If you read my last post about Satchel Paige and then today’s post, one might suggest I’m a sports nut. I am not. At. All. But shoot, a sports rom com just GETS me. You Had Me at Hockey by Kelly Jamieson is the author’s second book in the Bears Hockey series and it is a win! (I’d love to be cheeky and include some insider language for ‘goal’ here, but I got nuthin’.) I was hooked with this book and have already messaged the Kelly Jamieson when the third book is coming. Nerd alert, I know.
Read about the first book in the series, Must Love Dogs and Hockey, here. You Had Me at Hockey could absolutely be a stand-alone book, so don’t feel like you need to start at the beginning. (Side note: I really love when authors take that approach because nine times outta ten, I had no idea the book I just picked up from my library holds or opened in my daily recent Amazon package was part of a series and I don’t want to have to start at the beginning if I don’t want to. Odd, yes.)
Sara is a You Tube influencer and a legit star. Peeps ask for her autograph when she’s out. She’s famous for her interviews and podcast, sure, but mostly because she’s honest and relatable and doesn’t put on a show. Love. And this girl brings the energy which can apparently be off-putting. I am VERY much this person and I’m sure what could be what the author calls Sara’s ‘weird’ ways, I’d prefer to call mine quirks. If complimenting a total stranger on her lashes is ‘weird’ in the world, find, call me weird. Whatevs.
Josh is a pro hockey player who just got traded to New York, where Sara lives. He knows exactly zero humans. Doesn’t know his way around. And due to some trauma he’s still mentally cat-wrangling, he likes things orderly and according to plan. Surprises are his foe.
Josh’s hockey team, the New York Bears, asks players to engage in the community a bit, so he is ‘assigned’ to be a guest on Sara’s podcast. Sparks certainly fly and Sara invites him to lunch (git it, girl). While everything in Josh is telling to keep his new life in New York tidy without any personal ties, he cannot seem to pull away from Sara’s charm, beauty and energy.
Some of my faves from this book:
- Sara drinks a Manhattan in this book, which is my mom’s ‘winter drink’ and my FIL’s drink (small world)
- Sara uses Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer, which really is freaking dynamite
- Sara mentions the word….wait for it….wait for it…cooter. Holy hell, I haven’t heard that word in a thousand years and I legit laughed out LOUD in bed reading this!
- Sara’s self-awareness and acceptance is so dang inspirational!
…realized that by just being myself I was giving girls the message that it’s okay to be yourself, with all your flaws…
Kelly Jamieson, You Had Me at Hockey
Will Sara’s ‘yes, let’s’ attitude toward life, opportunities, LOVE push Josh away? Will Josh deal with this emotional dumpster he’s still lugging around so he can make room for this cutie in his life?
Read and find out, gals! This is a delight. And like I said, totally hooked!
Circling back to me knowing next to zilch about sports, especially hockey, I had some assumptions about hockey players’ looks. Ok, before you think I’m a super judgemental turd, this sport is full contact. Teeth are attractive to me. Teeth and hockey don’t seem to compromise, mmmmkay?
My assumption:
Reality:
BABE ALERT! 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
The cover pic didn’t match what I had in my head at ALL from reading the book, but shoot, who cares. I think hockey has some hotties on the ice! 😉