Strictly for Now by Carrie Elks

Strictly for Now is a lightheart fun read with great characters and sizzling chemistry.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  It was light hearted romp I needed. 

Mackenzie and Eli, both in their late thirties, I love that the author is giving voice to love in your 30’s.

Mackenzie was so relatable, she possessed a down-to-earth nature, intelligence, ambition, and a caring and friendly demeanor. Despite her confident performance in her job, she harbored deep insecurities in her personal life. It is something I think many struggle with,  I could empathize with, considering the significant impact of the ‘incident’ on her self-confidence. I genuinely felt sorry for her, but I admired Eli’s unwavering patience with her. He allowed her to dictate the pace of their relationship without pressuring her, yet he made sure she understood his feelings for her through small gestures, such as helping her overcome her fear of the ice.

Eli exuded confidence, ambition, patience, intelligence, and maturity. While there was some initial tension between them, I wouldn’t go so far as to label them enemies. Right from the beginning, there was an undeniable attraction, and the chemistry between them sizzled. The intimate scenes were passionate and intense, providing a glimpse into both characters’ perspectives.

Numerous new secondary characters were introduced in this story. Mackenzie’s family played a significant role, including her grandfather, parents, and siblings. Each character possessed their own unique personality, and their relationship with Mackenzie was strained for various reasons. However, I was pleased to see them make sincere efforts to mend those bonds.

Additionally, the staff working for The Mavericks team and the players themselves added depth to the story. Particularly, Goran, Carter, and Max, the young and enthusiastic hockey players with a hint of wildness but good hearts, stood out. I do think the author did a good job of balancing all the characters without crowding the pages. Although there were a few brief scenes involving the Salinger family, the focus of this story revolved more around Mackenzie’s family dynamics and the blossoming romance between Mackenzie and Eli.

Overall, I really liked this story and the well-developed characters.  I do think given all the side characters and everything happening on page that this book would do better to have read at least one of the previous books in the series.

Book Stats:
Rating: 4/5
Series: The Salinger Brothers
Tropes: Co-workers, close proximity, sports romance, after sports, hockey romance, family series

Reviews for other books in the series:
Book 2 – Strictly Pleasure 

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review