Faceoff

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first—*another* hockey romance with a ‘little sister’ trope? But *Faceoff* won me over by refusing to let Kyla be just a plot device. She’s a fully realized character: a physical therapist with sharp edges, a chip on her shoulder, and a history of proving herself to men who underestimate her. That dynamic with Tag, her brother’s best friend and a star player, could’ve been cliché, but Jamieson makes their chemistry feel specific. Their first real kiss isn’t just hot; it’s *combustible*, fueled by years of repressed tension and the thrill of finally crossing a line. I did, however, wish the secondary characters had more depth—Tag’s teammates blur together, and Kyla’s brother feels more like a plot obstacle than a real person. Eliana Marianes’ narration is the audiobook’s secret weapon. She nails the rhythmic cadence of hockey culture—the rapid-fire trash talk, the gruff affection between teammates—and her Kyla is equal parts sassy and self-conscious. My only critique? Her male voices occasionally slip into a growl that borders on overdone, especially in the steamier scenes. Still, the production is crisp, with no awkward pauses or volume inconsistencies, and the 5-hour runtime flies by. If you’re tired of sports romances where the heroine’s only role is to be the love interest, Kyla’s grit and ambition might just make this your next listen. Just don’t expect a fairy-tale ending—Jamieson gives us something messier, and far more satisfying.