Opposites attract…and ignite.
On the ice, Justin Perry is always in control. As one of the Reading Redtails’ best defensemen, he plays with an intense focus and skates like he was born on blades. Off the ice, he’s content to keep his head down and his eyes on the prize: a spot on an NHL team. Except when Vivi Martin’s around. She’s bright, bold and beautiful and Justin can’t make himself look … make himself look away.
Vivi can’t help but notice Justin’s interest, and, yeah, she’s not immune to his awkward charm and or his grin that steals her breath. But falling for another athlete who will only leave and break her heart is the last thing she needs. Been there, done that. No t-shirt required. She’s too busy working three part-time jobs to make ends meet and figuring out how to use her passion for photography to build a career.
Until Vivi gets a peek at what’s underneath Justin’s boy-scout exterior and discovers a tattooed hunk who rocks her world with a kiss. She’d be a fool to pass up a chance to get him in her bed…and in front of her camera. And Vivi’s no fool.
But when a career-focused hockey player pursues a free spirit who’s built a fortress of ice around her bruised heart, Justin’s going to have to step up and take his best shot to break through Vivi’s walls…and hope it doesn’t shatter them both.
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Book six in the Redtails Hockey series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Novella length told in dual POV with HEA. Each book is about a different hockey player and secondary characters are the same throughout the series. Justin is the quiet one on the team, a true gentleman. Vivi has been hurt from a past relationship so that causes some conflict with Justin. I would have loved an epilogue!
Yet again, blown away, another new author to my list! Love this series and the guys on the Redtails!!! The struggle is real people, when the hot hockey guy cannot come up with words to even speak to the crush of his life, you know this is going to be good. Such a great story, I did not have to read all of the other books to understand the series, did not get confused by the other characters. Cannot wait to go back and read them all… 🙂
Justin knows control and lives by it as much as possible, personally and professionally. That focus serves him well on the ice as a defenseman, off it he tends to keep his head down, his focus still on his job. Only one thing, or should I say woman, breaks that concentration…Vivi.
Vivi isn’t immune to Justin’s looks nor charm, though she pretends to be. See, her ex was an athlete too and it soured her on having a relationship with another…ever. Besides, working three jobs leaves little time for anything else, her determination to accomplish her dream career in photography her goal.
And then her eye for beauty completely wrecks all her plans, her glimpse at Justin’s finely honed body the demise of her original plans. Now she’s itching to capture him with her camera, to experience what he so obviously wants to give her.
But can she take it? Or will she discover Justin has much more in store for her, for them? Will he use his iron-clad control to win her over as he intends to? Can the man who has made a living on the ice break through the wall of it protecting her heart? Will Vivi realize he’s nothing like her ex? That she can trust him with her love? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people, both usually focused on other things, discover you can’t fight fate when it brings soulmates together. I like that both of them knew what they wanted and went after it, or in Vivi’s case ran from it when it came to a relationship with Justin. It appealed to me that he was the chaser, the one determined to show her what they could have if only she’d take a chance on him. – By Elizabeth
Yet again, blown away, another new author to my list! Love this series and the guys on the Redtails!!! The struggle is real people, when the hot hockey guy cannot come up with words to even speak to the crush of his life, you know this is going to be good. Such a great story, I did not have to read all of the other books to understand the series, did not get confused by the other characters. Cannot wait to go back and read them all… 🙂
Sweet, funny and steamy
My first read by this author was The Playboy (like this book, it’s part of the Redtails Hockey series), which I read in the Hockey Holidays anthology. I loved it—it was one of my favorite stories in the anthology—and I immediately added the series to my TBR, so when I saw this new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it.
Justin and Vivi are classic opposites attracting. Justin is quiet, an all around nice guy (so nice to get a hero who is actually a decent guy from the start!) while Vivi is the creative, all out type but with trust issues thanks to an a-hole ex. I felt for them both and was cheering them on from the very beginning. A little bit of a slow-burn story, once they got there, Justin definitely proved nice guys can be hot and dominant in the bedroom and they do finish last when it counts!
There were lots of great secondary characters as I’d expect to find in an established series. Having a bad memory for names, I sometimes find it a little overwhelming coming into the middle of an established series, but I thought the author did a great job of making this story work as standalone by not introducing too many characters at once and including a nice level of background detail along the way. While I’m sure having read more of the earlier books would add to the experience here, the only place where I wondered what background I might be missing out on was regarding Vivi and her ex—I just got the feeling maybe some of what was mentioned in passing here might have gotten more coverage in those earlier books. Pretty minor and not enough to detract from this story.
Sweet, funny and steamy, and with wonderful characters, I’m happy to say this book managed to live up to my expectations, and I’m moving this series to the top of my TBR. 5 stars
B2B Kelly
This is my second book by this author and first that I’ve read in the Redtails Hockey series. I was immediately hooked. While Justin’s cluelessness and shyness were endearing, I think it definitely hurt his budding relationship with Vivi. I’m really glad Vivi gave him a chance. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
This is book #6, in the Redtails Hockey series. This story can be read as a standalone novel. For read understanding and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.
Justin is getting ribbed by his friends about watching Vivi when she is near. It is true he is interested. When you are tongue tied, when do you make your move?
Vivi does not usually go out with good guys. Commitment gives her hives. Justin is so different from what she is used to. He treats her like a man should treat a woman.
This was such a great addition to the series. Steamy and sweet, this book just grabbed at my heart strings and I could not put it down. The main characters were very real to me. Their story weaved and fell into place. I really liked this book it was a joy to read.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.
Stephanie Julian scores with THE D-MAN. Reading Redtails’ defenseman Justin Perry has had a crush on Vivi Martin for a long time. Vivi had a bad break up with an athlete and refuses to put herself in that situation again. However, she is intrigued by his tattoos and begins to get to know him better. Justin is nothing like her ex.
I like Justin and Vivi. Justin is on the shy side. He is quiet and kind. He has high moral standards. Vivi is artistic and bold. She is hard working and sociable. They don’t seem like they would be a good fit, but they totally are. My son’s name is Justin, and he is a defense high school hockey player I couldn’t help but appreciate the main character for their similarities.
THE D-MAN is a heartfelt and enjoyable read. The characters have some misunderstandings and obstacles that make the story interesting. This book fits in well with the series. It is skillfully written and enjoyable. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Enjoyable addition to the Redtails Hockey series. A quick read with strongly written characters. Vivi and Justin has undeniable chemistry. Loved Justin from the start. Didn’t really connect with Vivi until the end when she stopped her excuses and overcame her insecurities.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
First book I have read by Stephanie definitely won’t be the last. This is the first one I read in this series and it was enjoyable. Opposites do attract. Justin is a hockey player who got hurt badly by his ex. All he wants to do is start over and play hockey. Viv keeps to herself and got hurt by her ex. She really doesn’t want to try again but really likes Justin. Will these two get together or will the past come between them when Justin does something to help her? Love the chemistry and the amazing characters. It was a good story line keep me wanting more. Can’t wait to read more from this series.
Julian proves that brash and sexy is not exclusive to males. Vivi is a hot mama who doesn’t sit back and watch from the sides. She makes things happen. We need more women like her in the world. The D-Man dares to be bold on and off the ice. Justin is the spark to Vivi’s match and the sparks are epic. An explosion of sensuality and heart makes for a tantalizing experience.
The D-Man may be the first book I have read in the Redtails Hockey Series but it won’t be the last because I loved everything about this book.
Justin Perry is a man in control both on the ice and off, he knows what he wants and that’s a spot on a NFL team he has no time for romance or a woman except when ViviMartin is around …
Vivi Martin is beautiful bold and very bright and she is not immune to Justin’s awkward charm or his fabulous grin but falling for yet another athlete is not in her game plan ….
This story is about two people who on the face of it are complete opposites and it was a fun journey as they got to know each other. Characters with sizzling chemistry and an instant attraction but both with very different dreams make this a interesting read. The banter was witty, the story flowed and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and the Redtails hockey team.
The D-Man is definitely a hot hockey romance with a sweet storyline and flawed characters. That quality simply makes them more endearing.
Jess is strong and independent but is weighted down with so many insecurities from her past relationship that it takes a while for Justin to break down her barriers and for her to stop comparing him to her ex.
Justin is a big, strong hockey player yet he is shy, sweet, patient and almost old fashion in his way with Jess. He wants more than just a quick fling and makes her crazy by taking it so slow.
This was a fun book to read as we took the journey with Justin and Jess as their relationship grew to so much more.