Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers, #2)

by Sarina Bowen

[Sam@WLABB]

I will preface this by saying I am a HUGE Bowen fan, and she has yet to disappoint me.

In book 2 of the Brooklyn Bruisers series, we get to know team captain, Patrick O'Doul a little better. Patrick was haunted by his past, and left him with an aversion to relationships and being touched. Enter Ari, the team yoga instructor/massage therapists. She was also wounded by her recent past, but not as closed off as Patrick. Slowly, they each chipped away at the others walls and healed together.

I really enjoyed getting to know Patrick better. He was complicated and broken, therefore, the changes and growth in him were so much more meaningful for me. Since I listened to this in audio format, I do not have the exact quote, but Patrick said something to the effect of, you have my heart and I don't want it back. I swear, my heart skipped a beat. It was obvious early on that he was attracted to Ari and even that he had feelings for her, but when he actually revealed his feelings, it always seemed so monumental.

There was also a fantastic bro scene in the locker room, where he, as captain, required each player to suggest a way to show a girl he cared about them or pay $20. It was such fun to hear what all these Bruisers had to say, and there were some really sweet reveals too.

At the end, we get Leo and Georgia's wedding! Again, this is why I love companion and spin off books. Not only did we catch up with our prior Brooklyn Bruisers couple, but Leo's friends were at the wedding. We got small cameos of some of our friends from Harkness, including one of my faves - Corey.

I love me some sports romances filled with slightly damaged people, who are better together, than apart, and Bowen always delivers.