This is going to be Ryan Justice’s year. It’s his last year of college and his last year as a hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies. He’s making all the plays in preparation for achieving his dream of being drafted into the NHL.This is Sofia Castilleja’s beginning. She is starting her college career as a star member of Bellevue’s brand-new gymnastics team. She’s going to tumble her way to … way to success, first in school and then by realizing her dream of opening her own gym.
Ryan and Sofia didn’t see each other coming, but once they meet, they can’t look away. Their dreams are destined to take them in opposite directions. But it doesn’t take them long to realize that waking up to reality together may be better than dreaming alone.
130k words, STANDALONE, & hot, hot, hot!
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As a long time fan of Toni Aleo’s books, I figured I would enjoy this book, but I was really unprepared for how much I would love it, as well as for how it really touched me.
To be honest, I was a little concerned with how I would feel about Ryan Justice getting hot and heavy when previously I had known him as the cute little boy from Taking Shots who idolized his “Unky Shea.” However, I quickly forgot about that and Ryan is now my book boyfriend. Not only is he a sexy hockey player, but he is probably the most caring and sweetest man I have ever read about. He is so easy to fall in love with that you have to admire how Sofia managed to hold out on him for as long as she did! If he would have set his sights on me in college, I would not have resisted one bit! It took me a little longer to like Sofia, but soon I realized how strong she really was and that she was the perfect match for Ryan. If you are a gymnastics fan, then you will really love reading about her.
It was great to catch up with the Adler/Justice family (even if it did kind of make me feel old seeing all the kids grown up), and I am really hoping for a book about Ryan’s sister, Amelia. She is a force to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to see what is in store for her!
Whether this is your first Assassins/Bullies book or you have been reading the series since the beginning, this book is going to break your heart. It will heal you by the end but first it will hurt a bit. At the same time, you will also laugh and enjoy every part of i
****4.5 stars****
Ryan and Sofia are two young adults who are learning to navigate life while in college. Their determination and focus are admirable; one with strong guiding forces in his life and another with a hard-working mother for inspiration.
Ryan’s persistent pursuit may seem overwhelming yet flattering to Sofia. Their unconditional support of each other’s goals and dreams is inspiring.
This story is fun, flirty and unexpectedly sweet. Their end game may be the best surprise of all.
To be honest, after I finished this book, I went back and read the first book in the Assassins series. The hero of this book, Ryan, first appeared as a little boy in the other series. I’m a huge fan of continuous series and I love watching younger characters grow up and get their HEA. End Game is a classic new adult romance. Both Ryan and the heroine, Sofia, are in college and their whole lives are ahead of them. Sofia is a gymnast and Ryan’s sister’s roommate. Ryan is hockey player with dreams of making it to the NHL while Sofia wants to open her own gymnastics gym. They both have responsibilities and goals that may take them in different directions. Sofia is initially resistant to Ryan’s charms but he wins her in very sweet and romantic ways. Their relationship starts as normal college romance but quickly grows deeper and into something more.
I’m only a few years out of college myself and I still find it easy to relate to New Adult Romances. The characters have their whole lives in front of them and yet it feels like every decision they make is affecting the direction of their future. Both Ryan and Sofia have a lot of responsibility and within each other, they find peace and respite. While young, their relationship grows strong as they face difficult decision about what they want out of life. Of course, there are appearances by other Assassins and Bellevue Bullies characters which add to the book if you’ve read Toni Aleo’s other books. Like the author’s other books, End Game is full of heart and love and I just adored it!
I adore second generation books and this one completely joins the club. I loved how gentlemanly Ryan was and his tenacity to make Sofia give him a chance. And Sofia…i absolutely loved everything about her. I liked her don’t give up attitude, her passion for sticking to her dreams, and her love for Ryan. The storyline rocked, the other characters were intriguing, and it was quite steamy at times.
The meaning of ‘end game’ varies based on its context. If someone asked a high school senior what his/her end game is, I’m sure they would respond with the college they plan to attend and the degree they plan to achieve. But in the sports’ world, a place where possibilities seem endless, the ultimate end game for any athlete is to reach the professional level…to get paid for a sport s/he loves and to reap the benefits of everything that s/he gave up and endured in order to reach that pinnacle of success.
The end game for Ryan Justice who’s a senior in college and Sofia Castilleja who’s a freshman in college, while slightly different due to their collegiate level, center on the sport that they’ve dedicated their lives to, making the ultimate goal for Ryan – the NHL – and for Sofia, a solid four years as a gymnast for the Bellevue Bullies and a chance to take her gymnastic skills to the highest level.
Due to Ryan and Sofia’s goal driven game plan along with their determination and ambition to succeed, neither one wanted any form of distraction to invade their life, but sometimes, the best kind of complication is the one that no one sees coming, and while it makes that person question what s/he wants out of life and if his/her dreams are worth sacrificing, ultimately, what matters most is what that person can’t live without, and for Ryan and Sofia, even though it takes them a bit to realize what their heart was telling them from their very first encounter, their end game changes and expands to include more than just the sport they love, which offers more opportunities to live, to love, and to be happy.
I really enjoyed how Toni Aleo set up Ryan and Sofia’s story line. Aleo does a great job of illustrating who these two dynamic athletes are, but she also allows readers to see who they are as human beings as well. Their attraction to one another was instantaneous, but they both fought it, which I think adds realism to the story; Ryan and Sofia have been focused on their sports 100%, so a distraction of someone who intrigues them…someone who they seem to connect with…someone who they have chemistry with could take their eyes off of their end game, and at the beginning, they don’t know much about each other, but once they get to know each other, all bets are off and things between them start to heat up, forcing them to take a hard look at their goals…at their desires…at the idea that maybe there’s more to life than a sport and the need to be the best at it.
I’m a sports romance fanatic and each and every time I read one of Toni Aleo’s hockey romances, I’m reminded of just why I love this troupe. Ryan and Sofia’s story is a great read that explores people’s goals and dreams and what they’re willing to do when they’re end game becomes about so much more than they ever thought it would.
4.5 Poison Apples
Toni Aleo leads the league with END GAME, the fourth book in the Bellevue Bullies series. Senior, Ryan Justice, is hoping to make the NHL draft. Sofia Castilleja is a freshman on Bellevue’s new gymnastics team. Neither one of them planned on letting a relationship distract them from their goals. END GAME takes place in Nashville, Tennessee. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adult audiences.
Ah, Ryan Justice swoon. Ryan is Shae Adler’s nephew (Assassin’s series). He is the son of Shae’s twin sister, Grace. He goes through a great deal emotionally in this story. He does some soul searching. He is a great big brother and cousin. He is the oldest of the Adler/Justice kids. As a result, he wants to set a good example, and not disappoint anyone. He is protective, thoughtful, and smart.
Sofia is Ryan’s younger sister, Amelia’s roommate/teammate. She was once destined to be in the Olympics, but an injury shattered that dream. Now she is at Bellevue on a full gymnastic scholarship. I enjoyed her character. She never really had good friends growing up. Her life was all about gymnastics. She is hard working and determined. She is very concerned for her mother who has MS. She wants to make sure she is successful, so she can help provide for her.
I like how the story starts out on Halloween. The matching Halloween costumes of the Adler/Justice clan is classic. It shows how close the two families are.
I love when Sofia and Ryan meet. Ryan is not used to girls not throwing themselves at him. Sofia has no experience with boys and is nervous around them. Ryan is very determined to get Sofia to go out with him. They are adorable together. They have a lot in common and make each other stronger.
The plot was skillfully executed. I love how Sofia’s sponsorship played out. Ryan had some interesting obstacles. I swear Toni Aleo always makes me cry. Her stories are heartfelt and meaningful. This story is a good example of how life doesn’t always take you on the path you wanted but your life can be just as rewarding or possibly more so. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
We meet Ryan Justice in Taking Shots when he was an absolutely adorable little boy who called his Uncle Shea “Unky” now we meet the man he has become and he’s Incredible.
Ryan Justice is now a senior college looking forward to following in his Uncle’s footsteps in an career in the NHL but there has been obstacles that are getting in his way but with the determination he feels he can reach those goals. There have been so many happy moments for Ryan growing up but there also have been some very sad ones but the day he sets his eyes on Sofia Castilleja his life changes.
Sofia Castilleja is a Elite Gymnast starting out her collegiate career and she has her eyes set on her goals of starting her own gym and taking care of her Mom what she never expects is the determination of in Ryan Justice.
Sofia & Ryan are absolutely an Amazing Couple from the moment they get together and when you see that they are there for one another through everything and support one another you can’t help getting caught up in their story.
Ryan James Justice was an adorable little boy but now he is a Fantastic man.
**I received an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
I absolutely adored this book! If you have read Toni Aleo’s Assassins series, then you will remember Ryan Justice from when he was just a boy who loved his Unky Shea, but if not, get ready to fall in love with this amazing guy in this well written new book. And, don’t worry, if you haven’t read the Assassins series, you won’t be missing anything by just diving into this book!
The focused and charismatic Ryan is entering his senior year at Bellevue and he feels like this year things are finally going to come together and fall into place. He’s going to graduate college and hopefully be drafted so he can start his NHL career. Ryan made the tough decision to pass up an opportunity to go to the EHL so he could get his degree, which is a solid plan, but now he’s second guessing himself when he’s not getting the calls he had hoped for prior to the draft.
Sofia Castilleja is a freshman at Bellevue, is a member of the brand new women’s gymnastics team and just so happens to be Amelia, Ryan’s sister’s roommate. Sofia has always been driven to be the best in the gym as she spent her childhood doing nothing but training in hopes of one day becoming an Olympian. When those dreams were cut short due to injury, she was determined to make something of herself by competing in college and then furthering her love of gymnastics by coaching herself following college.
Neither Ryan or Sofia are looking for a relationship and when the two of them meet, the connection is instant. Ryan has to work to convince Sofia to take a chance on them, but once he does, amazing thing begins to bloom. These two have so much in common with their love of family, their drive to be the best in their sport and their current struggle to figure out what is the best next step in each of their lives. Will they be able to figure out how to be together with such differing hopes and dreams? Or will their relationship end prematurely?
I adored these two together. They were sweet, hot and while they struggled with individual issues, they were always stronger together because they truly listened to one another and the bond was undeniable. Kudos to Toni Aleo for bringing us a grown up Ryan and the perfect woman to balance him out. There was so much feeling and emotion in this book, but that is what made it so worth the ride. And, it was great to experience Ryan’s crazy family again! I highly recommend this book!
I so love a good sports romance and Toni Aleo really knows how to write a great story. End Game will give you some serious emotional feels! I laughed out loud and it pulled on my heartstrings. But all the emotional feels are so worth it to get a great story with new characters to fall in love with and old characters that we love and adore. If you have read the Assassins series, then you will remember Ryan Justice from when he was just a boy who loved his Unky Shea. Don’t worry, if you haven’t as these books can be read as stand alone’s.
Sofia is a freshman at Bellevue, she’s on a full scholarship ride with the gymnastics team. She has always been driven to be the best in the gym and spent her childhood doing nothing but training in hopes of one day becoming an Olympian. When those dreams were cut short due to injury, the scholarship helped taken the burden away from her sick mother. With Sofia determined to make something of herself by competing in college and then furthering her love of gymnastics by opening her own gym and coaching.
Being strong and confident in her gymnastics comes naturally but she is shy and unsure about herself as a person. Because she didn’t have the same experiences as most kids growing up and was often a loner. So having a roommate who is bubbly and outgoing and wants Sofia to embrace the full college experience is completely new for her.
Ryan is entering his senior year at Bellevue he is focused and determined to be drafted into the NHL. Following in his uncle’s footsteps who he has hero worshipped throughout his life. Ryan made the tough decision to pass up an opportunity to go to the EHL so he could get an education to fall back on if the NHL didn’t work out.
His well laid plans and preparations were all in place until he set his eyes on Sofia his sister Amelia’s team and roommate. And he gets an opportunity with the trainers team of the Assassins. Both of these have him second guess if may be there was more to the fact that he wanted to stay in education and now his entire world flipped and he isn’t sure what his dream is anymore.
Neither Ryan or Sofia were looking for a relationship but when they them meet, the connection was instant. They had so much in common with their love of family and their drive to be the best in their sport. Ryan did have to bring out the Justice charm to convince Sofia to take a chance on them, but once he does, their relationship blossomed.
I love each story we get from Toni Aleo and i can’t wait to see what we get next.
End Game is Toni Aleo at her best, I thought this series had reached the top but boy was I wrong this author has taken us to a whole different playing field or should I say Ice Rink with book 4 in the Bellevue Bullies Series. This author knows romance but she also knows the game of hockey and for me that makes her one of the best hockey romance authors around and if you haven’t already guessed I loved Sofia and Ryan’s story. The End Game brings back all those wonderful memories of Ryan growing up with his Unky Shea but now as a grown man we get to see where life will take him when he realises he may never get that draft pick to the NHL, does he keep waiting or does he make a career move that will mean his dream will never be a reality. This story captivated me I loved the build up, the love, the romance and the passion that this author gives us in her characters and what can I say about the family that are so loyal and supportive apart from maybe wishing I had a family like them. This is a perfect addition to a brilliant series, this was a book that made me fall in love with this authors writing all over again and it left me needing to go back for a re read. Once again another 5 Star book from the very talented Toni Aleo
ARC received for an honest review
If you have been reading Toni Aleo for a few years, and have read her Assassins series, you will have met our boy Ryan Justice – though he would have been a little kid back then.
Now he is all man, all grown and waiting for his call up to the NHL – and with his pedigree – he is Shea and Elli Adler’s nephew – hopes are high.
I like that though he has plans, Ryan is not all about the NHL. I liked that he is taking his academic studies as serious as he takes his hockey.
Enter Sofia – his sister’s roommate/bestie. I love her perseverance, I love her naivety, I love who she is.
I adored watching the relationship between them bloom and grow as they stop fighting their feeling and just… fall.
I loved seeing how the Adler’s lives turned out. I loved seeing more of the Assassins. I am loving the Assassins: Next Generation.
Gah, I just really enjoyed everything about this story. Full of fun, laughter and sadness, I was hooked from the first word to the last.
Now I feel the need… the need to reread the Assassins series.
Can’t wait to see what Ms Aleo brings us next.
From the first time I met Ryan Justice as a small boy who looked up to his “unky ” Shea in Toni Aleo’s Taking Shots novel, I knew he would be one to watch. Now we find him as a senior playing hockey at Bellevue College and he is doing everything he can to get into the NHL. I love the way Ryan is a beautiful soul and loves his family and is a hard worker. He is determined to make it to the NHL and wants todo whatever it takes to make that goal happen.
When his sister comes to Bellevue on scholarship as a gymnast, he meets Sophia Castellja. Sophia comes to Bellevue on a full ride and she could have gone to the Olympics. Her relationship with her mother who has MS is very special and she wants to excel so she can open her own gym. When Ryan and Sophia meet, sparks fly and she doesn’t need to have that distraction.
I loved watching how both of them have to fight their own demons (which you just have to get the book to learn) and them are drawn to each other. It is like they are magnets that can’t not connect … eventually. The family connections of Ryan are awesome and that is exactly what Sophia and her mother need.
As usual Toni Aleo knocked this one out of the park, or rather straight into the net! If you haven’t read the other books in her Assassins or Bellevue Bullies series you will want to do that, but you don’t have to do it to fall I love with these characters or know what is happening.
You won’t regret reading this. You will however regret it if you don’t!
Toni Aleo did it again!
Yet another amazing story in the Bellevue Bullies Series. I was so excited to finally read Ryan’s story since I first read him in Taking Shots! I knew his story would not disappoint in the least. His story demonstrates love, hardships, the importance of family support and/or role models, dedication, and determination.
Toni had me going through a roller coaster of emotions with every page. She had me laughing,crying,and excited throughout the entire book.
Ryan Justice and Sofia Castilleja are the cutest characters I’ve ever read. They are relationship goals and that’s the best way to describe them without giving away too much. My favorite quote that made me think of that would have to be “I want whats best for you, and not to sound too conceited, but I think It’s me.”-Ryan Justice
Their journey throughout the story inspired me and left me wanting more.
If you are looking for a good college/sporty love story with just enough spice, I highly recommend this book!
Going in…be prepared. I literally gave my heart to Toni Aleo. I just have to say this is by far my favorite book…and I love all her books. I cried, but I laughed too. To see how she has molded these two characters is beyond amazing. You’re looking at two young adults that are striving for their dreams and pushing themselves beyond what some grown adults do now.
Ryan James Justice has embedded himself in my heart forever. From that little guy screaming for his Unky Shea to being the head of his family, the protector, the motivator is beautiful to see. Grace and James did an amazing job in raising a respectful young man and I guess we can say Shea and Elli helped too . Ryan is working his butt off to get into the NHL and he is grasping for that lead in and out of no where Sofia Castilleja flips into his life like a whirlwind. Her sassy, determined and motivated self brings Ryan to his knees, but that doesn’t deter him from going for what he wants. And what he wants is Sofia Castilleja.
Doing anything and everything to get her attention, Ryan definitely uses his charm and romantic side to get her. Obviously thanks to James and Shea…how could Ryan be anything but perfect at the romancing thing.
Sofia never had a chance when she laid eyes on Ryan. She fought and fought, but their connection was to strong to avoid him, let alone walk away from him.
Ryan and Sofia push each other, make each other better…why can’t their dreams be one?
Flip on in and get into End Game…you won’t be disappointed!