Name: Hard Hitter
ISBN: 9780399583452

Sarina Bowen

"He's a fighter in the rink, but he's about to learn that playing nice can help you score..."--Back cover.

Hard Hitter

Lover of Romance 

Hard Hitter is the second book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series by Sarina Bowen and after having a blast with book one “Rookie Move” I just knew that I had to have book two in my life. I just couldn’t resist. And as a plus this series can be found in the Audible Romance Package, so if you are a subscriber I can’t recommend these books enough for you. They are superb and the second book succeeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure how this author could make anything better than book one but she did it….somehow much to my great delight

In Hard Hitter, we are introduced to Patrick O’Doul and Ari Bettini. Now Patrick O’Doul is the team captain of the Brooklyn Bruisers and one of the more experienced players. He is also the one in charge of fighting in the rink. But Patrick is getting older, and is starting to feel his injuries more and his energy levels are going down and he can’t afford that. So when a friend hands him some drugs to help him he makes some mistakes but then he realizes he can’t afford to be doing drugs no matter how much they seem to help. When his coach orders him to see Ari, the team’s massage therapist, he is resistant. He can’t stand the touch of others and he is dreading going to see Ari even if he is attracted to her.

Ari has recently gotten out of a long term relationship where her ex became abusive and unhinged and is still causing her problems. But Ari is a glass half full type of personality and hardly anything gets her down. She is a message therapist and yoga instructor. She loves her job with the Brooklyn Bruisers and being able to help the players with their bodies. She is determined to help Patrick, even if he seems to abhor human touch. She knows it is something involved in his past, but she wants to help him and while she assists him in his therapy sessions and aids in his injuries, a relationship begins to slowly form between them especially when he is there for in when she is in danger. But will their careers come between the relationship and will they find the balance that they need?

I simple had a blast with Hard Hitter and its O’Doul’s book. Now in the first book, we are introduced to the team captain and yeah he can put the reader off to be honest. He is a bit too cocky but he has this confidence that is addictive and a bit endearing. Now in the beginning when we see him start on the drugs, I was really nervous because I wasn’t sure how Sarina Bowen would handle this situation. But it isn’t as bad as it sounds, because Patrick doesn’t get addicted to drugs but we do see him have a moment of weakness and lack of judgement but not everyone can be perfect right? I liked that he has some weak spots and vulnerabilities and makes some mistakes and this one will bite him in the booty eventually. Even though Patrick does have a dark past, the book doesn’t focus on that. He isn’t a brooding type of character that is typical of this which I really enjoyed. Patrick has overcome his past for the most part and moved on and become someone that others look up to and admire and respect. I loved seeing more in his character and seeing all that he has overcome.

 “Fuck no. You’re the only one who gets to touch me.” “Okay,” she said, pressing on his shoulder, asking him to lie flat again. “It was only a suggestion. I was trying to make you more comfortable.” “Not possible,” he muttered. “I only want you, Ari. For this and all things.” 

Now on Ari’s side of things we do see the strength that she has. I loved her determination to forge a fresh start for herself away from her ex although he is becoming a nuisance. We see how even though she has a career she craves a family….a husband and children. She wants to have someone to come home to. I really connected with her character because she knows what she wants and isn’t ashamed of it. She is older though in her thirties, so she has learned through trial and error what is worth searching and fighting for. But she makes her own mistakes and even though she could be a bit judgmental at times, she learns and becomes a better person in this book which I really enjoyed seeing.

 You are priceless…I hope you know that.

The romance that develops between these two is so heartfelt. I really liked the whole message therapist and player set up because it brings forth a level of trust and intimacy from the very beginning, before things get hot and heavy between them which I really admired from Sarina Bowen. But there is also the level of dependence they have on each other….in a healthy way though. Patrick struggles with touch and he has to trust in Ari to help him overcome his fears. Ari has her ex acting crazy and violent at times, and Patrick is there when she needs help. I wouldn’t call this a damsel in distress scenario to be honest. Because she is a fighter, and isn’t afraid of doing what is necessary. But he helps her when she needs it and I liked that she didn’t spurn his help. I know in some books the woman has to do everything and be the strongest and fight her own battles which is all well and good but in this book it shows that we all need help sometime and its not a bad thing to accept it when its the right time and place and situation for it.

I found Hard Hitter to be a phenomenal story that swept me up in this story and I just never wanted it to end! A fabulous addition to a great series that is guaranteed to capture the heart of the reader and is a true jewel to enchant!

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

For some reason, I was a little eh on reading Patrick's story. Having met him on Rookie Move, I wasn't too sold on the guy. I'm glad I gave him a chance because I totally loved him!

Patrick is a very grumpy hero. He has given so much of himself to hockey and because of it, he needs a therapist to help him with his body. But Patrick has a past with major baggage and he doesn't want anyone touching him or getting close to him, not even Ari.

Wanting Ari wasn’t like any of those other wants. It was far more terrifying.

Ari also comes with major baggage. Her ex won't leave her alone and is always putting her in danger. Because of him, she's not ready to date. She wants to take a break from men and just focus on herself. But Patrick is completely different from her ex. He makes her feel alive again and the chemistry between them is unreal! Plus, Patrick is so very attentive and caring when it comes to Ari. Who knew a man with such tough exterior could be a gentle sweetheart?

"I've got it bad. It might take me years to convince you I’m a good guy, but I'll never stop trying."

Ari irritated me at times. It's obvious Patrick won't play her and I get she wants a break from dating, but she still sees Patrick. I didn't like the back and forth she kept doing. I wished she had put on her big girl panties on and take Patrick from the beginning. Patrick treats her so beautifully, it had my heart melting. Hell, I would swoon every time he would call her "sweetheart".

"You are priceless. I hope you know that."

I totally loved the hockey team's dynamic! They are a bunch of hilarious men that I totally adored. I love how they are there for one another, even when it comes to dating or gifting advice. Each player is different, but together they make a wonderful team and friendship.

Overall, Hard Hitter is another wonderful addition to the Brooklyn Bruisers series! It has strong characters, a swoony romance, and a grumpy hero with a heart of gold!

I received an ARC from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

marie

Nikki

I'm surprised I didn't like this as much as the other installment of this series. 

Ari, I like. Doulie, I liked. I don't know, he's so much different from the Doulie that I read from Rookie Move. I know that personality is a complex thing but I just didn't see it. It's like Rookie Move!Doulie is a different person from Hard Hitter!Doulie.

Plot-wise, it's not something out of the ordinary, but it is written very well. Can't wait to read Ari-Doulie crumbs in the next books.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I'm not the only one who is totally in love with everything Sarina Bowen writes, right? I read, no devoured, this one a couple months ago while I was recovering from surgery and it was EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. 

Y'all know I love me a good grumpy hero. Patrick O'Doul was exactly that. But as gruff and hard as he was on the outside, he was gentle and sweet underneath. But he was still alllll man. I loved how he stepped up for Ari, giving her exactly the support she needed to get through the issues with her (scumbag) ex. Don't get me wrong, Ari was strong as hell and totally able to fight her own battles. It still didn't hurt that Patrick was totally protective of her and gave her additional support. It's all part of what made them work as a couple and made them easy for me to root for. 

I loved the way their relationship progressed throughout this book. Following along as they moved from colleagues to friends to more just made me happy. They had tons of chemistry and their sexy times were scorching hot. (Tantric sex, what?!) But more than all the physical stuff, they pushed each other to do better and be better. It just doesn't get any better than that. 

It should be no surprise that I'm loving the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I'm enjoying the characters so much. I've loved seeing how each of them grow and develop over the course of their book. The pairings are perfection. I can't wait for the third book! 

FAVORITE QUOTES

  "Center your awareness on your breathing. If you find your mind wandering to other thoughts, simply acknowledge that all is fucking horseshit. Let it go. Listen to your inner stillness. Breathe in calm. Exhale bullshit."

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

Why do grumpy heroes turn out to be the sweetest heroes? I totally adored Patrick and his grumpy, protective, loving ways. He and Ari made the perfect couple! Their romance was slow and utterly sweet. This is another wonderful hockey romance from one of my favorite authors – if the Brooklyn Bruisers series isn’t on your TBR list, you need to add it there asap!

As captain and enforcer of the Brooklyn Bruisers, Patrick O’Doul has been through a lot on the ice, and his body is not happy about it. So in comes the team’s massage therapist, Ari Bettini, though Patrick is more than reluctant to let her do her job and help soothe his muscles. He’s got a ton of baggage from his past that prevents him from getting close to anyone, mentally and physically. But Ari has magic hands and a few tricks up her sleeves, and she’s determined to get him back into fighting shape.

Ari has baggage as well, in the form of an annoying ex who just won’t stay away and seems to be putting her in danger. He’s the reason why she’s not looking for a relationship soon – if ever – but the chemistry she feels with Patrick can’t be ignored. Patrick himself, after he’s warmed up to Ari, wants to explore what they have even more. He’s gruff, yet gentle and sweet with her. He is the PERFECT man trying to win her heart and make her swoon. He even enlisted the help of his teammates to get some tips on how to woo a woman – how freaking adorable is that!?

Wanting Ari wasn’t like any of those other other wants. It was far more terrifying. In the first place, there was too much that was out of his control. He’d always been able to say: if I just work a little harder, I can have this. If I just put in the hours. That wasn’t the case with Ari. Even as he dreamt up the next romantic thing he might do for her, he knew it might never be enough. She could decide that a punk from the wrong end of Minneapolis wasn’t what she needed in her life.

Hard Hitter is a heartfelt romance between two people with pasts that they try to overcome together. It’s a feel-good story with tons of sexy times, so what more could I ask for? Sarina Bowen totally nailed Ari and Patrick’s story and I grew to love them so much. The series keeps getting better and better, and I’m dying to read the third (and hopefully not last) book!

“I’m so gone for you,” he ground out, still laughing. “I’ve got it bad. It might take me years to convince you I’m a good guy, but I’ll never stop trying.”

This is also an open plea to Sarina Bowen to please, please give us Nate and Becca’s book!!! Nate’s longing and the tension between them is torture – I will take them in any way Sarina can give them!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/29xHVWA
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/29nI3sZ

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