My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Becka Mack's "Consider Me" offers readers a sizzling hockey romance that has captivated the BookTok community. The story introduces Carter Beckett, the NHL's top player both on and off the ice, whose life is seemingly perfect until he meets Olivia Parker, a schoolteacher with no interest in dating athletes. This book is the first installment in the Playing for Keeps series, setting the stage for a tale of love and determination.

Carter's character is charming and persistent, bringing a sense of authenticity to his pursuit of Olivia, who is wary of getting involved with a professional athlete. Olivia's reluctance adds an intriguing dynamic, as her character embodies strength and independence, making her more than just a love interest. The interactions between Carter and Olivia are filled with witty banter and chemistry, which are some of the book's highlights.

However, despite the promising premise and engaging writing style, "Consider Me" didn't quite meet my expectations. The story was enjoyable, with well-developed characters and a solid plot, but it lacked a certain spark that would make it truly memorable. While it’s a well-crafted romance that fans of the genre may appreciate, it didn't stand out as a must-read for me.

In conclusion, "Consider Me" is a solid entry into the hockey romance genre, with Becka Mack delivering a story that is both entertaining and heartfelt. While it may not be a book I'll revisit, it's still a worthy read for those looking for a light, enjoyable romance with a touch of sports.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is the perfect feel good hockey romance book if you just want to read something smutty and lighthearted. It was corny and little repetitive at times but I kind of loved that as it was exactly what I needed to read and brought the humour to the book.

Tropes:

↠ Hockey romance
↠ Golden retriever MMC
↠ He falls first
↠ Friends to lovers
↠ Praise / dirty talk
↠ Reformed playboy
↠ Dual POV

Carter is the definition of golden retriever energy. This man and his obsession for Oreo's and his girl was everything. He's very 'touch her and you die' and would do anything for her and his loved ones. Push past his playboy persona in the first couple of chapters - he's actually pretty sweet and protective. I wish he treated all women at the start of the book like he does Olivia, his family and friends but you come to see why he acted the way he did and watch him reform. Although Carter was super goofy this made him pretty immature at times but watching Olivia boss him around was pretty funny.

I found the buildup and chemistry was great in this book and the smut was extra steamy. The friend group dynamic was a fave feature of mine - I love when these books create a girl gang. Even the burly hockey guys are pretty in touch with their emotions! Hank was also so sweet.

I know we probably won't get a book for Cara and Emmet as they are already an established couple in book 1 but I think their story would be so sweet to read!

My only criticisms is that it was mentioned so many times how 'tiny' she was - she's 5'1 and I just got it the first time, it just made her sound so doll-like. It also could have been shorter as 540 or so pages for a romance book is just not necessary.

I couldn't understand why this book had to be over 500 pages, but after finishing, I get it.

Carter is a playboy until he bumps into Olivia, the best friend of one of his teammates' girlfriends, who does not care for his advances one bit, or so she thinks.

As they keep finding themselves together, they finally give in, navigating their romance through work, hockey matches, the media, and scandal.

Low/medium 🌶

Becka Mack writes the best hockey romances!! Consider Me was everything.

Honestly, and Olivia’s tension had me for a ride! Olivia fears opening up and being vulnerable (felt very attacked 😂). But the friendship and their banter turned into scorching sexual tension and friendship.

Adorable and high energy, I adored this book.

“I need you, because without you, something will always be missing in this life, just out of reach.”

Playing for Keeps by Becka Mack is my favourite hockey romance series ❄️ very very much looking forward to the next books(!!!) in the series 🤍

My Oreo-loving cuties Ollie and Carter I love you!!!

Boy oh boy did I love this book! The plot was good and it moved forward with the progress/personal development these characters made, which I really enjoyed 🥰 I was so curious to see how the changes Becka had made would potentially effect the story, and was so happy that the overall tone of the book and the character development and storylines have been retained - I love this book just as much as the first time I read it, if not more!

Carter is the ultimate boobear hidden in playboy's clothing, I loved him so much! His relationship with Hank is so sweet. I found him really relatable, with the way he stepped into this kind of parental/caretaker role within his family; it made me love him all the more. And I LOVE how much he loves everyone in his life and how fiercely he protects those close to him, be it his hockey team or his family.

And Ollie! She's the sweetest bun in the whole damn world and much like Carter, I wanted to protect her from anyone who tried to hurt her. I love watching her step into her own, learning to give Carter her heart and not letting the doubts and voices trying to shake her trust in him get to her. I love her sisterhood with Cara and the way they lean on each other too <3

And every single character in this book was just so loveable (Except for you Courtney: Sincerely, fuck you!) Cara and Emmett are so freaking cute, Cara and Hank are both absolute riots and Adam!? Oh that man deserves the world and I'm so ready for his book!

I know formatting can sometimes be imperfect but this book is almost impossible to read with spaces in the middle of words, random letters missing, symbols standing in for other letters and letters from other languages as well. It isn’t a particularly short book and there’s no way i can continue to decipher each substitution without giving myself a headache.

I don’t want rate it because I didn’t get more than two pages into it but I have to in order to submit feedback so I’m going to give it my average

How have I not read this book sooner? Carter Beckett is one of the best book boyfriends I have ever read. The way he turns into such a cinnamon roll when he is with Oliva, oh my god, it is the most adorable thing I have ever read. I cannot get enough of this pairing and cannot wait to see glimpses of them throughout the rest of the series. This truly is the beginning to the steamiest hockey season yet.

Can I just start by saying that I instantly fell in love with Carter and Ollie?
⁠
Everyone should know by now that I love a good hockey romance. Consider Me certainly didn't disappoint. It is a whole different level for me.

Carter Beckett is a player, turned golden retriever boyfriend, completely whipped for Olivia. She was such a sweet character and I adored her. I enjoyed how Carter had to work for her but that it wasn't dragged out. They were super cute together: I loved the nicknames, how supportive they were of one another, and the way they were protective of each other and their relationship.

I laughed, I swooned and I devoured it as quickly as I could. It is safe to say this is now up there with my favourite sports romances and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and @simonschusterau for allowing me to read and review 'Consider Me'!⁠ I strongly suggest you grab your copies of this beautiful series ASAP. Those covers 😍

I bounced back and forth between loving this one and questioning myself. It was well written, spicy and I loved the characters. But honestly, Carter was a bit realistic. Maybe I'm a pessimist, but it was a bit surprising for a reformed manwhore to be this giddy about becoming a boyfriend and doing it almost flawlessly.

This book was also very long, but I was still addicted to it.

I will check out the rest of the series as I really liked the other characters introduced along the way.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed it. It was an easy Sunday afternoon read with plenty of spice and great supporting characters. Not a whole lot of angst or emotions but it’s a good start to the series.

If you enjoy a reformed hockey player (who’s a player on and off the ice) who falls first and falls hard then Carter is definitely for you. I would have liked the heroine more if she’d been able to stick with her decisions. I did love their HEA though.

Consider Me was a fantastic book. Olivia and Carter's love story is a pretty realistic love story. While parts are definitely not the norm, The way Carter loves Olivia is unmatched.

He looks after her with the heater and ensures she's comfortable when ever he can.

Olivia is how I want to grow up to be—her love for her students, friends, and her niece and nephew.

I really loved the MMC’s cocky attitude, he really helped the story from seeming repetitive and was the reason I kept through reading.

It was well written, but I feel overall the book fell short for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a ARC

I loved this book.

Becka truly has a way of crafting a world you can lose yourself in.

The character development, especially Carter's arc, is top tier.

It is everything you could ever want in a hockey romance - steamy, swoony, funny!

Buckle up for a wild ride through the world of hockey, fame, and undeniable chemistry! Consider Me isn't just a romance; it's an adrenaline-fuelled journey that will have you cheering for love against all odds.

Carter Beckett, the charismatic NHL star, isn't just another cocky athlete. He's a complex character with layers waiting to be unraveled. Becka Mack weaves his story with finesse, revealing a man on a mission not just to win games, but to win the heart of the enigmatic Olivia Parker.

Olivia's reluctance to fall for the charming athlete adds an intriguing dynamic to the storyline. Her determination to keep Carter at bay despite the undeniable sparks between them is both relatable and commendable. The balance between her grounded life as a teacher and the whirlwind of Carter's world is expertly crafted.

The authors skilfully navigate the trope of the ultimate player turning romantic without falling into clichés. Carter's evolution from a self-assured star to a man willing to go the extra mile for love is both heartwarming and believable. And let's talk about the chemistry—Mack ignites the pages with a sizzle that will leave you reaching for a fire extinguisher!

Consider Me is not just about love; it's about perseverance, growth, and the power of genuine connection. The slow burn of Carter's pursuit mixed with Olivia's steadfastness creates a delightful tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night.

This book isn't just the first in the Playing for Keeps series—it sets the stage for an addictively captivating series that promises to explore love in the most unexpected places. A definite must-read for fans of sports romance, irresistible charm, and the triumph of love over the odds!

I've read this book twice at this point. Once in full and a second time, I skimmed my favorite moments in the story. (I love the interactions between all the family members, especially the epilogue.) My overall impression of this book was pretty good. I thought the banter between the FMC and MC was funny. For the most part, I enjoyed Olivia and Carter's relationship. I saw the progression of Carter's character throughout the book. The fact that he went from being so clueless to incredibly loving at the end However, at times, his actions did make me feel uncomfortable about the way he was pursuing Olivia. From a fiction perspective, I did like how enamored Carter was with Olivia. I did not care for the third-act conflict or breakup personally. The story could've been a tad bit shorter. Despite that, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. 3.5/5 stars