Carolina Reapers #8 – Caspian & Ryleigh
Content Notes:
Published/Pages: 2021/298
POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine
Trope: Friends to lovers, fake relationship, small town romance
Goodreads Bookshelves: best friends sibling, contemporary romance, fake relationship, favorites, friends to lovers, hockey romance, small town, sports romance, summer romance
HEA: Yes
Steam Level: Extra Steamy
Swearing: Adult
Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, Grief
My Rating:
Book Description: She’s the girl next door, and for the next two weeks I’ll be her NHL star boyfriend. When Ryleigh Dunham needs a date for my sister’s wedding—one confident and sexy enough to make her ex jealous—I’m more than happy to sign up for the job. After all, Ryleigh isn’t the feisty teenager I used to know—now she’s all fiery passion, delectable curves, and a smart mouth I can’t get enough of. Only problem is, I can’t stop the electricity crackling between us every time we’re “faking it.” And the longer we play the game, the harder I’m falling. Ryleigh feels it too, but she’s stuck in a past that refuses to let her go. Now I’m playing for her future, and if we can’t see beyond our stubbornness, we may lose our shot at one hell of a happily ever after.
My Goodreads Review (No Spoilers)
My Review (w/spoilers):
Caspian & Ryleigh
This is book 8 in the Carolina Reapers series, and if you’ve read any of my other reviews for this series then you know that Cannon is my absolute favorite in this series and one of my favorite books in general. Caspian’s story was so good, it ALMOST stole Cannon’s spot. But alas, Cannon still holds the #1 spot.
I love small town romances and while this is a hockey series, the team heads to Caspian’s hometown for his sister and teammate-Sterling’s wedding. So, we get a bit of both in this book. I also really like that we get to see the whole team interact. All of the players show up, with their wives.
“You’re mine, Foster.” Her eyes narrowed teasingly. -Ryleigh
The flag football part was really cute and fun, seeing the guys and their ladies play. I was laughing when Caz took out another player. “Flag football,” Cannon reminded me as his mouth curved upward, glancing back down at Chuck. “But I would have knocked the shit out of him, too. He’s been staring at your girl’s ass all day.” Even though she really wasn’t his girl, love it.
As far as first kisses go in this series, Caspian and Ryleigh hands down take the cake. The whole gazebo thing, all of it, I was seriously swooning. And he kept reminding her “Caz”, ugghh…. 😍
I liked that she didn’t care that he was Caspian Foster. She treated him like he was the Caspian Foster she grew up with. It kept him on his toes. It was sweet that they were both there for each other throughout the whole book. Even though it started out as a favor to his mom. They clearly had a connection from the beginning.
“That kind of love—the kind that strikes hard, fast, and true, doesn’t come along twice.” -Caspian
Sterling giving Caz advice throughout was so sweet. Especially considering how they were in Sterling’s book.
If this wasn’t a guaranteed HEA, I would have been worried a bit in the end. Their living situations and careers were pushing them separate ways. But the guy gave up his team to move to a different state and be with her! That’s insane. And I liked that Ryleigh wasn’t willing to change her dreams for him. It’s one thing to make compromises and another to give up your dreams, and she didn’t; “I won’t build my life around you, Caspian, but I will build my life with you because I love you.” Good stuff.
Altogether a FANTASTIC book that I will 100% be reading again.
Other Character’s Mentioned:
Nathan Noble & Harper Thompson – Defender (Seattle Sharks #9)
Axel Nyström & Langley – Axel (Carolina Reapers #1)
Sawyer McCoy & Echo – Sawyer (Carolina Reapers #2)
Logan Ward – Logan (Carolina Reapers #4)
Cannon & Persephone – Cannon (Carolina Reapers #5)
Cormac Briggs – Briggs (Carolina Reapers #7)
Brogan – Brogan (Carolina Reapers #9)
Maxim & Evie – Maxim (Carolina Reapers #10)
Gage McPherson – Grinder (Seattle Sharks #1) – The Coach
Asher Silas – Asher (Billionaire’s Game Series) – The Owner
This is book 8 out of 10 in the Carolina Reapers Series. It is however, a standalone.
Diary of a bookworm 
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