Perfect Score (Hawkeyes Hockey #8)
If you're craving academic pressure meets forbidden attraction between student and tutor, this intellectual chemistry is explosive!
Zoey's emotional state hit me right in the chest because, honestly, who hasn't been there? That specific mortification of having to face your ex-fiancé at a family event while pretending you're totally fine? King captures that particular brand of humiliation so perfectly - the way old wounds can completely blindside you during what should be happy moments. What I loved is that Zoey's desperation to make Liam jealous doesn't feel petty or vindictive. It feels painfully, recognizably human. We've all wanted validation from people who've hurt us, even when we know better.
But here's where King gets really smart with the fake dating trope. Instead of just throwing two attractive people together and hoping for sparks, she builds this genuine connection through shared damage. Brent isn't just some perfect hockey golden boy - he's carrying real guilt about standing Zoey up at prom, dealing with impossible family expectations, and trying to be everything to everyone. These aren't just convenient backstory details; they're living, breathing wounds that create this authentic recognition between two people who understand each other's specific kind of hurt.
What absolutely destroyed me was watching Zoey slowly realize that Brent's "fake" affection feels more real than anything she ever had with Liam. King does this brilliant thing where their pretend relationship becomes this mirror that shows Zoey what genuine love actually looks like - protective instead of possessive, encouraging rather than tearing down. That moment when you realize you've been accepting crumbs when you deserved the whole feast? Devastating in the best way.
The Christmas Eve wedding setting is genius because it creates this intense pressure cooker where all the family dynamics and unresolved emotions come bubbling up. King really understands that the best romantic tension comes from characters who push each other to grow, and she integrates the hockey elements naturally without letting them take over the emotional core.
The chemistry between Zoey and Brent builds so beautifully - their physical connection develops right alongside the emotional intimacy, making everything feel earned rather than inevitable. King writes a desire that feels rooted in who these characters actually are, not just what the plot needs them to feel.
While the framework follows familiar romance beats, King's character work and emotional honesty had me completely invested. This isn't just escapist fluff - it's a really thoughtful look at how we learn to value ourselves through authentic connection. Sometimes you need to see yourself reflected in someone else's eyes to realize you're actually worth loving properly.
Ratings: 4.3/5 Hockey Pucks✨
