He (was) the hottest player on the ice.She’s a (struggling) sports journalist looking for her big break.Charlie Denton has been handed the most impossible assignment from her stick-in-the-mud boss: get an exclusive interview with the NHL’s golden boy, Duke Harrison.The catch? She’s got eight days or she’ll be demoted. Fired. Kicked to the curb – No way is she letting her future rest on the broad … curb – No way is she letting her future rest on the broad shoulders of a goalie who is at least three seasons past his prime.
She has eight days to convince Duke that the loyal fans of The Cambridge Tribune (annual circulation: 1,000) are dying to know about his life, on and off the ice. Eight days to stand toe-to-toe with a man who is pure sex on a stick. Eight days to remember that every mind-blowing kiss is nothing but a power play.
What could go wrong?
Power Play is a flirty, sexy rom-com, and the first book in Maria Luis’ Blades Hockey series. If you like fast-paced plots, quirky characters, and super sexy heroes, then Power Play will definitely be your jam. HEA guaranteed. Warning: Power Play comes with a “be prepared to laugh” in public label!
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I’m just a big fan of Luis in general. I loved the NOLA heart series and her stories are always fun and sexy. While I’m not crazy about this new-ish trend of romance novels being written in first person, she does it well in this first installment of the Blades Hockey series. The heroine is quirky and smart and the hero is endearingly grouchy (for good reason) and very likeable. This is a fun, quick read and was a great way to spend my lazy Sunday.
I loved this book and will read more from Maria Luis. She brings her characters to life. The story is believable. I highly recommend it.
This is such a sweet and happy read. It was the perfect choice for me after reading a heavy, emotional romance. The characters were all really fun.
Be careful reading this book in public – you *will* laugh out loud at several points along the way, but you may have difficulty explaining the jokes to your accidental audience, especially in mixed company. The author’s way of narrating Charlie’s inner monologue was priceless. I don’t remember the last time I had such fun with a book.
But this is not just a rom-com story. At its heart it’s a deeply moving love story. Duke has been hurt in the past, so he’s very, very guarded with his heart. Charlie is desperate to salvage her career with his interview, but equally determined not to risk the humiliation of yet another one-sided attraction. Of course they overcome these reservations eventually, and the heat that is generated by this progression could keep all of New England warm in the winter. Duke is everything we could want in a book boyfriend – strong but not obnoxious, determined but not arrogant, and he’s got more than his fair share of sexy moves. Charlie’s heart really didn’t stand a chance. This book also has one of the best HEA epilogues I’ve read in a long time.
Maria Luis is a new favorite author on my TBR list. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is the first book I have read by Maria Luis and it did not disappoint. It was a fast read, funny, and heartwarming. Duke and Charlie are cute together, I really liked their banter. Wish it could’ve been a little bit longer because I wanted more of them. Also enjoyed Duke’s POV at the end. Good story!
I do enjoy a hockey story. Duke and Charlie have great chemistry and amusing banter. I felt engaged in their journey
The book was a good surprise, I liked the characters and the plot. The author is good and she kept me interested in what was happening. Unfortunately I won’t continue with the series because the rest are players/PRs and I have read so any books like that that I find them boring…..is like the authors do not know other jobs to write about. There were some things that can really be improved: for example she talks about his tattoo and then nothing happens you don’t even know what was it about……but overall I really recommend this book
A rating. I needed something light and happy to read this afternoon and this was the PERFECT book for that. It was also really hot with a great, realistic heroine that I loved.
I loved this story and can’t wait to read more in the Blades world. Such a fun book!
HIGHLY Recommend!
Duke and Charlotte – a relationship hot enough to melt the ice on a hockey rink.
While having the joy of reading this tale you will giggle and laugh out loud. Be ready to smile and shrug at strangers while reading in public.
Oh heck, you will be doing that at home too.
A hockey player with a voice made from silk and unicorns.
A journalist needing a story.
An unexpected meeting, a game of darts,
a rooftop – just a few stops on this exciting train ride.
Hope on board and enjoy the ride!
Power Play is book one in the Blades Hockey series by Maria Luis. This is my very first book by Ms. Luis and I have to ask myself why! Because I loved it. There was just so much to love here! Amazing characters, lots of fun snarkiness, sweet, swoony moments and some great sexy times! All this adds up to a great book and an equally great start to this series!
Charlene (Charlie) Denton is twenty six years old and is a sports journalist for an on line newspaper, The Cambridge Tribune, which is slowly dying. Charlie’s boss has demanded that Charlie write a story on a local pro-hockey player. She has eight days to get an interview from the very private man, or she loses her job.
Duke Harrison is the goalie for the Boston Blades. He is thirty four years old and has been with The Blades for ten years. Duke does not give interviews. But there is something about Charlie that won’t let him walk away. Maybe, just maybe they can work out a little deal.
Duke and Charlie were amazing They were a perfect fit. Their banter was so much fun and their chemistry was HOT! Both were sort of at a crossroads in their lives, both struggling with what direction they would go next. Charlie needs this story to try to get herself noticed before the newspaper she works for crumbles. But can she really do what her boss wants her to do? Duke is about as swoony as you can get. How could I not fall for this sexy hockey player?! Can he really trust Charlie, though? Can he trust that she is really interested in him, the man, and not just playing him for the story?
I couldn’t put this down. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read this. I loved it. The next book in the series, book two, is called Sin Bin and I can’t wait to read it!
I loved this book !
The perfect hockey romance. It had a great story line, interesting and funny characters, and a heroine who played ice hockey!
Power Play was a cute, funny sexy little read. Charlie is a journalist working for a little know outlet who needs a big story to save her job. When she promises an exclusive on hot, hunky Blades hockey player, Duke Harrison, Charlie finds herself a bit over her head. I really enjoyed this read. Charlie is s strong heroine who doesn’t back down without a fight. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
I loved this book! Lighthearted and fun with just right dose of sexy. I adore Charlie in all of her unconsciously sexy ball busting ways. She has no idea how adorable and lovely she is. Oh! My! Oh! My! DUKE!! I’m smitten with this “monstrous” shy superstar. He makes my heart flip flop right along with Charlie’s. The prefect appetizer into the Blades world and I cannot wait to devour more. Well written with rich, snarky but lovable main and secondary characters. Maria Luis’ casual style is refreshing and deceptively complex. It was just what I’ve been looking for and I will be grabbing up more of her books. I highly recommend.
Power Play
**** AUDIO BOOK REVIEW ****
What a great little RomCom! My fist Maria Luis book was a complete gem to listen too! I just adore listening to romantic comedies out-loud. I don’t know what it is but they seem so quick-witted and fun! Charlie was a great heroine! She was sassy and funny but she wasn’t a push over. She was strong-willed and determined. Duke didn’t stand a chance!
I don’t normally listen to romances over audio. I occasionally listen in my car or without a headset on and little ears don’t need to hear but Power Play wasn’t too naughty. Now, don’t get me wrong… there was some pure sexiness happening in these pages but it wasn’t all about sex. This book definitely has some meat to it. What sealed this book being so good for me though was the humor that was packed into it! The banter was so amazing that I literally laughed out loud several times!
Elizabeth Hart and Joe Hempel were great narrators. Hempel is one of my favorite male voices. I love the deepness of it without sounding too rough. He was the perfect guy to joke and play as Duke. Elizabeth Hart was a great narrator. I haven’t heard her read previously but her voice was comforting and fun. She was easy to listen to. It was over way before I was ready!
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.