Ms. Aleo is a pro and creating captivating characters that are easy to relate to and impossible to not completely fall in love with. ~ Rhayne, Guilty Pleasures
Description:
After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is, until the hottest guy she’s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and dazzles her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guy the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers?
Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the ice—finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if he’d ever play pro hockey again, he’s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a pretty—okay, beautiful—girl on a plane shouldn’t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, he’s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from the Loveswept title Empty Net.
Review copy provided for an honest review
Falling for the backup is a short, sexy, tender novella in The Assassins series. It is the perfect hockey fix to hold us over until the next installment, Blue Lines is released.
Ms. Aleo is a pro and creating captivating characters that are easy to relate to and impossible to not completely fall in love with. Her knowledge and love of the game is obvious as she actually places you right into the scene as you read the pages.
Jordan and Aynslee have burrowed a special place in my heart. They each have a professional agenda that doesn’t give them much hope for a relationship. They both learn that with love comes sacrifice and compromise. It’s an endearing journey to watch them figure out how to attain a future together.
I loved the way Jordan was portrayed. It’s a completely different angle from most hockey heroes I have read about. After an injury has taken him from the starting goaltender to the backup, he really struggles to find his way in the game he loves. He not only lost his spot on the team, he lost his confidence. Usually hockey men are portrayed as cocky hard ass alpha men who show little weakness. That is not the case with Jordan. He is confused, shy, self-conscious, and even embarrassed about sitting on the bench. She really gave us an honest view from a player perspective how it tears them up inside to not be able to play the game they love. Hockey is much more than just a career choice, its life for these players. To be pulled away and have to watch instead of skate is pure agony. Jordan has a lot to work through in this book and it’s not easy for him at times, but Aynslee is just what he needs to pull him through and help him shine.
I always say if an author can write a novella and tell a complete story without me feeling like I’m missing out on details and I don’t feel like it was rushed, they have immense talent. Toni definitely fits into this category. Her writing style is beautiful, her books are completely original and her characters are unforgettable.
4.5 Stars
Thanks for the review Rhayne!