He’s known as Father Anton to his teammates—the brooding, sexy captain of the NHL’s Chicago Blaze has a reputation for…not having a reputation. Just like his diet and sleep routines, celibacy is part of Anton Petrov’s on-ice mojo. Or so they say. Anton stays mum on the subject. If the world thinks he chooses to abstain from sex, so be it. Better that than the truth getting out: there is a woman … woman he burns for, but he can never have her. She’s his teammate’s wife, after all.
Mia Marceau is finally on her own. Now that she and her husband are living apart, she’s finding the peace she was desperate for. She spends her days in classes and late nights bartending, making her own way in the world at last. After what she’s been through, as long as her husband leaves her alone, she doesn’t plan to rock the boat. He still has the power to hurt those dearest to her, and she can’t demand a divorce with such a high cost.
A chance encounter with Mia has Anton hoping for a shot he never thought he’d get. And while she’s drawn to the intense, serious hockey center, Mia’s leery about playing with fire. That’s all Anton has ever known for Mia, though—a living, burning desire that won’t be denied—no matter the cost.
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Fantastic story with great characters. Can’t wait to read the next book !
enjoyable
ANTON AND MIA
This is my first book by Brenda Rothert, and we’re off to a good start…ANTON has really strong characters…with lots of chemistry…..and every feel you want….ANTON is a good book, and I’m invested in this series now…
Sexy Chicago Blaze NHL player, Anton Petrov, eats clean, lives clean, is celibate, and his focus has been 100% on hockey until he is finally given an opportunity to befriend his obsession, gorgeous bartender Mia Marceau, the only woman he’s looked at for nearly 3 years…Mia is the estranged wife of his cruel and abusive teammate who refuses to give her a divorce…When Anton helps Mia have her ex served with divorce papers, he tries to kill Mia…. Mia is a strong character, but Anton might as well have worn a cape with a big S on his shirt….because he definitely saved the day…
I love this series! Hockey romance is a favorite of mine, and these are great. Not your typical story lines. A lot of heart and compassion along with the muscles!
I enjoyed Mia and Anton’s story. I love hockey romance. I liked the storyline and the characters.
First off this was a really good hockey romance. Second, don’t go into this book thinking it’s going to be an easy fluff read. This is an emotional story filled with pain and hurt but also about finding yourself again after abuse.
Mia is finding herself again after splitting from her abusive husband. She is struggling to pay for her grandfather’s care, while also trying to finish her degree. I really liked her. She doesn’t run away from hard work or hard times. She continues to push through it because she knows the hard work will pay off. I also loved how much of a smartass she was sometimes.
Anton was a great guy. He was supportive from the beginning and did everything he could to help her. He is dedicated to Hockey, his family, and now Mia. Anton was everything I want in a hero.
Overall, I really loved all the emotion and love captured in this story. I want to read the rest of the series now. Also the cover, so hot!
I love a hockey romance! This only goes to prove an athlete can be honorable and do the right thing for the ones they care about.
Great book, you will enjoy this book. Highly recommend.
This is the first book that I read from this author and it was an ok read for me. Anton has been pining over Mia for a while now but she is married to one of his teammates. When that relationship falls apart, Anton decides to befriend Mia and they start into a friends to lovers relationship. This book was a slow burn and you will be waiting for a while to see any action so if that is what you came here for, then this is not the book for you. If you don’t mind slow burn, then this book is perfect.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Relating to Mia’s situation with her husband was real personal for me. It’s wonderful that she was able to get away and even better that she had a strong beautiful man that was willing to keep her strong. I enjoyed this book, it was heart felt and enjoyable.
I absolutely love Anton with all my book loving heart. A hot as sin hockey player with a heart of gold. I’m all for the stereotypical macho player that so many sports romance books tout but there is something to be said about this hot as hell, good hearted, sweet, hockey playing God.
Anton falls head over skates for Mia, the wife of one of the biggest *ssh*l* players on the team. Realizing that nothing can come from his infatuation he tries to forget her by throwing himself at the game and other women. Quickly he learns that no one compares to her and decides celibacy is best for him. Years later opportunity presents itself when Mia finally leaves her horrible husband.
Mia is alone, facing an uncertain future thanks to the emotional/verbal abuse inflicted on her throughout her marriage. Without a penny to her name she picks herself up and moves on. When Anton befriends her she allows it knowing her heart is at risk but not ready for what the might entail. Mia and Anton’s road to happily ever after is filled with curves and speed bumps but once they get there it is well worth it.
An absolutely wonderful book that I cannot recommend enough.
Mia Marceau has had to learn to juggle in order to keep her eye on what’s ahead. Anton Petrov has a little sibling rivalry going on. Our author sneaks in a twist – so evil! But it did catch my attention and having me look forward to what else this author may have in store.
Mia has a lot placed on her shoulders and it tugs at the heart. Having taken care of both parents, I know some of what she was going through. Although, I was able to care for them at home. In that, I also know what Anton is going through. But my parents weren’t quite as “creative” as his uncle was. It can be frustrating and it can take up a lot of your time and resources. But when you love someone, you do what is necessary for their comfort.
One connection our two characters have is hockey. If you’re one that likes to set the mood while reading, why not watch a game on tv or maybe you have a local team and want more of an interactive experience. Maybe it will help you think of the people that Anton works with. Besides the hockey, our author reminds her readers how tough life can be for some people. There’s a saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle” but there may be times when you think he’s giving you more than your fair share. It also gives a connection between our main characters.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This is my first read of the author and the book exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved everything about the storyline. I loved the characters except for a certain someone and I admired the way both Mia & Anton were throughout. I am so excited there is more books to the series, I will definitely want to read more written by the author. Such an incredibly heartwarming but also heartwrenching read!!!
For me a book is not only about how much sex the author can write between the pages and how many times the two main characters hook up, but about their journey and the road blocks they have to conquer to finally get their HEA. Anton is one of those books, don’t get me wrong, they are plenty of sexy times, and the reader will soon realize that Mr. Petrov wasn’t such a saint after all.
When Mia Marceu married her husband she thought he was her prince, the man she’ll be forever with, but he turned out to be a devil in disguise instead. Mia leaves him in order to find herself again and start living the life she deserves. Anton Petrov had an encounter with Mia a few years back and he knew right then and there that he couldn’t have her, but his attraction to her only grew as time went by. After a chance encounter, could Anton have the chance he’s been hoping with with Mia and be the man she needs to see her soar?
Rothert wrote realistic characters that are dealing with things that any of us could be facing at any given time of our lives. Perhaps because Anton and Mia respect each other and let the other deal with their issues without pushing, I liked them even more. Anton is compassionate, caring and protective with those he loves. His relationship with his brother and uncle Dix proved the kind of man he is even more. Mia is a survivor through and through, she’s trying to navigate life the best she can with the hand she’s been dealt. I loved her fighting spirit and her devoted love for her grandfather. And if there is one character in this book that completely took me by surprised and I LOVED, is uncle Dix. What a fantastic, delightful guy to get to know.
Anton brings laughs, angst, sensuality, tears, and the feeling of wanting to throw your Kindle against the wall with all you have. A fresh beginning to the Chicago Blaze series. Highly recommended!!!
Oh my heart!!! This is a very new to me author and I am so glad I took a chance on this book.
One work to describe this story- MAGNIFICENT
Anton and Mia’s story is one of patience and love. Anton knows Mia is off limit’s for the time, but he also knows that Mia needs a friend to be her pillar. Mia doesn’t know who to trust anymore from her past and now her past is offering to be someone she so desperately needs, a friend.
One quote just brings me all the feels and it is from a very “honest grouchily old man” Uncle Dix
“The measure of a man is in how happy his woman is. You can take that to the bank.”
See more on release day on A DAY WITH ETHEL – YouTube page https://youtu.be/_8mNXTQccHI
Love Anton!!!! Mia is just a very strong woman and I admire that so much about her. I’m not going to spoil anything so all I’m going to say is, read the book. You’re going to love Uncle Dax. He’s a jerk but funny and you’re going to be glad you met him.
First off – look at THAT cover! It’s so gorgeous! Second, the story inside was pretty great, too.
“From the first time I laid eyes on Mia Marceau, nothing’s been the same for me.”
Anton lives like a monk. It’s not really a choice – more that the woman he wants is off-limits. She’s married to his teammate. However, when the opportunity to get closer to her presents itself, all bets are off, especially when she’s obviously in need of help. He’ll do anything to help her.
“The universe gave me an unexpected counterbalance in Anton. He’s the light. The hope.”
Mia has left her abusive husband. Unfortunately, she’s not completely free of him and her situation feels helpless. However, friendship, help and a tentative new love comes in the form of Anton.
“All the little pieces that make you the person you are – I want all of those.”
This was a sexy heartfelt read with a gorgeous hero and a strong heroine. Every nasty thing in Mia’s life is offset by the beauty that is Anton. He was solid, dependable, and protective. I loved that he had the power to help her but didn’t make her feel beholden to him. Mia is a strong women who was trapped in a situation. She did what she had to do even if it shamed her.
A very enjoyable forbidden romance that was also sexy and heartwarming.
Mia Marceau has recently left her abusive husband Adam. She decides to find herself after losing so much of her identity during her marriage. She attends school while bartending, as well as, care for her grandfather who is in a nursing home.
Anton Petrov is Blaze’s team captain and Adam’s teammate. Anton has always admired Mia from afar since she was married to Adam. Since meeting Mia, no other woman compared to Mia so he decided to stay celibate for many years. Whether it’s his discipline in training or eating habits, Anton was one of the strongest characters I’ve met.
One night Anton runs into Mia at Lucky Seven, the bar that she works at. Their story builds slow but you get to know the depth of each character. Once Mia’s divorce was finalized, I felt the story was a bit rushed. I wanted to know did they end up adopting or fostering? Did they end up married as Anton had wished from the moment he met her? The story left me craving more.
Anton was an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to the next Chicago Blaze series!
Well this book to this new series is AWESOME. I can’t wait to read about some of the other players on the Blaze team.
Anton I think is a role model to his teammates and I am sure we will see him around in up coming books but I sure am gonna miss Uncle Dix. Mia was an incredible character. To see her move forward from a toxic relationship that could cause more problems when she befriends Anton, just shows how much strength she has.
I must say that even though a lot of the main characters that Brenda writes, they all become strong women.
I need to start with this cover… this cover is hot!!!!
Don’t you agree?
I’m sure you do. If not, we’ll, I don’t have any words for you.
I love a great hockey romance story. This one does not disappoint. Anton is a sexy Russian I wouldn’t mind having all to myself. Mia is a strong female who has been beaten down a bit from life.
Anton has been in lust with Mia since he met her… too bad she is married to one of his newer teammates. He knows nothing can or will ever happen with a married woman so he tries to date other women. Too bad this doesn’t work for him. Too bad he also has to tolerate knowing his teammate continually cheats on his wife. The woman he wants. Poor Anton, right???
One night him and his brother go to a local bar for drinks and he sees her. Mia. Why is she working at a bar? Did her and her husband get divorced? He sure wishes this is what has happened. But, no. They aren’t divorced. Instead, Mia begs him to not tell her husband he has seen her there. He agrees even though he doesn’t know why she is asking this of him.
Now my shackles are up and I’m thinking she’s being physically abused.
WTF?!?!
Anton is so damn sweet. Seriously. He’s an awesome book boyfriend. I want him for myself.
He would do anything to help Mia. Anything.
Even if all he ever gets from her is friendship.
You have got to read this one.
I highly recommend it!
This is book 1 in this new hockey series. I sure hope his brother get his story written soon.