Four years ago, one mistake—one woman—cost me my NHL team. I’ve worked every day since to ensure I’m irreplaceable to the Carolina Reapers. I’m faster, stronger, and sure as hell smarter. With a new million-dollar endorsement deal, I’m at the top of my game—
Until I realize the very woman who got me traded is now the CEO who just signed my deal—under the guise of making amends.
Brilliant, gorgeous, infuriating Bristol McClaren now owns my ass for the next six months. I might despise her for what happened between us, but I’m legally locked in. Worse? I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that smart mouth since that night.
She screams sex and power and everything I know better than to touch. But logic doesn’t matter when our chemistry incinerates every good intention. We’re either at each other’s throats or desperate to rip each other’s clothes off.
This can’t work. She’s high class New York, and I’m married to the ice in Charleston. That doesn’t stop me from wanting. When it comes to this woman, I might just forget the past and give her free rein to burn my future. Because one without her in it just isn’t an option.
Samantha Whiskey is a wife, mom, lover of her dogs and romance novels. No stranger to hockey, hot alpha males, and a high dose of awkwardness, she tucks herself away to write books her PTA will never know about.
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I’ll just keep reading any book Samantha Whiskey throws my way because I love them, thankyouverymuch.
Because I’m sucker for sports romance, for light and most times funny scenes and romance everywhere, with drama and angst and for sassy heroines...
Briggs wasn’t my favorite from the series, and to be honest, in a few occasions I thought I didn’t really to keep going, but I did and I finished it and I liked it! I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I’ve been in previous books by her, I found Briggs to be pretty selfish and you could see the problem with them coming from afar, and to be honest she had the patience of a saint to put up with him...
Anyway! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, Samantha, bring us Silas’s love story!! I want someone good for him 🥺🥺
3.5 stars. I really enjoy many of Samantha Whiskey’s books, don’t get me wrong, but this wasn’t her best. But it’s obvious that “she” either is a duo or has ghostwriters, as she releases a new book every 2 months or so. And this one is what I’d call a filler in the Reapers series. While it was entertaining, it will fade into just another sports romance that continued the plot of the awesome books that came before. Both the H and h were not fully fleshed out as characters. It was all about the plot and the many sex scenes. While I’m talking about sex scenes, i have to mention that her overuse of the word “scream” in relation to when the heroine orgasms is melting my brain. I highlighted it 6 TIMES in this book. It's the same in every single one of her books. WHY god WHY? Please consult a thesaurus for the next books and swap that word out just to mix it up. And every hero in every one of her books tells the heroine “I love that you’re so responsive to my touch.” What man has ever said that to a woman??
That being said, I’ll read everything Whiskey writes because her formula works for me and I’m just waiting for another one of her books to punch me as hard as the amazingness of her book, Cannon, did.
Wow, not even my favorite characters from the previous books could help this one... Briggs was okay? Like at least he was constantly stoic and caveman like as he had been in all the other books. He was funny in a very flat way if that makes sense. Briggs definitely wasn't my favorite but he definitely wasn't the worst (i.e. Logan).
Then there is Bristol and I'm sorry but she was terrible. There is literally nothing to like about her in my opinion. She's a brat, manipulative and cries a lot. She never sees herself as the problem when throughout the books she is literally the problem. She manipulated Briggs and then cried when he called her on it. He literally told her he didn't want to talk to her and then cried about him not saying hi to her. Then when they got into a relationship he told her that he wasn't sure about the long distance thing but she assured him that they could make it work. Then when the first road block come in their relationship comes Bristol begs Briggs to risk his career to help hers. He does her the favor.
**SPOILERS **
Then when the time is already close that hes risking his game she begs that he stay with her a few more hours... then when Briggs misses his game and is understandably pissed. Bristol has the nerve to yell at Briggs saying that even through she knows she begged him to do all this stuff its ultimately his fault because he chose to do it.... like yes he said some mean things to her but I really can't fault him... then when he tries to fix their relationship she tells him that they're better off not together. She fixes it in the end but the whole thing was stupid and I really just couldn't stand Bristol...
***END OF SPOILERS***
In other words I am terribly disappointed with this book because I was excited to finally read about the mysterious Briggs (who has been mentioned since Axel's book, if I'm not mistaken). Not only did we not get to know really anything about Briggs personally we had to endure the insufferable Bristol.
Steamy fun and romance on the ice, Briggs and Brighton get a second chance at a HEA.
Brilliant storyline as usual from Samantha Whiskey, she never fails to deliver a book that completely grabs your attention and has you salivating for her hero. Strong women characters are one of her forte’s and in this Brighton definitely holds her own.
There is also a suspicion to me of a future pairing, I think Brighton’s bff Grace with Silas would be awesome. I felt it was definitely hinted at in there. I will wait with baited breath to see if I’m right.
Nice steamy edition to the series. Could've used a bit more background info on the H/H but I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry so much, and the situation that they were in, that it didn't matter much. 4 1/2 stars
I really did used to love this author and to a certain extent I do like the book, but the plot. I did not understand the need to have the minor and adult romantic plotline. Then in the book Bristol is mad because she got yelled at for kissing Briggs because "all she wanted was to not be treated like a teenager.." WHICH SHE WAS. In reality if her brother hadn't walked in and they slept together Briggs should be in prison. It was weird to have a book romanticizing a predatory relationship. They could've had the same enemies to lovers relationship and backstory and just changed her age to 20 at the time. In reality no organization in the league would ever pick up a rookie who is being traded because of relations with a minor. That is a pr and legal nightmare that the player isn't worth.
Then it felt like to over compensate the gross relationship dynamic they threw in that she was not only a CEO but also a corporate merger who bought a huge enough clothing company's to make million dollars endorsement deals? You actually need at least 15 years experience and to be over 25 to accomplish that. With all of that Bristol still acts and thinks like a child.
The book is reading as though it was written by an old, creepy, straight man. The women and relationships are one dementional and rather than using Bristol's point of view to establish maturity and dimension. The writer uses external factors to insuate maturity but that contradict with the actual character development.
I have quite a few issues with this book and a few in the past for this author. It's a shame because it could be a great book based on the writing but the wild inaccuracies, and shallow character and relationship development takes me out of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am a big fan of sports romance and Samantha Whiskey perfectly incorporates the ice time and interaction of the Carolina Reapers, along with our featured hero, pro-hockey player Cormac Briggs, and our heroine, Bristol McClaren. I love a smart, strong, leading lady and Bristol is one to admire. She’s only 21, and sadly had to grow up fast when her parents passed away. She heads her own design company and has her eyes set on Briggs to be the spokesperson and model of her new menswear line. She’s feisty and focused, and I admire her business skills and her determination, and how she owns up to a mistake that was made four years ago that nearly cost him his career.
It is so funny/not funny as he is ready to run for the hills when they mysteriously reconnect. He is beside himself and plans to keep as far away from Bristol as he can. Their insane connection and desire for one another is just as electric as it was when they first met, and he fights off every emotion as he tries to keep his relationship with Bristol strictly professional. She’s all grown up now and I love how patient she is, and how they take their time to get to know one another as adults, something that wasn’t gifted to them all those years ago.
He reluctantly agrees to her generous endorsement deal, and there are sparks on every page! Samantha Whiskey can sure write some steamy sexy times, and her heroes are always worthy of the title. With her living in New York, and his career based in Charleston, SC, with a heavy travel schedule, how will these two make it work? What happens when his contract with her company expires? When you’re in love you put the other first, and these two have some soul searching and life changing decisions to make. Is he able to forgive her not once, but twice? Is he able to forgive himself and accept his past, and realize he is worthy of love and has so much to offer? I love how she fights for her man and doesn’t give up, and what they are both willing to sacrifice to be together.
Briggs, book seven in the Carolina Reapers series, will not disappoint. Although this is a standalone, I loved the cameos by the other players and couples whom we’ve come to know in past books, as well as her brother, who is also a hockey player, and can’t wait to read more from this very talented author.
Hmm not one of my favorites in the series.... But it was good. I just love the guys and the women who love them and keep them in line.... LoL.
I definitely saw what was going to happen at the end to cause the drama. And I found myself really annoyed with Bristol on a few different occasions. but I continued thru the book & love the ending, especially the epilogue.
My question is this: WILL SILAS GET THIS OWN STORY? because I need that in my life. and MAYBE he might just end up with Grace, Bristol's bestie? Hmmmmm.
Briggs was an enjoyable read, but felt rushed and things were brushed aside just so the main characters could have sex yet again. Cormac held a lot of anger about what happened 4 years ago, but this is never fully discussed or dealt with. Bristol also somehow thinks tricking Cormac into signing a contract with her new company is the best way to make up for what happened in the past. So much of the story just isn't there and there's a lot of character and plot development missing. This book has the bones to make a brilliant read, but it missed the mark and I came away disappointed
I'm really not sure what's happening with the author as the series started off so well and had me hooked, but something went wrong with Sterling and then Briggs also doesn't compare to the earlier books. I've read a review that suggests Samantha Whiskey could actually be more than one author or someone who uses ghostwriters and maybe this is the case as to why the last two books haven't been as good. Or maybe the drop is due to the author releasing so many books so quickly and perhaps taking more time with each book would help. I'm not sure what the reason is, but I'm going to stick with the series and hope the next book is better
Don't get me wrong though, I enjoyed this book enough to read it all in one sitting and I was obviously able to finish it unlike Sterling. It just needed more development and plot.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
I enjoyed the story line of this one but I could barely tolerate Cormac. Bristol and Cormac shared one kiss four years ago. She was 17 at the time and he was a young rookie. Bristol’s protective brother and team owner walks in and proceeds to trade Cormac to a different team. Apparently according to Cormac she’s to blame for his decisions and his trade to another team and four years later he’s still not over his misplaced anger. This guy was incredible with how he never took responsibility and always seemed to have one foot out the door in this relationship. He never once fought to be with her. He was always quick with hurtful words and walking away. It was always Bristol pushing and fighting for them to have more. I was embarrassed for her by how many times she would go back after being rejected by him. If your looking for an alpha hero who pursues his woman wholeheartedly this isn’t for you.
I will say I love the banter and brotherhood these guys have with each other. The scenes with these hockey teammates are hilarious. I love the camaraderie and the way they have each other’s backs.
While this hero was my least favorite I still really like this series and will read more of these hockey stories in the future.
This is the story of Cormac & Bristol. Cormac is a hockey player on the Carolina Reapers Hockey Team. Bristol became CEO of a designer company she bought in New York, her being the designer, that just endorsed Cormac as their face of her new men’s line. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but they have a past that caused Cormac to be transferred to the Carolina Reaper team. This is certainly a love hate relationship. They are both stubborn. Honesty on Cormac’s part is an issue, too. They are definitely magnetized to each other. The core of the story line is that they live miles apart. This story is amazing. Lots of steam in it, too. I love these two characters in this story. Samantha’s writing has a way of doing that, no matter what the storyline is. She’s a great writer, and I am looking forward to her next book.
You know what would super cool? Not. Having. Sentences. Like. This. All the freakin time. It’s not how people talk. I really feel like Bristol and Briggs weren’t fleshed out at all and honestly? I get that Bristol is super young (still is portrayed as this amazing business woman at 21🙄) but she is super immature. Like, if a guy relentlessly lied and pursued a woman we’d be like “ruh roh run away” not “she’s just persistent.” Ew. Super ew. This book followed the same formula as the rest of them and at least this book didn’t have the “you don’t want girls like me because I’m not a model” and slut shaming and pitting women against other women bullshit that the rest of the books do. It was a tolerable read and I feel like I have 2 books (shit maybe 3?) left in this series and I feel like I have to finish it off but god I’m not enjoying this series anymore. Also lol at reading a book where the main character’s name is Brogan. Do people even name their children Brogan anymore? Or ever? Why would someone do that to their child? Yikes.
I really liked this story, and also Briggs and Bristol together !! They had an history together, and because of Bristol's as**oles's brother, Briggs got in trouble when he discovered that Bristol was underage when they met 4 years ago... It had cost him a lot...
Bristol is back in his life, and it's not his choice, he's furious about it, but also have feelings for her. Resisting her, is going to be hard, but thinking about the past will help him.... or not !!
I really enjoyed the story, it was a really sweet read, but I admit that, this story felt very similar to Sterling and London's story to me, like the guy fell in love with the girl who have a brother in the Hockey world. I hope the author will write a different story next time.
Cormac and Bristol’s story. This couple have history and it takes a while for the dust to settle between them and for them to get to know each other properly......proof that you shouldn’t assume to know someone.... I wasn’t as keen on this pair as I have been on the other Reapers but the story was well written as you would expect from this great author. Some catchups with other players too which was great.
I binge read this series last year and loved a couple of the books and just thought a few were ok. This one wasn't the best but not the worst. I wanna read about 'Demon'. Lol
I absolutely love this series. Cormac & Bristol will definitely have your emotions all over the place. Cormac & Bristol’s chemistry can’t be denied even though they both refuse to own up to how they feel. Another great read with amazing characters that had me hooked.
Be still my heart! This was one of the most heart shredding reads in a while. When that moment happened where things went wrong? Ugh I knew what was going to happen and my heart cracked. You’ll have to read it to see what I mean!
I like the whole series. Samantha Whiskey does a nice job of keep a series cohesive without making it seem like each book is a repeat of the same story. Her stories all are a mix of story line and seggy time, without it being pure smut which I appreciate!
Why are all the male characters so much more fleshed out than the female love interests? Bristol is quite frankly, the most selfish and immature character Whiskey has ever written. Unlike Briggs, I could never have forgiven her for the age thing. No way. And then for Briggs to miss his game because of her? Unreal. Manipulative, ungrateful, crybaby rich girl. Couldn't stand her. She ruined the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mmm. I’ve read all the Sharks and Reapers and still love how they surprise me. Love the side characters development too. I’m so excited for the upcoming stories.
Yang bikin hepi karena Axel dan Cannon nongol wkwkwk kalau di buku ini, cowoknya rada ngeselin 😂 ketauan banget sih isunya apaan, tapi proses in love-nya gak berasa. Terlalu lust, sampai malas dan kuskip bagian itu 🤣 terus kepo deh sama mas-mas moody yang muram, namanya dari B juga. Tapi buku berikutnya Caspian hmmmm
I haven't met a Samantha Whiskey book that I haven't loved yet and as always I devoured this one in one sitting. She has a way of writing push and pull so perfectly that you can't stop reading.
Cormac and Bristol are an amazing couple! I love this series and this book was a great addition. Since Cormac is a complete Alpha male, there has to be some drama because of stubbornness but they manage to get over that obstacle and have a GREAT HEA. Can’t wait for the next one......and....uh.....Silas is going to go after Grace right???? Please????
Me han caído mal los protagonistas y la historia no tenía sentido. ¿Me he aburrido? Sí ¿Me he alegrado de que se acabara? Si ¿Me voy a leer el siguiente de la saga? Por supuesto
I am genuinely sorry to say I didn't enjoy this book. At. All.
Cormac Briggs is a twenty-six-year-old star player with the Reapers, the professional hockey team in South Carolina. He and Bristol McClaren had unfortunate history together, ever since he kissed her at her owner brother's house back when he was twenty-two to Bristol's seventeen years, eleven months. In Cormac's defense, he hadn't realized she meant high school when she told him she was a senior; they're interrupted by Cross, Bristol's brother and Cormac's owner/boss of Cormac and his teammate's hockey team. Cross was so infuriated he traded Cormac, placing a strain on his reputation and career until he was finally able to rebuild them with the Reapers. He is incensed when he learns Bristol is the CEO responsible for his new two-million-dollar endorsement deal, especially when he further discovers he is locked in solidly. She compromises by knocking off six months to its duration, but he's sulky to the point he's obnoxious. Thus begins all the issues I have with the story.
Were Cormac less obnoxious and repetitive about the reasons he's angry at and won't stop being angry at Bristol, he wouldn't have sounded and acted like such a whiney jerk. Also, could Bristol be more of a doormat? He repeatedly shuts her down, insults, and hurts her, while she fails to demonstrate how much of a fighter she is, as well as how strong and driven she is to have successfully purchased her own company, and not just to take over its management, but to push for and launch her own clothing lone and concepts founded on her obsession with Cormac. He, of course, simply continues to lie to himself and insult her, while she keeps making poor choices and seems unable to communicate any self-defense. Her brother walks in on them again during an intimate moment, except this time it isn't in Cross' home, BUT HIS SISTER'S PRIVATE OFFICE. He. Walked. In. Without. Knocking. So, so moronic that she doesn't get angry about that, when she's justified because Cormac walks out on her again, angry. The problem was with Cross that time , yet it seems Bristol gets blamed for it, and she shoulders the blame and guilt, again.
See what I mean? Back and.forth, one ridiculously awkward scene after another, remanufactured plotlines reworked to fit the hero and heroine of this book. Boring. No anticipation because I've read it before, or it was too predictable. One and a half stars.
every single book till now is either a fake wedding or a no-strings attached relationship; the only unique book was logan’s, but that was just undisclosed identity
2/10 originality, 13/10 grace might hook up with asher silas👀