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The Playmakers #3
Gauging the Player
He broke his own rules for one night of passion. Now he wants more, but her heart belongs to a rival he can’t beat.
Gage Nelson doesn’t do one-night stands. In fact, he doesn’t date. He’s too focused on leading his team to the playoffs. Besides, he doesn’t need more women complicating his life—he’s got enough of that already.
But when a blue-eyed beauty bowls him over, he breaks his own rules and lets himself go with the flow for a night. A night he intends to be the first of many. When he wakes up, though, his dream girl’s gone, and he has no idea how to find her. He’s haunted by the woman he can’t get out of his mind.
Lily Everett is caught in a past she can’t let go. One night of steamy sex with a hot hockey hunk helps her forget—until she wakes up, and guilt grabs her by the throat. She runs and doesn’t look back. And that’s okay because hockey players are, well, players, right? Guys like him aren’t looking for long-term—and neither is she.
When a chance meeting brings them back together, Lily realizes she’s not only misjudged Gage Nelson, but she’s misjudged her own heart’s yearnings. What began as a one-night stand threatens to undo her carefully laced-up world.
Gage, aka Mr. Perfect, is trying to live up to his family’s and his team’s sky-high expectations. A lot’s riding on his big shoulders, but as long as he goes in the direction his moral compass points, he can’t go wrong. Right? As for Lily, he wants her. Period. He sets out to win her the same way he wins at hockey: with patience and persistence. But he finds himself facing off against a rival he can’t beat.
Can Gage convince Lily to give up the ghosts of her past and make room for him in her heart, or will she freeze him out forever?
Gage Nelson doesn’t do one-night stands. In fact, he doesn’t date. He’s too focused on leading his team to the playoffs. Besides, he doesn’t need more women complicating his life—he’s got enough of that already.
But when a blue-eyed beauty bowls him over, he breaks his own rules and lets himself go with the flow for a night. A night he intends to be the first of many. When he wakes up, though, his dream girl’s gone, and he has no idea how to find her. He’s haunted by the woman he can’t get out of his mind.
Lily Everett is caught in a past she can’t let go. One night of steamy sex with a hot hockey hunk helps her forget—until she wakes up, and guilt grabs her by the throat. She runs and doesn’t look back. And that’s okay because hockey players are, well, players, right? Guys like him aren’t looking for long-term—and neither is she.
When a chance meeting brings them back together, Lily realizes she’s not only misjudged Gage Nelson, but she’s misjudged her own heart’s yearnings. What began as a one-night stand threatens to undo her carefully laced-up world.
Gage, aka Mr. Perfect, is trying to live up to his family’s and his team’s sky-high expectations. A lot’s riding on his big shoulders, but as long as he goes in the direction his moral compass points, he can’t go wrong. Right? As for Lily, he wants her. Period. He sets out to win her the same way he wins at hockey: with patience and persistence. But he finds himself facing off against a rival he can’t beat.
Can Gage convince Lily to give up the ghosts of her past and make room for him in her heart, or will she freeze him out forever?
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2020
110 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
G.K. Brady
21 books328 followersG.K. Brady was born in Japan and grew up in Vietnam and Singapore—and many would argue she has yet to grow up.
Since childhood, all sorts of stories and characters have lived in her imagination, elbowing one another for attention, so she’s finally giving them their voice on the written page.
A writer of contemporary romance, she loves telling tales of the less-than-perfect hero or heroine who transforms with each turn of a page.
G.K. is the proud mom of three grown sons. When she’s not writing, she might be reading, traveling, drinking wine, listening to music, or gardening—sometimes all at once! She currently resides in Colorado with her very patient husband.
Since childhood, all sorts of stories and characters have lived in her imagination, elbowing one another for attention, so she’s finally giving them their voice on the written page.
A writer of contemporary romance, she loves telling tales of the less-than-perfect hero or heroine who transforms with each turn of a page.
G.K. is the proud mom of three grown sons. When she’s not writing, she might be reading, traveling, drinking wine, listening to music, or gardening—sometimes all at once! She currently resides in Colorado with her very patient husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 22, 2023
Soo heartwarming! 10/10!!
(Audio Review)
Aghhhh I’m still reeling from the love and joy I have for this book! My fav of the series so far, for sure!
So about the book: Gage is the hot hockey player who is such a truly decent guy, doing such much for those he cares about. He doesn’t easily trust women given his status and how many use him. Therefore, he doesn’t do one-night stands. Lily, having been widowed, is still struggling with grief and moving on. She doesn’t want a relationship,let alone a one-night stand either. However, after meeting at their mutual friends’ wedding, they feel a strong attraction towards each other and have one night together. Months later, they accidentally bump into each other, and Lily ends up helping Gage with his social media accounts. From there, they spend time with each other and get to know one another.
This book was sooo real. G.K Brady crafted one heck of a story here. I loved seeing these two characters on their journey. Gage, as previously mentioned, was an all round good guy. I loved how he was always there for his friends and family. He was so patient with Lily as she dealt with her feelings and emotions, and her grieving process. Some might see him as too much of a perfect hero. But, I don’t think he was perfect (just near perfect lol), he still had some flaws and how some moral choice and decisions he had to make in his hockey career. Anyways, I loved him for this, and loved how sincere he was; I love book heroes that I could imagine myself being with in real life and GIRL, send someone like Gage my way!!! 💕 I also love seeing how Gage, having never dated a woman with kids before, he made it a point to get to know Lily’s daughter, and how he got her to join his little kids skating charity team. It was soo cute!!! 🥰 Ngl, Gage was the highlight of this book for me!
As for Lily, she was so strong. I loved seeing her slowly let down her walls and allow Gage in. Obviously, having lost her husband in the past, you could see why she had a hard time moving on. But, it was so great seeing her have a second chance at finding love! An all round great story!! I was def hooked from the start and was rooting for these two!
This was narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent. I felt all the emotions with this one. Ryan Lee Dunlap as Gage was perfect! Aubrey Vincent also did wonderfully as a Lily. The grief and feeling that Lily had came through in her voice. They both did excellently!
(Audio Review)
Aghhhh I’m still reeling from the love and joy I have for this book! My fav of the series so far, for sure!
So about the book: Gage is the hot hockey player who is such a truly decent guy, doing such much for those he cares about. He doesn’t easily trust women given his status and how many use him. Therefore, he doesn’t do one-night stands. Lily, having been widowed, is still struggling with grief and moving on. She doesn’t want a relationship,let alone a one-night stand either. However, after meeting at their mutual friends’ wedding, they feel a strong attraction towards each other and have one night together. Months later, they accidentally bump into each other, and Lily ends up helping Gage with his social media accounts. From there, they spend time with each other and get to know one another.
This book was sooo real. G.K Brady crafted one heck of a story here. I loved seeing these two characters on their journey. Gage, as previously mentioned, was an all round good guy. I loved how he was always there for his friends and family. He was so patient with Lily as she dealt with her feelings and emotions, and her grieving process. Some might see him as too much of a perfect hero. But, I don’t think he was perfect (just near perfect lol), he still had some flaws and how some moral choice and decisions he had to make in his hockey career. Anyways, I loved him for this, and loved how sincere he was; I love book heroes that I could imagine myself being with in real life and GIRL, send someone like Gage my way!!! 💕 I also love seeing how Gage, having never dated a woman with kids before, he made it a point to get to know Lily’s daughter, and how he got her to join his little kids skating charity team. It was soo cute!!! 🥰 Ngl, Gage was the highlight of this book for me!
As for Lily, she was so strong. I loved seeing her slowly let down her walls and allow Gage in. Obviously, having lost her husband in the past, you could see why she had a hard time moving on. But, it was so great seeing her have a second chance at finding love! An all round great story!! I was def hooked from the start and was rooting for these two!
This was narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent. I felt all the emotions with this one. Ryan Lee Dunlap as Gage was perfect! Aubrey Vincent also did wonderfully as a Lily. The grief and feeling that Lily had came through in her voice. They both did excellently!
May 1, 2020
G.K Brady pulls a hat trick! The Gauging the Player delivers exactly what I’ve come to hope and expect from her contemporary romance series: great characters and a great romance (and do I need to mention the hot hockey players!). Gage is a true hero, a decent guy who is does everything he can for the people he cares about, and he’s absolutely determined to win over Lily, a woman he can’t get out of his mind. Lily is not looking for a relationship. She struggles with moving on after being widowed as she tries to juggle her own and her daughter’s needs. But Gage is patient and he pulls out all the stops to win this game. These are characters who feel real, struggle with real issues and who you can’t help but rooting for. Another thing I absolutely loved was how the main characters of the previous stories inhabit the same world, especially the ladies. The women develop a relationship that is not dependent on their husbands which is so refreshing! They are all smart, savvy business women who find ways to help one another in their business. Gauging the Player is a great read and I can’t wait until the next Playmaker story! Thank you to the author for providing an advance reader copy.
June 27, 2023
Just One More Chapter…Maybe
Audiobook Review
By: G. K. Brady
Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
Another great story in this series! Our narrators do a good job bringing us this emotional, heart breaking story. Yes, there is a HEA. The emotions surrounding Lily’s grieving process are so strong. The author has done a great job letting us know it’s okay to grieve as long as we need to, but it’s also okay to move on when the time is right. Having recently lost a close family member to the same illness this book was extremely difficult for me to listen to. But I’m so glad I did. Life is hard and we have to be reminded that it does get easier. You will not be disappointed in this one! Daisy is precious and Gage’s love for that little girl is so sweet. Gage doesn’t come to us broken or a player. He’s just sweet and he cares about his family and friends and Brady has brought that to us in great fashion. Be prepared for all the fun of a good hockey romance mixed with all the emotions and healing.
Audiobook Review
By: G. K. Brady
Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
Another great story in this series! Our narrators do a good job bringing us this emotional, heart breaking story. Yes, there is a HEA. The emotions surrounding Lily’s grieving process are so strong. The author has done a great job letting us know it’s okay to grieve as long as we need to, but it’s also okay to move on when the time is right. Having recently lost a close family member to the same illness this book was extremely difficult for me to listen to. But I’m so glad I did. Life is hard and we have to be reminded that it does get easier. You will not be disappointed in this one! Daisy is precious and Gage’s love for that little girl is so sweet. Gage doesn’t come to us broken or a player. He’s just sweet and he cares about his family and friends and Brady has brought that to us in great fashion. Be prepared for all the fun of a good hockey romance mixed with all the emotions and healing.
September 7, 2021
I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series so far, and this one is no exception. The hero, Gage, is not like the heroes in Brady’s first two books; he’s not broken and messed up, and he’s not a ‘player.’ I like my heroes flawed, so although I liked Gage, he was a little too perfect for me (with the exception of a ‘blind spot’ where his mother was concerned). He’s great with Lily’s daughter and so patient in his pursuit of Lily (even when she treats him like a booty call). But, the more perfect he appeared, the more the opening one-night-stand scene started to feel contrived—as if the author was reaching to connect this story to the series (as Gage and Lily meet at one of the others' weddings).
Lily was a bit naïve and annoying in her fierce determination to cling to her dead husband's memory. Ironic that she can't follow her own advice as she leads a support group for people who've lost a spouse. I found myself wanting to see more/deeper interaction of Lily with her daughter and husband’s brother, as well as more of Gage’s relationship with his sister, mom and grandma (who all seemed like strong, but different, personalities).
Strangely, I felt the sex scenes were longer than necessary and that the event that created the "dark moment" that broke them apart was not really a big enough deal to cause the split. Also, there's a side story with a conflict with one of Gage's teammates that created an internal conflict that I found really interesting and wished had been developed better. All in all, an enjoyable read!
Lily was a bit naïve and annoying in her fierce determination to cling to her dead husband's memory. Ironic that she can't follow her own advice as she leads a support group for people who've lost a spouse. I found myself wanting to see more/deeper interaction of Lily with her daughter and husband’s brother, as well as more of Gage’s relationship with his sister, mom and grandma (who all seemed like strong, but different, personalities).
Strangely, I felt the sex scenes were longer than necessary and that the event that created the "dark moment" that broke them apart was not really a big enough deal to cause the split. Also, there's a side story with a conflict with one of Gage's teammates that created an internal conflict that I found really interesting and wished had been developed better. All in all, an enjoyable read!
November 16, 2023
A picky NHL player who doesn't like one night stands is entranced by the singer at his friend's wedding. The one night stand singer is a widow with a small child. Gage Nelson wants a relationship with Lily Everett, but she is not sure about falling in love. Ryan Lee Dunlap, and Aubrey Vincent narrate this book well.
January 2, 2022
Second chance at love!
This is a heartwarming story about lost love and finding that special someone to be together for the rest of your life. I love how the author put you right into the story where you feel the emotions, frustrations and love of these two people . This was a page turner for me and I read it in one day as I it was hard to put down.
This is a heartwarming story about lost love and finding that special someone to be together for the rest of your life. I love how the author put you right into the story where you feel the emotions, frustrations and love of these two people . This was a page turner for me and I read it in one day as I it was hard to put down.
June 10, 2021
I've enjoyed all of these so far but this was definitely my favorite. Gage and Daisy?! Be still my cold dead heart.
Definitely a good one and I love checking in with all the past series couples. TJ and Nat's wedding?! So fucking cute. Beckett and babies?! Good grief, killing me over here.
Definitely a good one and I love checking in with all the past series couples. TJ and Nat's wedding?! So fucking cute. Beckett and babies?! Good grief, killing me over here.
June 29, 2023
“C’mon, Professor. Let’s make some music together…”
Story: 4 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
The third installment of Brady’s Playmakers series is a great addition to the line up, with Gage and Lily indeed making some lovely music together. From their encounter at TJ and Natalie’s wedding to establish the one-night-stand trope, through a wonderful will they/won’t they courtship, to the inevitable third act break-up, both characters compel the reader to follow their journey to HEA. Gage is a well-drawn H; he’s manly and confident without displaying some of the overaggressiveness of his teammates. He knows what he wants and has a strong moral center, which he learns to balance with the reality and fallibility of people in his life. It’s definitely a case where a character’s greatest strength is also a flaw that he is blind to, and it’s part of his growth to realize that. Lily was both quirky and complicated, which was an interesting combination and I really enjoyed her character. Overall, this was a book where I felt so in the corner of the MCs; I just wanted them together from the jump and enjoyed their path to an HEA.
The portraits of grief here were really well-drawn. Both the H and h are touched by it. Even though Lily’s experience is perhaps more traditionally overt than Gage’s, there were scenes with his Grandma that just brought me into his experience in a way that resonated more than Lily’s widowhood. Still, grieving is so personal and Brady really captures that idea and runs with it very deftly for both MCs. And Despite the heaviness of dealing with grief, the author still makes room for lighter moments, and there were definitely some moments that will make a reader smile in this book. Top of those for me was (as with the previous book) how Brady weaves the previous MCs from past books into the fabric of the new story as secondary characters. Even characters I wasn’t as excited by in their own story (TJ and Natalie), when they showed up here, I loved how they were deployed. Their presence makes sense and fleshes out the world, as well as the current story.
There are a couple minor flaws. The pop culture references could be distracting and sometimes struck as disingenuous given that the characters are meant to be in their mid-twenties. Yes, some movies/songs etc. are classic and just part of the ether, but there were quite of few retro references in here and they weren’t balanced with pop culture that would have been more, or even as, likely for the characters to gravitate towards given their ages. The other element that gave me pause was the addition of a late external conflict having to do with the team. It just seemed to crop up a bit fast, and I wished its seed had been planted a bit earlier so it could develop more and make the resolution seem less rushed. Still, these are minor quibbles when compared to the success of the whole.
The audiobook was superb! I love that it’s third person pov, but we still get two narrators. ❤️ Both Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent were brilliantly cast and brought another layer to Brady’s MCs. RLD’s performance as Gage is just really well done; he shows a great blend of sincerity and humor that is ideally suited to the character. Aubrey Vincent was a perfect choice for Lily; her delivery of the h’s flustered and humorous moments of inner monologue had me smiling and made her an even more endearing character. In a book where a major theme is processing grief, balancing the heavy with the light is key, and AV is a narrator who’s really great at it! This one is highly recommended.
I received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books and read via KU. All opinions are my own.
Story: 4 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
The third installment of Brady’s Playmakers series is a great addition to the line up, with Gage and Lily indeed making some lovely music together. From their encounter at TJ and Natalie’s wedding to establish the one-night-stand trope, through a wonderful will they/won’t they courtship, to the inevitable third act break-up, both characters compel the reader to follow their journey to HEA. Gage is a well-drawn H; he’s manly and confident without displaying some of the overaggressiveness of his teammates. He knows what he wants and has a strong moral center, which he learns to balance with the reality and fallibility of people in his life. It’s definitely a case where a character’s greatest strength is also a flaw that he is blind to, and it’s part of his growth to realize that. Lily was both quirky and complicated, which was an interesting combination and I really enjoyed her character. Overall, this was a book where I felt so in the corner of the MCs; I just wanted them together from the jump and enjoyed their path to an HEA.
The portraits of grief here were really well-drawn. Both the H and h are touched by it. Even though Lily’s experience is perhaps more traditionally overt than Gage’s, there were scenes with his Grandma that just brought me into his experience in a way that resonated more than Lily’s widowhood. Still, grieving is so personal and Brady really captures that idea and runs with it very deftly for both MCs. And Despite the heaviness of dealing with grief, the author still makes room for lighter moments, and there were definitely some moments that will make a reader smile in this book. Top of those for me was (as with the previous book) how Brady weaves the previous MCs from past books into the fabric of the new story as secondary characters. Even characters I wasn’t as excited by in their own story (TJ and Natalie), when they showed up here, I loved how they were deployed. Their presence makes sense and fleshes out the world, as well as the current story.
There are a couple minor flaws. The pop culture references could be distracting and sometimes struck as disingenuous given that the characters are meant to be in their mid-twenties. Yes, some movies/songs etc. are classic and just part of the ether, but there were quite of few retro references in here and they weren’t balanced with pop culture that would have been more, or even as, likely for the characters to gravitate towards given their ages. The other element that gave me pause was the addition of a late external conflict having to do with the team. It just seemed to crop up a bit fast, and I wished its seed had been planted a bit earlier so it could develop more and make the resolution seem less rushed. Still, these are minor quibbles when compared to the success of the whole.
The audiobook was superb! I love that it’s third person pov, but we still get two narrators. ❤️ Both Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent were brilliantly cast and brought another layer to Brady’s MCs. RLD’s performance as Gage is just really well done; he shows a great blend of sincerity and humor that is ideally suited to the character. Aubrey Vincent was a perfect choice for Lily; her delivery of the h’s flustered and humorous moments of inner monologue had me smiling and made her an even more endearing character. In a book where a major theme is processing grief, balancing the heavy with the light is key, and AV is a narrator who’s really great at it! This one is highly recommended.
I received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books and read via KU. All opinions are my own.
August 3, 2023
This is an Audiobook review.
I have a feeling that I am starting to become addicted to this series because I cannot get enough,I am already very eager for the release of book 4 on Audio.
Gauging The Player is book 3 and so far it is my favourite...
I completely fell in LOVE with Gage Nelson he is the sweetest...he also has the persona of a cool,calm and collected kind of guy easy going.But behind closed doors he is a sexy,Hot Alpha !!!
He falls head over heals for the sexy singer he had a one night stand with a year ago,he wanted more but she fled and he woke up alone in the morning.
But she is back within his orbit and he needs to get to know her more,so he offers her a job to manage his social media accounts because Gage is a very popular Hockey Player,but he is uncomfortable with the attention.
Lily still remembers her one night stand with Gage it was the best night of her life,but she couldn't let go of the past.
Lily had secrets and she knew that once Gage found out it could be game over anyway...she had to stay professional and being friends was all she could be..
But Gage was relentless they were becoming friends but he had to find out why Lily would not let him get too close..and when he found out he knew he had his work cut out for him.
Gage certainly did have alot of work to do to win Lily's heart,but he felt she was worth the time and patience.
Lily was still grieving after 4 years and guilt wracked her everytime she even thought of moving on..losing her husband was still raw and she had a 5 year old daughter Daisy to think about.
But when Gage weaves his way into Daisy's heart and into Lily's life she began to feel things for Gage that she hadn't felt in a long time and she was confused.
But the attraction that they had for one another was inevitable to spill over and it does in an explosive way...They are so hot and steamy and the chemistry between them is perfect.
Gage wants more..but Lily is haunted by a the ghost of her husband...and litte Daisy is adorable and a huge Gage fan..
But how can Gage compete with a dead husband who is put on a pedestal by Lily..he was fighting a losing battle and it seems that their relationship was fracturing and crumbling before his eyes and he feels helpless.
Plus there is alot of Hockey drama going on along side the romance that is playing out.
I honestly LOVED this story to pieces and Narrating this story was Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent who are both Magnificent !! They are both new narrators to me and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed by their performances.Their voices were clear and full of expression and emotion when it was called for.I really enjoyed them and will definitely want to listen to other audiobooks with their narration.
I believe that G.K Brady has out done herself with this book,it seems like her writing gets better and better with each story...Her stories are so enthralling and tempting and they keep you entertained for hours...
This is such a special story which brought out so many emotions within me,it made me both laugh and cry....and did I say how much I Love GAGE !!!!
I highly recommend this book either to read or listen to.
Loved it.
5 Stars.
I have a feeling that I am starting to become addicted to this series because I cannot get enough,I am already very eager for the release of book 4 on Audio.
Gauging The Player is book 3 and so far it is my favourite...
I completely fell in LOVE with Gage Nelson he is the sweetest...he also has the persona of a cool,calm and collected kind of guy easy going.But behind closed doors he is a sexy,Hot Alpha !!!
He falls head over heals for the sexy singer he had a one night stand with a year ago,he wanted more but she fled and he woke up alone in the morning.
But she is back within his orbit and he needs to get to know her more,so he offers her a job to manage his social media accounts because Gage is a very popular Hockey Player,but he is uncomfortable with the attention.
Lily still remembers her one night stand with Gage it was the best night of her life,but she couldn't let go of the past.
Lily had secrets and she knew that once Gage found out it could be game over anyway...she had to stay professional and being friends was all she could be..
But Gage was relentless they were becoming friends but he had to find out why Lily would not let him get too close..and when he found out he knew he had his work cut out for him.
Gage certainly did have alot of work to do to win Lily's heart,but he felt she was worth the time and patience.
Lily was still grieving after 4 years and guilt wracked her everytime she even thought of moving on..losing her husband was still raw and she had a 5 year old daughter Daisy to think about.
But when Gage weaves his way into Daisy's heart and into Lily's life she began to feel things for Gage that she hadn't felt in a long time and she was confused.
But the attraction that they had for one another was inevitable to spill over and it does in an explosive way...They are so hot and steamy and the chemistry between them is perfect.
Gage wants more..but Lily is haunted by a the ghost of her husband...and litte Daisy is adorable and a huge Gage fan..
But how can Gage compete with a dead husband who is put on a pedestal by Lily..he was fighting a losing battle and it seems that their relationship was fracturing and crumbling before his eyes and he feels helpless.
Plus there is alot of Hockey drama going on along side the romance that is playing out.
I honestly LOVED this story to pieces and Narrating this story was Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent who are both Magnificent !! They are both new narrators to me and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed by their performances.Their voices were clear and full of expression and emotion when it was called for.I really enjoyed them and will definitely want to listen to other audiobooks with their narration.
I believe that G.K Brady has out done herself with this book,it seems like her writing gets better and better with each story...Her stories are so enthralling and tempting and they keep you entertained for hours...
This is such a special story which brought out so many emotions within me,it made me both laugh and cry....and did I say how much I Love GAGE !!!!
I highly recommend this book either to read or listen to.
Loved it.
5 Stars.
June 28, 2023
Compelling & Heartfelt! Amazing Story & Listen🎧
Gauging The Player
The Playmakers Series
By: G.K. Brady
Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap, Aubrey Vincent
G.K. Brady continues to wow me with another winning novel set in her “Playmakers” series, a novel that grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it the entire book. She outdid herself with all the emotions and you could feel how much heart she put into this book as those emotions pour off the pages and into your own heart. The characters in this book, and series, are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are easy to care about too. Gage Nelson is an all around nice guy, and doesn’t get into the women, puck bunnies, who follow the players and throw themselves at them just for who they are and what they do, he wants something more meaningful. Listening to Lilly Everett sing made him feel things, and then he got to meet her after the show and he knew he wanted to spend more time with her. He made an exception because she was not your usual puck bunny, and he spent the night with her and was hoping for more, but she disappeared before he woke up. He did not forget about her and when he sees her again he questions why she left. Lily did not share much about herself that night and she still hesitated to, not because her life is a secret, it is more that she is living in her own bubble and does not know how to get out, though she does not realize it. I loved the layers of the story, the complexity of the characters and getting to know them. My heart went out to Lily, who was struggling to move past her loss and the life that she built. Gage was solid, always trying to do the right thing for his family, who did not deserve it, except for his grandmother, who had cognitive issues, which were heartbreaking, too. There was also some drama going on with one of Gage’s teammates, which put him in a tough spot. This beautifully written and plotted sports romance has plenty of drama, heartfelt emotions, a touch of angst, some heartwarming moments and a cute little Daisy who is not only a scene stealer but a stealer of hearts, too. G.K. Brady, thank you for another fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying and were believable in every role they played. Ryan Lee Dunlap played Gage’s role with perfection and Aubrey Vincent did the same for Lilly, both grasping all sides of their personality, and all of their emotions and have you feeling every single one. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary characters too. These two versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the fantastic listen.
Gauging The Player
The Playmakers Series
By: G.K. Brady
Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap, Aubrey Vincent
G.K. Brady continues to wow me with another winning novel set in her “Playmakers” series, a novel that grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it the entire book. She outdid herself with all the emotions and you could feel how much heart she put into this book as those emotions pour off the pages and into your own heart. The characters in this book, and series, are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are easy to care about too. Gage Nelson is an all around nice guy, and doesn’t get into the women, puck bunnies, who follow the players and throw themselves at them just for who they are and what they do, he wants something more meaningful. Listening to Lilly Everett sing made him feel things, and then he got to meet her after the show and he knew he wanted to spend more time with her. He made an exception because she was not your usual puck bunny, and he spent the night with her and was hoping for more, but she disappeared before he woke up. He did not forget about her and when he sees her again he questions why she left. Lily did not share much about herself that night and she still hesitated to, not because her life is a secret, it is more that she is living in her own bubble and does not know how to get out, though she does not realize it. I loved the layers of the story, the complexity of the characters and getting to know them. My heart went out to Lily, who was struggling to move past her loss and the life that she built. Gage was solid, always trying to do the right thing for his family, who did not deserve it, except for his grandmother, who had cognitive issues, which were heartbreaking, too. There was also some drama going on with one of Gage’s teammates, which put him in a tough spot. This beautifully written and plotted sports romance has plenty of drama, heartfelt emotions, a touch of angst, some heartwarming moments and a cute little Daisy who is not only a scene stealer but a stealer of hearts, too. G.K. Brady, thank you for another fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying and were believable in every role they played. Ryan Lee Dunlap played Gage’s role with perfection and Aubrey Vincent did the same for Lilly, both grasping all sides of their personality, and all of their emotions and have you feeling every single one. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary characters too. These two versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the fantastic listen.
June 30, 2023
Gauging the Player is book three in The Playmakers series and is the single mum, grieving widow, second chance hockey romance story of Gage Nelson and Lily Everett.
Gage is a hotshot hockey player who breaks the mould, he’s a truly decent guy who will always put those he cares about first. Gage has been burned in the past so doesn’t trust women easily and given his status he knows how women use hockey players for bragging rights, therefore he avoids one-night stands. This all changes when he meets Lily at a wedding, he is totally captivated by the stunning woman singing with so much soul. With Gage being chased by a bridesmaid and Lily being hounded by player Hunter, Gage and Lily save each other and have an amazing, steamy night. Only when Gage wakes up, Lily is gone, and he has no way of contacting her. Imagine his surprise when they bump into each other by chance six months later, and he convinces her to help with his social media so he can spend time with her. Will Gage be able to break down her walls and overcome the fact he’s competing with a ghost?
Widower and single mum Lily has been grieving her dead husband for many years, she’s determined to cling to his memory not only for her sake, but for that of her daughter. Despite the fact she can’t seem to let go she runs a support group to help people deal with grief…ironic right. Lily is an amazing singer and while performing at the wedding of a hockey player, Lily finds herself captivated by one guy who stands out from the rest. She throws caution to the wind and has one mind blowing night with Gage Nelson, only to be left guilt ridden and feeling like she betrayed her husband. Six months later they run into each other by chance, and she agrees to help him with his social media. The more time they spend together the more she falls for Gage. The way he is with her daughter, the time he has taken to bond with her teaching her to skate has Lily looking to the future. Will Lily finally be able to put the ghosts of the past to bed to secure a future with an amazing man?
New to me narrators Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent lend their voices to Gage and Lily and my goodness, what an amazing duo. Ryan’s performance as the hockey hottie who finds it hard to trust, who loves fiercely and enjoys giving back was incredible. Ryan perfectly captured the warring emotions Gage was feeling as well as showcasing his wants, needs and desires. Aubrey’s portrayal of widowed single mum Lily was superb. Aubrey conveyed all the emotions one feels getting into a new relationship after the loss of a spouse. The internal battle of new feelings, excitement and passion versus guilt and betrayal and Aubrey nailed this.
I loved this heart-warming story about lost love, second chances, finding peace, overcoming grief, and finding your happy ever after.
Gage is a hotshot hockey player who breaks the mould, he’s a truly decent guy who will always put those he cares about first. Gage has been burned in the past so doesn’t trust women easily and given his status he knows how women use hockey players for bragging rights, therefore he avoids one-night stands. This all changes when he meets Lily at a wedding, he is totally captivated by the stunning woman singing with so much soul. With Gage being chased by a bridesmaid and Lily being hounded by player Hunter, Gage and Lily save each other and have an amazing, steamy night. Only when Gage wakes up, Lily is gone, and he has no way of contacting her. Imagine his surprise when they bump into each other by chance six months later, and he convinces her to help with his social media so he can spend time with her. Will Gage be able to break down her walls and overcome the fact he’s competing with a ghost?
Widower and single mum Lily has been grieving her dead husband for many years, she’s determined to cling to his memory not only for her sake, but for that of her daughter. Despite the fact she can’t seem to let go she runs a support group to help people deal with grief…ironic right. Lily is an amazing singer and while performing at the wedding of a hockey player, Lily finds herself captivated by one guy who stands out from the rest. She throws caution to the wind and has one mind blowing night with Gage Nelson, only to be left guilt ridden and feeling like she betrayed her husband. Six months later they run into each other by chance, and she agrees to help him with his social media. The more time they spend together the more she falls for Gage. The way he is with her daughter, the time he has taken to bond with her teaching her to skate has Lily looking to the future. Will Lily finally be able to put the ghosts of the past to bed to secure a future with an amazing man?
New to me narrators Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent lend their voices to Gage and Lily and my goodness, what an amazing duo. Ryan’s performance as the hockey hottie who finds it hard to trust, who loves fiercely and enjoys giving back was incredible. Ryan perfectly captured the warring emotions Gage was feeling as well as showcasing his wants, needs and desires. Aubrey’s portrayal of widowed single mum Lily was superb. Aubrey conveyed all the emotions one feels getting into a new relationship after the loss of a spouse. The internal battle of new feelings, excitement and passion versus guilt and betrayal and Aubrey nailed this.
I loved this heart-warming story about lost love, second chances, finding peace, overcoming grief, and finding your happy ever after.
April 23, 2020
I fell for Gauge from the start … and couldn’t put this book down!
Gauging the Player, the third book in G.K. Brady’s Playmakers Series Hockey Romance ticks all the boxes for me! Why? Ms. Brady has crafted an engaging story with characters you’ll want in your own life
The storyline pulled me in from the start. Out of characters one night stand for both of our characters that can’t seem to forget the night. A chance second chance with roadblocks and challenges to get past.
I’ve read other books by the author, but this one is my favorite. As soon as I finished, I immediately started a re-read of my favorite parts … which is what put it in the 5 star territory for me. Why the re-read? The dialogue between the characters is full of soul-baring honesty, Gauge is in L.O.V.E with Lily and has to convince her that he’s in it for the long haul, and Lily’s reluctance is completely understandable …. But something she needs to put in her past if she’s going to have the future she wants. A quick read of the chapter titles will make you realize that this author is sassy, creative, and has “game” from the start. …and the contents of the chapters is even better.
Sisterhood Doesn’t Require Pants
Because Everyone Needs Social Media
Stuck in the Discovery Channel
Is it Hot in Here, or Is It You?
Dreamy Gauge is a hockey star that doesn’t know what he’s missing in life until he runs into single mom Lily who has a voice like an angel. Lily is complex, living half a life, solely focused on her daughter Daisy, but not really living since the death of her husband. The heat between them is swoon worthy and utterly romantic and I was cheering on Gauge and Daisy as they conspired to get Lily out of the friend zone. If you’ve read previous books, you’ll be happy to see familiar characters playing a role in this book.
Gauging the player is the 3rd book in the series, but it stands alone. Download this book now, clear the next days, and settle in to read. Oh! You’ll want to download the rest of the series too!
I received an ARC and was happy to leave my honest review with the hopes that others will find this book to be as enjoyable as I did.
Gauging the Player, the third book in G.K. Brady’s Playmakers Series Hockey Romance ticks all the boxes for me! Why? Ms. Brady has crafted an engaging story with characters you’ll want in your own life
The storyline pulled me in from the start. Out of characters one night stand for both of our characters that can’t seem to forget the night. A chance second chance with roadblocks and challenges to get past.
I’ve read other books by the author, but this one is my favorite. As soon as I finished, I immediately started a re-read of my favorite parts … which is what put it in the 5 star territory for me. Why the re-read? The dialogue between the characters is full of soul-baring honesty, Gauge is in L.O.V.E with Lily and has to convince her that he’s in it for the long haul, and Lily’s reluctance is completely understandable …. But something she needs to put in her past if she’s going to have the future she wants. A quick read of the chapter titles will make you realize that this author is sassy, creative, and has “game” from the start. …and the contents of the chapters is even better.
Sisterhood Doesn’t Require Pants
Because Everyone Needs Social Media
Stuck in the Discovery Channel
Is it Hot in Here, or Is It You?
Dreamy Gauge is a hockey star that doesn’t know what he’s missing in life until he runs into single mom Lily who has a voice like an angel. Lily is complex, living half a life, solely focused on her daughter Daisy, but not really living since the death of her husband. The heat between them is swoon worthy and utterly romantic and I was cheering on Gauge and Daisy as they conspired to get Lily out of the friend zone. If you’ve read previous books, you’ll be happy to see familiar characters playing a role in this book.
Gauging the player is the 3rd book in the series, but it stands alone. Download this book now, clear the next days, and settle in to read. Oh! You’ll want to download the rest of the series too!
I received an ARC and was happy to leave my honest review with the hopes that others will find this book to be as enjoyable as I did.
June 30, 2023
Gauging the Player
3rd in series but stands alone. There are character overlaps and if you’re aware of the previous stories, it will make you smile to see them now.
The story of Gage and Lily is one of love after loss. This is a big big theme in the book. How do you deal with grief, how do you heal from the loss of the love of your life… it’s quite deep and makes you think.
Gage is drawn to Lily from the first moment and once he finds her again after their single night together, he will do anything to keep her close. Lily lost her husband 4 years ago and is a single mom still haunted by the love she lost too soon. She feels guilt for her night with Gage and the more she spends time with him, the more it looks like she’s healing, but that can make her guilt even stronger…
The biggest obstacle between these two (and adorable Daisy) becoming a family, is the ghost of Jack. It broke my heart how easily Gage adapted his life to make room for Lily and Daisy, how much he wanted more with them (not just her, them!) and yet he still lived in the shadow of Jack through Lily’s grief. It’s mentioned multiple times that grieving isn’t a one size fits all process… but sometimes you need a wakeup call from outside your grief to help you move forward rather than staying stuck in the past.
The audiobook was performed by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent. Both are new to me narrators and I feel like they performed the 3rd person perspective well. The emotions built over the course of the book and though the pacing was slow in the beginning, I’m glad I stuck with it. Once the pace picked up, I really became invested, and it was just an emotional ride to the finish line. I was almost crying at one point thanks to Ryan’s narration of an interaction between Gage and Daisy…
I requested and was provided with an advance copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.
3rd in series but stands alone. There are character overlaps and if you’re aware of the previous stories, it will make you smile to see them now.
The story of Gage and Lily is one of love after loss. This is a big big theme in the book. How do you deal with grief, how do you heal from the loss of the love of your life… it’s quite deep and makes you think.
Gage is drawn to Lily from the first moment and once he finds her again after their single night together, he will do anything to keep her close. Lily lost her husband 4 years ago and is a single mom still haunted by the love she lost too soon. She feels guilt for her night with Gage and the more she spends time with him, the more it looks like she’s healing, but that can make her guilt even stronger…
The biggest obstacle between these two (and adorable Daisy) becoming a family, is the ghost of Jack. It broke my heart how easily Gage adapted his life to make room for Lily and Daisy, how much he wanted more with them (not just her, them!) and yet he still lived in the shadow of Jack through Lily’s grief. It’s mentioned multiple times that grieving isn’t a one size fits all process… but sometimes you need a wakeup call from outside your grief to help you move forward rather than staying stuck in the past.
The audiobook was performed by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent. Both are new to me narrators and I feel like they performed the 3rd person perspective well. The emotions built over the course of the book and though the pacing was slow in the beginning, I’m glad I stuck with it. Once the pace picked up, I really became invested, and it was just an emotional ride to the finish line. I was almost crying at one point thanks to Ryan’s narration of an interaction between Gage and Daisy…
I requested and was provided with an advance copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.
June 12, 2023
Gauging the Player
The Playmakers, #3
by G.K. Brady
Narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap & Aubrey Vincent
And GK Brady does it again! The third book in her Playmaker series had my heart for the entire story! Meet Gage and Lily. Their attraction is immediate, ending in a one night stand. Though when Gage woke up, he was anticipating more. Lily took off, unable to give more than just one night. She is a widow with a child, and has not yet come to terms with her new normal. Now that the two cross paths again, will Gage be able to win her over? Talk about chemistry! These two have it in spades. Easy to feel, and the urge to want to get them together as I listened was huge!! But I love the depth of Brady's characters. She gives Lily a realistic feel as she learns to deal with her past and be able to look towards her future. It's not easy, but with the right person and the willingness Gage has to work through it all with her, the journey is taken. Add in his teammates and their significant others, and it's like having their own support system. Yes, the ribbing is expected, but the genuine friendship both the men and women form is part of what makes me love this series. Heart wrenching at times and love blasting the rest, it's a story I will carry for a while!
The narration of this book comes through with all the feels. Ryan Lee Dunlap is Gage, and he gives this man a hard shell, but a soft heart. When it comes to a man with a child and mother, all the feels are felt with his amazing voice. Aubrey Vincent pulls out all the stops as Lily. She portrays her with such emotion as she works through her feelings, it's easy to get lost in it with her! I enjoyed this narration team and highly recommend the book.
#ALC #comingsoon #hockeyromance #secondchanceromance #singlemotherromance #audioromance #gkbrady #ryanleedunlap #aubreyvincent #homecookedbooks
The Playmakers, #3
by G.K. Brady
Narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap & Aubrey Vincent
And GK Brady does it again! The third book in her Playmaker series had my heart for the entire story! Meet Gage and Lily. Their attraction is immediate, ending in a one night stand. Though when Gage woke up, he was anticipating more. Lily took off, unable to give more than just one night. She is a widow with a child, and has not yet come to terms with her new normal. Now that the two cross paths again, will Gage be able to win her over? Talk about chemistry! These two have it in spades. Easy to feel, and the urge to want to get them together as I listened was huge!! But I love the depth of Brady's characters. She gives Lily a realistic feel as she learns to deal with her past and be able to look towards her future. It's not easy, but with the right person and the willingness Gage has to work through it all with her, the journey is taken. Add in his teammates and their significant others, and it's like having their own support system. Yes, the ribbing is expected, but the genuine friendship both the men and women form is part of what makes me love this series. Heart wrenching at times and love blasting the rest, it's a story I will carry for a while!
The narration of this book comes through with all the feels. Ryan Lee Dunlap is Gage, and he gives this man a hard shell, but a soft heart. When it comes to a man with a child and mother, all the feels are felt with his amazing voice. Aubrey Vincent pulls out all the stops as Lily. She portrays her with such emotion as she works through her feelings, it's easy to get lost in it with her! I enjoyed this narration team and highly recommend the book.
#ALC #comingsoon #hockeyromance #secondchanceromance #singlemotherromance #audioromance #gkbrady #ryanleedunlap #aubreyvincent #homecookedbooks
June 30, 2023
🎧Audio Review🎧
Narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
3.5 ⭐️
This book is a sweet hockey romance with a heart wrenching backstory: A widow who’s not sure she’s ready to move on after the death of her husband a few years back.
I found that the story really didn’t engage me until about the half way point. It seemed like I was coasting through. I know we are getting to know them and watch their friendship and intimacy grow but I was kind of bored. And I never felt like I got to know Gage and Lily the way I wanted to. I think it’s because their personalities didn’t stand out for me. Lily’s did a bit more than Gage, Maybe because she does have the loss of her husband to give some meat to her story.
The second half picked up a bit and I became interested more in their relationship and especially seeing Gage connect with Daisy, Lily’s daughter, which is adorable to see.
Lily confused me as her inner thoughts kept talking about her obsession with Gage and how she follows news about him and learning about hockey, watching the game, from the time they had their one-night stand 6 months previously. This conflicted with how much she was pushing him away because of her late husband and grief.
This is narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
Dunlap is a new narrator for me. He did a good job. Yet I felt that there was some stiffness in his delivery, I’m not sure if he’s new to the audio world but it felt like he wasn’t comfortable as a narrator yet. I liked Audrey’s narration a lot. She has a full range representing all the characters well and I really liked her voice for Gage’s.
I’m giving this a 3.5 but am pushing it to a 4 as I’m not sure if this story was just not my cup of tea.
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review. All opinions are my own.
Narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
3.5 ⭐️
This book is a sweet hockey romance with a heart wrenching backstory: A widow who’s not sure she’s ready to move on after the death of her husband a few years back.
I found that the story really didn’t engage me until about the half way point. It seemed like I was coasting through. I know we are getting to know them and watch their friendship and intimacy grow but I was kind of bored. And I never felt like I got to know Gage and Lily the way I wanted to. I think it’s because their personalities didn’t stand out for me. Lily’s did a bit more than Gage, Maybe because she does have the loss of her husband to give some meat to her story.
The second half picked up a bit and I became interested more in their relationship and especially seeing Gage connect with Daisy, Lily’s daughter, which is adorable to see.
Lily confused me as her inner thoughts kept talking about her obsession with Gage and how she follows news about him and learning about hockey, watching the game, from the time they had their one-night stand 6 months previously. This conflicted with how much she was pushing him away because of her late husband and grief.
This is narrated by Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent
Dunlap is a new narrator for me. He did a good job. Yet I felt that there was some stiffness in his delivery, I’m not sure if he’s new to the audio world but it felt like he wasn’t comfortable as a narrator yet. I liked Audrey’s narration a lot. She has a full range representing all the characters well and I really liked her voice for Gage’s.
I’m giving this a 3.5 but am pushing it to a 4 as I’m not sure if this story was just not my cup of tea.
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 23, 2020
Gage strives to be the perfect man his family continually tells him that he is. As a pro hockey player, he demands excellences from himself and his teammates. His single-minded focus on his sport has left him a bit lonely and closed off from the world.
The first time he sees Lily, he is immediately attracted to her beauty as well as her soulful singing voice. Uncharacteristically, when she propositions him, he engages in a one night stand with the gorgeous singer. For him, he thought this night would be the first of many. He knows he felt a connection, but Lily wrecks his plans by sneaking out before dawn.
Gage, despite his fame and fortune, is really a down to earth good-guy. When he finds Lily again months later, he is understandably hurt and angry about her disappearing act, but he almost immediately forgives her. He proves himself to be loving and supportive - willing to be anything Lily needs from him to be happy. Lily, for her part, is pretty wishy-washy and insecure. At times she is loving and at other times she can't run away fast enough. It's surprising Gage doesn't have whiplash as he continues to try to win Lily over.
Both characters are well developed, with a nice sense of humor apparent between the pair. However, I really disliked Lily's somewhat callous treatment of Gage at times. This good guy really doesn't deserve the heartache that she causes. I would have liked Lily to be a bit more open about her past and her insecurities. Instead, she internalizes everything and really isn't nearly as committed to Gage as he is to her.
Four stars for this thoughtful and emotional sports romance.
This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.
The first time he sees Lily, he is immediately attracted to her beauty as well as her soulful singing voice. Uncharacteristically, when she propositions him, he engages in a one night stand with the gorgeous singer. For him, he thought this night would be the first of many. He knows he felt a connection, but Lily wrecks his plans by sneaking out before dawn.
Gage, despite his fame and fortune, is really a down to earth good-guy. When he finds Lily again months later, he is understandably hurt and angry about her disappearing act, but he almost immediately forgives her. He proves himself to be loving and supportive - willing to be anything Lily needs from him to be happy. Lily, for her part, is pretty wishy-washy and insecure. At times she is loving and at other times she can't run away fast enough. It's surprising Gage doesn't have whiplash as he continues to try to win Lily over.
Both characters are well developed, with a nice sense of humor apparent between the pair. However, I really disliked Lily's somewhat callous treatment of Gage at times. This good guy really doesn't deserve the heartache that she causes. I would have liked Lily to be a bit more open about her past and her insecurities. Instead, she internalizes everything and really isn't nearly as committed to Gage as he is to her.
Four stars for this thoughtful and emotional sports romance.
This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.
May 3, 2020
I am not a hockey fan, but thanks to authors like Avery Flynn and Helena Hunting, I have become a fan of the hockey romance over the past year or so. With that in mind, I picked up "Gauging the Player" by G.K. Brady, which turned out to be an enjoyable addition to the genre. The main characters were quite likeable and well-developed, and I couldn't help but empathize with what both of them were going through. The male lead, Gage, seemed pretty straitlaced for a pro athlete, possibly because he was trying to live up to the "perfect" image his family had of him. He didn't really date, choosing instead to focus on his family, hockey, and charity work. Overall, he seemed like a genuinely caring man, but even so, I can understand why the female lead, Lily, was hesitant to get involved with him at first. In addition to her grief following the death of her husband, Jack, the prospect of a partner whose career involved traveling for so much of the year would be daunting for any number of reasons.
Lily seemed like a sweet, genuine person as well, but I have to admit that I was a bit annoyed with her at times because of the way she seemed to treat Gage as nothing more than a booty call or friend with benefits. Gage was very good to both her and her daughter, Daisy, and deserved a lot more consideration than she sometimes gave him. Gage was very patient with her, however, and at least the reasons for her behavior were understandable.
While Gage and Lily's story was mostly a standalone, characters from the first two books in this series made a number of appearances throughout the book. I haven't read the earlier books yet, and unfortunately felt a bit lost regarding how some of the characters were connected to each other. At least one of them was Gage's teammate, but it wasn't entirely clear how he knew the others at first. Perhaps the author could have provided that background when these characters were first introduced to Lily, who was new to the group, so that readers (like me) who are new to the series wouldn't feel quite so lost or confused.
At any rate, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it for all fans of sports romances. I will plan to check out the next book in the series featuring Gage's sister Sarah.
*ARC provided by the author/publisher via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lily seemed like a sweet, genuine person as well, but I have to admit that I was a bit annoyed with her at times because of the way she seemed to treat Gage as nothing more than a booty call or friend with benefits. Gage was very good to both her and her daughter, Daisy, and deserved a lot more consideration than she sometimes gave him. Gage was very patient with her, however, and at least the reasons for her behavior were understandable.
While Gage and Lily's story was mostly a standalone, characters from the first two books in this series made a number of appearances throughout the book. I haven't read the earlier books yet, and unfortunately felt a bit lost regarding how some of the characters were connected to each other. At least one of them was Gage's teammate, but it wasn't entirely clear how he knew the others at first. Perhaps the author could have provided that background when these characters were first introduced to Lily, who was new to the group, so that readers (like me) who are new to the series wouldn't feel quite so lost or confused.
At any rate, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it for all fans of sports romances. I will plan to check out the next book in the series featuring Gage's sister Sarah.
*ARC provided by the author/publisher via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 29, 2023
This is book 3 in Brady's The Playmakers series and I adored this HEA romance. Gage and Lily are our main characters. Gage is a pro hockey player who stays to himself. At first he came thru as the perfect guy - like he takes care of everyone, isn't self-absorbed or egoistical, funny and is ethical and just an overall nice guy. He says he's not perfect, but everything points that he is. Lily is a widower and single mom who leads a support group and is just trying to live day to day with her cute as can be daughter. Four years after her husband's death a one-night stand with a hot hockey player has awoken a desire she's not yet ready to address and for Gage, he can't forget about the woman he finally let in and allowed to rock his world. They find each other again and develop a relationship which I loved how smoothly and organic is came together. I loved the angst level of not only the ghost of a third party in the relationship but also the jealousy, the family and work drama that weigh heavily on the shoulders of such a strong man. Resolution was perfect and a wonderful HEA. The storyline was easy to follow and our main characters as well as the secondary characters were wonderful. Perfect dual narration that brought to life Gage and Lily, among others. Overall, I loved this read / listen and I can't wait to see if more's to come!
This book was given to me for fee at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
This book was given to me for fee at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
June 10, 2024
“I promise to do my best to wear out the words I love you.” Aaah, it’s another Playmakers novel by G. K. Brady. I know right away I’m in for sighing, swooning, sweet satisfaction and lots of smiling. And after that quote? Who can even breathe? These hockey guys are so romantic, no matter how much they try to hide it. it’s so much fun to watch them be the ones that often fall first and fall hard.
Gage is a good man, a nice guy. When he was traded to the Blizzard and left San Jose for Denver along with T. J. Sandstrom, he was TJ’s only teammate who didn’t shun him, who listened to his side of the story, who stood by him. Gage is actually Mr. Perfect, according to his mother and sister, but he feels far from perfect. That’s a lot to live up to. He just wants to take care of his family as best he can and make his team proud. His mother is The Master of Catastrophe, and is bitter about her own life, believing that not only is Gage Mr. Perfect but that he’s the only man on the planet worth bothering with. And she has her heart set on matching Gage with his old classmate. Between his mother’s attitude, a couple of not-so-great encounters with Puck Bunnies (yes, that’s a thing), - as well as his desire to keep his nose to the grindstone of hockey, neither relationships nor hookups are on his horizon, and he likes it that way.
Until TJ & Natalie’s wedding. And that singer. Not an exaggeration to say he’s lost. Against his better judgement he spends the night with her. He’s smitten, mesmerized, can’t even believe it himself. And can’t even believe it either when she’s gone in the morning. Can’t get her out of his mind, but maybe it’s for the best. What kind of woman would run off like that? What did he do wrong?
Lily is appalled at her behavior. What was she thinking? She’s a widow who pledged to love her husband forever. How could she have been so attracted to that stranger? But it doesn’t mean anything, he’s just a hockey player. Player being the operative word. She’ll never see him again and this will just be an oh-so-enjoyable mistake, nothing more. But why does her heart feel funny?
Lily’s deceased husband Jack has become 100% perfect in her eyes. Never speak ill of the dead, glorify them – right? But a closer examination revealed a few bumps, a few flaws. A bit older than Lily, Jack could be a bit controlling, and even a bit condescending, and often had Lily a bit off balance. But now, she refuses to look back on their life together with anything other than rose-colored glasses. Moving on would be a betrayal to his memory, to his declaration that he wanted her to love him forever. How could she break her vows? How could she let another man replace him as father to their daughter Daisy? But is this really what Lily needs, and deserves? Is this how the rest of her life should be? Shutting herself off from any chance of happiness because she thinks she’s already had her chance and doesn’t deserve another?
Her sister disagrees. And Gage disagrees. But that’s a fine line for him to walk, to respect her feelings and not disrespect Jack’s memory, while showing her that he’s what she needs, a man who adores her, thinks of her as a strong, independent woman, not one to be controlled and who will show her and Daisy his love every single day. Not easy, and even less easy when Jack’s brother is always in the picture, babysitting, keeping Jack’s memory and wonderful qualities alive – and maybe hoping if Lily’s focus ever does change it will shift to him.
Gage and Lily meet again by chance. He’s angry that she left without explanation – but still smitten, mesmerized and lost. And he realizes that there is room in his life for a relationship, for this relationship, because he wants Lily as much as he wants hockey. And that’s a lot. And – wait - maybe he wants her even more than hockey. Lily is ashamed and embarrassed and guilt-ridden. But also a bit smitten, mesmerized and lost herself. Remember: Gage is a good man, a nice guy. Can the shrine to Jack move over, fade to the background?
Gauging the Player is another wonderful entry in this wonderful series. Every book can be standalone but if you can read from the start do so. Each subsequent book builds on the previous, introducing new characters, new situations, new struggles, new romances but also looking back at the characters we already love plus providing tantalizing hints about who is up next. This hockey family just keeps growing and growing, with friendships and disagreements like every other family. And I think every woman will eventually work for Paige Beckett!
Gage and Lily’s story will make your heart go pitter-pat. Daisy is adorable. Lily is so conflicted. Gage is so focused and patient. There is just the right amount of humor and silliness, too. And don’t forget that these Playmakers generate some serious heat. Scorching in fact. And trust me, you’ll love that.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of Gauging the Player. I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook copy and that is the very best way to immerse yourself into these stories, with a digital or hard copy on the side as reference of course. Narrators Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent are truly perfect and bring the story to life. Just my opinion, but Ryan Lee Dunlap should do every G. K. Brady story. He makes you fall right into the character, and then with the next book he narrates you forget he’s RLD and fall right into that character. And Aubrey Vincent is right here with him. Perfect balance, pace, tone – and that heat! Wow. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
P.S. – Pay attention. The chapter titles are a treat and tell a story all in themselves.
Gage is a good man, a nice guy. When he was traded to the Blizzard and left San Jose for Denver along with T. J. Sandstrom, he was TJ’s only teammate who didn’t shun him, who listened to his side of the story, who stood by him. Gage is actually Mr. Perfect, according to his mother and sister, but he feels far from perfect. That’s a lot to live up to. He just wants to take care of his family as best he can and make his team proud. His mother is The Master of Catastrophe, and is bitter about her own life, believing that not only is Gage Mr. Perfect but that he’s the only man on the planet worth bothering with. And she has her heart set on matching Gage with his old classmate. Between his mother’s attitude, a couple of not-so-great encounters with Puck Bunnies (yes, that’s a thing), - as well as his desire to keep his nose to the grindstone of hockey, neither relationships nor hookups are on his horizon, and he likes it that way.
Until TJ & Natalie’s wedding. And that singer. Not an exaggeration to say he’s lost. Against his better judgement he spends the night with her. He’s smitten, mesmerized, can’t even believe it himself. And can’t even believe it either when she’s gone in the morning. Can’t get her out of his mind, but maybe it’s for the best. What kind of woman would run off like that? What did he do wrong?
Lily is appalled at her behavior. What was she thinking? She’s a widow who pledged to love her husband forever. How could she have been so attracted to that stranger? But it doesn’t mean anything, he’s just a hockey player. Player being the operative word. She’ll never see him again and this will just be an oh-so-enjoyable mistake, nothing more. But why does her heart feel funny?
Lily’s deceased husband Jack has become 100% perfect in her eyes. Never speak ill of the dead, glorify them – right? But a closer examination revealed a few bumps, a few flaws. A bit older than Lily, Jack could be a bit controlling, and even a bit condescending, and often had Lily a bit off balance. But now, she refuses to look back on their life together with anything other than rose-colored glasses. Moving on would be a betrayal to his memory, to his declaration that he wanted her to love him forever. How could she break her vows? How could she let another man replace him as father to their daughter Daisy? But is this really what Lily needs, and deserves? Is this how the rest of her life should be? Shutting herself off from any chance of happiness because she thinks she’s already had her chance and doesn’t deserve another?
Her sister disagrees. And Gage disagrees. But that’s a fine line for him to walk, to respect her feelings and not disrespect Jack’s memory, while showing her that he’s what she needs, a man who adores her, thinks of her as a strong, independent woman, not one to be controlled and who will show her and Daisy his love every single day. Not easy, and even less easy when Jack’s brother is always in the picture, babysitting, keeping Jack’s memory and wonderful qualities alive – and maybe hoping if Lily’s focus ever does change it will shift to him.
Gage and Lily meet again by chance. He’s angry that she left without explanation – but still smitten, mesmerized and lost. And he realizes that there is room in his life for a relationship, for this relationship, because he wants Lily as much as he wants hockey. And that’s a lot. And – wait - maybe he wants her even more than hockey. Lily is ashamed and embarrassed and guilt-ridden. But also a bit smitten, mesmerized and lost herself. Remember: Gage is a good man, a nice guy. Can the shrine to Jack move over, fade to the background?
Gauging the Player is another wonderful entry in this wonderful series. Every book can be standalone but if you can read from the start do so. Each subsequent book builds on the previous, introducing new characters, new situations, new struggles, new romances but also looking back at the characters we already love plus providing tantalizing hints about who is up next. This hockey family just keeps growing and growing, with friendships and disagreements like every other family. And I think every woman will eventually work for Paige Beckett!
Gage and Lily’s story will make your heart go pitter-pat. Daisy is adorable. Lily is so conflicted. Gage is so focused and patient. There is just the right amount of humor and silliness, too. And don’t forget that these Playmakers generate some serious heat. Scorching in fact. And trust me, you’ll love that.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of Gauging the Player. I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook copy and that is the very best way to immerse yourself into these stories, with a digital or hard copy on the side as reference of course. Narrators Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent are truly perfect and bring the story to life. Just my opinion, but Ryan Lee Dunlap should do every G. K. Brady story. He makes you fall right into the character, and then with the next book he narrates you forget he’s RLD and fall right into that character. And Aubrey Vincent is right here with him. Perfect balance, pace, tone – and that heat! Wow. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
P.S. – Pay attention. The chapter titles are a treat and tell a story all in themselves.
April 23, 2020
The book starts with Gage meeting Lily at a Friend's wedding and their attraction leads to a one night stand that Lily runs away from. 6 months later after a chance encounter hey develop a friendship and work relationship as an excuse to be around eachother. Gage starts to fall for her and isn't perturbed by her past relationship or her family life, but the past is something Lily is finding hard to get over.
I usually love hockey romances, this book wasn't for me. It felt very slow to begin with and took be until about halfway though the book to start to get into it. I feel like a lot was said without anything actually happening, some scenes didn't really add to the character development or plot for me and I didn't feel any connection to the characters.
Things did change later, especially when we meet Daisy and see how Gage interacts with her. But I felt as tho that wasn't enough to claw back the book for me.
I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I usually love hockey romances, this book wasn't for me. It felt very slow to begin with and took be until about halfway though the book to start to get into it. I feel like a lot was said without anything actually happening, some scenes didn't really add to the character development or plot for me and I didn't feel any connection to the characters.
Things did change later, especially when we meet Daisy and see how Gage interacts with her. But I felt as tho that wasn't enough to claw back the book for me.
I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 24, 2020
There is plenty of angst in this story. There's Gage who is suffering watching his beloved grandmother disappear as Alzheimer's takes hold. He was raised by his mother (with heavy influence from his grandmother). His mother is bitter and controlling. Lily is haunted by the ghost of her husband who passed away from cancer. In her mind he is the perfect man. She and Gage meet at a wedding where she is performing and Gage is immediately taken with her. They have a night of passion, but when guilt overcomes Lily, she runs in the middle of the night. Their paths cross again and the chemistry is still in full force. Lily is afraid to let go of the past, Gage is fighting for her. Lots of roller coaster emotional rides in this story. Meddling mom, ex-girlfriend who still wants him, over-protective brother-in-law - thank goodness for Lily's sister, Ivy. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Favorite quote from the story "Find your own bongo player to follow and forget how the rest of the band is marching. They’re all out of tune anyway.”
May 15, 2020
The book blurb sums up the story pretty well. It's refreshing to have a sports celebrity main character who doesn't sleep with every woman that hits on him, although that's what single Mom Lily thinks when she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion. I really liked Gage, who pretty much falls for Lily the moment he sees her. He's down to earth and sweet, and so earnest in his attempts to win Lily over. I liked Lily too even though she frustrated me with her reluctance to let go of her past. This well-written romance had me from the first page. It has that real-life feel to it. The characters are full of life and emotion and their lives are just as complicated as real peoples lives are. Gauging the Player is a great addition to the series and I enjoyed it very much. 4.5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
October 3, 2021
This is the 3rd book in this amazing series and is Gauge and Lily’s story. Gauge is a pro hockey player, who is an all-round great guy who will do whatever he must to help others, while Lily is haunted by her past. These two spend a hot night together and Gauge knows that he needs more, but when he wakes up in the morning Lily is gone. These two are destined to cross paths again and Gauge is determined to win Lily over, and I loved how great he was with her daughter, and how patient he is in his pursuit of Lily. This is a well written flawless story which is emotionally charged, with realistic and engaging characters, humor, witty banter, family, and love, which leads to an entertaining and all-consuming tale. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
June 25, 2023
The narrators did an amazing performance. You really feel a connection to these two. I absolutely love this book and am obsessed with Gage. Gage and Lily have amazing chemistry that goes beyond physical. Gage is an amazingly simple man with a strong moral compass who loves his family and hockey. Lily is a single mother who is stuck in the past and suffers from major guilt. Gage is all in from the get go and does whatever he has to do to get Lily on the same page. He woo's her and slowly brings her back to life. Their relationship is complex due to many outside factors. As his grandma says "The right path isn't always clear." Love their HEA. This book is realistic and has wonderful, relatable characters and a great story line. Another 5 star great read in this series.
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
June 29, 2023
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
Gauging the Player is book #3 in The Playmakers series. Gauge is a by-the-book hockey player who tries to live up to ALL the expectations from his family, his team, and his fans. He is laser-focused on his career. At a teammate's wedding, he meets Lily and they have a magical night together. When he wakes up, crickets...she's disappeared. This story brings us the issues of love after loss, family expectations, and the kid/new partner dynamic along with the usual angsty bits we love. We also get the crazy team antics which make me snort laugh.
The narration was fantastic. Ryan Lee Dunlap has that voice that feels like a warm hug on a cold night, but he can definitely bring the bad boy. Aubrey Vincent is so versatile with all her voices. Whether it's a rom-com or something darker, she's A+. 5 bright stars for this duo!
Gauging the Player is book #3 in The Playmakers series. Gauge is a by-the-book hockey player who tries to live up to ALL the expectations from his family, his team, and his fans. He is laser-focused on his career. At a teammate's wedding, he meets Lily and they have a magical night together. When he wakes up, crickets...she's disappeared. This story brings us the issues of love after loss, family expectations, and the kid/new partner dynamic along with the usual angsty bits we love. We also get the crazy team antics which make me snort laugh.
The narration was fantastic. Ryan Lee Dunlap has that voice that feels like a warm hug on a cold night, but he can definitely bring the bad boy. Aubrey Vincent is so versatile with all her voices. Whether it's a rom-com or something darker, she's A+. 5 bright stars for this duo!
July 1, 2023
This is my first book by G.K. Brady and I really like her writing style, characters and storyline. She brings wonderful emotion, passion and love to this story.
Gage and Lily have a chance meeting and have an instant attraction to one another. Lily has some emotional baggage she’s trying to work through which prevents her from fully commuting to Gage. She also had her daughter to worry about so she doesn’t want to get too attached. Gage is patient and loving with Lily - giving her space and time to work through her emotions. G.K. writes the story so beautifully - your emotions will be put to the test.
Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent deliver a fantastic performance. Their voices were perfect for the characters and gave them great emotion and personalities. Audiobooks being a whole different dynamic to the authors words. Fantastic listen!
Gage and Lily have a chance meeting and have an instant attraction to one another. Lily has some emotional baggage she’s trying to work through which prevents her from fully commuting to Gage. She also had her daughter to worry about so she doesn’t want to get too attached. Gage is patient and loving with Lily - giving her space and time to work through her emotions. G.K. writes the story so beautifully - your emotions will be put to the test.
Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent deliver a fantastic performance. Their voices were perfect for the characters and gave them great emotion and personalities. Audiobooks being a whole different dynamic to the authors words. Fantastic listen!
June 29, 2023
Gauging the Player (The Playmakers #3) was a great read by G.K. Brady. Gage Nelson not only doesn’t do one night stands, but he doesn’t date. He is just focused on leading his team to the playoffs. That is until Lily Everett bowls him over with her blue eyed beauty. He ends up breaking his own rules for one night of passion. Unfortunately he wakes up and she’s gone. He has no idea how to find her and can’t get her out of his mind. She can’t seem to let go of her past and runs from the guilt of what she did with the hockey player who must be a player. A chance meeting brings them back together and she realizes that she misjudged Gage. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
July 26, 2023
Audiobook: I enjoyed this story a lot. I appreciated the pun used for the title. Gage Nelson was focused on his hockey career. Lily Everett was trapped in her past. When the two met, there were sparks that led to a one-night stand. In the morning, Lily was gone, and Gage was left with only his memories of her. Their love story was charming. The characters were engaging. I liked that the author added realism to the story by adding details of the less than perfect familial relationships. There were some sexual descriptive scenes included in the tale. Ryan Lee Dunlap's and Aubrey Vincent's dual narrations were good, and their performances added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
October 5, 2023
Hockey and music, what a perfect combination. Gauge is a sweet guy who does a lot for those he cares about. Lily is struggling to move on after the loss of her husband, and is torn about the future. Gauge was so patient with Lily until he could not be anymore, he knew what he wanted and needed to know if she wanted it too. Gauge was amazing with kids, I truly enjoyed those moments. The connection through music was well written, and made me enjoy the characters even more. Overall, it was an engaging book that had amazing characters you could not help but attach to.
The narration was amazing, you definitely felt all of the emotions as Gauge and Lily figured out what they wanted in life. One part that was very well done was Lily's grief.
The narration was amazing, you definitely felt all of the emotions as Gauge and Lily figured out what they wanted in life. One part that was very well done was Lily's grief.
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May 28, 2024Four and a half years. There is no correct timetable after death that allows the living to move forward with their life, but four and a half years is an obscene amount of time to still wear a wedding ring on a chain, keep a shine of pictures and mementos on display, and feel guilty about moving forward. Keep the memories in your mind and in a box and set your heart free already.
This is the story of Gage, a right winger for the Denver Blizzard with a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. And of Lily, a widow, single mom, singer, and social media expert. This is the story of someone unable to let go of their past and someone who deserves better. Why do we always glorify the dead? Put them on a pedestal that they did not earn in life? Gage. Deserves. Better.
This is the story of Gage, a right winger for the Denver Blizzard with a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. And of Lily, a widow, single mom, singer, and social media expert. This is the story of someone unable to let go of their past and someone who deserves better. Why do we always glorify the dead? Put them on a pedestal that they did not earn in life? Gage. Deserves. Better.
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