The Enemy Face Off by Ash Kelly: Book Review

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

The Book

Payne by name, pain by nature…

Milo Payne is the grumpiest goalie in the NHL. He's also annoyingly attractive with his broad shoulders, stubbled jaw, and piercing green eyes.

Not that I care.

He may be used to women falling at his feet, but I refuse to be one of them. I'm a shelf-diagnosed, snarky booktrovert who's only a sap for romance on the page, not in real life. I've been treated like dirt by guys before—I won't let it happen again.

But suddenly, Milo is everywhere I turn. On my early morning walks. Hanging out with my friends. Moving in next door.

It's irritating…and okay, maybe a little fun to have someone to exchange barbs with.

Because under his gruff exterior, he's surprisingly quick-witted, smart, and kind. A dream guy…if I were looking for that sort of thing, which I definitely am not.

Then I discover why he's moved to Comfort Bay, and slowly, the stone walls I've built around my heart start tumbling down.

Milo and I started off as enemies, but will we end up as something else?

The Enemy Face Off is a closed-door pro hockey romance between an anti-love bookworm and a grumpy goalie. You can expect plenty of banter, fast-talking friends, the most unromantic (yet totally romantic) first kiss ever, kiss coupons, a man bun on a mission, and a heartwarming happily-ever-after.

It's the third book in the Hockeymances series, and while it can be read as a standalone, for maximum enjoyment, you may like to read books 1 and 2 first.

The Author

Ash writes sweet contemporary romances - think lovable characters + Gilmore Girls vibes - with all the 💖💖💖 without the 🌶️!

THE FAKE OUT FLEX is Ash's debut novel.

Book Review

The Enemy Face Off is the third and final book in the Hockeymances series. While I think you'll have a better understanding of the friendship dynamics if you read in order, I do think this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 

This was such a fun read! Milo and Beth were so great together. When they first meet, Beth absolutely cannot stand Milo in the slightest. She's been hurt by men in her past and has reasons for not trusting. But when he moves in next door, she gets to know a different side of him. I loved the teasing and banter between them... and the chemistry was every bit as wonderful too. Milo is such a perfect book boyfriend and the perfect complement to Beth's anti-love stance. And that first kiss!? Oh my goodness! It was the most perfect unromantic (but really perfectly romantic) kiss ever! I loved getting more time with their friends too, and while this series is at its end, it seemed like there might have been some more hinted at pairings to look forward too... and I absolutely cannot wait to see what Ash Kelly does next!

The Enemy Face Off is a closed-door romance but does have implied intimacy and discussions about sex. There is some minor language throughout as well. 


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