💕 Best friends to lovers
⚡️ Blind dates
👫 Dual POVs
🍂 He falls first
🔥 Slow-burn
🥑 “Clean” Romance

When Hazel is finally ready to date again, she asks her best friend Alex to set her up on dates. Unfortunately, it seems she’s the only one who doesn’t realize Alex is already in love with someone…. This someone being her.

It was a really cute and relatable friends-to-lovers book. It’s actually the third book in the ‘Just You’ serie, so there’s a lot of people you should recognize if you read them (unlike me because I realize it was book 3 too late). I really think Hazel’s fears and reactions are something all couples like them could have felt. Their relationship was real.

I liked this book, and I would recommend it, but because I’ve read tons and tons of friends-to–lovers recently, I can’t rate it more than 4 stars, which is still a good rating !

This is my first read from Kathryn Kincaid, and I really enjoyed it! I love a great hockey romance, and fake dating is my favorite trope, so add them together and we find ourselves a winner!

Bring in a fake relationship with an enemy to get back at an ex who jilted his girlfriend by fleeing town when her father, the team owner, traded him without notice… combined with it being a secret relationship? Yes please!

It was so much fun, especially great with the banter, the softie cinnamon roll behind the tough Russian player exterior of Alexei, and how he fell so quickly for Kennedy when she was so determined to get through the fake publicity stunt that they had to deal with to help the team’s image and bring in fans. Rubbing her newfound happiness in Justin’s face was just a great bonus. The clueless, rookie roommate was also adorable!

A fast-paced thrill ride and I definitely recommend this one to all!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Kathryn Kincaid Publishing, LLC, and this is my honest feedback.

OMG I loved this book! I’m deep in my Hockey Romance Era and this was a fantastic addition. It has all my favorite tropes! Fake dating, enemies to lovers, ex-rivalry, owner’s daughter and bad boy with a heart of gold. It’s filled with witty banter, chemistry and an amazing cast of secondary characters. This book was so much more than JUST a hockey romance. It’s a fantastic story about love, loss, grief, family, and moving forward.
Kennedy and Alexi were perfect for one another and it was so much fun watching the lines between real and fake blur and seeing the two of them catch feelings. Once I started this book I could not put it down! I was totally captivated and I hope the author continues this series.

Kennedy Cole put her life on pause when her mom died a year ago. She is finally ready to move forward when her hockey player boyfriend is traded and he skips town with barely a good-bye. Kennedy is left to pick up the pieces again. She and a member of the hockey team that her dad owns are caught by a compromising photo and decide to make a deal. Will the deal work for them, or are there unforseen consequences?

"When you're next to me, you're the only person who does exist."

🏒 Fake Dating
🏒 Ex’s Rival
🏒 NHL hockey romance
🏒 Revenge Dating
🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 Banter and Jabs
🏒 Man-Child Rookie Antics
🏒 Image Overhaul
🏒 Owner’s Daughter
⚠️ Death of a Parent

Kennedy Cole has been going through a rough year with the death of her mother. On what was suppose to be a happy day for her, she finds out her NHL star player boyfriend just got traded and is breaking up with her. Alexei Volkov is trying to save his hockey career after a tumultuous few months. He signs with Palmer City Wolves and is told to lay low. All well and good until he meets Kennedy at the team’s preseason party and a misleading photo is taken of them and posted to social media. Justin Ward, Kennedy’s ex boyfriend and Alexei’s biggest rival, comments with a scathing remark and the photo goes viral. Damage control starts and Kennedy and Alexei agree to fake date for 3 months for the scandal to blow over. Only problem- Kennedy is not a fan of Alexei or his reputation.

Guys!! This debut book was hockey perfection! I honestly loved it so much and HAD to buy it for my collection! I was hooked right from the beginning and finished this bad boy in one day. This is one of the best fake dating/ revenge dating books I’ve read - the banter and little jabs between Alexei and Kennedy were ridiculously good! The fake dating didn’t seem rushed in any way and I loved the slow development of their enemies to lovers relationship. Both of them try to deny their feelings for each other but even their friends (who are amaze-ball side characters btw) can't help but notice they are meant to be together.

The intense rivalry between Alexei and Justin was exciting to read! They’ve been rivals since juniors and it steadily increased over the years with Kennedy only becoming the catalyst for the explosion. Alexei had been through so much over the past few months that you couldn’t help but root for him and hope he gets some aggression out on asshole Justin, especially after his below the belt comments regarding Kennedy.

I connected with Kennedy in a lot of ways and found her strength inspiring, especially in her grief over her mother’s death and her heartbreak over being dumped. She’s been through the wringer the last year but she comes out stronger in the end. There are some fantastic side characters in this book - notably Gemma and Zach. Gemma is the best friend/roommate and an absolute peach and quite the meddler. Zach is the rookie on the team and he’s like the younger brother you never really wanted but can’t help but love.

I freaking loved that this hockey book took place in the US South! North Carolina specifically. It’s refreshing to see some more hockey book representation here instead of Vancouver or Chicago. I could tell it was modeled after the Carolina Hurricanes and even giggled when I saw the Author’s Note that she’s a Caniac. Go Canes! 🌀❤️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the arc in return for my honest review!

I'm a sucker for a good hockey romance and this book delivers. Kennedy Cole has been lost since her mother died a year ago. She is ready to move in with her star hockey-playing boyfriend Justin Ward and tonight is the night they are finally going to take their relationship public. Except she hasn't been able to get ahold of him all day. When she shows up at his house she discovers moving vans and it turns out that Justin has been traded and is moving and had not thought to tell her. Justin dumps Kennedy leaving her to attend the Palmer City Wolves hockey event by herself (the team that her family owns). Alexei Volkov is known for being a bit of a hot head and after being fired from his last team he really needs to take advantage of the chance he has been given with the Wolves. Alexei runs into Kennedy at the event and it is clear that she has been drinking away her anger at the end of her relationship. Alexei helps her from stumbling which leads to a photograph being published that makes the encounter seem less than innocent. Alexei can't afford another hit to his public image, so, even though the pair want nothing to do with each other it is agreed that the best way forward is to pretend to be in a relationship. They set ground rules and agree to fake date for 3 months. The more time they spend together, however, the harder it becomes to deny the electric chemistry that is sizzling between them.

4.5 stars

“Three months, two enemies, one goal.”

Kennedy thinks her life is finally looking up, she’s finally ready to move forward and move in with her boyfriend – until he leaves town without bothering to tell her! Her now ex’s enemy, Alexei, moves into town, joining her dad’s hockey team, and is prepared to fix his reputation. When a misleading photo goes viral, Alexei and Kennedy must pretend to date to fix the negative press!

I love a hockey romance, and this one had all of my favorite tropes – enemies to lovers, fake dating, close proximity – what’s not to love! There was meddling friends, family drama, and the characters were developed really well. This was more than a romance - it has found family, deals with grief and the main characters finding themselves. All around great hockey romance, can’t wait to read more of her books!

Thank you Netgalley & Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for this ARC!

Filled with banter and lots of denial, Play Your Part by Kathryn Kincaid tells a simple enemies-to-lovers story about two people who aren’t looking for a relationship.

Summary: Kennedy “Kens/Kenny” Cole gets dump by her father’s professional hockey team’s star player when he trades him away. She meets their new player Alexei “Volk/Alyosha” Volkov and ends up being embroiled in a scandal, especially with Justin adding fuel to the fire. Now, they have to fake a relationship.

Tropes/Genres:
• enemies to lovers
• fake dating
• sports (hockey)
• contemporary romance
• boss’s daughter

Review: This was a nice and enjoyable read. I liked the dynamic between Kennedy and Alexei. Maybe except the whole part where they kept calling what they have friendship and stopping it from going further just cuz they were in serious denial. Apart from that, they were nice to read about.

I really want to punch Justin Ward (Kennedy’s ex and the team’s former captain, by the way). He was such a terrible person! I’m just glad that there are so many awesome characters in this book to balance it out. Here’s a special shout-out to Cale Cole, Kennedy’s dad and the owner of the hockey team, Palmer City Wolves. He’s such an awesome father!

The book had some thought-provoking topics as well, such as dealing with grief from the loss of a parent and the struggle of balancing work and personal life. But there’s also enough fun to balance out the heavier topics!

I recommend this book to sports romance lovers, especially those who love hockey. Because this book actually talks quite a bit about NFL. Read this book if you love a nice enemies-to-lovers fake-dating romance!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: August 3, 2023

Play Your Part is a spicy, enemies to lovers, fake dating romance and it was sooooo good!

Kennedy Cole is the daughter of NHL franchise owner of the Wolves and the girlfriend of their start player and captain Justin Ward. Ahead of the upcoming season, Justin gets traded and leaves Kennedy and her broken heart with barely a goodbye.

As Kennedy drowns her sorrows and broken heart in champagne at the season opening party, she is photographed in what looks like a very cozy position with the newest addition to the Wolves. Alexei Volkov, bad boy on and off the ice and Justin Ward’s rival.

Alexei signed with the Wolves for a one year term. In an attempt to refresh his hockey career and clear his head from a break up with his fiancée. His agent and new coach make it clear that he has one chance at this and being caught on camera his first night in town with the owners daughter, was jot what they had in mind.

To avoid a media backlash and bad press for Alexei and the team (and to make Justin jealous), Kennedy and Alexei agree to fake date for three months. A few public dates and photos of them together should quell the speculation and controversy surrounding the photo.

Three months is not so long right? They should be able to stand each other long enough to change the narrative in the media. They definitely won’t have real feeling for each other and be able to have a smooth break. What happens when the guy you swear is no good for you, is the best thing that has happened to you?

This was so good! I loved Kennedy and Alexei’s story! This is my first book by this author and definitely not my last, this was a 4 star read for me!

#NetGalley #kathrynkincaid #playyourpart

This book was everything I wanted in a hockey romance. The tropes are some of my favorites (fake dating, enemies to lovers, etc). I really hope Kathryn Kincaid will continue writing romances based in this world!

Kathryn Kincaid doesn't seem to have a website, but she does have social media.

Sport romance always catches my eye and then fake dating?... of course I'm going to jump at the chance to read it
.
I adored Alexei and all my good points have to do with the opportunity to be in his head with that dual point of view, the perfect bookboyfriend even in his most alpha dominant moments
.
Kennedy is fine and makes a good couple but there were many of her attitudes that I did not understand and how she jumped from one point to another without much connection but the rest of the characters and the scenes with Alexei made me stick to the pages until the end
.
Kennedy is a bit lost after her mother's death, but she hopes her life will get back on track when her boyfriend of a year joins her at the season open party
.
Only to realize that he is going to move to another team in another state and the new player on the team is none other than his rival
.
But when they are caught in a compromising position, the head of publicity decides to do damage control and improve Alexei's reputation by pretending they are in a relationship
.
But as they spend more time together, Kennedy begins to realize that maybe Alexei isn't the villain she thought and is so much more to him that hockey
.
I really enjoyed reading this book as a fan of sport romance
.
Thanks to Kathryn Kincaid for give me a copy of this book in exchange of my honest and voluntary opinion

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of Play Your Part for the advanced readers copy.

4 ⭐ s

Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Fake Dating

Kennedy's dad owns a hockey team, so she spends lots of time at the games and with the team. This leads to her dating player Justin Ward. However, when her mom unexpectedly passes away things begin to change. Her love of hockey is gone, Justin is traded to a new team, and Justin's enemy is now on her dad's team.

New player, Alexei, has a bit of a PR problem.

Kennedy and Alexei run into each other accidentally at a team function where a picture is taken of them and shared with the media.

What better thing to solve Alexei's PR problem than dating Kennedy? Fake dating commence!

I appreciate that Kincaid's fake dating story is a slow burn unlike most fake datings stories. Throughout the 'dating' we see the characters show their true colors, develop over time, and slowly fall for each other.

The characters are super likable and the story is an easy read!

ⓣⓡⓞⓟⓔⓢ
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Fake Dating
🏒 One Bed
🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 He Falls First

🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
This is the debut novel for Kathryn Kincaid, and it was such an entertaining read! The story follows Kennedy Cole, the owner of the Palmer City Wolves hockey team after a bad break up with Justin Ward, the star Wolves player who was traded to another team and left her behind without a second thought. Enter Alexei Volkov, Ward’s biggest rival and the hotheaded, newest member of the Wolves team. He’s on a one year contract and is trying to clean up his image and save his hockey career. After a photo of Alexei and Kennedy is leaked that puts them in a compromising position, they are forced to fake date in order to save Alexei’s reputation and in turn, make Ward jealous. What starts out as a simple three month plan to save face soon turns into so much more.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Kennedy is a girl down on her luck, having lost her mom a year ago, dropped out of college, and is in a state of just existing in life. After Justin dumps her, she finds a list of goals she had and decides she’s going to try to get her life back on track. We definitely see her grieving process and see her character grow in the story. Alexei is a hot Russian man, and his reputation doesn’t quite match the man that Kennedy gets to know. I loved seeing how enamored he got with her! There were some great side characters as well, and I loved Zach! He’s the young rookie on the team who moves in with Alexei and provides so much comedic relief in the book.

The plot was quick paced, although it did get a little choppy at times. There was also a decent amount of slow burn with a splash of spice closer to the last third of the book. The book is more character-based than plot-based, and I really enjoyed the development of the relationship and the growth we saw within the characters. Overall, a cute debut novel from Kathryn Kincaid!

I received a copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪

4⭐️ | 2.5🌶

At this point I’m so deep in my Hockey Romance era that I have to read ‘em all!

This one is super cute. I loved the MCs and their banter! The highlight was the fake dating aspect, you can just never go wrong with that. I’ve always enjoyed those and seeing the two MCs slowly fall for each other over the course of the book. I really enjoyed reading about Alexei and Kennedy’s journey from enemies to fake dating to happily ever after. The side character were super likeable too, especially Zachary.

Read if you like:
•Hockey Romance
•Fake Dating
•Enemies to lovers
•He falls first

This book gave me all the feels… I cried, I laughed and I absolutely devoured this book! It has everything you could want from a book with these tropes. It’s a fantastic debut novel and I can’t wait to read her next!

Enjoyable, a cocktail of romance tropes done with ease, good banter and chemistry & its hockey romance! I enjoyed the pacing and characters.

🏒Fake Dating
🏒Hockey
🏒Enemies to Lovers
🏒Coach’s Daughter

I picked this book strictly because of the cover…I saw it was hockey and knew I had to read it. And boy am I glad I did! This was a sweet and funny enemies to lovers, fake dating romance. I instantly connected with Kennedy and was heartbroken when reading her struggles. When she is feeling at her lowest, in walks Alexei and shakes her world up even more. It was great to see Kennedy find herself again and learn to live. I really enjoyed the banter between these two and the sweet conversations they had. I absolutely loved this book and the characters. It was my first by this author and I am looking forward to reading more by her.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kathryn Kincaid for an eARC of Play Your Part.

I really enjoyed that this book was a hockey romance written from both Alexei and Kennedy’s perspectives. I also liked that it was an enemies to lovers book, alongside a fake relationship.

I would recommend this as a quick read for someone who likes hockey!

A million congrats to debut author and my book club friend Katie for this wonderful and heartfelt hockey romance with some of my favorite tropes! It has fake dating, enemies to lovers, ex-rivalry, slow burn, forced proximity, owner's daughter, dual POV, and the guy who falls first. It is filled with witty banter, angst, tension,
and of course chemistry, spice, and romance.

Kennedy is the daughter of the hockey team owner and has just been dumped by her boyfriend. Alexei is the new player on the team and her ex's long-time rival. After a misinterpreted photo is released to the media, Kennedy and Alexei agree to a fake relationship for three months. This will save his career and allow her to get back at her ex. The only problem is, she hates Alexei because of what she has been told about him by her ex. Of course, as they begin to spend time together, she realizes that he is not the person she originally thought. Suddenly, the line between what is fake and what is real becomes confusing as feelings are involved!

Overall, I was captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and am so proud of Katie!!

Such a sweet romance!!! Fake dating, hockey, a lil bit of drama and a lot of banter in a dislike-to-lovers sort of vibe.

Although they only set out for 3 months of fake dating you could just tell that as soon as they met they started developing feelings for one another and it was so nice to see because I was rooting for them the whole time!! The little acts of love was what really got me!

I loved getting to know Kennedy and Alexei as individuals and as a couple but I must say that I really loved their besties too! The writing was so great - very easy to read and very likeable characters.

Would recommend to any romance reader!!

*thank you netgalley for the arc to review

It took me a minute to get into this book, but once I started reading it, I was hooked. I loved the banter between Alexi and Kennedy, they had some good one liners and had me laughing out at loud at some point as well. What I loved however was Alexi, his POV and his self-deprecating humor hooked me.

How he saw himself and his inner thoughts made me relate to him and is what made me absolutely love this book!

Alexi and Kennedy's relationship is a great fake dating romance as she tries to keep their boundaries as Alexi's goal is to survive the relationship without his heart breaking. Highly recommend this cute, emotional hockey romance!