Perfect timing for a new Toni Aleo book, I was going through Toni Aleo withdrawals, and you can only re-read so many times without the need of a new story 🙂 annnnddddd here comes the Dirty Toe Drag… OMG! I loved this book. Wes and Stella are just amazing but my favorite star for the book is Emery ‘Black Widow’ Brooks 🙂 I love that girl and I cannot wait to read her story. Hoping that won’t be too long and I feel bad for the guy already since Emery will come with one scary sister and 3 hockey players, in addition to her awesome self… Ok, let’s get back to our main characters, Wesley McMillian and Stella Ann Brooks.
Wes plays hockey for Assassins, and he was having a great time with his buddies until his BFFs went and fall in love with the Adler sisters 🙂 (Dump and Chase & Power Play) So now he is the only single in the trio. He is happy for them and I think a part of him yearns for what they have but the other part is getting crazy with all the baby talk. So since he cannot party with his buddies, he develops a new habit and becomes ‘Wes the InstaStalker’ 🙂 Wes was crashing on Aiden’s sister, Stella for a while but since Aiden and Shelli’s wedding (Chase is Over), their attraction went up a notch. He knows that he has to change before approaching her because she knows her worth and what she wants from him. I have loved Wes since the first book of the NextGen series and was curious about his back story. From the previous books, we got the idea that Wes has some issues even though we didn’t know the things that were holding him back but I was not ready for what I read. Before he pursuits Stella, he wants to resolve his anger issues and face everything from the past so that he can move on and feel worthy for someone like Stella. Stella is a firecracker. She is smart, independent, and strong. I love that she knows her worth but then again with the all examples before her, it is hard not to. She goes to college for her fashion degree but what she truly desires is to create amazing cupcakes just like her aunt Audrey. The problem is she is afraid to reveal this to her parents. I loved how Wes and Stella’s relationship starts slow and how Wes tries his best to woo her. Slowly but surely they get to know each other, share the secrets they never shared with anyone else. Their love getting built up from trust, caring, and honesty. Since they decide to keep the relationship a secret from Aiden until they know how serious they are for each other, it takes a bit for Aiden to catch up with all but his response also brought tears to my eyes. Just a side note, I think Aiden can never be as bad as Emery. I loved how Emery always says what she thinks and is ready to do whatever it takes to have Stella’s back, even it means throwing her brother under the bus. I adored Wes and Emery’s relationship as well, they were too cute for words.
It was also nice to see a bit of Audrey and her miracle baby girl Penelope. OMG! Of course, Shea and his wallet clutching antics continues thanks to Shelli and her need for over the top parties 🙂 Ohhh and I was laughing so hard when our lovely Lucas started with angina just like Shea 🙂 I am really curious who will have angina next. Maybe Tate?? I am really curious about additions to the NewGen Assassins team Jamey, Tanner, and Josef. Maybe we will see a new trio bromance in the upcoming books.
I was laughing, then crying, then laughing again. Dirty Toe Drag took me a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I adored Wes and Stella. If you are looking for a sweet, heartbreaking, funny story, this might be the book for you.
- Would I recommend this book: Yes
- Would I re-read this book: Done that already 🙂
- Would I read future books by this author: Yes
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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About Toni:
Toni Aleo is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of the Assassins Series. She enjoys hockey, hockey, and hockey. When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel. Aleo lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog.
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Mia the Book Addict 