I’m afraid I just didn’t care for this one. The premise, that two famous names hit it off on Twitter and begin a romance, didn’t really excite me. The characters, both in their mid-twenties, didn’t appeal to me and I couldn’t relate to either of them. It felt like it moved really slow, too. I actually found myself skipping whole paragraphs and skimming parts because it was boring me. Maybe I just felt too disconnected from such young characters. I won’t be rushing to pick up another book in this series.

What happens when you take a hockey player and a pop star and throw them together with a bunch of chemistry? Well you get an amazing story that not only sucks you in, but keeps you rooting for well everyone.

Playing Hurt will pull you in from the first page, delivering a fun and feisty banter between two people who couldn't be more different and yet have so much in common it's unreal. Chase and Jordyn were an enjoyable couple who not only had major chemistry together but really grabbed my attention for who they were as individuals too.

Chase is going through struggles with his hockey game and he's not quite sure how to work through it - but the online flirting he's got going on with pop star Jordyn certainly helps his attitude a bit - especially when she agrees to a date. Jordyn's got her own problems worrying her - but it is nice to get out and enjoy an evening with Chase - but is that all it can be?

I loved the combination of sports and music and how both characters have such busy lives because of their chosen professions. I really enjoyed watching as these two tried to balance out their lives and find where they fit in the world and if they could find the space for each other. This book had just the right touches of drama and the biggest question - Could they make it work?

My first foray into the Aces world. I was worried. I love certain hockey series and wasn't sure this would live up to them.

Coming into a series on book 6 made me a bit more nervous.

A rock star and a Hockey player couldn't be resisted though. So glad I gave it a chance. These two were freaking adorable together!! They were both playing hurt and helped each other through it, eventually. I mean honestly, they fell into crush mode on TWITTER!! So good!!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Loveswept for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read an Aces book in forever so it was nice to be reunited with the Aces hockey crew.

This story starts out as two celebrities who tweet at each other through social media and end up betting on the outcome of a game. If Jordyn singer/songwriter) loses then she agreed to go on a date with Chase (Hockey player for the Aces). Well we can guess what happens. The date goes well and their chemistry is amazing. Even with all that they decide to make it a one time thing and focus on their careers.

Then the worst happens. Jordyn is singing and she loses her voice and Chase is having problems with his wrist and his game is not what it should be. These career changes bring them back together and their relationship takes off.

This was a fast easy read. If you love hockey romances then check out the Aces.

This was a pleasant surprise. When I first started it felt poorly written. The dialogue felt forced and it seemed like a hockey book written by someone who doesn't even casually watch it. But about 25% in the book took a turn. It felt much more natural and hooked me. I'm glad I pushed through and kept reading.

Jordyn and Chase were interesting characters. They were complex enough to feel real without being too angsty. And they both had things to deal with outside of the romantic story line.

The romance was very cute. There was immediate chemistry and their flirting made me smile. They had a lot of conversations loaded with sexual tension, but didn't just have sex which I liked. I also liked that they had real/adult arguments. And generally, they were handled in a realistic and mature way.

I'm really happy I kept reading this even though I was initially let down. It's my first Kelly Jamieson book and I will seek out her other books by her. It's always good to have another author who writes solid hockey/sports romances.

I love a good sports romance and I know I can depend on Kelly Jamieson to deliver a good story.

Chase and Jordyn may have very different careers and live on opposite sides of the country, but the both end up having to deal with setbacks and injuries in this story. A crush leads to love and with everything they go through they will learn what it takes to make things work even with all they have going against them. Great story, emotionally charged, super sexy and yet tender where it needs to be.

Chase, a pro hockey player, is working on his game as he connects with his favorite pop star, Jordyn, via Twitter. A cute premise leads to a steamy read. I enjoyed the characters and the story. This is a solid sports romance. I will add the previous books in the series to my TBR. Thanks Random House Publishing Group-Loveswept for the ARC of this title via NetGalley.

4 Stars from Renee!

This story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

Before reading this story please read the below books first:
Major Misconduct (Aces Hockey #1)
Off Limits (Aces Hockey, #1.5)
Icing (Aces Hockey #2)
Top Shelf (Aces Hockey, #3)
Back Check (Aces Hockey, #4)
Slap Shot (Aces Hockey #5)

This is Jordyn and Chase’s story. After finally overcoming his bad boy rep and getting back to the top of his game he thought he had it all. But now things are falling apart. Everyone thinks he is partying, but he is not. When he strikes up a back and forth flirtation on twitter he is pulled into something he never thought he needed. One bet turns into super-hot chemistry. Both Jordyn and Chase are celebrities and their careers are in different spots. Can they handle a relationship and their careers at the same time? Or are they going to walk away from something that could have been great?

I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

PLAYING HURT has become one of my favorites of the Aces series. When hockey player Chase finally gets up the nerve to tweet his crush, pop star Jordyn Banks, rumors spark. Determined to get to know her, he gets her to place a bet on a game. The prize…a date. I think these two came into each other’s lives at just the right time. Chase has been playing hurt and is starting to psych himself out. Jordyn is recovering from vocal cord surgery. Both need to be reminded that there is hope and that their careers are far from over. I loved these two together. My only complaint is that I was left wanting more of Chase and Jordyn. I feel there is much more story left to tell.
(4.5 stars)

I loved the idea of 2 people, both at what should be the top of their games, and both dealing with the little imperfections and challenges that life throws at you...and learning to live when those challenges are thrown at you, and balance a career and a relationship.



A bet, a single date, a conversation on Twitter...that turns into so much more, but with 2 people who live in different worlds and on different sides of the country.



How do they work it out? I think, and this is what I really liked about this story, is it is about people who are more alike than different. About 2 people who have the same fears of their success and what losing it might mean, so when they are faced with choices, it brings them closer...even when it seems to pull them apart.



I enjoy stories when I am pulling for the characters while wondering how they are ever going to make it work. This was one of those stories, and I recommend it.

I love love reading with my Kindle Oasis outside.... this ereader is black and white, has the same amazing backlite techology as the Kindle Paperwhite with the added benefits of being WATERPROOF. For me the Kindle Oasis is the perfect summer reading device.

Playing Hurt was one of the books I loaded on my kindle before our family's summer vacation. You can read more about that Adventure in the post I wrote about it.

OK back to Playing Hurt, this book is very easily read standalone and a book that is so well done! Chase Hartman and Jordyn Banks are adults both with high profile careers.

The way these two celebrities meet was EPIC, I loved the use of social media and as someone who meet this spouse online 20 years ago yes it brought a big smile to my face.

This book was a real journey, though the author makes the connection these two feel tangible, love doesn't make everything just magically work out. I adored this part of the book Chase and Jordyn really had to work to make this work. They both also brought scars from their pasts' ones that sometimes had me wanting to scream while reading on the plane but I managed to hold my tongue.

Ms Jamieson does a wonderful job with the hockey 🏒 in this book, it really adds to the story and makes it feel so much more authentic!

Chase and Jordyn are both are the title suggests battling injuries, ones that for both could threaten their careers. This part of the story not only pulled at my heart but kept me glued to my kindle.

I adored how the end of this book came almost full circle, the happy these two craft is so perfect for these two professionals who embrace the love before them.

Another fun and flirty installment in the Aces series. Enjoyed these two characters a lot. On their own they are both independent and successful but they are drawn together by their love of hockey initially. Then their attraction takes over despite their best efforts to remain single and unattached.

Great chemistry and a lot of 'feels'. Easy read.

I love pretty much anything Kelly Jamieson puts out and #PlayingHurt is no exception. Wonderful characters that you can’t help but fall in love with are what make all of Jamieson’s books so incredible. Readers will be drawn into the story and will laugh, cry, and cheer on the characters until the very end. Definitely recommend!

Sometimes I think to myself, if you've read one contemporary romance, you've read them all. I've read hundreds of contemporary romances, but it continues to be the sub-genre of romance that I struggle with the most, and this book was no different. Even the addition of hockey players, my Kryptonite, couldn't make this book rise above mediocre for me.

To be honest, the only reason I didn't DNF this book was because I wanted to figure out what Chase's medical diagnosis was (it's the medical professional in me). I found the story to be slow and predictable, and oddly dated (please stop putting MCs in turtlenecks. I haven't seen one off the ski slopes in years).

By far my biggest issue was that nothing happened. The book moved at a snail's pace where the most exciting thing was them tweeting sports updates with vaguely suggesting puns. The plot was slow and the dialogue was repetitive to the point where I just wanted to be done with it by the end. And to make matters worse, I never got past feeling like Chase was nothing more than a fan-boy.

I'm probably being generous with my two stars, but there you go. Not a winner for me. So sorry, contemporary romance.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Chase and Jordyn were so freaking cute. I loved their twitter relationship so much, and it was adorable to see celebrities crushing on each other. Kelly Jamieson always delivers a solid romance.

Kelly Jamieson provides a story with a great blend of flirty, hot and touching romance where pop star meets hockey star.

Chase Hartman has had a crush on singer Jordyn Banks for a while, and even though he’s a celebrity in his own right he never imagined that some very public online flirting would lead to an actual date with her, much less form an easy and caring bond with her that would lead to more. It’d be great if he were as lucky on the ice as well.

As a former Chicago resident and true hockey fan, Jordyn has always kept track of the Aces and after the best date she’s ever had planned by the very hot and also incredibly sweet Chase she wishes she lived closer and had time for a relationship. When the old adage “be careful what you wish for” comes true, Chase is more than happy to help. But can they find a way around their geographical predicament and balance their very busy careers as well?

Jamieson is very talented at writing hockey romances that draw the reader in. Playing Hurt is an appealing story about the life of two celebrities, who find one another through social media and come to care deeply about each other. I was hooked with its initial flirty fun, easy friendship and hot chemistry and kept turning pages relishing the support given by the Aces and Jordyn’s family, the love that developed between the main characters and the exciting hockey backdrop.

Slap Shot is book #5 in the Aces Hockey series by Kelly Jamieson. It is a standalone, hockey romance and a wonderful addition to the series with a great plot and wonderful characters. Told from the hero’s point of view and has a happy ending. A great read for Aces Hockey fans or any sports romance lover.

Playing Hurt is book #6 in the Aces Hockey series by Kelly Jamieson. It is a standalone, hockey romance sure to please the Aces Hockey fans and a nice add to the series with a fun plot and great characters. Told from both points of view with a happy ending.

Chase doesn’t seem to be anywhere on Jordyn’s radar. He’s a hockey player. She’s a rockstar. But somehow, during a heated Twitter debate about a hockey game, they start a little harmless flirting. Harmless flirting turns into a date and a date could turn into something more. But Chase has secrets he would rather keep to himself which could end up ruining this tender new relationship he and Jordyn have found themselves in.
We’re all playing hurt sometime, right? 5 stars!!

This is a great addition to this series and stars Chase who is not having is best playing year and not sure why. The previous year he suffered an injury which healed but still seems to bother him on occasion but not all the time. He also has a secret obsession, Jordyn Banks. He has her pictures in his locker, his phone, and follows her on the internet. When they start flirting on twitter, all bets of off! Who knew Jordyn was a hockey fan! She may be a pop princess but she is originally from Chicago and a hockey fan and she and Chase are perfect together. A lost bet ends up in a date and the chemistry is instant. Then the unthinkable happens to Jordyn and she loses her singing voice and has surgery. She cannot sing for weeks and she goes back to Chicago to recuperate and Chase and Jordyn get closer. This book is not like the rest of the series in that these two are younger but it is still very good and well developed. Watching them and their issues come to a head was fun to read and I recommend this one. This can be read as a standalone but this entire series is great so why would you want to.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

I received an advanced reader copy to leave an honest review of this book. I have read a couple of the books in the series and I love any romance hockey novels. This one was excellent and I would definitely recommend. Very well written with good interaction between the characters.

This book follows Aces hockey player Chase and superstar singer Jordyn. Chase has always had a crush on Jordyn even though they are both famous in their own circles; Jordyn is a huge hockey fan also so she knows about his sport and the demands. Enter a twitter flirtation and a bet made and the two decide to meet up for a date. Only one though as logistically Jordyn lives in LA and Chase in Chicago. Then Jordyn has a scare and has to have surgery and take time off from singing; she decides to recuperate in Chicago where her parents live...and Chase lives. The two start a relationship which is going well until Chase reveals he has been playing hurt. She is worried and pushes him to get help which he doesn't take well. Needless to say both are stubborn and misinterpreting the others motives. You'll just have to read the story to find out have it ends!

Good book, well written and a good romantic storyline. Enjoy!

I had previously read an Aces Hockey book and remember it being really good. So, I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately, I was just not feeling it at the beginning. It had a totally different tone and I couldn't tell where the story or the character development was going.

Things shifted gear once our characters finally connected. I wish Jamieson found a way to get them together sooner because the story became much stronger and had clearer direction once that happened.

Nevertheless, it's obvious Jamieson takes time to investigate, then translate the ins/outs of each character's respective business. I appreciate how she does not dumb things down (or at least not dumb things down more than a typical HEA book). For this reason alone, I'm hoping to get my hands on another of her Aces Hockey series. 3.5 to 4 stars.