LauraC’s review of Time Out by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 21 Feb 12
I don’t generally read category romances because the length often leaves me feeling that something is lacking in the story. But I adore Jill Shalvis, so if anyone can get me to read short, it’s her. It was with a touch of trepidation that I picked up this book just because I thought the relationship would be too simple, given the lack of length. I am more than happy to say that my fears were completely unfounded.
This story takes place after wildfires ripped through California. Rainey runs a rec center where many teenagers who have lost their homes and been forced to live in trailers or tiny apartments with multiple families hang out. Like the rest of the area, the rec center is suffering from economic trials and a lack of personnel.
Enter Mark Diego, former hometown hero, current NHL coach. He’s brought two of his players—suspended for fighting—home for the summer to do some community service at the rec center to get their reputations back in order. Of course, Mark has no idea that Rainey, who turned his life upside down years before, will be his boss.
Both Mark and Rainey are entirely likeable. Rainey has been attracted to Mark since her youth, but after a mortifying incident where she surprised him in college by entering his bedroom naked, only to find him getting a blow job, she’s stayed out of his way. But now that she’s all grown up, Mark figures his “hands off” policy can go right out the window. He won’t let her avoid him, won’t let her avoid her own feelings. Nor will he ignore his.
Mark snagged her wrist. He was extremely aware that she thought that he was in this just for the sex, but she was wrong. He was in for more. He just wasn’t sure what that more was. All he knew was that sitting in the slightly shabby living room surrounded by Rainey and her family made him feel more relaxed and calm than he could remember being in far too long.
Rainey’s life and warmth ground Mark, whose fast-paced, stress-filled job as an NHL coach, riding herd on a bunch of hot-headed hockey players while still motivating them to do their best, keeps him running in circles a lot of the time. And his can-do attitude, slight bad-boy air, and the touch of glamor he brings make Rainey’s life complete.
The kids’ sheer joy choked Rainey up. They’d had everything taken from them, everything, and yet they were so resilient. She turned away to give herself a minute, then found her gaze caught and held by Mark’s. She had no idea how it was that he managed to catch her at her weakest every single time, but he did. He didn’t smirk, didn’t even smile. Instead his eyes were steady and warm and somehow…somehow they made her feel the same.
Of course, despite the category length of this book, Rainey and Mark don’t have an easy time making their lives fit together. Despite his attraction to Rainey, Mark isn’t sure what he wants from her. He isn’t ready to move back home and he’s afraid a relationship would force him to settle down, stop traveling with his team, effectively ending his career. He doesn’t believe Rainey—despite the fact that she really enjoys her life as is—would settle for a man who travels. And Rainey has insecurity issues when it comes to him, plus she wonders whether it’s possible to make a relationship like theirs work long term.
There’s not much left to say other than if you like contemporaries, go out and get this one! You won’t be sorry.
Grade: A
Summary:
NHL coach Mark Diego’s plan to spend his off-season volunteering in his hometown goes awry when he learns that not only is he coaching teenage girls, but that the program is coordinated by energetic (and five feet two inches of trouble) coordinator Rainey Saunders, his childhood friend—and the woman he could never stand to see dating any other guy….
When their tempers flare, Mark and Rainey discover their fireworks don’t just burn angry—they burn very, very hot! But that’ll just sweeten the victory. Because Mark always plays to win. And with Rainey, he’s planning on playing very dirty, too…
Read an excerpt.
