This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on November 20th, 2024. Links provided.

After being cut from the US women’s hockey team just before her third chance at a gold medal, Natalie Carpenter is desperate to avoid returning home and landing back on square one. Her solution: a guest hosting role on Wake Up, USA’s winter games coverage alongside her cohost Darcy LaCroix. The only problem is Darcy is her former college teammate, ex-girlfriend, and now rival. Since leaving Team Canada, Darcy has built a name for herself in broadcasting. While working with Natalie might not be ideal, she’s determined to make the most of the opportunity to advance her career. As the chemistry between them sparks on screen, their off camera history of rivalry and heartbreak complicates matters. Amidst their best efforts to play it up for the ratings, they begin to wonder: is there more to their connection than just professional rivalry or is the magic they feel just for show?

This book was definitely an enjoyable read! It contains all the best elements of sports, romance, and intense personal drama in a way that feels real and relatable. The dynamic between Natalie and Darcy is electric, filled with tension, heartbreak, and that undeniable chemistry that keeps you turning the pages. As they navigate their past and present, I found myself not only rooting for them to work through their history, but also captivated by their growth as individuals. The mix of sports culture with a blossoming romance offer something for everyone – whether you are a fan of hockey, looking for a slow burn love story, or just enjoy seeing characters who feel authentic and flawed, this book has it all. It’s a perfect blend of heart, humor, and undeniable heat, and I promise you’ll find yourself invested in their story long after you finished reading. My only criticism is I sometimes found Natalie to be a bit hot-headed and annoying in her decision making, but that was a minor frustration compared to my overall enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to Harlequin Romance/Carina Adores and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Wake Up, Nat & Darcy in return for my honest review.

i was so excited for this book. hockey romances are my thing, and we need more sapphic hockey romances (and romances in general). but it fell short.

nat is insufferable and needs therapy more than she needs a relationship. and maybe a job?? darcy needs to realize her privilege and use it to her advantage more.
the relationship is so toxic, i can’t see it lasting the eight months before the epilogue, let alone life together.

Y'all, I've been on the hunt for a good sapphic hockey romance for a LONG time and I'VE FOUND IT! While the characters in Wake Up, Nat & Darcy are no longer active hockey players (they are both retired), the sport and the MCs history with it is a HUGE part of the story - I LOVED it. In addition, you get the heartbreaking backstory and pining of a second chance romance AND the tension and banter of a rivals to lovers story. If you love hockey romance, HIGHLY recommend giving this one a try.

I haven't read many stories with female athletes, but this one might be my favorite yet. The scenes where they try out various Olympic sports for their morning show audience are romcom-level goofy, but gah, there is so much tension! I loved it as much as their online fans. Both Nat and Darcy are driven, competitive, and strong, and it's fun to see them both try to navigate life after retirement. While they both have something to prove (to the world and themselves), it was nice to see them slowly realize that they could actually be vulnerable with each other. I felt SO MUCH for Nat - she definitely has a harder time in this book, from Darcy's betrayal in college to having to deal with being cut from the women's Olympic Team. Darcy often frustrated me because Nat was so clearly into her, so willing to go all in, but she's often lost in her own ambition. I was so glad when they finally figured things out - always a relief in a second chance romance!

I know I'm about to jump headfirst into hockey romances in the new year, and if you are looking for something a little different to add to your TBR, Wake Up, Nat & Darcy is a great one. Great writing, spice, humor, and characters, you seriously need to read it!

Solid 3.5-4 star read. I really liked the second chance romance plot of this book but there were definitely times I found natalie rather whiny. Though I understand what happened in the past and the rejection she was feeling it felt like her arguments were always the same for her reactions. Even though it had been years. Darcy definitely had flaws too, with being scared of admitting when things were serious and other moments. I love seeing women's sports represented and loved the idea they were trying other sports as a segment.

2.75 stars???
I hate to say it, but I was hoping for more with this book. I was looking for some good angst and tension and a heady build up, but I was let down. I couldn't root for them because I don't think they worked through any of the issues that tore them apart in college. Their happy ending didn't feel complete.

2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this because I love seeing romances about women's sports, but I could not get into this...

Nat and Darcy were college teammates for one season when Nat was a freshman and Darcy was a senior. We see a few flashbacks of that time, but I don't think there's a strong enough show of their relationship back then to make their romance in the present timeline compelling. I wouldn't necessarily call this even enemies to lovers it's more like "hey these are two people that just can't get on the same page and should just probably not interact much" since it didn't really feel like there was a true romance between them, just acting on sexual tension. Darcy is so quick to bulldoze over Nat's feelings. I struggled to feel bad for Nat though with the way she kept coming back for more.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I really struggled with Nat and her immaturity. I struggled with the constant miscommunication. The communication skills are usually part of the draw for me in lesbian romances, so it felt out of place for me here. The rivalry felt forced between the two characters and the dual timelines didn't really work for me. Alas. it does appear to be a debut novel so I have hope for where the series and author go.

Genre: hockey romance

Darcy LaCroix may be Canadian hockey royalty as the daughter of an NHL Hall-of-Famer, but she's worked hard to gain her own impressive set of credentials on the ice. Three years into hockey retirement, Darcy is working at the TV show Wake Up, USA and hoping for a shot at being on camera. She gets that shot, but it comes with some big caveats: 1) she'll be working a segment at the Olympics where she'll have to demonstrate sports on camera. 2) she'll be doing it against USA hockey rival and ex-girlfriend Natalie Carpenter, who missed out on her team's Olympic roster. Darcy can't say no to chasing her dream...and Nat figures that almost anything is better than moping.

This is the sapphic hockey romance I've been waiting for. While there are a fair number of moments of miscommunication, I felt like Cochrane resolved all of them really well, and the reasons for lack of understanding were deeply rooted in the characters. It's a second chance romance, and if the reason for the break-up 15 years ago is childish, it's also understandable since Natalie was a 19-year-old college freshman whose cocky attitude is limited to the ice and senior captain Darcy basically walks on [frozen] water in her eyes. She's willing to keep their relationship secret while they're teammates and devastated that Darcy probably wants to keep it secret. Through the book, it's clear their relationship fallout is a sore subject, but they address it like the adults they are, and it's clear that just a conversation isn't going to resolve their insecurities.

The book has the energy of the behind the scenes videos I've seen from the PWHL and former iterations of the women's pro hockey leagues. Cochrane grew up playing hockey in New England, and she translates that vibe to the page. There's a swagger that hockey players have that she captures well with the banter and bickering and the $hit-talking. Without over-explaining, she captures the dynamics of women's team sports and the complex relationships they have with each other and with their own bodies, and of the male gaze on women in sports. It's an open door rivals to lovers sapphic romance. I can't wait to see what Cochrane writes next!

Natalie and Darcy find themselves working together on a project for the Winter Olympics, forcing them to relive their torrid past. I adored “Wake Up Nat and Darcy”! It’s a fun premise for a rom-com rivals story and I especially enjoyed the hockey and Olympic elements. Kate Cochrane does a tremendous job of creating well rounded characters and giving the reader plenty of context around each woman. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were in college, so you got to see just how much they really liked each other and how they ended up where they are today. The banter between Nat and Darcy was perfection and their chemistry was palpable. The banter between Nat and Darcy is both fiery and funny, especially during their disastrous attempts at winter sports. I really enjoyed that it was a dual POV romance. It’s always better when you can get both perspectives from the MC’s. It makes it so much more believable that they both fell for each other because you can get both character’s thoughts and feelings. The strong pace and writing only add to the enjoyment of this book! Thanks to Kate Cochrane, Netgalley, Harlequin Romance and Carina Adores for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. If you’re a fan of Sapphic sports romances, you will definitely want to check this one out! I can’t wait to see what Kate writes next!

For fans of the recent hockey romance trend, there’s now a sapphic hockey romance released this week. Natalie is dropped from the US women’s hockey team ahead of the Olympics and what would be her third chance at gold. Lost and not knowing what to do next, she’s approached for a guest host gig for Wake Up USA at the winter games. The problem: the co-host is her bitter rival and ex lover, Darcy, a former Team Canada player and current broadcaster. The rivalry comes to a heat as they’re tasked with trying and competing in other Olympic sports for tv. Through flashbacks, we learn how hearts were broken & the rivalry came to be, though as they continue to spend time together, the less hostile feelings start to return.
I loved the competition and humor throughout much of the novel though I found it hard to follow at times because of the inconsistent flashbacks. Curious where the next book in the series will take us!
Thank you to Harlequin Romance for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

*I received an eARC from HarperCollins, Harlequin - Romance, & Carina Adores. All opinions are my own.*
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Everyone who has followed me for a hot minute knows how I feel about professional hockey, especially in romances. The culture is honestly disgusting and rampant with SA and misogyny, and it takes a lot for me to give a hockey romance a chance, but I’ll tell you, the queer ones still lure me in from time to time.
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I can happily say we get none of the regular toxicity from Nat and Darcy’s romance and I think Cochrane takes an honest look at professional sports while still showing love for it, which I enjoyed reading.
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In this novel, the focus is much more on the second chance romance and repairing a rivalry that began on a college hockey team. What’s fun is that while they’re on screen together, the fans of the morning talk show see the sparks before Nat and Darcy are willing to admit them themselves. And we see the slow coming around that I live for in second chance romances. Of course we see the reason why they originally broke up and it’s a classic miscommunication issue of some early 20s kids trying to figure life and themselves out, but the resolution (and steam) is very grown up and overall I had a very good time with this sweet hockey romance - and you won’t catch me saying that too often lol
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍

I was very excited to get to this book because we definitely need more sapphic hockey romance! For what it is, it was definitely a good read. I did feel like a free a bit both characters just mushed together for me so I sometimes completely forgot who‘s pov I was even reading. I also really couldn’t stand the third act conflict because it kind of showed that the characters barely developed throughout the book. Overall, it was sweet though and sometimes cheesy is good.

**Book Review: *Wake Up, Nat & Darcy* by Kate Cochrane**

*Wake Up, Nat & Darcy* by Kate Cochrane is a delightful, sassy sapphic rom-com that hits all the right notes for readers looking for a blend of humor, heart, and chemistry. From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked, and it quickly became the perfect escape. With vibrant characters, witty dialogue, and a refreshing, modern take on romance, Cochrane delivers a story that feels both familiar and exciting.

The heart of the novel lies in its two protagonists, Nat and Darcy, who are drawn together in a whirlwind of miscommunication, emotional growth, and undeniable attraction. The chemistry between them is electric from the start, but it's not just about the romance. Cochrane does an excellent job of developing their personalities and backstories, giving us a deep sense of who they are as individuals. You genuinely get to know these characters—Nat's wit, Darcy's charm, and their flaws—making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate their messy, complicated, and ultimately very rewarding journey toward each other.

One of the standout features of this book is Cochrane's ability to blend humor with depth. The story is peppered with sharp, sassy moments that will make you laugh out loud, while also weaving in moments of vulnerability and reflection that give the romance a more meaningful layer. The banter between Nat and Darcy is playful yet revealing, and the way they challenge each other to grow emotionally feels authentic and engaging.

As a first-time reader of Kate Cochrane, I was impressed by her writing style. Her pacing is spot-on, keeping the story moving without ever feeling rushed, and the pacing of the romance is just right—building gradually and giving the characters room to breathe. The chemistry is palpable, but it’s the emotional development between them that really makes their connection shine.

If you're a fan of sapphic romance, witty comedies, or just well-crafted character-driven stories, *Wake Up, Nat & Darcy* is a must-read. Kate Cochrane is definitely an author I'll be following closely, and I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next. With its perfect blend of sass, spice, and sincerity, this book is exactly what I needed and will be exactly what *you* need too.

As an ex-journalist who happens to love sapphic books and hockey romances, this book was written for me!! Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the advanced copy!

Natalie and Darcy were college hockey teammates before becoming competitors by each playing for her national team (USA and Canada). These now-rivals are working together to co-host Winter Olympics news coverage. When viewers respond positively to their on-screen chemistry, their boss asks them not to deny rumors that they are dating. A relationship that is just for show becomes something more.

This book ended up not being my favorite. I thought the characters behaved immaturely during their conflicts and disagreements. Some of their interactions didn’t make sense to me given that they were both adults and in the workplace. Parts of the book felt predictable as well.

The book also had less to do with hockey than I expected. The reader gets to hear about team dynamics, practices, and games either indirectly or through flashbacks to college. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the sports and team camaraderie on the page. The book is set after both women retire from playing professional hockey, so it does make sense that hockey wasn’t as much of a focus.

Though the book wasn’t my cup of tea, you might be a fan if you like rivals to lovers, second chance romance, and fake dating!

Highlights:
- rivals to lovers
- Winter Olympics
- 2nd chance romance
- retired pro hockey players

Wake Up, Nat and Darcy is a fantastic friends-to-lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers second chance romcom by Kate Cochrane. Interspersed flashbacks help us understand Natalie and Darcy's history as they build a new future. The story grabs your attention from the very beginning. I love their personalities. Their snarky banter and sexual tension are highly entertaining. Cochrane balanced the comedy with their realistic personal struggles. I laughed, and I felt their passion for one another. Great chemistry and backstory make for a believable organic relationship in the present. I rooted for them the whole time, even through the stubborn, misunderstanding-induced third-act separation. I love that the story revolved around their involvement in ice hockey and the Olympics. 
This book had me smiling and giggling. It is now on my favorites list. That is not to say that it is perfect. I enjoyed the ending for the most part but found some bits to be a little cliché. Still, I came away with a happy feeling and will now buy the physical copy for my trophy shelf.
I recommend it for a fun, spicy, good time. I am giving it a 4.5 rounded up.
#rivalstolovers #secondchance #romcom #icehockey #olympics #TeamCanada #TeamUSA #TVanchor #mainsover30 #athletes #HEA

Wake Up, Nat and Darcy is a second chance sapphic sports romance. I liked the book but I did catch my self tempted to skim a few chapters towards the middle/end. It got a little repetitive. I did still like it overall though. I’m always here for queer sports romances.

This book had its charming moments, but it took too long to get interesting. While I understand why present-day Natalie and Darcy were slow to warm up to each other, it was a missed opportunity for the flashback timeline to also feel so dull. If the excitement of the last half of the book had been spread more evenly, it would have been significantly more enjoyable.

The relationship dynamic between Nat and Darcy was cute yet frustrating—I found myself annoyed with both characters throughout the story. Their issues could have been easily resolved if they’d just had an open conversation. It wasn’t even a case of miscommunication, as they both understood each other’s shortcomings; they just wouldn’t talk things out and instead reverted to sarcasm, avoidance, and comments about how hot they both were.

Some elements of their relationship felt a bit niche or stereotypical, like the simultaneous “grand gestures” and in-sync relationship dynamics. Even the “U-Haul” joke felt too on the nose, especially since they both caught feelings after just one hook up.

One part of the plot I found amusing was the premise of their broadcast, where they attempted various sports and encouraged viewers to watch the actual athletes perform. If their segment existed in real life, I’d probably be more inclined to watch sports.

In the end, while the book had moments of charm and humor, the story and characters didn’t quite click for me. I found myself wanting to like it more than I actually did. It was a decent read, but I expected more depth in the relationship than what there was. Three stars.

I have been BEYOND excited for this debut Sapphic sports romance and did it ever deliver!!

Fantastic on audio narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker who does an incredible job voicing both women protagonists and really bringing their chemistry, banter and pining to life.

Anyone who enjoys a great SPICY second chance, forced proximity, dual POV enemies to lovers Sapphic sports romance between former teammates turned rivals and new Winter Olympics sports reporter co-hosts won’t want to miss this!!

Told through flashbacks to their time as college teammates where team Captain, Darcy (daughter of a Canadian hockey pro)completely destroyed her chance at something real with freshman, Natalie, we get to see what when wrong and it’s impossible not to root for these two to find their second shot at a HEA in the present as they report on the Winter Olympics.

HiGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Anita Kelly, Alison Cochrun or Kelly Farmer. Many thanks to NetGalley and @harlequinpublicityteam for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I cannot wait to read what Kate cochrane writes next!!!!

I loved the concept of this, but it took way many pages to establish that Darcy and Nat are angry at each other. Honestly, I gave up. This one was not for me.