When there is a thin line between love and hate…

Synopsis

Love can blur even the fiercest of rivalries.

Penelope

When I kiss a guy dressed as Pacman at a party, it feels like fate. But fate must have a twisted sense of humor—because falling for the son of the man who ruined my family was never part of the plan.

Tate Myers, star hockey player and my sworn enemy, ignites a hate in me that’s hotter than any slapshot. Yet the heart wants what it wants—even if it means crossing every line I’ve drawn.

Tate

Getting snubbed by a chick dressed as Taco Belle at a party sucked almost as much as taking a slapshot to the face. My jaw and my world shatter, but the tall, curvy goddess next door keeps me afloat with her pranks.

I have no idea why she hates me, but right now, I hate myself, too. This is my second chance at making her fall for me, and I’m determined to win her over.

Can love conquer a bitter rivalry born on frozen ground, or will family feuds tear them apart?

Lace up for a scorching clash of romance and redemption in the rink of second chances.

My review

Penelope is shocked when at a party she discovers that the guy dressed as Pacman, and is an amazing kisser, is in fact her sworn archenemy. Because Tate Myers’ father is the man that ruined Penelope’s family…
Yet Tate doesn’t understand why the girl dressed as Taco Belle with the amazing connection is suddenly avoiding him like the plague…
And when they both realize that they are now neighbours, a war filled with pranks start.
But Tate isn’t ready to give up Penelope that easily… And when Tate’s world is falling into pieces, Penelope finds herself being the only one that can get to him…

Is this amazing author able to write a bad story? I honestly believe she cannot, as I absolutely loved loved loved loved this book!
And for more than just one reason!

First of all, there is Penelope. Carrying around several kilograms extra myself (yes, I am in Belgium, so kilograms it is 😊), it was wonderful to read about a main character like me, and being comfortable in her own skin. Just because you are not a size 0, doesn’t mean that you should feel ashamed, or be forced to something about it. I love to eat, and as long as I (or just anyone else in the same position) am happy, who cares?

But it’s clear that there is so much more to Penelope than her weight, as rightly should be! She is a fierce woman, who knows what she wants. She has had to face several hardships in her life, the incident with her father the catalyst of it all, yet that all made her into the strong woman she is now.

Perhaps it is unjustified, but Penelope is also the loyal kind of person. Once she figures out who Pacman is, and how their lives are connected, she puts her family above her own feelings. Her family means the world to her, even if it’s a broken one. But your family is and will always be your family.
But I felt that that exact loyalty was unjustified, because in the end, Tate didn’t do anything wrong himself, and it’s also always a good idea to let go of the past…

However, no matter someone can try, love won’t be chased away, no matter how many (hilarious) pranks are being pulled.
And I don’t know if it’s just Tate’s determination to finally have some movements in that department, or if things would have happened anyway. But I like to believe that even without that, they would have found their way together.

But I loved reading how the teasing somehow made the love only grow bigger. Teasing that for sure have inspired me on many levels may I ever have the need to prank someone! 😊 And I for sure laughed a lot every time Penelope went to a game, wearing a shirt/jersey of every team, except the one of the Racoons, enervating Tate only more and more!

Tate for sure is my kind of guy! He doesn’t care what people may say about his feelings for Penelope, or how she looks like. Although, in his eyes, she is perfection. SWOON!!! And he is very protective of her, even if his hockey mates say something wrong, he is ready to fight for his girl. DOUBLE SWOON! 😊

But Las, I have to admonish you… Why did you have to let Tate suffer so much? One severe setback wasn’t enough??? Why did you have to break him, and me too in the process?
Yes, of course it’s lovely to see how the first setback is what brings Penelope and Tate truly together. But wasn’t that enough? Did you have to completely crush the poor guy?
The second tragedy was totally uncalled for! Poor poor Tate! Luckily there is still Penelope to stand by his side during the most difficult moments of his life…

Of course, this wouldn’t be a story written by the amazing Queen that Lasairiona McMaster is, if there weren’t some steamy moments in it. And steamy and heated they were!!! 😊
But even in these moments, it’s obvious to see the compatibility between Tate and Penelope.

There are several hurdles both main characters have to take, on their own, or together. But we see so much strength in both Tate and Penelope. And when they are at their lowest, we see how there is a whole family, the Raccoons – family, joining forces to help them out. Because that is what the Raccoons are and do, they are a family, and they help their brothers and partners out! If there is a Raccoon available, can I please have him? I don’t even care if he may be younger than my 37 years, I want to be in the family! 😊

This was absolutely once again a book I devoured too quickly! It was sweet, funny, steamy. But at the same time it was in a way also inspiring, and in a way it also was about me. Because seeing how a character like Penelope can be fierce, strong, independent and can get a guy like Tate, makes me also feel more empowered, strong and fierce. It makes me believe that somewhere there is a Tate for me, walking around just waiting for me…
And that the right Tate will see behind those extra cushions (or airbags as I call them 😊) and see the wonderful person behind it (like we all are!)