| Title | : | In the Game (Lakes Hockey, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 424 |
| Publication | : | First published October 16, 2023 |
Being a “puck bunny” isn’t a term I enjoy, but it’s what they call me. And I’m okay with that, as long as my nights with hockey players provide me with a taste of true love, something I’m not sure I’ll ever find. Where I grew up, there was no happily ever after. But I’ve got a body that lets me play pretend every once in a while.
My first night with Barrett transformed me. He cracked the strong facade I worked so hard to build. It was blissful and heartbreaking. I planned on never seeing him again until our one-night changed my life. But when I tried to contact him, when I needed him most, he was callous and cruel. He made it clear he never wanted to hear from me again.
Barrett
She was it. Then she snuck out and never left her number. Every bar, every game, everywhere I went I looked for her. It was as if she was the missing piece I didn’t even know I’d been looking for. She was empathetic, funny, and smart—and nobody has been able to live up to my Raleigh or make me feel the way she did. I vow that if we ever cross paths again, I’m not letting her out of my sight.
Five years later that day finally comes. After a spontaneous meet and greet with a new Minnesota Lakes sponsor and there she is, more beautiful than ever. And this time, she has a four-year-old son.
This 18+ spicy hockey romance features a plus-size FMC, dirty talk, praise, angst, secret/surprise love child, single mom, enemies-to-lovers, koalas with chlamydia, and of course, a happily ever after.
Pregnancy, childbirth complications, post-partum depression, bullying, slut-shaming, sexual harassment, and explicit sex scenes.
In the Game (Lakes Hockey, #3) Reviews
-
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
What is Sloane putting in these books?!?! I truly can’t get enough of this series. I don’t typically love the accidental pregnancy trope… but wow she really outdid herself with this one.
This is book 3 in the Lakes Hockey Series following Barrett & Raleigh who meet at the bar one night & end up hooking up. Weeks later, Raleigh finds out she’s pregnant & telling Barrett seems to be more difficult than she imagined. Fast Forward five years & Barrett is stunned to see Raleigh again after one of his hockey games. She was always the one that got away. Imagine the shock he felt to see her again but with a child who he realizes very quickly looks just like him…
Barrett? Good lord that man has a mouth on him 🥵 The man can do no wrong in my eyes. He was perfect & the way he handled their situation was amazing. I loved how he always hyped Raleigh up & made her feel more confident & beautiful when she needed it most. I really admire Raleigh for how she stepped up to the plate & did the single mom thing & completely owned it! I’m so glad these two found their way back to each other & created the perfect little family 🥹
I never want this series to end. Like EVER. Each book has the perfect plot to spice ratio! Thank you Sloane for sending me an ARC & allowing me to review early. I can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Age Gap
- One Night Stand
- Accidental Pregnancy/Secret Baby
- Second Chance
- Curvy FMC -
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
Tropes:
- Age Gap
- Sports Romance🏒
- Secret Baby
- He Falls First
- Second Chance
- Primal and Breeding
✨ARC REVIEW✨
First, I wanted to thank Sloane for this ARC, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to read this book and I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. I love this series & so happy I came across Sloane St. James. She is a new auto read/buy author for me. I fell in love with her writing in Before We Came & been hooked since.
In The Game is the third book in the Lakes Hockey series following Barrett & Raleigh. We met Barrett in the first two books and when I found out his book was next, I WAS SO EXCITED. Barrett is the star right winger of the Lakes hockey team. Raleigh was a hockey player at one point and now a model & puck bunny. After one night with Barrett, everything changes.
I normally don’t enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but LET ME TELL YOU… Sloane KILLED this trope. She kept me wanting more and more. I had a hard time putting this down. After that first night, Barrett is a man obsessed, but he can’t find Raleigh anywhere. 5 years later, they run into each other again, and from that point on, he will never let her (and his son) go again.
The relationship & chemistry between Barrett and his son is EVERYTHING. I fell in love with him. This whole series so far is a 5 star for me. I will always recommend this series! If you have not read this series yet, PLEASE DO. You won’t be disappointed. I am so happy I came across Sloane St. James writing. -
Wow, Sloane St. James absolutely nailed this book! It’s so freaking good. I loved Barrett and Raleigh’s story, it completely hooked me from page one. This hockey romance has it all, primal/breeding, secret baby, he falls first, dirty talking MMC, single mom and second chance. If you’re looking for an amazing hockey book this is it!!
-
4.75
Whew okay!! Age gap + secret baby + second chance
This is my favorite book so far. The first 10% had me really worried because I didn’t know this was secret baby and I loathe that trope. I was on the verge of DNF.. I know!!! Thankfully this author resolves things quickly so I got over it fast and then came the dating, quality time, wine n dining and groveling on BOTH parts. My rating should tell you enough. I hate secret baby and it still gets a 4 star because the rest was SO GOOD.
Anyway they have a one night stand, she ditches him in the morning without exchanging numbers and couple weeks go by she ends up pregnant. She tries to contact him but gets his social media manager (unbeknownst to her) who tells her to stay away from him. Little does she knows that he’s been searching high and low for her. Then 5 whole years go by…
This was so fucking good!! I absolutely loved watching how much he was ready to devote all of his time getting to know his son and be a dad but also following his gut and perusing the mother of his child after searching for her for years. God they were so HOT together, that scene In front of the mirror lives RENT FREE.
This books is probably the best written in the series so far and the story with the most authentic connection I felt. I’m enjoying seeing how this author is improving with each book. I had real heart & kewchie butterflies so I call that a win!
I can’t wait to get to the next book especially if it’s for who I think it is OMG. -
He loved her so much, but he still slept with ow. She slept with om too, even though her friend said she'd been celibate too long, she says she was with others, but she hated him because of the rejection she got from the wannabe other woman and ???? But still, I like my main characters to only be with each other. She was a puck bunny to start with. And when she saw a pregnant lady with her husband she was like oh I slept with him years ago or something like that just gross. This just didn't work for me. The sex scenes were not romantic just pornographic. Dirty talking smutness is not for me. I am officially too old for these types of stories. I am not sure I thought it was a romance really. I mean he was obsessed but love? I didn't get it. But this is just me.
-
in the game is book 3 in the series (can be read as a stand-alone) and follows raleigh & barrett after a one night stand and an insane connection. and maybe an accidental baby. but raleigh has no way of reaching the hotshot hockey player.
this book was a ride. barrett falls first and sooooo hard. the groveling? the acts of service? the trip to hawaii???? I was swooning the whole time. raleigh is a bad ass single working mom and I loved her son (and his obsession with koalas).
I kinda wish there was a bit more going on in the third act. I felt like there was a little something missing for me to hit 5 stars. But I really did have a fun time reading this!
thank you sm to Sloane for an arc! this book comes out next week on 10/16!!
read if you like
✨ hockey romance
✨ secret baby
✨ age gap
✨ curvy fmc
✨ primal play
✨ he falls first and so hard -
Fabulously sweet!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: secret baby/second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was my first Sloane St James book and I absolutely loved it! This is a ONS/secret baby/second chance story that will warm you down to your toes, while leaving you hot in your seat, lol. Great storyline, wonderful characters, and solid "reasons" for the secret part. Loved our cinnamon roll hero who has been pining for this girl and was all in at first and second glance. Loved how possessive and growly he was, all while being sweet and considerate. Our FMC is one strong lady, but she does have emotional trauma to get past before she can move toward the HEA he wants to give her. FLOVED that there was no third act break up! Highly recommend and I can't wait to delve into more of Ms St James books! -
4.5 ✨
I regret reading this because I really liked the other WAGS and I know they’ve already had their own books bc this was like book 4 from a stand alone series and now I have to go back in time to get their stories 😭
Either way it was really good. But very much instalove and secret baby, which I know are touchy tropes for some people.
I did not round up to a 5 because of the ending of the book. I did not like the resolution to the main conflict. I don’t want to give too much details as it will be a huge spoiler, but it should’ve just stuck with the original story.
I also wish Barrett’s mom was more involved towards the end of their story, it was like we got that one emotional part with her and then that was it. -
Man this book made me emotional being a mom. So good. Barrett is so sweet and I really loved Raleigh. Their story is insane and I’m so glad it ended happily
-
Raleigh has always embraced being a "Puck Bunny", the guys are bigger man wh0re's anyway! Raleigh's first night with hot Hockey player Barret changed everything, and they never got each others contact information, causing a case of terrible miscommunication that leaves Raleigh trying to find her sweet Bear, only to be met with a callous and cruel man on the other side of the Instagram handle. Barrett has been looking for Raleigh everywhere, every bar, every event, social media, you name it, he's tried it and pined for her. Fast forward 5 years, and a chance encounter brings them together again, only Raleigh isn't alone.
"But as soon as I slid inside you, it was like a switch flipped in my brain. Like, that was it. My vision was perfectly clear, and you were all I wanted. My heart was at peace. My soul was on fire. Life seemed brighter and more optimistic. It felt like we were... I don't know, like we had already known each other, and I knew it would always feel like that when we were together. I knew you were someone important I didn't want to let go of."
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
OK real talk, this was my favorite of the series! Raleigh and Barret have a hot one night stand that leaves Raleigh pregnant and no way to contact Barrett. She messages is Instagram, tries the hockey arena, everything short of showing up to a game with her pregnant belly on display. But when Barret finally does message her back from his "private" Instagram account, telling her to stop contacting him or there will be legal repercussions, horrific name calling, Raleigh decides she doesn't need this ass in her life and delivers and raises their son alone for 5 years. When Barrett sees her again, he is so happy, he's been looking for her all along, and he recognizes Aurthur as his son almost immediately. Normally I get annoyed by the miscommunication trope, but I feel as if this one didn't count as there were outside forces sabotaging them.
I adored all the references to "Bear", I just found it to be such a sexy nickname for this big bear of a man that will do anything to be in his son's life, even if that means never revealing that he is the father. And as usual, all the men on this hockey team are exceptional dirty talkers! -
I was lucky enough to be given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And honestly I loved this whole series so much! But THIS was hands down my favorite book of the series! The story drug me in and I just couldn’t put it down! This book can be read as a stand alone or in the series and I would suggest reading the first two for sure! The smutt was smutty and that’s all I’m gonna say about that! I swear I love a lost love troupe! The rage I felt was real and the swooning I did was also real 😂 Each book in this series I’m like nope 👎 don’t forgive him girl! And then 2 chapters later, I’m right back in head first fighting for their love story to workout! To Bear and Ral, I hope you “happily ever after” 😘 I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
-
When I saw “surprise baby” trope, I honestly wasn’t too excited but I’ve loved the rest of the series so thought I’d give it a crack. I was very pleasantly surprised!
It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Super funny, very real at times, spicy and the ending was cute as hell. -
Take my money, my house (I don’t own it), my family, take my everything for all I care.
I JUST HAVE TO HAVE A BARRETT CONWAY IN MY LIFE.
He’s too good to be true and I’m damn jealous.
Anyway, this was written very nicely, the storyline flowed pretty well with lots of cute and very wholesome details and interactions between characters, especially those of the MMC and the kid, absolutely adorable.
However, it was anticlimactic. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because it was too peaceful for my liking, it was just them playing house way too soon and for most of the book; but sadly nothing dramatic or angsty came, and now thinking back, I think the biggest drama/ conflict ever of this book happened in the beginning. So while it was nice and all, I was a bit bored half way through, and especially towards the end.
Still, this was a very lighthearted book and I had a good time. -
ARC Review
I'll be honest, once I started reading this book, I could not stop. The characters are wonderfully built, the banter is great, and we get another HEA without a 3rd act break-up.
There are so many great one-liners in the dialogue and texting between the MCs. It made me smile because they were all delivered naturally and timely.
The authors first book in this series was amazing, phenomenal, all the stars for the unique plot, and for her great execution. Listen, if you are starting with this book in the series, don't, go back and start at the beginning. You need the build-up for Bennett and Raleigh, and you get to enjoy this wonderful world the author created.
So you are now asking why a 4 star? This is a wonderful book that fits the formula, but it was missing the chaos of the first two books in the series. I still loved it. -
I fell in love with Sloane and her writing after BEFORE WE CAME and I was lucky enough to given an ARC of IN THE GAME.
This book I could not put down...I fell in love with Raleigh and Barrett but most of all ARTHUR!! I was reading and reading, thinking it's too good to be true...and then that twist!! My jaw hit the floor!!! I love a book where the MMC is protective of what's his and oh so feral/primal!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶. -
Mmm. This was good, the cover was better. But eventually I got bored because the breeding I was promised wasn’t there. And the hints of primalism weren’t either. So, basically, it was just secret baby trope.
Seriously though, love the cover. -
All the stars!!!! Sloane absolutely nailed this book. Each one keeps getting better and better.
I loved Barrett and Raleigh’s story I was hooked from chapter one…Barrett Conway I am ABSOLUTELY FERAL for him. He’s my new favourite Daddy, because him in dad mode is just 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 what an absolute DILF.
Bear and Mini Bear 🥹
This book had it all - one night stand, secret baby, he falls first, single mum, second chance, dirty talking MMC….and the perfect balance of plot, hockey and damn good spice.
I never want this series to end 😭 it’s now one of my favourites. -
I absolutely love Barrett and Raleigh, they’re perfect for each other. Arthur is the cutest 🥹
-
“I need to claim her. Sounds cheesy as fuck, but it’s as if meeting her is some monumental moment in my life. Is that crazy? It’s a bizarre feeling of contentment like when you slip in the last puzzle piece.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
SLOANE ST.JAMES IS MY SMUT QUEEN 👑! Hail to the Queen 👑 Because this book is hot af. Then she decided to send us on an emotional roller coaster. Strap in, hold on tight . Barrett “Bear” Conway is steamrolling right into your heart.
We all heard the mention of Runaway Raleigh in the previous two books. Now we get the full story past and present. Barrett had an instant attraction to Raleigh. They hit it off one night at a bar. Everything seemed to go wrong for them and that made the night’s events unforgettable. Barrett woke up the next day to find that Raleigh was gone and no way to contact her. For five years he was still on the look out for her. In his eyes, she was the one that got away. Until one evening at an event he sees her. She’s even more beautiful than he remembered and she’s not alone. She has a son that looks just like him and Raleigh isn’t happy to see him. She actually wants nothing to do with him. Barrett has tons of questions he needs answered. Is he my son? What happened in the past five years to make her so angry? How can he get through the walls she’s built?
Raleigh and Barrett’s chemistry was Off. The. Charts. from the moment they first met. Picture this dirty talking hockey player with the sweetest dad vibes. Barrett walks in with his BDE swag for Raleigh and switches to best dad instantly for his mini bear. This man left me drooling. I loved Raleigh’s strength and independence. The badass FMC’s in this series are some my all time favorites.
Tropes: hockey, age gap, secret baby, second chance, primal\breeding, he falls first.
Sloane as always you slayed this ,Queen! 🤌🏼❤️Thank you Sloane for the ARC -
SLOANE came and did the thing… AGAIN!! Damn this book was GOOD! Good doesn’t even cut it, really. Amazing 🫶🏻🫶🏻👏🏼👏🏼 all the glorious adjectives — she deserves them all!
I just don’t know how more people are not raving about these books; book 1 and 2 are equally as wonderful and after reading them, colour me curious about the bunny who got away! Barrett and Raleigh are literally a match made in heaven. If you’ve read book 2, you know how hot Rhys is, well add some biiiig DILF energy onto that and you’ve got Barrett bloody Conway! He and Ral’s relationship was so beautiful and genuine from the minute they were back in each other’s lives. The relationship he built with Arthur, too was just swoon-worthy! Hit up Arthur if you need some facts about koalas 🐨 😂 this book is FULL of swoon, banter, comedic genius one liners and plenty of tear jerking moments!
And a review isn’t complete without a wee mention about the spice. DAMN, Sloane can write it and it is just 🥵🥵🥵🫠🫠🫠. Chapter 50 though!
Book 4 in this series cannot come soon enough!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ -
ARC READ - I don’t even know where to begin with this book! Let’s go back to the beginning! First and foremost, Sloane St. James is EXCEPTIONAL at hinting/setting the scene for her next books. After meeting Barrett in Before We came and then again in Strong and Wild, I was giddy to get the full story of Barrett’s mysterious puck bunny Raleigh who disappeared after a one night stand before he could get her number!
We are immediately given the details of what happened that night which I wholeheartedly appreciate after waiting so long 🤪. There are times when the before or flashbacks in books bore me but since I was already invested to know more it set the book up perfectly! The character development in this story is so strong and meaningful! Raleigh is forced to grow up quickly and you truely see how important it is to her to be the best version of herself! The chemistry between Barrett and Raleigh was so undeniable it had me rooting for them to get their HEA! It also made the spice just hit different!!!! Daddy Barrett…. 🥵🥵🥵 DAMNNNNNNN
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ -
What to expect:
🤍 hockey MMC x bunny who got away
🤍 accidental pregnancy/secret baby
🤍 IMMACULATE dirty talk
🤍 age gap
🤍 he falls first
🤍 hot AND plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
17/10
Okay I'm back but my thoughts aren't much more coherent!
I loved this book! Sloane has written the perfect second chance romance with the most incredible, swoony hockey player and an amazing single mum FMC! BARRETT HAS THE BIGGEST DILFY BDE I'M DEAD OVER IT.
One of the best hockey romance books I have read, the ideal mix of hot and plot! Barrett and Raleigh are a match made in heaven. Such a genuine feeling connection and some beautiful moments with Arthur! It was lovely to watch their bond grow throughout the story, it felt very authetic!
Cannot wait for book 4!!
5/10
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Let me gather my thoughts and I’ll come back and review it properly but oh my god Barrett Conway is to die for! And Arthur! I loved him. What a sweetheart 😍 -
Sloane.. you did it again. I was already obsessed with the first two books and I was so excited when you chose me to be one of your ARC readers. Thank you!
I’m not going to write about the story because I want people to go in blind. I did it and it was the best experience. I wasn’t expecting any of that. And if I tell you how much I relate with Raleigh… I cried most parts, laughed and cheered for her happy ending.
Your writing is impeccable as always, you got me glued to the story from page one and honestly? I need more! It wasn’t enough lol
Thank you again and people please! Do yourselves a favor and buy this book on release day! -
First of all thank you so much to Sloane St. James for the ARC. This was such a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had awesome tropes such as age gap, sports romance, one night stand, and second chance. I'm not really for the secret baby trope but Sloane St. James did such a wonderful job with it. The chemistry between Barrett & Raleigh was amazing! Loved the relationship between Barrett and his son! Raleigh was a badass single mom and her son was so darn cute! Even though I loved the book, the third act kind of felt a bit rushed to me. I am always down for a hockey romance and this book did not disappoint!
-
3.5 / 5
I really wanted to love this book but at last it fell kind of flat for me. Firstly, it was probably 100 pages too long, 320 would have been enough. It just felt like it dragged. It was a little predictable but I did love their relationship. I was so happy there was no third act break-up (that would have killed the rating.)
I have loved this series so far but I always feel in a series there's one book you don't like or vibe with as much as this book is that for me in this series. Although, I'm excited for the new release in the new year.
tropes
⛸️ hockey romance (nhl alternate captain)
💌 ONS turned secret baby -
I had been curious about the illusive Raleigh ever since she was briefly mentioned in Before We Came and then again in Strong and Wild.
Let me just say. Sloane👏🏻St.👏🏻James👏🏻did👏🏻not👏🏻disappoint.
After one night together Barrett and Raleigh hit it off and then she disappears without a trace. Barrett continues his obsession of her for five years when by happenstance they meet again….only this time there’s a surprise.
Story-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Once I started I couldn’t stop till I read the entire book.
Spice-🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ -
Hockey and spice🖤
I loved the first 2 so I had high expectations for this one and holy hotness this one didn’t disappoint!! The chemistry is off the charts with these two. Barrett is all your book boyfriend tropes rolled into one. Raleigh is a single mom and strong as hell. If you like hockey, second chance, primal, breeding kink, and dirty talking then this book is for you!! I loved every page and can’t wait for the next one!! -
Self note:
Rec found through Facebook.
There is separation and he is with others during it. Not on page
I have no clue about her 🤷🏻♀️
Edited to add:
⚠️⚠️⚠️Avoid -
MY FAVOURITE, loved it 💯💟
This was the best in the series, absolutely loved Barrett (H), he was the BEST H so far in this series. Although I've got one more to go I think.
I also really really want to read Sullys book (who has been mentioned throughout this series, the captain of the hockey team) unfortunately no book for him yet. BUT I want it so badly.
But yh I LOVED loved loved Barrett and Raleigh (h) and I hated that they lost 5 years with eachother, Raleigh definitely could've done more to let Barrett know that he got a son, she literally just sent DMS and phoned his people. She clearly could've gone back to the bar they first met (she KNEW that's where the team meet) which was stupid. AND the whole misunderstanding part and who it was revealed to be responsible was just out of the blue and weird (didn't make sense to me)
BUT this rating is purely for the romance and smut (can't forget that ;) ) LOVED it. 💟
And now onto the next, Banksy's book. I'm intrigued to read about him especially with how he has been portrayed throughout the series. (Not really in a positive light until this book) So I'm intrigued. -
Much much much better, a little bit too many sex scenes that I felt cheapened it a bit, instead of enhancing the romance. But overall I really loved this story. It was sweet and romantic.
The mom at the ending didn’t really make sense to me. And that it was from a fake account… kinda stupid. Like duhh. But when she called and the PR lady said she would give her a restraining order, now that made perfect sense.
I think I found out that I really like surprise pregnancy and second chance romance a lot more than the previous year. I need more of it haha.
