I…I was so excited to get this book, and while I love an age gap and taboo dad’s best friend etc…. I just could not get past that their relationship started when she was 10 years old. Yes, it was not their ROMANTIC relationship back then but knowing each other for that long from that age and having him as a father/older brother figure from the beginning just never let me shake the ick.

Idk I really just couldn’t shake the ick the entire time. I appreciated the mental health rep, I appreciated the humor and I love hockey, but their spicy scenes just made the ick even stronger because of the first few chapters.

Loved the narrators!

Thank you Netgalley, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

This is my first Monty Jay book. I received the audio from Netgalley for my honest review. This is an age gap about two Hockey lovers that are destined to end up together. They both had issues that they had to overcome and can say that I didnt expect the ending. Will definitely be reading more books by Monty Jay.

Love & Hockey is an angsty, age-gap sports romance that explores the complex relationship between NHL star Bishop Maverick and young hockey prodigy Valor. The dual narration by Benjamin Sands and Amy Hall effectively brings the characters to life, capturing the emotional depth and tension of their evolving connection. While the story delves into themes of forbidden love and personal growth, some listeners may find the pacing uneven, with certain plot developments feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The audiobook's production quality is commendable, with clear audio and engaging performances that enhance the listening experience. Overall, Love & Hockey offers a passionate and dramatic tale for fans of sports romance, though individual preferences may vary.

I DNF'd this audiobook about an hour in. I really don't like to DNF books, but this one needed trigger warnings in the description. While it may get better, I couldn't move forward with a story that centred on what felt like a textbook case of grooming.

I adored this! It was very cute and fun. The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

The audiobook was *chefs kiss*. I am a sucker for a good forbidden romance and this checked all the boxes. This book made me feel all the emotions and made me care deeply for these characters. Between Bishop and Valor, I am in love.

My favorite quote was "You're going to be what destroys me, Vallie. But I think I'm going to let you do it anyway."

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Format: Audiobook - Narration by Benjamin Sands and Amy Hall
Series / Standalone: Fury, Book 1
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), Forbidden, Second Chance, Female Athlete

Thanks to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley and the author for this ALC - all opinions are my own

Bishop and Valor

While the premise of this book will not be for everyone, I enjoyed the dynamic of Bishop and Valor’s fluid relationship. His eventual dedication to her was swoon-worthy. My favorite part was how they were both hockey stars. The pacing was so well done with the time jumps and we get a decent amount of time at each level.

The narrators did an amazing job with their characters. I was particularly impressed with Amy Hall and how she moderates the different ages of Valors character.

The book started out rather confusing with back and forth between a teen hockey player and a grown hockey player.
Was only able to get through about 7 chapters before the sex scenes became too much. I remainder part of what I heard was ok. Many family and friend lessons to learn.

Wow, okay... that was a lot. This book felt like one big trauma dump.

There was a lot I liked about this book, but there were equal amounts of things that gave me the complete ick. Namely, the fact the FMC was underage for the first half of the book including the first steamy make out scene that leads to him instructing/watching her get herself off. Big yikes.

Outside of that, there was lots of entertaining moments and heart shattering trauma, character growth and a badass female hockey player whose trucker mouth matches my own.

The writing was great. The narrators delivered an engaging performance, capturing the vast array of emotions explored in this story. So overall, not bad but I can see this book being polarizing for some.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the ALC.

Spice: 4

There was a lot to unpack in this book. I really did enjoy the narration by Benjamin Sands and Amy Hall. They each did a fantastic job with the characters in this book. This is a dramatic Hockey romance book. There is a definite age gap and I had a hard time that the book starts with Vallie and Bishop meeting when the Vallie is only 10 and Bishop is 18. However, nothing romantic even seems to be a thought until she is closer to 18. There is a lot of yearning and trauma in the history of both the FMC and MMC. I would definitely read the trigger warnings on this one.

I think the narrators did an incredible job. They enhance the story and captured the feelings of the characters really well. They were not monotonous. There was no breathing into the mic, mouth noises or long pauses. Overall, I highly recommend the audiobook. I think it adds a little something extra to the story. As for the story, it took me a little to get into it, but it was really good. I cannot wait to keep reading the series.

First thoughts: thank god Bishop pulled his head out of his ass!

This whole book of fate was amazing. These gave me all the soulmates vibes and heartache that I needed! This felt like the Love and Basketball movie from the 90s but better! I love that Valor stood up for herself and her heart forcing Bishop to realize he messed up and letting it haunt him for years! I could have had a smidge more on page groveling but I still loved it nonetheless.

The narrators did an outstanding job with this audio! I really enjoy Amy’s audios and this was no exception. Benjamin is new to me but I really enjoyed his narration style!

🎧 Audiobook review
🎙️ Benjamin Sands & Amy Hall

DNF at 13%

I’ve heard so many amazing things about this author and I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

1.5 hours into the book and I’m already tired of hearing how the FMC is not like the other girls and how other girls are shallow but she doesn’t care about makeup etc. Also the strong bond between a 10 year old and 18 year old felt a bit weird.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

For a debut into the sports romance, this is was absolutely stunning.

I knew I would get along with Monty’s writing style and pace because of my love for the angst and the forbiddenness of these 2 characters situation.

Not only the spicy top tier but the plot was captivating and every moment of sadness was needed for the romance to really flourish.

Bishop (our MMC) is the latest rising star in the hockey world and Valor (our FMC) is the daughter of one of Bishops team mates. From the outside Bishop appears like the fun time good guy but internally he struggles with self worth and past trauma.

These two connected years before but Bishop left and has never stopped thinking about her so once they find each other again he is determined to not let her go again.

There story is one of two broken people reforming their lives individually and together to create a love that requires raw honesty and venerability.

Can’t not wait for the rest of the series 💋

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️

~Love And Hockey~Fury Book 1~Monty Jay~

~Dual Narration~Benjamin Sanders & Amy Hall~

~Production~Dreamscape Media~

~This was my first read by Monty Jay & I want to continue the series as I'm intrigued over the next couple but this book was just not for me. I wanted to DNF all the way up to the 30% mark but chose to stick with it & I'm glad I did stick with it as it did get better.

I love forbidden age gaps but in my opinion, the way this age gap was written just made me uncomfortable & I don't feel like the triggers for the book actually matched what was in the book. I loved the growth of the FMC but could not connect with the MMC because of the fast way the relationship was introduced and the comments on the age gap. She was 10 & he was 18 when they met & he was like a second dad to her. Jokes about the fmc in diapers & the continuous comments about her tasting like the lemon candies she ate since she was 10 just felt like he was grooming her & I couldn't get past that no matter how hard I tried.

The dual narration for this audiobook was great! Benjamin & Amy both did phenomenal with their performances! Amy had me sobbing right along with out fmc for that plot twist!~

~Thank you Monty, Netgalley, & Dreamscape Media for this Alc~

~As Always Happy Reading~

Monty Jay has become one of my highly anticipated authors in anytime she puts a book out or an audiobook. I’m going to pick it up and read it and devour it and read it again and I think everyone should do it too.

Thanks to the author, their (audio) publisher, & NetGalley for an electronic audio copy of this book.

I have enjoyed some of MJ’s other books, so when I saw a hockey romance, I requested it!

Think of Love & Hockey like a frostbitten rollercoaster of love, healing, and tension sprinkled with messy hearts and raw feels. You start with a mentor-kid vibe that evolves—when she’s legal—into a full-blown, forbidden-yet-fated romance. If you’re into emotional sports romance with unfiltered feelings and complicated dynamics, this one’s a-ok!

Monty Jay captured my heart with The Hollow Boys series so I knew I wanted to read more of their work. Age gap is one of my favorite tropes and I’m in my hockey romance era! Valor is a spitfire and reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. Bishop is so kind and loyal to Valor, but wrestles with his feelings. I loved that both of them were amazing, confident hockey players because that is something they each did for themselves and nobody else. This book is so angsty and I always feel like I’m on an emotional rollercoaster with that much angst. While I was reading, I thought, “Damn you, Monty Jay!! Whyyyyy?” That’s how you know I’m enjoying an angsty book-I curse the author for making me feel all the feels. Both Valor and Bishop struggled with the repercussions of their family dynamics, creating doubts and insecurities that made my heart ache for them. Benjamin Sands and Amy Hall took the words and turned them into straight feelings with their voices. Their narration made the book next level for me. There was a reveal at the end that I honestly did not see coming either! While I curse the authors during the reading, I almost always want to bow down to them for their talent at the end. I’m looking forward to continuing with the rest of the books in the Fury series.

This was a good book and I love that it takes us through their lives together it's so sweet and I'm glad that they found each other. This book was cute sweet and spicy

So good! Loved this audio book! I ate it up thank you for the chance to listen to it. Love the people who read it and the story was so good!