Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the copy in exchange for my review.

Wake Up, Nat & Darcy follows Nat Carpenter and Darcy LaCroix, women who were college hockey team mates, then lovers, then after a very bitter break up, strangers for many many years. But after Darcy, who is working hard to become a sports broadcaster is asked to do a segment during the Olympics with Nat, the two are thrown back into one another's lives. After social media exploded with the love of the two's chemistry, they are asked to play up the flirtation. Play becomes all two real and the two are confronted with the truth that those long ago feelings, both hurt and affection, aren't so distant and buried after all.

Overall I really liked this story. The segments of Nat and Darcy learning the sports were entertaining and their chemistry leapt off the page. They both have quite a bit of baggage that they have to deal with and many of their issues seemed to stem from a lack of communication, but everyone rallying around them and basically telling them to 'get their heads out of their asses' was amazing.

If you know me at all, you know that I’m always on the lookout for new sapphic romances to get my hands on. So needless to say, I was really excited to read this one.

Overall, I thought it was fine. The chemistry between the characters was great, and I thought it was cool to have both second chance and enemies to lovers as tropes. It led to a lot of great tension, and the slow burn was fantastic.

But there was something missing for me to make this a really great read. I have no idea what it was, and I could see a lot of readers really loving this one. I just found that it dragged on a bit too long for my liking, and I couldn’t connect to the characters as much as I wanted to.

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for my gifted copy!

This was very fun, and I think it had a lot of potential, but the characters, while mentioning and displaying tension from having a lot of history together, never really explained WHAT that history is. It left a lot of questions hanging in the air, which left me as a result, unsatisfied. I loved the concept and execution of the segment television backdrop - it was done very well. Also, there's something very satisfying about a good old American vs. Canadian rivalry.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I was so excited to read a sapphic hockey romance even though both characters are past their actual playing career.

This book is a second chance romance between two women that had a fling in college and it ended badly with a miscommunication.

In fact, if you don't enjoy miscommunication, you probably wont like this book very much because there is a lot of that.

I enjoyed it but wasn't super wowed by the story. I knew the characters were into each other and enjoyed taunting and teasing as a means of showing interest but beyond that I couldn't see why they were falling in love a second time.

The reunion at the end and the epilogue bumped this up to 3 stars, as I love a declaration of love. :)

It's cute, a little spicy, and I thought a sapphic hockey romance was a nice twist.

This was SUCH a quick, fun but emotional read! I loved the relationship between Darcy and Nat, they had such great chemistry, and you totally understood why they broke up but also why they could work for good if they got back together. The Olympics setting with the classic USA/Canada women’s hockey rivalry + love connection combination was SO fun, and the confession scene made me cry. The hockey metaphors!! 🥹 I really enjoyed this and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Harlequin Books  and NetGalley for the digital ARC; all opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I don't like sports, I don't know anything about sports, and I still found the setting and characters to be compelling and believable. I liked how they exposed their emotions and appreciated how the setting forced them together. I really appreciated that they have friends--too many romances neglect the characters that make the leads feel real. In this case, the side characters are so real that I'd like to see more of them. This book is sweet and smart, and you can't ask for more than that!

First, I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I had a couple of false starts with this book, but once it got into the Olympic Games I enjoyed it more, and the last third was paced well.
I really wanted to absolutely love this book since it’s rare to find women’s hockey represented in a romance, but I didn’t love the immaturity and the cheesiness from the main characters throughout. I also didn’t feel like I knew why they wanted to be together and the little bit of the past we got didn’t really answer any questions of what they had before.
My favorite part of the book was the talk around women’s hockey, pay inequality, and how women broadcasters are seen in sports.
Overall, this was fine - sadly nothing that’ll stick with me.

Overall, this was really entertaining! I thought Nat & Darcy were both great characters and I was drawn to them both. I really like their dynamic as rivals and think their banter is great. I also really enjoyed the morning show setting and felt that the forced proximity was done super well. I do wish the cover matched the actual descriptions of the MCs, but it's a cute cover.

Kate Cochrane has written a highly entertaining workplace sportsball romance wrapped up in a second chance tropefest. Loved the use of flashbacks which gave the weighty background for the present obstacles. The first entry in Cochrane's Puck Struck series was a brilliant start. Overwhelmingly enjoyed.

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I will always be ready for a hockey romance but make it sapphic? I’m there.

This was such a fun read & I really loved the chemistry between the MCs. Their banter was so good and I really liked them together. I will say I was a little frustrated at times with the way they treated each other but I think that’s to be expected with a rivals romance.

Either way, it was a cute read & I’d definitely be up for reading more from this author. :)

3.5 stars!

"Wake Up, Nat & Darcy" by Kate Cochrane is a second-chance, friends-t0-enemies-to-lovers sports romance that's not at all like you think. Nat is just winding down her hockey career, and Darcy has pivoted to broadcasting about sports. Nat is asked to come in and give a screen test to see if she'd be a good fit to be a broadcaster during the upcoming Olympics, only to discover that the network wants to capitalize on her former rivalry with Darcy. The network plays up their former on-ice shenanigans while they both played hockey, as well as the Team USA vs. Team Canada angle in the hopes of driving viewers to watch their coverage. Little do they know, Nat and Darcy's shared history extended waaaaay beyond the ice (and even into the sheets). I found this to be a decent romance! I liked the rivalry between Darcy and Nat. They have a lot of great banter with one another, even if it can get a little nasty here and there. It's not angsty, but the chemistry is clearly there and palpable. My chief complaint is that Darcy and Nat feel a little immaturely written. They are supposed to be in their 30s, but they feel like they are in their early 20s. Maybe it's because they went to college together and there are a few flashbacks of that time so that feeling never went away, but it was an observation that stuck with me throughout the book. A lot of their relationship happens off the page where we are to infer some things about their pairing. I didn't love that. The first half is much stronger than the second. I think once Nat and Darcy start to reconnect romantically, the book starts to feel a little stale. I also didn't like the very end of the book. The resolution is ok, but that happens before that, the blow-up, left me a little baffled by the antics. Still, I did enjoy this for the most part. It's not a perfect book, but it's not bad at all.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Cochrane, Harlequin - Romance, and Carina Adores for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Wake Up, Nat & Darcy is enemies-to-lovers gold with a side of sapphic angst that will have you grinning like an idiot one minute and clutching your chest the next. Kate Cochrane absolutely nails the tension between Nat and Darcy—from their fiery banter to those heart-stopping, are-they-acting-or-not moments on screen. The mix of sports drama, second chances, and forced proximity had me hooked, and don’t even get me started on the chemistry. It’s messy, it’s raw, and it’s so, so satisfying. If you’re into rivals who can’t stop looking at each other like they’re still in love (because duh, they are), this one’s a must-read.

This book was an absolute delight! It The chemistry between Natalie and Darcy is undeniable, sparking tension, heartbreak, and a love story that will keep you hooked.

As they navigate their past and present, I found myself deeply invested in their journey. Their growth as individuals is great so see, and I couldn’t help but root for them to overcome their challenges. Whether you're a hockey fan, a hopeless romantic, or simply appreciate well-developed characters, this book has something for everyone.

With its perfect mix of heart, humor, and sizzling romance, this book is a must-read.

*A special thanks to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I really enjoyed this book!! As a woman who grew up playing hockey, it was SO nice to see the women representation in this book! I also thought the premise of it all was so cute. Loved walking through each sport they tried with them, and was really content with the ending. A feel good and easy read, for sure 🥰

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on November 20th, 2024. Links provided.

After being cut from the US women’s hockey team just before her third chance at a gold medal, Natalie Carpenter is desperate to avoid returning home and landing back on square one. Her solution: a guest hosting role on Wake Up, USA’s winter games coverage alongside her cohost Darcy LaCroix. The only problem is Darcy is her former college teammate, ex-girlfriend, and now rival. Since leaving Team Canada, Darcy has built a name for herself in broadcasting. While working with Natalie might not be ideal, she’s determined to make the most of the opportunity to advance her career. As the chemistry between them sparks on screen, their off camera history of rivalry and heartbreak complicates matters. Amidst their best efforts to play it up for the ratings, they begin to wonder: is there more to their connection than just professional rivalry or is the magic they feel just for show?

This book was definitely an enjoyable read! It contains all the best elements of sports, romance, and intense personal drama in a way that feels real and relatable. The dynamic between Natalie and Darcy is electric, filled with tension, heartbreak, and that undeniable chemistry that keeps you turning the pages. As they navigate their past and present, I found myself not only rooting for them to work through their history, but also captivated by their growth as individuals. The mix of sports culture with a blossoming romance offer something for everyone – whether you are a fan of hockey, looking for a slow burn love story, or just enjoy seeing characters who feel authentic and flawed, this book has it all. It’s a perfect blend of heart, humor, and undeniable heat, and I promise you’ll find yourself invested in their story long after you finished reading. My only criticism is I sometimes found Natalie to be a bit hot-headed and annoying in her decision making, but that was a minor frustration compared to my overall enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to Harlequin Romance/Carina Adores and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Wake Up, Nat & Darcy in return for my honest review.

i was so excited for this book. hockey romances are my thing, and we need more sapphic hockey romances (and romances in general). but it fell short.

nat is insufferable and needs therapy more than she needs a relationship. and maybe a job?? darcy needs to realize her privilege and use it to her advantage more.
the relationship is so toxic, i can’t see it lasting the eight months before the epilogue, let alone life together.

Y'all, I've been on the hunt for a good sapphic hockey romance for a LONG time and I'VE FOUND IT! While the characters in Wake Up, Nat & Darcy are no longer active hockey players (they are both retired), the sport and the MCs history with it is a HUGE part of the story - I LOVED it. In addition, you get the heartbreaking backstory and pining of a second chance romance AND the tension and banter of a rivals to lovers story. If you love hockey romance, HIGHLY recommend giving this one a try.

I haven't read many stories with female athletes, but this one might be my favorite yet. The scenes where they try out various Olympic sports for their morning show audience are romcom-level goofy, but gah, there is so much tension! I loved it as much as their online fans. Both Nat and Darcy are driven, competitive, and strong, and it's fun to see them both try to navigate life after retirement. While they both have something to prove (to the world and themselves), it was nice to see them slowly realize that they could actually be vulnerable with each other. I felt SO MUCH for Nat - she definitely has a harder time in this book, from Darcy's betrayal in college to having to deal with being cut from the women's Olympic Team. Darcy often frustrated me because Nat was so clearly into her, so willing to go all in, but she's often lost in her own ambition. I was so glad when they finally figured things out - always a relief in a second chance romance!

I know I'm about to jump headfirst into hockey romances in the new year, and if you are looking for something a little different to add to your TBR, Wake Up, Nat & Darcy is a great one. Great writing, spice, humor, and characters, you seriously need to read it!

Solid 3.5-4 star read. I really liked the second chance romance plot of this book but there were definitely times I found natalie rather whiny. Though I understand what happened in the past and the rejection she was feeling it felt like her arguments were always the same for her reactions. Even though it had been years. Darcy definitely had flaws too, with being scared of admitting when things were serious and other moments. I love seeing women's sports represented and loved the idea they were trying other sports as a segment.

2.75 stars???
I hate to say it, but I was hoping for more with this book. I was looking for some good angst and tension and a heady build up, but I was let down. I couldn't root for them because I don't think they worked through any of the issues that tore them apart in college. Their happy ending didn't feel complete.

2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this because I love seeing romances about women's sports, but I could not get into this...

Nat and Darcy were college teammates for one season when Nat was a freshman and Darcy was a senior. We see a few flashbacks of that time, but I don't think there's a strong enough show of their relationship back then to make their romance in the present timeline compelling. I wouldn't necessarily call this even enemies to lovers it's more like "hey these are two people that just can't get on the same page and should just probably not interact much" since it didn't really feel like there was a true romance between them, just acting on sexual tension. Darcy is so quick to bulldoze over Nat's feelings. I struggled to feel bad for Nat though with the way she kept coming back for more.