Restraint

Stingrays Hockey, Book 1

By: Mari Carr

Narrated by: Colt Carter, Suzanne T. Fortin

Girlfriend…without benefits?

Hometown hockey hero, Blake has life completely figured out. He’s footloose and fancy free with the world’s coolest job and an endless parade of puck bunnies ready to help him celebrate his victories. The status quo is working for him, so why does he agree to co-parent a stray puppy with his too-serious, workaholic neighbor, Erika? And why is he so annoyed when she suddenly starts dating some tool named Doug? And why can’t he stop finding excuses to see her and touch her and kiss her and… She’s not his girlfriend, right?

Erika has enough on her plate as an ER doctor without adding any more stress to her life. So adopting a dog with Blake, the fun-loving, never-take-anything-serious, commitment-phobe across the hall is a stupid idea, right? Of course, she also probably shouldn’t be his plus-one for charity galas either. Or seeking comfort from him during a thunderstorm. Or kissing his five-for-fighting boo-boos better. Or letting him teach her how to “reduce stress” with her personal toy collection. After all, he’s not her boyfriend. Is he?

So what happens when two people reluctant to commit find love where they least expect it… Right across the hall.

©2024 Mari Carr Books LLC (P)2024 Mari Carr Books LLC

Friends to Lovess

Restraint is 1 in Mari Carr's new Stingrays Hockey series.

Blake is a player for the Baltimore Stingrays hockey team. He has lived next door to Dr Erika, aka Erik, for three years now. They are just friends, but deep down Blake wants more.

Erika is in her fourth year of residency at the hospital and works a lot of late night shifts. She gets called in on her days off regularly. It is the life of a resident. When she was younger, there was an incident that forged her path in medicine and she has never wavered.

One rainy night, while walking home from dinner, Blake and Erika find a puppy. They each want to keep her, but know that their lives are not conducive to having a pet. So they jointly agree to co parent Corky.

Erika decides to try online dating. She has met a guy and gone out on multiple dates with him, but something is holding her back from taking that final step with him. On their last date, when she does not invite him in for more, he gets upset and dumps her. She goes upstairs and decides to get Corky out for one final walk before the storm hits, but she is so deep in thought that she does not see the signs of the storm moving in fast.

When a big crack of thunder strikes, Corky breaks free from her leash and runs off. Erik is in a panic, literally and figuratively. She is unable to find Corky in the storm and she is scared to death of storms herself.

When she finally calls Blake, he can tell something is wrong by her voice. He is at a team celebration for winning their game, but as soon as he gets the call he takes off.

They find Corky and head to Blake's apartment. Both Erik and Corky are completely soaked through. He gives Erik a towel to dry the dog while he works on drying her.

Erik ends up spending the night at Blake's. She needs the comfort of Corky snuggled up to her. She and Blake end up talking late about a lot of things, but it gives him more perspective on her.

When she goes next door to her apartment the next morning, her "date" is waiting at the door for her. He brought coffee and donuts for her. But when he sees where she came from and that she is wearing a pair of Blake's sweats, he becomes irate.

When Blake walks out the door to this scene, he solves the problem himself. Erik knew she was holding back for a reason. But until the night before she did not realize it was because she is secretly in love with Blake.

But Erik is afraid of ruining her friendship with him, so she does not act on her feelings. Until one night.

But when our favorite puck bunny, Mindy, makes an appearance in Blake's bed, will this ruin everything he has worked so hard to build with Erik?

Colt Carter and Suzanne T Fortin are both new narrators for me. I enjoyed how Colt handles Blake and his teammates. Suzanne brought entertainment to my silly nature with puck bunny Mindy. I loved her take on the character.

The spice of life brings the heat of romance.

The spice of life brings the heat of romance. Carr pushes the boundaries of the heart with unpredictable attraction, irresistible characters and sassy dialogue. Restraint dares to be bold. Blake and Erika are an enticement worth giving your emotions to.

Cute hockey story

This is a cute hockey story. I enjoyed the idea of this one and the author delivered. I loved the two characters (and his hockey friends)! Watching them learn what everyone else knows was wonderful. Best friends getting together is always a hump to get over. Seeing these two climb that hill and come down the other side was delightful. Everything rounds out nicely and all the characters are a joy! I look forward to more in this series.

I listened to this on audio. Colt Carter and Suzanne T Fortin are the narrators. They are both new to me and did a good job. They were easy to understand and put that extra effort into their characters.

Restraint

Restraint is the first book in the Stingrays Hockey series. I was really excited to see that Mari was going to delve deeper into the hockey romance. She defiantly delivered. I love a good, friends-to-lovers romance.

Suzanne T. Fortin and Colt Carter did a great job narrating this book.

Sports Romance, Yes Please! Great Story & Listen🎧

This is a fabulous start to Mari Carr’s “Stingrays Hockey” series, a sports romance that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. This first book is Blake’s, a professional hockey player and Erica’s, an E.R. doctor, story. They are neighbors in the same building and became friends, with Blake looking out for her best interests since she works too much and forgets to take care of herself. He is a player, and she has seen his playing ways with the puck bunnies he brings home. Then things between them slowly change, morphing into something more, something neither saw coming, or knew what they wanted, which was each other. This wonderfully plotted story has the perfect balance of drama, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Mari Carr, thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Colt Carter and Suzanne T. Fortin did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting to their personality and demeanor. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the character’s emotions and had you feeling them all. These two made a great team, their voices and performance complemented each other and they were a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this wonderful listen.

A great start to series

I am loving the books I've listened to by Mari Carr. This one included! I love the friends to lovers trope and this was well done. My heart went out to both of them. I was cheering for them from the start. I didn't want to pause when needed. Great cast of secondary characters and I can't wait for their stories!

Colt Carter and Suzanne T. Fortin are excellent narrators. They brought this audiobook to life. Suzanne is a new to me narrator and she'll quickly become a favorite.

#TheFlockonTour

Erika and Blake...

Restraint is the first book in the Stingrays Hockey series. It is a fast paced, sports, ER doctor, best friends to lovers romance. Erika and Blake have a great friendship and off the charts chemistry. You get witty banter and all the feels. I love the dynamic between these two and the co-parenting of their cute puppy Corky. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Colt Carter and Suzanne T. Fortin did a great job bringing these characters to life.

Book 1 - Stingrays Hockey

This is book 1 in Carr's new series Stringrays Hockey and I am loving this new series. Our main characters are Blake and Erika who are neighbors who have become the best of friends. Initially there was some chemistry, but Blake was a player both on and off the ice and made it clear he was not the settling down sort, Erika was focused on her career and not yet ready but knew she wanted the forever Blake seemed so averse to and so a friendship was formed. I love the banter between them and the comfort that comes with knowing someone for years. I also loved the comradery between Blake and his teammates and even Erika and her newfound friends. I adore how these friends were supportive and helpful. I love how smoothly this romance transitioned the low angst and level of maturity and communication. Carr delivers a well written, sweet and steamy romance and our dual narration is perfection to bring these characters and storyline to life. I loved this start to the new series and I'm so excited for more!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.

Restraint

Restraint is the first book in the Stingrays Hockey series. This book is about Blake and Erika and is told from both of their points of view.

Blake and Erika have been neighbors for 3 years. They have been friends, but Blake has feelings for her. When they find a stray puppy, they decide to foster it together.

Corky (their puppy) brings these two together in an unforgettable way. Will raising a puppy bring their relationship into more? Will they get their happy ending with each other? I'm hoping to continue on in this series.