Weekly Wrap Up

 

As you know I took the last two weeks off from my blog. While I took a break from writing here, I did not take a break from reading. 

Here are my stats for the first week in March.

• 6 books read
• 1 ARC
• 5 e-books
• 1 library book
• 1,365 Pages Read

Average rating of 3.5 stars.

On to the books I read.

1) The Pilot and the Puck-Up

by Pippa Grant

I don't know what to think about this book. It had such potential. Hockey players + RomCom = WONDERFUL. Right? Yet for me this book missed the mark. The humor was there, but yeah no. Yes there were good parts, but the way the heroine was portrayed just rubbed me wrong. Again, the potential for greatness was there. Sigh. Why is it anytime there is an intelligent female, that always gets pushed to the side?

In the end I gave it a generous 3 stars.

2) Recovery

by Nicole Dykes

I wasn't certain what to expect when I started reading Recovery. Especially since Recovery was my introduction to Nicole Dykes. All I knew was what the description told me. I didn't know what sort of loss Mya was dealing with. I didn't understand why she left town. I didn't know any of that. Maybe had I read Clarity and/or Redemption prior to reading Recovery, then I might have more of a backstory.

All I knew was that Mya was hurting, and leaving town was the best option for her. Mya is also fortunate to have friends who are willing to help. I want to say I was surprised about how Mya kept everything close to her chest, but at the same time I wasn't. It's what she grew up doing, so it was habit.

Overall I liked the story. The bonds that Mya created with everyone was amazing. Especially since she was trying her best to keep everyone at a distance. The only thing I wish had been different was Mya's reaction to what Jase told her. Personally, I think she overreacted. Maybe had she told Jase (or anyone for that matter!) a bit more about her past, he might have understood where she was coming from. But that wasn't the case.

Recovery was a good book, and I am definitely considering going back to read Clarity and Redemption. I want to know more about Rhys, Logan, and Quinn. Also, I'm hoping there is a book coming for Charity, because that last little bit in the epilogue has me intrigued.

3) The Risk Taker

by Gina Azzi

The Risk Taker is the second book in the Boston Hawks series, and it gave me everything I wanted. Easton and Claire's relationship was what I imagined it would be with everything we learned in The Sweet Talker. I will say I cannot imagine living with my crush and trying to keep it platonic. Is that even possible? Especially when both parties are interested?

I am loving the books in this hockey series, and am ready for The Faker!  

Four stars all the way!

4) Already Written

by Xavier Neal

If you know me, you know that I adored Xavier Neal's Hockey Gods series, and that I freaking loved the Bennett Duet. I am also hoping to get my hands on an ARC for her upcoming release, Aleatory. (if not, I will be buying it.)

I went into Already Written with high expectations. A celebrity romance with a romance author? HECK YA, bring it! I will read that anytime. That being said, Already Written was just okay. Nothing special.  Knowing what I know about the characters Xavier Neal creates, I was expecting more. Minka and Pierce had the connection. They had the passion. Yet something was missing. 

5) Snapped

by Alexa Martin

Since I had read the first three books in the Playbook series, there was no way I was going to miss Snapped. While my county library didn't have it on hand, I did take advantage of the inter-library loan program, and had it brought in from another location. I am so glad that I did. 

Snapped was a phenomenal book. I loved how it touched on kneeling during the anthem, and protesting for change within the league. I loved how the team came together to support Quinton's cause (CTE & past players receiving better care/payment). Yes some people might find issue with the subject matter in the book, but that's on them. 

Now this book wasn't perfect. There were definitely areas where it just didn't feel finished. Primarily in the relationship between Elliot and Quinton. Then there was also the explanation of Quinton's causes. They were not really explained until later on in the book. The owner of the team though, damn. He's horrible. I will say that Snapped wasn't my favorite of the series, but I still appreciate it immensely. 

I gave Snapped 4 stars

6) Hockey Hunk

by Kat Obie

Imagine my surprise when I randomly commented on a post in a Facebook group, only to then be tagged as the winner of a book. This is actually the second time that has happened. I'm perfectly okay with that too!

When I saw that I had won a hockey romance book, I was all in. It is my favorite after all. 

I went into Hockey Hunk knowing nothing about the book. Occasionally it's a thing I do, and 90% of the time it works out wonderfully. 

Let me just say I liked the idea of the Hockey Hunk storyline. The execution, well it left a little something to be desired. This isn't a spoiler, as it is written right into the description, so keep that in mind. Who in their right mind would choose a fake pregnancy as a prank to get other pranks to stop? WHAT? I might expect something like that from high schoolers or MAYBE college students, but from a man in the NHL? NO, just no. That was a big miss for me. Now that I said that, let me say, I did like the romance between Renee and Matt. I love the best friends sister trope, and so in that regard I was good to go. It's the prank that I didn't appreciate. They could have faked an engagement instead. That would be fitting. But for Matt to automatically go with fake pregnancy? No.

When all was said and done, I did give the book 3 stars. 

Those are the books I read the first week in March! Have you read any of these books? If so, tell me which one and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading,