Playing To Win

4.5 Stars for Playing to Win book 1 in the new Ice Kings Series. If this book is anything to go by Stacey Lynn will have a hit series on her hands because Jude and Katie’s second chance romance is a great start to her new Ice Kings Series. Katie and Jude have history, their time together may have been short but that didn’t stop it leaving a lasting impression on them both and now five years on Jude heads home to get over a bad injury and at the local physical therapy office he comes face to face with the girl who haunts his dreams, what he doesn’t realise is the feelings he still has are mutual..... Katie was convinced Jude was in her past and she was over him until he walks in for his first physio appointment, is the timing right this time around and will Katie risk her job by crossing the line and will she take another chance on the hot sexy hockey player who haunts her dreams........ I loved everything about this and book it ticked all my boxes, I loved Jude and Katie and how they confronted their past and then moved on to their future, I loved the chemistry and the banter they shared and I loved all of the characters we got to meet in this first book, so I’m left looking forward to book 2 and wondering whose story will be next. Great start to a new series.

Quietly emotional, sweetly sexy and fun story. Playing To Win is the first book in the ‘Ice Kings’ series by Stacey Lynn. It’s a hockey romance if you haven’t guessed from the title, lol. This is Jude Taylor and Katie Carter’s story. Jude and Katie knew each other in college, they had one hot night together- then the next morning, he was gone. Now, five years later, Jude is a right winger for the Carolina Ice Kings and has been seriously injured during a recent game. He’s sent to his hometown to recuperate and realizes he’s going to be doing his rehab at the place where Katie is a physical therapist. It’s obvious from their first renewed interactions that there are feelings churning below the surface for both of them. Jude never forgot the girl he’d lost his heart to, and now that he’s found her again, he’s not willing to let go without a fight. Katie knew Jude had stolen her heart in college, they’d only been together that one night, but it was a game-changer for her. She’s scared of what will happen to her if she lets her feelings have their way, but, she’s scared to blow Jude off as well. Time is what’s needed and thankfully, with Jude on the injured list, it’s something they have in abundance. Their chemistry is undeniable, but watching their emotional bond grow was a treat too. Some might say Katie gave in too easily, but Jude did an excellent job of explaining himself, and she was partly to blame as she cut off all contact with him the way she did. A lot of misunderstandings could have been saved had she not done so. Jude is gorgeous, built and determined to win. He’s sweet and kind, and although he’d like to be the one in control, it’s Katie who holds the reins in their relationship, at least in the beginning. I loved reading this new series and I’m looking forward to book two, ‘Scoring Off The Ice’. One-Click this icy gem today and enjoy!

Playing to Win by Stacey Lynn is an amazing start to the Ice Kings series. In this story, Carolina Ice Kings player, Jude Taylor, goes home to Chicago to rehab an ACL injury. While there he reconnects with the woman, he cannot forget, Kate Carter, who just happens to be working at his physical therapy office. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult readers. I enjoyed Jude’s and Kate’s characters. They went to college together in Chicago where they are both from. Having been born and raised in Chicago, I appreciated this detail. They dated for a short period, and then Jude was called up to play for the Ice Kings. Kate blocked Jude’s phone number. Although only dating a short time neither one forgot the other. I love how they got their second chance. To top that off throw in the therapist/patient ethics issue and complications. Katie has some other matters to overcome due to how she was raised. Jude is worried about his career. Needless to say there is a lot going on with this story that makes it interesting from start to finish. Stacey Lynn does an admirable job with this story. It is skillfully written and thought-provoking. The characters are dimensional and likeable. I’m looking forward to following this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.