1. The story from chapter 1 just showed that Mabel deserved more. 2. Brother's best friend is my favorite trope 3. The forced proximity between these two. 4. I wish there was another cover to this book and maybe that would've drew me in a bit faster. This is my first read from this author, lacked some plot and emotions between the characters.

Ben and Mabel’s story was sweet, sexy, and steamy and a great second chance, brother's best friend, hockey romance. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The writing was a little awkward at times, but I did like that the hero was introverted.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I really enjoyed the story until I got halfway through. It read smoothly and all the characters were likeable.

Then the book lost it's fun romantic vibe and became sad. There is a death of a child involved, which seemed a little out of place. I couldn't get back into the story after that

Ben is a hockey player who struggles with public speaking or speaking in general. He’s staying with his best friend until his apartment is ready when he’s best friend’s sister, Mabel needs a place to stay. She’s the total opposite of him, an extrovert. Also used to a crush on him in high school so he’s a little bit scared of her. Which I kinda loved.

This book was so good and the spice was SPICY! Finished it one sitting. I really love getting to read about them falling in love “awkwardly.” I definitely recommend it and want to read more from this author. Would also LOVE to read books in the future about the other hockey players in their group.

Ben is this hockey jock who's so good on the ice but an absolute mess off it, especially when it comes to public speaking (literally, he’d rather play naked).

Enter Mabel, his best friend's sister, who's basically sunshine in human form—outgoing, super social, and just the kind of person Ben needs to help him step up as team captain. But of course, they’ve got history, so it’s all kinds of complicated.

I loved how this isn’t your typical sports romance where the jock is all cocky. Nope, Ben’s the shy, awkward guy who needs Mabel’s help to “fake it 'til he makes it.” Meanwhile, Mabel’s got her own personal stuff to deal with, so their chemistry just makes things so much more real and steamy (hello, apartment-sharing situations!). The way they support each other, flaws and all, is just a chef's kiss.

I also love how their relationship develops—watching them go from awkward tension to full-on OMG they’re perfect for each other moments is everything.

Kelly Jamieson explores what happens when attraction takes over with an awkward extrovert and an awkward introvert who are unlucky in love in Crossing the Line for a genuine and thoughtful story.

Hockey star and introvert Ben Antonov struggled with expressing himself but never really felt how much it held him back until all the things he dreamed of were at risk due to his introversion and lack of social skills. Kind and caring Ben was hard not to root for and easily captured the hearts of readers.

Librarian Mabel Smits was a quirky and charming go-getter that had no problem being the center of attention and expressing herself. Full of sass and endless energy Mabel was definitely bookfriend material with her loyalty and warm heartedness readily on hand.

When Ben and Mabel were brought back into each other's lives at Mabel's hockey playing twin Smitty's apartment after each needed a place to stay dormant sparks came to life. This pair battled with their attraction only to find that the answer to their problems was in each other. A case of opposites attract moved this story and made for some fun and poignant moments. Lots of comradery and intuitive kindness built this story up.

Long time hockey romance writing veteran Kelly Jamieson knows her way around the rink and hearts of her characters. This author has a special knack for developing fictional teams and dynamics. Crossing the Line was a goal for Kelly Jamieson!

I enjoyed this book! I am a sucker for a hockey romance, and this hits all the marks for me. I really loved Mabel, and how she was the social, outgoing one compared to Ben. I enjoyed their banter, as well as the authenticity of the two. I felt like I could relate to both characters - Ben's social awkwardness at times, and Mable's chaos. I can't wait to read more from this author!

It's an engaging, spicy sports romance with many lighthearted, humorous moments and explores serious themes like emotional abuse. Mabel leaves her former life after an abusive relationship. She goes to stay with her twin in New Jersey and finds she is living with his best friend and her teenage crush, Ben. Mabel is emotionally bereft and needs time to heal. Ben hopes to further his hockey career but struggles with socialising outside his comfort zone. Forced proximity and attraction lead Mabel to coach Ben to find mixing with people more straightforward, and soon, they give into their attraction, which brings pleasure and a host of trouble. I enjoyed the friendship dynamic, the emotional connection between Mabel and Ben, and the character development resulting from mutual support.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was an amazing book, Sucked in from the first chapters and the spice was perfect to my liking, ¸

Recommend to put on your TBR

I love a good hockey romance, and this was no different. This total opposites attract was a blast to read and the spice was steamy.

This is a sports-centered, opposites-attract, close-proximity romance novel, and I enjoyed most of it.

Ben and Mabel couldn’t be more different—he’s the quiet, shy type, while she’s bubbly and outgoing. After Mabel’s messy breakup with her ex (a walking red flag of a college professor), she ends up moving in with her brother—and Ben, her brother’s teammate.

This is a quick read with some spice, and I appreciated the dynamic between Ben and Mabel. However, there were a couple of storylines that I feel should come with trigger warnings.

First, the depiction of the abuse Mabel endured from her ex was deeply unsettling. While it added depth to her character and her journey, it caught me off guard and reminded me of an old relationship I experienced many years ago. A trigger warning would have helped me prepare for that aspect of the story.

Second, the storyline surrounding Ben’s teammate and the car accident felt unnecessarily dark and cruel. I understand that it was meant to push Ben to grow as a leader and come out of his shell, but the execution was shocking. I found it difficult to continue reading after that point and had to take a break for a few days. Surely, there were less traumatizing ways to develop Ben’s confidence and leadership skills? This part of the story, in particular, would also benefit from a trigger warning.

Overall, while I enjoyed the chemistry between Ben and Mabel and the romance itself, some of the darker elements of the plot detracted from my experience.

4.25⭐

Crossing the Line is a super engaging, angsty, opposites attract hockey romance featuring Mabel and Ben.

Who ends up living together as roommates. When Mabel leaves a toxic relationship and temporarily moves in with her brother Smitty.

Only to find out that he already has a roommate. None other than his teammate Ben. The boy who Mabel had a significant crush on during high school.

And Ben and Mabel soon come to rely on each other.

As Mabel may be both outgoing and quirky. But her ex-Julian has dented her confidence, and it doesn't help that Smitty and her parents think she made a mistake by dumping him. And Ben, well, he's an introvert and the only time he really lets loose is when he's on the ice. However, he wishes to alter that and feel more at ease in social settings. So he takes the opportunity to hire Mabel as his confidence coach.

And the more time the two spend together, the harder it becomes to resist the attraction between them, and soon they find themselves getting hot and heavy.

But Mabel is hesitant to engage in anything serious. As she feels that her judgment is not reliable when it comes to men. After all, they may start out nice with compliments, flowers, and kindness, but it never lasts and they soon reveal their true selves.

However, Ben's not like that and he'll prove it one terrible poem at a time.

And with the perfect amount of sweetness, spice, and angst Crossing the Line was really enjoyable to read. Not to mention well-written with plenty of character development and likable secondary characters, and I am eager to read more in the future.

I would happily recommend Crossing the Line to all.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

A lovely book, great storyline and full of wonderful characters.
The angst and passion blend beautifully together and it’s well written.
There are one or two parts that are a lit slow, but I feel it could be a very good series, I would read more of them x

4 Star Review Crossing The Line by Kelly Jamieson

This is librarian Mabel Smits and her brother Marek’s best friend Ben Antonov’s story. which was well written and entertaining.

Both were at a crossroads and it was interesting to watch their relationship develop. Mabel had crushed on Ben since her teens and the last thing she expected when she moved in with her brother to avoid her ex boyfriend was to find Ben staying.

The attraction between them sparks until it becomes impossible to ignore. What happens when lines are crossed? Will it bring them together or rip them apart?

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a steamy, off-limits romance with a dash of humor, friendship, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

Crossing the line
By: Kelly Jamieson

Opposites so good together!

💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕

In an all new series from one of my favorites we get Ben and Mable’s story. He’s an introvert and she’s very outgoing but both have hearts of gold. Page after page these two come together and it was truly enjoyable watching them connect on multiple ways. The authors writing is 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: Ben
On the ice I’m formidable, relentless and I lead by example. Now my coach wants me to step up as Captain – and lead the team off the ice too. But this is my worst nightmare; I’d rather play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking! To make matters worse, my best friend’s sister has shown up out of the blue to live with us temporarily. We have a history… it’s awkward, she’s starting to invade my fantasies and I can’t seem to escape her. But maybe she could be the answer to my problems…

Mabel
Moving in with my brother was not part of my life plan, but I have no choice at the moment. I need to get away and start my life over. I just wish I didn’t have to share the condo with Ben. I thought I’d buried my teenage crush, but seeing him all the time has me fascinated with him all over again! But now he’s asking for my help to be more outgoing and confident, and basically fake it until he makes it. Sure I can help, but that would mean a lot of time alone. I need to stay strong and resist the obvious temptation...

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 single POV 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.📚💕

Thank you to Kelly Jamieson, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a very good story. Showcasing how some people deem extroverts as too much and introverts as not worthy. Focusing on the players of the New Jersey Storm. Ben is up for consideration to be captain. He has concerns it won't happen. Ben is a guest at his teammate Marek's home when Marek's twin Mable comes to stay also. Leading to al. Kinds of fun and not so fun situations.

What a beautifully written story by Kelly! A new series you're going to fall in love with! Ben and Mabel will steal your heart in this one! 5 hot hockey stars for this one!
Mabel is in a relationship, and she's realizing it's not the best. He controls her and has made her doubt herself. When she's finally had enough, after his ultimatum, she packs her stuff and leaves. She doesn't tell her family what she's been through, because they think he's the best thing to happen to her, they have no clue she lost her identity while with him. When she moves into her twin brother Smitty's condo, she has no idea that Ben, the guy she crushed on when she was younger, and he's staying in the spare room, she's left to sleeping on the couch.
Ben can't believe how beautiful Mabel is, and his attraction to her is growing, but she's off limits. Besides, he has his own insecurities, with speaking to people, he always screws it up. When his coach tells him he is up for the Captain position, and also wants him to become the face of a charity the team supports, he knows he needs help. When Smitty offers up his sister as his help line, he knows he's in trouble.
Kelly wrote an amazing story about two people with their own insecurities, and how they learn to work through them! This is one heck of a story you will love! Grab this asap!

This is a sweet love story about an emotionally abused young woman and the hunk of a hockey player man of her teenage dreams come true! Meet Mabel Smit, she has been in a relationship with her boyfriend Julian for about a year now. He is a professor of anthropology at Penn State. Unfortunately, Mabel starts to see things about the way he treats her, and lets just say it's not what other people see.

She decides to leave and move to New Jersey with her brother Marek Smit. This is her twin brother, and he plays for the Storm hockey team. He also has a temporary roommate at the moment. Ben Antonov also plays for the Storm and is only staying with Marek until condo is ready for him to move in. Meanwhile, Mabel is sleeping on the couch. She will be out as soon as she finds a job and a place of her own.

Ben asks her to help him become more like her. Open, talkative, knowing how to have a conversation with someone and being comfortable. He was an extreme introvert and does not know how to be anything else. She finally agrees. Without giving the whole thing away one thing may lead to something or it may not....

Happy reading