Hooked: A Novel

A hot, sexy story! I haven’t read too many hockey romance stories. Not being into sports much at all I’m kind of surprised at how much I like reading sports related romance stories. Hooked was a fun, sexy story to read. The story is told in first person alternating between Miranda and Jake. Miranda is a maid working at the fancy hotel where Jake is living while his condo is being renovated. She is also attending school and tending bar part time to help pay for her schooling. Jake is the star center, leading scorer and team captain of Chicago’s hockey team. He’s cocky and has a host of rituals he follows prior to every game. When he and Miranda meet while she’s cleaning his suite at the Dupont, she’s less than impressed when he gives her a list of very specific items he wants kept in his suite. She doesn’t take any crap from him and it’s a refreshing change from the women who normally fall all over him. He’s intrigued enough that he wants to see her again – out side of her duties as his maid. This book was a very entertaining story to read. There are a couple of complicated plot points that made the story interesting. Miranda was burned in the past by a cheating boyfriend. Jake’s not always very forthcoming about what is going on with him which, of course, leads to a big misunderstanding between them. I loved that Hooked includes an epilogue that lets us know what’s going on with Jake and Miranda five years down the road. If you like hockey related romance stories you should really enjoy this one. Even if you’re not crazy about sports it’s still a very entertaining and romantic story with the angst factor not over the top. A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

**Book received through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything hockey related and this book was no exception. While the blurb seemed to signal that it could have been a bit cliché, the story itself is anything but. Jake Birch is a hotshot hockey player who is currently living at a local hotel while renovations are completed on his apartment. He encounters Miranda when she is doing her job at the hotel - as the maid - and both of them are immediately attracted, but of course Miranda isn't going to act on anything for several reasons. Her reasons include not wanting to lose her job by fraternizing with a guest and also since she's sworn off dating following her previous relationship; both enough to make her go the opposite way. Jake realizes he is smitten with the hard working woman and he isn't going to stop trying to get her to notice him even though he has a situation that he is dealing with that should preclude him from pursuing her. Miranda is a hard working woman who isn't swayed by Jake's fame and while she is falling for him, she also wants to make sure she's making it on her own. When a situation arises that Jake might have forgotten to mention, will it threaten what he and Miranda have built? Brenda Rothert told a sexy, sweet, fast-paced read that will "hook" those that choose to pick up this great read!

He's a cocky hockey player. She's a struggling college student. Together they are explosive. May sound like your typical romance but it has a depth that makes this one fresh and enjoyable. Jake Birch finds himself in trouble with the team owners. Their edict, clean up your act or your out. On top of that, after the team owners daughter whines and complains that Jake never called her after he got what he wanted, he's being forced to "date" her. Of course now is when he would meet a woman who actually intrigues him. Miranda wants nothing to do with men. They are the last thing she has time for, so when the hockey hottie she met at the hotel keeps showing up she doesn't give him the time of day. Not willing to take no for an answer, he has the nerve to request her as his personal housekeeper. Now he's getting hard to resist. He's sweet, offers to help her with her studying, and is simply gorgeous. How long can a girl not give in to that?? This was a fun read and one I definitely recommend.