Thrown for a Loop b Sarina Bowen was my first book by this author, but it most definitely will not be my last. I enjoyed this book so much.

When skating coach, Zoe Carson, walks into her new job for the Legends, a professional hockey team, she knows that her life is going to change forever - not just the amazing opportunity she has with the team, but confronting her first love, Chase Merritt, who her summer romance from ten years ago ended horribly and without an explanation.

The book uses flashbacks to tell the tale of what happened when they met at skate camp and them falling in love. I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks, but Ms. Bowen uses them well and it gives the back story entirely. While I think the two of them fell for each other pretty quickly in the present, I was able to overlook that because the characters - both main and secondary (I'm talking about you, Darcy!) were excellent. Each main character had great support from the secondaries, and it added a great depth to the storyline and set them up for their own books.

The author acknowledges that both Zoe and Chase did things wrong in the past without making either of them "the bad guy", and instead let their age and circumstances lead the way on their behavior, as she should have. Too many books play the blame game when sometimes life just happens.

I look forward to the other books in this series and have already saved the author's website to get information on the new books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

“Remember you? Zoe, I measure every woman I meet against what we had that summer.”

Thrown For a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance romance that follows skating Coach Zoe Carson and hockey winger Chase Merritt.

For me to really be able to enjoy a romance book, I need both pov’s, not just the girls. So getting Chase’s pov for the past chapters just wasn’t enough for me.

Also, I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance especially when it has a dual timeline, but focusing too much on the past makes me loose interest really fast which is what ended up happening. I found myself skimming majority of the past chapters bc most weren’t needed.

I feel like so much was going on that didn’t need to happen. All the miscommunication, the long chapters, etc.

All in all, the cover and synopsis gave me high hopes for a good second chance romance with angst and yearning but got none of that.

*Thank you to Forever Publishing, and to the author, Sarina Bowen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Tickle me excited for a mew @sarina.bowen hockey series! Hoooleeeeee cow. More hockey novels from Sarina Bowen? Yes please! The New York Legends is our new team and Zoe, a former Olympic figure skater is starting her first day with the team as a skating coach. Only one problem, the love of her life who walked out of it 10 years prior is in the team. This second chance story is full of heart and such fun dialogue. Half of it is told between the present and 10 years ago. These two characters really come to life! Definitely add this to your “must read”!!!! Check it out November 4th!!!

Thrown for a Loop is a fun rom-com about two skaters who reunite years later after falling in love at a summer camp and it ending badly. Their second chance is full of longing, humor, and nostalgia. I enjoyed the slow burn of this book, as well as the side characters (especially Darcy). I found myself rushing through the flashback chapters to get back to the present day POV, even though the flashbacks were helpful in answering questions and building the present day tension. Overall, a light and fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

5 glittering stars all around!!!


I LOVED Zoe and Chase and really everything about this book! This was such a fun and heartwarming book and I loved every minute of reading it. I am not normally a fan of switching back and forth with timelines, but this one was done really well. Every chapter we go to the past with, lines up perfectly with the chapter before it. It's really cohesive and it's done really well.

Zoe and Chase in the past was absolutely adorable and you really get the warm and fuzzy first love kind of feeling you'd hope for. The innocence and yearning is pure perfection and the development of their relationship is just *chefs kiss*. Present Zoe and Chase are equally as great, but with so much growth and depth. There's a lot of hurt on both sides and I loved the way that they both took accountability for their actions and their faults in the situation.

The development of the story and how it doesn't become just a smut fest when the characters get together, is one of my favorite aspects of Sarina Bowen's writing. Don't get me wrong, I love some spice, but I hate when it takes over the storyline and this did not happen at all in this book. Honestly, I can't say enough good things. If you want a great book, with great characters, and a fun storyline, look no further! You've found what you're looking for!

<i>ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review </i>

This was such a cute, feel-good read! I really enjoyed the skating elements woven into the story and how the past and present timelines connected it added a nice depth to the plot. While parts of the story felt a bit predictable, it was still an entertaining, light-hearted book that kept me turning the pages. Perfect if you’re looking for something warm and easy to get lost in!

This was so stinkin' cute. The story was great and sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the second chance they got with each other. I'm excited for book 2 ( even if it doesn't come out until 2026!). I will definitely be reading other books by this author.

I really enjoyed reading Chase and Zoe’s story. I liked that the book focused on the technical aspects of skating (I don’t know much about skating so I can’t say if it was accurate) as the framing device for the hockey part of the story (as opposed to say, the Stanley Cup run, or a rivalry with another team).

If you generally dislike “new adult”, but enjoy Sarina Bowen, this may still be a good book to try. The dual timelines temper the young adult-ness of the characters, as we get to see them grow as individuals.

I appreciated how much actual hockey and finger skating was in the book. You can tell she knew what she was talking about. I finished the book in two days and enjoyed it

I think the romance is a bit undercooked. There was too much lead up to them even talking and discussing the issues that drove them apart initially. Once they did, they immediately jumped into bed and exchange love words. I think The supporting cast of characters will continue my interest in the series, but was not my favorite.

This second-chance romance follows Zoe and Chase ten years after their summer romance. Zoe is a retired figure skater who starts a job as a skating coach for a professional hockey team. This team just so happens to be the team her old love, Chase, is a player for. Upon first interaction, Chase is furious that Zoe is there, but wasn't he the one who ghosted her? Throughout the dual timeline, you will experience their romantic summer and how they navigate the present day.

The story started strong with a mystery element of "who did who wrong". As a reader, I was invested in learning how their past relationship blossomed and fell. You meet side characters early on in the story which I loved. The hockey team as a whole gave good comedic relief, and I enjoyed Zoe and Darcy's friendship. I also loved reading about past-tense Zoe and Chase, as you get a good feel for who they are as individuals during that time, which makes you understand why Zoe wants to escape her life in the present day.

Certain plot elements of the story felt underdeveloped or unnecessary, such as the ex-husband storyline and the bully storyline. I do not believe the ex-husband's story added much to the overall story, and the bully could have been executed better, in my opinion. There also could have been a larger storyline of Zoe standing up to her Mom and how her coach/Mom affected her eating habits.

Overall, this was a light and enjoyable hockey romance! I will be interested in Darcy and Termaine's story!

Toe-pick… Honestly that is the first thing I thought of when I saw Thrown For A Loop by Sabrina Bowen.

This second chance hockey romance with forced proximity, work place romance vibes, and a touch of spice is sprinkled with my favorite things from The Cutting Edge and honestly great music references.

Nine and half years ago Chase Merritt and Zoe Carson meet at a summer figure skating camp where they make an intense first love connection. The summer is filled with joy and love until one mistake ends it all and the two are ripped apart. That is until Zoe lands herself a job with the New York Legends as their skating coach and Chase Merritt just happens to be one of the star players.

I really enjoyed everything about Zoe and Chase’s romance. The flashbacks really helped define and build their relationship and give context to the hurt both Chase and Zoe were carrying. I loved how even though they both carried so much pain from their past neither stopped caring about the other. The side characters are great as well and I loved how empowering Darcy and Zoe’s friendship became.

All in all, Thrown For a Loop was a book that I didn’t want to put down. I was instantly drawn in and not ready for the story to be over. With great banter, characters, heart, and a small amount of spice I found this to be a wonderful weekend read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute and fun read that pulled me out of a slump! It's light and sweet, and I loved the main characters. The timeline changes were a little jarring though.

Thank you so much to Forever for the ARC!

I was so excited to get this ARC because I love Elle’s and Sarina’s books they have written together. I knew this was going to be just as good and it delivered! I couldn’t put it down and read it in about 1 day! Second chance is one of my favorite tropes so of course I loved the book based on the trope. Additionally, I loved the characters and the overall plot. I’ve already recommended to friends to read. This was the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump. I don’t have any complaints and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC and the chance to read this early.

first off i wanna say that i love sarina so much!! him by her & elle kennedy was my intro to romance and i’ve barely read any other genre since. she holds the most special place in my heart <3

i really did like this!! the pov switch/dual timeline of it all worked really well to me! i’m not sure if i’ve read other books that switched up like that but i enjoyed it!! i also liked zoe & chase a lot! their past was meaningful & impactful on their lives and i’m happy they found their way back to each other <33

also i’m not always the biggest slow burn girlie and the burn in this was slowwwww but it was also satisfying which i loved!

Sarina Bowen and Hockey romance...... sign me up! Thrown for a Loop is the start of a new hockey series by Bowen, and it did not disappoint! Zoe and Chase's second chance romance is so much fun to read. Fans of Elle Kennedy would enjoy. I can't wait for book two of New York Legends Hockey!

Overall Thrown for a Loop was a really cute, enjoyable hockey romance. I loved Chase and Zoe’s story and relationship and enjoyed the side characters as well. I liked the dual timeline but didn’t love how it switched from 1st to 3rd POV. I also thought the secret bully storyline was a bit unnecessary (trying to scare Zoe off from a job she didn’t even securely have yet).

Did I enjoy this book? Yes Will I continue with this series? Is the Pamchenko a showstopper? Definitely

Thrown for a Loop is the first book in a new hockey series by Sarina Bowen, existing in-world beside her Brooklyn Bruisers series. The story centers on former figure skater-turned-hockey coach Zoe and New York Legend hockey player Chase. Alternating between their teenage meet-cute to present day reunion as player and coach, our couple experiences some heartbreak, misunderstandings, sexual tension, overdue communication and a HEA.

I am already a fan of Sarina Bowen’s hockey romance novels, and Thrown for a Loop gave me exactly what I would expect from this author in the best way. Adult Zoe is bravely starting a new career in a new city despite knowing she would have to work with her first love and heartbreak. Adult Chase is facing a career slump and is angry with the world, including Zoe. Both relearn how to work together professionally and slowly give in to their fun and sexy chemistry that they have always shared. I enjoyed our main couple’s interactions, the set-up of the new series, and the direction hinted at for the next book.

The split here between past and present is fairly equal and I did find myself wanting more in the present day in order to spend more time with our grown up Zoe and Chase navigating their forced proximity and new relationship dynamic. But overall, this story was a solidly fun and diverting hockey romance read.

Other long-time fans should enjoy this new spin off, while new readers have a good fresh starting point for jumping into the Sarina Bowen universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sarina Bowen’s Thrown for a Loop is a charming second-chance hockey romance that brings heart, humor, and depth. Zoe and Chase are reunited in a professional setting years after first meeting as teens. The story moves smoothly between the present and flashbacks from ten years ago, offering meaningful insight into how their relationship evolved.

The dual timeline is easy to follow and shows how the relationship between the characters evolved. Zoe’s personal journey with growing confidence and ability to stand up for herself is especially satisfying to witness. The supporting characters enrich the story.

With just the right balance of humor and romance, this book is both engaging and heartfelt.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thrown for a loop is a sweet second chance hockey romance you’ll find yourself enjoying.

Zoe, a former figure skater and Chase, a hockey player end up working together on Chase’s hockey team despite their teenage heartbreak. Their conflict has a fairly big impact on Zoe’s confidence and performance at work as she works to secure a contract. But the more they’re around each other the harder it is to not rehash the past. The relationship has chemistry though at times his tendency to bolt when upset and the argument reached its peak wasn’t great.

The one big issue I took with this story was when it came to the flashback chapters. Although it gave good insight into who they were and ultimately their breakup was the POV switching. The present day chapters were all from Zoe’s first person perspective. However, when you switched to the flashback they suddenly became third person between the two characters and that was a bit jarring and difficult to get through.

Overall a good story you might enjoy as a fan of this author, palette cleanser or if you simply wanted a quick read.