What do you think?
Rate this book
New York Legends #1
Thrown for a Loop
Not yet published
Expected 4 Nov 25Fans suspect that the bad boy of hockey has a few skeletons in his closet. They have no idea he also has a sparkly bodysuit… #toepick!
When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.
Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.
And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.
Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chase to reprise their flashy routine.
Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart.
When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.
Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.
And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.
Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chase to reprise their flashy routine.
Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 4, 2025
20 people are currently reading
3416 people want to read
About the author
Sarina Bowen
103 books18.6k followers
Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!
You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
July 26, 2025
4 ⭐️
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance hockey romance with mild The Cutting Edge vibes, forced proximity, great side characters and just a touch of spice. As a hockey fan, this hit the spot and was the perfect palate cleanser between some heavier reads.
Ten years ago, teenage hockey player Chase and figure skater Zoe met at a skating camp and had a brief but intense connection until a mistake by Zoe cost Chase his summer job and more, leaving things on a sour note. Now, Zoe is an Olympic silver medalist turned skating coach for the New York Legends, the same team where Chase is a star player struggling through a tough season. Their unexpected reunion is awkward, to say the least. When an old video of their skating routine resurfaces and goes viral, team management sees a PR opportunity and forces them to perform the routine again, this time for charity.
The story is told in dual timelines—present day and ten years ago. In the first half of the book, flashback chapters alternate with the present, which made it a little harder for me to stay focused on what was happening in the present. However, in the second half, the flashbacks are spaced out more, which made it easier for me to stay connected to the present-day story.
Both Zoe and Chase were likable MCs, and I really liked that you could see how they matured in that decade spent apart. The reason for their ten year gap felt plausible, and there was only one tiny miscommunication that got resolved quickly, so huge kudos for handling those aspects well. This was my first Sarina Bowen novel but most definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to Darcy and Tremaine’s story which will be the next in this new series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my eARC. Expected Pub date 11/4/25.
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance hockey romance with mild The Cutting Edge vibes, forced proximity, great side characters and just a touch of spice. As a hockey fan, this hit the spot and was the perfect palate cleanser between some heavier reads.
Ten years ago, teenage hockey player Chase and figure skater Zoe met at a skating camp and had a brief but intense connection until a mistake by Zoe cost Chase his summer job and more, leaving things on a sour note. Now, Zoe is an Olympic silver medalist turned skating coach for the New York Legends, the same team where Chase is a star player struggling through a tough season. Their unexpected reunion is awkward, to say the least. When an old video of their skating routine resurfaces and goes viral, team management sees a PR opportunity and forces them to perform the routine again, this time for charity.
The story is told in dual timelines—present day and ten years ago. In the first half of the book, flashback chapters alternate with the present, which made it a little harder for me to stay focused on what was happening in the present. However, in the second half, the flashbacks are spaced out more, which made it easier for me to stay connected to the present-day story.
Both Zoe and Chase were likable MCs, and I really liked that you could see how they matured in that decade spent apart. The reason for their ten year gap felt plausible, and there was only one tiny miscommunication that got resolved quickly, so huge kudos for handling those aspects well. This was my first Sarina Bowen novel but most definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to Darcy and Tremaine’s story which will be the next in this new series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my eARC. Expected Pub date 11/4/25.
July 14, 2025
Ten years ago, the characters spent a summer at figure skating camp, quickly fell in love, but one mistake on Zoe’s part tore them apart. Chase is now the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe is their new skating coach. It seems he is still holding a grudge, and she realizes the attraction between them hasn’t gone anywhere.
The moment I got the ARC, I dove right in—this is a brand-new hockey romance from Sarina Bowen! The book follows a dual timeline—we get to see how their love first blossomed, how fiercely Zoe’s mother protected her, and how vulnerable but hopelessly in love Chase was back then. In the present day, things are different—Zoe is a confident woman who can stand her ground, while Chase is a grumpy, closed-off guy. It was so satisfying to watch his walls slowly come down as he let her back into his life.
I also really appreciated how much actual hockey and figure skating are in this book—you can tell the author truly knows what she’s talking about!
The past chapters were written in third person, which made switching between timelines a bit tricky. I would’ve preferred those scenes to also be in the characters’ POVs to keep the emotional flow more consistent.
I finished the book in a day and genuinely enjoyed it! I’m super intrigued by Darcy and Tremaine and can’t wait to read their story next!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓hockey romance
✓second chance
✓dual timeline
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The moment I got the ARC, I dove right in—this is a brand-new hockey romance from Sarina Bowen! The book follows a dual timeline—we get to see how their love first blossomed, how fiercely Zoe’s mother protected her, and how vulnerable but hopelessly in love Chase was back then. In the present day, things are different—Zoe is a confident woman who can stand her ground, while Chase is a grumpy, closed-off guy. It was so satisfying to watch his walls slowly come down as he let her back into his life.
I also really appreciated how much actual hockey and figure skating are in this book—you can tell the author truly knows what she’s talking about!
The past chapters were written in third person, which made switching between timelines a bit tricky. I would’ve preferred those scenes to also be in the characters’ POVs to keep the emotional flow more consistent.
I finished the book in a day and genuinely enjoyed it! I’m super intrigued by Darcy and Tremaine and can’t wait to read their story next!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓hockey romance
✓second chance
✓dual timeline
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2025
I've only read the Him series by this author, but I saw this arc available and it looked really good so I thought "why not?". Well guys, I really love hockey romance.
Thrown for a Loop is told in a dual timeline, first person with our main character, Zoe, in the present and past in second person. Not gonna lie, that threw me off at first, but I soon got used to it and it didn't bother me much. We follow a hockey player and a skating coach that in the past skated together in a skating camp. The dual timeline made the story addictive, I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know what happened. This was the perfect length, the right amount of angst and spice too.
Is it a little cheesy? Yes. A bit too cliche? Definitely. But sometimes that's all you want.
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series, I'll miss these characters in the meantime.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
Thrown for a Loop is told in a dual timeline, first person with our main character, Zoe, in the present and past in second person. Not gonna lie, that threw me off at first, but I soon got used to it and it didn't bother me much. We follow a hockey player and a skating coach that in the past skated together in a skating camp. The dual timeline made the story addictive, I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know what happened. This was the perfect length, the right amount of angst and spice too.
Is it a little cheesy? Yes. A bit too cliche? Definitely. But sometimes that's all you want.
I'm looking forward to the second book in the series, I'll miss these characters in the meantime.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
August 27, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and to Grand Central Publishing as well as the author for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
August 27, 2025
This is a fun and cute little hockey book with a solid storyline and writing. Zoe and Chase first met as coaches at a skating camp years ago. After a contentious ending, they are now back working together, with her as a skating coach and him as a professional hockey player. When their old skating videos resurface, they are brought back together for the good of the team and their reputations.
The setup of this book was interesting. The present-day chapters were told from Zoe’s POV, while the flashbacks were from Chase’s POV. I thought that was a unique choice, but I am not sure it was very effective here. I wished it had been dual POV in both time frames. The flashbacks also stopped halfway through, and I felt the pacing could have been adjusted to carry that structure throughout the entire book.
Overall, it was very cute, but I am especially looking forward to the next book. Those characters caught my eye, and their story seems like it will be even more fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy!
The setup of this book was interesting. The present-day chapters were told from Zoe’s POV, while the flashbacks were from Chase’s POV. I thought that was a unique choice, but I am not sure it was very effective here. I wished it had been dual POV in both time frames. The flashbacks also stopped halfway through, and I felt the pacing could have been adjusted to carry that structure throughout the entire book.
Overall, it was very cute, but I am especially looking forward to the next book. Those characters caught my eye, and their story seems like it will be even more fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy!
July 12, 2025
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen
It’s the off-season. No NHL games. No highlights. No dramatic fights over puck possession. So what do I do? I read about hot hockey players falling for fiercely independent women who have zero time for their nonsense. Enter Chase and Zoe — and suddenly, my off-season is looking a lot more interesting.
Zoe is a driven, no-nonsense ice skating coach who’s worked hard to carve out a stable, drama-free life. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a cocky hockey player — especially not one who once made her feel like a fool and never really apologized.
But when circumstances force Zoe and Chase, professional hockey player and walking temptations back into each other’s orbit, the spark between them is very much not dead. There’s tension, history, grudges, and a whole lot of banter — and when feelings start to slip through the cracks, things get complicated fast.
Zoe & Chase: Second-Chance Tension Done Right
Zoe is sharp, practical, and has ice in her veins — in the best way. She’s the kind of heroine who keeps her guard up, especially around ex-flings who are too handsome for their own good. She’s focused on her coaching career and has no interest in playing emotional defense against Chase… again.
Chase is charming, slightly clueless, and somehow both cocky and genuinely sweet. He’s carrying a little career baggage, a lot of pride, and more emotional intelligence than you'd expect — when it counts. His arc is all about showing up, growing up, and finally saying what needed to be said years ago.
Their dynamic? Sizzling with unresolved tension, sarcastic quips, stolen glances, and that delicious “we shouldn’t… but we want to” energy. Slow-burn with a history. My favorite kind.
Sass, Spice, and everything nice
There’s no shortage of humor here — Zoe’s internal commentary alone had me grinning. She’s blunt, sharp, and painfully honest in her thoughts, especially when Chase pushes her buttons (which he does. Often. On purpose).
The side characters are fun, vibrant, and bring extra life to the story without stealing focus. And the worldbuilding around the ice — both Zoe’s figure skating world and Chase’s hockey universe — is well done without being overly technical.
And let’s be honest: the spice hits exactly when and how it should. It’s not over the top — it’s earned, intimate, and layered with real emotion. Just how I like it.
4 stars — because even when the rinks are quiet, my love for hockey romance is alive and well.
Thrown for a Loop gives you:
An ice queen coach with a sharp tongue and zero tolerance for BS
A charming, slightly regretful hockey player trying to earn his second shot
Banter that stings, kisses that melt, and tension that refuses to die
And the perfect off-season escape with heart, heat, and humor
Hockey may be out of season — but this romance? Absolute playoff material.
Thank you Netgalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Sarina Bowen for my eArc, I was under no obligation to review, all opinions are my own.
It’s the off-season. No NHL games. No highlights. No dramatic fights over puck possession. So what do I do? I read about hot hockey players falling for fiercely independent women who have zero time for their nonsense. Enter Chase and Zoe — and suddenly, my off-season is looking a lot more interesting.
Zoe is a driven, no-nonsense ice skating coach who’s worked hard to carve out a stable, drama-free life. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a cocky hockey player — especially not one who once made her feel like a fool and never really apologized.
But when circumstances force Zoe and Chase, professional hockey player and walking temptations back into each other’s orbit, the spark between them is very much not dead. There’s tension, history, grudges, and a whole lot of banter — and when feelings start to slip through the cracks, things get complicated fast.
Zoe & Chase: Second-Chance Tension Done Right
Zoe is sharp, practical, and has ice in her veins — in the best way. She’s the kind of heroine who keeps her guard up, especially around ex-flings who are too handsome for their own good. She’s focused on her coaching career and has no interest in playing emotional defense against Chase… again.
Chase is charming, slightly clueless, and somehow both cocky and genuinely sweet. He’s carrying a little career baggage, a lot of pride, and more emotional intelligence than you'd expect — when it counts. His arc is all about showing up, growing up, and finally saying what needed to be said years ago.
Their dynamic? Sizzling with unresolved tension, sarcastic quips, stolen glances, and that delicious “we shouldn’t… but we want to” energy. Slow-burn with a history. My favorite kind.
Sass, Spice, and everything nice
There’s no shortage of humor here — Zoe’s internal commentary alone had me grinning. She’s blunt, sharp, and painfully honest in her thoughts, especially when Chase pushes her buttons (which he does. Often. On purpose).
The side characters are fun, vibrant, and bring extra life to the story without stealing focus. And the worldbuilding around the ice — both Zoe’s figure skating world and Chase’s hockey universe — is well done without being overly technical.
And let’s be honest: the spice hits exactly when and how it should. It’s not over the top — it’s earned, intimate, and layered with real emotion. Just how I like it.
4 stars — because even when the rinks are quiet, my love for hockey romance is alive and well.
Thrown for a Loop gives you:
An ice queen coach with a sharp tongue and zero tolerance for BS
A charming, slightly regretful hockey player trying to earn his second shot
Banter that stings, kisses that melt, and tension that refuses to die
And the perfect off-season escape with heart, heat, and humor
Hockey may be out of season — but this romance? Absolute playoff material.
Thank you Netgalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Sarina Bowen for my eArc, I was under no obligation to review, all opinions are my own.
July 3, 2025
As soon as I had the chance to read Thrown For A Loop, I took it... and I absolutely loved it. I devoured it, couldn't put it down.
Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson met at a skating camp when they were teens. They started a sweet relationship, but their break up was so devastating they didn't speak ever again. After an incredible career as a figure skater, Zoe has landed a coaching job at the Legends, New York hockey franchise. After so many medals, she has now to win the players trust and to gain their respect, but it won't be easy because Chase is one of them, and he still despise her.
Zoe and Chase are funny, kind, and driven. Their tension and attraction are palpable, but they can't move forward together if they don't clarify what happened in the past first.
I've enjoyed their journey, it was a pleasure to see them get over their misunderstandings and to build a more mature and stronger relationship because they deserve their happily ever after.
Sarina Bowen wrote a new hit with her engaging storytelling, exciting sports scenes, and charming characters. It was a nice touch to tell the present story through Zoe's pov and the past through Chase's one, it set a good flow, also giving more depth to the story and the characters.
I can't wait to continue the series because there are other two players I'm curious about
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
July 14, 2025
4.5. This was such a cute read! In this book, Zoe and Chase reunite 10 years after their teenage summer fling. Once promising skaters (Zoe as a figure skater, Chase as a hockey player), they are now in new phases of their life -- Chase is a star hockey player on an NHL team while Zoe has retired after going to the Olympics and is now a skating coach for Chase's team. They didn't end their summer of love on a good note, so there's immediate tension when they meet again. The story is told through alternating POV and alternates between present day and flashbacks, adding a nice variety to the read and tension to the plot as you slowly find out what happened in their past.
I will be the first to admit that second chance romance is perhaps my least favorite trope, and author Bowen did an incredible job in making the trope feel fresh and--most importantly for me--not frustrating. Yes, the breakup was based on a miscommunication at the time, but there are nuances to the miscommunication and as adults, the miscommunication is not a belabored plot point (if you can't tell, this is what most bothers me about second chance romances). Instead, I found their teenage romance to be adorably precious and their adult selves to be interesting, well-rounded, and mature as they approached each other again.
I do think there were a few heavier topics that the book introduced that could have been addressed more completely and instead felt a little rushed in the wrap-up (mainly, the issues surrounding Zoe's mom and Chase's dad).
Still, I was glued to this book until I got to the end. I really enjoyed this and I'm already chomping at the bit for the second book in the series (no spoilers, but I can't wait for those characters to get together!)
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
I will be the first to admit that second chance romance is perhaps my least favorite trope, and author Bowen did an incredible job in making the trope feel fresh and--most importantly for me--not frustrating. Yes, the breakup was based on a miscommunication at the time, but there are nuances to the miscommunication and as adults, the miscommunication is not a belabored plot point (if you can't tell, this is what most bothers me about second chance romances). Instead, I found their teenage romance to be adorably precious and their adult selves to be interesting, well-rounded, and mature as they approached each other again.
I do think there were a few heavier topics that the book introduced that could have been addressed more completely and instead felt a little rushed in the wrap-up (mainly, the issues surrounding Zoe's mom and Chase's dad).
Still, I was glued to this book until I got to the end. I really enjoyed this and I'm already chomping at the bit for the second book in the series (no spoilers, but I can't wait for those characters to get together!)
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
August 10, 2025
4⭐️
A new hockey series from Sarina Bowen? I jumped on this SO fast. I loved her Brooklyn/Brooklyn Bruisers series and I'm really hoping we get to see some of the Legend's guys get their turn in the spotlight!
Zoe Carson, former Olympic ice dancer, is starting her new job as a skating coach for the New York Legends hockey team. The only problem? Her ex Chase Merritt, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in ten years, plays for said team. The two of them worked at a figure skating camp when they were teenagers, and fell fast and hard for each other. We get a series of flashback chapters of their time at the camp, interspersed with the current timeline.
I don't think the flashback chapters worked that well? We had short chapters in the beginning with frequent flashbacks- so it felt like every time the current timeline was actually getting somewhere plot-wise, you were thrown back to the camp. It was just kind of jarring. I think it also delayed getting to know Zoe and Chase in the now- they barely even spend time together as adults in the first half of the book.
When I first read the synopsis I won't lie, I thought the plot sounded too cheesy for me. But it actually worked and made sense in this world. Chase has had some bad PR lately and when an old video of him and Zoe ice skating at camp resurfaces and goes viral, the Legends team jumps on the opportunity. They ask Zoe and Chase to recreate the routine at an upcoming charity event, and Zoe agrees because she's desperate to make a good impression and get a full-time job. I thought it added some fun to the hockey-filled world, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with for Darcy and Tremaine!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A new hockey series from Sarina Bowen? I jumped on this SO fast. I loved her Brooklyn/Brooklyn Bruisers series and I'm really hoping we get to see some of the Legend's guys get their turn in the spotlight!
Zoe Carson, former Olympic ice dancer, is starting her new job as a skating coach for the New York Legends hockey team. The only problem? Her ex Chase Merritt, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in ten years, plays for said team. The two of them worked at a figure skating camp when they were teenagers, and fell fast and hard for each other. We get a series of flashback chapters of their time at the camp, interspersed with the current timeline.
I don't think the flashback chapters worked that well? We had short chapters in the beginning with frequent flashbacks- so it felt like every time the current timeline was actually getting somewhere plot-wise, you were thrown back to the camp. It was just kind of jarring. I think it also delayed getting to know Zoe and Chase in the now- they barely even spend time together as adults in the first half of the book.
When I first read the synopsis I won't lie, I thought the plot sounded too cheesy for me. But it actually worked and made sense in this world. Chase has had some bad PR lately and when an old video of him and Zoe ice skating at camp resurfaces and goes viral, the Legends team jumps on the opportunity. They ask Zoe and Chase to recreate the routine at an upcoming charity event, and Zoe agrees because she's desperate to make a good impression and get a full-time job. I thought it added some fun to the hockey-filled world, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with for Darcy and Tremaine!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 26, 2025unfortunately i have to stop reading this book at 37%..
when i first started reading again sarina bowen was a go to author for me. her hockey romances were so good, when i saw this one announced i needed to read it. sadly there were just so many cringey moments in the dialogue that i was snuggling to push through the story. the book is told in two timelines and the second timeline has out main male character unironically using the word "dudes" ... no thanks
I gave myself two days and i felt no want to pick this book up and finish it. if it comes out and people looooooove the second half maybe i'll pick it up but this wasn't for me. its sad though because rookie move, another second chance hockey romance by this author, is so, so good..
when i first started reading again sarina bowen was a go to author for me. her hockey romances were so good, when i saw this one announced i needed to read it. sadly there were just so many cringey moments in the dialogue that i was snuggling to push through the story. the book is told in two timelines and the second timeline has out main male character unironically using the word "dudes" ... no thanks
I gave myself two days and i felt no want to pick this book up and finish it. if it comes out and people looooooove the second half maybe i'll pick it up but this wasn't for me. its sad though because rookie move, another second chance hockey romance by this author, is so, so good..
Read
July 17, 20253.5 stars.
I enjoyed "Thrown for a Loop" by Sarina Bowen for the most part. It is a second-chance hockey romance with a lot of trauma and emotional baggage between the two main characters. The story of Zoe and Chase is told in a dual timeline that flips back and forth between the present day and the events of about 10 years ago. Chase is a hockey player and MVP for the New York Legends. He has lost his mojo on the ice. Zoe has just been hired as the team's new coach and has made it her mission to help the men on the team enhance their game any way she can. She has the skills to back it up, being a former champion figure skater. Chase and Zoe have a history, leading to a lot of tension between the two of them. 10 years ago, they were both skating camp counselors who slowly fell in love with each other, despite the protestations of Zoe's overbearing family/mother. Zoe's every movement, caloric intake, and day down to the hour were tracked and scheduled with precision because she had an image and figure to maintain as a skater. When their relationship crashed and burned for *~reasons,*~ the two of them don't speak to each other for almost a decade, until Zoe becomes Chase's coach. I liked the dual timeline that tells Chase and Zoe's history. I do feel like this book is way, way too slow to unfold. Though there is a lot of detail put into their story, nothing really happens between the two of them until about 75% into the book. It took way too long to get to the crux of their feelings unfolding/relationship in the present day. Despite their very intense, very earth-shattering relationship 10 years ago, I didn't feel the depth between the two of them in the present day. There is a little bit of a mystery because Zoe is being given horrible notes from an anonymous person where she is called names and told to leave the team. The mystery is not that difficult to figure out, but that's besides the point. I did like the back and forth banter between the characters once it becomes clear they have to relive their glory days for charity and they are forced to spend more time with each other than is strictly necessary. All in all, I liked this book, though it is not my all-time favorite hockey romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I enjoyed "Thrown for a Loop" by Sarina Bowen for the most part. It is a second-chance hockey romance with a lot of trauma and emotional baggage between the two main characters. The story of Zoe and Chase is told in a dual timeline that flips back and forth between the present day and the events of about 10 years ago. Chase is a hockey player and MVP for the New York Legends. He has lost his mojo on the ice. Zoe has just been hired as the team's new coach and has made it her mission to help the men on the team enhance their game any way she can. She has the skills to back it up, being a former champion figure skater. Chase and Zoe have a history, leading to a lot of tension between the two of them. 10 years ago, they were both skating camp counselors who slowly fell in love with each other, despite the protestations of Zoe's overbearing family/mother. Zoe's every movement, caloric intake, and day down to the hour were tracked and scheduled with precision because she had an image and figure to maintain as a skater. When their relationship crashed and burned for *~reasons,*~ the two of them don't speak to each other for almost a decade, until Zoe becomes Chase's coach. I liked the dual timeline that tells Chase and Zoe's history. I do feel like this book is way, way too slow to unfold. Though there is a lot of detail put into their story, nothing really happens between the two of them until about 75% into the book. It took way too long to get to the crux of their feelings unfolding/relationship in the present day. Despite their very intense, very earth-shattering relationship 10 years ago, I didn't feel the depth between the two of them in the present day. There is a little bit of a mystery because Zoe is being given horrible notes from an anonymous person where she is called names and told to leave the team. The mystery is not that difficult to figure out, but that's besides the point. I did like the back and forth banter between the characters once it becomes clear they have to relive their glory days for charity and they are forced to spend more time with each other than is strictly necessary. All in all, I liked this book, though it is not my all-time favorite hockey romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 15, 2025
ARC Read - Releasing November 2025. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
Hockey - Figure skater second chance romance.
Zoe is starting a new job as a skating coach for the Legends hockey team. A previous professional figure skate herself, she has spent most of her life on the ice, being the quintessential “ice princess”. The only time she really let loose and fell in love was almost a decade ago, one summer fling at a skating camp with a charming hockey player named Chase. Only to have them be torn apart and broken hearted. But coming back to present - this new job happens to be coaching for Chase’s hockey team. And he is none too pleased to see her. As both of them remember the circumstances around their heartbreak differently, they continue to butt heads and fight their natural chemistry. But are they too broken and out of sync to ever rekindle their love? And will outside forces continue to tear them apart?
Hockey - Figure skater second chance romance.
Zoe is starting a new job as a skating coach for the Legends hockey team. A previous professional figure skate herself, she has spent most of her life on the ice, being the quintessential “ice princess”. The only time she really let loose and fell in love was almost a decade ago, one summer fling at a skating camp with a charming hockey player named Chase. Only to have them be torn apart and broken hearted. But coming back to present - this new job happens to be coaching for Chase’s hockey team. And he is none too pleased to see her. As both of them remember the circumstances around their heartbreak differently, they continue to butt heads and fight their natural chemistry. But are they too broken and out of sync to ever rekindle their love? And will outside forces continue to tear them apart?
August 24, 2025
This is a pretty solid hockey romance. I liked Chase and Zoe and felt they worked well together. I especially loved Zoe's strong character and her profession. I didn't love all of the flashbacks and found some of them to be boring and repetitive but I understood the reasoning for them and they did give a bit of understanding/depth to the story. I'm not always a fan of second chance romance but I think this one was done well.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2025
I know, I know - I always say I hate second chance romance and then I read them anyway. Now that that’s out of the way: this book does second chance romance really well. The main characters, Chase and Zoe, come into their forced proximity with a lot of the same resentments and heartbreak that they parted with ten years earlier. However! The ten years difference in maturity really shows in the way they’re better able to empathize with each other in the present, and I really enjoyed reading it. Not to say they didn’t still have some irritating miscommunication moments (they absolutely did), but it did make the gap make sense. Plus they both went on to live their lives in the interim, which seems necessary for a ten year split, but doesn’t always happen in second chance stories.
I will say I struggled with the pacing in the first half. I think the placement of flashback chapters were much too frequent, and resulted in what felt like kneecapping the forward momentum of the present chapters. I found myself a little frustrated and not as invested in Zoe and Chase’s stories as a result. In the second half, the flashback chapters were much more spaced out, and I felt like I could enjoy the book much more. I also felt like the whole mystery about who was threatening and harassing Zoe could have been fleshed out more.
I liked the friendship which Darcy, the dynamic with the other hockey players, and the way Zoe’s (retired) elite athleticism translated to her work with the hockey players. I found it hilarious and weirdly relatable that she felt like a failure with a silver Olympic medal, and seeing her learn her own boundaries was pretty satisfying.
I’d recommend to fans of Chelsea Curto’s hockey romances, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, and melodramatic male yearning.
Huge thank you to Sabrina Bowen and Forever Publishing at Grand Central Publishing for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Thrown for a Loop releases November 4, 2025.
I will say I struggled with the pacing in the first half. I think the placement of flashback chapters were much too frequent, and resulted in what felt like kneecapping the forward momentum of the present chapters. I found myself a little frustrated and not as invested in Zoe and Chase’s stories as a result. In the second half, the flashback chapters were much more spaced out, and I felt like I could enjoy the book much more. I also felt like the whole mystery about who was threatening and harassing Zoe could have been fleshed out more.
I liked the friendship which Darcy, the dynamic with the other hockey players, and the way Zoe’s (retired) elite athleticism translated to her work with the hockey players. I found it hilarious and weirdly relatable that she felt like a failure with a silver Olympic medal, and seeing her learn her own boundaries was pretty satisfying.
I’d recommend to fans of Chelsea Curto’s hockey romances, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, and melodramatic male yearning.
Huge thank you to Sabrina Bowen and Forever Publishing at Grand Central Publishing for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Thrown for a Loop releases November 4, 2025.
August 21, 2025
Chase a hockey player and Zoe a figure skater encounter each other at a figure skating camp over 9 years and they had a hot and secret romance. When things get bad for Chase he is forced to leave and Zoe is left broken and alone.
Years later Zoe is employed by the same NHL: team as Chase as the skating coach. and their history and issues come to a head. After sorting things out the chemistry is hot and spicy.
It was great to see the development of Zoe and have her stand up for herself. I liked this story and the other characters that were introduced.
The ending of the book is a nice full circle moment and was cheering for these characters and loved some of the new characters that were introduced. I love Sarina's writing her writing is very real and very relatable and makes you connect with these characters in an emotional way. I was so happy that I could read this book through NetGalley thank you and to Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Years later Zoe is employed by the same NHL: team as Chase as the skating coach. and their history and issues come to a head. After sorting things out the chemistry is hot and spicy.
It was great to see the development of Zoe and have her stand up for herself. I liked this story and the other characters that were introduced.
The ending of the book is a nice full circle moment and was cheering for these characters and loved some of the new characters that were introduced. I love Sarina's writing her writing is very real and very relatable and makes you connect with these characters in an emotional way. I was so happy that I could read this book through NetGalley thank you and to Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
July 25, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book of Sarina’s that I’ve read and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed this read so much. Zoe and Chase met at a skating camp and end up reconnecting years later when Zoe gets a job as a skating coach for Chase’s hockey team. I enjoyed that there were flashbacks included and that they fit into the present day storyline seamlessly. It was so great getting to read about when these characters first met and fell in love. Zoe faces some struggles with getting respect from some of the hockey players but it was interesting to read about her determination and how beneficial she was to the team. She learned to stick up for herself and understood the respect she deserved not only from the team but from her own mother. Chase had his own troubles to work through as well but when they synced up again like they were all those years back, it was manic. It was clear he never stopped caring for Zoe and vice versa. So, if you love a good heartfelt, second chance romance with some hockey mixed in then I would definitely recommend this one!
This is the first book of Sarina’s that I’ve read and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed this read so much. Zoe and Chase met at a skating camp and end up reconnecting years later when Zoe gets a job as a skating coach for Chase’s hockey team. I enjoyed that there were flashbacks included and that they fit into the present day storyline seamlessly. It was so great getting to read about when these characters first met and fell in love. Zoe faces some struggles with getting respect from some of the hockey players but it was interesting to read about her determination and how beneficial she was to the team. She learned to stick up for herself and understood the respect she deserved not only from the team but from her own mother. Chase had his own troubles to work through as well but when they synced up again like they were all those years back, it was manic. It was clear he never stopped caring for Zoe and vice versa. So, if you love a good heartfelt, second chance romance with some hockey mixed in then I would definitely recommend this one!
August 3, 2025
Ooooooook!!!!
For every girlie that loved when Kate said “toe pick!” Over and over 😂😂😂😂
While this book is clearly inspired by ‘Cutting Edge’ the story line is such a large departure from the movie.
Instead of focusing on a figure skating career, we focus on our MMC Chase’s NHL career and how our FMC Zoe has taken charge of her own destiny and become a skating coach for a hockey team.
Where as the movie has few other characters, this book has a whole cast of characters and trust me when I say I’m already pairing them off and planning out how I hope the series unfolds! (A full series like 10 books- manifest with me babes!)
This is a second chance romance, first loves, and broken hearts. The book unfolds in 3rd person POV, alternating between each of the mains. The book also has dual timelines, the past where the mains were together and the present where they are bitter exes and reluctant coworkers.
They both nearly cost each other everything, and now both of their careers are on the line!
This is not a hockey light book at book. You get a lot of knowledge about the actual dynamic and physics of skating. So, while there isn’t a lot of game action, there is a tone of training. I’d never seen a book talk about it like that before and it was fascinating!
For every girlie that loved when Kate said “toe pick!” Over and over 😂😂😂😂
While this book is clearly inspired by ‘Cutting Edge’ the story line is such a large departure from the movie.
Instead of focusing on a figure skating career, we focus on our MMC Chase’s NHL career and how our FMC Zoe has taken charge of her own destiny and become a skating coach for a hockey team.
Where as the movie has few other characters, this book has a whole cast of characters and trust me when I say I’m already pairing them off and planning out how I hope the series unfolds! (A full series like 10 books- manifest with me babes!)
This is a second chance romance, first loves, and broken hearts. The book unfolds in 3rd person POV, alternating between each of the mains. The book also has dual timelines, the past where the mains were together and the present where they are bitter exes and reluctant coworkers.
They both nearly cost each other everything, and now both of their careers are on the line!
This is not a hockey light book at book. You get a lot of knowledge about the actual dynamic and physics of skating. So, while there isn’t a lot of game action, there is a tone of training. I’d never seen a book talk about it like that before and it was fascinating!
July 30, 2025
“Remember you? Zoe, I measure every woman I meet against what we had that summer.”
Thrown For a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance romance that follows skating Coach Zoe Carson and hockey winger Chase Merritt.
For me to really be able to enjoy a romance book, I need both pov’s, not just the girls. So getting Chase’s pov for the past chapters just wasn’t enough for me.
Also, I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance especially when it has a dual timeline, but focusing too much on the past makes me loose interest really fast which is what ended up happening. I found myself skimming majority of the past chapters bc most weren’t needed.
I feel like so much was going on that didn’t need to happen. All the miscommunication, the long chapters, etc.
All in all, the cover and synopsis gave me high hopes for a good second chance romance with angst and yearning but got none of that.
*Thank you to Forever Publishing, and to the author, Sarina Bowen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
Thrown For a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance romance that follows skating Coach Zoe Carson and hockey winger Chase Merritt.
For me to really be able to enjoy a romance book, I need both pov’s, not just the girls. So getting Chase’s pov for the past chapters just wasn’t enough for me.
Also, I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance especially when it has a dual timeline, but focusing too much on the past makes me loose interest really fast which is what ended up happening. I found myself skimming majority of the past chapters bc most weren’t needed.
I feel like so much was going on that didn’t need to happen. All the miscommunication, the long chapters, etc.
All in all, the cover and synopsis gave me high hopes for a good second chance romance with angst and yearning but got none of that.
*Thank you to Forever Publishing, and to the author, Sarina Bowen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
August 22, 2025
“You and I don’t do comfortable. We go after the things we care about. And I care about you.”
This was a 4.5 for me.
Young love is something that everyone should experience and while many of us will find different relationships throughout our lifetime, our first love is one of the most important ones.
I had such a fun time with Zoe and Chase. I love the little banter they had, I’m a sucker for second chances so I was eating this up. One thing that bothered me was Zoe and her chasing - like don’t chase… Chase (lol). Let him go after you too! Also, she could get a little annoying at times, but I think about my group chats with friends - it’s literally like that.
Mr. Chase is a fun character because he’s what almost everyone wants, I love a brooding asshole turn into sunshine golden retriever for the right person. It makes my heart swell. Like you can feed me anytime Chase Merritt *wink*
Remember: Never a wrestle bear after drinking vodka and, most importantly, always listen to smart women.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Overall, I found myself blushing, smiling, kicking my feet, and laughing out loud.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a 4.5 for me.
Young love is something that everyone should experience and while many of us will find different relationships throughout our lifetime, our first love is one of the most important ones.
I had such a fun time with Zoe and Chase. I love the little banter they had, I’m a sucker for second chances so I was eating this up. One thing that bothered me was Zoe and her chasing - like don’t chase… Chase (lol). Let him go after you too! Also, she could get a little annoying at times, but I think about my group chats with friends - it’s literally like that.
Mr. Chase is a fun character because he’s what almost everyone wants, I love a brooding asshole turn into sunshine golden retriever for the right person. It makes my heart swell. Like you can feed me anytime Chase Merritt *wink*
Remember: Never a wrestle bear after drinking vodka and, most importantly, always listen to smart women.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Overall, I found myself blushing, smiling, kicking my feet, and laughing out loud.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2025
Sarina Bowen writing a hockey romance? Yes, please!
Sarina Bowen is the reason I love reading hockey romance books so much so I was all in for her new release featuring a new, hunky hockey player AND an ice skating Olympian. I loved this second chance romance that alternated chapters between the past and present to show how they feel for each other as young adults while working an ice skating camp, and reuniting years later when Zoe is hired as the skating coach for Chase’s hockey team.
Zoe is a fun heroine to root for. She is a top skater in the field and yet that required a lot of sacrifices including isolation, a mom-coach who only cared about her success and an innocence that was so endearing. Yet as an adult she stood up for herself and didn’t back down to hockey players who didn’t want to respect her position.
As I come to expect from all of Sarina’s books, the chemistry was undeniable between Chase and Zoe. I was a bit surprised that this was not as steamy as her past books but that didn’t detract from it (but may appeal to others).
The storyline that Chase also knew how to figure skate was so much fun. Their skates together to one of my favorite songs (Wicked Game!) was a highlight for sure.
I also love that Bess Berringer makes an appearance (for all you Brooklyn Bruisers series fans)!
If you are a fan of hockey romances like me, then be sure to add Thrown for a Loop on your TBR list. It’s a keeper!
*I received an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Sarina Bowen is the reason I love reading hockey romance books so much so I was all in for her new release featuring a new, hunky hockey player AND an ice skating Olympian. I loved this second chance romance that alternated chapters between the past and present to show how they feel for each other as young adults while working an ice skating camp, and reuniting years later when Zoe is hired as the skating coach for Chase’s hockey team.
Zoe is a fun heroine to root for. She is a top skater in the field and yet that required a lot of sacrifices including isolation, a mom-coach who only cared about her success and an innocence that was so endearing. Yet as an adult she stood up for herself and didn’t back down to hockey players who didn’t want to respect her position.
As I come to expect from all of Sarina’s books, the chemistry was undeniable between Chase and Zoe. I was a bit surprised that this was not as steamy as her past books but that didn’t detract from it (but may appeal to others).
The storyline that Chase also knew how to figure skate was so much fun. Their skates together to one of my favorite songs (Wicked Game!) was a highlight for sure.
I also love that Bess Berringer makes an appearance (for all you Brooklyn Bruisers series fans)!
If you are a fan of hockey romances like me, then be sure to add Thrown for a Loop on your TBR list. It’s a keeper!
*I received an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
July 31, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of Thrown for a Loop, all thoughts are my own after reading.
Chase and Zoe met 10 years ago at a skating camp and fell in love, but Chase left camp and never reached out again after a dramatic end to a great night. Now Zoe is the new skating coach for Chase’s NHL team, and they are forced to work together and talk about their past.
I was really excited when I saw that Sarina Bowen was releasing a new hockey romance because I have read and loved her Brooklyn Bruiser series. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me.
There are flash backs heavily in the first half of the book and they are written in third person while the present day is written in first and are Zoe’s POV. The third person chapters really took me out of the story, and I wish they were in Chase’s first person POV to get more context into his life, or we just got his first person POV somewhere. The whole story felt very surface level and I wish it went deeper emotionally; I was finding myself getting a little bored.
Overall, this is a good book and well written, I just didn’t connect with it as much as I wish I did.
Chase and Zoe met 10 years ago at a skating camp and fell in love, but Chase left camp and never reached out again after a dramatic end to a great night. Now Zoe is the new skating coach for Chase’s NHL team, and they are forced to work together and talk about their past.
I was really excited when I saw that Sarina Bowen was releasing a new hockey romance because I have read and loved her Brooklyn Bruiser series. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me.
There are flash backs heavily in the first half of the book and they are written in third person while the present day is written in first and are Zoe’s POV. The third person chapters really took me out of the story, and I wish they were in Chase’s first person POV to get more context into his life, or we just got his first person POV somewhere. The whole story felt very surface level and I wish it went deeper emotionally; I was finding myself getting a little bored.
Overall, this is a good book and well written, I just didn’t connect with it as much as I wish I did.
August 1, 2025
Slow burns aren't always for me, but this second chance romance, it worked so, so well! Zoe is a figure skater turned coach that has joined the staff of the Legends. On this team is Chase, who she had connected with years ago at a skating camp. Things ended badly almost ten years ago, and they haven't talked since. So, with Zoe now coaching they've got to find a way to work together. I loved that this had flashbacks to explain what happened back when - That's what really drew me into their relationship. And I loved how the present day story unfurled. There was lots of skating/hockey throughout as Zoe figured out how to help the team, and I loved that layer of the story. And given it was a romance, there was obviously also some ebbs and flows on Zoe and Chase's journey, and I really dug that. Also, Wicked Game is such a solid choice to choreograph a routine to. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this November 2025 release - The perfect read as the Winter Olympics draw near!
August 7, 2025
"Thrown for a Loop" is a dual timeline, second chance romance that has drama, communication, forgiveness, and of course love.
I am not the biggest fan of second chance romances but I love a good hockey player and iceskater story, so I had to pick this book up. Zoe and Chase may have grown up in the 10 years that passed since there summer fling, but they still cannot get over eachother. I liked the flashbacks, but I did get confused when the tense changed. I would have love if the author did 1st person of Chase so we could've gotten a close look at his thoughts. I really enjoyed that we got a good amount of chapters of Zoe and Chase being in a happy relationship, and that they didnt have too much miscommunication. Darcy was my favorite character so I am glad that she is getting her own happy ending. Overall, this book is perfect for hockey romance lovers!
*Thank you NetGalley for this ARC*
I am not the biggest fan of second chance romances but I love a good hockey player and iceskater story, so I had to pick this book up. Zoe and Chase may have grown up in the 10 years that passed since there summer fling, but they still cannot get over eachother. I liked the flashbacks, but I did get confused when the tense changed. I would have love if the author did 1st person of Chase so we could've gotten a close look at his thoughts. I really enjoyed that we got a good amount of chapters of Zoe and Chase being in a happy relationship, and that they didnt have too much miscommunication. Darcy was my favorite character so I am glad that she is getting her own happy ending. Overall, this book is perfect for hockey romance lovers!
*Thank you NetGalley for this ARC*
July 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
3.75 stars
** minor spoilers **
Hockey play x figure skater
Overall this was a cute, easy read hockey/figure skating romance. I love books with a dual timeline but preferred the flashback chapters to the present day chapters.
I really enjoyed the dual perspectives and thought it was cool at first that present day chapters were written from Zoe’s perspective and flashback chapters were in Chase’s perspective. Randomly it just seemed to then mostly only be in Zoe’s perspective and we lost all from Chase’s.
I really liked the concept for the book but there seemed to be a few too many things going on, that could have been kept out or needed to be explored more. Zoe’s ex-husband seemed like a useless character/plot and Chase’s abusive dad and upbringing just seemed like an afterthought.
I liked the foreshadowing for Darcy and Tremaine’s book throughout and look forward to reading their book next year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
3.75 stars
** minor spoilers **
Hockey play x figure skater
Overall this was a cute, easy read hockey/figure skating romance. I love books with a dual timeline but preferred the flashback chapters to the present day chapters.
I really enjoyed the dual perspectives and thought it was cool at first that present day chapters were written from Zoe’s perspective and flashback chapters were in Chase’s perspective. Randomly it just seemed to then mostly only be in Zoe’s perspective and we lost all from Chase’s.
I really liked the concept for the book but there seemed to be a few too many things going on, that could have been kept out or needed to be explored more. Zoe’s ex-husband seemed like a useless character/plot and Chase’s abusive dad and upbringing just seemed like an afterthought.
I liked the foreshadowing for Darcy and Tremaine’s book throughout and look forward to reading their book next year.
July 17, 2025
Sarina Bowen’s hockey romances have always been hit or miss with me, and I can say that this one was yet another miss.
It wasn’t all bad, though. I enjoyed the characters and the concept, but everything else pretty much fell flat for me.
I appreciate the shift between past and present in the narrative. However, it felt like just as I was getting into one of the timelines, the chapter was over, and it switched to the other. I would have enjoyed a little bit more of each timeline at once, but I understand why it was written in the way that it was. It is also worth noting that at around the 50% mark, the timeline shifts do get a bit longer than switching from chapter to chapter.
Other than that, this is pretty much your average hockey romance with the added twist that she’s one of his coaches.
It wasn’t all bad, though. I enjoyed the characters and the concept, but everything else pretty much fell flat for me.
I appreciate the shift between past and present in the narrative. However, it felt like just as I was getting into one of the timelines, the chapter was over, and it switched to the other. I would have enjoyed a little bit more of each timeline at once, but I understand why it was written in the way that it was. It is also worth noting that at around the 50% mark, the timeline shifts do get a bit longer than switching from chapter to chapter.
Other than that, this is pretty much your average hockey romance with the added twist that she’s one of his coaches.
July 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second-chance sports romance that blends heart, a little heat, and a good storyline. The story follows Zoe, a former competitive ice skater, and Chase, a pro hockey player, as their paths cross again after nine years apart. Told in alternating timelines, the book slowly reveals the reasons behind their sudden breakup and the unresolved feelings that still linger. Now working as a skating coach for Chase’s team, Zoe must navigate the tension (and chemistry) that still exists between them. I really enjoyed this one. The slow-build romance had just the right amount of spice and emotional payoff. A great read for fans of rekindled love and sports settings.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc for this story.
#thrownforaloop #netgalley
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second-chance sports romance that blends heart, a little heat, and a good storyline. The story follows Zoe, a former competitive ice skater, and Chase, a pro hockey player, as their paths cross again after nine years apart. Told in alternating timelines, the book slowly reveals the reasons behind their sudden breakup and the unresolved feelings that still linger. Now working as a skating coach for Chase’s team, Zoe must navigate the tension (and chemistry) that still exists between them. I really enjoyed this one. The slow-build romance had just the right amount of spice and emotional payoff. A great read for fans of rekindled love and sports settings.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc for this story.
#thrownforaloop #netgalley
July 20, 2025
Thrown For a Loop is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, healing, and daring to believe that love deserves a second chance—even when the ice feels a little cracked beneath your feet.
With strong, emotionally grounded characters and a story that gracefully balances personal growth with slow-burning romance, this book delivers all the things romance readers love. Chase is equal parts broody and loyal, while Zoe shines as a resilient and passionate heroine determined to protect her heart and her career.
Unfortunately I didn’t feel the romance between Chase and Zoe. It felt more like they spent the book rekindling their friendship. Which by all means isn’t a bad thing but I didn’t feel the spark or electricity I was hoping for.
⭐️: 3/5
🌶️: 2/5
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
With strong, emotionally grounded characters and a story that gracefully balances personal growth with slow-burning romance, this book delivers all the things romance readers love. Chase is equal parts broody and loyal, while Zoe shines as a resilient and passionate heroine determined to protect her heart and her career.
Unfortunately I didn’t feel the romance between Chase and Zoe. It felt more like they spent the book rekindling their friendship. Which by all means isn’t a bad thing but I didn’t feel the spark or electricity I was hoping for.
⭐️: 3/5
🌶️: 2/5
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
August 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one! Something about sports romances tend to be comfort reads for me and this was no exception. Thrown for a Loop was a sweet second chance romance with an adorably awkward FMC Zoe, and a MMC, Chase, who uses food as a love language (one of my favorite micro tropes!).
This one definitely felt like a slow burn with the flashbacks to their early summer fling but I also enjoyed reading their relationship develop.
Personally I really would have liked if we had gotten Chase's pov as well. We saw a bit more of him in the flashbacks but he did not have a first person pov so we mostly saw Zoe's development. I think if the romance is going to be mostly in first person I'd really like for both characters to have their time to shine.
I really enjoyed this one! Something about sports romances tend to be comfort reads for me and this was no exception. Thrown for a Loop was a sweet second chance romance with an adorably awkward FMC Zoe, and a MMC, Chase, who uses food as a love language (one of my favorite micro tropes!).
This one definitely felt like a slow burn with the flashbacks to their early summer fling but I also enjoyed reading their relationship develop.
Personally I really would have liked if we had gotten Chase's pov as well. We saw a bit more of him in the flashbacks but he did not have a first person pov so we mostly saw Zoe's development. I think if the romance is going to be mostly in first person I'd really like for both characters to have their time to shine.
August 29, 2025
I truly had a great time reading this book - I really loved several of Sarina Bowen's books so I'm really glad this didn't disappoint! I haven't been reading much sports romance lately, but the set up of an ex figure skater turned skating coach for a hockey team (Zoe) and a hockey player (Chase) realllllly caught my eye. And then the second chance romance? YES PLEASE. This is one heck of a slow burn though. It goes back and forth between the present day and the past pretty evenly - I would've preferred more time in the present day as their relationship grew as adults, but I still liked the backstory as it gave a good depth to the relationship.
The side characters were lovable and I'm hoping we get more of the team! But Chase and Zoe were wonderful!
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy - this is my honest opinion.
The side characters were lovable and I'm hoping we get more of the team! But Chase and Zoe were wonderful!
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy - this is my honest opinion.
August 28, 2025
TOE PICK!!!!!!!!
When I tell you I have been TRAWLING the new NetGalley titles for MONTHS waiting for this to pop up??? AND HOO BOY DID IT DELIVER. Ice skating and hockey romances are my weakness so there’s nothing better than getting BOTH. PLUS dual-POV, dual-timeline? I’ve literally been in Netgalley’s CODE trying to get my eyes on this book.
This was SO FUN! I was giggling! Grinning! Cackling! Kicking my feet! Having such a great time. I loved Zoe and Chase together, both seeing their relationship first grow and seeing them patch it back together. And I loved reading about them skating together. My Spinning Out AU come to life.
Seriously give me Darcy and Tremaine’s book immediately. NetGalley I am back in your walls
When I tell you I have been TRAWLING the new NetGalley titles for MONTHS waiting for this to pop up??? AND HOO BOY DID IT DELIVER. Ice skating and hockey romances are my weakness so there’s nothing better than getting BOTH. PLUS dual-POV, dual-timeline? I’ve literally been in Netgalley’s CODE trying to get my eyes on this book.
This was SO FUN! I was giggling! Grinning! Cackling! Kicking my feet! Having such a great time. I loved Zoe and Chase together, both seeing their relationship first grow and seeing them patch it back together. And I loved reading about them skating together. My Spinning Out AU come to life.
Seriously give me Darcy and Tremaine’s book immediately. NetGalley I am back in your walls
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews