The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

I don’t know when dad jokes and mismatched socks became my type, but that hockey dude skated into my life like a runaway puck… and I think I like it.

Angel:

I know I should be thankful that my charity was selected by the Ice Breakers hockey team. It’ll make a huge difference in children’s lives all over the state.

There’s only one problem:

I hate hockey dudes.

I have to remind myself of that fact when Scotty MacFarland with his groan-worthy dad jokes slips into my life like he’s always been there.

No matter how hard I push back on that perfectly formed chest, Scotty remains strong, giving me the space I need. I’m beginning to think I don’t want to have so much space anymore.

But by the time I figure that out, it just might be too late.

Scotty:

The only thing I love more than hockey is my daughter.

It was a no-brainer for me to give up the ice when I became a single dad, and I didn’t look back. But when the call came to coach the Ice Breakers, the opportunity was too good to pass up, and I thought my girl would thrive with a fresh start in Maple Falls.

Turns out, the leaves weren’t the only thing falling in Maple Falls.

Angel Davis swooped into my life and pieces I didn’t know were missing started to fall into place. A devoted single mom, director of a children’s charity, and all-around spark of sassiness, she and I find an easy rhythm, despite her throwing a boot at my face.

But Lily comes first. And if I have to leave behind a future with Angel before it’s started in order to do what’s right, I will.

Though it seems fate has other ideas.

The Parent Playbook is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It's a single dad/single mom, second chance love story in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

The Author

Elsie Woods is an author of giggly romantic comedy with a big dose of furry friends. While born in Canada, she abandoned cold winters for southern France with her golden retriever and unicycling French hubby. When not writing, she can be found sipping tiny coffees by the Mediterranean, hiking with her hubby and dog, or munching on the most delicious cheese in the world.

You can chat with Elsie on Facebook (www.facebook.com/elsiewoodsauthor) or watch her (and her dog) be silly on TikTok (www.tiktok.com/elsie_woods_romcom) . Don’t forget to try her free novella on her website: Faking Christmas Love at the Doggy Spa (www.elsiewoods.com)

Book Review

The Parent Playbook is the fifth book in the Love on Thin Ice series. This is a multi-author series centered around the same charity hockey team, and follow the same timeline, but can be read in any order or as standalones. There are also some characters from the author's Finding Love at the Doggy Spa series who make an appearance (and Scotty was first introduced there too), but you definitely do not have to have read those either. 

This was such a cute read. Angel and Scotty drew me in right from their very first awkward meeting that had me laughing out loud. That certainly set the tone for the rest of the story! Despite that initial awkwardness, these two had a really sweet chemistry. Both were single parents to preteens, and I thought their children added so much fun to the story with their plotting. I actually don't know that I can recall reading any books where both main characters were single parents, so that definitely set it apart too. Having read the previous books in the series, I enjoyed getting to know more about the charity behind the team (and seeing glimpses of these characters I've already come to love in previous books). 

The Parent Playbook is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 

You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4datjbK