Last Call: A Love You Snow Much Serial Novella

by Kim Deister

When Sparrow Greenlee meets Nix Burkholder, it is definitely not love at first sight. It doesn't matter how chiseled his jaw is, how his shirt stretches over his pecs, how great he looks in a hockey uniform. The man has an attitude that makes her want to scream and send a slapshot into his pads. The only redeeming thing about him is his daughter, Harley, a spunky six-year-old with only one thing on her mind... to find her daddy a girlfriend.

And she has set her eyes on Sparrow. But does Nix?

145 pages, ebook

Published January 17, 2019

About the author

I was born and raised in a tiny town in the wilds of northern New York, a pretty, little college town called Potsdam. I grew up in a family of lawyers and teachers and bucked all the traditions. Before becoming a writer, I spent a lot of years wearing combat boots in the US Army. I spent most of my time in boots working as a Signals Intelligence Analyst (no jokes!) and a linguist. I also worked as a tech writer, an entirely different kind of writing, for Corning Glass Works. Now, I’m an Army wife and a mom to four sons.  Over the years, our Army life has taken us all over the place and I have been lucky enough to work and live in some pretty amazing places.  Now we live in Hawaii, just minutes from the beach!

I am a writer thoroughly in love with words. Reading them, writing them… I love that words can take you outside of your world and let the unimaginable become imaginable. When I’m not writing or lounging on the beach, I’m probably somewhere with my nose in a book.

Reviews

[MJ's Book Blog and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by: Jennifer
(4 stars)

When the new guy in town, also happens to be the new goalie for the team that Sparrow plays for, she is not as enthused as the rest of the town. Nix has an attitude towards women and he doesn't hide it. Even though Sparrow's bestie is totally bummed and already had wedding colors picked out, she doesn't pay him no heed and in fact gets in his face about him being a jerk. When the two end up running into each other due to Nix's daughter's dance class, the two end up making a truce to be friends. Sparrow knows that Nix has baggage and isn't ready for anything more and for her that's fine... even if she is starting to think about him more than normal. Can the two just be friends, or with the help of a meddling six year old will they confess their love and live HEA?

This was a cute little hockey love story. Complete with drama, danger, a cute dog, an adorable little girl, and of course hockey. I give this 4 stars.

[Sarah N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparrow Greenlee is your average small town New York girl. She loves her students, hockey, her family, and has no interest in having her heart broken again. She just wants to play beer league hockey, and show the haters girls belong on the ice…. until the new goalie steps up to the bar, Nix. His hockey name may be firebird, but he’s cold as ice, and also hot as sin. Sparrow knows she needs to stay far away from the new cop in town, but he has a daughter; a daughter who needs a friend. After being deserted by the woman who should love her most, her mother, Sparrow understands Nix’s wariness of relationships. Doesn’t the guy realize not every woman is in the market to marry him on site – even if Sparrow herself can’t stop imagining his lips on hers. She can be Harley’s friend and ignore her dad with a chip on his shoulder, right? Read Last Call and find out!

I enjoyed reading this book, and felt it was a lighthearted and easy read. Author, Kim Deister does a great job of infusing the right amount of humor, while also providing great character development of the hero and heroine as well as the side characters. Sparrow is genuinely likeable, while Nix represents the sexy and broken single dad you can’t help but want to fix. The plot is well orchestrated throughout the book, however I did want a little more from the ending. It was a tad fantastical, whirlwind romance for me – going from crawling down the track to sprinting to the finish line. With this into account, it was still a lovely and humorous read, staying true to the romantic comedy theme. If you’re looking to spend an enjoyable afternoon, reach for Last Call and spend it with Nix & Sparrow!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that I've read by Kim Deister, and she's sold me on her talent, so it won't be my last. Sparrow Geenlee is a high school teacher who spends her free time playing hockey in the beer league. Her dating life is non existent after a breakup, to the dismay of her colorful best friend. However, there's a hot new man in town named Nix Burkholder, but he makes it quickly apparent that he dislikes her, as he's extremely rude to her. Unfortunately, he is the newest member on her hockey team, so it doesn't take long for her to tell him off, and I was cheering her on the whole time, because frankly, he was a total douchebag. I know, it was more complicated when it came out that he was a single father of an adorable six year daughter, Harley, who stole the show for me, but that didn't change things for me, as his hot & cold routine gave me whiplash. See, Sparrow was a good heroine, who would do anything for anyone, even Nix & his daughter, and she did so, which means that I spent a good portion of this story ready to junk punch him. Luckily, the cast of secondaries had no filter, and let people know when they were messing up in the funniest ways possible, which made me laugh & cheer as well. So I did end up falling in love with said douchebag. There were also several twists that I didn't see coming, and since they came out of nowhere, it switched the f-bomb dropping button on, and my colorful metaphors were off and running. Last Call was a great story that I couldn't get enough of, and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Amy Crull · Rating 5 out of 5]

So there's a new guy in town and Sparrow isn't impressed with him. He comes across with a chip on his shoulder. He's been put the ringer and doesn't trust women anymore. Sparrow and her friends are hilarious especially her best friend Rowan. She definitely keeps Sparrow on her toes. This hockey league sounds so much fun. Kim has outdone herself with this book. Sparrow is a spunky lady. She is one of these ladies that doesn't hold back. She doesn't like you, she tells you.. Case in point when she meets Nix. It doesn't go well. She also has a sweet and caring side to her. She will go all out when needed. She was a lot of fun to read. Nix is ready for a new beginning but wasn't expecting Sparrow to waltz into his life and heart. He's a great character as well. You can tell he truly cares about the people he loves. This book has hockey, sweet romance and some drama. This has to be my favorite book by the author so far. I fell hard for these characters and want more so so bad!!!

[Britt Chaotic Creatives · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love your hot, hockey playing, cop, single dads with an overload of adorable Last Call is the book for you! It’s like Kim Deister found a check list of my favorite things and put them all into one book. Sweetness galore with some seriously great humor, but still enough brood thanks to Nix to balance it all out. I flew through this one loving everything about Sparrow and Nix!
I’m not typically a fan of a slow burn, but I barley even noticed the long road these two took to get together because I was so wrapped up in everything building up to that. With Sparrow’s sass only being outdone by Nix’s adorable little girl’s feistiness and the banter that happens during Nix and Sparrow’s push and pull start I couldn’t put this one down. Honestly this book is flat out fun to read with the wonderful swoon, the hilarious and sweet friends and family, and more to be found on every page!

[Naadira Moodley (BookedMercy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet and fiesty with a bit of angst. I found this book cute.

Sparrow (a name that I love) is a english high school teacher who plays hockey in a beer league. Her whole family is hockey fanatics. She meets our hero Nix (Phoenix) when he joins their hockey team. He comes off as an asshole. An extremely hot asshole. He has been burned previously so he pushes away any woman who looks in his direction. He has no place for a lady in his life besides his baby girl. Sparrow cannot handle his asshole ways and his standoffish behavior anymore so she gives him a peace of her mind.

There love was slow. They went through a terrible ordeal which makes them realize how much they love each other but because of misunderstandings, they stay apart.

This was a quick read with a strong heroine who puts the hero in his place.

[Cindy Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love found on the ice.

When Nix started goaling with the Beer League, he never expected to find everything he was looking for. Sparrow hadn't found "her person" but Nix and his pixie daughter spun her for a loop and suddenly her life's priorities changed.

This is a sweet romace that had tons of feelings and left you with a HEA and a smile on my face. Kim writes characters that have depth and would be the type of people I would hang out with. Rowan and Sparrow's friendship = spot on. Harley, her candidness was perfect and adorable. Phoenix and Sparrow amazing. Their combined stubbornness was fun to watch.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
I'm a sucker for a single dad romance plus add it's a romantic comedy you have me sold. This is the first book I've read by Kim Deister and I promise you it won't be the last. I fell in love with this small town and it's citizens. I laughed a lot while reading this one, but it also packs in the hear and feels. Plus some parts had me on the edge of my seat. It's a well rounded book with wonderful engaging characters. Nix's daughter is adorable and stole my heart right away. If you're looking for a make you feel good book with laughs then look no further. I would highly recommend this book. I really hope there are more books coming from this town!

[Gavinsmommaloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author but after reading Last Call it definitely will not be my last by her. Sparrow is a high school teacher, single and loves to play hockey in her beer league and so all the haters out there that girls can play hockey just as rough as guys. When she meets their newest teammate and cop in town she is very impressed with Nix. After telling him off which he absolutely deserves she thinks she can keep away from him until she discovers he has an adorable 6 year old daughter who needs someone besides her daddy. This book was amazing and honestly I lovsd everything about it!

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. This is the first time I have read any of Kim Deister’s books and you better believe I am now her newest book stalker. The way the story is written is brilliant; funny and intense you can’t help but fully submerge yourself in the story. You feel every frustration and fear, every smirk and laugh. This story took me by surprise in the best possible way. She created a story where the leads were just so easy to fall in love with. I was a little gutted when the story ended despite the HEA.

Absolutely cracking book. I need moe from this author!

[Cassie Ashford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! It’s my first read from the author and I’m excited to read more! Nix has a massive chip on his shoulder. He isn’t looking for a relationship but with him being the hottest bachelor in the new town he moved to he is on the defensive. Sparrow gets the cold shoulder from him because of this. She isn’t necessarily looking for love but would like to get along with the new man on her hometown hockey team. A series of events lead Nix to see Sparrow in a new light. You will love this read from start to finish. Amazing!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nix who is new in town and a single dad who has a chip on his shoulder, and as he is the new goalie for the team which Sparrow also plays for, she is quick to tell him she is fed up with his attitude. Bring into the mix a cute little girl, and this is an all round entertaining read. This is a well written story which is filled with drama, humor, fun and is an intense read. I look forward to reading more form this talented author whose work I highly recommend for all.

[Kelly Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love this book. It was a quick easy read. This book was really funny too!!! I loved Nix and Sparrow they were great, and the build up was worth it. Nix’s daughter was really funny too. I loved how funny the hockey team was and how Sparrow sticks up for herself to Nix. Great read would totally recommend!!!

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a good single dad, cop, hockey player book. Last Call was a great book. When Nix Burkholder takes over as the new goalie Sparrow Greenlee comes to dislike him. I loved everything about this book. I will definitely recommend this book to in the future.

[Dee Shelvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last call had me biting my finger nails with it’s ups and downs, but it also had me laughing and waiting in the edge of my seat. I won’t give anything away but this page turning story is well worth the risk. I can’t wait to see what else Kim is planning for us.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This storyline keeps dragging you in. I had to read the book all in one day. The depth of charActers make you feel like your watching there story live. This was a great book.

[Books 2 Blog]

You can find B2B Ani’s review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Laura Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riot of a read; sexy, funny, heartfelt!

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Cranky Stars


This book has the background theme of Beer League Ice Hockey - Sweetser Stoats - average age 45. Sparrow Greenlea, an English high school teacher, was one of the youngest on the team. Her mother loved animals, she had two brothers one called Fox and the other Colt. Her BFF Rowan who was married to Griff, took an active interest in Sparrow's 'relationship' life, especially the lack of it. When a new man comes to town and takes over the goalie position, Rowan was determined to make this into something, a romance, a fling anything. Sparrow was not interested as a few years earlier she had her heart broken by then boyfriend Thorn who just decided to go and work in Japan with no invite for her.


Anyway Nix, short for Phoenix, had his own broken heart with a brick wall built round it. He had a six year old daughter named Harley, who his wife abandoned outside their house while she moved out taking most of the furniture etc with her. This is where Nix found the upset Harley a couple of hours later. He moved to Sweetser for a new start with his daughter and his wife signed papers to relinquish all rights to Harley. Sparrow tried to welcome Nix but he shunned all approaches from her. It was when Thorn returned and turned up at her parent's Thanksgiving meal that things started to change. Thorn left the house being threatened by Sparrow's two brothers.


While she was home with her Newfoundland dog Mags, that Mags made her aware there was somebody at the door. By the time she got there it flew open and there stood a drunk Thorn, She didn't want to aggravate him so went along with what he asked until he assumed they would be taking up where they left off, then she lost her cool and Thorn turned violent. The last thing she remembers is everything went dark and when she started to come to she recognised the voice of Nix, she realised that he was a cop. Jumping ahead in the book where there was a lot of misunderstanding and hot and cold receptions by Nix. That Sparrow just accepted friendship which Nix agreed with. Sparrow had got very close to Harley. One day when Sparrow wasn't having Harley, Nix turned up in a state not knowing where Harley was. This then turned into a Search & Rescue operation. Sparrow & Mags had just got their S&R badges.


The search went on for hours in heavy snow in woodland. Long story short, no spoilers!!!! This was the night that Nix world nearly came to an end and when he realised that he had fallen for Sparrow. He walked into a cavern and saw Sparrow and Harley both being threatened. He nearly lost them both it still wasn't an easy road for the pair of them though.......