When her grandma's screech follow a few seconds later, Breezy squeezed her eyes shut. Granny Dee had found Jed West. The only hope was that he wasn't double fisting two lipstick vibrators. They'd been on sale, two for one, which seemed like a deal at the time.
This was my first read by Riley but I don't think it'll be my last. While I didn't think this story, book one in her Hellions Angels series, was perfect I definitely found myself entertained but more importantly : I want that second book because I want that follow up couple.
"All this excitement makes me want to pee."
But as far as MISTER HOCKEY goes.. it was a little simple. Basically from the opening chapter (and, you know, the synopsis) we know the two conflicts that will carry the story. One being Jed West, "Mister Hockey" himself, and his concern over a head injury; and two, his number one fan, who happens to cross paths with her number one fantasy, lies -- oh, sorry, omits -- the truth about her fandom. Jed as a rule doesn't date fans and Breezy manages to keep the truth from him until that pivotal point where he finds out.. which just happens to coincide with a bit of drama. This element was probably my least favourite of the whole book. Breezy promises herself she'll come clean, gives herself a few different opportunities, but never does and.. I mean, I was meh over that whole thing. And double meh over the drama because the fact that Jed is oblivious to the truth was so painful.
Anyway.
"I don't mess around."
"Now that's a lie. Because you've been messing with my head for forty-eight hours."
"Wow. That might be the worst pickup ever."
"Nah. That would be the GMC Syclone. Can't tow with it. Has limited payload and no chance of ever going off-road."
This was lighthearted and occasionally funny and sometimes that's all you want from a romance. It went a little silly at times, and in that kind of "yeah yeah okay" way, but I do like the trope of the famous sportsdude/musician/'insert whatever here' falling for the everyday woman. And bonus points for Breezy being built like one, too.
"You really do love books."
"I adore chocolate. I require books. They are like oxygen or water, vital to my existence."
Aside from the simplistic set-up, plot, and hand-fed conflicts, I also kinda disliked some of Riley's transitions. It bugs me so hard when actions or scenes are happening one way.. and suddenly we've moved on or are ignoring the circumstances to focus on something else. Like, if I'm too busy trying to figure out if the characters went from screwing on the floor to being in a bed, or wondering when someone got dressed, I'm definitely not caught up in the dialogue or the characters. I'm too busy rereading something for clarity. But I know I'm a very detail oriented person so this kind of casual or vague use of setting or "of course they put on clothes when they left the room" logic, despite never being told it happened, might not bug other people. I just don't like doing the work for the author, y'know?
RANT OVER.
He woke up each morning and put on pants one leg at a time. He liked his job and was damn good at doing it, but it wasn't pulling kids from burning buildings or defending his country. Hero worship would mess with a guy's mind.
Yes, so, I did like this, but didn't love it. I do intend to read on but would I recommend you rush out to read this one? If we share similar tastes or pet peeves, I'd say no. But I will say this so as to end on a good note : it was refreshing to have a hero like Jed who wasn't caught up in his own self-importance, who liked simple things, who avoided the emotional complications/relationships with fans because he wanted to be seen as something other than what he got paid to do for a living or a fantasy. He was a very real kind of person despite his fame and success and I did like reading from his perspective. If you like a man who likes real women, if you like reading about bookworms, if you like a little insta with your love, and like your romances rather uncomplicated and free of angst, this might check all your boxes.
On her tombstone it would read : She came. She saw. She made it awkward.
With Tor's book up next, even though he's the coach, I'm hoping for a bit more hockey in my hockey romance, though!
3 "everything would be all right in the end; if it wasn't all right, it wasn't the end" stars
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **