Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2) by Sarina Bowen

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He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score... 

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O'Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O'Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O'Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good...


*Source: advance e-galley from publisher provided in exchange for an honest review


It's been a bit of a tough week and I wanted to throw myself into something that's familiar, so that would be a world of hot hockey players who are aggressive on the ice and surprisingly sensitive off the ice.

Patrick has always put himself through the wringer during all their games. That's his role - to take the hits without complaints. But after years of being roughed up, his body needs some tlc. In comes, Ari, the team's well-respected yoga instructor and massage therapist. Patrick is forced to see her as part of his rehabilitation but it unnerves him to have anyone touch him. It confuses Ari but she's willing to work patiently with him to help him get better. Spending time with each other is what they need. He's not used to companionship and she could use a friend after a disastrous break up with her shady boyfriend. Unfortunately, things get complicated between them thanks to the ex-boyfriend whose interference could unravel their relationship and careers.

What can I say? I'd be hard-pressed to come across a Sarina Bowen book I didn't like. In Hard Hitter, I enjoyed seeing Ari work to reclaim herself after being in a long-term relationship, and an unhealthy one at that. She faltered a bit but I had to admire her for the courage it took to stand up for herself. Once again, kudos to Bowen for addressing a sensitive issue with such finesse. And Patrick? It's different to see someone who's such an alpha morph in to this sensitive, wannabe boyfriend seeking out romantic advice from his teammates. Really! They're funny! And of course, the sexy times are as scorching-hot as ever which include some fun props ...ahem...massage table.

Hard Hitter is an excellent follow-up to Rookie Move. Aside from Ari and Patrick, there are a couple other subplots of interest in the background that I got excited about. This sports romance has it all - the good guy, the bad guy, the tough girl, best friends, laughs and lots of heat.

~ Bel

Black Iris by Leah Raeder

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The next dark and sexy romantic suspense novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Unteachable.

It only took one moment of weakness for Laney Keating’s world to fall apart. One stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors began. Slut, they called her. Queer. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mother decided she wasn't worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.

She's not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who has thorns of her own.

But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully who broke her down completely—she decides it's time to live up to her own legend.

And Armin and Blythe are going to help.

Which was the plan all along.

Because the rumors are true. Every single one. And Laney is going to show them just how true.

She's going to show them all.

If you're inclined to reading darker subject matter then Black Iris should be on your list! It's a story about manipulation and revenge. The main character Laney, lays out all her flaws immediately. Simply put, it's one of the more unsettling books I've read in a while, yet despite that, I couldn’t tear myself away, managing to finish the book in one reading.

As I mentioned above, Laney admits her shortcomings and is no hero in this story that switches gears between the present and the previous year. Her home life is a wreck save for her close relationship with her younger brother. She’s not with the popular crowd at school and doesn't have any close friends.  At the beginning she comes home after a night of partying to discover a horrific scene at home.  And she hints that it’s something she had set into motion some time ago. 

There were many times where I was alarmed by Laney’s self-destructive exploits which include regular drinking, drugs and random sex. She's spiraling deeper into her own dark thoughts. Being the unfortunate victim of a prank where her own sexuality was used against her has affected her behaviour and subsequent motives. Maligned at school and made to feel like an outsider, she decides to live up to the vile rumors that have spread about her. 

Much later on she attends a college party with the intention of finding someone specific. She doesn't identify who, except that this is someone she despises with every fiber of her being, and we’re led to believe that he is the root of all her problems. We’re only given details in pieces until the whole picture comes together at the very end. While she doesn't find this mystery person, she does meet Armin and Blythe, instantly becoming friends with them. It’s a bizarre friendship-turned-love-triangle based on partying, drugs and lies. As the drama unfolds revealing secrets and tensions, you begin to see how every event is interconnected. What’s most disturbing is who does the manipulating and to what extent. It's all part of some twisted, elaborate game of cat and mouse. Honestly, I felt sick to my stomach.

Like I said earlier, I couldn't put this down. Only great writing can pull you in and immerse you in its world. I felt the weight of Laney's bitterness and feared for her when things started to get way out of hand. I also felt the reality of the world Raeder created. It helps that I'm familiar with some of the suburban places she mentions. I had this playing out as a movie in my mind as I read along. It has all the right elements -- betrayal, romance, sex, mystery. There's so much happening that messes with your mind. On the one hand, you see entitled kids wasting time by playing a high-stakes game of chess with people's lives. On a deeper level, these are seriously troubled individuals, sociopaths if you will, who like to instigate and maneuver events to their liking - public shaming for example - regardless of the casualties. 

Black Iris doesn’t offer any kind of clean cut resolution, there’s no fist bump of triumph in the air when the truth comes out. Everything comes at a cost and that cost is high. I had absolutely no idea where the suspense was headed. I just clutched desperately to the hope that someone would finally see things with clarity. By the time it was all over, I had to take a few deep breaths. There are still moments of the book that stick with me. It's not a story that you can easily shake off once you're done with it. When that happens, you know that was a great story!

~Bel