Series: The Vancouver Agitators #2
I loved being back in this world, surrounded by the
Agitators players. What a great group of guys! Eli was the highlight of the
story for me. Despite his hit it and quit it reputation, there was a lot going
on underneath the surface. Eli’s back story and his lack of any family
connection hurt my heart. Because of that, he considered his teammates his
family and he treasured those relationships. When Penny’s pregnancy damaged his
close friendship with Pacey, Eli was crushed and determined to make things
right, both with Penny and Pacey. Eli was sweet and charming, and he
completely uprooted his life to be there for Penny. Even when he got it wrong,
his heart was in the right place. It was impossible not to fall a little in
love with Eli.
Had Penny been more mature and less over the top ridiculous, I would have loved this one just as much as the first in the series (Kiss and Don’t Tell). So many of the elements I loved from that one were here: a swoony hero, the amazing friendship between the teammates, their banter and humor. But Penny’s dramatics and antics left me cold. I’m giving this one 4 stars solely for Eli. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication date: April 5,2022
Format: Audio
Source: Purchased
4 Stars
I knocked up my best friend's sister.
Figured I would get straight to the point because how it happened is a mere snippet of the story I have to tell. The real meat and potatoes is what happened after.
Let's start with how she decided to inform me and Pacey the news . . . together. Imagine that nightmare. I was going into what I thought was a hockey marketing meeting and then BAM! I'm going to be a dad and my best friend/teammate is attempting to imprint my face with his fist.
It wasn't pretty.
Threats were tossed around, friendships were revoked, and then I was marched up to her apartment, suitcases in hand, and forced to live with her so I could take care of her every need. Given how much I've pined for the girl, you would think that wouldn't be a hardship. Wrong.
This is my one shot to win my teammate back. Pacey is the only family I've got, so hooking up with his sister isn't a mistake I can make twice . . . despite the fact that she's pregnant with my child.
But with every mood swing, every pair of pants that doesn't fit right, and every late night run to find the perfect donut, I'm finding it harder and harder not to fall for my best friend's little sister.
Figured I would get straight to the point because how it happened is a mere snippet of the story I have to tell. The real meat and potatoes is what happened after.
Let's start with how she decided to inform me and Pacey the news . . . together. Imagine that nightmare. I was going into what I thought was a hockey marketing meeting and then BAM! I'm going to be a dad and my best friend/teammate is attempting to imprint my face with his fist.
It wasn't pretty.
Threats were tossed around, friendships were revoked, and then I was marched up to her apartment, suitcases in hand, and forced to live with her so I could take care of her every need. Given how much I've pined for the girl, you would think that wouldn't be a hardship. Wrong.
This is my one shot to win my teammate back. Pacey is the only family I've got, so hooking up with his sister isn't a mistake I can make twice . . . despite the fact that she's pregnant with my child.
But with every mood swing, every pair of pants that doesn't fit right, and every late night run to find the perfect donut, I'm finding it harder and harder not to fall for my best friend's little sister.
As the social media coordinator for the Vancouver
Agitators, Penny is used to interacting with all the players, which includes
her brother Pacey. But one player in particular always leaves her awkward and
tongue-tied: uber-hot ladies’ man, Eli Hornsby. When she runs into Eli at a bar
on his birthday, the last things she expects is an unforgettable one-night
stand. And what she expects even less is a positive pregnancy test. Breaking
the news to both her brother and Eli at the same time proved to be explosive,
especially when Pacey demanded that Eli move in with Penny in order to be there
for her and support her every step of the way. As they navigate a new kind of
relationship, determined to be friends and co-parent together, they both try to
hide their real feelings.
Now on to Penny. *sigh* I cringe saying this, but she
almost ruined this for me. As I’ve mentioned before, Quinn’s brand of humor can
be hit or miss for me. Sometimes it’s just right and sometimes it’s just… Too
Much. And Penny was Too Much. Her quirky babbling went from funny to overly
silly to downright annoying. In stressful situations her first instinct was
always to cover things up and come up with elaborate stories and utterly
ridiculous lies. And maybe it was meant to be quirky and funny, but I just felt
like I was stuck in a bad slapstick movie. I get that she was dealing with a
life-altering situation, but she often came across as immature and petty, and
while pregnancy hormones might make you emotional, I don’t think they make you
an absolute lunatic 24/7. The way she would lash out at Eli to cover her real
feelings was so immature and hurtful and didn’t do anything to endear her to
me.
Had Penny been more mature and less over the top ridiculous, I would have loved this one just as much as the first in the series (Kiss and Don’t Tell). So many of the elements I loved from that one were here: a swoony hero, the amazing friendship between the teammates, their banter and humor. But Penny’s dramatics and antics left me cold. I’m giving this one 4 stars solely for Eli. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have you read this book?
Glad Eli was a win! Sounds like I'd probably struggle with Penny myself. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAlison - Eli was the star of the show for me! :)
DeletePenny does sound like a bit too much. I'm not down with ridiculous lies. Glad to hear Eli was a great character, though, enough to enjoy the story.
ReplyDeleteRachel - Yeah, it got old when her default always seemed to be making up ludicrous stories and basically acting ridiculous. Thank goodness Eli acted like an actual adult. lol
DeleteEli sounds wonderful. I think Penny would drive me nuts too though. I've only read one book by Quinn and it was The Wedding Game (recently too!) which I did enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
Lauren - The Wedding Game is still on my TBR. I'm hoping I can get to it soon!
DeleteI love a guy with layers and a backstory. Sounds like a fun book.
ReplyDeleteWendy - Same here. It helps so much to make a well-rounded (and believable) character.
DeleteI really like the set up of this. It's a shame the heroine sort of worked your nerves, but still not a bad overall experience, it seems.
ReplyDeleteSam - Not a bad experience at all. There was still a lot to love: Eli, the other teammates, the banter, the set-up for the next book. Plenty of good stuff. :)
DeleteOof, Penny sounds like a piece of work! Eli sounds wonderful, though!
ReplyDeleteAngela - Yeah, not a fan of Penny but Eli was so great!
DeleteI am glad that you liked this one, but I feel you on mature characters. I really need to relate with them on that level of maturity and if they act immature then it can be a struggle and I need my heroines to not drive me bonkers haha But I do like the premise of this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest thoughts on this one.
Renee - Yep, you get it. :) It's frustrating for me when a character is an adult but their actions and reactions are that of an immature kid. It just doesn't fit and it's also annoying. I will say, other than Penny acting like a lunatic (lol) this one was very good! :)
DeleteThat's a shame about Penny being annoying. Aside from her, it sounds like a really good story.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Yep, other than Penny's antics, I loved the story. :)
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