If You Want Me

The Toronto Terror Series

De: Helena Hunting

Narrado por: Zachary Webber, Stella Bloom

A standalone age-gap, best friend's daughter hockey romance.

If I had known how irrevocably my life was about to change, I would have walked the other way after talking to my coach. I should have taken any other route out of the Toronto Terror head office.

But I didn’t and now–everything is different.

At first I didn’t recognize the woman doing a victory dance down the hall when she thought no one was watching.

Until she turned around.

And that beautiful smile was aimed at me.

There is no woman more off limits.

She’s the team princess.

And my best friend’s daughter.

*This is Hollis Hendrix's standalone novel. If you want to meet Hollis before you listen to this book, check out If You Hate Me, Rix and Tristan's story.

©2024 Ink & Cupcakes, Inc. (P)2024 Ink & Cupcakes, Inc.

Age gap- best friend’s daughter Hockey romance

Angst ridden couple with a secret attraction makes for a sexy story, but this one is overly long and in need of a good edit. The reader should not have to be bludgeoned with the reasons why each main character is uncertain of the other or why each has a few life decisions coming up. 33 year old Hollis is working hard in a comeback from an injury when he begins to notice that his older best friend’s almost 21 year old daughter has matured into a competent, beautiful, and sexy young woman that he can’t keep his eyes off. For her part Peggy Aurora Hammerstein, or the hockey Princess known as Hammer has an unfulfilled crush on her goalie dad’s best friend. She’s in her senior year in college, interning for the team as a star assistant event planner, still babied by her over protective single dad, concerned over his impending retirement, worried her budding romantic relationship with Hollis will be outed before it is solid and before they are secure enough to not be threatened by appearance of Hollis’s move star first love. The usual lack of confidence and communication causes stress and pressure on the relationship but what is only a few weeks seems to the reader to drag on forever. Again a hot and sweet relationship with real possibilities. Yes she is immature in handling relationships but very together in her career goals at 21 where he at 33 is still figuring out a backup plan or 2nd career once he can’t play hockey and equally inexperienced in romance having been hurt by his ex a decade earlier and choosing to focus on hockey after that. Older Best friend/dad Roman also plays into the story as being ready to transition with his career but not quite willing to accept that his little girl is now an adult. A good story that just needed tightening up. Excellent narration though as Stella Blooms sugary sweet if sometimes whiney voice fits the persona of Aurora and Zach Webber is perfect as the sexy if relationship hesitant Hollis. Well Worth a credit even though too wordy not only for the main storyline but also for filling out the information about the rest the team and set ups for future books in the series.

Loved

Loved this book. The narrators were great and I’m already loving this series by Helena.

Hollis and Aurora!

Aurora has had feelings for Hollis for years however not only is he 12 years older, her father’s best friend and teammate but he has never seen her as more than his best friend’s daughter. While he is on road trips, she cat-sits for him which leads to a revelation that shows him that she is no longer a girl but a woman however it will be up to her to take it to the next step.

When he was injured a year ago Aurora was there for Hollis as he recovered, and a friendship developed. He been denying his feelings for Aurora due to his friendship with her father, but he realizes it is a battle he will not win and now he can’t imagine a future without her, but will it cost him his friendship?

This story had it all from the humorous situations, the witty banter, the angst, the hot chemistry and a love that is undeniable. Not only are Aurora and Hollis great characters but there is a great cast of secondary characters which only makes this series better. The narrators only made the story better as it will bring a smile to your face as well as pull at your heartstrings while making these characters even more relatable.

Great audiobook!

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Zachary Webber and Stella Bloom were the perfect pairing for this rom-com. I am a huge fan of both of these narrators and thought they really nailed Aurora and Hollis. Aurora and Hollis have great banter and there is so much chemistry between them. I was rooting for them the whole way and just hoping they could overcome the obstacles in their way. I love a strong and supportive friendship group and Aurora had just that with her friends. They were funny and would drop anything to support each other. This book had me feeling all the feels. It was funny, steamy, and heartwarming.

Dear Author

My only complaint is the ending. I wanted more. I'm hoping we see more in the next book. Otherwise I enjoyed the story.

Age gap

I always love a good age gap in a story! Both Aurora and Hollis did not disappoint with Hollie’s being her best friend’s Dad. Hollis has watch Aurora grow up and now sees her in a completely different light now that she is older. Aurora has always had a crush on Hollis and images more with him in life. As they start a relationship that is forbidden they have to navigate around obstacles!

Great narrators, frustrating story

I wanted to love it. The first book was so good! This book I just couldn’t like any of the main characters. They all needed to get over themselves and it really got tedious. I’m not sure if the MMC was the least annoying in the group because he actually was, or because Zachary Webber is the narrator and he’s so good he makes everything sound good. I listened to all of it and I will read book 3 based on how good the first book is, but this one was a little bit of a miss for me.

Top Tier Audio!!!🔥

This has been a highly anticipated listen & read for me, and I was so excited because the first of this series has been one of my top listens/reads of the year! I was NOT disappointed! The audio was so so good! Zachary Webber & Stella Bloom did a phenomenal job as Hollis & Aurora! I feel like I lived & felt all their emotions and it was just so great! Definitely up there with the first as one of my favorite audios!

I absolutely love this series, and Hollis and Aurora (Peggy) were so great!!! Some of tropes being dad's best friend, grumpy sunshine, forbidden romance, & age gap. So much YES! Also, Hollis is a cat daddy with the best named kitties ever: Postie and Malone! I mean COME ON!

The pining for each other in this one is top tier! Hollis tries to fight his feelings, as does Aurora, but not as hard as he does. Their push and pull is delicious! And once they do give in, BLESS ITTTT!

I feel for them, as they both struggle with wanting to tell Aurora's dad but also finding reasons as to why they should wait. I just wanted to hug Aurora, because I can relate to not wanting to disappoint/wanting the approval of parent(s) so hard! Maybe not on the same scale as her, but I get it. Also the way that Hollis has to figure out how to fight for Aurora & to prove himself to her. I love a spoiling/groveling man ;)

If ya can't tell, I absolutely loved this! Add to your TBR ASAP!

PS: I loved that we still got the girl friend group so much, because I love them, & also that we still got lots of Tristan and Rix! They are still filthy and I love them for it haha!

The Male Narrator!!!!

I got hooked on this author after listening to If You Hate Me, and hot damn she did not disappoint with this either! The story was so cute, the pining and slow burn was delicious. My favorite part was the male narrator and how well he read his chapters, you could hear the emotion in his voice when he read Hollis’ chapters. If you like hockey spice this is a MUST read!

A forbidden romance

Talk about a forbidden romance! Peggy Aurora Hammerstein has grown up around hockey players her whole life, as her father is a star player for the Toronto Terror. And the one rule her father has is don’t date hockey players. Not only is Hollis Hendrix a hockey player, he’s an older by 12 years, and he’s her father’s best friend. But the attraction to Hollis has been developing overtime and as Aurora has grown into a beautiful woman, Hollis has started to notice her as well.