Cross Checked is the second book in the Shots On Goal series and can be read as a STANDALONE.One accident – a freaking car crash.That’s all it took to send my life into a tailspin.Little did I know that out of the wreckage, everything would fall into place. I would get everything I had ever worked for.Little did I know that I would find the woman who would cross check my life, flipping everything … cross check my life, flipping everything upside down.
Even though she’s melting the ice that surrounds my heart, I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Will I ever be able to find my footing or am I destined to stay pinned against the boards?
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Brayden’s world is knocked off it’s axis when his family is involved in an tragic car accident, and his mother loses her life, and he is left to care for his young sister. His sister sustained injuries in the accident and he sits vigilantly by her side day and night waiting for her to heal, all the while trying to figure out a way to go on without their mother. Luckily for him a beautiful angel, a nurse at the hospital, comes into his life and lends her support, and helps keep him meander his way through this difficult time. She came into his life when he needed someone the most and he has never forgotten her kindness, and has often thought he should track her down and thank her for all she did for him and his sister, but life always seems to get in the way. And with his busy life the opportunity just hasn’t really presented itself, that is until now…
Karla is a dedicated nurse, whom often goes above and beyond to help her patients, and the minute she meets Brayden and his sister Myla she can’t help but let herself get involved. Knowing they have just lost their mother and that they are all they have, tugs at her heartstrings, so she offers to sit with Myla when Brayden can’t be there to sit with her, and soon a friendship of sorts ensues. Brayden is a very attractive man, but she is happily involved with someone so she dismisses the sparks swirling around between them. She quickly grows quite fond of both of them, but once Myla is healed they slip out of her life, and she goes back to her normal routine, chalking it up to just another duty of being a nurse. But then he unexpectedly comes back into her life again, and this time the sparks between them have a mind of their own…
Some of my favorite romance stories to read are sports romances, especially when they have a sexy hockey player at the helm, and I have to say the minute Brayden walked onto to the page I knew I would thoroughly enjoy getting better acquainted with him. He was quite the charmer, he grabbed my attention, and my heart, from the first few pages and held it captive long after the last page was turned, all the while treating me to one exceptional literary escape! This was my first read from this author, and I am quite certain it will not be my last, especially if she keeps creating sexy hockey players like Brayden, he was really something else!!
If you like your fairy tales a little on the steamy side, and equipped with a charming hockey player at the helm, then I highly suggest you read this story… Brayden is certain to steal your heart!!
OH my! Gavin you have been dethroned! I thought Gavin was just swoon worthy but Brayden has just kicked you down a notch! I really love this story for the fact that is one of building yourself back up again. From the accident to a really douchecanoe of an ex. Brayden and Karla were put on each other’s paths for a reason. Even if it was years too soon. These two coming together was a beautiful tale of finding that love that is so deep, it is engrained in your bones. I loved seeing Brayden’s view on things with Gavin and his sister, Myla as well! Gives the series more depth!
Overall, this book is a sweet read. Finding love when you least expect it. Some may say it was too fast. To me it had just the right amount of everything it needed. If you want a beautiful happy ending with some alpha hockey boys, then this book and the series is for you! Am looking forward to more in this series! Bring on the Otte
Cross-Checked was a great second chances romance!
Brayden appears to be at the top of his game. He is playing pro-hockey and has a family he adores. That quickly changes when his mother has just been killed in a car accident and his sister has been seriously injured and is in the hospital. Karla happens to be his sister’s nurse and offers hope to a time when all seems lost.
Karla seems to have it all. A job she loves and a love in boyfriend she adores – and who seems to be completely in sync with her. That all changes in the blink of an eye when Karla catches her boyfriend cheating and attempts to kick him out of her life. His personality changes before her eyes when he goes from the loving man in her life to an abusive psycho.
Flash forward a few years when both Brayden and Karla have moved on with their lives to find their new normal and randomly meet again. The attraction is immediate yet both face past hurts that they need to move on from.
Kristen Hope Mazzola does a great job of creating a second chance at happiness for Brayden and Karla. I love the realness of their relationship that neither is just willing to dive right in. It’s a slow burn which lets us really get to know the characters as they fall in love. Theirs is a non-conventional relationship, and I love it! I bet you will too!
While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is also a sports romance, but you do not have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this romance. 4 stars.