AbbyI only have one love now—the home furnishings business I’m building into an empire. Maybe money and success can’t love me back, but they keep what’s left of my heart safe. One-night stands are my way of scratching the occasional itch I get for something more. And no one’s better for that than a sexy as sin hockey player I’ll never see again after one very hot night together.LucaI used to love … together.
Luca
I used to love two things: hockey and women. But now my nieces and nephew are my top priority, because I’m raising them after tragedy stole their parents. Somehow I balance single parenthood and my career as a forward for the Chicago Blaze. There’s no time for women, until I get knocked on my ass by Abby Daniels. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but her devastating past may end us before we even get started.
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Wow! I’ve volunteered to review this book. I love to read Brenda Rothert books. This is the next book in the Chicago Blaze series. This story is about Luca and Abby. There is so much emotion that captivated and pulled me right into the story. Luca is a pro hockey player and is raising his brother’s three kids. Abby is a grieving woman who avoids relationships. This story will tug at your heart strings. It’s a MUST HAVE!!!! You will not be disapointed in this story. Keep up the awesome work Brenda! I can’t wait to see what else you will give us.
LUCA…LUCA…LUCA
So, single, Chicago Blaze forward, Luca, is such a good guy…Luca is raising his 2 nieces and his nephew after their parents are both killed….and as an NHL player, his life is pretty busy…he has no time for dating or relationships…but when he see a jerk putting his hands on a woman at the bar, he steps in……
Successful business woman, Abby is a workaholic… Her husband and daughter were killed in an automobile accident, and one night stands and holding everyone at arm’s length is the only way she can prevent herself from getting too close to anyone again or vice versa……..until she spends the night with the hot and sweet hockey player who “saved” her at the bar……and neither of them will ever be the same…
Luca and Abby are imperfect, alone, but, together, they are perfect for each other…There is so much chemistry, and love grows naturally between these two….I really loved Luca and Abby…..I really love this series…
Luca is such an emotional book and I loved every minute of it. Just when I think Brenda Rothert can’t make her male leads any more sexy, she goes and outdoes herself.
Luca is a must read.
This book is so good! You have to read it. I love books with children in them as they always have some of the cutest things they say. Unfortunately Luca has his two nieces and one nephew for sad reasons. Luca just melts my heart with how good he is with the children and always puts them first. I felt so bad for Abby once I found out about her past. I was so glad she made a friend with her personal trainer as she had some good advice for Abby. I think Abby and Luca are so good together and the children are just the icing on the cake! Their journey has many ups and downs that will touch your heart. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
I so love it when Brenda Rothert and hockey get together readers are in for more than a story. Abby has lost everything she thought made her as a woman and now she is trying to well stay alive. Then we have Luca who is trying to be the person his nieces and nephew can look up too. Two people so opposite from each other but both looking to learn to stay afloat. These two have gone through heartache and pain yet are seeing that life is worth living again. Brenda Rothert has a way of bringing her stories to life and Abby is a delight to see how much she really needs Luca. Loved it and hope there more of the Chicago Blaze team.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Luca is the second book of the Chicago Blaze series by Brenda Rothert. It had all the feels and so much depth! Luca unexpectedly becomes a caregiver to his three nieces/nephew after their parents pass away. Struggling to balance his hockey career and become the caregiver the kids need, he has very little time for a relationship. Abby is an entrepreneur working hard to forget the past. All she has time for are one-night stands, nothing more. Luca and Abby meet in a bar and has a one-night stand that ends up becoming more. The chemistry and pull is too strong for them to simply walk away. Luca’s persistence was absolutely swoonworthy – who doesn’t like a hot hockey player that loves children? As a mother, I felt Abby’s pain from her tragic past. Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare and Abby has been living through that every day of her life for 3 years.
I read this book in one sitting as it took me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Brenda Rothert has a gift in creating these heartfelt stories which is why I love her writing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book!
Finally, a book with a strong, fierce female lead character! I’m finding this a rare occurrence lately and I loved Abby. Loved the chemistry between her and Luca and thought the storyline was really well done, especially the parts to do with the kids and dealing with loss.
Excited for more of this series!
Luca is a Chicago Blaze hockey player who takes care of his nieces and nephews when not playing hockey. Abby is a workaholic trying to escape from her past. They meet in Chicago and hit it off but agreed that they really don’t want a relationship and be serious. But they soon find themselves wanting more. But the problem is a painful flashlight destroy there real chance on love. This was a very emotional read for me that draws you in. The characters are real and very strongly written. Truly recommend
There’s something incredibly heartwarming and endearing about a single hockey player who embraces his family; becoming the caretaker of his nieces and nephew. He’s not alone, he has help, but Luca is unique in his spirit and conviction. In Luca, Brenda Rothert creates a sweet and sensitive man who stole my heart from page one. But, this is also very much Abby Daniels story. A woman show has survived the unimaginable. In Luca, Abby will find the man who makes her heart beat, and scares the beejesus out of her.
I absolutely adored this book and am solidly in love with this series. When Abby and Luca meet and decide to pursue something a bit more then the originally intended one night stand, it appears to be magical. It doesn’t take long for these two souls to recognize what they have, but Abbys’ heartbreaking history gets in the way. But Luca knows ho to reach her, and thankfully Abby is smart enough to see her second chance in this amazing family.
I’m relatively new to Brenda Rothert and I am in awe of her storytelling. If you love sports romance, DO.NOT.MISS.THIS book. this series.
I loved this book much more than the first! With just the right amount of angst and three adorable kids, this book was one of the most enjoyable reads of this year. Luca is a professional hockey player, so he’s got a killer body, plus model looks, but what truly made him a panty-melter guy is the fact that he’s raising his nephew and two nieces. He’s most of the time clueless on dealing with little girls, but his heart is set on making the best he can. As he says: “one of the benefits of not knowing what I’m doing is that I don’t know what I may be doing wrong.” Total points for caring and for making such a huge effort!
Abby Daniels appears like she’s on top of the world. She’s a financially successful owner of a furniture emporium, at just twenty-nine years old. And yet, she has suffered a loss so catastrophic that she just exists. Her world is working and doing strenuous workouts, all to keep reality and her past at bay.
When Abby meets Luca by chance at a bar in downtown Chicago, they fall in lust and start a strictly sexual relation, based on whenever Abby happens to visit Chicago. They have an agreement not to get too close or to exchange any type of personal information.
Their agreement works perfectly for both, since they get to scratch their itch frequently but not so much that it impacts their work schedule, and they are free to live their personal lives, what there is of it. However, at one point their lives inter-lap, Abby meets the kids and the meltdown begins.
What I liked most about how the author managed the showdown and subsequent scenes is that it was all straightforward. Abby is kind and direct and communicates her feelings, even though she’s keeping a secret. Luca doesn’t get mad and obnoxious, he wants clarification and plainly requests what he needs from Abby. Abby’s innate kindness is overset by the sweet kids and their needs and together, they all help each other overcome their tragic losses. It’s a beautiful story of loss and love found again, enriched and more powerful. Totally enchanting!
Luca has had a few difficult years but the bright side of his life besides hockey is his nieces and nephew. Abby doesn’t know what to do with all the heartache that she has been dealt with over the years. Abby and Luca meet one day at a bar and you could immediately see and feel the chemistry between them. Luca is all in with Abby but she is holding back. Will Abby be able to let Luca in or will she shut down?
I was totally pulled into this story from the very beginning. I loved how they both were very headstrong but you can tell they both had there vulnerable side. They both needed to have someone there to talk to and just listen. I loved reading about the kids also how much Luca loved them. I think this book will stay with me for a very long time. For me it touched on many different emotions.
Luca and Abby were in agreement about everything – one night stands were all they had time for, no relationships, no “forever”. Their careers were their lives. Of course, Luca had a little more. He had his nieces and nephew now and “fatherhood” did not have room for anything else as well. His one night stand with Abby was addictive. One was not enough. Even Abby had to admit, her time with Luca was the best and exactly what she needed, no strings attached. Of course, life has a sense of humor and sometimes what we think we need and what we are dealt are polar opposites. Emotion also has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. A beautiful story of love, life and loss. Luca is filled with emotion and so I suggest you keep a box of tissues handy.
Luca and Abby were in agreement about everything – one night stands were all they had time for, no relationships, no “forever”. Their careers were their lives. Of course, Luca had a little more. He had his nieces and nephew now and “fatherhood” did not have room for anything else as well. His one night stand with Abby was addictive. One was not enough. Even Abby had to admit, her time with Luca was the best and exactly what she needed, no strings attached. Of course, life has a sense of humor and sometimes what we think we need and what we are dealt are polar opposites. Emotion also has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. A beautiful story of love, life and loss. Luca is filled with emotion and so I suggest you keep a box of tissues handy.
Know what I love more than sexy athletes? Sexy single Dad or in this case Uncle books. Luca is raising his nieces and nephew after the loss of their parents. He has no time for relationships barely having time for himself that is until he meets beautiful Abby Daniels.
Abby is suffering from a tragedy of her own. Barely living just trying to survive. Working to keep herself grounded and using work to forget. Not taking time for relationships all she is interested in is one night stands. Until Luca…
I really enjoyed this read. I love Luca and the kids are an added bonus. My heart breaks for all these characters and so happy to see them get their HEA. Great read!
Know what I love more than sexy athletes? Sexy single Dad or in this case Uncle books. Luca is raising his nieces and nephew after the loss of their parents. He has no time for relationships barely having time for himself that is until he meets beautiful Abby Daniels.
Abby is suffering from a tragedy of her own. Barely living just trying to survive. Working to keep herself grounded and using work to forget. Not taking time for relationships all she is interested in is one night stands. Until Luca…
I really enjoyed this read. I love Luca and the kids are an added bonus. My heart breaks for all these characters and so happy to see them get their HEA. Great read!
*Review by Michelle
I don’t know what it is with Brenda Rothert! She makes these awesome blaze books! Makes me addicted! And now I have to wait for the next one! I mean come on!
Okay! All kidding aside, I have to say that Luca is a fantastic book, that is full of unimaginable pain and heartbreak which slowly changes into love and passion! But fear not those of you who dislike sports romance! Yet again the author has not exclusively focused everything around the world of hockey, but instead made the characters paramount! And I think that’s what sets this author apart from others!
I love the relationship between Abby, Luca, and the kids. I really enjoyed how the author gave time for each child’s personality to show through.
What a terrific follow up to Anton with this one featuring the swoon worthy Luca. Gorgeous cover! This is a bit of a heart jerker with Luca as the new parent to his three young nieces and nephew. That’s a lot of young kid drama for a single guy but boy is he a champ and a great father figure along with being a hunky hockey player with a popular following. His life is going as smoothly as it can with all he has on his shoulders and then a random meeting with a hot business woman shakes things up. Abby is still reeling from a bad past but she turned into a strong business woman and is only focused on building her company and avoiding anything other than a one-time thing. These two characters are so appealing and wonderful together.They’re journey is not without some drama and heartache though. Wonderful storytelling and delicious characters makes this a must read. Who can resist cute kids? Adds humor to the story with their antics. The opening scene stole my heart. And the first meeting between our couple was sizzling. Can’t wait for Vic’s story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. It has a lot of emotion and a little layer of sadness for the characters. It brought tears to my eyes a few times. There is also a lot of hope and healing. I loved Luca and his little family. The scenes interacting with his nieces and nephew were precious. Luca is just yummy and he is exactly someone Abby needs her life. Abby’s back story broke my heart, but watching her gain some healing with Luca and his brood warmed my heart. The epilogue is absolutely the perfect touch for this book. I just gobbled this book right up!
Luca is just about perfect!
“Don’t push me away, and I promise you I won’t go on my own.”
So first of all – I absolutely love the covers of this series. Each one seems to top the other one – Luca is positively dreamy – both on the cover and in the story.
Luca and Abby have an instant connection and what should be a one night stand. But afterwards – they both start thinking…well maybe more than just one night!
Abby definitely has some baggage and incredible tragedy in her past that have warped her. She is definitely not in the market for a relationship – let alone a family. Luca’s life changed to go from bachelorhood to instant family. He is doing remarkably well considering the tragedy that is also in his past.
They are both heartbroken souls who can heal each other. What I really loved and is probably my true favorite for a male lead – is no angst, no drama, just a real man who means what he says. Luca is all that and so much more…again did you see that cover?!?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I did not anticipate all the plot elements which I am learning is part of Brenda Rothert’s skill as a writer.
I can’t praise this book more! You won’t be disappointed!!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Luca is the second book in Chicago Blaze series. It can be read as a standalone. This story pulled at my heartstrings, it has cute kids, a uncle who’s life is family and hockey, and a woman who’s endured something tragic, and now focuses solely on her business. It was a great read with likeable characters. We even get to see past character Anton. Looking forward to the next book in this series.