Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Big Stick by Kelly Jamieson


A brooding hockey hunk learns to embrace life—and love—from a single mom who takes the world one puck at a time.

Big move... Jodie's motto is "Don't wait for the perfect moment – take the moment and make it perfect." And that's just what she decides to do when she moves to Chicago with her two-year-old daughter. Now all Jodie needs is a place to live, and her best friend's boyfriend has just the answer.

Big stick... Nick Balachov has zero interest in socializing, partying, or flirting right now. It's not that he doesn't like women. He loves them. It's just that hockey, casual hookups, and hanging out at home are enough for him these days. Now Nick has a big problem – because the woman living in his empty coach house is a major distraction.

Big deal? The more Nick tries to keep his distance, the more Jodie needs him – around the house, that is. First he helps with the snowstorm, then the power outage. Nick even finds himself trying to impress her little girl. What the hell is wrong with him? Jodie represents everything Nick doesn't want. But maybe she's just what he needs...


Add to Goodreads –


Book 7
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is the third book in the series that I've read. I really liked Jodie's perspective on life. She knew what she wanted and went for it. She was intelligent, vulnerable, and strong, all wrapped in a tough package. She loved her daughter fiercely and would do anything for her. But in order to continue with her business, she moved to be near her partner. She's not looking for love, but that's mainly because she never thought she'd find it.

Nick is a loner to his core. After believing that he failed his family, he has taken it to heart. Despite his teammates trying to pull him into their partying and nights out, Nick is content with his life. He wants to win the big cup for his brother and family; he wants what he does to be worthy. He also is not looking for love, but it comes up and bites him anyways.

There is a slow build up in the relationship between Jodie and Nick. I liked that they were friends – almost wary of each other to begin with. It made their relationship seem more realistic. I also loved the introduction of Jodie's daughter, Zyana. She was a breath of fresh air in this drama. It was a cute relationship and was great to see each character grow.


Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
As I was reading this book, I was in Chicago and being there made the story come alive even more for me. Just walking the streets of downtown Chicago, seeing the skyscrapers, the city parks, and the cool October air made the book all the more real.

Jodie and her daughter move to Chicago to be close to her business partner and to start fresh. Needing a place to stay, she reluctantly agrees to move into Nick's guest cottage. She knows that Nick really doesn't want her there, but she doesn't understand why he's so closed off.

Nick has lots of problems, one of which being the guilt he carries about his brother's death. He feels responsible for not being there when Aleks called that night, thinking that he may have been able to talk him into getting help. Holding on to the guilt, not making close friends or having a real relationship keeps him from getting close to people and getting hurt when they leave. Because they all leave.

Except Jodie. She's proven that she's resilient, dependable, and trustworthy. She's listened to his heartbreak, she's trusted him with her daughter, and he's come to depend on her. The only thing wrong? He's just not sure if he can be the man that Jodie deserves. After all, what if she decides he's not worth loving? Pushing her away before she does it to him has him wrecked and wondering if he's wrong about love.

I loved Jodie and Nick's story. The way they got to know each other, the way Nick fell for Zayna and wanted to make sure she was taken care of, the way he slowly realized that he wasn't against relationships or children. He was just scared of being alone. Jodie's ability to talk to Nick in ways that made him listen is what made me like her even more. She wasn't pushy or loud, she was just steady and calm and let him to come to her.


Lee'Anne☆☆☆☆☆
This was my favorite book in the series so far. I love Jodie’s character – she’s bold, hilarious, and whips Nick right into shape. Nick Balachov is a star hockey player with a bad attitude, other than hockey, he has no interest in anything other than hanging out at home by himself doing projects. When his best friend forces him to go to a party, Nick meets Jodie and learns that she’s recently moved to Chicago from New York and is living with Nick’s best friend while house hunting. The attraction is immediate between the two, but Jodie quickly realizes that Nick is an asshole and she doesn’t want that in her life. One thing leads to another, then Jodie and her two-year-old daughter wind up moving into Nick’s guest house and Nick quickly learns that he quite enjoys their company.

This story is so fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down. Nick starts off a complete ass to the world and once Jodie is in his life, he softens up. Not only did I love both main characters, but I loved the other characters in the book too. Jodie’s job adds such a humorous level to the book and her openness about it makes her character that much more loveable. I simply can’t wait to read more from Kelly Jamieson.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the seventh book in the series, and I do think that you would benefit from reading the previous books (apart from the fact that they are very good!) to fully appreciate Nick's character and his position within the team and his friends. We also have met Jodie, when we had Kendra and Max's story.

There is a lot to like in this sports romance – plenty of hockey and hockey hotties, but also a strong female lead in Jodie, who has a wonderful sense of fun. As we get to see why Nick is so closed off, and why Jodie values her independence, we are certain that there is a compromise which will make everyone a winner.

A good addition to the series, with some great wit, quite a bit of wisdom, and delicious servings of sexiness!


Also Available in the Aces Hockey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Major Misconduct Blog Tour.


Book 1.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Off Limits post.


Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Icing post.


Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Top Shelf post.


Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Back Check post.


Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Slap Shot post.


Book 6
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Playing Hurt post.




USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson is the author of more than forty contemporary romance novels. She writes the kind of books she loves to read—sexy romance with heat, humor, and emotion. She likes coffee (black), wine (mostly white), and shoes (high!). She also loves watching hockey.

Connect with Kelly

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram


http://readloveswept.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Big Stick (Aces Hockey #7) by Kelly Jamieson to read and review.

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