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His game… Her rules.
Promise Harbor Wedding , Book 3
Hockey star Jackson Knight has a hundred reasons not to return to Promise Harbor, but none of them are good enough to get him out of attending his best friend’s wedding. Even with a career-ending knee injury, every puck-bunny in town will be gunning for him.
Worse, getting a pair of cuffs slapped on him at the bachelor party could ruin any chance of getting back in the game, even as a coach. Unless he can convince the arresting officer to smooth things over—by going o the wedding as his date.
Hayley Stone figures posing as Jackson’s girlfriend is the least she can do to salvage his reputation. Plus, having a man with a toe-curling smile on her arm will keep her ex off her back.
What starts as a simple plan to deflect small-town pot-shots unexpectedly becomes a sizzling night that hits Jackson like a full-body-check to the heart. Now he’s determined to prove that she’s the best of reason of all to come home—for good.
Contains a fiery powerplay both on and off the ice, skin-tingling forced intimacy, interfering grandparents, bear costume hijinks, a haunted house and the kind of game-changing chemistry worth fighting for.
Promise Harbor Wedding , Book 3
Hockey star Jackson Knight has a hundred reasons not to return to Promise Harbor, but none of them are good enough to get him out of attending his best friend’s wedding. Even with a career-ending knee injury, every puck-bunny in town will be gunning for him.
Worse, getting a pair of cuffs slapped on him at the bachelor party could ruin any chance of getting back in the game, even as a coach. Unless he can convince the arresting officer to smooth things over—by going o the wedding as his date.
Hayley Stone figures posing as Jackson’s girlfriend is the least she can do to salvage his reputation. Plus, having a man with a toe-curling smile on her arm will keep her ex off her back.
What starts as a simple plan to deflect small-town pot-shots unexpectedly becomes a sizzling night that hits Jackson like a full-body-check to the heart. Now he’s determined to prove that she’s the best of reason of all to come home—for good.
Contains a fiery powerplay both on and off the ice, skin-tingling forced intimacy, interfering grandparents, bear costume hijinks, a haunted house and the kind of game-changing chemistry worth fighting for.
264 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2013
42 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Somers
47 books327 followersA born and raised Maritimer, Sydney Somers fell in love with writing when she finished her first story, Jenny and the Glowing Green Mittens. After attempting her first book in high school, she set writing aside to focus on school. While getting her degrees in psychology and education, Sydney tried her hand at journalism between part time jobs before finally returning to her love of writing.
Twenty-five novels and novellas later, Sydney is thrilled to spend her days slaying demons, running with shape-shifter packs and making the people in her head fall wildly in love. When she’s not writing or curled up with a good book, Sydney can be found chasing after her herd of kids, talking her way into a gourmet meal, exterminating rogue dust bunnies or joking about the pending zombie apocalypse. She loves hearing from readers and invites them to contact her anytime.
Twenty-five novels and novellas later, Sydney is thrilled to spend her days slaying demons, running with shape-shifter packs and making the people in her head fall wildly in love. When she’s not writing or curled up with a good book, Sydney can be found chasing after her herd of kids, talking her way into a gourmet meal, exterminating rogue dust bunnies or joking about the pending zombie apocalypse. She loves hearing from readers and invites them to contact her anytime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 17, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 Stars
To say I was nervous about this installment of the Promise Harbor series is putting it mildly. Having read the other three authors in this series I had a good idea I would enjoy their books but Sydney Somers was the wild card. Writing mainly paranormal books, I hadn’t read any of her offerings so I had no idea what to expect going in. Halfway through the prologue I’d felt like I’d been reading her for years, by the end of the first chapter I knew I’d found another author who I MUST convince to keep writing contemporary romance. This woman is good, I mean like whipped cream on top of a Sonic Cherry Limeade Chiller mixed with cherry vodka good and guys, I’m telling you that is one treat that is worth every calorie! She drew me in with her voice and kept me there with her ridiculously likeable characters, entertaining plot, and steamy yet sensual love scenes. AND, she’s another author who made me like love a hockey player! Seriously, the world is tilting on its axis strangely or something because this girl is so not into hockey. Busted was an absolute delight to read and a fabulous addition to an already fantastic series!
Hayley Stone has been paying for her teenage transgressions for most of her adult life and while the majority of the town now sees the good police detective she’s become to some she’ll always be a trouble maker. When she arrests the town’s golden boy ex-NHL player Jackson Knight on the eve of the wedding of the year she finds herself defending her actions to everyone but Jackson. Instead he bribes her into being his date for the wedding.
It was so easy to like both of these characters. Hayley because she is dealing with a lot in her life in addition to working a demanding job that’s become more demanding after a string of robberies have left the town unsettled. Not to mention the unsettled feeling she’s had since Jackson drove into town. Jackson is still trying to deal with the end of his NHL career and the fallout from that while returning to his hometown knowing the rumor mill will be working double time. He’s trying to figure out what to do with his life and being in town is making his decisions that much tougher.
On top of everything going on with Hayley and Jackson and there is a lot, you do remember this all started because of a wedding, right? So, in addition we get little glimpses into what’s going on in the other three books. Why you ask…well, Jackson is best friends with the jilted groom, Josh who has taken his ex-girlfriend with him to his honeymoon destination to look for his intended bride. Tell me that isn’t an episode of Maury in the making. Then Hayley is asked to investigate the disappearance of the groom’s sister (also a bridesmaid), Greta, who bolted wearing her Gone With The Wind reject gown and taking nothing else with her. To top it off, Hayley’s best friend, Gavin snatched the bride and has taken off with her. It’s a wonder they have any time at all to themselves and for awhile there I was beginning to wonder if they would but oh, they do find some time and it is wickedly delicious and oh so tantalizing!
I could go on and on about this book but I want you to buy it and read it because it is damn good and if you haven’t read the first two in the series pick them up as well. I have enjoyed reading each book and can’t wait to read the fourth one. At first I couldn’t figure out why the publisher decided to release the books two weeks apart and then I realized that not everyone reads like I do and two weeks is probably the perfect about of time. You can buy a book, read and digest it, and then it’s time to buy the next one. I can’t say enough good things about Busted; it is humorous, touching, scandalous, intriguing, and sexy. It’s all rolled up into this truly amazing book and I know I’ll be re-reading this book and the rest of the series often, it is just that good!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
5 Stars
To say I was nervous about this installment of the Promise Harbor series is putting it mildly. Having read the other three authors in this series I had a good idea I would enjoy their books but Sydney Somers was the wild card. Writing mainly paranormal books, I hadn’t read any of her offerings so I had no idea what to expect going in. Halfway through the prologue I’d felt like I’d been reading her for years, by the end of the first chapter I knew I’d found another author who I MUST convince to keep writing contemporary romance. This woman is good, I mean like whipped cream on top of a Sonic Cherry Limeade Chiller mixed with cherry vodka good and guys, I’m telling you that is one treat that is worth every calorie! She drew me in with her voice and kept me there with her ridiculously likeable characters, entertaining plot, and steamy yet sensual love scenes. AND, she’s another author who made me like love a hockey player! Seriously, the world is tilting on its axis strangely or something because this girl is so not into hockey. Busted was an absolute delight to read and a fabulous addition to an already fantastic series!
Hayley Stone has been paying for her teenage transgressions for most of her adult life and while the majority of the town now sees the good police detective she’s become to some she’ll always be a trouble maker. When she arrests the town’s golden boy ex-NHL player Jackson Knight on the eve of the wedding of the year she finds herself defending her actions to everyone but Jackson. Instead he bribes her into being his date for the wedding.
It was so easy to like both of these characters. Hayley because she is dealing with a lot in her life in addition to working a demanding job that’s become more demanding after a string of robberies have left the town unsettled. Not to mention the unsettled feeling she’s had since Jackson drove into town. Jackson is still trying to deal with the end of his NHL career and the fallout from that while returning to his hometown knowing the rumor mill will be working double time. He’s trying to figure out what to do with his life and being in town is making his decisions that much tougher.
On top of everything going on with Hayley and Jackson and there is a lot, you do remember this all started because of a wedding, right? So, in addition we get little glimpses into what’s going on in the other three books. Why you ask…well, Jackson is best friends with the jilted groom, Josh who has taken his ex-girlfriend with him to his honeymoon destination to look for his intended bride. Tell me that isn’t an episode of Maury in the making. Then Hayley is asked to investigate the disappearance of the groom’s sister (also a bridesmaid), Greta, who bolted wearing her Gone With The Wind reject gown and taking nothing else with her. To top it off, Hayley’s best friend, Gavin snatched the bride and has taken off with her. It’s a wonder they have any time at all to themselves and for awhile there I was beginning to wonder if they would but oh, they do find some time and it is wickedly delicious and oh so tantalizing!
I could go on and on about this book but I want you to buy it and read it because it is damn good and if you haven’t read the first two in the series pick them up as well. I have enjoyed reading each book and can’t wait to read the fourth one. At first I couldn’t figure out why the publisher decided to release the books two weeks apart and then I realized that not everyone reads like I do and two weeks is probably the perfect about of time. You can buy a book, read and digest it, and then it’s time to buy the next one. I can’t say enough good things about Busted; it is humorous, touching, scandalous, intriguing, and sexy. It’s all rolled up into this truly amazing book and I know I’ll be re-reading this book and the rest of the series often, it is just that good!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
April 28, 2013
4 stars
I liked this book. I liked the plot. I liked the characters. It has an interesting love story. The best thing about this book is that it had me with mixed feelings. There is laugh and there is sad, too. Also, I liked the romance a lot. Jackson and Hayley, they are so good together with good chemistry. Their moments are hot and sizzling too.
I'm so sorry about this but these are good moments that I really liked.
That is all, I guess. You have to read this book if you want to know more.
Read on your own peril!
I liked this book. I liked the plot. I liked the characters. It has an interesting love story. The best thing about this book is that it had me with mixed feelings. There is laugh and there is sad, too. Also, I liked the romance a lot. Jackson and Hayley, they are so good together with good chemistry. Their moments are hot and sizzling too.
I'm so sorry about this but these are good moments that I really liked.
1. Flashback with bear costume in it
2. Brawl in the bar
3. Tree climbing
4. Skating and playing hockey
5. Chasing a robber
That is all, I guess. You have to read this book if you want to know more.
Read on your own peril!
April 30, 2013
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Busted is the third book in the Pearl Harbor Wedding series. This is Sydney Somers contribution. The reason I word it like that is because there are four books in this series with each book penned by a different author. I have not read the other books in the series (yet) and just jumped in with this installment without any issues. Probably because of the way this series is written, which I’ll get to in a bit.
Pearl Harbor Wedding, as you can tell by the title of the series, is about a wedding and some of the different people who attended this wedding. Busted is Jackson’s (the best man) and Hayley’s (Pearl Harbor detective and Jackson’s date) story. Jackson was an NHL hockey player but a car accident and subsequent injury has ended his career a lot sooner than he anticipated. Now he’s most likely going to be coaching because that’s what he should be doing, right? That is one of the many questions Jackson has to answer in this book. In Busted, Jackson has to find himself now that what he has always wanted to do is over. He is convinced he knows what he should do but he’s never really sat down to figure out what he wants to do. He’s actually never even thought about doing that. I found Sydney wrote Jackson’s internal conflict quite well. He wasn’t all mopey and whiny, just lost like a puppy. And I like how his relationship with Hayley is written. Jackson starts off all flirty and coming across as just out for fun but suddenly realizes that he’s in deeper than that. I love plotlines where the guy is almost surprised that he’s falling for the girl. I think it’s so cute. And with everything Hayley does to Jackson all in the name of the law, you know it’s love when he’s still chasing her after that.
Hayley actually surprised me. She is a cop and takes her job very seriously but she also has a lot of other stuff going on right now, like her grand-father dying of cancer and a burglar on the loose and coaching the local teens and… She is an ‘up’ sort of person but I was happy to see that Sydney made sure to show us her ‘down’ side too. This made her more real for me. There are some pretty sad scenes in this book and Hayley is excellent in them. I also found her to be a good match for Jackson. They had great chemistry and their scenes together were a lot of fun.
There are many side characters that are mentioned and seen in this book but they don’t feel like too much. Why is because most of the characters mentioned will either be H/h of their own books in the series or they will be seen again and again in the other books of the series. Josh, Devon, Gavin, Allie, Josh’s sister…all have or will have their own .
I did find that the end was sort or rushed. It was cute, fun and put a smile on my face, but it still felt rushed to me. And I didn’t understand the point of Hayley’s mother being the way she was or the reason for Hayley’s ex being in the picture. Eric (the ex) sort of comes around, pisses Hayley off, acts like a douche then goes away…only to come back later. I didn’t get the point of him in the story. He didn’t really advance the plot, he was just there and a jerk. And Hayley’s mother plays an important role in the very end of the book but otherwise she just comes across as being cold. Again, don’t quite understand why she’s like that.
The idea behind this series is nothing like I’ve heard of before. All four books focus on the one wedding but each is written from a different couple’s point of view. You get scenes that repeat themselves from book to book but each time they are told from a different perspective. Reading this book then looking into the other books in the series has only made me want to read the other three books to see how everyone’s story turns out. I really find this to be an interesting twist for a series.
Readers of my blog should know by now that, when I read a contemporary romance book, my goal is to have a smile on my face when I reach the end and Busted definitely did that. It was well done, cute and fun to boot. In my opinion, a good weekend read.
3.5 stars
Busted is the third book in the Pearl Harbor Wedding series. This is Sydney Somers contribution. The reason I word it like that is because there are four books in this series with each book penned by a different author. I have not read the other books in the series (yet) and just jumped in with this installment without any issues. Probably because of the way this series is written, which I’ll get to in a bit.
Pearl Harbor Wedding, as you can tell by the title of the series, is about a wedding and some of the different people who attended this wedding. Busted is Jackson’s (the best man) and Hayley’s (Pearl Harbor detective and Jackson’s date) story. Jackson was an NHL hockey player but a car accident and subsequent injury has ended his career a lot sooner than he anticipated. Now he’s most likely going to be coaching because that’s what he should be doing, right? That is one of the many questions Jackson has to answer in this book. In Busted, Jackson has to find himself now that what he has always wanted to do is over. He is convinced he knows what he should do but he’s never really sat down to figure out what he wants to do. He’s actually never even thought about doing that. I found Sydney wrote Jackson’s internal conflict quite well. He wasn’t all mopey and whiny, just lost like a puppy. And I like how his relationship with Hayley is written. Jackson starts off all flirty and coming across as just out for fun but suddenly realizes that he’s in deeper than that. I love plotlines where the guy is almost surprised that he’s falling for the girl. I think it’s so cute. And with everything Hayley does to Jackson all in the name of the law, you know it’s love when he’s still chasing her after that.
Hayley actually surprised me. She is a cop and takes her job very seriously but she also has a lot of other stuff going on right now, like her grand-father dying of cancer and a burglar on the loose and coaching the local teens and… She is an ‘up’ sort of person but I was happy to see that Sydney made sure to show us her ‘down’ side too. This made her more real for me. There are some pretty sad scenes in this book and Hayley is excellent in them. I also found her to be a good match for Jackson. They had great chemistry and their scenes together were a lot of fun.
There are many side characters that are mentioned and seen in this book but they don’t feel like too much. Why is because most of the characters mentioned will either be H/h of their own books in the series or they will be seen again and again in the other books of the series. Josh, Devon, Gavin, Allie, Josh’s sister…all have or will have their own .
I did find that the end was sort or rushed. It was cute, fun and put a smile on my face, but it still felt rushed to me. And I didn’t understand the point of Hayley’s mother being the way she was or the reason for Hayley’s ex being in the picture. Eric (the ex) sort of comes around, pisses Hayley off, acts like a douche then goes away…only to come back later. I didn’t get the point of him in the story. He didn’t really advance the plot, he was just there and a jerk. And Hayley’s mother plays an important role in the very end of the book but otherwise she just comes across as being cold. Again, don’t quite understand why she’s like that.
The idea behind this series is nothing like I’ve heard of before. All four books focus on the one wedding but each is written from a different couple’s point of view. You get scenes that repeat themselves from book to book but each time they are told from a different perspective. Reading this book then looking into the other books in the series has only made me want to read the other three books to see how everyone’s story turns out. I really find this to be an interesting twist for a series.
Readers of my blog should know by now that, when I read a contemporary romance book, my goal is to have a smile on my face when I reach the end and Busted definitely did that. It was well done, cute and fun to boot. In my opinion, a good weekend read.
3.5 stars
April 26, 2013
Admittance time again…This is my first Sydney Somers book. *ducks* I know, I know, its sad. I really should get out more. Expand my horizons, I know. I will fix that in the next coming weeks.
There is so much of this book that I loved and enjoyed. For whatever reason, I thought this book would focus more on the wedding but to my utter joy, it didn’t. It was about the groom’s (Josh *sigh*) best man and the sister of Jackson’s best friend. Yes, it started off with the wedding that didn’t happen but this story was so much more than that.
It was about two people who were at a crossroads in their lives and trying to figure out what they wanted. The secondary characters in this story from Matt, Gramps, Bernice, Cody, Kyle, the haunted house and even Hayley’s truck play a very important part in the book. Ms. Somers made the hockey shed an important part of the story. What I’m trying to say is that the attention to the little things in the book stood out for me. It enhanced the story and I don’t think I will look at a bear costume the same way again.
Also, most people don’t realize that I worked for the Dallas Stars Hockey Club from 1999-2004, so the underlying hockey theme was great for me. I really understood what Jackson had gone through and was still going through in his career. Also the scene with the Zamboni reminded me of Hank Azaria in the movie Mystery, Alaska.
Another thing that stood out for me was Hayley’s job. Ms. Somers did an outstanding job of explaining why Hayley was a cop and the side plot of the thefts was brilliant once the perp was caught. That was a great but sad twist in the book. It was also Hayley’s defining moment in the book for me. Hayley was a great heroine for me but that one moment will always stand out for me.
Jackson was so messed up in the head when he came for the wedding. He never expected to stay as long as did but he sure was glad that he did. He wasn’t the Uber Alpha male that we are used to reading. Instead, he didn’t really know why he was attracted to Hayley, the prospect of coaching in the NHL, the possibility of staying in Promise Harbor and then is ultimate decision. He was real, sexy but also tender and loyal.
I do want to caution you on something (it’s not bad :) )…it’s about the smexiness. Don’t expect Jackson and Hayley to fall into instalove and jump each other at the first opportunity. Their relationship has a bit of history (and its sweet and funny at the same time) and it starts off as a friendship that turns to love. Yes, are they attracted to each other? You bet but it’s not rushed. Their smexy scenes are spicy but also emotionally charged and perfect for the couple. I appreciated it from Ms. Somers that she took the time to build them up for me and it made for a more enjoyable read when they finally did come together. A beanbag chair was involved and Hayley’s line afterwards had me laughing out loud. :)
If you want to read a story about a totally swoon worthy couple that hits all the right spots in a great contemporary romance, do not miss out on Busted.
Best book of 2013….
There is so much of this book that I loved and enjoyed. For whatever reason, I thought this book would focus more on the wedding but to my utter joy, it didn’t. It was about the groom’s (Josh *sigh*) best man and the sister of Jackson’s best friend. Yes, it started off with the wedding that didn’t happen but this story was so much more than that.
It was about two people who were at a crossroads in their lives and trying to figure out what they wanted. The secondary characters in this story from Matt, Gramps, Bernice, Cody, Kyle, the haunted house and even Hayley’s truck play a very important part in the book. Ms. Somers made the hockey shed an important part of the story. What I’m trying to say is that the attention to the little things in the book stood out for me. It enhanced the story and I don’t think I will look at a bear costume the same way again.
Also, most people don’t realize that I worked for the Dallas Stars Hockey Club from 1999-2004, so the underlying hockey theme was great for me. I really understood what Jackson had gone through and was still going through in his career. Also the scene with the Zamboni reminded me of Hank Azaria in the movie Mystery, Alaska.
Another thing that stood out for me was Hayley’s job. Ms. Somers did an outstanding job of explaining why Hayley was a cop and the side plot of the thefts was brilliant once the perp was caught. That was a great but sad twist in the book. It was also Hayley’s defining moment in the book for me. Hayley was a great heroine for me but that one moment will always stand out for me.
Jackson was so messed up in the head when he came for the wedding. He never expected to stay as long as did but he sure was glad that he did. He wasn’t the Uber Alpha male that we are used to reading. Instead, he didn’t really know why he was attracted to Hayley, the prospect of coaching in the NHL, the possibility of staying in Promise Harbor and then is ultimate decision. He was real, sexy but also tender and loyal.
I do want to caution you on something (it’s not bad :) )…it’s about the smexiness. Don’t expect Jackson and Hayley to fall into instalove and jump each other at the first opportunity. Their relationship has a bit of history (and its sweet and funny at the same time) and it starts off as a friendship that turns to love. Yes, are they attracted to each other? You bet but it’s not rushed. Their smexy scenes are spicy but also emotionally charged and perfect for the couple. I appreciated it from Ms. Somers that she took the time to build them up for me and it made for a more enjoyable read when they finally did come together. A beanbag chair was involved and Hayley’s line afterwards had me laughing out loud. :)
If you want to read a story about a totally swoon worthy couple that hits all the right spots in a great contemporary romance, do not miss out on Busted.
Best book of 2013….
July 14, 2017
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2017/07...
Former NHL star Jackson Knight would rather be anywhere else than Promise Harbor, but standing up as best man for your friend’s wedding isn’t exactly something that can be done remotely. Jackson needs to keep his image clean in order to land a new coaching job, which is why it’s not exactly good news that he finds himself in handcuffs the day he returns to his hometown. Now he’ll have to make nice with the cop who took him in. It’s not such a hardship, since Detective Hayley Stone – former bad girl and the sister of Jackson’s best friend – captivates him like no puck bunny ever has.
Hayley has worked hard to overcome her wild child past, and the last thing she needs is people giving her a hard time cuffing the hometown hero. When Jackson proposes she be his date for his friend’s wedding, Hayley agrees. After all, it’ll keep her ex off her back and the puck bunnies off his. What she doesn’t count on is the attraction between her and Jackson that threatens to knock them both off their feet. Jackson’s not the kind of man to stay in Promise Harbor and Hayley’s roots are deep in the town. Can they get involved in a no-strings affair without risking their hearts?
Busted is charming, sexy, and a blast to read. Hayley and Jackson have excellent chemistry in bed and out and it’s that chemistry that made this story such an engaging read.
Jackson is the hometown boy who made it big before a car crash ended his hockey career. He’s floundering in the beginning of the story and it was pure joy to watch him find himself and become the man he’s meant to be while in Promise Harbor. As for Hayley, she ran a bit wild as a teenager and has worked hard to make a name for herself as a cop. She’s dedicated, smart, and caring, but Jackson knocks her off her stride a bit. The two of them fit one another like lock and key, and their shared history makes for an easy connection and a seamless slide from friends to lovers. That being said, author Sydney Somers doesn’t make things easy on them. Jackson and Hayley have such different visions for the future that a happily ever after isn’t guaranteed. They both will need to figure out what they want and what they’re willing to risk if they hope to get that pitch perfect romance ending.
Busted is the third book in the multi-author Promise Harbor Wedding quartet, and if you don’t mind some minor spoilers for the other books, it can be read as a standalone. The series as a whole is excellent, but Jackson and Hayley are definitely two of my favorite characters. They’re funny, endearing, and, quite simply, the kind of people you wish were real so you could be friends with them. I loved them together and their love story is so incredibly entertaining I can’t wait to read it again.
Former NHL star Jackson Knight would rather be anywhere else than Promise Harbor, but standing up as best man for your friend’s wedding isn’t exactly something that can be done remotely. Jackson needs to keep his image clean in order to land a new coaching job, which is why it’s not exactly good news that he finds himself in handcuffs the day he returns to his hometown. Now he’ll have to make nice with the cop who took him in. It’s not such a hardship, since Detective Hayley Stone – former bad girl and the sister of Jackson’s best friend – captivates him like no puck bunny ever has.
Hayley has worked hard to overcome her wild child past, and the last thing she needs is people giving her a hard time cuffing the hometown hero. When Jackson proposes she be his date for his friend’s wedding, Hayley agrees. After all, it’ll keep her ex off her back and the puck bunnies off his. What she doesn’t count on is the attraction between her and Jackson that threatens to knock them both off their feet. Jackson’s not the kind of man to stay in Promise Harbor and Hayley’s roots are deep in the town. Can they get involved in a no-strings affair without risking their hearts?
Busted is charming, sexy, and a blast to read. Hayley and Jackson have excellent chemistry in bed and out and it’s that chemistry that made this story such an engaging read.
Jackson is the hometown boy who made it big before a car crash ended his hockey career. He’s floundering in the beginning of the story and it was pure joy to watch him find himself and become the man he’s meant to be while in Promise Harbor. As for Hayley, she ran a bit wild as a teenager and has worked hard to make a name for herself as a cop. She’s dedicated, smart, and caring, but Jackson knocks her off her stride a bit. The two of them fit one another like lock and key, and their shared history makes for an easy connection and a seamless slide from friends to lovers. That being said, author Sydney Somers doesn’t make things easy on them. Jackson and Hayley have such different visions for the future that a happily ever after isn’t guaranteed. They both will need to figure out what they want and what they’re willing to risk if they hope to get that pitch perfect romance ending.
Busted is the third book in the multi-author Promise Harbor Wedding quartet, and if you don’t mind some minor spoilers for the other books, it can be read as a standalone. The series as a whole is excellent, but Jackson and Hayley are definitely two of my favorite characters. They’re funny, endearing, and, quite simply, the kind of people you wish were real so you could be friends with them. I loved them together and their love story is so incredibly entertaining I can’t wait to read it again.
July 24, 2017
I really liked this story. I really liked Hayley and Jackson. In fact, they are my favorite couple of this series. I would have given this book 4 stars except that all the editing errors drove me insane. All through the book, there are words missing, extra words where they shouldn't be and the wrong form of the word used. It really makes me wonder if anyone even bothered to edit this book. So, while I really did enjoy the story and the characters - all of the mistakes keep me from rating it higher.
December 16, 2019
Good fun read!
I read this as part of the Promise Harbor series since one of my fave authors write one of them.
In this home town story you have the woman(heroine) who was goth in high school and always doing practical jokes w/o getting caught like gluing the mascot bear costume to the hood of the principal 's car. Now she is the respected tough detective of the police dept. The local golden boy, turned pro hockey star comes home for the second time in maybe a decade to be best man in a wedding. However is pro career in the ice is over due to a ruined knee. The detective's twin brother owns a sports bar undisclosed friends w/ re hockey star and their grandfather's the beloved hockey coach in town. Grandpa helped the star become the great player he was. But grandpa is dying from cancer and is home needs a facelift to be sold and cover the part of care insurance is not covering. The detective is working on it in her spare time and guess who decides to help? The hockey star not only helps but develops a romance with our heroine. I like Sydney Somers writing style - easy to follow and believable with the detectives busy life: literally chasing a serial burgler, coaching hockey and painting /repairing that house, helping her twin with his bar. And love scenes that were not give graphic pages but still believable enough w/o boring you with too much detail. Plus there is really if issue of the hero returning to N H.L. For a coaching job and the detectives life in Promise Harbor.
No spoiler here but the story has a good ending.
Will buy more of Sydney Somers books!
I read this as part of the Promise Harbor series since one of my fave authors write one of them.
In this home town story you have the woman(heroine) who was goth in high school and always doing practical jokes w/o getting caught like gluing the mascot bear costume to the hood of the principal 's car. Now she is the respected tough detective of the police dept. The local golden boy, turned pro hockey star comes home for the second time in maybe a decade to be best man in a wedding. However is pro career in the ice is over due to a ruined knee. The detective's twin brother owns a sports bar undisclosed friends w/ re hockey star and their grandfather's the beloved hockey coach in town. Grandpa helped the star become the great player he was. But grandpa is dying from cancer and is home needs a facelift to be sold and cover the part of care insurance is not covering. The detective is working on it in her spare time and guess who decides to help? The hockey star not only helps but develops a romance with our heroine. I like Sydney Somers writing style - easy to follow and believable with the detectives busy life: literally chasing a serial burgler, coaching hockey and painting /repairing that house, helping her twin with his bar. And love scenes that were not give graphic pages but still believable enough w/o boring you with too much detail. Plus there is really if issue of the hero returning to N H.L. For a coaching job and the detectives life in Promise Harbor.
No spoiler here but the story has a good ending.
Will buy more of Sydney Somers books!
February 1, 2018
Four and a half stars.
Really enjoyed this episode of the Promise Harbor Wedding quartet. Ms Somers brings us Hayley, former Goth girl turned cop, and Jackson, who's returning to Promise Harbor for his best friend's wedding. He left Promise Harbor years ago to play hockey, but an accident a little over a year ago put an end to that career trajectory. Now he's pondering what to do next.
Their chemistry is hot, but Hayley figures Jackson isn't staying around, and she doesn't want to be picking up the pieces after.
Lovely unfolding of their relationship and their worlds intersecting.
Definitely plan to read more of Ms Somers' work and the rest of this quartet!
Really enjoyed this episode of the Promise Harbor Wedding quartet. Ms Somers brings us Hayley, former Goth girl turned cop, and Jackson, who's returning to Promise Harbor for his best friend's wedding. He left Promise Harbor years ago to play hockey, but an accident a little over a year ago put an end to that career trajectory. Now he's pondering what to do next.
Their chemistry is hot, but Hayley figures Jackson isn't staying around, and she doesn't want to be picking up the pieces after.
Lovely unfolding of their relationship and their worlds intersecting.
Definitely plan to read more of Ms Somers' work and the rest of this quartet!
December 21, 2018
Great heroine. Hayley has a lot of layers and her relationships with other characters were often complex and realistic. Jackson was a bit simpler but he added some levity to the story.
Some parts of the story were a bit far fetched but overall it was a decent read.
Some parts of the story were a bit far fetched but overall it was a decent read.
July 27, 2017
Es una pena que no haya habido un buen trabajo por parte del editor y que la escritora haya decidido contar la historia en tercera persona de una manera descuidada y poco estética.
August 8, 2017
Hilarius! I have so much fun with this book.
September 3, 2022
B- Kindle
October 20, 2022
A relatively mindless read. Some angst. Nice subplot about judging books by the cover.
April 26, 2013
Busted is the third book in the Promise Harbor Wedding series and so far it was my absolute favourite! You want to know why? Well who could resist a sexy hockey player who lays on the charm heavily, a sassy cop heroine, and chemistry so explosive you’ll constantly get those shivers of delight *mmm*? Well most certainly not me, and I bet you won’t either.
Jackson Knight, hockey celebrity and Promise Harbor’s Golden Boy, is back in town as best man for Josh’s wedding. But although the wedding doesn’t happen he just can’t seem to leave. Mostly because of a sassy blonde feisty woman who isn’t impressed by his fame and glory and crosses swords (or rather handcuffs) often with him. Jackson was a hero the reader fell in love with in no time: it wasn’t his good looks (though they didn’t hurt ;-) but his charming, witty personality and his warm heart.
Hayley was a breath of fresh air heroine: despite being a cop she wasn’t a hardened too tough person, she retained her femininity and a certain vulnerability that didn’t clash at all with how well she performed her job. Her sass and smart mouth, and the way she stood up to Jackson made me laugh out loud several times:
“I’m listening,” she prompted, not all that happy about it. If he didn’t enjoy pushing her buttons so much, he’d kiss her again.
“You need help. I need something to keep my hands busy.”
“As much as I appreciate how eager you are to volunteer your bra removal services, I’m not interested.”
“I’m talking about the renovations on your gramps’s house.”
“Oh.” She didn’t glance away despite the flicker of pink on her cheeks.
"She stood next to him in jeans and a T-shirt that read, Feel safe at night. Sleep with a cop. It had taken him a couple minutes to stop laughing long enough to tell her he loved it."
Same with me, I almost choked on the bus when I read it!
"“There were never any girls in here with me. Not in any locker room.” He’d always been careful to keep hockey separate from his love life. And now he couldn’t imagine ever separating Hayley from that part of himself. What would it have been like to come home from a game to her? Would she have helped to ice his bruises and kissed them all better? Probably after she told him to nail the other guy’s ass to the boards next time."
As you can get a glimpse from the quote below the chemistry between Jackson and Hayley was phenomenal:
"People moved around them in search of a table, but he didn’t take his eyes off her, giving him plenty of time to slip an arm around her back when she pressed up against him. She lifted a hand to his face, her palm sliding along his jaw as she rose up to kiss him. Soft and sweet, her mouth opened over his, coaxing him to return the kiss. She didn’t have to try very hard. The taste of her awakened a fierce craving for more. More of her hair tickling his skin, more of her fingers curling around his nape and digging in, more of her breath catching between each pass of his mouth across hers."
And what made their story even more outstanding was that Sydney Somers made it so much more than physical attraction: there was friendship, understanding, support and love all rolled into the mix besides the lust part and that’s what made Busted such a fantastic and truly memorable love story.
Verdict: I loved Busted. It was flirty, funny, sexy and witty and full of heart-warming scenes. I really couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than reading this lovely small town romance. Busted was an instant hit and Sydney Somers just became a must read author for me. I urge you to pick up this series and to discover Sydney Somers in case you aren’t a fan of hers already.
With such glowing praise how could I give Busted anything else than 5 stars? So Busted gets the 5 shining smexy stars it deserves!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 9/10 - almost perfect but I would imagine a hockey player to have wider shoulders and more muscle than the cover model.
Jackson Knight, hockey celebrity and Promise Harbor’s Golden Boy, is back in town as best man for Josh’s wedding. But although the wedding doesn’t happen he just can’t seem to leave. Mostly because of a sassy blonde feisty woman who isn’t impressed by his fame and glory and crosses swords (or rather handcuffs) often with him. Jackson was a hero the reader fell in love with in no time: it wasn’t his good looks (though they didn’t hurt ;-) but his charming, witty personality and his warm heart.
Hayley was a breath of fresh air heroine: despite being a cop she wasn’t a hardened too tough person, she retained her femininity and a certain vulnerability that didn’t clash at all with how well she performed her job. Her sass and smart mouth, and the way she stood up to Jackson made me laugh out loud several times:
“I’m listening,” she prompted, not all that happy about it. If he didn’t enjoy pushing her buttons so much, he’d kiss her again.
“You need help. I need something to keep my hands busy.”
“As much as I appreciate how eager you are to volunteer your bra removal services, I’m not interested.”
“I’m talking about the renovations on your gramps’s house.”
“Oh.” She didn’t glance away despite the flicker of pink on her cheeks.
"She stood next to him in jeans and a T-shirt that read, Feel safe at night. Sleep with a cop. It had taken him a couple minutes to stop laughing long enough to tell her he loved it."
Same with me, I almost choked on the bus when I read it!
"“There were never any girls in here with me. Not in any locker room.” He’d always been careful to keep hockey separate from his love life. And now he couldn’t imagine ever separating Hayley from that part of himself. What would it have been like to come home from a game to her? Would she have helped to ice his bruises and kissed them all better? Probably after she told him to nail the other guy’s ass to the boards next time."
As you can get a glimpse from the quote below the chemistry between Jackson and Hayley was phenomenal:
"People moved around them in search of a table, but he didn’t take his eyes off her, giving him plenty of time to slip an arm around her back when she pressed up against him. She lifted a hand to his face, her palm sliding along his jaw as she rose up to kiss him. Soft and sweet, her mouth opened over his, coaxing him to return the kiss. She didn’t have to try very hard. The taste of her awakened a fierce craving for more. More of her hair tickling his skin, more of her fingers curling around his nape and digging in, more of her breath catching between each pass of his mouth across hers."
And what made their story even more outstanding was that Sydney Somers made it so much more than physical attraction: there was friendship, understanding, support and love all rolled into the mix besides the lust part and that’s what made Busted such a fantastic and truly memorable love story.
Verdict: I loved Busted. It was flirty, funny, sexy and witty and full of heart-warming scenes. I really couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than reading this lovely small town romance. Busted was an instant hit and Sydney Somers just became a must read author for me. I urge you to pick up this series and to discover Sydney Somers in case you aren’t a fan of hers already.
With such glowing praise how could I give Busted anything else than 5 stars? So Busted gets the 5 shining smexy stars it deserves!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 9/10 - almost perfect but I would imagine a hockey player to have wider shoulders and more muscle than the cover model.
March 20, 2013
Busted is the third story in the Promise Harbor Wedding series that starts the relationship between Hayley and Jackson and is my favorite story in this series so far. I enjoyed the way the characters interacted with each other so well that I was able to picture the scenes so easily that I did not want to stop reading. There are a lot of emotions with the characters in this story that I found myself laughing, and at other times I could not help but feel their sadness.
Jackson Knight has been away from the home of his youth for many years while playing professional hockey. He's heading back to his hometown to participate in the wedding of his best friend, but since his injury he has no desire to return home knowing he will have to deal with being chased by women who want him because of his fame, and he definitely doesn’t want any pity from the town’s residents because his career is over. But as much as he doesn’t want to be there he cannot miss Josh’s big day. On the night before the wedding, after the bachelor party he’s sitting in a bar relaxing and before he knows it handcuffs are getting slapped on him and he’s being taken off to jail, which can very easily ruin all his chances of any job opportunities that can keep him in the sport of hockey.
Hayley Stone was the town troublemaker growing up, and now she’s a detective with the local police department. She had a huge crush on Jackson for many years that no one knew about, so being close to him after all these years is still affecting her. She’s turned her life around and is very dedicated as a police detective, and she’s the person who slapped the cuffs on Jackson. Knowing the town is going to hate her for arresting their local hockey star she has to find a way to make things right or she’ll never hear the end of it.
Jackson has an interview lined up to coach even though he’s not sure if that’s what he really wants to do with his life, but if news gets out about his arrest it may not matter. He comes up with a plan to coax Hayley into pretending to be his girlfriend while he’s in town in hopes of keeping women away from him and making his arrest look like it was all a joke pulled off by his girlfriend. Hayley agrees, especially after her ex shows up in town wanting to see her. She figures that the best way to avoid her ex is for him to see her with Jackson. Hayley has enough problems to deal with without Jackson finding every way that he can to spend time with her, but she can’t find a way to get away from him.
As Jackson’s visit to the harbor continues they never expected that the plan to pretend would cause their time together to become a reality that neither is prepared for. Will Hayley finally reveal her feelings for Jackson? Are the feelings they share enough to keep Jackson in Promise Harbor for good?
Jackson Knight has been away from the home of his youth for many years while playing professional hockey. He's heading back to his hometown to participate in the wedding of his best friend, but since his injury he has no desire to return home knowing he will have to deal with being chased by women who want him because of his fame, and he definitely doesn’t want any pity from the town’s residents because his career is over. But as much as he doesn’t want to be there he cannot miss Josh’s big day. On the night before the wedding, after the bachelor party he’s sitting in a bar relaxing and before he knows it handcuffs are getting slapped on him and he’s being taken off to jail, which can very easily ruin all his chances of any job opportunities that can keep him in the sport of hockey.
Hayley Stone was the town troublemaker growing up, and now she’s a detective with the local police department. She had a huge crush on Jackson for many years that no one knew about, so being close to him after all these years is still affecting her. She’s turned her life around and is very dedicated as a police detective, and she’s the person who slapped the cuffs on Jackson. Knowing the town is going to hate her for arresting their local hockey star she has to find a way to make things right or she’ll never hear the end of it.
Jackson has an interview lined up to coach even though he’s not sure if that’s what he really wants to do with his life, but if news gets out about his arrest it may not matter. He comes up with a plan to coax Hayley into pretending to be his girlfriend while he’s in town in hopes of keeping women away from him and making his arrest look like it was all a joke pulled off by his girlfriend. Hayley agrees, especially after her ex shows up in town wanting to see her. She figures that the best way to avoid her ex is for him to see her with Jackson. Hayley has enough problems to deal with without Jackson finding every way that he can to spend time with her, but she can’t find a way to get away from him.
As Jackson’s visit to the harbor continues they never expected that the plan to pretend would cause their time together to become a reality that neither is prepared for. Will Hayley finally reveal her feelings for Jackson? Are the feelings they share enough to keep Jackson in Promise Harbor for good?
September 10, 2016
This book is a must for every Canadian (or northern states American girl) who grew up in a small town and hung out at the local rink hoping to get a smile or a hello from the local hockey hero. Unlike most of Sydney Somers offerings, this story is a simple, contemporary romance (unless you count the possibility that Gram's ghost really is responsible for the stuck window and randomly slamming doors).
When Jackson Knight goes home to Promise Harbour for his friend's wedding, he doesn't intend to stay long or to end up in handcuffed and hauled down to the local police station by his buddy's kid sister , but nothing about that wedding goes quite as planned. His old coach is dying of cancer, neither the bride nor the groom seem overly concerned over the unexpected interruption of their march toward wedded bliss and the rebellious, goth girl kid sister of his old buddy has suddenly turned into a very hot, by the books cop who needs his help in renovating her grandfather's house so it can be sold to pay his hospital bills. With his on ice hockey career over and his agent working on negotiating an interview with an NHL team for a possible coaching job at some point in the near future, he has nothing more pressing to do so he decides to stick around town, at least for a little while.
Busted is a sweet and often funny story about coming home and finding your hopes and dreams, sometimes in the last place you think to look. There's a who dun it sub-plot involving a break and enter artist and a strong cast of supporting actors including the hockey kids, the mayor, the bartender-owner of the local bar, the dying hockey coach and others.
For an old rink rat from a small town in Ontario, it was a pleasant stroll down memory lane to those golden days when winning the regional championship and hi-jinks involving the high school mascot were the biggest issues in life. Mostly though, it's love story - a reaffirmation that fate never closes a door but it opens a window and that sometimes, if what we want doesn't even remotely resemble what we really need, but that doesn't make it any less right when it finally comes along.
I loved Busted and would love to visit Promise Harbour again with the rest of the series.
When Jackson Knight goes home to Promise Harbour for his friend's wedding, he doesn't intend to stay long or to end up in handcuffed and hauled down to the local police station by his buddy's kid sister , but nothing about that wedding goes quite as planned. His old coach is dying of cancer, neither the bride nor the groom seem overly concerned over the unexpected interruption of their march toward wedded bliss and the rebellious, goth girl kid sister of his old buddy has suddenly turned into a very hot, by the books cop who needs his help in renovating her grandfather's house so it can be sold to pay his hospital bills. With his on ice hockey career over and his agent working on negotiating an interview with an NHL team for a possible coaching job at some point in the near future, he has nothing more pressing to do so he decides to stick around town, at least for a little while.
Busted is a sweet and often funny story about coming home and finding your hopes and dreams, sometimes in the last place you think to look. There's a who dun it sub-plot involving a break and enter artist and a strong cast of supporting actors including the hockey kids, the mayor, the bartender-owner of the local bar, the dying hockey coach and others.
For an old rink rat from a small town in Ontario, it was a pleasant stroll down memory lane to those golden days when winning the regional championship and hi-jinks involving the high school mascot were the biggest issues in life. Mostly though, it's love story - a reaffirmation that fate never closes a door but it opens a window and that sometimes, if what we want doesn't even remotely resemble what we really need, but that doesn't make it any less right when it finally comes along.
I loved Busted and would love to visit Promise Harbour again with the rest of the series.
August 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Busted, book 3 of the Promise Harbor series by Sydney Somers. This is my first time reading this author and it will not be my last. I loved both the hero and heroine in this story and so far, Jackson and Hayley are my favorite couple in this series. The first line of the prologue captured my attention immediately and I could not wait to find out what happened between Jackson and Hayley and why she arrested him, the hometown hero, the day before the "Wedding that Wasn't."
Hayley was a strong heroine who made me smile and laugh whenever she and Jackson were together. I enjoyed their banter, witty dialogue, and playfulness throughout this story. One mishap after another kept on happening to them and I couldn't wait for things to settle down so they could explore their feelings for each other. Hayley's always had a secret crush on Jackson back in high school but it's not until she arrests him that feelings are surfacing again for Hayley and opening Jackson's eyes to what and who is in front of him.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Hayley and Jackson and the slow build-up to moving their relationship to the next level was pretty sexy foreplay. The sex between them was hot once they got around to it and I just swooned over Jackson. There was something about him that just "drew" me to him besides him being a sexy hockey player *sigh*
Gramps, Hayley's grandfather and Jackson's mentor played an important role in this story. He was ornery, outspoken and just a "hoot" in his scenes. His illness brought forth raw emotions in both these characters that touched me deeply and had me in tears. I love stories where authors can make me cry, hopefully not too much since it's supposed to be a romance. LOL! This author did that with her powerful and emotional writing.
I loved this installment and I would recommend this book and series to romance readers. On top of that, I discovered another wonderful author to read.
Hayley was a strong heroine who made me smile and laugh whenever she and Jackson were together. I enjoyed their banter, witty dialogue, and playfulness throughout this story. One mishap after another kept on happening to them and I couldn't wait for things to settle down so they could explore their feelings for each other. Hayley's always had a secret crush on Jackson back in high school but it's not until she arrests him that feelings are surfacing again for Hayley and opening Jackson's eyes to what and who is in front of him.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Hayley and Jackson and the slow build-up to moving their relationship to the next level was pretty sexy foreplay. The sex between them was hot once they got around to it and I just swooned over Jackson. There was something about him that just "drew" me to him besides him being a sexy hockey player *sigh*
Gramps, Hayley's grandfather and Jackson's mentor played an important role in this story. He was ornery, outspoken and just a "hoot" in his scenes. His illness brought forth raw emotions in both these characters that touched me deeply and had me in tears. I love stories where authors can make me cry, hopefully not too much since it's supposed to be a romance. LOL! This author did that with her powerful and emotional writing.
I loved this installment and I would recommend this book and series to romance readers. On top of that, I discovered another wonderful author to read.
April 23, 2013
This is the third book in the Promise Harbor series and while it can be read alone, I think you will enjoy the town, the characters, and the mischief so much, that you'll wish you had read them in order. Jilted & Bolted are the first two books by fabulous authors as well. The fourth book is due out April 30th so there isn't a long wait to find out what actually happens in this small town!
Busted revolves around Jackson, ex-NHL hockey player & groomsman, along with Hayley, small town cop with a crush on Jackson since their school days. These two characters really cracked me up. They get into some pretty unique situations that just had me laughing out loud. I love that both characters have relatively normal situations to stress over, which just makes us love them more, but they still manage to crack jokes with one another and diffuse some of the tense moments they get into. Both Jackson and Hayley have big shoes to fill in a small town. Everyone seems to expect them to act a certain way and when they don't things tend to take adventurous directions.
Sydney Somers does a great job of getting the readers attention and keeping it throughout the story. The small town antics that happen, as well as the supporting characters with their issues that you have to wonder about really make a reader keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. There is a nice recap in the beginning of Busted to let you know what is going on with the series in case you haven't read the first two books. I really loved the premise of the series and while Sydney Somers is a new author to me, I am looking forward to picking up more of her books in the very near future. Her ability to write compelling characters with humor and angst really hooked me.
http://www.illustriousillusions.com/2...
Busted revolves around Jackson, ex-NHL hockey player & groomsman, along with Hayley, small town cop with a crush on Jackson since their school days. These two characters really cracked me up. They get into some pretty unique situations that just had me laughing out loud. I love that both characters have relatively normal situations to stress over, which just makes us love them more, but they still manage to crack jokes with one another and diffuse some of the tense moments they get into. Both Jackson and Hayley have big shoes to fill in a small town. Everyone seems to expect them to act a certain way and when they don't things tend to take adventurous directions.
Sydney Somers does a great job of getting the readers attention and keeping it throughout the story. The small town antics that happen, as well as the supporting characters with their issues that you have to wonder about really make a reader keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. There is a nice recap in the beginning of Busted to let you know what is going on with the series in case you haven't read the first two books. I really loved the premise of the series and while Sydney Somers is a new author to me, I am looking forward to picking up more of her books in the very near future. Her ability to write compelling characters with humor and angst really hooked me.
http://www.illustriousillusions.com/2...
December 2, 2014
synopsis:
jackson has suffered a career ending knee injury and can't play in the nhl anymore. he doesn't want to come back to his hometown, because he knows that he'll face puck bunnies and questions from everyone who knew him growing up, but his best friend is getting married, and he won't miss that. when he gets back to town, he meets a gorgeous woman who seems to know him, but isn't who he thinks she is. she turns out to be one of his friends little sister. hayley had a crush on jackson, but got blamed when he and her brother did things. when hayley has to arrest jackson because he's in the middle of a ruckus, it makes headlines. to make up for it, hayley agrees to go as jackson's date for the wedding to keep the women away. when the wedding doesn't happen, jackson and hayley still end up doing things together and getting to know one another. the only problem is that jackson is just waiting for a coaching job in the big leagues to be offered to him and he's out of the small town that helped make him.
what i liked: i liked the interactions between jackson and hayley, and that there was real fondness between them. i liked that hayley did her job, no matter what the consequences. jackson was so sure that he wanted out of his podunk town, and that he didn't have anything to offer any citizens. i liked that he slowly came to have interactions with the townspeople and realized that it wasn't all bad, that they were there for him when he was nobody, and that they're still there for him now.
what i didn't like: that jackson took so long to realize what was right in front of him.
jackson has suffered a career ending knee injury and can't play in the nhl anymore. he doesn't want to come back to his hometown, because he knows that he'll face puck bunnies and questions from everyone who knew him growing up, but his best friend is getting married, and he won't miss that. when he gets back to town, he meets a gorgeous woman who seems to know him, but isn't who he thinks she is. she turns out to be one of his friends little sister. hayley had a crush on jackson, but got blamed when he and her brother did things. when hayley has to arrest jackson because he's in the middle of a ruckus, it makes headlines. to make up for it, hayley agrees to go as jackson's date for the wedding to keep the women away. when the wedding doesn't happen, jackson and hayley still end up doing things together and getting to know one another. the only problem is that jackson is just waiting for a coaching job in the big leagues to be offered to him and he's out of the small town that helped make him.
what i liked: i liked the interactions between jackson and hayley, and that there was real fondness between them. i liked that hayley did her job, no matter what the consequences. jackson was so sure that he wanted out of his podunk town, and that he didn't have anything to offer any citizens. i liked that he slowly came to have interactions with the townspeople and realized that it wasn't all bad, that they were there for him when he was nobody, and that they're still there for him now.
what i didn't like: that jackson took so long to realize what was right in front of him.
July 12, 2016
This was a quick read that is the third installment of an interesting collaboration of 4 different authors. I will admit that I wasn't too sure how this would work and I'm still not sure about the other 3 books because I haven't read any of these authors before now but I will say that I really enjoyed Sydney Somers' style. I had plenty of fun reading the banter and wit she gave both of the lead characters and their story was equally gratifying. She made these two protagonists, who were actually in the periphery of the wedding, stand out and shine in what turned out to be one hot & steamy little romance. Hayley's struggles combined with Jackson's career-ending past to make this 'big brother's best friend & little sister' trope come alive with emotion, especially with both of their relationships with 'Coach' She blended the feels with some heart-pounding action involving a bunch of local robberies and some flowerpot riddled foot chases. It all added up to one heartwarming and sexy little story. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author and now I really want to know what happened to all of the other characters that were touched upon at this wedding so...off to the bookstore I go!
This one was a little late getting to me since it apparently got lost in the mail but I'm glad I finally got to read it!
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
This one was a little late getting to me since it apparently got lost in the mail but I'm glad I finally got to read it!
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
June 11, 2013
I read the first book in this series and loved it. I can’t imagine how much more work these four authors put themselves through to collaborate on a project like this; four authors, four stories all about the same time frame. I don’t know how they did it and did it so well.
Jackson, the local superstar, comes to town for one of his best friend’s wedding. After his other best friend’s little sister arrests him, he talks her into a mutually beneficial fake relationship. He counteracts the bad press from the arrest and she’s no longer the black sheep of the town for arresting him. Little did they know that the chemistry between them would be off the charts and too hot to deny. Once they share a kiss, they can’t seem to stop kissing, and boy does it go farther than that.
This was a fun story. I feel it dragged some in the beginning and could’ve been a little shorter. I still really liked the book, so it wasn’t too bad, but slow to begin with. There was action, mystery and a little ghost action going on as well. I will definitely be reading the 2nd and 4th books in this series.
Jackson, the local superstar, comes to town for one of his best friend’s wedding. After his other best friend’s little sister arrests him, he talks her into a mutually beneficial fake relationship. He counteracts the bad press from the arrest and she’s no longer the black sheep of the town for arresting him. Little did they know that the chemistry between them would be off the charts and too hot to deny. Once they share a kiss, they can’t seem to stop kissing, and boy does it go farther than that.
This was a fun story. I feel it dragged some in the beginning and could’ve been a little shorter. I still really liked the book, so it wasn’t too bad, but slow to begin with. There was action, mystery and a little ghost action going on as well. I will definitely be reading the 2nd and 4th books in this series.
May 19, 2014
The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’.
1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing
I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.
Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.
Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.
It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.
September 26, 2013
Ex-hockey Star Jackson Knight is headed home to Promise Harbor for his best friend’s wedding. He is not excited about answering questions about what path his career will take or what it feels like to have a career ending injury, he does find something to entertain him though Hayley Stone.
Jackson can’t believe how his friend’s sister has grown up and she is a police officer too. Jackson got a first-hand witnessing to that when she dragged him out of the bar in cuffs. Now that their picture has been splashed all over the news, Jackson wants Hayley to help ward off the single women and pretend they are dating. Of course he plans to seduce her, but there is nothing predictable about her and for the first time in Jackson’s life he is the one doing the chasing.
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=9251
Jackson can’t believe how his friend’s sister has grown up and she is a police officer too. Jackson got a first-hand witnessing to that when she dragged him out of the bar in cuffs. Now that their picture has been splashed all over the news, Jackson wants Hayley to help ward off the single women and pretend they are dating. Of course he plans to seduce her, but there is nothing predictable about her and for the first time in Jackson’s life he is the one doing the chasing.
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=9251
January 14, 2015
Too cute. Felt more like a cable TV movie script than a book. And please, how many small town police in New England a think a heroin raid is no big deal? The only thing that saved this from being a one star review for me was the feminism. The heroine is a police detective, helps coach the high school boys ice hockey team, can fix an oil leak in a car, and does heavy home repairs on her own. And, gloriously, none of this is presented as being odd, or unfeminine, or threatening to the men in her life. It's all Just Normal. Nobody, including her, thinks twice about it. And that made me very very very happy.
September 26, 2016
jauh lebih bagus dari buku sebelumnya, disini banyak sekali konflik yang sebenarnya bisa diselesaikan secara baik-baik namun perbedaan sudut pandang dan ego tiap tokoh utamanya menjalin konflik yang membuat mereka berdua semakin menjauh dan merana.
satu hal yang pasti bila cinta dan gairah sudah bersatu maka perbedaan sekecil apapun akan luluh dan satu persatu mereka pun menyadari bahwa mereka memang ditakdirkan untuk selalu bersama atas nama cinta sejati.
oleh karena itu, saat membaca ini saya seakan terhanyut dalam tiap penggalan kisah-kisah klasik mereka, mungkin terdengar klise dan agak flat tapi bacaan ini sukses mengiring emosi pembacanya.
satu hal yang pasti bila cinta dan gairah sudah bersatu maka perbedaan sekecil apapun akan luluh dan satu persatu mereka pun menyadari bahwa mereka memang ditakdirkan untuk selalu bersama atas nama cinta sejati.
oleh karena itu, saat membaca ini saya seakan terhanyut dalam tiap penggalan kisah-kisah klasik mereka, mungkin terdengar klise dan agak flat tapi bacaan ini sukses mengiring emosi pembacanya.
May 26, 2013
Loved this one! It was fun, steamy and funny. I love Cinderella stories, whatever the hero is (movie star, sports star, or music star) so this one was right up my alley. Loved that the heroine was a cop, so the combination allowed for some hysterical parts, like she handcuffed and arrested him. It was a fun read, and they both were good for each other's needs and hangups. It was my favorite of the Promise Weddings series.
August 11, 2013
Third in this series, and my favourite so far. Jackson and Hayley do a good job of acting like real people rather than players in a romance set-up, and mostly react according to their characters as opposed to fulfil a plot need. One slight niggle occurred where a discussion turned into a summing up of what's happened in the series so far, but this was generally a fun read that went slightly over and above the level I expect from the genre.
April 28, 2013
What a motley crew of characters. They provided some laughs and some serious moments together. I felt sorry for them as they tried to deal with personal life upheavals the drama/scandal in the town, conflicting friendship loyalties. Just what I needed last night.
August 3, 2013
Great third installment in this series with the story of Jackson Knight returning to the harbor to be the best man in the wedding that wasn't. He soon discovers that things aren't really so bad if Hailey Stone (bad girl turned cop) is around. This is a must read.
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