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 Star Review of Slap Shot (Aces Hockey #5) by Kelly Jamieson

This is book 5 in the Aces hockey series and can be read as a standalone. Over the last few years I have been reading more and more stories about hockey and thoroughly enjoy them. Kelly Jamieson has done a great job with this series.

Initially I didn't particularly like Max Hall, a pro hockey player trying to get back into the starting line up of the Chicago Aces, after being away from the game for over 12 months trying to get over the death of his wife.

Attending his team mates wedding, he meets the intriguing Kendra Armstrong who is in the bridal party. Both are looking to have some fun with no commitments; just a casual fling, or is it?

Max is slowly coming out of the fog that his wife's death has left him in and realises that he is lonely. Kendra brings a spark to his life and brightens him up. The attraction and connection between Max and Kendra sizzles until complications arise.

Slap Shot at times is an emotional roller coaster as Max wrestles with his growing feelings for Kendra. There was laughter, smoking hot scenes and a plenty of complications.

Will Max overcome his guilt at falling for a new woman? Or will he let Kendra go? You'll have to one click and read.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through the publisher and Netgalley

I look forward to reading more in this series.

I am not usually interested in "sports" romances but I really enjoyed this book! You can't help but love Kendra, an outgoing, lovable, kind woman, and Max, the sad, widower. How can you not like Max, who gave up his hockey career to spend time with his dying wife during her fight with cancer. And, he didn't turn into a man-whore when he lost her, he became celibate as he felt like he was cheating on her if he had sex with anyone else, until Kendra.

They both had issues to overcome, and yet they worked so well together. I liked that Kendra was upfront and honest with Max, and even when he wants to end their "non-relationship" because he thinks she cares too much, she comes out and admits that she loves him!

I was surprised that I even enjoyed all the parts about hockey and Max's training, I even felt for him during his grueling workouts! The part with Max attacking the mascot was hilarious I am going to have to look up more books about these hockey players!!

Max was a professional hockey player until things changed his life forever. He's just beginning to get back in shape and back to hockey when he meets Kendra. She's from New York City and visiting a relative when she meets Max. They decide that a real relationship is out of the question but they plan to have a night together anyway. Great characterization and an engaging story of second chances make this book a good addition to Contemporary Romance.

Slap Shot by Kelly Jamieson will be available October 17, 2017 by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Slap Shot (Aces Hockey #5) by Kelly Jamieson is a very enjoyable read. Max...widowed hockey player trying to get back in the game....Kendra..designer of sex toys for women..and a fixer of people. They hit it off in bed and agree to a friends with benefits with no relationship arrangement... well ... getting them to their HEA is filled with laughs, tears, feels...

Ever since Max Hall lost his wife to cancer 15 months ago, he took a hiatus from playing hockey and has been wallowing in self pity, Now that he's training to get back in shape and try out for next seasons team, he's actually thinking some sex would be good. At the wedding of one of his teammate, he spots one of the beautiful bridesmaids in particular, Kendra Armstrong. Making his way to her, he tries to connect with her and actually succeeds. All he needs is to get back in the saddle for one night and Kendra is more than willing. The fact is Kendra is amazing in the sack, and truth be told, she runs a sex toy company to help women find their niche. What more could he ask for, since he's not looking for a relationship, just some hot sex. Plus she lives in New York, far away from Chicago. They can scratch their itch whenever she's in town. Except she's all he can think about, since they have amazing chemistry together. Alex knows he will never love anyone the way he loved his wife. As their relationship gets stronger, Alex starts to panick. Then Kendra declares her love for him and he loses it. This can't be happening. He doesn't need a woman to fulfill his life, does he?
As all her other books, this new one is amazing. Kelly Jamieson has become my favorite writer at this point. Her knowledge of the sport is spot on. Ms Jamieson gets all her facts together and does her research before putting it on paper. Her books are not only wonderful romance stories but extremely entertaining. Another great job!

This is another stand alone book in the Aces Hockey series. This book deals with Max and Kendra. Max just lost his wife a few months back and he is not looking for a relationship, he is looking for a hook up. Max's main focus is getting back into the NHL since he stepped away from it and is not looking for anything to stand in his way. After having a disastrous first night together they try again and find that they like each others company. Very explicit sex scenes but the story line was very good. I really truly enjoy this author.

Slap Shot, by Kelly Jamieson is a captivating contemporary romance, and the fifth book in the Aces Hockey series.

Due to a family tragedy, Max Hall stepped away from his career as a pro-hockey player. Now, he's preparing, training, and ready to play hockey professionally...as long as the Chicago Aces team officials approve him.

Even though Max doesn't want another relationship, he's interested in a fling with Kendra Armstrong, while she is temporarily visiting from New York. However, their weekend fling is extended and they develop a friendship with benefits. Kendra wants a real relationship, yet Max is dealing with his past and hesitant to accept a new relationship. With both characters dealing with past tragedies and current issues, it's an emotional and intriguing story.

Also, this story is told from only the man's perspective and readers only know Max's point-of-view. It's a unique method, especially for the romance genre. After several chapters of waiting for Kendra's perspective, I settled into the story.

Even though it's the fifth book in the Aces Hockey series, it's easily read as a standalone. I've not read the other books in the series, yet I've already added the previous four books to my reading list.

Slap Shot is geared towards those who enjoy reading contemporary romances, particularly with only one point-of-view (as mentioned previously). Even though there's a focus on hockey, romance is the main theme, so both hockey fans and non-athletic individuals will enjoy this book.


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.

Great book! Didn’t expect the angst of the main characters....loved the passion in the book!

I love hockey stories. The premise was good. My heart broke for Max. The book was a little too long. It was a little too wordy for me. Just the mood I was in probably. I would still suggest people read it.
Received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.

Pretty good. Lots of emotions on the line. I do wish the author included more POV from Kendra then just at the end.

It dragged some, but I order to make the story really work, I think it had to.

Kendra was way cool, I wish I was her! She was so together and knew what she wanted without doubt. Sex toy creator how unique!

Max was cool. He was very stubborn and couldn’t see past his nose, but he got it together!

Hot sex!

Good read. You have to like hockey to enjoy!

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I didn't enjoy this book I am sorry to say. I found it hard work to read and couldn't get into it.

Like all Aces Hockey books, I loved this one. If you want to know what it is about, read the synopsis. If you want to know more about it, just read it, I promise, you'll love it.

I believe friendship, self-worth and love are key points in this book. It is touching, and thought provoking. I truly enjoyed reading this book.

I loved the "Sex in the City" nod. See if you can find it!

Loved this series so far and this one was no different. A go to hockey romance!

Wow! another great read by Kelly

Max lost his wife to a rare form of cancer and has been in dark place for alittle over a year. Kendra has never felt loved from anyone not even her parents .. One chance encounter at a wedding and sparks fly.. Neither wants a relationship though, just want to enjoy each other.

Will Max learn to love again, can Kendra find the love she desires?

Awesome book and hot, hot, hot! Kelly didn't disappoint. Kendra and Max had a chemistry from the get go that just smoked the pages!

I really enjoyed this book and absolutely loved the relationship between the main characters.

Kendra and Max meet at her cousin, Lovey's, wedding and decide to go for a one night stand. It is Max's first foray into the casual sex scene since the death of his wife 16 months earlier. Kendra does not know his backstory, just that she finds him hot and wants to have a night of fun with him. When things don't go exactly as planned, both find themselves winging it. Kendra lives in NYC and Max lives in Chicago so both know that a casual fling is totally doable. When they find themselves around each other unexpectedly, Max and Kendra come up with a plan of "no-strings sex" until such a time as one or the other calls it off. As usually happens, feelings get involved and one of them winds up getting too attached.

It was interesting to see Max grow and realize that his life didn't end at the same time as his wife's did. He realizes that he was living in a shell and that he needs to get out of it. He is goal oriented and focuses on remaking the Aces hockey team after being off for more than a season. He also takes baby steps in letting others in.

Kendra was notorious for trying to fix others and it has bitten her more than once in her life. She knows that she has a tendency to get attached and really thinks it won't be a problem with Max. There were times you just knew her feelings were going to be tested, but she put a smile on her face and kept her chin up and moved forward. I respected her ability to rationalize what was going on and not lashing out at times. I did like how she realized her true worth and genuinely liked herself. It helped her overcome some obstacles.

I liked the way this one ended and thought it was a good addition to this series. Kelly Jamieson did a good job of portraying Max as a conflicted man who was caught between his past and his future. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Max Hall is a professional hockey player who’s been off the ice since the death of his beloved wife sixteen months ago. In that time, he not only quit playing hockey, but he fell into a deep depression and cut off nearly all human contact. At a friend’s wedding, he meets the gorgeous and intriguing Kendra, a woman whose offer of no-strings-attached sex has him breaking his self-imposed celibacy. The two agree to a strictly friends-with-benefits arrangement, but how long can that last before one of them develops feelings for the other?

some mild spoilers ahead~

I was pretty excited when I saw Slap Shot on Netgalley since I’ve read some of Kelly Jamieson’s previous work. Loveswept requests that reviews not be posted until the book is published, so this book sat on my virtual shelf for a bit while I read and reviewed books with more pressing deadlines. But then I was feeling like a good smutty romance, and this seemed to fit the bill, so I jumped in.

And... it was okay? I guess? I mean, it took me six days to read a mere 276 pages, which isn’t great. I’d give it two and a half stars, but I’m rounding up to three since a Goodreads rating of two stars seems low. The beginning of the book was great. You can go back in Goodreads and see my notation that I was already in love with Max by the 4% mark, which is coincidentally the part of the book where he mentions his favorite musicians:

“What kind of music do you like?” she asks.
“I dunno... Jimmy Eat World, Something Corporate, Blink-182. Taylor Swift.”
I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be serious or if he’s just messing with Kendra at this point, but Max just listed four of my favorite artists, so he won a small piece of my heart.

At this point in the book, I was also feeling a connection to Kendra, who happens to be a fellow Wisconsinite. So, we’ve got a hero with my taste in music and a heroine from my home state (which is so often neglected in books) -- what could go wrong?

Well, it turns out that a lot could go wrong, mostly in the form of completely, 100% unnecessary angst. I could have told you exactly how this book would play out without even reading it. This starts around the 25% mark and made me pretty much lose interest in the entire book. I mean, is it even a spoiler to tell you that obviously one of them develops some feels and the other one is all like, “Um, hey, we had an agreement about this? So bye...”

But the thing is that Max and Kendra are in a relationship, even if they don’t define it. Even if they’re trying to avoid that label. Even if they pretend that they’re not. They’re always calling and texting each other (I’m going to come back to this). They’re always thinking about each other. They’re exclusive. They love and care about each other, even if they pretend that they don’t.

So I don’t really understand the point of the whole “Remember, we’re not in a relationship” thing that runs throughout the entire book. Was this only there to cause drama? Because, last I checked, you can still have a smutty romance with characters who are in a loving relationship. A smutty book and a healthy relationship don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Now, some of the sexy scenes are pretty sexy, but can we talk about the sexting for a minute? I’ve talked before about how I’m in a very, very long-term relationship. We’ve been together for almost nine years now, and the dating landscape has changed so much. I am honestly terrified to ever be single again if what happens in romance novels actually happens in real life. Take, for example, this conversation between Kendra and Max:

Max: 👉👌🐇🐇
Kendra: 😍
Max: 👉👉👉👉👌 💦
Kendra: 👄 🍆💦
Max: 👍
Max: 🏒
Kendra: ?????
Max: 🍆

Is this actually how people do relationships now?

Anyway, the final thing that I want to talk about is Max’s relationship with his now-deceased wife and how unhealthy it is. First of all, Max likes to say that he doesn’t want to compare Ariana and Kendra, which is fine and great and wonderful, but then he does compare them. But I can get over that. Because that, I think, is a very realistic thing to do. (Not that I’d know, but I can assume.) The thing that really bothered me was Max’s image of Ariana sitting on a while cloud somewhere, sobbing her eyes out because he had the audacity to move on.

I don’t want to be crass or rude or mean, Max, but Ariana is dead. She’s not crying over you or anybody else. She’s dead. And, if there is an afterlife and Ariana’s made it there, I sure hope that she’s not plotting to keep you single for the next fifty years just to spite you. I hope that she’d want you to move on. That she’d want you to be happy. I certainly hope that if I go before my life partner does, they’ll know to keep living their life.

But, anyway, this is the fifth book in the Aces Hockey series, and, coincidentally, the first one I’ve picked up. I feel no burning desire to go back in the series and read the books that I’ve missed, but if I come across them, I wouldn’t say no.

All in all, this was more of a miss than a hit for me, but I think that a specific demographic of hockey-loving romance fans will enjoy it a lot.

Final rating: ★★★☆☆

I received a free ARC of Slap Shot from the publisher (via Netgalley) in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I have not read very many books with the male telling the story from his side of the story and Maxes story was heartbreaking. I loved Max I loved Kendra. Max has had such a hard life since his wife died. He wants to go on with this life but he honestly does not know how. At his buddies wedding he meets Kendra. The attraction and chemistry between them is instant. I loved them together from the beginning. As the story goes on you can see feeling change, you can see hurt feelings and misunderstandings on both side. This book is unbelievable. It hurt so bad for what Max was going thru and what he was feeling, I honestly could not put this book down. It is an amazing story of 2 people overcoming past hurts and moving on. I don't want to spoil the book so I am not going to say anymore except this book is a 5 star. I highly recommend that you give it a try. Complimentary copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.