Release by Brenda Rothert

 

4 Star

Orion was screwed over by his long-term girlfriend, and he wants nothing to do with her. He ends in his hometown during the off season and runs into Samara Cross. She’s returned to their hometown after a traumatic experience and just wants to hide. When they run into each other he is intrigued by her and wants to spend time with her. She doesn’t understand what he wants with her and is confused by every overture he does. Will he be able to breakdown her walls and win her over?

I loved these two. They both have their own issues they work through in this book but ultimately, they find away to work through their problems to find their happy ending. I liked the give and take between Orion and Samara. They support each other and find ways to work through their issues with each other. Definitely one of her better books.

Book 5 Fire on Ice

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Captive by Brenda Rothert

 

3 Star

Nikola Vereshkova has finally made it to the big leagues, and he can now help those he loves. The day of his friend’s wedding he meets a woman he’s interested, and he plays up his Russian accent to entice her. The problem comes in when he finds out it’s the brides’ best friend Sadie. Sadie is used to men doing anything to get sex and she’s used to taking care of herself. She is drawn to Nikola but doesn’t want to be interested in him as nothing good can come from it. Will she be able to stay away from him?

I liked aspects of this book. Sadie just came across as bitchy to me. Like she takes care of her friend’s kid all the time but god forbid the friend does anything to help her out. It got very old to see her be so bitchy to those close to her and refuse help all the time just because she didn’t want to rely on anyone but she is the first to volunteer to babysit Kate and Adella’s kids. I also didn’t feel the connection was there between Nikola and Sadie. It just was ok for me.

Book 4 Fire on Ice

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Edge by Brenda Rothert

 

4 Star

Luke Hudson has been sent down to the minor league to work through his injury. There he meets team trainer Adella Price. Her job is to make sure all the players are in good shape for the ice. She is a single mom and has no time or energy for the bull from the players after her ex left her high and dry for his hockey career. Luke throws her for a loop as she swore, she would never be with another hockey player. He’s all in with her now he just has to talk her into it. Will he be successful?

I loved these two. They have a lot of chemistry and they very much work. He’s super sweet with her and her kid while also being respectful to not start any rumors. The biggest issue I had was with the other men in Adella’s life. Her dad was a massive asshole until she ends up being assaulted by her ex. The ex also was not someone who was a good guy. He literally was leaving her to struggle to raise their child by herself. Then he ends up assaulting her. This led to her dad finally pulling his head out of his butt by I feel it was too little too late. The best thing about the whole situation with her dad and ex was Luke was there to support her and he never took over. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot and it had everything I loved about the first book I read by her.

Book 3 Fire on Ice

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Drive by Brenda Rothert

 

2 Star

Two years ago, Kate and Ryke were brought together by tragedy. When Kate suffers another miscarriage, she spirals. Will Kate and Ryke be able to work through their grief and trauma again or will they be able to survive this most recent trauma?

I really really really didn’t like Kate in this book. She keeps things from her husband that should be shared. She is so wrapped up in her own head she can’t see a way out and she still doesn’t get the help she so desperately needs. She is a grief counselor and just kind of buries everything and handles the loss of her second pregnancy in the worst way possible. It is one of those rare times I felt the main male character should actually leave his partner. They end up working everything out but even with that I got to a point of not caring that they did.

Book 2 Fire on Ice

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Bound by Brenda Rothert

 

3 Star

Kate is finishing up school and pregnant when the worst happens, and she miscarries her baby. She pushes through and graduates but isn’t really dealing with the loss. She joins a support group to work through the pain. There she meets pro hockey player Jason “Ryke” Ryker. He’s there trying to work through the death of his wife. There’s a spark but are they ready for something new?

This one was just ok. I am glad I started with her other series. If I started with this one, I wouldn’t have continued to read her books. Kate read much younger than her actual age and she needed a lot more help than she was getting. By the end of book, I still felt she needed to seek professional help to work through her fears and hurt but she doesn’t. This is more of a happy for now book as the story between Ryke and Kate isn’t concluded. If you are looking for a good hockey book, try a different one.

Book 1 Fire on Ice

Amazon