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Sophie Fournier #3.5
Glove Save and a Beauty
Gabrielle grew up in the shadow of Five-Hole Billy. When she becomes a goaltender, she carries two important lessons with her. Don’t rely on the fans for support and always protect the five-hole.
Isolated by the nature of her position and her personality, she struggles to fit in with her team. On the ice, she guards the net, the last line of defense when their efforts fail. Off the ice, her team views her as a girl, not a teammate, as if she can’t be more than one thing at once.
She doesn’t have the patience for their lack of understanding. She resigns herself to a quiet, lonely career set apart from her team. And then she gains a new teammate, someone outgoing enough to overcome her social awkwardness but who always respects the boundaries she sets. He meets her where she is, and she does the same in return.
Isolated by the nature of her position and her personality, she struggles to fit in with her team. On the ice, she guards the net, the last line of defense when their efforts fail. Off the ice, her team views her as a girl, not a teammate, as if she can’t be more than one thing at once.
She doesn’t have the patience for their lack of understanding. She resigns herself to a quiet, lonely career set apart from her team. And then she gains a new teammate, someone outgoing enough to overcome her social awkwardness but who always respects the boundaries she sets. He meets her where she is, and she does the same in return.
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First published November 23, 2020
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About the author
K.R. Collins
13 books54 followersK.R. Collins went to college in Pennsylvania where she learned to write and fell in love with hockey. When she isn’t working or writing, she watches hockey games and claims it’s for research.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 27, 2020
This was a great little novella. I actually enjoyed this even more than I expected. I like this series very much but it can get a little repetitive at times. This novella stars one of the secondary characters, another woman that has made it into the formally all male hockey league. Having this book be about Gabrielle, instead of Sophie, was a great idea. It really freshened up the series and if anything made me even more excited for book 4.
While this book is 3.5 in the series, you could actually read this first, to get a feel for if the series might be for you. If you like this novella, chances are extremely high you will enjoy the other books. This series has some of the better sports books I have ever read. But to be clear, these are sports books. If you are a fan of hockey, or at least know the basics of the game, these books hopefully will work for you. If you don’t know any hockey and don’t really care to, you might struggle at times with this series.
While the major focus of these books is hockey, these are very character driven reads. It’s one of the reason I enjoy this series so much. You connect with the characters, these women breaking the glass ceiling and you hang on their every move and at times every word. Can they take the pressure, can they prove everyone wrong? Their journeys just suck you in and you want to know more. I really liked that Gabrielle was such a strong ice queen. She said things in this novella that I wished Sophie would have said in the other books. Gabrielle pays for it though, by not being as close with her teammates, but I loved that she was such a badass.
I hate to do it but I just have to complain about the cover. NineStar Press normally has some of the best covers in LGBTQ+ fiction so I’m really surprised here. Plus, Collins herself knows so much about hockey and even talks about the importance of a goalie’s mask in the book. I don’t get how this big mistake got by. The helmet on the cover is NOT a goalie helmet. It is the kind that every player wears but the goalie. Even an old-school, Friday the 13th Jason Voorhees, mask would have looked better on the cover than that one. Hopefully it will get fixed in the near future. Collins has written an excellent series here and I think she deserves a correct cover.
I would easily recommend this novella to fans of the series and I would also recommend it to people who were on the fence about trying the series. This well written and quick read, is the perfect way to get a taste for what the series will be like. Since I mostly read LGBTQ+ books, I want to mention that I believe Gabrielle is asexual. I really liked her character and I wouldn’t mind reading more about Gabrielle in future books.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
While this book is 3.5 in the series, you could actually read this first, to get a feel for if the series might be for you. If you like this novella, chances are extremely high you will enjoy the other books. This series has some of the better sports books I have ever read. But to be clear, these are sports books. If you are a fan of hockey, or at least know the basics of the game, these books hopefully will work for you. If you don’t know any hockey and don’t really care to, you might struggle at times with this series.
While the major focus of these books is hockey, these are very character driven reads. It’s one of the reason I enjoy this series so much. You connect with the characters, these women breaking the glass ceiling and you hang on their every move and at times every word. Can they take the pressure, can they prove everyone wrong? Their journeys just suck you in and you want to know more. I really liked that Gabrielle was such a strong ice queen. She said things in this novella that I wished Sophie would have said in the other books. Gabrielle pays for it though, by not being as close with her teammates, but I loved that she was such a badass.
I hate to do it but I just have to complain about the cover. NineStar Press normally has some of the best covers in LGBTQ+ fiction so I’m really surprised here. Plus, Collins herself knows so much about hockey and even talks about the importance of a goalie’s mask in the book. I don’t get how this big mistake got by. The helmet on the cover is NOT a goalie helmet. It is the kind that every player wears but the goalie. Even an old-school, Friday the 13th Jason Voorhees, mask would have looked better on the cover than that one. Hopefully it will get fixed in the near future. Collins has written an excellent series here and I think she deserves a correct cover.
I would easily recommend this novella to fans of the series and I would also recommend it to people who were on the fence about trying the series. This well written and quick read, is the perfect way to get a taste for what the series will be like. Since I mostly read LGBTQ+ books, I want to mention that I believe Gabrielle is asexual. I really liked her character and I wouldn’t mind reading more about Gabrielle in future books.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
November 23, 2020
I love K.R. Collins’ Sophie Fournier series as much as it sometimes frustrates me. I don’t care at all about ice hockey IRL yet the way Collins writes it, I’m captivated every time. There’s a lot about Sophie I don’t understand, which is what I both love and get frustrated with. So when I saw this novella, set in the same universe but focused on another player, Gabrielle Gagnon, I didn’t hesitate. And I have a feeling getting to know Gabrielle will help me understand Sophie somewhat better.
Before she chose hockey, Gabrielle was a figure skater and a ballerina. She has goals but, unlike Sophie Fournier, she also has other interests, outside of hockey. Also unlike Sophie, who cultivates her neutral looks, Gabrielle is a girl girl. A girl who likes wearing dresses and makeup and heels, not for others but for herself. Who likes things to be a certain way. Who likes order and rules in all things, from baking to dating. Who, from the youngest age, doesn’t like hugs.
As the narrative progresses, the parallels with ballet and figure skating go deeper than the healthy lifestyle they taught her. The pain, the determination, the will to try and try and try again until a move is perfected, they all fit Gabrielle entirely, in every area of her life.
Each chapter of this novella centres on the fall of a different year. In non-chronological order, the reader gets to share firsts with Gabrielle: her first Thanksgiving with a team instead of her family, when she first learns to bake with her dad, her debut as the Québec goalie, the first time she realises she’d be good at hockey, the first time she has a real friend.
Concurrently, we also get to see Sophie’s journey as the first woman in the NAHL through Gabrielle’s eyes, first as a girl a year younger than Sophie, then as a player following in her steps, albeit in a completely different way, as goaltenders have their own challenges.
K.R. Collins writes fascinating characters. The hockey prism allows her to spend time in their head, giving her the opportunity to really outline their personality, even in a shorter book like this one. I’ve wondered, over the books, whether Sophie is asexual or if her disinterest in others beyond friendship stems from her young age or her unerring focus on her sports. Now that I’ve spent time with Gabrielle, who is very comfortable with her own asexuality, the differences between them shine again. And make me even more impatient for a fourth Sophie book. Let me tell you, that gal is a mystery, and I’m really enjoying getting to know her, even when it means I was wrong about her.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Before she chose hockey, Gabrielle was a figure skater and a ballerina. She has goals but, unlike Sophie Fournier, she also has other interests, outside of hockey. Also unlike Sophie, who cultivates her neutral looks, Gabrielle is a girl girl. A girl who likes wearing dresses and makeup and heels, not for others but for herself. Who likes things to be a certain way. Who likes order and rules in all things, from baking to dating. Who, from the youngest age, doesn’t like hugs.
As the narrative progresses, the parallels with ballet and figure skating go deeper than the healthy lifestyle they taught her. The pain, the determination, the will to try and try and try again until a move is perfected, they all fit Gabrielle entirely, in every area of her life.
Each chapter of this novella centres on the fall of a different year. In non-chronological order, the reader gets to share firsts with Gabrielle: her first Thanksgiving with a team instead of her family, when she first learns to bake with her dad, her debut as the Québec goalie, the first time she realises she’d be good at hockey, the first time she has a real friend.
Concurrently, we also get to see Sophie’s journey as the first woman in the NAHL through Gabrielle’s eyes, first as a girl a year younger than Sophie, then as a player following in her steps, albeit in a completely different way, as goaltenders have their own challenges.
K.R. Collins writes fascinating characters. The hockey prism allows her to spend time in their head, giving her the opportunity to really outline their personality, even in a shorter book like this one. I’ve wondered, over the books, whether Sophie is asexual or if her disinterest in others beyond friendship stems from her young age or her unerring focus on her sports. Now that I’ve spent time with Gabrielle, who is very comfortable with her own asexuality, the differences between them shine again. And make me even more impatient for a fourth Sophie book. Let me tell you, that gal is a mystery, and I’m really enjoying getting to know her, even when it means I was wrong about her.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2020
I caught up with the previous books in this series recently in anticipation of this one’s release day and I have to say I thought this was a worthy addition to the series, despite it being about Gabrielle instead of Sophie. In fact, I think adding this shorter book before we read the next chapter in Sophie’s journey will keep the series fresher.
When I was little I was a huge hockey fan. Despite growing up in the UK I was lucky enough to grow up in a town with a team in the top league in the country and I could be found at the rink for every home game. However I wasn’t allowed to play. I desperately wanted to be a goaltender. Reading this is a small glimpse into all the things I enjoy about keeping goal in any sport. The writing on the psyche of those of that choose to stand in front of a puck for a living is great. It’s detailed enough to allow understanding but not so detailed that non-fans will be put off.
I wasn’t sure I’d like the decision to present the narrative in a non-chronological order, but actually that works too. For me it increased the understanding as to why Gabrielle is the way she is. The pressure on her is different than that on Sophie - which is hinted at in Sophie’s books, but it’s nice to have that explored further. There isn’t as much hockey action in this book - which is probably why it’s shorter, so non sports fans may prefer this instalment.
My only real gripe is with the front cover - this is a book about a goaltender - put a goaltenders mask on the front cover. They’re unique and interesting - Gabrielle’s is even described in the book.
Fans of the series should enjoy this, as should any hockey fans, sports fans and people that enjoy queer fiction. I think you could read this as a standalone - whilst it’s definitely strengthened by having read the other books, they aren’t necessary to enjoy this one.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I was little I was a huge hockey fan. Despite growing up in the UK I was lucky enough to grow up in a town with a team in the top league in the country and I could be found at the rink for every home game. However I wasn’t allowed to play. I desperately wanted to be a goaltender. Reading this is a small glimpse into all the things I enjoy about keeping goal in any sport. The writing on the psyche of those of that choose to stand in front of a puck for a living is great. It’s detailed enough to allow understanding but not so detailed that non-fans will be put off.
I wasn’t sure I’d like the decision to present the narrative in a non-chronological order, but actually that works too. For me it increased the understanding as to why Gabrielle is the way she is. The pressure on her is different than that on Sophie - which is hinted at in Sophie’s books, but it’s nice to have that explored further. There isn’t as much hockey action in this book - which is probably why it’s shorter, so non sports fans may prefer this instalment.
My only real gripe is with the front cover - this is a book about a goaltender - put a goaltenders mask on the front cover. They’re unique and interesting - Gabrielle’s is even described in the book.
Fans of the series should enjoy this, as should any hockey fans, sports fans and people that enjoy queer fiction. I think you could read this as a standalone - whilst it’s definitely strengthened by having read the other books, they aren’t necessary to enjoy this one.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2020
K.R. Collins can keep feeding us hockey books and I will keep reading and enjoying them. This novella is a spinoff from her Sophie Fournier series (the first woman to play in the NAHL) and features the first female goalie to join the NAHL, Gabrielle Gagnon. Sophie and Gabrielle may share some attributes like athletic prowess, knowledge of the game and highly refined technical skills but the comparisons end there.
Gabrielle is a girly girl. She feels good in dresses and heels and is not afraid to wear makeup. Her childhood ballet and figure skating lessons set her up to be the flexible goalie she grows up to be but her ability to understand the science of hockey helps her excel in her chosen sport. The focus needed to be an effective goalie is also a strength and I wondered if her OCD behaviour (my opinion) plays into that single minded determination to be perfect with every shot, every angle much as she is with every cookie or cake she bakes at home.
She’s familiar with the toll being the rare female in a male dominated sport takes on a woman. She’s been dealing with rejection and slights her whole life. I was impressed with the author’s portrayal of her phobia about being touched or hugged at family functions. The verbal abuse by drunken Uncle Peter on her ability to succeed in a “man’s sport” and a hallowed one at that in Quebec, matches the abuse she takes from teammates and other players on the ice. The strength of characters it takes to endure both physical and emotional abuse is enormous yet Gabrielle perseveres. She wins her teammates over with her cooking skills and develops a lasting friendship with a player who accepts her for who she is. We see few characters in fiction who are assexual or ARO and it was great to see this positive portrayal by Gabrielle.
I missed out on downloading my ARC request from Nine Star Press so I bought the book instead. I plan on reading everything K.R. Collins writes.
Gabrielle is a girly girl. She feels good in dresses and heels and is not afraid to wear makeup. Her childhood ballet and figure skating lessons set her up to be the flexible goalie she grows up to be but her ability to understand the science of hockey helps her excel in her chosen sport. The focus needed to be an effective goalie is also a strength and I wondered if her OCD behaviour (my opinion) plays into that single minded determination to be perfect with every shot, every angle much as she is with every cookie or cake she bakes at home.
She’s familiar with the toll being the rare female in a male dominated sport takes on a woman. She’s been dealing with rejection and slights her whole life. I was impressed with the author’s portrayal of her phobia about being touched or hugged at family functions. The verbal abuse by drunken Uncle Peter on her ability to succeed in a “man’s sport” and a hallowed one at that in Quebec, matches the abuse she takes from teammates and other players on the ice. The strength of characters it takes to endure both physical and emotional abuse is enormous yet Gabrielle perseveres. She wins her teammates over with her cooking skills and develops a lasting friendship with a player who accepts her for who she is. We see few characters in fiction who are assexual or ARO and it was great to see this positive portrayal by Gabrielle.
I missed out on downloading my ARC request from Nine Star Press so I bought the book instead. I plan on reading everything K.R. Collins writes.
December 2, 2020
The first three works in this series involved Sophie Fournier playing in a top hockey league as the first woman in the league. This fourth work is a short side story that follows Gabrielle Gagnon, the goalie meet in prior Fournier works.
This specific book follows Gabrielle in short little sections set from something like 2000 to 2014. From being a youngster who was into ballet and figure-skating, to an adult professional hockey player, a goalie, in the major leagues.
I rather liked the Gabrielle shown in this book. She's kind of like a more self-aware version of Sophie, while kind of not. More self-aware about her likes & dislikes regarding men/women and being touched. As in aware she doesn't want to date or kiss either, nor be touched. While Sophie seems to be more undecided/unaware - directing her energy towards hockey and not towards relationship stuff.
It's possible I might have liked this more than I might have otherwise because I somewhat, slightly, saw myself in some small part of Gabrielle. Like the no touching thing. Though not in the hockey, ballet, figure-skating, obsessive need to be neat, to bake, to cook, basically everything else about Gabrielle.
Rating: 5.0
11/25/2020
This specific book follows Gabrielle in short little sections set from something like 2000 to 2014. From being a youngster who was into ballet and figure-skating, to an adult professional hockey player, a goalie, in the major leagues.
I rather liked the Gabrielle shown in this book. She's kind of like a more self-aware version of Sophie, while kind of not. More self-aware about her likes & dislikes regarding men/women and being touched. As in aware she doesn't want to date or kiss either, nor be touched. While Sophie seems to be more undecided/unaware - directing her energy towards hockey and not towards relationship stuff.
It's possible I might have liked this more than I might have otherwise because I somewhat, slightly, saw myself in some small part of Gabrielle. Like the no touching thing. Though not in the hockey, ballet, figure-skating, obsessive need to be neat, to bake, to cook, basically everything else about Gabrielle.
Rating: 5.0
11/25/2020
April 7, 2023
Meeting Gabrielle in her element is a wonder. She is a new goalie on the Quebec team but not yet respected. However, her preternatural ability to see the game and to calculate opponent moves is a thing of beauty. It is only a matter of time before she is also a star. The author is so talented at carving out characters. Gabrielle is soft and feminine, intelligent, and fiery. Her interactions with her teammate, LG, are funny and the banter is good. I enjoyed the novella and hope we hear more from Gabrielle later on in the series or maybe get a spinoff series.
November 24, 2020
I have a sort of hate-love relationship with the Sophie Fournier series, but I figured why not give this a go.
And it the hate-love continues for me. It's enjoyable to read these books, but with a lack of ice hockey knowledge, I do feel like I am missing something.
This novella tells the story of Gabriella, the goaltender. She has made some appearances in the Sophie Fournier series before, and now she has her own novella. Gabriella lives an isolated life, by choice, it fits her personality and her position on the ice. She has a quick mind and that makes her very well suited to be a goalie, she anticipates the moves of the attacking players. Facing her own set of social injustices and commentary from the outside world, she has a one-track mind. She pays no attention to the haters, not on her team(s) or in the media. Her goal is to succeed. She isn't a very sociable person, but when a new outgoing teammate breaks through some of her walls she lets him. He respects her boundaries and meets her on her terms and she does the same in return.
I like Gabriella, she's focussed, doesn't pay attention to haters, she does her own thing. The chapters are pretty clear on when they are set, but for me, it would have been better to have them in chronological order, just because my mind likes it better to have it all organised. Storywise I don't think it would make a big difference. It's a quick nice novella read, Sophie Fournier makes a couple of appearances and it's good to see them find support with each other.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
And it the hate-love continues for me. It's enjoyable to read these books, but with a lack of ice hockey knowledge, I do feel like I am missing something.
This novella tells the story of Gabriella, the goaltender. She has made some appearances in the Sophie Fournier series before, and now she has her own novella. Gabriella lives an isolated life, by choice, it fits her personality and her position on the ice. She has a quick mind and that makes her very well suited to be a goalie, she anticipates the moves of the attacking players. Facing her own set of social injustices and commentary from the outside world, she has a one-track mind. She pays no attention to the haters, not on her team(s) or in the media. Her goal is to succeed. She isn't a very sociable person, but when a new outgoing teammate breaks through some of her walls she lets him. He respects her boundaries and meets her on her terms and she does the same in return.
I like Gabriella, she's focussed, doesn't pay attention to haters, she does her own thing. The chapters are pretty clear on when they are set, but for me, it would have been better to have them in chronological order, just because my mind likes it better to have it all organised. Storywise I don't think it would make a big difference. It's a quick nice novella read, Sophie Fournier makes a couple of appearances and it's good to see them find support with each other.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
November 29, 2020
Sadly, this was a big no for me! I didn't realise that this was a novella that comes in part way through a series when I requested it on Netgalley, but I didn't feel like I was missing out on any information or prior plotlines in the series. This follows Gabrielle, a female ice-hockey player on an all male team, over a series of 6 (non-linear) Thanksgiving holidays. Despite not knowing much about ice hockey (I played field hockey for a few years but even my memory of that is a bit fuzzy!), I never felt lost with regards to the sport and any jargon used. I also liked the fact that it is perfect for this time of year (I didn't realised it was set around Thanksgiving either, so I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up on a whim!).
However, I did have two main issues with this novella. The first being that the portrayal of asexuality felt very stereotypical to me. However, as I am not asexual I can't really speak on the rep, but it went from not being interested in sex (or dating, so I'm not sure if she was also meant to be aromantic), but from not liking touch in general, including, for example, her hair being ruffled. Now, I'm sure there are ace/aroace people out there for whom this is great representation, but the way that it was described felt a bit too close to mocking for my liking.
Secondly, and this is one that is more of a relevant point to me specifically, is the trope of 'oh she plays a traditionally "masculine" sport but off the pitch (rink) she dresses and acts hyperfeminine'. As someone who has played women's rugby for ten years, this is something that really irks me. Not only is this 'stereotype' for lack of a better word so often perpetuated in literature and tv, but the cishet girls on these teams also perpetuate it. It almost seems (to me) like trying to be progressive by saying, yes women can play these contact sports that were traditionally only open to men, but we still like being in the kitchen and playing with makeup. Which, again, is completely fine, but it was extremely over the top in this book - at one point the main character is talking to wives/girlfriends of the male players and is invited to girls' night, and the first thing she says is something along the lines of I get a lot of free makeup samples, do you want to try it like ???? Have you been to a girls' night ??????? Also, this stereotype often plays to the almost demonisation of masculine women, particularly lesbians, and is why, for me personally, I hate this trope.
(Not sure if this review is even coherent I'm just disappointed and can't be bothered proofreading it lmao)
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an arc copy in return for a review
However, I did have two main issues with this novella. The first being that the portrayal of asexuality felt very stereotypical to me. However, as I am not asexual I can't really speak on the rep, but it went from not being interested in sex (or dating, so I'm not sure if she was also meant to be aromantic), but from not liking touch in general, including, for example, her hair being ruffled. Now, I'm sure there are ace/aroace people out there for whom this is great representation, but the way that it was described felt a bit too close to mocking for my liking.
Secondly, and this is one that is more of a relevant point to me specifically, is the trope of 'oh she plays a traditionally "masculine" sport but off the pitch (rink) she dresses and acts hyperfeminine'. As someone who has played women's rugby for ten years, this is something that really irks me. Not only is this 'stereotype' for lack of a better word so often perpetuated in literature and tv, but the cishet girls on these teams also perpetuate it. It almost seems (to me) like trying to be progressive by saying, yes women can play these contact sports that were traditionally only open to men, but we still like being in the kitchen and playing with makeup. Which, again, is completely fine, but it was extremely over the top in this book - at one point the main character is talking to wives/girlfriends of the male players and is invited to girls' night, and the first thing she says is something along the lines of I get a lot of free makeup samples, do you want to try it like ???? Have you been to a girls' night ??????? Also, this stereotype often plays to the almost demonisation of masculine women, particularly lesbians, and is why, for me personally, I hate this trope.
(Not sure if this review is even coherent I'm just disappointed and can't be bothered proofreading it lmao)
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an arc copy in return for a review
December 16, 2020
Goalie!!
I think I love Gabrielle more than Sophie? It feels rude to say it but she’s got an edge that I just love. This was great, and a fantastic teaser to remind me how much I love this series!!
I think I love Gabrielle more than Sophie? It feels rude to say it but she’s got an edge that I just love. This was great, and a fantastic teaser to remind me how much I love this series!!
December 12, 2020
Gabrielle's unflinching confidence is what makes this. I love that she is an ace neurodivergent goalie, but I love how she has zero fucks to give about anyone else's opinion even more.
I do totally ship her with LG but if they are just friends, I'll be happy. It isn't a burning need like my Elsa/Sophie/Dima polycule ship.
I do totally ship her with LG but if they are just friends, I'll be happy. It isn't a burning need like my Elsa/Sophie/Dima polycule ship.
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September 3, 2021
December 17, 2020
I’ve never read a book set in this universe I didn’t love, and this is no exception. K.R. Collins writes hockey in such a way that even a reader like me, who doesn’t understand the basic rules of any sport no matter how many times they’re explained and has used the term “sports ball” with only marginal irony, gets drawn into the intricacies of the game. Gabrielle is a fascinating character: strong, determined, intelligent, calculating, and incredibly brave. I love how sure of not just herself but also others she is: she relies on her instincts and trusts herself, even, or especially, when no one else does. Honestly, I want to be like her. I loved seeing moments from her younger self-- her amazing dad, her cringeworthy uncle, and her awful mother-- gave the person she is as an adult some solid context. I love that she feels like a complex person, one who doesn't conform to gender stereotypes and takes strength from all the things she loves: baking and hockey, makeup and beautiful clothing, teaching her teammates how to think like a goalie, and more. She stands up for herself over and over, with skill, with determination, and even with muffins. You can't help but admire that. The connection she builds with LG, while weathering the ignorance, indifference, and even calculated hostility of her team, broke my heart a little. I really hope to see more of her.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review*
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review*
November 29, 2020
Glove Save And A Beauty is a hockey lover’s dream book. K.R. Collins takes us through time and various memories of how Gabrielle formed herself. Yes, I said “formed herself” because that is exactly what she did. She starts life early on skates with figure skating and the ballet that goes alongside it. She spots a coach and a hockey team practicing on the other side of the ice and from that point forward she is fascinated. Watching the goalie and all of their traits and needed abilities seals the deal for Gabrielle. She gives up all of her other activities to pursue hockey...a girl in a boy’s field.
Collins bounces back and from the past to the distant past and what connects all of the memories is Thanksgiving. We get to see early on how Gabrielle’s orientation is brought to light and how she accepts it and how it forms her.
I found the “behind-the-scenes” look into hockey fascinating. I love the endurance of sports, especially very physical ones. Glove Save And A Beauty is a quick read about identity, family, and pursuing your dreams. Collins scores more than a goal with this Thanksgiving treat.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Collins bounces back and from the past to the distant past and what connects all of the memories is Thanksgiving. We get to see early on how Gabrielle’s orientation is brought to light and how she accepts it and how it forms her.
I found the “behind-the-scenes” look into hockey fascinating. I love the endurance of sports, especially very physical ones. Glove Save And A Beauty is a quick read about identity, family, and pursuing your dreams. Collins scores more than a goal with this Thanksgiving treat.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
November 26, 2020
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this book and I love that we get another perspective on women playing hockey from a different player as well as from a goalie who has a unique take on the game. Gabrielle is dealing with a lot of the same issues that Sophie has in the previous books but as a goalie she has a very intriguing and interesting point of view that I really enjoyed. Even though she is an amazing player she still has to be ten times better then everyone else if she wants a chance to play in the games instead of sitting on the bench. I like seeing the other women players from her perspective as well and I love that her entire career from childhood to the present day is included in the story but I disliked that everything was out of order. Had this story been told in chronological order instead of being all over the place this would have been a five star read for me. I hope we get to see a lot more of Gabrielle as this series continues.
I was looking forward to reading this book and I love that we get another perspective on women playing hockey from a different player as well as from a goalie who has a unique take on the game. Gabrielle is dealing with a lot of the same issues that Sophie has in the previous books but as a goalie she has a very intriguing and interesting point of view that I really enjoyed. Even though she is an amazing player she still has to be ten times better then everyone else if she wants a chance to play in the games instead of sitting on the bench. I like seeing the other women players from her perspective as well and I love that her entire career from childhood to the present day is included in the story but I disliked that everything was out of order. Had this story been told in chronological order instead of being all over the place this would have been a five star read for me. I hope we get to see a lot more of Gabrielle as this series continues.
December 1, 2020
✨Glove Save and a Beauty✨
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the earc.
✨
Summary: Gabrielle is a hockey player with the dream of playing in the NAHL, she is isolated by both her position on the ice and her personality off it. She faces a heap of sexism as her team view her as just a girl and not a hockey player. One day she gets a new teammate and in gaining a teammate she gains her first real friend.
✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: this was my first insight in this K.R. Collins’ work and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a short, sweet and easy read. I mistakenly thought it was a romance but i enjoyed the story anyway.
I really liked that Gabrielle wouldn’t let herself be pushed around, she stands up for herself and rises above it. She knows her worth and the value she adds and doesn’t need anyone to tell her. A strong female MC is what we love to see!
Would highly recommend to any sports lovers, now please excuse me while i go find all the other books to binge!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the earc.
✨
Summary: Gabrielle is a hockey player with the dream of playing in the NAHL, she is isolated by both her position on the ice and her personality off it. She faces a heap of sexism as her team view her as just a girl and not a hockey player. One day she gets a new teammate and in gaining a teammate she gains her first real friend.
✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: this was my first insight in this K.R. Collins’ work and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a short, sweet and easy read. I mistakenly thought it was a romance but i enjoyed the story anyway.
I really liked that Gabrielle wouldn’t let herself be pushed around, she stands up for herself and rises above it. She knows her worth and the value she adds and doesn’t need anyone to tell her. A strong female MC is what we love to see!
Would highly recommend to any sports lovers, now please excuse me while i go find all the other books to binge!
November 24, 2020
I loved this!
The first three parts in the series focus on Sophie, and seeing the world through Gabrielle's view in this novella was really nice and different. While they face some (/many) of the same challenges, they have quite a different approach and background in regards to dealing with them, which is nice to see.
I liked the non-linear storytelling and the fact that we saw Gabrielle during multiple stages of her life. Even though the book is quite short, this gave a broad and indepth view of who she is as a person, without it ever feeling like an infodump.
(I also may have made some celebratory noises out loud when I saw the announcement of a part 4 of this series :D )
The first three parts in the series focus on Sophie, and seeing the world through Gabrielle's view in this novella was really nice and different. While they face some (/many) of the same challenges, they have quite a different approach and background in regards to dealing with them, which is nice to see.
I liked the non-linear storytelling and the fact that we saw Gabrielle during multiple stages of her life. Even though the book is quite short, this gave a broad and indepth view of who she is as a person, without it ever feeling like an infodump.
(I also may have made some celebratory noises out loud when I saw the announcement of a part 4 of this series :D )
December 3, 2020
Fan of the Sophie Fournier series and appreciated the author expanding that world. Understanding hockey from Gabrielle's perspective, from a goalie's perspective, as someone who likes more feminine habits and still be a formidable athlete in a man's world, the author gave us some interesting elements. Still, the theme of loneliness and having to be beyond reproach resonated like in the Fournier books -- again, just with a different spin. It was a clever idea for a novella.
June 29, 2024
It was a nice little story letting us into the head of Gabrielle, the rockstar goalie. She's very well established as an aro-ace character that is comfortable in her skin and as someone capable of having deep connections without it meaning romantic or sexual.
The helmet being the wrong version (not a goalie helmet) is an annoying cover flaw though.
The helmet being the wrong version (not a goalie helmet) is an annoying cover flaw though.
December 21, 2021
This was an unusual read. It worked as a stand alone, mostly, but also wasn't really a romance (more like a prequel?).
March 21, 2025
i love gabrielle gagnon <3
January 13, 2021
This is my first time reading a book by K. R. Collins. At first I thought it was an f/f story but it’s not. The main character is asexual so I guess that’s why it fell under the LGBTQIA+ criteria.
The book focuses on the hardship of being a woman in a man dominating sports. It showed all the cliché BS that the MC have to endure in order to be treated seriously and equally, even though it’s plain as night and day that she’s much better than the men in her team. The ending was such a cliffhanger so maybe there will be a sequel. I hope the author will add some romance in it too since this one doesn’t have it.
I like the MC’s personality and skills.
Still a great read and I enjoyed reading it.
I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book focuses on the hardship of being a woman in a man dominating sports. It showed all the cliché BS that the MC have to endure in order to be treated seriously and equally, even though it’s plain as night and day that she’s much better than the men in her team. The ending was such a cliffhanger so maybe there will be a sequel. I hope the author will add some romance in it too since this one doesn’t have it.
I like the MC’s personality and skills.
Still a great read and I enjoyed reading it.
I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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