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lmrivas54's review
4.0
Another hockey romance but this one hardly had any action on the ice, it was all about the love story. Twins Anton and Alexei Petrov were brought from Russia when they were five years old to live with an American family and train in hockey. Alexei is the natural athlete, with the highest scores, and Anton is the highest paid, both captains of their teams. They don’t play together because they play the same position in a team. This leads to friendly competitive squabbles between the twins. As can be expected, Alexei is the rowdy twin, loves to drink and party, while Anton is the serious twin, and lives a quiet life. Since Anton doesn’t have the natural talent his brother does, he substituted with tenacity, discipline and insistence. He eats well, sleeps well, exercises constantly, all in order to play at the top.
Anton is called Father Anton because of his celibacy, in contrast to his teammates’ constant hookups. The reason is that for the past two years, he’s been in love with the wife of a team mate, Adam Marceau. He was felled as if by striking two years ago when she first appeared at a team event. Disgusted by Adam’s constant cheating on his wife, when he chances upon her tending bar in Southside Chicago, he approaches and offers friendship.
From the start, Mia gave me the impression of an abused wife. She has no friends, is separated from Adam and wishing for a divorce but can’t afford one, penniless and living a hand to mouth existence. She’s working and studying to get a better future and take care of her Gramps. Anton is as much a serious guy as a caring and generous person, and when he sees the object of his love going through a bad time, he offers help without expecting anything in return. His sole purpose is to make her life easier.
You could say that Anton is a stodgy fellow, but he’s so caring and so giving that he’s excused. The fact that he only eats chicken or salmon with veggies is almost a sin, but it’s forgivable also. He’s relentless in his effort to help Mia, same as in the care of his obnoxious adopted uncle Dix. When Mia accepts a job taking care of Dix is when the best dialogues and fun times we have in the book. Mia is at times a spitfire and other times a scaredy cat who is afraid of the future because she has so few options. When her roommate had a meltdown, she came to the rescue and organized their lives so her friend could get ahead of her troubles. This gave me the idea of all she could be, if she had the resources. She’s a great character, just very down in her luck.
I liked that this time the hero is not a playboy or a cocky athlete, but a serious and dedicated man, responsible and tenacious. The book is somewhat predictable but the characters are so endearing that you can’t help but like the story.
Anton is called Father Anton because of his celibacy, in contrast to his teammates’ constant hookups. The reason is that for the past two years, he’s been in love with the wife of a team mate, Adam Marceau. He was felled as if by striking two years ago when she first appeared at a team event. Disgusted by Adam’s constant cheating on his wife, when he chances upon her tending bar in Southside Chicago, he approaches and offers friendship.
From the start, Mia gave me the impression of an abused wife. She has no friends, is separated from Adam and wishing for a divorce but can’t afford one, penniless and living a hand to mouth existence. She’s working and studying to get a better future and take care of her Gramps. Anton is as much a serious guy as a caring and generous person, and when he sees the object of his love going through a bad time, he offers help without expecting anything in return. His sole purpose is to make her life easier.
You could say that Anton is a stodgy fellow, but he’s so caring and so giving that he’s excused. The fact that he only eats chicken or salmon with veggies is almost a sin, but it’s forgivable also. He’s relentless in his effort to help Mia, same as in the care of his obnoxious adopted uncle Dix. When Mia accepts a job taking care of Dix is when the best dialogues and fun times we have in the book. Mia is at times a spitfire and other times a scaredy cat who is afraid of the future because she has so few options. When her roommate had a meltdown, she came to the rescue and organized their lives so her friend could get ahead of her troubles. This gave me the idea of all she could be, if she had the resources. She’s a great character, just very down in her luck.
I liked that this time the hero is not a playboy or a cocky athlete, but a serious and dedicated man, responsible and tenacious. The book is somewhat predictable but the characters are so endearing that you can’t help but like the story.
bookbae96's review
4.0
Brenda Rothert can write a hockey romance like nobody's business, and, truly, the books in her FIRE ON ICE series are still some of my favorites of hers. Now, Brenda is giving us more hockey heroes to love with the release of ANTON, the first book in her new Chicago Blaze series.
Anton is pretty much everything that a book boyfriend should be. Besides all the usual attributes, he's got to be one of the most loyal guys that I've seen, and Mia is one lucky lady. And, even though she's got a 'past,' she is fierce, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow into herself. These two are definitely poster children for #couplegoals, and their story is, by turn, sexy, affirming, and exciting.
Fans of sports romance, fans of Brenda's books, and, heck, fans of sexy Russian skaters will love this book. And, lucky us, it's almost like there are two Antons, because his twin brother, Alexei, another sexy Russian hockey player, is getting his own book very soon. In the meantime, though, as an avowed Brenda fan, I say go out and get yourself a copy of this book. Anton's waiting, and he is not to be missed.
taniamg's review
4.0
Oh wow what a way to start a series. Anton is simply amazing. I loved him from beginning to end. Mia my heart broke for her and the things she had to endure but she was also admirable at the way she handled things.
Mia was off limits but that didn’t stop Anton. He was truly friend that told her every time that when she’s ready he wants more, ❤️❤️❤️❤️. This story had some very emotional moments and moments that made your heart stop. You see a strong woman that was knocked down and how she’s gotten back up. These two were amazing.
I can’t wait to read the other books.
Mia was off limits but that didn’t stop Anton. He was truly friend that told her every time that when she’s ready he wants more, ❤️❤️❤️❤️. This story had some very emotional moments and moments that made your heart stop. You see a strong woman that was knocked down and how she’s gotten back up. These two were amazing.
I can’t wait to read the other books.
africreole's review
4.0
She thought she was damaged ghetto goods
Mia Brown Marceau's husband Adam was a total azz. I can not understand why a man would marry a woman and proceed to treat her like crap and expect her to take it forever. I guess Adam must have felt that he was entitled to all of the puck bunnies that came his way with him being an NHL hockey player. What Mia did not know was that she had a secret admirer who respectfully kept his distance until he accidentally discovered that she desperately needed help in just surviving since her husband cut her off financially to try to force her to come back to him.
I like the way that Mia and Anton became friends and kept a respectful distance from each other. All the while Anton was figuring out how he could keep Mia and keep her as close as he could and get her the help she needed. I loved how he got revenge on Adam after what he pulled on Mia. He got all that he deserved for doing what he did. Mia was so afraid that she would lose Anton when she came clean about being damaged. He loved her just that much to not let her go and respect her for wanting to finish school and be independent. That's what a real man does. for his lady.
I liked Uncle Dix. I knew there was more to him than just being a crotchety old fart. It was so heartwarming to see that he ended his days by hearing from the love of his life. I was disappointed with the way the story ended. I wanted more of an HEA for Mia and Anton, but I guess that will be covered in the next part of the Chicago Blaze Hockey series.
Mia Brown Marceau's husband Adam was a total azz. I can not understand why a man would marry a woman and proceed to treat her like crap and expect her to take it forever. I guess Adam must have felt that he was entitled to all of the puck bunnies that came his way with him being an NHL hockey player. What Mia did not know was that she had a secret admirer who respectfully kept his distance until he accidentally discovered that she desperately needed help in just surviving since her husband cut her off financially to try to force her to come back to him.
I like the way that Mia and Anton became friends and kept a respectful distance from each other. All the while Anton was figuring out how he could keep Mia and keep her as close as he could and get her the help she needed. I loved how he got revenge on Adam after what he pulled on Mia. He got all that he deserved for doing what he did. Mia was so afraid that she would lose Anton when she came clean about being damaged. He loved her just that much to not let her go and respect her for wanting to finish school and be independent. That's what a real man does. for his lady.
I liked Uncle Dix. I knew there was more to him than just being a crotchety old fart. It was so heartwarming to see that he ended his days by hearing from the love of his life. I was disappointed with the way the story ended. I wanted more of an HEA for Mia and Anton, but I guess that will be covered in the next part of the Chicago Blaze Hockey series.
coreygrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
patticorrea_ecbc's review
5.0
What a great start to a series. I love hockey books, and Brenda Rothert did not disappoint with this one. Such a wonderful story.
natashadot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5