Member Reviews
Kate Meader is an author I find irresistible, folks. Having loved her “Hot in Chicago” and “Hot in the Kitchen” series, you can bet I’m thrilled she’s taking her romance writing skills to a whole new level by heating up the ice in her latest hockey themed series, The Chicago Rebels.
I must confess Remy, the hero, rubbed me the wrong way in the very beginning. He came across hurtful and harsh at first, mainly because he was not happy about being traded to a team that was on a major losing streak, just when he thought the Stanley Cup was within his grasp. He lashes out at Harper, the heroine, without knowing what’s at stake in her future and what she has endured in her past. He basically forces her into a deal with the devil type agreement that she can’t refuse. However, once he does get to know her, this raging Cajun turns sweet talking and can’t keep her out of his thoughts or his hands and lips to himself whenever she’s around. Their instant attraction and infatuation with one another leads to off the charts chemistry and forbidden steamy scenes that leave you wanting this good guy/family man hero to get hand-wringing Harper to put it all on the line for them to be together.
There is a great build up to their relationship and quite a bit of angst as Harper struggles with what she fears will be the aftermath of dating one of her players. All this occurs in a well written backdrop featuring sub-characters who I can’t wait to see get their own HEA, as well.
Yeah, I’m especially excited about the Scottish captain of the team that seems to have quiet, sad eyes for a certain wild child sister. But I will have to wait for that since Isobel will take center stage in the next book, So Over You. A Russian is coming in that second chance storyline, my fellow romance book-loving friends. You better brace yourself. He seems to be carrying quite a grudge and is definitely a ladies man. You’ll get to meet him in the opening teaser chapters at the end of this book.
Well, here’s to hoping my review will help you decide if this book is a good match for you. Kate Meader makes it impossible for me to resist her romantic tales, regardless of the theme.
Title: Irresistible You, Series: The Chicago Rebels (Book 1), Author: Kate Meader, Pages: 400, stand-alone but part of a series, hockey team owner/manager, good guy/family man type hockey player, VERY steamy scenes, HEA, no OW drama, OM wants to date her, keeps pushing hero away after being intimate, can feel their chemistry, no rape, reference to previous boyfriend physical abuse incident.
Book .5 - In Skates Trouble (Addison & Ford), 5/1/17, Pages: 158
Book 1 - Irresistible You (Harper & Remy), 8/14/17, Pages: 400
Book 2 - So Over You (Isobel & Vadim), 12/4/17, Pages: 300
(These comments are based on an advanced reader copy distributed via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, Barnes & Noble, and Edelweiss).
I DNF this one... I love Hockey and Romance. But this one was not for me
Harper Chase is the new co-owner of the Chicago Rebels hockey team along with her two sisters. She always tried to prove to her father that she was worthy of managing the team. In his death he took another dig at Harper by splitting the ownership between the three sisters.
The team has taken on veteran player Remy "Jinx" DuPre, who is not happy with this new arrangement. Harper and Remy locked horns from the onset. But things begin to heat up between them. Harper worries about appearances and what will be said about her. She has to make a decision about her own happiness. Remy has goals and has to decide what is important to him and what will make him happy.
I kept thinking "you go girl". And then one of Harper's sisters does or says something that makes it even better. This is just book one, and I'm already in love with the series.
I can't formally review this book because I am unable to give it a glowing (3.5 stars or above). I generally don't rate or review a book that is below 3 stars.
There wasn't anything really wrong with this book or writing, it just didn't keep my attention. I think I had the biggest problem with the Hero of the story....he just wasn't for me as a reader.
Irresistible You is book 1 in the Chicago Rebels series, there is a prequel ‘In Skates Trouble’ that was first released in Hot on Ice but can now be purchased on its own. Three estranged sisters bought together by tragedy can they work together to change the fortune of the Chicago Rebels. I liked this sizzling romance the story is well written and the character dynamics is excellently played out. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Irrisistable You was not my first book I read by Kate Meader but for sure was one that I enjoyed the most. It was such an enjoyable read and from the start I had a hard time putting it down. It was sweet, funny, sexy, and a little emotional at times that I found myself smiling.. This story had great characters and story development that set up for the next books in the series perfectly. I loved the push and pull chemistry between Remy and Harper, the two main characters. I can't wait for the next installment in this series. Even though this book is part of a series, you can read it as a stand alone. I would recommend this book.
Great setup to a new series. I loved Remy, he was such a southern gentlemen but of course, all men are asses when they are jealous. Harper is a very strong independent woman, it was nice to watch her grow through this book. Looking forward to the next sister ;)
Loved this book. Great start to a new series. Remy and Harper are great together. It was nice to see her starting to develop relationships with her sisters and to have more in her life than running the hockey team
Harper and Remy are...perfect. Apart, they are flawed, and scared, but together they are exactly what they're meant to be. I LOVE them so much! This book is sexy, sweet, and just what a good sports romance should be!
"I skate for her."
5 swoon-worthy Fangs!
I love Kate Meader's Hot in Chicago series. She writes romance just the way I like it. Her characters have a sizzling hot chemistry, they can be funny and sweet too.
Her Chicago Rebels bring us new hot guys to fall in love with. They are not firefighters (miss you Engine 6) instead they are hockey stars. Need I say more?
Three half sisters are forced to come together after they inherited ownership of the Chicago Rebels, a failing hockey team. Their father, Cliff Chase was a piece of work and he was tougher on Harper, who's the main character in Irresistible You.
"There is no room for sentimentality in this game."
Harper Chase has wanted to take over the Chicago Rebels for years but her father never thought she was ready. After he passes, she discovers that she doesn't have all the power. Her decisions have to be approved by her two sisters, Violet and Isobel. The sisters have been estranged and Isobel and Harper found out about Violet just a couple of years ago. This could be a recipe for disaster. Harper needs someone to make the Chicago Rebels come together. Acquiring "Jinx" to help the team is first on her to-do list. Just two problems. One, Remy is not happy with his current situation and second, Harper wasn't counting of feeling attracted to him.
"Me want Cajun."
Remy "Jinx" DuPre knows he wants a chance at the Stanley Cup but joining the Rebels is not going to help him. He needs to move into a team who has a shot at winning. He's tired of being passed around and losing his chance at the trophy. He just needs to convince his new boss to let him go. Although, the more he interacts with her, the less he wants to leave her.
Irresistible You pushed all my happy triggers. Harper and DuPre were great together. Their banter and chemistry were off the charts! Couldn't help but falling in love with both. Harper was a true businesswoman. She was a hard worker despite her father wanting her to fail. Remy was adorable with his family and nieces. He was also super sexy and a great team member. He tried to guide the rest of the team to make better choices and he brought them hope.
I'm looking forward to the next few books in the series. The best part is that the other two sisters, Isabel and Violet are already likable and we know who their love interests are. Bring it on, Vadim and Bren!
"I speak and you think of sex?"
"You exist and I think of sex."
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Star via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley.
3.5* rounded down.
Harper and her half-sisters have inherited a hockey team, the Chicago Rebels, from their father. Harper's newest recruit is player Remy duPre, and he is furious because this is the last year he plans to play hockey and he wants to win the Stanley Cup with his old team. Instead he is forced to join Harper's Rebels, the second worst team in the NHL.
There is A LOT of hockey in this book although, thankfully, no play by play action. If I hadn't been reviewing it, I'm not sure I'd have got past the beginning, where Remy is disrespectful, petulant and downright unpleasant. Fortunately he undergoes something of a personality change after having blackmailed Harper to get his own way and turns into a complete charmer, who won't even sit if a woman is standing.
I enjoyed the scenes with Remy's delightful family and the scenes where Harper interacts with her sisters and Remy with his teammates were well done. Generally the book picked up after the first 20%. The ending was perhaps a little "open" - what is going to happen at the end of the season? Is Harper going to give Remy the babies he seems to crave? Harper's sisters, who are by no means quite as estranged/unco-operative as the blurb suggests, are clearly going to get books of their own.
If I believed in guilty pleasures, sports romances - more specifically ice hockey - would be right up there (seriously, I must have read most of the ice hockey romance books out there to date) and I can honestly say that this is one of my favourite that I have read in some time; it isn't too graphically steamy either which could make or break it for some readers but I didn't mind at all.
I loved the chemistry between Remy and Harper throughout the entire book. As soon as they met in the first chapter, even if you hadn't read the synopsis, you could feel the sparks and just, yes. Some of the scenes where they got down and dirty were delightfully free of the terrible adjectives often featured in some other romance which I can't tell you how much I appreciated!
Unlike a lot of other modern romance novels, Remy isn't a uber alpha either and despite the first impression he gives both Harper, and the reader, he is actually a complete sweetheart; respectful of women and he gave the impression that his head is screwed on really well.
If, like me, you have a not so secret love of ice hockey romances then I definitely recommend this. I can't tell you how widely I grinned when I was approved for the eARC of this because, let's face it, I was going to be buying it anyway but it surpassed my expectations. The sequel has already been lined up for a preorder and I am going to be looking into other books by Kate Meader.
Thank you (so much) to the publishers for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are a personal thing and please don't let mine affect yours.
This story was only an ok read for me, maybe it was because I have read other stories by this author and my expectations were too high but I just didn't love this story. The heroine irritated me and Remy just do for me what other heros did, he left me feeling kinda flat.
I swear I read the first couple of chapters of this book before but I just can't remember where.
Clifford Chase, maverick owner of the Chicago Rebels hickey team, was an SOB. After his death, his three daughters from three different women (two wives and a mistress) learn that he has left the Chicago Rebels to them equally. Under the terms of his will the three women must work together to take the team to the playoffs. If they fail then they lose the team.
Clifford's oldest daughter Harper is devastated by the news. She has worked long and hard at the club and truly believed that her father would leave the team to her, she thought he recognised that she had earned it, now she realises that he never considered her to be suitable, even though HE was the one who ran the team into the ground, and that this ludicrous provision in his will was just the icing on the cake.
Harper's only chance of turning the team around is her latest signing, Remy “Jinx” DuPre. He gained the nickname because every team he has been on just failed to win the Stanley Cup, until he left. Harper thinks that Remy has what it takes to lead the team by example and get the players playing cohesively. Remy however has already decided that this is his final year, his final chance at the Stanley Cup and he isn't going to get it with a losing team like the Rebels. He isn't above playing dirty to get what he wants, even if he finds the short, skinny, bossy woman somewhat arousing. Finally they come to a deal. Remy will give 110% to the team for three months IF Harper agrees to trade him to a team that has a shot at the Stanley Cup after that time.
But as the negotiations, threats and blackmailing turn into joking and late night texts things turn warm between Harper and Remy. But can a woman managing an NHL team really have a relationship with one of her players?
I really liked this. Kate Meader has a great way of writing and, if you like hot sexy hockey players then this book is for you. I don't even like the New Orleans accent and I was hooked! Kate Meader also balanced the off-the-charts desire for each other with Harper's obvious and understandable fears about how she would perceived if anyone found out about their relationship, or even their secret agreement.
I'm looking forward to the next book, featuring Harper's sister, a former National Women's Hockey Player for the Buffalo Betties, Isobel Chase.
IRRESITABLE YOU by Kate Meader is the first book in Chicago Rebels her new contemporary romance series. Sexy, charming and hot Meader shares Harper and Remy’s story as they melt the ice and kick off this series about featuring three sisters and the men they fall for.
Holy Hotness! Wait until you meet veteran hockey player Remy “Jinx” DuPree. This sexy Cajun hockey player stole my heart. The man can cook, reads books to discuss them with his tween nieces, loves his family and whispers sweet, sexy French terms of endearment. Remy has his eyes on obtaining a Stanley Cup and retiring. He is tired and ready to start a family of his own. His team has a shot but those plans go to hell when he is drafted by the worst team in the league the Chicago Rebels. Worse yet the franchise is in financial trouble and run by three sisters who are rumored not to even like each other.
From the onset the chemistry between Harper and Remy was electric, but Harper is trying to fill a position in a man’s world and all eyes are upon her. She cannot afford to be distracted, and she needs Remy focused on bringing the team together and winning. I love the back and forth stubbornness between these two and enjoyed the way things heated up. The romance felt genuine and Meader kept the drama to a minimum. I fell for Remy from the onset and wouldn’t change a thing about it. Harper has Daddy issues and is very focused on her career. She has been hurt by her
I fell for Remy from the onset and wouldn’t change a thing about it. Harper has Daddy issues and is very focused on her career. She has been hurt by her sisters but also doesn’t open up and keeps her emotions checked. I loved the growth and events that led to our HEA.
We learned a little about the sisters and I am looking forward to their stories. We also spent time with couple key hockey players and I will be curious to learn more about his motley crew. A lot of time is spent at the rink, and we get some hockey talk. It was nice seeing that these threads were well researched. Meader also took us to New Orleans and any time a book does this I smile and long to visit the city again.
IRRESITABLE YOU delivered a passionate, smexy read with character growth and heart.
Kate Meader has brought some Cajun hotness to hockey! I loved Remy and Harper's story. Despite a rocky start, these two balanced each other perfectly. Neither of them tried to change who the other was, instead wanting to be the one that stood behind the scenes supporting.
As with any Kate Meader book, she manages to give the perfect balance of witty, banged up characters, chemistry, snappy dialogue and sexiness to make you wish you could jump right into book 2.
I look forward to reading more of the Chicago Rebels series.
Harper and her half sisters inherit an ice hockey team from their Dad. Three women in a predominantely male sport. It can only spell trouble!
Remy has been transferred (or is the term traded?) and he isn't happy about that!
I must admit I really struggled to get into this. I'm not sure if it was me and the fact I was out of my comfort zone and reading in the garden or what. For me it felt like it was a bit dragged out in some places and I had to resist the urge to skim.
It's not all bad news from me though. I really liked Remy and I am interested in Isobel and Vadim's story. I love a Russian love interest for some reason!
As for Remy and Harper.....'Their season was just beginning.' And I'm so glad for them but this book just wasn't for me.
Absolutely loved Harper and Remy. He was the answer to all her prayers and her need to ensure her hockey team achieved success. He definitely wasn't happy about the trade and tries every angle to get what he wants. The humor in the book made me laugh and I couldn't put it down desperate to find out what happened next. When your best intentions change everything you never knew was possible.
The moment that Harper Chase has been waiting for all her life has finally happened, for years she has studied all the ins and outs of hockey, and tried to get herself ready for the day her father would finally hand the team over to her...and he has but with some stipulations. Of course her overbearing father wouldn't let her off so easily, she has to make something of their lackluster team by the end of the season or her dream of running the team will be dashed, and the team will fall into someone else's hands. She is determined to not let that happen, so she buckles down, and starts making some trades, and by sheer luck she lands one of the best of the game, now she just has to keep her focus on the game, and focus less on the sexy Cajun specimen that has just skated into her life!!
Just when NHL center Remy “Jinx” DuPre thinks this is finally the season he'll be hoisting the cup, he finds out he is being traded to a team that has seen better days. They supposedly want someone with experience to help get the team back into shape, but he doesn't want to be the man for the job, nor does he want to be taking orders the the teams new irritatingly beautiful new owner. She is gorgeous as hell, bossy as hell, and he'd love nothing more than to lure her into his bed, but he has more important things to worry about, like a Stanley cup... or does he?
Nothing renders me useless quite like a sinfully sexy tale with an rugged, smooth talking hockey player at the helm...the moment Mr. DuPre waltzed onto the page I was completely taken with him, he is everything you want in a hero and then some!! And his bossy and determined counterpart was definitely created just for him, she gave him a run for his money every chance she got, and she had me cheering her on every step of the way. I loved this story so much, it had moments that made me laugh, moments that made me swoon and moments that had me near tears... it was definitely a well rounded read!! I cannot wait to make a return visit to the series and see what Ms. Meader has in store for the Rebels next... and also meet another one of her sexy hockey players!! Highly recommend this one, it's sure to keep you captivated from start to finish... and swooning the whole way through too!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.