Rating 3.5

The book "You Had Me at Hockey" had such a cute synopsis and cover. Who doesn't want to read a book that has both sports and a steamy romance?! Not to mention a 'damaged' male character. While this book was a good easy read it didn't do anything for me. I didn't care for either of the main characters Sara and Josh. Sara's character seemed all over the place and Josh's personality didn't seem to mix with hers. I never felt like they made a good couple and their relationship seemed to move too fast making it unbelievable. I'm not a fan of insta-love and this was exactly that. Being someone who is not familiar with hockey the author did do a good job of making the hockey scenes easy to follow. This book felt very one note to me and again I think it mostly has to do with the characters. If the two main characters were written differently I think I would have enjoyed this story more. 

Should you read "You Had Me at Hockey"?
If you want an easy, steamy romance than this is for you. If you are looking for a deep connection between characters that will make you swoon this book isn't for me. 

**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Sara is your stereotypical 20-something blogger/influencer who loves rose, the color pink and creating goofy videos for her followers. Josh is a hockey player who was recently traded to the New York Bears. They meet when she interviews him for her Podcast. They hit it off and start casually dating. Josh is doing well with his new team, but he has some unfinished business with his former friend and teammate Easton. This book was sweet and had just the right amount of romance. There wasn’t a lot of friction and the story flowed well.

A Sensational Romance .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through Netgalley of You had me at Hockey . I really enjoyed reading this story .
It was entertaining and interesting . Josh had a near death accident when he was younger . He likes his life neat and orderly . He finds himself traded to New York . He is introduced to Sara who
does you tube videos and Pod casts known for being open and honest she's very popular . They hit it off during the Pod cast . Sara surprises him and asks him to lunch . From lunch their relationship starts . It's humorous and emotional .
There is issues they both need to work through to get their happy ending . I really liked this delightful and emotional romance . I highly recommend reading .

A cute quirky romance between a hunky hockey player Josh and hot mess of a woman named sara! Two polar opposites who find not just friendship with one another but also a chemistry that sparks heat between the sheets!

Josh is trying to overcome the traumas of his past but a trade to a team that leads him face to face with that pain has Josh finding companionship in the least likely person! Sara lives here life one crazy moment to the next! She’s not a planner she just takes life as it comes! She has a YouTube channel, Instagram and a podcast to run! She’s busy and chaotic and though is opposite of what Josh wants in life he just can’t walk away!

I loved these two and how they started off as friends! Their flirty banter and Josh’s cute poetry really made them one of my fave hockey couples!

Sara and Josh meet when she interviews him. He isn’t thrilled about have to do press. He is even less thrilled about having been traded to a new hockey team in New York. Despite his current bad mood, he really enjoyed his conversation with Sara. She was funny, honest, and spontaneous. Since when does he like spontaneous?

Sara knows nothing about hockey, but she interviews a lot of people who she doesn’t know much about. However, she realizes pretty quickly that Josh is not only gorgeous but interesting. Despite their differences, they seem to get each other.

They start to date, but neither really thinks the relationship has staying power at first. They both have some issues that need to be resolved. Sara has a history of depression, and Josh is still recovering emotionally from a near fatal accident that killed several members of his former hockey team and almost killed him.

Can two people with very different personalities and emotional struggles work through those issues to find their HEA?

Wow! Didn’t see this one having me all up in my feelings. Their relationship had some ups and downs and some highs and lows. Josh had to accept things from his past in order to move on to his future. And Sara had to accept herself so that she can grow with Josh and have her happy ever after.
I’ve loved this author since the first book I read. She does an amazing job of keeping it real.
Thanks Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Josh has just been traded to the Bears hockey team in New York City. He is a planner and hates unpredictability. Being traded was hard enough but he is now on a team with his high school buddy. They both feel the other let them down after a bus crash that severely injured Josh and killed Easton’s dad and brother. Sara is full of spontaneity. She is interviewing Josh for her podcast since he is new to town. Even though they are so different, they seem to click. This is a great story of forgiveness, communication, and being open to new ideas and people. For the good of the team, Josh and Easton must work it out. There are a lot of fun antics as Josh learns to be more open and spontaneous, and Sara learns to respect Josh’s feelings.

You Had Me at Hockey is another splendid story by Kelly Jamieson. The story had such a good plot that I didn't want it to end. Good characters and writing.

I gave this book three stars based solely on the FMC chapters. It would have been less if not for those. I unfortunately wasn’t a huge fan of this one. I didn’t love Josh. He seemed to have little to no personality for the vast majority of the book. The chemistry and dialogue between the couple was not really there and the steamy scenes were pretty cringy. The POV shifts, which I do tend to be a fan of, were inconsistent tho I realize I read what is an uncorrected ARC. The words “ha ha” were typed way too much into the dialogue which was also a bit odd. Overall I wasn’t a big fan but I did like Sara and her chapters were fun and bubbly.

This is the second book in the Bears hockey series and I can certainly say that I enjoyed it een more than the first book. Josh was traded to the Bears unexpectedly and doesn't know anyone in NYC. For a promo opportunity, he meets with Sara to record a podcast. From the first moment they meet, you can tell that this will be a very different kind of book-in a good way. Their banter was funny and Sara's unfiltered comments certainly were unexpected. Josh was very uptight and regimented and it was nice to see him loosen up a little. They both bring out the best in each other. This was an emotional read and touched on some social issues.

I cannot wait for the next book.

I am a huge sucker for a sports romance. I didn't realize this was a book 2 in the series, but I had no trouble following along. It could definitely be read as a stand alone. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time reading this. I related to Sara so much and Josh was so swoon worthy and also super relatable. Sara's voice was so great. New York City as a backdrop was dazzling as the background to this story.

I related to Sara so much. I struggled with depression in the past and knew the quest she dealt with. I often have the same concerns she did of finding someone who accepts my weirdness and the ups and downs that come with being on medication. I now embrace my uniqueness just like Sara, although definitely not as glamorously!

I will definitely be checking out more from this author

This is what I call an ALMOST 5-star read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish - Jamieson always writes great sports romances, and this features interesting, compelling characters. The overall tone is sweet, mellow, and laidback, but still very steamy, and it's light enough to devour in one sitting with a smile on your face. Really, the only thing it's lacking is the love. It just doesn't have those moments where you feel like this couple considers themselves anything but casual. So I wasn't as invested in the romance as I would've liked - because they weren't either. Beyond that, it's a very solid read and one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

The story follows pro hockey player Josh, a man who likes to plan everything out ahead of time. When he's unexpectedly traded to another team across the country, his whole life is thrown off balance - even more so when he meets a whirlwind of a woman. Sara is a spontaneous social media maven who goes where life takes her. These two opposites shouldn't work together, but Josh finds himself willing to embrace the unexpected when it comes to Sara.

Though the second book in a series, this easily stands on its own. It's low angst and steamy, with a sweet feel that starkly contrasts with the heat in the second half. I really enjoyed both characters and their love story was both familiar yet distinct. Josh isn't the typical playboy jock and Sara isn't the typical good girl; it's all much more nuanced than that. There are some great moments between them, and there was never a time when I wasn't engaged with the story. Had there been a few more swoony moments, this would've been a 5-star read for me. Really, the only other thing that bothered me was the big fight. It doesn't paint Josh in the best light and only reinforced the lack of feelings between them. Overall, I liked this a whole lot but could've loved it with a few little tweaks. I received an early copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sports romance.

Since I was a kid, I’ve always played hockey. When I was sixteen, I played in a traveling league in Canada. On our way from a game, the bus we were traveling in had a horrific accident. We lost half of our team. I had so many injuries that I was in the hospital for months and then in rehab for several more. I never thought I would play again, but with a lot of hard work, I made it back. The last few years I’ve been playing in Dallas, when suddenly I’m traded to New York. I’m a creature of habit, everything in my life is planned out, I don’t like surprises. So this isn’t hitting me well. Part of being part of a team is volunteering at charity event, children hospitals, and so on. When I’m told I have to do a podcast to make myself known in this town, I’m not happy about it, but hey, it’s part of the rules. That’s where I meet Sara Carrington.


I’ve been awkward all my life. My parents wanted me to go to college, which I tried, but it wasn’t for me. After one year I dropped out and moved to New York to start my life. My awkwardness has paid off. I do videos of testing out makeup, baking, TikTok dances, you name it. I have tons of followers and now I’m starting a Podcast. My first victim, I mean, guest, is a hockey player by the name of Josh Heller. I was expecting a man with no teeth and a beard. When he walked in, it was WOW! It turned out great, I got him to laugh, and invited him to coffee afterwards, which he accepted. I do realize that Josh plans everything in his life, which means he’s having a problem with my constant spontaneity. Oh and one more thing, due to my awkwardness, I’m still a virgin! Crazy right!

I laughed so much reading this book. Anything that Kelly Jamieson writes is gold.

I loved this book!! It was an enjoyable book, it had wonderful characters and the plot development.. I enjoyed the pace of the story. I would recommend this book to others.

Hockey, sweet to hot romance, and a story you can’t put down...yes please!!! The author has added yet another terrific story to this series. Josh and Sara will have you laughing, fanning yourself, and then crying the next. There is so much depth to their story that you be like me and read it in one evening. Who needs sleep anyways!! I am a fan of this author’s work and let me tell you that this is one you don’t want to miss.

What a great hockey love story, between two people with their quirks, who meet and find they have a lot in common. 5 hockey stars for this one!
Here we meet Josh, just traded to New York from Dallas. He doesn't like change, he always has to know what's going to happen, he plans very carefully for that. He's not happy being on a team with a guy he used to play hockey with, who he feels abandoned him when he needed him most. This will be a huge adjustment for Josh, but when the teams PR tells him they have him lined up to do a podcast with an influencer, he reluctantly goes and meets a girl, Sara, who he thinks is absolutely beautiful.

Sara is the complete opposite of Josh, she never plans, flies by the seat of her pants, which Josh is quickly learning about her. She does podcasts as well as cooking shows. She's real, and that's what attracts Josh to her, but he's also got his reservations about her, he didn't plan for a girlfriend in his life. But what these two share, is absolutely amazing chemistry!

I loved this story, make sure you grab it asap!

I adored this book! it was so good and one of the best books that I've read from this author, I can't wait to see what's next from her.

You Had Me at Hockey is another great addition to Kelly Jamieson's Bears Hockey series!

Josh Heller has been traded from Dallas to the New York Bears and he's not one that likes change or not knowing what is coming down the pike. He's a planner and so having to learn a new team, a new coach and a new city isn't his favorite thing ever, but he's a warrior and he's going to do it. Much of his reluctance with change comes from a near-death experience as a child, which has shaped not only him as a person, but his hockey life as well.

Sara Carringon is a quirky, funny, smart woman who has a podcast and does YouTube videos for a living. While she's always battled depression, using her videos to focus her has been a game changer. She's been lucky enough to get Josh on one of her upcoming podcast episodes and while she knows nothing about hockey, she's open to the idea of having him on.

When Josh and Sara meet, the connection is almost immediate. Neither of them is looking for any kind of relationship, but it seems that the universe has a different idea. They are drawn to one another and as they start to spend time together, that just intensifies. Both of them are dealing with baggage so to speak, but it seems that they are able to help one another as they deal with it. Will this relationship end up becoming more permanent than either of them ever expects?

Josh and Sara were great characters. I liked that they were flawed and I liked that they admitted that. No one is perfect and I always find it great when as a reader I can identify with things they are going through. I loved how they learned from one another and were friends as much as lovers. This was another great installment in this series!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

The more that I read Kelly Jamieson, the more that I like her books and her writing! I loved Sara, loved her spontaneity and the way she handles everything in her life, good and bad. Josh, on the other hand, needed structure and didn’t like things to change without a lot of thought and planning. Or so he thought. Sara and Josh were good together and balanced each other out. Sara helped Josh deal with things that he thought didn’t bother him anymore and Josh helped Sara believe in herself and her instincts. Can’t wait for more!

[ARC BOOK REVIEW: You had me at Hockey by Kelly Jamieson. In exchange for an honest review. Thank you @netgalley!]

"𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓" 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓
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I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this book. I fell in love with both Josh, Sara and the others! This was such a nice real romance book. Not too mushy, not too predictable, and lots of steamy scenes ladies 🔥 but above that, it was an emotional experience. I felt as if these characters were my friends.
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We follow Josh and Sara. Josh is a professional hockey player with issues from his past after a major accident. He gets traded to a new team and a new city with someone he didn't plan on seeing again. And Josh likes to have things planned. Sara is a social media/vlogger star. She is well known and famous, but she is also outgoing, spontaneous and a "tell it like it is" kinda woman and I LOVE that about her. Even though she is all of these great things, she has her issues too. They are complete opposites, but y'all know the saying right? Opposites attract.
Sara's goal is to get him to smile. But does she? Why is she trying to get Josh to smile? Is he capable of smiling again? Can she? You have to read to find out!
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This was such a great feel good read for me and one of my favorite type of stories. I am surprised that I haven't read any of Kelly Jamieson's books before since she has a very similar style of writing as some of my favorite authors. HOWEVER; I'll definitely be getting all of her books from here on out! This was such an amazing read!
☆☆☆☆☆ out of 5 stars for me!