Tag: sports

Power Play (Pilots Hockey #2) by Sophia Henry

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Beneath her innocent facade, Gabriella Bertucci has her reasons to be standoffish with guys. Especially guys like Landon Taylor, a star defenseman on the minor-league Detroit Pilots and the object of a serious crush since he first walked into her family’s market. But when Landon comes through for her in a moment of crisis, Gaby starts to wonder if there might be more to Landon than hard muscles and fast skates.

Landon isn’t afraid of telling Gaby that he’s got it for her bad. The problem is, she seems unwilling to believe it. And though Landon enjoys his reputation as a cool-headed athlete, he hates losing—both on the rink and off. It’s his competitiveness that makes him so damn good at what he does . . . but it also makes him just a little bit complicated.

One minute Gaby’s tempted to give in; the next, she’s getting cold feet. How can she trust a guy who’s destined for bigger and better things to stick around? Then again, when Landon pulls her close with those powerful arms, the only thing that matters is right now.

Book: Power Play (Pilots Hockey #2) by Sophia Henry (Goodreads)
Published: February 16th, 2016
Pages: 194
Genres: Romance, Hockey/Sports, Athlete, ARC (author released copy)
Format: PDF
Date Read: February 5-9, 2016
Rating: 2 Potatoes 🥔🥔

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I tried so hard to like this book more than I did. I really tried. But, the glaringly obvious spelling/grammar errors and storyline inconsistencies made that difficult.

Gaby and Landon have both had crushes on each other since they were kids and finally admit it after a tragedy happens within Gaby’s family. Okay, that type of storyline I can get on board with. And I was excited about the fact that Landon was a hockey player (LOVE THEM!). But, the Gaby/Landon storyline barely develops, they go on one date (maybe two) and they are just in love and happy (with each other, anyway), blah, blah, blah. The hockey storyline is rarely referenced, except for the great elephant in the room that the oh so great Landon hasn’t been called up to the NHL yet. I did like Landon (what I knew about him anyway), he seemed to really like Gaby but I needed more – more information about him, more moments between Gaby/Landon.

Gaby’s family really made me mad – they were terrible to Gaby (especially her dad) and her brother Joey was just straight up annoying. And the pesky little detail of Gaby’s rape? That whole situation alone was enough to make me give this book a 2 star rating. First of all, the whole arc of her rape came out of left field – there was nothing given away that would make you think it happened to her in the first place. And, if you are going to put something like that in a book, you need to expand a lot more on what happened – the reasons for peoples decisions in how its delt with and just provide more information in general.

And then, after all of the drama and horrible things that were done to Gaby, the end wraps up like a nice little bow. Where the heck did that happy ending come from?

I get that this was a novella, due to size, but I felt like the story could have been fleshed out so much more. It had so much potential from the summary and it seemed to be wasted. With proper editing and a more in-depth storyline this really could be a good book.

The Score (Off-Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy

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He knows how to score, on and off the ice.

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over.

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

Book: The Score (Off-Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy(Goodreads)
Published: January 11th, 2016
Pages: 354
Genres: Romance, New Adult, College, Sports, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: January 27-29, 2016
Rating: 5 Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Dean, Dean, Dean. I felt like I had to wait FOREVER to read his book. I have been a fan of this series since the beginning. I read the first one not long after if came out and immediately put the next book on my pre-order list. I love all of the characters in this series, they just pull you in!

When I first saw the summary that Dean was going to be paired with Allie I was a little worried. Allie had always been linked with Sean in the first two books, they were meant for each other (or so I thought!).

Dean and Allie fit so well together. He was able to bring out the care-free side of Allie and she was able to curb his man-whore ways. I loved their playful banter and the way their characters truly were two halves of a whole. And of course the sex was amazing. Why wouldn’t it be, with all of the “practice” Dean has had? Haha.

One thing I love about Elle Kennedy is that she is always able to incorporate humor in her books and oh boy did this one have some doozies. The break in scene, anything that has to do with Winston and of course Summer! I really want to read Summer’s story, I hope that is something in the works. That girl is a hoot!!

Five stars for Elle Kennedy, another smash hit!

Zack (Cold Fury Hockey #3) by Sawyer Bennett

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Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.

Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

Book: Zack (Cold Fury Hockey #3) by Sawyer Bennett (Goodreads)
Published: June 9th 2015
Pages: 294
Genres: Romance, Sports, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 28-November 16, 2015
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I really loved this book and I knew I would since I loved Zack in Alex’s book. My heart broke for Zack and Kate – both have them have been to hell and back and just deserved some peace. I was rooting for them so much!

I don’t really have much to say about this book – I loved the characters, loved the storyline (it was very tastefully done!) and this author is amazing. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series!

Alex (Cold Fury Hockey #1) by Sawyer Bennett

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Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn’t afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn’t so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people–like Alex, who’s been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team’s effort to clean up his image. What she doesn’t expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn’t one to cross professional boundaries–and besides, Alex doesn’t do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex’s bad-boy facade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.”

Book: Alex (Cold Fury Hockey #1) by Sawyer Bennett (Goodreads)
Published: October 14th, 2014
Pages: 359
Genres: Romance, Sports, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 26-28, 2015
Rating: 5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I absolutely loved this book! The storyline, characters and Ms. Bennett’s writing made it so “real”. It felt like I was reading about someones life rather than a fiction novel as the characters were so life-like and had real issues that they worked through to be together.

I loved the end – Alex is so swoony and adorable. I think he’s so amazing. And Sutton was a strong heroine, perfect for Alex!

I also loved Suttons family, especially her brother Glenn – he was such an inspiring child. Truly.

This book was five stars, without a doubt! I highly recommend it to all!

I can’t wait to read the next book!

Room for You (Cranberry Inn #1) by Beth Ehemann

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Four years ago, my dreams were shattered in an instant.

I tried to pick up the pieces and glue them back together the best I knew how, but something was always missing.

A father for my two girls.

But then, Brody Murphy landed on my doorstep, literally. He was a carefree, playful hockey player who barged into my life and messed with my head. He left me more confused than I had ever been.

What if the one thing I thought I needed was the only thing holding me back?

Book: Room for You (Cranberry Inn #1) by Beth Ehemann (Goodreads)
Published: October 22nd, 2013
Pages: 359
Genres: Romance, Sports, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 20-26, 2015
Rating: 4 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

I really liked this book – I loved Brody and all of Kacie’s friends (Alexa and Lauren are AMAZING!) and the children are adorable! I loved Kacie’s mom as well – she’s a hoot! However, I absolutely could not stand Kacie. Other than her undying love for her children, I have no clue what Brody saw in her. She was annoying and idiotic – I found myself wishing I could slap her with this book to get her to wake up! I understood that she has been scarred by the past and she was trying to guard herself BUT then she shouldn’t have bothered with Brody in the first place if she was that scared. Right? Right.

The storyline was good, I loved it, the book didn’t dawdle at all. Although, if I could have continued reading about Brody I wouldn’t have cared if it carried on a bit longer! Such a sweet, romantic, man. He’s everything all wrapped up in nice package. Pun intended.

Will I be reading the next book? I’m not quite sure yet. I really did love Brody but I don’t know if I can deal with Kacie again… time will tell!

Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey

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With Olympic tryouts on the horizon, the last thing nineteen-year-old Kinsley Bryant needs to add to her plate is Liam Wilder. He’s a professional soccer player, America’s favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper.

* A face that makes girls weep – check.
* Abs that can shred Parmesan cheese (the expensive kind) – check.
* Enough confidence to shift the earth’s gravitational pull – double check.

Not to mention Liam is strictly off limits. Forbidden. Her coaches have made that perfectly clear. (i.e. “Score with Coach Wilder anywhere other than the field and you’ll be cut from the team faster than you can count his tattoos.”) But that just makes him all the more enticing…Besides, Kinsley’s already counted the visible ones, and she is not one to leave a project unfinished.

Kinsley tries to play the game her way as they navigate through forbidden territory, but Liam is determined to teach her a whole new definition for the term “team bonding.”

Book: Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey (Goodreads)
Published: June 15th 2014
Pages: 356
Genres: Romance, New Adult, College, Sports, Athlete
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 15-20, 2015
Rating: 4 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

This book was really more of a 3.5 star than a 4 star but I’m rounding up because I truly enjoyed Liam Wilder. Liam was sexy, funny and an all-around “good” guy. He treated Kinsley right and wasn’t afraid to go after what I wanted. You kind of have to admire the guy for that at least, right?

My feelings for Kinsley were mixed. I tried so hard to like her and sometimes it worked. Other times, I wanted to stop reading because she was so childish and annoying with her thought process. I just wanted to yell at her and tell her to grow up! I know her character is only 19 but she’s in college, she’s not a baby. She’s old enough to have sex so she should be adult enough to deal with a lot of other things.

I absolutely loved Becca – I hope there is a book about her and Penn. She cracked me up! And I loved her footsie pajamas. Then again, who wouldn’t?

The reason I am not giving this book a higher rating is something is lacking from within its pages. The writing was good, the characters were enjoyable, the plot was interesting but something was missing to give it a higher rating. I have no idea what it is so if someone figures it out, please let me know!