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Strictly For Now: An opposites attract hockey romance (The Salinger Brothers Book 3) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 4,702 ratings

I hate hockey. He hates everything else... including me.

Falling flat on my back in a sweaty locker room isn’t how I planned to introduce myself to my grandpa’s hockey team. Especially when I’m there to turn the business around financially; something nobody else in the stadium seems to want.

But that’s how I first meet Eli Salinger, the team’s aggravatingly smooth player-turned coach.

And from the moment I introduce myself to him, he makes it clear he doesn’t want me there.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out why. Eli’s only interested in one thing – turning the team into a winning side, no matter what it takes.

And he’s determined to fight every change I try to make.

What he doesn’t know is that I’ve never taken on a project that hasn’t succeeded. And I’m not about to let this be the first.

I don’t care if he’s grumpy and adorable in equal measure. Or that every time he looks at me it sends me all a flutter.

This is a game of wits. And there can be only one winner.


Strictly For Now is a standalone, steamy opposites-attract hockey romance featuring an over-40s hero, a strong, professional heroine and a love match that will make you smile and swoon.
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There are 6 books in this series.

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From the Publisher

He's the coach who knows what he wants

Strictly For Now Carrie Elks

And he wants her even if she hates everything about ice hockey

Editorial Reviews

Review

'I was captivated from the beginning to the end' - Sharon, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'It had me hooked from the first chapter, and I could not put it down.'
- Joe, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'The way the chemistry sparked with these two was completely hawt!
- Johanna, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'Love, love, loved it.'
- Dawn, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'(A) wonderfully written story with amazing characters. Fantastic read,' -
Diane, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'Eli is swoon worthy and I loved him from the start. Him and Mac are hot and perfection together.' -
Jaime, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★


'Oh wow! I am totally in love with Eli Salinger!' -
Sarah, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BPTGLPX6
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 15, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Salinger Brothers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 4,702 ratings

About the author

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Carrie Elks
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Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4,702 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this hockey romance enjoyable and well-written, particularly appreciating Theo's AHL take on the genre. The story receives positive feedback for its HEA ending and steamy scenes, while customers praise the wonderful characters. They also appreciate the sweetness of the relationship between Eli and Mackenzie.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

14 customers mention "Enjoyment"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and adorable, with one mentioning they were hooked throughout the story.

"...and Liam's books, I couldn't wait for Eli's book - and it was so worth the wait!!!!!..." Read more

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

"...The author did an amazing job and had me hooked the whole time! 🌶️ There were definitely some steamy scenes in the book!..." Read more

"I loved this book. And what I really loved is that Meg and Eli always trusted each other...." Read more

14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoy Theo's AHL take on hockey romance, with one customer describing it as a fun fast read.

"...The characters were wonderful, the plot amazing, the romance was fantastic, and it makes HEA's seem possible!!!!" Read more

"Not as enjoyable as the first two books, but still a good read...." Read more

"I am so in love with this book. Such a great hockey romance. Book 3 was everything. I thought it was gonna be can’t wait to read book 4" Read more

"...It is so refreshing to read a romance where the couple doesn't have the predictable misunderstanding toward the end of the book where all looks..." Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, appreciating its happy ending and steamy scenes, with one customer noting its light-hearted nature.

"...I truly loved this book!!! The characters were wonderful, the plot amazing, the romance was fantastic, and it makes HEA's seem possible!!!!" Read more

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

"...🌶️ There were definitely some steamy scenes in the book!..." Read more

"I adored their story!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer specifically noting the middle-aged main characters.

"...I truly loved this book!!! The characters were wonderful, the plot amazing, the romance was fantastic, and it makes HEA's seem possible!!!!" Read more

"...Eli and Mackenzie are great characters with sizzling chemistry. The author does add a lot of supporting characters in this book...." Read more

"This was a well written hockey romance with some interesting side characters (G-pa Wayne is a hoot.)..." Read more

"...Overall it was a good story and it was great to have the characters from the previous book to pop up in this story" Read more

3 customers mention "Sweetness"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book sweet, with one mentioning they loved the characters Eli and Mack.

"I am so in love with this book. Such a great hockey romance. Book 3 was everything. I thought it was gonna be can’t wait to read book 4" Read more

"...Eli and Mackenzie are sweet and I love that their chemistry was able to shine on the page. It’s an easy and fun read, for sure...." Read more

"I loved Theo AHL take on hockey romance! I loved Eli and Mack, but what hurt the book for me was the Mack’s family!..." Read more

Feel Good Sports Romance with lots of 🔥
5 out of 5 stars
Feel Good Sports Romance with lots of 🔥
4.5⭐️ He makes me feel safe and alive. Like I could do anything and he wouldn’t judge me. I’ve never felt like that before 🥹 If you love just feely good books with a good plot and steam this series is for you. Strictly for Now is the third in the Salinger series and Eli did not disappoint….and psst, he’s a former hockey player turned coach 😉 This story starts off with a great meet-cute…or maybe not so cute when you fall on your bum and end up under a naked hockey player. Poor Mackenzie can’t catch a break, she’s been voluntold by her family that she needs to help her Grandfathers hockey team avoid bankruptcy just when she was in line for a big promotion at her job. But when you have famous parents, what they says goes and she does, all the way to West Virginia where Eli is coaching his first AHL hockey team. Mackenzie has a strict no fraternization policy but one look at Eli and spending time with him that all of a sudden goes out the window. Eli isn’t looking for love but the more time he spends around Mac the more he wants to keep her. What starts off a secret forbidden relationship blossoms to a lot more, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little drama when it comes to dealing with families – especially hers. Mac has always felt on the outs of her famous family but being with Eli makes her want to change that. This book was so good. I loved the ongoing banter between Eli and Mac and how they communicated really well. I can’t stand miscommunication tropes especially with older characters and this couple knew how to talk even through the difficult conversations. They were a perfect match and it was nice to see Mac letting go of past demons and getting out of her shell thanks to Eli. And of course we get some great comedic moments with the Salinger brothers like the other books. This family is so much fun and I can’t wait to meet the next brother and see what he is up to! *ARC Review*
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2023
    After reading Myles and Liam's books, I couldn't wait for Eli's book - and it was so worth the wait!!!!! It had everything a great romance should have, plus the hero is a hockey player!!!
    Eli is a former NHL player that is sent down the the AHL after a career ending knee injury. It's not exactly where he wants to be but he's trying to make the best of it.
    Mackenzie is a business consultant from New York that has worked very hard at her job and to distance herself from her family. She wants to earn respect rather then get her because of her family name.
    Eli and Mac are thrown together when her family makes her firm send her to help her grandfather's hockey team get out of a possible team ending financial crisis. No one knows she's related to Wayne, the owner of the team, and she wants to keep it that way.
    The sparks fly from the moment Eli and Mac meet, and I mean fly!!!! Sparks flew off the pages of this book when they were together!!!!
    I loved visiting with the Salinger brothers and wives. They really are a wonderfully dysfunctional family!! And, as I got to know them, Mac's family was very similar to them.
    I truly loved this book!!! The characters were wonderful, the plot amazing, the romance was fantastic, and it makes HEA's seem possible!!!!
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2023
    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.

    Eli and Mackenzie are great characters with sizzling chemistry. The author does add a lot of supporting characters in this book. 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.

    Overall, I really liked this story and the well-developed characters.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5
    🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

    𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
    🏒 Hockey Romance
    🥅Protective MMC
    🏒Cinnamon Roll MMC
    🥅Strong FMC
    🏒S P I C Y
    🥅Enemies to Lovers
    🏒Medium burn

    This standalone had me swoooooooning!! Strong, protective and possessive man, but all wrapped up in a cinnamon roll ♥️! He always let her do her thing, but was always behind her to support her and let her figure it out on her own terms.

    ⭐️𝙸 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔! The author did an amazing job and had me hooked the whole time!

    🌶️ There were definitely some steamy scenes in the book!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    Not as enjoyable as the first two books, but still a good read.

    For me, the main problem was MacKenzie, a fully grown 36-year old woman, not being able to stand up to her family or boss. Also, hiding her and Eli's relationship - causing all sorts of unnecessary issues - for no good reason whatsoever was just silly.

    There was a lot of telling as opposed to showing, i.e. Eli and Mackenzie became friends; this reader did not see the friendship developing - there was very little interaction between them at the start, and when they did engage, they didn't talk much (and yet we were told that they had become friends at some point). Then, MacKenzie supposedly built a close relationship with the team, but the only one she ever talked to was Goran; again, we were told, not shown.

    Bar a few grammatical errors, it was an okay read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025
    I am so in love with this book. Such a great hockey romance. Book 3 was everything. I thought it was gonna be can’t wait to read book 4
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023
    I loved this book. And what I really loved is that Meg and Eli always trusted each other. It is so refreshing to read a romance where the couple doesn't have the predictable misunderstanding toward the end of the book where all looks bleak for them but they somehow get back together. I get so tired of all the angst! This book avoided all of that, and Meg and Eli worked out their problems together.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
    I adored their story! From how he found out her true identity to them falling deeper and deeper in love to them finding their path to their Happily Ever After 🥰🥰

    Her best friend Rachel is a hoot for sure!

    Now I’m off to read the bonus epilogues for Liam and Eli’s stories and then on to Holden!! ❤️
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
    Have I discovered that I’m a sucker for sports romances? Yep. But this is old news. A quick read and the third book in the Salinger Brothers series.

    This one is for anyone who loves:
    🏒 Hockey romance
    💛 He falls first
    ✌️ Dual POV

    I liked this as a quick, easy read. Mackenzie is “hired” to help a hockey team that is struggling financially. Eli is the team’s head coach. They butt heads momentarily, but quickly find a budding friendship and romance. There’s some (in my opinion) annoying family members and side characters, but otherwise a bunch of light, fluffy falling in love.

    I liked this one less than the other two I’ve read so far, but am still continuing on in the series.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Daria
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved it so much!
    Reviewed in Germany on July 31, 2023
    Great story, best tropes, lovable characters, funny moments and spice :) totally recommended! Can’t wait to read book 4! Eli is amazing, but Holden might be my fav.
  • Christine Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant book in the Salinger series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2024
    ‘Strictly For Now’ is a great read I definitely recommend. And what I also really love about this book and the whole series, is the fact that these characters are all in their thirties. It’s so nice to read a book with a fabulous character, who is close to my own age instead of a young twenty year old.

    This is completely different from the other stories in the series which makes it more special. I love Eli and Mackenzie’s fight to figure out how to be together -- this romance hits all the feels and I couldn’t help falling in love with all of the characters even those I thought was supposed to be villains (except one off course - you'll know who they are!)

    Overall rating 5 out of 5 - LOVE this series!
  • KatReadsRomance
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful Salinger Brothers story!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 21, 2025
    I very much enjoyed book three in Carrie Elks’ Salinger Brothers series. Eli and Mackenzie are a great match and I adored their easy going love and how non-angsty it is. I’m super excited to read Holden’s book now!
  • Tash
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in Australia on March 24, 2024
    My first read with the Salinger brothers series I haven’t read the first 2 but I enjoyed this one. And look forward to Holdens book
  • TheMarshalls20
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love a cheeky hockey romance!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2024
    I really enjoyed this book. The plot was good, characters were relatable. The brothers when together were absolutely hilarious and literally had me laughing out loud. I gave 4 stars because I would have liked a little more protectiveness and the feeling that they were getting closer more emotionally rather than just sexually. But overall it was a really good read and I would read the other in the series too.

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