Hockey With Benefits by Tijan
Publisher: Tijan
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Book Review
Mara has a deal with star hockey player, Cruz. They only hook up, they are not friends. Cruz agreed because he does not remotely have time for a girlfriend. But as the two start to spend more time together, and get to know each other, they start to see the flaws in their plan.
Hockey With Benefits is angsty and additive. It’s told in alternating first-person perspectives between Mara and Cruz. Both characters deal with the complicated feeling of grief and interacting with toxic family members. Cruz has a sick little sister and a mom struggling to afford her care. Mara has a mom with deep psychological issues and because of that relationship, she has major trust issues.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I loved watching the relationship between Mara and Cruz evolve. Mara in particular has extensive character development. On the other, there was so much drama and so many other extraneous characters that were introduced. Every time I thought I was following who was who, another new side character was introduced and I could not keep track of who was who.
If you’re a fan of angsty, new adult romance, I think you will really enjoy Hockey With Benefits!
Thank you Tijan and @ValentinePR for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Hockey with benefits. That was what Mara proposed, and I was down.
She said no feelings and she meant it.
Just benefits. No strings attached. Nothing else. Not even friendship.
College was her escape, including us.
I didn’t have time for a girlfriend.
I had classes, the team, my family, and the game.
It was all working too…
Until somewhere down the line, things got messy.
Until somehow we were dealing with threats, secrets, rivals, and so much more.
Until I began to want her in ways that weren’t part of the deal.
Our agreement didn’t just get checked into the wall, it got obliterated.
About the Author
Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing after college and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Fallen Crest series, Ryan’s Bed, Enemies and others.
She is currently writing many new books and series with an English Cocker she adores.
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Erin Evelyn Reads 