Game On (Hometown Players #6) by Victoria Denault-a review

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About the book: Release Date October 10, 2017

When it comes to scoring in the pro hockey league, Alex Larue is crushing it-with the hot puck bunnies. He’s the life of the party, the guy with all the jokes . . . and the one whose Party Guy mask keeps the real him well hidden. The last thing he needs is anyone finding out about his troubled past, or the nightmares that haunt him still.

Brie Bennett is less than impressed by Alex from the moment she meets him. And even though he insists on volunteering at the charity she runs, she doesn’t trust him. He’s hiding something…but so is she. She’s not just the rich, privileged New York princess he thinks she is. The animosity between them is undeniably addictive and as their worlds keep colliding it becomes supercharged with something else – attraction. But if they stop playing games and let each other in, they both might lose.

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Review:
Game On begins with Alex Larue on a new team, in a new city. His new team picked an old friend and fellow Frenchman, Luc, to be his “buddy” to show him around and also to show him the ropes as far as his new team goes. After Alex is shot down in hilarious fashion at Starbucks, they head to the arena for practice. Once practice is over, he finds out that his coach isn’t really game (pardon the pun) on having him on his team. He knows he’ll have to work harder than ever…… The one constant that keeps him sane is his work with children who’ve not had an ideal childhood. After all, why would he not try and stop kids from going through things that still, all these years later, give him nightmares.

Brie Bennett is bound and determined to keep the charity she founded afloat without asking her parents for help. She knows they’re in a bit of a jam financially, but vows to make ends meet one way or another. Enter Alex Larue, mega hockey star, and the guy that she shot down at Starbucks, wanting to volunteer for none other than her charity. What are the odds? She finally backs down and lets him volunteer when her best friend hammers it home that he can bring in a lot of money for them. Even though she doesn’t trust his motives, she does trust in the fact that big names draw big money.

Once Alex and Brie agree to be a team, and Brie lowers her guard, they come together to get a kid off of the streets. Not only does that help the kid, it helps Alex and Brie see that maybe they need to give their growing mutual attraction a chance. When obstacles hinder their progress, both professionally and personally, they both face them head on…….kind of.

Game On is a great story. Brie shatters that “pampered princess” persona so many of her ilk are known for. She’s ferocious when it comes to those she considers hers in the home that she runs for the homeless. She’s a great daughter to her parents and she’s a great friend. She is also very protective of her past. Alex is not your typical mega sports star. Yes, his reputation precedes him, but it is also a mask that hides a horrendous childhood that he is bound and determined to keep hidden. When he rises to the occasion and faces his past and puts it out there for all to see? Amazing. But, let me tell you….when you see how his and Brie’s lives were intertwined? Get a tissue. Game On is ultimately a story about facing your past in order to leave it there…in the past. It is also a story that shows that more times than not, karma can actually be your friend. I’ve not read any of Denault’s books in this series before this one, but I will rectify that as soon as I can. I didn’t see a problem with this being read as a standalone. I look forward to the next installment. Well done, Victoria Denault! Very well done.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Victoria’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and is  represented by Kimberly Brower.  Her debut novel, One More Shot, was released June 2, 2015. Making a Play and The Final More released later the same year and two years later, the now six book series, concludes with Game On, releasing October 10, 2017.

Victoria’s first trade paperback series, The San Francisco Thunder, debuted May 2017 starting with Score and the follow-up Slammed will release December 5, 2017.

If Nicholas Sparks and Christina Lauren had a love child, it would be Victoria Denault. Her characters are mostly from simple beginnings with big hearts, bigger passions, bold personalities and authentic obstacles on their winding path to true love. Their journeys are never easy, but they’re always worth it.

Victoria’s love of writing and books began at 12 when she picked up her first Sweet Valley High and grew from there as she devoured everything from Christopher Pike to SE Hinton to Mary Higgins Clark and more. Her favorite childhood gift remains the 1930s typewriter her parents found at a garage sale.

Victoria has a BA in English, a graduate diploma in Journalism and has taken both creative and screenwriting courses at UCLA Extension. She’s worked as a professional cheerleader, reporter, editor, stand-up comic, actor and in marketing and advertising before becoming a full-time author. She was born in Quebec, Canada where hockey is a religion and has been a fan of the sport since childhood. She’s written editorial and humor pieces on the National Hockey League for CanucksHockeyBlog.com, and has had her articles picked up by Yahoo Sports and the Vancouver Canucks.

Victoria has lived in many major cities across North America, spent her childhood summers in Maine and adult summers in Spain. She’s now happily settled in Los Angeles with her husband and their two chubby Chihuahuas, Gus and Belle.

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