Rookie Move

Sarina Bowen

Sep 2016 · A Brooklyn Bruisers Novel Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The first novel in a sexy series featuring the hockey players of the Brooklyn Bruisers and the women who win their hearts—from the USA Today bestselling author of the Ivy Years series.
 
In high school they were the perfect couple—until the day Georgia left Leo in the cold...
 
Hockey player Leo Trevi has spent the last six years trying to do two things: get over the girl who broke his heart, and succeed in the NHL. But on the first day he’s called up to the newly franchised Brooklyn Bruisers, Leo gets checked on both sides, first by the team’s coach—who has a long simmering grudge, and then by the Bruisers’ sexy, icy publicist—his former girlfriend Georgia Worthington.
 
Saying goodbye to Leo was one of the hardest things Georgia ever had to do—and saying hello again isn’t much easier. Georgia is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but when a press conference microphone catches Leo declaring his feelings for her, things get really personal, really fast....

Ratings and reviews

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog: 5 Stars I don’t typically pick sports-themed romances, and especially not ones involving hockey. It’s not because they aren’t well written books, I’m just not a huge fan of how the authors typically write their male sports players. They’re usually hot-headed and arrogant…which in a cutthroat billionaire trying to maintain power in a major corporation is extremely sexy and warranted, it doesn’t come across that way with sports players. It typically comes across as crass and…unattractive. So when I read the premise for Rookie Move, I was worried about this…but I was so intrigued, that I thought, “okay, I’ll bite.” I’m really glad I did. This was my very first Sarina Bowen book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with her writing style. After a few pages though, I knew she was my kind of writer, so I settled in and devoured this incredible book. For starters, this is some seriously solid writing. She takes her story and runs with it at a fantastic pace with beautifully seamless transitioning. It’s an exceptionally smooth read with even more impressive character development. Speaking of characters, Leo and Georgia are sheer perfection. Georgia is a feisty, ambitious woman who is thwarted by fate bringing her back into the path of Leo – a determined and surprisingly sweet and charming man whose heart she broke so many years ago. But even after 6 years, Georgia and Leo are clearly still madly in love with one another. And what shocked me the most was how unbelievably sweet and charming Leo is. He has no ill will toward Georgia for breaking his heart. Instead, he wants to mend whatever caused the separation and pick up right where he left off, romancing her back into his good graces. It’s a beautiful story that had me hooked. It’s an incredibly sweet romance, with a character that I judged way before I should have, and has me rethinking my entire attitude toward these types of stories. If there are other out there like Leo, sign me up. Because falling in love with him was easier than I ever would have dreamed! ***I read and reviewed a paperback copy of the book gifted to the blog, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

Sarina Bowen’s ROOKIE MOVE is a spectacular start to the Brooklyn Bruisers series. NHL left winger, Leo Trevi, is traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers 31 days before the trade deadline. The last thing he is expecting is that the love of his life, the girl who broke up with him six years ago, Georgia Worthington, is the acting head of PR for the Bruisers. Then to make matters even more interesting, the team also just acquired a new coach, Karl Worthington, Georgia’s father, a man who has it out for Leo. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adult and adult audiences. I loved ROOKIE MOVE! I adored that this was the story of Leo Trevi and Georgia Worthington, which were both characters in The Ivy Years Series. Before the couple broke up, Georgia was a victim of a horrible crime. They were both about to start school at different colleges and Georgia wanted to give Leo an out. I wanted so much for this pair to get a second chance. Things, however, are not easy and the couple have some obstacles to overcome. Poor Leo seems to keep drawing unwanted attention to himself. As always, Sarina Bowen does an amazing job with her character development. They are dimensional and grow throughout the story. Georgia is smart, hardworking, and brave. Leo has always loved Georgia. Since their breakup, he has dated girls her complete opposite. Girls his friend and family cannot stand; superficial puck bunnies. Leo is a great guy. He is sweet and persistent. Georgia and Leo have known each other since they were kids. They were each other’s first in many things. They were best friends. They are an amazing couple that obviously care for one another. I love that Leo’s brother DJ and his girlfriend, Lianne Challice, also from the Ivy Years series, were in this story. It was fun to hear what the couple was up to. I enjoyed the team owner, Nate Kattenberger. He was a fun character that is brilliant. He cares about his employees and is building an interesting culture with the Bruisers. I love that everyone has a Katt phone. I like Nate’s assistant and Georgia’s roommate, Becca. I love the way she strategically tries to help the couple get back together. The plot was realistic and exciting. I love how chapters started with days before the trade deadline and a media statement. I’m a huge fan of hockey romance. I love this new series. The hockey scenes are well done. It is obvious that Sarina Bowen knows the game. I cannot wait for team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul, story in book two, HARD HITTER, expected to be released on January 3, 2017. I wasn’t sure what I thought about O’Doul at first, but I definitely liked him more as the story continued. ROOKIE MOVE had a preview of HARD HITTER at the end of the story. After reading it I am highly anticipating reading that book and continuing this series. Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Leo Trevi is a dream! This second chance romance was a highly emotional, yet low angst, reunion. While Georgia and her father have been ignoring Leo ever existed for the past 6 years, he has never forgot. Georgia didn’t either, she just buried it deep in her mind. These two gave good emotion, good steam, and good responses as they worked through their present to get to their HEA <3

About the author

Sarina Bowen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the Brooklyn Bruisers series, the Ivy Years series, and the Gravity series. She lives in Vermont’s Green Mountains with her family, six chickens, and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.