FACE-OFF BY CHELSA CURTO

Face-Off by Chelsea Curto

Publisher: Indie

Pages: 440

Format: Ebook

Rating: ★★★

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205169245-face-off

Emerson (Emmy) Hartwell has waited for a spot on an NHL roster since she became a professional hockey player, and this season, she’ll finally get a chance to showcase her talents with the struggling D.C. Stars.
Maverick Miller is the best player in the league, but he’s never had a winning record. Team captain and desperate to turn things around, he agrees to play nice with the fiery new left-winger even though they’re total opposites.
After a night where the tension between them reaches a tipping point and they fall in bed together, Emmy and Maverick vow it was only one time. Just once to get it out of their systems so they can play better and help their team.
After a night where the tension between them reaches a tipping point and they fall in bed together, Emmy and Maverick vow it was only one time. 
Just once to get it out of their systems so they can play better and help their team. It doesn’t mean anything. She doesn’t date hockey players. He’s a notorious playboy who doesn’t date. Period.
Except… what should’ve been just once happens again, then again. They tell each other their friends-with-benefits arrangement is only for the season, but despite facing off on the ice, behind closed doors, the pair is nothing but fire.

My REview

Chelsea Curto’s writing style is always easy to get into, and I enjoy her books. At times, the story dragged, but it picked back up again. I really liked the chemistry and banter between the characters, and the slow build made me feel their closeness. At first, I wasn’t sure about Mavvy and Emmy together, but the way the author let them learn about each other in fun ways won me over. Their dynamic was funny and gave me a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. I also loved the friendship between Emmy and Hudson, as well as the bond with the hockey team and the girlies. The ending worked, but it didn’t give me full 5-star feels. Still, I really appreciated seeing women in men’s sports, even in a fictional setting.