A hockey team captain and a bubbly staffer mix business with pleasure when they start fake dating through the wedding season in this hot sports romance perfect for fans of Mariana Zapata and Elle Kennedy.
Darcy Kendrick is used to putting out fires. As an overworked admin to a hockey team, she’s seen it all. But nothing prepares her for accidentally DMing her very private, very NSFW fantasy to the subject of this fantasy: team captain Eric Tremaine. Nobody actually dies of embarrassment. Right?
But when a wedding invite puts them on a collision course with her chaotic family and his emotionally fraught past, Eric suggests a plan: they fake-date their way through the “Wedding Experience.” It’s mutually beneficial. Totally strategic. And definitely not real. Except between mini tacos, slow dances and lingering glances, Eric starts to wonder if the sharp-tongued assistant with a bottomless to-do list might be the one person who truly sees him. And for Darcy? The fire in her heart might be the only one she can’t put out.
It’s supposed to be fake. It’s supposed to be temporary. So why is it so hard to walk away?
Darcy Kendrick is used to putting out fires. As an overworked admin to a hockey team, she’s seen it all. But nothing prepares her for accidentally DMing her very private, very NSFW fantasy to the subject of this fantasy: team captain Eric Tremaine. Nobody actually dies of embarrassment. Right?
But when a wedding invite puts them on a collision course with her chaotic family and his emotionally fraught past, Eric suggests a plan: they fake-date their way through the “Wedding Experience.” It’s mutually beneficial. Totally strategic. And definitely not real. Except between mini tacos, slow dances and lingering glances, Eric starts to wonder if the sharp-tongued assistant with a bottomless to-do list might be the one person who truly sees him. And for Darcy? The fire in her heart might be the only one she can’t put out.
It’s supposed to be fake. It’s supposed to be temporary. So why is it so hard to walk away?
Title: Big Stick Energy (New York Legends #2)
Author: Sarina Bowen
Publisher: Forever Grand Central Publishing
Expected Publication Date: June 30, 2026
Review:
Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I was really excited to read Eric and Darcey's story. I love how Bowen writes romance. Not only does she make her stories fun, but there's always great banter that causes me to laugh out loud. Not to mention her smoking spicy scenes!
Eric Tremaine caught my eye in the first book of this series. I was happy to see he would get his chance at a happily ever after. He is the most golden retriever of book boyfriends I have ever read. So kind and willing to always go out of his way to make others feel comfortable and seen. Of course he comes with his own baggage in the form of his dead brother's shadow. His mom cannot get over losing her son, even though it's been 12 years. Eric constantly battles with having to keep the peace in this area and he never wants to ruffle feathers. It's like he makes himself smaller in a way. Darcy Kendrick changes this for him. Her own family drama has caused a lot of pain in her life. She's had to grow up fast and learn to be independent and fierce. But she cannot help but want to be seen by her own family, particularly her dad. She cannot get out of the shadow of her step sister.
I really enjoyed this friends to lovers, close proximity, fake dating story. Eric and Darcy had such fun chemistry. Even though their relationship stems from a silly social media mistake, you can see how they just fit. Yes, they have chemistry but it's so much more than that. They bond over their mutual trauma and form a camaraderie. They truly compliment each other and understand each other's struggles.
Bowen manages a fast paced story with great character development. I didn't want to put it down and was kind of sad when I got close to the end and realized I'd soon be done. But I'm really quite excited to read Deluca's story because that boy needs someone good in his life to love him up!
If you're looking for a mostly light hearted rom-com (there are triggers for death of a loved one, off page, and grief) that will have you wanting to keep turning pages to see how the characters you love will get their HEA, give this one a try. I do recommend reading the first book in the series to get the side character backgrounds and so you do not spoil the relationship Bowen created in Thrown for a Loop.
4.5/5 stars rounded to 5
Author:
Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!
You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.
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