A new stand-alone hockey romance from USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen. On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency. A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn … traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants. She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same. Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…
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There’s one thing about a Sarina Bowen series it doesn’t matter if your reading the first book or the 5th book i absolutely love the book one is never better than another and Sure Shot is no exception.
I loved Mark and Bess they are engraved in my heart just like the other books in the series to say i would have a favourite in the Brooklyn Bruiser series i couldn’t i love them all.
Bess and Marks story is really one of heartbreak, triumph and perfect Disney love story. Mark was such a beautiful character for a guy i absolutely loved everything about him.
Bess was such a determined character who had her plans she was going to follow and was going to make the world hers that was until Mark.
I loved the chemistry of these two characters and the connection they had it was burning the pages.
This book made me laugh, cry, laugh when i was crying and it was just a beautiful story that i will never forget. I loved all the past characters from other books it’s what i love most.
Another 5 star hockey story from Sarina Bowen
Some plans can be tweaked to give you everything you dreamed of…
My romance reading started with Sweet Dreams high school romances and then moved onto historical romances by the likes of Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood. So, at sixteen my hero looked like a floppy-haired skinny kid (think Zac Efron in High School Musical) who rode horses while wearing breeches and a cravat (think Mr Darcy or Jonathan Rhys Meyers in The Tudor…depending what era I was reading). While I, the heroine, wore beautiful ballgowns in my evenings, and a pair of jeans and a t-shirt during the day. To this day I love historical and contemporary romances, and I can still picture myself in both worlds. Back then, I had a great imagination and no problem seeing a future with my swaggering, rugby-playing, horse-riding, and aristocratic husband.
The thing I find most humorous is that while those attributes appealed to me in my youth, I’ve realised that in some ways, my imaginings did produce the man of my dreams in my Hubby. No, he’s not a swaggering, rugby-playing, horse-riding, and aristocratic husband, but he is a thoughtful, sweet, strong and loving man. Those wishful imaginings of my youth were surface value only. With maturity, I realised that what was really important about those men in my stories was that they ended up being thoughtful, sweet, strong and loving. Well…maybe not the high school boys.
Sure Shot was a fantastic story and made me think of all the plans of my youth. Some of those imaginings made it to fruition and some were just never going to happen. A lot of them were realised with a few tweaks. It’s all good to make plans, but sometimes life has a way of taking things in a different way than you hoped for. Adjustments need to made to your dreams, and some even need to be given up on. I found myself feeling sorry for Mark and Bess, but I also realised that their dreams had to be adjusted like most peoples. Yes, their past wasn’t pretty, but Bess and Mark are strong, determined and motivated. On first meeting them, I knew that they were meant for happiness together. I knew it…but for them, they needed to conquer a few demons and hurdle a few obstacles.
Bess had a terrible childhood but was living very successfully despite it. After hitting the big 3-0, she is making plans for the next stage of her life. Mark is a successful hockey player who has been traded to a new team and he’s finalising his divorce. He doesn’t want to make plans because the ones he previously made went horribly wrong. Bess and Mark have a past, but it has been a lot of years in between. So, one has plans and dreams and one doesn’t want to ever make plans again. But, both can’t deny their intense attraction to each other and will come to realise that some plans can be tweaked to give you everything you dreamed of.
Sarina Bowen is a wonderful storyteller. Every time I read one of her stories, I’m always left emotionally satisfied and joyful that another couple has found their happy ever after. Yes, that’s a little silly considering they’re make-believe, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. I just love that buzz of a perfect romance. Well, it wasn’t always perfect for Mark and Bess but it did end perfectly.
I’ve loved the Brooklyn series and Sure Shot did not disappoint. It was great to catch up with some of my favourite characters and see where their lives are at. Bess and Mark were lovable, the storyline was interesting, and the sexy times were sizzling. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend giving it a try. I suggest you… start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
I’m a Sarina Bowen fan, and I love her Brooklyn Series! Honestly, ever time a new one comes out, I think to myself that she can’t possibly top the last one, and she always gives me a great book that leaves me happy, laughing, and amazed and how much I adore these characters.
Bess is a hockey agent, and she’s the sister of Dave Beringer, from Bountiful (in the True North series). She does not anticipate a reunion with Mark Tankiewick (Tank), the newest Bruiser, but she’s not going to pass the chance to be with the man from her past that she just can’t resist.
One thing that you can always could on with a Sarina Bowen book is that you’ll feel a deep connection to the main characters. Bess and Tank are so well-developed, with layers of emotion and growth that you don’t always see from other writers in this genre. Her stories are not just about the lust, the physical relationship and instalove. Her stories are about multi-dimensional people, with feelings, with emotion, with longing and growth. They really are about the whole person, not a caricature or a shell. Neither character is one-dimensional. Tank is cocky and dominant, but also confused and unsure. Bess is sassy and strong, but also caring and compassionate. Together, they’re amazing.
This one hit a lot closer to home than the others on this series, Bess and Tank were everything I never knew or needed and more! I had to read this book in one sitting because it was incredible, I cried and laughed so much, it was honestly one of the most amazing books I’ve read in a long time.
Author Sarina Bowen writes Hockey Romances that you wish would really come true!
Every hockey hunk she creates becomes my Top Must Have Book Boyfriend.
And Mark totally tops off being my favorite she has created.
He had me feeling so emotional for him and Bess.
His sexy, alpha naughty mouth was the cherry on top for falling for him hard.
Bess and Mark chemistry was hot and fun to read.
I liked how much this book gave us their story of a second chance romance filled with humor, love and of course everything hockey.
Go One Click it!
5 popped!
I don’t know what just happened, but I’m pretty sure I just read my favorite Sarina hockey romance! What incredible characters Bess and Mark turned out to be! They were so perfectly matched it was a joy to read.
Their road was not always joyful (see what I did there LOL) but Sarina is ridiculous with the storytelling skills so of course it was perfect! I especially liked that she gave us Mark as a cocky bad-mouthed sexy alpha with a gooey sensitive middle! He was tough but also vulnerable! Fantastic, realistic, and relatable, combination! And Bess … you guys, she was a little bundle of sassy herself! SO PERFECT! Everything about this romance journey was all kinds of feels. LOVE IT!
“When it comes to this guy, I have no chill. I never did.”
As everyone knows by now, I’m never not ecstatic about a new Sarina Bowen book. It’s because she never disappoints and Sure Shot proves that once again. Nearly a decade ago, when new sports agent Bess Beringer was young and impressionable, she met the charming and irresistible hockey player Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz. It may not have been love at first sight, but it was definitely lust at first sight. But after rocking each other’s worlds for a while, Bess ended things because a professional woman in sports who wants to be taken seriously can’t have affairs with players.
But now, as Bess is about to turn 30 and start a new chapter of her life with her agency in NYC, Tank, as irresistible as ever, saunters back in to her life. He’s freshly separated from his wife and newly traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers, with rumors surrounding both circulating. He’s everything she shouldn’t want. And she wants everything he can’t give her. But that doesn’t stop Tank from wanting her, or Bess from falling hard and fast for him.
I’ve loved every Sarina Bowen couple, but Bess and Tank have absolutely skated their way into my top five favorites. I’m always a sucker for a good second chance romance and their story hit every high note for me. They’d previously been more than just a one night stand, but not so serious that their breakup had left any major beef between them, so they were able to fall back into a smoking hot physical relationship as they also slowly descended further and further into real feelings. Which is basically my version of book crack. Bess is everything I love in a heroine. She’s smart and sassy and aggressively chases whatever it is she wants. And her connection with the lovable grump that is Tank was undeniable. The banter, the chemistry, but most importantly, their honest connection, were all outstanding. There were so many more layers to Tank than I was expecting and that was just the icing on the cake of an already stunning book. I got hooked by their quippy comments, but I fell completely in love with their vulnerability with each other.
The magic of Sarina Bowen books tends to be that every time I read a new one, it’s like reconnecting with old friends and this is especially true of her Brooklyn series. But even more magical is Bowen’s ability to directly address difficult subjects with respect and a thoughtfulness that adds a deeper emotional layer to every book she writes. And Sure Shot was no different. There’s a more serious side to the relationship between Bess and Tank that involves some of Tank’s insecurities and the circumstances that surround the reason his marriage fell apart that definitely left me utterly emotional. The realness of the situation and the toll it takes on people, especially people in relationships, was meaningful and I was so glad to see Bowen tackle it and handle it with such grace and thought.
Everything about this book was absolutely satisfying, so much so that I’ve found myself in a book slump ever since finishing it. The book hasn’t even been released yet, and I’ve already contemplated rereading it twice. Pick this book up when it comes out tomorrow, May 12th. You won’t regret it.
I was graciously given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hockey romance and Sarina Bowen!? I’m all for this and Sure Shot did not disappoint.
Bess is a hockey agent and at thirty she owns her own business and is back in New York City. A city she was in 10 years, where she had a brief relationship. Now, that man is back and the newest player on the Brooklyn Bruiser’s.
I love Bess. I love that she is a strong woman in a male driven industry and she doesn’t let that bother her. She can hold her own with all those hockey players. She tried to keep everything professional, especially when it came to Tank, however, with the amount of chemistry those two have it can only be denied for so long.
This book was so much more emotional than I expected. My heart broke for Tank. The pain and struggles he felt. It did get a little heavy at times and I was in tears, but it also was real. It is something that people struggle with and the emotions they can feel.
I am completely addicted with anything that Sarina writes and Sure Shot is no exception to that. If you’re looking for a hockey romance with some depth this is a MUST READ!
It’s Sure Shot for the win! Bess and Tank’s story made my pulse race, brought a smile to my face, broke my heart, and brought me so much hope! This wonderful addition to the Brooklyn Bruisers series is extra enjoyable with it’s cast of previously well adored characters making appearances! Five stars !!
The newest book in the Brooklyn Bruiser’s series is here and honestly I think it may be my absolute favorite of the entire series!
Bess is a sports agent, who has recently found herself back in Brooklyn working. She’s got a five year plan in place and she’s ready to get her life moving. What she’s not ready for is Mark Tankiewicz.
Mark ‘Tank’ Tankiewicz was just traded to the Bruiser’s from Dallas. Uprooting his life wasn’t in the plans, but he has a lot of baggage that he’s bringing with him to Brooklyn. Tank wasn’t looking for Bess, but he can’t deny he’s happy he found her. As the two grow serious Bess lets him know what her five year plan entails, and it’s something he just can’t give her. Can Tank let go of his baggage, or is Bess truly better off without him.
I have been waiting for Bessie’s book for what seems like forever (because I have zero patience ha), and Sarina Bowen absolutely delivered! This book is full of laughs, and love, and even some heartbreak. Every book that Sarina writes is so well-rounded and utterly brilliant! She has a way with words that capture the reader. Sure Shot was no exception, from the first page I was hooked. The banter between Bess and Tank, but also the love were beautiful to read about. This book has definitely moved into the top spot for me in the Bruiser’s series!
A woman with a five-year plan and a man who would love to forget the last 5 years, fall in love in this charming and heartwarming story.
Besse Beringer spent the last nine years proving herself as a top sports agent in a male-dominated profession. While she was extremely happy with her professional life, she realized her personal life had suffered along the way. During some introspection, a Five-Year Plan was born. Included in that plan was dating – with a caveat to not sleep with players, getting married, and having kids.
At 32, Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz was in a rebuilding year. He was recently traded from Dallas to Brooklyn, and his divorce was being finalized. He was skeptical about his future; gelling with his teammates seemed a stretch, and getting married again and having kids was nothing he could visualize.
It was at the annual kick-off-the-season party for Brooklyn Bruisers that Besse and Tank saw each other again for the first time in nine years. Their friends with benefits arrangements was cut short, leaving Tank wondering what happened, and Besse wondering why no other man ever measured up. Seeing Besse again reignited something in Tank that he thought he’d lost, and seeing Tank again brought back “the urge to scale him like a tree.”
The question becomes, can Tank fit into Besse’s 5-year plan, or is Tank worth giving it all up for?
Four years and 21 books later, and I’m still a huge fan of Bowen’s writing. Her stories are my happy place.
I was provided a review copy by the author; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Sure Shot is another great hockey romance with more sad moments than I was expecting. I didn’t expect everything to happen the way it did nor for Tank to have the history he has. It was definitely sad to read about some things and I felt really bad for both Tank and Bess. They have been through some really hard and emotional times in their lives but they’ve made it through. They’re another adorable couple that just fit together and make each other happy. The book still had its entertaining moments with this comical group of hockey players and significant others. I love this series and don’t want it to ever end *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
So sweet it made my teeth hurt but I am so in love with Tank and Bess. Their second chance is everything and a guy who pines for his soulmate is my catnip.
It’s difficult not to hand her the crown. I’ve loved this series for a long time and while it’s been a minute since I’ve visited with the Bruisers, I felt like revisiting with old friends, even if Mark and Bess are pretty new characters to me. This is a second chance hookupship to more fun time with a little bit of angst thrown in. It might get a little deep in places so maybe check triggers if fertility is a problem. But I really enjoyed this and both narrators are favourites of mine so I don’t find any fault there at all.
I love this authors hockey stories. This is a mf contemporary story that I listened to the audiobook. Set in the USA, main characters are Bess, the player’s agent and Tank the newly traded ice hockey veteran. This book is light and funny but also covers some serious topics. I’ll read and listen to more from this author.
I Love this book. Tank is so hot and just the right amount of Alpha. Bess is a career driven woman, working and rocking it in a man’s world. This couples second chance romance had me hooked from chapter 1.
This book is so much more than just a sports romance. Sarina Bowen is so good at really going deep in her writing. She’s amazing. This book got me choked up a couple of times from both sadness and joy. Jacob Morgan and Emma Wilder have been cast perfectly in these roles. And Tim Paige is such a nice treat when he pops in. This book had light hearted moments that made me laugh. But it also dealt with some real issues that pulled at all my heartstrings. It’s official, I will be a Brooklyn Bruisers fan for life.
Amusing, seductive, and sassy!
Sure Shot is a sweet, playful rom-com featuring the broody, hunky Mark whose life is in turmoil after a recent divorce and the sudden trade to a new team, and the confident, successful Bess who is content and happy with her career but ready for a little more in her personal life.
The writing is light and sultry. The characters, including the supporting characters, are charming, flawed and fun. And the plot is an enchanting, slightly angsty tale filled with smouldering chemistry, sizzling tension, heartfelt emotion, witty banter, friendship, understanding, compromise, communication, delicious romance, and hockey.
Overall, Sure Shot is an alluring, humourous, passionate addition to the Brooklyn series by Bowen that has characters you can’t help but root for and a happy-ever-after ending that leaves you eager for more.
Not my favorite from the author but always a good read.
A great hockey story about Bess a sports agent who runs into Mark Tankiewicz at a party. They had
a fling 10 years ago. Mark going through a trade to Brooklyn from Texas Bruisers also going
through a divorce is not in a friendly place. Bess swears off ever dating players. Tank is not
looking for any involvement. The story is a great read and takes you on the journey between
Bess and Tank’s relationship. Sarina Bowen does a wonderful job giving you both POV.
Bess’ story!
Sports agent Bess Beringer had made a five-year plan and hopefully at the end of it she would be married with children. Bess had made her agency and career her priority after she had been warned off dating any players when she had dated Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz. Bess’ plans changed when Mark was traded from Dallas to the Brooklyn Bruisers and was in the process of getting divorce.
Sure Shot is all about the sparks between two people when they reconnect years later and a little bit more life experience.
P.S. You get to catch up with other characters in the Brooklyn Bruisers and the Brooklyn series.