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Dallas Devils #1
Date with a Devil
Austen Marlowe learned all she needed to know about jocks back in high school: they might be tall, muscular, and hot as hell ... but you can never trust 'em. Valuable experience for someone who dates hockey players for a living.
As the host of Date with a Devil, the young journalist is called into action when the captain of the Dallas Devils insults the team's few remaining fans. Austen's mission: save the athlete's beleaguered reputation.
But Dane DeHardt doesn't give a damn about his reputation -- and his one-man war against the media threatens both their careers. Worse, "The Big D" can't keep his eyes off of her. Doesn't he know these dates aren't real?
But DeHardt isn't the dimwit she's been led to believe -- and when the sinfully sexy hockey star isn't trying to talk the rookie reporter out of her clothes, he's pushing her to get to the bottom of a story she was ordered not to cover.
Can Dane make Austen forget why she swore off jocks in the first place? Is she willing to risk her job because it's the right thing to do? Or is she being played by The Big D?
Date with a Devil is a 75,000 word stand-alone hockey romance. Dual POV, no cheating. HEA always guaranteed, but the Dallas Devils drama continues in Book 2!
As the host of Date with a Devil, the young journalist is called into action when the captain of the Dallas Devils insults the team's few remaining fans. Austen's mission: save the athlete's beleaguered reputation.
But Dane DeHardt doesn't give a damn about his reputation -- and his one-man war against the media threatens both their careers. Worse, "The Big D" can't keep his eyes off of her. Doesn't he know these dates aren't real?
But DeHardt isn't the dimwit she's been led to believe -- and when the sinfully sexy hockey star isn't trying to talk the rookie reporter out of her clothes, he's pushing her to get to the bottom of a story she was ordered not to cover.
Can Dane make Austen forget why she swore off jocks in the first place? Is she willing to risk her job because it's the right thing to do? Or is she being played by The Big D?
Date with a Devil is a 75,000 word stand-alone hockey romance. Dual POV, no cheating. HEA always guaranteed, but the Dallas Devils drama continues in Book 2!
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2019
574 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 22, 2019
June Winters is on fire with DATE WITH A DEVIL the first book in the Dallas Devils series. Team captain, Dane DeHardt, agrees to be interviewed by Austen Marlowe on her show Date with a Devil in hopes of uncovering a scandal. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adult and adult audiences.
I really enjoyed this story. DATE WITH A DEVIL was original and had a lot of depth. I loved the characters. Dane is a loyal captain and friend. He is hated by the media. I like that he doesn’t want to run away from the problems with the team. Austen is a sweet heroine. She is idealistic. I like that she came up with the concept of “Date With A Devil.” Dane and Austen have great chemistry. I love their banter. I enjoyed that they initially judge each other incorrectly and then get to know one another.
June Winters has a wonderful writing style. She does a great job with all the details of the story. The scandal with Ryan Campbell and Jack Hathaway was an interesting aspect of the novel. Austen’s boss, Thayer Bray, made a great antagonist. That guy is slimy. DATE WITH A DEVIL was entertaining from start to finish. I’m looking forward to Jack Hathaway story in book two, SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this story. DATE WITH A DEVIL was original and had a lot of depth. I loved the characters. Dane is a loyal captain and friend. He is hated by the media. I like that he doesn’t want to run away from the problems with the team. Austen is a sweet heroine. She is idealistic. I like that she came up with the concept of “Date With A Devil.” Dane and Austen have great chemistry. I love their banter. I enjoyed that they initially judge each other incorrectly and then get to know one another.
June Winters has a wonderful writing style. She does a great job with all the details of the story. The scandal with Ryan Campbell and Jack Hathaway was an interesting aspect of the novel. Austen’s boss, Thayer Bray, made a great antagonist. That guy is slimy. DATE WITH A DEVIL was entertaining from start to finish. I’m looking forward to Jack Hathaway story in book two, SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
November 3, 2021
(audiobook) When I started this book, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. The first chapter was cute, but it didn’t grip me. And then, Dane arrived.
Cynical, grumpy, asshole-ish, Dane is leading the Devils with a lot of love for his team, and a lot of hate for the rest of the world. And the world hates him back. Including Austen, who’s forced to have a fake date with him in a PR move to make him more palatable. After some team drama and various attacks against him, he’s jagged, but you can see his beating heart behind the thorns. I found him endearing–even when he was being rude.
Austen is his complete opposite. She’s an idealist, believing in the truth and the good in people. Except Dane. But she can’t deny her attraction for the sexy captain. Together? They’re explosive, both when they fight and when they flirt. Or more. Damn that was a sexy book.
The writing wasn’t always great, but with such characters, the story basically wrote itself. Add in some hot encounters, a few emotional moments, and an amazing chemistry, and you get a compelling book, no matter the words used.
And as an audiobook, it was a good listen. I wasn’t sold on the female narrator, but the male narrator captured Dane’s essence, with a rough edge to his voice. Worth it just for his performance.
Quickie
- Series: Dallas Devils #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #hockey romance #enemies to lovers #workplace romance #grumpy/sunshine
- Triggers: sexual harassment
- Main couple: Austen Marlowe & Dane DeHardt
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + Dane being awkward because he’s new to relationships
- – I wasn’t a fan of the female narrator’s male voice
Cynical, grumpy, asshole-ish, Dane is leading the Devils with a lot of love for his team, and a lot of hate for the rest of the world. And the world hates him back. Including Austen, who’s forced to have a fake date with him in a PR move to make him more palatable. After some team drama and various attacks against him, he’s jagged, but you can see his beating heart behind the thorns. I found him endearing–even when he was being rude.
Austen is his complete opposite. She’s an idealist, believing in the truth and the good in people. Except Dane. But she can’t deny her attraction for the sexy captain. Together? They’re explosive, both when they fight and when they flirt. Or more. Damn that was a sexy book.
The writing wasn’t always great, but with such characters, the story basically wrote itself. Add in some hot encounters, a few emotional moments, and an amazing chemistry, and you get a compelling book, no matter the words used.
And as an audiobook, it was a good listen. I wasn’t sold on the female narrator, but the male narrator captured Dane’s essence, with a rough edge to his voice. Worth it just for his performance.
Quickie
- Series: Dallas Devils #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #hockey romance #enemies to lovers #workplace romance #grumpy/sunshine
- Triggers: sexual harassment
- Main couple: Austen Marlowe & Dane DeHardt
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + Dane being awkward because he’s new to relationships
- – I wasn’t a fan of the female narrator’s male voice
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April 5, 2022not sure how i feel about this tbh
March 24, 2019
This book had a bumpy start and I almost gave up several times. I’m glad I pushed through because I really liked it.
Once Austen and Dane meet for the first time something clicked and I liked both characters a lot. They had great chemistry and comfortably played off each other. There wasn’t a lot of angst or push and pull between them. Both were likable and had depth.
It’s clear the author knows hockey and smoothly incorporates it into the story without coming across as an info dump.
I liked how Dane was a mentor to the rookies - professionally and personally. He was a good guy and I never doubted that once.
I had a few problems and they were all at the beginning which made me almost give up. I think if the opening scene was flipped, it would make more sense. Instead, Austen is a female journalist who “giggles” and acts like a ditz several times on the first page while interviewing a hockey player. Turns out it’s her online persona for a fun web series to get fans to know the players better. Not having this explanation first almost had me quit on the first page.
I didn’t love the banter between the rookies and the established players like Dane, especially about “giving head.” I’ve only heard women give guys “head” and it was weird every time it was used as a man giving a woman.
The other was the team’s marketing department being referred to as journalists and them reporting like the general press. At least in one case, they did report negatively against their own team. That seems bad for business.
The overall story was different from the standard and interesting. The overall writing was very good and got better as it went along. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about the rookies as they’re very immature and inexperienced, but once you realize who’s next up I got excited. I’m very much looking forward to it!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Once Austen and Dane meet for the first time something clicked and I liked both characters a lot. They had great chemistry and comfortably played off each other. There wasn’t a lot of angst or push and pull between them. Both were likable and had depth.
It’s clear the author knows hockey and smoothly incorporates it into the story without coming across as an info dump.
I liked how Dane was a mentor to the rookies - professionally and personally. He was a good guy and I never doubted that once.
I had a few problems and they were all at the beginning which made me almost give up. I think if the opening scene was flipped, it would make more sense. Instead, Austen is a female journalist who “giggles” and acts like a ditz several times on the first page while interviewing a hockey player. Turns out it’s her online persona for a fun web series to get fans to know the players better. Not having this explanation first almost had me quit on the first page.
I didn’t love the banter between the rookies and the established players like Dane, especially about “giving head.” I’ve only heard women give guys “head” and it was weird every time it was used as a man giving a woman.
The other was the team’s marketing department being referred to as journalists and them reporting like the general press. At least in one case, they did report negatively against their own team. That seems bad for business.
The overall story was different from the standard and interesting. The overall writing was very good and got better as it went along. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about the rookies as they’re very immature and inexperienced, but once you realize who’s next up I got excited. I’m very much looking forward to it!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
March 22, 2019
My first read from this author that I was lucky enough to receive through hidden gems and it def won’t be my last.
This is the start of a new series following the Dallas Devils Hockey Team and it pulled me in from the start.
The characters are well written and relatable, the dialogue is real, not stilted and plentiful and the story was enjoyable.
Dane and Austen’s personalities were gradually revealed which made you feel like you too were getting to know them as well.... yes sometimes they both frustrated me ... but it all works out in the end... after a few twists.
I’m def interested in the next character in this series. A new to me author that I will now be following closely.
This is the start of a new series following the Dallas Devils Hockey Team and it pulled me in from the start.
The characters are well written and relatable, the dialogue is real, not stilted and plentiful and the story was enjoyable.
Dane and Austen’s personalities were gradually revealed which made you feel like you too were getting to know them as well.... yes sometimes they both frustrated me ... but it all works out in the end... after a few twists.
I’m def interested in the next character in this series. A new to me author that I will now be following closely.
March 23, 2019
Date with a Devil: A Hockey Romance (Dallas Devils Book 1) by June Winters
She wasn't looking for trouble. So why did it land directly at her front door? Dane and Austen have a major league attraction going on. Winters gives a peek into the minds and hearts of a nuclear explosion. Dane is a tabloid's dream and PR's worst nightmare. Austen could be his saving grace, if she doesn't lose her heart, along the way. Date with a Devil brings heat on and off the ice.
She wasn't looking for trouble. So why did it land directly at her front door? Dane and Austen have a major league attraction going on. Winters gives a peek into the minds and hearts of a nuclear explosion. Dane is a tabloid's dream and PR's worst nightmare. Austen could be his saving grace, if she doesn't lose her heart, along the way. Date with a Devil brings heat on and off the ice.
January 3, 2021
Cute, short, fast read. Exactly what I was looking for. Dane is the perfect faux bad boy type lead and Austen is a lovely parallel... the way they work off each other and the different aspects of their personalities meshing was written very well. Love
April 7, 2020
This was close to a did not finish for me. The lead female talks and acts like a teenager, and was also queen of stating the obvious. The whole oral sex storyline was ridiculous. We are supposed to believe this guy is oh so sensitive, but he's insensitive enough to criticize his girlfriend's ability to give oral sex with his mates in front of her, so that's a big contradiction.
I really only read to the end because I wanted to know what the story was with the mystery involving several of the team mates, and that wasn't even really resolved in the end, apparently it will continue into subsequent books, I can live with not knowing.
I really only read to the end because I wanted to know what the story was with the mystery involving several of the team mates, and that wasn't even really resolved in the end, apparently it will continue into subsequent books, I can live with not knowing.
May 15, 2020
I think I would have really enjoyed this if it was written in the first person vrs. having a narrator. It felt odd reading both Dane and Austin's chapters with narration. It was a huge barrier for me for trying to get into the story and connect with the characters. I also couldn't stand references like "the athlete's, the Hockey player, the girl" first person would have eliminated those odd phrases.
anywho... that's my preference. I just felt it was a downer as I think this would have been so good if it was written in a different style.
anywho... that's my preference. I just felt it was a downer as I think this would have been so good if it was written in a different style.
September 3, 2024
I'm the person who finishes every book they ever start, but wow, did I come really close to DNFing this one. UGH. It was laughably terrible. My recommendation...do yourself a favor and skip it. I feel like I should've followed my gut reaction and just DNF it.
Here are my problems with it, in no particular order (contains spoilers):
- This basically feels like the author wanted to write some sex scenes and then figured she should add some plot as well.
- Both main characters seemed wafflingly immature. In the end, the MMC seemed less immature than the FMC, but I honestly got whiplash trying to keep up with how offended the characters were by little, inconsequential things, but yet couldn't really communicate with each other about important things.
- The author tried to have one of the character traits of the MMC be that he didn't want to hook up with rando, flighty chicks anymore...that he felt like hookups didn't see him as a person beyond his job, didn't care about his feelings, etc. BUT....the author herself kept referring to him only by his occupation..."the athlete" or "the hockey player" or "her hockey playing boyfriend." It was weird and off-putting and demeaning to her own character.
- More than 50% through the book and the FMC was still referring to the MMC by his last name. There was no real, deep connection between them. At that point in the book he'd gotten off in her mouth, so I feel like she could at least think of him by his first name.
- Along the immaturity lines...why does the FMC play games? She pretends to leave her scarf at his house so they can "look" for it and hook up, but they don't hook up, and that's okay. But then she makes him ask her if he found the scarf even though they both KNOW she didn’t leave it at his house. Like, what's the point of playing a game and making him ask? Just tell him you wanted to hook up with him that night and you used your scarf as an excuse then changed your mind.
- Weird, inconsistent imagery throughout the book. The book literally says he shot his jizz down her throat and uses the phrase "cum dumpster," but also references the MMC gliding his fingers "up and down her petals" and calls her panties her "intimates." Um, pick a lane - either use plain, contemporary language or flowery imagery. Don't do both.
- The author doesn't seem to know or understand her own characters.
Example 1 - the FMC is immature enough that she openly states that she'd be thrilled to "role-play as a professional hockey player's girlfriend" but yet we're supposed to believe that she's upset when he then grabs her ass because she's more advanced and enlightened because she had a bad experience in HS with dating a jock and she learned from that. Huh?
Example 2 - the FMC acts very prim and proper in certain scenes, claiming to be offended by a benign comment the MMC makes about how a former teammate could "wink at a girl and her panties turned to mush" but yet she begs him to fuck her and she sucks him off in a hospital bed while he talks dirty to her. Again, huh? Is she prim or not?
- Apparently the key to happiness in life for the author is through the tongue. Oral sex was a ridiculously major and intense plot point for a whole host of reasons that I don't understand and which are a pretty damning indictment of cultural views about sex.
- The FMC likes when the MMC complements her and tells him, at one point, that he's a great guy and he could totally find a down-to-earth girl to fall in love with but she also gets super offended and annoyed when he clearly and without lying communicates his boundaries to her during sex. He openly and clearly tells her he won't go down on her and she gets pissed enough to storm off.
- Who the hell goes into the hospital for hand surgery and rubs one out while waiting to be put under? WTF - that's totally unrealistic and weird.
- On the whole oral sex front...the FMC needs to stop pressuring the MMC into giving oral sex. He doesn't like and he doesn't want to do it, he clearly states that - enough said. Respect his boundaries. Pressuring him into feeling bad about his boundaries is manipulative at best and sexual coercion at worst, which is a crime in various states.
- It's honestly disgusting when the FMC blackmails the MMC into agreeing to go down on her by telling him she'll withhold sex from him if he doesn't. It's just this side of sexual assault and, frankly, pretty icky. It's fine if she wants her boyfriend to give her oral sex, and it's fine if receiving that in a relationship is a dealbreaker for her, but then she needs to be upfront and honest with the MMC and say that "yes, I want oral sex" and "yes, it's a dealbreaker if my boyfriend doesn't want to offer oral sex" and then leave the ball in his court. If he still doesn't want to do it, there's your answer, girl - he's not the guy for you. It's not an invitation for you to wheedle oral sex out of him by sexually coercing him and threatening him into doing it. UGH.
It really sucks that this book turned out this way. The first few chapters were decent, certainly they kept me reading, but then it just nosedived. I can't stand when a book doesn't live up to it's descriptive blurb. This was definitely not worth it.
Here are my problems with it, in no particular order (contains spoilers):
- This basically feels like the author wanted to write some sex scenes and then figured she should add some plot as well.
- Both main characters seemed wafflingly immature. In the end, the MMC seemed less immature than the FMC, but I honestly got whiplash trying to keep up with how offended the characters were by little, inconsequential things, but yet couldn't really communicate with each other about important things.
- The author tried to have one of the character traits of the MMC be that he didn't want to hook up with rando, flighty chicks anymore...that he felt like hookups didn't see him as a person beyond his job, didn't care about his feelings, etc. BUT....the author herself kept referring to him only by his occupation..."the athlete" or "the hockey player" or "her hockey playing boyfriend." It was weird and off-putting and demeaning to her own character.
- More than 50% through the book and the FMC was still referring to the MMC by his last name. There was no real, deep connection between them. At that point in the book he'd gotten off in her mouth, so I feel like she could at least think of him by his first name.
- Along the immaturity lines...why does the FMC play games? She pretends to leave her scarf at his house so they can "look" for it and hook up, but they don't hook up, and that's okay. But then she makes him ask her if he found the scarf even though they both KNOW she didn’t leave it at his house. Like, what's the point of playing a game and making him ask? Just tell him you wanted to hook up with him that night and you used your scarf as an excuse then changed your mind.
- Weird, inconsistent imagery throughout the book. The book literally says he shot his jizz down her throat and uses the phrase "cum dumpster," but also references the MMC gliding his fingers "up and down her petals" and calls her panties her "intimates." Um, pick a lane - either use plain, contemporary language or flowery imagery. Don't do both.
- The author doesn't seem to know or understand her own characters.
Example 1 - the FMC is immature enough that she openly states that she'd be thrilled to "role-play as a professional hockey player's girlfriend" but yet we're supposed to believe that she's upset when he then grabs her ass because she's more advanced and enlightened because she had a bad experience in HS with dating a jock and she learned from that. Huh?
Example 2 - the FMC acts very prim and proper in certain scenes, claiming to be offended by a benign comment the MMC makes about how a former teammate could "wink at a girl and her panties turned to mush" but yet she begs him to fuck her and she sucks him off in a hospital bed while he talks dirty to her. Again, huh? Is she prim or not?
- Apparently the key to happiness in life for the author is through the tongue. Oral sex was a ridiculously major and intense plot point for a whole host of reasons that I don't understand and which are a pretty damning indictment of cultural views about sex.
- The FMC likes when the MMC complements her and tells him, at one point, that he's a great guy and he could totally find a down-to-earth girl to fall in love with but she also gets super offended and annoyed when he clearly and without lying communicates his boundaries to her during sex. He openly and clearly tells her he won't go down on her and she gets pissed enough to storm off.
- Who the hell goes into the hospital for hand surgery and rubs one out while waiting to be put under? WTF - that's totally unrealistic and weird.
- On the whole oral sex front...the FMC needs to stop pressuring the MMC into giving oral sex. He doesn't like and he doesn't want to do it, he clearly states that - enough said. Respect his boundaries. Pressuring him into feeling bad about his boundaries is manipulative at best and sexual coercion at worst, which is a crime in various states.
- It's honestly disgusting when the FMC blackmails the MMC into agreeing to go down on her by telling him she'll withhold sex from him if he doesn't. It's just this side of sexual assault and, frankly, pretty icky. It's fine if she wants her boyfriend to give her oral sex, and it's fine if receiving that in a relationship is a dealbreaker for her, but then she needs to be upfront and honest with the MMC and say that "yes, I want oral sex" and "yes, it's a dealbreaker if my boyfriend doesn't want to offer oral sex" and then leave the ball in his court. If he still doesn't want to do it, there's your answer, girl - he's not the guy for you. It's not an invitation for you to wheedle oral sex out of him by sexually coercing him and threatening him into doing it. UGH.
It really sucks that this book turned out this way. The first few chapters were decent, certainly they kept me reading, but then it just nosedived. I can't stand when a book doesn't live up to it's descriptive blurb. This was definitely not worth it.
March 22, 2021
So I feel that the problem with this book was mainly how badly it was written. I don’t know if I felt this way because I usually read books that are written from the characters pov not really by a narrator or if just was poor writing, but I kept laughing at how badly it was narrated.
For instance, it actually felt like the author was overly excited about the H being a hockey player. At least once a page there was a reference to either him being a “hockey player” or an “athlete”. Which at first was fine, but it got to the point where I was like why is she always refering to him as a hockey player and her never as a journalist or whatever.
Also, it felt like reading a book from someone who has no idea how to write. There were too many exclamation marks that set the tone to be way more childish and less serious. It wasn’t possible for me to take seriously those parts. Things like “Omg! He did not just do that! He did not just oggle my skinny legs!” I was waiting to punch her.
The same thing with the team conversation they were all summed up to: Dane’s lines and then a couple of responses written in italics and one next to the other, whcih didn’t really seem conversational, just like rushing through them to get back to the couple. But although readers wanna read about the couple, we also need the interaction with other characters to develop intrest in their personalities and the story in general.
Moreover, the personalities were kinda basic and superficial for me. Austen was such a cliche character and Dane didn’t have any depth. But let’s focus on Austen. The prejudice towards hockey players made me mad because ir was just plain basic, it felt like that personality trait was retrieved from a high school composition or something. I don’t mind when the h has a particular problem with the stereotype the H fits under; it’s one of my fave tropes actually. The problem is how it was protrayed. It was just so lame and uncalled for. Austen didn’t like Dane because of what the media said but like she worked on the media, she has to know how things happened there. It just made her look dumb and not in a way I felt sympathetic for, just really annoyed.
For instance, it actually felt like the author was overly excited about the H being a hockey player. At least once a page there was a reference to either him being a “hockey player” or an “athlete”. Which at first was fine, but it got to the point where I was like why is she always refering to him as a hockey player and her never as a journalist or whatever.
Also, it felt like reading a book from someone who has no idea how to write. There were too many exclamation marks that set the tone to be way more childish and less serious. It wasn’t possible for me to take seriously those parts. Things like “Omg! He did not just do that! He did not just oggle my skinny legs!” I was waiting to punch her.
The same thing with the team conversation they were all summed up to: Dane’s lines and then a couple of responses written in italics and one next to the other, whcih didn’t really seem conversational, just like rushing through them to get back to the couple. But although readers wanna read about the couple, we also need the interaction with other characters to develop intrest in their personalities and the story in general.
Moreover, the personalities were kinda basic and superficial for me. Austen was such a cliche character and Dane didn’t have any depth. But let’s focus on Austen. The prejudice towards hockey players made me mad because ir was just plain basic, it felt like that personality trait was retrieved from a high school composition or something. I don’t mind when the h has a particular problem with the stereotype the H fits under; it’s one of my fave tropes actually. The problem is how it was protrayed. It was just so lame and uncalled for. Austen didn’t like Dane because of what the media said but like she worked on the media, she has to know how things happened there. It just made her look dumb and not in a way I felt sympathetic for, just really annoyed.
March 26, 2019
Austen Marlow works for the Dallas Devils and hosts a dating show called Date With A Devil to help the fans to see the players outside of the rink. Austen is tasked with asking Dane to be on her show and do an interview after things he has said to the press are taken out of context and used against him to make him look bad to the fans. Dan DeHardt is the captain of the Dallas Devils hockey team and hates the media. Dane always has his teammates backs. Dane continually questions why nobody will talk or print what really happened when a former teammate died, or why the captain of the team walked away and disappeared. Sparks fly between Austen and Dane during their "date" and interview. Will Austen's interview lead to Dane being traded? Why does Austen's boss hate Dane so much? Will Austen be able to expose her boss and others in the organization as being corrupt? I really enjoyed Date with a Devil by June Winters. Love how Dane looks out for and mentors the younger players on the team. Date with a Devil is a great story full of steam, laughs, drama, and scandal. I would recommend getting Date with a Devil by June Winters. I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest review.
April 5, 2019
Austen worked as Dallas Devils Hockey team journalist. As the host of Date with a Devil, she has been interviewing/ dating all the Dallas Hockey team members except team's caption Dane.
Dane has never enjoyed any media. He wanted to express his feelings about his teammates when no one in the media will give a time a day, he decided to lash out toward all the media. And he often insults the team's few remaining fans. When Austen goal was to save the athlete's beleaguered reputation, she wasn't sure if he would accept the offer. When he accepts the offer, she has to try her best to stay on task until the end of the date.
From the moment they started their date/interview, they were constantly arguing and rubbing each other the wrong way. But both didn't hate it as much as they thought.
Once date was over, Austen saw a different side of Dane and he was on her mind. Until she finds out how whole entire date with Dane was edited without her.
Now Dane is in verge of being traded and Austen feels she is responsible for his damaged image. She wanted to go back and to apologize but nothing lead to another and they were becoming more than just journalist and a hockey player.
They have to figure out a way or he would be traded for good. What would she decide to do?
This was good read about media and hockey player. I wanted to read about his teammates...
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Dane has never enjoyed any media. He wanted to express his feelings about his teammates when no one in the media will give a time a day, he decided to lash out toward all the media. And he often insults the team's few remaining fans. When Austen goal was to save the athlete's beleaguered reputation, she wasn't sure if he would accept the offer. When he accepts the offer, she has to try her best to stay on task until the end of the date.
From the moment they started their date/interview, they were constantly arguing and rubbing each other the wrong way. But both didn't hate it as much as they thought.
Once date was over, Austen saw a different side of Dane and he was on her mind. Until she finds out how whole entire date with Dane was edited without her.
Now Dane is in verge of being traded and Austen feels she is responsible for his damaged image. She wanted to go back and to apologize but nothing lead to another and they were becoming more than just journalist and a hockey player.
They have to figure out a way or he would be traded for good. What would she decide to do?
This was good read about media and hockey player. I wanted to read about his teammates...
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
March 23, 2019
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
I must admit that Hockey players have become a bit of a favourite with me. It' does not help that i live on a small island where there is no hockey and the only place i can see it is on the TV, so i indulge with stories on players instead.
In this story we have Austen a woman who works for the Devils and has her TV show A Date with a Devil. It is though that where she finally has to do a show with the captain Dane DeHardt, the man that has a lot of bad press.
It is through this interview and the subsequent intervention of her boss, that Austen finds out there there is more to Dane than first appears and that things are not right in the world.
Both characters have chemistry with each other and are drawn closer and closer the more they find out about each other, along with the twists in the story that keep them together and working to find a way to get the story told.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters and cannot wait to see what happens next in the series.
I must admit that Hockey players have become a bit of a favourite with me. It' does not help that i live on a small island where there is no hockey and the only place i can see it is on the TV, so i indulge with stories on players instead.
In this story we have Austen a woman who works for the Devils and has her TV show A Date with a Devil. It is though that where she finally has to do a show with the captain Dane DeHardt, the man that has a lot of bad press.
It is through this interview and the subsequent intervention of her boss, that Austen finds out there there is more to Dane than first appears and that things are not right in the world.
Both characters have chemistry with each other and are drawn closer and closer the more they find out about each other, along with the twists in the story that keep them together and working to find a way to get the story told.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters and cannot wait to see what happens next in the series.
March 28, 2019
I love sports romances, especially when they’re about hockey players as I’ve loved hockey since I was a little girl. June Winters’ Date with a Devil: A Hockey Romance (Dallas Devils Book 1) is just the fort of hockey romance I adore. Austen and Dane’s story is a perfect one with its “Date with a Devil” team produced TV show premise, it’s sub-theme related to an attempt by some to get Dane off his team (and the reason for this, only learned at the end), it’s excellent take on the life of s pro hockey player and, most importantly, it’s perfectly written romance which was a wonderful pleasure to follow along as it developed. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely going to need to read other books in this series.
November 25, 2020
Ice Melting Hockey Romance
I have a few copies of this series but I don't have them all so I decided to start from the beginning. June Winters is one of the few authors that made me love hockey romances. There's just something incredibly sexy about a hockey player and their protective ways when it comes to their fellow teammates and the women that eventually steal their hearts. I love how rich in detail this story was and I was seriously impressed with how much ground she covered in just roughly 248 pages. Its almost like the author could read my mind because every question that crossed my mind was eventually answered by the end of the book. This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good story. There's drama,comedy,passion,a generous amount of "adult play time" and plenty of romantic gestures from Dane DeHardt to Austen that will have you blushing and jealous of them all at the same time. I have a feeling I'm going to love book 2!
I have a few copies of this series but I don't have them all so I decided to start from the beginning. June Winters is one of the few authors that made me love hockey romances. There's just something incredibly sexy about a hockey player and their protective ways when it comes to their fellow teammates and the women that eventually steal their hearts. I love how rich in detail this story was and I was seriously impressed with how much ground she covered in just roughly 248 pages. Its almost like the author could read my mind because every question that crossed my mind was eventually answered by the end of the book. This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good story. There's drama,comedy,passion,a generous amount of "adult play time" and plenty of romantic gestures from Dane DeHardt to Austen that will have you blushing and jealous of them all at the same time. I have a feeling I'm going to love book 2!
April 17, 2021
Fantastic
Oh boy love me some hockey romantic books. Dane is a cocky hockey player who always speaks his mind. Austy is an upcoming report working for the Dallas Devils franchise. Her idea gets her to interview each player on “Date with a Devil”. She has interviewed all the players except for, you guessed it Dane, aka the big D.
Unbeknownst to her her boss had a dislike for Dane but was also interested in Austen but she was played also so nothing sounded strange to her when Thayer convinced her to interview Dane.
Austen hated Dane even before the interview but his no skin off his back attitude always came with what you see is what you get.
The Devils were already in a bad state and he wasn’t helping much with his mouth but of course a little push in the right direction always makes things better!
Let’s say that the franchise got what they bargained for. Read the book, I guarantee you will love it.
Oh boy love me some hockey romantic books. Dane is a cocky hockey player who always speaks his mind. Austy is an upcoming report working for the Dallas Devils franchise. Her idea gets her to interview each player on “Date with a Devil”. She has interviewed all the players except for, you guessed it Dane, aka the big D.
Unbeknownst to her her boss had a dislike for Dane but was also interested in Austen but she was played also so nothing sounded strange to her when Thayer convinced her to interview Dane.
Austen hated Dane even before the interview but his no skin off his back attitude always came with what you see is what you get.
The Devils were already in a bad state and he wasn’t helping much with his mouth but of course a little push in the right direction always makes things better!
Let’s say that the franchise got what they bargained for. Read the book, I guarantee you will love it.
March 23, 2019
This book was so easy to get sucked into. I was caught up in Austen and Dane’s story to the point that it felt like it went by in a minute. I looked down and the book was already over. They strike sparks off one another from the moment they meet. But more than just their scorching chemistry, as a couple they’re just so stinkin’ CUTE. I almost hate to admit it though. It wasn’t primarily their romance that kept me glued to the pages of this book. I was compelled to learn the truth behind the scandal that haunts their every interaction. It set the stage for what’s coming next and I’m desperate to get my hands on that book too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
May 7, 2021
Adorably Cute HEA Hockey Romance
Austen, an PR & Marketing employee for the Dallas Devils Hockey Team goes “head to head” with team captain Dane “Big D” DeHardt on her in house media production, Date With A Devil. Public relations media swirls this disaster of a date onto a conveniently plotted trade to offload DeHardt until Austen & Dane accidentally “close the door” on the trade & get to the bottom of the organization’s dirty secrets. Super sweet & often funny hockey romance that makes for an enjoyable and entertaining read. If you liked the HBO Duane Johnson helmed series Ballers, this book is right up your alley with sports analogies, contract negotiations & team politics....oh and the panty melting hockey players are a bonus too. 🙌🏼🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Austen, an PR & Marketing employee for the Dallas Devils Hockey Team goes “head to head” with team captain Dane “Big D” DeHardt on her in house media production, Date With A Devil. Public relations media swirls this disaster of a date onto a conveniently plotted trade to offload DeHardt until Austen & Dane accidentally “close the door” on the trade & get to the bottom of the organization’s dirty secrets. Super sweet & often funny hockey romance that makes for an enjoyable and entertaining read. If you liked the HBO Duane Johnson helmed series Ballers, this book is right up your alley with sports analogies, contract negotiations & team politics....oh and the panty melting hockey players are a bonus too. 🙌🏼🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 22, 2019
Must read!
I’ll admit: I normally really like this author. But this book is by far the best one she’s written yet! I love both main characters. Austen seems all cute and light at first, but she digs in. And Dane is my kind of guy from the start. And while this couple gets their HEA in a great story that does wrap this couple’s story up well, the end is making me want to camp out on this author’s front door for the next book in the series, but I think I might get in trouble for it. Oh and this is a one sitting read, so cancel your plans, get a snack and drink, and sit down and enjoy.
I’ll admit: I normally really like this author. But this book is by far the best one she’s written yet! I love both main characters. Austen seems all cute and light at first, but she digs in. And Dane is my kind of guy from the start. And while this couple gets their HEA in a great story that does wrap this couple’s story up well, the end is making me want to camp out on this author’s front door for the next book in the series, but I think I might get in trouble for it. Oh and this is a one sitting read, so cancel your plans, get a snack and drink, and sit down and enjoy.
October 13, 2022
A decent story, I wanted to love it
This was an OK read, I really wanted to love it but it just seemed to go from start to finish straight away, there was no middle.
The 2 main characters have a fake date, they kiss, then all of a sudden he's asking her to move to wherever he gets traded to, he wants her, there was no banter or realising feelings, I feel there needed to be more meat in the middle. It was also a little inconsistent. One minute they're driving a maserati, the next it's a Mercedes, little details like this do matter. This had a lot of potential and it was an OK book.
This was an OK read, I really wanted to love it but it just seemed to go from start to finish straight away, there was no middle.
The 2 main characters have a fake date, they kiss, then all of a sudden he's asking her to move to wherever he gets traded to, he wants her, there was no banter or realising feelings, I feel there needed to be more meat in the middle. It was also a little inconsistent. One minute they're driving a maserati, the next it's a Mercedes, little details like this do matter. This had a lot of potential and it was an OK book.
December 10, 2020
Austen is a young journalist working for the Dallas Devils hockey team. The reputation of the Devils is basically terrible so she came up with an idea for a show called Date with a Devil. She takes one of the players on a date and asks them questions. It is a huge success. Then she is asked by her boss to take Dane DeHardt on the next date. Dane has a terrible reputation and she doesn't really want to do it. But she must. A gorgeous journalist. An extremely handsome hockey player. A change of heart. A sleazy boss. Darn, I enjoyed this story.
May 18, 2021
THE PLOT
Seriously that story has so much of mystery. It's as if you try to discover what happen, who is implying, what is theirs next move and how to save it all... and of course love always win. Hooo and a new team who try to survive the chaos after a teammate died, a captain who is hiding and others who got traded. Could they find the spirit to became a great team? I hope so... love this book. The author is smart, I didnt even realise the blackmail was not really real until it was mention.
Seriously that story has so much of mystery. It's as if you try to discover what happen, who is implying, what is theirs next move and how to save it all... and of course love always win. Hooo and a new team who try to survive the chaos after a teammate died, a captain who is hiding and others who got traded. Could they find the spirit to became a great team? I hope so... love this book. The author is smart, I didnt even realise the blackmail was not really real until it was mention.
March 25, 2019
I really liked Austen and Dane together. They're a great couple. The book was definitely on the steamy side which I loved! I loved the characters and the plot was great too. It had some great twists that made for a really fun read! This is my first book by June Winters and I'll definitely be checking out some of her other work now!
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
April 4, 2020
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
💋💋💋
Excellent new sports romance.
NFL team The Devils have a dark secret, a dead player and a missing Captain.
What happened on that night that Campbell was killed.
The new captain is a liability, but is that because he’s outspoken, misunderstood or because he asks to many questions.
When he meets the journalist and presenter of the Date with a Devil program, sparks fly for both of them.
These two are wonderful together. I loved them and can’t wait to read more books in the series.
💋💋💋
Excellent new sports romance.
NFL team The Devils have a dark secret, a dead player and a missing Captain.
What happened on that night that Campbell was killed.
The new captain is a liability, but is that because he’s outspoken, misunderstood or because he asks to many questions.
When he meets the journalist and presenter of the Date with a Devil program, sparks fly for both of them.
These two are wonderful together. I loved them and can’t wait to read more books in the series.
May 29, 2020
3.5
This would have been rated higher for me if I could have connected with the characters. The story was really good, but I just felt like an outsider reading instead of being sucked into the romance. It was a bit predictable, but overall I enjoyed the premise of this HEA, I just couldn’t connect with Austen and Dane on any level.
I would try another book in this series or by this author.
Sports Journalist, Hockey, Captain, forbidden
This would have been rated higher for me if I could have connected with the characters. The story was really good, but I just felt like an outsider reading instead of being sucked into the romance. It was a bit predictable, but overall I enjoyed the premise of this HEA, I just couldn’t connect with Austen and Dane on any level.
I would try another book in this series or by this author.
Sports Journalist, Hockey, Captain, forbidden
June 21, 2020
This was a bit all over the place. The female, Austen was so immature and jealous and a bit crazy. The male, Dane was a nut as well, one minute cocky and arrogant and then he’d say one nice thing and she would swoon. The whole story surrounding his refusal to go down on a woman was a bit weird. And he was constantly described as “the athlete” “the hockey star” and it got old quickly. It just missed the mark for me, though it had so much potential.
October 8, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. The pacing was kinda weird though, almost too slow in the beginning and very rushed towards the end, but the middle part was quote nice. I would've actually liked it to be a bit longer, just to explore some issues a bit more and to ease into the actual relationship part of the story a bit better.
By no means is this a good quality book, but it was enjoyable, and I struggled to put it down.
By no means is this a good quality book, but it was enjoyable, and I struggled to put it down.
January 24, 2022
5 stars for Date with a Devil by June Winters
What a great storyline. Great series for a first book. Looks like great characters are coming. Hot, sexy and steamy. A really great book showing the family aspect of hockey. Love how Dane and Austen got together. A strong woman with a somewhat clueless mate. Lots of laughter. Can't wait for the next instalment of Dallas Devils hockey.
What a great storyline. Great series for a first book. Looks like great characters are coming. Hot, sexy and steamy. A really great book showing the family aspect of hockey. Love how Dane and Austen got together. A strong woman with a somewhat clueless mate. Lots of laughter. Can't wait for the next instalment of Dallas Devils hockey.
November 13, 2022
Hated this
The main characters weren’t written well. I really didn’t feel like there was good chemistry between Dane and Austen. I thought they were both whiny and immature. No way did Austen deserve any kind of promotion. She was an intern who was used true and not professional. I ended up flipping through the story as the plot just got worse and worse. If I could give it negative stars, I would. If I could get the time back that I lost reading it, I would.
The main characters weren’t written well. I really didn’t feel like there was good chemistry between Dane and Austen. I thought they were both whiny and immature. No way did Austen deserve any kind of promotion. She was an intern who was used true and not professional. I ended up flipping through the story as the plot just got worse and worse. If I could give it negative stars, I would. If I could get the time back that I lost reading it, I would.
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