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Back Against the Wall by Marie James | Book Review

Feb. 15, 2024

Back Against the Wall by Marie James | Book Review

In this small-town romance, former NHL star Chase Woodson faces personal upheaval after being replaced on his team and discovering his ex-wife's betrayal. As he returns home to become a single parent, his path crosses with Madison Kelly, an old crush who harbors resentment but accepts a job as a nanny for Chase's twin boys. Their complicated history, professional boundaries, and unexpected twists create a captivating narrative, blending elements of love, loss, and second chances in a charming small-town setting.

Back Against the Wall by Marie James | Book Reviewfour-stars
Back Against the Wall by Marie James
Series: Lindell #1
Genres: Small Town Romance, Sports Romance

A small town, single dad, enemies to lovers romance.

Crawling back to this small town was never in hockey star Chase Woodson’s plans.

From hitting hockey pucks in front of thousands to selling urinal pucks at his father’s hardware store, coming back home is his worst nightmare.

But being a (newly) single dad of twin boys means making sacrifices. His boys need stability and his dad needs his help in the store.

Now he needs her.

Except, Chase has been the bane of Madison Kelly’s existence since high school.

She just so happens to be the only available nanny in town.

Besides, high school was ten years ago.

People don’t hold grudges that long, right?

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In this series: Easier Said Than Done
Other books from this Author Sins of the Father: A Ravens Ruin Novel, Cannon , Rocker, Easier Said Than Done

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

Chase Woodson, once an NHL superstar, faced a tumultuous downfall when his team replaced him with a younger player, and he discovered his wife’s affair with his teammate and ex-boyfriend. Now, he’s back home, ready to embrace single parenthood after learning that his ex-wife’s affair had severe consequences for their children.

Madison Kelly, who harbored a crush on her older neighbor Chase, found herself disliking him after he stood her up in high school. When her ex-boyfriend swindles her company, she has no choice but to move back home to her parents’ house to regroup and settle her debts.

As fate brings Chase and Madison together, with Madison becoming the potential nanny for Chase’s twin boys, they grapple with the challenges of keeping their relationship strictly platonic. Both scarred by past betrayals, can they resist the sparks of chemistry between them?

While the book was overall enjoyable, I had mixed feelings about Madison’s character. Chase, deeply burned by his ex-wife Erica, makes the tough decision to move back to his hometown to provide a stable environment for his boys. Madison, taken advantage of by her ex-boyfriend, reluctantly accepts Chase’s job offer as a nanny, despite her reservations about him.

The chemistry between Chase and Madison is palpable, but they struggle to keep it professional for personal reasons. Chase is determined to protect his custody of the boys and ongoing divorce, while Madison battles her lingering resentment and fears from her past relationship. Despite their internal conflicts, they both grapple with their growing attraction.

The story takes unexpected turns, revealing Madison’s misjudgments and some immature behavior. However, the involvement of certain characters during challenging moments adds depth to the narrative. The resolution brings a satisfying conclusion, leaving room for future stories in this small town. Looking forward to more from this engaging setting.

Back Against the Wall Teaser 2

Meet the Author


four-stars

About Marie James

Marie James is a full-time working mother of two amazing little boys and wife of almost 13 years. She enjoys reading in her spare time, and diet coke is always near. Central Texas is where Marie calls home and has lived most of her life. With 13 published books under her belt, she has no desire to stop writing anytime soon and has dozens of book ideas to keep her busy.

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Hi, I’m Rita and I write all about books. I learned at a very early age just how much I love to read and getting lost in the worlds that books provide.

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The Big Read Take Two
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��Single Mom
��New in Town
��Neighbors
��Hurt/Comfort
��Grumpy Maple Farmer
��Protective
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a
problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me
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Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
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I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest
festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an
annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer
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Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet
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Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
��Single Mom
��New in Town
��Neighbors
��Hurt/Comfort
��Grumpy Maple Farmer
��Protective
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a
problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me
when I’m wrong. I think he’s grumpy, rigid, and overprotective. He thinks I’m chaos in Crocs.
Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
But then he starts showing up.
For my son when he’s overwhelmed.
For my daughters when they need someone steady.
And for me when my hands won’t stop shaking.
I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest
festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an
annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer
next door becomes my fiercest protector, ready to stand by my side while I fight for my family.
 
Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet
when the pressure builds.
#newbookalert #daphneelliot #smalltownromance @theauthor.agency
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"I've got to get Julian's booster." I turned toward the van, sticking a hand in my purse and rummaging for my keys. "No need. I got one." Lips pursed, I turned back to him. "Here." He opened the back door, and sure enough, there was a booster.  I strode to the door and examined it. "That's the same." "Yes. The same one you have. I saw it while I was at Costmart and grabbed it, figured it would be easier." Blinking, I turned to him, my brain not quite understanding. "Got snacks too." Julian wandered to Josh's side. "Is Wayne coming?" Ducking, he shook his head. "He's keeping Jasper and Vincent company while we're gone. Since we need my truck to haul the pumpkin back, there isn't enough room.  Julian's whole body sagged with disappointment. "But he'll help us build our boat, don't worry." The truck was equipped with snacks, water, blankets, and a few extra hoodies. Well-worn hoodies that looked so cozy I wished I could slip one on now, then take it home with me. "Why do you have so many snacks?" Maggie asked. "Cause kids eat a lot," he replied, eyeing her in the mirror.  Ellie shrugged. "Accurate." We hadn't even driven outside town limits before they were digging in. "Mom," Julian shouted far louder than necessary. "He has cucumbers. Cut in circles, not sticks." I turned in my seat, and sure enough, Josh had procured cucumbers, Julian's favorite, and had cut them with precision. "He got my crackers too." Heart thudding, I eyed the man beside me. "How did you know which foods were Julian's safe foods?" His focus was on the road, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. "I noticed and took a photo of the box with my phone. Didn't want to mess it up for him." 

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To stop the darkness, I must walk among the enemy
 
Going undercover in a rival wolf pack wasn't part of the plan, but it's the only way to uncover their true motives. With a false identity and a carefully spun lie, I slip into their hidden community, only to learn the truth is far more dangerous than I imagined.
 
These wolves aren't evil. They're being used. Manipulated by an ancient entity that feeds on shifter energy, one bent on harnessing enough power to permanently darken the moon. If it succeeds, every wolf shifter will gain unstoppable strength, at the cost of our humanity.
 
As suspicion sharpens around me, I lean on Eve's spells to mask my identity and Salima's guidance to reach my allies on the outside. Time is running out, the lunar ritual draws near, and I'm walking a razor's edge between exposure and survival.
 
Because saving the city isn't enough this time. I have to save them, even if they tear me apart for the truth.
 
Find out what lurks in the shadows of Ravenholde by reading Moon of Secrets, the Paranormal Women's Fiction series readers are comparing to Shannon Mayer, K.F. Breene, and Victoria Dannan.

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