Ella Verran has three goals this semester: get off academic probation, repair her relationship with her friend Skylar, and take some responsibility for her life. All of which are hard enough without hot, snobby hockey player Ben Buckingham around to distract her. Ella can’t stand Ben, and she knows the feeling is mutual. But he’s best friends with Skylar’s boyfriend, so he’s always around—taunting and tempting Ella in ways she never thought possible.

As the star forward of the Bayard College hockey team, Ben has goals too, like playing well enough to land a spot on an NHL roster. Ben is perfectly poised on the ice, so why can’t he keep his cool around Ella? Her wild behavior rubs him in all the wrong ways—and a few of the right ones. But as they skate around each other, Ben learns that there’s more to Ella than her bad reputation. And when the line between love and hate starts to blur, he can’t resist crossing over and sweeping her off her feet.

This is book # 2 in the Bayard Hockey series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For reader enjoyment and understanding of the series, I recommend reading in order.

Ben & Ella have best friends in common, who are dating.  They are always invited to get together with them.  They do not really seem to get along.

Ella finds herself suddenly attracted to a man she never considered remotely hot before.  She is appreciating all the other qualities about him she never knew.  Now if only she knew why?

I love this series!  Whew.  Okay, now that we have that out of the way - I just want to tell you I think this is the best book yet.  I really love the controversial subjects and how they were handled here.  The characters are very down to earth with real world problems.  Who doesn't love a story with hot hockey players?  Great solid read.  I give this book a 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given by Netgalley and its publishers, in exchange for an honest review.