Fun and sexy but with a whole lot of emotion; Top Shelf was an immensely enjoyable read. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures
Description:
Whether it’s a clutch goal or a cocktail, nothing beats “top shelf.” In this novel from the bestselling author of the Heller Brothers Hockey series, a fun-loving jock and an ambitious career woman mix business with pleasure.
Not only is Jared Rupp one of the stars of the NHL’s Chicago Aces, he’s also the owner of the Sin Bin, the after-hours hot spot where the whole team hangs out. Lately, Jared can’t take his eyes off the woman he’s hired to give the Bin a more modern feel: a sexy, sophisticated consultant who has carved out a niche updating drink menus. She’s as passionate about her career as Jared is about hockey—and yet he can’t help wondering what kind of cocktail she really wants.
In her line of work, Sidney Frayne is used to guys hitting on her in bars, but Jared gets her hot enough to burst into flames. When he’s wining and dining her, he’s sophisticated as hell; on the rink, he’s a testosterone-fueled powerhouse. Still, Sidney’s bitter divorce taught her to keep her emotions on ice. With her busy schedule—and Jared’s playboy reputation—she’s not sure she’s ready for a fling. Because if she lets Jared into her bed, she just may have to let him into her heart.
Review copy provided for an honest review
A chance meeting leads to so much more in Kelly Jamieson’s Top Shelf and it is a fantastic 
addition to the Aces Hockey series. Watching two people who both insisted they only did “casual relationships” realize having someone in your life to share your ups, downs and everything in between (and okay yes, some sizzling hot sexy times) fall in love was pretty damn priceless. Fun and sexy but with a whole lot of emotion; Top Shelf was an immensely enjoyable read.
Hockey star Jared Rupp is immediately intrigued when a woman steps in his restaurant and bar and pronounces his drink menu unimaginative. Sidney Frayne is pretty embarrassed after she unknowingly trashes the Sin Bin’s owner’s menu especially give the sparks flying between them, but then he wants her to meet his staff and there’s no doubt he’d like something a lot more personal with her.
There is no doubt Jared has enjoyed his life as a celebrity including having the finer things in life and women when he wants them. Jared doesn’t think he’s interested in marriage and family and he believes that hockey and his bar should have his complete attention, but there is something about Sidney that makes him want to spend time with her. After recovering from a nasty divorce and working to get her fledgling business off the ground, Sidney is convinced she doesn’t need a man in her life or want a relationship and while she puts up a good fight, Jared sneaks under her defenses.
I enjoyed the “no strings” arrangement these two had and the intense physical relationship with Jared being very experiences and Sidney not that experienced it was interesting watching her really enjoy her sexuality and there was no doubt Jared enjoyed helping her with that. I found it very interesting that it was Jared who wanted to spend more time, wanted overnights and sought out Sidney when he’d had a bad day or needed to vent. Sidney remained steadfast for a very long time that she didn’t want a relationship even when it became obvious they had moved into one without really thinking about it.
I liked these two together and felt they complimented each other; intelligent, hard working and fun they fit together well.
This series has been an easy one to love and Top Shelf just seemed to have a bit more of a serious note to it that the others, and that’s not a bad thing, it just had a different feel. Well written with entertaining characters and a whole lot of feels, this was an exciting story.
4.5 stars
Sounds pretty good…thanks for the review Slick