Series: Atlantic City Hustlers #2
Authors: Veronica Forand & Susan Scott Shelley
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Published: July 7th 2015
Format: eARC | Pages: 129
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★ (3/5) Stars!
Veronica Forand | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Susan Scott Shelley | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
When the gloves come off, she's worth the penalty...
Physical therapist Annie Davidson is great at her job but unlucky when it comes to love. She's just out of a bad relationship. A really bad relationship. All she can do is focus on work...that is until she runs into professional hockey player Alec O'Meara. She's a touch insecure and doesn't understand why he's interested in her.
Despite being one of the biggest players on the team, right wing Alec O'Meara prefers finesse over force. After the tragic death of his wife, he likes to keep things loose on and off the ice. But the red-headed Annie challenges his beliefs and makes him think about taking their relationship to the net.
The passion and fun they share is addicting and makes them long for more. But her insecurities that she's not good enough, and his anxiety over a long-term commitment will keep them apart, unless they can find a way to break through the defenses they've built around their hearts.
I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!
Simmering Ice was a very quick and easy read. I picked it up because reading books set in the hockey world, or even dealing with sports in general, has been so much fun lately and addictive. While this one didn't absolutely wow me, it was very enjoyable all the same.
I really liked all of the characters. I especially liked the bond between Alec and his teammates. They seem to really care for and look out for each other. Like when Alec was all caught up in his own head they refused to let him stay that way and came over and camped out in his living room calling him on all his crap. It was funny and in a sense very sweet. You get the feeling that they aren't just a team because they're forced to be, they truly do care about each other like brothers.
Alec and Annie were also great characters, but I wish there had been more of a struggle. From the blurb I felt like I'd have seen more angst I suppose. But mostly it seemed as if the baggage that they both carried for the most part played out internally. It was more of a running inner monologue and less of a struggle within the relationship. It was the other huge reason I picked this book up. I'm twisted and I enjoy a good struggle before happily ever after. It makes it all the more sweet.
The romance was very sweet though. Alec and Annie had great chemistry and the build up between them was very slow and passionate. I love those slow and simmering moments. A passionate kiss here, a lingering touch there, a heated look. They make the end results so much better.
I think my only other complaint, besides the lack of angst and struggle, would be that in the very beginning at least scenes felt very rushed. Like they would start and end within one or two paragraphs. I'd blink and it was days later. Things didn't feel very fleshed out on occasion.
All in all though I had fun reading it. It was quick and easy, the characters and storyline were great, the romance was passionate, and it had all the sporty goodness I've grown to love lately. I'll definitely be continuing on with this series so I can get to know some of the other Atlantic City Hustlers better!
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!
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