Simona's Corner of Dreams: Playing Defense

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

After a string of bad set-ups and boring dates, Reese Brannon is done with men. She’s focused on her job as a fitness model and blogger. Her life in the city is fun. She’s young. There’s no need to look for a man because she doesn’t want one. Especially when relationships usually end in heartbreak.

Jean-Pierre Rochat—known as JP— is done with women. All this Swiss hockey player has ever wanted is to fall in love, but his relationships never end with a happily ever after. Believing he’s always going to be dealt the friend card, JP is over it. If he’s going to be stuck in the friend zone, he’ll keep things casual for his new endgame.

But will one hot Dallas summer night change everything for Reese and JP?

Because when the two meet again when JP returns for hockey season, Reese finds her attraction to him hasn’t waned since their first meeting. Charming and intelligent, JP is different in all the right ways, but Reese realizes letting him in will make her vulnerable, something that terrifies her. JP never forgot Reese from their initial introduction last winter, and the sparks fly for him even more so the second time. But with Reese, his thoughts are anything but casual . . .

Can JP and Reese let their guards down to take a chance on love? Or will this simply be a game of playing defense?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Aven Ellis is back with another hockey romance book featuring the Dallas Demons. We know the two main characters already, because Reese is Holly Johansson’s best friend and JP Rochat is part of the hockey team.

Reese Brannon is a fitness model and blogger. She is done with men! Well, until she meets JP again. JP has just come back from Zurich, ready for the hockey season to start again. JP really wants to fall in love, but he always seems to be the great friend, instead of boyfriend material. I was really able to relate to him, because I’m always “the friend” too. On top of that of course JP is Swiss and has the same way of thinking I have.

No ice in drinks, he obviously loves Aromat, he speaks four languages, he plays the piano and home (Switzerland) is very important to him.

I had some difficulties relating to Reese. The only think we have in common is our love for Oreos. I felt like she overacted a lot and some of her decisions were …

Of course it’s all part of the storyline and that’s good, because it never got boring and was full of exciting moments. Aven Ellis’ style is on point, it’s so down to earth and close to real life. The plot had a beautiful flow and some fabulous scenes. The scenes were a great mixture between dates, best friends talking, family scenes, hockey, parties and more.

I loved catching up with all the familiar characters like Kylie, Kenley, Holly, Matt etc. It was … to see how their lives are now and that they are this … big group of friends. I want to be part of them actually ;).

I already said how much I like JP and it0s just prove that Aven Ellis knows how to create adorable and sexy male characters. He is sensual, sweet, caring and much more. Jean-Pierre is definitely the newest addition to my book boyfriends.

This book is full of little surprises and adventures. Every date is unique and special. JP and Reese have an electric chemistry and you can real feel it through the pages.

Both characters are hesitant when it comes to committing to a relationship and they are kind of standing in their own way. This is material for a conflict, but you need it in the book and it just makes the story complete.

I was in tears at the end and absolutely adored the epilogue. The title of the book is brilliant!

Rating:

Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073SG76TY/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_uk-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073SG76TY?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B073SG76TY&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35624713-playing-defense

About the Author

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I’m a hockey nut (Go Stars!) and watch as much as humanly possible. I also love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. In addition to be obsessed with the Duchess, I’m equally obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.