One night, one kiss, and a spark hot enough to melt the ice.
Prestonโs all in on his hockey career as a Stingray, and Chelseaโs just about to start a new adventure in Parisโuntil an unforgettable night at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party changes everything. A few drinks, some dirty jokes, and a kiss under the mistletoe leads to a night of toe-curling, name-forgetting, no-strings-attached fun.
They part ways in the morning, no regretsโjust a sizzling memory they both assume will fade.
A year later, Chelseaโs in Baltimore, launching her dream bakeryโand navigating life with a baby she never saw coming. The father? Mystery man from that one unforgettable night. What she really didnโt expect? Him walking through her door, very real, very sexy… and very much still capable of making her forget how to breathe.
Preston hasnโt been able to get her out of his head. Now that he knows the truth, heโs not going anywhere. The question isโcan they turn one accidental night into a real shot at forever?
Virginia native Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary sexy romance and romantic suspense novels. With over two million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of Americaโs Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research. She has over a hundred published works, including her popular Wild Irish and Compass books, along with the Trinity Masters series she writes with Lila Dubois.
Hometown hockey hero, Blake has life completely figured out. Heโs footloose and fancy free with the worldโs 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 canโt he stop finding excuses to see her and touch her and kiss her andโฆ Sheโs 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 shouldnโt 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 โreduce stressโ with her personal toy collection. After all, heโs not her boyfriend. Is he?
So what happens when two people reluctant to commit find love where they least expect itโฆ Right across the hall.
Oh man, this was such an easy read for me! I’m pretty sure this is the first book by Carr that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. The relationship between Erika and Blake is so sweet and fun. They support each other, make sure that they are taking care of themselves, but aren’t afraid to give each other heck when they need it.
I kinda wish we’d gotten to see them together during the off-season when it seems like they spend the majority of their free time with each other. Or even in casual social situations with the rest of the team. I’d love to see more of those relaxed interactions because they are just the cutest together.
I think the best things are the moments when each of them realize their feelings for the other and the truth of their relationship. It’s funny and sweet and the meet cute equivalent for a friends-to-lovers trope. And while Carr had the opportunity to do some third act super-drama, I appreciate the restraint (pun not intended). The two of them just really deserved more than that so I’m glad she didn’t go there.
Restraint is low on drama, humorous, steamy, and entertaining … just all around enjoyable. And after getting glimpses of the rest of the team, I’m adding their stories to my TBR list. I’m also definitely going to be checking out Carr’s backlist!
*****
Author Info:
Virginia native Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary sexy romance and romantic suspense novels. With over two million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of Americaโs Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research. She has over a hundred published works, including her popular Wild Irish and Compass books, along with the Trinity Masters series she writes with Lila Dubois.
Romantic Reads and Such 