This was a well written story but I felt that both MC’s were too immature. They had college/university degrees however I felt like I was reading a YA romance. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. I loved Sylvester’s interactions with his family and the fact he was taking courses for his “after hockey” career. It made him more realistic. I also liked that although Sly was a successful hockey player, he felt insecure because he was not strong academically. He did lose a couple points with me when he expressed disapproval of Clara’s profession. I liked Clara. I just felt Clara and Sly’s interactions seemed younger than their age portrayed. The wombat inspired make up scene was hilarious. I am fascinated with Grumpy Mizzoni since he can see auras. Color me intrigued!

This was my first Delancey Stewart book and I loved it! It was such a cute, quick read with great spice!

I loved Sly's character and how despite his jock exterior, he was smart, sensitive and caring deep down. The fact that he had a crush on the girl next door, but never acted on it because he didn't think he was worthy was so sweet and heartbreaking. It broke my heart to see him beat himself up thinking he wasn't smart enough. I loved so much how good he was with Katie and Clara of course! The spice scenes were HOT and made me want to play Yahtzee myself! lol!

If you love:

single mom romances
sports romances
spice!!!!

then pick this one up!

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

DNF @ 29% for the time being

There just wasn't the same quirky quality to this series that Delancey had for the Kasper Ridge series... I may continue at another time, but I needed to put it down for now.

He's his own worst enemy.

Sylvester is a hockey player. He knows his limits. He's not that bright. He's good at hockey and he only likes to bang puck bunnies to keep it fun and light. No commitment and all promiscuity.
He had a crush on the literal girl next door, Clara, who was and is way too smart for him and a bigger bad A than he ever could be. She is a wildlife biologist who works with black bears and is a single mother. She had a crush on Sly in high school, too, but he was too dumb and insecure to take a chance. Its exactly the same way again, ten years later when his mom sets them up. How many times can Sly mess things up? All the time. As he is his own worst enemy. (Not a fan of public displays, they really needed to talk, like a grown up talk in private). But Clara is a boss and it makes sense that Sly is basically a 4 yo girl, since he's on the same wavelength and color spectrum as Clara's kid.
Recommend.

The Wedding Winger is a fun hockey-ish romance with Clara and Sly as the main characters.

They grew up as next door neighbors who each had a crush on each other and are nudged together by his mom, who knew they liked each other back in the day and is going to take advantage of circumstances to try and get them together now.

It was absolutely refreshing to read a book where the male MC has more insecurities and doubts than the female! I loved watching Clara help Sly overcome his issues.

The secondary characters were terrific. Katie was perfect and I hope that Angie and Stephano meet up in the next series.

I also want a Wombats jersey. (And no spoilers but incorporating a wombat into Sly’s grand gesture? Awesome!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

5 Stars for this laugh-out-loud romance!

I loved Sly and Clara ... and especially Katie! I love it when there are kids in a story and Katie is one of my favorites ... she has her own little quirky personality. When Clara and her friend were talking about Yatzee ... I was laughing so hard that tears were running down my face. It was a nice change that the hunky hockey player was a little vulnerable and wasn't sure about how his life would go after hockey. I loved the way Sly took to Katie considering he had no experience with kids. And Clara ... I felt so sorry for her that she had gone through so much and had no confidence with guys. This is a great start to a new series and I can't wait for the next book!

Sly plays professional hockey for the Wilcox Wombats and he's beginning to think about his life after hockey. When he goes home for the off season, he's taken right back to high school with his big time crush on the smart good girl next door. The only thing that was good about Clara's marriage was Katie ... her daughter. A year after her divorce, her parents died so she moved into her childhood home. But when Sly comes home for his break, all those feelings she had in high school for her popular next-door neighbour come rushing back. She's seen pictures of the girls that Sly dates ... and she is nothing like them. Maybe they can be friends.

I received an early copy courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op through NetGalley.

The Wedding Winger: A second chance, single mom, hockey romcom (The Zamboni Diaries)

By: Delancey Stewart

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Too hot to handle!

In this fun book from Delancey Stewardship we get Sly and Clara.
In what Sly might say is a missed change we get taken on a will they won’t they fun live story. The authors writing flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: I play pro hockey.
But despite being admittedly talented and unquestionably tough (not to mention devastatingly handsome), my future after the game is dangling precariously on thin ice.
I've been set on earning an MBA in the off-season, but a surprise wedding and a maternal summons means my summer study plans vanish like a hockey rink in a heatwave.

Enter Clara Connor: my high school math tutor, my unattainable teenage crush, and now my divorced next-door neighbor and mom of a mischievous little blond whirlwind named Katie.

My past is chirping in my ear and the gloves are definitely off.
Clara’s brilliant. She's beautiful. She's a force of nature (I mean… she wrestles bears for a living). And she’s still leagues away from a jock like me. My pursuit of an MBA? Not exactly a hat trick. But Clara steps in with an offer to help. And suddenly, I'm right back in high school - pining over the mathlete next door and wishing I had a snowball's chance in hell with her.

As Clara and I begin to spend more time together, and mom's matchmaking efforts become as transparent as ice after the Zamboni goes by, I need to figure out who I am off the rink.

Can I ever match up to a woman like Clara? Or will I forever be stuck in the penalty box of her perception, just the jock next door?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕