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New Jersey Ice Cats #3

A Perfect Catch

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He's the perfect catch ... for now!

When it comes to romance, Tracy Hayden is not looking for a rematch. She's had epic passion - and problems! - with professional hockey player Ike Jelinek. Brilliant on skates and magic in bed, his too-traditional-for-her views were like a bucket of ice water on their affair.

Then an injury takes Ike out of the game, and everything changes. Suddenly he needs her services-providing business - even though he once claimed it was their biggest problem. Tracy's determined to be professional, despite the sizzling attraction between them that won't go away. Maybe they need a second fling to fix that!

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 30, 2015

5 people are currently reading
397 people want to read

About the author

Anna Sugden

23 books126 followers
Award-winning author, Anna Sugden, loves reading romance novels and watching films with happy endings. She also loves watching hockey and football, where she prefers a happy ending for her teams (Go Devils, Man UTD, Exeter, ‘Skins!). When she’s not researching hockey players (for her books, of course), she makes craft projects and collects penguins, autographs and memorabilia, and great shoes.

A former marketing executive and primary teacher, Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her books and her shoes at www.annasugden.com . You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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5 stars
12 (27%)
4 stars
21 (48%)
3 stars
8 (18%)
2 stars
2 (4%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Pj Ausdenmore.
936 reviews32 followers
February 12, 2015
Tracy and Ike are two people who have been shaped by their life experiences. After living under the thumb of both a controlling father and ex-husband, Tracy is determined to guard her independence at all costs, even if that means turning her back on the feelings she has for Ike Jelinek. As the oldest child, Ike was forced to grow up fast and take responsibility for both his mother and younger brothers when his father took off. He saw the toll working two jobs while raising a family took on his mother and is determined to provide everything his wife needs. What he sees as "being considerate and caring," Tracy views as controlling. While these two have no trouble burning up the sheets, it's going to take a whole lot of compromise and sharing if they have any hope of a permanent happy ending.

I'm really enjoying Sugden's Ice Cats of New Jersey series. Set within the world of professional ice hockey, it's readily apparent that Sugden knows her subject. But while hockey is the backdrop, it doesn't overshadow the characters and their journeys to love. Ike and Tracy have real-world problems to which I could easily relate and to which there are no easy fixes. Sugden gives them the time to work through their differences and reach a realistic, satisfying happy ending. We also have the opportunity to view the progression of relationships begun in the first two books of the series as well as continue the journeys of characters whose stories will be told in future books. I hope there will be many!

~PJ Ausdenmore
The Romance Dish
Profile Image for Kate Vale.
Author 25 books83 followers
January 29, 2015
Tracy Hayden and hockey Pro Ike Jelinek had a hot affair that ended badly when he couldn't accept her insistence on her own career and she couldn't take that he was too controlling. Now that Ike needs her company's help while he's recovering from an injury, there's a chance for a redo, but Tracy is insistent that's NOT going to happen. Ike isn't sure it's possible, either, but he's willing to try. Too bad Tracy's bad experiences with both her late father and her ex-husband make her doubly reticent to give herself a chance. Her sister's married to Ike's brother and Tracy adores her niece and baby nephew, but is that enough to see if Maggie's right? That both Tracy and Ike have changed in the ensuing years?

When Ike tempts Tracy with an offer to be her sports pro spokesperson for her business, she reluctantly agrees to help him find a woman who shares what he wants: a marriage and family, including children. She hates the idea, but getting to the top of the heap professionally is too big to ignore. When she succeeds (or thinks she has) and the GM of his team then tells her she has to either lose the team's account or Ike, that she can't have both, Tracy turns him down in favor of keeping what she now has with Ike, but he doesn't react as she expected. Now what's she going to do after he breaks her heart a second time?

A great ending you have to read for yourself!
Profile Image for Helen.
2,934 reviews68 followers
February 10, 2015
This is an awesome story I have been looking forward to Ike and Tracey's story and I was not disappointed this one will have you turning the pages as Ike and Tracey start to talk and listen to each other after Ike is hurt on the ice and that spark is stronger than before this one is very sensual and emotional as they re kindle their love and really learn how much they mean to each other don't miss this one it is a must read :) I loved it
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,805 followers
Read
January 12, 2016
"Sugden’s novel is fun, in spite of Ike sustaining an injury. The quirky, fun hockey players add lots of color to the story and the chemistry between Ike and Tracy is seriously hot" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Profile Image for Arlene.
Author 17 books22 followers
March 8, 2015
Another great Ice Cats story. There were a few moments I wanted to shake Tracy for being so stubborn -- Ike, too, for that matter. But it provided an enjoyable escape from my mundane day.

Who's next? JB?
Profile Image for Rae Latte.
1,412 reviews14 followers
October 20, 2015
A Perfect Catch by Anna Sugden is perfect! This flawless and thorough story is filled with sexy hockey hunks, great dialogue and lots of sizzle. This time it’s all about Ike, Ike Jelinek, goalie of the New Jersey Ice Cats and Tracy Hayden, the independently contracted relocation and personal “go to girl” that works for the team.

There is nothing better than a great story that’s filled with amazing characters and hockey – Yum! I am an avid hockey fan and the world of the NJ Ice Cats is sexy and exhilarating. This was the first book I’ve read by Anna Sugden and I can’t wait to read more. This ARC was sent to me by the Author for an honest review. I enjoyed Ike and Tracy’s story and can’t wait to see who’s next!

For a more detailed review check out my blog at Books I Love A Latte.
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,069 reviews
January 4, 2017
Tracy has worked hard to be a strong, independent woman and the idea of relying on any man is not what she wants in her future. Ike watched his mother struggle working two jobs and raising three boys on her own and wants nothing more than to be able to take care of the woman he loves. These two may have chemistry but without a meeting of the minds they can't make their relationship work. When Ike is injured on the ice rink these two are thrown back together and even though their passion burns hot will they be able to find a compromise to find a HEA? Really sweet, fun story. I jumped right in to the New Jersey Ice Cats without reading anything previous in the series and had no problem enjoying. Fun read!
Profile Image for Karen.
207 reviews
May 9, 2016
I won this book as a part of a GoodReads author giveaway. And for an unknown reason I just never picked it up to read it when it first came in the mail. Now I wish I'd read it when I first received it. This was an easy read, full of heartfelt family moments and real life struggles. I enjoyed the growth between Ike and Tracy as well as their own individual growth.
Profile Image for Ada.
508 reviews
Want to read
January 15, 2015
Can't wait to read this one!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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