“Big Stick” is the latest in Kelly Jamieson’s Aces Hockey series and features Nick and Jodie. We met them before as minor characters and I liked them both. He’s grumbly and scowl-y but of course hot and she’s unconventional and blunt (but not crude--I read one of those recently, and blech) and of course hot.

Jodie moves to Chicago with her two-year-old to pursue her business interests with Kendra, whom we know from Jamieson’s “Slap Shot.” They own a sex toy manufacturing business and Jodie is a mechanical engineer (Yay, Ladies of STEM!). I appreciated that. I’m getting a little tired of wedding planners and PR execs.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Nick hurts deeply in ways that gradually are revealed and his transformation from “I hate everything and especially kids,” to reconnecting with his teammates and falling for Jodie and her daughter in equal measures, is as authentic as it is romantic.

Speaking of romance, I have a quibble with theirs. Their first love scene is dominated by the “affirmative consent” wave washing over the nation. This began on college campuses and roughly translates to the directive that the man must ask permission at every stage of sex, down to removing her belt and where he may place his hand, even if it isn’t in a typically erogenous zone. Now, Kelly Jamieson has written some powerful and informative books set on college campuses that address important issues of consent, permission, alcohol-fueled sex, and rape, so that didn’t entirely come out of left field.

But no matter how current or topical, this really bogs down the momentum and the excitement: if not for them, for me. I lost count of how many times in that one scene Nick asked her, “Is this okay?” or “Can I take this off you?” and “Still ok?” I don’t know how this cultural phenomenon will play out nationally, in our bedrooms or let alone in romance novels, but here we are.

“Big Stick” is emotional and romantic and boasts one of the most endearing child characters, Jodie’s daughter Zyana, I’ve encountered in years. She’s cute and funny without any of the precocious and obnoxious traits most often employed with child characters. I don’t know what Jamieson’s connection to children is, but she writes them extremely well.

Highly recommended. ARC provided for an honest review.

Nick is a loner and Jodie is outgoing. Nick doesn't like children and Jodie has a daughter. What are their chances for a forever? Another sexy, fun hockey story by Kelly Jamieson.

Big Stick was an unexpected treasure. It was more than a "hockey" story. It was a story of two "damaged" people finding love with each other and healing what damage was done. I loved Jodie's openness and witty conversation. He reaction to things was awesome! And who didn't love Zayana?!?!? Nick brought in the hot and sexy, but also a lot of heart. I hope this book is part of a series. I would love to know about the rest of the team.

As are all the books in this sexy hockey series, this was fast paced and immensely enjoyable. Since I like hockey and romance, it was an easy winner for me. An added bonus is that the author knows her hockey, and isn't just bluffing her way around it. I admired Jodie especially for going after life and not being afraid of change or taking a risk. I loved her with Nick. Nick really needed someone to care for again, and Jodie made it worth taking the risk to be vulnerable. A sexy and emotional read.

After reading this book all I want to do is read more by this author. The storyline was fast moving, emotional in some places, with plenty of hot and passionate scenes.

Jodie's character was intrusive, nosy, in your face and personal space offensive fir about half of the book. She wad over the top and too much, but finally she did tone it down to a tolerable level. I loved Nick's resilience and strength. He made it back from the dark side into the light with possibilities of a bright future. He has to be strong to he able to put up with Jodie and her mimi me. The secondary characters were interesting and added positively to my reafing experience.

This semi enemies to lovers/slow burn was great. I loved Nick’s broodiness and the way Jodie and Zyana slowly thawed the ice around his heart. Nick and Jodie has great chemistry, but I also really enjoyed the way he was with Zyana. Then add in Nick’s slightly alpha tendencies and I was hooked. This is another solid addition to a great series.

4.5 Stars!

Big Stick is the seventh book in Kelly Jamieson's Aces Hockey series. This time it's Nick's time to shine. When Nick and Jodie meet at his buddy Hallsy's party, neither is particularly impressed with each other. Jodie's too talkative for Nick, and Nick's too grumpy for Jodie. When Hallsy asks Nick to help Jodie out by letting her and her daughter stay in his coach house, he isn't exactly ecstatic about his new neighbors. Slowly, as he gets to know Jodie and Zyana, his feelings start to change. 

It was so great to be back in the Aces Hockey world. Kelly Jamieson's writing is always impressive. I'm not one for third person point of view, but somehow she writes it so that I don't even notice it! I love how she makes what could be a light and fluffy romance a little deeper and more emotional. Her characters in Big Stick were special ones.

I adored Nick's character. He was a grouchy grump and it came across cute in this story -- especially with Jodie's daughter Zyana. He thought he was mean and nasty, but he was actually a gentle giant. I liked how both Jodie and Zyana brought that out in Nick. Nick had his issues, but in general he was a great guy. 

What made this book cool in my eyes was Jodie. She was a smart, independent woman who went after what she wanted. She owned a successful business and was a single mother. Jodie had her family with Zyana (I'm still not sure how to pronounce that one!) and was content. She didn't need a man in her life, but she wouldn't mind finding a partner in life. I liked her attitude about romance and her relationship with Nick. It was refreshing.

I can't leave out Zyana. Zyana was a doll in only way young children can be. She was sassy, smart, and a total nightmare at times. I loved the part she played in Jodie and Nick's romance. It was so sweet! I did have a couple of questions about her abilities, though. I think it was mentioned that she was 2 years old at one point. She seemed older than that to me. I would have guessed 3 or maybe even 4 years old. Maybe I'm just forgetting how toddlers act or maybe Zyana was ahead of the curve. I don't know. I just remember being a little shocked at how young she was.

If you're a fan of hockey romances and have yet to read one of Kelly Jamieson's, you're missing out. She's a fantastic writer who creates strong characters with a lot of heart. Her stories are easy to fall in love with. Big Stick was one those.

This book takes place at the same time as PLAYING HURT and immediately following SLAP SHOT. Jodie, Kendra Armstrong's partner at Femme Products, which makes sex toys for women, has followed her partner from NYC to Chicago, after Kendra moved to be with her boyfriend, Ace hockey star Max Hall (Hallsy). Back in NYS, Jodie had given up the idea of ever finding a man she could love and trust and feeling her biological clock ticking had artificial insemination to create her now 2 year old daughter, Zyana. They are staying with Max and Kendra until they can find their own place. At a party at the house, Jodie meets Max's team mates, including, Nick Balachov, who she thinks is a jerk and he thinks she talks too much. However, Nick has an empty coach house on his property, which he had built for his brother, Aleks. But his brother died almost 3 years, and Nick still is carrying around guilt, because he feels that he should have kept his younger brother safer. Max talks Nick into letting Jodie and Zyana move into the coach house, until they can find something else. Nick is not a people person, preferring to spend his down time restoring furniture, because he is afraid of letting people down, but when a snow storm followed by a power outage, hits Chicago, he starts feeling protective of them both. Feeling a strong attraction for each other, they agree to a friends with benefits relationship, but will that really work for them?

As with the other books in the series, this is a well written story, with skillfully developed, endearing characters and a captivating story line that keeps the reader engaged through the entire book.

I received a free, advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

I thought this was a pretty decent book. From the beginning, I felt Nick was a good guy. It was Jodie who annoyed me a lot. She quite judgmental of him, and she went on and on throughout the book about how he was anti-social, unfriendly, gruff, an a-hole. She talked too much and thought she knew everything. Outside of that, I liked the plot. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jodie sees through all of Nick's bluster to the sweet softy he hides inside.

Nick is just fine on his own - he doesn't need a woman to answer to, a family to be responsible for. So why can't he get Jodie out of his head? Maybe because she's living in the coach house behind his home?

Jodie chose to be a single mother, knowing she had enough love to give any child, but she's not totally against the idea of finding forever with a nice man. Or Nick, since he's the one who's currently hitting all her go buttons at once.

Growly, grumpy Nick and delightfully upbeat Jodie make the unlikeliest of couples, but they truly are the yin to each other's yang. Watching Nick slowly melt around her daughter was just priceless. His self-doubts were painful to witness and almost cost him everything in the end.

This story was enchanting from the start, and I couldn't help but fall in love with Nick even at his worst. Jodie was a wonderfully vibrant character, full of hope but with her own insecurities as well. This book was a non-stop read for me, and I look forward to more with the Aces hockey hotties and the women who tame them. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Jodie has taken a big step, she moved to Chicago from New York, following her best friend and business partner, Kendra as Kendra began her relationship with Chicago Aces player Max. New city, company and a little girl to raise, dating and socializing hasn't been a priority but when Kendra and Max's apartment is full of his hockey teammates, plenty of eye candy all around, Jodie's ready to mingle. Nick is not is a great place in his life, still recovering from losing his younger brother he only at the party because it's his best buddy's birthday party., he's fine standing in a corner just observing, with plenty of alcohol to numb, but when he notices the pretty house guest well something catches his eye. Nick doesn't date, he hates kids, not very social and could be said to be grumpy, Jodie is his opposite, bubbly and social and brings along a sweet little mini me too--total opposites but attraction is strong. When Nick allows Jodie and her little girl to move into the coach house on his property, he tries to keep his distance but when a blizzard snows them in and cuts the power well what is Nick to do but open his house to Jodie and her little girl. Once things heat up will it stay a casual thing or will deeper feelings find their way into a closed up Nick. Great fun read!

I’ve enjoyed Jamieson’s series of book about Chicago hockey players, but I don’t know how lost feeling a reader would be who hadn’t read any of the earlier ones. There’s a bit of back story explained from the previous book whose heroine is best friends with this book’s heroine and that might be enough.

Jodie is a single mother with an adorable toddler, Zyana. She’s just moved to Chicago where her BFF has married a hockey player and where the two women have started a company selling sex toys. Interesting and there are a few scenes where she discusses some of the business, but mostly it’s just a plot device to let her talk freely about sex in some scenes. Otherwise, she can conveniently work from home whenever she needs to be with her daughter.

She ends up moving into the coach house of grumpy Nick Balachov. He’s extremely grumpy and seemingly misanthropic, but we learn that that is because of the residual guilt and grief he feels over his younger brother’s death.

What makes this novel is the growing feelings that this big hockey player has for the little two-year old girl (who is exceptionally cute in everything she says and rather realistic for a two-year old except for her ability to string together long sentences) and the sexy mother. Of course, he’s going to face problems because his human-relations muscles are seriously atrophied, unlike his real muscles.

All in all, it was an enjoyable and quick read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I’ve loved all the books in this series but this one is my favorite. Nick is a tortured soul, a self proclaimed loner trying to come to terms with his brother’s death. Jodie is a single mom, living life on her terms. Jodie and Zyana are everything Nick didn’t know he wanted and needed. Watching Nick around Zyana warms your heart. Great addition to the Aces hockey series. ARC provided by Netgalley and publisher for a honest review.

That's right - book 7, and I am still loving this series. In Big Stick, Jamieson gives me one of my favorite kind of heroes, the grumpy hero, and I really enjoyed watching Jodie help him reveal that heart of gold he had hidden for so long.

Who?
• Jodie - a single mother by choice and mechanical engineer, who was busy building her own business.

• Nick - the resident anti-social member of the Aces, who appeared to only want to save old furniture.

What?

Jodie was new to Chicago, and looking for a place to live. Nick had an empty guest house. As a favor to Hallsy, Nick invites Jodie to live in his guest house, but opening his home to Jodie may result in opening himself to her as well.

Why?

I have no idea why, but I love the grumpy heroes. Maybe it's because I like seeing people really have to work for their affections, or maybe it's because they do generous things without seeking attention for doing it. Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed seeing Jodie penetrate Nick's walls.

She was able to tap into a side of him, that he had been keeping under wraps for many years. She was able to get close, when he normally help people at arms distance. She was able to get him to open up, and acknowledge his fears.

It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking watching Jodie make all this progress. Heartbreaking, because Nick had suffered so much in his past. Heartwarming, because it was gratifying to see him heal and take a step towards his future.

Nick and Jodie were great together. Their physical connection was there, great chemistry, but I also thought there was a fantastic emotional connection between them. I am always amused, when the MCs are just "going to have some fun", because we all know that means they will fall for each other, and that happened here, but it was gradual. You saw lust turn to more as both Nick and Jodie became more invested in each other than they anticipated.

My first Aces book was actually Hallsy's (I have since read them all), so I was happy that he shared a special bromance with Nick. If any of the Aces would be able to understand Nick's loss, it would be Hallsy, and Nick was lucky to have him in his corner. I greatly enjoyed their interactions, and I always like seeing that more sensitive side of men.

I also adored the interactions between Nick and Zyana, Jodie's daughter. Nick proclaims that he does not like kids, but his actions were very contrary to his words. Zyana was a cute little kid, and she was able to plow through Nick's barriers and get right to his heart. I definitely "awwwwed" quite a bit.

This book was about loss and dealing with that loss, but also about realizing that some loads are lighter when we allow others to help us shoulder it.

Overall

Another great Aces book, which was fun and emotional, and left me wanting even more of this series.

I have loved every book in this series but have to say Nick's book just might be my favorite. Nick was more of the strong silent type but he was a very hot, sexy and sweet man. Sometimes he did not come across that way. Jodie had just moved to town with her daughter and really did not have any friends. They meet at a hockey party and at the beginning I do not think they really liked each other at all. Jodie needs a place to live and Nick has a house on his property that is empty so he does a solid for his hockey buddy and lets Jodie and her daughter move in. The chemistry between the two of them heat up but both keep their feelings locked away both unsure of what they want in life. I found this book to be fast paced and full of romance and lots of heat. I loved reading about some of the past hockey players that have been in this series. It was nice to catch up on their lives. If you are looking for a book that will keep you reading well into the night then look no farther. This book will do that. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm an Aces fan and this book is another great story. Jodie and Zyana are what Nick needs but don't know. Their story is real and fresh. And read about my favorite hockey team, The Aces is cool. I enjoy reading this book and recommend it.
I received a ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.

I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either. I have not read any of the other books in this series so this was my first exposure to the Aces Hockey series. This book was slow going in many sections. I felt it spent too much time on Nick's background and his relationship with his brother....it was brought up over and over and over...I liked Jodie but felt that her background was glossed over. Overall, this was an okay read. I will not be rushing out to buy any of the other books in this series.

I was given an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free eARC, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was the first book I have read by Kelly Jamieson. This is also #7 in Aces Hockey, so I can't wait to go back and read the other ones.

Jodi moves to Chicago with her two-year-old daughter. While looking for her own place, her best friend's boyfriend has just the answer.
Nick has no interest in socializing, partying, or flirting. He is too busy with hockey, fixing up his house, and working on furniture. Now he has a big problem- because the woman living in his empty coach house is a huge distraction.

The sexual chemistry between Jodi and Nick is very strong! I enjoyed the growth of each character and I loved Zyanna, the adorable two year old. The ending was perfect for this book, and I was glad to see Nick make the choice he did.

On sale October 23rd, 2018!

Another winner in The Chicago Aces series. Nick & Jodie’s characters are perfect for each other, one is a loner, closed of, the other is chatty, smart & spunky. Nick’s been through enough in his life, all bad except being drafted to play for the Aces where he thought he & his younger brother would share many yrs together. Unfortunately not. Jodie didn’t have that great a life either but now with her 2 yr old daughter she’s made the best of it, working with her best friend on their sex toy business. Unfortunately for Jodie she needs a place to live & the only place worth looking at is at Nick’s. Their proximity to each other brings them closer together. The sexual chemistry between Nick & Jodie is strong & off the charts. Their relationship while rocky grows & with that Nick opens up to Jodie about his life, their bond strengthens & it looks like they might just have a future. I enjoyed the character growth of each & I loved the addition of Zyanna the cute 2 yr old. Kelly Jamieson does a wonderful job telling a story that hooks you & keeps you wanting to read until it’s done. This she did so well with Nick & Jodie.