He’s a hockey star with a headboard full of notches. She’s a shy NHL concession worker who’s never been kissed. LindyThey don’t call me Belinda Boring for nothing. It’s my name, after all. And for a 23-year-old with plain brown hair who still lives at home and gets tongue tied over nothing, it’s a fitting one. I’m not even one of those quiet girls with a hidden talent, unless making a mean order … making a mean order of nachos at the NHL arena I work at counts. My life consists of working, reading and harboring a secret crush on a hockey player who doesn’t know I exist. At least, until we accidentally meet and become unlikely friends.
Victor
I’m living the dream. A poor kid who worked his way into the NHL, I’ll never forget where I came from, though I try to. My past follows me, a nagging reminder that I’ll never be what everyone thinks I am. As the threat of my secret being exposed looms closer, my game slips, leaving me in danger of being cut from my team–the only family I have. I’m losing my hold on everything when a new friend helps me find hope. She’s nothing like the women I’m used to, but by the time I figure out that’s exactly why she’s right for me, I’ve lost my chance with her. Somehow, I have to convince a woman who thinks she’s invisible that she’s the only one I see.
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Readers looking for a sweet and carefree read will get just that with the unexpected romance between star hockey player Victor and the easily forgettable Lindy. They start out as friends in a slow and steady journey to become more in a tale that warmed my heart and put a smile on my face as Ms. Rothert took her time in making them a couple, letting their connection grow organically with very little angst along the way. Along the way readers get an update on past couples while being introduced to new players that promise to melt the ice as I greedily count down the days until we revisit this team.
Victor Lane came from humble beginnings with a past he’d like to keep in the past. He’s reached the top of his sport and should be thrilled, but there’s something clearly missing. There’s something affecting his game that’s bringing his past back to haunt him while he desperately tries to keep it hidden. Threatened with losing his starting position he finds an unexpected ally in the one woman everyone ignores and as they spend more time together he finds himself unable to forget her in a sweet and sensual connection. On a whole Victor’s an immensely appealing hero, one that’s down-to-earth, and who’s a great match for Lindy as the two of them find much common ground. He enjoys being with her though and doesn’t want to jeopardize their friendship, but with their time together empowering her he’ll have to step up to keep her by his side.
Lindy Boring is easily forgettable, at least to others. Her life doesn’t lend itself to boldness as she lives at home, works behind the counter at the arena, and doesn’t speak out…and oh yeah, she’s a virgin. She’s the exact opposite of Victor but one late night at the arena has her words of wisdom helping his game and from there their connection only grows. Lindy’s a delightful heroine who’s had a crush on Victor for years but never felt able to do anything about it. For now she’s content with just being friends as their unwavering support of each other drives their connection and gives her the courage to go out with someone else. It’s a choice which leads to an endearing decision by Victor that warmed my heart and wrapped this story up with a bow.
Much about this book is familiar, many of the interactions and the overall storyline readers have seen before, but what’s here is well-crafted with charming encounters and endearing banter. Victor and Lindy are a delightful duo with a slow-burn connection that drew me in completely. Action on the ice was nicely balanced with time off the ice too to make fans of sports romances and contemporary romances both happy. Surrounding this likable main couple was an equally likable cast of secondary characters to keep me turning the pages with delight. Lindy’s father was a true gem and their interactions warmed my heart while making me laugh a time or two. I also loved seeing the other Chicago Blaze players, loved getting an update on Anton and Luca, and look forward to seeing new players in the future in a series that continues to satisfy!
This is another terrific read by Brenda Rothert. This is book 3 in the Chicago Blaze series. Lindy is a concessions stand worker and loves the game of hockey. She hasn’t really dated anyone or even kissed anyone and thinks of herself as plain. She has had a crush on Victor a hockey player on the Blaze but never in a million years would she have a chance with him hes way out of he league. Victor is struggling every since his breakup he has been having trouble scoring and playing hockey. Suddenly this woman is in his space. Who is she? How did she get in here? Now he finds himself getting advice from this stranger and whats sad she is making total sense and is giving him great advice. Soon he is inviting her to a game and meeting all his friends and realizing there is something about her but shes definitely not his usual type at all. Lindy is a caring a strong person. Rothert tells a incredible and touching story with very strong and emotional and engaging characters. I never want these books to end. A must read…
Victor by Brenda Rothert may be my favorite in the series so far, though I have enjoyed every single one. A fun friends to lovers romance with very little angst and characters I really liked. Lindy is a quiet and reserved woman. She works as a concession worker for the Chicago Blaze stadium. Victor is living his dream of playing for the NHL. They should probably never meet and much less become friends, but they do.
I loved seeing Victor and Lindy become friends and them more. Their story was fun and light, with a bit of a bit of emotion and a great connection. A quick story that will keep you engaged and leave you smiling!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog
Happy reading!
Lindy is just your ordinary, average, every day girl who by chance meets her famous crush and it turns into an unlikely friendship. And later into something more. Victor had a terrible childhood but thanks to hard work he’s made it to the top of his field. While he’s managed to make a family of sorts out of his teammates, he doesn’t have anyone that he can really call his. Then he meets sweet, awkward, real Lindy.
This was a very fast read for me and I really enjoyed it. The characters are appealing and it’s fun watching them meet, fall in love, and handle some of life’s less happy moments. But once I had time to digest I realized that Rothert put a lot into her book that I felt really could have been delved into more – like Victor’s relationship with his mom, his childhood cancer, Victor changing his mind on Lindy, how they handled the outing of their relationship with the press. These things are hit on lightly but had potential for so much. That doesn’t even get into the past that is giving Victor so much trouble. Rothert opens the door to make him a hero for so many and … she lets it go. I appreciate that she does have him come to terms with it for himself and maybe she can come back around to it in a future story but she put the possibility out there and left it. I just wish there’d been a chance to add a little more depth to the story.
Overall, though, Victor is a quick and satisfying Cinderella story that’s a perfect poolside read – just don’t tell Lindy I called her that! I’m looking forward to seeing more in the series and from this author.
(This is the first in this series that I’ve read but I felt like it could stand on its own.)
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
Not your typical hockey romance.
So nothing about this story will be typical – other than Victor is hot! Have you seen that cover?!?
It was refreshing to read a story about a “normal” woman who is beautiful in her own right who befriends a down on his hockey luck hockey player. Their friendship was heartwarming. And Rothert throws enough curve balls to keep you on your toes.
It was a sweet story with some painful parts to get through. But in the end – it was worth it and Lindy was a refreshing character to read.
I voluntarily requested and read an uncorrected advance reader copy.
Love Victor and Lindy. Very good and easy read. My favorite thing about this book besides Victor and Lindy is Lindy’s dad. I love him and his friends.
Now on to V&L, their relationship was just easy and I think is what made this book so easy to read.
Let me start off by saying that this book is by far my most favorite out of the Blaze series! Lindy, aka Belinda Boring, works in Concessions at the hockey stadium that Victor plays at. She sees herself as an ordinary girl who believes that no man would be interested in her, except for maybe nose-picking Manny the janitor. She has always admired Victor from afar as a fan. Victor was on top of his game until he is distracted from his past that haunts him. He is at risk of losing his position on the Chicago Blaze team and decides to put in the extra work to get him back to where he was. One faithful night when Lindy is working the night shift and Victor happens to be at the stadium practicing, an unlikely friendship develops. Her hockey advice and confidence gives Victor just what he needed for the next game.
Victor has always loved the chase of beautiful, famous women – those that seem unattainable. He thought that he wanted Lindy as a friend but he couldn’t fight those feelings anymore. Lindy is exactly the elixir that he needed in his life. She brought sunshine and happiness.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Brenda Rothert. This book had all the feels – I loved the character development, and dealt with issues that happen in our world that is just heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book!
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review***