Name: Lover of Romance 's review of Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen
Item: Moonlighter
Rating: 3.5
Author: Lover of Romance

Sarina Bowen

Only in my family could a professional hockey player earning seven million dollars a year be considered a slacker. I’m at the height of my athletic career. Yet my arrogant brother is always trying to recruit me into the family business: a global security company so secretive that I don’t even know its name. Pass, thanks. I don’t need a summer job. But the jerk ambushes me with a damsel in distress. That damsel is Alex, the competitive, sassy girl I knew when we were kids. Now she’s a drop-dead gorgeous woman in deep trouble. So guess who’s on a flight to Hawaii? It’s going to be a long week in paradise. My job is keeping Alex safe, while her job is torturing me with her tiny bikinis. Or maybe we’re torturing each other. It’s all snark and flirting until the threat against Alex gets serious. And this jock must become her major league protector. Moonlighter is a stand-alone novel. No cliffhangers, no prior experience necessary. Contains: hackers, hockey players, and a hotel room with only one bed. Sarina Bowen has done it again! Alex and Eric's chemistry is off the charts! USA Today bestselling author Nana Malone Eric Bayer is Sarina Bowen’s sexiest hero yet! New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy ---------------------------------- For fans of: Helena Hunting, Elle Kennedy, Catherine Gayle, Avon Gale, Toni Aleo, Kristen Callihan, LJ Shen, Mona Kasten, Corinne Michaels, Jana Aston, Karina Halle, Meghan March, Jay Crownover, Anna Todd, Geneva Lee, Audrey Carlan, Jill Shalvis, Suzanne Brockmann, Helen Hoang, Christina Lauren, Kristan Higgins, Sally Thorne, Penelope Sky, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts, Maisey Yates, Sarah Mayberry, Elle Kennedy, Lauren Blakely, Susan Mallery, Penny Reid, Julia Kent, Kelly Jamieson, Melanie Harlow, Carrie Ann Ryan, Kendall Ryan, Kennedy Ryan, Helen Hardt, Meghan March, Julia Kent, Meli Raine, Sylvia Day, Chelle Bliss, Brenda Rothert, Natasha Madison, Kylie Scott, Helena Hunting, Sloane Kennedy, Penelope Sky, Elle Kennedy, K.A. Linde, Nana Malone, Jami Davenport, Jaci Burton, Penelope Sky, Helen Hardt, E.L. James, Anna Todd, Chelle Bliss, Kendall Ryan, Kennedy Fox, Julia Kent, Meli Raine, Kristen Callihan, Meghan March, Meghan Quinn, Rebecca Yarros, Devney Perry, Carrie Ann Ryan, JD Robb, Jill Shalvis. Keywords: Hockey romance, hockey players, female CEO, billionaires, billionaire romance, private security, bodyguards, sports romance, professional hockey, professional hockey players, sports romance novel, hockey romance novel, protective hero, alpha hero, protective alpha male, pregnant, baby, accidental pregnancy, hockey player with baby, fake romance, fake boyfriend, childhood friends, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, hate to love.

Moonlighter

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Moonlighter is the first book in the duo series by Sarina Bowen. I have really neglected this author of late, but when I saw this one available in my library's digital catalog, I just knew that I had to grab it up and I am so happy that I did too. It immediately drew me into the story. Moonlight is a combination of themes that I think only Sarina Bowen could actually make work. It was delicious in the way that she drew this couple together and it delivers in a mix of factors that fans of this author will truly enjoy

Eric Bayer, is a professional Hockey player. He is recovering from a knee injury and his sport is his life. He has had little interest in getting involved in his family's business.

Alex, is a sassy intellectual heroine that has had to work order to gain the respect of her peers. She is on the verge of releasing an AI device, and her ex assaulted her and there is a target on her back by an unknown source.

Eric is enlisted by his brother when there is a woman's life in danger, and not just any woman, a woman he was once best friends with as a teenager. But now Eric and Alex are full fledged adults, and Alex doesn't even recognize them at their first meeting. But when Eric becomes aware of Alex's situation, he reluctantly agrees to pose as the boyfriend to draw their enemy out. And as Alex and Eric work together in trying to find out who is after her, there is also a budding relationship that is becoming rebuilt over time between them, but while Eric is on board with Alex, Alex is busy with her project and creation and doesn't want the distraction that Eric offers her. But Eric is determined to prove to Alex that they are worth fighting for.

I will be honest in that I had NO clue what I was really getting into with this one. I just went into it blindly. Its been so long since I read a Sarina Bowen and I had forgotten how entertaining her writing can be. I just found these two so captivating and just easily drew me into it. I absolutely adored both characters. They both were so delightful. I really understand where they each were coming from. This also has a unique take on accidental pregnancy that I think will work for most readers. As no the hero is NOT the father, but from her ex. I really found this element put in different. Normally we don't see that type of aspect for a "Accidental Pregnancy" trope. I was drawn into the banter that is implemented. I absolutely adore it and it had me so charmed by the characters and the humor just added the right touch where this book will work for readers that enjoy either a serious toned story or are more romantic comedy type of readers for romance.

I want to say that I wanted to love this one more than I actually did. Not saying that I didn't like it. Because I really enjoyed it. But the pacing quality was all over the place and the heroine was going hot and cold with the hero and I didn't like the "cold shoulder" she would give him just because of other impressions people may have on her. I understood her motivations, I just didn't think the hero did anything to deserve her scorn at times. I am picky when it comes to the heroine, and even though I understood her in some ways, I just didn't agree with how she acted because the hero was GLORIOUS! He was such a gentleman and sexy and had such a caring strong heart.

The plot of the story was so interesting though. I was easily drawn into it here. I actually really enjoyed the growth of the story line that is implemented. It was SO different than anything that I have read from this author so far and I was intrigued to see where she would take it. It definitely delivered on some great strong points. I had such a delightful with the "danger" aspects to the story. It wasn't overdone and really balanced well with the lighter toned side of the romance itself and the character's bantering. If you like your suspense well balanced with the story then this story must be on your list.

I want to make mention of the ending though. The ending was just not something I enjoyed at all. I am still wondering if that was a HEA, its definitely more of a HFN. It felt so abrupt to me though, and didn't have a HEA vibe to it. Hopefully they stay together?? LOL

I found Moonlighter to be a superb story that delivered a balance of suspense and light contemporary romantic fun that is guaranteed to curl your toes and bring a warm smile to your face! Definitely a keeper and one I would recommend to others.



This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Moonlighter is the first book in the duo series by Sarina Bowen. I have really neglected this author of late, but when I saw this one available in my library's digital catalog, I just knew that I had to grab it up and I am so happy that I did too. It immediately drew me into the story. Moonlight is a combination of themes that I think only Sarina Bowen could actually make work. It was delicious in the way that she drew this couple together and it delivers in a mix of factors that fans of this author will truly enjoy

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Eric Bayer
Eric Bayer, is a professional Hockey player. He is recovering from a knee injury and his sport is his life. He has had little interest in getting involved in his family's business.

The Heroine: Alex
Alex, is a sassy intellectual heroine that has had to work order to gain the respect of her peers. She is on the verge of releasing an AI device, and her ex assaulted her and there is a target on her back by an unknown source.

Summary
Eric is enlisted by his brother when there is a woman's life in danger, and not just any woman, a woman he was once best friends with as a teenager. But now Eric and Alex are full fledged adults, and Alex doesn't even recognize them at their first meeting. But when Eric becomes aware of Alex's situation, he reluctantly agrees to pose as the boyfriend to draw their enemy out. And as Alex and Eric work together in trying to find out who is after her, there is also a budding relationship that is becoming rebuilt over time between them, but while Eric is on board with Alex, Alex is busy with her project and creation and doesn't want the distraction that Eric offers her. But Eric is determined to prove to Alex that they are worth fighting for.

My Outlook
I will be honest in that I had NO clue what I was really getting into with this one. I just went into it blindly. Its been so long since I read a Sarina Bowen and I had forgotten how entertaining her writing can be. I just found these two so captivating and just easily drew me into it. I absolutely adored both characters. They both were so delightful. I really understand where they each were coming from. This also has a unique take on accidental pregnancy that I think will work for most readers. As no the hero is NOT the father, but from her ex. I really found this element put in different. Normally we don't see that type of aspect for a "Accidental Pregnancy" trope. I was drawn into the banter that is implemented. I absolutely adore it and it had me so charmed by the characters and the humor just added the right touch where this book will work for readers that enjoy either a serious toned story or are more romantic comedy type of readers for romance.

I want to say that I wanted to love this one more than I actually did. Not saying that I didn't like it. Because I really enjoyed it. But the pacing quality was all over the place and the heroine was going hot and cold with the hero and I didn't like the "cold shoulder" she would give him just because of other impressions people may have on her. I understood her motivations, I just didn't think the hero did anything to deserve her scorn at times. I am picky when it comes to the heroine, and even though I understood her in some ways, I just didn't agree with how she acted because the hero was GLORIOUS! He was such a gentleman and sexy and had such a caring strong heart.

The plot of the story was so interesting though. I was easily drawn into it here. I actually really enjoyed the growth of the story line that is implemented. It was SO different than anything that I have read from this author so far and I was intrigued to see where she would take it. It definitely delivered on some great strong points. I had such a delightful with the "danger" aspects to the story. It wasn't overdone and really balanced well with the lighter toned side of the romance itself and the character's bantering. If you like your suspense well balanced with the story then this story must be on your list.

I want to make mention of the ending though. The ending was just not something I enjoyed at all. I am still wondering if that was a HEA, its definitely more of a HFN. It felt so abrupt to me though, and didn't have a HEA vibe to it. Hopefully they stay together?? LOL

Overall View
I found Moonlighter to be a superb story that delivered a balance of suspense and light contemporary romantic fun that is guaranteed to curl your toes and bring a warm smile to your face! Definitely a keeper and one I would recommend to others.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 3/5
Steam: 4/5
Heart & Feels: 3.5/5
Ending: 3/5
Overall View: 3.5/5

Trigger Warnings:
(view spoiler)







Sven Test

Sarina delivered more than what I was expecting. She nailed the grump hockey player, the smart and independent woman, and a whole company read to take down whoever is terrorizing said woman. It was hot, it had action-packed scenes, it was fun, giggly, swoon-worthy, it got my adrenaline going and my heart racing!

It's the most successful company you've never heard of.

Alex, a childhood friend of Eric's, needs protection, and who better to be the bodyguard and fit the boyfriend role than Eric Bayer. He does not want this at all, but he doesn't have much of a choice. Off they go to Hawaii where there's only one bed in their room to share and tensions are running high!

"She definitely notices when my flag is hoisted. I mean, it's hard to hide this kickstand when the bike is in gear."

Eric was ever the gentleman with Alex. He treated her like a queen. All the food he gave her, like yes! Food is the way to my heart! The attention, the care, the admiration he had for her was palpable and shining through every page.

No man has ever overwhelmed me like Hurricane Eric. That was a Category 5 experience.

Alex is the independent woman I was looking forward to reading. She's strong, knows what she wants, has worked hard to become the CEO of a company, knows the technology world like she knows how to breathe. She stands up for herself and leaves men jaw-slacked in her wake. She's full of the snark that I was here for!

"Alexandra," the twit says as he approaches. "Long time no see."

"That was intentional," she says, taking a sip of her drink.

The chemistry is absolutely there. And the maturity these characters exerted was refreshing. My problem with this novel was that I was expecting suspense, which was there, but not enough. And we were kind of left hanging in the resolve of the story. I'm seriously hoping the author continues this part of the story in another book because we can't be left like this.

Overall, Moonlighter was a beautiful and fun start to the spin-off of the spin-off. You see characters from the other series, which I thought was great. I can't wait to read more from this series! I need a book for Max and Scout! I felt something there and I'm not letting it go!

Megan Lowe

This was an intriguing book. I liked the mix of mystery and sport, even if I wished there was a bit more sport, but that’s a personal preference.
I loved Alex and Eric’s story. They’re great characters, typically Sarina, and always great.
I also liked the intrigue and the supporting cast of characters, I’m interested to see where the rest of this series goes, especially as it’s a little obvious the storyline here will continue.
An interesting read, give it a go!

Lover of Romance &
Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen

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