4 - Maybe... just maybe, she needed to be braver..." Stars!

Book 2.5 in the Colorado Ice series give the reader Paige Adams and Team Mascot Owen McConnell’s story.

"You need a warning label on that smile."

I haven’t been deemed special enough by the publisher to be provided with ARC’s of the previous two books, but it didn’t detract from the reading experience in that you can absolutely read this novella as a standalone.

"You are amazingly beautiful… I don’t know how to tell you enough."

This was quite a heavy story to try and deal with in a story of novella length, and for the most part I think the author did it really well. I loved Owen he was an absolute sweetheart, and although Paige took a little longer to warm to, you understand why she is as closed off as she is as the story-line progresses. That-said, I believe this story did have the potential to be a full length book, but the novella was a great little interlude.

No doubt when the next full length book is due for release the publisher will decline my request for an ARC, but I would definitely be happy to read more from Jennifer Snow, as this read highlighted that she offers up the right amount of drama and angst in her romance, that ticks all of this readers boxes.

Maybe This Summer by Jennifer Snow is a sweet, touching and lovely novella that touches on a subject of insecurities, self-worth and new found love. Owen McConnell is used to being ignored since he is always hiding behind a mask or in this case a costume since he is the Colorado Avalanche’s mascot. So when he meets Paige Adams, the burn center coordinator, there was something about her that intrigued him. He wanted to get to know her and so when he breaks through down her walls, he discovers that she has these physical burn scars and these scars have made her fearful of what others see as beauty. But through the help of Owen, Paige soon discovers that her scars are a part of her. It shouldn’t hold her back. So will Owen help Paige see that she is beautiful inside as well as outside?

If you are looking for a sweet and fast past paced book, then this book is definitely for you. I would have rated this book much higher if it was a little bit more longer and Paige was more accepting up of her scars and didn’t have to hide behind her clothes. For someone who works and inspires children who has the same issues, I just wished Paige was more confident in her self-worth. Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was light, sweet, lovely, and had a charming hero that made you feel special.

Maybe This Summer by Jennifer Snow is a heartfelt and wonderful read. After a horrible assault, Paige Adams’ life changed. She began a new life working for the Burn Treatment Center at the Colorado Hospital. Colorado Avalanche's team mascot, Owen McConnell, is used to be ignored when he is with his NHL buddies. However, after meeting Paige, he is determined to get her attention. This contemporary romance is suitable for adult audiences.

Jennifer Snow does an admirable job with her character development. Owen is a noble character. He is a former NHL star. Later, he was injured after serving his country in the Marines. He is no longer able to work in either profession. He is currently the PR manager and mascot for the Colorado Avalanche. He is a good guy, with a big heart. I like that he is persistent and hard working.

Paige is an amazing character. She was left scared both physically and mentally after a horrible attack. She began a new life helping burn victims. I know someone who had over 80% of his body burned at the Pentagon on 9-11, so this story captured my attention and felt relevant. I love that Paige decided to help others that have suffered like her.

I enjoyed the plot. I appreciate that these two come into each other’s lives. They are both strong and have a lot in common. They both know what it is like to have your life altered after an injury. MAYBE THIS SUMMER is genuine and sweet read. The story is well-written and entertaining. The characters face some interesting challenges that enable them to grow throughout the novel. I like how the story ended. It was a fun and well concluded. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Maybe This Summer by Jennifer Snow is a heartfelt novel. This was the perfect summer read. I instantly connected with the main characters. Their stories were they're own secrets. Both felt some shame from what they do and what they are. Scars both physical and emotional have them wound up tight. The first time, Owen laid eyes on Paige, he knew she was it. She was the woman for him. Owen has had women pass him up for his hockey buddies. It was hard to imagine that since, Paige described him as hot and sexy. He too has physical scars like her. Yet all she saw was a sexy as sin man standing before her. Owen doesn't see Paige as a women with scary scars. Instead he sees a beautiful, caring, smart woman. Paige works hard to help the burn center that helped her. Owen struggles with his own demons just like Paige. In a way, they both help each other move forward. Helping each other feel more confident in their skin. I loved that part of the story. Jennifer Snow took a realistic opportunity and brought it to life in an entertaining way. A way that opens up readers' hearts. Understanding what it was like for both Paige and Owen holing onto and letting go of their insecurities was an eye opener. Overall, I highly recommend Maybe This Summer to readers worldwide.

So, you rating of 4 stars is the average between Owen's rating of 4.5 and Olivia's of 3.5. I'll explain why. I had to re-read half this book twice because I just couldn't understand why adork-able, tatted, sexy, former hockey player and war vet Owen was being overlooked for his best friend Ben. I mean, I read Ben's story, and it was good...but even in his small role, I was more "attracted" to Owen!
To me, he was the whole package. My issue with Olivia was she made him jump through hoops to get her attention. Yes, I understand the trauma of her being burned and her lack of a healthy self image of herself. But she really rubbed me the wrong way at first. And not to give anything away, but I was so angry at her towards the end, too (before the requisite HEA, because that's, of course, what we want in out romances).
I was glad to see that others felt the same, because I've had the same inequality of like/dislike of hero and heroine in other recent (not Jennifer's) reads, too, and that's new for me. I thought this was a very well organized and executed novella (although I would have loved a longer Owen story!) which is very hard to do correctly, so big props to Ms. Snow for that!
I'm enjoying this series very much, love my hockey players (even though I don't watch the sport...lol). Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC!

I have chosen not to review this title. I reached out to Kamrun via email and am also sending the link to the release blitz, which is scheduled on the blog.

Thanks,
Laura

What a fun sweet quick book. I loved Owen and Paige both are strong characters with some self confidence issues, due to injuries. These two together they complete each other and are perfect. Jennifer Snow is one of my favorite authors she sucks the readers into her amazing stories. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Two hearts find each other just when they need it most! Jennifer Snow brings us a short & sweet novella from her Colorado Ice series. Owen might only be a friend of the main Westmore family of this series, but I think he might just be my favorite guy yet! He's a truly nice guy who more than deserved this happily ever after!

Colorado Avalanche mascot Owen McConnell might be the star of the show when he's in his over-sized Saint Bernard costume entertaining the NHL crowds, but when he's just being himself, he feels like he's the unseen guy around a bunch of hockey stars. He's lived a lot of life in years and he's ready to settle into the niche that will finally make him happy ... and with one visit to a charity function meeting, he thinks he might have found it ... or more like HER!

Paige Adams puts her whole life into raising money for the Burn Treatment Center that helped her so much after a life-altering attack she was the victim of. She's looking to partner up with the Avalanche for some fund-raising ... and when she meets Owen, she does her best to hide that she's affected by him. Little does she know that he has set his sights on her and will do just about anything to get a chance with her!

I’m so glad Owen got a story, but I would have loved for it to be longer! These characters have gone through so much and there is quite a bit of emotion in their story. I’m not sure they were done a complete justice by only getting a novella but I liked what we did get.

Both characters have important messages to share – Paige, the importance of inner beauty and both of them, the importance of not becoming the character you portray but letting that character just be a small part of you.

Owen is super sweet and very vulnerable - I just wanted to hug him! I love his energy and wit. Paige is a bit closed off but with Owen's help starts to melt a little. She's doing amazing work!

Their romance is quick and chocked full of angst (again, I wish it had been a bit more developed) but I’m hoping we’ll get more of them in future stories.

Maybe This Summer, by Jennifer Snow is an enjoyable contemporary romance novella.

As the Colorado Avalanche's team mascot, Owen McConnell isn't recognized outside his costume. However, as the hockey team's promotions manager, he meets Paige Adams, while she's raising funds for a hospital burn unit, which has personal ties to her life. Even though their first interaction is tame, Owen and Paige's attempt at a first date ends in disaster.

This book is actually a novella between the second and third books in the Colorado Ice series. It's ideal to start with the first book, yet it's not necessary to read the series in order.

Maybe This Summer is a quick read and geared towards those who enjoy reading contemporary romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I adored the first two books (Maybe This Kiss and Maybe This Time), but the series sort of stumbled for me with Maybe This Love and so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novella, but I went in hoping for the best. Lucky for me (and, really, for all of us)? This series got its groove back. I loved it! It was light and funny while also managing to impart a serious, heartfelt message. Actually my biggest complaint is that I would have liked more because I suspect there’s no such thing as too much Owen McConnell.

I loved that this was a hockey romance about the team mascot. I don’t think even I could have anticipated how much I was going to love that – but it was such a fresh twist on the usual sports romance fare and I could not get enough of it. It helped that it gave the smokin’ hot Owen some layers – on top of being sexy and charming, he had a humble nature and a great sense of humor. I mean – sexy, wounded, tatted man who is also a giant goofball?

*ded*
*flails*
*splat*

Game over.

I don’t know, do you think I loved Owen? (hint: I did)
I mean, it was nearly impossible not to. And Paige wasn’t so bad herself, though she was a little more difficult to warm to, it was clear her heart was pure gold and I found her evolution over the course of the story very gratifying.

Maybe This Summer was a super short read, but it managed to capture my heart all the same. I connected with Owen & Paige’s story and genuinely liked both characters. The premise was interesting and a little heart-wrenching, but the whole package was sweetly satisfying and guaranteed I’ll be back for more!

we met owen mcconnell in maybe this love, he's the easy-going mascot for the colorado avalanche, and you'd think that there wasn't much to him except a carefree personality. but that isn't true. owen is such a dreamboat of a hero. he gave up his future in ice hockey for a military career, and when he was injured overseas he had to adjust his life goals. being inside the costume means that he spends a lot of time unseen. out of costume he's often overshadowed by the star power of his best friend, ben westmore. but now that ben has found love and stability, owen has to admit that he wants that too.

when he meets paige adams she couldn't be more clear that she isn't interested. but owen is the kind of guy who doesn't give up easily. and when he gets her to agree to go out with him, he's not even sure she'll show up. and when she does and they have an amazing time, the fact that he was supposed to meet up with a blind date olivia and ben set up for him later at that same location blows up rather spectacularly in his face. and the poor guy spends the rest of the novella groveling.

the thing is you don't get mad at owen because he really is trying his best. he makes mistakes and he owns them. at his heart he is a genuinely good guy. and paige knows this. she just also has a ton of baggage. she is a survivor of a horrific attack that also changed her life goals. she believes in the work she does, working with the burn unit to help young victims recover and heal, but she hasn't accepted her own scars as part of her identity. a former model, her self-worth is still wrapped up in her appearance. nevermind that ben thinks she is beautiful even with the scars that cover her neck and arms. in order to accept owen's love she needs to be able to fully accept her own scars as part of her image. she needs to realize that the scars prove she survived, not that she is a victim. and this is not an easy task.

given that this is a novella, you'd think that there wasn't enough time to accomplish all this, but maybe this summer really works. i can't tell you what a wonderful addition this is to the colorado ice universe. honestly, as loveable as the westmores are, owen is probably my favorite. note that we do get to see all the westmores here, as well as some hints as to what asher will be up to in maybe this christmas.

Copy received from Forever GCP via Netgalley for an honest review

I am a sucker for a hockey romance, so reading this novella in the Colorado Ice series was a no brainer.

Though this time it is not about the hockey players, but their mascot Owen / Bernie.

I adored Owen right from the get go, I could feel his hurt at always seeming to be invisible around his hockey friends.

Paige wants to be invisible She hides herself in her office, hides behind clothes.

This is more than just a sweet romance, it is about 2 scarred and scared individuals finding that they can be more, that they are more.

It is always hard with a novella to get it all in the story. I did struggle to feel the connection between our lovelies - particularly Paige to Owen. However with a bit more time I am sure that this would have developed more.

Or maybe I just wanted this to be a full length story so everything could be fleshed out?

Maybe This Summer is sweet and sexy and lovely, and a good quick read to tide us over until book 3 in the series

What a great underlying message & main characters! Owen was well on his way to a great pro NHL career when he went two tours in the military & comeback scarred & without complete sight in one eye. Now he's the promotions manager for the Colorado Avalanche & their mascot, Bernie. He's managed to turn the corner & accept that he was different on the outside but still the same person on the inside.

Paige was on the top. She'd just won a major modeled by contract when a competitors boyfriend threw acid on her. Luckily it missed her face but burned & scarred her chest & arms. After numerous surgeries, she still has visible scars & hides them under scarfs & long sleeves. She still sees herself as flawed & hasn't dated since this happened.

What's on the inside is what matters most. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Outside beauty is only skin deep. All are cliches but are so for a reason. The mind, heart, spirit & passion are what is important not outside beauty. When Paige realized Owen could see beyond her scars to her true self, she began to trust & grow. I love that her character was drawn to such selfless work & could put herself out there for the patients but she struggled with doing it publicly. Her struggle made this story more meaningful & her character more realistic. Another great book by a terrific writer.

The most prolific of tales can sometimes be overlooked. I pray that doesn't happen to Maybe This Summer. Life is about the challenges we face and the people we become because of them. Ms. Snow seems to get that. It shines through with Owen's insecurities and Paige's closed off heart. Maybe This Summer makes it easy to root for the underdog. Paige and Owen prove outer beauty doesn't make a shining star. True beauty comes from within.

I am a sucker for a hockey romance, so reading this novella in the Colorado Ice series was a no brainer.

Though this time it is not about the hockey players, but their mascot Owen / Bernie.

I adored Owen right from the get go, I could feel his hurt at always seeming to be invisible around his hockey friends.

Paige wants to be invisible She hides herself in her office, hides behind clothes.

This is more than just a sweet romance, it is about 2 scarred and scared individuals finding that they can be more, that they are more.

It is always hard with a novella to get it all in the story. I did struggle to feel the connection between our lovelies - particularly Paige to Owen. However with a bit more time I am sure that this would have developed more.

Or maybe I just wanted this to be a full length story so everything could be fleshed out?

Maybe This Summer is sweet and sexy and lovely, and a good quick read to tide us over until book 3 in the series

Owen doesn't mind Paige's take charge attitude, “shhh,” she said, placing a finger over his lips. “I’ve been packing my things into boxes for a month now.” A smile curled his lips and he held her closer." This was a quick read and I liked it.

What a relaxing read! Maybe This Summer is a fun and heartwarming story with a dash of heat. Owen doesn’t have any "game", but he has heart and honesty in spades. Paige used to be defined by her looks, and after a jealous person attacks her, her scars are soul deep. In walks Owen with his less than perfect vision and things start looking a lot clearer.

It's the perfect beach read.