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.

Dropped Everything

Do I have a TBR list a mile long? Yes. Did I drop everything to start listening to this audiobook? Also yes. And I am so glad I did! I have listened to a lot of books narrated by Zachary Webber so I knew what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by Stella Bloom. She is so good! And she does this breathy cadence with her voice the just adds an extra oomph to everything. You can tell that the narrators have chemistry and it bleeds thru into this story. I love a good age gap romance and this was no exception. Although Hollis being Aurora's dad's best friend definitely added another element - about 75% thur I was starting to get really anxious on how they were going to resolve this! I also like that there was tension between characters and that there was some strife with the MMC's career. Hammer and Hollis are the best!

Helena Hunting is my spirit animal.

Helena Hunting is my spirit animal. That has to be the reason why I connect with her writing so strongly and passionately and why reading one of her books is like an out-of-body experience.

Hunting has always had a pizzazz that made her writing stand out but she has really stepped up her game with the Toronto Terror series. Her writing style is still authentically her but it packs a bigger punch. Her writing is relatable and flows beautifully. I love thicker books and Hunting can pack so much into her chunksters but the time still flies by and you don't even notice. The plot of this book was so compelling and kept me fully invested from start to finish. There were so many emotions packed into this story and I was a mess for all of it. The world-building is so expertly crafted. This series is very character-driven but Hunting creates a world within the world with all the characters and their bonds. The found family is like a world all its own.

It was so easy to connect with these characters. I love the extended cast of characters because they all play important roles in the story and add a lot of depth. The found family aspect in this series is next level. I fell so in love with each and every character and I just keep falling. All of the characters are distinct and have original personalities that stand out and make the reader take notice. I am such a fangirl for all the dynamics and bonds that the characters share. The lead character had significant character growth that was so satisfying.

I fell so hard for Aurora and Hollis. They had such riveting chemistry that jumped off the page. Their forbidden romance had me feeling a gamut of emotions. The large age gap and Hollis being Aurora's dad's best friend added so much delicious tension to the story. The sexy times were top-notch. This romance ticked all the boxes for me.

Overall, there is no better time to be in your hockey romance era with Hunting going back to her roots and gracing us with this outstanding new hockey series. This book has multi-faceted characters that will capture your heart, a plot that draws you in and holds you captive, and unparalleled storytelling that will keep you coming back for more. The third book in the Toronto Terror series can't arrive soon enough!

Another Toronto Terror hit

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Helena captures Toronto in a way that makes this local girl swoon even more than in normally worried for her books. I love this team, the community she has created and this book yet another reason why Helena Hunting is at the top of the Hockey Romance game. Ok who is next? Dallas, Roman?? I’m here for all of it and cannot wait.

Hooked at the first page!

I'm not usually a big fan of "dad's best friend", but I really liked If You Want Me. I thought that the relationship development between Hollis and Aurora was well done. It also helped that she was really sassy, which I enjoyed. This one definitely hooked me with that first scene and I really enjoyed it. The narrators did such a great job on this book and I really enjoyed their complementary voices.

Loved it but…..

Absolutely amazing! My only negative is how Aurora was such a push over with her father. Frustratingly so! She is portrayed as immature with how she handled telling her father, but then was so confident with her sex life. (But damn the steamy scenes were HOT!!!) 🥵
BUT I love Helen’s amazing brain and storytelling! I will definitely listen to the next book!!

Hollis is a Hottie!

This listen was enjoyable. The age gap didn’t bother me in the least, but I did think Stella Bloom made Aurora sound like an immature child for the first half of the book. Zachary Webber delivered an excellent Hollis - but I could listen to Webber’s voice a very long time anyway.

I loved the hockey world atmosphere, the close friendships, the camaraderie, having each other’s backs, etc. I did not like all the girl dancing, & sharing intimate sexual details with your girl group- please keep some activities between you & your man.

And Aurora’s hippie mother & North & their open relationship- spare me the alternative lifestyle garbage. Roman was a bit too overbearing, but I appreciate the need for storyline support.

The romance & sex scenes were often graphic, but appropriate. I’m glad Hollis & Aurora found their HEA.