn't understand why Chase is so mad at her still, after all these years. He has a great life, all while hers just keeps exploding.
Chase doesn't want Zoe there. He would rather not relive the hardest time of his life, thank you very much. But, maybe those things he believed as a kid really aren't true and they were both just kids trying to navigate life.
We get Chase's POV (third person) 9.5 years ago, and Zoe in present day. We learn how they met and it goes back and forth from past and present. It is a slow burn of their first love and the things that happen to lead them down a path back to one another. I wish we would have gotten more of Chase's POV from now, I would have loved even more pining and struggles than we got. There wasn't a world in which I didn't think they found their way back to one another, but boy was it a bumpy road. I fell in love with all these characters and I can't wait for more of this series! I screamed when I read Bess's name too!
She would be lying if she didn't want to mend fences. She doesn't understand why Chase is so mad at her still, after all these years. He has a great life, all while hers just keeps exploding.
Chase doesn't want Zoe there. He would rather not relive the hardest time of his life, thank you very much. But, maybe those things he believed as a kid really aren't true and they were both just kids trying to navigate life.
We get Chase's POV (third person) 9.5 years ago, and Zoe in present day. We learn how they met and it goes back and forth from past and present. It is a slow burn of their first love and the things that happen to lead them down a path back to one another. I wish we would have gotten more of Chase's POV from now, I would have loved even more pining and struggles than we got. There wasn't a world in which I didn't think they found their way back to one another, but boy was it a bumpy road. I fell in love with all these characters and I can't wait for more of this series! I screamed when I read Bess's name too!
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