Sometimes figuring out what you want in life is only half the battle…Bryan Torresi has a reputation for playing it cool, for being hard-nosed and unforgiving. As head coach of the York Bombers, he has to be. The men look to him for advice and guidance and when it comes to playing hockey, he’s one of the best. Off the ice is another story. Life has slipped him by and he wonders what he’s missed … what he’s missed by being so focused on the sport he loves—and then he meets Pamela Howard.
A successful small business owner, Pamela is focused on one thing: security. But achieving the security she’s always craved has come at the cost of a personal life. She’s not afraid of being alone but she’s tired of being lonely—and only now realizes that there’s a difference between the two. Meeting the outwardly cool hockey coach makes her wonder if there’s still a chance for her to succeed in love.
Can two independent people who are used to living life on their own terms learn to compromise for the sake of love? It’s a game of give-and-take with stakes higher than either one imagined—but only if they’re willing to play instead of walking away.
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This book is a perfect addition to the York Bombers Hockey Romance series with unforgettable characters and a beautifully written story that immediately captivated me and kept me totally immersed in all that was happening until I read the last word. I loved the instant attraction and undeniable chemistry between head coach Bryan Torresi and successful small business owner Pamela Howard. This is definitely a book that I will read over and over since it is my favorite in this must-read series. If you enjoy well-crafted sports romance, don’t miss “Playing It Cool” by gifted author Lisa B. Kamps. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.
I wish it had been longer. I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing but it felt like I had missed an important chunk of information somewhere along the way.
A great sports romance about coach Bryan and Pamela. Nice change of pace in this hockey romance series to read the coach’s story!! Enjoy!!
An enjoyable quick read with characters I found myself able to relate with due to being single and older lol. I loved Bryan who ‘hung in there’ and didn’t give up when Pamela tried to push him away. I would’ve liked for the story to have been longer though because everything happened so quickly and it felt like the couple barely had time to get to know each other
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
I loved how this was about Bryan the head coach and not one of the team players, you feel for Bryan as he has gone from being full on career focused to wanting to share his life with someone but totally bombing (yes pun intended) at dating and just when he is about to throw in the towel Pamela’s best friend throws her in Bryan’s path. You really feel the struggle they both have trying the whole dating thing as they are well a bit terrible really but it’s really sweet too. There are some great laughs ie when Pamela meets Bryan and at Bryan’s house when he has the players over and he is in the kitchen with Pamela as well as some frustrating moments when both have self doubts especially Pamela but thank gawd she has her bestie and it all makes for a great read and feels more like a novel than the novella it is due to how well it is written!
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
This one was refreshing! its not that often that we read about coaches in a story, I really liked how their relationship started and their story as the book moved along, it was a great read!
Bryan has dedicated his life to hockey, first as a player then as the coach for the York Bombers. He doesn’t feel like he can dedicate his life to anything but hockey…hockey is life! He walks into Pamela’s coffee shop and bam, he begins to realize that there is more to life than hockey and that he can balance out both.
Pamela has worked very hard to make the coffee shop a success and its her life. She thinks that she can only focus on that and cannot have love in her life. She with the help of her partner at the shop realizes that there is more to life than just work.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Neither Bryan, a professional hockey coach, nor Pamela, a successful businesswoman, has stopped working long enough to find that special person. They are both successful, in their forties and have almost given up on finding love. After a chance meeting in the coffee shop Pamela co-owns, they have an immediate attraction to each other and begin dating. I really loved seeing a relationship between two characters in their forties play out. It was so much fun seeing them fall in love, as well as, deal with work and relationship issues. “Playing it Cool” is a wonderful hockey romance in the York Bombers Hockey series and Lisa B. Kamps has created such special characters.
Well Bryan wasn’t the only one anxious in the first chapter. I can’t imagine getting back into the dating game. But lucky for Bryan that his date ended early and his steps took him in a different direction! I loved the banter, relationship between Pamela and Anita! I loved the innocent way that Bryan and Pam met and that they each gave dating a chance. With each of their careers and responsibilities, it couldn’t be easy, but anything worth having doesn’t come easy. I didn’t even mind that this book was a little shorter in length, because it’s a full length story, one that I really enjoyed! And as tough as it was for the team, The York bombers, they had some funny moments, making me laugh out loud! Nice cover for this book, too! Don’t normally care for the glasses, but this just worked!
I loved this romance with mature characters! I loved Bryan and Pam! They were perfect together! Their attraction was instant and their chemistry was amazing! While spending time together they grow closer. Pam has some concerns that she has lost sight of what she wanted to achieve, but with patience they will reach their hea.
If you like a beautifully written love story with older characters then Playing It Cool is for you! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Bryan’s life has been hockey 24/7 for so long that he doesn’t really have a life other than hockey. Pam has worked hard to get her business to be successful and give her some financial security so she doesn’t really have time either. Both have gone on some bad dates so they just aren’t interested in that scene, until after a not so great date Bryan goes into Pam’s business and they meet. The attraction is instant between the two of them and they spend more and more time together. There’s concern it’s too fast or that they will lose sight of all they’ve worked so hard for. But with some patience they work toward their HEA. Quick and enjoyable read! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I’m not in my 30’s or 40’s…and while I enjoy a good romance story with young characters, I was absolutely thrilled when Lisa B. Kamps announced that, in her 8th York Bombers hockey story, she would be focusing on the team’s coach, Bryan Torresi. I couldn’t wait to read it (come on, look at that cover!) and…it was soooo worth the wait!
Bryan and Pamela are both successful and very dedicated in their own careers, and comfortable with their lives in general, however, Bryan is starting to realize that the biggest focus in his life over the past twenty years has been coaching to the exclusion of other aspects of his life. Finding a special someone to spend time with…well, it’s a funny, bumpy road until he meets Pamela.
Pamela has a very successful small business, Uncommon Grounds, that she manages along with her best friend, Anita. Anita is such a hoot while Pamela is more reserved. Her focus above almost everything else is security in the form of financial independence and a comfortable retirement. What she hasn’t given much attention to is the here and now, or as Anita says, having a little fun! For Pamela, it’s all about her business providing her security.
When Bryan and Pamela meet, a not-so-subtle push from Anita gets things rolling. These are two mature adults, comfortable in their own skin and old enough to not want to play games. There’s no big family or friends drama, just two people drawn to one another and discovering how they could fit into the other’s lives, which, to me, is very refreshing. Is the road always smooth? No, but there’s no big temper tantrums or drama…very refreshing!
And hot sexy times? You bet! Just because they’re not 20 or 30 something doesn’t mean they don’t have this going on too! 😉
So yes, 5 BIG STARS! Hooray for mid-life romance!
I love all of these sexy Harrington men and Charlie’s story is the perfect addition to the series!
If you love a story filled with mature characters, lots of steamy moments and a happily ever after, than you will thoroughly enjoy Silver Mayor. Charlie and Janessa are easy characters to like, with chemistry that neither can deny, all encased in an entertaining storyline.
Charlie isn’t really looking for a relationship, but when he meets Janessa there is just something about her that draws him in and she seems to check off all of his boxes. Janessa isn’t looking for a relationship either and being new to the town she is just trying to get her and her daughters lives back on track. She knows she really shouldn’t jump into a relationship, but she and Charlie share such easy banter, some challenging moments, and a lot of passion. They both realize they probably shouldn’t start a relationship neither can deny that they have something going on between them that might turn out to be something special.
So many things I love about this book!! I love that Coach Torresi finally gets his HEA after seeing so many of his guys find theirs. I love Bryan! He is so handsome with his salt and pepper hair and beard and is just the sweetest. He’s tired of trying to find someone to be his person in this crazy age of online dating, when he has free time from coaching the Bombers that is. I love Pamela, who owns her own business and has put everything she has into that not taking the time to smell the coffee for herself. I love that they find each other organically, well maybe with a little tiny push. I love that they are more mature and in their 40’s and know exactly what they do and don’t want. No games. Well Pam may have been a little more resistant about some things than Bryan, but luckily they figure it out. I just loved it! And I know it was a short novella but Lisa Kamps definitely gave a full size story!
I really love this series from Lisa. The York Bombers might be only a semi professional hockey team but I think the players seem to want it more trying to make it to the next level.
And that goes for their coach as well. I like that Lisa decided to do a book for Bryan. It is a refreshing change to read characters that are on the maturer side from time to time.
Pamela was indecisive so many times throughout the book and it was frustrating at times. There are hints to her past and I guess that has played a part in her behavior. Thankfully she has Anita to be a voice of reason for her.
I really do hope that there will be more books to come and that this isn’t the end of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book