The steamy Chicago Rebels series returns with this racy and sassy tale of embittered hearts, second chances, and going for the goal—on and off the ice.
Violet Vasquez never met her biological father, so learning he left his beloved hockey franchise—the Chicago Rebels—to her is, well, unexpected. Flat broke and close to homeless, Violet is determined to make the most of this sudden opportunity. Except dear old dad set conditions that require she takes part in actually running the team with the half-sisters she barely knows. Working with these two strangers and overseeing a band of hockey-playing lugs is not on her agenda…until she lays eyes on the Rebels captain and knows she has to have him.
Bren St. James has been labeled a lot of things: the Puck Prince, Lord of the Ice, Hell’s Highlander...but it’s the latest tag that’s making headlines: washed-up alcoholic has-been. This season, getting his life back on track and winning the Cup are his only goals. With no time for relationships—except the fractured ones he needs to rebuild with his beautiful daughters—he’s finding it increasingly hard to ignore sexy, all-up-in-his-beard Violet Vasquez. And when he finds himself in need of a nanny just as the playoffs are starting, he’s faced with a temptation he could so easily get hooked on.
For two lost souls, there’s more on the line than just making the best of a bad situation… there might also be a shot at the biggest prize of all: love.
Source: advanced e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review
It's been one heck of a good time reading Meader's Chicago Rebels series and I feel like everything has come together in this sizzling final volume.
Violet and Bren are two souls who have hit rock bottom and have been climbing their way back to health and positivity ever since. Violet is a cancer survivor determined to live her life without fear now that she's in the clear. Bren, survives by taking things one day at a time as he works to remain sober and above the fray. Keeping a straight head on and staying disciplined is the only way he can fix the horrible mess that is disastrous marriage and subsequent divorce, his drinking and his estrangement from his daughters. Bren and Violet seem to antagonize one another whenever they come into contact even though they'd secretly very much liked to jump each other's bones. Violet's goal while in Chicago is to fulfill the terms as laid out in her father's will with regards to the team, and then move away to continue on with her life. Bren needs to prioritize his team and his daughters first. As much as one would like to control things, they can't and when he needs help with his daughters during the playoffs, guess who gets called upon at the last minute?
In my opinion, this is the hottest couple of the series. (Okay, settle down. Cade and Dante from Undone By You, are also up there.) I say this is because whenever Violet and Bren are around each other, it's like watching the sexiest slow dance as they circle one another carefully. They're fully aware of their own desires but there's that awful cold shower called "reality" keeps dousing whatever is burning between them. It is electric when they finally act upon it! However, it doesn't mean that all their concerns go by the wayside, it just gets trickier.
One of the best parts of this series has been the family. In the Chase sisters' situation, it's been the gluing together of fragments of family as left behind by their dead patriarch. Due to their respective upbringings, each sister has a uniquely different backstory. Their individual approach to life makes their interactions more interesting. Meader not only describes their romances in the making but also the growing bond of sisterhood and friendship between the women. It's why it feels that things finally come together here and what has made the Chicago Rebels stories so special.
Whether you like hockey or are new to this series, you'll enjoy every moment of Hooked On You. It's hot and funny and so worth your while!
~ Bel
