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

The Secrets Of Attraction by Robin Constantine

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Set in the same world as The Promise of Amazing, this smart, surprising, and romantic follow-up to Robin Constantine's debut novel follows two New Jersey teens as they become friends and fall in love. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Mlynowski, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Madison Pryce thinks she's got everything figured out—she's working on a portfolio for a summer art program and hanging with her friends. Plus she has her hot boyfriend, Zach. But then a visit from a family friend turns Maddie's life upside down.

Jesse McMann is still reeling from a breakup that shattered his heart and his band. Then pride (and some goading from his bass player and fellow barista) forces him to find a new drummer—and the inspiration to write music again.

Kismet arrives in the unlikely form of Grayson Barrett, who tries out for Jesse's band, and whose girlfriend is BFFs with the cute girl who orders a chai latte after yoga every Thursday: Maddie. What Jesse and Maddie thought they knew about the secrets of attraction and the rules of romance changes once they start falling for each other.

Isn't this cover just so freaking cute? There’s nothing more gratifying that reading a sweet story that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. That’s how I felt after I read Constantine’s previous release, The Promise of Amazing, so reading The Secrets of Attraction was a no-brainer.

This follow-up does feature characters from the previous book but the spotlight this time shines on Maddie. She’s just as nice as Wren but she comes with a hint of an edge to her. Trouble starts when her boyfriend says "I love you" to her. Most teenage girls would be ecstatic that their hot, popular athlete boyfriend would declare those magical three words. Not Maddie. She doesn’t feel the same at all. Not that he’s a bad guy just that she knows that she’s not in love. This makes things awkward between them especially when she strikes up a friendship with Jesse who works at the coffee shop near the yoga studio she goes to. Neither of them have any connection to each other until Grayson, Wren's boyfriend, auditions for Jesse’s band and now both groups of friends are intermingling.

Jesse's had his heart broken by his ex-girlfriend. She hooked up with his ex-best friend who was also the drummer in his band. Both betrayals hurt him badly enough that music kind of lost its luster. Enter Maddie whom he's been noticing for a while. Their friendship sparks something in him. She's delightful to be around and being in her company renews Jesse's interest in his music. He also wants to go for it with her but Maddie draws the line at just being friends. So Jesse has to come up with inventive ways to be with her. 

I like that Maddie is certain about some things yet hesitant about others. For one, I like that she knew that she wasn’t in love with her boyfriend and doesn't want to mislead him once she musters up the courage to be truthful with him. I like her devotion to her friends. I like her closeness with her mom which does get tested at some point in the book. I like that her character experiences the typical anxieties about graduating high school and moving on to college. She has her studies then she has her passion which is art. There’s the practical side of her then there’s the side of her that wants to abandon the heavy responsibilities and just take that risk in pursuing art.

Jesse is great too. He’s got a few kinks to work out like getting his ex out of his system. He’s really into Maddie but she's not ready to admit that attraction. His thoughtful gestures toward her are impressive and will woo the reader as well. While he’s not declaring undying, eternal love here, it’s interesting how he’s the one pushing for them to be an item. Maddie just needs to realize that what she’s experiencing with him is indeed falling in love for the first time.

All in all, The Secrets of Attraction is just adorable and I know that I can count on Constantine to deliver that just-right amount of sweet and angst without too much melodrama. 

~ Bel