Flirtation or Faceoff by Leah Brunner: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

After getting my heart broken, I’ve sworn off athletes forever.

Then my best friend has to go and marry an NHL player, and his teammate, Colby Knight, won’t leave me alone.

Colby is a master at scoring (on and off the ice), and he’s not used to being told no. So he takes my disinterest as an invitation to pursue me even harder. I ignore him… until I realize I can use his expertise to help me get my crush’s attention.

But now that he’s my dating coach, and we’re spending so much time together, I’m growing more and more distracted. I mean, those dimples? Very enticing.

Just when I think he might be more than just a playboy hockey player, a blast from the past comes back and reminds me why I swore off athletes in the first place.

Can I trust Colby, or is he just another jerk who will break my heart?

(This is a dual POV, fade-to-black romance, and can be read as a standalone. This book contains mild language. Trigger warnings: cheating exes.)

Leah Brunner is an Amazon top 50 best selling author of fun and flirty romance!

She loves writing explosive chemistry and realistic, relatable characters who will make you laugh (and possibly cry).

When she's not writing, she can also be found petting her Maine Coon cat, or watching funny cat videos with her kids.

Although she's a Kansas girl at heart, Leah is a proud Air Force spouse and currently lives in Ohio with her husband and three children.

You can find Leah on Instagram @leah.brunner.writes

Or join her Facebook reader group: Leah's Lit Lovers

Flirtation or Faceoff is the second full-length book in the D.C. Eagles Hockey series. While I definitely think this could be enjoyed as a standalone with no issues, I think readers will definitely have a better understanding of the team dynamic if they're read the previous novel and novella as well.

Desire or Defense has been one of my favorite reads so far in 2023 and while I had no expectations that Colby could live up to Mitch, I was still beyond excited to read his story. And it did not disappoint! 

This book was SO good! Leah Brunner does such a great job of not only writing romance that will have you swooning while still keeping things closed door--- but also of creating this team who you absolutely cannot help but root for- on the ice or off. These guys are so well written- their banter had me laughing out loud so many times throughout, and I love how they look out for one another too. It definitely feels very much like a family, and I live for their interactions almost as much as the romance... which is saying something because I definitely LOVE the romance. 

As I said, I didn't expect to enjoy Colby as much as I did Mitch, and while I would still say that Mitch remains my favorite Eagle... Colby came so close... much closer than I would have expected! He was an absolute flirt, yes... but when he meets Noel for the first time!? He falls hard and fast and she is IT for him... and I absolutely loved it! This is definitely a perfect example of how the 'he falls first' trope should be done! He was such a fun character that you really couldn't help but be charmed by him. Noel was a little more serious and it was great to see them balance each other out so well. And while I won't give any spoilers, I will say that that grand gesture!? Oh. My. Goodness. 

Flirtation or Faceoff is a closed-door romance. The chemistry is sizzling, but nothing beyond kissing on the pages. (There is a fade to black moment, but it's tame.) There is a fair amount of mild language throughout as well as some innuendo.