I’m not saying I’m up to something suspicious, but I’m not NOT saying it either.
There’s a fine line between making my own luck and possibly planning a felony. I like to think I walk that line gracefully. In four inch heels.
The job in Washington, D.C. wasn’t supposed to be complicated. Show up, take care of some personal business, disappear quietly. Then the universe drops Jeremiah Precio right into my path.
Golden boy hockey player. Olympic medalist. He probably recycles correctly and calls his grandma twice a week.
He’s basically Captain America on skates.
Now he keeps coincidentally showing up wherever I am. Totally not because I planned it that way.
He’s also ridiculously hot in a tux, which is beyond unfair considering I’m trying very hard not to get attached.
The problem? The more time I spend with him, the more I want to tell him everything except the one thing that would make him run for the hills.
I’ve always been focused on hockey. No distractions. No drama.
Olympic Gold doesn’t come easy.
Then I meet Erica. She’s smart, gorgeous, and a little too mysterious for someone who claims to be just a tourist.
She’s gorgeous, quick with a comeback, and just mysterious enough to make every nerve in my body think she’s hiding something. But when she laughs, it feels like the world slows down.
Every time she looks at me, I feel like there’s a story behind her smile… and I can’t stop trying to read it.
She’s the hotel lobby, the coffee line, my favorite jogging trail… and I can’t tell if it’s fate or something else entirely. Either way, I’m hooked. Every time I think I’ve got her figured out, she slips away like smoke.
By the time the tournament ends and the ball gowns come out, I realize three
I might be falling for her.
She’s definitely keeping secrets.
I might be the only one who can stop what she’s about to do.
All I know is, if she’s trouble, I’m already in deep.
A flirty, fast‑paced hockey rom‑com for fans of Ocean’s 8, morally gray heroines, and clean-cut heros who follow every rule until opposites attract. Gave Proof Through the Night delivers off‑the‑charts chemistry, sharp banter, and enough sparkle to light up the 4th of July.
Wow! Just. Wow. This was such a departure from the rest of the series, and at first, I wasn’t sure how i felt about the FMC. Then it started giving Leverage vibes and I was all in. The intricacies of the job, the love story between Erica and Jeremiah, the banter, her cluelessness about hockey, and an all girl crew? I think I have a book hangover. This can totally stand alone, but don’t sleep on the rest of the series! It’s really good, and the all have little Easter eggs that connect all of the stories.
Such a fun book that is a little bit different storyline for this series! But I was hooked and loved learning more about Erica's history and what her motivations were behind her plans. Her first meeting with Jeremiah was funny and made such a great first impression on them and on me, the reader! Loved it! I loved how they kept "running" into each other and the fun shenanigans that transpired throughout the rest of the book.
Erica has a great group of friends...or maybe I should call them her crew friends! They were so interesting and I loved the dynamics between all of them. They added a great layer to this story and had me wondering about all of their backstories.
The banter, tensions, suspense, unknowns, plans, sweet love story woven throughout, the job...all of it kept me turning those pages and I became very invested in these characters! I loved the description in the synopsis that this is a National Treasure meets Oceans 8 story! I completely agree with that description! And highly recommend reading this one! I recommend of the books in the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights. It's been a delightful series! I've read all but three so far!
Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Some sweet kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Favorite quote: “Now, this is the part where I’d tell all the girlies to not try this at home, or in a case like this, let a man take you to a second location in a freaking BLINDFOLD! But that ship has sailed for me, and I’m already neck-deep into really terrible life choices, so count me out as role model of the year.”
What a fun story! I loved the banter between Erica and Jeremiah, and between Erica and her crew! 😆 It was so fun seeing the different cameos of Gigi’s other characters throughout the book!
I love that authors are starting to write more adventure romcoms, because they are quickly becoming one of my favorites to read! 😎
Thank you to the author for the advance copy, all thoughts are my own.
There’s this lass by the name of America. Yes for real. This is her name , she does claim.
Her friends call her Erica for short .She has to pull off a heist as a last resort, it’s her only retort against a bad guy who sent her dad to prison.Though heaven knows why.And this made poor Erica cry.
So it’s with derision and sorrow that she’s got to fight for a better tomorrow. The truth will out ,but until that day . She has to fight for what’s hers this way.
It happens to be a big celebration for USA’s 250th Independence Day
There’s a hockey tournament between East and West , both sides having a male and a female team contest.
There are five games overall to see who is the best by far.Stripe or Star.Once and for all.
Jeremiah is a fine hockey player ,he’s on the West Stars team. He has a smile that’s like the sun’s beam.The teams are encouraged to hand out five hockey sticks per player to who they think is deserving ,serving a good rapport with the community and fans alike.
She takes her task seriously does she and her team of seven are slick indeed. Yikes! It’s agility they need as well as speed. The need to foresee ,all possibility and be striven, this Armitage seven.
How it happens seems like a dream but is this part of Erica’s scheme? Whatever, she has her wish and to the ball, this Juliet does go with her Romeo.
He takes her to the Gala, she has a heist in place with crooks, who steal Jewels encased in a vault.Her Corsage she wears well ….as well as the espionage. Because who can tell?
It’s his own fault for falling fast but so does she ,though to him she remains ,a mystery does this lass.
Dangerous by name and by nature is she and Zesty? He is never testy ,even when she proves to be treacherous to know. Sees HER in HIS future though and never wants to let her go.
What would happen if Ocean’s 8 were set during a hockey tournament? What if, in addition to an exciting jewel heist, things got complicated with a romantic liaison who is basically Captain America on skates?
I loved, loved, loved this book. I would actually struggle to find anything I disliked about it, other than that it had to come to an end. There was an exciting plot, a wonderful group of girls with great camaraderie, and a handsome hockey player who’s sweeter than apple pie.
While I did wonder about Erica at first and if I would like her, I quickly warmed to her. She was smart, sassy and fiercely loyal, despite the fact that she was morally grey and planning a heist. Her interactions with Jeremiah were funny and entertaining. At first, she was using him as a means to an end, but pretty soon she was willingly seeking his company because she wanted to, not for a gala date.
Jeremiah was the sweetest guy you could meet. He was funny and kind and talented, and very intrigued by Erica. He knew she wasn’t exactly a law-abiding citizen when she tried to steal his watch at their initial meeting, yet he was still drawn to her; he wasn’t able to stay away. He was very protective of her when certain people threatened her; he was also quick to rush to her aid when he thought she was sick or in trouble.
This was different from the other books in this series, but in the best way possible.
Rate: 4.3/5 Genre: Sweet Sports Romance 🚨TW: attempted assault, heist, mentions about pickpocketing, mentions about being betrayed.
Read it if you like 🏒 Dual POV 🏒 sports romance 🏒 Opposite Attract 🏒 Lawful Good MMC/ Morally Grey FMC 🏒 Found Family 🏒 Says “I don’t do relationships” but falls hard 🏒 National Treasure meets Oceans 8
Favourite Moments 🏒 They met the first time (can’t spoil it) 🏒 A meet-cute accident (can’t spoil it) 🏒 The 4th of July Festival (can’t spoil it) 🏒 The prank. 🏒 Girl Crew on the mission (can’t spoil it) 🏒 Them teasing and flirting with each other. 🏒 Nicknames for each other. 🏒 Her birthday surprise (can’t spoil it) 🏒 The gala (can’t spoil it) 🏒 Moments with her friends in the Girl crew 🏒 The hockey game and practice. (and lots more)
Swoony Moments 🏒 He loves, cares and protects her. 🏒 He is great with kids. 🏒 He makes sure that she is okay. 🏒 He falls first 🏒 He is a gentleman.
Synopsis Jeremiah Pro hockey player, Olympic gold medalist, total sweetheart with a protective streak. Warm and easygoing with everyone until someone comes for his woman, then it's touch-her-and-die.
America/ Erica Sharp-tongued, dry-witted, quick on her feet. Fiercely loyal to her found family, with a past she's still trying to make right. Loves wearing boots.
They both met. She was about to steal his watch but he stopped her with his great reflex and another time was an accidental encounter. Things get interesting when they meet again in the 4th of July festival. However, she has a secret that he doesn’t know. Will she able to be honest with him? What? A heist? Read Gave Proof Through the Night to find out!!
Review This story is just so cool. Love the girl crew on mission. And the way Erica and Jeremiah meet was just funny, cute and flirty at the same time.
Love that they both protect each other and also, he makes sure that she is okay. They both couldn’t stop thinking of each other and he even plan a surprise date for her. (Can’t spoil it you will have to read to know it) Their teasing, flirting and their nicknames for each other are just so adorable.
Moments with the girl crew was so fun and cool. They are set to get back what is rightfully for Erica’s family and also to get her father out of jail which someone he trusted put the blame on him. And also, the teasing and prank from his teammates were fun to read as well.
Can’t spoil any further you will have to read to find out.
P.S Tanya and Dale are such scene stealers though they are cringey at times but they are so adorable together.
This is the 11th book of the Stars, Stripes and Hockey Nights Series written by 13 authors. Can’t wait to read the next story.
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @gigiblume for the ARC copy.
Can't wait to read her other books.
You can purchase this book on Amazon and it is available on KU.
*Series or Connected Books?* part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
-Jeremiah’s cousins (briefly met/mentioned in the book) have their own series: Precio Brothers series
-there are brief mentions of the team/owners Jeremiah signed with that he’d be joining after the games involved in this series who have their own series: Toronto Titans Hockey Romance series
*Point Of View:* Erica & Jeremiah
*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* there is about one mention of a character swearing without using words on page
*Romance?* Yes! Just kisses
*Things To Know:*
–it is mentioned/shown that a character doesn’t have a normal relationship with their parent (the parent is more focused on what their child’s fame could do to their own fame; the parent wasn’t around when they were a child)
-it is mentioned that a character made unwanted advances towards another when the other character was in their late teens & the one making unwanted advances was an adult at the time (nothing happened beyond talking & the door being shut with them in the room alone before the late teen was saved from the situation; past event)
Review:
This book was fun! I enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters, but especially Erica’s crew! Those ladies were a lot of fun and I loved the various skills they brought to the table for Erica’s planned heist. I loved how Erica and Jeremiah met and that it happened quite a bit before the timeframe the heist was going to happen. I loved that Jeremiah was unexpected for Erica and that they both couldn’t stop thinking about each other despite being sure that they wouldn’t see each other again. I also loved seeing just how much Jeremiah cared for Erica and went to bat for her, even though he was still getting to know her at the time.
I haven’t read most of the Precio brothers books (except for The Hate Zone) so far so I hadn’t really met the two brothers who visited during the events of this book, but I still liked the connection made there and it does make me a little curious about those particular brothers! On the other hand, I have read most of the Toronto Titans Hockey romances (just need to read Grump and Ten & Cross Check Christmas) and loved seeing the glimpses of those characters via texts again!
I can’t wait to get to check out the rest of the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights series when I get a chance!
Summary:
Erica has a plan for one last heist that’s unlike any other she’s done in the past. And she knows just the ladies to help her pull it off. But as they fine tune the plan, it becomes clear that Erica will need an in and she already has met the perfect candidate to get her there: Jeremiah Precio. Her plan is to flirt with him to get an invite to the hockey team’s gala and perform her heist. Only her heart didn’t get the memo that the flirting isn’t meant to lead to real feelings…
Jeremiah has one thing on his mind: the upcoming hockey tournament. That is until a woman tries stealing his watch and then manages to keep showing up everywhere he goes. Her actions are suspicious and should give him pause, but something about the woman he’s been thinking of as Sticky Fingers since that faithful moment has enraptured him. If only he could figure out her secrets and what her real goal is…
*I voluntarily read & reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions presented here are my own.*
We are down to the final 3 books of the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights series. This series has been a wonderful experience and each book expands this universe perfectly. Gigi Blume joins this collection of authors with Gave Proof Through the Night. With two truly opposite MCs this book made me laugh, giggle, squeal, and gasp as I read through it. I loved the complexity of a good boy MMC with a morally grey FMC, with each interaction drawing them closer together, while furthering the mystery surrounding this book. The description of this book being National Treasure meets Ocean’s 8 is right on.
Erica isn’t one who lives by the rules. She is comfortable with creating her own luck and opportunities, even if they lead her to color outside of the lines a bit. She is in Washington DC to complete a heist, yet she is hard to not love. When she meets Jeremiah and something about him draws her in. As they continue to run into each other around town (definitely not planned by her by the way) the more she wants to tell him everything, but she doesn’t want to be hurt either.
Jeremiah is captivated by Erica from their first meeting. He knows she is holding back some information, but he figures it is normal stuff as they just met. Every interaction has him falling for her more and more, but also he becomes more certain she is, in fact, hiding something big. He may be America’s Golden Boy and act like Captain America, but won’t shy away from danger to keep Erica out of it. He is so sweet throughout this book and definitely a great match to Erica.
I did like how this book brought our MCs together without any connection to one another from the past or due to the hockey tournament. They cross paths completely by chance and grow from there. The more you get to know them, the deeper you fall for them too. Gigi has written a wonderful addition to this series. Jeremiah and Erica are each wonderful of their own, but together they are amazing. I could have read more about them and hope to see them again in future books by Gigi.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect: 🏒Hockey Romance 💎Opposites Attract 🏒Found Family 💎Lawful, Good MMC 🏒Morally Grey FMC 💎Touch Her and 💀 🏒Closed Door Romance
Erica (full name America, she was born on the fourth of July) is putting together a crew for one last heist. If she pulls it off, she will clear her family’s name. Now, don’t go making assumptions. Erica is a skilled pickpocket, but she always gives back what she picked, with nothing stolen. She’s not a crook…what she does is take down corrupt organizations without harming the innocent people who work at those organizations. And there seems to be a great deal of corruption in DC.
Things take a turn when she tries to pick the watch off of Jeremiah Precio, one of the players in the Stars and Stripes tournament starting in a few days. He catches her in the act, grabbing her wrist and calling her Sticky Fingers. And she honestly doesn’t know what to do with her attraction to him.
This story is an adventure. The tale that this author weaves is intricate and simple at the same time, and kept me riveted. I lost sleep just to finish the book, because I had to know how it all worked out. If you’ve ever watched National Treasure or have seen a Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie (or have played the games), it has that kind of vibe.
I love that the crew Erica puts together are all women. Most of them are people she’s worked with before, and the newbies also fit right in to the team. And still, she can’t seem to stay away from Jeremiah, purposely appearing in places she knows he’s going to be.
Jeremiah is absolutely crushing on her, even though it’s many days after their first meeting that he even learns her name. He’s got his own stuff going on, with a mother who hasn’t ever really been a mother and contacts him only to talk about herself.
I don’t want to spoil anything about how the heist goes, or even what it’s for, because honestly, you need to read this story for yourself. It’s fun, sometimes heartbreaking, and romantic, and you’ll get that happy ending you crave. Like every single Stars, Stripes and Hockey Nights so far, you won’t be disappointed. So get the book!
This is a great addition to the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights series. Each of the books can be read as a standalone, but they all feature the same 250 America Birthday celebration with a hockey tournament. As you read the series you get familiar with some of the athlete names.
While Jeremiah and Erica meet in DC and Jeremiah is there for the hockey tournament, the main part of the story is the "Job" that Erica and her crew are working on. Erica didn't have a poster perfect childhood and basically lives a life in the gray. Jeremiah is everything good. And things are pretty black and white in his book. There is an instant attraction when they meet - and then it turns into more than a coincidence when Erica keeps bumping into Jeremiah.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Erica was kind of sassy and kind of kept Jeremiah on his toes. I also loved that he quickly turned protective of her. I loved their interactions and many of the conversations they had.
I also enjoyed the dynamic with Erica's crew. The seven of them are pretty different but of course their skills combined create an amazing team. This is a group that you wish was real so that you could hopefully be part of their crew one day - even though we have no skills whatsoever! 😂
The one thing I wish I knew more about was the Rook. Since this was the first book I've read by Gigi Blume, I hope that as I explore more of her stories, that the Rook will be featured and my questions answered. Or maybe this will always be a mystery, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes: "Why does anyone do anything."
"I've got you."
"I'll catch you."
"I'm addicted to you."
"If someone is that special, you don't want any secrets between you."
"I decided it right there. She's not on her own anymore. Not while I'm around."
Erica is trying to right a wrong that took place six years ago that landed her dad in prison. But the wrong was done to her family years and years ago. Erica needs to right this wrong and return her family’s rightful place in history.
She’s putting together a crew for this one giant con taking place in Washington DC during the 250th anniversary celebration. She just needs an invitation to the hockey gala to achieve it.
When she’s scoping out various locations in Washington DC, she and Zoe are passing the time practicing cons – pickpocketing various people but returning the items to them. They never want to hurt anyone but love the thrill of a good con. Erica approaches a giant of a man who has a gold watch, but as she tries to remove it without his knowledge, he grabs her wrist before she’s able. She is astonished as no one has ever beat her at this game. And she has no idea who he is, but Zoe certainly does. He’s Jeremiah Precio, one of the hockey players.
Zoe tells Erica that Jeremiah is her ticket to get into the gala to pull off their con. Both Erica and Jeremiah are drawn to each other. And Erica keeps “running” into Jeremiah at various locations in DC in the month leading up to the hockey tournament and 250th celebration.
As Erica’s plan falls into place, she is drawn more and more to Jeremiah and the same takes place for him. She doesn’t want to involve Jeremiah in the plan, but can she keep him from learning about their plan? And can she stop her feelings for him? Will she be able to set the record straight on her family’s history?
Talk about a meet cute! This one had me laughing right from the start, to say the least! The heist aspect of this story was definitely giving me all the National Treasure vibes... in the very best way possible. The humor was absolutely on point and while, yes, there may have been a heist at the center of this story... well, you still feel like you can root for Erica all the same. And when you mix all that adventure with a hockey romcom? Even better! I loved the chemistry between Erica and Jeremiah, despite their unusual meeting! This book truly ha me smiling from start to finish... I didn't want it to end. There are some books that are truly just a joy to read... and this was certainly one of those books. I loved the twists and turns... and the little cameos from previous characters/series as well... including one surprise mention that I most definitely did not see coming...I won't give anything away, but if you're a fan of closed-door adventure romcom, it's definitely one you're going to enjoy!
Gave Proof Through the Night is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights series. This is a multi-author series, with each booking being able to be enjoyed as standalones as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Jeremiah really does remind me of Captain America! LOL. Ironic since Erica's real name is America! My favorite part is when Jeremiah tells her she's "America the Beautiful." *sa-woon* I'm not a big fan of Jeremiah's nickname of 'Zesty.' He's so sugary sweet that Zesty is nothing less than ironic. LOL. This is the first book I've read (so far) in the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Nights series. It has given me great impetus to read the rest of the series!
I don't understand the heist parts of Erica's story. In spite of the fact that I have watched every Bond movie ever made...in spite of the fact that I watch heist/action movies often...in spite of the fact that Gigi does everything in her power to make those parts of the story as intriguing as possible, I honestly can say that I still don't understand the heist part. I don't like the fact that Erica doesn't reveal her real reason for not taking a finder's fee! UGH!
But the parts with Jeremiah and Erica together make every part of the story that I don't understand well worth reading!! Their meet-cute is creative and one of the most original meet-cutes I've read in a long time!! It's not easy coming up with a meet-cute that isn't cliché, but Gigi did it and did it superbly well!!!
*I was given an ARC of Gave Proof Through the Night from the author. I give my review with great joy!
This addition to the multi-author Stars, Stripes and Hockey Nights series has a very different approach than the previous ones in that our heroine, Erica Armitage, tries to steal NHL left winger Jeremiah Precio’s watch but he’s faster than she is and catches her by the wrist. Then month’s later, Jeremiah can’t get the woman he’s named “Sticky Fingers” out of his mind when he sees her again and then again and again. The storyline follows Erica as she gathers a group of six more ladies to pull off a heist that’s very personal to her all while she’s getting closer and closer to Jeremiah. This book offers hockey playing with all the guy bonding, all the activities centered around the parade and the carnival, a very sweet romance and adds an action packed jewelry heist on top. I have to admit I absolutely loved how Jeremiah and Erica get their nicknames of Zesty and Dangerous. The Armitage Seven were amazing at what they did and added a bit of humor in the process. The storyline goes perfectly with the book title. I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Gigi Blume always writes a good time! This was such a fun addition to the Stars, Stripes, and Hockey Night series! It’s pretty cool to see the other sides of the stories I’ve been reading in this series from the outside.
Was Jeremiah a mark? 100%! It was really fun having him go a little crazy with all the times she keeps popping up everywhere. That was hilarious! Especially her birthday with the coaching from her friends? He was hooked. 😜
The Armitage 7 (aka Erica’s girl gang) were such a diverse group of talented, smart women. Definitely the Ocean 8 vibes, and I had so much fun whenever I got to be in the room with them!
I liked the history aspect and personal connection to the mark. Also, even if Erica and her crew do commit crimes, they’re kinda like Robin Hood: they steal from the evil and corrupt and give to the people who deserve/need it.
Gigi’s playlist on Spotify is on point, and I enjoyed how she listed the songs in each chapter, so it was a fun way to read with a soundtrack.
Erica and Jeremiah were such layered characters! You see hints of each of their backstories, but how they were able to move forward with their complicated past with the support of the people they do have in their lives. The ending was my absolute fav!
Favorites: The French con, the Pretty Woman shopping scene, Nacho and Dante’s visit, salsa so hot it makes you cry, and America the Beautiful!
This is probably one of the books I’ve read this year that I had the most fun reading!
If you want Ocean’s 8 combined with a hockey rom-com set around America’s 250th birthday in Washington, DC, then this book is for you.
This book was fast-moving, filled with clever banter, and featured Jeremiah, a handsome career hockey player who kept to the morally high ground in his professional and personal life. He met Erica, a beautiful woman who had her own set of morals, when she attempted (unsuccessfully) to steal his watch. Jeremiah was amazed and somewhat impressed by how cool under pressure Erica was when he caught her red-handed and he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Opposites attract in this closed-door rom-com and as they continued to run into each other around town, a relationship developed. Although Erica is always a likable character, it took the author a little too long (for me) to explain why Erica was planning a heist with her carefully selected co-conspirators. Wondering why she was planning to commit a crime kept me from bonding with her initially but whether or not I agreed with her methods of righting a wrong, I did enjoy the suspense, the quirky characters, and the resolution. I could easily see this being made into a fun movie. Rating 4.5. I received an ARC from the author. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.
This is the first book I have read by Gigi Blume and I had an absolute BLAST!!! I have loved every book in this series but this one was truly unique! I loved the National Treasure vibes! That movie is one of my favorites to watch and I was drawn into this story so quickly. I loved that this was a team of women trying to take down bad people!
So not only do you get this amazing treasure story you get to meet Jeremiah & Erica! These two were so sweet and loveable! Their meet cute was anything but and yet it was so perfect for these two. I loved their nicknames for each other. I loved getting to know them as individuals and watching them fall for each other. These two had instant chemistry and you couldn't ask for a better match up! Also the side characters are so much fun as well.
I also loved all the nostalgic moments in this book. This book will have you laughing like crazy, smiling like a fool, swooning, on the edge of your seat and will leave you with a wonderful ending. I highly recommend this book and this series. I also look forward to seeing what Gigi's books are like outside of this one!
Thank you Gigi Blume for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
What you need to know: Jeremiah Precio — Pro hockey player, Olympic gold medalist, total sweetheart with a protective streak. Warm and easygoing with everyone until someone comes for his woman, then it's touch-her-and-die. Erica Armitage — Sharp-tongued, dry-witted, quick on her feet. Fiercely loyal to her found family, with a past she's still trying to make right. Loves wearing boots.
This book is an absolute DELIGHT! It has the sassiest and most memorable meet cute. I loved how Jeremiah and Erica kept "accidentally" meeting up, but also how they couldn't get one another out of their minds. On paper, these two should never work- the golden boy and the morally gray gal- but Gigi wove a story so entertaining and full of chemistry, that you will want, nay, NEED, these two together.
If I hadn't already been invested in this series, the allure of Oceans 8 and National Treasure vibes would have hooked me! I've also read Gigi's Precio brothers series and this was the perfect opportunity to tie-in that world. The ending and bonus epilogue were the cherry on top of a great story!
I received a copy for consideration without the expectation of a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
This was a clean romance. It is part of a series, Stars, Stripes and Hockey Nights. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Erica is in DC to pull a heist with several other women. She is trying to save her heritage and get some jewels her family owned back as well as historical letters that were stolen from her family. Jeremiah is one of the hockey players in town. They first run into each other on Cinco de Mayo when she tries to steal his watch but doesn’t succeed. They run into each other again during the 4th of July festivities. She needs to get an invite to the ball after the event to get access to the necklace. Can real feelings develop? Will she get caught?
This is a great story. If I could have given it more than 5 stars, I would have. An amazing story and different from the other books in the series. More intrigue and action. I thought it was great and I loved the perspective of this book. It is a definite must read of the series. Absolutely loved it!!
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.
This was such a fun story. The banter between Jeremiah and Erica had me chuckling while I read it. Zesty and Dangerous are perfect together and game of cat and mouse that Erica is playing with Jeremiah made me want to keep reading.
Jeremiah is willing to play along with Erica in order to keep spending more time with her. When she meets his cousins who flew in to surprise him for a game, and they begin to treat her like family, she starts to think that as much as she really wants that, it could never be.
Erica, or Sticky Fingers, as Jeremiah takes to calling her after they first meet, is running a heist in DC to reclaim something that belongs to her family, and help clear her father’s name. Her girls have her back, even those who have gotten out of the game. When one of their husbands, who is an honest golden retriever, shows up and jumps in with both feet, it makes the heist even more entertaining.
This book was so well written, especially how Erica keeps popping up in Jermiah’s orbit. If you are looking for a fun read, don’t pass this one!
My thanks for my ARC copy of this book. I gave it 4.5 stars but rounded down to 4 for Goodreads. This book was a little unusual for me. Yes it was primarily about the hockey tournament and the romance between Jeremiah and Erica but the action, adventure and mystery caught me totally off guard. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters and how their romance developed. I think Jeremiah might be one of the nicest guys among the group we have read about. I liked how the story developed and loved the writing, especially some of the conversations and banter. I don't really like action and adventure and if there had been a little less of that then for me this would have been a perfect book. It absolutely fits in with the series which has been fantastic since book one. I would still recommend this book to readers of the series. They would not want to miss one and for those that like a little more adventure and drama this is a perfect book for you. Since I did enjoy the writing I would definitely like to read something else by this author.
This installment of the Stars, Stripes and Hockey Nights multi-author series was a little more mysterious and adventurous than the others, and I loved it. I enjoyed the mystique behind the story.
Erica is not your average female main character. Jeremiah, on the other hand, is the perfect male main character. Though they are so very different, their chemistry is real. She is sass, and he gets everything right. He is a choir boy, and she definitely is not choir girl material. Their differences made them more interesting.
Erica and Jeremiah's banter back and forth made for some interesting conversations. Their first meeting was priceless and unforgettable. You will never see a meet cute quite like this one. My take is that you need to dip into this book and understand that things may not be as they first appear. Also, never assume anything.
The romance, the dry wit, the heist and the hockey all band together to make this one a real winner.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had to take a little double take with this book. It was so different from the other books in the series, I wondered if I had the wrong book. Not that it’s a bad thing. It was a really intriguing storyline, think Ocean’s Eight, the female version. While it did take me a little time to get into the story, I was completely hooked quickly. Jeremiah has had a busy year, first he was able to play hockey in the Olympics, then he’s invited to the stars and stripes tournament to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, finally he is heading to California to play for his new team. But when he runs in to a woman on the street and she tries to pick pocket his watch. He had no idea what effect that would have on his life. Erica had a job to do and she only had one chance to get it right. But she had the best team and the perfect plan to pull it off. The story has all the fun hockey games, great witty banter and clean romantic chemistry. But I think I liked the historical family mystery best. The suspense, adventure, and righting past wrongs. Highly recommend this engaging story.
Erica and Jeremiah’s story is EVERYTHING! A historical mystery wrapped in a heist plot wrapped in a sports romcom? YES PLEASE! This book is seriously such a fun romp through DC and beyond. I couldn’t put it down as I tried to unravel the mysteries and follow the trail of The Friendship Jewel.
I loved seeing Erica work out how to get what she wanted - both for her family and for herself. She is smart and sassy and so much fun. Jeremiah is so gone for her right from the start, even after a bit of a rocky (but super flirtatious and fun) meet cute.
I loved seeing Jeremiah with his team and his family members. It is so fun to get glimpses into the lives of other characters from beloved series. I also loved the “Armitage 7” crew! These women have each others’ backs and it shows in every scene. And who could forget Dale? He is such a fun addition to the storyline.
This is the 11th of 13 books in the Stars, Stripes & Hockey Nights multi-author series about 2 all-star hockey teams playing a tournament in Washington DC to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USA.
The real con in this book isn’t the actual con but telling yourself that it’s just a con…. I love how much fun this book is & how it captured me right from the beginning! This is my first book by Gigi & she sure knows how to set off fireworks without a kiss even happening! The chemistry between Erica & Jeremiah was amazing! Erica was funny, loyal, & has a moral code that makes her different than your average thief! Jeremiah was charming, honest, protective, & really believes the best in Erica even when it looks bad! I absolutely loved the heist aspect of this book that wasn’t cheesy but very well thought out with an awesome & lovable crew! The historical angle that went with the heist felt like real history & was a perfect addition with this being America’s 250th year! The hockey & that it’s part of this series is just a bonus! I didn’t love that there was drinking in this book but it was amazing other than that. I hope that Gigi decides to write more adventure/heist spinoffs stories & that we learn more about this mysterious rook!
One of my favorite movies is National Treasure, so this was a book I was looking forward to! It is rare to have a morally grey FMC, so that made this even more appealing.
Set during the American semiquincentennial, this multi-author series is one I have been enjoying. The premise is that there is an all star hockey tournament hosted in Washington DC over the fourth. Many of the single players are getting books, and several former book characters have cameos throughout the series.
This book features Erica, a stealth liberator of objects and Jeremiah, a professional hockey player. Erica has a plan to liberate some letters during the festivities and meets Jeremiah as she is “practicing”…. The problem is that neither of them can stop thinking about the other, even though no names were exchanged. They meet again in a Coffee Loft (crossover)…. And Jeremiah isn’t going to let another opportunity pass him by.
This fast paced story was so fun to read. I highly recommend this series!
Wow...this was so brilliant!! 4.75 stars for this story.
All the previous books in the Stars, Stripes and Hockey series were total duds for me, and I only picked this one because I have loved some of this author's previous books.
The MMC was a total green forest who didn't push the FMC away when he came to know about her less than perfect past (and her current pursuit). I really expected a 3rd act break-up or something more dramatic (like FMC's plans going wrong and MMC being wrongly labelled as a thief, just because he hung out with her.) But it was so refreshing to read that, he loved her so much that he was ready to accept her in any condition. She was equally good too.
The whole heist planning and execution track was so amazingly done.
The bonus scene was wholesome, cute, funny and totally hilarious towards the end. Really looking forward to the next book in Precio brothers series. <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Jeremiah and Erica's story was such a fun surprise! Think Ocean's Eight meets hockey romance with a treasure hunt, a quest for redemption, a touch of revenge, and a heroine determined to clear her family's name. Erica is about to pull off a heist for all the right reasons. Meanwhile, Jeremiah, the ultimate golden-boy hockey player, is completely out of his depth trying to keep up with her. He's protective, endlessly patient, and the perfect contrast to Erica's morally grey plans. Their banter and chemistry made every page entertaining. Add in the secondary characters, and this was such a fun read.
Packed with action, twists, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this was a fast-paced romance that never took itself too seriously. If you enjoy clever heroines, rule-following heroes, and a little chaos mixed with romance, this one is an absolute blast.
An unusual meeting and an unexpected disruption to the plan brings this story to a very different feel than the others in the series. Unusual but still so good! I don't typically combine my clean, sweet, enjoyable romance stories with a will-she-or-won't-she heist plan. It made for a change of pace with my reading while still holding true to the series ideas. The hockey was still very prominent, and the characters were really unique. That made this story delightful in a whole new way for me. The planning of the possible heist, the purposes, keeping Jeremiah and Erica connected while he doesn't get to find out the truth, the wholesomeness of Jeremiah's character... just so much going on here that it is one you just need to pick up and read for yourself. Definitely worth it.
I received an ebook copy of this title from the author. All opinions are my own.
Erica Armitage is in Washington DC for a job, she was not prepared for Jeremiah Precio the hockey player with Olympic Gold, and in town for the big 4th of July Hockey Tournament. Jeremiah is beginning to wonder if Erica is just the tourist she insists she is because it seems that every time he turns around, there she is, he suspects that she is trouble, and he can't seem help himself as he realizes that he wants her close. I loved these characters, they kept me laughing, and the fact that she is a "bad" girl to his "good" boy kept me highly entertained. This is a sweet and clean, kisses only romance with a morally ambiguous FMC, unexpected twist in the plot, and a happily ever after. A must-read addition to a fantastic series that I recommend to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.