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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entertaining that they will leave you laughing out loud as much as swooning over the hero’s and the heroine’s.
RJ and Lainey were definitely a couple that you cannot forget. As much as I loved some of the Pucked series guys, I think this new series is probably going to kick some butt and compete with the good old boys from the Pucked series.
Sports romances are like a breath of fresh air to read and these are the ones I look for when I want to read something light that will make me swoon from beginning to end especially with the humor that Helena Hunting adds to her books, you just can’t go wrong reading her books.
All I can say is that I always look forward to anything that Helena writes because she really knows how to put a huge smile on my face at the end of the story and I know she will not disappoint!
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 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.
Five “safety-cuddle” teddy bears! This book is sweet with capital letter S…
Ladies, this is an emergency-hug call! Oh my sweet lord! I need a safety cuddles after reading A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting. My mind is in the book space because I have been left with a massive book hangover and I guess that my recovery will be slow until I find my “own” human teddy bear or a sexy hockey player just like Rook. This is the first sports romance that I read, written by her, and I’m very surprised because let me tell you that there is no doubt that Helena has mastered and conquered the hockey scene just like the queen she is. When I thought she can’t rock my world even more than she did before, she wrote this fantastic sports romance! She blew my mind! Thumbs up, for her!
Helena Hunting introduces us to a new sexy hockey player who is the captain of Chicago’s NHL team with a history of being a player on and off the ice, pretty much a notorious playboy. Rook needed time off to be a normal guy. Escaping to Alaska to have free time will be a good plan. This trip will change him in an unexpected and sweet way because he will meet a nerdy, innocent and quite naïve beauty who doesn’t have any idea of his background. He can be just a simple guy enjoying the company of a girl. A girl who is genuinely into him and not into his fame, money or anything that draw women to him. Just two people who act in the mutual attraction that is consuming both of them. His plan to relax in a cabin will turn into a bliss of passionate and domestic romance. Lainey turned his world upside down. She was the distraction he needed. They will enjoy steamy weeks in the wild and cold Alaska until circumstances and little white lies burst their bubble separating them without a way to contact each other. Time will pass and fate will throw them together and this time life will come into play with surprises and truths that weren’t there when they first meet.
Lainey and Rook’s story is an unexpected journey of insta love and second chance romance with heartfelt touches and light sexy colours. The way their relationship developed was swoon-worthy. Rook was very protective of Lainey. He saw a strong and determined woman behind the innocence in her eyes and winning her back will be a sweet funny challenge that he will accept willing. Rook, the reformed playboy. Lainey, the nerdy sweet type. Two opposite who complete each other perfectly. Two hearts entwined in lies, kisses, surprises and truths. Two souls who will grow closer. Two lovers who will learn to trust and fall in love over again.
A Lie for a Lie is a promising and captivating romance that will have you glued to your e-reader. A perfect start for a spin-off series (yes there are more hot-sexy-broody and so yummy hockey players in Helena’s repertoire). It’s a real breath of fresh air, unique and original with the right amount of angst, fun, feels and sweet moments that make you swoon. It is fast paced, the plot is stunningly developed and the characters are sweet and so fun to read. Their connection is sexy and very intense. I’ve not read The Pucked series and after reading this, it sure made me want to start the Pucked series, meet those characters better. And I definitely cannot wait to experience more of this new series too! I undoubtedly recommend you this heart-warming sport romance. Trust my words, you won’t be disappointed.
Helena Hunting is undoubtedly the QUEEN of sports romance! She almost makes me love sport lol. At least she makes me love hockey players !
A LIE FOR A LIE is the first book of the promising spin-off of the amazing series: PUCKED.
We’re treated to cool cameos from every characters of the series we love so much. Being a huge fan of Alex Waters and Violet i was overjoyed!!! But don’t worry if you haven’t read the pucked series, this book can be read as a standalone.
As always the author gives life to lovely and funny characters, two soulmates who find each other and create magic with their love.
Helena Hunting has this incredible talent to describe the phase where her characters fall in love. We really feel the birth and the blooming of the feelings. She never rush this part in just a few pages, she takes her time and the love becomes palpable.
Rook and Lainey’s journey will warm your heart, make you laugh, make you swoon… You will love them!
Lainey’s sensitive, her life was uncommon and she survived difficult things. I wanted to hug her!!! And applaud her for her bravery.
Rook is a hot teddy bear, mature, respectful, liable, caring… A man after my own heart!
This book is full of beautiful moments, beautiful feelings, beautiful surprises, beautiful characters… Everything the author masters brilliantly. Plus her amazing sense of humor!
This second chance romance is a delight to read!
***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***
Secrets, secrets everywhere….
A Lie for a Lie is the latest release from Helena Hunting. It’s the first in a new two-book series, but is set in the Pucked world and features characters from the Pucked series.
Rook – or RJ, as his family calls him – is a big, burly hockey player. The puck bunnies love him and he loves … pleasing them, shall we say. He and his brother go on a fishing trip each year to a cabin in Alaska that was once owned by their father. It’s a tradition for them and a way for the two to honor their late father. Only this year, Rook is on his own for the trip, as his brother has a last minute-change in his itinerary.
Lainey is also en route to Alaska, to do some work for her schooling. She literally falls into Rook’s lap and things kick off from there. What follows is a story that, in true Helena Hunting fashion, goes from comedic to sexy to angsty to swoonworthy.
Rook and Lainey have an instant connection, but neither wants to act on it. The sparks flew between them from the moment he locked eyes with her. The two of them are fairly opposite, with him being outgoing, womanizing, and popular in the hockey world, and her being shy, quiet, and focused on her studies. There was lighthearted, silly banter, and moments filled with heartfelt conversation and personal stories the two shared.
The title of the book fits perfect, because both characters tell lies to one another, which end up having an impact on their relationship. Hunting did a wonderful job of getting me invested these characters and in drawing out my emotions while I was reading. Anyone who knows me knows I adore second-chance romances, and this one was a bumpy but sweet ride.
And … it was so fun to get to see the Pucked character and where everyone is now and what they’re up to! This series is my favorite of Helena’s, so any time she’s kind enough to bring us back to it, I’m grateful.
Rook has won himself a spot on my list of Top Book Boyfriends of 2019. He’s charming and kind and very down-to-earth, considering the position he’s in with the hockey world.
Five stars to this novel!
Dolls this book made me so freaking giddy!!! As soon as I met RJ and Lainey, I had little goosies break out!! You know that special magic when you can tell this is going to be THE BOOK because Helena Hunting just LIT UP MY LIFE!! I can’t stop smiling, I’m glowing from the inside out. I’m bursting with all the ovary-explosion-feels! I mean RJ….come on with this man…it doesn’t get any better!!!
Lainey and RJ are made for each other from the start. This insta-connection has the perfect first chapter in small town Alaska. Away from real life, tucked away in a lust filled cocoon, I fell HARD for RJ while Lainey was a complete smitten kitten. Let’s fast forward to the second chance of their love story, I was bowled over. The story took a complete 180 turn, a little detour to love town and once again, I melted, I swooned, I died for this man.
I love both Lainey and RJ, her willingness to adapt to his crazy life while still maintaining her independence, sense of self and confidence was inspiring. The way he wanted to take care of her and show his unwavering love was soul melting. A Lie For A Lie just made my week! Definitely my favorite Helena Hunting book to date. I want to dive back into this world so bad! I can’t wait for the next book
This was an emotional and sweet romance, that I devoured.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story! Rook and Lainey’s story starts in Alaska and they have a connection right off the bat. I love how open they were with each other and how they connected before their time together got cut short. We fast forward to the present when they are unexpectedly reconnected. I loved watching them reconnect and remember how they felt when they were all alone in Alaska.
I have to admit that I haven’t read the Pucked series. I know, I’m like the only person left who hasn’t. I’m so excited to go back and read that whole series after meeting some of those characters in this spin-off story. I also can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
In love with this book and the characters, I laugh and cry and live each moment the characters went through like I was part of the story.
Lainey has been living under the shadow of her parents for a long time, they not only overprotect her but in a way make her feel like she is not capable of doing things without anyone’s help. wanting to change her life and work more into her future she decided to head to Alaska and study marine animals, not knowing her life was about to take a turn into the most positive direction..
Rook a professional Hockey player well known from his past escapades with tons of different girls has changed for the better, he is different and wants other things in life rather than a puck bonnie or a one night stand. he will get his wishes granted as soon as he crosses the path of a beautiful nerdy lady..
Rook and Lainey’s story started with secrets that can cost them so much hurt and trouble, separated for a year without not knowing about each other Laney moves and makes her life even if her heart still broken and hurt. Rook has moved on thinking Lainey didn’t want anything to do with him, focusing all his energy in his career, without knowing that his life was about to take a 360-degree turn bringing him closer again to the only woman he ever fell in love with.. now it’s time to reveal all these secrets and finally speak the truth.
The secondary characters were great, we also get to see some of the previous characters from the Pucked series making the story more enjoyable and impregnated with a lot of laughs. They’re a very important part of Lainey and Rooks’s life.
A Lie for a Lie is a story of trust and second chances, a story where the characters learn to trust and be vulnerable with the people they love and care.
great book, great story and still I don’t have words to describe how much I like it.
It truly hurts me to say this since I loved Helenaʻs Pucked series so damn much, A Lie for a Lie turned out to be an OK read for me. There were manyyyyyyy parts that I loved and adored, but there were just as many parts that didnʻt quite fit.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite parts was seeing a little bit of my favorites from the Pucked series, they’re older, still have the same crazy manner-isms. But I lived for every single moment!
There were moments when I wasn’t connecting to the hero and heroine, and to their relationship. It was kind of a bit all over the place for me. And there were times when Lainey acted immaturely, however, I think a big part of that stems from her overprotective parents. I loved when she finally stood up to them, it definitely showed her growth.
For me, I think I just had a huge disconnect with the characters and storyline. As the title hints, there’s secrets being held and it was pretty easy to catch onto what Lainey’s secret was.
Overall, many cute moments and visits from some of our faves. Helena’s writing is still so engaging and I’ll never stop reading her books, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
This sexy, fun and action packed journey pulls on all the right heart strings from beginning to end. Adored this exciting and engaging couple and all the supporting charters in this thrilling adventure! Excellent reading!
3.75 stars–A LIE FOR A LIE is the first instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult ALL IN LOVE erotic, romance series. This is NHL captain Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman, and twenty-five year old, Lainey Carver’s storyline. The ALL IN series is a spin off from the author’s PUCKED series but you do not have to have read the original series to follow. Several characters from the PUCKED series cross over for cohesion and back story.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Lainey and Rook) A LIE FOR A LIE follows the building but fractured relationship between NHL captain Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman, and twenty-five year old, Lainey Carver. Approximately one year earlier while on her way to study aquatic animals on Kodiak Island in Alaska, Lainey Carver would meet her future in the guise of sexy, ‘alpaca farmer’ RJ, a man with whom she will spend six glorious weeks that will come to a screeching halt when RJ is called back home. Fast forward to present day wherein Lainey will come face to face with her past while working at the Chicago aquarium. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Lainey and RJ that struggles in the face of secrets, lies and letting go of the past.
Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman knew Lainey had know idea about who he was so telling her a ‘little white lie’ meant no harm until Rook found himself falling for our story line heroine. A manwh*re by reputation, Rook struggled to reveal the truth to the woman with whom he would fall in love. An emergency back home found Rook on the move without leaving a forwarding address or revealing the truth about his professional status. Lainey Carver struggles with social situations having witness an horrific event while studying in college. Raised by over-protective parents, Lainey needs an escape to make it on her own but she never expected to see RJ again.
The relationship between Lainey and Rook is one of immediate attraction having met on the plane heading to Alaska. From Lainey’s disastrous rental to Rook’s lies of omission, our couple endure a minefield of secrets and lies but Lainey may yet hold the biggest secret of all. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Several of Rook’s fellow teammates and their wives from the author’s PUCKED series play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Rook’s sister Stevie, as well as Lainey’s over protective parents Simon and Elaine Carver.
A LIE FOR A LIE is a story of second chances; of secrets and lies; of love and happily ever after. The premise is sweet yet spicy; the romance is sensitive and sexy; the characters are animated, colorful and charismatic. A LIE FOR A LIE is a heart warming start to the author’s ALL IN series.
Reading a new book from Helena is always a pleasure. The excitement you feel from the get go wondering what’s going to go down, is what I live for and she always, ALWAYS manages to blow my mind.
I’ve been missing the Pucked men for so damn long and now, here comes the spin off series. A lie for a lie follows team captain RJ (Rook/Rookie) and marine biology specialist Lainey on their journey and what a journey it is.
RJ is used to being surrounded by the millions of fans that come with being the captain of his team but all he wants is to live a normal life for a couple week doing what normal people do and getting the space he very much needs. What he doesn’t expect is a woman to literally fall into his arms.
Lainey is on her way to getting a masters in marine biology, she’s left her home to get away from suffocating parents and is on her own for the first time. She’s a bundle of nerves but extremely determined to make it out there on her own. What she doesn’t expect is to make a fool of herself in front of a handsome man and a cabin that’s extremely run down and barely inhabitable.
When these two meet, it’s absolutely fun to read about. I’m gonna stop there so I don’t give too much away but damn, you’re going to love this book so SO much.
Helena Hunting truly knows how to write a book that’ll grip you. A book that’ll make you feel all the feels and leave you feeling like a needy whore because you want more, so much more. Their story is filled with so much fun and some insanely hot chemistry.
A Lie for a Lie is fun, a little sad and extremely sexy. If you’re a fan of Sports romance’s then this is the one for you and If you’re a fan of Helena’s Pucked series then you’re most definitely going to love this book.
Don’t let the title fool you…. A Lie for a Lie is a sweet second chance romance.
Rook/RJ and Lainey have one of the best meet cutes I’ve seen in a long time. I loved watching their intense Alaskan experience and was sad to see it end….
Just for them to have a great meet cute …. again!
As fun as the first six weeks Lainey and RJ knew each other was, the meat of the story comes when they reconnect. In the real world, we get to see who they are as individuals in their natural environments. We see the growth that has happened and the emotional growth that continues as they decide if a second chance is possible.
Ms Hunting does an excellent job of creating characters who are unique, engaging, and easy to root for. The use of secondary characters to help smooth the way for Lainey and RJ was also handled well. Eden (the best friend) and Stevie (the sister) gave good swift kicks in the rear when needed and the hockey family did a great job of making sure they knew they could function in the real world.
My one complaint come from the use of gestational diabetes as a pregnancy complication that impacts Rook’s family. Having lived that experience 3 times, the descriptions of what happened to his sister in law didn’t ring true. Every experience is different, but for me, this pulled me out of the story when it can up. (This is a total person observation and while it impacted my rating, did not impact my overall enjoyment of the story)
Ms Hunting is a newer author for me and with each read, she confirms that I want more!
5 STARS
Helena…you’ve done it again! Another book and start of series that I FLOVE!!! RJ aka Rook and Lainey are just the cutest couple. RJ is such a big softie and so sweet. They each had their reasons, but the title says it all.
“I should tell him my own truth. But for now we’re tied: a lie for a lie.”
This second chance romantic comedy had it all, I can’t stress enough that you NEED this book! I was so happy we get snippets of the characters from the PUCKED series and little Robbie with the “yer-nal hockey” made me cackle. A Lie For A Lie is an EPIC read and the first book in the All In Series. I’m super excited for A Favor For A Favor. A Lie For A Lie by Helena Hunting will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Another amazing book from Helena!! I love her hockey books and this one was a page turner! Rook & Lainey were so entertaining to read. I loved watching them figure out how to get back together and see Rook’s determination to make it work! Their chemistry was out of control. So, so amazing!!
I am incredibly excited about her new ”All In” series. I guarantee that readers are going to fall pretty darn hard for Rook “RJ” Bowman! I devoured this book and wish that I could go back to the beginning and read it all over again. It was just that good!
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.
Lots of laughs and steamy moments. Lainey reminds me a lot of Violet and Rook is totally swoon worthy I cannot wait to learn more about these characters and I look forward to reading more in the series.
A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting is another hit that I could not put down!!! If you are a fan of her Pucked series you will love this series as well. Lainey and RJ are officially my new favorite book couple! Once I started reading I could not put the book down until I finished devouring every single word. Lainey is a wonderfully awkward introvert while RJ is just enjoying having someone not know who he is. The chemistry between these two nearly melted my phone this is a MUST read!!!
I don’t know how she does it, but I was sucked right into this book within the very first page. Of course it probably helped having a few of my favorite characters from the Pucked series to ease me into these characters. But it wasn’t just the familiar ones that made me love this story, it was that once again Hunting has created characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I’m almost positive that Rook, or RJ, is going to be my new book boyfriend. In Hunting’s hockey world, he’s pretty close to beating out Randy for me. Of course it is obvious right away what RJ’s lie is going to be, even from the synopsis above you know it will have something to do with who he is. And in the story, we’re pretty much figuring it out pretty quickly. However, Lainey’s lie isn’t quite as straight forward, we go almost half way through the story before we find out. And honestly, her lie doesn’t really count like his lie does, in my opinion. I like the way Hunting handled this side of the story, and I want to say how much I adored certain things, but can’t do it without giving away Lainey’s lie. We also get some new characters added, RJ’s family for instance, and I see that his sister is going to be one of the main characters in the second book. I have a guess at who her love interest will be, which of RJ’s new teammates, and I think I’m really looking forward to book 2, so, is it 2020 yet?
It’s great to be back with this new series. Helena Hunting knows how to write fun, witty Hockey romance.
Our Hero, Rook, aka, RJ, stole my heart with his friendly and humorous reaction when our heroine, Lainey, literally falls into his lap on a plane. He becomes even more endearing when he helps her as she gets airsick. As a pro athlete he gets a lot of celebrity attention and relishes in the fact that Lainey has no idea who he is. This becomes the basis for his “lie” of omission, which comes back to haunt him when they have a chance meeting a year later. We learn Lainey holds a secret “lie” (of omission) herself. Their second chance journey back to each other is probably more heartwarming than their first encounter in Alaska. The added bonus in this story is revisiting with our old friends from the Pucked series! Well done, Helena!