From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I … quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.
Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.
A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.
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Rook is the famous confident hockey player who meets shy and naive Lainey. RJ was a surprise because he was nothing like I was expecting. A reformed player who’s looking for something more. He came across as a genuinely nice guy. Lainey was adorable, I must admit to laughing at her expense a few times at the situations she finds herself in.
I enjoyed the pace of the story it felt really natural. There was nothing too heavy in the storyline no real drama. It was more soul searching and a gentle second chance love story.
Reviewed by United Indie Book Blog
If you’re a fan of Helena Hunting’s Pucked series, you no doubt reacted as I did when you found out that she was creating a spin-off series: lots of fist-pumps of glee and excitement.
The good news is that Helena Hunting more than exceeds your expectations.
Rook, the hockey all-star and captain, strives to get away to Alaska to do some fishing and relax away from the demands of fame and sport. On the flight over, Lainey literally falls in his lap. It turns out his house and her rental are close by, and … one thing might just lead to another.
I enjoyed getting to know these two, and I enjoyed the way Helena Hunting forces them apart. It feels real and more than a little emotionally affecting. So when they reunite, you experience the same myriad of responses as Rook and Lainey. You also start cheering on the two of them, hoping they find a way to get past his lie and hers.
Hunting crafts Rook and Lainey as people who have much love to give each other, although they aren’t sure how. For him, it’s a matter of trying to control the chaos around him. His fame causes him to be recognized, which in turn encroaches on his privacy. Given the chance to be his true self, he leaps for it, grasping onto it with need. Lainey, however, balks at control. The youngest of eight children, she’s been smothered and babied, and now she wants to make her own choices.
The lies the two tell each other vary in degree. Rook’s perhaps is more understandable on the surface, but you feel Lainey’s deeper. By the time she reveals the truth, you are on her side, empathizing with her over the decisions she makes.
Rook and Lainey’s romance is glorious. It’s hot and sweet and arousing and hilarious. They make you laugh and squeeze your thighs with equal measure. Rook is delicious, dear readers. He is everything you hope for in a Hot Hero. One of the things I appreciated the most about him is that he isn’t some distant alpha, but rather a guy with a huge heart. You want him to work things out with Lainey because you know he’s good.
Some of your beloved characters from the Pucked series make appearances, and you will enjoy checking in with them. You’ll also enjoy getting to know Rook and Lainey, who kick off this new series in the best way.
With the delightful first book in her All In series, Helena Hunting takes her readers for a sexy ride filled with temptation, love when they least expect it and the fallout of not so little lies. A pro hockey player takes advantage of the fact that the gorgeous marine biologist who falls into his life while traveling to Alaska is blissfully unaware of who he is. Fun ensues and then life gets in the way.
Rook AKA RJ is a really easy guy to like. He loves his hockey life, but it’s easy to see why he enjoys a little chemistry with a pretty lady who doesn’t seem to have a clue who he is. When life gets in the way and he realizes he has no way of contacting her, life is a little less bright.
Lainey is blown away with the guy she meets in Alaska, and when it’s time to head back home she can’t seem to get in touch to leave her contact info. More than a year later, life puts them in touch again, but he’s still got a major lie to come clean about, and it turns out she’s got some surprises of her own.
I recommend this book to anyone loving a little humor with your sports romance. The characters are fun, their connection is yummy and their happily ever after is oh so sweet.
Rooks book is finally arrived, and it is so worth the wait! Helena Hunting does not disappoint in delivering a heartfelt second chance, sports (hockey) romance (there is another trope in here but I’m not going to spoil it).
I loved this book. There are a myriad of emotions running through this story. Rook was everything. He was sweet, sexy, swoony, charming, romantic, and funny. Lainey is not Rook’s usual type. She’s reserved, shy, sweet, determined, smart, and nerdy. They both have their own personal issues that bring them to Alaska where they first meet. Rook needs a break from the pressures of his career, the public eye, and the bunnies. Lainey is trying to escape being kept under her parents’ overprotective thumb, so she takes a research job in Alaska. They have a comical meeting. Something about Lainey calls to Rook. He loves that she has no idea who he is, but can a relationship survive being based on a lie?
I loved the way the plot developed. It flowed very smoothly. I especially liked that the entire book wasn’t a push and pull until the end. We actually get to enjoy seeing them in the relationship. They had amazing chemistry. I loved seeing characters from the previous Puck series. Outside of the main characters, I LOVED Violet, Rook’s sister. She was a hoot!
This is a spinoff of the Pucked Series. It is a standalone with a HEA. This book was so charming but there was the right touch of heartbreak in it too. The writing is superb. I felt all of the feels, and highly recommend reading it!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
The Pucked Series is one of my all time favourite hockey tales and when I heard there was going to be a spin off series I was so excited and A Lie for a Lie book one in this series did not disappoint, it was everything I expected and so much more. This book captivated me and once I picked it up there was no putting down until I had read the final line.
Rook or RJ as he is sometimes known as was everything I want in a hero, he is hot, he cares about his family, friends and teammates but most importantly he has learnt from the mistakes he made early in his career. He is the man we would all like on our side because he never crosses lines and he is always there to lend a helping hand.
Lainey is the baby if her family and has always been just a little bit spoiled, her family have wrapped her up in cotton wool but now it’s time to be a woman and live her life her way. She always says what’s on her mind even if that sometimes offends, she never means any harm she just has no filter, she may have a nervous disposition but that doesn’t mean she won’t try anything that’s thrown at her so what does that mean when these two meet in Alaska well I can tell you that’s when the fun and games begin…..
This book has it all, characters with intense sizzling chemistry, lots of funny witty banter and a beautifully written love story. I loved everything about this book and it will certainly be on my best reads of 2019 and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the All In Series because if this book is anything to go by this author has a hit on her hands.
Here we have the start to another hockey series by Ms. Hunting. I found this to be a fun, sweet second chance romance. It does have a fair amount of humor but not to the same level as the Pucked series.
I made a quick connection with RJ “Rook” and Lainey as their story unfolds. RJ has hit that grown up ready to think about settling down part of his life. Sure he did the wild and crazy puck bunnies phase but he is ready to be over it. It is refreshing when he meets the anxious and skittish Lainey.
Lainey is very determined to do this trip on her own. Work towards her thesis and breathe just a little. While she loves her family they can be very overbearing when they want to. Growing up home schooled and not having the same level of interaction with larger crowds has its downfalls and she often seems shy and nervous.
The chance meeting that leads to being almost neighbors far from home is the start of a great summer experience that ends too quickly. Loosing touch was heartbreaking and soul changing for them both. A chance meeting again a year later in a different state could be fate.
Will the lies of the past keep them from their second chance? Or could those lies be the force that helps bring them back together to find pure happiness?
Excited for the next book in the series.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
Omg I love Rook and Lainey.
A Lie for a Lie is one of my favorite books for 2019!! I absolutely love Rook and Lainey’s story. Rook (RJ) is trying to take a vacation up in the Alaskan wilderness to get away from his hockey life, and Lainey unknowingly rents a dilapidated house next door. Their romance is sweet, and I was rooting for them 100% until an emergency happens and they get split up w/o any way of contacting the other.
Fast forward over a year – Lainey has now moved to Chicago still without knowing that Rook is the Captain of the NHL’s Chicago Hawks until they run into each other at her job at the aquarium and the sparks reignite.
Lainey is hesitant to trust RJ again and trades his lie for one of her own. The truth finally comes out, and the story just gets better and better. I absolutely love this couple!!
I love how Helena brought back many of the characters from the Pucked series (although where was Darren?) and I was surprised at the end (I wont ruin the surprise for you!) at where they and another iconic couple end up. Will the rest of the Pucked group follow them????
Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!!
I recieved an ARC of this book for an honest review.
A Lie for a Lie will pull on your heart strings. You will wonder what is happening while you are living in the moment. I fell for Lainey and RJ. Lainey had a lot of strength with her independence and a lot would under estimate her. Not RJ aka Rook. He knew what he had was something special. Make that a year later times two!!
The moment you read this book, you are hooked! You feel like you are coming home when the side characters come back to life in a world I love to visit over and over again. You get your Helena Hunting trademark with HOT AND STEAMY in the mix. But the under line of the story is pure heart. A Lie for a Lie is not your typical second chance romance. Nope, not even a little. You get a full second chance to make it right and stronger than ever. I whole heartily recommend this book to all those book lovers that fall in love time and time again!
Wow, what an amazing start to this new series by Helena! I loved it! 5 hockey stars for this one grab it asap!
Meet Rook, or RJ, captain of his hockey team in Chicago, and he just needs a break from everything now that the season is over…and on the plane to Kodiak Island in Alaska he meets Lainey, and she’s so refreshing, she doesn’t recognize him and that’s great! They spend time together, yet he never tells her what he does, and when an emergency calls him home, he leaves with no way to get in touch with her. Lainey searched for him to try to get in touch to no avail.
Fast forward a year later, Rook is at a teammates kids party and who shows up that works for the aquarium, Lainey, he can’t believe his eyes, and he needs to spend time with her. They have some surprises in store for them, and can she actually trust him now after he wasn’t completely honest with her in the beginning?
Grab this one, what a great start to a new series that I can’t wait to read more of!
I forgot how much I loved Helena Hunting’s writing and the glory that is Violet lol. This story, while it has cameo’s of other characters from the Pucked series, can be read without reading Pucked…but then again, why wouldn’t you read all about Violet (can you tell I just love her?). In any case, Kodiak, Alaska is the backdrop of some truly fun, funny, dramatic and wonderfully sexy times in the story that is Rook and Lainey. Fate is sometimes some one of the most mysterious animals I know and when she decides that something is meant to be, who are we to fight it. BUT, Lainey soon learns that not all is as it should be and that her past haunts may make it difficult to forgive. “My skin burns. My heart stutters. I should tell him my own truth. But for now we’re tied: a lie for a lie.” Getting past the lies is a journey in itself, and the truth should set you free, but can these two see past them in order to have what they both desperately want?
I caught myself smiling numerous times, laughing often, and just feeling really happy as I started A Lie For A Lie. Rook “RJ” Bowman and Lainey Carver’s meet cute is fun and unexpected. Their encounters are funny and some steamy. I loved Lainey’s innocence and no-nonsense attitude. RJ was smooth but so kind and considerate. Their story is sweet but not without few stumbles. A Lie for a Lie is a delightful, easy read and a great start to the new All In series. A Favor for a Favor is next and I’m looking forward to it.
Rook Bowman is an NHL team captain. He plays for Chicago and doesn’t have the prettiest of reputations. He has been trying to change after a series of crazy events put his life into perspective for him. He needs a break from the pressure, the puck bunnies, the fans.. Just a break and a chance to just be himself, so him and his brother schedule their yearly trip to Alaska to fish and just be men. Until unforeseeable problems arise and his brother can’t make it, but Rook is still going, he needs the break.
Lainey Carver is studying the mating rituals of dolphins and whales and has scheduled a trip to Alaska to go study the animals in their natural habitat. She needed the break from her family and she was ready to prove she could do things on her own. She never expected to fall (literally) into a gorgeous man’s lap on the plane. She also never expected the trip to turn out quite like it did.
These two had so many difficulties throughout the book but their love was so obvious. I enjoyed the fact that the usual “break up” wasn’t in this book. Life got in the way as it always seems to do. Lainey was so sweet and naive but so funny at the same time. It was refreshing to see that she wasn’t all into herself and she was unique, she didn’t see what Rook saw. She was so smart and I loved when she would just say what was on her mind without a second thought. Rook was not the typical alpha male and I loved him even more for it. He was still down to earth and real even though he’s a huge celebrity in Chicago. It’s nice to see the other side of fame.
Helena has a way with words, this was my first book by her and I loved it. She had me laughing so hard at some parts I had to put the book down! I couldn’t see with the tears of laughter blurring my vision. Apparently I need to read the books in the series tied to this one because some of the “extra” characters were very entertaining in their small parts of this book. I would have to say this was one of my favorite reads this year. Top 3 for sure! Bring on the next one!
What a sweet and beautiful love story. I definitely recommend this book, this series, and this author. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
OMGee, y’all, I’m smitten with this story! I fell nose over toes for the hero and heroine both! A hunky pro hockey player who’s strong and aggressive poetry on ice but with the heart of a teddy bear and desperate for a taste of life out of the spotlight, and a ridiculously brainy, socially awkward, prone to anxiety closet vixen who’s dying to live her life on her terms and out from under her parents’ excessive protection. LaIney and RJ are utterly enchanting and pure perfection!
Rook/RJ Bowman is on a flight to his family’s cabin on Kodiak Island for some much-needed down time when an adorably awkward, prone to babbling Lainey Carver drops in his lap. He manages to detangle the two of them and they go their separate ways, only to end up on the same puddle jumper to the island. Thanks to an unlivable rental and some coaxing from RJ, Lainey ends up staying at his cabin and its not long before things heat up. When RJ is called home suddenly and they have no way to contact each other, it seems like their time on Kodiak is nothing but a cherished memory. A year later though, their paths cross again, and its clear that they’ve both been less than truthful about some critical bits of information.
Witty, endearing, poignant and touching, this is my favorite book so far from Hunting. These characters are so perfectly human, they owned my heart with no effort at all, and their journey to forever is so compelling and entertaining that I read it in one sitting, rooting for them the entire time. If you like a sports romance with loveable, admirable characters who both become better versions of themselves, and a story full of humor and heart that leaves you with a happy, satisfied sigh then don’t miss this one!
Categorising a novel must be one of the hardest things to do for an author. There are so many different genres and then you also have a readers opinion. For me, this book falls into contemporary, with a sports theme and a trope of a second chance romance. It is a spin off from The Pucked Series and has that same witty feel to it. The first half is their meet cute and the second half is their reunion. They fall for each other instantly and spend six or so weeks together in a secluded cabin in Alaska. The bubble bursts suddenly when Rook needs to fly off to be with his family in an emergency. Things were left unsaid and the communication is severed.
Rook is a confident man who starts out only needing his family and his sport to keep him company. He has learnt from his old player days to stay on the straight and narrow from now on. Once he spent some time with Lainey, he then knew what was missing and what his team mates had been telling him all along – what it is like to find that special someone.
Not all characters can be as self-assured or extremely sassy as others. Books would get boring fast if they were all tarred with the same brush. This is why I liked Lainey, and more so because she had qualities I see in myself. She was a little naive in some areas but very knowledgable in others. She was sweet and at times inexperienced and she also wore her heart on her sleeve. She gave of a believable vibe for me with her warmth and temperament. Even though I thought her parents were annoying and over the top, I can see that this can and does happen to some people. I was ecstatic when Lainey stood up for herself and RJ and made it clear what her intensions where.
RJ’s character delivered big time for me. His little white lie was not one I could hold against him due to his past experiences with the “puck bunnies”. It wasn’t a great start to their relationship and only made it more difficult for Lainey to connect with him after Alaska. But once he saw her again, I felt he put his “all” into rectifying all his misgivings. It was now up to Lainey to explain her lie and hope that RJ is as understanding as she was. Lainey’s lie is not hard to guess and with book doesn’t have any over the top angst or drama. It is a charming love story that is told well. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and hoping there is a little more of the sport involved.
Being a hockey player means your life is always in the public eye, and it’s not very often that you can get away from the prying eyes of the media, but Rook has found a way to do it. In the off season he heads to Alaska to hide-out with his family for some downtime, they fish and just relax. But this year there has been a slight change in the plan, his brother can’t make it to their yearly getaway, so he is on his own… that is until he bumps into a beautiful woman headed in his direction.
Meeting Lainey was completely unexpected, she has no idea who he is so he doesn’t have to worry about her using him for a story or money, he can just be himself with her… and that is quite refreshing for a guy like him. They start off as just neighbors, but after Lainey’s living arrangements turn out to be a disaster waiting to happen, he offers up a room for her to stay in… and that’s when things take a steamy turn!!
A Lie for a Lie is a second chance romance that’ll tug on your heartstrings and bring you many moments that will leave you smiling. This unlikely pairing brought heart squeezing emotion, steam, and laughter to the pages, I loved my time with them. I was immediately pulled into their story, the chemistry between them was very evident from their first meeting and continued to sizzle with each page that followed. Their relationship may have had an unconventional start, but it also had a natural progression to it, that gave time for the romance to build, as well as the anticipation… and they did not disappoint, the fireworks were a plenty! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one and meet Rook, the moment he wanders onto the page you’ll be saying goodbye to your heart… the man has perfect book boyfriend material written all over him!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley request, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
A chance encounter on a plane leads to two people sharing much more than just a place to sleep.
To chance meetings.
To new adventures and great company to share them with.
Rooke is headed to Alaska and looking forward to escaping the notoriety and fanfare his high profile job provides. His father, brother, and he have been going to their secluded cabin for years. This year would have been the first time the brothers went to the cabin since their father passed away. Unfortunately, Rooke’s brother cancels at the last minute due to a complication his wife is having with her pregnancy.
Lainey has been sheltered her whole life. The youngest of seven, her parents extremely overprotective. They question all of her decisions and choices making her feel as though they don’t think she’s capable of taking care of herself or of knowing what’s best for her life … like her taking a trip to Alaska to study the mating behaviors of dolphins. She’s assured them she’s going to be just fine in the cabin she’s rented in this secluded part of the country.
After a comical meeting on a plane, Rooke and Lainey discover they will be spending the next 4 weeks only miles apart. Once they land, Rooke offers to drive Lainey to her cabin. The cabin turns out to be a broken-down shack and after a few mishaps, Rooke proposes Lainey share his huge Alaskan vacation home.
When his brother calls asking for him to be by his side, Rooke abruptly leaves but promises to call her when he gets to California. He doesn’t count on a storm taking out the cabin’s phones and he didn’t think to get her cell phone number.
Fast forward to a year later, when at a party for a teammate’s son, Rooke recognizes the voice of the aquarium tour guide belonging to Lainey. He’s afraid of what will happen next when she discovers he’s a hockey superstar and not the Alpaca Farmer he told her he was. But Lainey has a lie of her own, one that just may turn both their world’s upside down.
I’ve missed the way my heart feels when you’re close to me —
I appreciated how the author developed the romance and the relationship between these two. She slowly and methodically allowed them to get to know each other. Not only did we get to see these two enjoy spending time with each other, but we got to see them turn into a family.
A ‘Lie for a Lie is’ a charming and heartwarming second-chance romance.
This book exemplifies everything that I love about HH and her books. The characters stick—I don’t know how else to explain that. They are interesting and funny and real and don’t leave you without a laugh.
A Lie for a Lie ties in with the Pucked series. If you love those books as much as I do, you’ll be thrilled to catch up with Alex, Violet, and the rest of the gang.
A Lie for a Lie also has one of my favorite tropes ever. I’m not going name the trope for fear of spoilers, but I will say that HH’s slight of hand with this trope had me on pins and needles to see if I was right. The best writers let us discover plot points with the characters so that we experience their shock in the moment with them. I love that about this book. I also love it when characters really have to earn their HEAs. RJ and Lainey earn it, and we get to laugh along with our favorite Pucked couples as we peak in on their hard-won HEAs.
Rook “RJ” Bowman has been celibate after a crazy stalker fan tried to claim a pregnancy scare on him. He realized how out of control things had become in his life. But one thing he can control is tradition. So he heads to Kodiak Island in Alaska.
What he doesn’t expect is the nervous woman who falls in his lap.
Lainey has been a little sheltered her whole life. Being homeschooled with her seven older siblings. She doesn’t let her anxiety get the best of her when she heads to Alaska to work on her research for her Masters thesis.
So it’s a surprise when she is on the tiny puddle jumper plane to the island next to the big man who seems to want to protect her on the plane ride.
RJ continues to comfort Lainey for the six weeks they are in Alaska, but when trouble with his family comes the night before they are to depart and he has to leave early, they have both not left any information on how to contact each other.
A year later after they have both realized that they would not be able to find one another they run into each other at the aquarium in Chicago. But when Lainey tries to tell him that she tried to hunt him down, he has to explain the he lied about his job and his name.
RJ is not giving up though. When he attempts to get Lainey to at least talk to him and let him explain. When she finally does let him talk to her, she has news that she has to deliver to him.
Can RJ prove to Lainey that he’s the same guy she fell for in Alaska? That he wants to prove that she has always been the one and knew it after only six weeks in Alaska? Or will all their lies and secrets keep them from being able to be with one another?
What a perfect book to begin a new series!
I absolutely loved RJ & Lainey! I couldn’t put their book down. I loved their first meeting & the their chemistry was off the charts. I’m so glad there were lots of appearances from some of my favorite characters from the Pucked Series as well.