Thunderstruck by Dana LeCheminant: Book Review

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

The Book

He’s sworn to stay single, she’s done with heartbreak—but the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.

Rugby player Cole Evanson doesn’t need romance complicating his life. So when the team’s new athletic trainer—the spunky and stunning Carissa Paxton—arrives, Cole knows he should steer clear and let his teammates make their moves. Easier said than done. Carissa’s vivacious and sweet nature tempts Cole to risk his infamous family curse, which would be a mistake for everyone.

After a brutal breakup, Carissa is ready for a fresh start—no more dating disasters, no more men she can’t trust. But Cole, with his brooding intensity and hidden big heart, is impossible to ignore. Despite her vow to focus on her career, she’s irresistibly drawn to the muscled rugby player who’s more than just a grumpy face. But falling for a colleague again could be dangerous.

Both nursing old wounds, they agree to stay friends and keep their careers on track. But when the notorious tabloid Hollywood Hot Scoop targets them, their budding connection is blasted into the spotlight. With secrets unraveling and chemistry that’s off the charts, Cole and Carissa must decide: risk everything for love or let their pasts tear them apart.

Thunderstruck is a closed door rugby romance that is a standalone story with character connections to the other books in the series. Become a fan of the LA Thunder rugby team in this swoony forbidden romance packed with quirky side characters, all the swoony moments you could hope for, and ruggedly handsome rugby players.

The Author

Dana LeCheminant has been telling stories since she was old enough to know what stories were. After spending most of her childhood reading everything she could get her hands on, she eventually realized she could write her own books, and since then she always has plots brewing and characters clamoring to be next to have their stories told. A lover of all things outdoors, she finds inspiration while hiking the remote Utah backcountry and cruising down rivers. Until her endless imagination runs dry, she will always have another story to tell.

Book Review

Thunderstruck is the third book in the Starstruck Love Stories series. While you might get a better understanding of the friendship dynamic with Cole's friends if you have read the previous books in the series, I do believe this could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well. 

This is not a hockey romance... but with stories like this, I could fully be convinced to enter my rugby romance era instead! I've definitely been curious about Cole's story from the start of the series, and it absolutely did not disappoint. He truly was the perfect grump, and with good reasons (and with such a big heart under that gruff exterior). Carissa was just the sunshine he needed in his life. I adored the two of them together. Though he's wary of Carissa at the start, it doesn't take long for him to warm up to her and when he does!? Whew, the chemistry between these two! It was definitely flying off the pages, and I absolutely loved it. As much as I love the romance, I have to say that the friendship between Cole and his friends really takes this story to the next level.  I love how they truly are like family--tough love and all. Truly this series just keeps getting better and better and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next. 

Thunderstruck is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It did have very minimal, minor swearing. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4e1iLvQ