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pattyfgd's review
5.0
The Defender
Boston Hawks Hockey, Book 5
By: Gina Azzi
Narrated by: Allyson Voller, Connor Brown
You know when your heart hurts as you listen that the story is amazing! Gina Azzi continues her Boston Hawks Hockey series with James and Bella's story.James has twins and is in need of a nanny. Isabel comes highly recommended. When Bella comes to the door, he is shocked! His one night stand is the nanny? Both have had love, both have had loss and now they have each other. Or do they? These two have broken hearts, and I love the way Azzi works through their grief. She holds nothing back, and feel it all! Plus the kids are gems, giving the story comic relief as well as the difficulty they are going through. This is an emotional love story and a great addition to the series.
Allyson Voller and Connor Brown are wonderful together as they bring all the emotions to the surface. Voller peals off all the layers of Bella as we get to know her. She has so many feelings throughout the story and Voller masterfully makes us feel them all. James is dealing with a lot in his life, and Brown lets us hear everything. He has grief and love, pride and excitement all coming through to our ears. This team gives it all to us in this fabulous listen.
Boston Hawks Hockey, Book 5
By: Gina Azzi
Narrated by: Allyson Voller, Connor Brown
You know when your heart hurts as you listen that the story is amazing! Gina Azzi continues her Boston Hawks Hockey series with James and Bella's story.James has twins and is in need of a nanny. Isabel comes highly recommended. When Bella comes to the door, he is shocked! His one night stand is the nanny? Both have had love, both have had loss and now they have each other. Or do they? These two have broken hearts, and I love the way Azzi works through their grief. She holds nothing back, and feel it all! Plus the kids are gems, giving the story comic relief as well as the difficulty they are going through. This is an emotional love story and a great addition to the series.
Allyson Voller and Connor Brown are wonderful together as they bring all the emotions to the surface. Voller peals off all the layers of Bella as we get to know her. She has so many feelings throughout the story and Voller masterfully makes us feel them all. James is dealing with a lot in his life, and Brown lets us hear everything. He has grief and love, pride and excitement all coming through to our ears. This team gives it all to us in this fabulous listen.
books_and_more_books_byt's review
4.0
The Defender is book five of the Boston Hawks Hockey series. I had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone. This was a new-to-me author, and I am glad I had the chance to read the book. It was full of emotions and chemistry between the two main characters. I loved seeing James and Bella’s relationship grow as they helped each other with their grief from the loss of a loved one. The storyline and characters were developed and realistic. I look forward to future books from this author.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
rinasreadsnz's review
5.0
Oof... talk about an emotional roller coaster!
James and Bella's story hurt to read.
Their grief, their wants, their needs, and their baggage absolutely wrecked me.
The tension between the two of them was a massive part of the story. Whether it was sexual tension, anger induced, or uncertainty, it remained throughout. It was almost as if it was its own character.
The twins were fabulous.
Fun, cheerful, so damn cute - I could have gobbled them up!
The ending was super sweet, it was awesome to see how it all came together.
This series just keeps getting better!
Bring on Panda.
James and Bella's story hurt to read.
Their grief, their wants, their needs, and their baggage absolutely wrecked me.
The tension between the two of them was a massive part of the story. Whether it was sexual tension, anger induced, or uncertainty, it remained throughout. It was almost as if it was its own character.
The twins were fabulous.
Fun, cheerful, so damn cute - I could have gobbled them up!
The ending was super sweet, it was awesome to see how it all came together.
This series just keeps getting better!
Bring on Panda.
mnhockeymomreads's review
5.0
Please check the trigger warnings before reading this book.
This latest book in the Boston Hawks series is the story of James Ryan and Bella Andrews. We have gotten snippets of James' situation and state of mind in previous books, and I was anxious for his story to be told. James lost his wife after a battle with cancer leaving him the single father to twins, Milly and Mason. To say he has been consumed by grief after his loss is an understatement. His grief was not only palpable in this book but in the previous books, and my heart broke for James. With the season starting again, James is in desperate need of a nanny for his twins. Bella Andrews comes highly recommended by a friend. Bella has experienced her own loss that has emotionally gutted her. Bella is hoping she is able to help the James family move through their grief all while healing herself and protecting her heart.
It has been a long time since a book has stuck with me in the way that this one has. It was raw, emotional, and so beautiful. Love after loss is hard, but Gina had a beautiful way of telling James and Bella’s story. This pair comes to each other with their own set of loss, hurts, and ways of protecting themselves against further loss and hurt. This is a story of finding your person, creating trust and building the life that you’ve longed for. Their love was beautiful, hard fought, and so well deserved.
This was an emotional read that was 100% worth it….just make sure that you have tissues handy because you will need them! Well done, Gina!
This latest book in the Boston Hawks series is the story of James Ryan and Bella Andrews. We have gotten snippets of James' situation and state of mind in previous books, and I was anxious for his story to be told. James lost his wife after a battle with cancer leaving him the single father to twins, Milly and Mason. To say he has been consumed by grief after his loss is an understatement. His grief was not only palpable in this book but in the previous books, and my heart broke for James. With the season starting again, James is in desperate need of a nanny for his twins. Bella Andrews comes highly recommended by a friend. Bella has experienced her own loss that has emotionally gutted her. Bella is hoping she is able to help the James family move through their grief all while healing herself and protecting her heart.
It has been a long time since a book has stuck with me in the way that this one has. It was raw, emotional, and so beautiful. Love after loss is hard, but Gina had a beautiful way of telling James and Bella’s story. This pair comes to each other with their own set of loss, hurts, and ways of protecting themselves against further loss and hurt. This is a story of finding your person, creating trust and building the life that you’ve longed for. Their love was beautiful, hard fought, and so well deserved.
This was an emotional read that was 100% worth it….just make sure that you have tissues handy because you will need them! Well done, Gina!
kcbuckman's review
4.0
I’m really not sure how I want to classify this book. Was it sad? Yes, there were definite points that will pull at your heart. Was it enjoyable? Very much! It was nice seeing not only James & Bella overcome their own holdups, but to see Milly & Mason thrive in their life after loss too. Was it steamy? I wouldn’t have mind jumping into the pages with James. The only thing I wish we could’ve gotten was more of the kids and their feelings. The book was about James & Bella, but Mason & Milly were important in this story.
readwithrach's review
5.0
This is the fifth book in the Boston Hawks series and it is my new favorite. This is a single dad/nanny romance and I adored it. James is a professional hockey player who became a single dad after the death of his wife. Bella is a sought after nanny who has also had so much heartbreak. I loved these two together and also loved James’s twins, Milly and Mason. I cried so much for both main characters and it made their HEA that much more sweet.
gretareadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
I knew James Ryan's book was going to be an emotional one but I never guessed that Bella would bring on the feels as well.
This couple was meant to be together. Their worlds just blended and they needed each other to heal in all the right ways. Great read!
This couple was meant to be together. Their worlds just blended and they needed each other to heal in all the right ways. Great read!
justjoannak's review
5.0
There are triggers in this book, which I'm grateful the author discusses. My favorite of the series, though I wish it was a bit longer. Also, if you like the bedroom door to be closed, you won't like this book/series
sammymurray81's review
5.0
this was a wonderful read, i loved the character building , first off can we just talk about how awesome the name Bella is lol i love that name and than throw in James with his two little adorable kids it was so incredibly cute. they definitely have a few things to iron out with one another and tad emotional but they definitely get there. all in all i loved this story so much.