Ransom

The Player #5

by Nana Malone

Money, power, prestige…reject. Ransom Cox is —The Player.

His whole life, hockey player, Ransom Cox, has watched the people he loves the most reject and leave him. He’s learned it’s better to be on his own. After the scandal of his wife walking out on him right before the championships, citing his bedroom “over” prowess as the reason, he can’t seem to escape the spotlight. The last thing he wants is to be stranded in a cabin with the one girl he’s always wanted. The one girl who could destroy him.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Hockey

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2017

About the author

Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves of all things romance and adventure.

That love started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin. It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

Reviews

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars / 3.5 Steam Fans

Video review available in Week 12: Mar 21 – Mar 27, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.

For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Nana Malone]

"You've always been mine... You just didn't know it yet."

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2FK3apu
B&N: http://bit.ly/2IuZLbA
iBooks: https://apple.co/2qMd5yI
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2FTUmsQ

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert: I was fine with the story until almost the end when there's a "bad guy" revealed. Did anybody else wonder how this gossip hag got into his house to place a bug or into his mother's house to steal something? That was just glossed over! I mean, there was never even a mention of the woman being in his town! I'm just saying...if you're going to make it pivotal, make it believable.
At least the sex was hot!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (11/21/2021)! 🎁

[MsChris1161 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Ransom and I can still barely breathe. So hot! I loved it so much I. Want. To. Read. It. Again. Right now!

Ransom is a hockey legend not just for his skills on the ice, but for the rumors about the massive size of his personal "equipment". It doesn't help some reporter nicknamed him "Handsome" Ransom due to his movie star looks and it stuck. But despite the women who want to line up to join him in bed, he's not the Player he's been made out to be. Ever since his marriage failed he avoids relationships, believing they'll just leave him too. He's safer sticking with the fantasy of the girl he fell for in high school, Lexa.

Lexa is a freelance journalist who has a knack for always choosing the wrong guy. The unavailable guys. The players. After her most recent disastrous breakup she's back in her hometown to regroup. The last thing she needs is to run into her high school crush who is now basically a hockey god... and rumored to be a sex god? So out of her league, then and now. Or maybe not?

Fantastic and sexy second chance love story. Handsome and Lexa can't deny the heat between them, but love? They seem like opposites, but what a crazy attraction. All Ransom knows is that when he's with Lexa he doesn't feel that aching hole in his heart and he needs her. There are some twists in this one, great dialogue, and very likeable characters. Very well written, but Nana's stories always are. 5 stars

Note to Nana Malone:
Small favor, if Ransom goes to Audio will you please, please, please select a man with a deep, smooth, chocolatey voice (like you describe Ransom's) as the narrator? Because I would melt while he read those steamy sex scenes to me. I'm pretty sure I speak for the entire female population even if they don't know it yet. ;)

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom has trust issues, becuase everyone he’s trusted has let him down. And then there’s Dara, who he lets his guard down with and it's just amazing. And then, well, I won’t spoil things hut of course there’s an HEA. Love this series and this book!

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

This is a fun read with strong characters and a good plot. A nice installment in the series. Recommended for fans of the genre.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, so glad it was recommended to me! This was a quick listen, Ransom Cox, hockey player comes home to his mother and brings her the beloved cup. He has been burnt by love in the past, and is hesitant to get serious with anyone. He does have his fantasy girl from high school in the back of his mind all the time though, and who should he meet up with? Lexa Carlisle, fired from her job comes back home to lick her wounds and who does she see? This couple is hot from the very start. Their chemistry is off the charts. While that is always fun when listening, I love the Nana Malone can integrate a great storyline in the book as well. It's not all about the couple and their chemistry. It's about family, privacy, helping each other out and getting to know each other. She has a knack for developing her characters so that you "know" them well by the end of the book....and the cliff hanger at the end of this one is going to make me reach for Gage next!

The narrating team of Traci Odom and Sebastian York does not even need to be mentioned, that is just a plus to the entertainment that Nana Malone provides.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ransom isn’t exactly part of the Coulter family. So, for the most part, we don’t see or even hear about the rest of the family. I am curious to see how much interaction there will be in the last book.

Ransom is hot. His relationship with his mom is really sweet. He has definite self esteem issues coming off his divorce though. And Lexa sometimes feels like she isn’t “cool” enough for a star hockey player. But I admired the way she stood up for herself.

Despite the fact that our protagonists went to school together, they didn’t know each other well, so it’s definitely an instalove story. I was okay with it, except I felt like the story as a whole moved too fast. It left me wanting more time with them.

[Clotilde Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

In high school, Ransom Cox had a crush on Lexa Carisle and vice versa. Neither act on it. Years later, Ransom is back home to celebrate winning the cup with his mom. Lexa is also back home after discovering that the guy she was dating is engaged to her boss. Yikes!
Ransom and Lexa run into each other and immediately, there are sparks between the two. Making both Ransom and Lexa to be wary of each other. After all, Lexa's the queen of picking the wrong guys while Ransom had watched the people he come to care about, leave him without a single glance.
This was a fun read about the two people learning to trust no only in each other but themselves.

[Linda Ketter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great book from Nana Malone. Yet again another story with an underlying theme.

The theme in this book was about not feeling good enough. Both Ransom and Lexa believed they were not good enough to be loved by anyone. Ransom's father and ex-wife walked out on him destroying his self-worth and making him question anyone's ability to love him. Lexa always picked the wrong guy to get involved with making her question his decision making and worthiness of love. What a pair these two make.

Having known each other and fantasized about each other for years, when they finally get together you know the sparks will fly. Ransom finally found someone he could open up to, but felt like he was betrayed when the paparazzi reported things he'd only told Lexa. He lost his faith and trust in her. She on the otherhand ran away when the "shit hit the fan" because that is easier than staying and dealing with the issues of worth and standing up for yourself.

It was nice to see Lexa make Ransom earn her back, but how does he know she won't run away again when things get tough. The tie in to the Coulter family was interesting and I wonder if that will be explored in a spin-off series. Will Ransom ever be accepted by Rory Coulter? I loved that Fox showed up at his hotel room and called him cousin, but I would've liked to see more.

All in all, this was a great book. Fabulous love story with a touch of intrigue.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ransom is a hockey star! But he's also known for the large size of his....  Um "personal stick" He's been nicknamed "Handsome" Ransom due to his sexy, hot good looks and it stuck with him. Ever since his marriage failed, and his wife writes a tell all story about him, he tends to avoid relationships. Just looking for hookups. He still remembers Lexa, the girl from high school. The girl he fell for, but from a distance. Feeling she'd never want him.

Lexa is a journalist who seems to always choose the wrong guy. The men who are unavailable.  After her most recent breakup, she goes back home. The last thing Lexa needs is to see her high school crush, Ransom. He's way out of her league, or so she thinks?

Ransom was a very sexy, fantastic read. I LOVED how sweet Ransom is with his mom. And the chemistry between Ransom and Lexa is SMOLDERING!!! Ransom feels that ache in his chest close when he's with Lexa. Let me say there are some wonderful twists and turns in this book, beautifully written storyline, sexy chemistry between Ransom and Lexa. I really enjoyed reading it!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of Ransom from the author*

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think I would find one of the guys that I would love as much as I did Fox or maybe a bit more. This one for me was a total slap-shot. A man lost, confused, reject, unwanted, or so he thought and felt. This one was just warm, intense, deep, sweet, gentle, sexy, exhausting. I loved getting to know Ransom and Lexa as individuals and together as they explored their chance at love together. Both having had the desire to be with the other years earlier but it just did not work out for them then. One feeling like a geek the other feeling just out of place. Neither understand the true depth of what they meant to each other until things got very rock and almost lost.

This was a quick read into a new Coulter member. The connection was interesting but not the soul focus of the read. That was what made it hat much more for me. There was no Grandpa Coulter. Although the ending gave a little buzz of hope for more.

York and Odom again did a good job on bring to life the world of Nana Malone set forth.

[Jean Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book in this series and by this author and I have to say I really liked it! Ransom Cox just won the Cup in hockey and is on break visiting his mom when he sees Lexa. Lexa is a girl from high school that Ransom had quietly crushed on but never did anything about. A storm hits and Lexa's car ends up sliding into a ditch. Ransom sees this car in a ditch on his way home and helps the person out, not realizing that it's Lexa. He takes her home to wait out the storm but now they're stuck together for a while. Lexa can't believe it's Ransom that saved her from the ditch. Lexa has always crushed on Ransom but never told anyone. Will the truth finally come out? Will they be able to move from friends to lovers? Can Ransom get over his previous losses?
This was a great quick read and I LOVED the ending (I didn't see that coming)! I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the books in this series!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ransom just won the hockey championship and returns home to celebrate with his mom. During his hometown visit, he runs into Lexa, the woman he's had a crush on since high school. Unbeknownst to Ransom, Lexa has also had feelings for him.

Ransom is still reeling from a difficult divorce. Lexa is trying to recover from an affair that ended badly. Even though neither one of them wants to fall in love and get hurt again, Ransom and Lexa give into temptation.

Most of the barriers keeping Ransom and Lexa from fully pursuing a relationship were internal, but at one point they had to confront an external obstacle that could have completely derailed their attempt to be together. Both main characters are likable and struggling with their own insecurities. I really appreciated the fact that Lexa was a strong character with a backbone who refused to settle for less than what she deserved.

There was sufficient tension and suspense in this novella to keep me intrigued. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Chiquita Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved This Nana Malone Book

Alexa Carlisle has had some bad breaks with relationships and men so she’s on vacation to figure out she wants to do. Ransom Cox is currently visiting his mom during the off season from the NFL to rest and restore since his divorce. He’s had a crush on Alexa since he was 15 and while he’s mesmerized by her, he knows she deserves so much more than him. The two cannot resist temptation and wound up falling into bed and experiencing orgasms of a life time. When evil forces drive them apart, Ransom discovers he can’t live without her and puts up a fight, one that he is damn good at. I enjoyed the storyline and the steamy sexual chemistry between Ransom and Alexa that will curl your toes.

[Christine (Queen of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Nana Malone and it is safe to say it will not be my last!

Ransom was a great quick read - I generally don't enjoy when romances drag on or take awhile to get started, so I loved that Malone got right into the story, and that it clipped on along. I read it over a few days but this is definitely a book you can sit down with and finish in one sitting (and honestly, you might want to!).

I understand this is the fifth in the series, but I didn't feel like jumping in here diminished my enjoyment of the book at all. It was also just a fun read? Both characters have some stuff to work through (and there is some conflict) but this wasn't a romance that tore my heart out.

And FYI: open-door sex scenes

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Props to Nana for giving us a hint that the famous Coulters might have some more family. I just never expected it to come this fast or be so good. Ransom brings the Coulters back down to earth and makes me wonder even more about Gramps and his back story. I liked that unlike the other Coulters, Ransom did not grow up in wealth. I also loved the love story. I would like to know how both of the main characters got their names. They are getting pretty weird in a cute sort of way. Both characters are going through some serious life changes and nursing a hell of a crush on the other that neither knows about.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Lexa, she was sassy and knew how to give Ransom a run for his money, "if I can learn hockey, you can learn Game of Thrones. Besides, you’re lucky. I'm here to give you a full commentary." I liked that Ransom was sometimes thoughtful about what he was going to say, "...how the heck could he explain this? He could hardly say, "Hey, women have been scared off by my ***k, and I'd rather you not run away screaming. So can we take this a little slower until you're begging beneath me?" I seriously loved Ransom, I enjoyed this book.

[Ea_reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh, 2 stars. this was a novella-length entry in a series I haven't read by an author I *may* have read something by. I got it on sale because of the blurb. in a way, it lived up to the blurb, but in another it was a letdown in that it went no deeper than the blurb. it was basically stuck in a house in a storm together sex. which by this point in life, I've read so many things along those lines that I'm looking for a bit more. at least it was a quick easy read.

[Marc F Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

not for me

This was a quick, breezy, predictable read. And that would have been fine. To me, though, the book seemed poorly written. It was a disappointment. Words were repeated three times in two sentences, I never felt the characters as they remained flat on the page. I skimmed the last 60% of the book to get to the ending. I will not be looking to purchase other titles from this author.

[Carolina Pedreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the vulnerability of the hero, Ransom, who fights his inner demons and insecurities while the heroine in on a path of wrong choices that made her life turn upside down and both have to work on their problems to make a relationship between them possible. Was a fast, enjoyable read full of hot moments.

[Linda Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Loved this book. Loved the storyline and the characters and their connections.
Loved Ransom and Lexa.
Wow what a runaround they had but so glad they found each other and ended up with a HEA. I did worry at one point that they wouldn't come together but so happy for them both as they both so deserved the happiness.

[Charity Thornhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute...

This was a cute little romance. Hockey player, journalist, long lost love from childhood. I wasn’t so much into the self pity between them and their inner dialogues, that got old fast. The beginning was good, the middle was kind of like “eh” and then the end was adorable. Overall it was a good book.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and now I’m a big time fan of Nana Malone! I was able to listen to this and I laughed out loud a few times. It was sexy and made my cheeks red, but it was all worth it. This was a really good book and I can’t wait to go to the next one. I’ve read (listened) to these in order and I’m glad I did but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and slightly steamy story about a sports gossip news phenom and a reporter who remembers him before he was "all that". It's got home town charm, sleazy papperazi, a cozy cottage for two - sports star style and, of course, the Stanley Cup.
A fun romantic read, even if you don't know a slapshot from a two line pass.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was superb, it had a great storyline and I loved the characters!

It was a really well written book, it was easy to read with good detail.

The book had honesty and love that was reflected in the story.

It was a romantic and sexy read and it is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!!

[Danielle Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick but super cute romance. Though the characters “knew”(?) each other in high school (and are still basically babies at this point), there’s a bit too much insta-love that happens here for my liking. But it’s not super painful or unenjoyable.

This one hit the spot for a quick injection of romance into my life, so I’m satisfied.

[Amanda Gard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

I originally read this story in the Hot in Ice anthology, and I really enjoyed it. I loved both MCs, who were actually pretty down to earth and relatable. I had hoped there would be a bit more tacked on in this version, but alas.

[Sharon Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book!

This book is about earning about being wrong & trusting someone.
Random had come home to see his Mum after winning the championship. He bumps in to Lexa, a girl he feel in love with when he was 15?