Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Moo U #9

Playmaker

Rate this book
There’s no faking it in love or hockey...

Transferring to a new school under false pretenses is harder than I expected, especially when my cocky new housemate, Callan Thomas, annoys me at every pass. He’s treated like a god and revered by everyone on campus. Too bad he made me feel like a rejected fool the first night we met.

But that doesn’t stop me from accepting his offer to become his fake girlfriend, because he has skills that I need. Only Callan can help me improve my game and make the USA women’s hockey team.

I try to keep despising him, but he keeps proving my first impression was wrong. And the more time I spend with him, the more complex my feelings become. I need to tell him the truth about who I really am before anyone finds out and things go too far.

Problem is, I think they already have...

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2021

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Sierra Hill

57 books701 followers
Sierra Hill is a 2020 RONE Award-Winning author of Game Changer, as well as over 30 novels, including the award-winning college sports series, Courting Love, and the twice award-finalist erotic ménage serial, Reckless – The Smoky Mountain Trio.


Subscribe to her email list and download a FREE book here: www.sierrahillbooks.com

Your recommendation is the highest compliment I could receive. Please feel free to share your feedback by posting a review.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
253 (28%)
4 stars
356 (40%)
3 stars
220 (24%)
2 stars
47 (5%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,161 reviews150 followers
June 4, 2021
"Holy Moly Hockey Sticks"

Playmaker-Zamboni-Quote

4.5 stars - Aria Huntington (Olsson) is in a tenuous position when she uproots her life and moves more than a thousand miles from her family and friends. She had one friend to run toward and help her out. Like all good friends, Sophie pushed Aria to adjust to her new home by getting out and meeting people. And when she lays eyes on "Church"?

"Holy moly hockey sticks." --Aria


Yep. That about sums it up. Callan "Church" Thomas is all that and a bag of chips and the chemistry between them teeters between lust and hate. I loved how this played out, oscillating between the two strong emotions throughout the book.

There were also some great one liners that had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions, such as:

"I’m sure you haven’t thought about putting your hockey stick somewhere inside that net of hers at all." --Langston


Ah, the pleasures of friendship and camaraderie. Such a joy. And a curse! 😂

Playmaker-Sexy-Smile-Quote

There are plenty of ups and downs and events that continue to push the story forward. There are twists you see coming and a few you might not. I really enjoyed reading this book. I haven't read others in the Moo U universe but I expect that will change.

Oh, and that is a nice segue into standalone or not. My verdict? It's definitely a standalone. Reading blurbs of other books, there are characters that you may find crossing between the different authors that contribute to the series but there was nothing here that made me feel like I didn't understand a situation or relationship because I hadn't read the other books. I'm voluntarily reviewing and ARC of this book.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,214 reviews1,285 followers
June 7, 2021
description
description
description
description

Aria + Callan.
Aria just transferred to Moo U - we don't yet know why, but things happened back home!
She moves into her friend Sophie's 5-roommate house.
Enter Callan.
He's the hot guy Aria meets that first night at a party - not knowing that he's her new bathroom-sharer. LOL!
Callan doesn't have time to date - he has to concentrate on school and hockey this year!
But this girl. Grr.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!☺

══════════════════

description
description

That was adorable!

A cute little hockey-fake-girlfriend thingy that's not so fake at all.
I really liked them both - they're adorable and funny and so attracted to each other.
But there's still Aria's secret - and we just know that it will come out and make trouble for our darlings.

I really enjoyed reading this - and I hope we'll get stories for all the other house-mates!

I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

PLAYMAKER was an adorable + sparky college hockey love story! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Callan - he'll be sold out in no time!

description
💜 💜


Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,110 reviews125 followers
June 7, 2021

When Aria Olsson's family was hit by a sports scandal she decided to leave Minnesota, her friends and her team behind to enroll at the Moo U changing her surname in order to achieve her dream to play with the Olympic Women Hockey team. Callan Thomas is a senior hockey player at the Moo U who during his last year of college wants to study, to play and to decide what he wants to do in the future. They meet at a party at the hockey house, they don't start on the right foot but as time passes a pleasant and lively conversation sparks something between them. Will they have time for a relationship? Or will the sport they love consume all their time?

I loved Aria and Callan journey, they understand each other really well, their love for hockey is only the starting point for their relationship because they have a deep connection and a very good physical chemistry. I can understand Aria's trusting problems but when you fell in love you have to share everything with the other because there isn't love without trust.

Playmaker was intriguing and a good page turner, but I would have liked a little more of drama, I felt like the main characters crisis was solved too easily.


Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

Profile Image for Carmen Rae.
1,539 reviews180 followers
June 15, 2021
I keep raving about how awesome it is getting more of the True North world and what's even better is when it's an author I already love writing it. Especially one who excels at writing college sports romance. And that is definitely Sierra Hill.

I honestly can't remember Callan from the earlier Moo U books, but I do remember the other couples and I love their little cameos throughout the series. Although not remembering him wasn't a problem because I really liked him from the start of the book. He was just plain likeable, and the dimple descriptions didn't hurt a bit.

Aria I liked but she also came across as really selfish. I understood her reasons for transferring and the secrecy, I just didn't understand why she was so cold to her father. Or why she never womaned up and told Callan what was going on, despite all the opportunities that arose. I could have shaken her.

I really enjoyed the story and despite the fact I felt there was a little loose thread or two left unresolved they weren't anything that I need answers to. I would have really loved a sweet as candy epilogue. Don't get me wrong the ending was good but I wanted more (always). Thankfully, there are still loads more of these True North world books ready and waiting for me. Toodles
402 reviews5 followers
June 9, 2021
Completely unbelievable that Aria could transfer schools/teams and that nobody on her new team would know who she was. Women's hockey at the elite level portrayed in the series is a very small world. With only 13 slots for forwards available, a spot on the Olympic team is the dream of many, if not all, players playing D-1 hockey. Any woman who was invited to try out for the US Olympic Team after her sophomore year would have to be exceptional and would be well known to her competitors. The fact that her father was a D-1 men's hockey coach at the same school that she attended would be commonly known gossip. Let's not even get started on only changing her last name or the NCAA eligibility issues of transferring schools or that she would not even listen to her father regarding the situation he was involved in or that she would have no idea of the situation at all considering that an investigation was being conducted but yet it was alarming enough that she would transfer schools. If you are going to write a sports romance do some research and get a good editor. If the author couldn't see these huge plot problems the editor certainly should have. This feels like a book that was churned out to capitalize on the trend of hockey romance without doing the work required to make it fit the world. If all you care about is sex and contrived drama you'll probably enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Jenn Amy.
894 reviews80 followers
June 7, 2021
4.5⭐️

Playmaker is book #8 in the Moo U series and I absoltuely loved it! Its my favorite of the series so far. Emma Wilder and Teddy Hamilton blew me away with the narration, it was so well done.

Aria has just arrived on campus at Moo U. On her first night on campus she attends a college party and meets Callan who introduces himself as Church (his nickname on the ice). The two have fantastic chemistry! I loved their banter and intense attraction. Aria is a hockey player and her dream is to make it in the Womens USA team in the Olympics. Callan has his own goals to make it to the NHL and has already been drafted. I loved how individually they were so focused and driven on their goals.

Church ends up being Callan, who is also her new roommate! I loved the scene when Aria first discovered this. Callan is a such a sweet guy. He doesn't want anything serious but also doesn't want to end up like his father who has never treated women with respect.

Callan is in need of a fake girlfriend and Aria needs his help on the ice to improve her skills, so the two make a deal and before long it turns into so much more.

There is some drama but nothing over the top and I loved the story and didn't want it to end. This was such a fantastic addition to the series!

*ALC provided in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Jenifer Briggs.
1,425 reviews170 followers
June 16, 2021
This was my favorite book in this entire series!! I'm such a sucker for a fake relationship romance, and on top of them being roommates?! Holy romance catnip!

So here we have Aria and Callan who meet at a party and the sparks immediately fly. Their banter is just amazing from the start, and I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time they were in the same room together. Things intensify even more when they figure out that they are each others new roommate, and since Callan doesn't do serious relationships (but also doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps with his lack of respect for women) so they come up with a plan: if Ari plays his fake girlfriend to help with the downside of fame, he will help her with her own hockey skills (she wants to be in the women's Olympics) and the more time these two spend time together, the more you just feel the palpable love they have for one another. I just loved every minute of this book!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
June 9, 2021
Even though I "messed up" and read Goalkeeper first in this last chunk (honestly you don't HAVE to read them in order but I still feel like I should have ACTUALLY READ that one before Playmaker and Snowballed since it was the last of the entire Moo U series) I am kind glad I did because these last two I read were top favorites!

I've mentioned this before with Halftime but I reallllly enjoyed the ones where we got to see the heroine playing hockey, too. This one in particular had one of my favorite tropes where Aria, one of the MCs was a great player BUT still could benefit from her housemate and love interest, Callan. They worked out a deal--Aria pretends to be his girlfriend in order to get certain pests to back off and Cal in return helps her with a few things on the ice.

The chemistry these two had from the very beginning was plain as day. Of course it wasn't smooth sailing from the beginning (apparently these hockey players really struggle with not committing to any relationships during the season except for when these idiots do anyway lolol) it was obvious they couldn't stay away from one another. They did antagonize each other for a good chunk of the beginning which again, I loved. Per usual there was family drama but nothing that put me off or took away from the story. Highly enjoyed this one!

For more of my reviews, please visit:

descriptive text here

619 reviews3 followers
June 7, 2021
Stress

Aria has come to play for the Moo U women's team and when she first meets Cal they get off on the wrong foot. This doesn't last for long and although the connection between them is intense, family drama and lies threaten their relationship.This is the first book I've read by Sierra and I loved it so much that it won't be the last. Such a wonderful addition to an amazing series.
Profile Image for Sara Oxton.
3,470 reviews17 followers
May 29, 2021
Playmaker by Sierra Hill a gongshow of a five-star read. This is number eight in the Moo U series, but is an easy stand-alone, as each author tells a different character’s story, I will be picking up the others as I go as I am loving Moo U. Aria and Callen, oh my goodness my heart went out to the both of them for different reasons, but also pounding with how strong they both were in going for their goals, they both have the strength to go for it, giving up so much. I loved that we got so much of Aria’s story, while lots of it is hidden and the story reflects that there are other details that are revealed and tell the deeper story. Overall a very good story that will suck you in and leave you howling.
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,847 reviews12 followers
June 8, 2021
Yaaaaass b*tches! We're back in the True North-verse, and I can't get enough!

And a kinda fake kinda thingy was a lot of fun - but man it must have been so exhausting for our lovely lady Aria. I spent the whole time I was reading, waiting for the shoe to drop and the s*** show to start up.

I love the bite and snark between Callan and Aria, but oh man the sparks flying between them is enough to start a bushfire!

I adore the rest of the room mates, particularly Aria's besty Sophie. However, I need all of these people to get their story - please let it happen!

This is another great installment in the Moo U series, and I am not right onto the next book.
Profile Image for Alecia (The Staircase Reader).
1,036 reviews71 followers
June 18, 2021
**3 ½ Stars**

Bring on more MOO U!!

I can't get over how much I am really enjoying this series. Add the fact that these authors are now incorporating women hockey players into the world, and I am even more head over heels in love with this series and these authors. And let's also not forget, I love experiencing these new-to-me authors for the first time through this series! Sierra Hill is a new to me author, and if her other novels are anything like this one, I'm in for a real treat!

Playmaker by Sierra Hill is the eighth book in the Moo U series.
Callan and Aria's story can be read as a standalone.

Aria is hoping to up her hockey game and make it on the woman's USA Olympic team. But with the conflict and suspicion revolving around her family and her old college, Aria has decided to transfer to Moo U. I can't even tell you all how much I love the drama that tends to come up with these types of secret romances. Nothing good can come from keeping secrets from new friends, and new relationships.... To say I was all in, would be an understatement. The more time Aria spent with Callan, the more I was waiting for the truth to come out and for the drama to hit the fan.

There is one thing I have to say though, There was a moment In this novel when I started to really dislike Aria's character. The more she got to know Callan and the stronger their bond started to grow, I felt she needed to be upfront with him. It's next to impossible to love someone without trusting them first. If that's the case, it's called lust and not love. Maybe it's just me, but I wanted her to do the mature thing and fess up about EVERYTHING before he found out from somebody else.

On a plus side, I loved both Aria and Callan's dedication to the sport. I loved their bond and their back and forth banter. These two had the potential to be a five star read, but the miscommunication aspect got in the way.... once again. and once again, this is reader preference. I have a slight love/hate relationship when it comes down to Fake Relationship Tropes. And that is simply due to the miscommunication conflict that comes with the relationship at the end. One day I'd like to see the hero or heroine fessing up and proclaiming their love before shit hits the fan. But yet again, I love the drama that tends to follow soon after the miscommunication conflict.

Overall, I loved the hockey vibes and seeing a woman dominate in her element. I also loved the overall bond between Aria and Cal. I wanted a bit more from the ending and the makeup period. The ending felt a bit too rushed in my opinion. But if you love Hockey romances, see for yourself. You never know, this may be your next five star read!


________________

description

Find me here:
The Staircase Reader
Instagram
Facebook
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
10.2k reviews87 followers
June 7, 2021
Aria is determined to focus on her dream of becoming part of the women’s hockey team even if that means putting distance between her and the tumultuous situation her family find themselves in. She is now attending Moo U and finds herself not only roommates with Callan but pretending they are a couple while trying to protect her secrets.

Callan is part of the men’s hockey team who after his last relationship is determined to direct his attention towards the game on the ice. Between his ex and the women who want to be his next he offers Aria an arrangement she can’t turn down but it when feelings develop that things begin to get interesting.

Sports, secrets and steam as Aria and Callan’s transition from pretend to real wasn’t without a few challenges along the way.
Profile Image for Jill M.
1,309 reviews93 followers
June 7, 2021
I don't normally gravitate towards the YA genre but I took a chance on this book and Sierra blew me away. I love a good sports romance and she weaved an amazing story with a kick butt girl hockey player and a sexy god on the ice. It was pretty cool she included a woman's hockey team in the story.

There was a insta chemistry with Callan and Aria and an even bigger connection.  I loved how they grew as people on an off the ice. They heated the pages once they came together.

This story had not only great characters but depth and back story to keep you intrigued from beginning to the end.
1,468 reviews15 followers
June 8, 2021
I loved that Aria was strong willed and didn't let Callan get away with anything, especially on their first meeting (although he mostly meant well). It was fun with them being roommates. I enjoyed that they both could also could relate to wanting to run away from any possible sins of their parents while making their own names in hockey. I also liked that Aria's condition also made them bond in unexpected ways: a little secure, a little sexy, and a little pain. I also enjoyed having locations mentioned around my own little corner of the country, as it is nice to be able to relate to the characters at times. I think I need to check out more of this world!
Profile Image for Ryan Mead.
28 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2023
Hehehehe okay HEAR ME OUT. The cover definitely is deceiving, I thought this book was going to be straight sex BUT there actually was a plot and IT WAS SO GOOD. Also love supporting a local author. I loved the characters, I loved how they kept not crossing paths at the beginning and the teasing was perfect lol. That being said, I really think this book had a good plot and the family drama had my jaw dropping, I would read this book again. Spoiler: I hate Marina, wtf, stop snooping, she made me soooooo mad lol.
Profile Image for Ashley Herndon.
1,038 reviews14 followers
June 8, 2021
This may be my favorite Sierra Hill yet!

Its probably because she delved into a world I love. True North!

This book was great!

Solid plot development
Very likable characters
Swoon-worthy hero

I love the aspect of scandal and how it impacted.

I highly recommend this roommate to forever kinda tale!
Profile Image for Laiza.
634 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2021
#AriaUsa
#HockeyPlayers
#Athletes
#FakedItTillYouMakeIt
#LiesAhead
#ChurchWoman
#🇺🇸🇨🇦
Enjoyable read
June 7, 2021
So much to say about this beautiful book! I was so happy to have some Sierra Hill words to read especially a hockey romance I am obsessed with Hockey romances!

What I loved about this one is both the hero and the heroine were athletes! Both striving for their goals and when they weren’t looking they found each other! I love how Hill takes read world, life events and puts them in her writing! It makes it all relatable and very intriguing!

If you love sports romance with a twist then this hockey romance is the book for you!
Profile Image for Atlanta Whitlock.
907 reviews12 followers
May 23, 2021
I’ve read a few books by Sierra Hill and they’ve all had such a different feel to them, but none the less I’ve enjoyed every single one, however, this time round this book is so different from them all and it shows that Sierra’s writing has improved a lot. For example, the one thing that I thought worked so well is that she decided to include a hockey team for the women and considering I’ve read a lot of books, I don’t think I’ve come across a book where an author has made us females in general feel included, normally its the guys that get to be the main starring feature, but this time we was included and I loved the rivalry between the male and female hockey teams.
I did feel quite a bit for Aria because whilst she’s done nothing but do her best to achieve going after her goals and because of something that is happening with the guys hockey team that her dad coaches at her old University she is having to leave her life behind and completely change her everyday life. She’s got no idea what’s actually happening and having to leave everything she’s ever known can’t be easy for her.
I really loved the way that Sierra developed this story and thought that she nailed the plot and characters perfectly, it just seemed to melt away all the real life problems whilst you was reading this and I loved the little break from reality.
One thing I do have to say is that I LOVE Callan, he’s just a sweetie and if anything I just felt the pull towards him. But I can understand the difficult decisions that he has to make at times, there’s a lot of pressure put on him and you can’t help but want to be there and cuddle him. I think he might be my favourite book boyfriend out of all of Sierra’s books that I’ve read so far.
I can’t fault this, it was just too gripping if anything and I know how talented that Sierra is and I always enjoy getting to find out what she plans on giving us next. She should really be proud at how far she’s come along.
If you love Sierra’s work or any of the authors that are contributing to the Moo U series, I’d recommend giving this book and the others a read as these authors are pretty talented and it’s amazing what they’ve given us.

The last thing that Aria expected when she was looking forward to starting her junior year at the University that she’d been attending, where she was with her friends and family… however after a scandal that had happened with the hockey team her dad coaches, the last thing she want or needed was for the rumours to start coming back to her, her future and history questioned and maybe have her whole career taken from her. So with the help of her friend, she ends up transferring to Moo U University and moved in with her friend. Aria is under a lot of pressure as she doesn’t want anyone to find out the reason for why she’s moved there or for what’s happening back home with her dad to come back and reach her, so with the pressure of playing with a new hockey team and learning the way they do things, she can’t help but feel like something is missing. She knows she’s good enough to go after her goal, but she knows she needs to get some extra help and the last person she wants to ask is her cocky housemate considering he’s a pain to her half the time, she never knows which way things are when it concerns him and the main factor being the first night they met he made her feel like a rejected tool.
When Callan comes up with the proposition of helping her get better and improvising her game, only if she pretends to be his fake girlfriend in public, will she jump at the chance or turn him down like he did to her???
When Aria ends up injuring her ankle, will it cost her her career??? What will become of the accusations surrounding her dad, will he be innocent or will he be found to be involved with it???
Profile Image for Kim.
1,070 reviews
June 16, 2021
New to me author

Narration was very good

Again I was excited to see a female hockey player in this one and I did enjoy that aspect of the book more in this one than in Book 6, there is more hockey showing the girls, so that was fun.

I also enjoyed Callan, after the first few chapters when he was a cocky ass hole. He was actually a really sweet caring guy, who like most other reviewers mentioned, did not need to say sorry first after Aria blows up on him, though good on him for being the bigger person in that moment, and she who was in the wrong does not apologize at all.

I really hate when an author holds a big secret over the heads of the reader, especially if the secret keeper is one of the POV's we get to hear. Aria's family drama details were kept secret for too long in this story. And then when the reader finally finds out what is going on at last, I felt a lot of disappointment in how Aria reacted to her dad. I get that she was trying to protect her outside world, but she cut him off completely and that was just wrong and a bit extreme for what the dad supposedly did.

Over all this was a bit on the frustrating side, it had fun enjoyable moments but Aria was not overly likable.

Series continuity: This story happens at the same time as books 6 and 7. From Callan's POV you get more of the previous characters especially Tate. Comparing this one to book 6 and 7, this one shows better continuity to the rest of the series than the other two. Hudson who is the team cap gets mentioned, I don't remember Seb getting a mention. The girls team: Faith gets a mention and Zoe who is in the next book. As for the exhibition game, I was a little worried at first b/c the mixed team was sprung on them at the last min in this one, making it sound like they did not have a practice like in book 6.

Having read and skimmed lots of reviews from all the books in the series, I seem to be the ONLY one concerned about continuity of story. I've not see one other person talk about it. So it must not matter to most people which I find interesting. I know these are all written by different authors but other than a few notes this seamed to be set up as a free for all, which to me hinders the whole series.

The other trend I'm getting a bit tired of are the controlling and overbearing former NHL fathers. So far it has been books 4,5,7 and 8, and to a point book 2. And book 9 looks to be headed that way as well. It makes for the same over pressure and ass hat father themes in all of those stories making them feel less original.
Profile Image for Reflections of a Swede.
381 reviews26 followers
June 6, 2021
** A free copy of this book was kindly provided by Heart Eyes Press **

This is a cute College sports romance where both protagonists are hockey players. Callan is the son of a retired NHL hockey legend, and Aria is the daughter of a hockey coach being accused of academic fraud.

Playmaker is a quick read, so there's no space for in-depth character development. But for some easy entertainment, it's all right.
But I'm thinking I might have outgrown the genre myself. I've noticed that I'm getting less and less tolerant with characters behaving immaturely and getting away with it. And stuff I would have thought cute when I was in my twenties aren't anymore.

Nevertheless, it's a well-written story, Hill clearly knows what she's doing. And she even manages to capture that cosy, Vermont vibe despite most of the story taking place on campus or in the house they both live in. So kudos for that. And there's some hot shenanigans as well.

Unfortunately, Aria is a bit immature despite being 20/21 in the story. She cuts off all contact with her dad because of unconfirmed allegations and doesn't even listen to what he has to say about it. She picks a nasty fight with Callan, using information he told her in confidence, and being a total bitch. Entirely unprovoked. And then Callan is beating himself up for “his part” in their fight? And he apologizes before Aria does. He had nothing to apologize for. Not one thing.

But all's well that ends well, and Aria and Callan get their HEA. And despite some of my reservations (I'm thinking I'm not the target audience here), it's still a 4-star read.

However, I feel that I'm obligated to point out that boobs don't taste like watermelon. They just don't. And nobody thinks they do. Accept Callan apparently.
And maybe Rebel Wilson's boo.

Profile Image for Sara ✨ Next Book Review Blog ✨.
2,098 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2021
I found Playmaker to be a fun and quick read. It was a good insta-lust with some playful teasing and banter in the beginning that turned into a fake relationship and sports romance. As a native Vermonter, I enjoyed seeing all the Vermont things thrown in... the dairy farms, the apples and apple cider,Burlington and Church Street, the Vermont cheese (Yes, Cabot cheese please YUMM-O)!! I was pleased to see she had done some research on the area and it came off authentic.  Anywho, Cal and Aria had an intense and strong attraction to each other. Once they touched each other it was hard to put their hands back on their hockey sticks ;) 

Cal started off the book kind of seeming like a player and no, not on the ice. He does have his moments and suggesting a fake relationship might have been an immature move but it really ended up being the thing that changed him. Throughout the story, Cal really grows. He ends on being super mature and seriously smitten with Aria. Aria, now Aria, I struggled liking a bit. She was lying to everyone from the start so adding a fake relationship was just another lie to remember. I was happy to see her realize the way she treated her father... I mean, there was no benefit of the doubt, she just was worried about herself. I felt for the daddy there but again, it's pretty normal young adult behavior.

Sierra Hill's writing is at its best. She gives us a compelling story that kept me captivated from the start. Hill sure excels at that sweet and sassy romance!


I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

Check out my Blog: Next Book Review
Check out my Facebook Page: Next Book Review Facebook
Profile Image for Trader (RedHotBlueReads).
1,669 reviews38 followers
June 7, 2021
4.5 Stars

Aria is a transfer student to Moo U and she's excited to get on the ice and play with the women's team. Her end-game is the USA Olympic Team, but with her family scandal she doesn't know if that will impact her chances. So she's using her mother's maiden name so she's not associated with her father's scandal. She meets Church/Callan at a her first party when he steps in and saves her from the advances of a drunken teammate. There's definite sparks from the start between them.

Callan is a cocky hockey player (is there any other?) and he's sworn off women after a situation that keeps following him around. Aria almost makes him break his no woman rule, and things get way more complicated when they discover they are actually roommates. But there is still a spark between them and when Aria needs help with her hockey skills and Church needs help with his situation, a deal is struck between them.

There's plenty of spark between Aria and Callan and I immediately loved these two together. It does take some time for them to really get together and they also develop a friendship, which I liked about this story. I did think there were some additional factors, such as Aria's anxiety issues that didn't add anything to the story besides giving them an excuse to get physical. I didn't think the story needed that.

The unresolved conflict they must deal with toward the end of the story is predictable and easily addressed with communication and some honesty. I was glad the author did not drag this out, and I loved how Callan responded to some real talk from Aria's friend Sophie.

Overall, I really liked this story. It's a quick and easy read, with a nice dose of hockey action.
Profile Image for Deb Schwartz .
511 reviews18 followers
June 7, 2021
Aria Huntington is a dynamo when her head is in the game as a player for the Mighty Moo U women’s hockey team, when her head is not in the game she’s one hot mess. I enjoyed getting to know Aria, her uncertainty about her struggles felt true and real. Can Aria keep up her game to reach for those brass rings, or will her personal life cost her everything?

Callan Church Thomas is a complete “Beautician/ Rockstar”, as a senior player for the Mighty Moo U hockey team. With his future laid out before him Callan has to decide on what he wants. I could not get enough of this hero, my goodness his heart for the game, his no crap radar, his leadership-friendships skills and a smoking hot body to boot. *{throws arm against forehead with a sigh}*

The first moment Callan and Aria meet is “priceless” a true comedy moment. The heat they generate is off the charts. Can they move past all their issues to possibly become friends/suite mates? Only time will tell. Both have “Daddy” issues from one spectrum to the other, can they push through it all to see if there is a “lamp light” in their future?

I could not contain my laughter, it’s so great to see the reoccurring characters from previous books in the “True North World”. All give support as well as some much needed fun. Playmaker by Serena Hill is full of great character building, strong ties between family and friends, some breathtaking intimate moments. All around a wonderful read!

Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb !
Profile Image for Vera Blaz.
1,302 reviews4 followers
June 7, 2021
When they first met each other, neither one made a great impression on the other. Little did they know that they were suite mates sharing a floor in a house owned by her best friend. Callan Thomas was both intrigued and irritated by Aria Huntington. But the more time they spent together, the easier their interactions were. Aria was a transfer student from Minnesota. She wanted to get away from the scandal surrounding the college where her father was the head hockey coach; she had the Olympics in her sights. She wanted to get better with her hockey skills and he needed a fake girlfriend to keep his ex at bay. A mutual beneficial agreement. Soon the fake relationship turns into something real, but Aria hasn't told Callan the real truth about who she is and why she transferred to Moo U.

Aria and Callan were well-matched. They were dedicated and determined to achieve their goals to reach their dreams. When they worked together they were a formidable pair. But every great relationship has trust at the foundation. They both learned how important it was to trust and the consequences of lies of omission. The author did an amazing job of weaving Aria and Callan's story into the Moo U series. I loved reading about some of the characters from previous books.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews132 followers
June 7, 2021
Playmaker is a fantastic sports romance by Sierra Hill. The eighth book in the multi-author Moo U series, it's easily read as a standalone.

I love this book. It's everything I was hoping it would be. Part of the Moo U universe, it's a stellar addition to the fun.

Cal and Aria are roommates, who slowly go from fake dating to real love.

Their journey isn't easy, as both have issues to deal with.

Cal never wanted to date. His plan was to work hard at his game and make it to the pros. And then he met his new roommate.

Aria's story is wonderfully written, although emotional heavy for sure. As a sports fan, I can completely understand all that Aria is dealing with.

As a hockey player herself, she has to deal with her game, as well as struggling with a secret and a family scandal. Of course both are hanging over her head throughout, leaving the reader a little tense at times.

I adore everything about this couple. They complement one another wonderfully, and I appreciate all they are as a couple. Of course, they are hot as hell in the sheets too.

I love the author's writing style. Heck, I have yet to read one of her books that I don't love.

Playmaker is definitely a great choice the next time you're in the mood for a college romance. This Sierra Hill tale is definitely going on my re-read list.
Profile Image for Sarah~ Book Obsession Confessions.
1,080 reviews76 followers
June 3, 2021
4.5 Stars

I love hockey romance and this series.
This book is a wonderful addition to this “world.”
-Aria is starting at a new college and hiding a big secret about herself.
She’s hoping to make it on the Olympic hockey team. She’s motivated and an all around cool girl.
Callan is also a hockey player, he feels the shadow of his father who was an NHL player who wasn’t the most loyal to his wife and girlfriend’s.
Aria and Callan have an immediate attraction to each other, but Cal doesn’t want to be like his father and he feels like he should concentrate on school and hockey. No romance. No girlfriend.
Famous last words, right?
Cal is in a situation that he thinks having a fake girlfriend will help him, and Aria is need of someone to help her train with hopes to improve her skills and confidence.
So, the fake relationship begins and it’s really fun, cute and HOT🔥
I really like these characters and their banter is lots of fun and clever. Both of them are nice, smart and seriously hot.
Their chemistry is scorching! I love the way the author writes the sexy time scenes. They are realistic, hot and fun! She definitely gets it right in my opinion.
Obviously there’s some bumps in the road. No over the top angst or drama. It’s kept realistic.
It’s such a refreshing story with great characters, both main and secondary.
Loved it!
Profile Image for Chelsy.
89 reviews
June 7, 2021
Moo U Hockey is a college hockey romance series in the World of True North, created by Sarina Bowen. Each novel can be read as a standalone, however the series will feature some of the same characters that you will come to know and love. If you loved reading this book, I would also recommend reading Sarina Bowen’s True North books and the other True North series (Vino & Veritas; Busy Bean Cafe; Speakeasy Taproom; and the rest of the Moo U books).

In Playmaker, Aria shares a hot kiss with a party with a hottie, only for him to ditch her for his friends. Hoping to never see him again, that hottie just happens to play hockey for Moo U, just like she does, and turns out to be her new roommate. But Aria has big dreams to make the Olympic team next year and as hard as she tries to deny it, Callan would be the perfect person to help her hone her skills. He proposes to help her with hockey, if she’ll be his fake girlfriend. It’s the perfect plan . . . right?

Sierra did a wonderful job writing Aria and Callan as interesting characters with more to each of them than meets the eye. I enjoyed laughing and swooning through this novel. Be sure to check out Playmaker for a fun read!

*I have received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.