Face Off: DC Stars Book 1

Face Off

Author: Chelsea Curto

Genre: Sports Romance / Contemporary Romance

Book Rating: ⭐ 9/10

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5

Description

Emmy Hartwell has spent her entire career fighting for one thing: a real shot in the NHL.

After years of proving herself, she finally lands a spot with the struggling D.C. Stars, ready to show the league exactly what she’s capable of. Tough, competitive, and fiercely determined, Emmy refuses to let anyone question whether she belongs on the ice.

Especially Maverick Miller.

Maverick is the league’s best player—and its most frustrating one. As team captain, he’s desperate to turn the Stars’ losing record around. But when the fiery new left-winger joins the team, sparks fly instantly, and not the good kind.

They clash constantly.

Opposites in every way, Emmy and Maverick struggle to stay out of each other’s way—until one explosive night changes everything.

After ending up in bed together, they agree it was a mistake. A one-time thing meant to clear the tension so they can focus on hockey.

No emotions. No dating. No complications.

But “just once” quickly becomes again and again, and their friends-with-benefits arrangement becomes harder to control with every game, road trip, and late-night practice.

Because the chemistry between them isn’t just on the ice.

And the longer the season goes on, the harder it becomes to pretend their connection means nothing.

Tropes / Mood

Hockey romance • dislike-to-lovers • friends with benefits • teammates • strong female athlete • he falls first • banter • forced proximity