Fighting. Blackmail. Scandal. And they say rookies don't have fun. Jack Jack Ruby is a fighter - literally. At 19, he's gotten into more fights than he remembers. It probably has to do with the fact that since he was a child, he's been angry. His mother's a drug addict who only talks to him when she wants money, he lives with his best friend since he has nowhere else to go, and he's in love with said best friend's sister. He's screwed. The only good that comes out of this is he just signed with the Newport Beach Seagulls's minor league affiliate, the Irvine Mayhem. If he's good at anything, it's hockey. And sex. And fighting. As long as he stays away from Lily, he'll be fine. But Jack's never been good at playing by the rules. Lily Lily Sinclair doesn't get the opportunity to say no when her brother and his best friend move in with her. She's trying to get ready for her first year of college while they're partying, getting into fights, and playing hockey. Must be nice. It wouldn't be so bad if her brother was friends with anyone but Jack Sinclair. The brown eyes, the high cheekbones, that mischievous grin. God, she's in so much trouble. When an ex shows up in her life, blackmailing her over a video Lily hadn't been aware of, she's tells him to eff off. That's when all hell breaks loose in the form of Jack Ruby. Will he ever look at her the same way again? Fans of The Slapshot Series are devouring this new adult sports romance set in the same sunny beach city.
Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 23 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.
I could unfortunately only give this book a 2,5 stars. I liked the story outline and the plot but the chapters jumped from one description of the event that happened to a whole other in the next! The chapters jump between perspectives and sometimes they see the event differently, like he apologized for something that hadn’t happened yet and that happened too many times. But I liked the characters and the villains were really villains and I liked that too. So the story had a really good outline and plot but sad it got destroyed by the mistakes and jumps. If they were corrected it would help soo much, and then I could definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first introduction to this author and I think there is some real potential here. I even highlighted some passages that I really liked! It had some witty writing, some funny one liners and a decent plot line.
Hockey romance is one of my favorite tropes and that cover is absolutely a 5 star cover! Yummy...
I did like the story and it was engaging and kept me turning till the end. I liked the main and secondary characters and found myself wanting to read Alec's story. Jack had a pretty heartbreaking but interesting family history and I enjoyed how the ends tied up by the end of the story. I know that Heather Myers has some other series which I will be checking out in the future.
The 2 star deduction was for mainly the following reasons:
(1)- The characters weren't really compelling for me. They really didn't have much chemistry or sexual tension that was palpable. the only reason I wanted them to be together was because I knew they were the 2 main characters so, therefore, the story was about them getting together. They supposedly had known each other since they were kids but I feel like the author could have done a better job of bringing their history to the front a bit more so we would be more invested in their couplehood. (2)- Grammatical Issues - Unfortunately, there were quite a few grammatical errors. I am not one to usually worry about that because it happens. Even some of the best stories I have read have some grammar errors, but when they start to interrupt the flow of the story for me I have to note it.
(3)- There were some plot contradictions and holes: Example: In the beginning, Alec (her brother, who has been staying with her) comes home late at night talking loudly and being generally noisy, so Lily, gets up out of bed to give him a piece of her mind for waking her up. She expects him to be walking in with a girl, but she is surprised to see that it is Jack (Alecs best friend). Though, we find out in about 10 pages that Jack has been staying with them for like a week at this point... So I am not sure why she would be so shocked that he was coming in with her brother...
- While it was interesting, the plot seemed a bit contrived. Kind of like trying to force the pieces of a few different sections of the puzzle together because you can find the right spot. It didn't make it unenjoyable though.
Triggers: It really didn't have any. No Cheating, No OM/OW, No Separation, HEA
I would like to read Alec's story so I am hoping Heather will continue on with this series :)
I received this book for free through Booksprout as a ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lily’s brother Alec and his best friend Jack are living with Lily until things settle down after signing on with the Irvine Mayhem hockey team. The problem is that Jack and Lily have been secretly crushing on each other for years and now they’re living together. Add in some blackmail, fighting, irresponsible parents and you’ve got a great start to a new series. Lily is a smart independent woman who likes to take care of others. Jack has anger issues but will stop at nothing to protect his family. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Heather C. Myers for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I loved how this story focused on the relationships and on the plot. However, it also leveled out with the romance between Jack and Lily. And I loved seeing Seraphina again, and seeing her involvement in the Mayhem. I honestly loved this book, and Alec's book seemed to be set up so well. I cannot wait to continue with the series. Especially with how much I loved the Slapshot series.
This was a good read in the spinoff series. Jack and Lily are living together with her brother Alec. They both have liked each other for awhile now. Finally things happen between them. Of course this when the drama begins. Thankfully in the end it all works out.
Rookies Do It Better is book one of The Minor League Mayhem series. Rookies Do It Better is Jack and Lily's story.
Rookies Do It Better Details: Jack is a fighter- quite literally. At 19, he's gotten into more fights than he remembers. It probably has to do with the fact that since he was a child, he's been angry. His mother's a drug addict who only talks to him when she wants money, he lives with his best friend since he has nowhere else to go, and he's in live with said best friend's sister, he's screwed. The only good that comes out of this is he just signed with the Newport Beach Seagulls's minor league affiliate, the Irvine Mayhem. If he's good at anything, it's hockey, and sex, and fighting. As long as he stays away from Lily, he'll be fine, but Jack's never been good at playing by the rules.
Lily doesn't get the opportunity to say no when her brother and his best friend move in with her. She's trying to get ready for her first year of college while they're partying, getting into fights, and playing hockey, must be nice. It wouldn't be so bad if her brother was friends with anyone but Jack. The brown eyes, the high cheekbones, that mischievous grin, God she's in so much trouble. When an ex shows up in her life, blackmailing her over a video Lily hadn't been aware of, she's tells him to eff off. That's when all hell breaks loose in the for of Jack. Will he ever look at her the same way again?
Review: Rookies Do It Better is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter. The chemistry between Jack and Lily is smokin' hot. I absolutely love the characters are super relatable. Jack has a poor upbringing and isn't rich. Lily has a part-time job to help pay for her apartment and needs. I'm also a complete sucker for best friend's falling in live with the sibling kind of stories. There is a couple of spicy scenes, but they are exceptionally well-written and tastefully done. There is a trigger warning of blackmailing with a tape, so before reading the actual book one should read the trigger warnings to make sure you're comfortable with reading Rookies Do It Better. However, I would recommend Rookies Do It Better to anyone. I'm looking forward to reading more books from this series and author Heather C. Myers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire series is a fun, sexy read! The characters are realistic, relatable, and lovable. I can’t tell you which of the five stories was my favorite because I really enjoyed them all. Let’s just say I love me some sweet, sexy hockey players, and leave it at that. ; )
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I picked this book up on booksprout to read and to leave an honest review. It's the first book I've read by this author. It's an interesting story, it kept me reading. Jack and Lily are 2 young characters. Jack's hot headed attitude gets him into a lot of trouble, but his love for Lily shows. If you like a YA sports romance then this is for you.
Enjoyable book about an AHL rookie and his love. This the first book by this author that I've read. I am a sucker for the brother's best friend, and this was a good one. It's pretty short, and the characters are pretty believable. The writing wasn't stellar, but still did the job. I would definitely keep following the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one of The Minor League Mayhem series and the main character is Jack Ruby, who has just been signed on as a rookie to Newport Beach Seagull’s minor league ice hockey team, the Irvine Mayhem. He is joined by his best friend and fellow rookie, Alec Sinclair, and they are staying at Alec’s sister Lily’s home in Irvine. Jack gets to sofa surf, but considering how he grew up, that is fine with him. Jack and Alec are a really good team together on the ice, having played and practised so much together as they grew up, and Alec and Lily’s mother was the real mother figure in his life and basically kept him from starving as he grew up with a dad who disappeared and a mother who loved her drugs and alcohol more than him! He has been hired because of his fighting spirit and skills making Alec look good. But his anger gets him in trouble before he can even start! He sticks up for his friends and doesn’t like discrimination or name calling. He also has a bit of a serious crush on Lily, but as she is his best friend’s little sister, she is out of bounds!
Lily moved to Irvine to study at the local university where she got a scholarship, but she also works part time to pay the rest of her bills. Having her brother and also Jack move in with her, with lots of late nights and drunken returns in the early hours, soon gets her riled up. Alec keeps most of his feelings inside and uses sarcasm and humour when dealing with things, especially around his sister, which winds her up. The attraction between Jack and Lily ramps up one night, while Alec is out and they end up in bed together. But Lily’s joy is soon ruined when she gets a message from an unknown number, that turns out to be the boy, Andrew Corwin, who broke her heart when she was at high school. He was her first boyfriend and he was not very nice to her. He tells her he has a sex tape of them and he has a buyer ready to pay him for it, unless she gives him thirty grand not to post it on the internet. He is blackmailing her, expecting her to be well off now her brother has been signed on as a rookie, but that’s how his contract works! She doesn’t believe Andrew, knowing he lives in his parent’s home, after they moved away as they retired, he dropped out of college and hasn’t even bothered to find a job. No wonder he wants money!
Lily doesn’t share it with Alec and especially not with Jack, wondering if he will ever look at her the same way again. She thinks she can tell Andrew where to go and just ignore things, but she soon finds he was telling the truth and posts the video, even though she was probably underage at the time, but he is only concerned with getting some money for nothing! She has to figure out how to get the video taken down, but that means she would have to face Andrew on her own. When Jack’s mother contacts him for the first time in years, she ends up at their door shortly after and worms her way into the house. She has been told about Lily’s problem and calls her some very rude names, making Jack’s anger grow out of control when she shows him the video! He storms out and causes himself more issues with his actions, but he is lucky to have a boss who believes in him and asks why he did what he did. A new ice hockey team series, with best friends signed up to play in the minor leagues and finally having the chance to go somewhere, so long as they corral their partying and Jack’s fighting! A new future beckons and I can’t wait to see what happens to the all next. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Rookies Do It Better: Book 1 in The Minor League Mayhem Series By: Heather C. Myers It's Another Absolutely Smokin' HOT Slap Stick Romance By Heather C. Myers! She drives Him crazy... with Her Protective side, lust, & so much MORE! Sometimes He just wants to take Matters into His OWN hands... Especially when he can see there's something bothering HER! She's keeping' problems to Herself... Until someone from HIS PAST Blows the Lid OFF the whole Ordeal, making her Problems HIS, Yeah, He's gonna GO DOWN in Flames Dishin' some Douche a bit of Pain... But there's NO seeing HER with Mud smeared Upon her Good Name from an Ex becoming an Internet Troll! Yeah... He's Sweet, S€X¥, Protective, & Kind, But he's infuriating as H€LL when Standing his ground! When it all comes OUT, Will it be a Relief... A Media frenzy... Or the END of HIS Promising Career before it begins!?! Ex's, Hockey Fights, Accusations, & MORE... There's Sooo Much Going ON when these Young Guys Step Up to Prove "Rookies Do It Better!" Welcome to the Next Generation of Gulls... Hockey's finest! You're definitely going to want to root, Root, ROOT for an entire series Centering Around these Players, as this book makes you want more, More, MORE Deets about the characters involved around this Awesome TEAM!! I cannot wait to read the next installment. Trust me, this is definitely a book you'll want to One-Click straight into your library because you'll read, Reread, & then READ it again & AGAIN. Don't miss out On this is a Surefire One-Click! I also LOVED that this book is a SpinOFF of the Amazing 'SlapShot Series,' another Absolute Favorite of Mine by this Talented Author! I was gifted Heather C. Myers' "Rookies Do It Better: Book 1 in The Minor League Mayhem Series" as an ARC via Booksprout, but I'm happy to recommend it to others because it's an excellent read... All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given. Until next time... Happy Reading!
I really liked this story. The title suits it to a T. I really loved Jack! He is a young rookie, in the beginning of his hokey career. But he has a relatively good head on his shoulders – despite the fact that he is prone to fighting. His life was not easy, but he has some good people in his life – his best friend Alec (also a rookie for the team – and hilarious as a character, in my opinion, in his cockiness; I can’t wait to read about him, hopefully, in another story) and Alec’s sister Lily. Lily is amazing. She is young but has a maturity about her, in her way of thinking and the way she handles herself and the difficult situation she finds herself into. Jack and Lily are making a lovely couple. I loved them together. It’s a usual trope – falling for the best friend’s sister and defending her honor – but it was sweet the way the author presented the romance here. And…respect to one of my favorite characters in the Slapshot series, who makes an appearance here – Seraphina Hanson, the owner of the Gulls. I can’t help mentioning once again how amazing she is – the much needed mother figure for her players, who shows them how much of a family she considers them. The storyline flows effortlessly, and despite being somewhat predictable, I enjoyed it immensely.
All in all, it was a great read. 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love Heather's writing. Her characters are realistic, flawed and inspiring. Stories lines are engaging, and her world building pulls the reader into the storyline. Steam is ON POINT and never gratuitous. Side characters add quality and aren't simply window dressing.
This book, the first in The Minor League Series, has all of those components. What it sorely lacks are quality editing. The timeline between where characters are at one point versus the next within the same chapter is clearly impossible. Inconsistences about where characters grew up and when best friendships are formed change. This is significant because Jack's been going to Alex's house when he was young due to the abusive nature of the household. But if Jack grew up in the south and Alex in Napa, that makes it hard to suspend disbelief.
What frustrates me the most is that this is not a new novel but a rerelease. The original book was published in 2019. This appears to be the start of a re-release for the series. Which is good because the stories are good. I just do not understand why the opportunity to clear up some issues were not done with this release.
So, frustration aside, these are fun characters, and the story line is entertaining. Steam is a bit mild which is unusually given the genre but not a bad thing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a YA book so the characters are all in their late teens and there is plenty of drama and angst with mutual unrequited crushes, a nasty no-good ex-boyfriend that resorts to blackmail, episodes of street-style fighting, and lots of hockey! I mostly enjoyed it since the storyline was different and interesting. Unfortunately, there were too many inconsistencies in the overall development. There were a number of repetitive scenes from more than one perspective that had scenarios playing out with different actions and outcomes. That happened too often to allow the reader to follow the story since sections had to be reread to keep track of what was really happening. The value of a good editor would have enhanced the overall quality of the book tremendously. I did like the premise and am interested in the series as a whole if these issues get addressed properly in future books.
P.S. After I wrote this and was ready to submit it I saw where the author sent a notice through Booksprout that she had edited and revised the book so I am hopeful that the issues I noticed have been corrected because it is good and worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book number 1 in the Minor League Mayhem series and focuses on Jack and Lily. They have been around each other for most of their lives since Jack is Lily's brother, Alec's, best friend. During this book they are all living together in Lily's apartment while they all adjust to new life changes. Lily is about to start college and the guys just signed contracts with a minor league hockey team. During the guys first week living with Lily, her ex-boyfriend from when she was 17 sends her an email with a video of them having sex that she did not know he took and is blackmailing her for money because he has nothing going for him in life. She doesn't want to tell anyone and tries to take care of the matter herself. Her and Jack share moments together and eventually realize the depth of their feelings after Jack defends her against her ex. For me, it would have easily been a 5 star read if there would have been an epilogue of some sort at the end especially since they were unsure about how things would play out in the future for them. This was a fast paced, easy read that was quite enjoyable. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
Sometimes life can get complicated. Jack Ruby has no problem with fighting for what he wants. He has had to do it all his life. He has anger inside that often erupts, maybe from his drug addict mother who always wants money, or his frustration at loving his best friend’s sister who is off-limits.
Lily Sinclair is preparing for college when her brother Alec and his best friend move right in with her! She doesn’t need the partying and carrying on. And worse yet, it’s Jack Sinclair who moves in, her crush. How is she going to avoid him now?
Piling on the bad news, Lily’s creepy ex and first boyfriend from high school, Andrew Corwin, shows up to blackmail her with a surprise video he threatens to put on social media. The last thing that Andrew expected to deal with was Jack Ruby who has no intention of letting that video get loose… oops. But when it’s taken care of, has she ruined things with Jack forever? Will he turn away from her in disgust?
Some of the events feel scrambled in the order they occur. But the reader shouldn’t have any big problems sorting out all the activity here. Grab your copy and see how it all turns out for everyone.
This is book one in The Minor League Mayhem Series and it is Jack and Lily's story. Jack has been signed to The Newport Beach Seagulls but he needs to work hard and stay out of fights which was something that he was always getting himself into but he was also protective of his best friend Alex and Alec's sister Lily but anything can happen next. Lily is working hard as she has a scholarship plus a job so that she can pay for her flat and also put food on the table but what she wasn't expecting was for her brother and his best friend to move into the flat with her. Jack and Lily have a strong connection and chemistry between them but they have never acted on it but no that they are in the same flat together will they be able to not give into to it only time will tell. I really enjoyed reading this book as it was so well written and definitely worth reading and I hope to read more books From this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m a hockey-themed reading whore, so of course on stuff your kindle day I picked up this freebie. Jack and Alec, best friends, sign contracts for the same hockey team. While waiting to make it to the big time, they are crashing with Alec’s sister to save money. Lily loves and supports her brother, but there is just something about his friend Jack that she has always been attracted to. When she finds herself in trouble, it’s Jack that saves the day, but will he be able to save his friendship with Alec and his spot on the hockey team, if he loses his heart to Lily? The plot and the characters were not the issue with this book. It was the utter lack of proofreading that will make me shy away from any other reads from this author. Show some pride in something that you worked so hard on; proofread and proofread again. It’s not that hard. Slightly disappointed because I was distracted by the lack of structural organization and again, proofreading, but I still give the author A for effort
Rookies Do It Better is Book 1 of The Minor League Mayhem Series. It's an OTT, instalove, opposites-attract, secret crush, girl gets her brother's best friend hockey romance. Jack is a hunky, hotheaded, minor league hockey player with a rough upbringing. He plays on the team with his best friend Alec, whose family is more of his family than his own. Lily is a sweet and sassy college student and Alec's sister. When Alex and Jack get drafted to the Mayhem hockey team, they stay with her. The two have been secretly crushing on each other for some time. But what will her brother say? Throw in Jack's crazy mom and Lily's scummy ex, and you have quite the story. This was a good read bit, and it seemed more young adult to me with minor spice. It's much different than Heather's Elite Academy series that I love, but it's still a good read. Now I need to read the whole series. I hope Alec gets a book!!!).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rookies Do It Better The Minor League Mayhem Series Heather C Myers Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️.2 Spice: .5 Time to read: 2 hours My review may contain spoilers!!!!! Read Trigger Warnings!!!!
tags/tropes/genres Sports: hockey Brothers best friend
There’s not a whole lot to say about this book but I guess I’ll start with what I like. The characters are all likable. I liked how Jack and Lily both liked each other before they h00ked up but neither new about the others feelings. I kinda liked the villains.
Now to what I didn’t like. It’s a short book so seems rushed. There’s seemingly huge gaps in the storyline. I know it’s not instalove but it kinda reads like so because of how the book was written. The villains…. Yes I said I liked them,.. however we never really got answers to dinner of the bigger questions. Same day he ex posted the video jacks mom is randomly shown it? Seems doubtful. I actually kept waiting for split twist to reveal they planned it together. I guess I wanted more from the book.
This is a young adult sports romance that i wouldnt normally read as im not into the young adult genre. I found the storyline a little confusing and encountered plot holes through out the book. - the main characters are meant to be 19 and 18.. and the confusion is that Lily is 18 and so is her brother Alec ........ but they arent twins - in chapter 2 Lily is surprised to see Jack but in chapter 3 we have Jack thinking "She didn't have to let him crash here, either, but she had."
Jack and his childhood friend have been signed up in the AHL Hockey league and are staying with his best friends sister Lily. Lily has always had a crush on Jack and never knew that he had one for her too, but now that her ex shows up blackmailing her she is afraid of what Jack will think of her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lily and Jack have known each other for years because he is best friend's with her brother. When her brother comes to stay with her and brings his friend Jack sparks fly between Lily and Jack. Late one night they give in to temptation and sleep together. Just as they are trying to figure out what it means for them Lily's ex release a sex tape of her which cause everything to go crazy. Jack tries to help her deal with it all the while trying to see what he feels for her. But will they be able to be together after everything that's happened? What will her brother say about them being together?
This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As usual, Heather writes a great hockey romance novel! This one isn’t as dark as her Crestwood series, but I’m certain I’m going to enjoy this series just as much! I finished this book in one day! I loved that the characters were super relatable. Jack has a poor upbringing and isn’t rich. Lily has a part-time job to help pay for her apartment and needs. I’m also always a sucker for best friend falling in love with the sibling stories! There is a couple of spicy scenes, but they are written well and tastefully done. There is a trigger warning of blackmailing with a tape, but I don’t want to say more to ruin the book! Perfect for a vacation read or a light read when you need a break from some of those darker romance novels!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jack and Lily have known each other for years - she's his best friend's little sister. He was just signed to play in the minors - she's a college student. They have a little fling, and are trying to figure out what is means, and how to go forward. Her life turns into a nightmare when an unknown sex video surfaces on the internet, thanks to a scumbag ex-boyfriend. Jack tries to help out, and ends up in a heap of trouble. Seraphina Hansen treats Jack like family, and helps to get him out of trouble, and also to resolve Lily's situation. I really liked this book, and am looking forward to more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Lily and Jack. Lily is Alec's younger sister and he's currently crashing in her spare room whole his BFF Jack is sleeping in the couch. She's always had a crush on Jack but nothing ever happened. Jack and Alec just signed contracts with the Gull's Hockey team and are working to make the team. When an ex emails Lily with some unwanted news she freaks never thinking he will take it that far. Then when he does and Jack's mom shows up, not that she ever was much of a mom. Things go from bad to worse. But Jack and Lily fight to get it to end. Can't wait to see where they end up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rookies Do It Better is a fun, sexy read. There’s a plot and not much angst. The tension between Lily and Jack was electric and I enjoyed watching them come together. I’m curious to see what happens with Alec next!
Rookies Do It Better seems to be a spin-off series so despite not reading the initial series I don’t feel like I’m lost on a lot of the characters. I have a feeling though that if I did read the initial series some of the characters may make a little more sense.
Would I recommend this story? Absolutely. If you want a fast, fun, and sexy read then RDIB is for you. There is the trigger warning of blackmail with a video so if that’s a trigger maybe avoid this one. I believe the way it was written was very tactful and I appreciated it.
Jack, the male rookie hockey player lead, is currently living with his best friend and his best friend’s little sister, Lily, the female lead, in her flat because the men have just moved towns for their new hockey contracts. Both lead characters have long felt attraction but they haven’t acted on it because they don’t want to jeopardise other relationships. Now, however, that attraction is coming to the fore…
This novella is dual POV, and a fast-paced, brother’s best friend, contemporary sports romance. I enjoyed the sweetness of Jack and Lily’s feelings for each other. I enjoyed the way they became close due to external challenges. I enjoyed the ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.