Delayed Penalty (Pilots Hockey, #1)

by Sophia Henry

[Lynn]

I chose Delayed Penalty because I don't read many New Adult or sports orientated books and wanted to broaden my reading horizon. This hockey based début novel by Sophia Henry is definitely a worthy introduction.

Auden Berezin's life has been turned on its head after she looses her scholarship, so she needs cash fast! Her grandfather often asks her to help with Russian translations only this time, she is allowed to work with a client in person, a hockey player. He might be good looking, but he's also an ass.

Russian Aleksandr Varenkov is playing in minor league hockey with aspirations of making it to NHL. He requests a translator as he doesn't like speaking to the press even though he can speak English. He gives off an arrogant vibe, but there is far more to him than a cocky player.

Auden and Aleksandr appeared far wiser than their young years, which was surprising until details from their past begin to unfurl. I liked Auden's pragmatic outlook with regards to her relationship with Aleksandr although in reality she was too dismissive and underestimated the depth of his feelings for her. Aleksandr was way more mature for his age maybe due to the tragedy in his life or his cultural background?

Overall an enjoyable, quick read with likeable and developed characters. I would have preferred the plot to have focussed more on the hockey and the Pilots, with greater attention to the protagonists relationship. The plot was too busy and the sub-plots going off at tangents meant their wasn't enough focus in the right places.

3 Stars

***arc generously received from publisher Loveswept via NetGalley***