Great story once again by Ms. Jamieson. Love this series, this is Max's story who we met earlier he lost his wife and took some time off from life to find himself again. He is out at a teammates wedding when he meets Kendra and they hit it off. He knows he isn't ready for a relationship again but he needs a life and friends and that includes sex. Once they agree to friends with benefits things are go great until Kendra breaks the rule. Max is determined to never go down that road again so he ignores his heart and denies everything he is feeling. Can he wake up in time to make things right or will he lose the best thing since his late wife.
Can't wait for the next book. Honest review in exchange for ARC.

I’m a big fan of sports romances, especially those written by authors who have proven in their writing that they are either fans of their sport of choice or have researched it enough to be credible. Kelly Jamieson is one such author for hockey romances. Her Aces Hockey series has consistently been one I’ve enjoyed for its combination of likable characters, sexy times, and believable scenes detailing all aspects of the game. In Slap Shot, the main character Max Hall believes he’s finally ready to continue his hockey career after a fifteen month hiatus dealing with the death of his wife to cancer. He’s also ready to resume an active sex life – but not a relationship. He certainly gets the sex part right, and there are lots of steamy scenes in this one, but it's also a story about grief, and memories and moving on.
Hockey. Sex. Those two things are all that Max has on his mind, now that he’s finally got a hold of the grief that slayed him for several months, the depression and the long days after his wife’s death firmly in the past. In order to get into shape for team tryouts with the Chicago Aces after a year off the ice, he’s willing to take whatever his trainer dishes out. The time spent regaining his physical and mental doesn’t leave him anything to invest in a relationship. When he meets Kendra Armstrong, bridesmaid at his teammate’s wedding, they definitely seem to be on the same page. She’s only in town for a few days and she lives in New York. It’s the perfect way scenario to blow off a little steam.
Kendra has no expectations when it comes to Max, except for a fun time. As a sex toy designer building up a company with her best friend, she’s got her hands full too, and is not interested in a relationship either. Kendra’s background is in psychology, specifically human sexuality, and that combined with her new career means she isn’t shy about what she wants in the bedroom. The few days they spend together are memorable for them both, but neither has expectation of seeing each other again. Only, Kendra is Max’s teammate’s Duncan's cousin, and shows up at a lake weekend that he’s been invited to as well. And this time, they are both willing to admit that they wouldn’t mind keeping up a friends with benefits arrangement. That works for a while, but when their emotions start to come into play, will Max be willing to risk his heart again?
I really like how this story unfolds. It’s told entirely from Max’s point of view and he doesn’t give much of his emotional state away at the start. Though I knew about his wife’s illness and passing from previous stories (this is the fifth book in the series), it is brought up fairly early but not dwelled upon at the beginning. This is deliberate, because Max is trying to move on. He wants a sex life without commitment and he’s very clear about that with Kendra. He has a picture of his wife on his desk, and as he starts to care about Kendra he finds himself comparing them in subtle ways. Sometimes this feels a little forced, like the author is trying to make it look like Kendra is more suited to Max than his wife was. Yet he continues to hold firm in his mind that he will not love another woman. This results in feelings of guilt when he finds himself thinking of Kendra outside of their sexual encounters. As the story progresses it becomes clear that he's really not dealt with as much as he'd thought, until things come to a head and he's forced to make some decisions that will either pull Kendra closer or push her away completely.
Because we don't hear Kendra's 'voice' until the epilogue, her feelings and emotions are only brought up as conversations she has with Max. She seems to be a levelheaded, competent and smart woman. She's fun to be with and also a good listener. She definitely comes across as very suited to Max, and compatible as a life partner. We also learn a little about her past from conversations Max has with his teammate Duncan who is Kendra's cousin. She's been in two failed relationships where she gave more of herself than she got in return. This should be a little warning sign for Max that Kendra might be more invested in their relationship than he is, but she is good at hiding her real feelings too.
What’s interesting about this story from a hockey perspective is that it’s all pre-season. The on ice scenes are training drills with some of the other players hoping to make the team. Off the ice there are a lot of gym and boot camp style workouts. Max’s diet is important too, and his food and drink choices are part and parcel of his training. Some readers may find this attention to detail a bit excessive but I like how it shows Max’s commitment to playing hockey professionally again. Of course, there are all the requisite team 'bromance' scenes, with his former teammates anxious to have Max on board again. Plus, with Max getting involved with Kendra they have much to tease him about. They know the hard times he went through, and they are equally happy to see him smiling again.
Whether you've been following this series from the beginning or it's your first pass at the Aces Hockey series, you'll find a lot to enjoy in Slap Shot. What seems to be a cut and dried romance about second chances and moving on has some emotional depth as Max finally realizes his wife would not want him to use their relationship as a buffer from falling in love again. Plus, hockey fans will appreciate the hard work that goes on off the ice to get game ready. It's an entertaining combination and well worth the read.

This review has been posted at All About Romance and feedback updated with the link. A shorter version will be posted at Amazon and BN.

Book Review

Title: Slap Shot
Series: Aces Hockey #5
Author: Kelly Jamieson
Genre: Sports Romance
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
My name’s Max Hall, and I need to f***. As a pro hockey player who’s been away from the game for over a year, my libido has picked one hell of an inconvenient time to come roaring back to life.

After my wife died from a rare form of cancer, sex was the last thing on my mind. Same with hockey, the other love of my life. Now, after fifteen months of eating too much, drinking too much, and generally just feeling sorry for myself, I’m facing a steep uphill battle to get my ass in shape and play my way back onto the Chicago Aces.

So I’m not looking for a relationship. Just sex. Yeah, I know how that makes me sound. But the truth is, I’ll never love another woman the way I loved my wife. When I meet a sexy bridesmaid at my teammate’s wedding, I decide to scratch that itch. A fling with Kendra Armstrong in her posh hotel room could be just what the trainer ordered.

Not only is Kendra smokin’ hot, she’s dynamite in bed—one of the perks of being a sex toy designer. Since she lives in New York anyway, we agree to keep things casual, no strings attached. The arrangement is perfect . . . until one of us falls in love. And it’s not me.

My Thoughts:
This is the fifth book in this series and I have been looking forward to it! Yes, it is a hockey romance but it is so much more. I really think this is my favorite of the series. Max has had a few spots in the other books and he left the team to be with his dying wife. I am so glad the author told Max’s story!

Max had a serious case of depression following his wife’s death and who wouldn’t. She was the love of Max’s life. After months of too much beer, junk food and staying home wallowing in grief, Max was finally ready to take his life back. It has been 15 months and a long road but he is ready to win the spot on his team and maybe find a woman to have sex with. Of course, he wants no strings attached. No relationship, no commitments. He has a trainer and is working on getting back into the best shape he possibly can to get his spot back on the Aces.

Kendra was a therapist that gave up her practice and now has a business that makes sex toys. She started the company with her best friend and they are doing very well. Kendra is sweet, smart, savvy, funny and beautiful. She has been burned in relationships by men that had serious issues. She has learned she can’t fix people. Her life is in New York but she travels to Chicago frequently for business, plus her cousin, who also plays for the Aces lives there. Kendra is a force of nature, confident and carefree and she catches Max’s eye at the wedding of a teammate and Kendra is a bridesmaid. Kendra notices the handsome man watching her and decides to make a move. Needless to say, they have a few drinks and head up to her room. That’s where I am going to leave it. I don’t want to give anymore away because the reader needs to enjoy the book.

This book is told from Max’s POV with Kendra getting her POV in the epilogue. As I said in the beginning this was my favorite of the series. I loved watching Max gaining momentum in getting his life back and Kendra with her sweet and spicy spirit cheering him on. There are some parts that are sad when you see them struggling with issues and heartbreak. This is a second chance at love again and learning to live again for both Max and Kendra. There still was plenty of hockey and lots of steamy smexy times to keep me turning those pages. I can’t wait for more of the Chicago Aces!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for honest review.

It’s always so much fun to return to Chicago and Kelly Jamieson’s Chicago Aces series. Jamieson is by far the best hockey romance author in the business (trust me, I’ve read a lot of hockey romances). I waited not so patiently for Max Hall’s story, but it was worth the wait.

I loved that Jamieson chose to tell this story just from Max’s point of view. Readers of the Aces series have watched Max experience the illness and death of his wife, our hearts breaking alongside of him as the series progressed. The fact that this scenario played out in real life with Ottawa Senators goalie, Craig Anderson taking time off to be with his wife during her battle with cancer (which a much happier ending!!) only added to the sorrow I felt. But, Max’s journey from grieving widower to a HEA is handled perfectly.

Despite being beyond ready for Slap Shot, it still took me by surprise. It was an odd, slow burn story even though Max and Kendra don’t waste much time getting to know each other intimately. I enjoyed them together from the start; their easy banter and off the charts chemistry was hard not to like. It’s clear that Max can’t resist Kendra, though he doesn’t hesitate to lie to himself about where their “flirtationship” is going.

Max is focused on one thing only: getting his slot back on the Aces. The first half of the book is an entertaining textbook on preseason training that this hockey fan soaked up like a sponge. It was easy for me to imagine my favorite players going through this experience. More so, it allowed me to understand them and their dedication to their sport.

Convinced this is all he needs to be happy, he ignores his growing feelings for Kendra. Having Max in my head for 200+ pages let me really get to know him. Even when I knew he was falling in love, I also found myself nodding my head as he convinced himself that being open to love was a bad idea. Meanwhile, Kendra really comes to life through Max’s eyes.

Here’s my little secret: I didn’t really like her when the book started. She seemed like a cliché feminist that I didn’t want to read about. But, Jamieson wrote these two characters with such incredible depth that as they moved towards their HEA I was a borderline emotional wreck. Kendra… she’s just amazing. While I saw her initially as a somewhat uptight business woman, she’s really kind of adorable. She is a successful business woman, but she’s also quirky and caring and she dances around the house and she develops sex toys. She also grew up with a mom who has narcissistic personality disorder and suffered emotionally for it. That she needed Max as much as he needed her was a wonderful surprise and fantastic storytelling.

Truthfully, Kelly Jamieson knocked it out of the park with Slap Shot. It has all the emotional depth that I anticipated and it’s full of smart hockey, on and off the ice. And, oh! If you’re a fan of Jamieson’s Bayard Hockey series, look for some fun crossovers!

4.5 stars for Slap Shot. Heat level: 4

I received a copy of Slap Shot from NetGalley and Loveswept in exchange for honest feedback.

What a great addition to the Aces book series. We have had glances of Max over the last few books with first his wife being sick with cancer then finding out his wife passed away. we finally get his book. it was been a few years after his wife has passed and Max just needs to get laid. at the wedding of one of the Ace players he decides it's time to get in the sack again and have some fun so he picks Kendra. What happens is 2 people who don't want to become close start to get closer even though they don't live in the same city.
This was a great book of how someone can over come grief.

I enjoyed Slap Shot, the fifth book of the Aces Hockey series.

Max is a widower and hockey player who is finally finding his way out of his grief and trying to get back on the team as an active player. Kendra is a light hearted woman who isn't ashamed to enjoy herself. I enjoyed their relationship and felt that they both needed each other to balance each others lives.

Both characters are likable and well written. I liked the secondary characters as well and found this book a strong addition to a fun series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

Though this book is listed as part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone

Slap Shot is the story of Aces professional hockey player Max Hall, known to his teammates as Hallsy.

Kendra Armstrong meets Max at her cousin’s wedding. I want to make sure to say I love how this first encounter plays out. I will not say first night because the night goes a bit astray. Astray in a way that truly speaks to where Max is in his life.

For those new to this series….where is Max in his life you ask.. well he is a widow who stepped away from the game he loves for 12 months to care for his dying wife.

Cue pulling my heart strings… I mean come on... who isn’t going to root for a man like that to find a new happy.

And that is exactly what Slap Shot is—a new happy for Max; he needs to learn how to live in his new reality. One where he is fighting to regain his spot on the Aces and where he is trying to figure out how to live his life.

The chemistry between Kendra and Max is tangible from almost the moment they connect but the heart in this book comes from Max learning to love again.

Kendra is intertwined into the connections around Max as her cousin married one of his teammates. I love how this played out throughout the story. It built a world that pulled me in.

As most who know me know, I love hockey and yes again Ms. Jamieson delivers a hockey world that made me smile!

Was there a point where I wanted to strangle him? Yes. Did it make sense for him? Yes. Did I love the happy created? Heck YES!

If you love books with truly wounded heroes who deserve to find a new happy—this is a must click!

By far my favorite of the series.! Ms. Jamieson took a character that could have come off as a grade-a asshole and redeemed him. Painting Max as lovable and sexy grieving widower was not what I expected from the blurb--thank god! Slap Shot is a book about grief and finding love again and told in a light-hearted, fun, engaging manner.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R339SZU44VIL2Q/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Kelly Jamieson pens a hockey romance with a brilliant balance between touching, flirty, fun and steamy where a young widower tries to move on with his life with the help of his friends, family and a very attractive sex toy designer.

When Max Hall’s wife was diagnosed with cancer, he left hockey to be with her. Feeling sorry for himself after she died, it was hard for him to put the pieces of his life back together. Getting back in shape to fight for a spot on the Chicago Aces will not be an easy task, especially not when after fifteen months of rest, his libido is back with a vengeance.

Unable to picture himself in another relationship or loving another woman the way he loved his wife, he decides to hook up with one of his teammate’s bridesmaid. But Kendra Armstrong’s allure is too much for one night and soon their attraction compels them to turn things to casual and then some. Can Max find a way to get past his grief and guilt in order to open his heart to another chance at love?

Kelly Jamieson has a knack for writing hockey romances that pull all the right strings. Slap Shot is an engaging story about the final stages of grief, new beginnings, friendship and love that made me immerse myself in Max’s journey through all this from start to finish.

I really felt for Max and was grateful that he didn’t sugar coat his desire for Kendra and a no strings attached fling just as much as her maturity to do the same, especially when a relationship was geographically difficult not to mention emotional impossible at the time.

As they get to know each other via very flirty texts and smoking hot visits, Kendra’s former psychologist background enabled her to listen and support Max’s dedication toward his career and desire to move on with his life.

Kendra was a kick @$$ heroine in her own right. She’s strong and independent, caring and patient. A business owner who wanted what was best for her and Max and didn’t try to fix him but definitely helped him move forward without forgetting the past. They were definitely a perfect match.

I loved having a couple of the guys from Jamieson’s Bayard Hockey series make cameo appearances as well as reading about the other couples from previous books in the series. I really enjoyed the hockey backdrop, which included Max’s grueling training.

Slap Shot is book #5 in the Aces Hockey series by Kelly Jamieson. It is a standalone, hockey romance and a wonderful addition to the series with a great plot and wonderful characters. Told from the hero’s point of view and has a happy ending. A great read for Aces Hockey fans or any sports romance lover.

I enjoyed this book very much. I found Max very charming and Kendra's straight forwardness refreshing. Max is trying to get back in shape before training camp starts for the Chicago Aces hockey team, he's sat out over a year as he mourned his wife's death from cancer. He committed to getting back on the ice and he's not sure he's ready for a relationship so when he meets Kendra and she's all for no strings fun in bed time. Kendra has her own issues for not wanting to be in a relationship, and since Max is offering no strings and she does love sex...Sweet story of two people finding their way to a relationship, and steamy sex!

I'm sorry, but I did not finish this book. I found the male character to be too lewd for my liking. I like a steamy romance, but the character was crude and unlikable. I will not post a review on any other site since I did not complete the book. I like this author, and I will definitely read other books by her. This one just was not for me.

When Max’s wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer he withdrew from the Chicago Aces hockey team to spend time with her before she passed away. Just over a year later he has decided to move on with his life and that means getting into shape so that he can rejoin the team. What he didn’t expect was to meet the spitfire Kendra at the wedding of one of his teammates.

Kendra lives and designs sex toys in NY and is a bridesmaid at her cousin’s wedding. When she sees the hot hockey player is interested in her she is not about to turn down a sexy night especially since they don’t even live in the same place so it’s not like they would see each other again.

They both only wanted a one-night stand as love has not been kind to them in the past and only brings pain but when they find out they actually like each other they become friends as well as lovers. Will they realize what they have found in each other before it is too late or will the thought of another relationship put their feelings on ice?

I loved the chemistry and banter between the two and the emotional struggle to try and move on was real and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to whatever the author comes up with next. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is book 5 in the Aces Hockey series but can be read as a standalone. Max, who has lost his wife to cancer about a year and half ago is attending a wedding of a team mate when he meets Kendra. There is an instant attraction to each other and Max is thinking she might be the one to get back in saddle again. See he hasn't sex since he lost his wife. Kendra is light to Max's dark. Max feels quilt over even thinking about another women. When they hit it off they decide that if they are in town together again they should get together. Just for fun. Max doesn't ever want to fall in love again. Kendra has a habit of picking the wrong guys and gets hurt. And to top it all off, Max is working really hard to get back in shape to play hockey again. He just doesn't have time for Kendra except she makes him feel happy again. This story felt pretty true to life. Max was on the brooding side, but I can see he loved his wife very much. 3 1/2 stars

Although we meet Kendra through Max's eyes and see their entire relationship from his point of view (which, spoiler alert, includes falling in love with her) I never really felt like I got to know her as a person. I knew things about her: she's a psychologist who eventually switched careers and started her own business with a friend to make sex toys for women. She has an instinct for 'fixing' people that's gotten her into lousy relationships in the past and she has a terrible relationship with her parents. She's caring, fun, outgoing, and loves dancing and dogs. But for all of that, I never felt like she was a fully developed, three dimensional person. Of course, I also had that problem with Max. I didn't like him. He would possibly have been a more likable (or at least sympathetic) character from the outside, but when the whole book is told from his point of view he really mostly came across as a self-absorbed jerk. His goal was getting in shape for training camp and getting back on the team. It's a great goal and I loved that he was so motivated and willing to work hard to get there. But the self-defense process of not looking at his emotions to try and avoid being hurt again came across (in his own head) as not even wanting to admit to a caring friendship with Kendra, let alone falling in love with her, but just focused on good sex.

While following Max's progress out of grieving and back to living and admitting to emotions could have been a very reflective and touching story, I was left feeling a little flat about Slap Shot in general. There are a few great scenes at the end where Max finally gets his head on straight and very well written and emotional apology and reconciliation scenes. But overall, I was left wanting a little something more. Whether that was a bit of additional plot or more emotional introspection or more depth of character, I feel like Slap Shot was one of Jamieson's more mediocre books, with the potential to have been one of her best.

Long time readers of Kelly Jamieson's Aces Hockey series (Back Check, Icing) have been aware of Max and his tragic story, but he's always been a very peripheral character. So readers new to the series don't have to worry about having missed any backstory if they start the series with Slap Shot. Personally, I recommend reading the rest of the Aces series first so that Max's return to the team at the end will give you a bit more emotional satisfaction than the rest of the book.

Prepare to fall in love with Max Hall, because he will melt your heart. I absolutely love Slap Shot. I’ve enjoyed the whole Aces Hockey series, but I think this might be my favorite. It is the perfect blend of humor, steam, angst and tenderness. Max is a widower and still devastated by the loss of his wife. He meets Kendra and is attracted to someone besides his wife for the first time, but he’s also terrified to move on. He and Kendra decide to have a one-night stand, but neither wants to say goodbye; therefore, they agree to a casual, no-emotions affair whenever they’re in the same town. Feelings develop for both of them, but Max struggles because he feels guilty for falling for someone else. Max’s journey and emotions are heartbreaking and raw, and Slap Shot will melt your heart and make you believe in second chances.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

What is it about hockey players that is so damn hot???

Max is a widower who tragically lost his wife to a rare form cancer. He's been out of the game taking care of his wife and then in mourning for the last season and a half. His single-minded goal is to get himself back in shape so he can make the team during training camp. Meeting Kendra at a teammates wedding, was not in his plans, but could help scratch a certain itch, wink wink, nudge nudge.

Although this is book #5 of the Aces Hockey series, Slap Shot easily reads as a standalone. I've only read the first two books in this series yet I didn't feel as if I were missing out on anything vital to the story. Supporting characters from the earlier books play a role, but not so much that you HAVE to have read their stories to follow along.

A lot hot and a little angsty, this is a great read. It's not so angsty that you'll have a book hangover, but it does have all the feels. Max and Kendra have AMAZING chemistry and the angst isn't overblown just for the sake of adding drama to the book. Thankfully, I've not lost a partner to a terminal illness, but I think that Jamieson does an artful job of capturing and expressing what the surviving partner might go through and feel – especially vis a vis a new relationship.

'The way she looks at me, Christ, I feel like I can do anything . . . make the team, win the Stanley Cup, fucking rule the world. It’s intoxicating. I’m drunk on her. '

I’m going to start this review with some brutal honesty—I really, really enjoyed this book, despite the blurb. In fact, I got this book, despite the blurb.

I know, I know. That sounds terrible, especially if you consider the fact that Kelly Jamieson is one of my favorite authors, and the Chicago Aces series one of my favorite series. But… I was apprehensive because the synopsis made Max sounds like a grade-A, irredeemable asshole. I’m not okay with that; I’m not on the lookout for angst. Still, I needed to know what his story was, given all we’ve learned about him in the previous books. (Side note: this is a standalone; you don’t need to have read the others to enjoy it.)

So, I gave it a chance.

I’m incredibly glad I did. Max is grieving, yes. Confused, certainly. But an a-hole, he is not. He was actually supremely lovable and deliciously sexy, and his interactions with Kendra made me happy, hot and, yeah, okay, sometimes hurt.

But in a good way, I promise. Despite being a little too heavy on the fitness element (though, having said that, I swear, I could learn a thing or two from Slap Shot and Max’s dedication), this book was also a really tender examination of grief and finding love again, and surprisingly light-hearted and fun at times.

As always, Ms. Jamieson proved her gift with the written word and created a story and characters that I liked as well as loved. I’m just going to assume that there are more hot hockey players to come in this series. I don’t want to think about it ending—not yet, anyway.

Maybe not ever, come to that. It’s charming, addictive and always engaging, which is why I’ll pick up whatever comes next—regardless of blurb.

'It’s perfect. It’s right. It’s everything.'

~ 4.5 Spice Girl STARS ~

With a hot hockey player and a sex toy maker, what else do you need?

Hockey player Max Hall is mourning the death of his wife from cancer and trying to get back in shape to be able to play professional hockey after being away for over a year when he meets Kendra Armstrong at a team mate’s wedding. Max and Kendra decide to have a fling that slowly starts to become more serious when Max starts to deal with his wife’s death.

I love Kendra’s job that started as a psychologist and then became a sex toy maker which I will admit is one of the most unusual jobs that I have seen in a romance book.

I have read all the books in the series and love how Kelly Jamieson has made all of the characters a little different and all so human. I want more in the series because there are so many more guys on the team.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

While this is book 5 in this series, I feel that this one can comfortably be read on a stand alone basis.

This book is part of an ongoing Hockey Series. Max, our leading male, is trying to get his life back together after the death of his wife 16 months earlier and as a result of this, he's quite a moody, brooding character. He's offset by his love interest, Kendra, who brings a much needed light to his shade. I liked the characters and I thought they had plenty of chemistry and lots of sexy times. Story wise, this was a little slow going for me at times and it felt a little too moody, which I understand given the subject matter, but I would have loved a little more humour and banter between the hockey players. Overall I felt that this was an ok read

I received a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.