4.25⭐
Big Stick was a really enjoyable read. That not only mixed best friends to lovers and second chance romance really well. But was very entertaining, engaging and easy to read. Plus, it had the perfect amount of angst, heat and sweetness to really hold my interest. As well as lots of likable characters, including the main two Myles and Flynn. Not to mention Flynn's twin brother Oli and best friend Sloane. And as a new author to me, I would definitely read more from R.C Stephens in the future. Especially if the story was to feature Oli and or Sloane.

Cute love story. I had some minor issues with the plot, but not enough to pull the rating down any. Definitely a New Adult novel: duel POV, raunchy - actually a little bit more than most NA novels I read. Hockey was more of a subplot, if anyone's worried about that.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, I haven’t read that many hockey romances, so I thought I would give this one a go.

This was a friend to lover’s romance which I love to read. I was hooked from the first chapter. Myles was so adorable when it came to Flynn. Flynn had some tragic things happen to her and she is still able to rise above. I knew from the beginning that Myles and Flynn were always going to be together. I loved the slow burn off their relationship.

Big Stick is a luscious salivating read that had me hooked by the second page! The heroine is super feisty and perfect for the ever so darn cocky alpha male in this book! I absolutely loved every single minute of this book.

Didn't do it for me. She was whiney and childish. Her brother was rediculous. It was repetitive and slow and completely predictable. Not a winner.

4 Stars
Review by Morgen
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog

Big Stick by R.C. Stephens is a standalone about finding a way to let go of your past.

Flynn is strong, independent, intelligent, and kind. Tragedy struck her family when she was younger. Now she keeps herself busy and focuses all her energy on work.

Myles is loyal, protective, sweet, and a charmer. He’s enjoying a career in the NHL with his best friend Oliver, Flynn’s brother. They’ve been playing hockey together for as long as he can remember.

After Flynn catches her boyfriend cheating on her in their home she decides to move in with her brother. Flynn, Oliver, and Myles were the best of friends when they were younger. She quickly realizes his next door neighbor is Myles, someone she’d rather forget. Years ago something happened that changed all their lives, they refuse to talk about it. Old feelings resurface, but when secrets come out can she finally let go of the past or will she hold on to her anger?

I love that it was told from both Flynn and Myles’ POV. We see the story better and get a more in depth look at their motivations. Each faces their own inner struggles when trying to ignore their mutual attraction. Seeing it gives you a stronger connection to the characters. The story unravels piece by piece keeping you wanting more. The suspense of what could happen next hooked me. The chemistry between Flynn and Myles is off the charts. With each touch their passion burns brighter, and each kiss makes a silent plea for more. Once they finally give in the need for each other just grows. Watching them grow closer warmed my heart. Their connection from when they were younger is stronger than ever. I really enjoyed Oliver’s character as well. He loves them both and finds himself stuck in the middle. He just wants them to be happy. I would recommend this if you enjoy second chances, sexy hockey players, protective alphas, or sassy women.

**ARC provided for an honest review**

I really enjoyed reading Big Stick. I'm new to this author so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was not disappointed. This book had friends to lovers romance and a second chance story. It was blended so well, I'm seriously impressed. Miles, Oli and his twin sister Flynn were best friends growing up until tragedy tore them apart. Fast forward a couple of years later and Flynn is seeing Miles, her ex-best friend, the guy she's been in love with, the guy who shattered her heart, for the first time. It doesn't help that she's a hot mess after finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her. Flynn is left in a predicament and is now living with her brother, who just so happens to be neighbors with Oli. Flynn is about to confront her past, whether she likes it or not. This story is all about second chances. I liked how the story was built up. They weren't just instantly in love. They slowly rebuild their friendship and got to know each other again. I also loved the message of the story. Learning how much Miles, Tink and Oli went through just hit home for me. The writer took on a difficult topic and wrote it well. As a reader, I felt connected to the story. I couldn't wait to see what was next. I need a Sloane and Oli story, please!!! I just wish this book was longer. I fell in love with this author and I can't wait to read more books. It ends in an HEA. I give it 5 stars

Okay, so the cover with the suggestive title drew my attention... Unfortunately the rest of the book didn't hold my attention in the same way...
Yeah, it is a funny story with Myles the famous hockey player and Flynn, the off-limits twin sister of his hockey buddy Oli. And the book was nicely written, with humour and fun. The tragedy of accident with Oli and Flynn's parents and the whole I-will-stay-out-of-your-way-because-it-is-better-for-you drama act where a bit forced, I felt. But maybe I'm not traumatized enough in my life to make a big deal out of something.
So in all: a nice read, but not a OMG-I-want-to-read-it-again book.
Three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Absolutely love Flynn & Myles story. I absolutely love hockey stories and this one I couldn’t put down. Myles and Flynn were always meant to be until a tragedy pulled them apart but now years later Myles will do anything to claim what was always his. Amazing characters even Oli which I’m hoping he gets a book. Everyone needs to read this book.

Loved this story so much. This is a new to me author and I highly enjoyed this book.
I reccomend this story to everyone

Big Stick is more than high flying innuendos. It's about taking risks both on and off the ice. Stephens appeals to the vulnerabilities. The emotions that haunt our ever waking moments. Myles and Flynn have to look beyond Neverland and face the real world. Big Stick is a dialogue of the heart. A captivating tale of survival and second chances.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. She's been on my TBR for some time.

Myles has been best friends with Oli and Flynn for almost their whole lives but seven years ago, after a terrible tragedy, Flynn walked away from him and hasn't spoken to him since. When Flynn's boyfriend cheats on her and she moves in with her brother, she and Myles are now back in each other's lives and he's hoping for the second chance he's not sure he deserves or is going to get.

This book was a lot more angsty than I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. I had a little bit of hard time with the twist but overall I loved this story. I was almost immediately connected to the characters and immersed in their friendships. I loved all of the side characters and I so badly want them to get their own HEA as well!!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Rating || ★★★★★

This story took us to visit the rekindling sparks between two childhood friends. I love the depth of this story, it’s not just about trying to win each other’s heart but also about overcoming tragedy and trauma. I love the connection between Flynn and Myles. It was innocence, hot, and filled with just the right amount of sexy. Big Stick exceeded my expectations and I adore it with all my heart!

Flynn and Myles had kept their feelings to themselves since forever. 7 years later and they met as neighbors right after Flynn went through a ‘bad break-up’ with her cheating boyfriend. Hesitant as she was, Flynn wasn’t ready to face Myles and what he reminded her of. But it was inevitable that they both were drawn to each other like a moth to a flame.

I adore Myles because he’s such a gentleman, always doing the right thing by Flynn. R.C.Stephens create such a lovable flawed hero that you couldn’t help to relate and swoon over. And being such a hockey player just puts the cherry on top!

Flynn to me was hard to like at first, but once I got into the story and saw her reasons, I couldn’t help but admire her. It was hard to come to terms with what happened many years before, but she had that resilience to fight back and put everything into perspective.

Most of all, I love Flynn and Myles together. They had great chemistry and a strong history. Reading them finally accepting each other’s feelings gives me such a rush. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, hopefully, it will be about Oli and Sloane (both I ship so hard!!!)

Overall, if you are a fan of sports, second-chance, and friends-to-lovers romance, I’d recommend reading this one once it’s live!

Massive thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for sending me an e-copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This has been the first R.C. Stephens book I've read and I loved it, I throughly enjoyed the story and the author's writing; I was also surprised because this was more than an easy read or just another hockey book, it was a compelling story with well written characters.

While the protagonists of this story Myles and Flynn grew up together and were best friends; after a tragic event ocurred they drifted apart without Flynn really knowing the truth behind it all, and now that she' finds herself having to live with her brother Oliver, she'll also have to face Myles, who just happens to be his neighbor. The chemistry between them is still there, and so are their feelings for each other, but they'll have to face their past if they want to get a chance at having a future together.

I very much enjoyed the relationship between Myles and Flynn, it's hard not to fall for Myles because the guy really has a heart of gold. It's more of a slow burn but I loved reading how it all develops. Flynn's best friend and her brother also made good secondary characters and I'd lie if I said I didn't want to have a story for them.

I look forward to reading more of R.C. Stephens's books.

From the day they first met, Myles and Flynn were drawn to one another, first being childhood friends, then in their teen years it progressed to flirty glances and secret kisses, but then tragedy struck and it pushed the inseparable pair apart. Now seven years later, they find themselves living in the same city again, Myles playing alongside her brother for the Blackhawks, and Flynn working in a law office, both knowing they are bound to run into one another at some point. But what they don't expect is for Flynn to be moving in with her brother after a devastating break-up, which puts them living in neighboring apartments and interacting with one another again on a daily basis.

Before long the, once inseparable, pair find themselves mending fences and trying to repair their broken friendship, and of course fighting off those unwavering sparks, which are bound to lead to some heated kisses too. But one of them has a big secret that needs to come to light, and when it does it might just put an end to things once and for all...

Big Stick comes bearing many wonderful gifts for readers; as mentioned in the title you will find a hockey player who wields a big stick on the ice (and off), but he also has a big heart full of love for a woman who he foolishly let slip through his fingertips, and now that she is living next door again he has big plans to score her heart once and for all! I have to say this one might just be one of my all time favorite first reads ever, for one I am a hockey fanatic so it scored serious points on that front, but the emotional intent behind the writing and the perfectly crafted characters are what really sealed the deal for me, the moment I met them, I didn't want to let them go! I absolutely loved this one, it was good for the heart, and left me anxious for the next installment, I cannot wait to see what Ms. Stephens has in store for us next!! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, it will leave your heart happy, and an unshakable smile on your face!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! A great story, romance, and hockey players? I'm in!
Myles and Old are best friends that grew up together and play for the Chicago Blackhawks. Myles didn't have the best family life so he spent much of his time at his friends house with Oli, his twin sister Flynn always around too. It was always the three of them. Flynn is now an attorney and living in Chicago, moving there with her boyfriend who she just caught bopping the office receptionist in the copy room. How creative of them. The two were living together and she can't go home, so she calls Oli to stay with him, after getting sh** faced drunk which is not like her, the bartender and her best friend since college haul her across the street to his apartment. Repeated knocks don't bring Oli to the door but a knock on the neighbors door bring her face to face with her past. A past that has left her devastated for 7 years. Myles looks at Flynn at reassures her friend that he's got it, grabs the key to her brothers apartment and puts her to bed. The guys have won a game and Oli is out partying. Myles doesn't do that anymore. He's got his reasons. One of which is laying drunk and asleep on her brothers guest room bed. Flynn doesn't understand why she hasn't heard from Myles since he left her that night. There's a lot Flynn doesn't understand, but read and watch this story unfold as Flynn and Myles slowly make their way to each other, Myles so afraid he's going to ruin things and Oli holding onto something of his own. This story had the best slow burn and some books just don't manage to pull it off the way this one did. This story made me relish every moment between these two. Flynn and Myles have a few bumps, but things smooth out. Their chemistry was could have melted a glacier. When the shite hits the fan in this one it really flings it a mile. Flynn is beyond devastated. The betrayal is a double whammy. Flynn hides out for a few days at her friends, throws herself into her work and prepares to spend Christmas alone. Ahh, but you have to know the story doesn't end there and I'm not throwing you anymore than I already have. Which wasn't that much. Read this book! It's an absolute must read. Applause inserted here. I hope we get Oli in the next book!

Arc form NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review

This was sweet, nothing groundbreaking. There was conflict and drama. The childhood friends to lovers is always fun. The characters were fleshed out. The dialogue sensible for the genre. The story can clearly continue with her twin and best friend, two great, fun characters! I enjoyed this. It was a nice break from all the psychological thrillers!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Entangled Publishing LLC for a copy in exchange for a review.

4.5 Stars!! This was an awesome hockey romance book, eh?! Canadian neighbors & best friends growing up, Myles & Flynn are really great main characters! I’d say this book is a mix of friends to lovers & ‘kind of’ enemies to lovers so let’s call it frenemies to lovers! I did think Flynn was a bit too mad at Myles but it could just be me since I’m pretty laid-back! I definitely want more on Flynn’s twin brother & her bff Sloan & what happens in that love story! Hopefully we get a book telling that story!! I definitely recommend this book! So worth it!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*

I’m a sucker for sports romance, especially hockey there’s just something about it that’s sexy. Anyways this was an awesome romance story of second chances and learning to forgive past mistakes and move forward. I loved it and the characters and especially loved the underlying message about drinking and driving. Myles was such a sweet and sexy character and Flynn was strong and awesome but towards the end I wanted to smack her because she just kept repeating she wanted a partner to treat her equal when all Myles done was protect her and her brother from truly falling apart. Other than that this was amazing.

Big stick is a sports romance and sort of a second chance romance. Myles Oli and Flynn were best friends from the start. However as time passed those innocent feelings between Myles and Flynn grew into more. The planets just would never aligned for them. When one night that should be the best night ever, it ended.

Now 7 years later Flynn needs her brother more than anything, but that comes with a cost.....being near Myles.

Its a good book there is hockey, two stars who love the sport and are on the top of their game. Flynn is going to crash and burn and just when they think they have it figured out. Secrets and lies come out that up end their world again.

Seriously a good read and enjoyed it alot.