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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4 “Alaskan Nights” Stars
The All In Series had been on my TBR list for a while, so I finally decided to read it (listen to the audiobook) as I loved the Pucked Series and both of them are interconnected.
A Lie For A Lie intrigued me from the start, but the progression of the story was a little too slow for me. I gradually felt myself invested in Rook and Lainey’s story though! I wouldn’t say they were the most interesting characters individually, but as a couple I was engaged in their romance that was sweet and emotional. The way they easily connect on their shared summer in Alaska, then get abruptly separated for a year and finally get their second chance was truly beautiful. There was sparks of humor, but mostly this book was romantic and lovely with a few surprises along the way.
The narrators of the audiobook did a great job conveying all the feels. Helena Hunting penned here an alluring series that I can’t wait to continue with A Favor For A Favor!
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
how would handle being average
Large and in-charge with everything at his feet and beck-n-call. Sometimes being just an average everyday person makes you feel real good. He just never meant for things to go this far. I introduce you to Rook or RJ. He needs time away from it all scandal, lies, hanger-oners. He just was not expecting to me Lainey. Lainey sweet, fun, smart, sheltered, incredible. She was so much more than he ever could have imagined. She was the breath of fresh air.
The two of them are both going to the same place on the same plane. Why not share a ride? That ride finds that things are not as they should be for Lainey. She may have overestimated this change in her life. But sometimes things from the past dictate that you make a change that may be well out of your comfort level. Sometimes that could be for a good thing or at the very least a different thing.
Names are exchanged and full truths are not disclosed. One event leads them to the more they would love to have go further. Then the one phone call changes everything and a year later they are back in the same room. She will not give in so easily. Rook will not give up.
These characters and their friends were fun, light-hearted, and entertaining. This was another romance under the belt. With a very interesting start to a new series with a whole new set of characters to enjoy.
I loved this book! Helena just has a way with words — I love all her stories! I loved Lainey and Rook and their journey together! What starts in Alaska, and then moves to Chicago…you get a sense of how they are always together, even if not physically! These characters grow and develop throughout the story and make great steps together. I love that this is the first in a trilogy, and know the next two books will be just as amazing as this story!
RJ and Lainey meet by chance on their way to Alaska. Little do they know their whole world was about to change. This book gives you all the feels. These two have such amazing chemistry and their journey will pull at your heartstrings and have you begging for more!
I had no idea what was going to happen at every turn of this book. And I loved every second of it!
There were so many things I loved about RJ and Lainey’s story. It’s hard to just pick a few to touch on but their connection, their love for one another, their second chance romance… pure perfection.
Lainey is a fierce, strong, and determined woman, who has been through a lot in her life. I mean that girl has three masters degrees! She’s brilliant but also deals with anxiety. I feel her anxiety is something that is warranted once we learn the full scope of why she’s been molded into the person she is today.
Then RJ… Perfect. Book. Boyfriend. As a professional hockey player, his life is extremely different than the average male. While he’s had time to cope to the “celebrity” life, Lainey hasn’t. Then there is the fact that there are times where he just wants to feel “normal” for a bit. Which he did on his trip to Alaska… where he falls for this beautifully funny woman – Lainey.
Circumstances tear them apart which make for the whole story to be much more authentic. Both Lainey and RJ grow as individuals but also build each other up as their relationship grows.
I hate that I waited so long to dive into this book! Because I could’ve experienced this amazing rom-com sooner. I don’t lie, you’re going to want to read this now! Don’t wait like I did!
Rook is captain to Chicago’s hockey team and Lainey is the shy girl that stumbles into his lap – quite literally – upon a flight to Alaska where Rook is heading for a much needed break.
They hit it off, sparks fly and the two indulge in a month longs worth of marathon sex. Okay, maybe that’s a little exaggeration but you get my point. They have some pretty HOT sex.
Add that to the angst and emotional rollercoaster this book is and you have quite the read!
The two know that their fire together between the sheets but what happens when that time comes to an end and they’re forced apart and back to their respective real worlds? What should happen if they’re thrust back together again? Do they re-kindle that flame or let the spark die out?
A Lie for A Lie is a must read by this fabulous author and if you’ve read her Pucked series, then well, you’re in for a treat with this one!
*Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books.
A Lie for a Lie was such an enjoyable read for me. A second-chance romance with a twist, it had a trope that I usually never like. In fact, I was a little worried it was going to ruin the book for me, but it didn’t!
Lainey and RJ are the perfect couple. Lainey is awkward and anxious but also smart and sweet. RJ is calm and understanding and challenges Lainey in ways that bring out her inner confidence. I loved them as individuals and as a couple; they complemented each so well.
All in all, A Lie for a Lie was wonderful, and I can’t wait for the next book.
***I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and voluntarily read and reviewed it.***
It all starts with an encounter on a plane, Lainey has no idea who the stranger on the plane is.
Lainey is smart but awkward, RJ plays hockey and is the son of a legend.
They share a lot of time together in Alaska and when something unexpected happens, RJ needs to leave. Needless to say after a year apart, Lainey has a secret of her own
I love, love, loved RJ, Lainey and Kody. This story was so much fun. Getting to “see” the crew from the Pucked series was great too! Another do not miss from Helena Hunting!
RJ and Lainey. Complete opposites, but so perfect together.
It all starts with an encounter on a plane, Lainey has no idea who the stranger on the plane is.
Lainey is smart but awkward, RJ plays hockey and is the son of a legend.
They share a lot of time together in Alaska and when something unexpected happens, RJ needs to leave. Needless to say after a year apart, Lainey has a secret of her own.
Will they be able to overcome the secrets?
I was so excited when Helena announced Rookie’s book. I loved the Pucked series so I was pumped for this spinoff. Let me say, it did not disappoint.
Rook is a professional hockey player located in Chicago. One summer, on his way to vacation in Alaska, he meets Lainey, who is basically a professional student working on her masters. She has no clue who Rook is and he loves that. He is used to women wanting him for money and status and is happy to finally be noticed for who he is as a person, not the money and connections he offers. When a family emergency cuts Rook’s trip short, he realizes much too late that he has no way to contact Lainey – and she still doesn’t know who he is. A year later Rook sees her at the zoo and hopes for a second chance. He still has the lie of who he actually is hanging over his head, but quickly finds out that Lainey is keeping secrets too. The truth is a game changer – will it be too much for Rook and Lainey or will they be able to move past the secrets and lies toward a future together?
I don’t want to say too much beyond the blurb I wrote above. I loved this book. This was Helena Hunting at her absolute best. I could not put this one down! I loved Rookie and Lainey and was rooting for them the whole time, even though I did get frustrated with the withholding of truth. I loved the dual first person narrative and thought it was super well-written.
I give this one 5 stars. It is one of my favorites of this year and I think everyone should pick it up!
Seriously, how did it take me so long to get my review written for this first book in the All In series from Helena Hunting? She is one of my auto-buy authors who can write rom com and angst equally well.
Lainey and Rook were so perfect together. He’s a good guy hockey player and I loved how he connected with and cared for Lainey. The plot was well paced and I enjoyed watching their relationship play out as they worked toward their HEA. I was invested in the story from page one and flew through the book.
The crossover from Helena’s Pucked series was fabulous, too! I really like getting to catch up with characters I love from previous books.
If you are looking for a read with lots of laughs that still brings the emotion and sweet moments, you need to pick up this book today!
I’ve decided to work my way through Helena Hunting’s backlist, so of course, I had to start with the Pucked spin-off series. A Lie for a Lie is the first book of the series.u2063
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While this book did have some cameos and cross-over characters, it had a very different feel to it. There were still some funny moments and a little hockey, but this story felt much more emotionally driven. We got to see a different side of Rookie with this story. I loved the contrast of him as Rook/Rookie, the hockey player vs. RJ, the guy fishing in Alaska in his family’s cabin. He was sweet, tender, and vulnerable – just wanting to be liked for being himself. u2063
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Lainey was a great character! Flawed, a little sheltered, and a lot anxious at first, we got to see her evolve and grow through the story. This is a second-chance romance and watching these two come back together and fall back in love was amazingly gratifying. You knew from the beginning that they were meant to be together. u2063
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I loved that there was no drama and no miscommunication issue that pulled them apart at the end only to wait for them to reconcile. We just got to watch them win each other’s hearts (again) and the normal struggles that go along with that. It was such a great set up for the rest of the series!u2063
When you combine two of my favorite things, Helena Hunting and sports, you are not doubt going to have a great combination! A Lie for a Lie was great and with it being a sort of spin off series to the Pucked series, that makes it that much better!
When RJ and Lainey met, it was in an unconventional way, while RJ was on his way to his yearly vacation to Alaska. He just wants a break from everything in his real life and he sees an opportunity with Lainey to do just that because she has no idea who he is. The two spend time together while in Alaska, but then RJ is called away due to a family emergency and he realizes he didn’t get any contact information from Lainey.
Now after a year apart, he encounters her at the aquarium in Chicago during a birthday party for one of his teammates kids. Their lives were entangled once before, but will they be entangled once again, especially when RJ learns the secret that Lainey is hiding?
I loved this story and how things played out. The two of them were sweet, amusing and this is a fantastic second chance romance! I’m looking forward to more from this series!
I’m not really into single mom books…but this was really a great read.
With mistaken identities, a massive storm combined with little white lies and you have yourself a sweet angsty read….oh and did i mentioned a sexy hockey player?!?
What more could you ask for…..
Yay for Helena and her hockey boys!
This book was another hat-trick by Helena, her books have become my go to when I want to read something fun, sexy and swoon worthy! R is my favorite hero out of the hockey series so far! I can’t wait to see what this series becomes!
This book is funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
I loved this book! Lainey and Rook captured my heart from the moment they meet. Lainey and Rook bump into each other while they are in Alaska, chemistry is there and they hit it off, but then their summer comes to an abrupt end. With secrets kept from each other, they end up seeing each other again. However, will their secrets hold them back from the connection they had during the summer and a possible future? This story pulled me in and had me hooked waiting to see what would happen between Lainey and Rook.
Wow.. I just loved this story and the two characters.. this book I found myself stopping from reading it so fast cause I did not want it to end. Great story and once again Helena Hunting you wrote another amazing story. Very excited for the next book.
This was the best love story about how Fate can bring two people together.
This is a love at first sight/second chance story that just makes your heart not only melt but beat faster with the chemistry between Rook (RJ) and Lainey.
Wow are they so good together!
RJ is a NHL Player, when he meets Lainey and realizes she doesn’t know who he is, it is a refreshing relief. He gets to finally know someone who he is attracted to inside and out without doubts of their motives.
RJ has matured over the years from a playboy to the most selfless, loving amazing man that any woman would be extremely blessed to have in her life. I’m in love with RJ!
This was a beautiful story, heated, passionate, and all around heart warming. I’m so glad I checked out this book and I can’t wait to get started with A Favor for a Favor. I may become addicted to Helena Hunting’s books after this one.