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Tennessee Thunderbolts #2
Brawler’s Weakness
There’s only one woman I truly care about: my daughter. Until Maisy Stratford flounces into the front office of the Tennessee Thunderbolts with a heartfelt smile and a tray of baked goods.
As the Bolts’ newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.
Everything I’m not.
Known as Brawler, I’m a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven’t dated in decades. I’ve never been married and my daughter’s a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker. I don’t know how to talk about feelings or place my trust in the hands of a woman. Even one with a heart of gold.
With my daughter Lola egging me on, I finally ask Maisy out.
But I don’t want to be her rebound; I want to be her forever. Even if I don’t know how to tell her that. Even if she’s not ready for me.
If I’m being honest, I’m not ready for her either.
As the Bolts’ newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.
Everything I’m not.
Known as Brawler, I’m a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven’t dated in decades. I’ve never been married and my daughter’s a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker. I don’t know how to talk about feelings or place my trust in the hands of a woman. Even one with a heart of gold.
With my daughter Lola egging me on, I finally ask Maisy out.
But I don’t want to be her rebound; I want to be her forever. Even if I don’t know how to tell her that. Even if she’s not ready for me.
If I’m being honest, I’m not ready for her either.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2022
85 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Gina Azzi
58 books821 followersHi! I'm Gina and I write realistic, relatable, sweet New Adult and Contemporary Romance books. A NJ native, I have lived and worked abroad before settling in Canada with my husband and Littles. Although I can't iron (at all), I am a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and aspiring baker (recipes appreciated!). I love hearing from fellow readers so please connect!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
If you are looking for a very character driven story Brawler’s Weakness is just that.
Maisy and Axel are in a way a bit of a mismatched pair but in other ways they are each other’s compliment.
Maisy and Axel might be the most terrible people at communication. This isn’t a matter of miscommunication between them but more no communication between them. Maisy doesn’t want to open up to much and get hurt and Axel doesn’t want to let someone in who isn’t going to stick around.
Watching them dance around each other was both frustrating and wonderful. As the reader you want them to see what is in front of them and take the next step but also your heart gets why they are so guarded. I really loved both these characters and their story. I will say I wanted more. This was a very character driven story and at times I felt like we did not really “know” the characters. I think that maybe some more interactions with teammates and friends might have been helpful. There is a ton of internal dialogue but that does not always move the story forward instead causes us to slide backward in their relationship.
Full review with insights to the real sized heroine/ curvy heroine at https://bookcaseandcoffee.com
Warning: Fat Phobic Character.
If you are looking for a very character driven story Brawler’s Weakness is just that.
Maisy and Axel are in a way a bit of a mismatched pair but in other ways they are each other’s compliment.
Maisy and Axel might be the most terrible people at communication. This isn’t a matter of miscommunication between them but more no communication between them. Maisy doesn’t want to open up to much and get hurt and Axel doesn’t want to let someone in who isn’t going to stick around.
Watching them dance around each other was both frustrating and wonderful. As the reader you want them to see what is in front of them and take the next step but also your heart gets why they are so guarded. I really loved both these characters and their story. I will say I wanted more. This was a very character driven story and at times I felt like we did not really “know” the characters. I think that maybe some more interactions with teammates and friends might have been helpful. There is a ton of internal dialogue but that does not always move the story forward instead causes us to slide backward in their relationship.
Full review with insights to the real sized heroine/ curvy heroine at https://bookcaseandcoffee.com
Warning: Fat Phobic Character.
July 7, 2022
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU / B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS / GOOGLE PLAY
Axel's the brawler on his hockey team. He was a teen father whose daughter is in her 20s now, and she wants her father with a woman deserving of him. He's long had a crush on Maisy, but the timing was never right. But now that it is, will he open up his mouth and communicate to her that he wants to go out with her?
Maisy is like so many of us women - she's got insecurities thanks to a horrific previous relationship, and it means she's hesitant to trust, to open herself up to the possibilities that dating bring. But when the broody grump with a beautiful heart, Axel, happens to her, will she let him in? Will these two ever communicate? Or are they doomed to continually stew in the void that non and mis-communication bring?
Oh these two...I was so frustrated with their non-communicative selves! But at the same time I understood. Both their pasts had left their mark on them, and made neither all that great at relationships, starting or maintaining them. I was rooting them on from the first page, though, and loved that they finally found happiness with each other.
ARC provided by Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
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June 27, 2022
Axel was endearing with all of his worries and reflection. But he was also a big dumb man because he almost lost the best woman to cross his path in years! But he figured out how to fix it and maybe made forever possible here, too. So I couldn’t stay mad at him for long. I was just disappointed in him a few times. And ain’t that reality when dealing with a man?!
Maisy deserved everything good and light in life. And for a while, I was afraid she may not get it. Then happy she would. Then worried and feeling my heart crack with hers. And through it all, she remained true to herself. Because Maisy was willing to break her own heart when she knew she deserved better from someone. And she was 100% right. I felt her pain so clearly more than once, which made her feel oh so human. And I never felt that she and Axel were more realistic than when they both knew communication is key to keeping anything alive in a relationship. That is so very true and I adore that this author is consistently willing to give us the not so pretty underbelly of how to survive a relationship. Why? Well, it makes the story feel less like fiction and more like it could be your story, or your friend’s, or your sister’s, and so on. It feels less like an unrealistic escape and more like a glimpse of what could be real if some key rules are followed. Thanks to all of this, I’m 100% here for anything this series has to offer and I look forward to spending more time with this team and these awesome characters!
Maisy deserved everything good and light in life. And for a while, I was afraid she may not get it. Then happy she would. Then worried and feeling my heart crack with hers. And through it all, she remained true to herself. Because Maisy was willing to break her own heart when she knew she deserved better from someone. And she was 100% right. I felt her pain so clearly more than once, which made her feel oh so human. And I never felt that she and Axel were more realistic than when they both knew communication is key to keeping anything alive in a relationship. That is so very true and I adore that this author is consistently willing to give us the not so pretty underbelly of how to survive a relationship. Why? Well, it makes the story feel less like fiction and more like it could be your story, or your friend’s, or your sister’s, and so on. It feels less like an unrealistic escape and more like a glimpse of what could be real if some key rules are followed. Thanks to all of this, I’m 100% here for anything this series has to offer and I look forward to spending more time with this team and these awesome characters!
June 27, 2022
3.5-3.75⭐️
I was really excited for this book. As soon as I finished the first book I knew I wanted this book. It’s a single dad sports romance, that’s my type of book😌. I enjoyed this book! It’s a great book to pass the time with. If you need a distraction from life, this is the book for you.
Maisy is fresh out of a toxic relationship. She has a pretty low self esteem and we see that in little blips throughout the book. However she is kind and an absolute sunshine to others. Axel is way different. He’s a grump who hasn’t dated anyone in an exceptionally long time. He misses a lot of social cues but he’s caring and attentive. These two together were okay to read. I personally don’t think they have chemistry. The characters also fell a bit flat when it came to their character development. It felt like all their character development happened in the last 10% of the book. It also felt like everything that was going on in the main characters lives were glanced over, especially Maisy. I wanted to see more of her struggles and more of her strength. If we got to see more of them as individuals I think that would’ve enhanced their relationship more.
I loved the relationship between Axel and his daughter Lola. They were hilarious and you can feel their love for each other. Lola’s relationships with everyone are so good! I’m excited for her book (which I’m pretty sure is going to be the last one in the series!)
Thank you Gina and wildfire marketing for this ARC!
I was really excited for this book. As soon as I finished the first book I knew I wanted this book. It’s a single dad sports romance, that’s my type of book😌. I enjoyed this book! It’s a great book to pass the time with. If you need a distraction from life, this is the book for you.
Maisy is fresh out of a toxic relationship. She has a pretty low self esteem and we see that in little blips throughout the book. However she is kind and an absolute sunshine to others. Axel is way different. He’s a grump who hasn’t dated anyone in an exceptionally long time. He misses a lot of social cues but he’s caring and attentive. These two together were okay to read. I personally don’t think they have chemistry. The characters also fell a bit flat when it came to their character development. It felt like all their character development happened in the last 10% of the book. It also felt like everything that was going on in the main characters lives were glanced over, especially Maisy. I wanted to see more of her struggles and more of her strength. If we got to see more of them as individuals I think that would’ve enhanced their relationship more.
I loved the relationship between Axel and his daughter Lola. They were hilarious and you can feel their love for each other. Lola’s relationships with everyone are so good! I’m excited for her book (which I’m pretty sure is going to be the last one in the series!)
Thank you Gina and wildfire marketing for this ARC!
June 29, 2022
I've finished this book and I let it sit for a while before I set down to write down this review
There is so much to unpack here. Axel was a teen dad and keeps a lot to himself. He's been crushing on Maisy since he first saw her. But she had a boyfriend then, so he kept his distance. But now she finally frees him, and he wants his chance. He has huge problems with opening to her and that almost tears them apart.
Maisy and Axel start a bit rocky but the more time they spend together; she's convinced she's finally found a man who she can build a future with. The more dates they go on the more she feels like there is a huge part of his life he is not letting her see. It broke my heart when they took a break because you could tell how much they mean to each other. But what I loved the most about this book is the fact that both felt like they could have done more to make their relationship stronger and better. I absolutely love his daughter. She was such a positive character and added something else to this story.
Book 2 and I’m still a huge fan. I've developed a huge appreciation for hockey romance and Gina Azzi has proven she is a master at it.
There is so much to unpack here. Axel was a teen dad and keeps a lot to himself. He's been crushing on Maisy since he first saw her. But she had a boyfriend then, so he kept his distance. But now she finally frees him, and he wants his chance. He has huge problems with opening to her and that almost tears them apart.
Maisy and Axel start a bit rocky but the more time they spend together; she's convinced she's finally found a man who she can build a future with. The more dates they go on the more she feels like there is a huge part of his life he is not letting her see. It broke my heart when they took a break because you could tell how much they mean to each other. But what I loved the most about this book is the fact that both felt like they could have done more to make their relationship stronger and better. I absolutely love his daughter. She was such a positive character and added something else to this story.
Book 2 and I’m still a huge fan. I've developed a huge appreciation for hockey romance and Gina Azzi has proven she is a master at it.
July 7, 2022
For the last two decades Axel has been focused on two things his career in hockey and his daughter Lola who is now in college and wants nothing more than for him to find a woman to spend his life with. His first meeting with Maisy was memorable and he was drawn to her in a way he never expected but is he prepared to let another woman into his life?
Maisy’s first day with the Thunderbolts is also the same day that her personal life implodes. She chooses a cheery demeanor to hide her true feelings but the aftermath has only reinforced her feelings of not matching up to what others want her to be. She isn’t certain what a man like Axel would see in her or if she is ready to let another man into her life.
Due to their pasts both Axel and Maisy are cautious about letting anyone too close which causes some turmoil but with the help of friends of family they find their way to each other and the happiness they both deserve.
Maisy’s first day with the Thunderbolts is also the same day that her personal life implodes. She chooses a cheery demeanor to hide her true feelings but the aftermath has only reinforced her feelings of not matching up to what others want her to be. She isn’t certain what a man like Axel would see in her or if she is ready to let another man into her life.
Due to their pasts both Axel and Maisy are cautious about letting anyone too close which causes some turmoil but with the help of friends of family they find their way to each other and the happiness they both deserve.
July 5, 2022
4.5 stars!! Right from the beginning I loved Axel and Maisy! It’s funny because Axel reminded me of my husband (minus the hockey player part and the teen dad part) and Maisy reminding me of me! Maybe that’s why I connected with them from the start! I loved Axel’s interactions with Lola and how much Lola just wants to see her dad happy. I loved his relationship with Lola’s mom and her family. Oh and Maisy…she has had to deal with a few really crappy guys (and her mom!) so it’s time for her to be with someone who deserves her! I can totally understand the struggles her and Axel go through. That horrible “C” word…Communication! I really enjoyed this story. Loved getting more background on the other Bolts players and I’m looking forward to the next book…it can’t come soon enough!
~Alexis💜
~Alexis💜
June 27, 2022
Maisy and Axel are so delicious together. If you like Hockey romance stop here. Axel is a single dad and Maisy is so sweet but has some esteem challenges due to recent events in her life as well as mom that isn’t always nice.
I love the tribe surrounding our couple. They are awesome and intriguing. Can you say future reads? I am hoping Axel’s 21 year old daughter gets her own story. Eek.
Anyway back to our couple. They both have some communication issues and make some mistakes but keep reading. As you get all the details you will only fall more in love with them even during the moments they are being a bit idiotic. Wink. Best of all they know how to spice up the page. Ok I am not saying more because this is a spoiler free review. Haha. Happy Reading Everyone!!! XOXO
I love the tribe surrounding our couple. They are awesome and intriguing. Can you say future reads? I am hoping Axel’s 21 year old daughter gets her own story. Eek.
Anyway back to our couple. They both have some communication issues and make some mistakes but keep reading. As you get all the details you will only fall more in love with them even during the moments they are being a bit idiotic. Wink. Best of all they know how to spice up the page. Ok I am not saying more because this is a spoiler free review. Haha. Happy Reading Everyone!!! XOXO
July 2, 2022
Axel, also known as the Brawler on his hockey team is a big guy with a kind heart. I was surprised at how insecure he was with Maisy as he is older and had a grown daughter. Maisy has picked the wrong guys in the past that did not treat her well. I loved Maisy’s quirky personality and how she just wanted someone to love her and treat her with respect. Axel’s daughter who is in college was a lot of fun. It was fun to watch her and her best friend give Axel dating and clothing advice. It was hard to watch Axel keep himself so cut off from others except his family. I know they wanted to knock some since in him at times as I did. The story was a different take with the man being more skittish and not knowing how to act. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read it. I was given a copy and voluntarily store a review.
July 6, 2022
Gahhhh Maisy and Axel what a beautiful friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine story this is. I'm loving how this series is shaping up and I can't wait to see what's next for the Bolts. I love how Maisy acknowledges her worth through the pages of this book, and how she says 'no more' and I love nothing more than a brutish big grump of a hero who would walk through fire for his heroine. Quick, fun read and a great addition to the series. (If Lola and Jas were to get second gen books I wouldn't be mad about it ;) )
July 7, 2022
This is Axel and Maisy's story and it is SUPER sweet! I just loved Axel from the very beginning. Even though he isn't dating Maisy he has appointed himself her protector and friend. I'm all about the alpha male saves female scenario and he fits right in. This is a little bit of an age-gap romance as the couple has 8 years between them. And Axel was a very young father. He has a daughter in college. He's spent his life focusing on Lola and hockey and that's it. It's very hard for him to truly allow himself to love Maisy. Will he give his heart to her? You will have to read it and find out. This is a great new series by Azzi! Don't miss this addition! 4 stars
July 8, 2022
I absolutely loved Maisy and Axel and their story. It is pretty sweet. I couldn't help but love Axel for who he is. Though he is this grumpy brawler, once you actually get to know him he's very gentle, caring and protective. I also loved that he can get vulnerable, especially with Maisy because he is older and a single dad. But his daughter, Lola is just wonderful and really encourages him to start dating because she just wants him happy. I loved watching their banter. I also loved Lola and Maisy's relationship.
Maisy is just amazing. She has her own issues as much as Azel does. You can see they have feelings and attraction for one another. But because of miscommunication or non-communication, there's a bump in their journey. Even when they go on their first date I could see how they want it to work but oh my, was it frustrating to watch. Basically, communication is something they should work on. Overall, I enjoyed their story. I can't wait for the Rookie's story next. But I also wished we get Lola's story.
Maisy is just amazing. She has her own issues as much as Azel does. You can see they have feelings and attraction for one another. But because of miscommunication or non-communication, there's a bump in their journey. Even when they go on their first date I could see how they want it to work but oh my, was it frustrating to watch. Basically, communication is something they should work on. Overall, I enjoyed their story. I can't wait for the Rookie's story next. But I also wished we get Lola's story.
July 7, 2022
I really enjoyed Axel and Maisy‘s story!
Obviously I love a good workplace, single parent romance and this one didn‘t disappoint me in those regards.
The characters felt perfect to eachother and I enjoyed seeing where they were going. I did feel at some point that the writing/story was slow and there wasn‘t much character developement until almost the end of the book. The chemistry between them was off the charts though but at some times they didn‘t really communicate alot nd alot of internatl communication was made.
3.5⭐️
Obviously I love a good workplace, single parent romance and this one didn‘t disappoint me in those regards.
The characters felt perfect to eachother and I enjoyed seeing where they were going. I did feel at some point that the writing/story was slow and there wasn‘t much character developement until almost the end of the book. The chemistry between them was off the charts though but at some times they didn‘t really communicate alot nd alot of internatl communication was made.
3.5⭐️
July 13, 2022
When it cones to the art of communication Maisie and Axel are not poster children for success! They are different, yet have traits in common. They are both loyal, but where Maisie is an open, smiley giver, Axel is gruff and close mouthed. He is a greatvdad, who has put his own chances for a relationship on the back burner. This leads to the stumbling growth of any kind of relationship between these two sweethearts.
I loved Axel's relationship with Lola. She and Justine are full of mischief and love for Axel! Lola will get him sorted 🤣
The to and fro between these two has a lot to do with Maisie's lack of self confidence and self esteem, and Axel's own lack of skill in expressing himself and his hopes.
This has been a lovely, warm read. 💖💖💖💖
I loved Axel's relationship with Lola. She and Justine are full of mischief and love for Axel! Lola will get him sorted 🤣
The to and fro between these two has a lot to do with Maisie's lack of self confidence and self esteem, and Axel's own lack of skill in expressing himself and his hopes.
This has been a lovely, warm read. 💖💖💖💖
July 23, 2022
Gina Azzi is amazing at writing beautiful touching stories with incredible character arcs and has done it again with Brawler's Weakness! This isn't only about the romance between Axel and Maisy but also about self-discovery and learning to let people in when it's terrifying, and I love that so much about this 👏🏼💕
Maisy and Axel are absolutely the cutest and so precious with a dose of hotness!! I've always adored the grumpy/sunshine trope so much and it's definitely done beautifully with them. Maisy is all sunshine and rainbows ☀️🌈 and sees the good in everyone while also is hurt by her asshole of an ex-boyfriend who always made her feel bad about herself 😔 Axel is this closed off grumpy guy who wants to do right by his new adult daughter, and has the biggest weak spot for Maisy and hates to see her hurt 🥺💜
Axel is the absolute best for Maisy, the way he cares for her and would do anything for her. And she also is perfect for him in so many ways. You can feel how much they feel for each other but he also thinks he isn't good enough for her or what she deserves and she is doubting everything. I love how they overcome their fears together!
I love their journey so much, it's truly about healing while of course falling beautifully in love!
"I want to live out your dreams with you, because you’re my dream."
Maisy and Axel are absolutely the cutest and so precious with a dose of hotness!! I've always adored the grumpy/sunshine trope so much and it's definitely done beautifully with them. Maisy is all sunshine and rainbows ☀️🌈 and sees the good in everyone while also is hurt by her asshole of an ex-boyfriend who always made her feel bad about herself 😔 Axel is this closed off grumpy guy who wants to do right by his new adult daughter, and has the biggest weak spot for Maisy and hates to see her hurt 🥺💜
Axel is the absolute best for Maisy, the way he cares for her and would do anything for her. And she also is perfect for him in so many ways. You can feel how much they feel for each other but he also thinks he isn't good enough for her or what she deserves and she is doubting everything. I love how they overcome their fears together!
I love their journey so much, it's truly about healing while of course falling beautifully in love!
"I want to live out your dreams with you, because you’re my dream."
April 4, 2024
5 Star Review of Brawler’s Weakness (Tennessee Thunderbolts #2) by Gina Azzi
Having read the first book in the series I was really looking forward to reading Brawler’s Weakness. It was everything I expected and so much more.
This is Axel (aka Brawler) and Maisy’s story and it was well written and entertaining with characters who were easy to relate to and likeable. Add in Brawler’s twenty one year old daughter Lola who is totally invested in her father’s love life and you know that you are for in for some laugh out loud moments.
I fell hard and fast for Brawler, he ticked all the boxes for me. Brawler hasn't dated in years and is reluctant to ask Maisy out. However, despite his reservations, Lola convinces him to ask her.
Brawler and Maisy are not good at communicating with one another, she has been hurt in the past and he is convinced that he is a rebound for Maisy. There were moments where I wanted to smack some sense into them, I was that frustrated with both of them.
I loved the camaraderie among the players and that they became a family, not of blood, but a family none the less. Their journey may have been frustrating at times but it was entertaining.
I look forward to reading more in the series and am excited to see who is next.
Having read the first book in the series I was really looking forward to reading Brawler’s Weakness. It was everything I expected and so much more.
This is Axel (aka Brawler) and Maisy’s story and it was well written and entertaining with characters who were easy to relate to and likeable. Add in Brawler’s twenty one year old daughter Lola who is totally invested in her father’s love life and you know that you are for in for some laugh out loud moments.
I fell hard and fast for Brawler, he ticked all the boxes for me. Brawler hasn't dated in years and is reluctant to ask Maisy out. However, despite his reservations, Lola convinces him to ask her.
Brawler and Maisy are not good at communicating with one another, she has been hurt in the past and he is convinced that he is a rebound for Maisy. There were moments where I wanted to smack some sense into them, I was that frustrated with both of them.
I loved the camaraderie among the players and that they became a family, not of blood, but a family none the less. Their journey may have been frustrating at times but it was entertaining.
I look forward to reading more in the series and am excited to see who is next.
July 7, 2022
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***
Azzi delivers a heartwarming and swoon worthy second chance romance in Brawler’s Weakness, the second book in the Tennessee Thunderbolts Series.
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Maisy Stratford who is ready to start her new job in human resources with the Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey team. After the constant belittling of her intelligence and comments about her weight at her previous job, Maisy decided to part ways and start a new chapter in her life. Yet, it’s on her way to work that her boyfriend breaks up with her over text and a shocked Maisy bumps into another hockey player, dropping the cupcakes that she had baked for her new office in the process. She is humiliated and that’s exactly when a familiar hockey player, Axel Daire, gets her out of the mess.
Having met through mutual friends before, she has always seen Axel as a giant of man. He is gruff and growly. But it’s the compassion in his eyes that almost breaks her and she is touched when he kindly gets a dress that she’s always wanted to get. All her life, Maisy had to endure comments from her mom or men of being too much, but not in the right way. Axel looks at her differently, he is not there to judge and it’s for the first time that Maisy truly feels cared for in her life. It’s evident that she likes being around Axel, but she is ready to put herself first and is not sure if she is ready to start a new relationship right away.
As the defenseman for the Tennessee Thunderbolts, Axel Daire doesn’t date or has serious relationships as his first priority is being a dad. Until he finds out that Maisy is newly single and for the first time lets himself think about the possibilities between them. The need to protect Maisy is strong and the more time they spend together, the more he starts to trust her with his past. He can sense that Maisy is starting to feel the same way, yet there is a part of him that is hesitant to fully integrate her into his private space and doesn’t know what to do. He has been told that he deserves to be happy and Maisy truly makes him feel that way, but he just hopes he can convince her to give their relationship a shot before it’s too late.
I throughly enjoyed reading Brawler’s Weakness, I loved the dynamic between the main characters. Axel is truly kind and overprotective when it comes to Maisy. He sees her for who she is and that’s something that she likes about him. Axel is rusty when it comes to dating and he doesn’t want to mess with Maisy, but he is putting a lot of pressure on himself in the process. Whereas Maisy is newly single and ready to start a fresh, not thinking that she would like having Axel around a lot more than she thought she would. We get cameos from other characters and we also get to see the relationship that Axel has with his daughter. In the end they both have lean on each other, learn to communicate as well as trust in one another if they want a shot at a happily-ever-after. I would highly recommend checking out this book and I cannot wait to read what Azzi has in store for us in the next book in the series! :)
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
Azzi delivers a heartwarming and swoon worthy second chance romance in Brawler’s Weakness, the second book in the Tennessee Thunderbolts Series.
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Maisy Stratford who is ready to start her new job in human resources with the Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey team. After the constant belittling of her intelligence and comments about her weight at her previous job, Maisy decided to part ways and start a new chapter in her life. Yet, it’s on her way to work that her boyfriend breaks up with her over text and a shocked Maisy bumps into another hockey player, dropping the cupcakes that she had baked for her new office in the process. She is humiliated and that’s exactly when a familiar hockey player, Axel Daire, gets her out of the mess.
Having met through mutual friends before, she has always seen Axel as a giant of man. He is gruff and growly. But it’s the compassion in his eyes that almost breaks her and she is touched when he kindly gets a dress that she’s always wanted to get. All her life, Maisy had to endure comments from her mom or men of being too much, but not in the right way. Axel looks at her differently, he is not there to judge and it’s for the first time that Maisy truly feels cared for in her life. It’s evident that she likes being around Axel, but she is ready to put herself first and is not sure if she is ready to start a new relationship right away.
As the defenseman for the Tennessee Thunderbolts, Axel Daire doesn’t date or has serious relationships as his first priority is being a dad. Until he finds out that Maisy is newly single and for the first time lets himself think about the possibilities between them. The need to protect Maisy is strong and the more time they spend together, the more he starts to trust her with his past. He can sense that Maisy is starting to feel the same way, yet there is a part of him that is hesitant to fully integrate her into his private space and doesn’t know what to do. He has been told that he deserves to be happy and Maisy truly makes him feel that way, but he just hopes he can convince her to give their relationship a shot before it’s too late.
I throughly enjoyed reading Brawler’s Weakness, I loved the dynamic between the main characters. Axel is truly kind and overprotective when it comes to Maisy. He sees her for who she is and that’s something that she likes about him. Axel is rusty when it comes to dating and he doesn’t want to mess with Maisy, but he is putting a lot of pressure on himself in the process. Whereas Maisy is newly single and ready to start a fresh, not thinking that she would like having Axel around a lot more than she thought she would. We get cameos from other characters and we also get to see the relationship that Axel has with his daughter. In the end they both have lean on each other, learn to communicate as well as trust in one another if they want a shot at a happily-ever-after. I would highly recommend checking out this book and I cannot wait to read what Azzi has in store for us in the next book in the series! :)
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
June 30, 2022
"Doesn't get more real than this, beautiful."
Second in the Tennessee Thunderbolts series, Brawler's Weakness tells the story of Axel, a single dad to 21 year old Lola, and Maisy, a woman who radiates sunshine and warmth despite her underlying self esteem issues. Maisy tried to have a positive outlook on life while plagued with deep insecurities and self doubt after several toxic relationships while Axel refused to commit to a real relationship, always placing his daughter's life ahead of his own. Axel and Maisy were attracted to one another from the start but they had a long road to get to their HEA.
I had very mixed feelings about this story. In many ways, Maisy is like my spirit sister, firmly believing in the power of positive affirmations and manifesting her intentions to the universe. And we both share the same desire to go to surf camp in Costa Rica. But I also perceived her positivity to be a little much, highlighting the sadness of how deep her insecurities ran. At the same time, I loved how Axel had such a kind and loving heart underneath his gruff, bad boy exterior, fiercely protective of those he cared about. However, his lack of communication and ability to express himself felt exasperating at times. Frustrated by his inability to see things clearly, I still rooted for him and Maisy to find their way to each other.
An extremely slow burn, perhaps too slow to feel realistic, Maisy and Axel had the type of real relationship that ran so much deeper than the surface and was just beautiful, reflecting a deep longing to be together. Yet I never truly felt their chemistry to become fully invested. Their characters needed to be more thoroughly developed and I wish I could have learned more about them.
I loved many of the secondary relationships throughout the book, everything including those between Maisy and her best friend Mila, Axel and his younger, more adventurous, brother Asher and the camaraderie among the team players. Lola was such a great character and I enjoyed seeing her again. She had such a beautiful bond with Axel and a wonderful connection with Maisy.
Axel and Maisy fit perfectly together. He was so good for her to know her self worth as he sincerely appreciated everything about her. And she was capable of bringing out his vulnerability, allowing him to let down his guard and embrace living in the moment, infusing his life with a lightness he was missing. At its heart, this was a book about finding a relationship aligning with a shared vision of the future and committing to it fully. Maisy and Axel inspired each other to become better versions of themselves. Along with a beautifully heartfelt ending, this simply proved that the sum of their relationship was so much greater than its individual parts.
"It was never a choice. It was always you."
** Special thanks to author Gina Azzi for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available July 7, 2022. **
Second in the Tennessee Thunderbolts series, Brawler's Weakness tells the story of Axel, a single dad to 21 year old Lola, and Maisy, a woman who radiates sunshine and warmth despite her underlying self esteem issues. Maisy tried to have a positive outlook on life while plagued with deep insecurities and self doubt after several toxic relationships while Axel refused to commit to a real relationship, always placing his daughter's life ahead of his own. Axel and Maisy were attracted to one another from the start but they had a long road to get to their HEA.
I had very mixed feelings about this story. In many ways, Maisy is like my spirit sister, firmly believing in the power of positive affirmations and manifesting her intentions to the universe. And we both share the same desire to go to surf camp in Costa Rica. But I also perceived her positivity to be a little much, highlighting the sadness of how deep her insecurities ran. At the same time, I loved how Axel had such a kind and loving heart underneath his gruff, bad boy exterior, fiercely protective of those he cared about. However, his lack of communication and ability to express himself felt exasperating at times. Frustrated by his inability to see things clearly, I still rooted for him and Maisy to find their way to each other.
An extremely slow burn, perhaps too slow to feel realistic, Maisy and Axel had the type of real relationship that ran so much deeper than the surface and was just beautiful, reflecting a deep longing to be together. Yet I never truly felt their chemistry to become fully invested. Their characters needed to be more thoroughly developed and I wish I could have learned more about them.
I loved many of the secondary relationships throughout the book, everything including those between Maisy and her best friend Mila, Axel and his younger, more adventurous, brother Asher and the camaraderie among the team players. Lola was such a great character and I enjoyed seeing her again. She had such a beautiful bond with Axel and a wonderful connection with Maisy.
Axel and Maisy fit perfectly together. He was so good for her to know her self worth as he sincerely appreciated everything about her. And she was capable of bringing out his vulnerability, allowing him to let down his guard and embrace living in the moment, infusing his life with a lightness he was missing. At its heart, this was a book about finding a relationship aligning with a shared vision of the future and committing to it fully. Maisy and Axel inspired each other to become better versions of themselves. Along with a beautifully heartfelt ending, this simply proved that the sum of their relationship was so much greater than its individual parts.
"It was never a choice. It was always you."
** Special thanks to author Gina Azzi for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available July 7, 2022. **
July 6, 2022
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥🔥.5
Maisy Stratford is excited about the changes in her life. Some of it is expected: a new job with the Tennessee Thunderbolts and a new, more confident outlook on life. Some of it..not so much. Her boyfriend leaves her, taking her furniture and goldfish with him. (How dare him!) Her first day at the job did not quite go as she planned.
However, these changes seem to lead her on Axel Daire's path, and she isn't complaining. The Bolts brawler is not only pleasant on the eyes, but he is also a kind, nurturing single dad who can't seem to look away from Maisy.
This is a love story about two people who have been so focused on a singular thing during their entire life to date that they had to re-learn how to engage in other things. With Axel being a single dad who has kept his heart on lockdown, he needed to learn how to let Maisy in and how to communicate his emotions better. Maisy has had to work on her confidence and self-esteem after experiencing disparaging comments about her weight from people around her. This leads to constant anxiety and overthinking which affects her connection with Axel.
But as with any Gina Azzi story, the journey of these two MCs facing these adversities on their way to a HEA is the best part. The inherent flaws make them so relatable that you cannot help but cheer for them and wish them the best. The ensemble cast of the series -- even the grouchy ones-- provides such a supportive environment to boot.
This is a slow-burn read, and there are a couple hits of spice. This does lean toward the sweeter end of the steam spectrum, so if you are looking for a hot read, this might not be the right read at this time. However, if you are looking for a hockey romance read that focuses on a deeper emotional connection of the characters, this is a great pick for you.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Gina Azzi and Give Me Books PR for providing an ARC. **
STEAM: 🔥🔥.5
Maisy Stratford is excited about the changes in her life. Some of it is expected: a new job with the Tennessee Thunderbolts and a new, more confident outlook on life. Some of it..not so much. Her boyfriend leaves her, taking her furniture and goldfish with him. (How dare him!) Her first day at the job did not quite go as she planned.
However, these changes seem to lead her on Axel Daire's path, and she isn't complaining. The Bolts brawler is not only pleasant on the eyes, but he is also a kind, nurturing single dad who can't seem to look away from Maisy.
This is a love story about two people who have been so focused on a singular thing during their entire life to date that they had to re-learn how to engage in other things. With Axel being a single dad who has kept his heart on lockdown, he needed to learn how to let Maisy in and how to communicate his emotions better. Maisy has had to work on her confidence and self-esteem after experiencing disparaging comments about her weight from people around her. This leads to constant anxiety and overthinking which affects her connection with Axel.
But as with any Gina Azzi story, the journey of these two MCs facing these adversities on their way to a HEA is the best part. The inherent flaws make them so relatable that you cannot help but cheer for them and wish them the best. The ensemble cast of the series -- even the grouchy ones-- provides such a supportive environment to boot.
This is a slow-burn read, and there are a couple hits of spice. This does lean toward the sweeter end of the steam spectrum, so if you are looking for a hot read, this might not be the right read at this time. However, if you are looking for a hockey romance read that focuses on a deeper emotional connection of the characters, this is a great pick for you.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Gina Azzi and Give Me Books PR for providing an ARC. **
June 28, 2022
Just because you can see an open net doesn't mean you always score the game winning goal. Axel and Maisy put in the effort together to create a team, proving it's not a one person sport. This is a fabulous story that shows that talking has more benefits than keeping your thoughts to yourself.
Another one for the record books! Gina Azzi keeps scoring with her Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey series, this time with Axel and Maisy's story. This may be a slower burn but it is definitely a well deserved love story that is so sweet and heart melting that you can't help falling for them both.
Axel "Brawler" Daire comes across as big and tough but his insides are like a melted marshmallow, evidenced by how he raised his daughter, Lola. He didn't get his nickname of Brawler by being all soft and squishy. He shows off his tough exterior until sweet little Maisy Stratford joins his team's HR department. She's all sunshine to his grumpy. When her first day on the job starts off with her boyfriend breaking up with her via text and a plateful of freshly baked blueberry muffins get smushed into the front of her dress, Axel comes to her rescue and whisks her away to repair the damage. After buying her a new dress and taking her out for something to eat, in the coming weeks he keeps finding reasons to go by her desk each day so he can see her smile and be near her warmth. His daughter and his captain Devon, finally encourage him to bite the bullet and ask her out just as the team's personal trainer, also her best friend Mila, convinces Maisy to ask him out if he doesn't ask her first. They discover that while they were both hesitant to take that first huge step, both are overjoyed by the fact that they both want the same thing. They begin the journey to learning more about each other but their efforts show them that they need to be more open and communicate exactly what they want to achieve that far away goal.
Another one for the record books! Gina Azzi keeps scoring with her Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey series, this time with Axel and Maisy's story. This may be a slower burn but it is definitely a well deserved love story that is so sweet and heart melting that you can't help falling for them both.
Axel "Brawler" Daire comes across as big and tough but his insides are like a melted marshmallow, evidenced by how he raised his daughter, Lola. He didn't get his nickname of Brawler by being all soft and squishy. He shows off his tough exterior until sweet little Maisy Stratford joins his team's HR department. She's all sunshine to his grumpy. When her first day on the job starts off with her boyfriend breaking up with her via text and a plateful of freshly baked blueberry muffins get smushed into the front of her dress, Axel comes to her rescue and whisks her away to repair the damage. After buying her a new dress and taking her out for something to eat, in the coming weeks he keeps finding reasons to go by her desk each day so he can see her smile and be near her warmth. His daughter and his captain Devon, finally encourage him to bite the bullet and ask her out just as the team's personal trainer, also her best friend Mila, convinces Maisy to ask him out if he doesn't ask her first. They discover that while they were both hesitant to take that first huge step, both are overjoyed by the fact that they both want the same thing. They begin the journey to learning more about each other but their efforts show them that they need to be more open and communicate exactly what they want to achieve that far away goal.
July 2, 2022
She Had Me At Jason Momoa...
In this second book of the Tennessee Thunderbolts, we take a closer look at Axel "Brawler" Daire and Maisy, the new woman in HR for the team.
"For appearing so rough and gruff, he really is a considerate man."
That would be putting it mildly when it comes to Axel. I absolutely loved this guy from the get go. He's a thirty-six year old professional hockey player that has made his daughter his life, foregoing any social life of his own. He's a man's man on one hand and a girl dad on the other. Throw in the fact that he was compared to Jason Momoa constantly, he could do no wrong in my eyes, which was a good thing, because Maisy was a lot to handle.
"I started tonight wondering if Axel and I were going on a date and now...I'm wondering if we have a shot at a future."
Maisy is the new HR person for the team and best friends with Mila who was featured in the first book. We got a glimpse of Maisy and her former boyfriend Josh then, quickly hoping that he wasn't going to be around long. The ex, as well as her mother have chipped away at Maisy's self confidence and made her constantly doubt herself, which got real old real fast for me.
The fun of this book was Axel stumbling around in dating world. He's so use to only caring about his daughter, he keeps dropping the ball when it comes to letting Maisy in. There are a lot of factors surrounding these two and with Maisy and her constant doubts, just I wanted him to move on from her at times. In all reality, it was a treat to see Axel spread his man-wings and learn to soar again when it was all said and done.
The book is well written and checks off all of the boxes, funny, sexy and angsty. These two put each other through an emotional ringer of miscommunication, however their friends and family members keep the humor level at an even keel. Again, the book reads as a standalone, with a cute epilogue to wrap things up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
In this second book of the Tennessee Thunderbolts, we take a closer look at Axel "Brawler" Daire and Maisy, the new woman in HR for the team.
"For appearing so rough and gruff, he really is a considerate man."
That would be putting it mildly when it comes to Axel. I absolutely loved this guy from the get go. He's a thirty-six year old professional hockey player that has made his daughter his life, foregoing any social life of his own. He's a man's man on one hand and a girl dad on the other. Throw in the fact that he was compared to Jason Momoa constantly, he could do no wrong in my eyes, which was a good thing, because Maisy was a lot to handle.
"I started tonight wondering if Axel and I were going on a date and now...I'm wondering if we have a shot at a future."
Maisy is the new HR person for the team and best friends with Mila who was featured in the first book. We got a glimpse of Maisy and her former boyfriend Josh then, quickly hoping that he wasn't going to be around long. The ex, as well as her mother have chipped away at Maisy's self confidence and made her constantly doubt herself, which got real old real fast for me.
The fun of this book was Axel stumbling around in dating world. He's so use to only caring about his daughter, he keeps dropping the ball when it comes to letting Maisy in. There are a lot of factors surrounding these two and with Maisy and her constant doubts, just I wanted him to move on from her at times. In all reality, it was a treat to see Axel spread his man-wings and learn to soar again when it was all said and done.
The book is well written and checks off all of the boxes, funny, sexy and angsty. These two put each other through an emotional ringer of miscommunication, however their friends and family members keep the humor level at an even keel. Again, the book reads as a standalone, with a cute epilogue to wrap things up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
July 8, 2022
This book is seriously sweet, addictive, and swoony! For real, I was at the gym reading it, and I was on the treadmill grinning ear to ear. Nobody’s happy on a treadmill (okay maybe someone is, but not me), and there I was smiling like a fool. If you want a book that’s going to make you fall in love with love all over again, Brawlers Weakness is it.
This is Axel and Maisy’s story, whom we met in the last book, Hot Shot’s Mistake, and it takes us on their journey from being mere acquaintances to friendly coworkers to a whole lot more. Their attraction was instant, but this is still in a sense a slow-burn romance. With Maisy now working in HR for the Thunderbolts, she and Axel see a lot more of each other and eventually they begin to date. Their relationship develops slowly and not without hiccups along the way, but the chemistry and need for one another is palpable.
I love how relatable these characters are. I think everyone can understand feelings of inadequacy and apprehension to some degree, and both Axel and Maisy are both plagued with those at times. It lends a genuineness and affability to their characters that I appreciated. Seeing them figure themselves out along with each other makes them so endearing and realistic, and I enjoyed the complexity it brought to their personalities.
And they are both beyond adorable in their own ways! Axel is the big, gruff hockey player, and Maisy is so sunny and sweet despite dealing with a lot as far as her past relationships go and how she’s trying to approach what she wants in life in the future. They’re so likeable, and Axel is as swoon worthy as they come. I rooted for them from the very start, and they just got better and better as the story progressed.
This is another sweet and heartfelt must read from Azzi. It’s a wonderfully light romance that gives you all the feels, and I dare you to not finish this book without smiling.
This is Axel and Maisy’s story, whom we met in the last book, Hot Shot’s Mistake, and it takes us on their journey from being mere acquaintances to friendly coworkers to a whole lot more. Their attraction was instant, but this is still in a sense a slow-burn romance. With Maisy now working in HR for the Thunderbolts, she and Axel see a lot more of each other and eventually they begin to date. Their relationship develops slowly and not without hiccups along the way, but the chemistry and need for one another is palpable.
I love how relatable these characters are. I think everyone can understand feelings of inadequacy and apprehension to some degree, and both Axel and Maisy are both plagued with those at times. It lends a genuineness and affability to their characters that I appreciated. Seeing them figure themselves out along with each other makes them so endearing and realistic, and I enjoyed the complexity it brought to their personalities.
And they are both beyond adorable in their own ways! Axel is the big, gruff hockey player, and Maisy is so sunny and sweet despite dealing with a lot as far as her past relationships go and how she’s trying to approach what she wants in life in the future. They’re so likeable, and Axel is as swoon worthy as they come. I rooted for them from the very start, and they just got better and better as the story progressed.
This is another sweet and heartfelt must read from Azzi. It’s a wonderfully light romance that gives you all the feels, and I dare you to not finish this book without smiling.
Read
June 11, 2024'Brawler's Weakness' I suppose is Maisy. This is Axel and Maisy's story. He is a professional athlete with a college aged daughter. Axel is purposeful and caring, but closed off. Maisy is creative with an open heart and a pile of insecurities. While relationships are about communication and compromise, this one certainly favors one person's timetable over the other. For this reason, I have not fully bought into their future.
In book one, Axel says that his daughter, Lola is a junior in college. The description of book six says Lola is 21 years old, which means it is the following year from book one. If Maisy is the same age as Mila, the timeline laid out in book one would make her 23. Axel became a father a just 16, which, is a big age difference, now at 36, not to mention she is basically his daughter's age. And getting up there for a professional athlete.
Did Mila go back to school and earn another degree since book one? Maisy refers to her as the team's personal trainer (weird, I expect athletic trainer instead) whereas in book one she was a physical therapist. And Axel said his mother spend most of the sixties living in a studio apartment in an artsy neighborhood. This book was published in 2022, at 36, he would have been born, likely, in 1986, which means, his mother, likely would have been born around 1960, thus too young unless with her parents, which does not fit the context. Third, Maizy, apparently is 28, which does not make sense for her being Mila's best friend, if Mila can only be 23; they neer would have been in the same class. Again, the timelines in this series are unrealistic. And so confusing.
"Asher choked on his beer when he learned what I [Axel] was wearing tonight." Why did this even come up in your conversation? And why did his teammates lean in toward him, as if in a huddle, waiting to hear his plan, like high school gossip. Are they have a sleepover?
In book one, Axel says that his daughter, Lola is a junior in college. The description of book six says Lola is 21 years old, which means it is the following year from book one. If Maisy is the same age as Mila, the timeline laid out in book one would make her 23. Axel became a father a just 16, which, is a big age difference, now at 36, not to mention she is basically his daughter's age. And getting up there for a professional athlete.
Did Mila go back to school and earn another degree since book one? Maisy refers to her as the team's personal trainer (weird, I expect athletic trainer instead) whereas in book one she was a physical therapist. And Axel said his mother spend most of the sixties living in a studio apartment in an artsy neighborhood. This book was published in 2022, at 36, he would have been born, likely, in 1986, which means, his mother, likely would have been born around 1960, thus too young unless with her parents, which does not fit the context. Third, Maizy, apparently is 28, which does not make sense for her being Mila's best friend, if Mila can only be 23; they neer would have been in the same class. Again, the timelines in this series are unrealistic. And so confusing.
"Asher choked on his beer when he learned what I [Axel] was wearing tonight." Why did this even come up in your conversation? And why did his teammates lean in toward him, as if in a huddle, waiting to hear his plan, like high school gossip. Are they have a sleepover?
July 1, 2022
🏒 ARC REVIEW 🏒
Review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2.5/5 🔥
#brawlersweakness is book two in the #tennesseethunderbolts series by @gina_azzi
Axel already has an adult child of his own. Becoming a father at a young age really shaped him into the man he is today. That still doesn’t mean he wants to babysit the younger teammates. He quiet and reserved, but on the ice, he’s not called brawler for nothing. He’s become close with his new teammates and their developing a new kind of family, one that includes other members of the team’s organization. Axel never let anyone into his world. He doesn’t trust unconditionally and hold his heart close to his chest. There’s something about Maisy he feels the need to protect. Can Axel learn that not only do you need love and protection in a relationship, but also need to trust and let your heart be loved.
Maisy is intelligent, curvy and full of life. After ditching her horrible job and the boyfriend who held her back, she’s finally ready to explore. Working for a hockey team is one thing, but being their friends and like family is the love she’s always wanted. Axel had always held her attention since the first time they met. He’s protective yet mysterious and she wants to explore him. But when she does, is there just emptiness left In his heart or can the battle through insecurities to make their lives deserving of the perfect love?
It was really hard to put this book down. I finished it in less than 24 hours. Axel is the perfect man. Great dad, hockey player, mysterious and obviously the most caring man. He doesn’t want to get hurt so he hides his heart. Maisy is fiery and getting her life back. I loved her attitude, confidence once Axel helped rebuild it. But also her determination to follow through on new friendships is what really made her a strong woman. Loving the series and can’t wait for more!!
Review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2.5/5 🔥
#brawlersweakness is book two in the #tennesseethunderbolts series by @gina_azzi
Axel already has an adult child of his own. Becoming a father at a young age really shaped him into the man he is today. That still doesn’t mean he wants to babysit the younger teammates. He quiet and reserved, but on the ice, he’s not called brawler for nothing. He’s become close with his new teammates and their developing a new kind of family, one that includes other members of the team’s organization. Axel never let anyone into his world. He doesn’t trust unconditionally and hold his heart close to his chest. There’s something about Maisy he feels the need to protect. Can Axel learn that not only do you need love and protection in a relationship, but also need to trust and let your heart be loved.
Maisy is intelligent, curvy and full of life. After ditching her horrible job and the boyfriend who held her back, she’s finally ready to explore. Working for a hockey team is one thing, but being their friends and like family is the love she’s always wanted. Axel had always held her attention since the first time they met. He’s protective yet mysterious and she wants to explore him. But when she does, is there just emptiness left In his heart or can the battle through insecurities to make their lives deserving of the perfect love?
It was really hard to put this book down. I finished it in less than 24 hours. Axel is the perfect man. Great dad, hockey player, mysterious and obviously the most caring man. He doesn’t want to get hurt so he hides his heart. Maisy is fiery and getting her life back. I loved her attitude, confidence once Axel helped rebuild it. But also her determination to follow through on new friendships is what really made her a strong woman. Loving the series and can’t wait for more!!
July 7, 2022
This book made me fall in love even more with small town romance. I loved the drama and how real the story is. Gina Azzi wrote such relatable characters whose feelings doesn't just appear out of nowhere, but evolve throughout time and through each and every interaction of the main characters. It wasn't love at first sight, the characters didn't have superpowers which made them aware of what the other was thinking or feeling so they could respond to them accordingly. There was chemistry, there was attraction, there was interest. But both Axel and Maise have their moment of awkwardness, sometimes they were unsure of their actions. The two of them worked for their relationship.
Axel was a private man. Quiet, mostly grumpy. He's dedicated his whole life for one woman only, aside from his profession. All the time that he'd known Maise, she'd always been this sweet, charming woman who lights up the room. He'd been aware of her, but she'd been in a relationship then. Now that she's single, it was time for him to chance a move. But there's something stopping him.
Maise was a ray of sunshine, a little daisy, and she recently got out of a relationship. She was wary of getting in another one if it means that she'd only experience the same thing she did with her previous commitments, but Axel made her feel like none of those. In fact, as she got closer to him, the more she believed that what they have was "real".
The Tennessee Thunderbolt series only got more interesting and diverting from the heavy anxiety-ridden Hot Shot's Mistake, Brawler's Weakness was a sweet kind of romance I really enjoyed traversing through. There was no need to rush; I loved every moment reading about the development of Axel and Maise's relationships and how they navigated towards each other's emotions. They worked on their past issues, and communication. Theirs was the kind of relationship I would want to have in real life. And even as the characters' own internal conflicts made me tear up (yes, I've got shallow tears), there was still the knowledge of a HEA at the end of the tunnel.
Axel was a private man. Quiet, mostly grumpy. He's dedicated his whole life for one woman only, aside from his profession. All the time that he'd known Maise, she'd always been this sweet, charming woman who lights up the room. He'd been aware of her, but she'd been in a relationship then. Now that she's single, it was time for him to chance a move. But there's something stopping him.
Maise was a ray of sunshine, a little daisy, and she recently got out of a relationship. She was wary of getting in another one if it means that she'd only experience the same thing she did with her previous commitments, but Axel made her feel like none of those. In fact, as she got closer to him, the more she believed that what they have was "real".
The Tennessee Thunderbolt series only got more interesting and diverting from the heavy anxiety-ridden Hot Shot's Mistake, Brawler's Weakness was a sweet kind of romance I really enjoyed traversing through. There was no need to rush; I loved every moment reading about the development of Axel and Maise's relationships and how they navigated towards each other's emotions. They worked on their past issues, and communication. Theirs was the kind of relationship I would want to have in real life. And even as the characters' own internal conflicts made me tear up (yes, I've got shallow tears), there was still the knowledge of a HEA at the end of the tunnel.
July 3, 2022
I was so excited for Axel and Maisy's story after getting the glimpses of what could be to come in Hot Shot's Mistake, first book of the Tennessee Thunderbolts. While their story is packed with all kinds of sweetness, anxiety and vulnerability that leads to some humor and a closer connection their story left me a little underwhelmed overall.
So while I still really enjoy the bones to the story, Brawler's Weakness didn't quite reach a full 4 stars for me.
While this story wasn't my favorite, I did still really enjoy it in general. It was great to see this full figured woman slowly come back into loving and expressing herself after years of being belittled and made to feel like she was never good enough. Maisy's kindness and sunshiney spirit just made her a person that I would want to be around. Then we have Axel, this Jason Momoa look alike that is a caring and protective father and that protective nature quickly and easily included Maisy as well. It was so sweet and cute to experience him trying to impress and date Maisy with the help of his daughter and her best friend.
The connection these two had was quick and felt like it could have been almost seamless if it weren't for their inability to communicate. I think that was where I lost some of my love for this couple- it was like being stuck on a mary-go-round and spinning in the same circle with the same problems without any change for too long.
Maybe my expectations went too high for Maisy and Axel because I wanted their HEA so badly before they even started, but I truly do love this couple and the general feel of this story. I still can't wait to see what else is in store for the other guys on the Thunderbolts and pondering if one of them might not heed the warning and go for Axel's daughter- only time will tell!
So while I still really enjoy the bones to the story, Brawler's Weakness didn't quite reach a full 4 stars for me.
While this story wasn't my favorite, I did still really enjoy it in general. It was great to see this full figured woman slowly come back into loving and expressing herself after years of being belittled and made to feel like she was never good enough. Maisy's kindness and sunshiney spirit just made her a person that I would want to be around. Then we have Axel, this Jason Momoa look alike that is a caring and protective father and that protective nature quickly and easily included Maisy as well. It was so sweet and cute to experience him trying to impress and date Maisy with the help of his daughter and her best friend.
The connection these two had was quick and felt like it could have been almost seamless if it weren't for their inability to communicate. I think that was where I lost some of my love for this couple- it was like being stuck on a mary-go-round and spinning in the same circle with the same problems without any change for too long.
Maybe my expectations went too high for Maisy and Axel because I wanted their HEA so badly before they even started, but I truly do love this couple and the general feel of this story. I still can't wait to see what else is in store for the other guys on the Thunderbolts and pondering if one of them might not heed the warning and go for Axel's daughter- only time will tell!
July 7, 2022
Having read Hot Shot's Mistake i couldn't wait for more from this series! I started looking forward to this second book right away. I started reading it as soon as i could and got right back into the Tennessee Thunderbolts world! I so enjoyed this second installment!
Maisy and Brawler AKA Axel's journey had my full attention right from the get go! Maisy is at The Honeycomb to start her new job for the Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey team in human resources. Things don't go according to plan and Axel helps her. I couldn't wait to see how everything would play out for these two!
I really liked the humanness that was shown throughout by both Maisy and Axel! I really related to Maisy in many ways. I wanted to hug her through my kindle. Axel had me falling for him! I adored his bond with his daughter, Lola. The chemistry between Axel and Maisy was so dang good! Getting to see them tackle things, especially when it came to their lives and feelings was something i thoroughly enjoyed! Both of them had me feeling many things throughout!
I was so happy to be back in the Tennessee Thunderbolts world! I love how i can picture it all so clearly in my mind. I so enjoyed the whole grumpy/sunshine aspect of it and what the other characters brought to the story as well!
With Brawler's Weakness, Ms.Azzi has created such a good read with heart and feels that you won't want to put down! Her writing always pulls me in. I can't wait to dive back into this series with the third installment, Rookie's Regret! Definitely check this series out! 💜
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Give Me Books Promotions / the author*
Maisy and Brawler AKA Axel's journey had my full attention right from the get go! Maisy is at The Honeycomb to start her new job for the Tennessee Thunderbolts hockey team in human resources. Things don't go according to plan and Axel helps her. I couldn't wait to see how everything would play out for these two!
I really liked the humanness that was shown throughout by both Maisy and Axel! I really related to Maisy in many ways. I wanted to hug her through my kindle. Axel had me falling for him! I adored his bond with his daughter, Lola. The chemistry between Axel and Maisy was so dang good! Getting to see them tackle things, especially when it came to their lives and feelings was something i thoroughly enjoyed! Both of them had me feeling many things throughout!
I was so happy to be back in the Tennessee Thunderbolts world! I love how i can picture it all so clearly in my mind. I so enjoyed the whole grumpy/sunshine aspect of it and what the other characters brought to the story as well!
With Brawler's Weakness, Ms.Azzi has created such a good read with heart and feels that you won't want to put down! Her writing always pulls me in. I can't wait to dive back into this series with the third installment, Rookie's Regret! Definitely check this series out! 💜
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Give Me Books Promotions / the author*
June 30, 2022
Axel and Maisy are officially towards the top of my list of favorite characters. I had a good feeling that would happen since they grabbed my attention in Hot Shot’s Mistake.
Axel is simply amazing. He keeps things close to his chest. His circle of trust is small. He isn't a fan of really stepping outside his comfort zone. Yet at the same time, he will move mountains for those he holds dear. Not to mention he is an amazing dad, and has an incredible relationship with his ex.
Maisy is pretty fantastic as well. Yes she's been having a rough go of it lately, but she's determined to see the best in the situations. Maisy is creative. She's funny. She's outgoing. She just has that bubbly personality that draws others to her. Maisy also has dreams for her future, and she's not really afraid to go it alone. If anything she is all for the challenge.
Loved these two together. Loved getting to see Mila and Devon make appearances. And of course I am loving getting to know the other Thunderbolt players better. I am thinking that Bad Boy’s Downfall is going to be Lola's story, and my gut tells me that her love interest is River. OH I cannot wait! The anticipation!
Axel is simply amazing. He keeps things close to his chest. His circle of trust is small. He isn't a fan of really stepping outside his comfort zone. Yet at the same time, he will move mountains for those he holds dear. Not to mention he is an amazing dad, and has an incredible relationship with his ex.
Maisy is pretty fantastic as well. Yes she's been having a rough go of it lately, but she's determined to see the best in the situations. Maisy is creative. She's funny. She's outgoing. She just has that bubbly personality that draws others to her. Maisy also has dreams for her future, and she's not really afraid to go it alone. If anything she is all for the challenge.
Loved these two together. Loved getting to see Mila and Devon make appearances. And of course I am loving getting to know the other Thunderbolt players better. I am thinking that Bad Boy’s Downfall is going to be Lola's story, and my gut tells me that her love interest is River. OH I cannot wait! The anticipation!
July 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Axel's book was definitely one that was totally worth the read and shows that men have the same hang-ups and uncertainties that women do. And he had loads. But when Maisy steps back into his world, he sits up and takes notice and something about her just pulls and makes him wonder if he can have it all.
The storyline is very simple but is full of sweet and fun moments. But it is full of a lot of insecurities on both sides. Maisy is a beauty with curves that she rocks and although she is confident, she has had too many people making her feel she is less than she is. I loved how Axel made her feel and how he constantly told her just how beautiful she is.
Again Gina Azzi has delivered a really great story, one that will help build this series into a great one. This book and series are a great recommendation for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews, news and giveaways, check out Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner at;
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The storyline is very simple but is full of sweet and fun moments. But it is full of a lot of insecurities on both sides. Maisy is a beauty with curves that she rocks and although she is confident, she has had too many people making her feel she is less than she is. I loved how Axel made her feel and how he constantly told her just how beautiful she is.
Again Gina Azzi has delivered a really great story, one that will help build this series into a great one. This book and series are a great recommendation for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews, news and giveaways, check out Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner at;
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |
July 7, 2022
Wow just wow !!! Another home run right outta the ballpark for Gina Azzi . Gina has once again taken so many of my very favorite tropes to read in romance ( Grumpy / Sunshine, Single Dad and Sports / Hockey romances and entwined them in the most wonderfully written storyline with all the feels , a story that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and have your feeling so many different emotions from start to finish. From the moment I met both Axel and Maisy they pretty much had my heart , two people who are so likable and relatable end up coming into each other’s life when they least expect it . but there was definitely something about Axel that I gravitated towards and I honestly think that it was because I could relate to so many of the choices he had to make as a single parent . To say that their journey was not a easy one is definitely a understatement, they both have many obstacles to work through but at the same time they were just what each other needed . Their journey was definitely a emotional rollercoaster In every sense of the word . It was fun , sexy , emotional, heartfelt and heartbreaking, angsty , intriguing, filled with love , romance, second romance, family , friendships, humor , witty banter , off the charts chemistry and so much more . There really are not any words to express what a fantastic job. Gina did writing this awesome book , if you ask me it’s something you need to experience by just reading it for yourself
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