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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I listened to the audio version of this book. I really enjoyed this second installment of this series and can't wait for the next one. I'm really wanting one particular book but I don't know when that one is being published but Ms. Bowen has been teasing about this since book 1.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
I'm actually pretty into the Bruisers series. Hot hockey players?? Yes please!
Though the writing is formulaic, I loved getting to know Ari and Patrick.
Definitely worth the read if you're a fan of Sarina Bowen.
Though the writing is formulaic, I loved getting to know Ari and Patrick.
Definitely worth the read if you're a fan of Sarina Bowen.
fast-paced
O'Doul. Sigh. Bowen always kills me with her heroes. They're strong and sweet and oh man..I just love them. Patrick was no exception. I adored him. I also adored Ari. The hockey setting was exciting and fun, and I enjoyed getting to know these two as they got to know each other.
Full review to come closer to the release date.
Full review to come closer to the release date.
https://celebrityreaders.com/2017/01/07/hard-hitter-by-sarina-bowen/
4 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
This was a solid followup book in this series!! I'm still anxious to find out what's going on with Nate and Becca, but I actually really loved Ari and Patrick's love story. I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I had more dedicated time to read it, and wasn't constantly interrupted...a bookworm's nightmare, am I right?
I think I'd read a teaser for this one at the end of the first book, and for some reason I thought there would be something more specifically devastating in O'Doul's past, particularly with his dislike of being touched. So often that screams of abuse that's more than just physical. So I kind of kept waiting for that to be revealed at the beginning, but then I figured out it wasn't quite that. But in the end his dislike of being touched wasn't really explored in any great detail, and while I was a bit disappointed to not delve into his past, it was kind of interesting that it wasn't given specifics, b/c sometimes people can't explain why they feel like that, just that that's the way life has shaped them, you know? It's not always sexual abuse or something like that. And sometimes sexual abuse trumps the horrors of just plain physical abuse. Not sure if I'm making sense. Basically I was conflicted about the amount of background we got on Patrick. I'm a background kind of girl, so I can always dive in for more. :)
I really enjoyed the depth we did get on how Patrick felt being the enforcer. I'm not sure if Ms. Bowen interviewed some enforcers to get their thoughts on their role, but I was fascinated to see the dread he felt, but also how he felt it was so important to his career. I'm not big into the hockey fights myself, and must say I agree with Nate: I sincerely hope they are going out of style. There's just too much danger in them for the benefits we get out of them.
Ari was an intriguing heroine for me. I loved how she was a bit of a contradiction with her yogi lifestyle, but her inability to give herself a break for some of the mistakes she made in the past. But I thought she grew over the course of the book, and it was believable for me. I loved seeing her friendships develop with Becca and Georgia as well.
For those who are a fan of the Ivy Years series, there were some awesome glimpses of past characters in this one...some just tiny, but it was nice all the same.
Patrick and Ari had some great chemistry as well, I was definitely enjoying both the steamy moments, and Patrick's sweet attempts to woo her. That moment when he enlists the help of his fellow players had me just laughing. Loved it.
My one complaint would be with how what could have been a major obstacle in their relationship was sort of left to the epilogue and then just resolved super quickly. It was almost like the author forgot about it, and had to do something with it at the end. Not super impressed with that. Also, what happened in the playoffs?? You can't just have a count down for the chapter headers for the whole book and then bam, 3 months later...bit cheesed.
All in all really enjoying this series, and the romance in this one was top notch. And I totally called Beacon having the next book! But his heroine surprised me, even though it shouldn't! Can't wait for more in this series.
4 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
This was a solid followup book in this series!! I'm still anxious to find out what's going on with Nate and Becca, but I actually really loved Ari and Patrick's love story. I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I had more dedicated time to read it, and wasn't constantly interrupted...a bookworm's nightmare, am I right?
I think I'd read a teaser for this one at the end of the first book, and for some reason I thought there would be something more specifically devastating in O'Doul's past, particularly with his dislike of being touched. So often that screams of abuse that's more than just physical. So I kind of kept waiting for that to be revealed at the beginning, but then I figured out it wasn't quite that. But in the end his dislike of being touched wasn't really explored in any great detail, and while I was a bit disappointed to not delve into his past, it was kind of interesting that it wasn't given specifics, b/c sometimes people can't explain why they feel like that, just that that's the way life has shaped them, you know? It's not always sexual abuse or something like that. And sometimes sexual abuse trumps the horrors of just plain physical abuse. Not sure if I'm making sense. Basically I was conflicted about the amount of background we got on Patrick. I'm a background kind of girl, so I can always dive in for more. :)
I really enjoyed the depth we did get on how Patrick felt being the enforcer. I'm not sure if Ms. Bowen interviewed some enforcers to get their thoughts on their role, but I was fascinated to see the dread he felt, but also how he felt it was so important to his career. I'm not big into the hockey fights myself, and must say I agree with Nate: I sincerely hope they are going out of style. There's just too much danger in them for the benefits we get out of them.
Ari was an intriguing heroine for me. I loved how she was a bit of a contradiction with her yogi lifestyle, but her inability to give herself a break for some of the mistakes she made in the past. But I thought she grew over the course of the book, and it was believable for me. I loved seeing her friendships develop with Becca and Georgia as well.
For those who are a fan of the Ivy Years series, there were some awesome glimpses of past characters in this one...some just tiny, but it was nice all the same.
Patrick and Ari had some great chemistry as well, I was definitely enjoying both the steamy moments, and Patrick's sweet attempts to woo her. That moment when he enlists the help of his fellow players had me just laughing. Loved it.
My one complaint would be with how what could have been a major obstacle in their relationship was sort of left to the epilogue and then just resolved super quickly. It was almost like the author forgot about it, and had to do something with it at the end. Not super impressed with that. Also, what happened in the playoffs?? You can't just have a count down for the chapter headers for the whole book and then bam, 3 months later...bit cheesed.
All in all really enjoying this series, and the romance in this one was top notch. And I totally called Beacon having the next book! But his heroine surprised me, even though it shouldn't! Can't wait for more in this series.
Review can also be found at My Midnight Musing
Sarina Bowen takes us back to the fast-paced world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. The concept of this series will always be an interest of mine as we explore the lives of the people that keep a well-established organisation running.
In Hard-Hitter we shine a spotlight on the Brooklyn Bruisers yoga instructor and masseuse, Ari. After ending her tumultuous 8-year relationship, Ari is ready to embrace the single life. However, her life seems to be anything but simple as her ex’s business dealings see her caught in the crossfire. When things seem to settle, another issue crops up to shatter that peace. It’s a stressful time for Ari, and to make matters even more complicated, Patrick O’Doul has taken it upon himself to keep Ari out of harm’s way. Naturally, as they spend more time together, sparks fly. Ari is an easy person to root for. She has a lot of stress in her life and her feelings for the Bruiser’s captain definitely doesn’t make things easier. She’s a strong woman looking to rediscover herself after spending so much of her adult life being tied to someone else. It’s a messy and complicated web of emotions, but as much as Ari struggles to find herself, the journey she takes prove to be rewarding in the long run.
In Rookie Move, Patrick O’Doul came across as a stoic individual. It was hard to get a judge of his character. He may be the team’s captain, but off the ice, he is closed off and hasn’t formed much of a connection to his teammates. Throughout this book, we get to see why that is. O’Doul was not given an easy hand in life, and he’s worked hard to get to where he is today. Still, the walls he’s built around himself can be lonely and isolating, even if he doesn’t see it himself. The further we get into the story the more we see him open up to Ari and his teammates and take the time to build a relationship with the people that genuinely care about him.
What’s impressive about Sarina’s storytelling is the way she crafts an individual identity for each of her characters. The progression of their characters as individuals is just as important as the romantic development. In Hard-Hitter, we shine a spotlight on the role of the enforcer and the fighting culture that’s ingrained in Ice Hockey. The enforcer is the guy that’s usually right in the middle of the fight. However, recently we’ve seen the frequency and intensity of these fights diminished. Why? For the sake of the player’s health. These fights might be a great way to energize the crowd and the team, but the toll it takes on a players body is immense. Through Patrick, we get to see the mental and physical toll the role of enforcer has had on him and in that, we see how players can end up following a dark and dangerous path. With a Sarina Bowen book, you can guarantee a stunning romance. However, what made this book so wonderful was the way she explores the darker side of ice hockey as a profession. It’s a demanding job and the way she realistically explores these issues is brilliant.
Fans of the series will definitely enjoy this installment of the Brooklyn Bruisers. The story takes a much darker turn and explores some heavy issues, but we’re still treated to some tender moments, and while the romance between Ari and O’Doul isn’t my favourite, it’s still an enjoyable ride.
Sarina Bowen takes us back to the fast-paced world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. The concept of this series will always be an interest of mine as we explore the lives of the people that keep a well-established organisation running.
In Hard-Hitter we shine a spotlight on the Brooklyn Bruisers yoga instructor and masseuse, Ari. After ending her tumultuous 8-year relationship, Ari is ready to embrace the single life. However, her life seems to be anything but simple as her ex’s business dealings see her caught in the crossfire. When things seem to settle, another issue crops up to shatter that peace. It’s a stressful time for Ari, and to make matters even more complicated, Patrick O’Doul has taken it upon himself to keep Ari out of harm’s way. Naturally, as they spend more time together, sparks fly. Ari is an easy person to root for. She has a lot of stress in her life and her feelings for the Bruiser’s captain definitely doesn’t make things easier. She’s a strong woman looking to rediscover herself after spending so much of her adult life being tied to someone else. It’s a messy and complicated web of emotions, but as much as Ari struggles to find herself, the journey she takes prove to be rewarding in the long run.
In Rookie Move, Patrick O’Doul came across as a stoic individual. It was hard to get a judge of his character. He may be the team’s captain, but off the ice, he is closed off and hasn’t formed much of a connection to his teammates. Throughout this book, we get to see why that is. O’Doul was not given an easy hand in life, and he’s worked hard to get to where he is today. Still, the walls he’s built around himself can be lonely and isolating, even if he doesn’t see it himself. The further we get into the story the more we see him open up to Ari and his teammates and take the time to build a relationship with the people that genuinely care about him.
What’s impressive about Sarina’s storytelling is the way she crafts an individual identity for each of her characters. The progression of their characters as individuals is just as important as the romantic development. In Hard-Hitter, we shine a spotlight on the role of the enforcer and the fighting culture that’s ingrained in Ice Hockey. The enforcer is the guy that’s usually right in the middle of the fight. However, recently we’ve seen the frequency and intensity of these fights diminished. Why? For the sake of the player’s health. These fights might be a great way to energize the crowd and the team, but the toll it takes on a players body is immense. Through Patrick, we get to see the mental and physical toll the role of enforcer has had on him and in that, we see how players can end up following a dark and dangerous path. With a Sarina Bowen book, you can guarantee a stunning romance. However, what made this book so wonderful was the way she explores the darker side of ice hockey as a profession. It’s a demanding job and the way she realistically explores these issues is brilliant.
Fans of the series will definitely enjoy this installment of the Brooklyn Bruisers. The story takes a much darker turn and explores some heavy issues, but we’re still treated to some tender moments, and while the romance between Ari and O’Doul isn’t my favourite, it’s still an enjoyable ride.
This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
I'm not going to lie, I wasn't in love with the first book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, Rookie Move. It was just alright to me. I wasn't wowed or sucked in. So I will admit I was a little nervous to read the second book, Hard Hitter. But since I was almost burned not reading a second book in a series (that I loved) because I didn't fall insanely in love with book one, I decided to read it. I'm so happy I did. Hard Hitter was so so good. Probably my favorite Sarina Bowen (excluding her co-authored book Him) to date. It had everything I wanted in a romance and left me just feeling happy and wanting more.
What I loved about Hard Hitter was the natural chemistry between Ariana Bettini and Patrick O'Doul. Sometimes in a romance book the relationship can feel a little forced. There just isn't always that spark. But the spark between Ari and O'Doul was amazing. There was this natural build-up between them that made their story sexy and fun. They both had walls up, but they didn't force those walls down or completely hide from what was happening between the two of them. Even the always present, random break-up, wasn't that much of a struggle.
The other thing I liked was the growth of Patrick O'Doul. In Rookie Move he wasn't very likable. There was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. But in Hard Hitter you got to really learn what he was like and what made him tick and why he was the way he was. Ari also brought out another side of him, a sweet, compassionate side and I loved seeing that. Watching him slowly come out of his self-imposed isolation was a great addition to this book.
Where there things I wish weren't in Hard Hitter? Definitely. If I could have removed some of the side story stuff I would have and it would have been a 5 star read for me. But even when that I found myself wanting to devour this book and I think you will too. Patrick and Ari...two thumbs up from me.
I'm not going to lie, I wasn't in love with the first book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, Rookie Move. It was just alright to me. I wasn't wowed or sucked in. So I will admit I was a little nervous to read the second book, Hard Hitter. But since I was almost burned not reading a second book in a series (that I loved) because I didn't fall insanely in love with book one, I decided to read it. I'm so happy I did. Hard Hitter was so so good. Probably my favorite Sarina Bowen (excluding her co-authored book Him) to date. It had everything I wanted in a romance and left me just feeling happy and wanting more.
What I loved about Hard Hitter was the natural chemistry between Ariana Bettini and Patrick O'Doul. Sometimes in a romance book the relationship can feel a little forced. There just isn't always that spark. But the spark between Ari and O'Doul was amazing. There was this natural build-up between them that made their story sexy and fun. They both had walls up, but they didn't force those walls down or completely hide from what was happening between the two of them. Even the always present, random break-up, wasn't that much of a struggle.
The other thing I liked was the growth of Patrick O'Doul. In Rookie Move he wasn't very likable. There was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. But in Hard Hitter you got to really learn what he was like and what made him tick and why he was the way he was. Ari also brought out another side of him, a sweet, compassionate side and I loved seeing that. Watching him slowly come out of his self-imposed isolation was a great addition to this book.
Where there things I wish weren't in Hard Hitter? Definitely. If I could have removed some of the side story stuff I would have and it would have been a 5 star read for me. But even when that I found myself wanting to devour this book and I think you will too. Patrick and Ari...two thumbs up from me.
Ari Bettini, massage therapist and yoga teacher, loves her job. She works for the Brooklyn Bruisers, a hockey team. All of the mean love her except one, Patrick O'Doul. She doesn't take offense though, she's noticed he doesn't like to be touched by anyone. My favorite part of this book was her nonjudgment around this issue.
Patrick had a hard childhood and it's affected how he lives in his adulthood. Ari is the first person to break through his reserve. But she's got problems as well, mostly related to her ex-boyfriend. That makes it difficult for her to be "personal" with anyone and Patrick... respects her boundaries. Gasp! Hawt!
I read about this book on Smart Bitches Trashy books and it was everything Elyse wrote about. I've asked for the next two books in the series.
Patrick had a hard childhood and it's affected how he lives in his adulthood. Ari is the first person to break through his reserve. But she's got problems as well, mostly related to her ex-boyfriend. That makes it difficult for her to be "personal" with anyone and Patrick... respects her boundaries. Gasp! Hawt!
I read about this book on Smart Bitches Trashy books and it was everything Elyse wrote about. I've asked for the next two books in the series.