I’m a huge hockey fan and like the occasional romance novel, but I wasn’t prepared for the relatable characters Hannah Grace wrote in the Maple Hill Series. Her characters are multidimensional, have real-world problems, and show the vulnerability of taking the leap, trusting, and loving someone unconditionally. Hannah Grace’s parallel storylines between the two main characters in her novels allow the Maple Hill series to set itself apart from many modern romance series.
Below are my reviews of each book and insight into what I learned from reading the series to make your experience more enjoyable.
- Read these books in order. The characters are layers to a bigger story, so reading them in order will give you the background to understand the dynamics of the larger group and individual perspectives.
- Read the author’s note. At the beginning of each book in the Maple Hill series, Hannah Grace plants a seed into how she came up with the story line for each couple. It helped me understand why some characters do what they do and how they connect to Grace’s experience.
The Books in the Maple Hill Series
Icebreaker
If you’re a fan of the film The Cutting Edge, you will LOVE the first book in the Maple Hill series. Icebreaker follows the ice skater Anastasia Allen, whose one mission is to be a part of Team USA. She lands a full scholarship and will do anything to reach her goal and keep great grades. This little pistol of personality has a run-in with the hockey team’s captain, Nate Hawkins.
Nate will stand up for any teammate, even if it means the punishment is sharing a rink with the figure skating team – queue Anastasia’s militant schedule and distaste for hockey players. After friction between the two parties, Anastasia faces a professional challenge with her skating partner. She needs to find someone who can skate, be strong enough to lift her and remember choreography.
Too bad Nate is naturally gifted at all three.
I enjoyed Icebreaker for its comedy and its reliability when it comes to friendships.
Wildfire
The second book in the Maple Hill Series follows Russ Callaghan. After a busy school year and a crazier hockey season, he’s ready to kick back and celebrate. He’s about to begin a drinking game when he looks to find Aurora Roberts standing opposite him. What begins as flirtation ends with an out-of-this-world one-night stand.
Ever the charmer, Aurora leaves Russ’s place before he can even get her name. Fast forward 48 hours, Russ is still reeling from Cinderella when he hops in his truck to head towards his summer job – a summer camp counselor. Imagine his shock when he notices one of the other camp counselors is the woman in his bed LAST NIGHT!
Russ took this job to get away from his addict dad, and Aurora took the job because it’s the only place she’s felt like herself. They soon become camp counselors for the same group and quickly become friends.
Aurora has a wild streak, and Russ is very measured, but they both wear their heart on their sleeves. Can they stick to the rules and stay friends, or will they it further? Will this simmering flame turn into a wildfire?
Wildfire is the “spiciest” of the Maple Hill Series, but Hannah Grace knows how to make these characters more.
Daydream
In the third installment of the Maple Hill Series, Daydream, we follow fan favorite Henry Turner, who’s in a real pickle. His tendency to procrastinate lands him in the coach’s office, and now he must work hard to pass his junior year with flying colors. After discovering he’s in hot water with Coach, he goes to the new bookstore and cafe with Aurora and meets Halle Jacobs, a bookworm and fellow empath.
Halle is a gold-star student, and when she hears about Henry’s conundrum, she offers to help. By becoming his tutor, they agree on an exchange: Halle will gain new experiences by agreeing to help Henry, and Henry will have Halle, who can help him with his studies. Through multiple experiences, including dates, parties and more, Henry quickly realizes Halle is his best friend and understands how he works. Will they stay best friends, or can they try for more?
Find more books
I enjoyed this series and can’t wait for more! Hopefully, Hannah Grace will create more in the Maple Hill Series to enjoy the other team members. While we wait, try Taylor Jenkins Reed’s Malibu Rising or Helen Hoang’s Kiss Quotient Series. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of these books, or leave a recommendation for other books to read!
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