Give It All

Mustangs #2

by Jennifer Smith

He’s the captain on the ice with a bruised heart. She’s a free spirit with roots that never settle. But love might just be the game-changer they never saw coming.

Jake Webster has the world watching him—captain of the city’s top hockey team, fan favorite, and a force to be reckoned with on the ice. But behind the fame and sharp jawline is a man who’s been burned too many times. All Jake wants now is something real. Something lasting. A family to come home to after the final buzzer.

Penelope doesn’t believe in forever. Raised on a sailboat with flower crowns and open skies, she’s never stayed in one place—or with one person—too long. Her heart is restless, her bags always half-packed. Until Jake.

What begins as an unexpected spark turns into a slow-burning love that challenges everything they thought they knew. But when Jake’s desire for permanence clashes with Penelope’s instinct to run, they’ll have to fight harder than ever—for each other.

Told in dual POVs, this emotional, steamy hockey romance explores what happens when a man who's built for forever falls for a woman who lives for the moment.

Will she stay? Can he trust again? Or will love be the one game they can’t win?

Perfect for fans of heartfelt slow burns, scarred heroes, and heroines who find their roots in unexpected places.

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

I live in a beautiful river town in North Carolina with my husband, kids, in-laws and fur babies. I love to travel and books. If I am not reading one I am writing one. I love how a book can give you an escape from our normal world. You can be anywhere and become anyone.

I want anyone reading one of my books to remember this....
you are worthy, you are loved, you are wanted!

Reviews

[Shonna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beta reader - so I am more than likely biased with how much I loved this book. I recommend reading the first book in the series 'Risk it All' prior to this one for some interconnected storyline. Furthermore, I recommend reading the Rizzoli Family Series, which includes 'Give me Tonight', 'All of You', and 'Enough'. All these books can be read stand-alone, but I personally don't recommend it as it is interconnected stories and characters.

Give it All is a slow burn compared to her other books. This book follows Jake, captain of the Mustangs and a rule stickler and Penelope, who is almost comparable to an opportunist. While Pen is not one to take advantage of the situation or others for her personal gain, she is adaptable to changes and lives her life no matter what the risks are. That is all until she meets Jake and quite literally give it her all.

If you enjoy any of the following tropes/micro tropes/plots, then you should enjoy this book:
-Hockey
-Slow burn
-Obsessive MMC
-Fear of abandonment
**I want to mention this last one as there are readers who find it unappealing, but make it known there is no sexual assault that happens.
-Birth Control Tampering

[Niki N Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, to be honest I've Loved all her books, this is the second in her hockey Romance which you can read by itself but I would highly suggest you start from the beginning of her mafia series because they are all interconnected standalones, this specific one focuses mainly on hockey but it does have slight Mafia shenanigans, it also contains characters from her previous books three in the first series and two in the second, think straight laced team captain instantly falling head over heels for a definitely not straight laced person, his blood family is not supportive of his career, but they love to have him around when he is of use to them, you see a lot of the example of the family you make is better than the family you are born into sometimes and you see a little bit of not so legal or morally correct things done in the name of Love for their friend(created family) and family that is out of character for the normal personality of the person, I would definitely highly recommend this book.

[Sara Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous book from this author!! 4.5 stars for me, hands down. This story follows Jake (mmc), a rule following stickler who is often found watching hockey tapes versus going out and celebrating with his team. That is until he meets Penelope (mfc), who is as free spirited, go with the flow, and never stays tied down as they come. It's almost like Jake was living in a world of black and white before Penelope brought some color to his life. In Give It All, we really get to witness a relationship blossom in the most perfect way possible. Two people who bring out the absolute best in each other and show each other that it's not about the family you come from, but instead from the family you create. Witness them navigate the past, present hurdles, and the future in this phenomenal book that will have you hooked from the start.

[Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give It All hooked me from the start.

This story follows Jake as the broody, straight arrow Captain on the ice, who keeps a distance from everyone... that is, until the free-spirited Penelope dances her way into his path.

It’s a story of taking chances, healing from the past, and opening your heart even when it’s hard. I love this world Jennifer has created and fell for these characters and this family even more. The characters are layered and real, with histories that you can actually relate to. This is a heartfelt, unputdownable read—I highly recommend it!

[Marissa Bartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is a rule follower while Penelope lives a more carefree lifestyle. She's able to get Jake to let lose and show him there's more to life which made this a fun read.

Definitely recommend at least reading Risk It All first. While each book could be a stand alone characters and stories do connect.

I will say this everytime. Jenn's writing style is easy to follow. Always a balance of spice to plot. She's able to create the perfect spouses for each character.

[Lana woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me captivated from the first page, reading all my favorite characters again felt so much like coming home. Jen you never cease to amaze me with how intricately you weave all of there stories together! This book will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to keep reading. Another 5 star from me Jen!

[Kelly Winfree · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜

Not just a story of love, but a wonderful story of fighting your demons. Not letting your weakness define you. But holding tight to your strengths. Also a wonderful tale of found family.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Pen 🫶🏻

I loved how grumpy Jake was and how absolutely sunshine Penelope was. She was the flower child living inside all of us. I loved how Jake taught her how to be still and stay and fight for what she wanted.