She can’t stand me.
She also thinks she’s got me all worked out. My Princess is determined to stay as far away from me as possible. Eighteen months ago, she wanted me, but now she’s convinced I’m bad news. The thing is, an attraction like ours doesn’t just fade, and my need for her has only grown stronger no matter how many times she offers me a scowl instead of her beautiful smile.
We’ve been playing a game of cat and mouse since the day she wore my jersey, and fortunately for her, I love the chase. I love to watch the way her body reacts to mine. I’d fall to my knees in front of her if I didn’t think she’d kick me while I’m down and unearth painful memories from my past that I’ve worked to keep hidden for so long.
I’m not the only one with secrets and a hurtful past, though. The walls she’s built around her are so high that I doubt anyone can see the real Kate. But I can; I see it all. I know what makes my girl tick and what she truly wants from life. I was just waiting for a chance to prove it. And now that it’s here, I’m going all in to make Kate Violet Monroe fall in love with me.
Ruth Stilling has firmly secured her place on my must-read list. I can always count on her to deliver a story I can dive into with complete confidence, knowing I’ll come away more than satisfied. Her books are a perfect mix of angst, spice, and heart, and Dead Rinker is no exception. It delivers all that and more, leaving me smiling and melting from the very first page.
Dead Rinker is a deliciously angsty enemies-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes: hurt from the past, walls built high, and a hero who can’t stop chasing.
Jensen “JJ” Jones is a dedicated NHL goalie who’s spent the last eighteen months realizing that Kate Monroe isn’t just another friend in their circle; she’s the one. His endgame, his everything.
“I just want you to know that I’m here. I’m patiently waiting, and you absolutely deserve to be loved in the way I’m going to love you. If you’ll give me that chance.”
Kate is a brilliant, no-nonsense lawyer, raised by parents who drilled into her that work should always come first. Their emotional distance and relentless demands left her guarded, and much of her identity has been shaped by the walls and boundaries she’s built; barriers few people have ever managed to break through.
Just eighteen months ago, Kate wanted JJ, but a tangle of miscommunication, false assumptions, and ghosts from his past drove them apart, leaving only bitterness and pining in their wake. Now, Jensen refuses to back down. He’s a man obsessed, determined to prove to Kate that he’s not the same, that she can trust him, and that what they share is real. Something far too powerful for her to keep running from.
There is SOOO much tension in the cat-and-mouse game they play. Being in the same friend group makes avoiding each other nearly impossible, but that doesn’t stop them from clashing at every chance they get. It’s a true enemies-to-lover trope come to life with their banter and angst.
As always, denying their feelings only works for so long. One night together at a friend’s destination wedding changes everything, and six weeks later, two pink lines turn a fleeting moment into the start of forever.
“I got you pregnant.”
“Don’t you go freaking out on me now. But all I can think about is doing it again, just to be sure.”
The surprise pregnancy raises the stakes in every possible way. It forces both of them to confront what they truly want for the future—pushing Jensen to prove just how deeply he’s committed to Kate and the life they’ve created, and challenging Kate to face her fears about vulnerability and trust. The emotional walls they’ve both relied on can’t hold forever. For Kate, it means weighing her career against the possibility of a family, and deciding if she can finally let Jensen all the way in. For Jensen, it’s a test of showing up fully, more than he ever has before.
And man, he is up for the challenge.
“You won’t be only denying your heart a chance at happiness. You’ll crush mine, too. You’re holding it in your hands. Just be careful with it, okay Princess?”
He’s the epitome of a golden retriever/cinnamon roll hero: sweet, loyal, and absolutely relentless when it comes to the woman he loves. He’s done playing it safe. Jensen knows his past isn’t perfect, but he also knows exactly what he wants: to prove to Kate that she’s stronger than she gives herself credit for. He sees past her guard, understands what makes her tick, and can’t resist the urge to break through her defenses.
“But I know every single part of you…I know your favorite dishes and your favorite restaurants. I know what cases you’ve recently won at work and the nail polish you’re wearing right now is your favorite since you wear it six months out of the year.”
On the surface he’s intense and protective, but once the gloves come off, he’s filthy in the best way. The dirty things he says to Kate are raw and unapologetic, dripping with obsession and desire.
“Some men use washcloths; I use my tongue.”
It’s dirty, it’s possessive, and it’s laced with so much emotion that you’re melting and writhing right along with Kate.
The push and pull between them is what makes this story so addictive; Kate fighting to hold her ground while Jensen chips away at her walls with every filthy promise and heated touch. Their dynamic is equal parts showdown and longing, laced with apologies, confessions, mistakes, and redemption. Ultimately, they’re forced to decide whether they can build something real, grounded in trust, admiration, and mutual respect, or risk losing it all before it ever truly begins.
Dead Rinker has everything I crave in a romance: enemies-to-lovers tension, emotional vulnerability, and spice that walks the line between filthy and tender. It’s raw, angsty, and deeply satisfying. It’s a story about tearing down walls, finding redemption, and falling hard even when it terrifies you.