She’s a goddess in heels. Absolute perfection. Well, almost. Samantha Fox is the heiress of Fox Sporting, my new management team. As one of the best wings in the NHL, I have never shied away from a challenge, and she is definitely a challenge. But if her company representing me doesn’t stop me from wanting her, the fact she’s engaged should, right? But the noticeably absent sparkle from her left ring finger makes me question. I vow to myself that I’ll find out what that’s all about. And if she’s single, I plan to make her mine. Or at least, mine for the night. I just need one taste of the divine.
Samantha
Off-limits. That’s what he is. Lucas Bouchard is the prestigious new client acquired by my family’s company. From what I know, not only is he an amazing hockey player, he’s a humble and generous philanthropist too. Also, he’s a walking aphrodisiac. It doesn’t matter that I’ve just broken off my engagement to a cheating, using loser. Every time our eyes lock, I find myself captivated. But he’s not for me. No matter how many times I remind myself of this, though, it doesn’t compute. Plain and simple, I want him. And keeping my distance might prove impossible.
Jessica Buss was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has two sons. Although she has both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology, she stepped away from that field to be a stay-at-home mom. Now that her kids are growing up and she’s getting more time to herself, she’s giving this writing thing a chance.
This debut novel has potential. I felt like I had found a diamond but still rough and encased in dirt and stone. It just needs some work to make it shine.
It was lightning fast instalove, which always bothers me. But Sam and Lucas still shared nice moments where they learned more about each other. And their intimate moments were sexy!
But a whole lot of the story is about them sad because they aren’t together. It was quite angsty. Not exactly clinically describing depression, but not far. I loved seeing the people around them, family and friends, trying to understand what was happening, then helping them.
As a hockey romance, it wasn’t completly satisfying. Most of the hockey action is off page. But the little bits about the game and a team’s dynamics were nice.
But my main problem was that the story dragged a lot. Between the events being told twice–once from each point of view–and the long internal monologues, I admit that I sometimes skimmed. Which I never do.
I don’t doubt that the author will get better, because I felt her love for the genre. And there’s space for growth.
Quickie
- Series: Chicago Steel #1 (can be read as a standalone) - Hashtags: #hockey romance #forbidden romance #instalove #brother’s friend - Triggers: cheating - Main couple: Samantha Fox & Lucas Bouchard - Hotness: 3/5 - Romance: 3/5 - + Lucas’s grand gesture was soooo romantic - – it needs a lot more editing and tightening
EDIT: the author has worked hard on making the book better, and it shows. In its re-release, the structure is way better--no repetition of whole chapters from a different point of view anymore, and I don't remember any important scene told only in a passive form. It would be even better with some more tightening, fewer internal monologues.
The author should probably work on the dreaded 'show, don't tell'. Most of Samantha's qualities are described by Lucas, though we never see them during their interactions. It would also help with introducing some important elements early on, instead of only writing about them when it becomes relevant.
As for my personal taste, I wasn't a fan of label dropping--I honestly don't care what brand a dress is from, I barely even care about its color. Also, still not a fan of fast instalove. And maybe it's the way the story is rewritten, but I didn't see as much nice conversations between the characters to create a connection, as I wrote in my first review.
All in all, it's a way more interesting debut novel than it was.
I read this book initially in 2022, as you can tell by my review below (which I will not delete as it remains an honest response to the original version of the book which likely does still exist on some Kindles), but this current review and rating reflect the revised version of the book.
Without going into too much, and again the original review is below, this title's rewrites solved the issues I had with the previous version, the book let us know both characters and showed more than it told.
I ended up enjoying this title. I liked Samantha and I also liked Lucas. I liked getting to know them and felt the dialogue and description of the characters worked overall for the story. There were moments where I felt very connected with them and that's essential for a strong romance story.
There were still some parts that felt a little over dramatic, but that's my opinion and while I thought it was too much I believed the characters didn't, which makes not totally buying it something to do with me and not the writing.
That said, while I understand why it was written as it was, it did leave me feeling like I missed a little bit of them being together as a lot of the story was spent with them dealing with the reasons they weren't and figuring out what they wanted. So I guess what I'm saying is that while it worked, I was also left wanting more of them as a couple as I was enjoying their dynamic.
While it's been rewritten, this is the debut novel by this author and it's definitely got enough going for it, both with the writing and the characters, that I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in the series.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
Original Review 7-2-2022
DNF at 19%
I'm always open to giving new to me authors a try.
Unfortunately, it's not always a great experience and this was one of them.
I liked the premise of the book. As I was reading I struggled to feel engaged with the story...but it took me a bit to figure out why.
And then I did. It's all "tell" and no "show". It's told in 1st petson... but even when the characters are talking, there's virtually no dialog...it's just one long stream of consciousness from Samantha.
I'm sure this isn't 100% true. I'm sure the characters speak. But it doesn't feel like they ever do.
Hooked By You by Jessica Buss is the first book in the Chicago Steel series and the debut for this author. This was a forbidden sports romance between Lucas and Samantha. They had some amazing chemistry, but a lot of obstacles. Samantha thought she had it all and was happy. Until she discovered the man she loved and thought was her future was not who she believed him to be. She is done with love. Lucas is a charming and gorgeous hockey player who wants Samantha. But Lucas, as her client is totally off limits, right? These two shared some amazing witty banter I just loved. Sometimes the connection is too undeniable to walk away from. I truly enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to more from this author
Between the family business and her engagement Samantha thought she knew what her future bring only to realize that not all as it seems. She has no interest in repeating the experience and isn’t looking for love or a relationship so why does her sexy new client have her second guessing herself.
Lucas was attracted to Samantha but he believed her heart belonged to another. When he finds out that isn’t the case he knows they belong together and he isn’t about to let the fact that he is her client or anything else stand in their way.
Humorous interaction, great characters and a storyline that will have you rooting for Samantha and Lucas to have the happiness they both deserve.
I’m not sure if I was just in the wrong mood for this book, or if this book was just not for me. I thought it had a good foundation, but some of the execution was lacking. First, I thought the book was too long. It dragged on. It’s also a romance, but the main characters spent more time apart and not speaking to each other than they did being romantic interests. When they were together, their relationship felt very rushed. There wasn’t much build up to the relationship to feel believable, and I didn’t feel like I knew the characters as individuals or as a couple. I did feel like they had some decent chemistry, and the steamy scenes were good. Second, I was not invested in these characters. I skimmed the majority of the book, and the repetition whenever the POV switched made me want to scream. It’s okay to have some of the same scene we’ve already read from the other POV if it adds to the plot and the scene, but when it’s just telling me exactly what’s happened from a different POV it’s just kind of annoying. I didn’t feel like I knew the characters, and I couldn’t get behind their relationship. Both had many moments of naïveté and immaturity, and when they reconciled it seemed too quick and easy. I liked the support that Samantha had from her friends and family, and her relationship with her brother was sweet. This one wasn’t for me. I think other readers may devour this story about Samantha and Lucas.
**I was sent an eARC of this book by the author/publisher but due to technology errors I read the KU version**
I had this sitting on my kindle for awhile waiting for my reader heart to be ready to dive back into sports romance. Once I started I could not put it down.
Both main characters are not looking for a relationship but their instant chemistry creates sparks on the page. They find themselves unable to stop this magnetic attraction. I am a huge fan of soulmates or when you know you know and this story delivered.
This debut novel tackled one of the most popular tropes, miscommunication, and executes it perfectly. As readers we see this often used to create tension but we don't get a deep dive into the characters worked through their heartbreak and reconciliation. Author Buss delivers this and allows the characters to admit their own flaws and fears contributing.
The writing was engaging and enjoyed every page. Now to continue my journey to book 2 as I'm ready for more from this author.
This story was very much worth reading. Loved the storyline and the characters. Lucas and Samantha are both so sweet yet so vulnerable and unsure how to navigate through their feelings. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read the rest of the series. I am excited for the next book in the series but I am really looking forward to Monica and Christian’s story!
GUYS!!!!!! If you’ve read hockey romance and love good chemistry and a hot hockey player this book is for you. Lucas and Sam are adorable from the moment they meet their chemistry is off the charts, that you just wanna keep reading and seeing where this chemistry leads them. You have amazing groveling and the swoon will have hearts in your eyes. I enjoyed the character growth of EACH MC! That’s my favorite part of a book when they realize SHIT I do love this girl. You also get to see chemistry between some side characters and I can’t wait to explore those couples. Sam abs Lucas are just starting this HOT hockey romance series! Nothing I love more than a rom com with a good amount of SPICE! 🥵🥵🥵
Hooked by You is a contemporary hockey romance. I enjoyed the alternating points of view and it’s still fresh to get the male character’s perspective. However some of the switches from Samantha or Lucas took the reader back to retell the story from the other point of view and it took me out of the story the first few times. The present tense also took some time for me to adjust. The writing and tone weren’t my taste or preference but the plot was enjoyable. The conflict and relationship problems were realistic and thoroughly explored. I wish there was more dialogue especially between Lucas and his teammates. I found myself skimming the descriptions wishing it was dialogue. However the bedroom scenes were wonderfully descriptive. Definitely the book for someone who likes present tense and description and inner monologues.
So this is my second time reading Lucas & Samantha’s story and once again I am blown away that this is this author’s debut novel. The start of this book is devastating for Samantha and it takes her a bit to get back in her feet to her new normal. She really wasn’t expecting someone like Lucas and the instant attraction they both felt. Not living in the same city was always going to be a strain on their new relationship but once again when I reached this part of the story my heart sank as it played out. The feelings that the author wrote they were both experiencing - I felt that!!! It was like I was right there myself and it was happening to me. So luckily for me I have book 2 on my kindle so I am going to jump right in and probably have my heart smashed all over again.
I'm enjoying this hockey romance series so much. Lucas and Samantha's characters are truly amazing. Falling in love with them has been an absolute pleasure. This story is one with all the feels, emotions everywhere and captivates you completely. Prepare to swoon, and laugh too, perhaps even feel a little desperate at times, and find yourself wanting to yell at them both, but ultimately you'll be drawn to Lucas, just like Sam. The intense attraction and chemistry between them is undeniably strong. The groveling part oh yes, Lucas know how to do it and big!!! I was swooning all the time. Their happily ever after was simply incredible. This series shows great promise, and I'm eagerly anticipating Mika's story in the next book.
These two are super cute when they're together, and have major chemistry. We're talking chapters & chapters of 🔥🔥🔥🔥, so if that's your jam, you'll be very happy!
For me, that was a bit much. I didn't feel like they got a lot of page-time actually TOGETHER. There is a lot of time apart, where they're struggling to figure out an LDR. And there is an SOB (seemingly obligatory breakup) that didn't work for me.
I did enjoy them as a couple when they got to be a couple, and their conversations & banter during those scenes were super fun! I also enjoyed their relationships with Christian & Monica, and Lucas & Sam individually as ppl.
4 Stars for Hooked By You by new author Jessica Buss
Great debut by this author !
I loved this sports romance and it has everything I look for in a good romance!
Cover and Book Blurb got my attention Sports romance - hockey being one of my favorite professional sports Awesome characters in Samantha and Lucas Real life obstacles this couple must overcome as well as miscommunication Intense “at first glance “ chemistry Loved this swoon worthy Happily Ever After - glad to see Lucas put in the work to make this relationship the real deal ! Just all around good read with all the “feels” I look for in a great romance
Overall I enjoyed this read. Samantha and Lucas have a great chemistry, ups and downs, and there's a deep emotional pull between them. Samantha can be a bit over dramatic, overly emotional at times, but that pain is there. Lucas is a strong character, he doesn't know how to handle the feelings he has, and there's a growth as the story progresses. I was frustrated at times with some of the OTT moments, but the pages kept turning. I really liked her best friend and her brother and I am looking forward to more from this series.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I can't believe that this is a debut novel from this author! I thought the depth of the story and the details were great for the first book. Personal insecurities are hard on relationships. It is hard to navigate relationships, especially when you've never had to or your past relationship is all you've ever known, and it just came easy. When you've had emotions involved, it is hard to separate them and have a different type of relationship from what you've always known. It is also hard to communicate these emotions without fear. Past relationships have a way of sticking with us and cause insecurities.
Hooked by you is a forbidden/Work Place Hockey Romance.
Samantha, for the last five years has been enjoying her life with a man that she adored.......only to find out he wasn't quite on the same page! She is done with men, but just as she decides that step forward Lucas who is a complication she doesn't need ( he's her client) but unfortunately her head and her heart are telling her something completely different!
Smantha and Lucas have so much chemistry! They just light up the pages. This was a great introduction to a new hockey world and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
This book was so deliciously dirty! Lots of flirty fun and great banter also!
I really enjoyed watching Lucas and Samantha stumble their way through finding their love for each other and making it work for them.
He was a bit hard headed in figuring out what he wanted and how to make it work in the long run. She was also a bit on the naive side when it came to relationships since her longest one turned out to be epically wrong for her and ended on a really bad note.
This was Jessica Buss' debut novel, which I have read after the fact. Samantha was a great character who had a stunning relationship with her brother and parents. I found this to be a slow burn sports romance. I loved the back and forth missed cues and misunderstandings, which made this story more believable. Jessica Buss's writing style and character development were good. I want to read more by Jessica.
Samantha and Lucas are great! Great characters and storyline that doesn’t follow the typical formula of a breakup 80% through the book which I definitely appreciate. Can’t wait for more from this series
Lucas and Samantha have some major miscommunications that keep them from both admitting how they feel about each other. It takes them a while but they finally get on the same page and get their HEA.
Samantha Fox is nursing a broken heart, the man she spent the last five years of her life loving, wasn't quite as in love with her as she was him. She's decided that she is done with love, but then she meets one of the NHL's finest wingers, and suddenly that "no love" plan hits a little snag. Lucas Bouchard is a complication that her life does not need, not to mention he is a client and completely not off limits... but those details keep slipping her mind!
Hooked By You is a steamy little page-turner that comes with characters you can't help but love! These two were dying to get their hands on one another, even if it was forbidden, and they put on quite the show trying to keep their hands to themselves and keep their toes on the right side of the line. It was a never ending battle for them, struggling to do what was right, but it was a battle they soon learned they'd never win as long as their hearts had a say in it! It was easy to see these two belonged together, they had this magnetic connection that constantly drew them together and created some very steamy moments throughout. I really enjoyed this first time read, the characters were easy to connect to and completely stole my heart, the words were packed with feels, and the story line was thoroughly entertaining... which is a total win in my book! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
cute typical hockey love story. lucas was a dream guy per usual and did all the right things. for some reason samantha annoyed the heck out of me. at times making me frustrated, needing to set the book down for a bit. granted i finished it in two days. maybe that means she wrote her well enough for me to find her frustrating. but ultimately wanted to read the happy ending for them. his grande gesture was a good one and gave you the feel good butterflies. good amount of smut in it as well! really appreciated it not being a long book either. felt like 280 ish pages was perfect for this genre of book. this is an alaskan writer so it’s fun to support a local alaskan. this was her first debut book as well. so i will be reading her other books as i’ve read in reviews they are better then the first!
This is the first book in the Chicago Steel series. It is a forbidden workplace hockey romance (THE BEST TROPES👀)
Our fmc Samantha has spent the last five years enjoying her life with a man she was falling for, only to find out he wasn’t on the same page. She decides she is done with men just when our mmc Lucas (her client) walks into the picture. He’s a sticky complication for her but her heart and head are both wanting very different things 🥹🤍
Together they had such amazing chemistry and they shared so much banter which I LOVED! they were such amazing characters and I was rooting for them. They brought so much to the story together and I really loved reading about them! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series 🏒🫶🏻
Hooked By You is the first book in the Chicago Steel Series. This book is a forbidden sports romance story. Samantha Fox had the impression she was happy at the beginning. Lucas Bouchard is an NHL hockey player, attractive, and cute. Samantha and Lucas have incredible chemistry, but plenty of hurdles to get through. I completely love Samantha and Lucas together. Hockey romance books are my favorites to read! This story stole my heart from the very beginning to the end. I can't wait for the next book in the series. This was an excellent start to a new series and it's a definitely a must-read!
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Man oh man! I just loved reading Samantha and Lucas' story. Their story hooked me right in. Samantha and Lucas' chemistry is delicious right from the start. Their story has it all: passion, hurt feelings, conflict, secrets, miscommunication, and passionate, spicy love scenes. Their story was a real treat! Their connection is incredibly seductive. Romance deserving of your time. Now, I just need to find the time to read the next one in the series. Highly recommend!
A sports romance debut novel that starts off this series with a bang. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's well written with an excellent storyline. I liked the concept of this one, that it presented the story with just enough to keep your interest, and that it showed the work that went into what the main H/h wanted with one another. I couldn't put it down.
New to me author but I am sure glad I found her! What a great book with characters to fall in love with. This book gives you all the feel’s. You can’t go wrong reading this book.
Really enjoyed reading Samantha and Lucas's story in the debut book! Samantha and her brother Christian had such and amazing and relatable relationship and Lucas's hockey boys were funny and supportive. Loved reading a MC who was so vulnerable, sensitive and honest. Looking forward to the next book, and can't wait until Christian gets his book!