ARC Review + Giveaway: Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen

Book Title: Rookie Move
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #1
Release Date: September 6th, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

The first novel in a sexy new series featuring the hockey players of the Brooklyn Bruisers and the women who win their hearts—from the USA Today bestselling author of the Ivy Years series.

In high school they were the perfect couple—until the day Georgia left Leo in the cold...

Hockey player Leo Trevi has spent the last six years trying to do two things: get over the girl who broke his heart, and succeed in the NHL. But on the first day he’s called up to the newly franchised Brooklyn Bruisers, Leo gets checked on both sides, first by the team’s coach—who has a long simmering grudge, and then by the Bruisers’ sexy, icy publicist—his former girlfriend Georgia Worthington.

Saying goodbye to Leo was one of the hardest things Georgia ever had to do—and saying hello again isn’t much easier. Georgia is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but when a press conference microphone catches Leo declaring his feelings for her, things get really personal, really fast...

Rookie Move is the first book in the new Brooklyn Bruisers series by Sarina Bowen. All books will focus around a professional hockey conglomerate. This was a nice lead in to the series as we got a nice feel of several characters I see the potential for having their stories told. I'd especially like to see one for the billionaire team owner but time will tell!

Leo and Georgia dated for several years back in high school until bad things happened and things fell apart. Six years later, she's a PR guru for the Brooklyn Bruisers and he's the new rookie traded to the team. The breakup years ago was fast and unexpected and six long years have passed. Can the two of them carry on a professional relationship in the shadows of lingering hurt... or possible lingering love?

This was a slow build read. Not a lot of angst or unnecessary drama to follow suit either. But once I hit the halfway mark or so, I was really invested in their love story. I try to remember these slow builds oftentimes are a great precursor to connecting the reader to the two main characters at a gradual level so when it begins picking up, we really are whole-heartedly invested. Georgia was young and made difficult decisions years ago and with a little communication, that pain would've been prevented but again, she was young.

Leo was perfect! Swoon! Even so many years ago, clear through till today, the guy held no ill will towards Georgia and their break-up. His love for her stands the test of time but now career interests, potential for getting traded, and her father as the team coach all lurk in the background as challenges to overcome if they're to get that second chance at love. But he's willing to try...if Gigi will.

I look forward to the next installment in the Brooklyn Bruisers series!

Advanced review copy received by author in exchange for an honest review.

Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of Vermont.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.

With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of HIM and US.

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