4.5 stars

I am a huge fan of sports romances and so I knew I didn't want to miss this book. It had plenty of laughs and hockey love, but is was also heartfelt and at times very emotional. Though this is book 6 in the Hometown Players series, it can be read as a stand alone. Characters from the previous books do appear, however, so it would be best enjoyed if you have read those books prior to starting Game On.

Alex was the perfect broken hero. He has so much emotional baggage from his childhood that he refuses to truly connect with others, especially romantically, out of fear of rejection and loss. Instead he uses cocky swagger and charm to mask all that hidden pain. I wanted to hug him so badly through the majority of this book. Sure, he made a few mistakes and stumbled a time or two, but you can't help but cheer him on and hope for his happily ever after. I really enjoyed his enemies to lovers relationship with Brie and they had amazing chemistry. Her background, though not as tragic, made these 2 pretty perfect for each other. There was the inevitable push and pull, but I thought what happened after was very realistic and honest. The demons Alex battles are not something that will go away over night and I appreciated how the author took time to address that. The addition of Mac was also a highlight and I loved the overall message in the book that family is not made only by blood. There were a few things I would have liked to see some resolution to, like what was the fate of Daphne House and if there was meaning behind Alex's tatoo, but overall, this was a great addition to the series! I'm hoping we'll be seeing more of Len and Chooch in the future!

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book. Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)*

Who knew LaRue had so many layers? Damn, this is another great romance in the Hometown Players series...

Fans self.

I've enjoyed the stories in this series immensely...each has contained a message that surely has touched the heart of the reader...as they have to me. Alex and Brie's story is no different.

The moments of heartbreak were so well executed that I completely broke down for the little boy in Alex and his difficult life that eventually formed him into the compassionate man that Brie, coming from a place of love, realizes herself...and who went to great lengths to have him realize that in himself.

There are a lot of emotional aspects threaded throughout, but there are lighthearted ones as well, demonstrating just how versatile the author is in bringing out the many facets of her characters.

I truly hope that the series has not seen its end, these characters and their lives, on and off the ice, are addictive...I'm not quite ready to let them go!!

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

first off, I need to send a huge shot out to Forever Romance for sending out the ARC to this one. y'all rock, and I can't thank you enough.

so let's get into this review shall we?

I have to admit that this is the first book from Victoria's Hometown Players series I've read (yes I know. bad bad me. But let me tell you. I want them all now. I fell in love with these guys and I want to see all the stories I've been missing out on)

But this book had almost everything I look for in a good sports romance. (I could have maybe used a bit more actual hockey in it. But Victoria did good incorporating at least some of the sport. So we weren't left with one of those "sports romances" that's just about an athlete with none of the actual sports going on. If that makes seense haha)

But anywho. we got the sports, the brooding hockey player, some sexy time, and a whole bunch of other stuff I won't say here so I don't spoil anything for ya'll. And it just all worked so well together to create a great story.

I loved seeing the journey that Brie and Alex went on durikng this book. both characters met in the funniest way. And then the build up between them was super interesting and even a bit touching at times. they both had such sad pasts, and to see how it shaped them and made them who they are was quite beautiful and heartbreaking to read.

here we have Alex. this big tough hockey player, who's always starting crap with other teams during games. And when you see him off the ice he's a completely diffrent person. much more reserved and funny. defiently a playboy of sorts. but he also has the kindest heart. And you can't help but feel a little sad for him at how he came to be like that. But also amazed by how much he's overcome and turned his life I to something so successful and awesome.

And then there's Brie. you can't help but not like her. She's fiesty and strong willed. And seriously has a heart of gold and a passion not many people have in their lives. She doesnt take anything life has given her for granted. And takes no crap. including that dished out from a certain broody hockey hunk.
she was down to earth and funny. And not afraid to put someone in their place when they needed it (cough cough Alex hehe)

Plus Victoria just touches on a subject that I tho k we need to see more of out there. And she writes it in a way that makes you not just feel sorry about it. But want to get out and go help. to make a difference much the same way the characters are.
Honestly she touches on a couple different things. and I'm glad she did. we need more authors who aren't afraid to get into the stuff society sees as things we need to be hush hush about and pretends like it doesn't happen.

I really truly enjoyed this book. And hope ya'll pick up a copy when it releases.

I give GAME ON
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟5 STARS🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
This book is one of my favorite hockey reads. Brie and Alex both have difficult pasts and are broken in some way. When they come together they are so guarded by their pasts that they can't see what the might have. Add in an angry teen who has a similar past and an angry hockey coach and you get this amazingly deep and heartfelt book.

Alex Larue is a master at scoring on the ice and off, he has yet meet a woman that he couldn't lure into his bed... that is until he meets Brie Bennett! The moment his eyes land on her butt in the line ahead of him, he can't help but want to cop a feel, so he turns on the charm and tries to win himself a date, but she surprises him and turns him down flat. Which leaves him completely baffled, no woman has ever resisted his smooth words, and sultry french accent... surely he isn't losing his touch! Then fate steps in and throws them together again and this time Alex is determined to win her over...

The moment Brie Bennett overhears two men behind her discussing her assets she is a little disgusted, then she meets the man behind the sexy accent and as much as she wants to say yes to his offer, she says no to save face. He can't possibly think his good looks and accent will win her affections, not to mention he has an untrustworthy air to him, so that alone should be reason enough to say no. So she takes his gifted coffee and walks away, hoping to never run into him again, but fate has other plans for them... and puts him on her doorstep... oh the nerve!!

Game On is a sexy little read that is sure to score some serious points with readers, it's loaded with steamy sexy times, feisty banter, and tons of heart!! These two were a real treat to meet, there were many times they had me smiling from ear to ear and laughing out loud, and blushing more than a few times too! I have a serious thing for hockey players, and Mr. Larue captured my attention as soon as he wandered onto the page, he was genuine, sweet, naughty, charming, and SO hard to resist!! I have met a few of the men from the Hometown Players series, and I have to say Alex may just have nudged Sebastian out of his seat as my favorite... his story was nothing short of amazing!! Highly recommend this one, Alex is sure to steal your heart from the very first page!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

I have loved some of the books in the Hometown Players series and then some of them are just okay. But, I keep coming back for more, because Victoria writes really well!

I really loved Alex-- he was sensitive but also knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. I wasn't sure about Brie at first, but I ended up liking her too!

I look forward to more books in this series!

Here we go! This is another awesome book by Victoria Denault. This book hit all the emotional hot spots for me as a reader. I felt happy, sad (for the hero, not because the story is a sad one), and joyful. It's nice to see a character grow through the pages, and because of this, it touched the bottom of my soul. I loved the romance, the buildup within the relationship between Alex and Brie, and the fact that these characters came off as being meant for one another!

I am so glad I got a chance to review this one. It's such a beautiful, sexy, and sporty romance with all the things us sports romance junkies need. I highly recommend it!

Alex can be a sensitive man, "he puts the shirt back on the rack and turns to me, his face serious. “No man wants to be compared to a puppy. ‘Cute’ is not a compliment.” Alex isn't afraid to ask for more, “pretty cool,” I laugh. Brie walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “It was a goal, not an assist. It deserves more than a kiss on the cheek.” Brie grins and rocks up and kisses me gently on the lips." I liked this book, Alex and Brie were good for each other.

I was so excited to dive into Victoria Denault's latest book, Game On!!! I LOVE sports romance novels and the Hometown Players series is one of my favorites!!

As a pro hockey player, Alex Larue is used to being traded and has no problem adjusting to new cities. Having recently been traded to the Brooklyn Barons, Alex is looking forward to being a part of a winning team in such a great city. While grabbing a coffee at Starbucks, Alex is blown away by an absolutely gorgeous woman! Alex introduces himself, pays for her coffee and hopes to get her phone number, but unfortunately all that he gets is her name...Brie. Brie politely and firmly turns him down which stuns Alex. But as fate would have it, the two cross paths again, and I absolutely adored what was in their futures!!!! Wow, wow, wow!!!

Honestly, I LOVE this series!!! I thought Victoria Denault did an amazing job with the storyline and I literally flew through this book because I was completely consumed!!! Brie and Alex had electric chemistry and their back and forth banter was so entertaining!! I have to say their backstories really pulled at my heartstrings and I loved how deep Victoria Denault went with them. Game On is a true 5 star read for me! The Hometown Player series is one that I want to go on forever!! I adore all of the characters and supporting character, sooooooo needless to say I am so excited for the next installment!!

I am a fan of the authors and have read all her stories but this story it just blew me away. It is a fun sports romance story but is also deep and the characters are deep and it made this book an incredible story. Brie and Alex are not your typical leads in that marriage and babies are not what they dream of. They are very broken souls and it was amazzing how they find each other in this story.

The only thing I did not like in this story was that at the start Brie is dating this rich jerk. I am not sure why he was there because he really didn't seem to be a connection that made sense or was even needed in this story. That said I LOVED that we see the Garrisons, the whole family and we get to see what has happened with the 3 sisters from other books in the series.

This story stands alone but it will be that much sweeter if you know the stories behind each couple who have befriended Alex. Alex has come off as this big manwhore in other books but he really isn't and I beyond loved his story.

Alex has no family. Hockey is his family and he is transferred to a new team, one that has Luc and Jordan on it. At every new city he lives in - he likes to give back and that brings him to Brie's teen shelter/center. He meets rich girl Brie and well it is not love at first sight. To him she is the rich girl and to her he is the manwhore sports star.

But this story is about looking below the surface. That everyone has a hard road they traveled to get where they are and you need to get to know them before making snap judgements. I loved this entire book and Brie and Alex are just beautiful together. I lso loved all the side characters like Mac, Len andespecially Brie's parents. This is one story that you will remember.