I’m hooked on Kelly Jamieson hockey romances! Ever since I picked up my first Bears Hockey book (Must Love Dogs…), I fell for the characters, and little Otis, how she wrote about the #Humboldt crash but fictionalized it - she’s a Canadian author that is absolutely one-click for me!

Crossing the Line is yet another example of her brilliant writing style and she’s giving us a brother’s best friend trope in a fresh way. When Ben has to room with his BFF for a couple months before his new place is ready, and then suddenly Mabel shows up to live on the couch after an unexpected break-up and moves to the city, he knows he’s in trouble. He’s always had a thing for her but she’s completely off-limits! She’s the only one who can help with his public speaking problems though, when his coach and staff require him to step out of his comfort zone in a bid to become team captain.

A fresh take on a number of tropes (not just the one), Jamieson’s beautiful prose, and who doesn’t love a hockey romance?! A definite recommendation from me, obviously! I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the early copy. This is my honest feedback.

This book completely took me by surprise. I absolutely devoured it. I loved every single minute of it. This is one of my top hockey romance novels for sure. Ben is, hands down, my new book boyfriend. Mabel’s journey of not settling for less than she deserves is definitely a life lesson for all of us.

Seriously, if you are a hockey romance lover, read this book!

A very special Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.

I thought this book was beautifully written! There was a good balance of character progression, alongside a good plot line.

One thing I personally enjoyed was that there wasn’t too much spice in this.

This book differs from others I have read, as it has a good dynamic of the mmc being shy and socially awkward , compared to the bold and outgoing fmc. You don’t tend to see that too often in books.

I’d definitely suggest this to someone !

4 ⭐️
2 🌶️ 🌶️
My first book by this author and I enjoyed reading it.
This book was definitely a slow burn, which I usually don’t care for but the plot and witter banter between Mabel and Ben were SO good!
I don’t want to give too much away but I will say a few words from scenes that will live rent free in my head 😂
🦙 llama head 😂
🎶 Under Pressure 🤣
And of course the poem! “I know this is awkward, and probably weird, but I like you a lot, even more than my beard” 🤣😂🤣
Just read this book if you’re in need of some laughs and a few steamy moments 🌶️

Crossing the Line by Kelly Jamieson. Might not been a top read but still enjoyable once I got into the it. Likable characters and good storyline.

This book was good- it went into some really deep and uncomfortable topics some of which I didn’t feel were necessary to the book. I thought there was a lot of hockey talk which isn’t what I look for in a hockey romance but I know some people enjoy that aspect. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Ben is a good hockey player, but to become a Captain he has to also show his face at the events outside the arena and the locker room. There's just one big problem: he is an introvert. Here comes Mabel, his teammate's sister, she is a social butterfly who will happily help him to reach his goal in order to put her life problem on hold.

Kelly Jamison wrote this sports romance with a little spin,where the jock is the awkward shy one, and the librarian is the friendly outgoing one. I've adored how Mabel and Ben supported each other, emphasizing their values, and accepting their flaws without judging. Both these characters are eandearing, and I've felt seen for my shyness and chaotic mind.

Crossing The Line was a very good read, that I recommend.
I want to make a little warning if you have a trigger for toxic partners, because the heroine was in a bad relationship that made her lose some self esteem.

I have to admit that I don't really know much about ice hockey, but I do enjoy romances that feature the sport for some reason. Crossing the Line is the story of Mabel and Ben. Mabel has just left an abusive relationship where her ex-boyfriend used coercive control to try and make her into the type of woman he thought that she should be, rather than the free spirted individual she actually is. Ben is a quiet and retiring type, but he loves playing his sport and really wants to step up to become captain of his team, even though it pushes him so far out of his comfort zone.
I loved this pair as a couple. Ben might struggle to be the centre of attention, but he doesn't let that stop him from following his dreams. He tries to find a way to be the person he needs to be, but makes sure that it doesn't change who he is fundamentally. Mabel has been pushed into change by her previous partner, Ben allows her to be herself and loves her all the more for it. These two make a fantastic couple and I really enjoyed following their story.
This was a great read and one that I really enjoyed. I'd love to go back soon and hear more from some of the other characters that appeared in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I came into theIs book with the expectation of a good fun hockey romance based on my previous enjoyment of Kelly Jamieson's books. Of course, she delivered this front, but but she exceeded my expectations with the characters' personalities. An outgoing FMC who can be a bit all over the place and a painfully shy MMC who needs his routines; they're not the typical romance characters, but it was refreshing to see to very real, but different personalities find their way to each other. One thing I found distracting were the made up words that the FMC used, it took away from a character that otherwise would have felt very real and relatable.

Crossing the Line

2.5/5 stars

It’s a small detail to mention in a review, but one thing I really liked in this book was that Mabel is a librarian. As a book lover who wishes she’d become a librarian, I really love when a romance book has an FMC with that profession. Mabel’s love of her job is one of the things that first really comes through in this book. The author conveys that well.

The spice between Ben and Mabel is *phew* in the way that Kelly Jamieson books often are. Definitely lives up to what I’ve come to expect from her books.

If you enjoy hockey romances, give this one a try!

I’ve read books by this author before (huge fan of the Heller Brothers series, I’ve read it multiple times) and really enjoyed them. But this one just didn’t grab me in the same way. It felt a little underdeveloped, too simple, a bit forced. Almost as if the writing was less mature than the author’s previous work.

The characters also felt immature and underdeveloped. Honestly I found most of them unlikable. The way Marek aced really irritated me throughout the entire book. I don’t mind a book with some unlikable characters so long as there’s something compelling or redeeming about the plot itself elsewhere. I just didn’t get that from this book. It was hard to keep reading.

Overall this book just wasn’t a fit for me. I will definitely still be reading other books by this author, though.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Love the tropes, but the story wasn‘t mine


For me, "Crossing the Line" was the first book by Kelly Jamieson that I read.

We follow Mabel, who has broken up with her toxic boyfriend and has now moved in with her brother to build a new life for herself. Who Mabel didn't reckon with is Ben. Ben, her brother's teammate, who is not only her temporary roommate, but also her secret crush.

With "Crossing the Line", the author presents us with a Brothers best Friends - Icehockey story with a lively protagonist and a shy, socially awkward character.

Unfortunately, I have to say that the story didn't catch me at all. For me, there were no surprises or anything unique about the characters.

Even though I could relate to Ben as a character and also somewhat to Mabel, they remained a bit superficial and flat for me. I didn't really like the spicy scenes between them either. They often felt quite "off" to me.

I give "Crossing the Line" 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

“Rule #1 Do not cross the line with best friend's sister”

On the ice Ben is formidable, but off the ice is another story! His coach wants him to step up as Captain but he’d rather ‘play hockey naked than do any kind of public speaking!’

To make matters even more complicated, his best friend’s sister has moved in with them and they have history. She’s starting to invade his fantasies and he can’t escape her - could she be the answer to his problems?

For Mabel moving in with her brother wasn’t part of her life plan, but she’s out of options. She needs a fresh start but just wishes she didn’t have to live under the same roof as Ben. Mabel thought her teenage crush was long buried, but the close proximity of living together has reignited the spark. Especially when he asks for her help in becoming more confident, as this brings a lot of time along. Surely she can resist temptation… right?

I really felt for Mabel in the opening chapter of this book. She tones herself down so she doesn’t annoy her partner as he’s so critical of her all the time. No one should have to be anyone other than themselves in a relationship. He’s actually the worst - so manipulative!

They compliment each other so well - she brings him out of his shell and he accepts her quirkiness. They balance each other out.

I also loved the team dynamics - hopefully there’ll be more in the series focusing on the other guys in the team!

ARC copy provided by Boldwood Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four and a half stars

CROSSING THE LINE is the first in a new hockey series by Kelly Jamieson. Librarian Mabel Smits has left her awful ex and she just need an opportunity to breathe and get her feet back under herself. When she moves in temporarily with her hockey playing brother, she doesn’t expect to find her former crush also sharing the space. Ben Antonov is happy with his team and place but he’s been told he needs to improve his public image to be considered a candidate for captain. It means working on the things he enjoys the least but the outgoing Mabel is happy to coach him a bit…

Kelly Jamieson’s story is a good one, with Mabel and Ben’s growing connection at the core. Ben’s anxieties over public engagements are very relatable and Mabel’s desire to present her best face to her family understandable if frustrating. Loved the growing sense of team unity as well, and also look forward to more in this series!

I only read about 30% of this book but in the bit that I read, the writing was incredibly immature and felt like a first draft. The author chooses to create words like 'awkweird' and 'schmucknut' rather than use actual English words. I also did not like the emphasis on the FMC being so 'quirky' when she just wasn't a straight laced, buttoned up, corporate type even though her career didn't require that for her in the slightest.

I liked this, read is in 3days while I had to go to work. This book has one of the worst thing in novels that I hate ans that is the quirky girl trope but the author has been able to blend that in beautifully and not for a single moment it felt like she's been quirky just for the heck of it. Emotions were clear and resolved properly like an adult.

I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book and bloody loved it wow it’s only 280 pages it releases on 12 January read it xxx

The Good: The overall plot and ideas behind the writing were decent. The characters were likeable and the tropes were everything I love. Brothers best friend? YES. Hockey romance? Yess. Forced proximity, and childhood crushes? Yes yes. The intention was there and it had good potential.

The Bad: There were tons of hockey cliche’s, mansplaining about hockey, and a real lack of depth (even when dealing with some pretty ouch topics). There was barely any tension or emotion from the characters and it just fell flat for me. There were also side stories that didn’t contribute to the overall arc of the couple - is this seed planting for future couples in future books? Either way, it was distracting and left me dazed and confused.

The Ugly: This story includes undisclosed child loss (not to a main character). This didn’t advance the plot one bit and should have been edited out - or at the very least, disclosed in a trigger warning list.

Hockey romances are my absolute soft spot, and Crossing the Line hit all the right notes! I laughed so much while reading this—seriously, some moments had me in stitches. Mabel is such an inspiration with her quirky, unapologetic personality and fierce determination to fight for what she wants. And Ben? Don’t even get me started. He stole my heart with his sweet, quiet demeanor and simple desires: hockey, friends, and, of course, Mabel. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I couldn’t get enough of them.

Now, where are the books about the rest of these hockey players? I need more ASAP!

Kelly Jamieson kicks off her *New Jersey Storm* series with a hit! *Crossing the Line* delivers everything I love in a sports romance: hockey hunks, a sweet yet steamy storyline, and characters you can’t help but root for. If you’re a fan of light, romantic reads with just the right touch of spice, this book is a must-read.

The standout for me was the dynamic between Ben, the shy and socially awkward hero, and Mabel, the bold and sunshine-filled heroine. Their opposites-attract chemistry is heartwarming, as Mabel gently encourages Ben to embrace his confidence while still respecting his authentic self. The story’s message—that imperfection is what makes us unique and lovable—was beautifully woven into their relationship.

Jamieson balances lighthearted fun with moments of emotional depth, touching on themes like emotional abuse and healing without weighing down the overall feel-good tone. The pacing is smooth, making this an easy, uplifting escape, perfect for fans of hockey romance or anyone in need of a palette cleanser after heavier reads.

With tropes like brothers-best-friend and friends-to-lovers, this book is sure to hit the sweet spot for romance readers. *Crossing the Line* is the kind of cozy, relatable story that stays with you long after the final page. Highly recommended for hockey romance fans!

Mabel goes back to her borther's, a hockey player, after she breaks up with her abusive boyfriend. Little did she know that her brother was sharing his house with his best friend, Ben, whom Mabel had a crush as a teenager.

I like the way both Mabel and Ben grew up and went outside of their comfort zone. I did not like some tropes or events that took place in the second half of the book though.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC of the novel. All opinions are my own.