Title: Back Against the Wall
Series: Lindell #1
Author: Marie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Single Dad/Enemies to Lovers
Release Date: February 15, 2024
A small town, single dad, enemies to lovers romance.
Crawling back to this small town was never in hockey star Chase Woodson’s plans.
From hitting hockey pucks in front of thousands to selling urinal pucks at his father’s hardware store, coming back home is his worst nightmare.
But being a (newly) single dad of twin boys means making sacrifices. His boys need stability and his dad needs his help in the store.
Now he needs her.
Except, Chase has been the bane of Madison Kelly’s existence since high school.
She just so happens to be the only available nanny in town.
Besides, high school was ten years ago.
People don’t hold grudges that long, right?
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195024077-back-against-the-wall
PURCHASE LINKS
US: https://amzn.to/3qXq3yk
UK: https://amzn.to/3sGqUnP
CA: https://amzn.to/3LdE0iz
AU: https://amzn.to/3L6PBzO
Universal: https://bit.ly/3sxqPT5
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Also available in audio: https://amzn.to/3HNdIlh
Read now on Kindle Vella: https://amzn.to/44yQF6A (US only)
MY REVIEW
From being famous for playing hockey to working at his father’s hardware store, the last place Chase ever thought he’d find himself was crawling back to his hometown. Thanks to his ex cheating on him, sacrifices have to be made. His kids need stability and what they really need is Madison. Unfortunately for Chase, he’s been the bane of Madison’s existence for as long as he can remember, and it just so happens, that Madison is the only nanny in town…
I thought this book was an okay read. I was intrigued by Madison in the beginning. She just returned to her hometown after having the rug pulled out from under her by her ex. She was desperate for a change and a fresh start. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself working for Chase. Chase was a good father who wanted the best for his boys. He’s definitely a work in progress, but has a lot of potential.
Madison and Chase definitely rocked the enemies-to-lovers trope. I thought they had good chemistry and there were some really great moments where their relationship/connection shined like true partners. Even though they started off as enemies-to-lovers, I do feel like their story rocked a pretty insta-love vibe as well. The reason I say that is because I felt like their romance took off at warp speed. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good insta-love romance and I LOVE a fast-paced story, but I think for these two, their story was a little too fast-paced. Some things felt glossed over and unresolved.
My other issue was the twins, Cale & Cole. We truly only got a few glimpses of them and not nearly enough time of them with Madison. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the twins were cute, but if I’m being honest, they felt like an afterthought when they should have played a bigger role in the story.
Overall, I think Back Against the Wall is going to be a hit for some and unfortunately, a miss for others. And for me, it was an okay read. The characters were likable and their story was entertaining, I was just left wanting more.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.*
AUTHOR BIO
Marie James is a full-time author, mother of two boys, and wife of 18+ years. Dog Mom to four great danes: Maximus, Sassy, Kiki, and Hargid
She has spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. She is currently residing in a sleepy little town in East Tennessee.
Writing is her passion, and she absolutely loves being able to sit down and put all of her thoughts and emotions into her stories.
She loves dogs, coffee, making handmade cards, and reading steamy romance novels!
AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieJames
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/705498009561105
Website: http://www.authormariejames.com
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/MarieJamesNewsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_marie_james
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