Review: Wanting the Winger - Brenda Rothert

Review: Wanting the Winger - Book #2 Love on the Line Series - Brenda Rothert - June 2025

Sports romances hold a special place in my reading heart, and when I saw Wanting the Winger available through Hambright PR, I didn't hesitate to request it. My history with Brenda Rothert's work goes back to before 2017, and I was fortunate enough to meet her at RT2017 in Atlanta—a dream vacation that remains one of my favorite literary memories. That connection made diving into Sebastian's story even more meaningful.

Wanting the Winger delivers everything I love about the best friend's sibling trope wrapped in the high-energy world of ice hockey. Sebastian "Bash" is our charming winger who opens his home to Lainey, his best friend Eric's little sister. She's pursuing her dreams as a microbiologist with a new lab position, but there's one massive complication: her engagement to Shane, a man Bash absolutely despises. The tension between wanting to protect his friend's sister while harboring deeper feelings creates delicious conflict that had me turning pages well into the night.

What makes this romance truly exceptional is Brenda Rothert's fearless approach to real-life challenges. Lainey lives with IBS, and rather than glossing over this reality, the author tackles it head-on—accidents, embarrassment, and all. This representation struck me deeply, bringing back bittersweet memories of my mother, who dealt with similar bowel and kidney issues. I remember those frantic stops at op shops to buy emergency clothes when we were out together. She passed away in December 2013, and reading about Sebastian's unwavering support for Lainey during her most vulnerable moments reminded me of the grace and dignity my mum deserved during her struggles.

The normalization of chronic illness within a romance narrative is groundbreaking. Too often, these conditions are hidden or sanitized in fiction, but Brenda Rothert presents them as simply part of life—messy, inconvenient, but never defining. Sebastian's response to Lainey's condition showcases true intimacy: seeing someone at their most vulnerable and choosing love anyway.

The hockey backdrop provides exciting energy, but the emotional core drives this story. The chemistry between Sebastian and Lainey builds naturally from friendship to something deeper, while the looming presence of her unsuitable fiancé adds perfect tension. Brenda Rothert balances steam with genuine emotion, creating characters who feel authentic both on and off the ice.

Wanting the Winger succeeds as both an engaging sports romance and a thoughtful exploration of acceptance, vulnerability, and finding someone who loves all of you—even the parts society tells us to hide.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nYkNmH