Book Review: The Cutting Edge (St. Pete Slashers) by Lisa Daily

The Cutting Edge by Lisa Daily is the first book in the St. Pete Slashers series. Logan Rivers is a star pro hockey player for the St. Pete Slashers -- and he's in a slump. He hasn’t scored in 3 games and it’s starting to freak him out. Enter Olympic figure skater Coco, who strikes a deal with an assistant coach to be Logan's lucky charm to pay off her training expenses. Sparks fly and everything is looking up for both of them. She’s almost got her debt paid off and the Slashers are on a winning streak. There's only one problem: she doesn’t know how to tell Logan she’s been lying to him the whole time. If she can just keep her secret until the playoffs are over.

The Cutting Edge started off strong and I thought it had a lot of potential. I liked Coco and her friends and could appreciate Logan's character. I loved his daughter, although I felt like more could have been done with her character. I liked the characters, thought the set up was neat, but once they added the 'conflict' I started to lose interest and some of the shine started to wear off for me. There were some moments that felt really out of character for both Coco and Logan, and about half way though the story I started to lose interested in how things were going to come together. I was looking for more information on how Coco's sick neighbor was doing, and the lives of the secondary characters more than our main players. 

The Cutting Edge started off great and had a lot of potential. I still think I'll give the next book in the series a try.

Book Review: Must Love Dogs...and Hockey by Kelly Jamieson

 

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey by Kelly Jamieson is a sports romance. Lilly: My life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire right now. I’ve been canned, my professional reputation is shredded, and now I’m walking dogs to make ends meet. But I still believe everything will work out, somehow. Then a dog at the park attacks my friend’s dog. At first, I’m ready to give the owner hell—but it turns out he’s in desperate need of doggie daycare. I figure, why not? I love dogs and I need the cash. Too bad his cocky bad boy attitude annoys me. He’s too damn cute for his own good. And I’m not talking about the dog. Easton: My coach is riding my ass and I’m not handling it well. When I’m saddled with an abandoned pooch, my teammate thinks a dog will keep my temper in check. I think I have enough problems already. But when my new dog gets into a tussle that leads me to meet a smoking hot chick who knows how to handle the rascal, I start to think pet ownership isn’t all bad. At least it gives me an excuse to see Lilly again. Neither of us are interested in a relationship. First they steal your bed, then they steal your heart. And I’m not talking about the dog.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a contemporary romance with a dash or pets and hockey. Lilly is down on her luck, and meeting Easton could change that, or make everything even worse. Add in an abusive coach, neurotic rescued pooch, and starting a new business walking dogs and everything is on the line. Facing down bad memories and worries for present and future while working toward a happy ending is far from simple, but these two stumble through it. I liked them each on their own, and as a couple. They each had plenty of baggage to unpack, and I liked when they supported each other as that happened, and when they had to work things out on their own. I will admit that I had trouble getting engaged with this book, but honestly it could very well have been me rather than the book. I liked the set up, and the characters, but I just could not see to get fully invested and then found the wrap up to be a little rushed. However, I also read this as I was going back to work in the building rather than from home, figuring out the school schedule for the kids- only to have it all change- and so on. I do plan on looking for the next book from the author, since there was a hint as to characters I want to see more of coming into play. So I think my mild disinterest comes more from me not being able to settle my mind, rather than the actual book.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a romance with a good set up, interesting characters, and a nice dose of heat. I think I will need to revisit once things settle down a bit.

Audio Book Review: Scoring Off The Ice (Ice Kings) by Stacey Lynn Narrated by Meg Price, James Cassidy

Scoring Off The Ice is the second book in the Ice Kings series by Stacey Lynn. The audiobook is narrated by Meg Price and James Cassidy. Sometimes scoring off the ice leads to the greatest rewards. I’ve had only one goal in life since I first strapped on a pair of skates, make America’s pro hockey league. I left Denmark. I made it to the top. Now, I’m determined to be the best. No distractions. I eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. Until my birthday when my teammates convince me to live a little. But living a little takes on a whole new meaning when less than a year later I’m confronted with a crying baby on my doorstep, drooling on a note that declares he’s mine. Suddenly, I'm a single dad in way over my head. There is no playbook for situations like this. Luckily, I have Paisley. My gorgeous neighbor, my long-time crush, and now—my savior. She’s there any time I need her. Helping. Guiding. Gazing at me with those green eyes that make me feel capable of this after all. With her at my side, I’m quickly learning there’s more to life than winning a hockey game.

Scoring Off The Ice is a book that left me with mixed feelings. Like the previous book in the series, I really enjoyed the dual narrators for the audiobook. It really made the characters that much more real to me. I really liked both the characters at the start, but really enjoyed Mikah more in short order. He felt more fleshed out, and I really liked the stark contrast between the big hockey player appearance and the sweet and awkward personality as he tries to navigate everything in his life. Even when uncertain, he is still willing to fight for what he wants and what he thinks is the right thing. I just really liked him, and how mach he cared about others. On the other hand I started off liking Paisley, but she confused me. One minute she is against any relationship or connection to Mikah- the next she is busting out a curve hugging dress for diner at his place and is all in. Yes, woman can change our minds but she left me with whiplash. I liked the set up, and how the majority of the story is written, and I found some of the reactions and interactions realistic, and others a bit less so. I enjoyed the listen, it just did not grab me like I had expected, and hoped for. 

Scoring Off The Ice is an entertaining read, but I just did not get lost in the story. 

Audio Book Review: Playing To Win (Ice Kings) by Stacey Lynn, Narrated by Liam DiCosimo, Stella Hunter

 Playing To Win is the first book in the Ice Kings series written by Stacey Lynn and narrated by Liam DiCosimo and Stella Hunter. It was a three-week fling. Nothing more than a couple of college kids having some fun, but then I did the stupid thing and fell for Jude Taylor quicker than he can score a goal on the ice. And after one beautiful night together, he left for the pros before I could make my first cup of coffee. I thought I’d put him behind me. I thought I’d moved on. Then he hobbles into my physical therapy office and I realize how absolutely wrong I’ve been - there’s no getting over Jude Taylor. But now things are complicated. Jude lives half a country away and his career is in direct opposition to my need for stability. Most of all, getting involved with him could mean losing my job and everything I’ve worked so hard for. Jude doesn’t seem to mind one bit and he’s all in. He might be a patient in my office, but he’s no longer the patient guy I remember.

Playing To Win is the third or fourth book I have read (or listened to) from this author. I rarely listen to romance, usually choosing to read rather than listen, but the narrators might have made me a bit more willing to listen, at least with my headphones though maybe not in my car. I enjoyed the voice work and thought the tension and emotions were well done, and I really enjoyed the effect of dual narrators. I liked the characters, and the build up of their story. Second chance romances are not my favorite trope, but when done well they are fantastic and this story does it well. Jude is a good guy that just happens to be a hockey player. He fell hard for Kate, but just when he had his chance with her he made it pro in hockey and it never had a chance to grow. Now they have another chance, but her career may be on the line and fears about his injury bringing his career to an end way too early are huge obstacles that need to be faced.  I really enjoyed them finding their way back to each other, and I liked the secondary characters. I felt like there was plenty of room left for this series to continue with more books. My biggest complaint was not finding out why two of the secondary characters seem to dislike others with no explanation, and why a couple I am sure will have their own book soon are clinging so hard to just being friends. I fully expect to keep following this series just to see if I get those answers.

Playing To Win is an entertaining and engaging romance novel, fans of second chance romance and sports romance will particularly enjoy it. 

Early Book Review: A Secret for a Secret (All In) by Helena Hunting

A Secret for a Secret is the third book in the All In series by Helena Hunting. Each book can be enjoyed as part of the series or on its own. It is currently scheduled for release on May  12 2020. 

My name is Ryan Kingston, and I’m a rule follower. I’ve never been in a fistfight. I always obey the speed limit. I don’t get drunk, and I definitely don’t pick up random women at bars. Except the night I found out that my whole existence has been a lie. I got drunk. And picked up a stranger. Her name was Queenie, and she was everything I’m not: reckless, impulsive, and chaotic. We did shots and traded secrets. And ended up naked at my place. She left me a thank-you note in the morning and her panties as a parting gift. But no way to contact her. Six weeks later I’m sitting in the first official team meeting of the season, and there she is. I neglected to mention that I’m the goalie for Seattle’s NHL team. And Queenie? Turns out she’s the general manager’s daughter.

A Secret for a Secret is a sports romance with humor, heat, and heart. Ryan looks and acts like a boy scout, but his family life and history is not as perfect as anyone looking at him would suspect. Queenie feels like she is an utter mess, and has little faith in herself. When a one night stand has to change into a working relationship the battle really starts. I liked watching them come together, and get to know themselves and each other better. I could understand both of their frustrations, self doubt, and concern for each other. I did see a couple of the twists coming, but just enough so that I wanted to warn the characters to spare them the confrontations and additional angst.  As a fan of the author I loved getting to see past characters come into play. 

A Secret for a Secret is another great book from Hunting. Fans will need to add this to their collection.