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Blades Hockey #2
Sin Bin
This bad boy hockey player is about to meet his match...
Falling down is an accident.
Staying down is a choice.
Going down is a career-changer … that’s the one I did.
How was I supposed to know that the NHL’s toughest enforcer, the Red Wings’ laundry room, and one security video would be my downfall?
-----
I’ve spent more time in the penalty box than any other player in the NHL, but this time I really screwed up.
How was I supposed to know that one night and one choice would be worse than all of my transgressions on the ice? Now, I’ve lost my team, my sponsors, and my publicist.
For most people, it’s bend or break. For me, it’s melt or harden. My decision became obvious when I walked into my new PR firm, and she was sitting behind the desk.
264 pages, ebook
First published July 27, 2017
1111 people are currently reading
3013 people want to read
About the author
Maria Luis
57 books3,071 followersMaria Luis is an Amazon Top 25 Bestselling Author.
Historian by day and romance novelist by night, Maria lives in New Orleans, and loves bringing the city's cultural flair into her books. When Maria isn't frantically typing with hot chocolate in hand, she can be found binging on reality TV, going on adventures with her other half and two pups, or plotting her next flirty romance.
★ Looking for something quick, fun and sexy to read? Check out these freebies on Maria's website! (Available: Breathless, Undeniable, and The First Fix): https://www.marialuis.org/free-books
Stalk Maria in the wild at:
★ Facebook: facebook.com/marialuisauthor
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★ Website: www.marialuis.org
★ Bookbub: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBB
Maria loves to hear from readers!
Historian by day and romance novelist by night, Maria lives in New Orleans, and loves bringing the city's cultural flair into her books. When Maria isn't frantically typing with hot chocolate in hand, she can be found binging on reality TV, going on adventures with her other half and two pups, or plotting her next flirty romance.
★ Looking for something quick, fun and sexy to read? Check out these freebies on Maria's website! (Available: Breathless, Undeniable, and The First Fix): https://www.marialuis.org/free-books
Stalk Maria in the wild at:
★ Facebook: facebook.com/marialuisauthor
★ Book Boyfriends Anonymous: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBBA
★ Instagram: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisIG
★ TikTok: tiktok.com/@marialuisauthor
★ Website: www.marialuis.org
★ Bookbub: http://bit.ly/MariaLuisBB
Maria loves to hear from readers!
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November 8, 2019
Sin Bin is book two in the Blades Hockey series by Maria Luis. This can be read as a stand alone but the characters from the book do recur in each other’s books. This could be classified as both an enemies to lovers romance and also a friends to lovers romance.
Zoe Mackenzie is twenty seven years old and is currently living with her dad and step mother in a suburb of Boston. One year ago, Zoe was climbing the ranks as a Public Relations Coordinator. Until that night. The one night that she gave in to the feelings that she had for her then friend and client, Andre. But unfortunately, a security camera caught everything, including the birthmark she has on her back side. Now, no firm will touch her.
Andre Beaumont is an enforcer for the Boston Blades. He spends a good portion of his time on the ice in the penalty box. But off the ice, he has also gotten the reputation of being like ice. Sponsors are dropping him right and left. His reputation is about as low as it can get. So he has one last hope of a new PR firm in Boston to try to salvage his image. But when he walks into the office, the woman he hasn’t seen in a year is sitting there.
Zoe has one last firm that is willing to give her a chance. She has one month to prove to them that she is worth the risk of hiring her. She’ll have one client. And that one client just happens to be the same man that got her into this mess. The man she now hates and never thought she’d see again.
“I like my life. It’s simple. Easy. Zoe makes me think, makes me feel. And that just won’t do.”
This job is Zoe’s last chance to try to salvage her career. But having anything to do with Andre is like pouring salt on a festering wound. Her memories of their friendship before “that night” haunt her. She’s seen the Andre that he keeps closed off now. But then “the night” happened. And those memories have never let go. She still brings them out when she’s alone…at night! Her body still remembers him.
“I needed her like I needed air to breathe and water to drink. Because I’d needed her. The way that I still need her.”
This book! Andre was everything. The effect these two have on each other made me swoon. But Andre has something that he’s keeping bottled up inside. And until he decides that it’s time to let it go, they won’t be able to move forward. And let me tell you that when Andre decides it’s time for the grand gesture, he has the grandest of gestures. The Best grand gesture ever!
I am loving this series so much. There’s snark, sweet moments, sexy times, and plenty of swoony times. I can’t wait to start the next book in the series, Hat Trick, which will be Marshall and Gwen’s book.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Zoe Mackenzie is twenty seven years old and is currently living with her dad and step mother in a suburb of Boston. One year ago, Zoe was climbing the ranks as a Public Relations Coordinator. Until that night. The one night that she gave in to the feelings that she had for her then friend and client, Andre. But unfortunately, a security camera caught everything, including the birthmark she has on her back side. Now, no firm will touch her.
Andre Beaumont is an enforcer for the Boston Blades. He spends a good portion of his time on the ice in the penalty box. But off the ice, he has also gotten the reputation of being like ice. Sponsors are dropping him right and left. His reputation is about as low as it can get. So he has one last hope of a new PR firm in Boston to try to salvage his image. But when he walks into the office, the woman he hasn’t seen in a year is sitting there.
Zoe has one last firm that is willing to give her a chance. She has one month to prove to them that she is worth the risk of hiring her. She’ll have one client. And that one client just happens to be the same man that got her into this mess. The man she now hates and never thought she’d see again.
“I like my life. It’s simple. Easy. Zoe makes me think, makes me feel. And that just won’t do.”
This job is Zoe’s last chance to try to salvage her career. But having anything to do with Andre is like pouring salt on a festering wound. Her memories of their friendship before “that night” haunt her. She’s seen the Andre that he keeps closed off now. But then “the night” happened. And those memories have never let go. She still brings them out when she’s alone…at night! Her body still remembers him.
“I needed her like I needed air to breathe and water to drink. Because I’d needed her. The way that I still need her.”
This book! Andre was everything. The effect these two have on each other made me swoon. But Andre has something that he’s keeping bottled up inside. And until he decides that it’s time to let it go, they won’t be able to move forward. And let me tell you that when Andre decides it’s time for the grand gesture, he has the grandest of gestures. The Best grand gesture ever!
I am loving this series so much. There’s snark, sweet moments, sexy times, and plenty of swoony times. I can’t wait to start the next book in the series, Hat Trick, which will be Marshall and Gwen’s book.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
December 22, 2020
1.5 Stars
The day has come where I didn't like a Maria Luis book😭 I knew it would be someday, but still a sad day for me. At least it's one of her older books though🤷
SPOILERS
So, ya. This book pretty much pissed me off. The heroine used to be a PR agent for the hero, and at this time he was a huge manho, but they became good friends and she starts to develop feelings. (This is the BIG secret apparently, so warning) One day he finds out that his ex (who he was previously in love with and I'm pretty sure still had feelings for, but aren't together because she had cheated on him) had his baby and that baby died from bronchitis without him knowing. So because he was so depressed and wanted to feel loved he purposely went to use the heroine by screwing her, knowing she would say yes because she had feelings for him, and knowing that he wasn't planning on doing it again. So he was already planning on leaving her high and dry after that because he didn't want her to essentially become attached to him since he's scared of feelings after what his ex did to him.
So anyways, that is exactly what he does. To make it worse, a video had apparently captured them having sex and was spread all over the media, where she was ridiculed basically and loses her job and he never once steps up to defend her or help her. Instead, he actually acts like she never happened and becomes as much as a manho as he was previously, and is shown having women that he is sleeping all around him all the time while she suffers and it is thrown in her face.
So a year later you would think the heroine would be PISSED, but nope. Betraying body syndrome coming in hot, because, you know, of course she was celibate the whole time the hero was off sleeping with whoever (all of this NOT be reciprocated btw). Then apparently this heroine was nicknamed a "barracuda" at her job, and yet the entire book, she was NEVER good at it. She was always tripping up, making mistakes, letting her BBS affect her because she couldn't stop thinking about the hero and his lips. The hero proceeds to treat her like crap, she just takes it all and is still doing the chasing. When the hero says go, she goes, when he says stop, does she stop? Oh no, she keeps chasing him or just making a fool of herself, even while she catches him on a date.
Andre was just gross so I literally couldn't see the attraction. She has to serve him when he is on his date, flirts with him after, he tells her no sex between them, but she lets him to whatever he wants to her. I think out of this whole book, she only showed she had a spine like once. He even warns her he still plans on sleeping with other women during her trial period as his PR agent again, because what a great guy. When he finally wants to get with her, of course she's all in right away after all that he has done to her, and while he's still keeping secrets from her. Their relationship is essentially all on his terms.
This is pretty much her whole though process with him-
I shouldn’t want Andre. It goes against everything I believe in—he abandoned me when I needed him most. He told me that we wouldn’t have sex, and yet here we are.
So they are together, she tells him she loves him, his ex comes back "stirring up memories" for him (this is at the end of the book). Then she finds out that the first time they had sex he was just using her, she tells him that finding out he had a son that died is no excuse to treat her like crap and sleep around like that, he tells her it's not a crime to do that (oh ya, you can really tell he regrets what he did to her and whoring it up). He then says he just needs time, making it sound like he still has some feelings for the ex even though he apparently "loves" the heroine, and making his love for the heroine even more unbelievable since now she seems like a second-best-heroine. She leaves him, and short time later she sees him laughing it up on tv and then publicly apologizing. When he tries to explain himself, apparently she doesn't need any explanation because its all fine and dandy since he loves her😐. The end.
So ya, I definitely did not enjoy this one as you can tell🙃. I am okay not liking this book though because I know Maria doesn't usually write heroes like this, and she has written some of my favorite book boyfriends, so this book gets a pass😌 and I'm just hoping I like the next book at least a bit more.
If you do want a BBF by this author tho, def check out
Road To Fire or Hold Me Today (Nick Stamos is my bb) or any in the Put a Ring on It series💕
The day has come where I didn't like a Maria Luis book😭 I knew it would be someday, but still a sad day for me. At least it's one of her older books though🤷
SPOILERS
So, ya. This book pretty much pissed me off. The heroine used to be a PR agent for the hero, and at this time he was a huge manho, but they became good friends and she starts to develop feelings. (This is the BIG secret apparently, so warning) One day he finds out that his ex (who he was previously in love with and I'm pretty sure still had feelings for, but aren't together because she had cheated on him) had his baby and that baby died from bronchitis without him knowing. So because he was so depressed and wanted to feel loved he purposely went to use the heroine by screwing her, knowing she would say yes because she had feelings for him, and knowing that he wasn't planning on doing it again. So he was already planning on leaving her high and dry after that because he didn't want her to essentially become attached to him since he's scared of feelings after what his ex did to him.
So anyways, that is exactly what he does. To make it worse, a video had apparently captured them having sex and was spread all over the media, where she was ridiculed basically and loses her job and he never once steps up to defend her or help her. Instead, he actually acts like she never happened and becomes as much as a manho as he was previously, and is shown having women that he is sleeping all around him all the time while she suffers and it is thrown in her face.
So a year later you would think the heroine would be PISSED, but nope. Betraying body syndrome coming in hot, because, you know, of course she was celibate the whole time the hero was off sleeping with whoever (all of this NOT be reciprocated btw). Then apparently this heroine was nicknamed a "barracuda" at her job, and yet the entire book, she was NEVER good at it. She was always tripping up, making mistakes, letting her BBS affect her because she couldn't stop thinking about the hero and his lips. The hero proceeds to treat her like crap, she just takes it all and is still doing the chasing. When the hero says go, she goes, when he says stop, does she stop? Oh no, she keeps chasing him or just making a fool of herself, even while she catches him on a date.
Andre was just gross so I literally couldn't see the attraction. She has to serve him when he is on his date, flirts with him after, he tells her no sex between them, but she lets him to whatever he wants to her. I think out of this whole book, she only showed she had a spine like once. He even warns her he still plans on sleeping with other women during her trial period as his PR agent again, because what a great guy. When he finally wants to get with her, of course she's all in right away after all that he has done to her, and while he's still keeping secrets from her. Their relationship is essentially all on his terms.
This is pretty much her whole though process with him-
I shouldn’t want Andre. It goes against everything I believe in—he abandoned me when I needed him most. He told me that we wouldn’t have sex, and yet here we are.
So they are together, she tells him she loves him, his ex comes back "stirring up memories" for him (this is at the end of the book). Then she finds out that the first time they had sex he was just using her, she tells him that finding out he had a son that died is no excuse to treat her like crap and sleep around like that, he tells her it's not a crime to do that (oh ya, you can really tell he regrets what he did to her and whoring it up). He then says he just needs time, making it sound like he still has some feelings for the ex even though he apparently "loves" the heroine, and making his love for the heroine even more unbelievable since now she seems like a second-best-heroine. She leaves him, and short time later she sees him laughing it up on tv and then publicly apologizing. When he tries to explain himself, apparently she doesn't need any explanation because its all fine and dandy since he loves her😐. The end.
So ya, I definitely did not enjoy this one as you can tell🙃. I am okay not liking this book though because I know Maria doesn't usually write heroes like this, and she has written some of my favorite book boyfriends, so this book gets a pass😌 and I'm just hoping I like the next book at least a bit more.
If you do want a BBF by this author tho, def check out
Road To Fire or Hold Me Today (Nick Stamos is my bb) or any in the Put a Ring on It series💕
October 8, 2018
2 Stars
What I liked - I liked Zoe. She could be pretty funny. The ending was pretty good, though I'm not at all looking forward to Gwen's book. I do not like her. I liked "seeing" Charlie again. It was an overall decent story, and I would have rated it higher if Andre wasn't gross.
What I didn't like - I don't like Andre much. Andre has been with other women since they were together last, and while that isn't cheating, it's nearly as bad in my book. Plus, I don't like manwhores, and he's a huge one. To be fair, there were no sex with OP scenes, and we do eventually find out why he's as bad as he is about that, but I still don't like it or excuse it.
What I liked - I liked Zoe. She could be pretty funny. The ending was pretty good, though I'm not at all looking forward to Gwen's book. I do not like her. I liked "seeing" Charlie again. It was an overall decent story, and I would have rated it higher if Andre wasn't gross.
What I didn't like - I don't like Andre much. Andre has been with other women since they were together last, and while that isn't cheating, it's nearly as bad in my book. Plus, I don't like manwhores, and he's a huge one. To be fair, there were no sex with OP scenes, and we do eventually find out why he's as bad as he is about that, but I still don't like it or excuse it.
February 19, 2022
sadly this is my 5th 3 stars book in a row.
this is a second chance romance between a hockey player and his PR, they haven't seen each other in a while after a video was leaked of them doing it.
now she has 30 days to prove that she can change his image.
in the beginning, i was really enjoying this book, but it just got boring
this is a second chance romance between a hockey player and his PR, they haven't seen each other in a while after a video was leaked of them doing it.
now she has 30 days to prove that she can change his image.
in the beginning, i was really enjoying this book, but it just got boring
December 17, 2023
I would rather eat fifty cockroaches, clean toilets for a lifetime, yank out my eyeballs, drink fucking bleach and wash it off with acid before I would ever allow this man even a FOOT close to me. Please, PLEASE, for God’s sake, can we have a self-respecting, professional woman in a second chance romance who doesn’t drop her panties, roll around, and bark at the MMC’s command? Thanks.
July 5, 2019
DNF!!! What an absolute lode of crap! You do NOT chase after some dude who left you high and dry being ridiculed by the whole damn country and after a year still treats you like sh*t but in between once in blue moon makes some small nice gesture and you wet your panties over it! There's banter and there's letting someone being an asshole to you and taking it with a smile and stars in your eyes because he's hot?! Women should NOT let men treat them like that just because they're hot and gave you one orgasm!
September 16, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
What a great book , I’m so loving this series.
Ladies with sass , men with abs
This whole world has me hooked
Bring me more
💋💋
What a great book , I’m so loving this series.
Ladies with sass , men with abs
This whole world has me hooked
Bring me more
not-for-me
August 13, 2023Lordt… save me from the embarrassment that is this book 🥴
Another manwhore H/celibate h during the separation (it’s only a year… and he couldn’t keep it in his pants… but anywayssssss)
Tons of owd
SHE chases HIM 😐
BBS galore 🙄
Even when he messes up, he doesn’t really grovel
Yeah… I’m not convinced he loves her 😐
Not. For. Me.
Another manwhore H/celibate h during the separation (it’s only a year… and he couldn’t keep it in his pants… but anywayssssss)
Tons of owd
SHE chases HIM 😐
BBS galore 🙄
Even when he messes up, he doesn’t really grovel
Yeah… I’m not convinced he loves her 😐
Not. For. Me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
Firstly I just want to say I love every single one of Maria's books but THIS! This is absolutely brilliant and I loved every single word, sentence, paragraph and chapter!
That very first sentence "I am the Queen of Bad Decisions" seriously who hasn't thought that in their head before. This made Zoe my new best friend 😁
From then I was sucked in I had to know more, I was made to turn the pages.
As always Maria tells a story in a way that makes you listen, makes you feel what the characters are feeling! This is not something that everyone does and when it does it truly takes a special kind of someone to do it that someone is Maria and boy did she deliver in Sin Bin.
Zoe and Andre the chemistry wow! They have super funny banter that makes you laugh out loud!
Then you learn what Andre is hiding and my god it rips your heart out and you want to just reach in and slap Andre for being such an idiot but of course Maria puts it back together for you in the sweetest most hilarious way that Andre goes to win back Zoe.
I can not recommend this enough you are able to read this if you haven't read Power Play but I definitely recommend reading that first as we see the characters from that in this book.
Well Done Maria!
*I am voluntarily reviewing a book gifted to me by the author with no obligation.*
That very first sentence "I am the Queen of Bad Decisions" seriously who hasn't thought that in their head before. This made Zoe my new best friend 😁
From then I was sucked in I had to know more, I was made to turn the pages.
As always Maria tells a story in a way that makes you listen, makes you feel what the characters are feeling! This is not something that everyone does and when it does it truly takes a special kind of someone to do it that someone is Maria and boy did she deliver in Sin Bin.
Zoe and Andre the chemistry wow! They have super funny banter that makes you laugh out loud!
Then you learn what Andre is hiding and my god it rips your heart out and you want to just reach in and slap Andre for being such an idiot but of course Maria puts it back together for you in the sweetest most hilarious way that Andre goes to win back Zoe.
I can not recommend this enough you are able to read this if you haven't read Power Play but I definitely recommend reading that first as we see the characters from that in this book.
Well Done Maria!
*I am voluntarily reviewing a book gifted to me by the author with no obligation.*
March 3, 2020
Outta the box
This is the second book in the Blades Hockey series, and as the first was, Sin Bin lives up to the hype. What a great read! I'm completely hooked on Ms. Luis's writing.
Andre is a beast of a man, dark and damaged. Zoe is his new publicist , who also happened to be his old publicist. Their relationship the first go round was hot enough to melt ice. Unfortunately, that became public knowledge.
New city and second chances, and these two are dancing around each other like contestants on Dancing With The Stars. And when these two dance, it's magic.
Great characters that are so well written. Adult conversations and situations make for a satisfying romance. Consider me a fan.
This is the second book in the Blades Hockey series, and as the first was, Sin Bin lives up to the hype. What a great read! I'm completely hooked on Ms. Luis's writing.
Andre is a beast of a man, dark and damaged. Zoe is his new publicist , who also happened to be his old publicist. Their relationship the first go round was hot enough to melt ice. Unfortunately, that became public knowledge.
New city and second chances, and these two are dancing around each other like contestants on Dancing With The Stars. And when these two dance, it's magic.
Great characters that are so well written. Adult conversations and situations make for a satisfying romance. Consider me a fan.
December 31, 2019
Good read. Although it was a little weird that they’d get paired up again, once you overlook that, it’s actually a fun book. I liked that it wasn’t overly dramatic and that it was pretty chill for the most part. I’m happily looking forward to continuing the series if there is more.
Currently reading
July 24, 2017Want to Read Chapter 1 of Sin Bin? Check it out below :)
CHAPTER ONE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
I am the Queen of Bad Decisions.
Now, before you start thinking that I’m overly dramatic, let it be known that, boy, do I wish that was the case. But no—I have a problem that’s otherwise known as “no self-control.” See the following:
A) My freshmen year at the University of Michigan, when I drunkenly professed my love for my English teacher via email. The recipient of that email? My professor. Naturally. The next day, I found myself on a transfer list to another class.
B) My ex-boyfriend, Mark, who apparently had a bad habit of humping his next door neighbor whenever I worked overtime. Discovering them together on our anniversary was just the cliché icing on the cake, and so was the way I stealthily slashed his tires the following evening, à la Carrie Underwood.
C) Andre Beaumont. Sorry, but we’re not even getting into this one. I’ll only mention that because of my . . . indiscretion—big muscles and silky smiles that hint at bed sheets and panty-dropping sex are always my downfall—my life has been one downward spiral for the last three-hundred and forty-two days.
But all that changes today. Here. Right now.
I flash a bright smile at the CEO of Golden Lights Media. Golden Lights is Boston’s premiere entertainment marketing empire, and hopefully my next place of work. Believe it and you will achieve it. That might as well be my tagline. “I can’t say thank you enough for asking me in for a second interview, Mr. Collins.”
“Zoe.” Mr. Collins utters my name the way some might say “Satan,” like he’s worried he might catch my plague just by sitting opposite me.
My smile slips, just a little. Think of the job, Zoe. Think. Of. The. Job. “Yes, Mr. Collins?”
Heaving a big sigh, Walter Collins drops back in his seat to study me with stoic brown eyes. “Zoe. Miss Mackenzie.”
This cannot be good.
I gird myself for the worst, flipping my folder up against my chest like a body shield. It’s packed with my résumé, cover letter, and three letters of reference. It’s also packed with my hopes, which are seconds away from shattering, if the CEO’s expression is anything to go by.
“Listen, Miss Mackenzie,” he says again, scrubbing a hand over his bearded jawline. “You’ve got the right qualifications for the position . . .”
I know what’s coming. The urge to scream is overwhelming. I bite down on my lower lip and count to ten. One . . . two . . . three . . .
“But while I’d love to welcome you onto our public relations team, I’ve done a little research since our preliminary interview, and what I’ve found . . . . Well, I can’t say that I’m all too impressed with your professional conduct.”
I’m sure he’s putting that mildly, just as I’m sure he practiced that exact line in the mirror this morning. His words have a pre-orchestrated feel to them, and he delivers them somberly, in the same tone that my former employer oh-so-graciously gave me the news that I was fired. You’d think someone had died the way that he’d—oh, wait, that was my career.
Slowly I meet Mr. Collins’s gaze, and I make the decision that I have nothing to lose. Not my pride or my dignity, nor am I harboring any longstanding too-high expectations. I know what the score is, and I’m willing to play to this CEO’s fiddle, as long as I come out with a job on the other side.
“Mr. Collins,” I say carefully, “I understand your reservations. But I can promise you that what occurred a year ago won’t be repeated.” Nervously I tap my fingers against the folder, internally debating how to approach the situation. I straighten my shoulders. “After my . . . transgression last year, I’ve had quite a while to think over my faulty decisions.”
Mr. Collins does not look impressed.
Panic enters my body. After almost a year of applying to jobs in my field, Golden Lights Media is my last hope. My last hurrah. I’m twenty-seven years old and living with my dad and step-mom. If my dad has it his way, I’ll be working at his restaurant full-time like a good daughter, while also babysitting my half-sister on my off-days.
I love Tia, but even my love for my twelve-year-old half-sister can’t make up for losing out on my dream—permanently.
Mr. Collins doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to offer me this gig as the new Public Relations Coordinator for his firm.
I plant the folder down on the desk with the flat of my palm. “Let’s do a trial run.”
“Beg pardon?”
Bam. Stifling the abrupt pleasure of throwing the CEO off his game, I say, “A trial run. You want to hire me, but you’re not sure if it’s a good idea. I’m convinced that you won’t regret it. As you told me in our first meeting, Mr. Collins, my résumé intrigues you. I’ve worked for all sorts of mainstream celebrities, including some of Detroit’s biggest sports stars.”
Brown eyes narrow on my face. “Including Andre Beaumont.”
My knee-jerk reaction to hearing that name is to throw something. Maybe pound back a bottle of Jose Cuervo, because there is nothing I would like more than to forget the feeling of Beaumont between my legs, as he proves once and for all that multiple orgasms are a thing.
Or, rather, a thing that can happen with men.
(To be fair, my vibrator does a solid enough job on its own.)
But I digress.
I clear my throat, awkwardly reaching for a small glass of water and downing half for fortitude. “Yes,” I murmur, “my former list of clients does include Mr. Beaumont.”
Mr. Collins studies me, his brown eyes unblinking. “Let me make sure I’m understanding you correctly, Miss Mackenzie. You would like for me to give you a trial run.” He scratches at his perfectly manicured beard. “Does this entail assigning you a client? Do I hold you to the same standard as the other publicists on my team?” He drops his elbows to the desk and leans forward. “Do I draw up a contract that reaffirms that you are not allowed to sleep with a client just to be certain that we’re on the same page?”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and the words die on my tongue. It was only one time.
It just so happens that the “one time” was also caught on camera. Then shared across the Internet.
I promise you, until the day that your step-mom texts you to say that she never knew about the birthmark on your butt, you’re not living life hard enough.
When silence steals my tongue, Mr. Collins turns to his computer. His fingers fly across the keys, tap, tap, tapping away with all the speed of a Tasmanian devil on speed. He clicks the mouse, another click, two more, and then he swings back around to face me.
“All right, Miss Mackenzie.” He folds his arms across his chest and stares me down over the bridge of his nose. “I’ll go along with your trial run.”
My heart drops clear down to my feet. “You will?”
Way to sound confident, Zoe.
“Yes,” Mr. Collins murmurs, “I will. I’ll give you one month, as you suggested. And one client.”
I’m not sure whether I ought to cry with relief or laugh at the fact that my desperate ploy is working. I do a little bit of both, and Mr. Collins gives me such a stern side-eye that my sobbing laughter dies an awkward death in my throat.
Straightening my shoulders again, I realize that I’m preening. Down, girl, down. I drop my shoulders—lift my chin instead. “Thank you, Mr. Collins. Thank you so much.”
Finally, finally, I’m catching a break. The first professional break I’ve been given since the entire world found out that I slept with Andre Beaumont, NHL superstar. The former right wing for the Detroit Red Wings. King Sin Bin, as raving hockey fans like to call him, thanks to his lethal skill set on the ice—a skill set which regularly lands him in the penalty box.
Maybe, if I play my cards right, I’ll shed the dreadful nickname the media gave me—Moaning Zoe.
Maybe, if I play my cards right, I can finally get my life back on track.
“I promise that you won’t regret this,” I say, reining in the urge to gush. “Whoever you assign to me will be perfect, and I guarantee that Golden Lights Media won’t have seen a better PR Coordinator.”
There’s a knock on the closed office door. I don’t turn around.
Everything that I want is at this desk. My hands itch to sign whatever contract my new boss might have stashed away in the drawers. My heart stampedes in my chest, overjoyed with the fact that after three-hundred and forty-two days, I finally have the chance to prove myself.
I’m not just the woman whose career took a hard tackle.
I’m not just the woman crashing on her parents’ couch, and watching the Disney Channel every night with her sister.
I’m not just the woman who threw everything away for thirty minutes of hot sex with the sexiest hockey player in the NHL. A hockey player who had no interest in talking to the media on my behalf. No, the jerk quietly accepted his trade to the Boston Blades and never looked back.
“Miss Mackenzie,” Mr. Collins says, recapturing my attention. “You’re in luck. My assistant, Gwen James, just signed a new client, and we’re pretty eager to get him settled in with an agent who will keep him in line and ensure that his public reputation remains scandal-free.”
“Scandal-free is my middle name, sir.”
Okay, slight exaggeration. But it used to be my middle name, you know, before the whole thing went down with Beaumont. And it might as well be my first name now, since I fled Michigan to Boston six months ago in a life do-over.
If Mr. Collins picks up the irony in my words, he doesn’t mention it. “One month, Miss Mackenzie. We’ll be coming back around to this in thirty days. But I’m telling you right now—if I hear one sliver of gossip about you, your so-called “trial run” will become null and void. Do you understand?”
Do I understand?
Hell to the yes, I do. “Absolutely. You can be confident that I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Brilliant.” He gives one short nod, then presses a buzzer on his desk.
The door swings open as I turn around, and a woman with voluminous red hair waltzes in with a spring to her step. “Walter, I’ve got our new client here.”
Her wide-eyed gaze lands on me. Oh crap, I know that look. It’s the one I get when people recognize me. And by that, I mean, they’ve seen the banana-shaped birthmark on my ass, as well as a quick glimpse of my face from the security camera video.
Kill me now, please.
“Miss Mackenzie,” she says, coming over to shake my hand. “My name is Gwen. It’s great to have you. Walter already let me know that you’re on board. I . . . well, let me introduce you to our newest client.”
I try not to let my hopes lift. Golden Lights Media is the top public relations company in Boston. From actresses to sports heroes to politicians, Golden Lights has backed anyone who’s anyone in the Bay State.
My gaze flicks from Gwen to the empty doorway. Who have they paired me with? I’m hoping for someone awesome like Mark Wahlberg. Maybe Matt Damon. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
When a shadow fills the doorway, an acute sense of dread settles in my stomach. That shadow is familiar and that body even more so. I tilt my head, squinting against the afternoon glare from the sun for a better look.
Leather shoes slip against the marble flooring as the shadow enters Mr. Collins’s office. Inch by inch, the body emerges as my sight readjusts. Dark jeans cling to muscular thighs, and a white T-shirt is halfheartedly tucked into the pants.
Something about this isn’t right.
I shift in my chair, wishing that I could see his face. I so want to reach into my purse for my sunglasses. Unlike Gwen, who pranced right into the light like a beam of sunshine, this person hugs the darkness.
“Miss Mackenzie,” Mr. Collins says, interrupting my thoughts, “might I introduce to you our newest client?”
And that’s when The Day from Hell is replaced.
Because out from the shadows emerges Disastrous Mistake Numbers One through Infinity.
“Hello, Zoe.”
Andre Beaumont, the Devil himself.
Oh, hell no.
CHAPTER ONE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
I am the Queen of Bad Decisions.
Now, before you start thinking that I’m overly dramatic, let it be known that, boy, do I wish that was the case. But no—I have a problem that’s otherwise known as “no self-control.” See the following:
A) My freshmen year at the University of Michigan, when I drunkenly professed my love for my English teacher via email. The recipient of that email? My professor. Naturally. The next day, I found myself on a transfer list to another class.
B) My ex-boyfriend, Mark, who apparently had a bad habit of humping his next door neighbor whenever I worked overtime. Discovering them together on our anniversary was just the cliché icing on the cake, and so was the way I stealthily slashed his tires the following evening, à la Carrie Underwood.
C) Andre Beaumont. Sorry, but we’re not even getting into this one. I’ll only mention that because of my . . . indiscretion—big muscles and silky smiles that hint at bed sheets and panty-dropping sex are always my downfall—my life has been one downward spiral for the last three-hundred and forty-two days.
But all that changes today. Here. Right now.
I flash a bright smile at the CEO of Golden Lights Media. Golden Lights is Boston’s premiere entertainment marketing empire, and hopefully my next place of work. Believe it and you will achieve it. That might as well be my tagline. “I can’t say thank you enough for asking me in for a second interview, Mr. Collins.”
“Zoe.” Mr. Collins utters my name the way some might say “Satan,” like he’s worried he might catch my plague just by sitting opposite me.
My smile slips, just a little. Think of the job, Zoe. Think. Of. The. Job. “Yes, Mr. Collins?”
Heaving a big sigh, Walter Collins drops back in his seat to study me with stoic brown eyes. “Zoe. Miss Mackenzie.”
This cannot be good.
I gird myself for the worst, flipping my folder up against my chest like a body shield. It’s packed with my résumé, cover letter, and three letters of reference. It’s also packed with my hopes, which are seconds away from shattering, if the CEO’s expression is anything to go by.
“Listen, Miss Mackenzie,” he says again, scrubbing a hand over his bearded jawline. “You’ve got the right qualifications for the position . . .”
I know what’s coming. The urge to scream is overwhelming. I bite down on my lower lip and count to ten. One . . . two . . . three . . .
“But while I’d love to welcome you onto our public relations team, I’ve done a little research since our preliminary interview, and what I’ve found . . . . Well, I can’t say that I’m all too impressed with your professional conduct.”
I’m sure he’s putting that mildly, just as I’m sure he practiced that exact line in the mirror this morning. His words have a pre-orchestrated feel to them, and he delivers them somberly, in the same tone that my former employer oh-so-graciously gave me the news that I was fired. You’d think someone had died the way that he’d—oh, wait, that was my career.
Slowly I meet Mr. Collins’s gaze, and I make the decision that I have nothing to lose. Not my pride or my dignity, nor am I harboring any longstanding too-high expectations. I know what the score is, and I’m willing to play to this CEO’s fiddle, as long as I come out with a job on the other side.
“Mr. Collins,” I say carefully, “I understand your reservations. But I can promise you that what occurred a year ago won’t be repeated.” Nervously I tap my fingers against the folder, internally debating how to approach the situation. I straighten my shoulders. “After my . . . transgression last year, I’ve had quite a while to think over my faulty decisions.”
Mr. Collins does not look impressed.
Panic enters my body. After almost a year of applying to jobs in my field, Golden Lights Media is my last hope. My last hurrah. I’m twenty-seven years old and living with my dad and step-mom. If my dad has it his way, I’ll be working at his restaurant full-time like a good daughter, while also babysitting my half-sister on my off-days.
I love Tia, but even my love for my twelve-year-old half-sister can’t make up for losing out on my dream—permanently.
Mr. Collins doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to offer me this gig as the new Public Relations Coordinator for his firm.
I plant the folder down on the desk with the flat of my palm. “Let’s do a trial run.”
“Beg pardon?”
Bam. Stifling the abrupt pleasure of throwing the CEO off his game, I say, “A trial run. You want to hire me, but you’re not sure if it’s a good idea. I’m convinced that you won’t regret it. As you told me in our first meeting, Mr. Collins, my résumé intrigues you. I’ve worked for all sorts of mainstream celebrities, including some of Detroit’s biggest sports stars.”
Brown eyes narrow on my face. “Including Andre Beaumont.”
My knee-jerk reaction to hearing that name is to throw something. Maybe pound back a bottle of Jose Cuervo, because there is nothing I would like more than to forget the feeling of Beaumont between my legs, as he proves once and for all that multiple orgasms are a thing.
Or, rather, a thing that can happen with men.
(To be fair, my vibrator does a solid enough job on its own.)
But I digress.
I clear my throat, awkwardly reaching for a small glass of water and downing half for fortitude. “Yes,” I murmur, “my former list of clients does include Mr. Beaumont.”
Mr. Collins studies me, his brown eyes unblinking. “Let me make sure I’m understanding you correctly, Miss Mackenzie. You would like for me to give you a trial run.” He scratches at his perfectly manicured beard. “Does this entail assigning you a client? Do I hold you to the same standard as the other publicists on my team?” He drops his elbows to the desk and leans forward. “Do I draw up a contract that reaffirms that you are not allowed to sleep with a client just to be certain that we’re on the same page?”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and the words die on my tongue. It was only one time.
It just so happens that the “one time” was also caught on camera. Then shared across the Internet.
I promise you, until the day that your step-mom texts you to say that she never knew about the birthmark on your butt, you’re not living life hard enough.
When silence steals my tongue, Mr. Collins turns to his computer. His fingers fly across the keys, tap, tap, tapping away with all the speed of a Tasmanian devil on speed. He clicks the mouse, another click, two more, and then he swings back around to face me.
“All right, Miss Mackenzie.” He folds his arms across his chest and stares me down over the bridge of his nose. “I’ll go along with your trial run.”
My heart drops clear down to my feet. “You will?”
Way to sound confident, Zoe.
“Yes,” Mr. Collins murmurs, “I will. I’ll give you one month, as you suggested. And one client.”
I’m not sure whether I ought to cry with relief or laugh at the fact that my desperate ploy is working. I do a little bit of both, and Mr. Collins gives me such a stern side-eye that my sobbing laughter dies an awkward death in my throat.
Straightening my shoulders again, I realize that I’m preening. Down, girl, down. I drop my shoulders—lift my chin instead. “Thank you, Mr. Collins. Thank you so much.”
Finally, finally, I’m catching a break. The first professional break I’ve been given since the entire world found out that I slept with Andre Beaumont, NHL superstar. The former right wing for the Detroit Red Wings. King Sin Bin, as raving hockey fans like to call him, thanks to his lethal skill set on the ice—a skill set which regularly lands him in the penalty box.
Maybe, if I play my cards right, I’ll shed the dreadful nickname the media gave me—Moaning Zoe.
Maybe, if I play my cards right, I can finally get my life back on track.
“I promise that you won’t regret this,” I say, reining in the urge to gush. “Whoever you assign to me will be perfect, and I guarantee that Golden Lights Media won’t have seen a better PR Coordinator.”
There’s a knock on the closed office door. I don’t turn around.
Everything that I want is at this desk. My hands itch to sign whatever contract my new boss might have stashed away in the drawers. My heart stampedes in my chest, overjoyed with the fact that after three-hundred and forty-two days, I finally have the chance to prove myself.
I’m not just the woman whose career took a hard tackle.
I’m not just the woman crashing on her parents’ couch, and watching the Disney Channel every night with her sister.
I’m not just the woman who threw everything away for thirty minutes of hot sex with the sexiest hockey player in the NHL. A hockey player who had no interest in talking to the media on my behalf. No, the jerk quietly accepted his trade to the Boston Blades and never looked back.
“Miss Mackenzie,” Mr. Collins says, recapturing my attention. “You’re in luck. My assistant, Gwen James, just signed a new client, and we’re pretty eager to get him settled in with an agent who will keep him in line and ensure that his public reputation remains scandal-free.”
“Scandal-free is my middle name, sir.”
Okay, slight exaggeration. But it used to be my middle name, you know, before the whole thing went down with Beaumont. And it might as well be my first name now, since I fled Michigan to Boston six months ago in a life do-over.
If Mr. Collins picks up the irony in my words, he doesn’t mention it. “One month, Miss Mackenzie. We’ll be coming back around to this in thirty days. But I’m telling you right now—if I hear one sliver of gossip about you, your so-called “trial run” will become null and void. Do you understand?”
Do I understand?
Hell to the yes, I do. “Absolutely. You can be confident that I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Brilliant.” He gives one short nod, then presses a buzzer on his desk.
The door swings open as I turn around, and a woman with voluminous red hair waltzes in with a spring to her step. “Walter, I’ve got our new client here.”
Her wide-eyed gaze lands on me. Oh crap, I know that look. It’s the one I get when people recognize me. And by that, I mean, they’ve seen the banana-shaped birthmark on my ass, as well as a quick glimpse of my face from the security camera video.
Kill me now, please.
“Miss Mackenzie,” she says, coming over to shake my hand. “My name is Gwen. It’s great to have you. Walter already let me know that you’re on board. I . . . well, let me introduce you to our newest client.”
I try not to let my hopes lift. Golden Lights Media is the top public relations company in Boston. From actresses to sports heroes to politicians, Golden Lights has backed anyone who’s anyone in the Bay State.
My gaze flicks from Gwen to the empty doorway. Who have they paired me with? I’m hoping for someone awesome like Mark Wahlberg. Maybe Matt Damon. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
When a shadow fills the doorway, an acute sense of dread settles in my stomach. That shadow is familiar and that body even more so. I tilt my head, squinting against the afternoon glare from the sun for a better look.
Leather shoes slip against the marble flooring as the shadow enters Mr. Collins’s office. Inch by inch, the body emerges as my sight readjusts. Dark jeans cling to muscular thighs, and a white T-shirt is halfheartedly tucked into the pants.
Something about this isn’t right.
I shift in my chair, wishing that I could see his face. I so want to reach into my purse for my sunglasses. Unlike Gwen, who pranced right into the light like a beam of sunshine, this person hugs the darkness.
“Miss Mackenzie,” Mr. Collins says, interrupting my thoughts, “might I introduce to you our newest client?”
And that’s when The Day from Hell is replaced.
Because out from the shadows emerges Disastrous Mistake Numbers One through Infinity.
“Hello, Zoe.”
Andre Beaumont, the Devil himself.
Oh, hell no.
July 21, 2023
4.25 ⭐️
June 21, 2025
Andre’s story
Ok I’ll be honest it was a slow start, little rough in periods but wow it ended with such a pull and drama! Could’ve used a little more spice, but still good!
Ok I’ll be honest it was a slow start, little rough in periods but wow it ended with such a pull and drama! Could’ve used a little more spice, but still good!
July 18, 2017
Maria Luis has outdone herself. I received an ARC of Sin Bin, Book 2 of her Blades Hockey series and am freely and voluntarily giving my honest review of it. This book.. it is an emotional rollercoaster ride from the very first sentence. From the very beginning, you know there is going to be heat and tension between Andre and Zoe. You know there is going to be funny banter just from the way the book starts out; 'I am the Queen of Bad Decisions'.
What you don't realize is that you will be sucked into their lives. You don't realize that you will be sitting on the edge of your seat anxious to turn the page just to see what happens next. This book will make you laugh out loud at some of the antics and funny quips between Zoe and Andre. This book will make you want to ring Andre's neck for being so obtuse and such an idiot, and on occasion, a bit of a bastard. And this book will rip your heart out, make you weep over the secrets that are revealed that help you to understand just why Andre has acted the way he has. Then, just when you think your emotions have been put through the ringer enough, you will find yourself tearing up at the silly, sweet romantic extreme Andre goes to in order to win back the woman he loves.
If you're looking for an unemotional read that's just smut, this isn't the book for you. However, if you're looking for a book that will pull you in, run you through the gamut of emotions, give you steamy sex scenes, have you laughing and crying, then you DEFINITELY need to put Sin Bin on your MUST READ list!
What you don't realize is that you will be sucked into their lives. You don't realize that you will be sitting on the edge of your seat anxious to turn the page just to see what happens next. This book will make you laugh out loud at some of the antics and funny quips between Zoe and Andre. This book will make you want to ring Andre's neck for being so obtuse and such an idiot, and on occasion, a bit of a bastard. And this book will rip your heart out, make you weep over the secrets that are revealed that help you to understand just why Andre has acted the way he has. Then, just when you think your emotions have been put through the ringer enough, you will find yourself tearing up at the silly, sweet romantic extreme Andre goes to in order to win back the woman he loves.
If you're looking for an unemotional read that's just smut, this isn't the book for you. However, if you're looking for a book that will pull you in, run you through the gamut of emotions, give you steamy sex scenes, have you laughing and crying, then you DEFINITELY need to put Sin Bin on your MUST READ list!
December 17, 2019
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I had really had a good time with the first volume and I was curious to discover this new story! How can we resist it?
Zoe and Andre have a past, a not very glorious one. After sleeping with her and that a video was broadcast, he dropped her off without ever hearing from her again, despite her efforts to change that. The problem is that her job as a publicist has also taken a hit, and even two years later, it’s still complicated for her to get back to work. So when she is taken on a one-month trial period and her first customer is no one than Andre, she knows it won’t be easy. Far from it! His image is catastrophic, his feelings are complicated, and he continues to be a terrible asshole!
I really had a great time with this novel and was curious to find out what the author was going to propose. Zoe is a girl with a lot of character and I was happy to see that she had so many respondents because Andre likes to provoke her all the time! I was also really curious to find out what our hero was hiding, what made him change so much in such a short time.
Yes, it was a good discovery and I was delighted to see Charlie, Duke and Gwen again! Now I want Gwen’s story!!!
My English review
I had really had a good time with the first volume and I was curious to discover this new story! How can we resist it?
Zoe and Andre have a past, a not very glorious one. After sleeping with her and that a video was broadcast, he dropped her off without ever hearing from her again, despite her efforts to change that. The problem is that her job as a publicist has also taken a hit, and even two years later, it’s still complicated for her to get back to work. So when she is taken on a one-month trial period and her first customer is no one than Andre, she knows it won’t be easy. Far from it! His image is catastrophic, his feelings are complicated, and he continues to be a terrible asshole!
I really had a great time with this novel and was curious to find out what the author was going to propose. Zoe is a girl with a lot of character and I was happy to see that she had so many respondents because Andre likes to provoke her all the time! I was also really curious to find out what our hero was hiding, what made him change so much in such a short time.
Yes, it was a good discovery and I was delighted to see Charlie, Duke and Gwen again! Now I want Gwen’s story!!!
July 21, 2017
Oh my goodness, brilliant read and very much enjoyed. Zoe got black listed from jobs when her dirty romp was videoed in the laundry room with the sexy as sin Andre. Have 2 say this is the first book iv sat and enjoyed in a while. It sucks you in and makes you want to find out what is going to happen. Best friends turn to lovers. Lots of chemisty and humour. Deff recommend! This author is shaaamazing 😍
July 22, 2017
I volunteered to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is very well written and is a sports story without having to rely on slutty people or over the top jealousy. Reading this book you really feel for both the main characters as the story goes along and want to cry for things that have happened in the past. Can they move on from the past and possibly have a future? Have to read to find out! 😉
January 10, 2019
Be prepared to binge read this series...it’s that good
I absolutely loved Andre and Zoe. The characters are witty, strong, independent and loveable. Andre has an exterior that leads you to think he has a heart of stone but Zoe slowly chips away to what we knew existed underneath. Loved their journey as they navigated to their HEA. Now on to Hat Trick!!
I absolutely loved Andre and Zoe. The characters are witty, strong, independent and loveable. Andre has an exterior that leads you to think he has a heart of stone but Zoe slowly chips away to what we knew existed underneath. Loved their journey as they navigated to their HEA. Now on to Hat Trick!!
January 19, 2019
Laundry room antics!
This is the second book of this series, and the second book I’ve read by this author. I’ve enjoyed them both so I will definitely read more. Andre was a great Hero. I just wanted to hug him and make everything better. It’s funny and sexy both. A great combination.
This is the second book of this series, and the second book I’ve read by this author. I’ve enjoyed them both so I will definitely read more. Andre was a great Hero. I just wanted to hug him and make everything better. It’s funny and sexy both. A great combination.
August 20, 2018
I really like this author's writing style. This book could have been a 4 star for me if we'd gotten more backstory on the couples previous friendship/interactions. I still enjoyed this and will definitely read the next in the series and others by this author.
June 3, 2020
4,5/5 !
Encore une fois, une histoire très drôle et intense. J'aime vraiment beaucoup cette auteure, découverte récemment.
Vivement le prochain qui nous narrera l'histoire entre Gwen James et Marshall Hunt !
Encore une fois, une histoire très drôle et intense. J'aime vraiment beaucoup cette auteure, découverte récemment.
Vivement le prochain qui nous narrera l'histoire entre Gwen James et Marshall Hunt !
August 4, 2017
Did not like the H in this book. He was selfish, until literally the last chapter. It just wasn't for me.
August 10, 2018
Andre and Zoe equal amazing. Hockey's baddest bad boy and the badass PR chick who has to turn it all around for him, while keeping herself on the straight and narrow. Hot. Sweet. Soulful. Loved it.
April 21, 2024
This was a decent read but it pissed me tf off so many times . The male lead is absolutely infuriating. Not only is he a fuckboy but he used the damn girl for a long ass time and he was damn corward too . I wanted to strangle him at the end tbh . But yea all in all okay read lol 2.7 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2023
2.5/3 stars, I can’t decide
June 2, 2024
I hate these book covers. I mean this didn't do anything for me. So 2 is enough.
March 7, 2019
4 Fun low angst Stars.
August 25, 2017
This book was pretty good. It kept me intrigued and I wanted to finish it.
I like Zoe probably 50% of the time. There were moments when she was fun and entertaining, especially when she was giving Andre shit, but there were a lot of moments that I found her to be a bit of an airhead with little sense of self-worth. She jeopardized her career constantly throughout this book even after going on and on about how she loves her job and this is her last chance. Once she comes into contact with Andre though she acts like her job doesn't matter anymore. Her constant obsessing over Andre was annoying and over the top, I wanted her to fight it more and stop acting like an idiot around him. She is supposedly known in the industry as "barracuda" but I'll be honest, she was bad at negotiations, she had him do a questionable interview and she didn't sit in it with him because she was "so flustered" from their car ride, and we never do find out if she was ever able to turn his image around. Doesn't really seem like someone who is very good at her job.
Andre was fine. He was your typical alpha athlete with baggage. I didn't really swoon over him, but I did think he was a good guy. That's kind of also the problem though, supposedly he's mean and aggressive, but he never was unless he was on the ice.
Needless to say, both characters were a contradiction to how they're described.
I read the first book in the series and I think I liked that one a bit better than this one. I think my overall opinion is that you'll be entertained by this book, so feel free to read it.
I like Zoe probably 50% of the time. There were moments when she was fun and entertaining, especially when she was giving Andre shit, but there were a lot of moments that I found her to be a bit of an airhead with little sense of self-worth. She jeopardized her career constantly throughout this book even after going on and on about how she loves her job and this is her last chance. Once she comes into contact with Andre though she acts like her job doesn't matter anymore. Her constant obsessing over Andre was annoying and over the top, I wanted her to fight it more and stop acting like an idiot around him. She is supposedly known in the industry as "barracuda" but I'll be honest, she was bad at negotiations, she had him do a questionable interview and she didn't sit in it with him because she was "so flustered" from their car ride, and we never do find out if she was ever able to turn his image around. Doesn't really seem like someone who is very good at her job.
Andre was fine. He was your typical alpha athlete with baggage. I didn't really swoon over him, but I did think he was a good guy. That's kind of also the problem though, supposedly he's mean and aggressive, but he never was unless he was on the ice.
Needless to say, both characters were a contradiction to how they're described.
I read the first book in the series and I think I liked that one a bit better than this one. I think my overall opinion is that you'll be entertained by this book, so feel free to read it.
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