Hooked: A Novel

Brenda Rothert

Dec 2016 · Sold by Loveswept

About this ebook

From the author of the On the Line and Fire on Ice hockey romance series comes a sultry standalone novel featuring a brooding NHL player who’s hell on skates—and the no-nonsense woman who forces him to clean up his act.

Miranda: Even though I’m broke, putting myself through college, and working two jobs, I’m trying to make the best of it. Meanwhile, Jake Birch, hockey’s hottest bad boy, lives in a luxury hotel in downtown Chicago—and still complains about every little thing in his penthouse. But after I tell him off, instead of getting me fired, Jake requests me as his personal housekeeper. Then he starts flirting with me. Only I’m not flirting back . . . at least, I’m trying not to. Did I mention that he’s hockey’s hottest bad boy?

Jake: I’ve met the best woman at the worst possible time. Miranda is the fire to my ice—a sexy, charmingly candid spark who breaks down my walls and reminds me what it’s like to feel again. But I’m being forced to date my team owner’s daughter to keep my job, so I can’t be caught with Miranda. Still, we’re getting closer—until Miranda finds out about my “girlfriend.” And that’s not the only secret I’ve been keeping. But Miranda’s the one I want . . . even if she doesn’t believe me.

Praise for Hooked

“I loved this book, an awesome romance with some chuckles and a little sexiness. I will definitely be checking out other books by Brenda [Rothert] and I absolutely recommend this book.”—BookSmacked (Five stars)

“A sexy, heartwarming tale, that I truly enjoyed. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports romance or really contemporary romance in general.”—Where the Night Kind Roam

“Sexy, sweet and totally had me swooning. Prepare to get Hooked.”—New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett

“Hooked is sexy, sweet, and full of steam! Jake is pure alpha male and a hockey bad boy. But he steams up the pages with Miranda, a sassy, independent housekeeper. My favorite Brenda Rothert book yet! A total must-read.”—USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss

“The heroine is strong and sassy while the hero is impossible not to love. I laughed out loud several times at cute banter and clever lines. I’d recommend a one-click without hesitation!”—New York Times bestselling author S.E. Hall

“Hooked is a sweet, steamy and romantic story with characters you’ll fall in love with.”—USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson

“Brenda Rothert writes a sweet, compelling hockey romance about a bad-tempered hockey player. I enjoyed this emotional story.”—Cocktails & Books

“Brenda Rothert did a wonderful job with this story. It’s a nice read that I enjoyed 100%!”—Cristiina Reads

“Hooked is everything that I’ve come to expect from one of Brenda [Rothert’s] books, and more.”—Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews
 
“What a sweet story . . . the banter, the love scenes and the sweet touching moments. It is such an easy and enjoyable read.”—Read-Love-Blog

“Bravo to Brenda! I cannot wait to read more of her books!”—Kelly’s Book Blog

“I loved both characters as they battled through all the hurdles to finding their HEA. . . . I thoroughly enjoyed Hooked.”—Books & Boys Book Blog

Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Ratings and reviews

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.

Brenda Rothert scored with HOOKED. NHL hockey star and team captain, Jake Birch, is not used to people saying no to him. Then he meets Miranda Carr the beautiful and feisty house keeper at the hotel he is staying at while his condo is being renovated. She tells him how it is and treats him like she would anyone else. It’s appealing. Unfortunately, he needs to stay away from her because he is being coerced into dating his team owner’s daughter, whom he can’t stand. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Chicago. I loved this story. It was heartwarming and believable. The characters have a lot of depth. I love how Jake slowly lets Miranda get to know the real him and opens-up to her. After losing his brother/best friend to cystic fibrosis, he closed himself off to others not wanting to be hurt again. He became an arrogant jerk. My heart broke for him and what he went through with his family. I like the person he becomes with Miranda by his side. I love that he helps her study, and that he likes simply hanging out with her. Miranda is a lovable heroine. She has a great family. She is putting herself through college, while working two jobs. She is determined and hard working. She is not impressed by money and social status. She is stubborn. She is good for Jake. Hailey Hampton adds interesting conflict to the story. In the end, Jake handles the situation respectfully. It was an awkward situation. HOOKED held me riveted. I read this book in one sitting, not being able to put it down. The characters are genuine. They are human and have their own issues. They overcome multiple obstacles. The story was appealing and heartfelt. Brenda Rothert did an amazing job with this story. I enjoy her writing style. I appreciated that it had an epilogue. The story was well concluded and felt complete. I look forward to Brenda Rothert’s next book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this 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!

About the author

Brenda Rothert is the author of Blown Away and the On the Line and Fire on Ice hockey romance series. She was a daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed working on a wide range of stories. Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons.