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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4 stars
I really liked O'Doul from Rookie Move, so I was looking forward to reading his story. At first I didn't find that there was much chemistry between Patrick and Ari, and I was a little disappointed. Maybe I wasn't totally behind Ari as his love interest. I'll be honest; a yoga instructor just isn't on my list of to-die-for occupations. It's like my disinterest in chef characters. While I love to eat, I have no love for cooking.
Just as I was ready to write the book off, something happened. The relationship between O'Doul and Ari ignited. Set my Kindle on FIRE. Then I couldn't read Hard Hitter fast enough. Even the idiot, stalker ex boyfriend didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the story. I found Patrick intriguing. Here is a tough guy who gets tied up in knots at the thought of fighting, and who hates being touched. Wow. To help get himself through some games at the level he expected for himself, he did something dumb. Something he regretted and wished he could erase from his history. He bought uppers in a bar. From Ari's psycho ex. And now he's afraid that that one stupid, stupid decision is going to blow up in his face. And is does. Big time.
While trying to dodge her increasingly threatening ex, Ari tries to avoid a romantic relationship with Patrick. She's never been on her own, having moved in with Vince when she was twenty-one, and she stayed with him for eight years, only breaking up with him after a scary, violent incident finally convinced her that her life would be happier, and longer, if she kicked him out of her house. While trying to stick to her plan for a single life-style, to enjoy getting to know herself better and stretch her wings of independence, she finds that she keeps sabotaging herself by caving into her insatiable desire for O'Doul. Ari keeps beating herself up for not sticking to her guns, but seriously - who could resist this guy? I have a soft spot for big, tough, yet tender heroes, and Patrick is one of the best of them.
This was a fun, diverting read. I enjoyed getting to know the hockey players better, as well as the supporting staff. The next book in series features Lauren and Mike, and while I'd rather read more about Becca and Nate, I'm looking forward to digging into Pipe Dreams.
I really liked O'Doul from Rookie Move, so I was looking forward to reading his story. At first I didn't find that there was much chemistry between Patrick and Ari, and I was a little disappointed. Maybe I wasn't totally behind Ari as his love interest. I'll be honest; a yoga instructor just isn't on my list of to-die-for occupations. It's like my disinterest in chef characters. While I love to eat, I have no love for cooking.
Just as I was ready to write the book off, something happened. The relationship between O'Doul and Ari ignited. Set my Kindle on FIRE. Then I couldn't read Hard Hitter fast enough. Even the idiot, stalker ex boyfriend didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the story. I found Patrick intriguing. Here is a tough guy who gets tied up in knots at the thought of fighting, and who hates being touched. Wow. To help get himself through some games at the level he expected for himself, he did something dumb. Something he regretted and wished he could erase from his history. He bought uppers in a bar. From Ari's psycho ex. And now he's afraid that that one stupid, stupid decision is going to blow up in his face. And is does. Big time.
While trying to dodge her increasingly threatening ex, Ari tries to avoid a romantic relationship with Patrick. She's never been on her own, having moved in with Vince when she was twenty-one, and she stayed with him for eight years, only breaking up with him after a scary, violent incident finally convinced her that her life would be happier, and longer, if she kicked him out of her house. While trying to stick to her plan for a single life-style, to enjoy getting to know herself better and stretch her wings of independence, she finds that she keeps sabotaging herself by caving into her insatiable desire for O'Doul. Ari keeps beating herself up for not sticking to her guns, but seriously - who could resist this guy? I have a soft spot for big, tough, yet tender heroes, and Patrick is one of the best of them.
This was a fun, diverting read. I enjoyed getting to know the hockey players better, as well as the supporting staff. The next book in series features Lauren and Mike, and while I'd rather read more about Becca and Nate, I'm looking forward to digging into Pipe Dreams.
Well this was definitely better than the first in the series. I think Ari frustrated me a bit because she wouldn't press charges the first time or second or third, and then why wouldn't the police wonder. Also the ending scene of that fiasco, well she did it again. Why do we paint women so gullible and idiotic. I really liked Patrick O'Doul but even thought he should have come clean to at least her rather than wait and worry. But that is the romance genre thing, keeping one's secrets. I thought that they had great chemistry when it wasn't interferred with the drama. This would have been pretty good just with the drama of working for the team and getting involved with a player. Putting her ex in the mix Still it gave some extra spice which could have come in some other more plausible manner. It was really good 3 1/2 to 4 stars but mainly because of their coming out of their shells and the chemistry that they had.
Spoiler
The only thing that saves her is the trackers and spyware that they put on her phone for her own protection. These are the teams phones so are totally controlled by the team. She doesn't even push the button. What? Was she going to just let him take the evidence and walk away? Really?Spoiler
and making him just happen to know and, not only know but, be a bit player in photographing and blackmailing scheme was too coincidental and too much in the end too.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, finished my first romance novel for this List thing I'm doing. It's not sold me on the genre yet, but at least it gives me a bar to rate the others on.
I guess I'm not really enough in tune with the ebb and flow of will they, won't they to love this sort of tale. It kind of just seemed like they ought to have worked out that part early on and then had adventures after that solidified it. Also, the two love interests seemed more like signifiers of feminine and masculine rather than in depth characters. But, it did get some of my emotions going, so that was good.
I guess I'm not really enough in tune with the ebb and flow of will they, won't they to love this sort of tale. It kind of just seemed like they ought to have worked out that part early on and then had adventures after that solidified it. Also, the two love interests seemed more like signifiers of feminine and masculine rather than in depth characters. But, it did get some of my emotions going, so that was good.
Hard Hitter is book two in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I grabbed this audiobook from the library because the love interest is a guy that doesn't like being touched yet the leading lady is a massage therapist. I was right in thinking it would be an interesting match, but Ari, the leading lady won my heart as well as Patrick's quickly.
Ari Bettini works as a massage therapist and teaches yoga to the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey team. Ari helps plays that have injuries or even the ones that need a good massage. Patrick O'Doul, the team captain, and enforcer (the guy that fights the opposing teams) has a hip injury but keeps trying to power through it. His coach finally forces him to see Ari, but during their first session, it becomes evident that he hates people touching him. Ari figures out a way to get him to loosen up and we see with each session he's becoming more comfortable with her touch. When Ari gets into a dangerous situation with her ex, Patrick is there to protect and help her. Their bond grows as they start to rely on one another and while they did try to hide their kind of relationship I found it really enjoyable to read.
Hard Hitter is a yummy Contemporary Romance full of hunky hockey players. I need to grab book one in this series since I started with this one, but I'm sure I'll be buying the entire series shortly. I really enjoyed SBowen's writing style, the characters were strong and engaging and the plot kept me on my toes. If you're a fan of sporty type Contemporary Romances you'll love this book!
Ari Bettini works as a massage therapist and teaches yoga to the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey team. Ari helps plays that have injuries or even the ones that need a good massage. Patrick O'Doul, the team captain, and enforcer (the guy that fights the opposing teams) has a hip injury but keeps trying to power through it. His coach finally forces him to see Ari, but during their first session, it becomes evident that he hates people touching him. Ari figures out a way to get him to loosen up and we see with each session he's becoming more comfortable with her touch. When Ari gets into a dangerous situation with her ex, Patrick is there to protect and help her. Their bond grows as they start to rely on one another and while they did try to hide their kind of relationship I found it really enjoyable to read.
Hard Hitter is a yummy Contemporary Romance full of hunky hockey players. I need to grab book one in this series since I started with this one, but I'm sure I'll be buying the entire series shortly. I really enjoyed SBowen's writing style, the characters were strong and engaging and the plot kept me on my toes. If you're a fan of sporty type Contemporary Romances you'll love this book!
This series is getting better with each book! The drama with the ex and the club was a lot more interesting than the drama in book 1. Lots of hints were dropped for future books, so I'm looking forward to more!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4,5⭐️
Erneut eine tolle Geschichte rund um die Brooklyn Bruisers! Die Lovestory konnte mich dieses Mal komplett abholen und ich konnte die Energie zwischen den Protagonisten super nachempfinden. Auch das Eishockey spielen kam wieder nicht zu kurz und durch den lockeren Schreibstil bin ich nur so durch die Seiten geflogen. Lediglich das Drama war mir an der ein oder anderen Stelle etwas zu viel, aber Ari und Doulie konnten mich voll und ganz von sich überzeugen.
Erneut eine tolle Geschichte rund um die Brooklyn Bruisers! Die Lovestory konnte mich dieses Mal komplett abholen und ich konnte die Energie zwischen den Protagonisten super nachempfinden. Auch das Eishockey spielen kam wieder nicht zu kurz und durch den lockeren Schreibstil bin ich nur so durch die Seiten geflogen. Lediglich das Drama war mir an der ein oder anderen Stelle etwas zu viel, aber Ari und Doulie konnten mich voll und ganz von sich überzeugen.