Book: elite player by Sophie Andrews
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 5/5
I don't know anyone who has never been bullied before. Jo's family definitely takes the cake though. After being bullied by her whole town-including everyone in her family- her entire life, Josephine has moved away from home to start a career as a photographer's assistant. That job apparently comes with unseen hazards, and a puck to the head while working with the local hockey team has her meeting Nico -the golden retriever on skates responsible for her concussion.
Nico hasn't looked twice before at the assistant to the team's photographer, until his wild shot forces him to see what he was missing. The sweetheart he is, now that he has noticed, he can't stop himself from spending all his time thinking about this girl. On his second visit to her hospital room this gets him into trouble as he tries to help her out and ends up with a brand new fake fiancé for it.
Nico and Jo continue the mutually beneficial agreement, and start to enjoy each other's company more and more. It is super sweet going along for the ride as they both have their first serious relationship and figure things out as they go.
There is a lot going on in this book- from some serious bullying, to childhood abuse and parental neglect. There are sweet, swoony moments and sexy as all get out scenes involving a camera or a darkroom. Both characters go through some major healing of lifelong trauma and Jo gets the bonus of figuring out her career along the way as well.
This book was particularly special to me because of the ways Jo has hidden behind a camera for most of her life. I spent my awkward years the same way- and turned it into my career too. Jo having her artistic success so young is healing to anyone who might have been overlooked for their creativity in the past because they don't know how to toot their own horn.
On the surface it's a fake dating hockey romance, but this book is definitely much more. It's worth a second look.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.