


We see Carter WORK for what he wants, and that was such a breath of fresh air. This balances swoony moments with drama and angst, ratcheting up the tension in all the best ways. I loved getting to know Carter, and seeing him be totally gone for his girl was immensely fulfilling. Playboys always seem to fall the hardest, and that is definitely the case here. Devoting 20 hours to a book by a new-to-me author is always a little risky, but I am SO GLAD that I took the chance on this one.

I’ve had this on my kindle for a few months, and it wasn’t until the audio version released that I decided to take the plunge. Never did Carter think that his playboy ways would catch up to him in such a major way, and now he has to earn the trust that Olivia is so hesitant to give. Unfortunately, Olivia is well aware of Carter’s reputation, and she can’t trust that his sudden change of heart is the kind that will last. But when the sassy brunette resists his advances, it makes Carter work harder – and spending time together makes him realize that he wouldn’t mind taking a chance with her. Intensely attracted to her from the moment they meet, it doesn’t take long for Carter to pursue her. No woman has ever made him want to change his ways, and he values his privacy and alone time, so casual encounters have always made the most sense. The story follows Carter, a hockey star with a playboy reputation that he doesn’t try to hide. It’s raw, real, and just the right kind of heart-wrenching, and I loved every single minute of it. There are SO MANY swoony, tender moments, which pair perfectly with the intensity of emotion and the delicious spice. Mack does an excellent job of showcasing the growth in intimacy, the build of the relationship, and puts it to the test to make sure they got it right. The intimidating length is actually perfect in this instance, because this hero is working so hard to prove himself, persisting through stumbles and obstacles along the way. The hero at the heart of it undergoes SUCH a transformation from start to finish, and I absolutely adored seeing him work to earn his girl’s trust and love. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this new-to-me author, but I’ll admit that I’m a softie for a manhoe who is smacked upside the head the moment he meets the right girl – and that is exactly what this story is all about.

Loved it, loved it, LOVED it! You know things are going VERY well when the 20-hour runtime on an audiobook doesn’t faze me, and I spend time doing math to determine whether it’s physically possible for me to stay up late enough to finish before going to bed (sadly, no).
