Overnight Sensation

(Brooklyn Bruisers #5)

Everyone knows the girl is off limits. But it's so good to be bad.

Jason Castro. He is charming, cocky, likes to keep things easy and light. He was the overnight sensation last year until his missed shot helped them lose the cup. He is determined to have a great year until things start sliding downhill. A new position, a slump, and sexual frustration are messing with his head.

One girl in particular is responsible for his frustration, Heidi Jo Pepper...Bruisers intern, younger, and Commissioner's daughter. She should totally be off limits, but she does not think so. She is a good girl wanting to be a bit bad and more independent. She is smart, resourceful, sassy, and challenging. Jason does not do relationships and knows it is a bad idea. There is a bit of cat and mouse chase, and several nears hits that lead to misses just ramp up the the tension. And then they find themselves in close quarters and unable to avoid each other. 

She says she is fine with a one-off. He needs to get her out of his system. He needs to something to get himself out of his rut and scoring on the ice. Could it be that easy? Will she be his new good luck charm or take his head more out of the game?

This was feisty, sexy, sweet, and had just enough emotion and drama. I really liked Jason and Heidi. They had fun rapport, and great chemistry. There was more to him than he let a lot of people see and sometimes his coping mechanisms sent the wrong message. She was a spitfire and wanted to be seen,  heard, and have a purpose. They were both determined to prove themselves. I loved their protective instincts even if they were not always well received.

I enjoyed cameos with the other team members and their wives. I am really interested in his room mate Silas and hope he is the next book because there is definitely a story there. 

Jason Castro was dubbed an overnight sensation during the previous season. Now he finds himself struggling to maintain the success he found easily last year.

Heidi Jo Pepper is the commissioner’s daughter and newest intern with the Brooklyn Bruisers. Usually, hockey players give her a wide berth, knowing who her father is, or treat her with overly cautious advances.

An unfortunate paparazzi photo catches an innocent moment out of context, spinning a protective gesture dark. The attention wasn’t what Castro or Heidi were looking for, and cause each of them to question future potential, especially when the commissioner hears of the photo.

But the fire that’s been building between them is more than just a one night kind of feeling, even if Jason thinks he can exorcise the feelings and move on as he’s done so many times in the past.

These two are a great complement to each other. Heidi is determined and wants to make her way despite her father’s opinions. Castro has always worked hard to be his best on the ice. When Heidi finds herself in need, Jason is quick to offer solutions but let her choose the best option for herself. I loved the way Heidi forged her own path, learning to lean when necessary but standing up for her own needs. I also loved the way Jason wanted to make her choices easy but quickly learned he could only do so much and had to let her take the remaining steps herself.

I love checking in on the other players. This team and their management truly are a family and I love the way in which they look out for each other. They also provide great sounding boards, reality checks, and humorous moments throughout the story. Every time I read a Brooklyn Bruisers book, I am quickly pulled back into the world of K-phones, cutting edge hockey, and a team that gels on and off the ice. I always look forward to more from this series.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.