After a brief marriage to an unfaithful, gold-digging wife, Jared Roderick is looking for the perfect good girl, and he thinks he’s found her. Sweet, quiet, prim Stephanie Clarke is exactly the woman he wants and nothing like his cheating ex. Now to convince a reluctant Steph they were meant to be together.Steph has had enough of men controlling her life from her preacher father to her abusive … abusive boyfriend. She wants to regain the innocence she lost and ignore the ugliness of her recent past. She’s not the pure and sheltered virgin Jared desires and fends off his advances despite the sizzling chemistry between them.
Jared is as determined to win Steph over as he is to win hockey games; but when he discovers his fantasy is tarnished, does he have the strength to skate the distance?
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Jami Davenport lights the lamp with SHUTDOWN PLAYER, the tenth book in the Game On Seattle series. After a failed marriage to a stereotypical puck bunny, Jared Roderick is ready to settle down with a nice girl. He thinks he finds the woman of his dreams when he meets, Stephanie Clarke. However, Steph has some secretes and a former boyfriend who is not willing to let her go. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.
We first meet Steph in book 9, PENALTY PLAY. Steph used to work with Vi. She was in an abusive relationship with Gino. It’s terrible what he put her through, the guy doesn’t know when to give up. I love that she is embraced by the Sockeye family. It’s great that Izzy hired her at Party Crashers. I like how she meets Jared through her second job with Agnes.
Both Jared and Stephanie understandably have issues because of their previous relationships. Candy and Gino really pulled a number on them. As a result, they are both keeping secrets from each other, which winds up causing issues.
Steph and Jared make a cute couple. I love that they both read hockey romances. I also, like their favorite authors, add in Jami Davenport of course.
The plot was believable and heartfelt. I appreciated how the characters developed throughout the story. The epilogue was a perfect conclusion to the story. I enjoy Jami Davenport’s writing style. It flows well and is easy to envision. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
My first read from Jami Davenport and what a story to choose. Hockey, Mystery, Angst, Tears, did I mention Hockey? I do realize it is Book 10 so I will have to read all the other stories of those I was introduced to you but I was truly amazed at how Jami Davenport was able to intertwine all these elements in this story. Stephanie, a shy, quiet, beautiful young lady who has a past. Jared, who has been burned so badly. Both of these characters are holding secrets that could break them. They share a strong attraction but they are holding back. You will feel the warmth, share the love, shed some tears. A well rounded story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
My first read from Jami Davenport and what a story to choose. Hockey, Mystery, Angst, Tears, did I mention Hockey? I do realize it is Book 10 so I will have to read all the other stories of those I was introduced to you but I was truly amazed at how Jami Davenport was able to intertwine all these elements in this story. Stephanie, a shy, quiet, beautiful young lady who has a past. Jared, who has been burned so badly. Both of these characters are holding secrets that could break them. They share a strong attraction but they are holding back. You will feel the warmth, share the love, shed some tears. A well rounded story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
Stephanie Clarke was ready to take control of her life. After a strict but loving childhood and a controlling and abusive boyfriend, Steph needs to regain control of what she wants out of life. She has new friends, her own apartment and two part time jobs she loves. What she doesn’t need is a romantic interest, no matter how sweet or handsome he may be.
Jared Roderick enjoys being in a relationship, but his ex-wife Candy took him for a real ride. Not only did she cheat on him their entire marriage, she also emptied his bank account. He shouldn’t be interested in a relationship for a long time, but he just can’t help himself . . . especially when he meets Steph. She’s kind, sweet and the complete opposite of his ex. Too bad she has him strictly friend zoned.
As their friendship grows, thanks to some scheming matchmakers, both Steph and Jared want more from one another. Can they both let go of the baggage they are carrying from their past relationships? Both have big secrets they are carrying around . . . Steph’s abusive ex has also not been left completely in the past.
It will be up to Jared to keep Steph safe while winning over her heart, neither of which will be an easy task. He’ll have to shut down their pasts so they can score the happy ever after they both deserve.
I love a hockey romance, and Jami Davenport never disappoints! Steph is such an amazingly strong woman. She’s escaped an extremely physically and emotionally abusive ex and is finding her own way. She is blossoming and gaining her independence. It’s easy to understand why she isn’t ready for love. Yet, she can’t seem to shut Jared out.
Jared is a sweet guy who was treated badly by his cheating ex. He’s gun shy about woman, but truly is one of those people that is happier when in a relationship. He just needs the right woman. He knows he has found her in Steph, but also sees how skittish she is. The more he learns, the more determined he becomes to erase her past and give her the future she deserves . . . he just needs to convince her of that.
Dealing with Steph’s ex makes for fantastic suspense. Steph is truly put to the test when dealing with him and watching her grow more courageous and independent was fantastic. There’s quite a showdown that will leave readers on the edge of their seats!
Matchmaking sisters Iona and Agnes also added some depth, comedic moments and a bit of ‘magic. to the story.’
Shutdown Player was a fantastic romance with plenty of suspense and hockey! 4.5 stars for this addition to the Seattle Sockeyes Series.
Jared Roderick has seen the bad side of marriage, he thought he had found his forever so he put a ring on her finger, but shortly there after he realized she wasn’t in it for love like he was, she was only after his money and notoriety. Needless to say, once he discovered that little tidbit, and the fact that he wasn’t the only man in her life, he decided it was time to move on and find someone who wanted him for the man he is and not what his fame on the ice brings affords him. So he turns to a matchmaking agency hoping to find love, and winds up getting that… and so much more!
Stephanie Clarke finally feels free for the first time in her life, mainly because she has finally found the courage to cut the cord on the controlling men in her life. First taking orders from her strict preacher father, and then the deadbeat who promised to take her away from that hell, only to find a whole new kind waiting for her. She has been abused, mistreated, and now she is ready to put that all behind her, and put herself first for a change, and of course avoid men at all costs for a while. But that becomes easier said then done, when a handsome hockey player wanders into her office wanting help in search of his future wife. She is supposed to help him find the one… but after spending some time with him she soon realizes that she may not have to look to far for that!
Between the pages of Shutdown Player you will meet a wonderfully crafted pair of characters that have been dealt a crappy hand at life and are both desperate to finally let their devastating pasts go and find happiness. Somewhere along the way their paths intersect and they find each other, and realize that their happiness reboot lies within one another… and boy what an entertaining journey it was to watch it all unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this newest offering from Ms. Davenport, it was good for the heart, made me blush, and kept me captivated from start to finish! Highly recommend!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
5 star Review Shutdown Player: Seattle Sockeyes Hockey (Game On In Seattle #10) by Jami Davenport
This is book 10 in the series and another winner for Jami Davenport in my humble opinion. This is the story of Jared Roderick and Stephanie (Steph) Clarke.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely loved Jared and Steph, two people hurt by their pasts yet equally determined to move on.
Whilst Jared is looking for love, Steph is bound and determined to ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.
All Jared wants is to find a woman who is the total opposite of his cheating ex wife. In Steph he believes he has finally found her.
Jared doesn’t count on the walls that Steph puts up to protect herself. It’s time for her to live the life she wants and deserves, away from her controlling father and her abusive ex boyfriend.
From the start of Shutdown Player I wanted these two to get together and remain that way. Can they each work through the troubles of their pasts and in doing so find a love that is strong enough to survive?
The chemistry between Jared and Steph is scorching and this was one of those books that I simply didn’t want to put down.
I love that Ms.Davenport’s characters are not perfect, they are flawed and the situations they find themselves in are easy to relate too, her characters are strong and her stories well written. Although it is book 10 in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Yay! The Sockeyes are back! This time we get Jared”Hot Rod” Roderick’s story and the poor guy is not having an easy time of things financially or emotionally during the aftermath of his divorce from his gold digging ex wife. Especially financially, she is bleeding him dry. Jared has not hardened his heart to finding love again though, in fact he craves that. He wants it more than anything. At the recommendation of a teammate he turns to Agnes & Iona, two quirky and amazing matchmaking sisters. He meets Stephanie Clark there when he goes for his interview.
Stephanie has been through absolute hell with her ex and is just trying to move on with her life since getting away from him but she is emotionally rattled. She and Jared decide to be friends and we all know how that story goes especially when there is crazy attraction. I just adore them! You know from moment one they are meant to be together, but can they get through their current struggles and find a real HEA together? Will they finally tell each other everything? You will find yourself wishing nothing but happiness for them as you see them each face the things that threaten to tear them apart, head on, but together, and with the help of friends and teammates. So sweet!!
4.5 Amazing Stars!
Sports Romance lovers rejoice! This romance is filled with Hat Tricks, both literally and figuratively; any true hockey fan who knows the jargon can tell you this is something great! Shutdown Player is filled with funny and tender moments along with some drama and turmoil mixed in to keep us riveted and holding our breath a little. This is the perfect book to settle down with for an afternoon read it’s fast paced and features some wonderful secondary characters; my favorite were the psychic Clarke sisters, the geriatric pair of eccentric and rich team owners kept me laughing at their antics. Don’t be deterred by the fact this is the tenth book of the Game On in Seattle series, featuring the Seattle Sockeyes hockey team. It’s a standalone and you can always go back and read all of them, starting at the beginning.
Stephanie Clarke has been living off the kindness of her friends, after getting out of an abusive relationship with her first and only love, Gino. Her father was a Pastor at the Christian church they attended and she hasn’t seen her family in over five years, when she took off with Gino, believing his lies. She hates talking about him, and the things he made her do, so no one really knows what she went through. How she wishes she could have a do-over. but now she’s just trying to get back on her feet. Izzy, one of her friends, is married to the Sockeyes’ team captain, Cooper, and offered Steph the studio apartment above their garage.
When Steph meets Agnes Clark, the older great aunt of one of the players on the Sockeyes hockey team she’s offered a job, on the spot, as a personal assistant. Agnes and her sister, Iona, run a matchmaking service called Forever Matched, as a hobby, for lonely millionaires and billionaires looking for their forever matches. They give Steph a paper to sign, stating she won’t ever date a potential client; it would be bad for business, as Agnes explains.
Poor Jared “Hot Rod” Roderick is living on the brink of poverty, despite having a contract with the Sockeyes, due to his divorce. He agreed to all of Candy’s demands in the divorce; he wanted out of the short marriage as soon as he found out she’d been cheating on him almost from day one. Even though he had a bad experience with Candy, he still believes in finding “the one” and wants it all: a home and loving wife and children. He liked being a couple and knows he needs to more careful finding the right one.
“I know what I want, and I won’t settle for less.”
“Sometimes what you think you want and what you need aren’t the same.”
“I did the need thing and got screwed over. I like being part of a couple, but I’m gunshy.”
So when a team mate offers him a business card to help in his search he decides to take advantage of the offer.
“Good for one forever match.”
“The proverbial gift horse had just been plunked in his lap. Who was he to question his good luck? He had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.”
With the psychic sisters playing matchmakers, anything is bound to happen! These two had a gift they put to good use. Some would call it meddling, but I won’t split hairs. Or as they so beautifully explain:
“Love can’t be reduced to words on a form. Love is more magical than word on paper.”
“We’re successful because our matches are spiritual via psychic visions and intuitive perceptions, the average person doesn’t use the gifts they’ve been given. Don’t even acknowledge them. We know. We feel. We perceive.”
Be prepared to hold on to your seat when the drama starts! I teared up a few times when Steph finally revealed her deep, ugly and painful secrets. And Jared was exactly what she needed, the exact opposite of Gino, to handle her tender heart. These two were definitely a forever match!
Have the
Tissues ready with this one. Stephanie finally is able to get away from Gino, but he still is stalking her. She is working with Izzy and Agnes, Ethan’s aunts. Rod finally decided to divorce Candy but she pretty much bled him financially dry. Can two people who have been hurt and have trust issues find love.
If you like a great sports romance with lovable characters in several heated scenes and a plot thick with suspense and a little “magic”, you will love this book! I did.
love it
The story seems unrealistic
We met Steph when Vi save her from her scuzzy boyfriend. I hoped that she would get her HEA next. Jared was duped by Candy. Heck with a name like Candy, you could almost tell that she was not wife material. With a little nudge from Agnes and her sister, the two come together first as friends that become so much more.
Love the friends to lovers aspect of the story and how e visit all of our favorite Sockeyes and their wives!
Jared Roderick is known as Hot Shot is the shutdown player on the Seattle Sockeyes NHL team. His life outside of the ice is a disaster though, his ex took everything from him and left him broke and jaded. He wants to find a sweet woman who just wants the simple life and to love him and not his bank account. He meets Stephanie Clarke, a sweet woman but one that has baggage that may get her killed. Steph has just escaped a physically and emotionally abusive man. Unfortunately for her, her ex Gino isn’t about to give up his property. If Jared finds out her secrets she knows he will just walk away, so why even start and lower her walls. The chemistry between them is transcendent. I loved this story and the struggle Steph battles. This is a strong story that left me on the edge of my seat all the while pulling my heartstrings. This is a hard subject that the author told brilliantly. I loved all the supporting characters as well. This is truly a great book and I highly recommend.
Can a series get any better when you hit book 10 well Jami Davenport has done just that, in my opinion this is the best book so far in the Game On in Seattle Series, I could not put Steph and Roderick’s story down and if you love Hockey and sports romance this is a must read.
Jared Roderick has been through the ringer, he has seen the worst side of marriage when he finds out his ex wife basically married him for money and status. Stephanie Clarke was raised in strong church going family and in her teenage years she rebelled and fell in love with the worst person for her, he treated her so badly, he pimped her out as a lap dancer and he hurt her in the worst possible way with his fists. Can two people who should be scared off relationships for good make it work this time around, can they get over the fears of history repeating itself……..
This author gave us two people who are kind and trusting yet broken from the past and she took us on their journey of learning to trust and love again. jami Davenport has fast become one of my go to authors and for me this is one of the best hockey series out there. Looking forward to more from the Seattle Sockeyes.
I have been following this series and always become attached Jami’s words. The Game On in Seattle series have become an addiction that I am proud to tell my book friends about. Jared’s story was heartbreaking and fulfilling for me. You don’t get a lot of stories where the hero gets burned by a woman and it was not a mistake. His ex-wife was just a gold digger and playing him for a fool.
I adored our shy Stephanie. She is ready to finally step out in the world and better herself. She works tirelessly and when she meets Jared, it was nothing but sparks shooting off. I could not put this book down. The drama factor was high and I was not sure if these two could make it with all their ghosts from the past. You definitely want to read this book to see how it all ends.
I really enjoyed this story, it can totally be read as a stand-alone! The characters were likable and the story flew by! I read it in one sitting!