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hazelgirl21's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse
lenka_v's review
4.0
4,5 stars
A powerful story with great characters. It could have been a bit longer, so that some parts of the story wouldn´t feel like they ended in the middle of the action (like the investigation), but overall it had a good flow and I really enjoyed it.
A powerful story with great characters. It could have been a bit longer, so that some parts of the story wouldn´t feel like they ended in the middle of the action (like the investigation), but overall it had a good flow and I really enjoyed it.
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
Jonah unexpectedly lost his wife three years ago. He knows that he will never find love like that again. When his police officer brother asks him to pretend to be in a relationship with Reyna to catch a child trafficker he reluctantly agrees. What he doesn’t expect is to actually fall for her.
I am so glad Jonah found love again. The sudden death of his wife Lily in the previous book, [b:Victor|45274947|Victor (Chicago Blaze, #3)|Brenda Rothert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560703779l/45274947._SY75_.jpg|69981845], was heartbreaking for everyone. I liked Jonah in previous books but I really grew to love him with this book. Reyna was a kickass heroine who is determined to save as many children as she can. I loved her dedication to her job and her determination to help.She was just a great heroine, who had some childhood traumas that shaped her life.
Jonah and Reyna start off very hostile to each other but that changes quickly.Their fake relationship quickly becomes real. I love a good fake relationship romance and this one really was top notch, especially considering the heavy and emotional reasoning for the relationship.
Overall, this was another amazing book for the Chicago Blaze series. This series is the perfect blend of emotional heartbreak and romance. I can’t get enough of it! I am now eagerly waiting for the next book!
Trigger Warnings:
- Child trafficking (referenced)
- Domestic violence leading to death (referenced)
- Sudden death of wife and unborn child (Discussed. Happened in a previous book.)
- Miscarriages (referenced)
- Grief
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
I am so glad Jonah found love again. The sudden death of his wife Lily in the previous book, [b:Victor|45274947|Victor (Chicago Blaze, #3)|Brenda Rothert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560703779l/45274947._SY75_.jpg|69981845], was heartbreaking for everyone. I liked Jonah in previous books but I really grew to love him with this book. Reyna was a kickass heroine who is determined to save as many children as she can. I loved her dedication to her job and her determination to help.She was just a great heroine, who had some childhood traumas that shaped her life.
Jonah and Reyna start off very hostile to each other but that changes quickly.Their fake relationship quickly becomes real. I love a good fake relationship romance and this one really was top notch, especially considering the heavy and emotional reasoning for the relationship.
Overall, this was another amazing book for the Chicago Blaze series. This series is the perfect blend of emotional heartbreak and romance. I can’t get enough of it! I am now eagerly waiting for the next book!
Trigger Warnings:
- Child trafficking (referenced)
- Domestic violence leading to death (referenced)
- Sudden death of wife and unborn child (Discussed. Happened in a previous book.)
- Miscarriages (referenced)
- Grief
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
izziede's review
I'm going to opt out of this one.
I've enjoyed the series so far but there are a couple of things that I'm not keen on in this one.
The heroine is an undercover cop investigating children being abducted for sex.
Hero in chapter 1 reveals he is a widow for 3 years and he's still hung up on his wife, he blatantly says there is either her or noone.
The premise is a fake relationship between the Hero and heroine so she can get close to a suspect who is famous and moves in the outskirts of the hockey world.
Hero has been celibate since his wife died.
I've enjoyed the series so far but there are a couple of things that I'm not keen on in this one.
The heroine is an undercover cop investigating children being abducted for sex.
Hero in chapter 1 reveals he is a widow for 3 years and he's still hung up on his wife, he blatantly says there is either her or noone.
The premise is a fake relationship between the Hero and heroine so she can get close to a suspect who is famous and moves in the outskirts of the hockey world.
Hero has been celibate since his wife died.
beckymmoe's review
4.0
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 9/26/2020.
Another fun Chicago Blaze story! Hockey and hot guys--I don't know what more we need... ;)
While reading Jonah and Rey's story, the pages practically turned themselves! A fake relationship story with a hint of suspense (it's the reason why they're in the fake relationship, but the focus here is really on Jonah and Rey falling in love, not Rey's mission) I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent with this story from their we're-not-getting-off-on-the-right-foot first date to their OMG-she'd-better-pull-this-off-because-she's-killing-me-with-this-let's-go-back-to-our-previous-lives-BS HEA!
And did I mention the hockey players? Yes? ;)
(Rey's roomie/new BFF was a fabulous character as well--I seriously didn't want to leave Kai behind when I finished the book.)
I loved that widower Jonah was able to (finally) find love again with Rey without vilifying his first wife or diminishing the relationship they had--one of my biggest pet peeves in romance. He was conflicted about it of course, but it felt like exactly the right amount of angst was involved without drawing things out too much or making him suffer too much. And giving us a small glimpse into the teammate whose story is next? Definitely whetted my appetite!
As with the other Chicago Blaze books, Jonah would work just fine as a standalone. If you've read any (or all) of the other books, you'll love the glimpses you get of the other players and their significant others, but you don't have to have read their stories to enjoy this one. (You *should* read them of course, but you don't *have* to!)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Another fun Chicago Blaze story! Hockey and hot guys--I don't know what more we need... ;)
While reading Jonah and Rey's story, the pages practically turned themselves! A fake relationship story with a hint of suspense (it's the reason why they're in the fake relationship, but the focus here is really on Jonah and Rey falling in love, not Rey's mission) I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent with this story from their we're-not-getting-off-on-the-right-foot first date to their OMG-she'd-better-pull-this-off-because-she's-killing-me-with-this-let's-go-back-to-our-previous-lives-BS HEA!
And did I mention the hockey players? Yes? ;)
(Rey's roomie/new BFF was a fabulous character as well--I seriously didn't want to leave Kai behind when I finished the book.)
I loved that widower Jonah was able to (finally) find love again with Rey without vilifying his first wife or diminishing the relationship they had--one of my biggest pet peeves in romance. He was conflicted about it of course, but it felt like exactly the right amount of angst was involved without drawing things out too much or making him suffer too much. And giving us a small glimpse into the teammate whose story is next? Definitely whetted my appetite!
As with the other Chicago Blaze books, Jonah would work just fine as a standalone. If you've read any (or all) of the other books, you'll love the glimpses you get of the other players and their significant others, but you don't have to have read their stories to enjoy this one. (You *should* read them of course, but you don't *have* to!)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
bookbae96's review
4.0
We're almost at the end of the beloved Chicago Blaze series by author Brenda Rothert, and finally, finally, she's given us Jonah's book. Jonah has been a constant throughout the series, the guy that has been dealt a heartbreaking blow, but who has been the steady one, the teammate that has been a friend and a sounding board for all of his brothers.
When Jonah lost his beloved Lily, he didn't think that his heart would ever be open to love again. After all, Lily was his soul mate, his other half, his sunshine, and her death left a hole that he wasn't looking to fill.
Rey Diaz is Lily's polar opposite. She's kicking butt and taking names as an FBI agent dead-set on bringing down the worst of the worst. She's not some girly girl that has the time or the inclination to be tied to Jonah West, hockey star or no. She doesn't do emotion, doesn't have a life that lends itself to falling in love and settling down.
This book is a bit of a departure for the series. While there is plenty of ice time, camaraderie, and focus on the game, Brenda gives us a nice slice of romantic suspense with the presence of Rey, the FBI, and a ripped-from-the-headlines storyline that makes this book one heck of a page-turner. And I thoroughly enjoyed the sparks that flew between Jonah and Rey, and seeing these two 'not looking for a romance' characters finding their way to each other and their HEA.
Brenda originally won me over with her Fire On Ice series, so reading the Chicago Blaze books has been a return to a genre that I really enjoy. While I'm sad to see the series reaching its conclusion, I have enjoyed every single book, and am looking forward to Kit's book. In the meantime, fans of Brenda and this series will absolutely love Jonah and Rey and their unconventional and unexpected road to love. ❤️
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