Second Shot with #76

Piper Rayne

Apr 2022 · Hockey Hotties Book 5 · Piper Rayne Incorporated · Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Chance Smolders

About this audiobook

My mom always said you don’t get a second shot at making a first impression. I’ve remembered that my entire career. Especially since I’m one of the few black men who play professional hockey.

I’m calculated and respectful in the way I speak to my coaches, the owners, and the media. I’ve never taken a risk... until her.

I could blame it on the fact that for once I pushed away the pressure of my career for the ocean waves, the sand, and good times with my new teammates. But those are excuses because the minute I saw her at the airport, something lit up inside me and the best week of my life was spent with her in my bed.

After our week in paradise, we said goodbye, exchanged phone numbers and both assumed that unless one of us was flying through the other’s city on the opposite side of the country, our vacation fling was over.

Then one night after practice I see her. She’s here. In my city. Telling me she moved here for a job. If that’s not fate tell me what is.

I’ve never wanted a second shot more than I do this time, but she’s determined to leave what we were on the island we left behind.

Ratings and reviews

Piper Rayne is one of my favorite author duos and this is a great addition to the series! Cory and Ande's story starts in the novella Tropical Hat Trick and they are also seen earlier in the series. Since we have gotten glimpses of them previously. I was really curious how this second chance romance would play out. I thought there was some good character growth and they were interesting to read about. Things are not always simple or easy for them but they do find their way to an HEA.

I was totally IN LOVE with Ande and Cory's story. Honestly, it's really hard for Piper Rayne to not deliver with these Hockey Hotties. Cory was a fantastic character. Cory is a rookie on the FL hockey team and while he hasn't seen a lot of action on the ice, he saw nonstop action off the ice... if you know what I mean. Because of this, the boy was always in the tabloids and because of this that cost him some time with Ande. Ande has been hurt before and because of this, she's timid and not too sure about Cory. There's a major twist, that I'll leave out because no one likes a spoil sport, but it gave me anxiety attacks. I wish there would have been a bit more closure between the sisters, I wanted some type of a real resolution... I mean, what happens with the relationship? Is there one or is it over between them? I'm left a bit curious there. Otherwise, I'm beyond giddy to get Kane's story. I felt like we got totally teased with him this entire audiobook. Now, the narration by Vanessa Edwin and Chance Smolders was fabulous! Edwin really brought Ande's personality to life. She was able to show her unsure mind and when she was all in. She was a fun character. Smolders, which I don't think I've heard narrate previously, was great. He really fit Cory's fun and upbeat personality. He has a pleasant voice and I just loved hearing him fall for Ande. I'd happily continue to listen to either or both od these narrators again.

Cory and Ande have the distinction of being the first Piper Rayne couple that I wasn't charmed by right away. Neither make a good first impression. It's only as you dig deeper that you find the reasons why. Second Shot with #76 tackles some hard truths and forces some deep thought. Therein lies it's appeal. Cory and Ande dare to be different. With emotion that makes you feel and dialogue that makes you think, Rayne wasn't aiming to make a good first impression but a lasting one.