Slap Shot: An Aces Hockey Novel

Max and Kendra meet at her cousin’s wedding and decide to hook up. When the night doesn’t end exactly as they plan, Kendra isn’t shy about letting Max know they can remedy that problem. Soon they are embroiled in a hot and heavy sex only relationship that involves lots of sexting. From the beginning Max declares that their set up can be nothing but sex. He’s lost his wife and didn’t think he’d survive the agony. He won’t put himself in that position again. When he realizes that Kendra has crossed that line and fallen in love, he is lost as to how to deal with it. I didn’t realize this was going to be about a widower. I struggle with this trope because I need the hero to love the heroine more than he’s ever loved anyone before. If I can feel that and believe that the heroine isn’t second best then I’m happy. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen here. Despite the occasional comparisons Max made between the two women, his thoughts are that he truly loved his wife and will remember and miss her forever. I get that in real life such is the case but when I read, I’m reading for the fantasy, the fairytale. However, I will say that this was written in a manner to show that while Max might not love Kendra more than his deceased wife – again, the wife he had some uncharitable thoughts about- he certainly loved her equally. I’m still processing that. The characters in Slap Shot were fun and witty and I’m sure we’ll be seeing even more of them in future books. Kelly Jamieson definitely knows how to write hot and steamy scenes as well as great dialogue and a fast upbeat story. Overall, I enjoyed this book and if the deceased spouse isn’t an issue for you, you’re going to love it. This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Loveswept. Mainly hero POV with a tad of heroine Safe No apparent triggers

4.5 Stars Book 5 in the Aces Hockey Series and I had so much fun catching up with the Aces again, each book is about a different player and Slap Shot is Max and Kendra’s story. Max had everything he ever wanted in life, a great career playing a game he loved, a beautiful wife but then life got really messed up when his wife passed away from cancer, Max took time off to nurse her but now he needs to get fit ready for the tryouts that are about to start, will he get his starting place back on the team, will life ever be the same or will Max be lonely forever. Kendra is not looking for a relationship, she has had her fair share of failed ones so for now having some fun in the bedroom seems the way to let off steam, Kendra meets Max at a friends wedding and there is no doubting the sizzling chemistry between them but will one night be enough and what happens when fate keeps throwing them together.... I laughed, I cried and I loved this story, Kelly Jamieson covers Max’s grief process really well, the book is beautifully written and the words and the story flow. Looking forward to the next star from the Aces Hockey Team

**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** Slap Shot was a nice addition to the Aces Hockey series. While part of the series, it can standalone if you haven't read the previous books. Max Hall has been dealing with the death of his wife and has been struggling to move on. His grief has not only affected his off-ice life, but his on-ice life too. Having taken more than a season off, he's got to work to get himself back in shape before training camp. While he has full dedication to this new training program, he still doesn't have much interest in starting up a new romance, that is until he meets a gorgeous woman, Kendra, at one of his teammate's weddings. The chemistry between Max and Kendra is instantaneous. The sex is red-hot and they are beyond compatible in bed, however neither one wants a relationship and couple that with the fact they live in different cities, in different states and that certainly complicates things. As the two agree to continue their sexcapades, they end up running into each other in some unexpected places that actually help to further their relationship outside the bedroom. While Max is still dealing with his feelings over his wife's death, will he be able to see this relationship with Kendra for what it really is - the start of something amazing or will he keep her at arms length and continue just existing? I enjoyed this book quite a bit, however I did struggle with the negativity that Max had toward his wife in several situations. No one is perfect, I totally get that, but it seemed like more often than not he was finding fault with the way she interacted with him - the way she supported his career, the way she fit in with his family, the way she even was in bed, etc. I know it's hard not to compare experiences, and even people, and maybe this was his way of having to deal with his grief to move on, but it just felt more negative than I think it should have for someone that he loved so much and chose to spend his life with. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this great series as it is always one of my go-to's!