Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #2
Published by Berkley Books Publication Date: January 3rd 2017
Pages: 336
Also in this series: Hard Hitter, Rookie Move, Rookie Move
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From the USA Today bestselling author of Rookie Move comes the second novel in the series that s hot enough to melt the ice.
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..."
This is the second book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series and it is another charming hockey story by Sarina Bowen. My attention was immediately captured as I read this sweet story. It has suspense, an interesting storyline, engaging characters with lots of chemistry between them.
Patrick O’Dual is the captain of the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey team and also the team’s enforcer, but at thirty-one, he is starting to wonder how much longer his body can take the abuse. Hockey is all Patrick has; it has been his whole life. Patrick is stoic, doesn’t like to be touched, sticks to himself and is uncomfortable getting too close to people.
Ariana also works for the Brooklyn Bruisers and she is the complete opposite of Patrick. She is the team’s yoga Instructor and massage therapist and touch is an important part of her job. She is a sweet and genuine person but unfortunately, she is having problems with her former boyfriend. Patrick tries to keep her safe from her ex and as he gets to know her, he starts to fall in love. Ariana was in a bad relationship and she is nervous about jumping into a relationship with Patrick and she also worries that if she is involved with Patrick, it might jeopardize her job.
Patrick has never been in a relationship and it is sweet the way he tries to figure out how to win Ariana. She makes him feel things he has never felt before. He keeps trying to convince Ariana that she should date him but she only wants to go to bed with him. Patrick if protective of Anaina and he wants to help her in any way he can and and keep her safe. My heart went out to Patrick, he is tough yet also has a sweet side that Ariana brings out in him. I liked both Patrick and Ariana, although I wish Ariana hadn’t continually tried to push Patrick away. I love the way Ariana’s influence on Patrick slowly changes him over the course of the story as he learns to open up. This story also had a some entertaining secondary characters. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the players and how everyone in the Brooklyn Bruisers organization cares about each other. They all have their own stories and I can’t wait to read about them in future books.
