Toni Aleo can do no wrong when it comes to writing hockey romances. I have not come across one of her books that I have not fallen in love. Vaughan and Brie are some of the best characters that she has written. I loved the constant banter and the chemistry was so perfect.

Ah yes!

Their banter is funny and their chemistry is hot! They fight their attraction but it’s inevitable.

Her relationship with her brother is special and her relationship with Vaughn is interesting

this book full of laughs, fun, heartbreak and steamy moments with a dollop of emotions.

Vaughan and Brie were amazing! I couldn’t put the book down. I cryed my eyes out but loves this story so much!!!

Vaughn Johansson is a classic Assassin's hero! Tough on the outside, soft on the inside and totally bad ass on the ice. Brie Soledad is the perfect heroine for Vaughn. Smart mouthed, intelligent, beautiful and takes no crap.

I really enjoyed this storyline. Brie's brother, Rodney, was a great part of the story. The connection Vaughn had to Rodney was wonderful. I don't want to give too much away with that, but it hit all the feels!

This is another wonderful Toni Aleo book. I will never tire of the Assassin hockey players - so keep bringing these wonderful stories!

This book was pretty good. It definitely held my attention and I’ll be checking out the author’s other books.

The book has a promising start. At first, everything seems fine. Vaughn is his usual jerky charming self with an unexpected soft side. Brie on the other hand there were moments she frustrate me! I still feel a bit mixed about these two as a couple. Some aspects of their relationship I really enjoyed - they are passionate, fun, feisty and both can be very sweet. But, there were times they feel like they couldn't feet together.

If sports romance is your cup of tea then this is a must read.

sparks fly when Vaughn and Brie clash in this witty, banter filled read.

I always enjoy Toni Aleo’s hockey stories but I have to admit, I was disappointed with this one. I thought the dialogue missed it’s mark and rather than being witty, the banter seemed silly and made the characters feel immature and unrealistic. Even though it wasn't a perfect book, I still enjoyed reading about a sexy hockey player.

Vaughan is a professional hockey player with the Nashville Assassins. He is a cocky, self assured, fun loving guy. He enjoys his life, loves playing hockey and has some good friends on the team. He has recently adopted a rescue dog and I thought it was sweet how Vaughan is willing to do anything to make his three legged rescue dog happy.

Brie Soledad works as a hockey reporter for the Nashville assassins. She and Vaughn argue all the time when they first meet. Vaughan likes to give Brie a hard time because he thinks the questions she asks in their interviews are unimaginative. Brie does not have a high opinion of Vaughan and dreads interviewing him.

Vaughan and Brie have both made some wrong assumptions and once they get to know each other, they realize they have some things in common. There is a lot of sexual tension brewing between them as they disagree and give each other hard time and their relationship goes through a lot of changes. When they first meet, they are constantly fighting, but as time goes by, they find themselves attracted to each other. If you like stories about sexy hockey players, you will enjoy this one.

Okay, I have a confession to make; this is my first Toni Aleo book (covering my face in shame). Despite the fact that I have quite a few downloaded on my kindle, this is the first one I’ve actually read. What’s even worse? I’ve been to multiple signings and have seen Mrs. Aleo’s long lines and have said “damnit, I have to read those books I’ve downloaded! Delayed Call may be my first Toni Aleo book, but it will not be my last!
To say Brie Soledad’s plate is full is an understatement. On top of caring for her brother with Down syndrome, her job as a staff reporter for the Assassins Hockey team keeps her extremely busy and has a travel schedule that can be hectic at best. Add having to interview the arrogant Vaughn Johansson, who for whatever reason, hates her and gives her more than a hard time….her plate just over flows. When Brie starts to see another side of Vaughn that the public never sees, she realizes she may have completely misjudged this arrogant jock.
Arrogant, cocky, self-assured, sexy and hot as fuck are just a few ways to describe Vaughn Johansson. This Hockey Phenom is loved by all, all except Brie Soledad. He’s not all that shocked because, well, he’s a dick to her. He also happens to be attracted to her. It’s not long before Vaughn realizes he and Brie have more in common than either one of them could have ever imagined; and maybe Brie isn’t so high and mighty after all.
At first glance this kind of seemed like the typical “they hate each other, but find a common ground, then fall in love”; and to certain extends it was. Except one thing….this two stayed at one another’s throats throughout the entire book and it was beautiful! These two fought from beginning to end. The argued when they talked, during interviews, when the cuddled, even during sex and after sex! Each so determined to have the last word and be the “alpha” in the relationship. I loved this because it’s so rare, most storylines have characters getting hot and heavy during arguments and after they maul one another bask in the glory. Not these two, the argued or challenged before/during/after sex.
One of the other things I loved about this book was the comradery between Vaughn and his male friends. Men are always portrayed as “hard” and not having “heart-to-hearts” with their buddies and I hate that because the boys/men I grew up around were known for showing emotions and conversing…those are “real” men in my opinion so I was so excited to read men openly displaying or communicating emotions.
Banter/humor is very important to me and these guys were full of it; even the supporting characters. On more than occasion I found myself laughing out loud which gained me side-eye glances from my kids, colleagues. I am now eager to go back and acquaint myself with the rest of the Assassins’ family (although, I may have to cheat a bit and do a few audio books), and I’m really anxious for Jensen’s and Wren’s story….I refuse to believe they won’t have one!
So the next signing I see you at Toni, I will be front and center with an armful of books!

I can't stop swooning over Toni Aleo. What an author! What a book! 10 stars easily.

OMG – NEVER, EVER, HAVE I WANTED TO SMACK A HERO SO BAD IN MY LIFE!!!!!
I LOVED absolutely every emotional word in this book, and I have found a new author, to me anyway, in Toni Aleo, to love!!! I could not put Delayed Call down. I kept waiting for the train wreck between Vaughn and Brie to happen. Then when Brie finally told Vaughn that she loved him and……. Stop!!! NO SPOILERS!! Let me just say this, my heart was in my throat and the tears were flowing. Then that last interview… WOW!!! Then, the balloons…. ❤ ❤ ❤
Delayed Call is the eleventh book in the Assassins series by Toni Aleo, and I cannot wait to go back and start from the beginning.
I was gifted with the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful, thought provoking, EMOTIONAL book for my honest opinion.

Toni Aleo is on point in this book. Witty dialogue between Vaughn and Brie get the past fast and moving. The sensitive subject of having siblings with down syndrome was well thought out and moving. Vaughn went through a whole life change that took the reader for an emotional ride as you read.

I am a massive fan of Toni Aleo and absolutely love her Bellevue Bullies and Assasins series.
I never thought I could fall more in love with a better couple than Shae & Ellie, but Vaughn & Brie have firmly etched their way into my heart.
Brie is a little spitfire, that had me laughing uncontrollably with the things she would say & her crazy antics.
Vaughn is just plain swoon worthy. I liked that he had his own insecurities, but was willing to work past them so he could be the man Brie deserved.
But my favourite character is Rodney. Such a beautiful, beautiful character.
Thank you Toni for yet another incredible book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book

Absolutely loved the relationship between the two main characters. This series just keeps getting better and better.

This was a good book to add to the hockey family. I enjoyed the banter between Vaughn and Brie was funny and tense at times. You knew there was something there. The dynamics between Brie and her brother and Nate lead to some heated conversation and banter. The way the book unfolded with the full story of who's who in everyone life lead to new relationships, a new outlook on trust and relationships. It was fun to watch all of these charters grow and learn to put themselves out there and see what happens. I thought this was a great addition to the Assassins books!

***4,5 "JoHo" stars***

God, i did enjoy this book very much!!!!
Especially in the beginning, i was laughing so much with Brie and Vaughn's arguments...
At the same time, the author decided to talk about a very sensitive matter and it was given in a wonderfully way...
A hot, cocky hockey player, a fiesty tiny woman, a relationship full of hate who turned out to the most lovely and funny love....
Add to the mixer, lovely secondary characters, hidden secrets and you have a lovely story!!!!

Vaughn was a little bit of an a$$ most of the time... Cocky, arrogant, self-absorbed...
He thinks that he is a gift from God both for woman and hockey!!!
Yep, he is a hell of a player on the ice and the women are lying on his feet, but he is so full of himself!!!! But damn, the guy was funny as hell!!!

Brie had lots of things on her plate at the moment...
She is a reporter for the Assassins, her love life sucks, and she has so much stress about her little brother...
The last thing she wants is to have to deal with this a$$ Vaugh Johanson all the damn time, especially since he is showing his hatred toward her in every opportunity and many times in front of the camera...
And lately, he is always in front of her and this tiny attraction deep down inside her doesn't fade away...

“I didn’t realize you liked anything about me.”
“You’re growing on me.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, ’cause you’ve grown on me, completely.”

Vaughn is feeling this attraction too, but he has too many issues which are coming from his past...
At the same time, he has a secret identity that noone has to known about it... except his closest friends...
To be totally honest with you, Vaughn is not who he wants us to think he is.... He has more depth than he is showing and i think that what he is doing is really amazing...
But as i told you above, he has many issues and that's the reason that he keeps chasing away poor Brie, even though he wants her so damn much!!!!

“I just don’t know, okay? It’s scary.”
“Well, no shit, Sherlock. It’s love. Not hockey.”

Will Vaugh and Brie be able to forget their hate and work around it???
Will their attraction can lead them in a new beginning??? Or there are many things that are standing between them???

"They were fire and gasoline, and if he knew better, he’d stay away to prevent the explosion.
He just wasn’t sure if he could."

I loved both Vaughn and Brie... They were amazing persons!!!
And God, I loved their interactions.... They were so entertaining!!!
But don't full yourselves!!! Yes, there were many funny moments inside this book, but there were also emotional ones...

"You said you want someone to fight for you. Well, here I am. Let’s do this. You know I love a challenge."

I also adored all the secondary characters, especially Jensen and Wren...
God, I can't wait to see how this one will play out!!!! I'm so eager for this certain story!!!

This was my second book of the Assassins series and God, I enjoyed both books so much!!!
You probably wondering, how the hell i managed to do so since this was the eleventh book of the series, but i have to tell you that you won't have any problem if you want to give it a chance...
It can be read as a standalone, as well!!!

***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

The Nashville Assassins series adds another solid book. I am so entertained by this series. Toni Aleo has created a wonderful hockey world and I feel privileged to be let into her character's lives. Delayed Call features a strong, independent heroines and a hero that's a little less alpha than her normal hero. I found it to be a refreshing change. The book could probably stand alone, but I highly recommend the series. Every book won't be your favorite fir whatever reason, but I believe as a whole you'll find the series entertaining and compelling. If you like series with interrelated engaging characters and a sports theme, and you like the character profiles to be varied and interesting, The Assassins are for you!

I am almost embarrassed to admit that this is my very first Toni Aleo book! Now, I am going to be spending all my time going back and reading the first 10 books in this Assassins series!
I love this book so much! It had the humor and sexiness that I just love. Brie Soledad is a fantastic leading lady. I loved that she knew her hockey, she knew the game as well as the players she reported on. I so enjoyed the "love hate" relationship she had with Vaughn. He was just the biggest jerk to her and she gave it right back to him. I love a lady in a male dominated job not backing down.
Vaughn on the other hand, I swear had multiple personalities at times. He would be a real jerk to Brie, go home and be this amazing guy to his dog. Loved his work at NateWay. I mean I understand why he kept it private, but man there is NO way that could be kept on the DL this day and age. I grew to love Vaughn, it was just too hard not to. Great leading man!
I really enjoyed this book so much and I highly recommend it to readers. It's fun, It's sexy and it has a message. I will be going back for more, cause I have to know what happened when we were thrown that major plot twist!!!

Loved the chemistry between Vaughn and Brie from the very beginning! Brie’s devotion to her brother is wonderful to observe, and the tie-in Vaughn has with his charity brings the two together in a way that I didn’t expect to happen. Loved the way everything came together. One of my favorites from Toni Aleo!

The story begins with Vaughn Johansson who is the Assassins' star player and has the ego to match. He is beyond bold and cocky! Brie Soledad is a staff reporter for the team and carries the responsibility of her Down syndrome younger brother and financial burden of paying her deceased mother's medical bills. Life has not been served on a silver platter to Brie. But Brie is no doormat - she is a strong, confident woman.

In the beginning, Vaughn and Brie are at odds with one another. He is very rude to her and she finds his cockiness extremely irritating. She can hold her own for the most part and in fact, has quite a few comebacks that are hilarious and shows she can think quickly on her feet.

Vaughn has a lot of hidden layers and uses his public persona to hold people away from his true personality which, at times, backfires in his relationship with Brie. It's an emotional rollercoaster for Brie both by what Vaughn says and doesn't say, and by what he does.

Brie is a lot more open - what you see is what you get. She knows what she wants in life and isn't afraid to make her wishes known. She tell Vaughn exactly what she expects and how she's been hurt before and doesn't want that again.

In the end, Vaughn come through with Brie in a big romantic way that is swoon worthy! And the supporting characters? I can't wait to read Jensen and Wren's story!


Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!