Cate Cameron

A great ending to a series I wish wouldn't end. I love the Canadian feel this whole series gives us and I find the romance cute and realistic feeling. This is also the first sports romance I've read and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. That could be because hockey is pretty much the only sport I follow. Still! I loved it!

This book. THIS BOOK. It was delectable. I liked the last book, but I LOVED this one.

I'm just going to go on a rave now, ok??? (And because I have to say this, I got an ARC, but that's never stopped me from being honest, has it?)

So we've got Nat and Toby. Toby is one of the Raiders, i.e. sexy ice hockey player. He and Nat used to be best friends and play ice hockey together as kids, but then puberty hit, and he became a star. Over time, they sort of grew apart. But then Nat decides she wants show more Scott, Toby's richboy cousin, and she spontaneously decides to play the fake relationship card with Toby to get Scott to notice her. You get where this is going, but it's worth it!

I loved loved LOVED how Nat was so direct and decisive about things. She made a bunch of mistakes, but who doesn't? She OWNED those mistakes. She realised them and did something. And while she did a few stupid things, and she had insecurities and biases, she was never stupid or ditzy. I also had major ladylove for her passion for hockey. Girl jocks ftw.

Toby was amazeballs. I'm sorry, I'm so hyped up after reading, and I can't help my choice of words. ANYWAY, Toby. He was such an awesome friend. Plus, his boyfriend game was strong. The way he didn't sugarcoat anything with Nat, instead giving her some realtalk and offering to help her with her goals? THAT is what a good boyfriend does. A relationship is a freaking team, and you help each other to grow.

AND HE LOVED PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. I mean, if that's not enough for you to love him, then maybe we shouldn't be friends, okay?

I'm joking. We can still be friends. But WHY DON'T YOU LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?

Scott was a Class A Douche from the beginning, but I sort of understood Nat, being a teenage girl with hormones, being blinded by his charms. It happens all the time in reality, and it's so easy to rationalise different kinds of behaviour. And while he doesn't undergo this big change during the book, Cameron managed to really add some depth to his character. The 95% quote at the end? LOVED IT.

Dawn. Dawny Dawn Dawn. I knew what she was up to right from the start, but I loved her for it.

And a note on the plot. Yes, we all knew what the endgame was and that it had a fake relationship trope. But wow, did this book keep on surprising me. Execution A .

There's so much to take away from this book. Like...

- Be yourself, and be with people who like you for YOU. Don't pretend to be someone you're not just so someone else will want you. Because someone will want YOU.
- Just because someone's life looks perfect, doesn't mean it is. And don't take for granted what you have.
- You have to work hard for your dreams. Don't expect them to just be handed to you.
- People are not perfect, but they can be perfect for you.

So basically, you should read this book.

...THANK YOU, ENTANGLED TEEN, FOR LETTING ME READ THIS EARLY... show less

Cate Cameron’s Playing Defense is another win for the Corrigan Falls Raiders Series. The story starts off at the same time as the cow incident that took place in book one, Center Ice. I thought that scene was pretty funny, so I enjoyed reading about it from the mastermind’s point of view. Hockey player, Chris Winslow needs a tutor to help him out with advanced functions and chemistry. Claudia Waring needs to diversify her activities for her college applications, so she can get into her show more school of choice. The two opposites challenge each other to expand their horizons. This contemporary young adult sports romance takes place in Corrigan Falls, Ontario.

I enjoy Chris’ character. He is a defenseman for the Corrigan Falls Raiders, a semi-pro junior hockey in the OHL. He is a senior who has been living with a billet family. He is carefree, not taking much seriously. I love that Chris is secure enough to be part of the sisterhood and to support his friend Oliver by going to a gay function even though he is straight. He doesn’t care what other think about him. He is confident, except when it comes to Claudia.

I like that Claudia took a chance and stepped out of her comfort zone. I love that she did what she felt was right for her and not what was expected of her. Her mom was seriously overbearing. She would not be an easy person to stand up to.

I love that Chris and Claudia are opposites and challenge each other to be “awesome." Both characters took chances to try to improve themselves. Chris helps Claudia loosen up, while Claudia helps Chris take things more seriously. The two are good for each other and their personal development.

I appreciated Ms. Coyne. She was a great teacher. I like that she challenges the students, and that she is excited by the things they come up with. I think it is great that she valued the “sisterhood” and asked Claudia and Karen if they minded if she started a group with her friends.

Some unexpected things happen in the story that tests both characters. This novel has a little of everything: humor, action, drama, tragedy, and romance. I enjoyed the plot. It was believable and well executed. The characters are well-developed and show tremendous growth. There are a lot of interesting things that happen between the main and support characters. I enjoy Cate Cameron’s writing style. Her stories flow well and keep you fully engaged. I love the Corrigan Falls Raiders Series and cannot wait for Toby Cooper's story in the next book, Winging It.

Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

What I Loved

My favourite part about this book is that it’s super Canadian. It makes me realize just how many books takes place in the US. It’s really nice to be able to relate to a book like this. Which is why we don’t only need diverse characters but diverse settings as well. I found it really helped me to get into this story, especially since it revolved around hockey. It’s not something I would have thought to pick up but I loved it when I did.

I love the idea of the team in this show more book. These guys really have each others backs and I love it. That’s how my group of friends always acted growing up so it was cool to see it happen in a book. The team was an extra important part in this book because they formed their own team of people to challenge themselves. I thought the idea was really cool and it was executed really well.

What I Didn't Like

There's nothing specific that I didn't love. The reason it didn't get five stars is because I just don't like contemporary books as much. So really a 4 star contemporary book is basically the same as a five star book from another genre. I could also point out that some parts of this book were a little typical for a YA contemporary. That's not always a bad thing but it lowered my rating a teeny bit.

Who I'd Recommend To

I’d recommend this book for any who love a short and sweet romance story. Everything about this book is adorable and I think those in high school and looking at what to do afterwards will connect with these characters a lot more. show less