Big Stick (Aces Hockey, #7)

by Kelly Jamieson

[Sam@WLABB]

That's right - book 7, and I am still loving this series. In Big Stick, Jamieson gave me one of my favorite kind of heroes, the grumpy hero, and I really enjoyed watching Jodie help him reveal that heart of gold he had hidden for so long.

Who?

• Jodie - a single mother by choice and mechanical engineer, who was busy building her own business.
• Nick - the resident anti-social member of the Aces, who appeared to only want to save old furniture, but was secretly nursing some serious pain.

What?

Jodie was new to Chicago, and looking for a place to live. Nick had an empty guest house. As a favor to Hallsy, Nick invited Jodie to live in his guest house, but opening his home to Jodie may have resulted in opening himself to her as well.

Why?

I have no idea why, but I love the grumpy heroes. Maybe it's because I like seeing people really have to work for their affections, or maybe it's because they do generous things without seeking attention for doing it. Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed seeing Jodie penetrate Nick's walls.

She was able to tap into a side of him, that he had been keeping under wraps for many years. She was able to get close, when he normally help people at arms length. She was able to get him to open up, and acknowledge his fears, thus, helping him free himself, in a way.

It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking watching Jodie make all this progress. Heartbreaking, because Nick had suffered so much in his past. Heartwarming, because it was gratifying to see him heal and take a step towards his future.

Nick and Jodie were great together. The physical connection was there, great chemistry, but I also thought there was a fantastic emotional connection between them. I am always amused, when the MCs are just "going to have some fun", because we all know that means they will fall for each other, and that happened here, but it was gradual. You saw lust turn to more as both Nick and Jodie became more invested in each other than originally anticipated.

My first Aces book was actually Hallsy's (I have since read them all), so I was happy that he shared a special bromance with Nick. If any of the Aces would be able to understand Nick's loss, it would be Hallsy, and Nick was lucky to have him in his corner. I greatly enjoyed their interactions, and I always like seeing that more sensitive side of men.

I also adored the interactions between Nick and Zyana, Jodie's daughter. Nick proclaimed he did not like kids, but his actions were very contrary to his words. Zyana was a cute little kid, and she was able to plow through Nick's barriers and get right to his heart. I definitely "awwwwed" quite a bit.

This book was about loss and dealing with that loss, but also about realizing that some loads are lighter when we allow others to help us shoulder it.

Overall

Another great Aces book, which was fun and emotional, and left me wanting even more of this series.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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