Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin, and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

I want to preface by saying I heard about this book when it was first announced which was ages ago. I'd been anticipating it so much since then and it was probably the book I was most excited to read this year. That being said, I didn’t love it. I had such high hopes which is fully on me, but I was kind of let down.

My main issue was with the third act conflict. I won't get into too many details because I don't want to spoil things. I felt like it was written to be assume equal fault on both parts, but that was hard to get behind because it didn't feel that way when things went down. It was really frustrating to read, but then again third act conflicts almost always annoy me.

My other gripe was that so much of the idea of the book was around this big USA-Canada hockey rivalry. That was there, but because they weren’t players anymore it kind of felt over promised. I think I would have liked the book better if they were both playing at the olympics and that was how they were somehow back in touch, or if they played in the PWHL (which i know that didn’t exist when this was written, but leagues did exist). anyway.

Issues aside, I always love a sapphic romance, and even more so I love a sapphic sports romance, especially when it’s hockey. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were in college, and if that was the whole book, this would have been five stars. And just to be clear, I did like this book. I just expected to like it more and that discrepancy was disappointing. Thank you for your service, Kate Cochrane. Gimme more!!!

I enjoyed this one! Behind women’s soccer, only women’s hockey is gayer and full of more hotties, so I knew this would appeal to me. Plus it’s the first year of the PWHL, so!

Darcy and Natalie are lovers turned hockey rivals. Darcy broke Natalie’s heart in college, after the two win the NCAA championship together. Honestly, I don’t blame Natalie for wanting to pummel Darcy into the ice and not trusting her. The way she chose to deny her relationship with Natalie to their friends was cruel and a bit uncalled for.

The decades long rivalry did bring out the worst in both of them but their rivals to lovers shtick was sexy and funny at times. Darcy belting O Canada every time she beats Natalie is just too hilarious. Also Natalie’s insatiable need to win at everything was kind of endearing lol. The two were constantly toe to toe, proving that there were obvious feelings lingering from their time together. Initially, I was more sympathetic to Natalie but the back third of the book kind of pulls an Uno Reverse that left me wondering if maybe Nat needed to talk to a professional after being cut from the squad. It seemed like she was really going through it and took it out on Darcy a bit. Nat's behavior towards the end was a bit unhinged, IMHO.

One little detail that bothered me - wouldn’t Natalie remember why Darcy has to sit in the front of the van on the way to lake placid? They were teammates sharing bus seats for a year?

The flashbacks were some of the best scenes. Wish they had included more of those to really flush out their connection - I feel like we didn't get enough of the blissfully in-love Nat & Darcy.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

This is the Sapphic romance of my dreams, I loved it so much! Nat and Darcy used to be college teammates turned rivals US vs Canada style via ice hockey and have competed in the Olympics. Little does anyone know but they also dated in college and it ended horribly. They are reunited when Nat retires from professional hockey not on her terms, something Darcy chose to do years ago and has been trying to make her break as TV presenter since. They are paired together to cover the Olympics and try out winter sports and also be funny and personable on screen.

I loved the push pull of their secret animosity and misunderstandings but at the same time the need to do a good job and collaborate. This absolutely has the spirit of team sports in that their maturity has to put feelings to the side at times because they are also trying to prove themselves to the network.

The pacing of this was perfect. There was definitely angst with a few brief flashbacks (not full on dual timeline don't worry) when you find out why they broke up way back when but all their moves and feelings make sense in current time. They also aren't perfect people either and there's still growth to be had in this book.

There's a couple open door spice scenes yay. And their segments were genuinely entertaining and not like slapstick rom com-y. This genuinely felt like I was at the Olympics with them (saying this as nowhere near a professional athlete though). I want more sapphic women in hockey romance!

Thank you to Harlequin for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I found myself having trouble exactly how to rate this book, given the many thoughts I have about it. As others have said my two biggest problems were Natalie’s immaturity in the third act conflict as well as the tell-don’t-show mentality.
Pros:
-I enjoyed the dual timeline in this book, characters in sports books often mention this but we don’t actually get to see what this past relationship was like
-The rapport they created during their TV segments
-The proposal scene was downright adorable, it was truly a full circle moment


Cons:
-The tantrum at the end truly made me bump this down, among others, as I cannot believe two Women in their 30’s would actually act like this. This miscommunication seemed to make this more suitable for a high school relationship rather than two GROWN Women
-Given, that Marty did not show up until the last ten pages, I am surprised he was mentioned just as much
-I feel like this nepo baby storyline could have been more incorporated into the College universe as well
-I truly don’t understand how Natalie was not able to remember the names of her former teammates? It truly played more into her childish nature

Premise? Pure gold. Love it. Ex-Olympic champions, legends in their field, come together once again to commentate on their sport and flirt on national television. There is nothing I like quite as much as sports anime leads flirting on national televsion.

Execution? Undercooked, terribly so. The whole dynamic and conflict revolves around utter inability of the main leads to have a conversation, and while it could have been a pass in somebody younger, it's ridiculous in mature women and also too weak as the main engine of conflict. I didn't feel the chemistry as genuine, bickering as charming, and their agonies particularly sympathetic. It was hard to sympathize with them, which was not helped by the narrative style favouring telling not showing but not giving us a real flavour of things. Overall, not impressed.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

WOW! I loved this!! Hockey romance and sapphic yes please!! I loved it!

I absolutely loved this. I love hockey romance and especially sapphic- count me the fuck in! I HATED the miscommunication BUT not enough to make me hate the whole book. I’m giving it a five because FUCK YEAH WOMENS HOCKEY

When I saw I got approved for this Sapphic sports romance I screamed! I had to start it as soon as I downloaded it.

So, this is my honest opinion and my reasoning for why I *personally* did not enjoy it.

There is nothing I dislike more in a book than the miscommunication/third act break up *shakes head in disbelief*

I don't enjoy this trope, its the worst and grinds my gears.

The story was cute, it had potential but feel flat for me.

I'm giving it a 3.75 rounded up.

I do have a few friends that would enjoy this book, so I will suggest it to them

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

In my opinion, the plot is winning gold. Ex-Olympians coming together to do news segments for the upcoming Winter Olympics is excellent, and it is the book's most interesting and hilarious element. Could you imagine having to learn and film yourself learning how to do each sport when all you've known is hockey? It's definitely going to make some funny scenes.
Add in the fact that they are now rivals and (unknown) ex-lovers, and we have a perfect amount of tension. AKA shipping #puckinghotties made a lot of sense.

My only qualms about this story were that I wanted more build of their previous relationship; I didn't feel like it was enough. It lacked a little. And when the story is about sports romance, that does affect the overall review.

This was so funny and I loved watching the these two strong women come back together and find each other again through all their bickering and banter. I also loved watching them have to figure out how to work together in this way and it was great!

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I was so glad to receive an ARC of it. I love sapphic romances, and I love hockey romances, so I was thrilled to have the two combined!

This was billed as a hockey romance, but didn’t have much hockey. Both FMCs previously played professionally, but are both retired. However, the book more than made up for this with the fantastic setting of the Switz winter olympics, and showcases many of the different sports.

The plot seems rather dragged out in the beginning, and then a lot happens all at once. There wasn’t much conflict and the story felt a bit flat.

The MCs were cute, but towards the second half of the book one of them was constantly whining and acting very childish. It made it a bit hard to read and really root for them to get together.

I am obsessed with this concept and I loved the whole idea of the story, but this one just wasn't for me.

I wanted to root for the characters, but there just wasn't enough of their relationship developed for me to do so. The dialogue also felt stilted for me sometimes, and it would often take me out of the story.

I'm so sad this one didn't vibe with me.

I loved this book. The banter between Nat and Darcy had me hooked and burning through the pages. The rivalry was classic USA/Canada women's hockey! I loved the dual timelines and going back and forth.

Nat and Darcy will be characters who live rent free in my mind f0r a long time.

I can't wait to see what Kate Cochrane writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC

A heartwarming reunion on ice, “Wake Up, Nat & Darcy” by Kate Cochrane is a delightful romance novel that combines passion, rivalry, and second chances. Cochrane weaves a captivating story set against the backdrop of winter sports, where ex-lovers find themselves reunited as cohosts on a popular TV show.

Meet Natalie Carpenter: cut from the US women’s hockey team just before her third chance at gold, is desperate to avoid moving back home. Her lifeline? A guest-hosting gig on Wake Up, USA’s winter games coverage. But there’s a twist: her cohost is none other than Darcy LaCroix, Nat’s ex-girlfriend and former college teammate turned adversary.

The chemistry between Nat and Darcy is electric, both on and off-screen. As they navigate their shared history, bitter rivalries, and the irresistible spark that still lingers, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions. The tension between them is palpable, and the hashtag #PuckingHotties trends as fans root for their reunion.

Cochrane’s writing shines in her portrayal of the characters. Nat is determined, fierce, and vulnerable, while Darcy is ambitious, witty, and haunted by their past. Their banter crackles, and their emotional journey is beautifully layered. The author skillfully balances romance with personal growth, making this more than just a love story. It’s a tale of redemption and forgiveness.

The winter sports setting adds an extra layer of excitement. From snow-covered slopes to cozy cabins, Cochrane paints a vivid picture of the world these characters inhabit. Whether they’re discussing hockey strategies or sharing stolen moments by the fire, the icy landscape mirrors their emotional thawing.

“Wake Up, Nat & Darcy” is a page-turner that keeps you hooked until the very end. Cochrane’s prose flows effortlessly, and her pacing is spot-on. As Nat and Darcy grapple with their feelings, readers will find themselves rooting for their happily-ever-after. If you’re a fan of sizzling chemistry, sports romance, and second chances, this book is a must-read.

Cochrane’s storytelling prowess shines, and Nat and Darcy’s journey will warm your heart even on the coldest winter days. “Wake Up, Nat & Darcy” is a captivating blend of romance, sports, and redemption. Cochrane’s characters leap off the page, and their love story will leave you cheering. Don’t miss this heartwarming read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Romance, and Carina Adores for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Wake Up, Nat and Darcy" serves up a sizzling sapphic hockey romance that blends second chances and rivals-to-lovers tropes, making for a tantalizing read. Darcy, a retired Canadian hockey champ, and Natalie, an American player who just got cut from the team, are thrown together to co-host an Olympic segment. The sparks fly as they navigate their rocky past and attempt to work together, with hilarious mishaps along the way.

The book's strong suit lies in its engaging premise and the entertaining backdrop of the Olympics. The banter between Nat and Darcy is both fiery and funny, especially during their disastrous attempts at winter sports. However, while the romance starts off a bit rocky, it gradually warms up, though some inconsistencies in character behavior got a little confusing. By half way, I was growing quite tired of their immature behavior and constant back and forth. It seems like a switch went off when they actually got together romantically, and they just decided to stop hating each other for a minute, which seemed abrupt. Other than that, it was a fun read.

The chemistry between the leads lacked the intensity expected from their past rivalry. The writing style is also a bit too tell-not-show and the dialogue feeling juvenile at times. Despite its flaws, "Wake Up, Nat and Darcy" offers a fun and enjoyable read for fans of sports romance. So, if you're up for a light-hearted tale of love, rivalry, and second chances, this book might just hit the spot.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc! this book was cute and easy to follow along with but im not obsessed

I had a very hard time picking a rating for this one; to round up or round down? We really need to be able to give partial stars. I ended up settling on 3-stars after rounding down, but I don’t feel like I’m being fair to this novel; this is the highest 3-star rating you can give!

This novel was fun, entertaining to read, and kept me engaged throughout. I will absolutely grab any future novels by this author and give them a go. There were a lot of great moments (although also some that fell flat) and some great banter. The underlying premise was fun and well thought out, although it could have been used to greater effect. This is a tricky compliment to make; there were some very good elements in this novel, but they could have been utilized better. The result was that it was a good story, but I can see how it could have been better.

Highlights:
-This was fun and easy to read. The structure of the plotline kept the novel moving forward and allowed the characters to be put into all sorts of entertaining situations. Their work on the TV segments felt very real and was certainly entertaining. This was a great way to showcase some clever writing by the author.
-I liked how their work on TV allowed for people to see moments that would have otherwise passed by and forced them to engage with it. I can absolutely believe that two people attracted/interested in each other would have subtle tells that would show up on camera. The fandom angle, resulting in shipping, and then forcing the characters to address their situation/relationship was very believable. It was cute!
-The characters had good, clear motivations, and the reader got a great sense of who they were and why they acted the way that they did. These characters were not one-dimensional.

Nitpicks:
-This novel suffered from a bit of telling instead of showing. There was a lot of referencing to “their history” or explaining why they will or won’t do things. It worked, but it could have been better.
-This entire novel depends on the main characters being utterly unable to communicate in any capacity. This makes for a weak and somewhat annoying story.
-The big conflict at the end of the novel. The characters acted so immature, silly, and out of character that I couldn’t find myself empathizing with them or caring about their situation. I understand why this situation could have been triggering for them, but the stakes and the responses didn’t match up. Nat’s response to not being chosen to do commentary was incredibly overboard considering she was brand new to the job and didn’t actually care about or plan on continuing (I know, inferiority complex and abandonment, but still)! Her reaction to Darcy taking the opportunity (in her CAREER, and her dream job) was terrible, and honestly if I was Darcy, I would have reacted much stronger to that giant red flag. The entire event could have been prevented or resolved with a single conversation (and it eventually was) so it ultimately didn’t do much for me. Even the characters themselves admitted right away that they over-reacted and that the conflict was dumb….yet that made it even more annoying as a reader.
-Their background conflict was also weak. I understand how it could have been hurtful at the time but once again the fact that they never had a single conversation about it afterwards is just silly. It makes sense that the eventual resolution is similarly quick and easy once they finally talked, but the result of this was that the entire conflict and resolution was underwhelming. The only thing standing in the way of their romance was a single conversation and the decision to give it a try; this results in very low tension and an anticlimactic resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Banter - all of it
Second Chance Romance - absolutely
Women in mid-30's - yes more!
High Sexual Tension - all of it
Women in Professional Sports - 100%
Spice - oh yes
Ice Hockey USA and Canadian players - OMG MORE!
I loved these characters - even through the snark, they cared for each other. They built each other up, supported each other as others offended. I also loved these women parted ways after college to go onto successful careers - their rivalry on the ice a huge draw for fans, a connection over the years. They never got over each other yet still went on to have a life.
Just so well done - cannot wait for the next from this author!

This has a really cute plot! I enjoyed the video segments where Natalie and Darcy fail at an Olympic sport in funny and humiliating ways. I did roll my eyes when Natalie was worried about her body not looking good in a spandex ski suit. You’re a hockey player!! You guys objectively have, like, some of the best bodies in sports. I also thought the network leaning into the shipping for ratings was hilarious. You KNOW that happens in real life. Hockey RPF exists.

I loved the high jump catch/Dirty Dancing lift and then the resulting kiss scene. Ten out of ten.

Now onto the characters. I think Natalie was the more fully realized one. She was a believable rough-around-the-edges athlete, though (in my opinion) she was super immature. Professional athletes are very immature though, so it wasn’t too unbelievable for me.

Darcy kept complaining about how no one took her seriously and always assumed all of her success was from her dad (apparently LaCroix is a big Canadian hockey name in this book’s universe), but there’s never an example of this. I guess maybe towards the end with the job offer? I would’ve liked more characters making cracks about her father securing her a job at the network or pulling strings to get her on teams. The closest we get is Nat calling her hockey royalty, but she doesn’t imply that Darcy has no real talent, so it just seems more like banter/chirping than anything legitimately mean-spirited.

The third act miscommunication/breakup! Ugh, I always hate these in romances, and this was no exception. I get why Nat would be upset, but really, she doesn’t even want to be a TV commentator! She wants to be a coach! She knew this was just a temporary gig! Shouldn’t she be happy that Darcy (HER GIRLFRIEND) is getting her dream job? I think that her first day at her new job is more important than going on a date, but maybe I’m a heartless career climber too.

I did love the super corny hockey metaphor love confession. “The best games go to overtime.”

There were a few mentions of hockey fights, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in women’s hockey. I know there’s an occasional one…but it’s SUPER rare compared to the NHL. Women really don’t ever drop the gloves. If Natalie and Darcy were trying to punch each other every game, I think that would have led to serious suspension and career repercussions.

I had some issues with commas. I’ve been noticing this a lot with books lately. In this one, there was an inconsistent use of them to separate clauses and for apposite phrases. Sometimes there were too many commas and other times not enough, and there were also a few comma splices. I know that’s just an editing and maybe even a personal taste thing, but I’ve always obsessed over this type of punctuation grammar. I try to actually ignore commas while I read because of this, but when one jumps out at me, then every other one starts pinging in my brain and I have a hard time finishing the book.

Feel free to shred my use of commas in this review. I have brought that upon myself.

This was such a cute read and about something I never would have thought of! A fun plot that kept me wanting to read more. A must read if you love undeniable chemistry for sure!