He’s cool as ice and hot AFJake Mozik has fought his way back from a possible career-ending injury and has returned to the Redtails focused and ready to reclaim his former glory as half of the best defensive duo in the league. But his attraction to the fierce Faith is unexpected and distracting.Faith doesn’t usually fall for overly confident, uber sexy jocks. But when she does, apparently she … she does, apparently she falls pretty damn hard. Jake is so not her type. Or so she thinks. Until he shows up to volunteer at the alternative school where she works and she sees a different side of the normally cocky athlete. He’s kind and patient and— Damn it, she is not falling for this guy. She’s rebuilding her life after a near-fatal accident and there’s no room for a man.
Jake is determined to make room in Faith’s life. And once he sets his mind on something, he doesn’t let go until he gets what he wants. And he wants it all…
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I love Jake. I have since Bliss’ book when he became friends with her little brother who has developmental disabilities. He is amazing. And the slight language barrier with translations and his accent makes him adorable. Plus it slightly lessens his bossy demeanor because you know he is dominant but the clipped language makes you know he isn’t an ass. Love how he goes for what he wants.
3 1/2 STARS! Book seven in the Redtails Hockey series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Novella length told in dual POV with HEA. Each book is about a different hockey player and secondary characters are the same throughout the series. Jake and Faith both go to the same physical therapist and have the same friend group. Jake knew he wanted Faith and was patient with her reluctance to trust again. Sweet with a little bit of steam! I would have loved an epilogue!
My first book in the Redtails series was a really fun read. I loved Jake and Faith together and watching them strive to make their dreams come true and still hold onto each other throughout was very enjoyable. The characters were well developed, and the story line was really good, but the ending left a lot to be desired. It was very abrupt and we were left hanging on exactly what their future was going to hold, but overall a really good read!
Jake Mozik has just returned to hockey after an almost career ending injury, so he’s happy to just be stepping back onto the ice again. There’s no way he’s going to let anything derail him from achieving the success that was at his fingertips just before it all slipped away with one dirty hit from an opposing team.
Faith has had her own pain to overcome when a near fatal accident left her fighting for her chance to ever walk again. A sexy jock isn’t normally her type, but she’s seen what a hard worker Jake has been at physical therapy for the last few months and she really has to admire him. When he shows up to volunteer at the school she works at, she starts to take him seriously … and falling for him begins to happen!
A slow burning romance! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Stephanie Julian does a great job with this slow burning romance of two injured people. Jake who is returning from a near career ending accident and Faith who was in a near fatal crash. These two are very proud people and take us on a journey of healing and falling for each other. The Machine is a great love story!
I received a review copy of the book before release for an honest review.
This is book 7 in the series and I am a newbie to this author and series and I really loved the story. This is the story about Jake and Faith. Both are very strong characters and have persevered and they really like and respect each other.
Faith was injured in a car accident and fiancée dumped her because of her injury. She was told she could never walk again but she has worked very hard to make that happen. She even lost her job and now she has a new job working at a school for special needs kids.
Jake meets Faith in Physical Therapy, they share friends in common but never really got to know each other. He is in therapy for a hockey injury and he gets all better and after that he finds that he wants to get to know Faith.
And this is them getting to know each other while sharing friends and falling love and trying to make it work. The big issue in this story is that Jake is on a minor hockey team, he expects to get called to the majors and Faith is very much a homebody, she fears what happens when he gets called up if she falls for him.
I loved the writing and I loved these two characters so much. This is a story with a lot of love and heart and I hope to read the other books in the series.
I know I’m quite a bit late when it comes to Stephanie Julian’s Redtails Hockey series since this is my first read and it’s the 7th story, but I’m a huge fan of sports romance, so I thought I’d take a chance and check out the newest release in the series, The Machine.
And I’m happy to say that I didn’t feel at all lost in reading Jake Mozik and Faith Donovan’s story, and I’m sure that part of the reason I didn’t find it difficult to start so far into the series is because there’s not much ice time in The Machine; Jake Mozik is rehabbing after suffering a near career-ending injury, prohibiting him from returning to the Redtails until he gets the all clear from the team doctor and the person in charge of his physical therapy.
Many people, including the heroine, Faith Donovan, see Jake as an arrogant jock, but he’s more than people’s first impression of him, and that becomes clear when Jake and Faith start spending time together and it’s during those initial moments that readers see who Jake truly is and what he’s willing to do, not just to get back on the ice, but also to prove to Faith that he’s work the risk.
I like that Stephanie Julian establishes a foundation between Jake and Faith, even if it’s just seeing one another in passing, before they become friends and Jake works on standing permanently by Faith’s side.
Faith’s a fighter, and it’s her strength, her dedication, and her never give up attitude that allows her to beat the odds when it her doctors told her that she would never walk again after a horrific car accident. And I feel that Jake and Faith’s stubbornness is something that bonds them together, helping to make all of the work they have both done to recover from their injuries a defining moment in their lives.
Determination and courage are two characteristics that Jake and Faith have in common, and Jake builds upon that as he works his way into Faith’s life and into her heart, and while any kind of intimacy between them is built up to, their connection is solidified the moment Faith realizes who Jake is beneath his cocky athlete demeanor, proving there are just as many layers of his personalty as there are for her.
I definitely enjoyed my first Stephanie Julian sports romance, and I can’t wait to meet more of the Redtails’ players.
4 Poison Apples
Interesting characters plus heat and humor
Redtails Hockey book 7, I’m relatively late to the party regarding this series as I’ve read the previous two stories but haven’t had a chance to go back and pick up any of the earlier books yet (but they are definitely on my TBR). There were a couple of glimpses of Jake in book 7; he had me intrigued there so I was happy to get more more of his story here. While I thought this worked well as a standalone, I did wonder if there was more background on Faith’s accident in one of the earlier books.
I really liked both of these characters; I always like when authors give their main characters something to build their relationship on, besides just the chemistry Jake and Faith have in abundance. These two both not only require physical therapy (if for very different reasons), but they actual have their therapy at the same time so they can clearly see what the other is going through. It was a nice touch that really helped set the stage for their relationship, and I enjoyed watching that relationship develop, especially the back and forth banter. Of course there are a few bumps along the way, as some issues need to be worked through.
While there are a few appearances by secondary characters that I’m sure fans of the series will enjoy, the majority of the story is spent on Faith and Jake. Wondering when and if either of them will be forced to move because of job requirements—Jake either getting called up or traded, while Faith’s job is at risk due to budget constraints— adds some tension to the story and help keeps things moving. The only quibble I have is the ending felt a bit abrupt but it was pretty minor over all.
Interesting characters plus heat and humor made this another great story from this author. 4 stars
B2B Kelly
First impressions are not always what they seem, and Jake Mozik is nothing like what Faith initially perceived him to be. The moment they met at physical therapy she immediately saw him as a driven, arrogant jock, and didn’t really give him the chance to prove himself otherwise. He was hardened from the pain and loss caused by his injury, and didn’t really act like he was open for conversation or making any new friends. So she kept her distance, and kept their encounters short and to the point.
That is until they run into one another again at one of his hockey games… there she finds a completely different man, one that is charming, has her knees weakening, and has her reconsidering her stance on dating.
From the very first page the Machine will grab your attention, and by the second or third, it will have stolen your heart too. This beautifully crafted, heart-squeezing tale packed a powerful punch, one that I am sure I’ll be feeling for a while. As soon as I met Jake and Faith I knew they were gonna wreck me, and boy did they ever. As I took in the words, my heart hurt from the pain they endured, but it also rejoiced from the happiness they discovered too, it was such a wonderful story!! My favorite stories are always the ones that make you really feel the words, and Ms. Julian’s story does that and much, much, more! Highly recommend this one, it’ steamy, and SO good for the heart!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Great hockey love story!
Meet Faith, injured in a car accident, doctors said she’d never walk again. In physical therapy, she works hard and eventually walks again. While in therapy, next to her is hockey player Jake, recovering from surgery, and working to get his leg back to where it was before he was injured. He dreams of playing in the NHL, and he will get there! But he can’t have any distractions, and the girl, whom he knows through mutual friends, is just that. He admires her strength and determination, and he wants her.
Follow their story, read along as they try to face their fears, move on from their injuries, and outside influences. Great addition to this series! 5 hockey pucks for this one!
Stephanie Julian is victorious with THE MACHINE, the seventh book in the Redtails Hockey series. Reading Redtails star, Jakub (Jake) Mozik, suffers a possible career-ending injury. While at therapy he is inspired by, Faith Donovan, who was recovering from a car crash that almost left her paralyzed. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.
Stephanie Julian does a fabulous job with her character development. She does a great job depicting Jake’s Czech accent. I like Jake. He initially comes off as being “a Machine,” solely focused on recovery, showing no emotion. As he opens to Faith, he becomes more personable. Faith is an inspirational character. After a car accident, she was told she would never walk again. Faith didn’t give up; she continues with therapy and once again walks. To add insult to injury, her fiancé stood her up at the altar.
I enjoyed the plot. It was skillfully executed. I like that Jake and Faith were acquaintances before they were in therapy together. They both respected each other before they began hanging out. They are both fighters. I appreciated how Faith’s job was relevant to the story. THE MACHINE is an excellent example of how your life could change in a minute, and your life plans derailed. I recommend this book to people that enjoy sports romances with perseverance. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Ms. Julian has proven time and again she knows how to do sexy, however I found The Machine to be all heart. Jake and Faith pull readers into an alluring tale of courage, heartache and determination. To be the best, we have to face the worst. At their best this couple is intriguing, at their worst their message is powerful.