The Romance Line

Love and Hockey, Book 2

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Teddy Hamilton

Performed with duet narration by Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin!

The first rule of handling PR for a hockey team? Never hook up with a player.

That shouldn’t be a problem since the last man on earth I want to give an image makeover to is our goalie. He’s infuriatingly hot, famously grumpy and lives to spar with me after every game. But shining up his rough edges is my path to landing the promotion I desperately need, so I grit my teeth and do my job. No matter how hard he makes it (especially with that sexy smirk and cool blue eyes.) As we travel from pose-with-a-pet photo opps to cuddle-a-kitten fundraisers, we bicker like it’s foreplay. Turns out it is. Because as I get to know the man behind the broody iceman exterior, it’s me that melts–right into his arms as he devastates me with a kiss that turns into the hottest, most forbidden night of my life.

Only once turns into every night as Max shows me how much he wants to take care of me. His possessive touch makes me feel adored for the first time in my life.

But the man is entirely off limits and I can’t risk my job for more of those soul-deep kisses.

Because the only thing worse than hooking up with a player is falling head over heels for him.

©2024 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2024 Lauren Blakely Books

I am in love!

Now this is fun! Hockey, taboo romance and it's fabulous. Meet Max. He's a mess. The goalie, the grumpy one, the one who won't give interviews and needs an image makeover. Everly is the one to do it, and if she does it well, she will be in line for the promotion she is seeking. Clashing from the start, these two can't get passed their attraction. And when they give in, there is more to it than physical. But now they have to keep it a secret! Where does it all go? I love this story. Max is the best! He's stubborn and annoying, and sweet and warm. Everly is smart, has a good heart and is amazing. These two are in for the game of their lives and just need to score that goal! Give it a listen!

Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton are always fantastic together and this is no exception. Their chemistry together comes through in spades, making this couple real. Each scene pulled me in and made me feel like I knew these two and each voice was perfect. I enjoyed this listen and look forward to book 3!

Fun listen

Another great story by LB, narrated expertly by TH and VE. I’m not sure if I wasn’t paying close enough attention or if the beginning was confusing but there were times I felt like I had missed part of the story. That didn’t last though and a few chapters in I was caught up. The FMC has anxiety after a pretty serious accident and uses grounding techniques - I think they are pretty commonly known, but she says what they are, again and again and again and again, etc. After the second time I really didn’t need that much detail about all the things she was looking at l, etc. - just tell us she’s using her grounding techniques. That took me out of the story a bit (“seriously again?”) but otherwise an enjoyable listen. Looking forward to the next one.

Who doesn't love a grumpy hockey player

If you like a little enemies to lovers, Grumpy Sunshine, Forbidden Romance with hilarious moments and hockey to boot, then The Romance line is the story for you. The book follows Max and Everly as they try to give Max a public make over. Max is trying to move on with his life after he had a very public breakup with everyone favorite pop princess. While everyone thinks he is the one who broke her heart, little does everyone know, it was him who was cheated on but being the good guy he secretly is doesn’t tell anyone. In comes Everly, the teams PR rep to help him gain back the publics favor. These two had a bit of a rocky start, but this leads to some major laugh out loud situations and plenty of building tension. Even though they don’t see eye to eye, the attraction is off the charts and hot from the moment they meet. Everly has a lot of her own baggage, but Max is determined to meet everything she throws at him head on. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I am here for LBs Hockey Era, I am definitely seeing some old school LB I know and love. There were some things that felt very repetitive which made me kind of say “We get it!” but over all I really enjoyed this book.

This book was narrated in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin, neither of whom are strangers to LB. They were totally perfect for their roles, and they have fantastic chemistry. They are both go to narrators for me and just heightened the story.

Another winner

Another enjoyable rom-com for whenever you need a break from the real world. Everly knows she can’t get involved with a hockey player especially when it’s her job to clean up his reputation. But Max Lambert is a man with a plan and he intends to get Everly’s attention no matter what it takes.

4.5 Stars, Absolutely Loved!

I very much enjoyed The Romance Line! I adored the grump/sunshine of Max and Everly. They already have the kind of relationship where they like to poke at each other, which made for a fun beginning. These two just ignited the whole place on fire, they are crazy steamy. I loved the way the heat built up with these two. There is much more to them than that, though.
I really enjoyed how much they grew together as a couple. It was cute to see them both learn about each other in more than a professional way. Max especially was cute the way he paid attention to Everly and what she likes. Everly also has a really impactful story and growth. She has really been shaped by her past trauma, and it was really touching to see what she has gone through. The way Max is about is really shows how great of a guy he is.
I have absolutely loved both books in this Love and Hockey series, and I can't wait for more!

Grumpy goalie makes me swoon!

Hockey romance has fast become one of my favorite tropes. This book was filled with all the fun, banter, steam, chemistry, and spice we love from Lauren Blakely. I loved watching Max and Everly go from being totally irritated by the other to being a match made in hockey heaven. Who would’ve thought this grumpy goalie was such a sweetheart. Max will make you swoon at how he adores Everly and makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I’d give the narrators more than 5 stars if I could.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

LB never disappoints! Everly and Max are the cutest. Their banter is perfect. This was a laugh out loud, fist pump, kick my feet romance!

I'm ready for book 3

I enjoy these types of series, especially when it increasingly gets better after each book. I'm excited to see Maeve and Asher and all the freaky comments that are made.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧

Forbidden Romance for the win. I love it when you fall for the one person you’re not supposed to, but it is by pure accident.
PR consultant Evelyn needs to get Max to open up or at least be less brooding regarding social media. Her career is on the edge of a promotion if she can pull it off.

Max is just sick of what social media can print as he has been in the public eye for his last job but really it was his last relationship they can't / won't stop speculating about and he wants no part in giving them a sound bite.

Evelyn is in for some rough seas ahead as she tries to navigate getting Max to show his true self but also keeping things private the way he likes.

What she doesn’t expect is to fall for Max, their chemistry is off the charts steamy and the banter it just adds to the connection. It is entertaining and a good listen.

Both the narrators give bones to this story Vanessa gives us all the emotion I was longing for and Teddy well he is just my favourite he always sounds exactly like the character he is portraying.

Spicy Tonsil Hockey + Real Hockey

This book is SO spicy and fun!!! I definitely recommend it if you love a hockey romance or just a spicy romance in general!