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San Francisco Strikers #2
Skating the Line
Amanda Pearsall never wanted to put down roots. To trust putting her happiness in someone else’s hands. Her mother tried that—repeatedly—with disastrous results and Amanda is not interested. You can’t get your heart crushed if you bail before it starts beating. Six years ago, she put California in her rear-view mirror and set out to travel the world, one adventure at a time. Eighteen months ago she returned home for a family emergency, and she’s still here, with no departure date in sight. The job she took to tide her over is stifling at best and she needs to get back out there. To throw caution to the wind and live her life on her terms.
Ben Chester, stoic captain of the San Francisco Strikers, lives and breathes hockey. From the tender age of three when his father strapped a pair of skates on Ben’s feet, hockey has been his life. What could be more enjoyable than being out on the ice and winning with your team? His nickname might be Cheesy, but he has no time for jokes when he’s playing the game he loves. And he has no time for distractions, especially from the media. He learned his lesson years ago to never trust anyone with a press pass, and when he discovers what Amanda does for a living, he wants nothing to do with her.
Ben knows they are all wrong for each other, no matter how good she feels in his arms. He likes skating in the lines. But Amanda can't even see them.
This is an 85,000 novel with a HEA and NO cliffhanger! It is the second book in the SF Strikers series, but can be read as a standalone.
Readers 18+
Ben Chester, stoic captain of the San Francisco Strikers, lives and breathes hockey. From the tender age of three when his father strapped a pair of skates on Ben’s feet, hockey has been his life. What could be more enjoyable than being out on the ice and winning with your team? His nickname might be Cheesy, but he has no time for jokes when he’s playing the game he loves. And he has no time for distractions, especially from the media. He learned his lesson years ago to never trust anyone with a press pass, and when he discovers what Amanda does for a living, he wants nothing to do with her.
Ben knows they are all wrong for each other, no matter how good she feels in his arms. He likes skating in the lines. But Amanda can't even see them.
This is an 85,000 novel with a HEA and NO cliffhanger! It is the second book in the SF Strikers series, but can be read as a standalone.
Readers 18+
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2020
553 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Kay
23 books490 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, Stephanie Kay has always loved a good romance, and she got hooked on the dirty ones at the tender age of 14, when she told her mother that if the cover wasn’t a bodice ripper, then there was no sex in the book. As an avid mystery reader, her mother never checked to see if Stephanie was lying. Twenty plus years later, Stephanie’s most prized possession is her Kindle, and she may have a Hallmark movie obsession.
She has called California, Maryland, and Rhode Island her home, but now lives in New Hampshire with her husband where she asks him incessant questions until he escapes to go hiking in the mountains. That’s the only time she can get him out of the house so she can get her writing in. Married couples shouldn’t both work from home!
Sports were never her thing, but after beta reading for another hockey author and buying NHL Game Center within one month of watching her first hockey game a few years ago, she dove into learning everything she could about the sport and the hot men that play it. Now she spends her spare time visiting hockey arenas in the name of research and loving every second of it.
You can find her online at www.stephkaybooks.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. Please join her reader group for updates and excerpts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/19224...
You can also email her at stephanie@stephkaybooks.com
She has called California, Maryland, and Rhode Island her home, but now lives in New Hampshire with her husband where she asks him incessant questions until he escapes to go hiking in the mountains. That’s the only time she can get him out of the house so she can get her writing in. Married couples shouldn’t both work from home!
Sports were never her thing, but after beta reading for another hockey author and buying NHL Game Center within one month of watching her first hockey game a few years ago, she dove into learning everything she could about the sport and the hot men that play it. Now she spends her spare time visiting hockey arenas in the name of research and loving every second of it.
You can find her online at www.stephkaybooks.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. Please join her reader group for updates and excerpts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/19224...
You can also email her at stephanie@stephkaybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 29, 2020
At the beginning of this book, I almost shelved it under DNF. Cause the push from Ben about media allergy, really bored me. But then,despite my boredom, I keep going. And boy I am glad I did.
I end up liking this book very much. It is a very light, sweet and cute romance book. I think along the way I fall for Amanda' sassy mouth. How she coax Ben to open up and deal with his past. Their banter is funny and sweet. I smile listening to the audiobook.
The plot is standard any sport romance. No heavy drama/ angst. Just a simple twist toward the end. I want more of Ben grovelling though.
Overall this is a wonderful book.
4 stars
I end up liking this book very much. It is a very light, sweet and cute romance book. I think along the way I fall for Amanda' sassy mouth. How she coax Ben to open up and deal with his past. Their banter is funny and sweet. I smile listening to the audiobook.
The plot is standard any sport romance. No heavy drama/ angst. Just a simple twist toward the end. I want more of Ben grovelling though.
Overall this is a wonderful book.
4 stars
September 12, 2017
This is the first time I have read this author and it won’t be my last. I love sports romance and hockey is my favorite. I really enjoyed this opposite attract romance! This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Amanda has the wondering spirit. She loves to travel and she writes a popular travel blog. She has been gone for six years and returns because her beloved grandfather is terminally ill. She took a job with a magazine but it is not the job she wanted. She is a personal assistant to the editor and she can edit staff articles, but not write much on her own. Did I mention they call her boss the dragon lady? Enough said! Amanda wants to write for the travel section but the dragon lady won’t allow it even though there is an opening. She is beyond frustrated and is ready to get on the road again. Then she meets Ben!
Ben is a serious guy. He takes his job as captain seriously. He takes life seriously. Sometimes way too seriously. He is intrigued by Amanda and wants to pursue her but he is hesitant to have a relationship. He was badly burned in his previous relationship and doesn’t want that to happen again. He also despises the media and everything associated with it. Until Amanda. They had a rough start when he found out she worked for a magazine. He was paranoid she was going to do an expose on him. She tried to convince him that she wasn’t interested in doing a piece on him and stressed she writes travel blogs. He still treads lightly much to Amanda’s frustration.
There is push and pull between these characters as their personalities are polar opposites. Amanda is adventure seeking and fun loving and she draws Ben out of his shell. There is drama and some tough times. The chemistry between Ben and Amanda is smoking and they are so good for each other.
I truly enjoyed this opposites attract sports romance and I highly recommend it.
ARC kindly provided for an honest review.
Amanda has the wondering spirit. She loves to travel and she writes a popular travel blog. She has been gone for six years and returns because her beloved grandfather is terminally ill. She took a job with a magazine but it is not the job she wanted. She is a personal assistant to the editor and she can edit staff articles, but not write much on her own. Did I mention they call her boss the dragon lady? Enough said! Amanda wants to write for the travel section but the dragon lady won’t allow it even though there is an opening. She is beyond frustrated and is ready to get on the road again. Then she meets Ben!
Ben is a serious guy. He takes his job as captain seriously. He takes life seriously. Sometimes way too seriously. He is intrigued by Amanda and wants to pursue her but he is hesitant to have a relationship. He was badly burned in his previous relationship and doesn’t want that to happen again. He also despises the media and everything associated with it. Until Amanda. They had a rough start when he found out she worked for a magazine. He was paranoid she was going to do an expose on him. She tried to convince him that she wasn’t interested in doing a piece on him and stressed she writes travel blogs. He still treads lightly much to Amanda’s frustration.
There is push and pull between these characters as their personalities are polar opposites. Amanda is adventure seeking and fun loving and she draws Ben out of his shell. There is drama and some tough times. The chemistry between Ben and Amanda is smoking and they are so good for each other.
I truly enjoyed this opposites attract sports romance and I highly recommend it.
ARC kindly provided for an honest review.
September 7, 2017
Skating the Line by Stephanie Kay is the second installment in her San Francisco Strikers series and tells the story of Amanda & Ben. Ben, Strikers captain, has extreme hangups about the media and enjoys his private life off the ice. When a familiar face shows up at Ben's favorite stage, he's concerned that his quiet spot will be over run but he can't resist her quick wit. Amanda hasn't stayed in one place for this long since college and she's starting to feel the itch to travel but a handsome hockey star has caught her eye and he might just be worth putting down some roots.
I do enjoy Stephanie's writing but this one didn't connect with me as much as previous work. I think it was that I didn't like Ben. I don't mind a flawed hero but man, Amanda gave him more chances than most people would. Amanda was such a strong character but her weakness to others taking advantage of her irked me. Even with these issues I still enjoyed where the story took me and advanced the Strikers story-line. 4 Stars for Skating the Line by Stephanie Kay
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
I do enjoy Stephanie's writing but this one didn't connect with me as much as previous work. I think it was that I didn't like Ben. I don't mind a flawed hero but man, Amanda gave him more chances than most people would. Amanda was such a strong character but her weakness to others taking advantage of her irked me. Even with these issues I still enjoyed where the story took me and advanced the Strikers story-line. 4 Stars for Skating the Line by Stephanie Kay
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
July 29, 2018
Ben Chester is the team of the professional hockey team, the Strikers. He is an overly serious man who has a serious phobia about journalists. So when he finds out that the woman he's sort of been seeing works for a magazine. He flips out. And then he flips out again. And then has trust issues again... I'm not really sure what heroine, Amanda, saw in this guy but they got an HEA that wasn't horrible. After a lot, a lot of searching.
April 25, 2024
I was close to giving this book a 5 star rating but the reactions of the main male character were so annoying that I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. The female main character did nothing to show she was distrustful or trying to hurt him, so him constantly blaming her for things she never did made me angry.
Overall, I enjoyed this one more than the first book!
Overall, I enjoyed this one more than the first book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
Rollercoaster without enough payoff. I just didn't really care about Amanda.
March 23, 2020
Swoon
"...his eyes drifted shut, his lower lip disappearing into his mouth as he concentrated." Those words are hot! I'm a puddle of book for a really good book boyfriend. Meet Ben... oh, and a woman that drives him crazy!
"...his eyes drifted shut, his lower lip disappearing into his mouth as he concentrated." Those words are hot! I'm a puddle of book for a really good book boyfriend. Meet Ben... oh, and a woman that drives him crazy!
September 22, 2017
Skating the Line by author, Stephanie Kay was truly amazing. This is one of the best sports romances I have read. This is Stephanie's second book in the San Francisco Strikers series. The story's two main characters are Amanda, a struggling writer and Ben, the captain of the San Francisco Strikers hockey team. The two have met through their friends and are attracted to each other but afraid to take it further than a kiss. The author takes you on an unbelievable journey with Amanda's and Ben's journey to learn to trust each other and find love. This book can be read as a standalone and you wont be disappointed. I would definitely recommend this book. If I could rate it 10 stars I would.
January 5, 2018
Skating the Line is a great addition to the series. This book was a mini guide and a trip down memory lane for me. Amanda is a travel writer and does a mini series on my old stomping grounds, San Francisco.
Skating the line wasn't just and exploration of Bay Area. It was a exploration in relationships. Family dynamics was through the roof. Amanda's mom refuses to grow up. Ben's dad refuses to live after losing Ben's mom years ago.
Ben's past has him walking on eggshells around Amanda. He doesn't do relationships. He definitely doesn't do reporters. When his life starts falling apart Amanda is a convenient scapegoat.
He will have to do some major soul searching and groveling to make things right. That is if he wants to.
Skating the line wasn't just and exploration of Bay Area. It was a exploration in relationships. Family dynamics was through the roof. Amanda's mom refuses to grow up. Ben's dad refuses to live after losing Ben's mom years ago.
Ben's past has him walking on eggshells around Amanda. He doesn't do relationships. He definitely doesn't do reporters. When his life starts falling apart Amanda is a convenient scapegoat.
He will have to do some major soul searching and groveling to make things right. That is if he wants to.
September 12, 2017
I really enjoyed the second book in this author's San Francisco hockey series! Ben and Amanda really draw you into their story. They couldn't be more opposite. He is the captain of the Breakers, quiet, focused, and not a media lover. Amanda is a traveler, free spirit who doesn't want to be cooped up, and a writer/blogger. When they share one heck of a kiss one night, Ben takes off without explanation. They have mutual friends so they will see each other. Can they figure out that they might just be the one each other needs.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
October 1, 2017
Stephanie Kay's San Francisco Strikers series keeps on getting better.
Amanda, a feisty lifestyle reporter, stays in San Francisco after the death of her beloved grandfather. Ben, our hero, is a media adverse hockey player and the fireworks commence. Amanda was The driver in this relationship. She had no qualms in calling Ben out on his shit. It's a shame she wasn't as dominant in her workplace. Can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes us.
Amanda, a feisty lifestyle reporter, stays in San Francisco after the death of her beloved grandfather. Ben, our hero, is a media adverse hockey player and the fireworks commence. Amanda was The driver in this relationship. She had no qualms in calling Ben out on his shit. It's a shame she wasn't as dominant in her workplace. Can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes us.
November 30, 2018
Another good one!
I loved Ben and Amanda. You could feel the attraction coming off the pages as these two tries to deny that they had something. While Ben came across as a bit of a jerk at times, he had his reasons and you can’t really blame him. I love how Stephanie is able to weave in all these secondary characters that help bring the story to life, but that don’t take away from the story line.
I loved Ben and Amanda. You could feel the attraction coming off the pages as these two tries to deny that they had something. While Ben came across as a bit of a jerk at times, he had his reasons and you can’t really blame him. I love how Stephanie is able to weave in all these secondary characters that help bring the story to life, but that don’t take away from the story line.
October 4, 2019
This book has a good balance between hockey action and romance. What I really enjoyed was the reverse take on the male/female dynamic. Amanda is strong, free spirited and enjoys a varied sex life never committing to a relationship longer than a date or two, that is until Ben! Ben is very reserved, quiet, private and somewhat shy. The plot thickens! The characters both main and secondary are so well crafted you just can't help rooting for them. I recommend this series!
August 31, 2022
3.25
Again with the lack of trust. I get it.... But how many times do you get to be a jerk and accuse someone of effing you over? In this book? Apparently, three. Three times is the answer.
🙄
Again with the lack of trust. I get it.... But how many times do you get to be a jerk and accuse someone of effing you over? In this book? Apparently, three. Three times is the answer.
🙄
May 5, 2020
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I am enjoying this series. This was another great pairing, though Ben's thing with reporters drove me a little batty. I swear, when he got mad at Amanda, yet again, I was ready to toss him. There was a good case built for his feelings about journalists, and there was quite a surprise towards the there too, but I still think he needed to stop and reflect a bit. Still loved these two together. They had great chemistry, and seeing both of them open up to each other was a wonderful thing.
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I am enjoying this series. This was another great pairing, though Ben's thing with reporters drove me a little batty. I swear, when he got mad at Amanda, yet again, I was ready to toss him. There was a good case built for his feelings about journalists, and there was quite a surprise towards the there too, but I still think he needed to stop and reflect a bit. Still loved these two together. They had great chemistry, and seeing both of them open up to each other was a wonderful thing.
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April 17, 2022
anything but cheesy
Loved this story, it had a great storyline and it moved a little quicker than book 1. I liked both main characters and I enjoyed the twists and turns in their relationship. I liked that Amanda weighed herself and her relationships when making decisions, I liked that she searched for answers that might make her happy in more than one way. It was a positive message for individuals reading to take from the story. I enjoyed getting to know all of the team even better than in book 1 and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Great read for hanging out or traveling. I listened to most of it while traveling and cleaning my house and it felt like I got through it very quickly!
Loved this story, it had a great storyline and it moved a little quicker than book 1. I liked both main characters and I enjoyed the twists and turns in their relationship. I liked that Amanda weighed herself and her relationships when making decisions, I liked that she searched for answers that might make her happy in more than one way. It was a positive message for individuals reading to take from the story. I enjoyed getting to know all of the team even better than in book 1 and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Great read for hanging out or traveling. I listened to most of it while traveling and cleaning my house and it felt like I got through it very quickly!
February 14, 2023
Super predictable but a quick read. I knew exactly who Ann was, so no surprise when it all came out. I genuinely loved Amanda! Though she was stubborn at times, I understood it. It was Ben who pissed me off. The way he reacted over and over again to articles and who Amanda was, pissed me off. He had absolutely no right to treat her the way he did. She did nothing to earn his distrust. And yet he was downright nasty to her. Especially after she earned his trust, and he decided to throw that away because he assumed! I can't believe she actually took him back. And honestly wished there was much more groveling. Don't feel like Ben honestly deserved her. He kinda just brushed past the whole issue.
December 2, 2024
Mi opinión es similar a la del primer libro: entretenido, con un conflicto del tercer acto demasiado dramático para mi gusto pero con un final satisfactorio.
La verdad es que él me ha cabreado un poco, siempre dispuesto a culparla a ella de todo lo malo que le pase. Entiendo que tiene traumas pero también debería parar a pensar un poco las cosas antes de empezar a lanzar acusaciones a diestro y siniestro, porque las palabras también duelen y tienen consecuencias.
Por otro lado, por centrarme en lo positivo, me ha hecho especial gracia todo el lío de la madre, el piso y los pancakes. También me ha parecido muy tierna toda la trama del abuelo y me ha gustado la solución a la que llegan al final.
La verdad es que él me ha cabreado un poco, siempre dispuesto a culparla a ella de todo lo malo que le pase. Entiendo que tiene traumas pero también debería parar a pensar un poco las cosas antes de empezar a lanzar acusaciones a diestro y siniestro, porque las palabras también duelen y tienen consecuencias.
Por otro lado, por centrarme en lo positivo, me ha hecho especial gracia todo el lío de la madre, el piso y los pancakes. También me ha parecido muy tierna toda la trama del abuelo y me ha gustado la solución a la que llegan al final.
November 20, 2023
This is the second book in the San Francisco Strikers hockey series. It is the story of team captain Ben “Cheesy” Chester and writer Amanda Pearsall. They meet through friends and begin to fall for one another. Ben has issues with reporters/writers from having been previously burned. Overcoming mistrust is never easy.
September 16, 2017
Hockey + Romance = Winner
I love hockey and I love romance, and this book was perfect fit.
Stephanie is super knowledge about hockey, which is awesome, and I love her characters. Can't wait to read more of her books!
I love hockey and I love romance, and this book was perfect fit.
Stephanie is super knowledge about hockey, which is awesome, and I love her characters. Can't wait to read more of her books!
November 6, 2017
Fun & Entertaining Read
Great follow-up read to the first book in the Strikers series. Amanda has more patience than I ever would, but the karma catch at the end made for great wrap-up!
Great follow-up read to the first book in the Strikers series. Amanda has more patience than I ever would, but the karma catch at the end made for great wrap-up!
February 4, 2019
Amanda and Ben
Great characters and story. Great cheeses surprise near the end that almost made me cry. There is also a very interesting premonition. Funny, dramatic and romantic. And Hockey butt.... lol
Great characters and story. Great cheeses surprise near the end that almost made me cry. There is also a very interesting premonition. Funny, dramatic and romantic. And Hockey butt.... lol
August 20, 2022
3.5 stars
Skating the Line was enjoyable. At times I got frustrated with the way Ben and they way he acted towards Amanda's profession. I did like that both characters grew a bit throughout and they were cute together. Overall, I enjoyed it.
April 15, 2023
Ben has trust issues and I can't get over his reaction
Didn't connect with the characters very well and their "issues" weren't ever actually addressed or resolved. Sometimes "sorry" just isn't enough.
Didn't connect with the characters very well and their "issues" weren't ever actually addressed or resolved. Sometimes "sorry" just isn't enough.
July 4, 2023
Skating the Line
I haven’t read anything by this author before and I enjoyed it. It was entertaining. I liked Ben a lot. I always enjoy seeing the MC coming out of their shell and finding what truly makes them happy.
I haven’t read anything by this author before and I enjoyed it. It was entertaining. I liked Ben a lot. I always enjoy seeing the MC coming out of their shell and finding what truly makes them happy.
August 17, 2023
There were about 75 pages that could have been cut from the middle of this book. Just repetitive to the point of boredom. And both characters were likable on their own, but I missed the chemistry. That said, the last quarter or so was good enough to redeem the excessive remuneration.
April 18, 2025
good read
Good read and likeable enough characters, although cheesy was in his own head a tad too long. Thank goodness for a strong female character who had his measure. Do like karma visiting the ex.
Good read and likeable enough characters, although cheesy was in his own head a tad too long. Thank goodness for a strong female character who had his measure. Do like karma visiting the ex.
May 8, 2018
I like the characters in this book but there was too many eye roll moments at parts that left me feeling like it was lacking some. It was a fun, quick read though so no massive complaints.
August 28, 2018
Another great hockey player romance
September 29, 2019
I love her hockey men and the women they fall for. Great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews