Guest Review: Falling for the Backup – Toni Aleo

Item: Falling for the Backup (Novella)
Rating: 5
Author: Shannon

Posted June 2, 2013 by Shannon in Blog Tour, Reviews / 0 Comments

Guest Review: Falling for the Backup – Toni Aleo

Falling for the Backup (Novella) by Toni Aleo
Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Fiction, Romance, Short Stories (single author), Sports, Sports Romance
Published by Random House Publishing Group Publication Date: June 24th 2013
Pages: 105
Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
Find on: Goodreads

NAMED THE BEST ROMANCE NOVELLA OF THE YEAR BY BOOK JUNKIE’S CHOICE AWARDSNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Aleo’s sexy eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third. 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 charms 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.Praise for Toni Aleo’s Nashville Assassins romances “Aleo melts the ice and hits it into the net with her Assassins series.”—Award-winning author Jami Davenport “Taking Shots is really the whole package. You get romance, humor, steamy sex, drama, and then it all wraps up with a great conclusion. I am amazed that this is Toni’s first book. She has come out in a huge way. I can’t wait to read more from her. Don’t hesitate for a moment to grab this book.”—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews “A little steamy, a little heartbreaking, and a whole lot of fanning yourself are in order this time around, readers. Are your cheeks feeling a little pink yet? Get used to the feeling.”—Dreaming in the Pages, on Trying to Score “Empty Net is an honest, heartwarming, endearing story. . . . Toni Aleo doesn’t just write a story. She gives you the ability to experience the journey of her characters right along with them. Her stories are enveloped with passion, emotion, humor, love; and let me tell you, that girl knows how to write a sex scene that just makes you sweat!”—Guilty Pleasures Book Review “Sexy and riveting . . . the perfect combination of love and lust.”—USA Today bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin, on Blue Lines “Funny, charming, sweet, sexy . . . [Falling for the Backup] has everything you want in a story.”—Blushing Reader Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from the Loveswept title Empty Net.

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.

Series: Nashville Assassins 3.5
Release Date: June 24, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Source: NetGalley
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Reviewer’s Thoughts

The third time is the charm in Toni Aleo’s Falling for the Backup. Jordan Ryan, the backup goalie for the Nashville Assassins, is trying to figure out his new place on the team and in the hockey world following a knee injury. His focus is on his career despite the chemistry that explodes upon meeting Aynslee Shaw on a plane ride back from Buffalo. Aynslee, completely enamored with Jordan, doesn’t understand why the hottie does not seem to want anything more to do with her. Jordan is able to hold out the first meeting, but how long will he last after running into her over and over again?

Falling for the Backup is a novella that continues Toni Aleo’s Assassins series. You can read this without having read the rest of the series, because she does a good job of writing it as a stand-alone novella. Jordan overall struck me as a gentleman who took a hard hit, both emotionally and physically, who feels as though he should not subject Aynslee to all the baggage and career uncertainty that he is going through. Aynslee is a strong willed female that tries to support Ryan emotionally while watching him navigate his new normal, but will she be included when it is all said and done. Toni Aleo’s insightful characters, with their emotional twists and turns, will give readers a ride as fast paced as the hockey games Jordan plays.

About Toni Aleo

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.

… and did I mention I love hockey?

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Shannon

Owner at Cocktails and Books

I am a lover of alpha males with dirty mouths, strong heroines putting alpha males in their place, and the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm a proud hockey mom who can often be found at the hockey rink cheering on my favorite forward, with my kindle close by.