This book was a lot of fun, and the audiobook was really well done. Both narrators (DUAL POV!!) are great, and emotive, and it was a great experience. They also sounds great at all speeds. So if you dig it at 1x, you’re good, but if you like to go fast like me, the pronounciation doesn’t get muddled.

Things I loved:

🏒Dual POV (I always love this. Every. time.)
🏒Grumpy/sunshine!
🏒He falls first
🏒Meddling grandmother
🏒Auction
🏒Hockey romance
🏒Meeting the family
🏒Girl who sticks up for her man
🏒Date coaching

This was seriously so much fun, and I loved seeing characters from the other series. Give it a read!

Flirtation or Faceoff was such a sweet romcom.

I honestly didn't know how I would feel when I first started this book. In the beginning, Colby came across a little too arrogant and conceited for me to be the MMC, but he's suppose to come across that way to Noel at first. As the story progressed, you really find out who he is as a person and it's hard to not fall for an incredibly sweet, golden retriever type who has the "who did this to you" vibe.

Tropes you can find in Flirtation or Faceoff:
hockey romance
he falls first
golden retriever
frenemies to lovers
fake dating (ish)
meddling grandmother
closed door romance
playful MMC and nerdy FMC

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I think this is my favorite of the series so far!

* hockey romance
* he falls first
* he gives off golden retriever energy!
* frenemies to lovers
* fake dating (ish)
* great friendships and a meddling grandmother
* closed door romance
* playful MMC and nerdy FMC

The dynamic between Noel and Colby was fantastic - he's the fun and flirty hockey guys who falls HARD for the professor, Noel, who loves fantasy books and plans to stay far away from any hockey players... until Colby comes in and sweeps her off their feet. He is a GEM and by far my favorite part of this story - he was thoughtful, attentive, romantic, and fun - such a cinnamon roll!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this audiobook - all opinions are my own!

Literally in love with Colby, so precious. I loved every minute of this book and ugh the male narrator 🥵🥵🥵 I love that he was patient and understanding with Noelle and her past. I love how sweet he is. And Noelle is definitely me 😂 loving her books. I love her growth in this story and I love their relationship together. I want more of them 🥰

I binged this audiobook in a handful of hours! I loved it!! It had me kicking my feet and giggling ❤️. I’m a sucker for romance novels where he falls first and HARD and then add in hockey and enemies-to-lovers and it’ll for sure be a ten out of ten for me!

The audiobook was narrated very well and everything sounded nice and clear!

The audio was so good, I loved the narrators in this book they really made you feel like you were hearing a conversation between your friends. I read the book so I knew how good it was, but being able to listen to it made it that much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was surface-level very enjoyable, with plot elements that I adore. A hockey romance, he falls first, dating coach, found family and well-narrated, Colby and Noel meet through their friends (whose book I did not read prior). Colby is attracted from the beginning, but Noel has sworn off hockey players and won't give Colby the time of day. To get the attention of another man she has set her sights on, she enlists Colby's help. Shenanigans, grandmas, and mirror lists ensue to get them to their happy ending.

Again, this book felt surface level. Noel's parents are caricatures of conservatiness and her own thoughts and actions are more appropriate for a college romance versus a late twenties/early thirties romance. There were times that the characters would reach emotional depth in conversation; but because of their scarcity, they felt completely removed from how the characters we were learning about would act or think. I didn't believe Colby wouldn't have figured out the connection with Noel's ex, as he truly remembers and values everything she says. Not putting the dots together on this connection felt like a disservice to the love we came to expect from him.

A stand out moment for me was the way he stood up for Noel in class, with his team in tow, was the epitome of the care and devotion he had for her, and it was a touching scene that had me laughing and swooning simultaneously.

The book is billed as "a sweet hockey rom-com" and it is definitely that. If you're expecting a closed-door romance that is light and sugary, then this one is for you.

Leah has created another hockey romance full of fun, flirty banter, annoyance to more, and easy chemistry.

I love that I can enjoy a hockey romance that still feels a little edgy while remaining closed door. This book like the first, has many of the hockey teammate dynamics that we love but the romance has a different vibe that separates it from the first. I loved that Colby was willing to do whatever it took to get the girl and that leads to some very fun and adorable moments throughout the story.

I love a flirty jock meets a more studious teacher vibe and this created a fun dynamic. Can you trust a flirt with a reputation? Can anyone really change? Are sweater vests all they are cracked up to be?Flirtation and Faceoff is about persistent pursuits, tough jocks with softer insides, sexy sweet tension and proving that the right person can make ALL the difference.

I love Leah's hockey books and if you want more sports romance, then this is what I would tell you to pick up!

Flirtation or Faceoff is Leah Brunner’s second full-length book in her DC Eagles Hockey series, which follows her novella, Passion or Penalty, and Desire or Defense. The story will be enjoyed more if read/listened to after the earlier stories. This is a closed-door sports romance told in dual POV, with some mild cursing (no F-bombs).

29-year-old Noel Woodcock is a history professor at Arlington University and is the former roommate of Melanie, the heroine of Passion or Penalty. She is the oldest of four children who were raised by conservative parents, and they live in Virginia. Noel’s wealthy grandmother, “Gram”, lives in DC and is more liberal. Noel hasn’t dated since college when her hockey player boyfriend, Travis Evander, cheated on her. She especially hates athletes and has her eyes set on a visiting professor from England. She is a huge Lord of the Rings fan.

30-year-old Colby Knight is the handsomest offensive player on the DC Eagles hockey professional team and was a playboy up until a year ago. He fell for Noel the first time he saw her and hasn’t had any romantic relationships since. Colby has a strained relationship with his father, who cheated on Colby’s mom and now has a 3-year-old daughter with his 25-year-old girlfriend, Serenity. Colby adores little Ruthie and hopes to have his own family someday.

Noel won’t have anything to do with Colby, so he enlists his teammates to come up with a plan for attracting her. His plan is aided when Gram bids on a date with Colby at a charity auction, and she insists that Noel go on the date with Colby. Colby takes Ruthie to a FantasyCon when he learns that Noel and her family are going, and everyone is amazed at how cute Colby and Ruthie look dressed up in costumes. Then Noel asks Colby to be her dating coach to attract the attention of the English professor. As they spend more time together, Noel realizes that Colby really likes her and she doesn’t have as much in common with the professor as she thought.

Noel and Colby have several obstacles to overcome on their way to happily ever after. Female fans are still crazy about Colby, and her ex-boyfriend re-appears. Noel’s girlfriends, Melanie and Andi, are very supportive, as are the DC Eagles teammates. My favorite scenes are the ones in which Colby’s teammates give him romantic advice. Hockey fans and Tolkien-lovers will especially enjoy this story.

I enjoyed listening to Flirtation or Faceoff. The narrators, Alex Picard and Neill Thorne, do an outstanding job giving life to Noel and Colby. It was great to have a hockey story with a family oriented athlete. The cameos from the characters introduced in Passion or Penalty and Desire or Defense added to the overall story. I hope the author continues the series with Remy and Bruce’s stories.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh LORD where to start with this one.

Ok, I LOVE Hockey Romances. Since I discovered Chloe Liese's Ren I have become OBSESSED. I was so excited to get approved for this audio book.

Never in my life have I been SO EXCITED to see the book had already been published so I could read the book instead. MY GOD the male narrator was horrendous. I genuinely felt so creeped out by him through out the book until the couple ultimately got together and he became less of a creep in his voice. He was like a mix of Kronk from Emperor's New Groove and a serial killer. He sounded like a creepy peeping Tom obsessed with his own looks not a player hockey star trying to win the love of his life.

The story itself, when I got to read it, was super cute and I would overall recommend but I highly, HIGHLY advise against the audio book.

Tropes: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Hockey Romance, Closed-Door Romance, He Falls First

TW: Cheating Exes

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for providing me with an early listening copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Noel is a history professor with a huge passion for fantasy books. Colby is an NHL superstar for the D.C. Eagles. Years ago, Noel swore off dating hockey players because her college boyfriend at the time cheated on her, and it broke her. She now has this mindset that all hockey players are the same. Colby is done with the "bachelor" life, and he wants to find a girl that will settle down and love him, for him and not his money and looks. When Colby meets Noel for the first time, he fell for her, and he fell HARD -- doing anything to get her to like him -- even offer dating lessons just so he can be closer to her even though she is crushing on a British, knit-sweater wearing history professor that she works with.

I listened to this audiobook in one sitting! I loved this story so much! Colby fell SOOOOO hard for Noel and it had me SWOONING. Colby having his playboy past and wanting to prove to Noel that not all hockey players are the same was written so well! He read her favorite fantasy book series, attended & cosplayed at a fantasy convention, bought & wore a knitted freaking sweater, and built her a WHOLE ASS LIBRARY WITH A ROLLING LADDER in his home! This man is PERFECT. I loved the Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit references that were written throughout the book. Noel was such an intelligent, nerdy, and strong character. There was no spice in this book, but I didn't even notice until the end of the book -- that's how captivated I was with this story. This book was such a comfy and cute read. I even loved the side characters; they all were such a great group of friends! Even though this is my first book from this author, I will definitely be reading the other books in this series!

I have loved this entire series and this book is no exception. I was immediately pulled in. I love the banter. It was so fun and such a good rom-com. These books are my only hockey romance reads and I have been pleasantly surprised.
I hope the series continues.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook arc. I really loved the narrators!

It would be hard to trust again when a man seems so similar to your lying, cheating ex, but who in the world could resist D.C. Eagles hockey player Colby?! I know I for one am in love with this team.

Flirty athlete Colby and sassy college professor Noel are opposites in so many ways, but it’s a blast to watch them mesh together over new and old loves of a certain fantasy book series and pancakes. A meddling gran and a charity auction give them a chance to start something, but it’s the hard work and persistence of a swoon-worthy man that really fan the flames of this adorably sweet and funny romance.

Colby and Noel are fantastic characters on their own, but together they’re so much fun. I love their banter, the way they figure out feelings, the flirting, and of course, the kissing.

With an enemies-to-love vibe, dating coach scenes and a “he falls first” (and faster than I would biff it on the ice, I might add), this story is on the list of favorites.

Content: mild+ romance (kissing, some light innuendo); mild-moderate language; talk of cheating

*I received a complimentary audio copy through Netgalley. I also have a physical book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

This series!!! It is SO good. I find myself very surprised that I loved the sequel just as much as I loved the first book. Flirtation and Faceoff was an absolute delight. The quirky Noel, who is a professor and marches to the beat of her own drummer has sworn off athletes, hockey players specifically, but when Colby Knight, the ladies man, steps into the picture, he does all he can to prove that he has changed and can treat her how she deserves. There is so much spark and fun in this book. I listened to the audio and the narrators were fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ALC. This was my first book by this author. The audiobook was good. I really liked the narrators. The story was cute and made me want more!

Just wrapped up this audio gem, and it's a sweet ride of opposites attract!

Noel, our leading lady, has a no-athletes rule due to past burns, but enter Colby, our charming leading man, who's ready to break all the rules. Their love story is the perfect blend of cute and swoon-worthy.

What I really loved? Colby's determination to win Noel's heart and his willingness to let her pursue what she wants. Major points for respecting her choices!

This book had adorable side characters, including a sassy grandmother. Every scene with her was gold, I wish we could get more of her.

The narration was decent, nothing mind-blowing, but I appreciated that the male narrator's female voice didn't make me cringe (you know what I mean). Overall, a solid listen!

If you're in for a lighthearted opposites attract love story with a touch of family sass, "Flirtation or Faceoff" is worth a listen.

📚 Flirtation or Faceoff by Leah Brunner
Status: Available Now, on KU
Reading Method: ALC via @NetGalley

🥰Enjoyment: I enjoyed this one so much! While Instalove isn’t normally my thing I loved that it was kind of one sided and Colby spent the story having to woo Noel, and woo he did.

📖 🎧 Writing &/or Audio Style: The writing style was enjoyable and easy to get sucked into, and I thought both narrators did a great job performing their characters

👥 Characters & Relationships: I loved the sunshine that was Colby. I wouldn’t call Noel “grumpy” but she had been burned before and was justifiably skittish to Colby’s advances. I love her family and their connections.

⁉️Plot, Intrigue & Logic: As far as being a hockey romance it was pretty light on hockey but overall I enjoyed the he falls first and “chases” the girl premise.

🏞️Atmosphere & Setting: the setting was pretty nondescript. I know it was set in the dc area but beyond that could have been anywhere USA, not a problem for me though.

🚨 For Reader Awareness: Previous cheating not between MCs. Closed door.

📣Recommended for fans of: He falls first cinnamon roll heroes

Want to read about a MMC who falls first, embraces his inner nerd and is an absolute cinnamon roll? Read FLIRTATION OR FACEOFF by Leah Brunner

Our boy Colby was completely GONE for Noel. He read her favourite books, he took his baby sister to a fantasy convention, he built her a library in his house - he sets the damn bar for book boyfriends!

Second in the D.C. Eagles Hockey series, I loved this even more than the first book. Colby and Noel are likeable and I loved the found family vibes of the side characters.

READ FOR:
😍He falls first
🏒Hockey romance
❤️👩‍🎓Dating lessons
💓Fade to black romance
⭐4 stars

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC! Opinions are my own

#rochellereadsit

Flirtation Or Faceoff by Leah Brunner was my first book by her. This audiobook was good. I really liked the narrators. They kept me wanting more. The story itself was good. I will definitely be reading more by Leah.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

This is the third installment in the very enjoyable D.C. Eagles Hockey series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but as someone who's read the earlier books in the series, it was nice to get updates on how characters from earlier books in the series are doing.

In this story, Colby Knight meets his match in bookish, college professor Noel. And I think it just might have been my favorite book in the series so far.

Colby starts out as a bit of a playboy, but when he first encounters Noel, he loses all interest in other women. For him, it's love at first sight.

But Noel had her heart broken by a hockey player in college and has no interest in even giving Colby the time of day.

As Colby realizes that he's going to have to work hard to earn Noel's trust, he turns to his more experienced buddies on the team to put together a game plan to win her heart, and he goes about implementing that plan in a sweet and tender way.

This isn't a testosterone-filled story of the jock going all out of the girl, but a story of someone willing to do the introspection to figure out what type of man he wants to be for the woman he loves. And that's always swoon-worthy in my book!

Plus, all the Tolkien references just made it all the better for me!

Thank you to Leah Brunner, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an advance review copy. I look forward to the next book in the series!