Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes Hot Flash Hookups, Book #1

Marika Ray, Sylvie Stewart — 2023

He's a hot, shirtless hockey player…and he’s my fake date for my ex-husband’s wedding. Talk about a hot flash to beat all hot flashes. The wedding bells are ringing and my ex-husband is the groom! When my grown kids hook me up with a fake date to my ex-hubby's tropical island nuptials, I expect sun, sand, and plenty of fruity cocktails - not steamy nights with a shirtless pro hockey player! Roman might be all swagger on the ice, but this growly, egotistical male model of perfection has a soft side too. While I battle dresses made for twenty-somethings, awkward run-ins with my ex, and unwelcome hot flashes, Roman is there to distract me with flirty compliments, stay up late with me when I can’t sleep, and make me feel vibrant and ageless. As good as it feels, none of this is real, and Roman is way out of my league. Who’s going to believe this gorgeous, famous, muscle-bound athlete would ever date a scatterbrained, hot-flashing, insomniac nerd with twenty stubborn extra pounds around the middle? But as the big day approaches, we grow closer. Wedding activities lead to beach walks at sunset, and his oh-so-talented fingers twist my hormones up in a whole new way. Gazing into Roman’s eyes, I start to wonder if he could be my shot at a real happily ever after. That’s the thing about vacations, though; at some point, you need to return to reality. Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes is a single dad pro hockey romance with plenty of spice and a game-winning HEA. It’s the first book in the Hot Flash Hookups series, and can be read as a standalone. Tropes: -growly alpha hero -menopausal woman at her ex husband’s wedding -slow burn -one bed -pro hockey -forced proximity/fake wedding date -single dad

Reviews

nanafark@nanafark

Nov 7, 2023

i’m just in my hockey era and i must say that this book was not what i expected but pretty good nonetheless.

it may be better for an older audience than me, and although i couldn’t completely relate to that, i found it very good and helpful. it’s just empowering and the message is very important (about how we feel about aging as we grow older).

although the matchmaking part and these type of conversations with their kids were kind of unrealistic, it kept it playful and interesting.

their chemistry was good and all the vibes i got were oh-so-hot but maybe i could enjoy it more if it were about a couple at my age.

but again, i found it super lovely and i do hope for everyone and people of all ages to experience this type of chemistry and love. in fact, i wish men younger than Roman to be as passionate as him.

i will wait for the next book and i already know that it will be good. i can’t wait to find out the backstory between this couple.

it was the perfect amount of funny, sweet and spicy!

This review contains a spoiler

Highlights

nanafark@nanafark

“I want to love you with every single one of the breaths I have left. Will you marry me, honey?”

awww 🥰

This highlight contains a spoiler

nanafark@nanafark

“I was going to beg to date you long distance, but I can’t do it. I need to see you every day. I want to play cards at one in the morning and rip more sleeves off your dresses. I need to hear your awful singing in the shower to start my mornings. I want holiday dinners with our kids and lazy workouts and dancing in the kitchen. I want a whole life with you, Ollie. I love you.”

This highlight contains a spoiler

nanafark@nanafark

“I think the phrase is happy wife, happy life”

whoever said that was clearly a genius.

nanafark@nanafark

Pain slices through me, along with a tiny thread of embarrassment. I’ve finally lost my heart to a woman and she doesn’t even want it.

cutie pie. 🥰

nanafark@nanafark

I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I’m right.

this will be my new motto.

nanafark@nanafark

Oh god. This is so not me. I enjoy flying under the radar and blending with the crowd. I’m not a center-of-attention kind of woman, and I have no desire to be. I like math, I like troubleshooting, I like logic. I don’t like being pushed way out of my comfort zone and thrust into the middle of a made-for-TV drama.

nanafark@nanafark

How is it fair that the man gets more attractive with age, and I only get fatter, with old hag skin and a foggy brain that makes me feel like I’m approaching dementia some days? God is clearly a man, that’s all I know.

i totally agree.

nanafark@nanafark

I shoot her a wink that works ninety-five percent of the time with women.

Olivia is that five percent.

haha 😅

This book appears on the shelf read-2019

Barbora Polívková@barupoli