A pro hockey player with a past. A broadway dancer turned ice girl, and the ice that draws them together.
Trane wondered if he would ever be the kind of guy who settled down and had a family. He had too much in his past, too much to deal with in his present to have hope that his future would be anything other than many years as one of the best goalies in the NHL. Until he meets the new ice girl.
girl.
Former dancer on Broadway, Janae, can’t seem to get a job anywhere but as an ice girl for the Detroit Comets. Her plan? To make her mark in Detroit so she can get back to Broadway as soon as possible. Things are going well. Her new dance routines for the team become an industry sensation. She predicts she’ll be back in New York within the year. But then she goes out with Trane Jones. And suddenly everything she thought was important might not be.
Welcome to Northbrook Hockey Elite!
Six professional hockey players used to play on an elite club team together, but have all separated and now play in the pro-hockey leagues. Not all of them were friends, yet circumstances bring them together, and for the greater good, maybe they can put aside their differences.
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Northbrook Hockey Elite Series:
Faceoff
Powerplay
Rebound
Crosscheck
Breakaway
Shootout
more
The characterization and plot made this a winner!
This book stood out from the others in the series because it gave us a behind-the-scenes look at another aspect of the hockey game- the ice girls. It was so fun to see Janae come in as the new girl and ramp up the excitement and interest with her dance routines. She doesn’t have it easy with the extra workouts and jealousy from some of the other ice girls, but the captain quickly befriended her and helped her navigate the politics and dynamics of the team. (The ice dance-off was hilarious and a little ridiculous with the posturing, like something you would see in a teen movie). As the goalie Trane is invaluable to the team, and he gets a lot of action and injuries on the ice. His former coach from Northbrook encourages him to start dating in order to find a partner to support him and help him experience the softer side of life. Janae’s appearance in Detroit is perfect timing for him and they quickly and naturally fall into friendship and more. Their relationship is easy as they are both interested and enjoy getting to know each other. The conflict come more from external forces as Trane struggles with his abusive father trying to reconnect and Janae’s sudden fame gives her the option to move on more quickly than she anticipated. I loved the ending and how things worked out for this likeable couple and their Northbrook hockey friends. A great conclusion to the series!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
The series wraps up with Trane’s story. He’s making a name for himself in Detroit as a top NHL goalie. He also tries to live up to the standards his Northbrook Hockey club coach taught him and is known for being a gentleman off the ice. However, there’s a dark side to his past and he questions if he can trust love. If he can trust himself to not repeat the terrible example set before him by his own father. But, when coach challenges him to start dating a good girl, he’s not sure how to even find one – that is until he sees the new ice girl who seems different from the rest.
Janae Terry has just arrived in Detroit to help teach the team’s ice girls some dance routines and take the whole program up a notch. Her original goals were to be successful in Detroit and use it as a launchpad for returning to Broadway. However, when she starts to receive attention from the elusive goalie, she wonders if remaining in Detroit might be worth it.
This story had great potential, and after the first couple of chapters, I had hope for a great story. Unfortunately, it did not deliver. There were too many serious issues to ignore.
First, I found the character development poor. We’re told that Trane grew up in an abusive home but then he has some happy memories growing up? We’re also never told what happened to the mother? Then, with Janae, we’re told that she had a rough childhood, then nothing more is said.
Next, I found multiple inconsistencies. At first, Janae is uncertain about Trane and the next moment, she’s throwing herself at him in a classic example of insta-love. There are other examples of inconsistency, but that would give spoilers.
However, I would have been more forgiving to most of those had it not been for the multiple examples of extremely disturbing conflict resolution. Instead of resolving the conflict in a healthy, peaceful manner, the author chose to use violence. This is not ok.
Another disturbing issue was the unresolved use of pain medication after Trane is injured. There are multiple references to him using the medication, but nothing is said about healthy use and avoiding abusing them. This is concerning.
Again, I would come close to forgiving the plot holes and less than realistic ending if it were not for the disturbing use of violence in place of conflict resolution and the unresolved use of the pain medication.
Romance – steamy PG / suggestive kissing and lustful thoughts.
Language – PG
Violence – PG13 – not just on the ice during a game.
My rating – 2 stars
I have absolutely loved this series and I’m sad to see the stories of this ragtag group of hockey pros come to an end. Trane, aka Diesel, is big and intimidating, but he has his own demons he faces and he’s such an incredible man. An instant attraction forms between him and the new ice girl, Janae, and I loved watching her soften him up and wrap herself up in his protection.
In this series finale, my mind was vividly captured as I pictured not only the novel ice dancing that Janae created, but also the whirlwind romance that slid out of control, catching these characters off guard. I loved seeing the boys come together for a special event and the way they supported each other in a familial way.
This was a fun wrap up to the series and I loved learning more about these amazing men and the sport. I can’t wait to see which sports series will be written next.
Content: mild romance; mild hockey violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Why do great things have to end? The Northbrook Hockey Elite series has been so much fun to read, and Sophia Summers book, Shootout, has been a great finale! I enjoyed each story about each player very much. I liked catching glimpses of the characters throughout the series, and really thought it was a great ending to read about Trane in this last book. His character was so strong yet vulnerable and I loved the family element of all of the guys supporting him through his story. I also really liked Janae’s character and the way they went together so well. Wonderful sweet, clean, spicy love story, with the perfect ending for this story and the whole series!
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I enjoyed and found interesting:
• This was the sixth and last book in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series that I’ve read and I have found each one unique and very interesting. All of the hockey players’ situations have been quite different making this an excellent series. This last book wraps up all the loose ends and leaves the reader with warm feelings towards a wonderful group of men.
• The beginning caught my interest right away when Janae met the Ice Girls. My interest was riveted until the end of the book.
• I loved the Ice Girls and their captain,Tiffany. These secondary characters added dimension to the plot of this book.
• Sophia Summers does an excellent job of making hockey relatable to readers who have never seen an ice hockey game. She does an amazing job of creating tension and excitement that is present during a game.
• I liked that this group of ex-Northbrook hockey players (they call themselves The Pit) gathered together to put on a birthday party for their old Coach Fenwick.
• There were lots of witty banter and funny situations between Trane and Janae. There were also funny texts between The Pit group members. I had some great laughs while reading this book.
• Trane and Janae were interesting characters that were easy to relate to. They were down to earth, kind, and principled. They were so interesting, you wanted to continue reading to discover more details about their personalities.
• This was a clean read. But that doesn’t take away from the romance or chemistry between Trane and Janae.
I was given an advance copy of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to sport romance fans looking for something different.
This book kept me up until almost 3:00 AM! I love the camaraderie and bantering that goes on between the group of professional hockey players that played together back in high school. The way that their loved ones (girlfriend, wife, daughter) are taken into the group and looked after is so special. Trane and Janae are well-developed and just really likable characters. They share some absolutely sizzling kisses, but stop there. I’ve never watched a hockey game, but I love this series and recommend it and Sophia Summers’ other books. I got my copy through KU.
I like this story about how Trane breaks his rule & takes out with the ice girl, Janac. He finally sets his father right also & gets over letting his father cause him problems. I like that it has a happy ending. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary review.
I’m always sad to get to the end of another series. I have loved reading each and every one of these hockey romances. And I actually know a little bit about hockey now too.
There’s something about Trane in this book. I can’t quite put my finger on it. But whatever it is makes him and his story my very favorite of the Northbrook Hockey Elite series. I loved the way he was with Coach Fenwick. The coach was more of a dad to him than his ever was. And he learned some great lessons about being on the ice and off from him. Maybe that’s part of why he was my favorite.
Janae is the woman that catches his attention. She’s a brand new ice girl for his Detroit team. Janae had dreams of Broadway, but they didn’t quite work out as she had expected them too. I loved the way she gave her all to being an ice girl. And she made her group of ice girls famous in their own right. That was one of my favorite parts of this book.
How could I not love the way the Northbrook guys were there for Trane when he needed them most? I love the way they are always available to help the others. Probably another thing they all learned from Coach Fenwick.
The ending of this one was just what I wanted for the end of the series. It was perfect. I know I won’t be sad to see the end of the series for too long, because I can’t wait to see what this group of authors does next!
I was sent an e-copy of Shootout as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
How can this be the last book in this series?! I don’t think I’m ready for this to end. I have loved the feeling of family and camaraderie I’ve felt throughout the whole series. Each book focuses on one particular hockey player but the whole group appears somehow in each book. It’s like keeping old friends while making new ones.
These books are easy reading, romantic distractions. I know what I’m going to get going in and that just feels good.
Trane is such a good guy. I love how hard he works at being that stand up guy at all times. He is a defender of the underdog because he was the underdog and he knows how it feels to have someone in his corner, making a difference for him. I loved how Trane’s story came full circle in this book.
My only complaint about this book would be Janae and her backstory. I feel like we got mentions of it but nothing fleshed out. I don’t know where she came from or what happened in her family. Only brief comments here or there. I wish I understood her more.
The Northbrook Hockey series has been a fun ride and I’m sad to be at the end. I’ll miss this family of Hockey players.
Content: mild violence, kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Trane Jones (aka Diesel) doesn’t expect much from life except to play hockey; he’s got too much baggage from his childhood and doesn’t expect to settle down and have a family. Being the best goalie in the NHL will have to do. Janae Terry doesn’t plan to be an “ice girl” for long, but she’ll use this as a time to regroup until she gets back to living her dream of dancing on Broadway. You know what they say about best-laid-plans.
This is a strong finish to the Northbrook Hockey Elite series which sadly has come to an end *heavy sigh*. Trane Jones is the character I think a lot of readers have been wanting to know more about since the first book. To say Trane had a rough upbringing is an understatement, but it was made better by Coach and his teammates at Northbrook Hockey Elite. I loved Trane and Janae’s first meeting–it was so normal–joining him and Declan (aka Dice) for their post-game dinner. I image of the huge 6’8″ goalie fitting into a Honda Civic with Declan in the backseat made me laugh.
I liked Trane and Janae’s romance, no games, just two adults who really liked and supported each other, and wanted to get to know each other better. We got cameos of the other Northbrook Hockey guys and even a Belltown Sixpack shoutout. What I wouldn’t give to see Zane after Hope’s makeover. LOL. I love how close Trane and Coach stayed after he went pro. He truly was the father Trane never had. No spoilers on the ending, but I will say I loved it.
The books in this series can be read in any order and all can standalone.
I loved reading this sports series and hate seeing it end. The story is about Trane (Diesel), the goalie, who has avoided relationships because he’s afraid he’ll be like his father who was abusive, and Janae, a former Broadway star turned Ice Girl, looking for something bigger and not a relationship, but they find each other. Will issues like Trane’s father appearing, Northbrook Elite’s Coach retiring, Janae’s Dancing Ice Girls Sensation come between them?
The continuity is great through the series even when written by several authors. The characters are well developed with great personalities and the story is well written.
A fantastic ending to the series. Probably my favorite because Trane’s character is one who defy’s all odds by being the scholarship kid growing up to becoming a star. Best thing. He meets a girl who has just as tender of a heart as his own. Super cute.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I’m not ready to leave my friends from Northbrook Elite and Belltown Six. This story is about one of the finest of the bunch, Trane or Diesel. Can’t tell you too much because I don’t want to ruin the ending but it is a wonderful story of love. Janae and Trane still have some lessons to learn and together is the best way. I’ve loved this series and I recommend it.
I have loved reading the Northbrook Hockey elite series and I am so sad that this is the last one. I loved to be able to read Trane’s story. He is such a gentle giant and I loved him! This was such a wonderful book and the best way to finish this series. I loved how the romance developed between Trane and Janae. I loved how the traumas they experienced in their childhood helped them to understand each other and to be the best possible person for each other. Although I am sad to see this series come to an end I am looking forward to the next sports series by these authors.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Trane is a sweetie, and I really liked the romance between him and Janae, but I felt like there were inconsistencies and parts that were rushed over. For example, Janae’s family background is hinted at but not really explained, and even Trane’s backstory could have used some more development, particularly a little more mention about his mother. There’s a scene where Janae and Trane go to his apartment and she’s all impressed with it…but it’s implied she had already seen his apartment because she went to see him after he hurt his back and couldn’t take her out on a planned date. Also, with his back injury, it doesn’t seem like a good idea for him to take her boxing. Also, while one of the other Northbrook players’ girlfriend is mentioned by name, the others aren’t, which maybe isn’t a big deal but it just seemed inconsistent. All in all, I think the story was fun and good underlying ideas but needed better execution.
I read an ARC provided by the author. All opinions are my own.
Another great installment for the Northbrook Hockey Elite series! I really enjoyed the interaction between the six main players and the romance between Trane and Janae was very sweet. I appreciated the character development for Trane and his desire to give back and help young boys the same way he was. This was a really fun read and am looking forward to reading more from this author team!
Book six in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series does not disappoint. Trane is a highly protective man with some build to him which is why he is the best goalie in the league. While playing goalie is second nature to him, he is not sure it is his dream anymore. The thing is, he isn’t so sure he knows what his dream is.
Janae, former broadway dancer, is finding her new dream as broadway kicked her to the curb and now she is finding a new spot in the dance world as an ice girl and hopes to move on to bigger and better things when she can. When she meets Trane, will her dreams change?
This sweet romance is such a fun read. While the relationship develops quickly without much substance, the characters have deep backgrounds and are well-developed. Summers, Connolly, and Moore worked well together to write a fun romance in the sports world that has meaning and shows the possibilities of letting the past go and rising above your backgrounds. Any book by one of these three authors automatically goes on my to-be-read list and this one shows why. The great characters, a fun setting, and a brotherhood of hockey players make this book a success.
Trane is a huge man and he’s the goalie on his NHL team. Janae has just come from the demanding world of Broadway production dancing to join the Ice Girls at the area. She intends to bring some dance moves to the girls. They are a bit wary of her and having to dance instead of just clearing ice. They are even more unhappy when Trane notices Janae and starts a relationship. He has never struck up a relationship with any of the girls before.
Trane’s father has entered Trane’s life again and that causes problems and anxiety for Trane. Also complicating his life is an injury and the drive for the Stanley Cup.
The “boys” who played together at Northbrook as young men are now all NHL players and they show up regularly in this story. This is only the second book in this series that I’ve read. Unfortunately, this is the conclusion. You do not have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one, but I think it would have been helpful to understand the characters and their relationship.
The relationship between Trane and Janae starts with an instant attraction and continues to heat up. This is a clean love story, but not without passion and love. It is well written and I would recommend it.
Shootout is book 6 in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series and I have loved each one. This is the story of Trane, who grew up in a poor and abusive family. He was the scholarship kid in the Northbrook hockey program and shared a close bond with the coach who was like a surrogate father. Coach Fenway believed in shaping the young boys into good men first, good hockey players second. The Northbrook Elite players learned these lessons well.
Trane is the goalie for the Detroit Comets where he meets the new ice girl Janae. She has been hired to teach the ice girls dance routines to bring more enthusiasm from the fans during home games. Trance and Janae meet and start seeing each other. They will need to overcome jealousy, family problems and anger issues that could cripple their new relationship.
These books share 1 attribute that I greatly admire: paying it forward. Each of these stories showcase a hero who believes that where much is given, much is required. In each novel, the Northbrook Elite player featured has a story to tell and finds ways to make a better world for others who follow. Excellent storytelling and wonderful characters will leave readers with a smile and a lighter heart!