Hockey Holidays by Toni AleoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love hockey romances, so I couldn’t resist reading HOCKEY HOLIDAYS. It includes stories by many of my favorite authors. There are eighteen exclusive stories/authors included in this anthology. This is an amazing anthology. I couldn’t think of a better read to get into the Christmas spirit. I appreciate that 100% of its proceeds will be donated to charity.
Stories listed in order of appearance:
A SECOND SHOT by Shannon Stacey is a heartwarming read. Erik Burke of the Boston Marauders gets a second chance with veterinarian, Andrea Morgan, after he rescues a lost dog, bringing it to her clinic. Being an animal lover, I appreciated this story. It was a heartfelt second chance romance. This is the first story that I have read by Shannon Stacey. I enjoyed her writing style.
CHRISTMAS CROSSCHECK by Jaymee Jacobs is a Dallas Comets novella. This is an entertaining story about all the things that go wrong when defenseman Bryan Comstock attempts to propose to Georgiana Pierson on Christmas Eve. My heart went out to the characters that both wanted to make their Christmas together special but faced one obstacle after another.
A WOLFE BROTHERS CHRISTMAS by Jami Davenport is part of the Game On in Seattle series. I love the Wolfe brothers. In this story, they are spending their first Christmas together since they have been reunited playing different professional sports in Seattle. I love that Jami Davenport tied this story in with book 2.5 in the series, LOVE AT FIRST SNOW. That was a clever way to help heal the boys’ relationship.
THE PLAYBOY by Stephanie Julian is a Redtails Hockey series novella. In this story, Kyle Deangelo is hoping for a second chance with Leah Wilson after being moved back to the minors. This is a sweet story that was an enjoyable read.
DMITRI'S CHRISTMAS ANGEL by Kat Mizera is a Las Vegas Sidewinders novella. In this story, Dmitri Papadakis and Angelica Reardon have an unexpected pregnancy. Then Dmitri’s ex-girlfriend reveals that she is also pregnant. I loved this story; it made me cry.
A STAR-CROSSED CHRISTMAS by V.L. Locey is a Cayuga Cougars novella. In this story, childhood friends, goalie Mitch Adams and Olympic snowborder Shawn Sandbeck, discuss the kiss they had two years prior and reveal their feelings for each other. This is a sweet story. I appreciated the candid scene with Vic and Dan, and I love Mitch’s and Shawn’s mothers.
RED-HOT TROUBLE BY LILY HARLEM is a spin-off of the Hot Ice Series. Dr. Sophie Delaney treats Nathan Walker after an injury o the ice. After her twin brother's warning, Sophie tries to stay away from Nathan, but he has other plans. This story has interesting twists.
DALLAS CHRISTMAS by RJ Scott. Logan Maxwell of the Burlington Dragons is trying to forget his relationship with the brother of his team captain, Archie Simard. They end up spending Christmas in Dallas together along with some of his team mates who have no idea that he is gay. This is a heartening and moving read.
ICING ISN'T ONLY FOR COOKIES BY MELODY HECK GATTO is a Renegades novella. Avery James and Kyler Wilson are reunited a year after having a one-night stand that neither one of them forgot. This is a delightful feel-good story that I enjoyed. I love that Avery makes Christmas enjoyable for Kyler again.
FINAL SLAPSHOT by Jean C. Joachim. Harry "Deke" Edmonds had possible career-ending injury and needs to make some difficult decisions. This is a heart-wrenching story made more strenuous taking place during the holidays.
CHRISTMAS INTERFERENCE by Lisa B. Kamps is a Baltimore Banners novella. Shane Masters returned home and confronts a tragedy that happened five years ago. I loved this story. My heart went out to the characters in this story.
HOLDING ON TIGHT by Susan Scott Shelley is a Buffalo Bedlam novella. Defenseman Vince Forsberg and Joseph Parelli undergo numerous burdens to make their first Christmas together perfect. This was a skillfully written story with appealing outcomes.
HIS CHRISTMAS CINDERELLA by Kate Willoughby is a San Francisco Dragons novella. Gideon Aguilar has just been traded to the Dragons and is on his way to the team at their Christmas party. He mistakes Bailey Peng for his Uber driver and asks her to be his date. This is a fun story with a story book ending. I love how Bailey helps Gideon with his anxiety.
ALL I WANT by Stephanie Kay is a San Francisco Strikers novella. This is a second-chance romance for Alex Westbrook and Maggie. They grew up together in Chicago. Now Alex was visiting the kids at the Children’s hospital in San Francisco where he runs into Maggie, who is a doctor there. This is a heartwarming story that I adored.
LUCKY HOLIDAY by Jennifer Lazaris is a Las Vegas Kingsnakes novella. Tyler Quinn regretted breaking his engagement to Ella Wilkinson two years ago. Now he’s hoping for a second chance when he discovers that she relocated to Las Vegas, and that he is going to be working with her on a charity campaign. This is a touching story unexpected twists.
HER BEST WORST BOYFRIEND by Melanie Ting. Em Davis enlist the help of Ian Reid, a guy she cannot stand, to go home with her for the holidays hoping her parents will hate him. As she gets to know him, she discovers maybe he’s not so bad after all. This is a clever and entertaining story. It is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.
THE DEVOTED FATHER AND THE INTROVERT by Mary Smith is a New Hampshire Bears novella. Elexis Dunaway and Dag Limon meet through a tweet. This is a supper cute story. I love the characters. I like how Elexis and Dag originally meet.
WHEN YOU'RE READY by Toni Aleo is an Assassins prequel novella. It is the story of Grace Adler (the twin sister of Shea Adler from book one, TAKING SHOTS) and James Justice. I adored this novella. Assassins fans will not want to miss this story.
Hockey Holidays is the perfect book for Christmas. It would make a great gift for anyone the loves hockey/sports romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
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