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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I'm a huge fan of sports romances (especially hockey) and Hard Hitter did not disappoint. I loved getting to know the standoffish and rough around the edges enforcer, Patrick O'Doul, as well as the gentler and supportive team massage therapist/yoga instructor, Ariana Bettini. Hard Hitter is the second book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series of interconnected standalones. It's not necessary to read the previous book Rookie Move (though I highly recommend it!) to enjoy this book.
I loved all the layers of O'Doul's character. He's had a traumatic past and although he wears scars from the fighting he does in the rink, he also has deeper ones that he doesn't show to anyone else. He's so beautifully broken and closed off, that you can't help but cheer as Ari takes those walls down brick by brick. Being inside his head was amazing. The trepidation, fear, and excitement were palpable as he laid his heart on the line to woo Ari. I especially loved the scene where he asked his teammates for romantic ideas. It was silly and sweet all at the same time. The O'Doul on the ice is such a contrast to the O'Doul at home and I loved seeing that gentler and thoughtful side come out. After reading Rookie Move I thought the sweet and loyal Leo would be my favorite Brooklyn Bruiser, but teddy bear at heart alpha O'Doul definitely wins.
Ari was just as amazing and complicated as O'Doul. Yes, she's made some poor decisions in the past, but at her core, she is a strong woman who is trying to protect her heart and the job she loves so much. Her relationship with Becca and Georgia is definitely squad goals, but it's Ari and O'Doul's amazing chemistry that really shine in this story. All his hard edges fit perfectly with her softer curves and although it was hard to watch them struggle at times, it made the reward so much sweeter.
The storyline with Ari's ex, Vince, was fairly predictable, but still had me nervous and anxious until the end. I loved that Ari stood up for herself and didn't let Vince rule her life, but I also liked that she knew when to rely on O'Doul, her friends, and the team as well. I think both hero and heroine learned through the course of the story that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of trust. I'm excited for the next installment in the series and am hoping that we will eventually see a book about Becca and Nate too!
I loved all the layers of O'Doul's character. He's had a traumatic past and although he wears scars from the fighting he does in the rink, he also has deeper ones that he doesn't show to anyone else. He's so beautifully broken and closed off, that you can't help but cheer as Ari takes those walls down brick by brick. Being inside his head was amazing. The trepidation, fear, and excitement were palpable as he laid his heart on the line to woo Ari. I especially loved the scene where he asked his teammates for romantic ideas. It was silly and sweet all at the same time. The O'Doul on the ice is such a contrast to the O'Doul at home and I loved seeing that gentler and thoughtful side come out. After reading Rookie Move I thought the sweet and loyal Leo would be my favorite Brooklyn Bruiser, but teddy bear at heart alpha O'Doul definitely wins.
Ari was just as amazing and complicated as O'Doul. Yes, she's made some poor decisions in the past, but at her core, she is a strong woman who is trying to protect her heart and the job she loves so much. Her relationship with Becca and Georgia is definitely squad goals, but it's Ari and O'Doul's amazing chemistry that really shine in this story. All his hard edges fit perfectly with her softer curves and although it was hard to watch them struggle at times, it made the reward so much sweeter.
The storyline with Ari's ex, Vince, was fairly predictable, but still had me nervous and anxious until the end. I loved that Ari stood up for herself and didn't let Vince rule her life, but I also liked that she knew when to rely on O'Doul, her friends, and the team as well. I think both hero and heroine learned through the course of the story that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of trust. I'm excited for the next installment in the series and am hoping that we will eventually see a book about Becca and Nate too!
Okay, so I didn't love this as much as I loved [b:Rookie Move|27190530|Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1)|Sarina Bowen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456486844l/27190530._SY75_.jpg|47232527], but I still enjoyed things.
I liked the way the relationship between Patrick and Ari developed. Their chemistry was amazing and they just learned about each other. I did kind of roll my eyes at Ari's reaction when things were revealed; yes, I get being frustrated and everything but she didn't even give him an option to have a chance to explain. I also get maybe being a little wary of things after her experiences, but I feel like she'd been so willing to offer friendship and the second something showed that people are human, she ran away.
I will admit to loving Patrick's attempt to woo her. He took most of those suggestions to heart and really paid attention and I really just loved it. He was so sweet and caring and I liked the fact that while he acknowledged he cared for Ari, unlike her conclusion jumping, his only care for Vince was the toll it would take on Ari. Granted, he started worrying about what it could mean for him, but that was a secondary, even tertiary concern. And really, it only came to the forefront when he was thinking about how to apologize for being a bonehead.
I did like the fact that when things were revealed, instead of everyone turning him out, they tried to rally. Yes, there was some initial "What the hell" from most of them, but after that, everyone was all in on making sure that he was fine. That he wasn't hooked and was still team captain. I liked the hypotheticals Mulvey put forward; he acknowledged the situation but didn't blame anything, just left it at an "so if this were to happen..." point.
I loved the relationship that Ari had with Georgia and Becca. They were great and I loved how they rallied around Ari, even when they were kind of calling her an idiot for locking away her feelings. Again, I can understand being wary but at the same time, it felt like she jumped straight from "I got out of a bad relationship" to "I can't trust myself to ever date". Yes, she threw in some "my life is a mess" comments every once in a while, but I kind of felt like she was hiding. I did like that she finally acknowledged how she felt and that she opened herself up to Patrick
Granted, I read [b:Brooklynaire|35053870|Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)|Sarina Bowen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516744572l/35053870._SY75_.jpg|56342351] first because I didn't realize where it fit in things, but even I could see that Nate was crazy over Becca. Don't know why Lauren keyed into it and Georgia was oblivious. I could see Becca being oblivious but Georgia should have seen something. I do want to know Lauren's story though
I liked the way the relationship between Patrick and Ari developed. Their chemistry was amazing and they just learned about each other. I did kind of roll my eyes at Ari's reaction when things were revealed; yes, I get being frustrated and everything but she didn't even give him an option to have a chance to explain. I also get maybe being a little wary of things after her experiences, but I feel like she'd been so willing to offer friendship and the second something showed that people are human, she ran away.
I will admit to loving Patrick's attempt to woo her. He took most of those suggestions to heart and really paid attention and I really just loved it. He was so sweet and caring and I liked the fact that while he acknowledged he cared for Ari, unlike her conclusion jumping, his only care for Vince was the toll it would take on Ari. Granted, he started worrying about what it could mean for him, but that was a secondary, even tertiary concern. And really, it only came to the forefront when he was thinking about how to apologize for being a bonehead.
I did like the fact that when things were revealed, instead of everyone turning him out, they tried to rally. Yes, there was some initial "What the hell" from most of them, but after that, everyone was all in on making sure that he was fine. That he wasn't hooked and was still team captain. I liked the hypotheticals Mulvey put forward; he acknowledged the situation but didn't blame anything, just left it at an "so if this were to happen..." point.
I loved the relationship that Ari had with Georgia and Becca. They were great and I loved how they rallied around Ari, even when they were kind of calling her an idiot for locking away her feelings. Again, I can understand being wary but at the same time, it felt like she jumped straight from "I got out of a bad relationship" to "I can't trust myself to ever date". Yes, she threw in some "my life is a mess" comments every once in a while, but I kind of felt like she was hiding. I did like that she finally acknowledged how she felt and that she opened herself up to Patrick
Granted, I read [b:Brooklynaire|35053870|Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)|Sarina Bowen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516744572l/35053870._SY75_.jpg|56342351] first because I didn't realize where it fit in things, but even I could see that Nate was crazy over Becca. Don't know why Lauren keyed into it and Georgia was oblivious. I could see Becca being oblivious but Georgia should have seen something. I do want to know Lauren's story though
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book, had a hard time putting it down.
I liked that we got a glimpse into Patrick's mind (he intrigued me in the first book) and that we got both POVs.
Once again it was a pleasure to see the emphasis the author put on communication and honesty when it comes to relationships (I have a feeling that will be a recurring thing throughout the series). It was also a pleasant surprise how respectful Patrick was of Ari's wishes, even though he didn't like them.
10/10 would recommend reading it
I really enjoyed this book, had a hard time putting it down.
I liked that we got a glimpse into Patrick's mind (he intrigued me in the first book) and that we got both POVs.
Once again it was a pleasure to see the emphasis the author put on communication and honesty when it comes to relationships (I have a feeling that will be a recurring thing throughout the series). It was also a pleasant surprise how respectful Patrick was of Ari's wishes, even though he didn't like them.
10/10 would recommend reading it
I started this one out thinking I wasn't going to be into Patrick's story, but I ended up really liking he and Ari together. Now I have to immediately read the 3rd book because I'm sucked into what's going to happen next. I know it's probably just me, but I still hate that Sarina Bowen men use so many pet names for their lady companions. The "sweetheart" thing Patrick does is so grating.
I started this series completely backwards by reading the Brooklynaire first. I HATE when I do that to myself. I actually stopped reading, went to Kindle and loaded up with the Brooklyn Bruisers series and started to read the right way. I know lots of authors like to say you can read in any order... but I just feel like I enjoy the characters so much more when I read the series as it was intended!
That being said, I loved this one. I read them all back to back so I really got into the characters. I loved that he hated being touched, and then slowly came around. I just found these two MC's to be so great together.
Can't wait to read the rest!!! If you love hockey stories, sports stories, or just GREAT romance, pick up this series!!!
That being said, I loved this one. I read them all back to back so I really got into the characters. I loved that he hated being touched, and then slowly came around. I just found these two MC's to be so great together.
Can't wait to read the rest!!! If you love hockey stories, sports stories, or just GREAT romance, pick up this series!!!
I didn't think I'd like Patrick's story, but it was actually pretty sad. Him and Ari are so stinking cute together, there was several audible awww's.