"I need us to stay married, Big Guy."
Recently traded to the Chicago Rebels, hockey veteran Dylan
“Banks” Bankowski is adjusting to what might be his last team and his
final year in the NHL. That means taking care of his battered body while
he strives for the one goal that’s managed to elude him: a championship
ring. What he does not need is a visit from the woman to whom he gave a
different kind of ring months ago.
His young, flighty, socialite wife.
Apparently,
signing the annulment papers within a week of their quickie wedding in
Vegas didn’t quite take, and now she’s back, right before the playoffs
when he needs his focus most. Only this time she has a different
request: let’s keep up the charade. He should say no, but he once said
“I do” and surely that means something …
Georgia Goodwin has good
reasons for wanting to keep her hockey player husband. Convincing the
big lug to cooperate is the easy part. Not so easy? Ignoring the flutter
in her chest when he grunts in jock, kisses her neck, or calls her
wife. But it’s only for a few weeks, and as soon as the playoffs finish,
so will they.
But the more time Georgia and Banks spend
together, the more real their marriage feels. Less Vegas mistake, more
like the start of something amazing. They said goodbye once. Can they do
it again … or will they figure out that a love this good is worth
fighting for as much as that championship ring?
Tropes:
Accidentally married, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, only
one bed, fake kisses turned real, hockey player & Chicago
socialite, big guy & petite gal, “my wife” moments galore
Copy received for an honest review
Looking at my Goodreads, I have only read one of the previous Rookie Rebels books (not going to lie, I didn't think I had read any lol).
But that did not matter as a) hello, hockey stories and b) this can be read as a stand alone.
It was a bit of a slow start for me, and I didn't feel any particular spark between Georgia and Banks, other that those first stirrings of Vegas lust, however as the story progressed and they actually started communicating more, yes, I could feel it all.
Yes, they both went into this fauxmance and marriage for their own altruistic reasons, however I liked how they made the adult decision to help each other, and we knew it wouldn't be long before it was all too real, and that there was a reason they were drawn to each other in the first place.
I enjoyed gettin to know more about the Rebels whose books I have missed, and now I have a whole heap of books to add to my TBR.
I would definitely read more in the series if they came in the future too.
