First love gets a second chance…Norwegian-born professional hockey player Zaan Hagen has only ever loved two things: Hockey and Lexi. He never imagined he’d have to choose, until he was forced to let her go.After beating breast cancer at sixteen, Lexi Rousseau vowed to live her life with no regrets. When her singing career took off with one of the hottest pop groups in the world, her dream came … the world, her dream came true— but it cost her the only man she ever loved.
When an unexpected turn of events brings them back together, Zaan and Lexi will have to learn to balance their demanding careers and irrefutable desires before history starts repeating itself. Have they finally figured out how to play the game without losing everything?
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The next Generation of Sidewinders will not disappoint! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Zaan and Lexi…OMG…..could not wait for this story and it was everything you expected from Kat!!! These two have been together for a long time and we have seen parts of them but to see their story unfold was one I didn’t want to put down! These two are not the young kids when they first met. Watching these two find each other and decide that fighting for each other is worth it!
OMG the characters that Kat bring in this story from all over her other series will have you turning the pages and wanting to know who will show up next!!! I can’t wait to see where this new series goes and who we get to see along the way!
Kat Mizera lights the lamp with ZAAN (Sidewinders: Generations Book 1). In this story, NHL player Zaan Hagen and Rockstar Lexi Rousseau were each other’s soul mates. They broke up due to being separated because of their careers. After an unexpected event, they are reunited and need to decide if they should give it another go. This contemporary sports/Rockstar romance is suitable for adult readers.
Kat Mizera does an exceptional job with this story. The characters are well-developed and endearing. Lexi is an amazing heroine who has endured a lot, including being a breast cancer survivor. Zaan is a compassionate and protective hero who makes your heart melt. The two grow up a lot is this story. They love each other but really must work to have a relationship with both of their consuming careers. There are a lot of compelling situations in this story that make this book hard to put down.
Zaan is an amazing start to the Sidewinders: Generations series. It is the perfect spin-off of the Las Vegas Sidewinders series. I recommend this book to people who enjoy, sports, Rockstar, and/or second chance romances. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Apparently there is a prequel to this book in Sidewinders Ever After about how Lexi and Zaan first get together. I wanted to start this review out by saying that I didn’t know that right away and didn’t read it. While I think it would have been nice to know their beginning I don’t feel like I missed a whole lot. I basically got the gist throughout this book. Now with that said here are my thoughts.
While I enjoyed this book and loved getting to know the next generation of Sidewinders I didn’t completely love it. I had an issue with Lexi and I think that is my problem. Please don’t get me wrong. That girl has been through a lot, especially at her age. She has trust issues and is extremely stubborn to a fault. I just thought that this whole story stemmed around her and what SHE wanted. It never seemed like she was willing to compromise or even listen to what Zaan had to say. I don’t think she completely took his feelings into consideration until afterwards or was even completely there for him. Sure she went to his games but she never thought about what he was thinking. There were two instances that made me think that. The first one was the fact that she refused to listen to his idea of having another lawyer look at her contract until Casey brought it up. The other one was the music video with her and “another” male model. She didn’t even think of Zaan doing it with her until someone else said it. She was just okay with making out with some strange guy.
I loved Zaan and his love for Lexi. He was always there for her and respected her wishes. I wish he would have been stronger from the beginning. I wish he had spoken up more and made her listen sooner. That man was all about hockey, but he was also all about Lexi. I just loved his love and ached for him so much. I’m glad he held strong.
I’m glad these two got their HEA. They deserved it. Looking forward to seeing who’s next! *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
A highly emotional reunion of first loves! With the first book in her Sidewinders: Generations spin-off series Kat Mizera brings her readers an emotional delve into the life of stardom. The characters are attention grabbing, the emotion is rich and the passion is oh so yummy. I feel like there were some holes here, in particular if the reader didn’t read the start of their story in an earlier anthology, but overall it was powerful and richly satisfying.
Zaan Hagen is perfection. He’s down to earth, he’s loyal and he’s just self-assured enough to make everything look easy. He’s loved Lexi since the day he set eyes on her, but life on the road isn’t easy. This second chance at making it work seems like a gift … will they end up throwing it all away?
Lexi Rousseau is feisty, strong and easy to like even though parts of her are selfish. Her gumption to go for what she wants in life is what makes her stand out in the crowd, but her weakness has always been Zaan. She would be on top of the world happy if they could just get their schedules to meld this time.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with lots of emotion and a rocky road to happily ever after. I’m looking forward to more in the series.
Although this a Sidewinders story, much of the focus is on Lexie and the not-so-fabulous life she leads in what should have been her dream singing career – bullying, abuse, and constant danger from bandmates propel her back to Zaan, her dad, and the team. Apprehensive about starting their relationship again, both she and Zaan have trust issues – and these are exacerbated by her inability to get out of her contract and her new musical alliances. It’s not a spoiler to add that this book culminates in Ian and Everly’s wedding in Scotland, so we get to visit that sumptuous space again. The tension between Lexie and Zaan, based on their history, their present, and another terrifying health scare for Lexie, makes this book un-put-downable; I couldn’t wait to read the resolution because, for a long time, I couldn’t see that there could be one. Kat Mizera does that to you – she writes characters to whom you can relate and with whose stories you engage. I have no hesitation in suggesting that you one-click this.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Rob’s daughter Lexi and her 1st real boyfriend, Zaan’s romance. Rob and Lexi’s story begins in his story Rob which if you get the first Sidewinder boxset, you will read and in that story, Rob and Lexi meet Mack, who ends up helping Lexi when she is 16 and fighting Breast Cancer.
Then Lexi and Zaan meet at age 19ish/20 and he is her first boyfriend after the breast cancer. This is told in the Sidewinder Forever analogy. This story I never read, so this is what I think I missed.
Lexi is very into music and her and Zaan are very much in love but she gets the chance to become a rock star and she does but her and Zaan end up broken up. The story starts as they have been broken up for 18 months and the rock group has gone VERY bad and she finds that Zaan’s team is in the same town she is and so she makes her escape back to Vegas with Zaan and the team and so starts their 2nd chance at love story.
This is not a story of a second chance at love, this is more of a complicated story of falling in love, growing up and facing your future and following your heart, even if the road you have to travel is filled with vipers, contracts and twists along the way. Its about two young people who have lots of love but also a very complicated past and here and now and how they both have to learn and grow and learn to compromise and face their mistakes and move into the future. The author did a wonderful job with this story. I just wish that Lexi and Zaan’s start and novella was included in the beginning of this story because I really wanted to read it before I started this book.
Zaan and Lexi were once a thing. But schedules, careers, and life got in the way and the parted ways. They never stopped loving each other, though, so when they’re offered a second chance, it’s inevitable that they’ll grab it with both hands.
But is Lexi really in the right headspace yet to handle a relationship with Zaan? She’s got a lot of baggage, and they’ve been down this road before…
I have to admit right off the bat that I did not like Lexi, at all. I never thought she loved Zaan as much as he loved her, nor did I think she was mature enough or selfless enough to devote herself to a relationship. If I had to guess, this relationship wouldn’t last anymore than their first time around did, because Lexi did not seem to give it or Zaan, her all the way he gave her his whole heart. That’s why 4 instead of 5 stars. But aside from Lexi, I liked this story. Zaan is a sweetheart, and the storyline and the hockey make for an entertaining read.
Zaan by Kat Mizera is a story that will tug at the heartstrings. The feels are intense, the emotions deep…the bond bent but never broken.
This story has everything: 2nd chance romance, heartbreak, drama, passion, angst, deep emotions, feels and romance.
This is Zaan and Lexi’s story..they are true soulmates and this this their story of how they were broken and put right, even when it looked like everything and everyone was against them. Zaan has always loved Lexi. Will he now be able to have her love like he wants or will something keep her away like before? Lexi has always loved Zaan and has fought to be with him. Will this time work for them or will past miscommunication and mistakes be used against them ?
This is a moving, emotional, swoony rollercoaster ride of a read. I can’t wait for more in this new series Sidewinders:Generations by Kat Mizera.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *********
Such a wonderful story! Lexi is a musician and living the dream, or you would think, but she’s had enough of her band mates and just wants out. This leads her back to Zaan. Zaan is a professional hockey player and Lexi’s first love. Lexi and Zaan have never stopped loving each other, but with their pasts they both have trust issues. Will they be able to make things work this time? I simply adored Zaan, I just loved his character. I loved seeing them rekindle what they once had, it’s an incredible story from start to finish and I highly recommend you read it for yourself.
Where to start?! I loved Zaan. The moment he stepped up to help Lexi out of a bind, no questions asked, I practically swooned. It was clear they were meant to be, but just couldn’t get the timing right. Lexi was a tougher pill for me to swallow. Yes, she’s a cancer survivor, her mother has done a number on her, and she’s been screwed over by being stuck in a contract with abusive bandmates. She’s clearly having a hard time, but I felt like every time Zaan even thought of helping she got defensive. He constantly took the blame, but never really did anything wrong. It got a little frustrating that out of his teammates and Lexi’s friends no one really saw his side, even though I felt like screaming into my kindle. That being said, communication from both of them was a little lacking. Zaan’s patience is what saved their relationship, and Lexi finally admitting she messed up. I was definitely relieved when they got their HEA.
So glad to FINALLY have the rest of Zaan & Lexi’s story! I’ve been waiting for them since I read The Sidewinder’s Siren.
The perfect love story! Lots of angst, turmoil, and romping good fun!!
I have to say that this book is the perfect start to the Sidewinder’s next generation series! We have met both Zaan and Lexi in previous books, but this is their love story. It is a semi second chance at love book, even though they both never stopped being in love with each other. The emotional roller coaster that Lexi goes on is incredible. Zaan is always there for her, and will save her when she needs him. I think you will love this book, just go get it already!!
Zaan and Lexi was in love and when they both follow their dreams they separate. Lexi’s dream was to sing in a band and while they are on tour she is fed up with the bullying and abuse from her bandmates and reconnects with Zaan who is a hockey player and who is in the same city at that time. Can their love survive their trust issues? No spoilers: this is an absolute must read, you will not be disappointed. This is a well written emotional roller coaster which is humorous and entertaining. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I highly recommend for all.
Zaan & Lexi Story was a long time coming and complete perfection! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
I have been awaiting this book what seems like forever! We have had tidbits and a sweet starter story to their start as a couple falling in love with each other. These two characters have been there for each other at a very young age. They have grown into their relationship but most importantly their love is deep. I cried and laughed, while falling in love myself. I really enjoyed seeing them rekindle what they had and start over to have a beautiful lasting love! Zaan & Lexi are one of my favorite couples that Kat Mizera has written. Strong couple to start the Sidewinders Generations series!
5 for a beautiful love!
For all the Sidewinders Fans… there is plenty of the characters from the first series so you don’t miss them too much… it’s just enough to keep you happy. I personally loved how Zaan went back to get advice from Jamie, Toli and the owner as well as other friends on the team. Great tie in to extend the team brand as a whole!
I’ve read a few of Mizera’s Sidewinder books and always enjoyed them. I read this one as part of a hockey anthology on Amazon. It had a great start but soon it became repetitious. I’m not sure WHY Lexi’s back story included a cancer diagnosis or what that brought to the story. Her persistent stubbornness at not wanting another lawyer to look at her contract just infuriated me. She is 23. Where was her father? Why wasn’t he insisting on this? As a parent of a 23 year old, I’d be doing that for sure. The “stubborn to the point of dumb” heroine who has to do everything herself is a character quality I cannot stand and in the end, I couldn’t finish the book. The characters were either fighting or f—king. And poor Zaan, playing terribly but no one suggesting he get his head on straight? Seek help? I felt bad for the poor guy.
Reading this, Zaan and Lexi are meant to be but they both had a lot of growing to do.
The plot and promise of this story were amazing and I enjoyed the journey so much.
Following their love story was consuming and heartbreaking at times, but I could tell that they would find their way over the many obstacles they faced to a HEA .
I recommend this romance.
Hockey, music, celebrity, second chance,