Reviews

Slapshot by Rebecca Jenshak

whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition

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3.0

Ahh this was not a favorite, I really enjoyed the fact that Kaitlyn finds a job and does it without complaint but that was about all. I am not much of a fan of spoiled and entitled.
She does grow on you by the end but it kinda sucked the fun out it for me at the beginning.
Lex is awesome and I am glad we get to know him.
The narration was the best part.

kfriend's review against another edition

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4.0

What a charming, feel good story! I just live for Rebecca Jenshak’s new adult sports romances, and I was so excited to dive into this new world. We get a feel good romance, a heroine who does some growing, and all the fun I love about a college sports story- a team full of lovable goofs, parties, high stakes athletic moments, and young adults learning how to be adults, in love and life. While I’ve not read the other books in the series (yet), I loved all of the characters both big and small in this Moo world- and I swooned with delight over the sweet love story between prickly Kailtyn and affectionate Lex.

Kaitlyn is such a different heroine- something I appreciated but also took me a minute to warm up to her. In fact, in the first few chapters I was worried I wouldn’t like her - but RJ totally changed my mind. One thing I find so refreshing about Rebecca Jenshak is how she consistently plays with the sports/college trope- her characters and their stories never fit in one box. And Kaitlyn is a perfect example of that- we have a heroine who is a troublemaker, on the outs with her family as the result of a string of bad decisions, one of which is why she’s been punished to attend Moo. She’s not like your typical new adult heroine- she’s stoic, closed off emotionally, rough around the edges and carrying a huge chip on her shoulder. Early on, she’s in the wrong- the jerk, a bit arrogant, and frustrating- but we soon learn that there’s a gentle heart and kind soul underneath her teeth.

Meanwhile, Lex is a GIANT TEDDY BEAR. This man is just impossible to not be charmed by- he’s sweet, emotionally available, a hard worker and so genuine. This is a hero that is transparent and uncomplicated. And he’s so patient (and cute) in his pursuit of the prickly Katilyn. I love how charmed he is by her sharp edges, love his earnest and sensitive wooing of her. I love how selfless he is- even this story’s narrative demonstrates this, because this story is really about Kaitlyn and her growth.

RJ is really a gifted character writer- she has an uncanny way of bringing relatable characters to life on the page- they are memorable, unique, well defined and nuanced, but also subtly created- they feel normal. The way her characters grow and change through love is what I love best about her stories- she helps them grow up, helps them become a better version of themselves, but without the melodrama, and without compromising or changing their core. What RJ does with Kaitlyn is just that- Kaitlyn grows up, learns to be a little less selfish and more open, and she sheds the chip on her shoulder by learning how to face conflict, with honesty and forgiveness. We get some softness from her, without RJ making her into someone she’s not- she doesn’t turn into a lovesick heroine, she’s still a bit jaded, still sassy, but now with an open heart. I love how Lex supports and champions her emotional needs, her emotional journey- and how Kaitlyn has to mature to learn to champion and prioritize his, too. There’s a sexiness to the maturity of that- to the sweet and relatable nature of their story.

Like most RJ books, we have some minor conflict but the story is relatively low angst. We have all the Hallmarks that make me a RJ junkie- flirty banter and some sass, a sweet but sexy character chemistry, affable and impactful side characters, and two leads who you can’t help but fall in love with. RJ books always fill my soul with happiness and affection- and this does just that. Smiles, swoons, and sweet butterflies - the feel good romance I needed.

kelinek's review against another edition

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3.0

If you've read [b:Heartland|49110367|Heartland (True North, #7)|Sarina Bowen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576671660l/49110367._SX50_.jpg|73610523] then Kaitlyn will be a familiar character, she wasn't shown in the best light in Heartland so I enjoyed seeing a deeper side of her in this book. Slapshot is a sweet, slightly predictable love story between Kaitlyn and Lex. There was nothing wrong with this book but I just didn't develop a strong connection with the characters.

iris333's review against another edition

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4.75

4,85

kgagnon3's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 Stars!
I really enjoyed this touching and swoony romance! This is the second book in the new series from Sarina Bowen's World of True North. It is Kaitlyn and Lex's funny, and moving story about redemption, forgiveness, and finding true love. I was captivated by this story right from the start with it's rich characters, compelling storyline, fun banter, and sizzling passion! Kaitlyn is trying to find her way at the new college in Vermont where she just transferred. She lived a priveleged life, but after problems at her school in NY, her father, who is a retired famous NHL Hockey player has limited her income, forcing her to look for a job. She reluctantly takes over as the equipment manager for the hockey team. Being raised on hockey, she loved it, until she was used one too many times to get to her dad. She turned her back on the game years ago, but is finding her love of the game again. But she still doesn't want to date a hockey player, for fear they only want her for her connections. Lex is from Arizona and got a late start playing hockey. He lives and breathes the game now, always working to get better, never taking a day off. He feels like he's always playing catchup compared to his teammates and his equipment is old. When Kaitlyn helps him with his skates, he is intrigued by the standoffish woman. He tries to get to know her, but she doesn't make it easy. But Lex is not deterred by a challenge, he eventually wears her down, and she falls for his sweet, kind, and swoony charm. But Kaitlyn isn't confident that Lex or others like her for who she is. Especially after making some bad mistakes in the past. But Lex sees her for who she is now and is determined to make her see that, and that they are meant for each other. But when her father comes to town and meets Lex, can she trust that she wasn't played, again? I really loved Lex! He was so kind, honorable, and swoony. He really cared about his friends and teammates and was so sweet and protective with Kaitlyn. I loved Kaitlyn's growth from lost in the beginning to a strong, confident young woman. She and Lex were so perfect together. I also love all his teammates who were funny, supportive and loyal. This is a great addition to the Moo U series!

jpbooklife's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a fun and sweet book. I really liked how much of the team dynamic you got to read about. The way the whole hockey team embraced Kaitlyn's role on the team was so touching. And Lex was a total dreamboat. It's refreshing to have a story where it's the heroine that messes up. I feel like in most books the men are always having to make amends and apologize. It was nice to see it the other way around.
The chemistry between the two leads was undeniable and super hot. I'm excited for the next Moo U book.

redmoran1's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm really enjoying this series!

anniereads3's review

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lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lmrivas54's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a great read and I loved both characters. Initially, I didn’t love Kaitlyn, I thought she was one of those spoiled princess, who was thrown out of college, so her father exiled her to remote Vermont to finish her degree with a specific amount of money, which she promptly spent. Kaitlyn’s father is Declan Dalager, a hockey legend who graduated from Moo U, the same university she’s attending now.

Kaitlyn behaves as if she has a chip on her shoulder. And the world seems to have conspired to rain on her parade constantly. Broke, living in a dorm with a roommate, then finding that her ex-boyfriend is now dating her roommate, it all seems dire. And yet, she dealt; she looked for a job in order to eat, and she’s studying hard to keep A grades.

Ironically, the job she finds is as equipment manager of the university’s hockey team. Having grown up under the shadow of her father’s fame, she’s suffered being used by friends to get close to her father. Therefore, she didn’t want anything to do with hockey. She also feels that her father loved hockey more than her, and her relation with her father is rocky. Eventually you realize that she’s conflicted, she loves her father and wants her father to love her. She’s just accustomed to keeping people away in order not to be disappointed.

Lex Vonne is the new hockey player in the team. He’s driven and determined to find a place in the team and assist in the team’s wins. His motto is to work hard until he achieves his goals. It’s a good thing, because he falls for Kaitlyn and with her issues, he has to work hard to win her trust.

I loved this story, not just because the characters were fascinating and multi-layered, but because the story was so emotional and complex. Both had family issues, goals they were working for, and issues to overcome. Lex wanted to cement his place in the team, and Kait wanted to be able to study and not be overshadowed by her father’s fame. I loved how supporting Lex was about Kaitlyn’s issues and tried to help her overcome. I loved their easy relation, and how integrated they were with the hockey team.

For a girl who decried she hated hockey, it was in her blood and she reveled in the games and her work helping with the equipment. In the end, it was her emotional turmoil that was the determining factor in this couple’s final outcome. By this time, I was emotionally involved and rooting for this lovely couple. I loved how all the lose ends were all tied off and all issues eventually resolved. And I was especially grateful for the extra epilogue that shows where this lovely couple are directed.

bookishnerdyandcurious's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved the first book in the new Moo U series in Sarina Bowen's World of True North and I was hoping I'd love the second as much... while I did like this book, I didn't love it. And really, it comes down to the heroine. I did not like her. Not at all. I didn't hate her by the end, because you learn about her story and why she is why she is... but our hero is a sweet cinnamon roll of a guy and I did not want him hurt. (I may have sent a text to a friend saying this yesterday... and posted it on Goodreads, lol.) If I had liked her more, the rating would be higher - that said, the fact that Rebecca Jenshak had me feeling sympathetic towards her at the end is a testament to her writing - despite my antipathy towards our heroine, I didn't want to put this down because I NEEDED to know how she and that lovely cinnamon roll of a man turned out.