The Minnesota Raider’s PR Guru calls me into her office. No big deal, right? I’m Dominik James. I’m the goalie with the most and the most charming player we’ve got...and now I’m supposed to use my charm to win over the journalist who’s gonna be tailing me for two weeks.
Two weeks.
I start out with nothing against Fiadora Brown or what she does for a living. Then I get a glimpse of the sexy Ice Queen and her bad attitude. She hates sports. Especially hockey. More specifically, she hates hockey players. She hates me (nobody hates me) and I’ve never even met the woman before.
This is going to be a tough two weeks.
Then the walls around her heart start to crumble and she gives me a taste of the softness underneath. A softness I want to protect, I want to know, I want to love.
Except love wasn’t supposed to be part of the equation.
And Fia wants nothing to do with me. She’s too busy looking over her shoulder, running from her past.
There’s one thing I have to keep in mind at all times: I need to give her the best angle for her story on the Raiders and the Single Dad Hockey Players Club that I can, or the article she writes will ruin us all.
Looks like I’ve got a single shot at claiming Fia’s heart before our two weeks are done. Is this a goal I can manage? Or will I bungle it before the buzzer sounds and my time is up?
This book had so much potential and it didn't deliver. Their love story and the drama surrounding them wasn't written realistically and there were lots of inconsistencies in the chapters. I kept waiting for it to be explained or get better but the end was rushed and their growth as a couple wasn't really explored in depth. I almost gave up on this book several times.
This was a really good story - enjoyed the secondary characters and loved Dom! The issue was Fia. Her back story is tragic - definitely get it. But, she was portrayed as so cold and aloof thru much of this book. And the timing seemed off in a couple of occasions.
Could have been so much better. I’ll still continue on with the series though. Enjoyed the first book much more.
The second book in this series is Single Shot. This story follows Grant and Lucky's teammate and goalie for the Minnesota Raiders, Dominik James. Dominik is a single father who shares custody of his son with his ex-wife, with whom he is still on friendly terms. Because of his personality, Dominik is singled out by the management of the Raiders to liaise with a local report, Fiadora Brown. His job, make sure she doesn't write anything scandalous about the team. Fiadora is a reluctant sports report. To keep her job, she must follow the Minnesota Raiders around for two weeks and write a story on the team. Under the table, she is encouraged to find a raunchy story, not a puff piece. Dominik and Fia go back and forth, their personalities clashing as well as their goals. In the end, they learn why it is meaningful to communicate and work together.
My Take
I thoroughly enjoyed the series. Pippa Green delves into deeper topics (boss vs. employee relationships, single parenthood, interfering parental units, etc.). But, the stories still manage to be fun and have a nice flow. The characters are easy to relate to, even if you're not a super fan of hockey. For a hockey romance series, there is a surprising lack of hockey.
I did have a complaint, and it mostly takes place in Snap Shot. The manufactured drama is a little unbelievable. You have Mitch and Morgan; they are on opposite sides of their drama, and there is a very "easy" solution to the problem that neither of them brings up. I'm not going to spoil it, but it did take me out of the story. The conflict really should have been figured out midway through the story. There is a fine line an author has to flirt with when writing a series. They need to have a new drama for each book. But, the longer the series goes, the harder they have to work to manufacture that drama. I'll be interested to read the next book when it is released.
Another observation I had - and this extends to other stories that I've read - is that family and friends in romance novels are super pushy. Now, I'm familiar with passive-aggression, and I recognize that messed-up family dynamics lead to more drama. But man, sometimes, I want to smack friends and family for not being supportive. I couldn't imagine if I fell in love with a friend of one of my brothers that they would act like that was the worst thing in the world. It's a familiar trope to have a sister fall for their brother's best friend (or a brother fall for a sister's best friend). But, if it is not well written, it can come across as hypocritical - notably, when the story revolves around a younger sister. In this series, you have two different brothers who are opposed to their sisters dating their best friends. He's good enough to be your best friend but not to date your sister. To me, it is irritating (almost as annoying as Grammarly). That may be the feminist in me.
Would I Recommend?
Yes, if you're looking for a sports romance series, I highly recommend the Minnesota Raiders series (there is even a new book dropping on February 22, 2022). Sure, you can read each story on its own but, I don't recommend it. All of the story's build on each other, particularly the prequel and the first three stories.
Overall I give each book 4.5/5 stars. I like the stories but, sometimes the manufactured drama pulls you out of the story.
If you found my review at all helpful or enjoyable, please feel free to check me out on my blog: Gypsy Reading.
This book may set off triggers, for those of you, who have been mentally, verbally, and physically abused.
Fiadora (Fia) is a serious journalist for a local newspaper. So, she is beyond angry, when her immediate boss, is ordering her to do an in-depth two-week piece. She will be submerging herself, in the Minnesota Raiders Hockey teams world, with a focus on, Dominik the goalie. She tries, to explain it would not be in, the best interest of the paper, or, the Raiders, that she be the one to write the article.
You see one she hates, maybe even loathes, hockey. Not to mention, Fia used, to date a hockey player, Bruce Accord. The biggest of all the a-holes, the Blackhawks, have on their team. By the way, his team is just as smarmy. Especially, for following his lead, thinking that man-handling, verbally abusing, and, degrading the one they say they love is okay, wow, just wow. Her boss didn't care, he wants the article, and all the dirt she can dig up.
As much as, she tried to be difficult, Dominik forever remained, the perfect gentleman. He is a great dad, friend, goalie, always happy, and so much more. The man can even, cook. What she found, that is unique, is that the stories out there talking about, Caroline his ex, show him in, a bad light. He always is a guy, that didn't support his wife's dream, and, that's why she left. Which she knows now, is the polar opposite. But, it's off the record, just like Erik, his son. For only him, Dom sets the moon and the stars in the sky.
There is so much angst in this book, that it keeps it interesting. Fia has so many fears, and, flaws from her past, and, past relationships. That she comes off as impossibly cute, or so, Dom says. She's different from any of the other women that he has encountered. This does intrigue him beyond belief. He wants her, but he has, Erik, to consider. The way her personality runs hot, and, cold just doing the article. He gets worried, thinking about how it would be in any type of relationship.
This is an intense read, in some parts of the story. I like how they both go from not wanting any type of ties, to find their one. Dom has a heart of gold. I love his relationship with his son, and, how, Erik calls him Papa.
Dom is a single dad to his son Erik. His marriage just didn't work out. Not because he didn't try but his ex wife Caro wanted something else. Dom is also one of the best goalies in the NHL. Plus he's just a great guy.
This is why the owner's daughter and PR manager of the team, Tori, asked him for a favor. She asked if he would allow a journalist for the City newspaper to follow him and ask questions about him and the team for the next two weeks. He reluctantly agreed. Then he met her. Fia is stunning. And she absolutely hates him and hockey.
Oh my, things are off from the beginning. Fia was told to get the dirt on the Minnesota Raiders team or she would be fired. She also had a horrible relationship for a few years with one of the league's bad guys who is on another team. So she doesn't trust any hockey player.
Dom is always on his best behavior and he really doesn't understand why she's so cool to him. No matter what she says Dom is always kind and gentle with her. He only speaks highly of his teammates even when he's teasing with them. And his son Erik is a doll. Can he really be a good guy?
Love how these two come together. Dom is super protective of her and even comes to blows with her ex. Great story!! So much to read. You will love it! Enjoy!
This is Dom and Fia's story. Dom is an NHL goalie and a single dad, not looking to marry again after his first wife left him for her dancing career. Fiadora is a journalist assigned to shadow Dom and write a salacious story about his team. Fia is prepared to hate him on sight because her abusive ex is a hockey player as well. But while Dom is cocky and flirty his boring life is hardly a whirlpool of sin, his son is pretty adorable and all the guys in the team she learns to know seem like good people. But her controlling father and the violent ex have made it really hard for her to trust that she deserves good things. She is afraid that her messy life might ruin Dom's happiness too and is trying to keep him at a distance. He is hurting but trying to take no for an answer because her ex certainly won't.
I love this emotional story. I like the way Dom thinks, Fia gets a perfect hero and the writing is beautiful and entertaining at the same time. Despite dealing with serious topics it wasn't too angsty.
Pippa Green has another well written book to add to the Minnesota Raiders series with Single Shot. It's an emotional yet fun read about Dom & Fia. I definitely would recommend reading any of the books in this series but if domestic violence is a trigger be forewarned this book may not be for you, although you may love how Dom defends and supports Fia dealing with her prior relationship. How he treats his ex-wife after she chose her career over family to his amazing relationship with his son & let's not forget how he treats Fia and the 'multiples' he provides, Dominick is, well honestly.....just swoonworthy! That sums it up best and makes it easy to say don't miss Single Shot, just one-click and enjoy this amazing & entertaining read! Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I also purchased the book/read with Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited opinion with my voluntary review.
When they are paired together so she can write an article, he’s got 2 weeks to convince her to give him a shot.
Check you trigger warnings before reading the book. With that being said, the author does an amazing job of bringing the mindset of a domestic violence victim out in this story. Fia is trying to overcome the darkness that her past was covered in but still struggles. She doesn’t think she is enough, that she can be liked, that anyone would think she is beautiful. She thinks she is the cause of all of the problems brought on by her ex. But Dom is so tender and caring. He never stops showing her his love and how special she is.
The author has once again made me fall for these characters. You laugh and cry with them and cheer when they get their HEA.
Goalie Dominik (Dom) James is the most likeable player on the Raiders, so he is assigned to be followed for the next two weeks for an in-depth interview by reporter Fiadora Brown. Fiadora hates sports and especially hockey after her horrible experience dating another hockey player, but her boss is forcing her to do the article.
Dom has been very happy raising his son after his divorce, but Fiadora is the first person that has made him realize that there might be something there, but her ex-boyfriend wasn’t ready to let her get away from him.
Dom is given no choice but to have a journalist shadow him for two weeks in order to write an article. Fia has no choice but to write the article if she wants a promotion but she hates hockey and hockey players. Sparks fly when these two meet and not always in a a good way. However, Dom’s charms soon sway Fia’s opinions but her complicated past arises and causes an uncertainty of what the future might hold,. I thought both characters were sweet and so good together. They had good chemistry and there was quite an element of action in here.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
He’s Dominick James, starting goalie for the Minnesota Raiders NHL team and a member of the Single Dad Hockey Players Club. She’s a journalist for the local paper, Fiadora Brown, who has been assigned to do a “hit piece” on the Minnesota Raiders. Her boss is convinced that there’s dirt somewhere being hidden and she has been assigned to find and expose it! Only problem is she hates hockey and especially all hockey players! Then she meets Dom and all the other Raiders and realizes just how wrong she’s been. Another stellar book about second thinking everything, and maybe just letting the past go. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this wonderfully well told story by Pippa Green!
Overall this was a great read. The plot unfolded in a way that flowed nicely. It got a little predictable at times but still managed to surprise me and take a different route. The characters were great and it was fun watching them come together and each overcome problems with their past. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Five out of five stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dominik and Fia truly start out as enemies. I love their journey. It is sweet. It is sarcastic, it is hard, it is hot. I like that Dom is usually so easy going and fun. I like that Fia has so much baggage and is so afraid but so hard. I love the guys and Tori. These characters all work together. This is a really nice story. I will be looking for others.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love a good sports romance and this was a fantastic one!
Loving this series. Fia had to do a story on the Raiders Hockey players. Dom was chosen to be the one she would follow. He was to introduce her to the other players and she was to find out what made them tick. She didn’t trust hockey players because her ex was a a..hole who was abusive. She soon learned that Dom was the complete opposite of her ex. Fia and Dom were able to overcome a bad start and found their HEA.
A fun and entertaining second book in this Minnesota Raiders series. This is the story of Dom the goalie of the time and woman that captures his heart Fiadora. Their story will keep you interested to see what happens next. They fit well together. A great read, looking forward to read more.
I almost stopped reading this. Fia should have been in counseling. And the author should not have used a real NHL team name if she was going to demonize them and make them a dirty team, especially since that was the only real team name. And I'm pretty sure this violates the licensing/copyright the league owns of that name.
I enjoyed this book, who wouldn’t with those hot AF hockey guys. It’s well written with a well thought out storyline. I really liked the characters, also the push /pull between them was great. I also loved Don’s protective softer side to such a huge guy - perfection Overall a great read
Dom and Fia have major trust issues to get through! Lol! Fia has a major hate for hockey and hockey is Dom's life along with his little boy. Fia has to shadow Dom to write an article about the Raiders to save her job. But will the job be enough for her to create the scandal her boss wants and will hurt Dom and.her new friends?
Dom and Fia's story is about taking another chance on love, especially for Dom. It is a very romantic story very well written that I enjoyed reading very much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved Fiadora and dom story. He is one of a kind character and she is one tough cookie. A wonderful series. Looking forward to reading more on the raiders .
I accidentally read this book first in this series, and it has inspired me to read the whole series. I loved how long this book was and how the whole team was involved in the story.
A good read for people who are into the series recommended highly a good read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series
Dominik is the goalie of the Minnesota Raiders. Sweet, honest, flirty and fun. I couldn't bring myself to like Fiadora, I tried but she gave me a headache.