Face Off: A Spicy Rivals to Lovers Hockey Romance (D.C. Stars)

Emerson (Emmy) Hartwell has waited for a spot on an NHL roster since she became a professional hockey player, and this season, she'll finally get a chance to showcase her talents with the struggling D.C. Stars.


Maverick Miller is the best player in the league, but he's never had a winning record. Team captain and desperate to turn things around, he agrees to play nice with the fiery new left-winger even though they're total opposites.


After a night where the tension between them reaches a tipping point and they fall in bed together, Emmy and Maverick vow it was only one time. Just once to get it out of their systems so they can play better and help their team. It doesn't mean anything. She doesn't date hockey players. He's a notorious playboy who doesn't date. Period.


Except... what should've been just once happens again, then again. They tell each other their friends with benefits arrangement is only for the season, but despite facing off on the ice, behind closed doors, the pair is nothing but fire.


Face Off is a spicy dislike to lovers sports romance with professional athletes, friends with benefits, he falls first and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Published Jun 1, 2024

440 pages

Average rating: 8.3

30 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Cantina Book Club
Nov 03, 2025
10/10 stars
Chelsea Curto proves yet again that she knows what sheโ€™s doing when it comes to adult sports romance with Face Off. This is the fourth book that Iโ€™ve read by this author, and my fellow bookworms who are familiar with her work will not be disappointed. I loved getting to know Maverick on a deeper level, and that he finally met the woman who can handle her own against him. At first, I wasnโ€™t sure how believable a woman in the NHL would be, but Curto seamlessly integrates Emmyโ€™s journey into the story, highlighting both the plight and power of women in sports. I also liked the secondary characters, and am eager to see what the future of the D.C. Stars looks like.

In-depth book review: https://cantinabookclub.com/review/face-off-by-chelsea-curto

Podcast interview with Chelsea Curto:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-37-chelsea-curto-face-off/id1716042267?i=1000661029958
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NHyNm3TEtnnH8rAMilhY0?si=cccfe3f5c9674e6a
YouTube: https://youtu.be/5R-CXSkNn1I?si=lVhbLfOhNS8HWZhl
KCraik
Feb 05, 2025
10/10 stars
I devoured this book! This is my first book by Chelsea Curto but I will defiantly be returning, especially for the rest of this series.

I am in love with how powerful and strong the FMC is!

Don't even get me started on their tattoos!!

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