The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson on July 9, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, Fiction / Romance / Sports, Fiction / Women
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
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When a very public breakup becomes a PR nightmare for Ian Chase’s team, he hopes to focus on his game, but that suddenly seem less likely than a hat trick. With his career and the team’s image in jeopardy, Ian is surprised to find a solution through none other than Delilah Baker, his best friend and teammate’s little sister… who isn’t so little anymore. Delilah Baker is known as “the darling of baking” on her local cable show, and being in the public eye is her bread and butter. But with her numbers dwindling and her producers turning up the heat, Delilah offers up the half-baked idea to collaborate with her brother’s team to entice the hockey fans of Boston to tune in to her show. Delilah thinks it will be a piece of cake, until the team sends Ian Chase, her brother’s best friend and the object of a decade-long crush that she’s never quite gotten over. Delilah’s and Ian’s teams think it’s a true win-win situation, gaining higher numbers for Delilah’s show and casting Ian in a more positive light. And viewers are eating them up like a cupcake, sparking the idea to play up their relationship for the goal of good press. With more than just their careers on thin ice, the line between what’s real and what’s for show begins to blur, but one thing’s for This PR stunt will either be a total game changer, or leave them both totally pucked.
Another ace in the hole for Ferguson! She has easily climbed the ladder to be my favorite author and I need her to work faster so I can read more of her work! Though this was not one of her best novels, it was still a win. She is the queen of lovable characters, great banter, plenty of chemistry and just enough spice. I have been looking forward to this book ever since it came out that she was releasing a hockey romance (my favorite!)! The plot is very straight forward and while it was not super unique, it was executed well.
I gave this novel a four star rating. I only thing that dropped it down a star for me was the cringe factor. I love everything Ferguson, but the little sister feels threw me off a bit.
Special Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sending me this advanced copy for my honest opinions.