Book Description:
When the game changes, love finds a way to score.
Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister.
Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.
As Jabari navigates life off the ice, he’s drawn to Val in ways he didn’t expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?
A clean and wholesome African American hockey romance featuring forbidden love, friends to lovers, disability representation, and second chances perfect for fans of Christian sports romances.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Hearts on the Fly, a delightful hockey romance set in Washington DC. Jabari is a professional ice hockey player at the top of his game until an injury and unexpected health issue derails his career. Val is a project manager who works for the family sports agency business. A mutual friend sets Jabari and Val up on a blind date, not knowing that ten years earlier Val’s now married older sister dated Jabari.
Despite a disastrous start to their blind date, Jabari and Val become friends and embark on a charming and heartfelt friends-to-more romance. They’re both dealing with family drama and emotional baggage. Jabari’s history with Val’s sister is an issue. Val is a people pleaser and her friendship with Jabari forces her to make hard decisions.
I loved how Jabari’s health challenges inspired him to consider faith matters and question why Val, and his close friends, believe in God. While there are characters who live their faith and extend grace, the real-to-life consequences from the actions of judgemental and hypocritical side characters is not downplayed. The story explores trust, redemption and forgiveness themes.
I recommend Hearts on the Fly to contemporary romance readers who like friends-to-more sports romances with a hockey player hero, forbidden love with a twist, second chances, family drama, a life-changing health diagnosis, and strong faith elements in the story.
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