What do you think?
Rate this book
Cocky Hero Club
Pompous Player
I hate Harry Stone.
Before I’d even met the selfish former pro hockey player turned CEO, he was at the top of my shit list.
The entire city of Chicago thinks he’s God’s gift to humanity, but I know the truth.
He knocked up my best friend and then ditched her when she needed him most.
She got sick after that, and before she passed away, she chose me to raise her newborn daughter.
I just need Harry to sign away his rights to the little girl who means everything to me.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
To stay in his daughter’s life, I end up moving in with the man I detest. Loathe. Despise.
Hating Harry Stone is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
But slowly discovering a way to not hate him?
Now that, I didn’t see coming.
Before I’d even met the selfish former pro hockey player turned CEO, he was at the top of my shit list.
The entire city of Chicago thinks he’s God’s gift to humanity, but I know the truth.
He knocked up my best friend and then ditched her when she needed him most.
She got sick after that, and before she passed away, she chose me to raise her newborn daughter.
I just need Harry to sign away his rights to the little girl who means everything to me.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
To stay in his daughter’s life, I end up moving in with the man I detest. Loathe. Despise.
Hating Harry Stone is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
But slowly discovering a way to not hate him?
Now that, I didn’t see coming.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2021
122 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Rothert
90 books2,265 followersBrenda Rothert is the author of more than thirty Contemporary Romance novels. You can learn more about her books at her website, www.brendarothert.com, which features teasers, excerpts and trailers for her books. Follow her here:
Twitter: http://goo.gl/wYVa6E
Pinterest: http://goo.gl/tYSU3n
Website: http://brendarothert.com/
Goodreads: http://goo.gl/k2ueHQ
Amazon: http://goo.gl/47Va5y
B&N: http://goo.gl/gXIFyF
Kobo: http://goo.gl/hrFmMK
iTunes: http://goo.gl/5XKG4Z
Google Play: http://goo.gl/gQMf8p
Twitter: http://goo.gl/wYVa6E
Pinterest: http://goo.gl/tYSU3n
Website: http://brendarothert.com/
Goodreads: http://goo.gl/k2ueHQ
Amazon: http://goo.gl/47Va5y
B&N: http://goo.gl/gXIFyF
Kobo: http://goo.gl/hrFmMK
iTunes: http://goo.gl/5XKG4Z
Google Play: http://goo.gl/gQMf8p
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
November 3, 2021
Winter is at rock bottom. Her best friend has recently passed away, taken too young by cancer and she has barely had time to grieve her loss. You see, her best friend was also pregnant and decided to forego treatment in order to save her baby girl. Winter is now the sole guardian of the gorgeous Avery.
Winter was ill prepared to be a parent and is down to her last few dollars, facing eviction from her apartment and wondering how she is going to support herself and Avery. When she arrives at a legal meeting to get things finalised with the ‘baby daddy’ and hopefully get some much needed access to financial aid, things do not go as she thought they would.
Harry Stone is a well known and successful businessman. It turns out that the version of events that Winter has believed from Mallory for so long are not the same as what Harry is telling her. There is no way he is signing away his rights to his daughter to this woman he has just met. If Winter wants to be a part of Avery’s life, she will have to share that time with Harry. Winter loves Avery so much, as if she were her own child and there is no way she wants to be separated from her.
Together, Harry and Winter work out a way they can co-parent Avery and navigate a way forward. All of the assumptions that Winter had about Harry are slowly being chipped away. He is a loving and incredible dad to his wee girl. Winter finds herself living the life that Mallory always dreamed of having and she feels a sense of guilt about how happy she is sharing her days with Harry and Avery.
Harry has never really wanted to settle down and be a family man but Avery has changed everything for him. Now he can’t imagine a life without her now and that life includes Winter. He has fallen for this beautiful, loving, strong willed and passionate woman. Now he just needs to convince her that he is worth taking a chance on forever.
This was such an emotional story, in the beginning I was crying and feeling so bad for Winter but things slowly got better and all the warm fuzzy feelings made me all better again :)
Winter was ill prepared to be a parent and is down to her last few dollars, facing eviction from her apartment and wondering how she is going to support herself and Avery. When she arrives at a legal meeting to get things finalised with the ‘baby daddy’ and hopefully get some much needed access to financial aid, things do not go as she thought they would.
Harry Stone is a well known and successful businessman. It turns out that the version of events that Winter has believed from Mallory for so long are not the same as what Harry is telling her. There is no way he is signing away his rights to his daughter to this woman he has just met. If Winter wants to be a part of Avery’s life, she will have to share that time with Harry. Winter loves Avery so much, as if she were her own child and there is no way she wants to be separated from her.
Together, Harry and Winter work out a way they can co-parent Avery and navigate a way forward. All of the assumptions that Winter had about Harry are slowly being chipped away. He is a loving and incredible dad to his wee girl. Winter finds herself living the life that Mallory always dreamed of having and she feels a sense of guilt about how happy she is sharing her days with Harry and Avery.
Harry has never really wanted to settle down and be a family man but Avery has changed everything for him. Now he can’t imagine a life without her now and that life includes Winter. He has fallen for this beautiful, loving, strong willed and passionate woman. Now he just needs to convince her that he is worth taking a chance on forever.
This was such an emotional story, in the beginning I was crying and feeling so bad for Winter but things slowly got better and all the warm fuzzy feelings made me all better again :)
November 23, 2021
I absolutely loved this book!!!! I love all of Brenda’s books but there was something different about this one. Gave me all the feels. Highly recommend. Was sucked in from page 1!!
November 14, 2021
This was an immensely pleasurable romance full of heart and hope all wrapped up in a huge smile! GAH! I could live in the world of Harry, Winter & Avery forever!!
A couple more things ...
If you're a fan of this author already, then you already know how well she brings her stories to life and how well her stories unfold for maximum enjoyment, if you are not yet a fan, this is a fantastic place to start!
Also, and I'm only saying this so you guys don't get thrown off by the cover, this isn't a sports romance. I know, I know, that cover! lol Well, technically, Harry did play hockey at some point in his life, so it doesn't not fit but the best part of the cover is how consistent it is with the author's works as a whole. You can pick a Brenda Rothert cover out of a line-up a mile away and I for one love that about her work. They're sexy as all get out but the inner marketing person in me is squealing even louder, not because they're sexy but because brand recognition! *happy sigh*
Okay, I've digressed enough. GO DO THE THING:
US: https://amzn.to/3D0eMxW
UK: https://amzn.to/3o8cO8K
CA: https://amzn.to/3BVLsaJ
AU: https://amzn.to/3BU8pLu
Also available in audio: https://amzn.to/3CWgLTX
A couple more things ...
If you're a fan of this author already, then you already know how well she brings her stories to life and how well her stories unfold for maximum enjoyment, if you are not yet a fan, this is a fantastic place to start!
Also, and I'm only saying this so you guys don't get thrown off by the cover, this isn't a sports romance. I know, I know, that cover! lol Well, technically, Harry did play hockey at some point in his life, so it doesn't not fit but the best part of the cover is how consistent it is with the author's works as a whole. You can pick a Brenda Rothert cover out of a line-up a mile away and I for one love that about her work. They're sexy as all get out but the inner marketing person in me is squealing even louder, not because they're sexy but because brand recognition! *happy sigh*
Okay, I've digressed enough. GO DO THE THING:
US: https://amzn.to/3D0eMxW
UK: https://amzn.to/3o8cO8K
CA: https://amzn.to/3BVLsaJ
AU: https://amzn.to/3BU8pLu
Also available in audio: https://amzn.to/3CWgLTX
November 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this enemies to lover book from Brenda Rothert. Winter is raising her best friend's daughter when she meets the little girl's father, Harry. After making a co-parent arrangement, lines begin getting a little blurred. Yes, the story line is predictable, but it is well written and will definitely pull at your heart strings.
December 30, 2021
did i read this for the cover? yer or yes?
Winter's best friend passed away and now she needs to get custody of her friend's baby girl, Avery.
To get custody she meets the baby daddy, and she instantly hates him because she thinks he didn't want anything to do with the baby.
Harry asks Winter to move in with him to help take care of Avery, and slowly they start to fall.
Winter's best friend passed away and now she needs to get custody of her friend's baby girl, Avery.
To get custody she meets the baby daddy, and she instantly hates him because she thinks he didn't want anything to do with the baby.
Harry asks Winter to move in with him to help take care of Avery, and slowly they start to fall.
November 5, 2021
5 star review of Pompous Player (Cocky Hero Club) by Brenda Rothert
I love the Cocky Hero Club series, such a diverse group of authors and genres. Having read numerous books by Brenda Rothert, I couldn’t wait to read Pompous Player. As I have come to expect from this author, it was extremely well written with characters that you cannot help but fall for.
This was a great enemies to lovers story. Winter dislikes Harry intensely. She has never forgiven him for not stepping up and doing the right thing when her friend fell pregnant. Now she is raising Avery after being chosen as the little girls guardian after the death of her friend.
Winter needs Harry to sign over custody of Avery and is shocked when he refuses. It appears Harry wants to be a part of his daughter’s life. With no other choice Winter moves in with Harry and that’s when the complications really arise.
Winter slowly starts to see that perhaps there is more to Harry than she thought and as she gets to know him, her walls will crumble. The attraction that sparks between them becomes impossible to ignore . Harry on the other hand is actually a very caring man. I loved his interaction with Avery, it melted my heart.
One click this little gem, you won’t be disappointed.
I love the Cocky Hero Club series, such a diverse group of authors and genres. Having read numerous books by Brenda Rothert, I couldn’t wait to read Pompous Player. As I have come to expect from this author, it was extremely well written with characters that you cannot help but fall for.
This was a great enemies to lovers story. Winter dislikes Harry intensely. She has never forgiven him for not stepping up and doing the right thing when her friend fell pregnant. Now she is raising Avery after being chosen as the little girls guardian after the death of her friend.
Winter needs Harry to sign over custody of Avery and is shocked when he refuses. It appears Harry wants to be a part of his daughter’s life. With no other choice Winter moves in with Harry and that’s when the complications really arise.
Winter slowly starts to see that perhaps there is more to Harry than she thought and as she gets to know him, her walls will crumble. The attraction that sparks between them becomes impossible to ignore . Harry on the other hand is actually a very caring man. I loved his interaction with Avery, it melted my heart.
One click this little gem, you won’t be disappointed.
November 15, 2021
Brenda Rothert brings us another fabulous story as part of the Cocky Hero Club. Fans will recognize the familiar setting from her Chicago Hockey series. Be aware--this is NOT a sports romance. Our hero did play hockey at one time but has been several years removed from the sport. We do get some interaction as part of a fund raiser with the Chicago team but otherwise, Harry is a workaholic successful businessman.
What he doesn't expect is to find out he is a father. But for all his faults, being a father has made him melt. You will swoon over Harry even with his love/hate feelings about Winter. He is all in for baby Avery.
Winter is temporary guardian for Avery until paternity can be established. Seeing that he needs some help with baby everything, Harry asks Winter to stay and help him care for her. Slowly, the hate googles come down and they realize what good people are hidden underneath.
Great progression of enemies to lovers. I enjoyed getting to know each of them in their own right. Loved the two of them together!
Another great read from this author!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What he doesn't expect is to find out he is a father. But for all his faults, being a father has made him melt. You will swoon over Harry even with his love/hate feelings about Winter. He is all in for baby Avery.
Winter is temporary guardian for Avery until paternity can be established. Seeing that he needs some help with baby everything, Harry asks Winter to stay and help him care for her. Slowly, the hate googles come down and they realize what good people are hidden underneath.
Great progression of enemies to lovers. I enjoyed getting to know each of them in their own right. Loved the two of them together!
Another great read from this author!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 14, 2021
Laughter and tears….
This romance had it all! Winter was going through one of the worst (and best) times of her life. Grieving, she had to keep herself together, even if circumstances were becoming dire. And Harry was her worst enemy with hardly any effort at all… I quickly hopped onto #TeamWinter but soon, I was cheering (and hoping) that he could pull it off… #TeamWintry for the win!
This was a hockey-adjacent story but I ended up not missing the ice-time one little bit. I cried with Winter as she faced so much with no family close by. I wanted to hate Harry too but I found I just couldn’t. He seemed honest and open, even about his past manwhore-y ways. And the sparks that flew between them, ones which Winter wanted to ignore completely, refused to go away. With a full-on press by Harry, including being thoughtful, and just a wee bit jealous, meant she had a lot to think about…
Sweet and emotional, the tears and smiles blended together in a heart-warming read. So good! ~Diane, 4.5 stars
This romance had it all! Winter was going through one of the worst (and best) times of her life. Grieving, she had to keep herself together, even if circumstances were becoming dire. And Harry was her worst enemy with hardly any effort at all… I quickly hopped onto #TeamWinter but soon, I was cheering (and hoping) that he could pull it off… #TeamWintry for the win!
This was a hockey-adjacent story but I ended up not missing the ice-time one little bit. I cried with Winter as she faced so much with no family close by. I wanted to hate Harry too but I found I just couldn’t. He seemed honest and open, even about his past manwhore-y ways. And the sparks that flew between them, ones which Winter wanted to ignore completely, refused to go away. With a full-on press by Harry, including being thoughtful, and just a wee bit jealous, meant she had a lot to think about…
Sweet and emotional, the tears and smiles blended together in a heart-warming read. So good! ~Diane, 4.5 stars
November 14, 2021
Another great addition to the Cocky Hero Club, another story filled with smiles and swoon but Pompous Player has a tinge of sadness that makes this couple's story a must-read. Winter and Harry are completely different people, and at first, you can't see how they will possibly work, but the chemistry is undeniable and their connection over Avery is just marvellous to see unfold. Harry once a top hockey player now turned businessman, his calm and predictable world is about to be turned upside turn when pint-size Winter turns up at his door. Winter is hanging on by her thread, her life exploding around her, what she hopes is going to be a quick meeting with Harry is about to become so much more than either of them expected.
November 2, 2021
It won’t be my ultimate favorite book from the Cocky Hero Club, but it’ll definitely be in my top 10. It was cute, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Though I found the characters a bit over the top, I loved how they interacted with each other–the banter, the snark. Between the womanizer who basically already lived 3 different lives, and the woman who does petty like it’s her job, you know right from the start that the road to happiness and love is going to be bumpy. Thankfully, they have one common ground, the little girl that happened to them unexpectedly, Avery.
Since they’re both new to parenthood, we witness their learning how to be a parent, through trials and errors, and it was utterly adorable. Be warned, there’s a lot of poop and pee here. They also learn to live with someone they don’t particularly like, but tolerate anyway because they both want to be in Avery’s life.
There were cameos from other books, but I didn’t feel they were really necessary. But there were almost no other characters besides Winter, Harry and Avery. No main theme here, just how Harry and Winter’s relationship goes from hating each other to being madly in love. Sometimes, you don’t need anything else from you book.
Quickie
- Series: standalone (but part of the Cocky Hero Club, and linked to other books by the same author)
- Hashtags: #billionaire romance #enemies to lovers #single dad #nanny #ex-military #ex-athlete
- Triggers: death
- Main couple: Winter Stevens & Harry Stone
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the whole sharing responsabilities was cute
- – I’d have liked to see more affection and less attraction
Though I found the characters a bit over the top, I loved how they interacted with each other–the banter, the snark. Between the womanizer who basically already lived 3 different lives, and the woman who does petty like it’s her job, you know right from the start that the road to happiness and love is going to be bumpy. Thankfully, they have one common ground, the little girl that happened to them unexpectedly, Avery.
Since they’re both new to parenthood, we witness their learning how to be a parent, through trials and errors, and it was utterly adorable. Be warned, there’s a lot of poop and pee here. They also learn to live with someone they don’t particularly like, but tolerate anyway because they both want to be in Avery’s life.
There were cameos from other books, but I didn’t feel they were really necessary. But there were almost no other characters besides Winter, Harry and Avery. No main theme here, just how Harry and Winter’s relationship goes from hating each other to being madly in love. Sometimes, you don’t need anything else from you book.
Quickie
- Series: standalone (but part of the Cocky Hero Club, and linked to other books by the same author)
- Hashtags: #billionaire romance #enemies to lovers #single dad #nanny #ex-military #ex-athlete
- Triggers: death
- Main couple: Winter Stevens & Harry Stone
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the whole sharing responsabilities was cute
- – I’d have liked to see more affection and less attraction
November 14, 2021
This was an awesome story and I absolutely adored all the characters in the story. It stars Harry who is a former professional hockey player and also a former navy seal. He met Winter's best friend over a year ago and dated her for a few months and ended up getting her pregnant and then the friend ghosted him. Turns out the friend also had Cancer and died after giving birth to her baby. Now Winter is her new mom as her bestie wanted her to adopt the baby. But to do that, the babies father has to sign his rights away.
When Harry finds out he has a baby, well he wants his child and thats pretty devastating to Winter and so they make a deal. This is a hate to love romance with a dash of forbidden attraction thrown in there.
I loved both Harry and Winter and I loved how the author portrayed the characters in this story as they both love baby Avery so much.
I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Harry finds out he has a baby, well he wants his child and thats pretty devastating to Winter and so they make a deal. This is a hate to love romance with a dash of forbidden attraction thrown in there.
I loved both Harry and Winter and I loved how the author portrayed the characters in this story as they both love baby Avery so much.
I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
This a really enticing enemies-to-lovers romance.
Winter & Harry's relationship progresses sort of quickly and is border-line insta-love, but the chemistry is there. Underneath the barbs and the sarcasm, ran an undercurrent of obvious tension. Almost movie-like, this book ticks lots of boxes with bits of humor, witty banter, steamy scenes and sweet, heartwarming moments. Harry really stepped up as a father to Avery and did a lot to ensure that Winter would never lose Avery.
With lots of feel-good moments, this is a good read, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
Winter & Harry's relationship progresses sort of quickly and is border-line insta-love, but the chemistry is there. Underneath the barbs and the sarcasm, ran an undercurrent of obvious tension. Almost movie-like, this book ticks lots of boxes with bits of humor, witty banter, steamy scenes and sweet, heartwarming moments. Harry really stepped up as a father to Avery and did a lot to ensure that Winter would never lose Avery.
With lots of feel-good moments, this is a good read, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
November 14, 2021
Loved this book from start to finish! Couldn’t put it down!
December 12, 2021
[image error]
Winter lost her best friend and now she’s raising her daughter. She’s struggling to keep her head above the waves, but life seems to have other plans for her when the father of the precious little girl she raising wants his daughter under his wing. Winter wasn’t ready to leave Avery with her father, but she might not have a choice.
Harry is a hard-working CEO who used to be a hockey player. His reputation with women isn’t a secret. When he sees Avery, he falls for his little girl and he won’t give her up. He knows Winter hates him and he doesn’t mind because she has the wrong idea about who he really is. Plus, he needs her because he doesn’t know how to get Avery to stop crying and Winter’s been there when she was born, so Avery is feeling relaxed with her around.
Taking turns raising Avery brings them closer to each other. We all know how the saying goes: “there is a thin line between love and hate.” Avery might be the reason to bring these two together.
I’ve read My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson years ago and for some reason, Pompous Player reminded me of it. They are not the same, but they give off the same vibe. It’s a contemporary romance inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series. Pompous Player is a secret baby/enemies to lovers/sports romance inspired by Cocky Bastard.
I loved this book. I started reading it at night and I thought I’d read a few chapters, then sleep. Yeah right. This book got me hooked right away and I couldn’t close my eyes and let sleep win before I was almost halfway through. I loved the way Winter started to warm up to Harry and see that he’s not as bad as thought he was. It was nice to see how Harry couldn’t stop thinking about how his life would be like if what he had with Avery and Winter was the real deal. The writing style made the story unique and unputdownable.
Winter lost her best friend and now she’s raising her daughter. She’s struggling to keep her head above the waves, but life seems to have other plans for her when the father of the precious little girl she raising wants his daughter under his wing. Winter wasn’t ready to leave Avery with her father, but she might not have a choice.
Harry is a hard-working CEO who used to be a hockey player. His reputation with women isn’t a secret. When he sees Avery, he falls for his little girl and he won’t give her up. He knows Winter hates him and he doesn’t mind because she has the wrong idea about who he really is. Plus, he needs her because he doesn’t know how to get Avery to stop crying and Winter’s been there when she was born, so Avery is feeling relaxed with her around.
Taking turns raising Avery brings them closer to each other. We all know how the saying goes: “there is a thin line between love and hate.” Avery might be the reason to bring these two together.
I’ve read My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson years ago and for some reason, Pompous Player reminded me of it. They are not the same, but they give off the same vibe. It’s a contemporary romance inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series. Pompous Player is a secret baby/enemies to lovers/sports romance inspired by Cocky Bastard.
I loved this book. I started reading it at night and I thought I’d read a few chapters, then sleep. Yeah right. This book got me hooked right away and I couldn’t close my eyes and let sleep win before I was almost halfway through. I loved the way Winter started to warm up to Harry and see that he’s not as bad as thought he was. It was nice to see how Harry couldn’t stop thinking about how his life would be like if what he had with Avery and Winter was the real deal. The writing style made the story unique and unputdownable.
November 13, 2021
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU / AUDIO
Winter's about down to her last dollar when she and Avery face eviction. The hits keep coming, though, when she finds out Avery's biological father isn't willing to sign away his rights. Will she have to give up her best friend's baby to her birth father, even though Avery's mother (Winter's best friend) wanted Winter to raise her baby? Even though Harry hasn't been in the picture since before Avery was born?
Harry is completely unprepared to be a father, but he wants custody of the daughter he just found out about. It appears the woman whom his ex wanted to raise their baby seems to hate him. So why does he find himself allowing her to coparent with him? Why does he find himself falling for her?
This is a sweet addition to the Cocky Hero Club. Harry wasn't anything like Winter had prejudged him to be, although he was a player (on and off the ice, even though he's retired from professional hockey), but he turned out to be a wonderful father and a great guy, and Winter and he made a cute family unit with Avery.
ARC provided by Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub
November 14, 2021
Captivating, heartbreaking, absorbing
POMPOUS PLAYER is another wonderful addition to the COCKY HERO CLUB and having been written by Brenda Rothert it was a definite MUST READ for me. Romance, angst, grief, heartache, an alpha male, and a strong woman, all combine to make the story of Harry Stone and Winter Stevens captivating, heartbreaking and completely absorbing. An enemies to lovers, new baby, romantic storyline that will have your heart sighing.
"My attraction to him is revolting. Shameful. It doesn't come from my mind, just my desperate, traitorous body, but still... I'd die if he knew."
Heartbroken, grief stricken and struggling to look after herself and five-week-old Avery, the daughter of her recently deceased best friend Mallory, Winter needs to have the father of Avery sign over custody to her, as per Mallory's instructions. Harry Stone, ex hockey player, ex-military and now CEO, the man who didn't want anything to do with Mallory when she told him she may be pregnant, the man Winter despises more than any other person. Harry refuses to sign over custody, instead he blindsides Winter by telling her he wants sole custody of Avery. Winter, who loves Avery with all of her heart, does the only thing she can think of, she gives Harry his daughter. Not knowing anything about babies, Harry struggles looking after her and asks Winter for help. Will Winter be able to put aside her hatred for him and help him with Avery? If she does, what will happen?
"She's the only woman I've ever known who wants nothing to do with me. And I'm not sure why, but I find that as sexy as hell."
I loved Winter from the moment I met her, her strength, her heart, the undeniable love she has for Avery. Even though she struggles her determination to care for Avery had my heart bleeding for her, she only ever wanted the best for Avery. I must admit I didn't like Harry at first, he came across as being exceedingly arrogant, full of himself. The deeper into the story, the more Harry grew on me. He wasn't what he appeared to be, he was tender, caring and had a very big heart. I loved the dynamics between Winter and Harry, they had a push/pull relationship. Harry was the first to fall, but how was he going to convince Winter he wasn't who she thought he was? His attempts to tell her his side of what happened continue to fall on deaf ears, yet slowly Winter begins to see below the surface and recognises the man he really is. Is it enough for her to open her heart to him? Can she get past the feelings of betraying her best friend?
'I'm not missing my shot with you, Winter. I'm not watching as you date some other guy who doesn't even get how amazing you are."
POMPOUS PLAYER is a heartfelt read with moments of comedy thrown in, Harry and nappy/diaper explosions come to mind. It is a slow burn romance that had me pulling my hair at times just screaming at Winter to open her eyes and see Harry as he is and not as she believes him to be. Ms. Rothert brings out all the feels with the journey to love that her characters traverse. United in love for a tiny little girl, Winter and Harry are slowly drawn to one another, however their road is not an easy one.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, one not to be missed.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE HEARTFELT STARS ✨✨✨✨✨
POMPOUS PLAYER is another wonderful addition to the COCKY HERO CLUB and having been written by Brenda Rothert it was a definite MUST READ for me. Romance, angst, grief, heartache, an alpha male, and a strong woman, all combine to make the story of Harry Stone and Winter Stevens captivating, heartbreaking and completely absorbing. An enemies to lovers, new baby, romantic storyline that will have your heart sighing.
"My attraction to him is revolting. Shameful. It doesn't come from my mind, just my desperate, traitorous body, but still... I'd die if he knew."
Heartbroken, grief stricken and struggling to look after herself and five-week-old Avery, the daughter of her recently deceased best friend Mallory, Winter needs to have the father of Avery sign over custody to her, as per Mallory's instructions. Harry Stone, ex hockey player, ex-military and now CEO, the man who didn't want anything to do with Mallory when she told him she may be pregnant, the man Winter despises more than any other person. Harry refuses to sign over custody, instead he blindsides Winter by telling her he wants sole custody of Avery. Winter, who loves Avery with all of her heart, does the only thing she can think of, she gives Harry his daughter. Not knowing anything about babies, Harry struggles looking after her and asks Winter for help. Will Winter be able to put aside her hatred for him and help him with Avery? If she does, what will happen?
"She's the only woman I've ever known who wants nothing to do with me. And I'm not sure why, but I find that as sexy as hell."
I loved Winter from the moment I met her, her strength, her heart, the undeniable love she has for Avery. Even though she struggles her determination to care for Avery had my heart bleeding for her, she only ever wanted the best for Avery. I must admit I didn't like Harry at first, he came across as being exceedingly arrogant, full of himself. The deeper into the story, the more Harry grew on me. He wasn't what he appeared to be, he was tender, caring and had a very big heart. I loved the dynamics between Winter and Harry, they had a push/pull relationship. Harry was the first to fall, but how was he going to convince Winter he wasn't who she thought he was? His attempts to tell her his side of what happened continue to fall on deaf ears, yet slowly Winter begins to see below the surface and recognises the man he really is. Is it enough for her to open her heart to him? Can she get past the feelings of betraying her best friend?
'I'm not missing my shot with you, Winter. I'm not watching as you date some other guy who doesn't even get how amazing you are."
POMPOUS PLAYER is a heartfelt read with moments of comedy thrown in, Harry and nappy/diaper explosions come to mind. It is a slow burn romance that had me pulling my hair at times just screaming at Winter to open her eyes and see Harry as he is and not as she believes him to be. Ms. Rothert brings out all the feels with the journey to love that her characters traverse. United in love for a tiny little girl, Winter and Harry are slowly drawn to one another, however their road is not an easy one.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, one not to be missed.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE HEARTFELT STARS ✨✨✨✨✨
November 14, 2021
Pompous Player is a secret baby/enemies-to-lovers/close proximity romance between Winter, a down-on-her-luck hairdresser who is caring for the baby of her deceased best friend and Harry, the father of the baby. Winter's about to be evicted and doesn't know where she and baby Avery will go next, but she does know one thing--Harry Stone's a pompous player and she hates him with every fiber of her being.
Harry's already twice-retired; once from Rothert's Chicago Blaze, and once from the military, and now he's the successful owner of a business and has dedicated himself to making life better for other veterans. He's not interested in relationships--yet--and kids weren't on his radar for the near future, but once he finds out that Avery is his? He's not going to let her go. Winter doesn't like it, but she has no choice but to leave Avery with him.
To say Harry is unprepared to be a father is a wild understatement--seriously, his plan for going to the gym was to ask some of "the women" there to watch his baby while he worked out???--and a sleepless night plus and handful more examples of how much he doesn't know about babies soon has him offering room and board to Winter in exchange for help caring for Avery.
We all saw this coming from a mile away, yes? And knew that by the end they'd fall in love? I mean, it *is* a romance novel... ;)
Harry and Winter's journey to that HEA, of course, is the reason we're reading this book. Luckily for us, the journey is both sweet and (eventually!) steamy. Winter is very hesitant to let Harry in--even moving in platonically with him feels like a betrayal to her friend--and does all she can to hold on to the hatred she's had for him for months. But Harry's enchanted by his little girl, and once he throws himself into parenthood he goes from just another hot guy to downright irresistible.
Seriously. Hold on to your ovaries.
The more time they spend together, the more Winter realizes that Harry really is nothing like the portrait her best friend had painted of him, and since Mallory's dead before the book begins, we never find out what had been going on in her head at the time (Harry's account of events does not match up at all with hers). Squaring up how she's beginning to see Harry with how Mallory portrayed him is Winter's biggest obstacle, and I have to say I loved how Ms Rothert resolved that issue. If only we all got such sweet--and clear--signs from the universe!
Pompous Player is a standalone novel in both the Cocky Hero Club and Chicago Blaze series universes.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Harry's already twice-retired; once from Rothert's Chicago Blaze, and once from the military, and now he's the successful owner of a business and has dedicated himself to making life better for other veterans. He's not interested in relationships--yet--and kids weren't on his radar for the near future, but once he finds out that Avery is his? He's not going to let her go. Winter doesn't like it, but she has no choice but to leave Avery with him.
To say Harry is unprepared to be a father is a wild understatement--seriously, his plan for going to the gym was to ask some of "the women" there to watch his baby while he worked out???--and a sleepless night plus and handful more examples of how much he doesn't know about babies soon has him offering room and board to Winter in exchange for help caring for Avery.
We all saw this coming from a mile away, yes? And knew that by the end they'd fall in love? I mean, it *is* a romance novel... ;)
Harry and Winter's journey to that HEA, of course, is the reason we're reading this book. Luckily for us, the journey is both sweet and (eventually!) steamy. Winter is very hesitant to let Harry in--even moving in platonically with him feels like a betrayal to her friend--and does all she can to hold on to the hatred she's had for him for months. But Harry's enchanted by his little girl, and once he throws himself into parenthood he goes from just another hot guy to downright irresistible.
Seriously. Hold on to your ovaries.
The more time they spend together, the more Winter realizes that Harry really is nothing like the portrait her best friend had painted of him, and since Mallory's dead before the book begins, we never find out what had been going on in her head at the time (Harry's account of events does not match up at all with hers). Squaring up how she's beginning to see Harry with how Mallory portrayed him is Winter's biggest obstacle, and I have to say I loved how Ms Rothert resolved that issue. If only we all got such sweet--and clear--signs from the universe!
Pompous Player is a standalone novel in both the Cocky Hero Club and Chicago Blaze series universes.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 14, 2021
Baby love was beautiful and unconditional!!!
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book from Author Brenda Rothert and I was reminded about how much I have loved her hockey romances in the past. POMPOUS PLAYER was an amazing addition to the Cocky Hero World and slotted in perfectly with our heroine Winter Stevens being Aubrey Bateman’s half sister. The timeline is where Aubrey is now married to Chance and expecting their first child.
There was so much to love about this book. The momentum was magic and fast moving. The Secret-Baby, Enemies-to-Lovers vibe throughout the book was dynamic, witty and pretty hot and bothering, not only for the ex-Cocky Hockey star and the seriously staunch and singularly unimpressed Winter, but for the me as well!!!!
In spite of their differences, they were perfect for each other. Harry Stone is loved by all, and any woman would fall all over him, wanting to be in his life and into his wallet. Not so Winter Stevens. She’s as hard-hearted towards him as they come and gave no quarter. She wanted nothing from him except his signature, and he wasn’t going to be giving that!!! What did bring them into a forced proximity was their mutual love for baby Avery and here it was beautiful and unconditional.
I loved this book so much. It was everything that made it a fun and entertaining read complete with some angst and plenty of humorous and witty moments that will have you laughing out loud and definitely relating to. The parents among us will all have experienced the dreaded poo explosion. I laughed when Winter treated it like the revenge karma it was, leaving the inexperienced Harry alone to deal with it!!!
And while this line can’t be misconstrued as romantic (and there was plenty of romance), this pretty much summed up their relationship, “Could you stop looking at me like that?” she asks, annoyed. “Like what?” “You know what.” “No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?” I ask, smirking. I love goading her, especially when she’s already snippy in the morning."
POMPOUS PLAYER is definitely a 5-star-must-read for those who love hockey romances, secret-babies and enemies-to-lovers, and, it will definitely be a great addition to your Cocky Hero World Bookshelf 🖤💛
#mumsalwaysreading #bookblogger #bookreviewer #marnsreads #marnsj
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book from Author Brenda Rothert and I was reminded about how much I have loved her hockey romances in the past. POMPOUS PLAYER was an amazing addition to the Cocky Hero World and slotted in perfectly with our heroine Winter Stevens being Aubrey Bateman’s half sister. The timeline is where Aubrey is now married to Chance and expecting their first child.
There was so much to love about this book. The momentum was magic and fast moving. The Secret-Baby, Enemies-to-Lovers vibe throughout the book was dynamic, witty and pretty hot and bothering, not only for the ex-Cocky Hockey star and the seriously staunch and singularly unimpressed Winter, but for the me as well!!!!
In spite of their differences, they were perfect for each other. Harry Stone is loved by all, and any woman would fall all over him, wanting to be in his life and into his wallet. Not so Winter Stevens. She’s as hard-hearted towards him as they come and gave no quarter. She wanted nothing from him except his signature, and he wasn’t going to be giving that!!! What did bring them into a forced proximity was their mutual love for baby Avery and here it was beautiful and unconditional.
I loved this book so much. It was everything that made it a fun and entertaining read complete with some angst and plenty of humorous and witty moments that will have you laughing out loud and definitely relating to. The parents among us will all have experienced the dreaded poo explosion. I laughed when Winter treated it like the revenge karma it was, leaving the inexperienced Harry alone to deal with it!!!
And while this line can’t be misconstrued as romantic (and there was plenty of romance), this pretty much summed up their relationship, “Could you stop looking at me like that?” she asks, annoyed. “Like what?” “You know what.” “No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?” I ask, smirking. I love goading her, especially when she’s already snippy in the morning."
POMPOUS PLAYER is definitely a 5-star-must-read for those who love hockey romances, secret-babies and enemies-to-lovers, and, it will definitely be a great addition to your Cocky Hero World Bookshelf 🖤💛
#mumsalwaysreading #bookblogger #bookreviewer #marnsreads #marnsj
November 15, 2021
Pompous Player by Brenda Rothert is one of the best Cocky Hero Club Books I have read this year, it was definitely a MUST READ book for me. Romance, angst, grief, heartache, an alpha male, and a strong woman, all combine to make the story of Harry Stone and Winter Stevens captivating, heartbreaking and completely absorbing! Having read numerous books by Brenda Rothert, this book sits right on top with her other great ones. Winter Stevens never thought that she'd be raising her best friend's daughter with no help from the father that left her friend when she needed him most. Winter is a great loyal friend, when her friend Mallory became pregnant and then found out she had breast cancer, she quit working to take care of Mallory and then to raise her baby girl. Winter hates Harry Stone even before she even meets him, Winter has literally given up everything to support this baby and is going to meet up with Harry to try to get him to give up on his parental rights. However things does not go according to plan and ends up having to give up Avery to the biological father which leaves Winter heartbroken as she will lose her. Harry is a hard-working CEO who used to be a hockey player. His reputation with women isn’t a secret. When he sees Avery, he is overwhelmed with emotions and falls for his little girl and he won’t give her up. Harry and Winter comes to an mutual understanding where Winter moves into Harry’s apartment where they take turns to take care of Avery, which in turn brings them close. Winter feels guilty as she is living the life of her friend who wanted a family with Harry. I loved the way Winter started to warm up to Harry and see that he’s not as bad as she thought he was. It was nice to see how Harry couldn’t stop thinking about how his life would be like if what he had with Avery and Winter was the real deal. The writing style made the story unique and unputdownable.
I absolutely loved this book! If you’re looking for a sports romance, with a lot of banter and sexual tension and which pulls on you’re on heartstrings this book is for you! I can’t recommend it enough!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Give me books PR for a honest opinion.
I absolutely loved this book! If you’re looking for a sports romance, with a lot of banter and sexual tension and which pulls on you’re on heartstrings this book is for you! I can’t recommend it enough!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Give me books PR for a honest opinion.
November 13, 2021
Predictable, but very cute
In Pompous Player, Brenda Rothert gives her readers the story of Harry Stone (a nod to Night Court maybe?) and Winter, the woman that hates him with a passion. In fact, while I've heard the word before, she has made it my new favorite-$hitbag. I don't know why, but I loved the way she used it and I giggled every time.
The blurb says it all. Winter isn't a fan of the handsome, rich and pompous ass Harry Stone. He did her friend wrong and all she wants is to get what's hers and move on, her best friends daughter. Of course, the minute Harry finds out he has a child, it's game on.
Harry is set in his ways. He's a man of integrity, however always let a woman know her place in his life...on the not so serious side. Anybody he dated knew he wasn't into long term, including Winter's friend Mallory, Now we have little Avery with no mother and Winter stepping in to fill the role. Permanently if she has her way. Of course Harry isn't going to make that easy and his proposal of a living arrangement changes everything.
Even though he's a complete $hitbag, Harry steps up and it was sweet to see. Even the slighted Winter realized he wasn't the man she once thought he was. As much as she didn't want to admit it, things were changing. While I wasn't an instant fan of Winter and her maturity level, she really grew on me.
The book is well written and even with such a heavy storyline, funny as all get out. Winter's hate for Harry was very real and she didn't mind expressing it whatsoever. Pompous Player reads as a standalone and is a nice addition to the Cocky Hero Club.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
In Pompous Player, Brenda Rothert gives her readers the story of Harry Stone (a nod to Night Court maybe?) and Winter, the woman that hates him with a passion. In fact, while I've heard the word before, she has made it my new favorite-$hitbag. I don't know why, but I loved the way she used it and I giggled every time.
The blurb says it all. Winter isn't a fan of the handsome, rich and pompous ass Harry Stone. He did her friend wrong and all she wants is to get what's hers and move on, her best friends daughter. Of course, the minute Harry finds out he has a child, it's game on.
Harry is set in his ways. He's a man of integrity, however always let a woman know her place in his life...on the not so serious side. Anybody he dated knew he wasn't into long term, including Winter's friend Mallory, Now we have little Avery with no mother and Winter stepping in to fill the role. Permanently if she has her way. Of course Harry isn't going to make that easy and his proposal of a living arrangement changes everything.
Even though he's a complete $hitbag, Harry steps up and it was sweet to see. Even the slighted Winter realized he wasn't the man she once thought he was. As much as she didn't want to admit it, things were changing. While I wasn't an instant fan of Winter and her maturity level, she really grew on me.
The book is well written and even with such a heavy storyline, funny as all get out. Winter's hate for Harry was very real and she didn't mind expressing it whatsoever. Pompous Player reads as a standalone and is a nice addition to the Cocky Hero Club.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
November 14, 2021
Brenda Rothert has managed to skate into my hockey loving heart once again with a surprise baby, colic and all.
Dirty Harry did not know what was about to hit him. Winter was severely down on her luck. She was about to be homeless, out of food, diapers, unable to work because her best friend had passed and left her daughter in her care. Before she passed she gave her lawyer the paper work to name Winter her guardian. Winter had one last hurdle to cross, get Dirty Harry a devout bachelor to sign his parental rights away.
Harry was not in a hurry to be a dad but if this was his daughter, he was not about to walk away. When he met Winter, he was struck by her fire and beauty but he was not about to sign away his daughter. As the two began to get to know each other, they discovered a unique draw to each other but Winter did not want to betray her friend. You will need to read how these two skirt around each other, trying to figure out how to care for baby Avery while trying to keep things on the friendship level.
Dirty Harry did not know what was about to hit him. Winter was severely down on her luck. She was about to be homeless, out of food, diapers, unable to work because her best friend had passed and left her daughter in her care. Before she passed she gave her lawyer the paper work to name Winter her guardian. Winter had one last hurdle to cross, get Dirty Harry a devout bachelor to sign his parental rights away.
Harry was not in a hurry to be a dad but if this was his daughter, he was not about to walk away. When he met Winter, he was struck by her fire and beauty but he was not about to sign away his daughter. As the two began to get to know each other, they discovered a unique draw to each other but Winter did not want to betray her friend. You will need to read how these two skirt around each other, trying to figure out how to care for baby Avery while trying to keep things on the friendship level.
November 14, 2021
Brenda Rothert has managed to skate into my hockey loving heart once again with a surprise baby, colic and all.
Dirty Harry did not know what was about to hit him. Winter was severely down on her luck. She was about to be homeless, out of food, diapers, unable to work because her best friend had passed and left her daughter in her care. Before she passed she gave her lawyer the paper work to name Winter her guardian. Winter had one last hurdle to cross, get Dirty Harry a devout bachelor to sign his parental rights away.
Harry was not in a hurry to be a dad but if this was his daughter, he was not about to walk away. When he met Winter, he was struck by her fire and beauty but he was not about to sign away his daughter. As the two began to get to know each other, they discovered a unique draw to each other but Winter did not want to betray her friend. You will need to read how these two skirt around each other, trying to figure out how to care for baby Avery while trying to keep things on the friendship level.
Dirty Harry did not know what was about to hit him. Winter was severely down on her luck. She was about to be homeless, out of food, diapers, unable to work because her best friend had passed and left her daughter in her care. Before she passed she gave her lawyer the paper work to name Winter her guardian. Winter had one last hurdle to cross, get Dirty Harry a devout bachelor to sign his parental rights away.
Harry was not in a hurry to be a dad but if this was his daughter, he was not about to walk away. When he met Winter, he was struck by her fire and beauty but he was not about to sign away his daughter. As the two began to get to know each other, they discovered a unique draw to each other but Winter did not want to betray her friend. You will need to read how these two skirt around each other, trying to figure out how to care for baby Avery while trying to keep things on the friendship level.
November 14, 2021
This story was filled with so much fun. I loved that Winter was an amazing friend and she really looked out for her bestie. And taking on a new born baby could not have been easy. And also knowing the dad was a total douche made it easy for her to take little Avery as her own.
But when she finds out that the dad isn’t actually a douche and she didn’t have the whole story, it was fun seeing her try to hold onto her hate for Harry. Harry was just a guy who wanted a one night stand and ended with the sweetest little girl he would do anything for. Now only to convince Winter that his not such a bad guy after all…
If you a fan of the cocky hero club books and a fan of single/surprise babies then this one is for you 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
But when she finds out that the dad isn’t actually a douche and she didn’t have the whole story, it was fun seeing her try to hold onto her hate for Harry. Harry was just a guy who wanted a one night stand and ended with the sweetest little girl he would do anything for. Now only to convince Winter that his not such a bad guy after all…
If you a fan of the cocky hero club books and a fan of single/surprise babies then this one is for you 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
November 13, 2021
So super sweet!
The worst way ever to become a parent - your best friend dies of cancer and wants you to raise her 5-week old daughter. Even worse is that she's flat broke and the jerk baby daddy hasn't contacted her once since her friend told him she was pregnant. But is that how it really happened? Who knows, but Winter wants him officially out of her and Avery's life for good so they can live their lives. It almost happens that way...
This plays out so sweetly! It tugs at your heart in both sad and happy ways.
Warning: don't start this book too late at night because you won't be able to put it down. It just flows so seamlessly that you won't even realize how long you've been reading - or how little sleep you're actually going to get because you just can't stop.
The worst way ever to become a parent - your best friend dies of cancer and wants you to raise her 5-week old daughter. Even worse is that she's flat broke and the jerk baby daddy hasn't contacted her once since her friend told him she was pregnant. But is that how it really happened? Who knows, but Winter wants him officially out of her and Avery's life for good so they can live their lives. It almost happens that way...
This plays out so sweetly! It tugs at your heart in both sad and happy ways.
Warning: don't start this book too late at night because you won't be able to put it down. It just flows so seamlessly that you won't even realize how long you've been reading - or how little sleep you're actually going to get because you just can't stop.
November 14, 2021
This story hit me in the heart! Harry didn't know he had a daughter until Winter shows up wanting him to sign his rights away to her. No way is he letting that happen so he makes a deal with Winter. It was interesting to see them navigate their way to a relationship because Winter had been sure Harry was heartless. At least that's what her best friend and Avery's mom said. But she is realizing that maybe she was wrong about him. Can they find a way to co-parent Avery? I enjoyed this book so much that it will be going on my reread list!
July 17, 2023
This very rarely happens with a Brenda Rothert book, very rarely but I DNF'D it at 66%. I didn't care for the heroine and the hero didn't impress me much. Plus I felt it was misrepresented. It gives the impression the hero is a hockey player and he's not. He was for a while in the past but it's barely mentioned in the story.
I recently read a number of her books and adored them so much this one pales in comparison and I just wasn't enjoying it enough to keep going.
I recently read a number of her books and adored them so much this one pales in comparison and I just wasn't enjoying it enough to keep going.
November 13, 2021
LOOOOOOVED this book! Winter is such a great character. She's the type of friend every woman would want to have, helping take care of her sick friend Mallory and then becoming a new mom to Mallory's baby when her friend passes. She's fierce and protective of baby Avery. In comes Harry...who may not be the monster she's created in her head. This story def pulls at the heart strings. It will have you crying and then turning the page to laughter.
November 14, 2021
I got hit in the feels with this one. A few tears may have been shed when Mal was brought up, and her story shared.
Loved the hate to love between Harry and Winter. The forced proximity was also quite fabulous.
This was a quick read, and it was wonderful.
Now excuse me while I go dry my tears from that final scene.
Loved the hate to love between Harry and Winter. The forced proximity was also quite fabulous.
This was a quick read, and it was wonderful.
Now excuse me while I go dry my tears from that final scene.
November 15, 2021
Pompous Player brings you an enemy to friends romance that will leave you with all the feels! Their banter will have you laughing throughout... As always a must read and I zoomed through this story on a road trip. Love love love!
November 14, 2021
Aww, this was exactly what I needed. Winter and Avery took my heart and I was starting to hate Harry myself until we get his side of the story. He is so much more than what everyone thinks I was falling for him right along with Winter! This was emotional, sweet, sexy, and so much more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews