Review: The Penalty Player by Kristin Lee

Title: The Penalty Player

Author: Kristin Lee
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

She guards her heart behind old rules and fresh scars.

I’m determined to prove she’s the only game I want to win.

Now, a Caribbean getaway with our friends throws us into one room, with one bed, and buried flames ignite.

Every minute spent close to her brings back just how much I’ve always loved her—especially when a rogue lizard sneaks into my bed, sending us into a fit of laughter and landing us tangled together under the island stars.

When we return to reality, we face game changing twists—one of which is a big fat plus sign—a slap shot I didn’t see coming.

The Penalty Player is a complete standalone in the multi-author series Hockey USA.

Review:

Kristin Lee has brought the heat again in her book The Penalty Player.

Becca is divorced and is worried that she's never going to have the things in life she expected to have. A husband, kids, and a life worth living. But as her Mamaw told her, "When what you need is a hell-raising, beer-drinking man who loves to be surrounded by friends and family." (Boy do I wish I could have met that lady when I was younger!) So when she goes on the Stallion's reunion, the last thing she hopes to find is the man she's always loved... with his girlfriend. But after Corbin and his girlfriend show up, one thing leads to another, and Corbin's girl finds her way home.

Corbin has always done what his father wants until now. So when he gets to the reunion and sees Becca there the pull is too much. Fate lends a hand, and they are "forced" to share a room since Becca's friend wasn't able to make it to the reunion, leaving an empty bed and another couple needed Corbin's single room.

This book brings the best to just one bed, forced proximity, and hockey romance (though I would have loved a ton more hockey -- but who wouldn't? I mean hockey players... am I right?)

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook ARC Review: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

Title: If All Else Sails

Author: Emma St. Clair
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

In this enemies-to-lovers romance, school nurse Josie and her brother's best friend--hockey player Wyatt Jacobs--are tricked into spending a summer together that's anything but smooth sailing.

When Josie's brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn't just one of her sports agent brother's clients. He's also his best friend. And Josie's sworn enemy.

Oh--and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle's ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt's first mate.

Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they'll be able to make it home without killing--or kissing?--each other.

And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt's layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.

Review:

Josie is set to go on a vacation trip with her brother who plans them and she just follows along. Unfortunately he's duped her this trip into taking care of his client/best friend who is suffering from an injury.

Wyatt's a grump, plain and simple. And when he finds someone on his property taking pictures, he blows his top. The next thing you know, she's in a cop car and the local cops are asking for autographs. What he doesn't realize is that the woman who was "snooping around" is actually his best friend/manager's sister, who he just doesn't recognize.

After everything settles down, Josie agrees to help Wyatt out, against his wishes, and they form an unlikely relationship.

In this brother's best friend, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine book, you'll find characters that you just can't help but love. When the book is over, you're left craving some more time with this wonderful pair.

Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller did an exceptional job with this book. Their narration was spot on and had me pulled in from the first chapters.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.


************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.