Book Review: Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen

Series: Brooklyn Bruisers Book #5

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports/Hockey

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

There's this girl...

Heidi and I have been trading hungry looks all year, and everything she does makes me smile. But I don't do girlfriends, and I certainly can't get involved with the league commissioner's daughter. I need shots on goal, not a hookup and a widely misunderstood paparazzi photo.

Can I resist her, though? The way she teases me should be a game penalty for interference with my libido. 

There's this guy...

Jason wants me, but he won't admit it. That man looks at me the way a hockey player eyes the lunch buffet after practice--and I love it. 

But when victory is finally within my grasp, I blow it and humiliate myself. Even then I can't even avoid him--as the team intern, I'm in constant view of his hard body and cocky smile. 

I need another chance. Jason Castro is about to learn the true meaning of an overnight sensation.

Review

I read this so fast-I only put it down because my kindle needed to be charged. Sarina Bowen always sucks me in. She has some sort of magic for my brain.

The world of the Brooklyn Bruisers is so well down. It feels so real and I love the found family of the team. I am always a sucker for male friendships. Becky and Heidi's relationship and interactions were also A+.

Heidi was a fun heroine, but not my favorite. I did like how hardworking she was. Heidi wanted to be independent and was willing to stand up for herself-including to Castro.

Castro was also great. I loved how he would quote Dickens and Shakespeare-and that this was just expected and understood by his teammates. His backstory was a little typical/cliche, but still worked and made me emotional.

They had a pretty fun romance. It's a pretty standard one-one night stand turns into more. But it was done well and I was rooting for them the whole time. I especially liked that they both supported each other and their goals. They do have great chemistry immediately.

Potential Spoiler:

I particularly liked that Castro wasn't afraid of Heidi's dad. And he was never afraid to stand up to him. I respect that.

This book was everything I wanted. Now, I want to know if there is another book coming, because I need Silas' story. He's intriguing and I'm always a fan of a goalie book. 

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Playing Hurt by Kelly Jamieson

Series: Aces Hockey Book #6

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: NetGalley

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Publisher: Loveswept

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Chase: The last thing I’d ever want to do is let my team down. After overcoming my bad-boy reputation, I was dominating on the ice. But things aren’t going so well this season, and even my parents think I’m partying again. Now I’m really worried about my career. The only bright spot in my life is the Twitter flirtation I’ve struck up with pop princess Jordyn Banks. Turns out she’s a huge hockey fan—and she’s willing to wager a date on her favorite team. . . . 

Jordyn: Even though I’m an L.A. fan now, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Aces, since I grew up in Chicago. Then I lose a bet to Chase Hartman, and suddenly I’m up close and personal with a pro athlete who’s anything but soft. Not only is Chase the hottest guy I’ve ever met, he’s secretly super sweet. As if I had time for a relationship . . . yeah, right. But when I suddenly have nothing but time on my hands, he’s the only one who understands. Now, with both of our careers at stake, Chase is tempting me to put my heart on the line too.

Review

***I received this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

This was a pleasant surprise. When I first started it felt poorly written. The dialogue felt forced and it seemed like a hockey book written by someone who doesn't even casually watch it. But about 25% in the book took a turn. It felt much more natural and hooked me. I'm glad I pushed through and kept reading.

Jordyn and Chase were interesting characters. They were complex enough to feel real without being too angsty. And they both had things to deal with outside of the romantic story line.

The romance was very cute. There was immediate chemistry and their flirting made me smile. They had a lot of conversations loaded with sexual tension, but didn't just have sex which I liked. I also liked that they had real/adult arguments. And generally, they were handled in a realistic and mature way.

I'm really happy I kept reading this even though I was initially let down. It's my first Kelly Jamieson book and I will seek out her other books by her. It's always good to have another author who writes solid hockey/sports romances.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen

Series: Brooklyn Bruisers Book #1
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Hockey
Publisher: Berkley

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Hockey player Leo Trevi has spent the last six years trying to do two things: get over the girl who broke his heart, and succeed in the NHL. But on the first day he’s called up to the newly franchised Brooklyn Bruisers, Leo gets checked on both sides, first by the team’s coach—who has a long simmering grudge, and then by the Bruisers’ sexy, icy publicist—his former girlfriend Georgia Worthington.

Saying goodbye to Leo was one of the hardest things Georgia ever had to do—and saying hello again isn’t much easier. Georgia is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but when a press conference microphone catches Leo declaring his feelings for her, things get really personal, really fast....

 
Review

I really enjoyed this. I am still a little upset I had to pay $7.99 for an ebook. Traditional publishing has a lot of problems and that's one of them. But I don't hold that against Sarina Bowen.

Speaking of, there were a lot of issues I couldn't overlook. Typos I'm pretty forgiving of, but continuity errors really bother me. They tend to pull me out of the story. If you are a major publishing house there is no reason a book you release has several continuity errors.

Since I considered this an editing issue and this isn't self-published it doesn't impact my rating. But I needed to get it off my chest.

Onto the actual book/story.

I love a good hockey romance-especially with fantastic characters. Georgia is a kick-ass woman. She's very passionate about her job and is very ambitious As a young woman myself I admire her. And her dreams are no less valid than Leo's. He is also fun and very sweet. He isn't your traditional hockey hero and isn't afraid to show his love for Georgia.

The side characters were also well done. But this is Sarina Bowen-I shouldn't be surprised. I loved Silas and am sad because I feel like he will never get his own book. Nate and Becca though. I'm smelling sequel bait and it better happen because I need to know the story about those two. And Nate seems like he wouldn't be a traditional billionaire hero.

The romance was on the steamy side. Sometimes that can be a bit much but it worked. It helps that Ms. Bowen shows Leo and Georgia talking, too. Reunited lovers is one of my favorite tropes so that was a plus. One thing did feel a little rushed though.

I also loved seeing the other Trevi family members. D.J. is one of my favorite Bowen heroes. So, whenever he was around I was happy.

And now I have to wait until January for the next book. I don't want to wait!

Thanks for reading!
Holly