Title: Under the Spotlight
Series: In the Zone Book #4
Author: Kate Willoughby
Genre: Romance, Hockey
Blurb: Stage actress Christine Caspary couldn’t care less about hockey, but when she first sees Joe Rutherford playing in a Barracudas game her mind goes to all sorts of dirty places. By happy chance, her work with Grant A Wish gives her an opportunity to meet him in the flesh.
Right winger Joe Rutherford saw Christine perform when the team went to see Chicago and was so taken with her, he secretly saw the show a second time, alone. When the gorgeous actress with spectacular legs contacts him out of the blue asking for a favor, it’s a no-brainer.
Their chemistry is off the charts. Things heat up quickly and they can’t keep their hands off each other. Soon they’re hooking up whenever their busy schedules allow and having hot phone sex every night at midnight when they don’t. But Joe’s time in the hockey spotlight is fading, just as Christine’s star begins to rise. When she gets her big break into a TV career, how will Joe take to being the arm candy for a change?
Thoughts: Ever since I picked up and started Toni Aleo’s Assassins series, I just can’t get enough of hockey in my romances. Ms. Aleo has set a high standard however, and I have to admit to reading quite a few duds on my way to finding another great hockey book and/or series. I have to say, that this one has impressed me and – by far – has come the closest to Ms. Aleo’s high standards.
I really enjoyed this book – it had a great cast of characters. I really loved both Christine and Joe and they were just perfect for each other, however there was a nice group of side characters that really appeal and add to the book itself (not to mention adding more individuals for future books within the series!) I have to admit that what really appealed to me (aside from the hockey) was the almost classic style of romance that just seemed to exist here. Sure, it has a few sexy, steamy scenes, but the overall feel of it was just a really great classic romance appeal that seems to largely be missing from a lot of the romances these days. While I like a lot, A LOT of new titles, I also crave the classic appeal that existed years ago. This book recaptured some of that for me, and I am utterly thankful to have come across such a great read.
Not to mention the sexy hockey players…;)
Rate: A-/B+
