Slap Shot: Bryant

Alicia Hunter Pace

Oct 2017 · Nashville Sound Book 2 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Two deeply scarred souls struggle with forbidden feelings in this heartfelt second novel in the Nashville Sound series.

Life has taught defenseman Bryant Taylor never to look back and never to get serious about a woman. His ill, pregnant wife died while he was off playing an away game, leaving him—and both their families—heartbroken. Jokes and puck bunnies are his style now, and he’s sticking to it.

Gabriella Charbonnet has idolized her brother Emile since he rescued her from their violently abusive father when she was eleven—and he’s supported her ever since. He even agreed to play for the Sound so that she could apprentice as a pastry chef in nearby Beauford, Tennessee.

When Bryant and Gabriella find themselves thrown together at a society fundraiser, sparks fly. But Gabriella wants nothing to do with hockey players, aside from her brother, who just so happens to be Bryant’s best friend. The first rule of the bro code? Don’t mess with sisters.

There are plenty of reasons why starting a relationship would be all kinds of wrong, yet walking away from each other doesn’t prove to be as easy as they thought.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Ratings and reviews

Gabriella has reason to not trust hockey players despite the fact that her brother is one. When Bryant, her brother’s best friend and team mate, demands ice cream from the bakery where she works she begins to look at him in a different light. She might be able to have a one and done with him, but she could never trust him enough to have more. Bryant’s life hasn’t turned out exactly as he had planned when he graduated high school. His family makes emotional demands on him that are taking their toll. Suddenly however, Gabriella seems to make the weight on his shoulders a little less heavy. This couple has quite a spark going between them and despite the promises they make to themselves and each other to remain friends only, you just know it’s all going to blow up in their face spectacularly. I enjoyed their light hearted banter and easy camaraderie they shared. On the other hand, I just wanted to yell at Bryant’s mother. She was so passive aggressive and controlling when she spoke to him. This is all part of the plot, and these authors totally made it believable, thus my anger at his family. The end was wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste and an epilogue would’ve gone a long way toward making me feel better about it. However, with Emile and Amy from the first book playing a large role here, I assume we’ll get more of Bryant and Gabriella in the next installment. This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Adams Media. Dual POV Safe No apparent triggers

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Alicia Hunter Pace is the writing team of Stephanie Jones and Jean Hovey. Stephanie lives in Jasper, Alabama, where she teaches sixth grade. She is a native Alabamian who likes football, Civil War history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them. Jean, a former public librarian, lives in Decatur, Alabama, with her husband in a hundred-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul’s fish fillets since becoming a writer. Find Alicia Hunter Pace at AliciaHunterPace.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @AliciaHPace.