Five nights. Two adversaries. Only one bed in their hotel room.
I’m at the height of my athletic career. Yet my arrogant brother is always trying to recruit me into the family business: a global security company so secretive that I don’t even know its name. Pass, thanks. I don’t need a summer job. But the jerk ambushes me with a damsel in distress. That damsel is Alex, the competitive, sassy … Alex, the competitive, sassy girl I knew when we were kids. Now she’s a drop-dead gorgeous woman in deep trouble.
So guess who’s on a flight to Hawaii?
It’s going to be a long week in paradise. My job is keeping Alex safe, while her job is torturing me with her tiny bikinis. Or maybe we’re torturing each other. It’s all snark and flirting until the threat against Alex gets serious. And this jock must become her major league protector.
Moonlighter is a stand-alone novel. No cliffhangers, no prior experience necessary. Contains: hackers, hockey players, and a hotel room with only one bed.
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“That’s where I’d rather put my tongue, damn it. Forget the ice cream. This is going to be the longest week of my life.”
Moonlighter was my introduction to Sarina Bowen’s writing, and an early Christmas present, so I just had to dive right in. And… the book is freaking amazing! I loved it all: the romance, the Company, the action sequences… what’s not to love?
But look… where can I find me an Eric? If anyone knows, please message me.
“Maybe it makes me a sap, but none of the bad shit matters quite so much when you’re curled up around a woman who makes you smile.”
I mean… Eric has it all. He’s hot, he’s a hockey player, he’s so funny I was laughing out loud at times (his conversations with the Butler are hilarious), he’s super protective and he is as grumpy as he is sweet.
“My response to a kiss on the cheek is pretty extreme. If he kissed me for real, I’d probably combust.”
I love Alex, and I wish I were her. She is ultra professional, a programmer, and she manages her company in a men’s world, without most people realizing how smart she is. She is strong, she is assertive, she is feisty, and she cheats to win. She is absolutely awesome!
When Alex needs someone to accompany her to Hawaii, she turns to Max, Eric’s brother, and The Company, his high-end security firm. And she gets Eric for five nights, and a lot more than she bargained for. Yeap, time for someone steamy moments.
And when Alex’s newest tech development is in jeopardy due to sabotage and hacking, you see some pretty great action scenes. It doesn’t take your focus away from the romance as much as it adds to it.
“Life happens. And much of it is beautiful.”
They’re so perfect together. I adored the banter, the chemistry between them was scorching hot, and the way you see their relationship progressing is incredible. You can see the walls coming down and you know where this is going, but you can’t stop reading. I seriously forgot I needed to have dinner today because of this book!
“Once I stopped fighting it, I realized he could be my reality. I love him. He’s here to stay. And the rest of it is really just noise.”
Their happily ever after is one of the sweetest I’ve ever read, without any major moments. They sort of fit together, and they’re just right for each other. It’s perfect.
I loved this so much! Bring on the next books!
A sexy, smart and heartwarming modern love story full of heat, banter, hot athletes, strong women and lots of twists and turns. I loved this book, loved Eric, loved Alex, and rooted for them the whole time! Sarina is tops!
We all remember Eric and Alex from previous books. Eric is obviously one of the Brooklyn hockey players, and Alex was team owner Nate’s best buddie from College.
Eric and Alex knew each other when they were preteens. They spent an amazing summer together one year. And now it seems they have to spend a week together in Hawaii.
Eric’s dad and brother run a billion dollar security company and Alex hired them to protect her from her ex. The stupid and violent ex whose baby she’s having in about six months.
Eric wasn’t planning on doing much after the long hockey season – least of all playing bodyguard for an icy billionaire CEO, but his brother conned him into it and he also doesn’t want to leave Alex unprotected at that conference. Plus she’s not really icy – she’s super attracted to him! But nothing can ever happen between them, right?
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!!
Such an adorable story!
Romantic-Suspense-Comedy at its best.
I just adored Eric and Alex!!!
We have so many sweet and funny and sexy hawaiiy moments in the first part. And then we’re back home in New York and it’s still sweet but it also gets very frustrating and exciting and dangerous for our darlings!
That’s all I’m telling you about the story.
It’s such an amazing romance. So full of … stuff!
I just loved reading it. I loved every single moment of this book.
I could read those kinds of books every week for the rest of forever!
I also wouldn’t mind seeing this as a tv show one day!
Can’t wait to get more stories from that new series. There are SO many adorable people still left for us to swoon over!
MOONLIGHTER was such an adorable + funny + sweet + exciting Bodyguard-Hockey-Office-CEO-Baby-Romantic-Suspense!!! I loved every moment of this book! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Eric – he’ll be sold out in no time – and this one is MINE!
A tiny little thing … the cover? What is happening there? I don’t love it all that much – I can hardly recognize anything. I would’ve preferred something different!
4.5 stars
ARC received for an honest review
Baaaaayyyyyeeeeeerrrrr!!!
Now that I have that out of my system, woot I have been waiting for Bayer’s story. This spin off of the Brooklyn Bruisers gives us both hockey hotties, corporate espionage, thrown in with sexy times.
Eric is drafted by his family to help with their business, and you know this is going to be fun and games from that moment on.
Eric is the cocky sports guy, yeah. But he is so much more. And Alex isn’t the damsel in distress who needs him to save her… or does she?
Gah there is so much I could say about this story, but I also loved going in pretty blind (Sarina Bowen is an author that I don’t care what they write, I will read it).
I loved seeing the Bruiser boys (even though there’s not much hockey happening here), plus there are other characters that I NEEEEED to see more of.
I can’t wait to get more of The Company – please don’t make me wait too long Sarina!
Another hit by Sarina Bowen! Sexy hockey player plus an undercover mission equals intrigue and a lot of swoon worthy moments. I absolutely loved Eric and Alex’s journey. Hooked from the beginning and enjoyed every minute until the end! A definite must read!
This story is full of intrigue, action and espionage. There is a little hockey on the side. Kept me entertained from page one.
NO SPOILERS!
Moonlighter was sweet, sexy, suspenseful, had some humorous moments, and I really enjoyed the storyline and characters.
The concept of the plot was intriguing and I thought Sarina Bowen did a great job with those aspects, however it was slow and kind of lagged at times. I also wished I had gotten more answers in regards to the suspense aspect of the storyline, but I guess it will continue in the future books of The Company series, which I am looking forward to.
The characters were wonderful. I really liked Eric and Alex. Eric was a swoon-worthy hockey hunk with a heart of gold, and Alex was an independent CEO with a kind heart. Eric and Alex had great personalities and I enjoyed the friendship they had together, however, when it came to their romantic relationship, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. I felt like that part was lacking a bit and I would’ve loved more romance and romantic moments. With that being said, I still enjoyed Eric and Alex’s story and was pleased with the conclusion.
Moonlighter was a sexy, intriguing, and suspenseful standalone romance, and I really enjoyed Eric and Alex’s story. I’m fairly new to Sarina Bowen, but I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for the future books in The Company series!
This was my first read from this author, and I enjoyed it. Good story and good characters. Also my first romance novel with so much time passage during the book. For whatever reason i found that interesting.
I LOVED Bayer when we met him in Overnight Sensation. I love a grouch.
4 star read kicking off a new series with suspense!
I’ve loved all of Sarina Bowen’s books in the Brooklyn Bruisers series and once I heard that Moonlighter would tie in with this series and kick off a new one – I was all about it!
And just like all Sarina Bowen books, it did not disappoint. This book delivered so much:
-a sexy, friends to lovers story
-a bit of hockey action
-a bit of corporate espionage and suspense
-a bit of fake relationship angst
and all this with a hot hockey player who’s hard to resist. YUMMY
Eric Bayer is a forward for the Brooklyn Bruisers who is currently on “vacation” between hockey seasons. He’s roped in by his brother and father who run a corporate security firm to play bodyguard to a woman who he once had a friendship with one summer as a young kid. Alex Engles is in need of a bodyguard because she’s pregnant with an abusing ex’s baby and about to launch a new project that is catching the attention of some not so nice people.
There’s quite a lot to this story but Bowen’s so good at her craft that the story flows and sucks you right in.
Eric is first described as a grump but I didn’t see that at all. He’s tricked into this new assignment but once he sees who he’s asked to protect he just goes with it and is pretty hard to resist. Sure, you have to believe that a pro hockey player also has top notch bodyguard and get away driving skills but hey, why not?!
I LOVE when romance books include a strong heroine and we definitely get that in Alex. She’s a take no nonsense CEO who is juggling a pregnancy she wasn’t anticipating and the biggest product launch her company has ever attempted.
Fake relationships are kind of my kryptonite so I thoroughly loved how they had to “pretend” to be boyfriend/girlfriend and Eric milks it for all its worth. It doesn’t take much for the fakeness to turn into true attraction.
I’m not a huge fan of suspense but the corporate espionage in this book didn’t detract from their ultimate story. If anything, it has me begging for a book about Eric’s brother as there is definitely a story with that guy and his right-hand lady.
This fangirl of Sarina Bowen likes just about everything she writes but that’s because it’s well deserved. I love her characters and this story was a great start to an intriguing new series. A definite romance book to check out!
Moonlighter is a good blend of sports romance and romantic suspense. Eric Bayer is a player on the Brooklyn Bruisers and the story introduces his brother Max’s Security firm that is so secretive it is known only as The Company.
Alex has quite a lot going on in her life. The Company is tasked with keeping her safe but they have to first find out where the threat is coming from. Her childhood friend Eric is roped into helping his brother’s company and acting as Alex’s fake boyfriend on a trip to Hawaii.
“One does not win an argument with a woman, one simply survives it.”
I loved listening to this story on audiobook. The narration was great and really kept me invested in the story.
-4.5 Stars!-
Humorous, romantic, and suspenseful!
Moonlighter is a smart, seductive tale that features the cocky, handsome, hockey player Eric who reluctantly turns amateur protector for an old friend, and the driven, independent Alex whose new tech project has suddenly made her a large target for hackers worldwide.
The prose is witty and light. The characters are spirited, amusing, and lovable. And the plot is an entertaining combination of family, friendship, temptation, desire, sizzling chemistry, palpable attraction, sexy times, and a sliver of danger.
Overall, Moonlighter is a fresh, fun, steamy start for this new series by Bowen that will not only please fans of her previous Brooklyn Bruisers novels, but will also warm the heart, have you laughing out loud, and will without a doubt leave you eager for more.
Moonlighter, the first book in the Brooklyn Bruisers spin-off series, The Company, captures the reader imagination from the very beginning. It is a complex story containing dazzling hockey players, brilliant tech developers, endearing romance, suspenseful mystery , abusive relationships, laugh out loud humor, complicated families, and immense wealth. One of the elements in Bowen’s books that I enjoy is the way the stories in a series are told in the same time period. In Moonlighter, the story occurs at the same time as her books Brooklynaire, Overnight Sensation and Bountiful. I found myself happily remembering how the scene occurred in a previous book. It takes a talented storyteller to pull this off. I loved visiting with characters from previous book especially Bess, Dave, Carl Bayer, Becca and Nate. Humor was woven into the book. “The scent of Niagara shirt starch – the kind in the spray can? It’s the scent of my childhood.”
“Hey, Engels,”…stop looking at me that way…..Like I just hung the moon.” Coach Worthington’s speech at the end was touching. It added a special touch. The title really fit the novel. Eric did moonlight for the family business during his time rehabbing his knee. The baby shower was a pure joy to read. Days after finishing the book, I find myself missing the characters. That’s a sign for me of a wonderful story.
OK, don’t hate me, but I haven’t read majority of Sarina Bowen’s hockey series. I know Moonlighter is book 1 in her spin-off series (of sorts), The Company. As someone who hasn’t read the series that this is somewhat tied to, it’s a complete standalone. Yeah, other characters are mentioned, but I wasn’t confused at all by who was who.
I truly enjoyed this one! I enjoy a good hockey read like anyone else does. But I’m always curious about life outside of the rink. I kind of loved that this wasn’t really a sports romance, how about we add on fake relationship and bodyguard trope. How do you like them apples?! OH, and childhood friends to lovers, talk about adorable.
Eric was such a hilarious hero to me, which made for some pretty entertaining banter between him and Alex. I loved the childhood friendship that they have because it made this such a cute read. The support that have for one another was so refreshing to read about. And there wasn’t any crazy drama going on.
And I love how much of a boss lady Alex was, we all need to bow down to her!
I thought Moonlighter was a great start to this series, it’s low on the suspense side, but to me, it was the romance that had me enjoying every single page
Definitely looking forward to more!
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
Sarina Bowen
Only Sarina Bowen could write a book that combines a super secretive security company with hockey and make it amazing. Not that it’s surprising since everything Sarina Bowen writes is amazing.
And the leading lady was Alex. Which just adds to the awesome. If you’re familiar with her Brooklyn Bruisers series then you know who Alex is. If you haven’t read the Brooklyn Bruisers series then you could read this as a standalone but honestly do yourself a favour and go one click like crazy and enjoy the binge.
So Eric is one of the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey players who we also already know. But what I didn’t know (or possibly did but forgot) was that his dad and brother own a security company. And when Alex needs some low key security Eric is called in to play the pretend boyfriend.
The story was steamy, sweet and had me so heavily invested in every thing that was going on. Not just with the couple but also with the story and all the characters in the background. The book ended with the sweetest happily ever after but I am dying to know what the outcome is for all of Alex’s business issues.
I am really hoping that the next book in the series is going to pick up where this one left off. And I am not sure if I want Duff’s story next or Max’s. Either way I really can’t wait to get my grabby hands on it.
Steamy, emotional friends to lovers…
What an awesome ride! Alex and Eric knew each other eons ago and found themselves together again under very different circumstances. What hadn’t changed was their dynamic. Alex was a take-charge person and though Eric was too, he was happy, once again, to follow Alex’s lead. Eric was uber-successful in his own right (hockey players rule!) so he was in no way threatened by Alex, who was growing her family company through her own smarts and sheer hard work.
Thrown together in a potentially dangerous situation, they still had time for other things. And those other things? They involved trips down memory lanes and an unexpected attraction that found its way despite their (hilarious and embarrassing) first meet up after years… There were tender moments and heated scenes with witty dialogue thrown in for good measure.
Moonlighter is everything and more than I hoped for in this new, already a favourite, series.
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
Some walk by night…or sled
Who else had the theme song from Moonlighting in their heads when they saw the title of this story? For me, every time I started reading Moonlighter, I was singing it in my head. Of course, I then had to google the lyrics because I knew I was singing it wrong and realised that it had a little relevance to Moonlighter.
Some walk by night
Some fly by day
Nothing could change you
Set and sure of the way…
Moonlighter is about Alex and Eric living their lives and doing what they need, to get to where they want to get. By the end of the song, it changes to –
So come walk the night
Come fly by day
Something is sweeter
‘Cause we met ‘long the way
We’ll walk the night
We’ll fly by day…
Moonlighting by Al Jarreau
I guess you could say that a lot of love stories are a little like this. You don’t always plan to walk your path with someone beside you, but when the right person comes along, you can’t imagine walking it alone anymore.
I think I hold a grudge against Alex because she nearly ruined Nate and Rebecca’s happiness in Brooklynaire (which is my favourite in the series). Yes, by the end of Brooklynaire I sorta kinda forgave her, but Moonlighter showed her in a better light. The more I got to know Alex, her strength, determination and intelligence shined through. What made her even more lovable was seeing her vulnerability while under attack. It’s hard to be a woman in a male-dominated work world at the best of times, let alone when you have a target on your back. Even the toughest of us needs a helping hand sometimes.
With Eric, I liked him sorta kinda, but the start of Moonlighter made his single-minded focus on his career a little unappealing. This could have something to do with my lack of understanding and dedication to ANY sport. If sport was removed from my life, the only thing I would miss is the valuable uninterrupted reading time I get when Hubby is consumed with watching it. By the end, I think my love for Eric increased because he finally worked out that SPORT ISN’T EVERYTHING!! Well, in his case, it was more about realising that there were options when you leave the ice that doesn’t have to be separate from hockey. Priorities changed when a little lady entered his life.
I really enjoyed reading Moonlighter. Sarina Bowen has taken two characters that I didn’t particularly like, and made them so lovable, I want more of them. If I was to have any complaints it would be that I can’t get David Hasselhoff’s image out of my head for Eric. I’m not sure why, but I think the cover model looks like David Hasselhoff. Then, when Eric is running on the beach in Hawaii, I was thinking red trunks the whole time. I didn’t particularly want that imagery in my head, unfortunately. I also felt like things were left a little in the air regarding Alex’s “issues” with her business. I’m guessing that The Company may be still dealing with her issues in future instalments.
The second half of Moonlighter was my favourite. There are scenes that left me with a big goofy smile on my face. I was even a little emotional towards the end when an emergency dash to the hospital brings Alex and Eric even closer. Sarina Bowen has treated us to another excellent story that made me smile, sigh and squirm in delight. I can’t wait for more in The Company series.
Sarina Bowen takes her veteran hockey player in a suspenseful direction. It’s your basic romantic-suspense-sports-bodyguard-vacation-fling-with-one-hotel-bed novel!
Okay, let’s just start with this cover…yum. It totally works for the character of Eric Bayer. He’s got the bod, he’s got the super-sense of humor, and he’s quite charming when he wants to be. Oh, and he wrote the book on flirting/teasing combo because he’s a master at it. His character arc is amazing! It’s huge and believable and a joy to read! I just loved this character.
Alex is CEO of a major cable/telecom company. She already has a strong childhood friendship with Eric when he’s tasked to be her temporary bodyguard, but their relationship as adults needs a little nurturing. It isn’t long before Alex is noticing that hot bod and is taken in with Eric’s flirting and teasing. They made a great couple right from the start!
The drama and conflict in Moonlighter comes from Alex who thinks her time with Eric was just temporary and the fact that she needs a bodyguard for multiple reasons. I was completely intrigued by The Company and it’s employees and I just can’t wait to learn more about them!
Everything clicked for me in Moonlighter. The romance is amazing — I loved Eric and Alex together, and in particular, how much Eric changes from the beginning of the book to the end. It was all terrific! I’m a long time fan of Sarina Bowen and this is one of her best! I’m on my third day of a book hangover from this title and that makes me happy!
If you are looking for a sweet romance, with a dash of intrigue, action, a baby delivery and some hockey for good measure, Moonlighter might just be for you!
4.5 stars
Eric Bayer’s hockey career leaves him with little free time, but even so, his family doesn’t consider it hard work. During a short break from the season, his brother coerced him into helping out as a bodyguard for none other than his childhood friend, Alex Engles. Eric and Alex used to play together, but haven’t interacted more than briefly in years.
Alex Engles is a genius tech CEO struggling to prove her worth as she now leads the company started by her father. With a new product in the works, there is pressure from all sides to nail the launch.
They were supposed to pretend to be together so Eric could assess the threats around her and she can feel safe, but when their initial trip to Hawaii includes a shared room with one bed and plenty of opportunities to build on the friendship they once had, the line between pretend and real begins to fade, making Eric’s job even more serious.
This was an interesting combination of sweet and tense. Alex and Eric are sweet together and have very little drama as they shift their relationship from pretend boyfriend to something with a little more substance. But the shadow of the threat over Alex keeps things moving and drives much of the intensity to the story.
Though Eric is part of the Bruisers team and Alex is friends with the team’s owner, this book stands alone completely. I enjoyed getting to know Eric’s father and brother as they pull the strings behind the scenes, as well as the other Company team members that help as Alex’s security needs increase. I am looking forward to more from the Company as this spin-off expands.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.