Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #2
Also in this series: Rookie Move, Pipe Dreams, Brooklynaire, Overnight Sensation
Published by Berkley, Penguin on January 3rd 2017
Genres: Hockey, Romance, Sports
Review Copy Provided By: Berkley
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He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score...
As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O'Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.
After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O'Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O'Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good...
I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Whether she writes serious, thought-provoking stories or a sweet romance, Sarina Bowen delivers every time.
With Hard Hitter, Bowen gives us a slightly tortured hero, with Patrick O’Doul, the Enforcer for the Brooklyn Bruisers. He learned to fight when he lived in group homes in Minnesota. Finally, on his own, he covets his solitude. O’Doul wishes to play Hockey and be left alone. Growing up in group homes, Patrick has known one kind of touch in his life, fighting. Historically, people haven’t touched him in a kind, gentle manner. So when the team trainers and coaches require him to obtain messages for his hip, he resists the idea. Until he no longer can.
Ariana (Ari) Bettini, is a massage therapist, and yoga instructor. She is fresh out of a failed 8-year relationship and finds her job the only steady thing in her life. She gets proposed to many times throughout the day as the Brooklyn Bruiser’s massage therapist. But the last thing she wants is to get into another relationship, let alone one with a player.
“Be kind to yourself.”
As with the first book in the series, Rookie Move, the supporting character’s were fantastic. With Castro (whom I LOVED), Leo aka College Boy, Georgia, and Becca, we are given characters which round out the story. Call me crazy, but I would love for Castro and Becca to get together.
A sweet, fast-paced, slow-burn romance with a hint of suspense, Hard Hitter placed a smile on my face and left me craving Pipe Dreams!
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