From bestselling romance author Xavier Neal comes an all-new, rom-com sports romance featuring a gorgeous goalie who can block any shot — except Cupid’s…Once upon a time, the Vlasta Vipers hockey team was so incredible — on and off the ice — they were almost mythical.Every other university wanted their team to be them.Every chick who crossed their paths wanted to bang them.Now?Their clout on … wanted to bang them.
Now?
Their clout on the ice is questionable.
Their competition cutthroat.
Their beds…
Well, there will always be puck bunnies ready to keep them warm. After all, no matter how well they do or don’t do, they are the university’s most important athletes.
However, when Remington Ronald Rutledge the 3rd, lands himself on the new head coach’s bad side, which threatens his chances of playing for the season, he finds himself striking an unusual deal with a blast from his past he can barely remember.
Did she always wear these glasses?
Was her hair always this curly?
Has she always had a smile that makes him wanna smile?
What happens when the bad boy who makes all the rules is forced to play by someone else’s?
Can this good-looking goalie let love score, or will blocking it be the biggest mistake of his life?
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Another fabulous book by Xavier!!
Hockey romances are one of my all time favorites to read, so I was on pins and needles waiting for this one to come out! I absolutely adored Ren and Poppy. Xavier totally nailed the hockey life, the good and the bad. Ren is our resident goalie. He has good looks, money, bad boy personality (but he gets better!), and a pendent for getting in trouble. And he got on the new coach’s bad side. Poppy is our hilarious, cute, dog lover who is getting through school. These two actually used to know each other when they were kids. Both born on different sides of the rink. What happens when these two meet to strike a deal in order for Ren to get back on the ice? Read to find out! Xavier totally nailed the dynamics of these two and what the hockey world can be like at the college level. Each page had me wanting more. I laughed, cried and almost threw my kindle once or twice. I love that Xavier makes her characters so relatable. If you love hockey romances, then lace up your skates and grab this one today!
It’s funny and sexy read. It has all the feels. You will love the characters. It’s full of witty banter and steamy chemistry that will suck you in from the beginning to end. It’s an entertaining read and not to be missed.
4 Star Review Can’t Block My Love (Hockey Gods #1) by Xavier Neal
Xavier Neal is a new author to me and I have no idea why that is. So when the opportunity to read and review book one in a new series came up, I jumped at the chance.
Remington Ronald Rutledge III, (Rem) is a goalie for the the Vlasta Vipers hockey team and lands himself in trouble he needs to do something to sort it out before it is too late. That’s when an old childhood friend Poppy (or Hootie as Rem calls her) comes along to help him.
Much to his shock, Rem is drawn to Hootie and cannot get her out of his mind. There were times that Rem seem a bit too arrogant to be likeable but thanks to Hootie, who drew out another side to Rem, it made it easier to like him and relate to them both. The banter between Rem and Hootie was great and I found myself laughing at times as their relationship developed.
The big question is will Rem take a chance on love with Hootie or will he throw it all away? Once click and find out.
I absolutely loved this book! Ren is this cocky, mouthy, amazing athlete that really sparked my interest from the start. I thought Poppy was sweet, smart, full of heart and I loved her quirks, I loved her connection with the dogs and the sparks she shared with Ren. The story pulls you in, makes you feel connected to the characters and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m really looking forward to more from this series.
Book Review: Can’t Block my Love
Author: Xavier Neal
FIVE STARS
A college hockey star gets himself into a whole heap of trouble and has to do some community service. Ren Rutledge is a rich spoiled boy and uses daddys money to get him out of everything. Will that work this time?
Poppy Diesel is a dog loving college student who works at a pet store and volunteers at the rescue that is attached to the store. She is passionate about her job and frowns upon anyone that thinks its a joke.
Ren and Poppy are thrown together due to his community service. Poppy remembers Ren from their childhood but will Ren remember that they were once best of friends.
This story is a fabulous example to the diversity and differences in people, social classes and the way interracial relationships are developed and seen through the eyes of others.
I admire her story telling.
KH
Can’t Block My Love has everything I like when reading a sports romance. It has a nerdy girl, animals, jerk hockey goalie, childhood best friends, romance and I enjoyed every moment of the story. This is my first book of Xavier Neal I have read, and I’m so excited to have a new author to read. I’m looking forward to reading more stories from this series.
I am a sucker for sports romances and this new one from Xavier did not disappoint! In the beginning, it was really hard for me to even like Ren – let alone keep reading his story. But I’m so glad I did! As you continue to read and see his true self come out, with the help of Poppy, you see a guy that has been holding back his entire life. When he finally realizes what he wants and goes after it, it’s absolutely perfect!
Loved this story so much and can’t wait to see what Xavier gives us next!!
Can’t Block My Love sucked me in from page one. Ren and Poppy stole the show and took me on quite the ride as they navigated through their story together.
Not gonna lie, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Ren from the start, he annoyed me, made me wanna pop him a time or four, but also made me insanely curious to know who the man was at his core. I loved seeing glimpses of the real Ren through the facade. Poppy on the other hand was an instant love for me, she was funny, smart, and down to earth, but also she had quirks that made her seem like someone I’d want to hang with.
I loved how the connection between these two plays out, from their first meeting, to each after, the interactions were real and a mix of funny, serious and a touch not so nice and yet, I couldn’t find it in me to turn away because I had to see how things would play out ultimately.
Xavier Neal did an amazing job of playing this story out from every angle, she worked the emotions of the characters and reader in such a way that the story was one that had to be finished, not set aside for anything. I loved how she used these two characters to deliver this story that was about more than hockey, and more than a blossoming relationship.
If you want to read a sports romance that is far from the typical trope, snag your copy today.
Loved this book!!! Hockey plus romance is always a good combination!! This is a non-stop roller coaster ride of emotions with well developed characters that make you laugh one minute and the next want to slap them up side the head!! Definitely a page turning read!!! Can’t wait to see more hockey romances!!!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this read. Rem is a rich jerk who thinks money means he can do whatever he wants. Poppy is a sweet anxiety ridden girl who loves animals. I liked how their relationship changed them in some ways but didnt make either of them become different just for the other person. Great beginning to a series and I cant wait for more!
What an adorable story!
I’ll tell you, at the beginning I wanted to kick Rutledge’s butt so hard with what a complete jerk he was being!
When I saw what Poppy’s love and affection did for him, I started to soften toward him.
That may not have been the last time I wanted to give him a kick, but in the end, I absolutely loved this story!
Another hit from Xavier!!
I loved this book and thought it was simply amazing. Ren and Poppy’s story had me laughing, crying, swooning and ready to deliver a often desperately needed kick in the pants. I think one of the things I always enjoy when I read books by this author is the unique and extremely relatable characters. I could connect with Poppy so easily. Her nerdiness, her anxiety and her passionate love for animals, made me not only feel for her but to see mysef in her. I’m going to be honest, Ren sent my emotions into a tailspin. I started off hating him and then proceeded to waffle back and forth between wanting to gift him that kick I was talking about and wanting to hug him and tell him it was all going to be OK if he just stopped trying so hard and just embraced who he was. These two were beyond perfect for each other. Drama, humor, sweetness, intense emotions, angst, steam, heartache and joy are woven throughout the captivating storyline and help to capture and hold your attention easily. A wonderful book hat should not be missed! I’m already impatiently waiting for book two!
This is book 1 in a brand new series.
I’m a sucker for a sports romance book, particularly hockey, and this book may just be one of my top 5 reads this year!
This book has absolutely everything you could possibly want in a book.
Ren and Poppy are absolute dynamite together. Their chemistry is combustible. They are both witty and sarcastic which really makes the book even more enjoyable. Ren is a guy that you just hate yourself for rooting for him. He is a grade A jerk but with a heart buried somewhere deep. Poppy is the most perfect heroine. Flawed, damaged, yet independent and loyal. Her quirks make her even more relatable.
Ms. Neal has such a way with her characters, she writes them so 3 dimensional, they are so life-like. Her books are always well thought out and articulate. I absolutely adore the little easter eggs she throws in. The dramatic climax of the story is always believable and gut wrenching.
This book is a MUST read for any sports romance fans or enemies to friends to lovers fans.
I have been a Fan of Sports books since Marueen Smith’s The Swede. Now Xavier Neal has me loving it even more with this Extraordinary story about Poppy and Ren.
Now Ren is a total Jerk who thinks it’s his way or no way
You what guys I’m talking about. The Sports God of the Ice Rink. Were all the Cuddle Bunnies line up for.
And their is Poppy.
Sweet, Nerdy, and just totally Adorable.
But her one thing is she likes Ten and who in turn can’t remember thier Friendship.
I love how Xavier told this Remarkable story from Ren and Poppy POV.
It had me in tears one moment, and Angry the Next.
This was an excellent story, and I love all sports romances, but this one here took it all with Ren and Poppy Intense Hot chemistry, and thier Quirky repertoire.
Mrs Neal continues to surprise me with her writing style. Just like aged wine it keeps getting better and better. Congratulations love on another Blockbuster Winner.
Poppy holds nothing back, “I didn’t wanna start the sandwiches until I knew what kind of cheese you wanted on yours, you have a lot of cheese in there, just so much cheese, like who eats that much cheese and isn’t constantly constipated?” Ren knows his woman well, “don’t get sassy with me.” Ren shakes his head slowly. “Go get your *** a snack. Last thing I need is to come home to you hangry.” I liked this book, I loved Poppy amd Ren
There are No Rules at least not for Ren, until he meets his No Nonsense Hockey Coach, who has rules and lots of them! And Ren quickly learns he can’t blur the lines to fit his agenda! Doesn’t stop him him from trying. Poppy on the other hand, is happy with her pups, she follows the rules and keeps to herself. Or she did. When Ren is sent to work with Poppy, he didn’t recognize his old childhood friend, until he did…Then things get really interesting! Xavier again hits it on the head! Witty, silly, fun and serious all blend to make the perfect story!
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Absolutley loved this amazing intense emotional broken heart stopping love story of Hootie and Ren grabbed my heart and squeezed so ready for more
Holy Hotness!! Rutledge is one mouth, hot Goalie! Poppy is also one hot and sassy dog lovin chick!
Ren and Hootie are one of my all time most favorite and loved couples ever! I love the uniqueness of how their lives intervene, how the relationship grows, how they grow as individuals. The other characters are amazing additions and I particularity have a few favorites. This hockey romance is one you do not want to miss out on. 100% a 5 star read. Ren and Poppy have a journey you will love to read!
Ren and Poppy are just too cute for words! I loved this story. As soon as I started it, their antics had my full attention. So many times I found myself laughing out loud….which is not good when you are in a school parking lot waiting in line to pick up your grandkid. Oh well, it was totally worth the looks I got. Haha soon the others will probably be calling me the crazy book lady, which isn’t too far off the mark. This is definitely one I’d recommend if you like rom-com