The Playing Game

A Hockey Romance (Off the Ice, Book 1)

By: Ainsley Booth

Narrated by: Lucas Webley, Michelle Sparks

Two years ago, I had the hottest night of my life with a woman who didn’t want to tell me her name—and in a tequila-fueled fever dream, I agreed. She was funny, sexy, and after I got past her brittle shell, secretly very sweet.

In the morning, she was gone. I’ve looked for her in every city I’ve played in since. That night ruined me for anyone else, but the woman I only know as “Jersey Girl” never showed up at another game.

Not until I skate onto brand new ice as part of the NHL’s latest team. And there she is, in the stands at our season opening game. Very carefully not looking at me.

Turns out, she has good reasons why she can’t date a pro hockey player. But I have even better reasons why she can—like, we’re meant for each other, and I’ll do whatever it takes to show her I am the steadfast and loyal type of man that she needs.

©2023 Ainsley Booth (P)2024 Ainsley Booth

Lost Loves Can Be Found.

So here I am making sure im caught up on my reviews, and couldn't figure of why I couldn't find this audio book. That's because I had already listened to it and enjoyed it so much that I forgot it was for review, not something already released and loved by everyone. She's in denial and he knows from day one. I love how he works for it and let's her come to terms on her own. If every man went into a relationship like this, and stayed trying, we women would be so much happier. Lol. Get it. The narrators were great, the story is cute and has great moments, some will make you laugh, some will make you mad or happy for one character or the other. Excited to find out more about the other players.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Unique hockey romance

This was an attention grabbing romance that I could not put down! I loved the characters and felt the chemistry between the FMC and MMC.

I favor hockey romances where the chemistry is out of control and this hit the spot. It felt very real. I also really appreciated the diversity in the character base.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sometimes Paths Cross Again

Kieran and Harper find that one night stand from two years ago in Buffalo was only the beginning despite both being from out of town and never expected to see one another again.

This book takes place in Canada with Kieran making the best of his latest hockey team he has been traded to. Little did he expect to see the unnamed woman in the stands that he hasn't stopped thinking about for the last two years. She obviously knew who he was wearing his number.

Two jobs with unconventional work hours are just the beginning of obstacles to overcome. Harper is a well established nurse at the local hospital where his team volunteers. His contract with the team is always an uncertainty with being traded away at any moment hanging in the background.

Listening to Lucas Webley and Michelle Sparks bringing Kieran and Harper to life is like listening to ear corn when the hanky panky times unfold. They have a great interactive performance throughout the whole book.

It will be interesting to see who the next book is about in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Kieran and Harper!!!

Completely enjoyed this sweet, funny, amazing love story. Kieran and Harper were just end-game from their first one-night stand two years earlier. I love when the author can make chance meetings and coincidental reunions so funny and actually believable.

This is my first Ainsley Booth experience and I am definitely going to read the rest of this Off the Ice series - especially excited for book 2 - The Scoring Secret.

I was already a fan of Michelle Sparks' narration skills, but this is my first listen of Lucas Webley - very impressed!!

Second chance romance / good duet narration

Decent story of second chance romance, but still had some gaps I needed in order to feel like the pieces all made sense.

Love an audiobook with duet narration, and both narrators did very well. Felt the male narrator was a little stiff & uniform at first, but it definitely got much better throughout the book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.