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booksiflove's review
5.0
Wow wow wow!!!
This book is totally emotional, and it gutted me in a few scenes, where my tears were silently falling!! But it is sooo so good!
Abby and Luca meet in a bar and have a one night stand, which was so good, they repeated it every time when they were in the same city. No strings attached. So they said š the chemistry between these 2 is š„!
But they both have their baggage, they need to get a handle on. Can they handle things together? That is the question! But read for yourself! This book is totally worth it. Itās a quick read, so interesting, I didnāt want to put it down.
This is the second book in this series, but can be read as a stand alone.
I kindly received an arc for an honest review!
This book is totally emotional, and it gutted me in a few scenes, where my tears were silently falling!! But it is sooo so good!
Abby and Luca meet in a bar and have a one night stand, which was so good, they repeated it every time when they were in the same city. No strings attached. So they said š the chemistry between these 2 is š„!
But they both have their baggage, they need to get a handle on. Can they handle things together? That is the question! But read for yourself! This book is totally worth it. Itās a quick read, so interesting, I didnāt want to put it down.
This is the second book in this series, but can be read as a stand alone.
I kindly received an arc for an honest review!
lisaluvsliterature's review
5.0
Another book I bought from the Audible sale a while back. Again it was because Iām hoping to meet the author at Book Bonanza this summer. Iād read the first book in this series as part of a blog tour a few years ago, and just didnāt get around to any more till now. I think I actually might have even liked this one better than the first, Victor. At first I had some issues with the male narratorās voice, I ended up always having to turn the volume up when it was his turn. And while I kind of understood Abbyās viewpoint, I also thought that she might want a chance to be a part of some kidās life. And oh Luca, he was such a great uncle, I loved him and his kids! This one got to where it was all going so well and then, wow, a big thing at the end that made me cry, but then in the end we got our HEA. A great book, and I look forward to reading more of this series when I get time!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
thanys_thoughts's review
3.0
Book #3 of Smutathon April 2020.
TW: Child loss and suicide (again, really wish I had known that going into it).
This is the second book in the Chicago Blaze series about Luca, a single dad who took guardian of his nieces and nephew, and Abby, a workaholic with a tragic past. A "one stand that turns into more" romance.
I liked Luca and Abby, but I thought the romance happened too quickly. One second, they are still having one night stands and the next, they go out on a date. I just didn't see the progression of the relationship. About 3/4 through it dealt more with Abby's loss and trauma, which is fine if I had been in the mood for that. Loved the relationship they had with the kids though and thought that was written well.
Spoiler: Cutest proposal ever.
I didn't think I would want to continue with the series. But the excerpt with the next heroine sounded really great. So I already bought it.
TW: Child loss and suicide (again, really wish I had known that going into it).
This is the second book in the Chicago Blaze series about Luca, a single dad who took guardian of his nieces and nephew, and Abby, a workaholic with a tragic past. A "one stand that turns into more" romance.
I liked Luca and Abby, but I thought the romance happened too quickly. One second, they are still having one night stands and the next, they go out on a date. I just didn't see the progression of the relationship. About 3/4 through it dealt more with Abby's loss and trauma, which is fine if I had been in the mood for that. Loved the relationship they had with the kids though and thought that was written well.
Spoiler: Cutest proposal ever.
I didn't think I would want to continue with the series. But the excerpt with the next heroine sounded really great. So I already bought it.
booklovinmamas's review
5.0
Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas
If you love a contemporary romance with sports (hockey) element in it that includes characters that have overcome tragedies to find each other, then this is the book for you.
Now Iām going to wait patiently for Victorās book next in the series. Iām loving this series from Brenda Rothert and glad I found a new author who has become an auto-buy author for me.
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of Chicago Blaze series, but each can be read as a standalone.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Sports/Hockey Romance
Hero: Hockey Player; Guardian of his nieces & nephew
Heroine: CEO of successful furniture business; dealing with loss
If you love a contemporary romance with sports (hockey) element in it that includes characters that have overcome tragedies to find each other, then this is the book for you.
Now Iām going to wait patiently for Victorās book next in the series. Iām loving this series from Brenda Rothert and glad I found a new author who has become an auto-buy author for me.
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of Chicago Blaze series, but each can be read as a standalone.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Sports/Hockey Romance
Hero: Hockey Player; Guardian of his nieces & nephew
Heroine: CEO of successful furniture business; dealing with loss
catwithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
Luca is a successful hockey player for the Chicago Blaze. He is also raising his nieces and nephews after the death of their parents. He doesnāt have time for women between hockey and the kids. But a one night stand with Abby isnāt enough. With each meeting he falls more for this beautiful woman who is determined to put up barriers.
This book was so good. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and full of love. I adored Luca. He was the perfect uncle and parent. He was so supportive and patient with all the kids. I loved that he never tries to hide his feelings from the children, especially when it comes to their parents. He works with them to confront their grief and never pushes them too hard. Like I said, I adored Luca and the kids.
Abby has lost the people closest to her in the worst ways possible. She created her own company which is now widely successful in the wake of that loss. She has buried her grief in work and refuses to talk about it with anyone, until Luca. I was so upset for Abby and just wanted to hug during her darkest moments. If you are a crier, be prepared with tissues. These two have gone through so much pain but together they have found a new happiness and life together.
Rothert does an amazing job at creating great characters and an emotional story. I cannot wait to read the next one because I know it will be an emotional and love filled story.
Reader Warning:
- Loss of close relatives
- Child death (referenced)
- Suicide (referenced)
- Depression
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
__________________________
Romanceopoly 2020 Sun - The Bar
This book was so good. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and full of love. I adored Luca. He was the perfect uncle and parent. He was so supportive and patient with all the kids. I loved that he never tries to hide his feelings from the children, especially when it comes to their parents. He works with them to confront their grief and never pushes them too hard. Like I said, I adored Luca and the kids.
Abby has lost the people closest to her in the worst ways possible. She created her own company which is now widely successful in the wake of that loss. She has buried her grief in work and refuses to talk about it with anyone, until Luca. I was so upset for Abby and just wanted to hug during her darkest moments. If you are a crier, be prepared with tissues. These two have gone through so much pain but together they have found a new happiness and life together.
Rothert does an amazing job at creating great characters and an emotional story. I cannot wait to read the next one because I know it will be an emotional and love filled story.
Reader Warning:
- Loss of close relatives
- Child death (referenced)
- Suicide (referenced)
- Depression
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
__________________________
Romanceopoly 2020 Sun - The Bar
lenoreo's review
4.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/04/25/luca-by-brenda-rothert/
I received a free copy through InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars ā This was a strange one for me, b/c I loved both Luca and Abbyās individual stories, and their eventual together story, but it took me a bit to be invested in their romanceā¦but I was still satisfied in the end.
I was so intrigued by Luca and his situation when we met him in Antonās book, and he didnāt disappoint. He was a hero who was so easy to fall in love with. He was kind, honourable, easy-going, with a deliciously dirty mouth. I LOVED the way he was with his nieces and nephews. From the first chapter in his POV, I was hooked by him. I felt his grief, his struggle, his concern over how well he was doing raising these kids. He was what I love in heroes: a GENUINELY good guy. And while Iām usually not a big kid person, you couldnāt help but fall in love with Cora, Jack & Emerson. They were unique, delightful, but also realistically kids (so not delightful all the time). I loved the family he had created with them.
Abby took me a bit longer to glom onto, because we got her story in bits and pieces. The Abby we first meet I had nothing in common with, and while I liked her, I didnāt connect with her as well. But as we got to know what made her tick, I did empathize with her past and how that had shaped her. I particularly LOVED her friendship with Percy. I sincerely hope we see more of Percy in this series, because she was easy to love.
As for Luca and Abby togetherā¦well, they were hard to become invested in at the beginning, since they started as a genuine one night stand. Sure, the steamy chemistry was good, but I find I tend to be less invested if I donāt get the feelings first. I actually didnāt really feel the growth of their feelings for one anotherā¦it just sort of happened. It wasnāt believable for me. BUT, if I just accepted that part, I loved where their relationship went once they sort of stepped things up. Itās kind of a conundrum, but I decided to just go with the flow.
As I mentioned above, there were some great secondary characters in this one, from the kids and Percy to Lucaās teammates.
I think normally the misstep in the relationship would have had me marking this one a 3.5 stars or lower, but I really loved the individual stories, so I decided to go with my gut. Lucaās story alone was worth the time reading. Canāt wait to see who Victorās going to match up with!
I received a free copy through InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars ā This was a strange one for me, b/c I loved both Luca and Abbyās individual stories, and their eventual together story, but it took me a bit to be invested in their romanceā¦but I was still satisfied in the end.
I was so intrigued by Luca and his situation when we met him in Antonās book, and he didnāt disappoint. He was a hero who was so easy to fall in love with. He was kind, honourable, easy-going, with a deliciously dirty mouth. I LOVED the way he was with his nieces and nephews. From the first chapter in his POV, I was hooked by him. I felt his grief, his struggle, his concern over how well he was doing raising these kids. He was what I love in heroes: a GENUINELY good guy. And while Iām usually not a big kid person, you couldnāt help but fall in love with Cora, Jack & Emerson. They were unique, delightful, but also realistically kids (so not delightful all the time). I loved the family he had created with them.
Abby took me a bit longer to glom onto, because we got her story in bits and pieces. The Abby we first meet I had nothing in common with, and while I liked her, I didnāt connect with her as well. But as we got to know what made her tick, I did empathize with her past and how that had shaped her. I particularly LOVED her friendship with Percy. I sincerely hope we see more of Percy in this series, because she was easy to love.
As for Luca and Abby togetherā¦well, they were hard to become invested in at the beginning, since they started as a genuine one night stand. Sure, the steamy chemistry was good, but I find I tend to be less invested if I donāt get the feelings first. I actually didnāt really feel the growth of their feelings for one anotherā¦it just sort of happened. It wasnāt believable for me. BUT, if I just accepted that part, I loved where their relationship went once they sort of stepped things up. Itās kind of a conundrum, but I decided to just go with the flow.
As I mentioned above, there were some great secondary characters in this one, from the kids and Percy to Lucaās teammates.
I think normally the misstep in the relationship would have had me marking this one a 3.5 stars or lower, but I really loved the individual stories, so I decided to go with my gut. Lucaās story alone was worth the time reading. Canāt wait to see who Victorās going to match up with!
emonroe26's review
3.0
2.5 stars: I just really am not a fan of the "one-night-stand to catching feelings" trope.