In this small-town romance, former NHL star Chase Woodson faces personal upheaval after being replaced on his team and discovering his ex-wife's betrayal. As he returns home to become a single parent, his path crosses with Madison Kelly, an old crush who harbors resentment but accepts a job as a nanny for Chase's twin boys. Their complicated history, professional boundaries, and unexpected twists create a captivating narrative, blending elements of love, loss, and second chances in a charming small-town setting.
Back Against the Wall by Marie James
Series: Lindell #1
Genres: Small Town Romance, Sports Romance

A small town, single dad, enemies to lovers romance.

Crawling back to this small town was never in hockey star Chase Woodson’s plans.

From hitting hockey pucks in front of thousands to selling urinal pucks at his father’s hardware store, coming back home is his worst nightmare.

But being a (newly) single dad of twin boys means making sacrifices. His boys need stability and his dad needs his help in the store.

Now he needs her.

Except, Chase has been the bane of Madison Kelly’s existence since high school.

She just so happens to be the only available nanny in town.

Besides, high school was ten years ago.

People don’t hold grudges that long, right?

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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review

Chase Woodson, once an NHL superstar, faced a tumultuous downfall when his team replaced him with a younger player, and he discovered his wife’s affair with his teammate and ex-boyfriend. Now, he’s back home, ready to embrace single parenthood after learning that his ex-wife’s affair had severe consequences for their children.

Madison Kelly, who harbored a crush on her older neighbor Chase, found herself disliking him after he stood her up in high school. When her ex-boyfriend swindles her company, she has no choice but to move back home to her parents’ house to regroup and settle her debts.

As fate brings Chase and Madison together, with Madison becoming the potential nanny for Chase’s twin boys, they grapple with the challenges of keeping their relationship strictly platonic. Both scarred by past betrayals, can they resist the sparks of chemistry between them?

While the book was overall enjoyable, I had mixed feelings about Madison’s character. Chase, deeply burned by his ex-wife Erica, makes the tough decision to move back to his hometown to provide a stable environment for his boys. Madison, taken advantage of by her ex-boyfriend, reluctantly accepts Chase’s job offer as a nanny, despite her reservations about him.

The chemistry between Chase and Madison is palpable, but they struggle to keep it professional for personal reasons. Chase is determined to protect his custody of the boys and ongoing divorce, while Madison battles her lingering resentment and fears from her past relationship. Despite their internal conflicts, they both grapple with their growing attraction.

The story takes unexpected turns, revealing Madison’s misjudgments and some immature behavior. However, the involvement of certain characters during challenging moments adds depth to the narrative. The resolution brings a satisfying conclusion, leaving room for future stories in this small town. Looking forward to more from this engaging setting.

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