"For Ivy Owens, the 1980s have been a tumultuous decade. So when a popular hockey player suggests that they pretend to date in order to boost her social status, it's just another strange turn of events for her.

After being kidnapped and forced to live in a cult, all Ivy wants is to fit in and escape her troubled past. But unfortunately for her, that's not how high school works.

Enter Corey Delacour – the handsome, mysterious hockey player who has everyone talking. Corey’s confidence and edgy persona captivate Ivy, and for reasons beyond her comprehension, he finds her just as fascinating.So when he offers her a chance to fake a relationship with him to prove that popularity isn't everything, she can't resist. As Corey guides her through the nuances of her newfound high school popularity, the unexpected happens: something far from fake. However, with his dreams of becoming a famous hockey player – can their connection withstand their inevitable reality? 
Or will she be left alone once again with a new problem in her hands – a broken heart that belongs to him?"

Title: Strange Love

Author: Steffanie Blais

Genre: Sports Romance

 Tropes: Fake dating, 80's Hockey Romance, First love, Past trauma, Second chance romance 

CW: Kidnapping, Mental health representation 

I received Strange Love as an ARC and I have to say thank you so much to Steffanie for allowing me that! Steffanie is the one of the most lovely authors I have had the pleasure of working with so far. Within the last year or so I have started watching Hockey and I have become so addicted to the sport. This lead to reading hockey romance books of all sorts which lead me to Steffanie and Strange Love. Now Steffanie is gearing up for the release of book two in the series and I can't wait to read it to see if that book will be just as good as the first. 

In Strange Love Ivy Owens is kidnapped and forced to live in a cult for several years. When she escapes and returns home she becomes isolated for a period of time before returning to school for her senior year where the strange looks never fail to follow her. That's when the school's hockey star Corey enters and suggests fake dating to help Ivy elevate her social status, except the feelings aren't all that fake. With high school coming to an end it becomes clear that Ivy and Corey have to make decisions that could change both of their lives. 

I was on a rollercoaster of emotions reading this book if i'm being completely honest. Ivy has lived through some incredibly tragic things that started when she was very young and it's very easy to tap into the emotions that she feels throughout the book. Even though she spent time isolated after she returned Ivy still has a lot of growing to do which leaves her future as an open ended question. Corey has always known what his future plans were even when his upbringing was turbulent which makes their relationship both relatable and complicated. I found myself wanting to know more about both Ivy's past in the cult and Corey's upbringing as I was reading and the way the book shifts from each point of view was seamless. I also have to admit that I swooned when he called her Ivy girl, I did, he got me. Steffanie also flawlessly set up this book to continue the series with Taz and Sascha which is happening in July!