The Trouble with #9

Rating: 4.5 Stars Maksim is good at keeping secrets. He’s also very cocky. Paisley has a job that helps people but there are boundaries that must be observed. In her personal life, she has some insecurities that keep popping up. Our authors have created an interesting connection between our main characters. Maksim is a self-assured Russian hockey player who knows what he wants. Paisley knows what she wants but seems to have second guesses when actually following through. That was until she found the right man. The audiobook version will help the reader when it comes to hearing someone talk with a slight accent. Mr. Paige was a great voice for Maksim but since I’ve heard a few books told by him, there were times when his natural voice came through. I didn’t mind that though since it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the tale. Ms. Sylvan is a new narrator for me. It was a pleasure listening to her bring Paisley to life. She also did a good job with a male voice. This was a duo that I look forward to hearing again. I loved the book and will certainly read it again but when I need to be hands-free, the audio version will be my choice. But I think that with the ending, the audiobook wins out. This is a series that I can see having a marathon read once it is complete. In the meantime, I can enjoy each book as they come out. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Trouble with #9 is the second book in Piper Rayne’s Hockey Hotties series. I devoured this story. There is so much to love. It is a fun, light-hearted story with passion, humour and love and I couldn’t put it down from start to finish. Maksim and Paisley have such fantastic chemistry! After being introduced to these characters and reading about their sexy New Years Eve kiss in the prequel novella I’ve been intrigued and wanting more of them. Paisley is the hockey team’s therapist and she has been tasked with taking on Makism as a patient to help him work out his anger issues which is affecting his ice play. This of course now makes a relationship between them forbidden and off limits. Maksim is not interested in talking about his feelings at all and would much rather get to know Paisley on a personal level and wants to pursue her romantically. He is charming and flirty and the more time he spends with Paisley the more he is determined to date her. I love the progression of their relationship and undeniable sparks. On top of the romance between Maksim and Paisley I loved the friendship and comrade between Maksim and his teammates. Their antics are entertaining and had me laughing one moment and swooning the next. They are a supportive group and their friendships only strengthen with each book. I cannot wait for Ford’s story next.

Book 2 in the Hockey Hotties Series and this book is as good if not better than the first, if the rest of this series goes this way Piper Rayne will have not only a hit series on her hands but they will be up there with the queens of the ice and hockey hunks. The Trouble with #9 is Masksim Petrvo and Paisley’s story. Masksim is the enforcer/defender for the Fury, his job is to protect his team, that leads to a lot of fights on the ice as well as some hot headed moments that has even annoyed his fans so it’s time for the owner to step in. The whole team need to look at themselves and he insists everyone has a visit with the team psychologist Paisley. What starts off as Paisley trying to find out what makes this man tick soon turns to friendship than very soon turns into so much more but this man is deep and he doesn’t open up easily so be prepared for be a lot pushing and pulling as she digs and he try’s to hide his issues under the carpet…. This was an emotional roller coaster but I was so glad I joined the ride, this is a book with all the feels, I smiled, I sighed, I held my breath and at times I wanted to slap Masksim but if you love sports romances this book is a must read. A great addition to a series that is shaping up to be the amongst the best hockey stories of 2021.