Slap Shot

I got this as a free review copy and enjoyed so much that I’ve been binge-reading other books by the writing duo Alicia Hunter Pace all weekend. At first it seemed like your typical hockey star sports romance, but it was a bit different. The hero, Bryant Taylor is indeed a top layer for the fictional team the Nashville Sound. But he has a secret from his young days that he doesn’t want to share with anyone. He was married at age 19 to his high school sweetheart and she died suddenly while pregnant. Now his family back in Minnesota won’t let him forget her and constantly want to commemorate his passing. He just wants to move on his life. And his iterest falls on his buddy’s little sister, Gabriella, a pastry chef in a nearby town.

Gabriella had vowed never to date a hockey player, particularly one on her brother’s team. She was abused as a child by her father, a minor league hockey player. But, of course, she can’t fight her attraction to Bryant who turns out to be a really nice guy with a fun sense of humor. There aren’t many surprises in their romance, but I found myself liking both characters so much that I couldn’t put the book down.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
Slap Shot is book 2 in the Nashville Sound Series but it can be read as a standalone, I know this because this author is new to me but I will certainly be looking up the previous book in this series and her other books, if you love hockey or sports romance this is a must read. The characters have depth and sizzling chemistry, the story flows and this book is beautifully written with a big emphasis on family and the team, I was hooked from the first chapter and can’t wait to read more from this author and the Nashville Sound.

A sexy, sporty, funny addictive read that I absolutely love love love. I really didn’t want it to end. I thought the first book in this series was outstanding this one totally tops it. Can’t wait for the next book, super excited to see what else this fantastic author writes. Would recommend

I really enjoyed the second book in this series! The author’s characters are completely relatable and the writing is on point. I love Hockey romances, particularly ones where the bro code of don’t date my sister come into play. It always makes for a good read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Slap Shot is a crisp, clear story about characters who have some darkness in their past. Bryant is a star hockey player who is hiding a big secret from his friends on his team: when he was 19, his pregnant wife died, and years later his family won't let go of his tragedy. He wants to move on but isn't sure how, until he makes a connection with Gabriella. Unfortunately, she is the sister of Bryant's teammate, and the bro code is clear: he should stay away. Gabriella's brother is especially protective, because their family was ripped apart by abuse in the past.

This book isn't about Bryant and Gabriella's tragic pasts, but how they are eager to move beyond them. They have to learn to assert themselves to their families - and they do, with sincerity and charm, not angst.

This book is part of a series, but can be understood on its own.

his book is about Gabriella and Bryant(Swifty to his team members) both have scars and demons. Gabriella's are from her childhood and have affected much of her life choices. Bryant's are from a hard tragic time in his life, only he wants to move on. Enter a loving a family who maybe doesn't get that. Both will realize love is possible even when you aren't looking for it. I loved the book and learning about each of them a little more. I received this book free for a honest review from Netgalley, and I must say I look forward to reading more by the author team.

Slap Shot started right where the first book left off, except it focused on Gabriella and Bryant’s POV. I love when the author just continues the story because we get to see Emile and Amy continue their story as well.

Emile and Amy’s rush wedding was closely wrapped around Gabriella’s feelings. As close as she is to her brother, she was afraid she was going to lose some of her connection with him now that he had Amy in his life.

Bryant was dealing with his own issues that involved a past that wouldn’t stop haunting him. Being around the happy engaged couple affected both Bryant and Gabriella in a way that made it feel natural to turn to each other.

The more these two took comfort, the more they grew close and realized what was keeping them both from moving on.

I’m pretty much in love with this series. These two authors really know how to create characters that just draw you in and make you want to be a part of their lives.

There is no epilogue and that gives me hope that the next book will continue telling us about both couples, as well as give us a new couple to look forward too.

I have never read a book of Ms Pace but that is going to change. This book is about Bryant and Gabriella. Bryant is a hockey player and Gabriella is the sister of Bryant's teammate. Bryant and Gabriella have know each other for years. Gabriella's brother Emile gets engaged which means Gabriella and Bryant are spending more time together since she is the maid of honor and Bryant is the best man.

Bryant and Gabriella both have troubled pasts but they seem to find themselves and each other in this book. Bryant is smothered by his family and Gabriella finds her self alone due to her brothers engagement. So they start spending more time together and being friends which quickly leads to more.

This is a very sweet romance. Bryant visits unexpectedly, says sweet things and shares his past with her. This book is dual POV, it moves a believable pace and is funny at times. I will definitely read other books by Ms Pace.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

This is only the second book by this writing duo known as Alicia Hunter Pace that I've read...I can say with all certainty that they have jumped to the top of my "Favorite Authors" list. As with the first book in the series Face Off, Slap Shot is filled with genuine characters who captured my heart nearly instantaneously. The authors created a wealth of depth and dimension in their characters, each with their own unique personalities...while many authors are not often successful in believably creating athletes with authenticity, Alicia Hunter Pace, seemed, in my mind, able to do so with little effort.

Gabriella's inner monologues were priceless, often times making me laugh out loud. She was smart, sassy, sometimes snarky, and always genuine. I thoroughly enjoyed her biting "Pleaser" commentaries and the way her mind could do a 180 shift inside of one thought. Bryant was the type of character who is endearing in his gentle nature...yet still could come across as the alpha elite athlete he is. The interplay between Bryant and Gabriella was fascinating. Their banter was wickedly quick and sharp, with hilarious undertones...I was drawn to them instantly as a couple. The remnants of the couple's individual heartbreaking backgrounds set the foundation for who they'd become as adults, and was amplified by what had been hidden under layers of false expectations placed on them by their families.

With the number of players on this hockey team to find their own HEA, one can only hope that this will be a long running series...I've found that I cannot get enough of these authors’ writing genius.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to get this book after enjoying the first in the series so much. I was not disappointed. This was another pleasurable read.

I liked Bryant a lot. He may not have been as flashy a hero as Emile he was also a more realistic and less annoying one. His story was touching and he was such a solid character. Gabriella was a little more tricky for me. She is the typical romance heroine in that she is a sweet as pie, has an amazing skill, a traumatic past that she is striving to put behind her, and is breathtakingly beautiful. I also had a hard time truly warming to her. There is not that much more to her. She doesn't seem to have much of a personality. There was a lot initially made of her being a people pleaser but it never went any where. Luckily this book was more about Bryant's journey and that story was engrossing. I look forward to see what book three in the series will bring.

Bryant’s broken past is something no one in Nashville knows about. His family continues to mourn his wife that he was married for a very short time. Bryant feels trapped and in an endless cycle of mourning. Having Gabriella as one of his friends evolved into so much more than they knew. Gabriella is feeling at a loss as her brother Emile moves on with his life. Always saying yes to everyone has her feeling life could be so much more than the endless cycle of living for others. Will they find life has more in store for them! Absolutely loved this second book in the series.

SLAP SHOT is jam-packed with wonderful characters, a great storyline and enough foresight to have the reader anxiously awaiting the next instalment, while devouring this book in one easy session.

Bryant has demons in his past and is determined to stay single and loving it, while Gabriella is wholesome and sweet, with a traumatic past and a brother who adores her. Together they have explosive chemistry, but codes of conduct and common sense say that this is a relationship destined for doom.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second of the series and can’t wait to get my hands on the next exciting story of the men that rule the ice with the Nashville Sound.