Big Stick

Another fallen hockey hunk! This time we get Nick and Jodie's story. We got introduced to Jodie and her daughter in book 5 when her best friend and business partner, Kendra fell in love with Max.

I'm such a sucker for little kids in romance books that I was hoping for their story. It did not disappoint. I loved Zyana, she was so stinking cute. And there is nothing hotter than a guy with kids. 💕

They had a rocky road ahead of them. Nick has isolated himself and Jodie has already resigned to not finding a forever guy. Despite the obstacles in their path, I enjoyed their journey.

There is hints of the next book and I gotta say, it sounds like we will be getting a hero that is ready to settle down. That makes me excited. I love a hero that goes after what he wants. ARC provided by NetGalley.

Nick, the resident loner of the Aces Hockey team, steps outside his comfort zone to attend his best friend and teammate's birthday party. While there, he meets Jodie and is not impressed. Jodie and her best friend co-own an adult toy business. After her best friend fell in love and married an Aces hockey player, Jodie decides to embrace life and move as well. Having no family left in Chicago, Jodie packs up her daughter and moves in with the newlyweds.

Three years after the death of his brother and Nick still can't get passed the overwhelming guilt he feels. Although he knows he's not responsible for his brother's death, he can't help but feeling like he could've done something more to help with his brother's depression. Nick also feels as though he doesn't deserve happiness because his brother should be living the life he is as he was the better hockey player. It's affected Nick so much, that he has decided he never wants to be responsible for anyone ever again. Until....

Unable to find a suitable home for Zyanna, Jodie reluctantly accepts Nick's offer to move into his coach house. Nick values his alone time, but also feels as though he owes it to his best friend to help him out. When Jodie and Zyanna start wondering around his property, he's irritated, but also intrigued. Nick never wanted kids, but finds Zyanna intelligent and adorable. He finds her mom, brilliant and desirable and chatty! When a winter storm throws them together, sparks fly and he begins to wonder "what if". When Jodie has to leave town for a business trip, Nick volunteers to watch Zyanna. While in his care, Zyanna becomes sick. Nick, not knowing what to do, feels horrible when he ends up having to take her to Urgent Care. He wrongly blames himself for her illness and uses it as an excuse to reinforce his belief that he's better off alone. In the process, he breaks Jodie and Zyanna's hearts.

Loved, loved, loved this novel!!! Grief is real and molds our beliefs, feelings. It causes us to believe things that aren't necessarily true. Although it was Jodie's nature to be chatty, she excelled at listening when Nick needed an ear. She and Zyanna helped Nick become a more complete person. The transformation was endearing! Nick's interactions with Zyanna were priceless! Zyanna's "gwiant" endearment was so adorable! She had him wrapped around her finger from the start! Epic love story! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

When Jodie decides to move her business to Chicago with her 2 year old, certain doubts come to her, but her business partner has already made the move, so why not follow. She has no family, other than her two year old. However, finding an apartment that she can afford in a good and safe neighborhood, is not easy. Now she’s been living in her best friends home, along with her boyfriend, and Jodie needs to find something quick. Kendra and Hallsey have been very understanding, specially since they’re romance is so new. Then Nick, Hallsey’s friend, offers his coach house to Jodie and her daughter.
Jodie represents everything that Nick doesn’t want or need. Except, he can’t stop thinking about her and her sweet daughter. When a massive snow storm hits Chicago, Nick brings them to his house to stay. With no electricity, there is no way he would let them stay in the coach house, when he has a fireplace. Nick realizes how much he wants Jodie, and it seems by some strange miracle, she also wants him.
What kind of future can he offer them when he is so broken inside. Can Jodie be strong enough for both of them to make this work.
Great story. Kelly Jamieson never disappoints!
I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.