This book started off great! It was silly and flirty and sexy and then wait a second?? What the heck? I was thrown off by a particular event in this book and I felt it was totally unnecessary to include. The event does not involve the main characters directly but it does effect them and while I guess I can somewhat see why the author added it, I was not a fan and feel like it could have been left out. I will say that overall I did really enjoy this book and I liked Ben and Mabel individually and as a couple. I liked how they were both accepting of each other 100% without judgement and they were both very supportive.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought that this one was just okay. It was your average romance. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I felt bad for the MMC with all the anxiety he had going on in his life and I liked how the FMC helped him through it. I thought the spice was a little bit cringey. Overall, 3 star read for me. Thank you so much to NetGalley for my ARC!

This book had so much potential.. it just fell flat for me. I felt like I was reading a bunch of sentences, not a cohesive story. I loved the concept and if I could look past the writing I’m sure I would have loved the book.

Personally this was not for me, but I’m sure it would be great for someone else.

Crossing the line is the first book I’ve read by author Kelly Jamieson. It is about a hockey player, Ben, who ends up falling for his teammate/best friend’s sister, Mabel. Ben is a shy introverted guy while Mabel is the quirky, fun loving librarian. They both have their own challenges they are going through when they run into each other.

Just a heads up, it gets a bit spicy. Also TW for child loss. Personally, I thought that part of the storyline was unnecessary.

Overall, this was an easy, quick read that will keep you entertained. Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book via NetGalley in the exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes you give something a try and hope that it will be different...only to find that little has changed. This is me and the brother's best friend trope. The way that this trope generally plays out in hockey (or sports) romances rarely deviates from a set form: hockey teammates, who purportedly care about and respect one another on and off the ice, are divided when the sister of one of the players begins dating or sleeping with their sibling's best friend. It usually involves a lot of "locker room talk," "bad boy/player," or "modern profligate rake" to emphasize the reasons why the brother's best friends is unsuitable for the female main character in question. These double standards and internalized patriarchy are tired, and also generally serve to infantilize the female main character and create unnecessary plot tension. All of these aspects were present in Crossing the Line by Kelly Jamieson, and sadly this book just did not work for me. As a hockey romance, it really didn't work for me. Too much junk food eating and beer drinking and quite frankly very little ice time.

The story centers Mabel Smits, a quirky, effervescent, and oddball librarian, who has recently left her relationship of several years (he was a narcissist and emotionally manipulative) and her steady job at the local, small town library. Now she is starting over in New York City - Hoboken, actually - trying to find a new job and temporarily living with her professional hockey playing brother, Marek Smits. Her brother also happens to be playing host to his best friend, Ben Antonov, so apartment space is limited and awkward runs ins are unavoidable. I liked how Ben and Mabel initially partnered to build Ben's extrovert skill set. That aspect of their relationship was very thoughtful, clearly communicating some of the challenges faced by introverts in an extroverted world.

There were some minor aspects that felt unnecessary: Taylor Swift and Bridgerton references, using the word "rizz," I'm not like other girls, and inventing the word "crappleberries."

Kelly Jamieson's new book, Crossing the Line, is the spicy love story of Mabel and Ben. Mabel breaks up with her boyfriend and finds herself living on her brother's couch and her brother's best friend, Ben, also happens to be staying with him. Introvert Ben needs help coming out of his shell and Mabel is just the woman to help him do it.

Forced proximity. Grumpy/ Sunshine

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another good best friend's sister book.

Mabel relocates to live with her brother, unaware that Ben, her teenage crush and her brother's best friend, is also residing there. She assists Ben in overcoming his shyness and becoming more sociable. As they spend more time together, they discover their mutual affection. Fresh from a breakup, Mabel hesitates to trust Ben, taking time to follow her instincts regarding him. Alongside a group of charming and humorous hockey friends, this story will leave you enamored with Ben and cheering for Mabel to embrace her best life.

"Crossing the Line" by Kelly Jamieson is a captivating romance novel that follows Ben, a hockey team captain struggling with public speaking, and Mabel, his best friend's sister who moves into their shared condo. Their complicated history and simmering attraction create a delightful tension as they navigate personal challenges and unexpected feelings.
As a frequent romance novel reader, I found this book impossible to put down. Jamieson's writing style is smooth and engaging, with characters that communicate authentically and develop beautifully. Ben's character arc is particularly compelling - his vulnerability and growth are wonderfully portrayed.
The supporting characters add depth to the story, and the dynamic between Ben and Mabel feels genuine and heartwarming. Their journey from awkward cohabitants to potential lovers is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.
A standout romance that perfectly balances humor, heart, and heat. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Crossing the Line is a angsty, opposites attract romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop and I loved how much Mabel and Ben grew as people by the end of the book!

Mabel is a very outgoing, energetic woman who is quirky in every way possible. Ben is a quiet, reserved man who only lets loose on the ice. These two find themselves leaning on the other when Ben needs Mabel to show him how to be more talkative and in turn Mabel discovers that she needs to take back control of her life after a horrible break up!

I love that there wasn’t over the top drama with this book. Both characters had so much to learn and it was done in a very relatable and understandable way! Mabel going through what she did is expected to be hesitant and I think Kelly did an amazing job highlighting her struggle. She also did so good with Ben’s character and him finding his voice. Absolutely enjoyed this read!

Crossing the Line is a cute, fast-paced hockey romance featuring a brother’s best friend/teammate’s sister trope. The characters are likeable: Mabel is quirky, outgoing, and empathetic, while Ben is reserved, observant, and caring. (Also, a hockey romance where the MMC wasn’t a noted playboy? Sign me up!) The romance is charming — and sometimes pretty steamy. Mabel and Ben are easy to root for as a couple, especially since both characters are supportive, understanding, and genuinely nice. Overall, it’s a heartwarming contemporary sports romance with strong character dynamics, and I’d recommend it to fans of the genre.

I really liked Mabel and Ben! It was refreshing to read about a man who is confident on the rink but is an introvert off the ice. Mabel was the opposite, very outgoing and can talk to anyone. They compliment each other, helping each other with their strengths and weaknesses. Ms Jamieson always delivers in each book that I’ve read!

Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

I've missed Kelly's books! And then she comes out swinging with this incredible hockey romance story between Ben and Mabel.

One thing I love about Jamieson's stories is that she doesn't write "funny" characters. Like, that's not their entire personality. Don't get me wrong, I do love those kinds of characters! But when you write the most relatable characters as well as Kelly does I don't need them to be a laugh a minute.

Case in point? Mabel is every woman I know who was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD/Autism late in life. She was me at that age. Floundering. Having it *so together* in one area just to feel like your life is falling apart in every other one. Looking up one day and finding yourself staring back at a narcissist who has convinced you that you have zero worth; that they're your key to success. That..
Whoa. That got real deep, real fast. Sorry.

But that's just it. Mabel is literally me. She's my friends (because we ADD'ers clump up). She's women I know who just want to feel good about themselves while everyone they love looks at them with pity.

And then Ben. Ben is such an incredible character. He's a pullover from the Chicago Aces series and I love seeing him grow and develop. As a character and a player. In this book, his coaches want him to step up, become the leader they see in him. The issue is: he's an introvert. He's a balls-to-the-wall player on the ice, but off it he'd rather keep to himself.

He's also crushing on his best friend's twin sister.

This book isn't just hockey--though Jamieson writes those heart pounding scenes beautifully. It's a look back. It's remembering "the good ole days" of high school when everyone is awkward but only a few realize it. It's relationships upon relationships upon relationships. I love how rich this world is and I cannot wait to read the rest of the guys's stories.

Because, oh yeah, Kelly has definitely set this up to be multiple stand-alones. I'm already so invested in Marek and wondering if I've met his future FMC or if she's waiting in the wings. I want all the guys to have HEA ... and eventually the Stanley!

I really enjoyed this! Crossing the Line is a sweet but spicy romance. Our FMC Mabel leaves a coercive relationship and moves in with her brother, along with his hockey team mate Ben who Mabel had a crush on in her teenage years. Mabel is a free spirited extrovert and Ben is a reserved introvert. On paper they're chalk and cheese but together they were perfect and I loved how their relationship unfolded.

I really liked Mabel’s character. Although she’s supposedly the quirky dressing free spirit, she also comes across as wise and thoughtful. Well written and I would visit the authors back catalogue of work. Personally I wasn’t a fan of the car crash storyline but I'm guessing it’s being used to set up the couple in a later book

I really enjoyed this one. Dual POV, best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend, forced proximity, hockey romance. I really liked the personalities which was a bit difference to usual - the MMC was the shy one and the FMC was the outgoing one. I like the evolution of the friendship between them and the way they helped each other be the best versions of themselves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Why is it always the shy quiet ones that pull out the “good girl”, “look how well your taking me”. It just makes me feral. This book earned an extra star just for that alone.

This story follows Ben and Mabel, Mabel leaves her toxic relationship and moves in with her brother whilst she gets back on her feet, what she didn’t is that her brother has a roommate and that roommate happens to be the boy she crushed hard on in high school, bit of a sticky situation you got yourself in their love.

Ben is an introvert, who finds it really difficult to make small talk and overall, just wants to be alone, but when Mabel moves back in he sees an opportunity to hire her as his coach to help her be more confident socially since she is so extroverted and makes making friends look as easy as bashing the opposing team in the boards.

But what happens when the proximity becomes too much for both them and they can’t deny each other any longer.
And yes, these two play the game of tonsil hockey and smash each other 9 ways to Sunday.

This was a such a fun read, I didn’t want to put it down. It draw me from page 1, the strength that both these characters show in their growth journey and I ALWAYS absolutely throth a hockey romance.

At this point it may as well be ingrained in my blood.

This is a sweet and spicy romance about Mabel, who is a small-town librarian who decides to leave her controlling boyfriend, and Ben, her former crush and brother’s introverted pro hockey teammate. These two characters are adorably awkward but not painfully so and I found their challenges relatable and chemistry highly appealing. Well written! I will recommend this one!

A fun book that had the spice, drama, and angst I was expecting. It was a bit chaotic at times, and some things felt unresolved. Overall, though, I enjoyed the writing, and the characters, and reading as two imperfect people found each other.

Thank you to Boldwood books and Netgalley for the arc A cute best friends, twin sister, hockey romance with all the vibes.
Be warned there is a serious topic with this romance namely living with an abusive partner. So, let's start with that because it's on page frequently with the book.
Mabel has been living in a toxic relationship until she decides she can't take it anymore and leaves to live with her twin brother who happens to be Ben's best friend. Ben is the NHL player too.
The author handles narcissistic behavior expertly there must have been extensive research which explains how well she could describe in detail how Mabel felt.
Ben on the other hand is socially awkward and that too is handled with empathy.
This isn't your average fluffy steamy hockey book.
It has all of that in it, of course but it is deeper which creates an empathy with the characters. You find yourself emotionally drawn to them, very cleverly written.
The romance is of course dreamy and swoony. I also enjoyed that the author knows her hockey game.
Overall a good read and now I'll be looking at more titles by this author.

I'm between a 3 and a 4 on this one!

The start to this book was really strong, I loved how quirky Mabel was and an introverted, quiet professional hockey player is a sweet take on MMC in a hockey romance - we tend to get brooding, grumpy guys instead. I really enjoyed Ben as a character, and he reminded me a lot of Felix from Absolutely Not in Love by Jenny Proctor.

This book took a bit of a turn for me when it became so fully enveloped in the narcissist/abusive story line. At the start of the book, when we had the scene of Julian and Mabel having a falling out, the delivery wasn't as emotionally charged as it should have been for the caliber at which the rest of the details about Julian played out. I wish I had felt more from that beginning scene or a little bit more background on their relationship to set up for the rest of the story.

I also don't think we needed a car accident and a dead baby to help Ben become more of a captain figure, he was already there figuring it out, that was just another layer of trauma that wasn't needed to drive any point home.

The overall development of brother's best friend to lover was adorable, and I'm happy Mabel and Ben could grow together!