I am a huge fan of this series! I love the setting. I love the guys. I love the hockey. This is the 5th book and it takes a huge twist from the pattern of the previous books. Max is a hockey player and we see him prepping to go back to work, but the bulk of the story takes place away from hockey. Max and Kendra meet at a teammates wedding and hit it of with tons of s3xual chemistry.

What follows is two people professing to only want casual while really heading toward a relationship. What I couldn't get over---having read the rest of the series---is how isolated Max was. Clearly he was struggling with moving on after his wife died. I know his teammates supported him while she was sick and when she died. Where the heck was the support when he was feeling so much guilt for moving on?? Kendra was a saint. It helps that she has that psychology degree. But, really, Max was so all over the place about what he was feeling. No one could have stepped up and given him permission to not forget, but to move forward?

I missed the hockey in this one. Loved the romance when there wasn't the angst. Great to see Army and Dupe and Rupper again as well. I'll read more. This one just wasn't my favorite of the series.

Slap Shot
Aces Hockey #5
Kelly Jamieson
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not your typical sport romance. This one included so much more. Definitely made you feel some emotions while reading this one. And as usual Kelly Jamieson did a great job writing this sweet story.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Max Hall has just survived the worst year of his life, losing his wife and giving up hockey damn near killed him, but now he is finally ready to put it all behind him and start fresh. It's been a long time since he has enjoyed the company of a woman, honestly he isn't so sure he can handle it, but his body is demanding he find a way to deal. When he catches a glimpse of a beautiful bridesmaid on the dance floor, something inside him shifts, and for the first time in a long time he wants to share his bed with a woman, so he digs deep, musters up some charm and tries his best to lure her in. Surprisingly she returns his interest and offers him a night of strings-free fun, but the question is once he has a taste will one night be enough?

To say that Kendra Armstrong's luck with finding a good man is terrible is a complete understatement, every time she thinks she has found a good one, he shows his true colors and breaks her heart, so she has decided to keep things string-free from here on out. It's not like she has time for a serious relationship these days anyway, then she meets hockey star Max Hall and suddenly a string-free relationship doesn't seem like enough for her. He is charming, sweet, and knows how to keep a woman satisfied behind closed doors, but he doesn't do serious.... now she has to decide rather she can keep these unexpected feelings of hers under-wraps or tell him and risk losing him altogether!

Slap Shot is a story of second chances, hope, and finding yourself again after loss, with a lot of delicious sexy times mixed in here and there!! I loved my time with Kendra and Max, they started off as a unlikely couple, but with time, (and a lot of hooking up), they realized they had a whole lot more there then just a simple friends with benefits relationship. And it turned out to be quite the beautiful thing to watch unfold, of course there were lots of bumps along the way, but I think that is what gave it such a realistic feel for me, and made is so plausible. I have been waiting for the opportunity to get better acquainted with Max, and after reading his story I have to say he might just be my favorite player from the team yet, he was sweet, sexy, and definitely worth the wait!! Highly recommend this one, Max is certain to leave you with smile... and a permanent blush!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

I don't follow this series as closely so I don't know of Max prior to this but had no trouble. At the start I didn't know sbout him becoming a widower or was it mentioned before the whole enchilada on the history etc won't touch on it. I will say I liked the way the author handled him here his struggle with getting his career back and finding new meaning. Told in his PoV which I liked how it was written, you understand his struggle and his determination to get back in the game.

Max and Kendra had an easy start they fell into their routine.The chemistry was very much there from the start. Everyone grieves and deals their own time and way, he took his time. I appreciated that he wasn't ready another relationship yet and honest about that part. You can clearly see that he had trouble.It started as a rebound no strings for them I can see how it eased things along and it also helped Max along in a little way.

Kendra isn't perfect but having her pshycology background helps her in a way. She a sensitive side too which helps she gets Max and his problems. I get why he had a hard time with his moving on but I feel bad for Kendra in a way despite it them being on the same page they felt more than fuck buddies at some point that Max was in confused on his emotions. It gives one whiplash at times.
That will be the big hurdle for them in the end if he get finally accept that and really move on.

In the ones I read in the series so far this felt very relatable, real, and full of meaning. It was emotional, angsty, sexy and heartfelt. It had a storyline that grabbed me right away,I enjoyed this one more than expected.

This is a beautiful love story about a personal journey from grief to joy. For the second time, I’m overwhelmed by Kelly Jamieson’s craft and sensitivity when writing about the process of grieving (the first was with “Dancing in the Rain”). There’s lots of showing instead of telling in this book.
I loved the story, the characters and their interactions. I’m not a hockey fan but I liked reading about the game, the players and the sports context.
The hero, Max Hall, is wounded and lost after his wife’s death. He’s just a great character, unassuming, loyal, humble, determined and disciplined about his goals. He sometimes acts like a jerk but he then recognizes it.
The story is told almost completely from his point of view (first person) and it’s great to have a male’s voice, with realistic man’s language (and cussing), thoughts and reactions (his jealousy and pouting is so much fun).
The “big broody hockey dude” has a cut body (but besides that we don’t have a detailed description of his countenance, something I appreciated) and he’s gorgeous, but he doesn’t even know how hot he is (and how sexy that is), as the heroine points out.
The heroine is a great character too, with a rather unusual business. She’s strong, warm, caring and full of joy.
Nothing is very straightforward or predictable in this story and there’s always a touch of uncertainty until the HEA, and I really enjoyed that.

I'm sad to say this was a DNF for me. I tried several times to get into it and read, but I just couldn't. The characters weren't relate-able to me and I was kind of annoyed by Max. I don't think he's a bad guy or anything like that, I just found him annoying. I think it was his inner monologues.

I really wanted to like this book. It was different from your usual sports romance. But I just wasn't feeling Max. Too broody and moody! I didn't like the way he used Kendra and wasn't man enough to own up to his feelings. In fact, all they did was have sex. That muddled things a lot for them. And on Kendra was too much of a martyr for my liking. She should have made Max earn her love back. After all the giving and loving she had for him. I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

So while this one was a good story, it reminded me way too much of Bound by Brenda Rothert, which had sort of the same issues with a dead wife and finding fault after she passed. That being said, I thought the story moved along at an ok pace but it felt a little predictable. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Although I have read other books by this author, this is the first one that I have read from this series, so I might have been a little slow in catching up with relationships. Two seasons ago, NHL player Max Hall of the Chicago Aces, had to withdrawal from the team, when his wife got sick with a rare but quick and deadly form of cancer. It has taken him fifteen months to grief the lose of his beloved wife and now he is ready to return to his only other love- hockey. But he is out of shape and needs to train hard to get back on the team. He has also been celibate for 15 months- unheard of for a major league hockey player. But at the wedding for one of his teammates he meets Kendra Armstrong, sister of another teammate and cousin of the bride. Their chemistry is igniting, but both are still hurting from the past and agree to keep their relationship as friends with benefits. Kendra has a degree in psychology, but burned out in clinical, when she couldn't help every client, so instead with a partner has a sex toy manufacturing business. Two very interesting people, well developed by the author. Will they remain friends with benefits or can they heal each other to open their hearts to love again. Will Max make the team? What do fans, friends and family make of this relationship? You have to read the book to find out, lol. You will enjoy it and like myself, then want to read the previous offerings.

Max hasn't had sex in 16 months, not that he is counting. However when he goes to a wedding and sees sexy Kendra dancing he just can't help himself. The two of them agree that it will just be sex, no feelings. Max's wife died 16 months ago, and in that time he has let himself go. But now he is working harder than ever to get back in shape and ready for hockey, which is why this can just be sex. Max doesn't have the time or emotions for a relationship, just sex. The two agree to keep thing casual, unfortunately that is easier said than done.

This book is the fifth in the Aces Hockey series - following the fictional Chicago hockey team.

Okay to start with I was really excited about the idea of having a female character who designed sex toys. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Ultimately, the character of Kendra fell short though, as did this book. I did not enjoy reading this book, which is saying something because I love hockey romances and can over look a lot for a sexy hockey player. The dialog was forced and completely devoid of emotion making the characters seem stiff and lifeless. Additionally, there were so many names. Some of the names I am going assume came from past books in the series, but other times names were so unnecessary and just added to the clumsiness of the novel. I also didn't love that the series was told only in his voice.

When I read the first few pages of this book I was worried that this was going to be another book about a misogynistic manwhore but luckily this was not the case. Yes Max wants no-strings sex but he is not a player and he does not have a dismissive attitude about women. I actually liked him a lot and found his journey through his grief relatable. Kendra was a great heroine. She was strong and interesting. More importantly I really liked Max and Kendra together. This was a really good book and made me want to go back and read the others from this series.

I received a copy from net galley for an honest review.

This book was ok. I didn't really like how immature the heros voice was at times. I also found it really odd that we didn't get any if the heroines perspective until the epilogue. I wanted to know what she was thinking and feeling. She was such a kick-ass heroine that I wanted to know her more. I liked the long distance aspect of this book and how that played out.

Max "Hallsy" Hall lost the love of his life to cancer. He willingly gave up an NHL career to be by her side until the end. Kendra Armstrong ended her career as a psychologist to open a business selling sex toys geared towards enhancing a woman's pleasure. They meet at the wedding of Lovey Armstrong and Marc Dupois. It starts as a one night stand between two people who just want a good time. But when sex is involved, can emotions ever stay completely out of it?

Here's a story of two people who meet at a wedding and agree to a fun, no strings night. Just one night. But when the fates bring them together for a weekend getaway at Army's cottage, their one night of fun becomes an understanding: they'll get together when they can and have fun. Definitely NOT a relationship, right? Hallsy is training to get his life back together. Killing himself every day in the gym, on a very strict diet, he's determined to earn his spot on the Chicago Aces. Kendra is the cousin of teammate Duncan Armstrong and Marc Dupois's wife Lovey and she's based in New York. But rarely do things that start simple end simple.

When I was introduced to Hallsy back in Major Misconduct, his wife had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I knew then that I *HAD* to hear his story. I've waited for months--probably close to a year and a half actually-and Kelly did NOT disappoint! Max Hall is complex. He's struggling as a widow: Can he truly be happy when his wife is gone? Has he been out of the game too long to ever really make it back as a professional hockey player? Will his trainer actually kill him with the exercises and diet?!? Haha

This is one of the first books by Kelly that is a single perspective. I think that says a lot about the characters. Max spent the past two years grieving over his wife: first her cancer diagnosis and then her death. He was a supporting character during that time. Now he is trying to get his life back. Get back in the NHL spotlight. He is reasserting himself as a dominant figure. Kendra is there to now support him, be there with him as he does those things. But her story isn't the one we're supposed to cling to. And I like that.

I like that this story has a singular focus. Now, don't get me wrong. I Love All of Kelly's books. I do like when I get to read his side and her side. But this time, to just get his emotions, it was refreshing. Plus it was from the guy's perspective. Almost never in this genre do you get that. You read stories from alternating perspectives or just from the heroine's. I like that Kendra isn't the heroine so much as the fairy godmother--a fairy godmother with benefits if you will.

I love the Aces Hockey Team books, and I really enjoyed this story of Max Hall and Kendra Armstrong. Max is a damaged man and I enjoyed the way Kendra helped him to heal. They were both great characters and I liked their developing romance. This one kept me interested all the way through, and I loved being back in the world of the Aces once again!

“Slap Shot,” the latest installment in the Aces Hockey series, is another winner for Kelly Jamieson. It features Max, whose personal drama is alluded to throughout the series, and Kendra, cousin of Duncan, the hero of “Icing.” It intersects nicely with Jamieson’s YA series, Bayard Hockey.

My first thought when I read the book’s description was “Finally, Max’s book!” In his appearances throughout Aces-land, he’s been the broken, grieving teammate who although he has played no major part so far, managed to be intriguing.

We already know the set-up: Max’s wife has died, he dropped out of hockey and now, after a year too emotionally unstable to play, is desperate to get back in shape and make the team—not a sure thing although he was one of its stars before tragedy knocked him out.
So when he meets Kendra at the wedding of one of his team members, it seems the right time to scratch an itch that’s been bothering him, and it’s not the lack of a meaningful relationship. In a very funny and unexpected turn, his attempt to pick up Kendra does not go according to plan.
But they like each other and forge a connection although he’s not over his wife and she’s coming off a string of bad relationships and trying to build a business.

There is a fair amount of time spent on Max’s training regimen, which seems something like a combination of how the Rock might work out and how Gwyneth Paltrow might eat. Normally this kind of thing wouldn’t interest me but Jamieson managed to make it funny. In fact, for a book dealing quite a bit with loss and grief, there are laughs throughout the book. Neat trick, Kelly!

I’ve been reading a lot of YA lately and this was refreshing. There are no scheming sorority girls, no date rape drugs, no mystery to solve and no car chases. Just two mature adults, both with problems, some of their own making and some not. The road to discovery is poignant, moving and sexy too.

Highly recommended.
ARC provided for an honest review.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
I have read a lot of Kelly Jamieson books and liked them. But this is one of my favourite as the characters are more real and there is more to them emotionally, with a more developed storyline.
Steamy scenes and sweet romance, as always.
4****

After taking off time from hockey to care for his dying wife, Max Hall is finally ready to get back into the game. He knows things won’t be life they were before but he’s looking for something close to his old life. Right now his main focus is training and hoping to make the team again this year. The competition is tough and the last thing he needs is a distraction; but he’s also realizing that he misses sex. If he could get laid just one time really good, it should scratch his itch and keep him satisfied for a while and Kendra Armstrong has just given him the perfect opportunity.
Neither Max nor Kendra is looking for long term but after one encounter of really good sex they decide to embark on a little long distance sex. That’s it, just sex, especially for Max. He and Kendra are on the same page and since they live thousands of miles away from each other it should be relatively easy for the two to stick to the agreement. The two soon start making arrangement to fly out and meet each other occasionally and it’s not long before that pesky little issue of love pops up.
Max starts to realize that Kendra is falling in love with him and he’s not sure what to about it. He’s already been in love and lost the love of his life. There’s no way he will ever find that with another woman.
So watching (uh, reading) these two go through the motions and knowing what would happened and where they would end up was okay. While it was a little predictable I enjoyed it. I think what I enjoyed most was Max. While he wasn’t a total douche, he was a bit rough around the edges when it came to sending Kendra on her merry little way, but I kind of liked it. It wasn’t the whole, “it’s not, it’s me” thing. It was “this is not what we agreed upon, I don’t want you to love me…you should go”. Sound a little crazy but I kind of appreciated it. Also, I thought both were pretty strong characters, they owned who they were and didn’t apologize for it.
All in all, good quick read.

This was a surprise. I expected a cliche sports romance when I picked up up and what I found instead was a refreshing storyline that pulled me in from, quite literally, page one. I loved the premise, the characters were both relatable and real, and I was overjoyed to discover that this author write's fantastic male POV. I didn't even realize going in that this was the 5th installment in this sports series, so after how thoroughly I enjoyed this one, I'll definitely plan on going back and reading the others. This was an emotional read, an incredibly sexy story, angsty at times, heartwarming at others... all in all, a really solid story. I really liked it!

I am a long time fan of Kelly Jamieson - I think her work exemplifies what I like to read in this genre. Although I generally enjoy her books, I feel "Slap Shot" is a particularly good example of what she does so well. I'd go so far as to say that this book is the best of this series. Read it!

After hearing about Max in the other books in this series I was excited to finally meet Chicago Aces hockey player Max Hall and read his story. Saddened by the loss of his wife to cancer, Max tries to get back to his life playing hockey and he does whatever is necessary to get him there, including a strict diet and intense workouts. What Max doesn't take into account is meeting Kendra. Somehow, what starts as a one night stand then turns into friends with benefits and finally love.

Fantastic read and is a good addition to the Aces hockey series. I look forward to reading even more by this author.