Member Reviews

A hockey romance rumors, unexpected love, a musician, and overcoming fears.

It's time to find out what happens when a hockey player flirts with a singer and they try to outsmart the media.

Is is possible to find love when your life is in the media?

Who will take a risk to finally find love?

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There is something so good about a good hockey romance. Chase and Jordyn's story I loved. I loved it because usually the hockey player is the celebrity, but in this case Chase dates a superstar singer. I loved how both of these people had to learn to open up and face their fears and let someone in to face it with them. It's been a while since I read a book in this series, so I was playing catch up with the team, but I loved jumping back in. This band of brothers story tugged at my heartstrings and it was a great hockey romance.

The narrators did a great job telling their story. I really enjoyed them as these characters.

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Playing Hurt, the sixth book of the Aces series, can be read as a standalone. It was my introduction to the series and I had no issues diving right into this world.

A sweet crush and an innocent flirtation morphs into more in Playing Hurt. A pop princess and a hockey star take their turns working out their demons while their spark grows. Jordyn is a singer, and also a hockey fan. She and a player, Chase, banter a bit online before a bet finally brings them face to face.

Chase is living a dream in the NHL. He’s had some issues this season, and his stubbornness keeps getting in his way. He and Jordyn easily fall into a relationship, but he’s still protecting himself from his past.

Overall, I really enjoyed Playing Hurt. Jordyn and Chase are magnetic, and their story was low on the drama, and had just enough angst to keep you hooked. They are an easy couple to root for. The story felt a little slow at times, but it didn’t drag out. I would recommend to the reader looking for a flirty romance with a sweet singer and a sexy hockey player.

*4.5 Star review*
*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

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I loved this story! I am a sucker for a hockey romance and this didn't disappoint. The story was cute and chemistry between the MCs was great! I will be reading more from Kelly Jamieson!

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This romance starts off as two celebrities (one pop star, one hockey player) take to Twitter with flitty tweets. This soon leads to a bet...a date.

Chase Hartman plays for the Aces hockey team. He's in a scoring slump and going through basics again to get his head back in the game. While developing his relationship with Jordyn, he has to determine if he's playing hurt or playing injured.

Jordyn Banks has been going non-stop for years. Her throat has been giving her issues, and she suddenly finds herself without a voice at a major TV event. She's been burned by guys (and the media) before, and she isn't sure whether Chase is committed to her or enjoying the fun.

This book is well written. The plot has stayed with me for awhile, and I remember enjoyed the fun banter of Chase and Jordyn. It's definitely a good read for hockey fans or those who've played hurt one time too many.

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I expected a bit of drama after reading the synopsis for this story and while we did get it, it seemed a bit simplistic, not really important. The MC's worked together and were both sweet and spicy, but they were simple as well. They were given a character sketch and then the writing followed that to the letter rather than weaving a story with depth to support dynamic characters. The whole thing just felt so very ... surface; not uninteresting perse, but not potent. Nice MC's, nice chemistry, nice ending.

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I am a sucker for Hockey players, so it came to no surprise I loved this one. Funny bantering, maybe a little slow-paced story developing, interesting but fun read in total so I would recommend to anyone who loves suck contemporary romances.

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In this day and age it isn’t a stretch for people to meet and form a bond on social media even if they are both celebrities and that’s why I found Playing Hurt to be timely and charming. There was something sweet about these two with their verbal Twitter sparring, their bets, their unique dates, and how despite some bumps in the road the caring and feelings they had for one another never ceased. I loved this book and the easy way they fell into a relationship neither one thought they could have.

Chicago Aces pro hockey player Chase Hartman has a bit of a crush on up and coming singer Jordyn Banks so when she follows him on Twitter he might be a wee bit excited, but when they begin to chat regularly on Twitter things really heat up between them including a bet that lands him a date with her.

I have to say that this book while it did have some heavy and tough moments the romance was a breath of fresh air. I loved how comfortable they were with each other from the start, the unassuming first date they both enjoyed immensely, their concern for one another when things weren’t going well, and the fact that despite their differences they trusted one another immensely. There was a realness to their relationship and they didn’t flash it around, while they knew people talked about them and they were photographed together, they didn’t purposely plan outings that would garner them publicity.

At times I got frustrated with them both for not communicating as well as they should, but on the other hand I admired the way Jordyn was on Chase’s side no matter what even when he couldn’t see it and how Chase constantly kept Jordyn’s spirits up when she needed it and let her know that he had faith in her always.

Easy to read, fun, enjoyable, sweet, and sexy you don’t want to miss Kelly Jamieson’s Playing Hurt.

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PLAYING HURT - Kelly Jamieson

#6 in the Aces Hockey romance series

WARM ROMANCE - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Chase is one of the younger members of the Aces hockey team, and he expects a lot of himself. When he develops a nagging injury, he keeps playing so he can support his team. He also starts a Twitter relationship with up-and-coming singing star Jordyn Banks, also a hockey lover. She also suffers a set-back in her health, which affects her career. As they get to know each other better, they learn what it's like to be able to lean on someone.

Writing - 4 stars - As always, Jamieson grabs my attention right from the first page. Of course, with an enjoyable continuing series like this one, it's easy to engage, since we already know the characters. But she draws us in, allowing us to get an inner look and get to learn more about them.

Characters - 4.5 stars - These two characters are particularly engaging. Their fun-loving camaraderie before they even met set up a lot of smile, with even some laugh-out-loud moments. And their dedication to their careers and their fans was sweet. Chase tries super hard to be a good person and an excellent hockey player. His reasons stem back to his childhood, but his work ethic is still admirable. Jordyn comes from the opposite sort of family, but she also dedicates herself to her music, and it shows.

Title - 4.5 stars - This title is particularly apropos since they both continue to work at their chosen jobs, no matter whether they are physically hurt or if their hearts are feeling raw.

Cover - 3.5 stars - I wish the cover would have shown two people, although there's nothing wrong with a look at sexy male abs.

Overall - 4 stars - What a pleasant and enjoyable book, but with a bit more than the usual romance. I particularly liked that the characters had more substance to them than the typical romantic couple. They both have strong work ethics and a strong sense of gratitude for their talents. They are willing to give back to their fans. And they are fun-loving, with great camaraderie, not taking themselves too seriously. In a way, their health issues brought them even closer together, and they were able to support each other and realize how much they can do on their own, but also with each other's help. Really a very nice addition to this wonderful and enjoyable series.

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Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Oh boy, I love those Aces. Chase is a hockey player who's dealing with a crummy year and Jordyn is a hot singer, fresh off of her first album. What starts as a harmless conversation via Twitter turns into more when Chase bets her for a date. These two have their issues - Chase needs to be perfect but hates feeling pressure to do things that aren't in his best interest - Jordyn is a busybody whose career is on the rocks thanks to a health scare.

Seeing these two slowly come together through dates and Twitter conversations was a lot of fun. This might be my favorite Aces story yet, as a matter of fact. I loved everything about these two, even if it was frustrating when they were fighting. I really love the cast of characters that Jamieson has in this series and can't wait for the next one.

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Excellent book!! I totally love this author. She grabs your attention right from the start. Her characters are amazing and feel real. I love that I can jump right into her books and leave reality for a few hours.

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What a charming, warm, sexy gem of a novel. Full of laugh out loud moments, full of funny and dirty euphemisms, and tons of fun. Well written, with great characters, who live, breathe and jump off the page at you. I love a great Romance and this delivered from the beginning to the end.
Chase Hartman is a Chicago Aces’ Pro Hockey player who is a big fan of Pop Singer Jordyn Banks. Their love of Ice Hockey brings them together, through a tweet and a bet on a game. When these two meet sparks fly, and their chemistry is palpable and will make you breathless. Date by date they grow closer together. And as these two deal with their own injuries, their connection deepen and sizzles. But how will they make it work when past insecurities run deep? You will need to read to find out. Loved it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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It was cute watching this love story play out over Twitter and in Chicago. The romance was sweet, even though it had it's frustrating moments at times. Overall a quick and easy book to read and enjoyable.

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DNF - Could not get past the 50% mark on this one. Characters felt stale and the story like just never caught any momentum for me.

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I haven’t read any other books by Kelly Jamieson but this book can be read a standalone. Chase and Jordyn are a cute couple. What starts as flirty tweets quickly turns into a date.

I liked the story. It really pulled my in and I couldn’t put it down. The book was fantastic.

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I liked the banter Jordyn and Chase had together with their tweets. I would have loved to read even more hockey action and more interactions with the other guys on the team than there was.

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4 1/2 stars

Chase OMFG Chase! He is such a cute fanboy over Jordyn in a non stalker way before they even met. Who hooks over twitter, but a hot hockey player and an upcoming pop singer. Losing a bet equals a fun date that leave both wanting more. Chase comes up with the cutest dates to take Jordyn on. His crazy sayings/ puns like 'Let's make like a baby and head out' are a funny part of his personality that are seen through out the book.

Both are suffering from an injury they don't want the public to know about, as they work through the mental issue that can come from a career ending injury. Reading them cling and fight with each other as they try to deal with the emotional issues and each other made for a great read.

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Great read.

Chase plays hockey for the Chicago Aces. But he's playing with an injury that happened last season and it's affecting his game big time. He knows that he needs to do something about the pain but he can't let his team down.

Jordyn Banks, music superstar, is Chase's biggest crush. When he finds out that she is following him on Twitter, they start flirting. Jordyn is a huge hockey fan so when games are on, she and Chase tweet back and forth during the games. When Chase throws out a bet to her in exchange for a date, she gladly excepts.

Their date is a success until he mentions that he doesn't do relationships. Even though the chemistry between them is hot.

When Jordyn performs live the following night and her voice gives out, Chase watches the whole thing on live television. He reaches out to her but between her surgery and recovering, she stays under the radar.

Definitely a must read!!

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Kelly Jamieson's Playing hurt is a witty read. The dynamic between Chase and Jordyn is fun to read. I can't wait to see Kelly takes the Ace Hockey series.

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This is the 6th book in the series and I am always amazed at how this author brings us something interesting each time she publishes. The Aces team is located in Chicago and the heroine in this one is a huge hockey fan from Chicago.

Both Jordyn and Chase are hurting and not able to participate in their fields as well as they would like. Random flirting on social media leads to a dare which leads to a perfect first date. What follows is a light romantic read. We get a bit of the hockey aspect with Chase. We know he not playing up to par. But for the most part, this is a contemporary romance with a very modern take on dating with the NHL in the background.

Loved the vulnerability of both of these characters. It was great to see some of the former couples in this story as well. Not my favorite of the series but a nice light read.

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