He’s a hard hitter, she’s a straight shooter. Can they stop the sparks from flying? Do they want to?Zane Winchester is a beast on the ice, known for racking up penalties and delivering hard blows. No one would suspect the complicated nature of his personal life, or just what it entailed. And no one, not even him, would have suspected what one unexpected encounter with a remarkable woman would do … remarkable woman would do to his life.
Mara Matthews is a regular woman with a regular job and a regular life. Then she meets the father of one of her little students, and regular becomes the last word to describe her life. Zane is intense, funny, charming, and drop dead gorgeous; he shouldn’t pay any attention to someone like her. But Zane isn’t giving up, and Mara doesn’t want him to.
Welcome to Northbrook Hockey Elite!
Six professional hockey players used to play on an elite club team together, but have all separated and now play in the pro-hockey leagues. Not all of them were friends, yet circumstances bring them together, and for the greater good, maybe they can put aside their differences.
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Northbrook Hockey Elite Series:
Faceoff
Powerplay
Rebound
Crosscheck
Breakaway
Shootout
more
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I found interesting:
My thoughts about this book:
• The beginning of this story captured my interest right away and held it until the end of the book.
• Zane’s daughter, Hope, adds spunk and cuteness to the plot. I loved her relationship with her dad and Mara.
• I enjoyed the witty banter between Zane and Mara. Also, the texting between the Pit members was hilarious and added fun to this book. You’ll have to read the book to find out who the Pit were. The witty banter in this novel will put a smile on your face.
• This book was a clean read and I appreciated that.
• The romance between Zane and Mara was believable and I found myself anxiously pulling for it to succeed.
• This was the fourth Northbrook Hockey Elite series I’ve read and I find them unique in the sports romance niche. So far, all of the hockey player’s situations were quite different making this an excellent series. I highly recommend this book.
• This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the minor characters’ personalities were presented in more detail in book one. I am glad I had read that book first for the background.
I was given an advance copy of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to sport romance fans looking for something unique.
As Mara Matthews would say “lands!” what a story!! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I’ve been waiting on Zane’s book since his appearance in Faceoff. The little bits of him I saw of him in Faceoff had me thinking he wasn’t a character I’d enjoy reading about, but over the next couple of books I changed my mind. Holy Moly!! Where do I begin?
On-the-ice Zane is a hyper focused, hard hitting and a beast of a hockey player. Off-the-ice Zane is a gentleman, super dad, gentle, funny, romantic, and a great guy. Oh I forgot he’s also gorgeous both on and off the ice. He’s raising his adorable daughter Hope as a single dad with help from his cousin, who’s Hope’s nanny. I think he was as surprised by his interest in Mara (great name by the way ) as Mara was that he was interested in her. This man could melt more than butter, as he said in one of my favorite scenes, “Making things melt is my specialty.” *swoon* Who knew making cinnamon rolls could be so sexy? #flameonflameoff
I loved that Zane and Mara’s first meeting was something simple and ordinary–Hope forgot her jacket at her kids exercise class that Mara teaches. I also love that she didn’t know who Zane was until she Googled him, and he was so easy going about her joining his mall outing with Hope. I thought Mara was perfect for him, and the fact that she has a competitive streak when playing volleyball made it all the better.
I wasn’t prepared for the gut wrenching tale of how Zane became a single dad. He was WAY too good for Hope’s ‘mother’ Michelle. She didn’t deserve a man like Zane or a smart, adorable, little girl like Hope. Hope is one lucky girl to have all these hunky hockey players as her ‘uncles’.
I think this book is my favorite so far (I know I probably say that every time). This one has lots of hockey action for those who are into hockey and lots of blazing hot chemistry between the main characters. Oh, and I LOVED the epilogue.
What an entertaining book!
Not only was it full of funny lines, and very descriptive images of people and places and events but this book was full of emotions… anger, competition, love, loyalty… you name it!
I really enjoyed the description of how Mara felt as she was meeting Zane…so awkward and quite humorous to me.
The characters Mara and Zane are well developed and likable. Their kisses were intense but clean. The characters are moral and have family standards and that is so refreshing and delightful.
Really enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it for a humorous and delightful romance that leaves you glad for the main characters and wanting more!
A great sports romance. Zane “Zamboni” Winchester is known for “clearing the ice” and is one hockey player you don’t mess with; but Mara, his daughter’s zumba teacher, finds another side of him. They have an attraction like no other; it’s HOT, it’s fast and all in for Zane. Is Mara ready for it?
I highly recommend this book and the series.
OH HOW I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! This is the fourth book in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series and it was so good! I have loved all the books but I am so glad that in this one we got Zane’s story and we got to see more of his little girl Hope. I was practically giddy the whole time I was reading this book. I loved Mara and Zane’s chemistry and how much they both love Hope. And I loved the epilogue! I was hoping that the book would end that way! I highly recommend this series, even if you know nothing about hockey it is a sweet romance series kind of like a Hallmark movie and one I think you will enjoy! Can’t wait for the next one to come out!!!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I’ve never actually watched a full hockey game. Maybe little clips from games?? But after reading these first books in the series, it makes me want to watch hockey! And to look and see if there are players that match these six amazing guys.
Crosscheck focuses on Zane and his cute daughter Hope. Divorced and trying to be two parents is tough; add to that being a professional athlete – it would be easy to not be completely present as a parent. But not Zane. He is devoted to Hope and it’s that parenting quality that Mara finds attractive. Sparks fly and their relationship gets real – real fast. But when there’s a fight at a birthday party and Mara realizes life with Zane could be more intense than she first realizes… will she leave, like Hope’s mom? Or will she decide to be all in?
Fourth book in a series of six. Can be read as a stand alone.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is another great book from Rebecca Connolly! It might be my favorite of the series (although it’s hard to pick!) Like Mara, I was totally drawn in by the fact that Zane is this fiercely loving and protective father. His interactions with Hope were so sweet and funny. The romance between him and Mara was pretty intense pretty fast, but I thought that fit well with Zane’s all-in, totally loyal personality. This was fast-moving and lots of fun to read!
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Really enjoyed reading this book! I don’t know a thing about Hockey but loved the characters in the book and the romance that is between the two main people! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books!
I’ve been waiting for Zane’s story, and this did not disappoint! I smiled, chuckled, or outright laughed on nearly every page. Zane, who I picture like Jason Mamoa, is a force to be reckoned with, but there’s a reason for that, and underneath is an amazing guy and dad. The Pit, of course, are also there to back him up. Mara is wonderful in keeping up with his sarcasm and intense feelings. I whole heartedly recommend this book!
Each book in this series can be read alone (but why would you want to?) or in any order.
Crosscheck is a clean contemporary romance that’s full of some serious chemistry between Mara and Zane. Zane is a star hockey player who’s all show on the ice, but very private with his personal life. His daughter Hope means everything to him and he struggles with giving her his all when his ex-wife (Hope’s mother) wants nothing to do with her. Mara instantly attracts Zane and their romance takes off with sparks flying right off the page. Falling for Mara so fast, Zane wonders if he dares to let her in and risk his heart again.
This book has great hockey descriptions and well-written chemistry between the main characters. While there is definitely kissing, everything is clean and appropriate between the characters.