Good Hands

Bears Hockey II #2

by Kelly Jamieson

A hookup doesn’t have to mean just once. Right?

Brandon Smith

Keep it easy. Keep it fun. Never hold on. That sums up my relationship goals, with hockey teams and with women. I learned early on that love and family equals fights and heartache. So I’m always moving on to the next team, the next hookup, before things turn sour.

When I meet Lola at a tropical beachside bar, it’s the perfect set up for a little hot vacation sex. She’s gorgeous, funny, and most importantly, leaving for home tomorrow. But this time, I have a sinking feeling I’ll be sorry to see her go.

Lola McGrath

I knew after that night in Aruba I’d never see Brandon again. That’s fine; I’m too busy vying for the corner office to make time for relationships. But when our paths cross again in New York, our sizzling attraction leads to “just one more night”. Then another. And another.

We never meant to become friends with this many benefits. Especially the one neither of us ever expected—or thought we wanted.

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, Hockey, Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amazon

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2022

About the author

Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 70 romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex,” “sweet and satisfying,” and “blisteringly sexy.” She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season! She loves hearing from readers, so please visit her website at www.kellyjamieson.com.

Reviews

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a romance about a one night stand/casual relationship, I was expecting a lot of lust, and thought I’d have trouble finding some love too. I was wrong.

Right from the beginning, Lola and Brandon have fun banter and pleasant conversations, even before they end up in bed. It starts with seduction. They like each other and they’re attracted to each other. It would have been a shame if they didn’t keep seeing each other. And once they ARE in bed? Wow how hot it was. They don’t do anything crazy, but they’re synced, and they still laugh. I loved that.

But since they’re both allergic to commitment, they decide to become booty buddies. No dates, no feelings, just continuous nights of fun. Seeing how they connected during their first meeting, it was clear they were in denial! But it was lovely watching them push the boundaries they had agreed on in the first place without even realizing it.

Until they get the news they didn’t expect, Lola’s pregnancy. I won’t say much about how they deal with it to keep this review spoiler free. But between their respective careers that don’t leave much time for a child, and their own experiences with their parents that have tarnished their view of parenthood, and of course their repressed feelings, let’s just say it won’t be easy.

It’s those parent issues that were the problem. They seemed to be there just to explain the characters’ hang-ups, but were resolved quite easily with just a bit of communication. How could they still be problems for thirty year old people? Though the author insisted on them early on, they didn’t make a lot of sense, except as plot devices. A bit disappointing when Lola and Brandon were characters so well defined otherwise.

They were both surrounded by a bunch of side characters, but they had little to no interaction with them, except their best buddies. Lola’s best friend was both supportive and honest with her, helping her making difficult decision–and pushing her when needed. Brandon’s buddies are typical male friends: deep friendship hidden behind a lot of teasing, and some sound advices. I’d say there wasn’t enough of that.

Though there wasn’t much besides the romance, I loved it. Lola and Brandon are almost #couplegoals.

Quickie

- Series: Bears hockey II #2 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #hockey romance #one night stand #casual relationship #surprise pregnancy
- Triggers: N/A
- Main couple: Lola McGrath & Brandon Smith
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the sexual compatibility between Lola and Brandon was off the charts
- – their respective hang-ups mostly due to their relationship with their parents made little sense

[Kelly Jamieson]

Have you read Good Hands yet? 

"Gah, how I loved this book!  Good Hands  is better than good—it’s a fun, lighthearted read rich with flirty banter, missteps followed by character growth, and explosive chemistry. Basically, it’s all the things I want and need my romance to be." Goodreads Reviewer

***

Only a couple of weeks away! I can't wait for you all to get your hands on Good Hands! Early reviews are fabulous and Brandon and Lola are heating up e-readers!

[Michele McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back with the Bears hockey team, and this is Brandon and Lola's story.
A trip to Aruba has Lola McGrath attempting to kick back and relax, hoping for a bit of holiday fling. Her work has her stressed and she so needs a release! So, when she crosses paths with the handsome Brandon things are about to heat up on the island.
Brandon Smith is a man all about hockey and does not do relationships. He grew up with parents in an unhealthy relationship and if that what love is he wants no part of it. The moment he meets Lola he feels like he has won the one-night lottery! She is sassy but sweet, funny, smart and just beautiful. It is one night so intense neither can forget, but they leave and go back to their regular lives. A second chance meeting leads to an agreement but soon this one night becomes so many more and the lines of friends with benefits become blurred. Neither one wants a real relationship, marriage or family but things are about to get very complicated, and someone is going to get hurt. I loved watching this couple meet, feel and fall! They had great sexually charged banter, heat and so much emotion!
~~Michele McMullen~~

[Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quickie review: 2.5 stars. This was not a very good book for me. It was very surface level with more telling than showing at times. I couldn't feel the emotions or love. The writing style was not my cup of tea. Surprise pregnancy, but still pregnant at the end so no payoff. The ending was abrupt and stops mid-scene with no closure. An unsatisfying read.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Hands (Bears Hockey II, #2) has something for everyone, it’s a holiday fling that soon turns into a friends with benefits before eventually turning into so much more. This is Brandon and Lola’s entertaining and sometimes emotional journey.
Brandon is one of the few single players left on the team, he doesn’t have the time or the inclination for a relationship but a holiday fling is just what the doctor ordered. A chance meeting with Lola in Aruba soon leads to so much more when they realise they both live in the same town but a relationship was never on the cards for him because he grew up with parents who argued all the time.
Lola is always trying to please her successful patents, believing she is a failure means she works non stop and has no time for a relationship so on the face of it this couple are perfect for each other, friends with benefits works well for them both….until feelings come into play, until a surprise that’s about to change their life around happens……
I could not get enough of this couple, I swooned, I sighed, I smiled and I shed a tear as I got to really know them. Good Hands is a fantastic addition to the series, it has wonderful characters, it’s a captivating story that will entertain you and I highly recommend it to all romance lovers.

[Michal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf 48%

Not my favourite.
The couple were in a friends with benefits relationship. It was supposed to be all steamy and hot but we only got sex scenes who Faded to black and the next chapter started. I don't like this type of writing.

Most of the story was about their lives apart and from time to time they've met for sex and a talk. The heroine was a little distant but very cute and strong. Other readers will love her more than me, I like my heroines more involved in the romance.
The hero wanted more but she blocked him nicely.
She worked in.. I don't remember, He was a Hockey player.
Kelly had much better books who I've read multiple times.
This was a slow burn with a lot of unfinished sex scenes. Very frustrating.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of the vacation fling trope in romances, ones where the characters meet up again later and develop an actual relationship. So when I heard that Kelly Jamieson’s most recent release, Good Hands would feature this within her current hockey series (Bears Hockey II) I was quite excited to get my hands on a copy, and I’m happy to say it lived up to my expectations.

Brandon Smith is a Chicago Bears hockey player whose mantra is to keep things light and easy and not cling to things too hard, a sentiment that has served him well over his hockey career with several different teams and equally well with women. So hooking up with the sexy and fun Lola McGrath while on vacation in Aruba is a no-brainer. She’s admitted to not having time to pursue a relationship either, and together they have a smoking hot time, leaving them with some sensual memories.

Lola needed that time away from her job as a change manager, helping clients deal with mergers and acquisitions, and looking ever forward to a move up the ladder with the knowledge that the current vice president of the company will be retiring and she’ll have a chance at that position. She’s a workaholic, putting in extra hours, taking on projects and micro-managing to make sure things get accomplished to her liking. It’s exhausting, but she feels the reward will be worth it.

Much to Lola and Brandon’s surprise however, they meet again back in Chicago at a hotel bar where she’s attending a work-related awards event and Brandon is meeting his agent. Thinking of their time back in Aruba reminds them of how good the sex was between them and they throw caution to the wind to indulge in another night together. And then, another chance meeting while shopping leads to yet another night and this time phone numbers are exchanged, with the promise of more meetings, more fun and sexy times, more… what exactly? Because as they spend time together and share things about each other’s lives, suddenly their friends with benefits arrangement gets complicated and they are left to wonder – is it time to call it quits or go all in?

I’m a long time fan of this author (and full disclosure, we’ve met in person for lunch a few times as we live in the same city). She knows hockey (she’s a tried and true fan of our local team), the ins and outs of not just the game on the ice but the real nitty gritty behind the scenes of money and contracts and decision- making. So the hockey parts of the book all feel very authentic.

What was more interesting to me, however, was how the two main characters change and evolve over the course of the story. Lola’s workaholism is in part due to how she was raised. Her parents built up her self-esteem so much as a child with well-meaning but sometimes false praise for everything she did such that college and the real world came as a big shock when she didn’t always succeed in her course work. After failing out of medical school, she’s found a job she enjoys and is good at, but doesn’t trust other people to contribute the same amount of effort as she does. She has difficulty delegating tasks and prefers to take everything on herself, a work position that is becoming unsustainable. As her relationship with Brandon progresses, she begins to realize that it isn’t a weakness to ask for help. I really appreciated the dynamic she has with her cousin Kaylee, who isn’t afraid to be blunt and tell Lola the truth about things and make her see that she’s been setting unrealistic expectations of herself.

Brandon is an accomplished hockey player with friends on every team he’s been on. But what few people know is that he believes that his parents divorced because of him, that his hockey playing as a youth was what ultimately strained their marriage to the breaking point. Put in the middle of their arguments, Brandon’s truth is that relationships break down and cause pain, and that it’s better to not get too attached. His philosophy means being traded from one hockey team to another doesn’t really bother him because he hasn’t bothered to put down roots in the cities where he’s played. He sees his team mates, the ones who are married with children, and has never daydreamed about that life, afraid that what happened to him is what would happen to his own child.

But spending time with Lola means that for the first time, he thinks about his future, about being traded or having a family, in a new, somewhat frightening (to him) way. He makes decisions because of that fear that cause a strain in his relationship with Lola, ones they have to work through with open communication and honesty in order to get things back on track. The result is a convincing happy ending because the reader knows they’ve put in the work to make a long lasting relationship. Good Hands has the winning combination of strong character development with hot and sexy scenes to make for a thoroughly enjoyable contemporary romance.

This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...

A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was only supposed to be one night a hot vacation fling, but what does it mean when two people keep bumping into one another in a city as big as New York? Two people both a bit disconnected from their families, both not wanting the trappings of marriage and babies, both busy with careers, both with some emotional baggage made Good Hands by Kelly Jamieson a bit of a bumpy ride to their HEA. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, the characters were well developed, their story wasn’t typical or easy, and I was very happy with the outcome, but I’ll also be honest and say that I wanted more time with them once they figured it all out.

When a beautiful woman approaches Brandon when he’s on vacation with his teammates he realizes right away she’s smart, funny, and not afraid to ask for what she wants and he is so there for it. They are both in the same place, and so when the night is done they don’t bother with exchanging numbers even though they live in the same city. But when he runs into her again in NYC they enjoy another night… I liked that these two adults enjoyed a purely physical relationship at the start but it became apparent that Brandon avoided serious conversations, he was the master of changing the subject, and he kept his interactions with everyone he spent time with including his teammates light and happy. There was a reason and it was a good one, but as things progress and a positive pregnancy test takes them by surprise Brandon is thrown for a loop.

Meeting Brandon in Aruba on her last night was a huge highlight to Lola’s much needed vacation, to say she’s surprised when they run into each other again is putting it mildly. Soon they have a friends with benefits relationship going, agreeing to exclusivity and seeing each other when they both have time in their busy schedules. It works for them especially as she works to prove she’d be the right pick for a V.P. slot at the company she’d done contract work for the last 7 years and finally prove to her parents she’s a success. The last thing Lola expects after months of this relationship is a positive pregnancy test and the man she’s grown to really like suggest they be co-parents only.

I actually liked both these characters a lot and felt they could relate to one another fairly well with their parental issues. They both had some flaws that caused them not to handle the stress of a surprise pregnancy well and both were bad about lashing out instead of really communicating. I did like they both confronted their parents and worked to forge a better relationship with them. I was happy that they both worked hard to open up to one another, were willing to learn to communicate effectively, and work through their issues. I felt the ending was a bit rushed and we got very little time with them as an actual for real couple and after watching all of their ups and downs, I needed that.

One thing that was a constant was the chemistry between these two and because it’s a Kelly Jamieson book, their intimate scenes were melt your reading device hot. It was nice to see two people who reveled in their sexuality and enjoyed one another fully; Ms. Jamieson always delivers in this area.

Sensual, steamy, and emotional, Good Hands had its ups and downs, but in the end love won.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

I loved Good Hands. Kelly Jamieson took on the one-night stand and friends with benefits tropes in a way I don't remember having read before. Lola and Brandon met while on vacation in Aruba. Even though they both live in New York they decide on one night together only... until they randomly run into each other back home. They decide to continue to their sexual relationship. Both want and don't want the same things in life, so it should be simple to keep things casual. Of course, things are never that simple.

I loved how Lola and Brandon were together and how they reacted to everything thrown at them. Their personalities were a great combination with Lola being more serious and Brandon being a little silly. The friendship they built was very sweet and I loved how much they truly cared about each other. They had some ups and downs navigating their relationship and it felt like a real-life relationship. This is a surprise pregnancy romance, and it was a giant surprise because Lola and Brandon are two people who have no desire to get married or have kids. They have talked about it and make responsible birth control choices. Yet, they find themselves pregnant. I loved this because I don't know that I've read a book like this before where two adult characters have no plans to have a family and then have to make some decisions. I loved the representation. Kelly Jamieson did these characters justice with their story. I loved everything about Lola and Brandon's romance.

You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Universal

When Lola and Brandon meet on vacation in Aruba, they are more than up for a fling. They won't ever see each other again, so they'll leave with some great memories and nothing more. Until they randomly run into each other at home in New York. That vacation attraction hasn't abated at all, so a fun friends with benefits is the only way to go. But what do they do when that arrangement leads to a more...permanent kind of situation? Will they both step up and be there for each other? Will Brandon's damaged view of relationship hinder the kind of relationship they will need to have in the future?



Brandon's parents' toxic marriage ruined him for love and relationships. He had no idea how badly he was messed up until this sweet, funny woman came into his fun-seeking life and turned it upside down. He has to decide now if he can step up and be the man Lola needs.



Two people with similar damage from their pasts, a phobia of commitment, but a strong attraction sounds like a no go on paper, but Lola and Brandon were perfect for each other, once they got past the one thing that made them so similar. I loved Good Hands and Brandon and Lola as a couple once they figured themselves and their relationship out. Serious chemistry, emotionally complex and lovable characters all make for another wonderful romance in the Bears hockey world.



ARC provided by Elle Woods PR for an honest review.

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[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved this book - emotional, romantic, witty, sexy, and full of exceptional characters! I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series! 💙💜💙💜

[Beth C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah, how I loved this book! Good Hands is better than good—it’s a fun, lighthearted read rich with flirty banter, missteps followed by character growth, and explosive chemistry. Basically, it’s all the things I want and need my romance to be.

Kelly Jamieson is forever writing books that make me smile, make me laugh, get me worked up, and ultimately leave me feeling good. Her writing flows, and her pacing is spot-on as Brandon and Lola navigate a “shagship” that skirts the line of relationship and makes you alternately shake them—guy, you are perfect for each other!—and sit back and enjoy the ride as they work through baggage and insecurities and doubts. Not to mention a surprise or two.

It took me 15 minutes of voice messages to a friend to narrow down what I loved most about this book, and it’s the communication. Yes, there is miscommunication. They do need to talk and open up more. But then, they do. It reads like real life—when you say something dumb or close yourself off before realizing you’ve made a mistake. Before owning up to it and trying to fix it.

And that fix? It doesn’t feel rushed; this book eases its way to a conclusion that feels right and feels good and left me with a smile on my face. And if I happily hugged my Kindle after, so be it.

One final note: Good Hands is an excellent continuation of the Bears Hockey series (both of them), giving readers time with previous characters without being overwhelming for new readers. If you’re yet to dive into this series (or Jamieson’s writing in general), Good Hands is a good bet. All the charm that you need to make you want to go back for more with none of the confusion.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola is enjoying her last night in Aruba when she crosses paths with Brandon. It is her last chance to have a vacation fling and why not enjoy that with the cute man she met and has insane chemistry with. Brandon is attracted to Lola. The moment he sees her there is someth8ing there and he is going to enjoy every single moment of it. What neither of them expect is to cross paths again and again after the vacation is over.

Lola and Brandon have INSANE chemistry. They want the same thing, which is why them becoming friends with benefits after the vacation fling makes perfect sense to them. However, the more time they spend together and the more they open up to each other things slowly start to change between them. Until two little lines pop up and can potentially change it all.

I loved Lola and Brandon. I love how easy things were between them. How perfect they were for each other. They easily fell into a relationship, whether or not, they want to admit it. They acted like it. Even after the news there was a bit of rough patch, yet neither of them stopped thinking of the other. They both have their own things to work through….both of them share parent issues, but I loved that they both helped each other and supported each other.

If you’re looking for a strangers to friends to lovers, surprise baby, sports romance check this one out.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star reviews Good Hands (Bear Hockeys II #2) by Kelly Jamieson
 
Having read the first book in the lastest series from Kelly Jamieson, I could not wait to read Good Hands which is Brandon Smith and Lola McGrath’s story.
The writing was strong with characters that you cannot help but fall for. They were easy to relate too, the story was well written and I wa sdrawn in from the first chapter.
Brandon is fun loving and doesnt beliwve in serious relationships on or off the ice. He has baggage from his past which has taught him to be fancy free and not to commit to a relationship or his team; all commitment does is cause pain and heartache. My heart broke for both him and Lola as their childhoods were not great and all that they have missed out on.
Meeting Lola he is drawn to her but knowing she is leaving the next day, he is happy to hook up. There is something about her that really resonates with him perhaps because she is as anti commitment as Brandon.
Fate works in mysterious ways and they do meet again and quickly enter into a friends with benefits relationship which soon becomes complicated. I loved the growth of both Brandon and Lola as their story developed. The banter was witty and the passion between them was intense.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story right here, Kelly takes you on a hot, emotional ride that will have you swooning when all is said and done! 5 hot hockey stars!
Brandon and his teammates are on vacation in Aruba, when he meet's Lola on the beach, they really hit it off! They share one night and figure that's it. New York City is so big he'd never run into her again, and she's so busy with work, and he with hockey, they both don't want the distractions, but when they run into each other again, they realize they still want each other! They agree to to be exclusive friends with benefits, after all what could possibly go wrong?
Read along as you feel Brandon's emotions about his childhood and his parents as well as Lola's struggles with her own parents! I loved this story so much I couldn't put it down, don't miss out on this one, grab it asap!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked how Lola and Brandon met, how they went for things and later how the same happened as they kept running into each other. They were well matched in thoughts and it was fun to see them change their relationship to exclusive bang buddies. Of course you knew more would happen, you could see the start of it as they started to share more of their lives.

When the wrench in their plan showed up, it didn't surprise me, but how both reacted did a bit. I was glad that Lola was strong enough to call Brandon out on what he was doing, even if it hurt things in the short run. I think Brandon really didn't realize what he was doing, but talking to his parents really helped.

I liked how this one ended, liked that Lola and Brandon are on the same page, happy to be together.

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Kelly Jamieson remains one of my favorite hockey romance writers. I really enjoyed Brandon & Lola's story from their initial meeting to the wonderful ending of their book. They are both very likable characters which to me is one of the most important things to me when I read. I need to both like and connect with the characters. No problem with these two! I can't wait for more from Kelly.

[WycEd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out our full post for GOOD HANDS on Wicked Reads.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and whilst there is some world building in book one, and we do see Owen and Emerie, but more from the side of Brandon wanting to avoid going down that route!

The perfect holiday needs to include a sexy hookup according to Lola's friends. She is not convinced until she sees Brandon. He is equally attracted to her, and the fact that she really doesn't know who he is appeals to him. Rules in place, they have a lot of fun!

Of course fate intervenes, and they bump into each other in New York, and agree to one more night... which leads to an agreement to be definitely nothing more than friends-with-benefits. It is a slippery slope, but hugely enjoyable, so who can blame them. It is a lot of fun getting to know both of them, their quirks, and their wonderful banter. With some good hockey elements thrown in, we really get the good mix of romance and ice hockey that I love.

With a fun twist, plenty of friends to encourage, support, and tease, this is a really engaging story – I am already looking forward to the next one!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
A one-night stand turns into a little something more when Brandon and Lola happen to see each other again in a hotel bar back home. After a few more "one-night onlys," they agree on a friends-with-benefits relationship.

Both Brandon and Lola have issues when it comes to commitment. Brandon watched his parents’ marriage implode and knows that he never wants that for himself. Lola is the adored only child of two doctors and has felt that her parents have always pitied her for not being "smart enough."

As Brandon and Lola continue their friends-with-benefits relationship, they each realize that they are developing feelings for the other, but due to past hurts and the agreement they have in place, they are scared to tell each other the truth. That all changes when Lola becomes pregnant.

The pregnancy is the catalyst for both Brandon and Lola to face the demons of their past and have open and honest communication with each other. But is it too little, too late?

I enjoyed the book, however at times, Lola seemed to be a little over the top with her job responsibilities and her inability to say no to her boss.

Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

A one night stand turns into a little something more when Brandon and Lola happen to see each other again in a hotel bar in back home. After a few more "one night onlys", they agree on a friends with benefits relationship.

Both Brandon and Lola have issues when it comes to commitment. Brandon watched his parents marriage implode and knows that he never wants that for himself. Lola is the adored only child of two doctors and has felt that her parents have always pitied her for not being "smart enough".

As Brandon and Lola continue their FWB relationship, they each realize that they are developing feelings for the other, but due to past hurts and the agreement they have in place, they are scared to tell each other the truth. That all changes when Lola becomes pregnant.

The pregnancy is the catalyst for both Brandon and Lola to face the demons of their past and have open and honest communication with each other. But is it too little, too late?

I enjoyed the book, however at times, Lola seemed to be a little over the top with her job responsibilities and her inability to say no to her boss.

~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~

[Amelyn Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a good cry and if you like a steamy romance with an accidental pregnancy!

I've been in such a book slump, it was so refreshing to read a book by a tried-and-true author. I can always count on a sweet story with a lot of heat. This book delivered and then some. I don't think I've ever read a book that included the accidental pregnancy trope, so that was a lot of fun. I'll actually be watching for that in the future, I think. As a mother myself, it really took me on an emotional ride.

I went into the book blind, deciding I would go in only knowing it was a "hockey romance," and just see how I enjoy it. I had already forgotten the blurb I'd read weeks before, so when I dove in, I was excited to find that I was in for quite the story right away. It actually started with a one-night stand and a whole lot of time in the bedroom. Uh oh! I was at first worried there would be too much of that and not enough story, but I should have known better. This author was brilliant at blending the two without ever overdoing anything.

I really liked both of the main characters. They were so well-written in how they related to their parents, carrying some of their childhood issues into young adulthood. Those same issues affected how they communicated with each other and caused a lot of the conflict in the book.

Best of all, the epilogue was a true epilogue. I've noticed a trend with many authors using the epilogue to advertise, push, or throw in a cliffhanger to "make" you buy the next book in the series. This author wrote a real epilogue wrapping up the story, just what it's for! I was so pleased to find that, I almost cried again. LOL

I received this book for free from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of bland. Not as good as "THE O ZONE". Kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did.
Brandon and Lola were friends with benefits, but they kept changing the boundaries because neither one was honest about what they truly wanted out of the relationship.
Even when she told him about the baby, it was a big YAWN!
Sorry!

[cakecoffeeandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
I did mostly enjoy this but there were a few times I found the MC frustrating and I was disappointed in the epilogue, it was only a couple of months later and didn’t really show us much at all of the couple in the future.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

You don't expect to run into your vacation hookup once you go home but that's exactly what happened to Brandon and Lola. The attraction between the two is still there and why not enjoy it a bit more with no strings. Except strings always seem to attach themselves despite good intentions.

While this was good and I liked Brandon and Lola, it was also pretty heavy and didn't have enough of a romantic connection as I'd hoped for these two. The attraction was there for sure, it just wasn't very romantic. I was looking forward to more of a lighthearted, fun read along with that romance and that's the only reason I didn't love this more. I did love seeing the other guys and their kids. Brandon was so cute with one of their daughters.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOOD HANDS is the second instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult BEARS HOCKEY II erotic, hockey romance series –a spin off/ companion to the author’s BEARS HOCKEY series. This is twenty nine year old New York Bears hockey player Brandon Smith, and consultant Lola McGrath’s story line. GOOD HANDS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story and series is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of GOOD HANDS cross over with and run parallel to some of the events of book one The O Zone.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Brandon and Lola) GOOD HANDS follows in the wake of a one night stand in Aruba between twenty nine year old New York Bears hockey player Brandon Smith, and consultant Lola McGrath. Upon their return to New York, Brandon and Lola run into one another embarking on a friends with benefits relationship while Brandon plays hockey for the New York Bears but a loss in the playoff means Brandon is heading home to Michigan, leaving a heart broken Lola in his wake. With neither one wanting marriage or children or a permanent relationship, walking away is an emotional journey, a journey that will quickly spiral into something more. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Brandon and Lola, and the potential fall-out as a lack of communication, and words said in anger, threaten to destroy the the only woman with whom Brandon had ever fallen in love.

Brandon Smith doesn’t believe in happily ever afters having lived through the tumultuous marriage and divorce of his parents. Believing he was never wanted or loved, Brandon struggles with all relationships and friendships going forward, including the relationship with the woman he loves. Lola McGrath has always considered herself a failure; never good enough and never achieving family expectations but a disappointment at work forces Lola to reconsider her own future, and a future with a man who doesn’t believe in love.

The relationship between Brandon and Lola is a friends with benefits that quickly turns into something more, something Brandon refuses to acknowledge, admit or too closely look. A surprise announcement pushes all of Brandon’s button, an announcement that is about to push Brandon out of Lola’s life. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, several of the original Bears Hockey players return as secondary and supporting characters as well as Owen ‘Cookie’ Cooke, and Emerie Ross (The O Zone #1), Easton Millar, Josh Heller, Nate Karmeinski, Jbo and Bergie. We are introduced to Lola’s parents Drs Rick and Carrie McGrath, Brandon’s parents, his agent Kevin Bozeman; and Lola’s friends Kaylee, Isla and Sadie.

GOOD HANDS is a story of family, relationships, misunderstanding and miscommunication; a story of self-deprecation, acceptance, realization and love. The premise is emotional, captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and impassioned; the characters strong-willed, independent, yet struggling.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Good Hands, Bears Hockey II #2 by Kelly Jamieson, an unforgettable one-night stand in Aruba between a hockey player and a businesswoman fortuitously turns into a series of hookups, then friends with benefits complicated by them catching feelings and an accidental pregnancy. Told in dual first-person POV, Good Hands is an intensely emotional, funny romance. I love how Brandon and Lola spend a significant amount of time connecting and talking to each other, even during their first hookup. This is consistent throughout the novel. Jamieson makes it clear that they are friends as well as lovers. Both have emotional baggage from their childhoods and relationships with their parents that drive their lifestyle choices in their careers and relationships. Jamieson deftly develops Lola, Brandon, their relationship, and the novel with vivid description, lively dialogue, and sexy banter drawing me in from the first scene and keeping me glued to the pages. The sex scenes between Brandon and Lola are pivotal to the story and the character’s development and evolution, outside of the accidental pregnancy, which, interestingly enough, doesn’t occur until well into the novel. Jamieson writes beautiful, passionate, emotional, sexy, and intense love scenes that highlight the growing connection between Lola and Brandon and the intensity of their feelings for each other.

Sexy, charismatic, emotionally controlled hockey player Brandon Smith avoids letting himself get too attached to his teams or serious relationships with women, believing love and family only lead to fights and heartache. Hot vacation sex with Lola, whom he meets in a tropical beachside bar in Aruba, leaves him with a lingering impression and longing. Gorgeous, funny, intelligent, workaholic Lola McGrath enjoyed their night together just as much but knew she’d never see Brandon again, unfortunately. And it’s probably for the best since she’s focused on getting promoted and proving herself to her employer, co-workers, and parents, so she has no time for dating or relationships.

Exploring how unresolved family issues and baggage can affect adult relationships and choices, Good Hands is a steamy, emotional, sexy, funny, sweet contemporary romance about learning to communicate, deal with and express emotions, and believe in your capabilities.

Advanced review copy provided by Kelly Jamieson Inc. via Netgalley for review.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the second book in the series, and whilst there is some world building in book 1, and we do see Owen and Emerie, but more from the side of Brandon wanting to avoid going down that route!

The perfect holiday needs to include a sexy hookup according to Lola's friends. She is not convinced until she sees Brandon. He is equally attracted to her, and the fact that she really doesn't know who he is appeals to him. Rules in place, they have a lot of fun!

Of course fate intervenes and they bump into each other in NY, and agree to one more night ... which leads to an agreement to be definitely nothing more than friends-with-benefits. It is a slippery slope, but hugely enjoyable, so who can blame them. It is a lot of fun getting to know both of them, their quirks and their wonderful banter. With some good hockey elements thrown in, we really get the good mix of romance and ice hockey that I love.

With a fun twist, plenty of friends to encourage, support and tease, this is a really engaging story - I am already looking forward to the next one!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While enjoying some sun and sand Brandon meets Lola and the sparks fly. Due to his past he tends to emotionally distance himself from the people around him and likes to keep his interactions casual and conflict free. Lola is exactly what he is looking for as she feels the same way and they never expected to see each other again however when their lives intersect when they are back home the chemistry between them burns hotter than before.

Lola is focused on her career which doesn’t leave her much time for anything else in her life. Once she returned to her regular life Brandon was meant to be nothing but a memory, but fate had other ideas. The only problem is that reuniting them isn’t the only curveball they will have to face.

Brandon and Lola are perfect for each other as they understand each other’s pasts and demanding careers. It is only when their lives take a turn that they realize what they thought they didn’t want might just be the best thing to ever happen to them.

[Elizabeth Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens in Aruba doesn’t always end in Aruba and that’s what happens when it comes to Brandon & Lola.
Lola McGrath is on a well deserved vacation with friends for fun and sun but when she sees Brandon she knows she has to meet him but she never expects that it would go beyond the one night.
Brandon Smith is vacationing in Aruba with his Bears teammates but when Lola approaches him he knows he needs to get to know her and never expects more.
Going to back to their everyday lives bumping into Brandon seems like fate but the two of them have a lot of on their plates and can more really be something that could happen. Watching Brandon & Lola navigate through a lot of ups and downs and some unexpected news you can’t help cheer them on because not only is their chemistry off the charts but they are good for each other in so many other ways and if they can do all of that they can definitely find a HEA they both deserve.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved LOVED this story. Brandon and Lola are work-oriented, just "one-night hookup" people. Neither looking for anything permanent when they meet up at a beach vacation bar. They both go home and return to their normal lives. Eventually they unexpectedly meet up again and their relationship erupts from there. This couple just gets into your imagination and stays there. A day later I'm still thinking about certain events in the book. What a great second book to the Bears II series. I cannot wait for the third book to come out. Kelly always delivers a hatrick in her series!!!

Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion in this review is solely my own.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Vacation Fling, Friends with benefits romance that was completely different than anything else I have ever read. The story took an unexpected journey that made these tropes feel fresh and innovative. This story was so much more than I anticipated. It was surprising in how it moves us through their relationship. There was a beauty to this story that in small way show just how reflective of real-life romance can be. The emotions of this story will touch your heart and make you think about some of your own choices. You should absolutely add Good Hands to your TBR.

Full review at https://bookcaseandcoffee.com