This is the seventh book in the Aces Hockey series and I have enjoyed reading all of the books in this delightful series. Each story is a standalone but the all the characters are entertaining and interconnected. This engaging, sexy, feel good story revolves around Nick, a hockey player who doesn’t think he deserves love. I liked this charming story and the connection between Nick and Jodie. Nick and Jodie are brought together when Nick reluctantly agrees to let Jodie and her two year old daughter stay in his coach house. At first they are wary of each other but their feelings for each other grow as they spend time together.

Nick is a grouchy, standoffish loner and he doesn’t care that people think he is a jerk. He doesn’t have any experience with relationships and he has no interest in getting involved in one. However, Nick has never met anyone like Jodie. Jodie is a breath of fresh air and helps Nick look at his life differently. I felt bad for Nick because he is dealing with a lot of issues.

Jodie is open, honest and doesn’t play games. She is outgoing and fun and works hard to be a good mom. She is also a part owner of sex toy company. Jodie is strong but also finds it a struggle being a single mom and owning her own business. When she meets Nick she is attracted to him but also finds his attitude frustrating.

I found it easy to connect with Nick and Jodie and I liked them. Life hasn’t been easy for either one of them and they have different reasons for being hesitant to start a relationship. Even though they are different, they compliment each other. Jodie is friendly and loving, whereas Nick is closed off and afraid to show his feelings. There is a spark between them they can’t ignore. Hopefully, they can help each other become better people and enjoy life.

In this seventh book in the Aces Hockey series, Nick isn't really interested in doing much to develop a relationship with anyone outside of his teammates. It's not so much that he is anti-social -- it's just that he's got a lot on his mind, especially as the anniversary of losing someone is upon him. When he begrudgingly goes to a team party, he ends up meeting Jodie who is everything he isn't -- friendly, talkative, and just nice to everyone. Nick isn't interested, at least at first.

Jodie has moved to Chicago for the sex toy business she runs with her friend and co-owner Kendra and it's time for her to find a place of her own to let Kendra and her hockey player boyfriend have some privacy. When someone suggests to Nick that Jodie needs a place and would be perfect for the empty carriage house on his property, he's not really eager for Jodie to move in, but he goes along with it.

What follows is the slow takedown of the emotional walls Nick has erected around himself. Through Jodie's care and understanding, he realizes a lot of things, including the fact that his feelings for Jodie are growing and that they could have so much more. I really liked how Jodie melts Nick's cold heart and how they come to rely on each other.

There weren't any huge surprises in Big Stick, and I did like these two characters, especially how Jodie uncovers a side of Nick that even he didn't know he had. I did find the beginning a bit slow for my taste, but other readers may feel differently.

I liked Nick's interactions with Jodie's daughter Zyana and in spite of his sometimes gruff attitude, I did like how Nick interacted with her throughout the story. It showed he really had a heart after all.

Overall, Big Stick had some really nice moments and is a low drama sort of contemporary romance where conflicts are resolved fairly easily to get to the HFA or HEA if that is what you are looking for.

An ARC was provided for review.

Nick, the resident loner of the Aces Hockey team, steps outside his comfort zone to attend his best friend and teammate's birthday party. While there, he meets Jodie and is not impressed. Jodie and her best friend co-own an adult toy business. After her best friend fell in love and married an Aces hockey player, Jodie decides to embrace life and move as well. Having no family left in Chicago, Jodie packs up her daughter and moves in with the newlyweds.

Three years after the death of his brother and Nick still can't get passed the overwhelming guilt he feels. Although he knows he's not responsible for his brother's death, he can't help but feeling like he could've done something more to help with his brother's depression. Nick also feels as though he doesn't deserve happiness because his brother should be living the life he is as he was the better hockey player. It's affected Nick so much, that he has decided he never wants to be responsible for anyone ever again. Until....

Unable to find a suitable home for Zyanna, Jodie reluctantly accepts Nick's offer to move into his coach house. Nick values his alone time, but also feels as though he owes it to his best friend to help him out. When Jodie and Zyanna start wondering around his property, he's irritated, but also intrigued. Nick never wanted kids, but finds Zyanna intelligent and adorable. He finds her mom, brilliant and desirable and chatty! When a winter storm throws them together, sparks fly and he begins to wonder "what if". When Jodie has to leave town for a business trip, Nick volunteers to watch Zyanna. While in his care, Zyanna becomes sick. Nick, not knowing what to do, feels horrible when he ends up having to take her to Urgent Care. He wrongly blames himself for her illness and uses it as an excuse to reinforce his belief that he's better off alone. In the process, he breaks Jodie and Zyanna's hearts.

Loved, loved, loved this novel!!! Grief is real and molds our beliefs, feelings. It causes us to believe things that aren't necessarily true. Although it was Jodie's nature to be chatty, she excelled at listening when Nick needed an ear. She and Zyanna helped Nick become a more complete person. The transformation was endearing! Nick's interactions with Zyanna were priceless! Zyanna's "gwiant" endearment was so adorable! She had him wrapped around her finger from the start! Epic love story! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

After a few ho hum books, the series seems to be on the right track again. Nick is a loner who harbors a lot of guilt over his brother's death. Jodie is a single mom who needs a few breaks. Nick reluctantly agrees to let Jodie and her daughter live in his guest house until they find a place. Over time, Jodie and Zyana melt Nick's gruff exterior and he and Jodie become a couple. But all is not perfect, Nick still feels like he shouldn't care about anyone and when Zyana gets sick on his watch, he freaks out and breaks it off until one of Nick's friends convinces him that they belong together. I was happy to see in the epilogue that they just live together and don't get engaged. So many relationships don't work out and not every book needs to end with a proposal.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Depression

This is the third book in the series that I've read. I really liked Jodie's perspective on life. She knew what she wanted and went for it. She was intelligent, vulnerable, and strong, all wrapped in a tough package. She loved her daughter fiercely and would do anything for her. But in order to continue with her business, she moved to be near her partner. She's not looking for love, but that's mainly because she never thought she'd find it.

Nick is a loner to his core. After believing that he failed his family, he has taken it to heart. Despite his teammates trying to pull him into their partying and nights out, Nick is content with his life. He wants to win the big cup for his brother and family; he wants what he does to be worthy. He also is not looking for love, but it comes up and bites him anyways.

There is a slow build up in the relationship between Jodie and Nick. I liked that they were friends – almost wary of each other to begin with. It made their relationship seem more realistic. I also loved the introduction of Jodie's daughter, Zyana. She was a breath of fresh air in this drama. It was a cute relationship and was great to see each character grow.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
As I was reading this book, I was in Chicago and being there made the story come alive even more for me. Just walking the streets of downtown Chicago, seeing the skyscrapers, the city parks, and the cool October air made the book all the more real.

Jodie and her daughter move to Chicago to be close to her business partner and to start fresh. Needing a place to stay, she reluctantly agrees to move into Nick's guest cottage. She knows that Nick really doesn't want her there, but she doesn't understand why he's so closed off.

Nick has lots of problems, one of which being the guilt he carries about his brother's death. He feels responsible for not being there when Aleks called that night, thinking that he may have been able to talk him into getting help. Holding on to the guilt, not making close friends or having a real relationship keeps him from getting close to people and getting hurt when they leave. Because they all leave.

Except Jodie. She's proven that she's resilient, dependable, and trustworthy. She's listened to his heartbreak, she's trusted him with her daughter, and he's come to depend on her. The only thing wrong? He's just not sure if he can be the man that Jodie deserves. After all, what if she decides he's not worth loving? Pushing her away before she does it to him has him wrecked and wondering if he's wrong about love.

I loved Jodie and Nick's story. The way they got to know each other, the way Nick fell for Zayna and wanted to make sure she was taken care of, the way he slowly realized that he wasn't against relationships or children. He was just scared of being alone. Jodie's ability to talk to Nick in ways that made him listen is what made me like her even more. She wasn't pushy or loud, she was just steady and calm and let him to come to her.


Lee'Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This was my favorite book in the series so far. I love Jodie’s character – she’s bold, hilarious, and whips Nick right into shape. Nick Balachov is a star hockey player with a bad attitude, other than hockey, he has no interest in anything other than hanging out at home by himself doing projects. When his best friend forces him to go to a party, Nick meets Jodie and learns that she’s recently moved to Chicago from New York and is living with Nick’s best friend while house hunting. The attraction is immediate between the two, but Jodie quickly realizes that Nick is an asshole and she doesn’t want that in her life. One thing leads to another, then Jodie and her two-year-old daughter wind up moving into Nick’s guest house and Nick quickly learns that he quite enjoys their company.

This story is so fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down. Nick starts off a complete ass to the world and once Jodie is in his life, he softens up. Not only did I love both main characters, but I loved the other characters in the book too. Jodie’s job adds such a humorous level to the book and her openness about it makes her character that much more loveable. I simply can’t wait to read more from Kelly Jamieson.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the seventh book in the series, and I do think that you would benefit from reading the previous books (apart from the fact that they are very good!) to fully appreciate Nick's character and his position within the team and his friends. We also have met Jodie, when we had Kendra and Max's story.

There is a lot to like in this sports romance – plenty of hockey and hockey hotties, but also a strong female lead in Jodie, who has a wonderful sense of fun. As we get to see why Nick is so closed off, and why Jodie values her independence, we are certain that there is a compromise which will make everyone a winner.

A good addition to the series, with some great wit, quite a bit of wisdom, and delicious servings of sexiness!

I enjoyed this book. Nick who you knew had some skeletons in the closet, was happy to be a loaner... until he met Jodie and she showed him that is was kind of fun to have someone to share things with. Jodie, who has her own skeletons and challenges with relationships, decided to become a single mom to experience unconditional love... something she didn’t have as a child.

She thought had everything she needed when she had her daughter, Little did she know what she was missing out on and tell Nick walked into her life.

Sometimes the nine you’re having seen what’s right in front of me is the hardest thing, until it’s gone.

It was a fun read. I'd call this a beach or holiday read.
Sex was hot, funny banter, and I could wish the whole conflict was more complex but it was fun and I enjoyed the fact that it featured hockey players.

I LOVED this book- especially loved Nick. What a guy! Really enjoyed the characters in this book-Jodie was a great mom and 2 yr old Zyanna just made my heart melt. I was given this as an arc by the publisher and this is a 5 star feel good read for me. I love Kelly Jamieson and the whole Aces series- would like to see more of the team but have read all the others. Keep these coming please- love this series!!❤️

Loved loved loved this book! I'm a huge fan of sport romance books and this one did not disappoint.
Seriously if you're a fan of hot sport romances one click it.

This book was a great addition to this series. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but for those who have read the previous books, you get to revisit the great characters from the other stories. Nick and Jodie were likable characters with relatable flaws, but Zyana stole the show.

This book had a bit of everything, humor, sadness, steam, romance, and, of course, hockey. For their own reasons, neither Nick nor Jodie are interested in a serious relationship, but rather some companionship of the opposite sex. Seeing the development of their relationship from reluctantly attracted, to friendship, to love was authentic. Seeing little Zyana steal Nick's heart was entertaining and satisfying as well.

Again, anyone can enjoy this book, but if you haven't read the others in the series, they are all great reads. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a realistic fun and sexy story.

I love to read Ms. Jamieson’s books! I have read several now and have thoroughly enjoyed every one! I would absolutely recommend and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Broody, anti-social hockey hunk. Single mom with an adorable little girl. Snow storms. Blanket forts. Meddling friends. I mean, what is not to love about this one?

Nick and Jodie are not looking for any type of relationship yet they end up being thrust together and reluctantly agree to be friends. Not a whole lot of hockey happening in the story but a great enemies to friends to lovers story. Slow burn but so worth it in the end.

Great addition to the story. Loved seeing the rest of the team.

Kelly Jamieson never disappoints! All the Aces Hockey books are fun, flirty, and you don't want the story to end. Luckily, there's always another Aces hockey player who gets his story written!

Big Stick is the seventh title in the Aces Hockey series. I was quite eager to read this story as the heroine was first introduced in Max and Kendra’s story Slap Shot.

Nick Balachov is a complex and enigmatic character. He’s a broody, gruff, standoffish and at times grumpy individual. His outward appearance hides a gentle giant. Although he may be a bit of a loner, he is also incredibly kind , caring and compassionate. He’s had a life of heartbreak and loss, and has quite a few demons surrounding his grief that he needs to face in order to find happiness.

Jodie, is a successful, independent business woman. She’s strong and resilient, incredibly intelligent and resourceful. She’s a single mother by choice, not circumstance. She made an informed decision, knowing that she wanted to be a mother, and set out to achieve her goal. She’s optimist, kind, caring, patient and above all a wonderful mother.

Jodie, Nick and Zyana’s story is an emotional and poignant story full of ups and downs, with strong themes of family, friendship and love. It’s a sexy, engaging and slow burn romance, that I thoroughly enjoyed and I cannot wait for more of the Aces Hockey series, and will be eagerly awaiting future additions to the series.

I absolutely loved Big Stick! I had previously read Playing Hurt and was blown away by the characters, story and the hockey world that Kelly Jamieson created. I was hoping that Big Stick would be just as good and I was pleasantly surprised that it exceeded my expectations. Nick and Jodie are both flawed characters that mistakenly thought they would never find someone and had given up looking. It was special to see two people, that had given up on ever finding love, slowly fall in like and then have their feelings evolve into love. The growth of these two characters was a joy to watch unfold. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, I am officially hooked! #Big Stick

This was cute, even if a bit cliche. I really enjoyed it though. It sucked me right in from the start and I devoured it in basically one sitting. It's sexy, romantic, fast paced with a good dose of angsty push and pull. Like all Kelly Jamieson books, I enjoyed this one completely. I love a non committal brooding hero and the fact that he's a sexy hockey player ratcheted Nick up the delicious meter even more. This was an easy read, a steamy sports romance with a single mom component and I really enjoyed it.

I loved this addition to the series! I can always count on Kelly Jamieson to deliver for romance and hockey. I love her characters, their complexity, their depth and how they find happily ever after. I can't wait to read the next in this series. #acesforever

This is the first Kelly Jamieson book I've read and I loved it! It was a feel good romance with a brooding hunk and strong independent woman. There is some drama and I loved the slow burn romance between the two.

I sooo loved this book! Hot hockey players, wonderful female characters and real life situations to navigate. Jodie and Nick are just so great together. I will definitely be catching up with this series and anxiously waiting for the next one!!

Kelly Jamieson is my go-to author for yummy hockey romance books. Her stories have equal elements of humor and angst and are a delight to read. There’s always something special about her characters, some issue they need to overcome and their soulmate arrives in timely manner to help them resolve their lives. The women are strong and spunky characters that add life and heart to the sport story. Meanwhile, we get many games of hockey with commentary like no other author can.

Nick is a loner. He only has his teammates as friends, and he neither needs nor wants any others. He tolerates the girlfriends/wives and tries his utmost to be polite and friendly to them. In this one instance, he goes to a party held by Hallsy. Hallsy is the one who lost a wife to cancer and then found love again. His story was epic! In this one party there were three pregnant woman, so imagine the horror for Nick. He also doesn’t want a girlfriend nor kid, so not his scene. He got drunk and kept escaping from this one woman who was very nosy and annoying. Finally he escapes to a room and lies down for a nap. Then wakes up to a scream and sees a naked woman in front. It was the annoying woman!

Jodie is Kendra’s best friend and business partner. When Kendra hooked up with Hallsy and moved from New York to Chicago, she convinced Kendra to move their business also, and now Jodie is finding her way around Chicago. They have a sex toys manufacturing firm and they talk sex all the time. Poor Nick is in for a reckoning!

Jodie has a little two-year old precious girl. Nick has a coach house on the grounds of his mansion. Jodie hasn’t found an apartment for her and her daughter. Kendra and Hallsy just moved together and have many hours of sex suspended due to the presence of said best friend and her daughter. So Hallsy convinces Nick to rent the little house to Jodie and the rest is history.

Beneath that grumpy exterior is a kind and generous man. When he finds Jodie and Zyana having problems during a blizzard, he comes to the rescue. He’s considerate and attentive, and when he finds that Zyana loves hockey, he even gets her a mini hockey set and plays with her. Little by little his grumpiness dissolves and out came the gentle giant with a golden heart. The grumpy exterior comes out at times, forcing Jodie to deal with his back and forth attitude.

This is a heartwarming story about lonely people who find someone they can trust in. It takes a lot of working and overcoming issues and the help of a great circle of friends. It was great to visit old friends, like Duper, Army, Jared and Hallsy and see them with their families.