Sure Shot

Brooklyn Bruisers #9

by Sarina Bowen

A new stand-alone hockey romance from USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen.

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2020

About the author

Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!

You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“You make me feel alive. You always did. You’re the best thing about Brooklyn, Bess.”

I’m always here for a new Sarina Bowen book. Especially if it’s a hockey book. I was so excited to get Bess’s story and I loved it!

Bess Beringer is a hockey agent and the sister to Dave Beringer, who we know and love from Bountiful. She’s has her own successful business and has just moved to NYC. She was in the city 10 years ago, and had a short relationship with a man that left quite the impression. That man is Mark Tankiewick, the newest trade to the Brooklyn team.


Now that Bess and Tank are in the same city again, they can’t keep away from each other. Bess tried really hard to stay away from Tank (she never gets involved with athletes) but he’s pretty impossible for her to resist. These two had insane chemistry and I loved seeing their past and watching their present relationship grow.

There were definitely some heavier issues in this book and it was emotional at times. I loved Tank and my heart hurt for him. I was so glad to see him and Bess get their happy. 


I love the way Sarina writes her sports romances. I always feels so connected to the characters and her writing is strong. If you’re looking for sexy and sweet second chance romance, I recommend picking this one up.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Always More to The Story Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
I always know when Sarina Bowen decides to write a story, there will be more than what is teased in the blurb. Sure Shot is so much more than a romance novel about a couple who meets, has chemistry, may have a minor hiccup, and then miraculously have their HEA. If this was just that, handled by Bowen, it would have heart, humor, sexy times, and readers would be totally satisfied.

But Bowen doesn't settle. She looks at plots, personal relationships, today's worries, and other cultural issues and weaves them into a story that will make the readers see and experience more than surface emotions. Her focus and the ways of expressing real-life situations make us take a moment and truly feel what we are experiencing.

This ability is SPECIAL. It takes sports romance and takes it to another level. It explains why Bowen has had such an impact on this genre. But to be clear, it is not just this genre where Ms. Bowen excels, it is whatever she attempts.

So with all of that said, Sure Shot is about two people who have had a past many years ago. Their time together was one of those experiences that make an impact, the kind that is ingrained, and will be remembered over the years.

Ten years later, Bess Beringer is now a very successful sports agency owner. She worked as a young woman with the groundbreaking sports agent in NYC and he took her under his wing. She learned from the best and when she had a little personal time with an up-and-coming athlete, she was warned off, as being a woman in a man's world means appearance is everything. Bess decided she needed to let go of a possible real relationship in order to be believed as capable.

This changed her ideas about relationships, whether she could even have one, and with who. As the years went by, Bess was devoted to her career, and there never was anyone who measured up to the man she had cut loose so many years ago.

Now Bess is at the stage where her career is set, she has figured out what is personally important and has come up with her five-year plan. Her brother is part of the Brooklyn Bruisers and with Mark "Tank" Tankiewick being traded to the team, Bess will be crossing paths with the one man she has never forgotten.

This cannot be happening.

Mark sees Bess and is hit with every memory he has ever had of her. The good, their incredible time together, the smell of her, the way her lips were so soft, all of the things he has thought about over the years. He also remembers the horrific pain...of being cut out of what could have been something. To be tossed aside almost ghosted before there even was ghosting. Seeing her in front of him makes all of these thoughts come rushing back.

Now the story has these two Trying to stay away...of course, they can't. And the times they do spend together are something I would like to experience personally, please...

But there is so much more than that in this love story...and it tackles serious issues that people have and from a very different perspective. Something I haven't seen before. Was I surprised...nope, because you see, that is the Sarina Bowen way. She will take a standard concept and dig deep, flip it, turn it, dissects it, and make you look at it with new eyes.

Bess and Mark are amazing people. Both have gone through things that would bring others to their knees. There is no doubt they belong together but the deep dark demons Mark has will make him think he hasn't any right to be with Bess. Bess's strength and ability to keep bouncing back is commendable. You rooted for her and wanted him to be able to break through the obstacles they had put up.

This book had so much going for it. I liked the people I spent time with, got to see those I already knew, and wanted to be right there in Brooklyn with them. I always do...

So take a moment and let Sarina Bowen take you to a place where you will love all the characters, feel the chemistry between two people that jumps off the page, and have life lessons that are worth holding on to.

Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overnight Sensation (Brooklyn, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Superfan (Brooklyn, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Moonlighter (Brooklyn#7/Company #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sure Shot (Brooklyn, #8)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bombshells (Brooklyn, #9)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shenanigans
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Love Lessons (Brooklyn, #7; Brooklyn Bruisers, #12)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Lining up the Pleasure Shot, Starting Right Now!
❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️
Bess Beringer Knows How to Get Things Done...
She Did Not Become the Powerhouse Agent Without a Plan...
Now She has Shifted Her Focus...
To Her Personal Life...

Think Color-Coded...
Specific Indexing...
A Projected Five Year Plan...

All of These Things...
Like Control, Anticipating...
Having Everything in Hand...
Makeups Who Bess Is...

What Isn't Working...
And Falling Inline for Bess...
Is Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz...

Yes, a Man Who Is Known as Tank...
The Term is NOTHING to Take Loosely...

His Sex Appeal, His Rep...
All Real...

But He Also Has Laser Focus...
And He Is Going to Make Bess a...

Sure Shot (Brooklyn #4)- May 12, 2020

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some plans can be tweaked to give you everything you dreamed of...

My romance reading started with Sweet Dreams high school romances and then moved onto historical romances by the likes of Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood. So, at sixteen my hero looked like a floppy-haired skinny kid (think Zac Efron in High School Musical) who rode horses while wearing breeches and a cravat (think Mr Darcy or Jonathan Rhys Meyers in The Tudor…depending what era I was reading). While I, the heroine, wore beautiful ballgowns in my evenings, and a pair of jeans and a t-shirt during the day. To this day I love historical and contemporary romances, and I can still picture myself in both worlds. Back then, I had a great imagination and no problem seeing a future with my swaggering, rugby-playing, horse-riding, and aristocratic husband.

The thing I find most humorous is that while those attributes appealed to me in my youth, I’ve realised that in some ways, my imaginings did produce the man of my dreams in my Hubby. No, he’s not a swaggering, rugby-playing, horse-riding, and aristocratic husband, but he is a thoughtful, sweet, strong and loving man. Those wishful imaginings of my youth were surface value only. With maturity, I realised that what was really important about those men in my stories was that they ended up being thoughtful, sweet, strong and loving. Well…maybe not the high school boys. 😉

Sure Shot was a fantastic story and made me think of all the plans of my youth. Some of those imaginings made it to fruition and some were just never going to happen. A lot of them were realised with a few tweaks. It’s all good to make plans, but sometimes life has a way of taking things in a different way than you hoped for. Adjustments need to made to your dreams, and some even need to be given up on. I found myself feeling sorry for Mark and Bess, but I also realised that their dreams had to be adjusted like most peoples. Yes, their past wasn’t pretty, but Bess and Mark are strong, determined and motivated. On first meeting them, I knew that they were meant for happiness together. I knew it…but for them, they needed to conquer a few demons and hurdle a few obstacles.

Bess had a terrible childhood but was living very successfully despite it. After hitting the big 3-0, she is making plans for the next stage of her life. Mark is a successful hockey player who has been traded to a new team and he’s finalising his divorce. He doesn’t want to make plans because the ones he previously made went horribly wrong. Bess and Mark have a past, but it has been a lot of years in between. So, one has plans and dreams and one doesn’t want to ever make plans again. But, both can’t deny their intense attraction to each other and will come to realise that some plans can be tweaked to give you everything you dreamed of.

Sarina Bowen is a wonderful storyteller. Every time I read one of her stories, I’m always left emotionally satisfied and joyful that another couple has found their happy ever after. Yes, that’s a little silly considering they’re make-believe, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. I just love that buzz of a perfect romance. Well, it wasn’t always perfect for Mark and Bess but it did end perfectly.

I’ve loved the Brooklyn series and Sure Shot did not disappoint. It was great to catch up with some of my favourite characters and see where their lives are at. Bess and Mark were lovable, the storyline was interesting, and the sexy times were sizzling. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend giving it a try. I suggest you… start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I just loved this book! I first read Sarina Bowen's work a little more than two years ago when I picked up Bountiful and I haven't looked back. I haven't quite read all of her work yet but I am working on it and I do get excited every time a new book hits the shelves. I still have a soft spot for Dave and Zara, the couple from Bountiful, though so this book was a big winner for me since it features Dave's sister, Bess. I loved getting to know Bess and Tank and I really enjoyed getting to check in on Dave and Zara. Once I picked up this book, I didn't want to put it down and ended up reading it cover to cover in less than a day.

Bess Beringer is turning 30 and is ready to make some changes in her life. She is a sports agent and has been very career-focused up to this point but now she is ready to work on her personal life. Mark Tankiewicz, or Tank, has been playing hockey for a long time but now everything seems to be falling apart. His wife has asked for a divorce and he has been traded to a new team. Nobody knows it but Bess and Mark had a short fling when they were both starting their careers nine years ago and now they find themselves single and living in the same city.

I loved Bess, Tank, and the entire collected cast of this story. Bess and Tank were both great characters and the chemistry that they shared was off the charts. I really liked the way that they were willing to take a chance with each other. All of the obstacles to their relationship made sense and I liked the way that they worked together to work past them. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone but readers of the series will enjoy seeing many of the characters from previous books stepping in to play a role in this one.

I would recommend this book to others. If you enjoy sports romance and you haven't read Sarina Bowen yet, what are you waiting for? This story put a big old smile on my face and I couldn't help but cheer these characters towards their happily ever after. I really appreciated the fact that we get to see how things work out for this pair in the epilogue that jumped forward a bit. I cannot wait to read more of Sarina Bowen's work.

I received a digital review copy of this book from the author/publicist.

Initial Thoughts
I am somewhere between 4 and 5 stars on this one but I am going to go with 5 for right now since I am leaning that way. I loved Bess and Tank. The first Sarina Bowen book that I was was Bountiful so I have a soft spot for Dave and Zara so I was thrilled to get to see so much of them in this book. Bess and Tank were perfect for each other and their chemistry was off the charts. It was really a lot of fun to watch their relationship develop throughout this book and I was happy that we got a chance to see how things work out for them.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Would’ve been higher because I loved these characters together but after everything, for me, the ending was just a cop-out.

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: SURE SHOT
AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen
SERIES: Brooklyn #4
RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2020
GENRE: Sports Romance
THEMES & TROPES: Second Chance
RATING: 4 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No

READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG





I don't know how she does it but every time I read a story by Sarina Bowen I feel completely satisfied. Going back into her world is like a snug, cozy blanket. Sure Shot was exactly the same.

Bess Beringer's name may ring a bell - she's Dave Beringer's sister. His story crosses over to Sarina Bowen's True North series and is portrayed in Bountiful. If you haven't read that...do it!
As a sports agent she's determined not to date an athlete when her past fling with a hokey player in the gorgeous form of Mark Tankiewicz walks in. She has never forgotten those months years ago and how he made her feel. But neither has Mark.

She has no idea at all what this means to me. I haven’t felt desire like this in years. Haven’t been desired in years.

Tank was a complex characters, his denial to re-marry doesn't have a run-of-the-mill reason like how horrible his wife was. There went a lot of thought into this character. He was cocky, a little mischievous and a whole lot of sweet, yet also troubled, sometimes a little grump, thoughtful with a s buttery soft core. Bess's ability to make him feel again, after being in a state of apathy and anger for a long time was thanks to her well rounded mix of sweetness, firecracker and backbone. She was perfect for him. Their chemistry was off the charts and Bess brought out Mark's flirty side. I loved that so much.

Bess makes me hungry again. Not for steak and ice cream, but for life.

It was satisfying to see Mark bonding with the rest o the team after struggling for a while to win them over. I was super happy to get to hang out with pretty much the whole cast of the Brooklyn Bruisers - watching them living their happy ever afters is always a highlight in Sarina's stories.

Sure Shot isn't all sunshine - as per usual, Sarina Bowen weaves serious topics into her stories and puts a twist on it. This doesn't take away from the lighthearted overall tone of the story which makes it a perfect comfort read. I love this series. I love this author. It's always a pleasure to pick up her stories.

"This is what winning looks like.” He cups my chin and kisses me.

[Carmen Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad to get Bess's book. I have loved this whole series, well to be honest I don't think Sarina Bowen could write something I didn't love. But this one I found to be particularly emotional.

And I am so scared to give away any spoilers that I don't know what to say. I want to gush about it's awesomeness and how it gave me all the feels. But there was so much to this story, while at the same time it was all so everyday for so many people. You know other than being super sexy, rich, hockey superstars and super amazing agent to said hockey gods and baby sister to another.

Bess was such a beautiful soul. I have loved her since she made her appearance in Dave's book. She was so together and sweet and hardworking and driven. I loved her. And Tank was so strong even though his whole world was on it's head and on fire he just kept swimming.

But this story was gah. I just kept waiting for the knife to drop and when it did I wasn't expecting that. And honestly maybe that's because what Tank went through is nothing that has affected me so my brain just didn't go there. But Sarina wrote it so well that I was gutted for both Tank and Bess.

Don't despair thought because these two weren't going to let anything get in the way of the massive amount of chemistry, love and pure happiness that they had found. And I really couldn't put it down from start to finish I was wrapped up in these characters. Plus all the Brooklyn Bruisers that we already know and love were there and we got a few babies added to the family. As always the worst part was getting to the end and having to adjust to the reality that we have to wait for the next one.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bess & Tank!

Bess is a sports agent and friends/family with lots of Brooklyn hockey players and their wives and Tank is a newly traded Brooklyn player!

They had a little fling nine years ago and now they're both single and back in Brooklyn.

But Bess is looking for something serious. She wants the whole husband & baby thing.

And Tank - he's just got out of a not-so-happy marriage.

But why not spend some happy moments together while Bess is looking for her happily ever after, right??

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!!!!! ☺

══════════════════




Such an adorable story!

I'm not really a hockey fan - but I just adore everything Sarina writes!

And this book was just so sweet and fun and Brooklyn-ish and hockey-ish!

A really adorable second-chance love story full of sparks and sexy times and friends and family.

Of course not everything is all happy-happy-fun-fun. We have some serious parts too. Why did Tank's marriage not work out? Why does he not want something serious with Bess? What will happen with those two??? Ugh. I just wanted to fast-forward to their happy end. But of course I adored every single page of their journey!

Great romance!

Also ... why hasn't Netflix knocked on Sarina's door yet??
Does it already have an amazingly funny and sexy Hockey Romance series? NO, it does not!

SURE SHOT was a super adorable + fun + sexy second-chance Hockey Romance!!! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Tank - this one is MINE!


💜 💜

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a romance between a grumpy hero, not looking for love falling for the heroine, with a 5-year life plan. And Sure Shot delivered on this promise in the most delightful and heartwarming way.

It was so easy to fall in love with Tank and Bess because Sarina Bowen wrote them so well, it’s impossible not to like them. I enjoyed their dance, from being FWB to having some serious feelings for each other. They had great chemistry and I loved how their connection deepened throughout the book.

The conflict, in my opinion, was the highlight. Tank came into the team bringing a lot of baggage, including a bitter divorce and some really ugly rumors that did not endear him to his new teammates at the very beginning. He struggled and Bess was his one bright spot in a new city where he felt unwelcomed. At first, I thought he was eh, shallow but as the story moved along, I found myself rooting for him. Kudos to Sarina for not resorting to the "evil ex" stereotype when it came to Jordanna, Tank's ex.

Bess has some baggage, too. Her bad experiences during childhood explained a lot of her motivations. And it explained why those experiences made her long to have a family of her own, something that Tank couldn’t give her.

It was a tautly written conflict and the resolution, while others might say is too neat, fits and was satisfying to me.

CW: Infertility, divorce.

[Claudia Fosca Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure Shot is most definitely one of my top reads of 2020. It’s a hockey romance masterclass. It’s beautifully written and it will definitely make you swoon.

I love the Brooklyn Bruisers. This series owns my heart. Every single book is a masterpiece, and Sure Shot might be the best one yet. It’s not surpring because Sarina Bowen is always outdoing herself. She’s such a talented writer and storyteller. There’s nothing better than reading one of her books, either for the first time or the tenth time.

Sure Shot is Bess Beringer’s story. She’s stong, smart and determined. She’s a very successful sports agent, and about to turn thirty. She’s making some changes in her personal life. She has moved to Brooklyn to be closer to her family, and wants a family of her own. But she didn’t count on Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz, a former lover who still has the ability to make her swoon, to come back into her life.

Mark is a great guy. He’s a bit of a grump, but charming and funny. He’s dreamy and swoonworthy. His reputation precedes him, but he has depth, and you’ll see he’s hiding a wounded soul. He’s definitely book boyfriend material. He’s the new player on the team, traded from Dallas—Brooklyn’s nemesis, and is completely out of his depth. He’s not getting along with his new teammates on and off the ice. He’s getting divorced, and is a regular feature in the gossip blogs, his character constantly in question. Basically, his whole life is falling apart. He’s not looking for a relationship, but he wasn’t expecting to run into Bess again, the girl he had a fling with nine years ago.

I loved Bess and Tank together. Their banter is hilarious, and their chemistry off the charts. The intensity of their attraction comes through loud and clear. But more importantly, it’s evident they have a special connection. It’s not about sex, even when they both try to keep their relationship secret and without strings. Bess’s conflict with it is pretty evident, but Tank’s reluctance has deeper roots, and they come to light when he opens up to Bess, showing her his vulnerability.

One of the things I love most about this series is that it has a very strong small-town vibe. Brooklyn—and especially DUMBO—are described so vividly and with such attention to detail, that they come alive in the reader’s mind, and they really play a very important role in these stories. It’s part of their DNA.

The other thing I love is the characters. I’m in love with each and every one of them. The depth and intensity of the supporting cast is one of Sarina Bowen’s trademarks.

I loved seeing Bess bonding with Becca and Georgia, and Tank trying to explain his role on the team to Jason Castro. Heidi steals the show more than once, as only she does, and we get to hang out with Zara, Dave and Nicole for a little while. It was great to see Patrick O’Doul so zen, happiness definitely suits him. Baby Bayer had a couple of magic moments as well, and I loved meeting Henry, such a lovely guy.

Sure Shot is a beautiful second chance story about moving on, true love, and trust. About embracing change, and realizing that there’s more than one way to find happiness if only you’re open to the possibilities. It’s witty and hilarious, but just as heartfelt and soulful as you’d expect from Sarina Bowen. It’s the perfect combination of laugh-out-loud fun and very emotional and heartbreaking revelations. It will touch your soul and make it cry a little, both from heartbreak and laughter.

Sure Shot is Sarina Bowen at her best, and that alone makes it worth your time. It’s hockey perfection, steamy romance and wonderful characters. I loved everything about this story, and can only hope there are more hunky hockey players coming our way in the near future.

[Emmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS.
I really wish Goodreads had a more nuanced star rating system, because this was somewhere a little more than a 2 but not a 3 for me. I really liked how the details of Tank's marriage were revealed near the end, but I wanted to know more about how he grew up and became a hockey player. I liked the ways that we saw how Bess's childhood and growing up without a mother shaped her. I liked the friendship and I REALLY loved the accurate hockey scenes. It drives me nuts when authors write hockey books but clearly don't really grasp the game. Sarina Bowen is not that author. And I liked the hockey stuff because I reaaaaallllyyy miss hockey right now during these pandemic times.

As someone who has dealt with infertility and has never been able to have children, I really, really loved Tank's perspective. We don't get the man's perspective very often, and there were so many things that felt spot-on, like how infertility creates anxiety around sex and how every month is a roller coaster. I have to say, though... I am really bummed that they accidentally got pregnant in the end. When you're going through infertility, you get told all the time, "maybe if you don't think about it and stop trying, it will happen," or "I bet if you just relax, you'll get pregnant." Sure, that might happen sometimes (and trust me when I tell you that if this happened for you, many of us in Infertilityland do not want to hear about it). But far more often than not, it doesn't, and you're left feeling like you did something wrong because so many people have told you that for sure something good will happen if you "just" think/don't think/do/don't do x, y or z. This pregnancy plot twist feels like it reinforced that old myth. Most of us have to just live with moving on with our lives and find happiness elsewhere, whether through adoption or surrogacy or fostering or even just accepting that we're not going to be parents at all and building a new life from there. Thirteen and a half years into my childless marriage, I can tell you that once you've grieved and processed the loss of what could have been (which is the hardest process ever, for sure), you can have a very happy and fulfilling life without kids of your own.

Plus, considering that the average (not infertile) couple only has a 25% chance of getting pregnant if they try each month, and Bess and Tank were using condoms, AND he had a diagnosed low sperm count, the probability of them getting pregnant is extra super low. This is another kick in the face for a lot of infertile people - the old "he barely had to look at me and I got pregnant." Another thing I don't want to hear. (We get the "his magic penis cured her infertility" tales a lot in books, so this seems to be "her magic vagina cured his infertility.") I would really love a story about infertility that doesn't involve pregnancy as the only way a couple can truly have their HEA. I wanted them to have a happy and fulfilling life as adoptive parents, which was how they had chosen to build their new life. They were good with that! This whole thing where they get to adopt AND have their own birth child is rough, because let's not forget that adoption is expensive and often many couples have tapped out their resources trying infertility treatments and can't afford to adopt after. The fact that they got to do both is not uplifting for me personally, it just twists the knife. Infertility can affect people of all socioeconomic classes, but wealth and privilege sure do open a lot of doors for infertile couples. The lovely, spot-on insight that I got from Tank's perspective about his infertility issues kind of went to waste for me because of the way the book ended, and that's a shame.

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is eighth in the Brooklyn Bruisers series and at least the last three or so (including Moonlighter that technically starts a different series) are relevant enough that I'd encourage reading them first.

I liked Bess in Moonlighter so I looked forward to her story here. I liked her determination and that she took her job of helping others seriously. I don't know how accurate it is to the life of a sports agent, but I very much liked her approach to her athletes and her passion for helping them. I also liked that she was taking dating seriously as a search for a lasting relationship—particularly that she was up front with herself and others about what her goals were.

Tank was much less of a win. There's a lot of "poor me" wafting off the boy and that got old fast. I liked when he loosened up and that Bess brought out the best in him. I was less a fan of his cocky attitude and bulldozer tactics with regards to her. But most of all, I kind of hated his whole "never get married again", however understandable it was given his fairly recent divorce. Yeah, that's largely because it's textbook negative motivation* (seriously, I need to remember that if I ever slip this into a textbook, this is the example I should use). But the negative is enhanced with how long Bowen takes to give us any actual detail (because she saves it until maximum impact). I particularly hated how Bowen turns him blithering idiot in the clutch so that he is the least communicative possible so as to inflict the maximum pain in their dark moment.

Offsetting that some was their relationship with Bess's mentor and Tank's agent whose name I can't remember now (Henry?). That was an incredibly touching aspect of the story and their connection through shared hurt at his degenerative condition gave a much better view into their connection than all the wondersex they were having.

In the end, this is a wobbly four stars. Most of that is Bess and the side plot and her being all the right kinds of fierce, though I didn't like how long she just went along with Tank-as-temporary when she knew she was ready for more and wasn't going to get it from him. Tank works sometimes, when he gets out of his own way, and he ends up the perfect match for her so that's not nothing, either.

A note about Steamy: There's lots of sex happening, but only a handful of explicit scenes on the page. It's still edging into the higher side of my steam tolerance, but not by a ton.

* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAH!!! Sarina Bowen's Brooklyn Bruisers series has a special place in my heart. All her stories in this incredible series are full of sass, sexy moments and all the swoons. Sure Shot is no exception!! I fell head over heels for Mark. He had so many different facets to who he was: cocky, raw and alpha but also unsure and confused. Likewise Bess was fantastic. She had that little extra sass that I loved while also looking for love. I loved them together!! 

When I think of Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz I am once again bowled over by the way he won me over. First and foremost, his dirty mouth and alpha smexy style just gave me allll the butterflies, good Lord! But his easy and smooth demeanor and ease in which he wanted to rekindle his romance with Bess just did it for me. He was absolutely delicious. Furthermore, I love how well matched they were. They were both at an impasse in their respective lives and unsure about their future plans. But once their connection was rekindled, their lives revolved around one another.

Overall, I LOVED being back in this world and seeing a bunch of old and new favorites. This series and all of its characters feel like a family that I never want to leave. It was emotional and poignant while also full of heat and humor. This story hit all the right notes. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula 

***

I don't know if I've ever wanted to hug two characters more. Like, there I was - reading this incredible, heartfelt love story - and it was all I could do to keep from squeezing my Kindle tight because Bess and Mark were utterly huggable.

I adored them!

This story starts with a blast of physical chemistry before that gets set on simmer while the emotions build. And holy emotion explosion -- these two completely rocked my heart. The bond that Bess and Mark formed was a thing of absolute beauty. I loved that they were given room to explore a friendship, peppered with exquisitely tender moments, and a whole lot of sweetness. Theirs was a bumpy road and my heart ached for them - but it was so worth it. SO worth it.

With Sure Shot, Sarina Bowen tackles some sensitive subjects. There are issues addressed that I felt on a deeply personal level. However, the perspective she gave was new, thought-provoking, and took the whole story to an emotional place that wholly encompassed my heart. As usual, the writing was smart and snappy, and the storytelling was crazy compelling but done with a delicate touch and a respectful tone. And the things it did to my heart y'all, I can't even...

I feel like there is no trope that Sarina Bowen can't master, but there is something special about her hockey romances. Each new one is like falling back into a circle of old friends. I enjoyed catching up with the characters from previous books and - while the romance is front and center here - I also enjoyed watching Tank fumble his way toward friendship with his new teammates. These lovable lunks provided hours of entertainment and I don't think I'll ever get enough of them.

There was nothing about this book that wasn't 100% satisfying. The story sparks with chemistry, it set my heart aflutter with swoons, and then made it overflow with emotions as these two insanely huggable characters found their happily ever after. I am so crazy about this book! 1000% recommend! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars

[maggieandteddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
A stand-alone in the Brooklyn Bruisers world
Release day: May 12, 2020

Bess Beringer is one of my favorite heroines in all of Sarina Bowen's books. She's Dave's sister (Dave/Zara's story is in Bountiful-in the True North Series).

Sure Shot is Mark Tankiewicz's nickname. He's recently been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers from.....
Dallas -gasp!-- The Bruiser's #1 opponent!!
What a big burden and a major uphill job to gain any credibility and rapport with Tank's (Mark's) new team.
Just before Tank's trade, Tanks wife leaves him. The reason for the split is up for major gossip. Neither Tank nor his ex are giving any details. Tank is painted as the bad guy.
Bess is a sports agent who building up her clientele after moving to NYC, and specifically Brooklyn.
Bess and Tank have a past. More than 9 years ago, when both were single & much younger, Tank and Bess had a thing. Bess had broken it off with Mark so she could keep her reputation with players and teams' negotiations. This part reminded me a little of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Bess took advice on what it would look like if she was dating a player. She had to make a choice between her career and a casual fling with a hockey player.
I love the chemistry between Bess and Tank. They're friends. Nine years went by, but they started to build on a new relationship now that they're in their early 30's
Bess is in a man dominated profession, but the players are very respectful to her. I loved that.
Meanwhile, Tank is struggling to find his niche on the team. The Bruisers are building up to their game with Dallas. Tank and one of his old teammates have a score to settle. Grrr, I'm team Tank of course.
I have no clue about hockey, but I really enjoyed following the team (my pleasure!)
The supporting characters played important parts. I especially loved Becca, Heidi and Dave.
This is 1st person POV, alternating between Bess and Tank.
I loved the ending and the epilogue was built right in.
I really want the audio! **Jacob Morgan & Emma Wilder** (perfect casting !)
4.5 STARS

All in one link page
https://shor.by/SureShot

VENDORS

Amazon
https://geni.us/SureShotAmazon

Apple
https://geni.us/SureShotApple

Kobo
https://geni.us/SureShotKobo

Nook
https://geni.us/SureShotNook

Audio * Here's the link: https://geni.us/SureShotAudio?
fbclid=IwAR2vNnWgFEQCdco2mNv8_w8iqcpDXvJDX1lAWmzCIRFpYvaCpy6fBj6Sm_I

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what just happened, but I’m pretty sure I just read my favorite Sarina hockey romance! What incredible characters Bess and Mark turned out to be! They were so perfectly matched it was a joy to read.



Their road was not always joyful (see what I did there LOL) but Sarina is ridiculous with the storytelling skills so of course it was perfect! I especially liked that she gave us Mark as a cocky bad-mouthed sexy alpha with a gooey sensitive middle! He was tough but also vulnerable! Fantastic, realistic, and relatable, combination! And Bess … you guys, she was a little bundle of sassy herself! SO PERFECT! Everything about this romance journey was all kinds of feels. LOVE IT!

[Jane super booklover📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one again. In the beginning I was afraid for the I can’t have him cause he’ll probably won’t want me and I’m not saying it crap. but that wasn’t the case thank god. It was a beautiful story and my fav side character was the shrink!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing, seductive, and sassy!

Sure Shot is a sweet, playful rom-com featuring the broody, hunky Mark whose life is in turmoil after a recent divorce and the sudden trade to a new team, and the confident, successful Bess who is content and happy with her career but ready for a little more in her personal life.

The writing is light and sultry. The characters, including the supporting characters, are charming, flawed and fun. And the plot is an enchanting, slightly angsty tale filled with smouldering chemistry, sizzling tension, heartfelt emotion, witty banter, friendship, understanding, compromise, communication, delicious romance, and hockey.

Overall, Sure Shot is an alluring, humourous, passionate addition to the Brooklyn series by Bowen that has characters you can’t help but root for and a happy-ever-after ending that leaves you eager for more.

Thank you to Sarina Bowen for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[FMABookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

A woman with a five-year plan and a man who would love to forget the last 5 years, fall in love in this charming and heartwarming story.

Besse Beringer spent the last nine years proving herself as a top sports agent in a male-dominated profession. While she was extremely happy with her professional life, she realized her personal life had suffered along the way. During some introspection, a Five-Year Plan was born. Included in that plan was dating - with a caveat to not sleep with players, getting married, and having kids.

At 32, Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz was in a rebuilding year. He was recently traded from Dallas to Brooklyn, and his divorce was being finalized. He was skeptical about his future; gelling with his teammates seemed a stretch, and getting married again and having kids was nothing he could visualize. 

It was at the annual kick-off-the-season party for Brooklyn Bruisers that Besse and Tank saw each other again for the first time in nine years. Their friends with benefits arrangements was cut short, leaving Tank wondering what happened, and Besse wondering why no other man ever measured up. Seeing Besse again reignited something in Tank that he thought he'd lost, and seeing Tank again brought back  "the urge to scale him like a tree."

The question becomes, can Tank fit into Besse's 5-year plan, or is Tank worth giving it all up for?

Four years and 22 books later, and I'm still a huge fan of Bowen's writing. Her stories are my happy place. 

I was provided a review copy by the author; this did not influence my opinion of the book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Bess and Tank! Grumpy, misunderstood hero. Independent, career-focused heroine who is ready to settle down but definitely NOT with a hockey player. I liked the history that these two had with each other. But primarily I just was carries along their journey, rooting for them both the whole time. It was also interesting to have a storyline the he had struggled through in the past for the man that you don’t usually see from the man’s perspective. I always enjoy Sarina Bowen’s books, but this one is a top one of the series for me. It’s also a decent place to jump in if you haven’t read the rest of the series, as this book is focused a lot on the couple, and Tank is a new character.

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I always look forward to reading Sarina Bowen, especially when they’re her hockey romances. Sure Shot is the latest in her Brooklynaire series and is a bit of a second chance romance between two characters who used to have a fling years ago. Now they’re back in each others’ lives – her as a sports agent, him as a new team member of the Brooklyn Bruisers. I enjoyed this romance for the most part, but it’s probably one of my least favorites of the series. It’s not that it’s bad, but more like not as memorable as the other books in the series. Still, if you’re a fan of the Brooklyn Bruisers, you won’t want to miss this latest installment featuring this beloved hockey team!

Years ago, Bess and Tank met in NYC during the start of their careers and had the best sex of their lives for the few months they were hooking up together. It never developed into a relationship, though they were exclusive, so that’s why I say it’s a ‘bit’ of a second chance romance. Now, both highly successful people, they reunite when Tank gets traded. But starting anything up again isn’t the best idea when Bess wants a serious relationship with someone who wants to build a family and Tank has just gotten divorced and is on the rebound.

Bess and Tank were great characters and I loved seeing Tank’s sweet side when it comes to Bess. He is quite the grump to everyone else. I didn’t necessarily LOVE their characters, but I still enjoyed their romance and the way it played out. Even though this book can be read as a standalone, a lot of characters from previous books do show up. Bess is the sister of the hero in Bountiful, part of the True North series. We see nearly everyone in the Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bruisers series. They all truly become a family even though they come from different Sarina Bowen series, and it makes me so happy to see all the characters I loved reading together. Even though this isn’t a new favorite Sarina Bowen for me, I still love all the hockey romances and this one hit the spot for me.

[Angela (Reading Frenzy Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarina Bowen is like my sports romance fairy godmother. Whenever I’m feeling down, she is there to wave her fictional magic wand and — poof! — I’m transported to a wonderful place where hockey players have soft hearts and and the women who love them share a tight bond. Sure Shot is exactly the sweet escape I needed.

Bess Beringer is a sports agent with a solid reputation and one firm rule: never date athletes. With a successful business well in hand, Bess decides it’s time to pursue a fulfilling personal life. She is on the right path to making her dreams a reality until a blast from her past threatens to derail her plans.

Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz is disillusioned with life. Following a sudden trade to a rival hockey team and an acrimonious divorce, Tank finds himself alone in a new city. An encounter with Bess has him finally feeling something other than anger or apathy. Although he’s a hockey player, he is determined to be the exception to Bess’s rule.

Bess and Tank have explosive chemistry, but it is clear very early on that their attraction is more than just physical. Bess helps Mark shed his grumpy persona and gives him a sense of optimism. Tank shows Bess what it means to be desired and respected. He is 100% #husbandgoals as far as she is concerned, so it’s heartbreaking for her that he isn’t in the market for a long-term relationship.

I was caught up in Tank’s struggles to bond with his new teammates as well as Bess’s efforts to find close girlfriends. I loved their romantic journey and the fact that major conflicts aren’t drawn out or resolved in predictable ways. One resolution seems overly rushed, though, and I would have appreciated lingering on the moment longer. The story, while lighthearted, also touches on the important issues of gender equality and stereotypical masculinity. Sure Shot has the sweet, sexy, and sentimental combination that make it a very refreshing read.

Recommended for fans of:
Hockey
Second chance romance
Breakfast

*I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read.*

[book bruin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure Shot was a sweet and sexy second chance sports romance. Sarina Bowen always balances her books so well, adding humor just when you need it, but also pulling out all the feels. The book is the 4th in the Brooklyn series, but it can be read as a standalone. It would be most enjoyed, however, if read in order since many of the previous characters appear.

I really loved Bess and Mark together. Second chance is always a tricky trope to pull off, but it worked perfectly for them. The instalove was strong in this one, but I felt like Mark and Bess were older and more mature, so they didn't need a lot of time once their minds were made up. There wasn't a ton of drama and I liked how well they complemented each other. Some more serious topics were addressed in Sure Shot, but they were handled honestly and with care. I do wish that the story would have wrapped up on a slightly different note, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. Seeing all the Bruisers again and catching up with them was a real treat too. I especially enjoyed seeing Castro again, even if he was extra prickly in the beginning ;) Overall, a great addition to the series!

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure Shot continues the stories of the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey team and I am here for it! I simply adore this series. In this edition, we get new transfer Tank and agent Bess. Its a little bit taboo and a whole lot of baggage for these two.

So, Bess and Tank had a fling years ago but now are both in Brooklyn. Bess always had a thing for Tank, aka Sure Shot, but she feared that dating a player would ruin her reputation as an agent (females in a male dominated industry seem to always face these unfair challenges). She ends things with Tank and leaves NYC. Tank never knew why, but they weren't serious or anything, so he moved on, got married, and then got divorced.

The sexual tension between these two is intense! Attraction was never their issue. Communication is certainly their issue. For about the first half of the book, Tank acts like a 23 year old instead of a 32 year old. He is just divorced and never planning to repeat the process of marriage. Bess just turned 30 and has a 5 year plan that includes kids (even if she has to go to a sperm bank). They don't actually share their thoughts with each other until the half way point, which is certainly a problem because they obviously have different objectives!

While this kind of left me irritated, as Sure Shot unfolds further, you realize that Tank's experience is much deeper and darker than a simple divorce. And Bess's childhood is truly tragic. You can easily see why neither of them wanted to discuss things. I think I had tears slowly streaming down my face for like the whole second half of the book! When the book was complete, I was enraptured by these two and so happy for them.

Since Sure Shot is several books into the series, you get lots of peeks at previous couples, including Bess's brother, whose story is part of the True North series. You also get lots of Eric Bayer now that he is working for Bess. If you enjoy intense chemistry, deep family trauma, and sexy hockey players, you need to pick up Sure Shot!

 

  POV: dual 1st
  Tears: yes
  Trope: athlete, taboo
  Triggers: Bess was abused as a child; it is not detailed explicitly in the book but does become important in understanding Bess
  Series/Standalone: stand alone within and interconnected series
  Cliffhanger: no
  HEA: yes, with epilogue

other hockey series by Toni Aleo, Elle Kennedy, Helena Hunting...then you will probably like Sure Shot!

 

Sure Shot

 
See full review on The Book Disciple

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for Sure Shot... it's a MUST READ!

As always, when I read a Sarina Bowen book, I get a sense of home. Whether it's reading about the Brooklyn Bruisers or the Shipleys, I am always drawn back into that world and find myself fully immersed. Her latest novel, SURE SHOT takes us back to Brooklyn and has a crossover with my favorite Vermont residents. This is Bess and "Tank's" story and it is one to remember.

When we first met Bess in Bountiful, I honestly loved her... her spunk, her support of her brother Dave, and her overall awesomeness were so endearing and sweet. However, I never imagined that we would re-visit her again, but OMG I was thrilled when her book was announced... surprised, but overjoyed. If anyone deserved a HEA and a good man of her own, it was Bess. With that said, it is totally not necessary to read the book where she was introduced (well it is because the book is awesome, but that's a whole other series). In Sure Shot, Bess is a bad ass sports agent and represents several of the Brooklyn Bruisers... the book starts off at a swanky party where the latest BB acquisition Mark Tankiewicz aka "Tank" is in attendance. From there, their story takes off and you'll want to hang on because it's a delicious one, especially when there is a backstory. Oh how I love history between the main characters. 

If you know me, you know that I don't spoil books... so here is my sum up... I LOVED Sure Shot! You get your steamy romance, your hockey fix, your strong heroine, and your gorgeous hunk of a hockey player who is always the good guy. You do get a bit of angst and there is a sensitive topic involved, but it certainly doesn't take away from just how good Bess and Mark are together. It is classic Sarina Bowen and it is one of my faves in the series. While this book is a complete standalone, it was so much fun to revisit the Brooklyn Bruisers world and  all of the past couples that I have grown to love. Bess and Mark will capture your heart in more ways than one... Sure Shot is hockey romance at its best and Sarina does not disappoint!

[Bex | TotallyBex.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the things Sarina Bowen excels at writing, hockey and romance are at the top of my list – which is why I love her Brooklyn/Bruisers series. These series are comprised of so many of my favorite styles and tropes, including strong, independent heroines, hot hockey players with big hearts, the occasional nerdy hero, slow-burning romance, and so much more. Reading one of her novels is an entertaining and comforting escape, which is something we could all use a little more of these days.

Bess Beringer is Dave Beringer’s sister and an independent sports agent (you may remember Dave from Bountiful ). She’s got a solid five-year plan, and she moves from Detroit to New York to make it happen. She’s always on the go, so Bess doesn’t have time for a social life, and dating really isn’t in the cards – until she runs into the old flame she’s never forgotten.

Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has just been dealt two life-changing blows: a divorce and a trade to a rival team. He’s in a new city, struggling to fit in and trying to get back on his feet. Running into Bess again after so many years seems like the perfect opportunity to recapture what they once had, but she now enforces a strict no dating players rule. Plus, his idea of ‘let’s just have fun’ doesn’t really jive with her ‘I’m looking for long-term relationship material’ plan.

Bess and Tank’s chemistry is insane, yes, but their mutual respect for one another is amazing. Tank empowers Bess to see that she is desirable and worthy, while Bess helps Tank break out of his grumpy funk and settle into his new life in New York. They have both had hardships and loss, but seeing them work through their pain together is so rewarding.

Old favorites pop up in Sure Shot, which is always a delight to see. It’s a bit like catching up with old friends while the girls take Bess under their wing, and the guys initiate their newest teammate with pranks and jokes. They’re one big chosen family and I just love them all.

Sure Shot is a sweet second-chance romance with lots of emotion, tons of heart, and heaps of heat. There are definitely some serious moments, but there’s lots of levity to help balance it. If you love sports romance, you really can’t go wrong with this series!


▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Kobo | Apple Books

▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com

[ItaPixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bess just turned 30 years old, she is ready to start her 5 years plan to get her life on track, finding a good man who makes her happy and having a baby, but it seems like Tank showed up in her life just to make it more complicated, ruining her plans.

Bess is a sports agent, she just trasferred to Brooklyn to make her business grow further.
Tank is a hockey player just traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers from Dallas, he doesn’t have any friend in the city except for one. He remembers Bess and their hot encounters from nine years before quite well, like it was yesterday.
She has one rule to not date hockey players.
Will Tank charme her making her get over her rule and plans giving him a chance?

These two characters were a great match in bed but they had to work harder to make their relationship works outside the bedroom. I really like them and I think they became my favourite characters written by Sarina Bowen.
The author did an outstanding job depicting them and their relationship making me feel like the book was too short. I hope to see them again soon maybe in another book.

Sure Shot was such a good story, it made me happy and warm inside.

I’d throughly recommend it, don’t waste any time go 1 click it maybe it will become your favourite of the year.

Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC of this outstanding addition to the Brooklyn series!
As I tried to summarize my reactions to Sure Shot, I kept coming up with all the superlative "bling bling" descriptors: fabulous, engrossing, passionate, sensational (in every sense of that word!), provocative and heart-stirring! Sarina Bowen worked her usual magic in this latest installment: her emotive writing and strong, appealing characters kept putting a sentimental smile on my face as I read Bess and Tank's second chance at love story.
There is lots of sizzling "behind the scenes" action between these two highly competitive characters. What I really loved was the honesty between these two successful, intelligent professionals. When Bess was 23 and new to the sports agency business, Bess "ghosted" Mark (Tank) Tankiewicz when a colleague warned her about how other players would view her if it became known that she was sleeping with one of their clients. As a female in a male-dominated field, Bess had to make the tough decision to step away from her wild relationship with Tank. Years later, she knows she made the right decision at the time, but no one has ever come close to matching the sexual chemistry that she had shared with Tank.
Bess is now in her 30's and has a 5 year plan: a committed relationship, with the ultimate goal of having the children she yearns for. She hopes to rewrite her own abusive childhood by finding an outlet for all the love and caring she has bottled up in her. The fates intervene, and Mark Tankiewicz is traded to the Brooklynaires team. Tank is in the middle of a highly publicized divorce. The rags and tabloids hint at cheating as the probable grounds for the divorce, but the actual reason becomes a major theme in this novel.
Sarina Bowen can always be relied upon to deal with sensitive subjects such as infertility, adoption and child abuse with the utmost care. As soon as I finished the first chapter, I wanted turn off my computer and silence my phone so that I could binge read the rest of the book in one go, but unfortunately I had to pilfer all of my precious moments of reading time for Sure Shot. My stolen time with Mark and Bess turned out to be the highlight of my day. Spring is always crazy busy for me - a sort of spring madness seems to come over everyone. These two passionate lovers would pull me into their steamy world and I could forget all the deadlines and immediate world issues that were stressing me out. Such sweet oblivion!
I highly, highly, highly recommend this book!

[Tina ♥ Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normalersweise liebe ich ja die meisten Bücher von Bowen, aber ich muss auch gestehen, dass mich die letzten Bücher aus der Brooklyn Reihe eher mittelmäßig zurückgelassen haben. Irgendwie kommt nicht mehr der gleiche begeisternde Funke auf, wie bei ihren anderen Reihen. Hier war ich zwar wieder mehr in der Geschichte drinnen, aber ich mochte die Konstellation nicht, dass die beiden Hauptfiguren sich schon kennen, von 10 Jahren zuvor. Damit nimmt man dem Leser die tolle Kennenlernszene, was ich immer sehr schade finde. Ansonsten hat es mich wie gesagt schon richtig gut gefallen und hatte auch viel spice, aber an manchen Stellen fehlte mir ein bisschen der Tiefgang. Aber gut, das ist unnötiges Jammern, denn Bowens Bücher sind schlicht und einfach gut. Und dieses hier bietet genau das, was man erwartet, ohne viele Überraschungen. Daher 3,5 Punkte für ein nettes Buch für Zwischendurch.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from Sarina Bowen!
I do love me a good second chance romance and Bess and Mark's was something special, once they were able to move past Bess's initial hesitancy. They had such great chemistry, both in and out of the bedroom. I liked how comfortable they were with each other, thanks to their past relationship. I really enjoyed seeing them reconnect and build a strong foundation- even if they might not have realized that's what they were doing at the time, considering they each had a different end game in mind.

Bess was such a strong character. I loved that she knew what she wanted and had goals set for herself. But you know what they say about best laid plans- a Tank will roll right over them. Okay, that's really not what they say, but that's what happened to Bess, when he showed back up in her life. Mark's going through a rough time when he and Bess cross paths years after their short-lived affair. Traded to a rival team, served with a divorce, anything more than a good time is not on his radar. He may want Bess, but he's not willing or ready to be all that she needs.

Mark's story really tugged at my heart strings. There's a lot more to him than the grumpy hockey player with the bad reputation. I loved how Bess was able to bring out the best in him and show him what real, true love could be like. In the end I really liked how they fought for each other.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love SB's sport romances and her writting is always solid. But the miscommunication between the MCs became tiring and obvious early on...
But, I loved their chemistry and openness and how they managed to put their relationship above all obstacles...