✨ARC REVIEW✨ Power Play by Anastasija White
🥅ARC REVIEW🥅
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)
Spice: 1.5/5
🏒REVIEW🏒
A spicy swoony hockey romance is what I was looking for to round out the end of the year.
While I enjoyed this book well enough. It took me a lot longer to push through than I had hoped for.
Clay (MMC) fell head over heels for Layla (FMC) upon first meeting his junior year of college. When he found out she was the little sister of the captain of his hockey team, he knew she’d be off limits.
After a year he finally got the courage to finally ask her out and he thought they were forever.
The story is written in First Person POV between multiple timelines. Not always my favourite mainly because I think it’s a hard writing style to get right.
The timelines really blurred together.
I think it was important to see what happened early on in the college days. However, there were timelines from 4 years earlier that didn’t really make much sense, in my opinion, especially when inside of the timeline rewind we still get italic flashbacks.
There were also a lot of characters that were introduced that just got super confusing to keep up with. It got to the point where my brain shut off if the names weren’t some of the most important core characters.
Overall what kept me continuing reading was Clay. He was completely devoted to Layla despite the heartbreak she had caused him more than once. He knew she’d was a single mom and it pained him to know that her little girl wasn’t his. But it didn’t matter. He loved Maya with his whole heart despite who her bio father was.
Layla was by far my least favourite character. She was just a debby downer the entire time. Of all of her friends (including her brother) not one of them recommended that she go to therapy? Her friends knew she was pretty much abused in her relationship to Maya’s dad and suffered a lot of trauma. Instead of getting her help, they just allowed themselves to coddle her.
Where Clay continued to show growth, Layla seemed to stay the same and slightly childish.
Regardless, I think Anastasija White did write a book that was heartwarming with a MMC that loved the FMC unconditionally and loved her daughter just as much.
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions and Anastasija White for an advance copy of Power Play.
After diving into Anastasija White's 'Power Play,' I've been thinking a lot about what makes a good hockey romance and how authors tackle sensitive topics. As a fellow romance reader, I know we're always on the hunt for our next great escape, and sometimes we look for specific elements like 'mental health' themes or a certain 'spice' level, as suggested by some of our Google searches. First off, let's talk about Anastasija White as an author. While 'Power Play' (which is part of the 'Sinners on the Ice' series, often seen as 'Sinners on the Ice: Power Play' on platforms like Kindle Unlimited, as I noticed from the cover art!) might be your first introduction to her, it showcases her knack for creating deeply devoted male leads. Many readers, myself included, are drawn to authors who can craft a hero like Clay – someone who loves unconditionally, even when faced with significant challenges. If you enjoyed the emotional depth and the focus on character growth (at least for the MMC!), you might want to explore other works by authors known for strong, protective heroes in contemporary romance, especially within the sports romance subgenre. It's always exciting to discover authors who consistently deliver on character-driven stories. Now, regarding 'mental health' in romance, 'Power Play' certainly brings it to the forefront through Layla's backstory. My review touched on her past trauma and how it impacted her present. This is a recurring theme in many contemporary romances, where characters grapple with real-world issues. While the book didn't explicitly delve into therapy for Layla, it highlights a common discussion point for readers: how realistically are mental health challenges portrayed? Sometimes, we hope to see characters actively seeking professional help, which can add another layer of authenticity and relatability to their healing journey. It's a powerful way for authors to show growth beyond just finding love. For those curious about the 'spice' mentioned in the original review (1.5/5, to be exact!), it indicates that while there are intimate moments, they aren't the primary focus of the narrative. It's enough to add to the romance without overshadowing the plot or character development. Readers looking for a truly steamy read might find this on the milder side, whereas those who prefer a more plot-driven story with some romantic tension will likely appreciate it. It's a good middle ground for many, balancing heat with heartfelt connection. And finally, the 'hockey book' aspect! The thrilling world of professional sports, especially hockey, provides such a dynamic backdrop for romance. The competitive spirit, team camaraderie, and high stakes often translate into passionate love stories. If you enjoyed the sports element in 'Power Play,' there's a whole world of hockey romances out there, often available now on platforms like Kindle Unlimited, waiting to be discovered. It's a genre that consistently delivers on excitement, emotion, and often, those swoon-worthy athletes we can't help but fall for.