Back in the Game by Meghan Quinn

Single dad and hockey star, Calder Weiss has put his love life on the back burner for the past five years, raising his daughter and keeping up with the demands of his profession.

But all that changes the minute Rachel Perry runs into him in the most unlikely of places, right outside the men's bathroom. Vibrant and enchanting, she captures his attention, making it impossible for him to walk away without scoring her number.

Their connection is immediate, their attraction palpable, and their relationship undeniable. But Rachel isn't the only girl in Calder's life which scares him, because Calder's daughter already lost her mother. He doesn't want Shea to lose someone close to her again, making Rachel's task of breaking through Calder's wall that much more difficult.

Publisher:  Hot-Lanta|  Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Purchased for Book Club | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - Literary Pickers  - Wine

This was a cute yet short little romance that centers around Calder—a pro hockey player and single father—and Rachel, the woman who just so happened to run into him outside the men’s bathroom while he’s wearing a tiara and fairy wings.

 

I picked up this one because it was one of my book clubs February recommendations—we’re doing a new thing where members recommend different books based on the theme chosen each quarter— and I had fun with it.

 

Calder and Rachel do have an insta-everything going on but it was expected given how short this one was. I do wish this would have been a full-length book to see more development—given the chemistry and witty banter they had a full-length book would have been fab—but I still enjoyed this one. I thought it was interesting seeing Calder take Rachel on what he considered an ‘old-school’ date.

 

While I enjoyed this one, I would have liked to have seen Calder and Rachel in the same space a bit more—there’s a lot of texting going on. I would have also have liked to have seen Calder’s daughter a bit more given he is a single dad.

 

I wouldn’t really classify this as an actual sports romance but rather a romance where the hero is a pro hockey player. While some game play occurs, hockey takes a backseat in this one.

 

Overall, this was a fun, steamy, little read. It was my first time reading Meghan Quinn and I’m eager to read more from her.