This was my first book from Lynda Aicher. Despite it being book #3 in the series, I felt like I was able to enjoy it without reading the first two books.

Henrik Grenick is a defenseman for the Minnesota Glaciers. A guy who had a steady flow of women in his life, but none of them being something more. Searching for someone new, Henrik heads out to purchase something for his guitar, not knowing what he'd find once he visits the music store.

Jacqui Polson is a music student who also happens to work in this music store. She meets Henrik, who she is immediately attracted to, but she tries to ignore the spark. Henrik is intrigued by Jacqui, but he doesn't quite know why. It becomes a battle of Henrik wanting more than just a physical relationship and Jacqui trying to keep him at bay in an effort not to get hurt or hurt him.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a free ARC from the publisher and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

I was surprised ... I wasn't expecting this!
Engaging characters and great storyline. The hero wasn't the typical hockey player and for the heroine, it was a nice change of pace. It was emotional, good and easy to get into at the same time.
Henrick and Jacqui had great chemistry and I appreaciated what brought these two together, sharing the same passion. A powerful story of connection.

This was my first book by Lynda Aicher and I enjoyed it a lot. Which was unexpected, because we kind of started on the wrong foot. In the first chapter, Henrik comes off as too insistent when Jacqui blows him off, and I felt he came really close to being an overbearing Alpha Asshole. Which isn't a character type I was in the mood for.

But eventually, I did read on, and I'm so pleased, because Henrik isn't how he came across in that first chapter at all. And I ended up loving him. He's so kind and sweet and yearning to be loved and to love in return and just... I wanted to hug him. I loved how into Jacqui he was from the start, how aware he was that what he wanted was something more, and how he was always honest and always tried, even if he had no clue what he was doing.

I liked Jacqui a lot as well, liked how observant she was about Henrik, liked how careful she was about not poking his scars and trauma, loved carefully she loved him. I was also really into the power dynamic between them and how organically that grew, although I do wish that would have been revisited more in the second half of their relationship.

Both characters had a lot of issues they needed to deal with and a lot of past trauma, and I loved how they dealt with this both together and on their own, strengthened by having someone in their corner.

Alas, there were a couple of things that really hit on a couple of my personal buttons. I really dislike overbearing overprotective family dynamics, and Jacqui has four brothers who completely go overboard in this regard. They do apologise, but damn, the scene where they confront Henrik is horrifying, and I felt Jacqui forgave them too quickly. It meant I couldn't really warm up to any of Jacqui's siblings, and since they play such a big part in her life, that really dampened my enjoyment of the book.

The theme of family was very strong in this books, which I liked a lot, especially because with Henrik we focus mostly on his found family of his hockey team, which is the whole reason I started reading this book. Alas, in the last quarter of the book we get a sudden conflict with Henrik's birth family, which took the forefront and then made it feel like his relationship with his team never really got a resolution.

So I guess I really loved the characters, and loved big parts of this, but wasn't entirely satisfied with how it all played out.

Sadly on this occasion this one unfortunately wasn’t for me.

Loved jacqui an henriks characters an the personalities who over come insecurities an embrace love for each other an have funny moments an her family are fab too an can't wait for the brothers books too. Would recommend this book an author