The O Zone, by Kelly Jamieson, is the first book in the Bears Hockey II series. If you are looking for a romance that features a hockey player dating the team owner's daughter, then this one is for you.
Oh but reader friends, this is not simply a dating the owner's daughter story. Oh no. This book takes it to another level. Emerie Ross is doing everything she can to take care of her little sister. That includes living with her stepfather who clearly does not have her best interests in mind. Otherwise he wouldn't be pushing her into a relationship she doesn't want. Emerie does have a secret though, and that is the fact that during the day, she is a busker. Her stepfather would be livid if he found out. He would think she's an embarrassment, and that doesn't sit well with him. Enter Owen Cooke. He's rides the subway on a regular basis (to and from the arena), and is captivated by this one busker that always seems to be around. Her music reaches him, and he always stops to listen. Of course he notices how beautiful she is as well. After a few encounters, Emerie works up the nerve to ask him to coffee. It is at this coffee date that the two end up in a fake relationship! Oh, but it gets better. That night when Owen walks into the party with Emerie, he is immediately noticed (and called out) by Emerie's stepfather. Aka the owner of the Bears. Emerie is shocked also, as she thought Owen was a business man. She didn't realize they had a connection. Now do they carry on with this charade, or let it go? Will the faux relationship affect Owen's career? What happens when this fake relationship turns into something real?
Oh but reader friends, this is not simply a dating the owner's daughter story. Oh no. This book takes it to another level. Emerie Ross is doing everything she can to take care of her little sister. That includes living with her stepfather who clearly does not have her best interests in mind. Otherwise he wouldn't be pushing her into a relationship she doesn't want. Emerie does have a secret though, and that is the fact that during the day, she is a busker. Her stepfather would be livid if he found out. He would think she's an embarrassment, and that doesn't sit well with him. Enter Owen Cooke. He's rides the subway on a regular basis (to and from the arena), and is captivated by this one busker that always seems to be around. Her music reaches him, and he always stops to listen. Of course he notices how beautiful she is as well. After a few encounters, Emerie works up the nerve to ask him to coffee. It is at this coffee date that the two end up in a fake relationship! Oh, but it gets better. That night when Owen walks into the party with Emerie, he is immediately noticed (and called out) by Emerie's stepfather. Aka the owner of the Bears. Emerie is shocked also, as she thought Owen was a business man. She didn't realize they had a connection. Now do they carry on with this charade, or let it go? Will the faux relationship affect Owen's career? What happens when this fake relationship turns into something real?
(trigger/content warnings for emotional abuse, mention of substance abuse, and death.)
Looking at the story as a whole, I really enjoyed what Kelly Jamieson created.
These two flawed people found their way to each other, created this relationship, only for their past hurts to come back and haunt them. Watching them each work through their issues to understand the why, and also for reaching out to others for a sounding wall was so dang relatable. That part of the story really grabbed a hold of me.
It's probably not a good idea for me to love anyone. Because they're not going to love me back. Like Vince. Or they'll leave me. Like my dad. My Mom. Cat. Well she didn't leave me, but...same thing.
The way this relationship started (the meet cute and how that first date occurred) wasn't my favorite. Yes them spotting each other in the subway station was intriguing. Yes the first moment of communication sparked curiosity, and had me cheering Emerie on for making the first move. But the scene that happened next, was just odd.
Still though, putting that scene aside, I truly enjoyed the book, and would recommend The O Zone to other hockey romance readers.
"Hockey will end. Family and love are all we really have."
This was my first book that I've read by Kelly Jamieson, but if all her other books are this style, I'm in. Hand them over. I'm reading them. The fact that The O Zone wasn't just a light and easy read, grabbed me. I liked that this had a bit more hard hitting elements to it. But also, there are lines like this from Hellsy that had me laughing out loud.
"Let me pour you a tall glass of get the fuck over it. And here's a straw so you can suck it up."
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I hope you'll give The O Zone a read. It was such a good story.
Laura
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| Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Designs |
He's on the defense against love but scoring in the O zone is so much fun…
I have one goal: To be the best hockey player I can be. I’m not going to waste the opportunity I have. All my focus is on hockey. I avoid distractions like women and relationships during the hockey season, but when a quirky subway busker asks me out on a fake date, somehow I’m intrigued enough to accept.
Emerie Ross
I gave up my music dreams to look after my half-sister. I don’t want her to feel as alone and neglected as I did after our mother died. But my ex-boyfriend is still trying to win me back and now my stepfather is helping him. Gah! I’d rather drink bleach than marry Roman Moretti. If they think I’m involved with someone else, maybe they’ll give up on that idea. All I need is a man…a date for a party.
Owen
When Emerie introduces me to her wicked stepfather (ha) I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. He’s my boss—the man who owns the team I play for. And he’s not happy to see me with Emerie. Can you say career ending move?
Emerie
Oops. I hate hockey. How was I supposed to know who Owen is? How are we going to keep Vince from trading him away? How am I going to make sure I stay happily un-married? We’re going to have to keep up this pretense even if it means me going to hockey games. Ugh. Even if it means disrupting Owen’s rigid routines. Even if it means everything gets a lot more complicated…
Add The O Zone to your Goodreads TBR!
About Kelly Jamieson
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| Perrywinkle Photography |
Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!
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Thank you to Kelly Jamieson, and Elle Woods PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The O Zone.
