This is the intro to a series that was released a few years ago now. I believe that it originally appeared as part of an anthology, but is now available as this novella. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I have recently read the first book in a spin-off series, Good Guy. I was interested to come back to this first series, after reading that.
This is a fairly quick read. Actually, I read it in one day, it would have been one sitting but some of us do have work to do, sadly. The story centres around divorcee Addison, who is in the process of setting up a lingerie business and hockey player Ford. What I did particularly like about these two is that unlike the pairings you often get in romance books, Addison was older than Ford and had been married before. It's such a refreshing change to not have the young virgin or fairly inexperienced girl who gets taught the ways of love by an older, more experienced man.
We get straight into the action, so to speak, when Ford overhears Addison and her friends discussing disappointing sexual partners. Before they even meet properly, the couple is enjoying one another's company, in more ways than one. I quite liked the way that that was done, it was unusual and entertaining. With this being a novella, getting to the action quickly was always going to be important.
Addison and Ford worked for me as a couple and there was certainly chemistry there. It's always difficult with a shorter story, as some things can be a bit rushed, but this wasn't too much of an issue here. It also set the series up well, which is what I assume the whole point was.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In Skates Trouble is a novella for Kate Meader’s ice hockey based series, Chicago Rebels. Even though this is a smaller-sized book with a fraction of the amount of chapters as an average-sized novel, I still expect decent character development and information based on something other than sex.

Ford has an affinity for Addison based solely upon hearing her voice through a hotel balcony, and immediately these two are having a heated sexual relationship, with limited time spent getting to know each other, but that’s okay, because Ford knows he wants an exclusive relationship with Addison because her voice is sexy.

Add in drama in the way of Addison’s ex-husband owning the hockey franchise team that Ford is conveniently a part of, and the only thing we ever find out about Addison is that she is a body conscious curvy super model who only ever laments about that part of her personality, and that is about as deep as you’re going to get. It felt a wee bit contrived and rote.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this couple!

I’ve read and enjoyed Kate Meader’s previous series so I was excited to read In Skates Trouble the novella that introduced the original rebel series Chicago Rebels. Ford and Addison’s first “meet” is definitely one of the most unique I’ve ever read. Their chemistry is off the charts and Ford is one of those men we all want/need in our lives. Addison a woman we’d want to be or have as a best friend. This book just made me feel good.

This was a quick read without much plot or character development. Ford falls for Addison just by hearing her voice while eavesdropping on her and her friends from his hotel balcony. They share some dirty time without even meeting each other. And from that moment, he’s just totally in for her. They’ve barely talked to each other since they sneak off to have sex every time they encounter each other. Yet, after just a couple of weeks of having met her, he’s willing to put his whole professional career as a star hockey player at risk in order to be with her. I just didn’t buy any of it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Addison was definitely not looking for a relationship and when she encounters a friendly voice she let’s go of some tightly held reservations. She never thought giving a stranger in her name would end up into so much more. Ford “Killer” Callaghan was more that a pretty boy. He would be the man to knock her knickers off. Sometimes you know you’ve found the one who completes you in every way possible and you will throw all your chips in just for that chance of happiness that constantly alluded you.

Fun read, Older woman, younger man romance. Addy is ready to start her life over after her divorce-and a career change, she's even moved to a new city to start her business she's not ready for a relationship. Ford is on top of his game, coming home with the Cup, he should be out partying but the sexy voice of mystery woman from the balcony next door has him thoroughly worked up! Ford could feel the connection, the attraction but when her identity comes to light, well there's a lot more than some fun in the sheets at stake. I loved the banter, the steam and the great characters-fun way to start the series.

So I requested this book because hello, Kate Meader, but realized as I started to read it that I’ve read it already. Upon some investigation it was part of an anthology that I had already purchased. Womp womp. Anyway this was a really good novella and you can’t go wrong with anything KM writes! Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.