High Stick: Jarrett

Alicia Hunter Pace

Feb 2018 · Nashville Sound Book 3 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

Two twentysomethings struggle to let go of their idea of a perfect world on and off the ice in this emotional third book in the Nashville Sound series.

Ambitious, smart, and straightlaced, Nashville Sound forward Jarrett MacPherson is determined to walk in the footsteps of his All-American hockey-playing grandfather. He prides himself on doing the right thing above all, with ethics so sharp they could cut the heart out of a saint.

Hard-working Merry Sweet toils by day in a paper shop and coffee bar in Sound Town and at night at the arena, cleaning, selling concessions, and taking tickets. Jarrett notices and admires Merry’s determination and believes her when she says she needs money for law school, even offering to help solve her financial problems.

When she refuses him, his esteem for her only grows. But when the public catches wind of their budding relationship, a surprising secret from Merry’s past comes to light. Now, Jarrett must decide if he’ll let his image take precedence over his heart and cost him the chance at something perfectly real.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Ratings and reviews

Jarrett, The Saint, is a follower of rules. Living a life that follows society’s dictates gives him contentment. The only wrinkle in his well-ordered life is the lack of a woman to love, to dance with, to bear his children, to be his perfect partner in a perfect life. When he meets Merry he quickly realizes that what he thought he would never find is actually standing right before him. She is everything he has ever dreamed of and she is…perfect. Merry is struggling to make ends meet. With student loans and another semester of law school and all its costs looming ahead she works any and every job she can find. Raised in the south by conservative parents, her father a Baptist preacher, she strives to uphold the morale standards they taught her. When she finds herself in a bit of a spot working a wedding reception, she is rescued by Jarrett and swept up into a metaphorical carriage ride that will vanish at the stroke of midnight. This couple were so endearing. Jarrett with his oft not understood humor and his desire for all things good and wholesome was absolutely adorable, as well as his habit of rambling a bit at times. But his patience in waiting for that first kiss, much less anything more, gave credence to his desire for a lifelong relationship with the heroine. Merry was a tad insecure having led a life of constantly moving to the next new church, new town, new school and never having time to solidify friendships. She was hesitant to believe Jarrett could want her for any true length of time. But when she opened herself up to hope, it was a beautiful thing. This was a wonderfully well written book that dragged just a tad in spots. It definitely had a bit of a slow burn to it but once the fuse was lit this couple’s chemistry exploded across the page. However, the true gem of this story was what Jarrett does to win back his lady. I felt myself choking up over such an amazing thing. This can be read as a standalone although it does contain scenes with the couple’s from the previous books. I highly recommend any of them. This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Adams Media.

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.