Home Game review — Odette Stone (spice level, tropes & is it worth it)
sometimes i don’t need a book to ruin my life.
sometimes i just want a good love story.
home game by odette stone was that.
hockey romance, an actual slow burn, and a man who yearns. which, as we know, gets me every time.
is home game worth it?
yes…
if you like your sports romance a little more sentimental.
i feel like it’s been a minute since i’ve read a sports romance i really enjoyed. and this one was just… good.
zoey and ryan don’t instantly fall all over each other. they meet. life brings them together again. he helps her when she needs it, and somewhere along the way they become important to each other.
zoey stands her ground. ryan is trying to find his place on a new team. neither one of them really has their shit together. (in different ways though.)
and he yearns for her.
i am a sucker for a good yearning sequence.
if you need the romance to happen immediately, this probably isn’t the one. you’re spending time with them before you get there.
the book
zoey is homeless and trying to get through each day when she meets ryan, a professional hockey player who offers to help. she doesn’t trust him, and honestly, considering what she’s been through, that makes sense.
standalone or series?
it’s book two in the vancouver wolves hockey series, but i read it as a standalone with no problem. each book follows a different couple.
spice level breakdown
spice rating: 2.5/5
it’s slow, but you will get there.
tropes in home game
- hockey romance
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- friends to lovers
or, more specifically: strangers to friends to lovers. the friendship gets its time.
what to read after home game
still in your sports romance era? windy city and icehawks are two of my favorite series. if you want a book from each, i’d go with the right move and fighting chance.
book previews
favorite quote
“I’ve been in love with you for months. So, yeah, it’s good that you finally ’think’ you’re in love with me.”
fictional boyfriend material?
ryan parker.
he helps her. he gives the friendship time. and somewhere in all of that, he falls for her. (god am i swooning again?)
meet the fictional man
home game spicy chapters
like i said… slow burn.
a few to start with:
- Chapter Thirty-Five
- Chapter Thirty-Six
final thoughts
this put me in a good mood.
not every recommendation needs to come with me screaming about being emotionally destroyed. sometimes the friendship, the slow build, and the feelings are enough.
if that’s what you want right now, home game is where i’d send you.
want more like this? say less.
the full romance library is waiting.
peek inside the society library
take me to the library →frequently asked questions
is home game worth reading?
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where can i read home game?
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good books. fictional men. whatever reading mood we’re in next.
this review grew out of my september 20 newsletter. come read with us.
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