unfortunately i have to stop reading this book at 37%..

when i first started reading again, sarina bowen was a go to author for me. her hockey romances were so good, when i saw this one announced i needed to read it. sadly there were just so many cringey moments in the dialogue that i was snuggling to push through the story. the book is told in two timelines and the second timeline has out main male character unironically using the word "dudes" ... no thanks

I gave myself two days and i felt no want to pick this book up and finish it. if it comes out and people looooooove the second half maybe i'll pick it up but this wasn't for me. its sad though because rookie move, another second chance hockey romance by this author, is so, so good..

I LOVE Sabrina Bowen and Thrown for a Loop is no exception! Such a fun and spicy good time! Highly recommend for all my new-adult romance lovers out there!

I have always read and ❤️ Sarina Bowens books. This an enemy to lovers sports hockey to former ice skater ala cutting edge style. The story was good but it didn’t hold my attention like her other stories. The FMC is Zoe a former ice skater who get a job helping the hockey team with their skating skills. Chase is the MMC that has a past with Zoe and is. Bitter towards her. The story flows well . Maybe because I don’t normally like enemies to lovers trope but a least they find their way back to one another.

This is the first book of Sarina’s that I’ve read and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed this read so much. Zoe and Chase met at a skating camp and end up reconnecting years later when Zoe gets a job as a skating coach for Chase’s hockey team. I enjoyed that there were flashbacks included and that they fit into the present day storyline seamlessly. It was so great getting to read about when these characters first met and fell in love. Zoe faces some struggles with getting respect from some of the hockey players but it was interesting to read about her determination and how beneficial she was to the team. She learned to stick up for herself and understood the respect she deserved not only from the team but from her own mother. Chase had his own troubles to work through as well but when they synced up again like they were all those years back, it was manic. It was clear he never stopped caring for Zoe and vice versa. So, if you love a good heartfelt, second chance romance with some hockey mixed in then I would definitely recommend this one!

This was my first book by this author, and unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I love hockey romance, and I overall enjoyed the characters, plot, and tropes, but the constant shift between present and past threw me off. It was hard to stay in the timeline given the constant shifts. Given that I've read a fair amount of hockey romance at this point, this didn't bring a lot new to the table for me, but I would definitely consider other books by this author. I was provided this book as a free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4⭐️
A new hockey series from Sarina Bowen? I jumped on this SO fast. I loved her Brooklyn/Brooklyn Bruisers series and I'm really hoping we get to see some of the Legend's guys get their turn in the spotlight!

Zoe Carson, former Olympic ice dancer, is starting her new job as a skating coach for the New York Legends hockey team. The only problem? Her ex Chase Merritt, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in ten years, plays for said team. The two of them worked at a figure skating camp when they were teenagers, and fell fast and hard for each other. We get a series of flashback chapters of their time at the camp, interspersed with the current timeline.

I don't think the flashback chapters worked that well? We had short chapters in the beginning with frequent flashbacks- so it felt like every time the current timeline was actually getting somewhere plot-wise, you were thrown back to the camp. It was just kind of jarring. I think it also delayed getting to know Zoe and Chase in the now- they barely even spend time together as adults in the first half of the book.

When I first read the synopsis I won't lie, I thought the plot sounded too cheesy for me. But it actually worked and made sense in this world. Chase has had some bad PR lately and when an old video of him and Zoe ice skating at camp resurfaces and goes viral, the Legends team jumps on the opportunity. They ask Zoe and Chase to recreate the routine at an upcoming charity event, and Zoe agrees because she's desperate to make a good impression and get a full-time job. I thought it added some fun to the hockey-filled world, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with for Darcy and Tremaine!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book! It's a second chance romance with a hockey player and a former ice skater, as they meet up again when Zoe becomes a coach for Chase's team.

The highlight was absolutely the lead characters and their chemistry. In present day, there's yearning and tension between the two, and slowly, more of the past is revealed from when they first met and fell in love, and what initially forced them apart. The present parallels the past as the two must perform a skating routine together, which allows them to grow closer and trust each other again. However, I wasn't a fan of was how the past chapters were told in a third-person perspective, while present chapters were Zoe's first-person perspective; it kinda threw me off. There's also a subplot (no spoilers) that I really enjoyed, but the reveal was a bit of a letdown in my opinion.

Thank you Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, I can't wait to read book 2!

Thrown for a Loop was a fun quick read!

The flashbacks took me out of it a little bit. I understood why they were there, but at the same time they felt irrelevant?

I guess I also like a little more angst to my romances. I feel like they got together after all their animosity and they just were like "ok cool, we're together". Not sure how else to describe it.

Overall fun and entertaining and a good palate cleanser!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC!

4 ⭐️

<b>Thrown for a Loop</b> by Sarina Bowen is a second chance hockey romance with mild <i>The Cutting Edge</i> vibes, forced proximity, great side characters and just a touch of spice. As a hockey fan, this hit the spot and was the perfect palate cleanser between some heavier reads.

Ten years ago, teenage hockey player Chase and figure skater Zoe met at a skating camp and had a brief but intense connection until a mistake by Zoe cost Chase his summer job and more, leaving things on a sour note. Now, Zoe is an Olympic silver medalist turned skating coach for the New York Legends, the same team where Chase is a star player struggling through a tough season. Their unexpected reunion is awkward, to say the least. When an old video of their skating routine resurfaces and goes viral, team management sees a PR opportunity and forces them to perform the routine again, this time for charity.

The story is told in dual timelines—present day and ten years ago. In the first half of the book, flashback chapters alternate with the present, which made it a little harder for me to stay focused on what was happening in the present. However, in the second half, the flashbacks are spaced out more, which made it easier for me to stay connected to the present-day story.

Both Zoe and Chase were likable MCs, and I really liked that you could see how they matured in that decade spent apart. The reason for their ten year gap felt plausible, and only there was only one tiny miscommunication that got resolved quickly, so huge kudos for handling those aspects well. This was my first Sarina Bowen novel but most definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to Darcy and Tremaine’s story which will be the next in this new series.

Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second chance, hockey x figure skating romance. Zoe is a former figure skating champion who is hired as the skating coach for the New York hockey team. Chase is one of the stars of the team, but currently struggling with his game and reputation. They met 9.5 years ago as camp counselors and have not been in contact since. Overall, I really loved this read and would highly recommend it! It is written in a dual timeline format. The current day is written from Zoe's perspective, but the past is written in 3rd person. Honestly, this style was a little distracting for me and I would have preferred a consistent POV. Otherwise, I loved the story, characters, and progression of the novel.

Thank you Netgalley, Forever Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for a digital ARC of Throw for a Loop.

I liked parts and the premise and writing is fine. But I didn't like the switching of the tenses for the flashback scenes. Pulled me from the story.

I loved this story from start to finish. The writing, the characters, the storyline, the crossover from figure skating to hockey to figure skating. Such a fun read. Of course there’s a little emotional drama in and amongst, all making for a truly enjoyable and addictive read. The story crosses over from the past (10 years ago when Chase and Zoe first meet, and spend a few blissful weeks together) to the present, when they find themselves skating at the same rink again and not speaking to each other because of past misunderstandings. It doesn’t take too long though before they’re back to being friends (and more), and now they have to navigate more complications (some of which carry over from 10 years previously), work, friends, and family. Can they get a second chance at love? I sure hope so, they definitely deserve it. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for this eARC of Thrown for a Loop! I always appreciate the opportunity to read and review ahead of release day.

I was sold on Thrown for a Loop the minute I knew the FMC was also an athlete - my favorite sports romances happen to be athlete x athlete, there's just nothing like it.

I went into this expecting a lighter romcom about coaching antics, but we actually get a dual timeline that gives us a lot more depth and backstory than I was anticipating. While I did appreciate this, I fear I had to stop myself from speeding through the flashback chapters as the story went on - after a while it felt a bit repetitive, and didn't do much to increase my investment in the present events. That said, I did really appreciate that there was a level of severity/intensity to their breakup in the past that actually warranted the awkwardness and anger we see in the present! I just wish we had seen some of those pages used to deepen their bond in the present as well (especially because in some ways it felt like they moved past their awkwardness too fast).

Something that I really enjoyed and did not expect was the minor mystery subplot around some harassment Zoe was facing - it felt like an added layer of stakes that all the characters were invested in, including the GM. I also loved the rest of the team members - I actually wish we could have seen more of Coach Zoe working with the team and with Chase on the ice. Darcy was also so much fun, and I can't wait for her book in 2026!

Overall I rated Thrown for a Loop 3.5/5 stars, rounded down to 3 for Netgalley / Goodreads. This was a good quick read that I think any sports romance lover will enjoy, and it was a great foundational book for a series that I look forward to continuing!

A very cute second chance hockey romance! The first half of the book is a little slow, but the story really picked up in the second half and is perfect for fans of the Cutting Edge.

Thrown for a Loop is another swoon-worthy win from Sarina Bowen. With her signature blend of sharp dialogue, relatable characters, and slow-burn tension, this romance hits all the right notes. The second-chance trope is handled with emotional maturity, and the banter between Zoe and Chase adds levity without ever feeling forced. I also thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Zoe and other members of the Legends.

What makes this story stand out is its emotional depth—both main characters carry scars from their past, and Bowen does an excellent job of peeling back their layers with care and authenticity. The chemistry? Off the charts. But it’s the vulnerability and trust they build that really makes this story sing.

I docked one star only because I'm not a fan of only one POV from the main characters. Yes, we got Chase's POV in the past scenes, but I wanted to hear his thoughts in the present day as well. Still, it’s a heartfelt and steamy read that fans of contemporary romance will devour.

Another solid hit from Bowen and a fun start to a new series!

Second chance at love? How could you not binge read it. And I did, i binged this and was not sorry. The characters are likeable, the banter was funny and witty and at times had me laughing out loud. And the side characters? I cant wait for them to have stories of their own.

Our main characters both have pasts that affect their present but they dont let it cause some much damage they need the entire story to redeem themselves or get smart. And they know what communication is even if they sometimes forget. But you want them to have a HEA. For athletes they are down to earth, every day people and thats part of what makes them click. And their chemistry is not forced or rushed.

The story moves quick and keeps you engaged. I was not a fan of the back and forth between past and present but it was needed for the story.

I did recieve this as an ARc and am giving my review freely. Cause I really enjoyed this book.

This is a really cute second chance romance. I really loved Zoe. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope but considering they were college kids I let it slide. I appreciate that there was enough detail regarding the figure skating to make it clear that the author knew what she was talking about but not enough that it was overwhelming. I liked the format with the flashbacks to the first time they were together but it drove me insane that the flashbacks were told in third person POV while the present day was first person POV. I'm intrigued by Darcy and Tremaine and will definitely read their story next.

Sarina Bowen, does second chance hockey romance like no one else!

The teenage love story between Zoe and Chase is super cute and makes you wonder how it could have ended so badly since they were so in love. But as the story progresses you learn how it all went down.

Adult Zoe and Chase, have to learn to trust each other after the fall out. While both are still pretty hurt they are good at communicating what they are feeling.

I really liked Zoe she was very relatable, and I was rooting for her the whole time, and both teenage Chase and adult Chase were very swoon worthy. He was quite literally obsessed with his girl.

I will always recommend Sarina Bowen hockey romances and this is not the exception, second chance, forced proximity and a lot of summer vibes.


Thank you to Forever for this ARC this review is entirely my own.

I LOVE hockey romance, and Thrown for a Loop absolutely delivered everything I was craving! From the moment I met Zoe and Chase, I was hooked. This book was the perfect second-chance romance — full of heart, tension, and all the feels.

Chase is your classic broody, grumpy professional hockey player, and Zoe is the quiet, shy former ice princess. Their dynamic was electric, and I adored how their connection endured through years of separation. It was so believable that no matter how long they’d been apart, nobody could compare to what they had shared. That unresolved pull between them really got me emotionally invested.

Watching Chase slowly soften from his grumpy, guarded self and Zoe grow more confident in her own skin was such a satisfying journey. Their relationship felt genuine — no forced drama, just two people healing and learning to trust each other again. And the little subplot with Aiden added an unexpected twist that made the story even richer.

The book beautifully weaves present-day scenes with flashbacks to their teenage years at skating camp, and I appreciated how those glimpses helped explain their baggage and growth. As someone who loves figure skating and hockey, the sports details really stood out to me and made the story feel authentic.

Zoe’s determination to prove herself as the new skating coach for Chase’s NHL team added an extra layer of personal growth and stakes. There’s a great balance between the romance, the characters’ personal struggles, and the camaraderie of the hockey team and staff.

While some reviews mentioned that the romance felt more like a rekindled friendship at times, I felt the slow burn and gradual healing was what made it so real. Plus, the strong supporting characters and team dynamics added depth and made me excited to dive into the next book in the series.

If you love a heartfelt, well-paced second chance romance with smart characters and a sporty backdrop, Thrown for a Loop should be on your TBR. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and Sarina Bowen for the ARC!

I cannot describe how much I truly enjoyed this book! I LOVE Zoe and Chase. This was the perfect second chance love story. We have Chase; the broody, grumpy professional hockey player, and Zoe; the quiet, shy former ice princess. The connection they had throughout the book was amazing, and I loved how no matter how long they'd been apart, nobody was able to compare to the relationship they had together. The fact that neither of them could move past what they had together really got me. I loved how Chase slowly got less grumpy as the book went on, and Zoe gained more confidence in herself and her abilities. This book was just absolutely the cutest!
And then throw in that little stunt with Aiden and youve got the perfect book.