Veena’s review of Holiday on Ice (Play By Play, Book 8.5) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance published by Intermix 18 Nov 14
Trick and Stella are both players and content to keep it light on the relationship front, while they’re hot and heavy on the sexual front. Their busy careers and schedules come in between and their relationship, such as it might have been, dies a natural death. Now, almost a year later, they run into each other in a bar and pick up the threads again. Seeing friends around him finding their happily after, Trick is no longer just looking for a good time. He wants a long-term relationship, and it seems that Stella is perfect for him. Stella, on the other hand…
This is a great story with a wonderful role reversal where the guy is the one who’s looking for commitment and the girl who’s commitment shy. Along the way we get a fascinating look into both of their careers. Her career as a dancer is just as tough and grueling as his career as a hockey player, and I really like that he has a deep appreciation of that.
It’s good to visit with Drew and Carolina and see how well they have jelled into their relationship, as they each in their own way, encourage their friends to find the same level of happiness and commitment. Stella’s attitude bothers me a bit. She refuses to come out to the arena where other friends and girlfriends wait after the game and insists on waiting outside, even if it is somewhat unsafe. I’m not sure what she would have lost in making that gesture. It’s not surprising to me at all that the phone call she takes for Trick drives her away without even asking him about it, because from the beginning it’s like she’s been waiting for the other shoe to drop and it’s almost like a relief when it does.
For a hockey player with all the groupies around, it’s great that Trick is so sensitive and loving. I like the Christmas shopping expedition and I find that it’s so cute he gets a ballerina as a tree topper. The effort to go see her dance in her dress rehearsal, even if she’s less than pleased with his effort, just underlines what a great guy he is and how much he loves her, that he wants to be there for her career as she is for him when she comes to watch his games.
A few years ago I got to visit New York right before the holidays and this great romance just brought my visit alive for me again for, though we did not actually go skating at Rockefeller Center. We just drank coffee and watched the skaters on the ice.
Grade: B
Summary:
Superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer and dancer Stella Slovinski have picked up where they left off a year ago, resuming their hot, uncomplicated affair. Stella refuses to call it dating, or a relationship. But lately, Trick is looking for more…
Stella’s been burned before—in a relationship she never talks about—not with her family, not with her friends, and definitely not with Trick. But now it’s the holiday season and Trick is determined to give Stella his heart wrapped up in a bow. He knows Stella is the right woman for him, but he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away.
Read an excerpt.
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