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

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She hates hockey. He hates everything else. And now they have to work together…

Falling flat on my back in a sweaty locker room isn’t how I planned to introduce myself to my grandpa’s hockey team. Especially when I’m there to turn the business around financially; something nobody else in the stadium seems to want.

But that’s how I first meet Eli Salinger, the team’s aggravatingly smooth player-turned coach.

And from the moment I introduce myself to him, he makes it clear he doesn’t want me there.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out why. Eli’s only interested in one thing – turning the team into a winning side, no matter what it takes.

And he’s determined to fight every change I try to make.

What he doesn’t know is that I’ve never taken on a project that hasn’t succeeded. And I’m not about to let this be the first.

I don’t care if he’s grumpy and adorable in equal measure. Or that every time he looks at me it sends me all a flutter.

This is a game of wits. And there can be only one winner.

I’m determined it will be me.

I’ve been a huge fan of Carrie Elks for a few years. I’ve read almost every book she has written by now, and I always look forward to her next book. The Salinger Brothers series has been one of my favorites so far, and I couldn’t wait to read ‘Strictly For Now’. So when I received the ARC a few days ago, I couldn’t wait to get started.

In ‘Strictly For Now’ we read the story of Mackenzie and Eli. Mackenzie has been working hard to make a life for her own without the ‘help’ of her last name. And it has worked. She has been very successful. Mackenzie’s latest job is finding out a way to help a Hockey team to make more money. This also involves working together with the coach of the team, Eli. But Eli doesn’t want someone who doesn’t seem to like hockey, to get in his way. Not to mention Mackenzie’s positive attitude, makes Eli’s grumpy self even more frustrated. But Mackenzie is determined to get her way and make this another successful job.

From the moment I started reading Mackenzie and Eli’s story, I was hooked. I loved these two characters right from the start. Mackenzie is hardworking, and determined to make a name for herself. Her family has hurt her a lot of the years, and although it isn’t all their fault.. She has been disappointed a lot. I loved her determination. Sure, she could be a little bit too good for her family, but I understood her. And the chemistry between her and Eli was just amazing. And it made this an addicting and wonderful read.

Although I’m not necessarily a fan of sports romances, in this book the whole hockey part fitted perfectly. Add in Eli’s character and I was hooked. Eli has been a hockey star for years, and now he started coaching and he is very passionate about it. I loved how intense he got when he was working. But above all I loved how Eli fell hard for Mackenzie. He was a tough character, and he made me swoon throughout the whole book.

‘Strictly For Now’ is a great read I definitely recommend. And what I also really love about this book and the whole series, is the fact that these characters are all in their thirties. It’s so nice to read a book with a fabulous character, who is close to my own age instead of this young twenty something year old. I love both, don’t get me wrong. But this age thing makes this series even better for me.

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Check out my reviews of the other Salinger Brothers series:

About Carrie Elks

Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

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Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram