Review: Against the Boards by Danica Flynn

Rating: 3.5/5
Tropes: Brother’s Best Friend, Enemies to lovers, Roommates, LGBTQ rep, Hockey Romance
Series: Philadelphia Bulldogs Hockey Book 3
PoP: 26%

Can two people that despise each other really fall in love….

Roxanne fresh off a breakup looking for a change she find herself working for her twin Brother’s NHL Team in Philly. Roxanne moves in with her brother TJ’s condo while he is going to be gone for the summer. The problem is, Michael “Benny” Bennett also lives in Tristan’s condo.  Benny and Roxie are Oil and Water… 

Benny and Roxie are more than just enemies their relationship is hostile.  Benny on first meeting Roxie made a statement that she has held against him.  As these two become unlikely roommates they are hostile to each other.  I am honestly not sure how they did not come to blows.   

As Roxie opens herself up to Benny and the change in their relationship, she does not want TJ to know about it.  She just does not think she is enough for him. Roxie’s body image plays a huge part into their relationship, and she has a very hard time accepting that Benny is attracted to her as she is.   Roxie is also dealing with coming out as bisexual to her parents.  She has struggled with their initial response and has not had a relationship with them in years. 

Roxie’s is a character with protective armor and takes time for the reader to see her open and be who she truly is.  At first she can be hard to relate to she seem so angry and hostile.  But as the story moves forward and she sheds some of that protective shell around her you do see her beautiful soul and why Benny has fallen for her.   

Benny is the guy who doesn’t always think before he speaks but he has a big heart.  Benny is a caregiver. Sometimes Benny just need to shut up!  He is dumb things blaming it on being drunk and horny. Never is there calm when these two are in a room together He is a character who is very sweet and kind.  He is also passionate. When takes that step to be with Roxie he is all in!  Benny is for sure the driving force in this relationship. He seems to care enough for the at times.  

This is strong enemies to lovers romance.  One moment they are at each other’s throats and the next they are ripping their clothes off.  If you like an enemies to lovers romance, you should absolutely give this a try.  I did enjoy the real body rep and Bi-sexual rep in this story. It was very well done, and the author was very respectful to both topics.  Benny and Roxie deserve their HEA.  Both deserve to have that one person in their lives that loves them and would lay their lives down for them.