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The Wedding #5.5
Hoops
Carolyn Trent tried damn hard to be the perfect professor, always setting logical limits, shunning long shots like love, laughter and happily ever after. Unfortunately, proctoring ten rookie athletes required teamwork with sexy, irreverent coach C. J. Draper. The infuriating man stormed her ivory tower, rattled her lofty standards, threatened all her limits, put her heart through hoops.
Life had dealt him some heavy blows, but C.J. still had powerful ambitions. Pleasing Professor Trent was not among them. He ' deliberately chipped away at her marble-cool facade - and was dazzled by the fiery female he uncovered. Ambition paled in the dawning light of love...but could he concede all to this perplexing woman who ran circles around his heart?
Life had dealt him some heavy blows, but C.J. still had powerful ambitions. Pleasing Professor Trent was not among them. He ' deliberately chipped away at her marble-cool facade - and was dazzled by the fiery female he uncovered. Ambition paled in the dawning light of love...but could he concede all to this perplexing woman who ran circles around his heart?
219 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1990
15 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Patricia McLinn
128 books314 followersUSA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 9, 2013
The heroine comes across as a stuffy intellectual snob but she does improve as the book moves forward. She has always been an academic and is too wrapped up in her college because it makes her feel closer to her deceased parents, so when she comes back from a tour to find herself assigned as an academic adviser to the new basketball team, she is not pleased. She thinks that their institute would be spoiled if they pay attention to sports so she is kind of rude with the hero, the new coach. They play the cat and mouse game for a while, side-stepping their attraction but a confrontation brings a change in the heroine's outlook and their relationship. The book takes time to get into its groove but I ended up enjoying it. The hero makes her see that she can enjoy life while she helps him with his father issues.
January 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this romance. There were many obstacles to this romance. The H/h were compicated characters and all of the obstacles were their own personal demons,the baggage they brought from childhood. The H/h have a strong chemistry and its good reading watching them struggle against that chemistry neither wanting to give up their biases.
May 26, 2011
McLinn has reissued this romance (originally published by Harlequin) out of her backlist. There are some aspects of the story which are dated (e.g. pro basketball players don't wear short shorts any more, we use PVRs instead of VCRs these days), so be warned if (a) you're young and a setting three decades in the past will jar you out of a story; (b) you didn't live through the era when professional success demanded rigid behaviours from women and can't imagine anyone thinking personality and personal life have to be sacrificed to professionalism (no such thing as work-life balance back then!).
Hoops is an enjoyable romance with believable characters, and a good balance between the heroine's and hero's perspectives. McLinn is an accomplished romance writer. Her self-published version presents very few formatting problems; I had no difficulty diving into this romance and staying firmly in fantasy land.
The heroine, Carolyn, is a precocious young (late 20s) English professor at a small, prestigious, eastern U.S. university which has just stepped up to the top division in men's college basketball competition. She's assigned to academically supervise the basketball team, and soon clashes with the coach, whom she views as opportunistic. C.J. Draper has retired from pro basketball after several years of declining fortunes, and is determined to gain a toehold in the coaching business, using this university as his stepping stone to bigger and better coaching assignments (i.e. his goal is a Final Four univeristy).
Both characters are consistent and well rounded. The story arc is handled deftly, and the supporting characters blend in well. If you enjoy the Harlequin American style of romance novel, and prefer your books with sensitively handled, not-too-explicit, sex scenes, you'll probably enjoy this story.
Hoops is an enjoyable romance with believable characters, and a good balance between the heroine's and hero's perspectives. McLinn is an accomplished romance writer. Her self-published version presents very few formatting problems; I had no difficulty diving into this romance and staying firmly in fantasy land.
The heroine, Carolyn, is a precocious young (late 20s) English professor at a small, prestigious, eastern U.S. university which has just stepped up to the top division in men's college basketball competition. She's assigned to academically supervise the basketball team, and soon clashes with the coach, whom she views as opportunistic. C.J. Draper has retired from pro basketball after several years of declining fortunes, and is determined to gain a toehold in the coaching business, using this university as his stepping stone to bigger and better coaching assignments (i.e. his goal is a Final Four univeristy).
Both characters are consistent and well rounded. The story arc is handled deftly, and the supporting characters blend in well. If you enjoy the Harlequin American style of romance novel, and prefer your books with sensitively handled, not-too-explicit, sex scenes, you'll probably enjoy this story.
September 10, 2019
Carolyn Trent is a very respected and very young professor of English Literature at Ashton Univ. in Wisconsin. She's assigned to be the academic advisor to the men's basketball team, which has just been put into the top division ranking. She's anti-sports and pro-strong academics. That is slightly modified when she falls in love with the ex-pro coach who's using the school as a stepping stone to a bigger coaching job. No sex until the end - tastefully done for the most part.
February 9, 2020
I learned a lot about the intensity of basketball. These characters were committed but also loyal characters that bring you to realize that what is important in life is a personal decision for each of us.
January 5, 2024
3.5 for good story and writing, and another half star for the treatment of college basketball.
December 10, 2019
Hoops: The Wedding Series, Prequel to The Surprise Princess
Another wonderful book of romance and healing. Both C. I and Caroline needed to heal and find love. Both fought for acceptance.
Another wonderful book of romance and healing. Both C. I and Caroline needed to heal and find love. Both fought for acceptance.
September 23, 2016
Hoops review
Hoops is the prequel to The Surprise Princess in The Wedding Series written by author Patricia McLinn. Once again, a great story and characters.
Hoops is the prequel to The Surprise Princess in The Wedding Series written by author Patricia McLinn. Once again, a great story and characters.
August 17, 2014
This was a pretty enjoyable sports romance read, especially for an older book.
Professor Carolyn Trent is returning home to Ashton University after a prominent conference abroad only to find herself the new academic adviser for the Ashton Aces basketball team. Carolyn's a bit of a stick in the mud and a total snob. She doesn't believe that academics can thrive in sync with athletics and she believes the school is sacrificing that in order to become a bigger name in the NCAA. Which just spells disaster when she meets the new head coach of the team, former pro player CJ Draper.
As mentioned before, Carolyn's a total snob so she pre-judges both CJ and the team believing that they don't care about school and that they are destroying the reputation of Ashton and their academics program. She doesn't believe any athlete of star potential could use school for anything other than a springboard to play.
Despite being the heroine, I found it hard to like Carolyn right away. She had a big stick up her butt for a good portion of the beginning of the book but she started to thaw once she meet the members of the team and found they weren't all like she thought. Luckily, CJ and a good portion of the secondary characters are very likable and make up for Carolyn's deficiency until the story progresses enough to move the plot along.
As a big fan of sports romances, I have to say the big scene in which the Aces were able to upset a higher ranked school was the highlight of the book. It was a very poignant scene and made me tear up a bit.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys mixing sports and romance together.
Professor Carolyn Trent is returning home to Ashton University after a prominent conference abroad only to find herself the new academic adviser for the Ashton Aces basketball team. Carolyn's a bit of a stick in the mud and a total snob. She doesn't believe that academics can thrive in sync with athletics and she believes the school is sacrificing that in order to become a bigger name in the NCAA. Which just spells disaster when she meets the new head coach of the team, former pro player CJ Draper.
As mentioned before, Carolyn's a total snob so she pre-judges both CJ and the team believing that they don't care about school and that they are destroying the reputation of Ashton and their academics program. She doesn't believe any athlete of star potential could use school for anything other than a springboard to play.
Despite being the heroine, I found it hard to like Carolyn right away. She had a big stick up her butt for a good portion of the beginning of the book but she started to thaw once she meet the members of the team and found they weren't all like she thought. Luckily, CJ and a good portion of the secondary characters are very likable and make up for Carolyn's deficiency until the story progresses enough to move the plot along.
As a big fan of sports romances, I have to say the big scene in which the Aces were able to upset a higher ranked school was the highlight of the book. It was a very poignant scene and made me tear up a bit.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys mixing sports and romance together.
September 30, 2014
Sports romances always hold a valued place in library and this book is definitely no different. Hoops is the story of Carolyn Trent, a professor who returns home from a conference to find she's been given a new position within her school - that of Academic advisor for the school's basketball team. Carolyn's pretty stuck up when we meet her, she sees absolutely no value in athletics and thinks it's not only a waste of time but a waste of the schools resources.
Things get worse for Carolyn once she meets the new head coach of the basketball team, CJ Draper, who formerly played pro ball. He epitomizes everything Carolyn is against and she quickly forms a negative image of him. Of course, her view of CJ is completely skewed and totally wrong but she's pretty set in her ways and CJ, along with athletics, falls into her no-no category.
I loved watching the progression of CJ breaking down Carolyn's opinions of him and her change in attitude the more they found their attraction to each other bubbling to the surface. Her character faced an enormous growth throughout the book until she realized just how the two (academics and athletics) can go hand-in-hand and she starts to really pull for the boys on the team as well for CJ. I don't think CJ's character had to face as much change as Carolyn's did except that he worked hard to get Carolyn to see the value of mixing the two and how it wouldn't hinder the school at all.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read, especially since it's my first from Patricia McLinn.
Things get worse for Carolyn once she meets the new head coach of the basketball team, CJ Draper, who formerly played pro ball. He epitomizes everything Carolyn is against and she quickly forms a negative image of him. Of course, her view of CJ is completely skewed and totally wrong but she's pretty set in her ways and CJ, along with athletics, falls into her no-no category.
I loved watching the progression of CJ breaking down Carolyn's opinions of him and her change in attitude the more they found their attraction to each other bubbling to the surface. Her character faced an enormous growth throughout the book until she realized just how the two (academics and athletics) can go hand-in-hand and she starts to really pull for the boys on the team as well for CJ. I don't think CJ's character had to face as much change as Carolyn's did except that he worked hard to get Carolyn to see the value of mixing the two and how it wouldn't hinder the school at all.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read, especially since it's my first from Patricia McLinn.
June 29, 2015
Hoops by Patricia McLinn
The Wedding Series Book Five
Professor Carolyn Trent worked hard to get where she was. At twenty-eight she was a success in her field. Her downfall was seeing things black and white and striving so hard to do her best...she left fun and enjoying life behind. She loved Ashton University and didn't like changes, especially if they involved athletics.
Coach C.J. Draper's goal was to become a success so that he could choose his path in life as far as coaching went. An injury had put his pro basketball career to rest, but he still had a lot he could give. If he could guide Ashton's team to success, then doors would finally open to him once again...and then he'd be somebody.
Two very different people with very different goals. They both had goals for the boys on the team, Carolyn to see them academically successful and for C.J. to see them play their best as a team. Maybe there was one more thing these two opposites had in common...they were attracted to each other.
**Sensual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
The Wedding Series Book Five
Professor Carolyn Trent worked hard to get where she was. At twenty-eight she was a success in her field. Her downfall was seeing things black and white and striving so hard to do her best...she left fun and enjoying life behind. She loved Ashton University and didn't like changes, especially if they involved athletics.
Coach C.J. Draper's goal was to become a success so that he could choose his path in life as far as coaching went. An injury had put his pro basketball career to rest, but he still had a lot he could give. If he could guide Ashton's team to success, then doors would finally open to him once again...and then he'd be somebody.
Two very different people with very different goals. They both had goals for the boys on the team, Carolyn to see them academically successful and for C.J. to see them play their best as a team. Maybe there was one more thing these two opposites had in common...they were attracted to each other.
**Sensual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
March 10, 2021
Decent read.
Re-read March 2021.
I’m at 65% and I’m so annoyed with the romance. The heroine is stuck up and annoying and the hero’s confidence and mocking way of talking to her makes him come off as smug and condescending half the time. Right now I’m annoyed with the fact that he plays her sooo easily. He does something that makes her really angry (justifiably so) and then turns around and makes out with her. And she jumps straight in. What the heck?
Okay I’m back and just finished the book. The ending was good and I’m no longer annoyed with either character. I guess that’s a sign of good writing - getting the reader invested in the characters and satisfied with the happily ever after? Maybe. 😂
Re-read March 2021.
I’m at 65% and I’m so annoyed with the romance. The heroine is stuck up and annoying and the hero’s confidence and mocking way of talking to her makes him come off as smug and condescending half the time. Right now I’m annoyed with the fact that he plays her sooo easily. He does something that makes her really angry (justifiably so) and then turns around and makes out with her. And she jumps straight in. What the heck?
Okay I’m back and just finished the book. The ending was good and I’m no longer annoyed with either character. I guess that’s a sign of good writing - getting the reader invested in the characters and satisfied with the happily ever after? Maybe. 😂
May 24, 2011
I've never read a book by this author and got this when I got my Kobo. I enjoyed the book and found her style to be solid. Her characters were interesting. I'll look more book by McLinn.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews