HOCKEY WIFE (Rookie Rebels 10) by Kate Meader-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 16, 2024

“I need us to stay married, Big Guy.”
Recently traded to the Chicago Rebels, hockey veteran Dylan “Banks” Bankowski is adjusting to what might be his last team and his final year in the NHL. That means taking care of his battered body while he strives for the one goal that’s managed to elude him: a championship ring. What he does not need is a visit from the woman to whom he gave a different kind of ring months ago.

His young, flighty, socialite wife.

Apparently, signing the annulment papers within a week of their quickie wedding in Vegas didn’t quite take, and now she’s back, right before the playoffs when he needs his focus most. Only this time she has a different request: let’s keep up the charade. He should say no, but he once said “I do” and surely that means something …

Georgia Goodwin has good reasons for wanting to keep her hockey player husband. Convincing the big lug to cooperate is the easy part. Not so easy? Ignoring the flutter in her chest when he grunts in jock, kisses her neck, or calls her wife. But it’s only for a few weeks, and as soon as the playoffs finish, so will they.

But the more time Georgia and Banks spend together, the more real their marriage feels. Less Vegas mistake, and more like the start of something amazing. They said goodbye once. Can they do it again … or will they figure out that a love this good is worth fighting for as much as that championship ring?

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REVIEW: HOCKEY WIFE is the tenth instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS erotic, hockey romance series. This is thirty six year old professional hockey player Dylan ‘Banks’ Bankowski, and twenty-four year old, socialite Georgia Goodwin’s story line. HOCKEY WIFE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Banks and Georgia) HOCKEY WIFE follows in the wake of a one-night stand and accidental Las Vegas marriage between our story line couple. Dylan Bankowski is nearing the end of his professional hockey career but the All-Star weekend in Vegas proved to be much more than his fourth appearance at the annual event. Waking up married to socialite Georgia Goodwin, and his new bride on the run, the anticipation of divorce papers was on the horizon. Fast forward two months, Dylan discovers the annulment did not go through and his young wife wants a second chance with our story line hero. The caveat-Dylan Bankowski also needs to remain married to keep his grandmother happy, two birds, one stone-so to speak. Agreeing to stay together with an end date on the horizon, Dylan begins to fall for the woman who could break his heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Banks and Georgia, and the potential fall-out as perceived betrayal pushes Georgia out of Dylan’s life.

The world building focuses on Dylan’s waning career, potential injuries, and the ‘run’ for the Stanley Cup. Georgia is struggling with a direction in life, wanting to start a charitable foundation for those in need but her parents have other plans for their socialite daughter.

The relationship between Dylan and Georgia begins as a one-night stand, accidental Las Vegas wedding, and Georgia’s need to run when the things begins to spiral out of control.A reputation as a party-girl who tends to straddle the line with her public behavior, Georgia is desperate to keep up the charade in the face of losing everything including her struggling reputation. The $ex scenes are provocative and impassioned.

Several of the previous story line couples return as secondary and supporting characters including Dylan’s teammates on the Chicago Rebels: Ashley and Dex, Tara and Hale, Theo and Elle, as well as Dylan’s extended family, and Georgia’s parents.

HOCKEY WIFE is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is entertaining, inviting and thought provoking; the romance is seductive and compelling; the characters are animated, sassy and desperate.

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player
Dear Roomie
Rebel Yule
Jock Wanted
Superstar Rookie
Wild Ride

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.