A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting Pages: 285
Series: All In #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Kodiak, AK
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: A Favor for a Favor, A Secret for a Secret
Also by this author: PUCKED Up, Pucked Over, Forever Pucked, The Good Luck Charm, Handle With Care, A Favor for a Favor, A Secret for a Secret, When Sparks Fly, A Love Catastrophe
Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.
Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.
Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.
A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.
A Lie for a Lie is a delightful story between an awkward genius and a hockey player who just wants to be ‘unknown’ for a while. I loved the setting in Alaska; thats a unique setting and Hunting does a good job of making you feel a part of that setting. I also loved the meet-cute between Lainey and “RJ” because it is so something I could see happening. It was just one of those super embarrassing things that happen and it was really endearing.
The story has a slow burn feel to it because these two initially don’t really know each other, but they are attracted to one another. Then, when they start acting on their feelings, they both decide not to rush. Anytime a couple is forced together in an isolated location I think it builds a really interesting love story. Both Lainey and RJ are likable characters that show maturity and there isn’t the games that some characters play. Rook is seriously swoon worthy. He is primo book boyfriend material for sure! While part of the story takes place in Alaska, that is the past. These two meet up again, by chance, a year later in Chicago and they both have some ‘splain’ to do.
It wouldn’t be called a Lie for a Lie if Lainey and RJ were being totally honest with each other. RJ is really Rook, a professional hockey player. He is thrilled that Lainey didn’t know who he was and he could be a little anonymous; she obviously wasn’t a “puck bunny”. Lainey keeps a secret too but Rook doesn’t find out for awhile. I LOVED the Alaska part of the story. I enjoyed the Chicago part, but not as much. I felt like when they were in Chicago and back to “reality”, there was some unnecessary angst and y’all know I can’t stand that. Thankfully, Rook has a sister who keeps him from being a clueless man! But, I will say, A Lie for a Lie is still pretty low angst overall and for that I am grateful!
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears:
- Trope: forced proximity, secret identity View Spoiler »
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Catching Him by Aurora Rose Reynolds, A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham, Tangle by Adriana Locke…then you will probably like A Lie for a Lie!
A Lie for a Lie
I’ve seen this book around but wasn’t much interested in it though I think I’ll have to change my stance on that since this sounds good. Great review, Sam! I love that you include all of those book details. I need to do better about keeping track of all of that stuff.
Its REALLY good!!!
I’d not heard of this before but I am pretty intrigued. I have to say, I called it on the pregnancy part before I even showed the spoiler for the trope because it was obvious but I’m not going to let that put me off. I mean, you say it’s pretty low angst so it seems like it’s handled pretty well otherwise I’d be put off from reading this.