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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I am new to author Toni Aleo and I loved this book!! Ryan and Sofia brought a bit of sadness but so much joy and love to the reader. I will be reading the Assassin and Bellevue Bullies series so I can understand the backstory and where things began.
The characters truly came to life and Ryan is incredible. He is playing hockey in college when he meets Sofia. There is definitely an instant attraction. A true sports romance….hockey meets gymnastics. Loved their individuality and personalities.
I laughed. I cried. I connected with Ryan and Sofia.
Thank you, Toni Aleo, for introducing me to Ryan Justice. I’m excited to go back and learn about him as a child as well as his family. I can’t wait for more!
*I received a free copy for an honest review
Ryan Justice is a star Bellevue Bully hockey player and the nephew of a star Assassins player. This is to be his year to make it to the NHL. Sofia is attending Bellevue on a full ride to be on their new gymnastics program. Sophia and Ryan meet thru her roommate who happens to be Ryan’s sister. Thru their ups and downs during the school year they manage to have a relationship that is envious. Of course, as the end of the season approaches so does the pressure Ryan faces of not being drafted into the NHL. Sofia has only ever wanted to graduate from college and open her gymnastics’ school. Is the end game for Ryan to be a star in the NHL or follow the path of his heart as an Athletic Trainer for an NHL team? Do Sofia and Ryan’s relationship survive his graduation and her sudden stardom as the face of the gymnastics’ program. I could answer these but I won’t because you really need to read the book to find out for yourself.
The End Game has to be my favorite Bellevue Bully book written by Toni Aleo. If you haven’t read her before I suggest you start with her Nashville Assassins’ series then the Bellevue Bullies. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Ryan and Sofia’s story gave me all the feels. Not wanting a distraction, Sofia tries to resist Ryan’s charm however Ryan is not having it and breaks her down. I loved watching these two fall in love.
Ryan Justice is more than the little boy we met in Taking Shots. He is now a man in his senior year in college, hoping to make it into the NFL, much like his Uncle Shea. Sophia, once an Olympic hopeful, finds herself on the new gymnastics team at Bellevue. When these two meet, sparks instantly fly. They are determined not to engage in relationships, both determined to stay the course of their lives, but fate has other plans. This was such an amazing story, one I didn’t want to end. If you haven’t read the other books in this series, you won’t miss anything. I definitely recommend End Game, and it’s one of my top reads this year.
OMG, I absolutely loved Ryan and Sofia. Ryan made me swoon hard, I wish I had my own version of him. He is caring, driven, and passionate. Then Sofia is also driven, passionate, and starting to open up more. These two take you for one fantastic ride, while they try to determine where they are headed. I couldn’t get enough of these two, their chemistry is hot enough to start a bonfire and you get the feels as you read their story. I loved the connection to old characters and introducing us to a new set of characters in this book. I can’t wait for more to come!
Oh. My. Heavens the feels in this story!! If you’ve been a fan of Toni Aldo’s Assassins Series, then you are gonna LOVE this new Bellevue Bullies story! Ryan James Justice stole a piece of my heart as the adorable nephew to Shea Adler in Taking Shots. As an adult coming into his own, Ryan brought so much emotion. He’s all the best of his parents and his uncle. Smart, talented and handsome he’s a full package. He has goals for sure, and back ups for the goals. But nothing prepares him for the spitfire that is Sofia Castilleja. This ultra driven gymnast rocks Ryan’s world, and he rocks hers albeit reluctantly. There was so much beautiful about this pairing. So much that reflected both Shea and Elli’s love as well as Grace and James. I love these people! They are crazy and wonderful. Toni Aleo did a fantastic job crafting not only Ryan and Sofia’s love, but also their struggles. It was real and heartfelt and I loved every word!!
4.5 stars
This is my first read by Toni and most definitely won’t be my last!
This book is such a sweet easy read that tugged at my heartstrings ! The characters were so easy to get along with that you just wanted to be friends with them!
Ryan Justice! His dad certainly brought him up well! Romantic as all get out! The banter was great!! The way he is with those he loves is swoonworthy!! The way he treats Sofia and his dertermination is endearing.
I loved Sofia, her sass, her friends, her drive to succeed as a gymnast and the way Ryan brought out the best in her. I loved everything about these two and could have kept on reading.
A genuinely beautiful read!!
Toni is back and I am one happy camper! I loved everything about this book. I was behind excited knowing we got another Bellevue Bullies book and it didn’t disappoint.
Ryan and Sofia’s story was perfect. Watching these two discover so many firsts with each other is what made this story for me. You saw them each grow and learn about love, relationships and life outside of their sport. You felt their heartache and you felt their joy. I couldn’t get over how perfect they were for each other. Everything about them for each other perfectly, as if they were made for each other.
I might have to say this is my book, but then again every book of Toni’s is my favorite.
So happy to revisit the Bellevue Bullies! I’ve read every book in the Assasin/Bullies series and there hasn’t been one I didn’t love! Im a sports romance junkie and Ryan is exactly the kinda athlete I love reading about!
Such a great guy…focused on hockey, once he meets Sophie though, his life becomes about her and hockey.
Sweet Sophia, shy, focused, unsure of herself with Ryan. She’s a wonderful gymnast with big dreams!
Ryan is the ultimate book boyfriend! He’s the sweetest, so loving…he’s insecure too who j is crazy! The guy is the total package!
This book has a high Hot factor! Like most of Toni Aleo’s books.
Loved the secondary characters so much.
This series is super long and I’m so glad it is lol
I loved it, highly recommend this author, book and series!
End Game was one of the most emotionally gutting Hockey stories I have read. Ryan is a college senior waiting for his break into the NHL. Sophia is a freshman at the same college. She is Ryan’s sister’s roommate and one of the gymnast on the newly formed gymnastic team. Both Ryan and Sophia are goal oriented and have no time for emotional attachments. However, when they finally meet all bets are off and they must fight for their goals and each other. Follow them on this journey of reaching for the stars while holding on to each other.
End Game was one of the most emotionally gutting Hockey stories I have read. Ryan is a college senior waiting for his break into the NHL. Sophia is a freshman at the same college. She is Ryan’s sister’s roommate and one of the gymnast on the newly formed gymnastic team. Both Ryan and Sophia are goal oriented and have no time for emotional attachments. However, when they finally meet all bets are off and they must fight for their goals and each other. Follow them on this journey of reaching for the stars while holding on to each other.
I love hockey player romance books and no one writes them better than Toni Aleo. I have loved every Assassins and Bullies novel ad this one did not disappoint, it is just as good as the others. Shea and Ellie have always been my favorite couple and I could sure see their influence in Ryan, he reminded me of Shea so much. Ryan was such a smart, caring and responsible young man. Sofia and Ryan are both very focused and working hard for their future goals. Family is so important to both of them and they each carry the weight of not failing. The love and bond these two share is a beautiful thing to watch grow. I really enjoyed this well written story as this couple figure out what is really important. Another five star book.
From start to finish i couldn’t put this book down. I love hockey, i love romance novels and reading a hockey Romance YES PLEASE!! Ryan was first talked about in another of this authors series the assassins which his uncle was in. It was so amazing seeing him grow up and have his own book. This book was well written,HOT and id bawled like a baby in some spots. You wont regret reading it!
Another amazing book by Toni Aleo. She really knows how to create characters that are so real and dealing with believable issues.
The Bullies series is one of my favorite series. I get so excited when we get a new book from it especially because we get to see how the Assassin kids are growing up. Ryan and Sophie were amazing! I couldn’t put this book down. It grabbed my from the very beginning and wouldn’t let go. You will definitely want to one click this book. I can’t wait for more in the series!
My heart is full and bursting with joy after reading End Game! This sweet and emotional NA romance features the second generation of the Assassins; the hockey players from the series based on an NHL team named the Assassins have offspring that are attending college now. Having been a huge fan of the series I’m so happy to read about their kids; especially Ryan Justice, who’s now a senior at Bellevue University and the main character in the fourth book in the Bellevue Bullies series. I happy sighed throughout the book, when I didn’t get a little weepy or laugh at the funny quips coming out of Amelia’s mouth. This book was a love story between three characters and I’m not sure if I loved Sofia and Ryan more or Sofia and Amelia; you’ll understand and appreciate my dilemma when you read this wonderful addition to the series. Here’s to more Bullies!
Sofia Castilleja had trained as an elite gymnast her entire life; hoping she could get a spot on the US Olympics team, until knee injuries killed her dream. Her dream had to change, she’s a business major, and she wants to open her own gym one day. Sofia’s mom worked three jobs to pay her tuition when she was younger and was recently diagnosed with MS, but insisted Sofia leave Nevada to go to school. She was homeschooled her entire life and never had any girlfriends or a best friend to confide in, much less a boyfriend for that matter, until she started her freshman year at Bellevue University on a full scholarship. There she rooms with Amelia Justice, also on the gymnastics team, who decides immediately they are going to be the bestest best friends.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to be her friend. I just wanted to get done and kick ass, but she wouldn’t leave me alone. Now, that I have her, I couldn’t picture my life without her.”
Sofia doesn’t know how or when it happened but Amelia truly is her best and only friend.
“She’s my person. Don’t ask me how or when it happened, but it did. I love this girl.
Ryan Justice is a senior and plays for the Bellevue Bullies. His dream is to be drafted into the NHL like his uncle Shea Adler was. He’s a good player but lacks confidence in his abilities; he tends to dwell on mistakes made while playing, and takes everything his coach says to heart instead of brushing it off and moving on. He’s so focused on it that he’s never had a relationship; he’s never wanted anyone to keep him away from his goals. When he sees Sofia, his younger sister’s new roommate, he has a change of heart and decides he wants the distraction, after all. She’s just as focused as he is so this could work out; he knows a long distance romance isn’t something he wants after he’s drafted, so a steady thing his senior year could be worth a try.
“Forever…Actually, it’s nowhere near enough time.”
I loved this story! There’s so much more, at times serious and emotional, and just the perfect love story to get lost in. With other cousins in the mix I hope they all become Bullies and we read their stories, soon.
“It’s you, Sofia. No one else but you.”
Sigh! Happy, happy sighs galore.
I am a huge Toni Aleo fan but if you are following my reviews you probably know this already 🙂 ‘Assassins’ and ‘Bellevue Bullies’ being my all time favorite sports romance series, ‘End Game’ was an unexpected delight for me. I will do my best to give justice to this book but sometimes it is really hard because it feels like whatever you would say won’t be enough to convey your feelings. So here I go!
Do you remember the little guy, who was following his Unky Shea, the captain of Assassins and one of the best defense players in NHL? He is now all grown up and in his senior year in Bellevue University. Ryan Justice is smart, sexy, sweet and loyal. He is playing hockey for Bellevue Bullies and this year being his senior year, he is determined to get drafted into NHL and follow his uncle’s footsteps. He doesn’t want any distractions that will jeopardize him to achieve his ultimate goal. What he didn’t see coming is his sister Amelia’s roommate and teammate Sofia Castilleja. Sofia is a freshman in Bellevue University. All her life she worked really hard in order to become an Olympian. However, her injuries caused her goals to take her to a different direction. Now, she is on a full-ride scholarship to get her business degree and also part of the gymnastic team of Bellevue University. Her new goal is opening her gym after graduation. She is determined to reach her goals and just like Ryan she does not want any distractions. She is an amazing gymnast and when it comes to gymnastics she is confident and strong. But in her personal life she is shy, reserved and not so confident. The moment Sophia and Ryan meets sparks are fly between them. Their chemistry is off the charts. Even though, Sofia tries really hard to resist the attraction, she cannot resist Ryan’s charm for long. What I loved the most about their relationship is how supportive they are to each other. They don’t allow each other to sacrifice their goals. I am not going to give you their up and downs or if the both make their dreams come true that is all for you to find out 🙂
‘End Game’ by is everything you want in a romance; sexy, sweet, and amazingly perfect. This book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. As always Toni Aleo did an amazing job that you will literally feel all the emotions at one point or another. If you’re looking for a great sports romance to read, I highly recommend ‘End Game’ for you. You can read it as a standalone but I hope and recommend you read the whole series because they are all amazing.
P.S. It was amazing to see Ellie, Shea, Grace and all the kids. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Sooooo many kids to pick from 🙂 But I hope it will be Aiden Brooks, Amelia Justice or Shelli Adler’s story.
P.S.S. I hope Toni Aleo never stops writing Assassins/Bellevue Bullies series. I am super excited and hopeful that we will get to read Assassins: New Generation 🙂
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Already did 🙂
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
I was so very excited when Ms. Aleo announced that she was returning the Bellevue University and the Bullies!
This time around only the legacy of the Sinclair Brothers remains and we are reintroduced to Ryan Justice. No longer is he a running around wearing his Unky’s hockey jersey he is now a grown man.
Ryan’s story is full of heart, emotion and heat. This is a man who has taken a proverbial beating and decided to perserver and make those he loves proud both on and off the ice.
While trying to tackle his present, deal with his past and plan for her future he meets the strong and independent Sofia. Sofia has no interest in any college shenanigans, she is at Bellvue to kick butts, take names and get a great education in the process.
The story of Ryan and Sofia is utterly beautiful. Ms. Aleo has an uncanny ability to make your heart skip a beat and your cheeks to blush. This story is a moving tale; it’s a story about finding and making your place in the world. It’s a story that proves that we may not always get what we want, but we get what we work for.
Cheers and Four Stars to Toni Aleo and End Game!
I’m so glad that I read this one. I was hooked right from the beginning. Ryan and his family were awesome. I want to be pat of their family. Family is so important and they’re close knit. Sophia and Ryan were just way too stinking adorable! They’re sweet and a little dorky. They’re definitely one of my top favorite books couples. Ryan is just swoon worthy material the whole way through. I loved how he was with Sophia. He does some romantic things. Couldn’t have been anyone more perfect then him. I laughed and cried while reading this one. It’s a beautiful story and the epilogue was the icing on the cake for me. One of my favorite scenes because I’m Christmas nut was the Christmas scene.
I absolutely adore all of the Assassin/Bullies books and this was no exception. Before Toni Aleo I never thought I would be so into a hockey series, lol. But each book gets better than the last in my opinion. I also love when my favorite authors give us a 2nd generation so we can check in with our favorite characters. Ryan and Sofia have so much personality it was clear when it clicked would be amazing story. You will not want to put this book down.
Ryan Justice has dreamed of becoming a hockey star in the NHL for as long as he can remember. He as worked day and night to achieve his goal, now all he has to do is finish his last year at Bellevue University and get drafted into the NHL.
Sofia Castilleja has always been the top of her class as a gymnast. When she receives a full ride scholarship to Bellevue as one of their key athletes on the Bullies up and coming gymnastics team, Sofia is determined to work hard and stay focused on her end game. Her dream is to one day open her own gym and train the next generation of elite gymnasts.
The moment that Ryan lays eyes on Sofia, he knows that he has to have her. He has never seen anyone as beautiful and strong as her, and he will do anything it takes to make Sofia his. After fighting against her undeniable attraction towards Ryan and his charming ways, she finally agrees to go on her first date. Gymnastics has always been her focus which left little time for romance. When Ryan discovers that Sofia has never been with anyone, he wants to be her first at everything: first kiss, first boyfriend, and first love.
Will Sofia and Ryan have their happily-ever-after, or will their dreams pull them in different directions leaving them both with broken hearts?
(I received an ARC of End Game from Toni Aleo in exchange for my honest review.)
There is a reason why Toni Aleo is one of my favorite romance authors and End Game is proof why. Ryan and Sofia’s chemistry is off the charts! Ryan is so gentle and considerate with Sofia once he learns that she is new to the dating scene. He treats her with love, respect, and acts as though she is the only girl in the world. They both encourage each other to reach for their dreams and never give up on their end game. This sweet love story will leave you feeling butterflies and grinning from ear to ear.