‘Hard Hitter’ by Sarina Bowen

This is my first post after two weeks but life got a little crazy for me lately. Friends visiting, crazy work schedule and trying to study for GRE didn’t make it easier for me to read and keep writing reviews. I was planning to write this review for a while but couldn’t find the time but this weekend is just for reading, writing and relaxing 🙂 Sarina Bowen is one of my favorite go-to authors. I read all her books and really enjoyed them. Sarina Bowen + hockey = Win/Win for me and ‘Hard Hitter’ has both, so it was a great read 🙂

‘Hard Hitter’ is the second book of the ‘Brooklyn Bruisers’ series. Our hero and heroine are Patrick O’Doul and Ariana Bettini. If you read ‘Rookie Move’ you already know a bit about O’Doul. He is the captain and also the enforcer of the Brooklyn Bruisers. He hates being an enforcer but he thinks the only reason the team is keeping him because he is one of the best enforcers in the league. O’Doul is really mysteries, he doesn’t spent a lot of time with his teammates outside and nobody really knows him. He is quiet, introvert, strong, loyal and caring but because of his past he keeps his distance and doesn’t get close to anyone. Being 32 years-old enforcer and having a chronic hip injury makes it hard for him to hide his pain from his coach and his coach force him to go to team therapist, which he avoids like a plague. But when his choices are limited to either go to the massage or benched, he picks the massage, which will lead him to Arianna. Ari is the yoga instructor and massage therapist for Brooklyn Bruisers. She is pretty, sweet and loved by everyone around her. Just like O’Doul she doesn’t have a lot of friends outside work. But through the book you will see her friendship develop with Georgia and Becca, which was really sweet.

At their first session O’Doul was super nervous and uncomfortable because due to the events from his childhood, he doesn’t like people touching him. Ari was so sweet and understanding towards him and with time O’Doul started to trust Ari and massage turned something he hated to something he enjoyed and relaxed. O’Doul and Ari has great chemistry and their relationship starts changing with the time they keep spending together. After their hot and passionate night together, O’Doul wants something he never wanted before. He wants to have a relationship with Ari. However, Ari is not looking for one. After a 8-years of relationship and currently being harassed by her ex, the only thing she wants is focus on her job. When O’Doul learns that Ari’s ex is harassing her, he is always there to support and protect her, which makes it hard to resist him for Ari. Ohhh man O’Doul is soooooo great. I loved how Ari brings out his softer side out. He is super kind, caring, protective and loyal underneath his hard-ass enforcer exterior and with his relationship with Ari evolving, his relationship with his teammates and other people around him start to change for better too. One of my favorite parts of the book is when O’Doul forces his teammates to write ideas to woo a girl and fine the guys whose idea was not good enough 🙂 I don’t want to give too many details and ruin the book for you. If you want to learn how O’Doul woos Ari, you should read the book 🙂

If you are looking for a sweet, sexy and heartfelt story ‘Hard Hitter’ is right for you. I cannot wait to read Beacon & Queen Lauren’s story on the third book of the series, ‘Pipe Dreams’, which will be out in May 2^nd. Also, just like in ‘Rookie Move’ Becca played cupid for O’Doul and Ari. I love her meddling 🙂 Even though neither Nate nor Becca plays hockey, I am hoping fourth book will be their story. At least they are part of the team so why not 🙂

• Would I recommend this book: Yes
• Would I re-read this book: Yes
• Would I read future books by this author: Yes

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