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.