Love and Hockey #2
Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely
The first rule of handling PR for a hockey team? Never hook up with a player.
That shouldn’t be a problem since the last man on earth I want to give an image makeover to is our goalie. He’s infuriatingly hot, famously grumpy and lives to spar with me after every game.
But shining up his rough edges is my path to landing the promotion I desperately need, so I grit my teeth and do my job. No matter how hard he makes it (especially with that sexy smirk and cool blue eyes.) As we travel from pose-with-a-pet photo opps to cuddle-a-kitten fundraisers, we bicker like it’s foreplay.
Turns out it is.
Because as I get to know the man behind the broody iceman exterior, it’s me that melts – right into his arms as he devastates me with a kiss that turns into the hottest, most forbidden night of my life.
Only once turns into every night as Max shows me how much he wants to take care of me. His possessive touch makes me feel adored for the first time in my life.
But the man is entirely off limits and I can’t risk my job for more of those soul-deep kisses.
Because the only thing worse than hooking up with a player is falling head over heels for him.
.png)
Max Lambert is the growly, grumpy, intimidating, big monster of a goalie for the San Francisco Sea Dogs and Everly Rosewood is the team publicist. They drive each other crazy and appear to hate each other while there is this simmering sexual tension and want between them that they do not want to admit. He is grumpy to her sunshine. Beast to his Beauty. He avoids the press, while she tries to make him talk to them. But he avoids the press like the plague and he has his reasons for not trusting.
But when he gets the news he needs to rehab his image, poor Everly is tasked with making miracles for Max. He needs to change his anti-social, unapproachable rep and improve his likability quotient to secure his place on the team and make endorsement deals.
These two have such feisty banter, undeniable sexual tension, and thrive on exasperating the other. But when he finally sees she is trying to help him, it just adds another layer of secret appreciation. And eventually it is going to explode one way or another. But they know anything more between them is a bad idea.
These two were so much feisty fun! I love a grumpy hero with past pain and guards up and then seeing more vulnerability. And Everly is an awesome heroine who hides her own past pain with a sunshine attitude and tenacity. They are snarky, stubborn, and living in a world of denial at times. It's fun to watch them fight each other, themselves, their demons, and their own urges and feelings.
There’s so much going on under the surface of this hockey player and PR woman story. Her past is gradually revealed and it has left her with mental and physical scars that have a huge impact on her life. And he has major trust issues due to his recent past. They’re working on his reputation with the media due to all of the issues and scandals, but along the way they’re also working on themselves and learning to trust someone, be vulnerable, be honest, and develop a deep connection that neither of them expected. And through that trust and connection, she is healing and becoming more comfortable in her own skin and becoming even more empowered. And he is also growing, not only with how he appreciates and treats her and opens up, but also that affects his ability to step back into the limelight and try to do the job that his team needs him to do.
They both had these sharp guarded outer shells in the beginning, but I loved seeing the cracks form, but then find ways to meld together to become stronger and help each other also become stronger. And even though the enemies part was fun when they were sniping and snarking at each other, even as they were developing feelings, they still had fun and witty banter, natural comfort, and companionship that they both needed but were afraid to trust that was possible.
But all of this is going on in secret due to rules, perceptions, media, propriety, and their jobs. It feels like the best situation for them but set right in the middle of an impossible one, and no matter how much they want and need to be together there will be challenges to get there. I loved seeing these two find such a connection, fight their demons, heal, and grow individually and together. I was totally enthralled with their journey and adored both Max and Everly. I am a sucker for a growly, beast-like hero who gets tamed by a badass beauty.
I loved seeing Max show his softer side where he is so patient, thoughtful, generous, supportive, protective, and loving. And Everly is so tenacious, smart, caring, and really comes into her own. I laughed with them, hurt for them, smiled, and swooned so hard! This book brings all the fun, witty banter, feels, spice, and just enough conflict and drama to make you keep turning pages. The also have great groups of friends and people supporting them along the way.
I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book and cannot wait for the next book in this series.
Max is the goalie for the San Francisco Sea Dogs. He is grumbly and growly and has a very closed off media presence. His agent would love for him to open up just a little bit, but doesn’t push until his reputation causes him to start to lose endorsements. Letting the media have a close up of his personal life has never been Max’s favorite part of the game, but when push comes to shove, he knows he needs to work with the team’s PR team to clean up his image.
Everly is the manager assigned to help Max clean up his image. She has worked with the team for long enough to know that she has her work cut out for her. But she knows a thing or two about wanting to keep things private and has her own scars that she keeps hidden from everyone.
The plot flows seamlessly, twisting their developing personal relationship with their professional responsibilities, even as they aren’t sure if they can or should pursue anything together. Every twist feels organic and natural, and I was hooked from start to finish. I loved watching these two work together, forming a bond that went beyond the job they set out to do. As they worked to create an image for Max, they also let down walls between them that were closed off to everyone else.
I loved everything about this book and this couple, and that extended to the audio performance. Vanessa Edwin voices the female characters with great inflection and Teddy Hamilton proves once again that he is one of my favorite male narrators to listen to. I had a hard time hitting pause when I needed to attend to real life, but loved every time I was able to dive back in. As always, I loved what Lauren Blakely created between these two characters and the world around them.
I always love returning to her sports teams and the family they create among their teammates. I am always looking forward to more hockey from Blakely!
Graphics from Author's Facebook page
(Love and Hockey book 1)
Our 5 star reviews
A forbidden romance with my brother’s hockey teammate wasn’t on my to-do list when I moved across the country…
Neither is spending my first evening in a new city with the sexy stranger who rescues me when I’m locked out of a friend’s place wearing next to nothing.
But I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone so getting out of the rest of my clothes with him seems like a good way to start.
In the morning, I learn the filthy-mouthed man with the talented hands is not only the hotshot new hockey player on my brother’s team.
He’s also – wait for it – my brand new roommate.
Thanks, fate.
But the last thing I need is a complicated fling so we agree to a friends-only rule.
It’s not easy though. Wes is bossy, flirty and generous.
He gives me rides to work.
Pitches in at my library’s fundraiser.
Takes care of me when I get hurt.
I don’t know how long I can stick to our rules, especially the night Wes comes to my door and tells me exactly how he’d like to break them.
Every single one.
My Favorite Holidate
Holiday spin-off in same universe
Wanted: one hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous when you kiss me under the mistletoe at all the holiday parties. Bonus points if you make him cry.
To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.
And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.
But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.
My Favorite Holidate
Holiday spin-off in same universe
✦ Amazon
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert
To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.
And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.
But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.
Can all these winter wonderland nights seeking revenge turn into the real thing when we return to the office? Or are we destined to go the way of a Christmas tree on New Year’s?
Lauren Blakely
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter | TikTok
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
