Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Official Release Date November 2025

As a huge fan of Sarina Bowen I have been counting down for this release and the start of a new hockey series.

A second chance romance between a former figure skater and a hockey player? Sign me up. This book is told in duel timelines between Zoe and Chase as teens and them at present time as we see it unfold what broke them apart in the past to leave them in the estranged state they are in now.

Overall the story was really cute and I was definitely sucked right into it. I already like the side characters that I'm sure we will see in future books. I do wish that the present timeline had duel POV and we got to see parts from Chase's perspective since in the past parts we did. But that is more of a personal preference than anything else. Overall this is definitely worth the read and a great start to the New York Legends series.

Could not put this book down! Zoe and Chase have a history with gaps that are filled in throughout the book. The book is well written with just the amount of cliffhangers with each chapter of flashbacks and current time. I appreciated the integrity of both main characters— no cheating throughout the book. I’m not a fan of hockey romance, but this was done well with not too much jargon. Zoe is a strong female in a man’s world and I couldn’t get enough of her setting the players straight! Fantastic read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen is a second-chance sports romance that blends heart, a little heat, and a good storyline. The story follows Zoe, a former competitive ice skater, and Chase, a pro hockey player, as their paths cross again after nine years apart. Told in alternating timelines, the book slowly reveals the reasons behind their sudden breakup and the unresolved feelings that still linger. Now working as a skating coach for Chase’s team, Zoe must navigate the tension (and chemistry) that still exists between them. I really enjoyed this one. The slow-build romance had just the right amount of spice and emotional payoff. A great read for fans of rekindled love and sports settings.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc for this story.

#thrownforaloop #netgalley

oh my lord did i love this book, i literally couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. chase and zoe were so freaking cute and i loved that it flashed back to when they first met throughout the story. it was such an great story and i loved how it played out. the ending was so freaking adorable and i cannot wait for book two, super grateful for the opportunity to read this book early! highly recommend reading this book, you will not regret it!

Sarina Bowen’s hockey romances have always been hit or miss with me, and I can say that this one was yet another miss.

It wasn’t all bad, though. I enjoyed the characters and the concept, but everything else pretty much fell flat for me.

I appreciate the shift between past and present in the narrative. However, it felt like just as I was getting into one of the timelines, the chapter was over, and it switched to the other. I would have enjoyed a little bit more of each timeline at once, but I understand why it was written in the way that it was. It is also worth noting that at around the 50% mark, the timeline shifts do get a bit longer than switching from chapter to chapter.

Other than that, this is pretty much your average hockey romance with the added twist that she’s one of his coaches.

4.5 stars

Tropes: Beta-heroes, ice-hockey, figure skater, second chance, humor

Now this is how to write a romance novel with a strong, independent female protagonist. Zoe is strong, run down, sick of her helicopter mom and ready for a change. Even if it means coming to terms with her first love, Chase.

I really liked their story, which started when they were eighteen and nineteen. Chase is now a renowned ice hockey player and Zoe was a silver medalist. FULL DISCLOSURE: I hate books with dual story lines. THEREFORE, I ABSOLUTELY SKIPPED their history chapters!!! I literally just didn't read them. I feel like the story in the present should be indicative enough of what happened in the past and to be honest, I feel like I got the gist of it. MFC's mom was a bitch and she didn't want her daughter getting distracted from getting her medal.

The female friendships were strong in this one. And I loved the camaraderie that the men's team had with each other.

When the story begins, we see Zoe Carson a former figure skater try to start over as nhl skating coach. At her new gig, she's forced to work with an ex whom she's hasnt' seen in almost a decade. Zoe is tasked with helping her ex Chase improve his skills. The story goes back in forth from present day to nine years when Chase and zoe first meet. I was not a fan of the back in forth from present to past. I think it could have just been a few chapters from the past to give the reader an understanding of the past history of the characters. I enjoyed the characters and hope that will be more from this series in the future.

I think this book is a fun ride, but definitely a potato chip book. I feel like the love story was forced sometimes with their relationship advancing extra slowly in some spots and way too fast in others. I also feel like we didn’t see a lot of emotional vulnerability or growth from either character with them kind of being the same person at the end of the book that they were at the beginning for the most part. I did love the side characters and the drama that went on outside of the romance.I normally love all of Sarina Bowen‘s hockey romance books and this one just fell a little flat for me.

So so good! What a wild ride! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. I love a good love story where the young couple is torn apart and reunite later to find love again and throw in a hockey theme and you can count me in. I was so excited to jump into this novel. It checked so many boxes for me. From the first chapter this novel pulled me in and held on tight until the very last page. My heart hurt when the young lovers were torn apart when they were teenagers. I loved Zoe and Chase. I loved watching them reconnect ten years later. I loved watching the walls and defenses lowering and recognizing what happened between them years ago that tore them apart. I loved watching them open their hearts and fall in love. Once I started reading this novel I didn't want to put it down. Even if it meant staying up most of the night to finish. So worth losing sleep over. Loved it! I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. So so good!

⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

3.75 stars

** minor spoilers **

Hockey play x figure skater

Overall this was a cute, easy read hockey/figure skating romance. I love books with a dual timeline but preferred the flashback chapters to the present day chapters.

I really enjoyed the dual perspectives and thought it was cool at first that present day chapters were written from Zoe’s perspective and flashback chapters were in Chase’s perspective. Randomly it just seemed to then mostly only be in Zoe’s perspective and we lost all from Chase’s.

I really liked the concept for the book but there seemed to be a few too many things going on, that could have been kept out or needed to be explored more. Zoe’s ex-husband seemed like a useless character/plot and Chase’s abusive dad and upbringing just seemed like an afterthought.

I liked the foreshadowing for Darcy and Tremaine’s book throughout and look forward to reading their book next year.

A solid second-chance romance featuring a pro hockey player and a former figure skater. Zoe joins the Legends hockey team as a skating coach and ends up face-to-face with Chase, a star player—and former love.

The story alternates between past and present, which adds depth to their connection but can feel a little confusing at times. There’s also a light suspense element, as Zoe starts receiving unsettling messages from someone trying to push her off the team.

Their chemistry reignites as they agree to skate together for a charity benefit, and we get to watch their romance unfold both on and off the ice. A nice blend of sports, second chances, and just enough drama to keep it interesting.

I hope there is a second book planned to follow up with Darcy and Tremaine.

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed "Thrown for a Loop" by Sarina Bowen for the most part. It is a second-chance hockey romance with a lot of trauma and emotional baggage between the two main characters. The story of Zoe and Chase is told in a dual timeline that flips back and forth between the present day and the events of about 10 years ago. Chase is a hockey player and MVP for the New York Legends. He has lost his mojo on the ice. Zoe has just been hired as the team's new coach and has made it her mission to help the men on the team enhance their game any way she can. She has the skills to back it up, being a former champion figure skater. Chase and Zoe have a history, leading to a lot of tension between the two of them. 10 years ago, they were both skating camp counselors who slowly fell in love with each other, despite the protestations of Zoe's overbearing family/mother. Zoe's every movement, caloric intake, and day down to the hour were tracked and scheduled with precision because she had an image and figure to maintain as a skater. When their relationship crashed and burned for *~reasons,*~ the two of them don't speak to each other for almost a decade, until Zoe becomes Chase's coach. I liked the dual timeline that tells Chase and Zoe's history. I do feel like this book is way, way too slow to unfold. Though there is a lot of detail put into their story, nothing really happens between the two of them until about 75% into the book. It took way too long to get to the crux of their feelings unfolding/relationship in the present day. Despite their very intense, very earth-shattering relationship 10 years ago, I didn't feel the depth between the two of them in the present day. There is a little bit of a mystery because Zoe is being given horrible notes from an anonymous person where she is called names and told to leave the team. The mystery is not that difficult to figure out, but that's besides the point. I did like the back and forth banter between the characters once it becomes clear they have to relive their glory days for charity and they are forced to spend more time with each other than is strictly necessary. All in all, I liked this book, though it is not my all-time favorite hockey romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarina Bowen, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I read the WAGs series from sarina bowen & elle kennedy earlier this year and I've learned that I prefer sarina bowen as a stand-alone author. her writing in thrown for a loop feels so much more developed and her characters more interesting. I do think that the time jump every other chapter is an easy way out that most romance books succumb to, but I did mostly tolerate the structure in this book. I've always believed that the biggest hurdle in hockey romances is creating personalities for an entire team. there are so many people to keep track of, in addition to other outside characters, that I don't feel that some of the relationships or plot lines were as fleshed out & some of the major conflict was settled up in a quick few pages with not so much as an afterthought. this was a fun quick read and I think will be perfect for hockey season (although I did really enjoy it in the middle of summer).

thank you to netgalley & forever (grand central publishing) for the arc. I look forward to the next book in the series thanks to the foreshadowing of two of the other characters.

Sarina Bowen nails hockey romance once again! The second-chance romance with forced proximity set centre ice for a story I knew I'd fall in love with. The dual timelines (Zoe’s first-person POV in the present and third-person POV for Chase in the past) were a unique touch, and the miscommunication felt believable given their youth. The friendships, team dynamics, and realistic portrayals of hockey and figure skating were fantastic. Zoe’s handling of harassment in a male-dominated field was empowering. Overall, swoony, charming, and addictive—I can’t wait for the next book!

Was I thrown for a loop? yes! and it was SO worth it! duel timelines is my favorite timeline and it was done super well!

I really enjoyed this book and seeing the flashbacks from when the mc’s first met was a nice addition. This is a second chance romance between Chase and Zoe who reunite after she gets hired to work for his hockey team. Chase at first is a very grumpy hockey player but we see in the flashbacks he’s very outgoing and a great guy. I liked Zoe’s development as a person. She was able to stick up to her mom and her ex husband and go after what she wanted. Chase also grows out of the grumpiness and goes back to a fun, outgoing person. The only thing I wish was different is the present interactions between Chase and Zoe. It feels like most of their relationship shown is through flashbacks and it would be nice to have seen them interacting more. It felt like it all the development in their relationship occurred quickly towards the second half of the book. Overall, it was a great read. Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book, I really appreciate it.

I loved this second chance couple and am looking forward to the next book in the series. A new hockey team (how can I choose between them and the Bruisers?) with lots of great characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing at Grand Central Publishing for an advanced review copy of Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen. What happen a decade ago between Chase and Zoe and how can they move past it to do there jobs. Present day mixed with scenes from the past help tell the story. A great second chance hockey romance with a dose of figure skating to obsess over. Overall a sweet, charming, and full of heart.

🏒❤️ Book Review: Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen 🏒❤️

Thrown for a Loop is a swoony second-chance romance with big feels and icy tension. Chase Merritt is hockey royalty. Zoe Carson? His old flame… and now the team’s skating coach. When a forgotten video of their teen skating routine goes viral, they’re thrown back into each other’s orbit—with unresolved history and serious chemistry.

💫 What to expect:
💔 Emotional baggage
🏒 On-ice tension + off-ice sparks
🔁 Dual timelines (yes, the past hurts)
🫶 Redemption + real growth
🔥 Banter + unresolved tension

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sarina Bowen brings the heat, the heart, and all the skating drama. If you love sports romance with depth and slow-burn payoff, Thrown for a Loop delivers.

#RomanceReaders #HockeyRomance #Bookstagram #SarinaBowen #SportsRomance #BookReview #SecondChanceRomance #ThrownForALoop

Love a good hockey romance and Thrown for a Loop absolutely delivered!

Dual timeline, hockey player in figure skates, and a 10 year misunderstanding. This was a quick read, but a good read. Zoe’s development as a character and a person was written well, and seeing her go from shy to confident in herself and her relationships was great. Chase was just a little grumpy at the start, but there wasn’t really any development personality wise. Once the misunderstanding was solved, he went right back to his goofy 19 year old self.

The romance was good but it wasn’t life changing, and sometimes I felt like the characters were teenagers and not late 20s/early 30s.