Review - - Rebel Bride

Rebel Bride

by Kate Meader

Chicago Players - Book 2

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: October 21, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Summer

I can’t marry him.

I have no good reason to jilt my hockey player fiancé, except that the closer we get to the big day, the more I feel myself shrinking to a hollow shell. Two minutes after I slip into the church bathroom to calm my pre-wedding jitters, I jump out the window to make my escape …

… and land on Hatch Kershaw, my fiancé’s teammate on the Chicago Rebels.

This guy has always hated me for reasons I can’t fathom. Half the time he looks right through me, like I’m no better than the ice shavings on his skate blades. The other half? That brooding green gaze strips me bare and sees right into my soul.

Neither option is good for me, so I really shouldn’t want his help … should I?

Hatch

The bride hit me like a ton of bricks.

The last thing I expected was for my teammate’s bride to ask for my help in fleeing her wedding. Make that the second last—even more unexpected is that I said “yes.” Before I know it, I’ve driven her to my family’s vacation home because I’m a nice guy and she needs to catch her breath.

Only now, I can’t breathe around her.

Summer Landry and I have never hit it off, so why the hell am I going along with this madness? Every stolen glance and accidental touch tell me she’s off-limits, while each torturous second with her in our lakeside hideaway has me questioning everything I thought I knew about who she is and what she’s hiding.

No one can know what I did—not my teammate, not my family, not the media—or all hell will break loose. Most of all, Summer can never know why I dislike her so much.

Because if she did, I might not recover.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read Rebel Bride twice. I'll no doubt visit it again. That seems to be the norm for me and Kate Meader's books. The books in her Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series all sit on my keeper shelf. But, as if the heart-tugging goodness of those books wasn't enough, here she comes with a new series featuring the children of everyone's favorite Rebel, Theo Kershaw. And, let me tell you, these Kershaw offspring do not disappoint!

I was so eager to discover the cause of the friction between Summer and Hatch that was clearly evident in Sweet Thing (Chicago Players - Book 1). Turns out there was a whole lot of sumpin' sumpin' simmering beneath the surface of the eldest Kershaw child and I couldn't be happier. Hatch and Summer together was everything I could have hoped for. First, I love a runaway bride and Meader's special touch with that whole opening chapter was *chef's kiss*. The surprise. The laughter. The tension. The getaway to the Kershaw cabin in Saugatuck. Which brings me to the second thing I loved: Forced Proximity. 

It was pure pleasure to watch these two slowly lower their guards and open up to one another. Being a Meader book, it's filled with humor, sparkling dialogue, tender emotion, vulnerability, and in Hatch's case, yearning. So much yearning. Also cheese. There's a lot to be said for a good triple creme Brie. And then there's the steam. I do love me some Kate Meader steam. Of course, the initial getaway is only the beginning of the journey for these two. There's much to explore for both Hatch and Summer, both personally and professionally, before an HEA is even on the horizon. And that's where everyone else comes into play.

One of my favorite aspects of these books is the family, friends, and teammates who all are such an important part of the story. I love these characters and relationships so much. They add laughter, well-intentioned meddling, wisdom, support, love, motivation, and flat-out fun. Also conflict in some cases, but that's part of what keeps these characters real and the relationships authentic. If you enjoy big families who are bonded by unconditional love and support, laughter and fun, but also up in one another's business constantly, you're going to love the Kershaws. Just like I do. And Summer. For a woman who is without family and searching for her place in the world, the Kershaw family is an almost irresistible place to land. 

Another part of this book that I especially enjoyed is the Midwest vibe. If you've never visited Chicago, Meader brings that vibe to life through her descriptions as well as her characters and if you've spent time there, those same descriptions and character banter will reinforce all the things we love about this city on the lake. And, yes, Kershaws, I agree with you. There's nothing like a good cheese board and it will always be the Sears Tower. 

If you're looking for a funny, endearing, steamy, complicated contemporary romance with family, friendship, character growth, sweetness and sass, hockey brotherhood, sports-loving women, and happy endings earned through time and work, pick up a copy of Rebel Bride. I loved it!

Review - - Sweet Thing

Sweet Thing

by Kate Meader

Chicago Players - Book 1

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: July 15, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

My dad's teammate needs a nanny and I need a job. Sounds perfect, right? Except for my massive crush on him ... the one he knows all about.

Lars

I just found out I’m a dad.

My one-night stand dropped a baby bombshell in my local bar where I was celebrating my team’s win. Then she fled, leaving me holding my new daughter.

Thank God for Adeline. The daughter of my teammate and closest friend on the Chicago Rebels, she practically raised her little sister and knows exactly how to deal with this situation. I need a nanny; she needs a job. Problem sorted, right?

Not so fast …

Adeline

I think you’re the sexiest guy alive.

That’s what Lars Nyquist overheard me say while recounting my embarrassing crush on him. Yeah, that Lars Nyquist. Defenseman for the Chicago Rebels. Owner of the thickest thighs in the league. More than a decade my senior. Oh, and my dad’s teammate.

My only option? Leave the country, of course. Luckily, I’d already planned a round-the-world trip with my bestie and by the time I returned to Chicago a year later, I expected my blunder would be long forgotten. Shows what I know. Now I’m lying awake in the bedroom next to his while playing nanny to his surprise little girl. But I can ignore this stupid infatuation. I have to. Even though the sight of Lars learning to be a dad leaves me breathless and takes that crush to a whole other level.

One that has the potential to break my sorry little heart …

PJ's Thoughts:

Kate Meader keeps upping her game with each book she writes. Fan of her Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels hockey romance books? You're going to love this first book in her next generation series. Fan of Theo Kershaw (Insta Crush) - and c'mon, who isn't? - you're going to love seeing him still playing hockey (he's team captain now), still wildly in love with his wife, a father five times over, and the protective dad of this book's heroine. New to the Rebels world but a fan of steamy, humorous, emotion-packed, feel-good romance with characters who feel like friends by the time you finish their book? Jump right in with Sweet Thing. Lars and Adeline are ready to take you on the best kind of ride. 

Kate Meader has mad writing skills and they are all front and center in this newest book in her Chicago hockey world. Filled with delicious tropes (surprise single dad/age-gap romance/chosen family/teen crush/teammate's daughter), I was hooked from the first chapter. I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feelings. 

I appreciate that Adeline was given the time away to experience life a bit between her awkward crush declaration and the beginning of her romantic journey with Lars. Though she's 13 years younger, she's now at a point in her life where she holds her own in the relationship with quiet strength and maturity. I love how she grows into the self realization of those qualities while not only finally finding her path in life but also her own Great Love Story. Trademark.

How could I not fall in love with Lars. He's a man alone, carrying some significant emotional baggage, who craves the warmth and acceptance he's found with Adeline's family during her year abroad (while not entirely sure he deserves it), acceptance - and friendship - that could be sacrificed if he gives in to his growing feelings for his best friend and teammate's daughter. I love the yearning between these two, the foundation of support and respect that centers their friendship, the ever-deepening feelings, the sensual chemistry, and the love that, ultimately, will not be denied. I pulled so hard for them.

The balance of humor and emotional depth in this story (in all of Meader's stories, really) gives it the heart and authenticity that mirrors real life. By the time I finished, I felt like these characters were my friends, like I knew them intimately. I hadn't just read about their journey; I had experienced every ebb and flow with them. 

While Lars, Adeline (and baby Mabel) are the primary focus of this book, the heart and soul do not reside exclusively with them. The supporting cast - including Adeline's family and other Rebels families - are an integral part of the story, offering fond remembrances of the past, a richly textured tapestry in the present, and a glimpse of the future. 

Other Kershaw siblings are waiting in the wings for their own stories and I, for one, cannot wait to discover what Meader has planned for them. Next up is Rebel Bride, featuring Addy's older brother, Hatch, scheduled to be released October 21, 2025. 

Review - - Hockey Wife

Hockey Wife

by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels - Book 10

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: September 16, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

"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, and 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?

PJ's Thoughts:

Can this series just keep going on forever? We're at book nine of the Rookie Rebels and I'm nowhere near ready to say goodbye to this team of unforgettable characters and the women - and men - who capture their hearts. The romance. The bromance. The sizzling chemistry. The laugh-out-loud humor. And last, but never least, the incredible depth of emotion. These books have it all.

I fell hard for Georgia and Banks. There's so much more to both of them than what the surface would suggest. Meader excels at creating layered characters and I love watching those hidden layers slowly reveal themselves to me - and to the other characters - as the story progresses. Of course, teammates and their wives get involved along the way. It wouldn't be the Kate Meader story I love without meddling hockey players and their partners - I'm looking at you, Theo Kershaw. And you too, Tara Fitzpatrick - not to mention extended family dynamics which always takes things up a notch. It all comes together in a perfect blend of steam, emotion, humor, and happiness, everything I've come to expect from this author.  

While several characters from earlier books have appearances in Hockey Wife, the book stands well on its own if you prefer to jump into the series here.   

Review - - Wild Ride

Wild Ride

by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels - Book 9

Publisher: Kate Meader, LLC

Release Date: March 26, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Chicago Rebels hockey player Dex O'Malley has been a naughty boy . . . again.

Only his latest stunt isn’t quite like when he was caught with his pants down at a nightclub or was cited for drag-racing on Lake Shore Drive or even that time he said a few critical things about his teammates on a hockey podcast. Oops. This time, Dex is in real trouble, the kind that could get him kicked off the team and out of the league. And that cannot happen. Hockey is the only thing he’s ever been good at. The only thing he cares about. He’ll do whatever it takes to rehab his rep, even if it means cleaning up dog poop and suffering the steely-eyed disapproval of his new no-nonsense “boss” at the animal shelter, Ashley Adams.

Ashley has enough on her plate between her low-paying job, her high-maintenance family, and a love life she’s trying to resurrect after her divorce. She’s already mom to an amazing nine-year-old; the last thing she needs is to be stuck mothering a celebrity volunteer with more money than sense. But the troublemaking f-boy needs Ashley to sign off on his good deeds so he can get back to what he does best: lighting up lamps both on and off the ice. And while a guy like that could never interest her mind, it seems her body is not on the same page. Sure, Dex O’Malley is too young, too hot, too flighty for Ashley to take seriously, but a brief ride on the wild side might fit the bill …

Only that’s not enough for Dex. What happens when this notorious player decides the older, single mom is the hottest woman he’s ever met and that he wants to light her lamp . . . forever?

PJ's Thoughts:

Kate Meader is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Her books bubble over with sass, sizzle, and bone-deep emotion. Not to mention some of the best bromances around. Meddling, advice-giving, downright hilarious hockey teammates for the win. 

One of the things Meader does exceptionally well is the redemption of bad-boy heroes who are sometimes also total jerks. Enter the hero of Wild Ride, Dex O'Malley. If you've been reading Meader's Rookie Rebels series, you'll recognize Dex as heroine Tara's media-nightmare fake fiancé (but not hero) from book 7, Jock Wanted. He showed glimmers of good-guy contrition in that book but it's going to take more - much more - to turn the corner for free-wheeling, trouble-magnet, entitled f-boy, Dex. Enter Ashley, a no-nonsense, hard-working, single mom whose sense of desirability has been beaten into the ground by her louse of an ex. She knows nothing about hockey and is less than impressed by the entitled (though gorgeous) celebrity athlete who's been dumped on her. She's determined to not give Dex an inch. He's determined to loosen her up. And then the fun begins...

I adored this couple. They've become one of my Meader favorites. The evolution of their relationship is filled with unexpected layers, plenty of humor, poignant moments, sizzle, and growth. Ashley's arc takes her on a journey of self-discovery that had me cheering. Her ex really did a number on her self-confidence, especially in regards to her looks and body image. To see her begin to blossom because of time spent with Dex - Dex! - was both poignant and empowering. Who knew he had it in him? Well, obviously the author did. It was so much fun to watch a smitten Dex have to do the chasing for probably the first time in his life. The best things in life are worth putting in the effort and Ashley - and hockey - are at the top of Dex's list.

There is so much more to Dex than meets the eye. I love how Meader uses the shelter animals to slowly unveil the layers of this character, showing parallels in the troubled journey of one particular rescue with Dex's own life journey. There may have been heart-tugging tears. Okay, there absolutely were. Then there are his encounters with Ashley's awkward, hockey-loving daughter which shine a light on his unexpected compassion, understanding, and goodness. It was heartwarming to watch him grow into this kind, caring, protective man without losing the mischievous, sexy flirt (but now with only one woman). 

The supporting cast in this book is flawless. As in earlier books, Meader uses the current and retired members of the Rebels to perfection. There is not a grandma out there who can rival these hockey players when it comes to romance meddling. The scenes where they start doling out romantic advice are pure gold. Several of the Rebels wives are also featured in this book with Tara (the former fake fiancé, now best friend/confidante/cheerleader), leading the way. The woman is a force of nature.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with both sweetness and sizzle, complex, multi-layered characters, emotional depth, meddling friends, humor, and a happily ever after, don't miss Kate Meader's Wild Ride. It's an excellent addition to the Rookie Rebels series. 

~~~~~~~~~

Note: For those of you who prefer classic (man chest) covers to the new illustrated ones, check out the online store at Kate Meader's website where her books can be purchased in the cover format of your choice. 

 

Review - - Hot to the Touch

Hot to the Touch

by Kate Meader

Hot in Chicago Rookies - Book 3

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: August 22, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

I might be a rookie Chicago firefighter, but I’m on top of the world. I’ve just earned my spot on Rescue Squad at legendary Engine 6, can get all the action I want both in and out of the bedroom, and am possessed of an enviable sneaker collection. Nothing can harsh my vibe except her—Cassandra Ferguson, my brother’s sister-in-law, or as I affectionately label her: the blister-in-law. Ever since I met her, she’s looked down her perky little nose at me, never mind that I’m a good foot taller. Apparently, I offended her with a few risqué jokes and an offer for a fun, no-strings night—crimes that have relegated me to lower than dirt in St. Cassandra's eyes.

These days we’re at a stalemate. Don’t get along, can’t get along. Only when tragedy strikes, we have no choice but to put our animosity aside for the sake of our hurting niece and nephew, who need us now more than ever. As co-guardians, Cassie and I are enemy combatants in an uneasy truce, flailing around in a no-man’s land of grief and lust, forced to work as a team.

Thing is, when Cassie and I team up—when we really work together—the results are explosive. In a sexy way. In an amazing way. Maybe … in every way. But with stakes this high, we can’t get it wrong.

Even though it feels so, so right.

PJ's Thoughts:

Are you in the mood for a steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance with snappy banter, forced proximity, self-reflection, and a deep well of emotion at its core? If so, Kate Meader's Hot to the Touch is the book for you. It's a roller coaster of a ride that had tears flowing more than once, kept me eagerly flipping pages from beginning to end, and left me with feelings overflowing for this new family formed from the depths of heart-wrenching grief. 

Whether it's humor, grief, lust, animosity, or love, Kate Meader is my go-to contemporary author for steamy, funny, sometimes dangerous, and frequently emotional romance. The characters she creates are complex and multi-faceted, often with unseen layers that are expertly peeled away as the story progresses. In Hot to the Touch, that applies to both Sam and Cassie as well as the young niece and nephew for whom they are now responsible. I loved watching their story unfold as each character evolved, began to see one another in a different light, began to see themselves in a new way. They broke my heart but then they put it back together even stronger than before. That's part of the beauty of Meader's writing. 

Hot to the Touch is the final book in Kate Meader's Hot in Chicago Rookies trilogy. Characters from earlier books make appearances in this one but it stands well on its own though I do recommend all three books. Click the title to read my review of Up in Smoke (book one) and Down in Flames (book two).

 

Review - - Superstar

Superstar

by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: April 11, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

He never saw her coming...

After almost a year away from hockey, Bastian Durand’s return to the game should be a triumph.

Instead he’s taken down by the Chicago Rebels mascot.

It can’t get worse. Or maybe it can. Because the human inside the Rowdy Rebel costume is none other than Pepper Calhoun.

His friend’s sister.
His coach’s daughter.
And the woman Bastian has wanted for the longest time.

Pepper has always been a magnet for bad luck and now she’s ruined superstar Bast Durand’s big comeback. So that tracks. Everyone, from her father and brother to the fans and press, heck, even the NHL commissioner, hates her.

Everyone but the one guy who should.

Hiding away is the only thing she can think of, except Bast has the same idea. To her utter dismay, he’s determined to protect Pepper from anyone who dares breathe a word against her.

And to convince her that crashing on the ice isn’t all that different from … falling in love.

PJ's Thoughts:

Is it wrong of me to hope Kate Meader never runs out of stories to tell within the Chicago Rebels universe? I have fallen hard for these characters and love the way they weave in and out of one another's books, offering up friendship, support, and unwanted relationship advice (meddling hockey players - who knew?) If you're new to this series, Meader has written each book in such a way that you could begin at any point without feeling lost. But, if you're a fan (like I am) it's a special pleasure to see favorites pop up following the conclusion of their own book (I'm looking at you, Kershaw). I love tagging along as earlier couples live out their happily-ever-afters.

After meeting Bastian in his brother's book, Dear Roomie, I immediately wanted to know more about him and was beyond excited when Meader announced he would be getting a book of his own. Tack on a snowed-in-only-one-bed trope (yes, please!) and my excitement knew no bounds. I'm pleased to report that this one had all my happy reader vibes dancing. 

Meader is a master at creating complex, well-developed characters and then weaving them into a fun, steamy story without sacrificing emotional depth. Strategically placed humor keeps things on the light side while complicated relationships (family and romantic) and obstacles ground her stories in reality. I adored Bast and Pepper. I loved how protective Bast was of her, even when they were at odds, and eventually how protective they both became of the other. Their chemistry was off the charts but the quiet, talking times were just as significant. Both characters evolved individually over the course of the book, making their growth as a couple even more solid, relatable, and heartfelt. Yes, I cried during the epilogue. Yes, they were happy tears. Yes, I'm already counting the weeks until the next Rookie Rebel finds his own happily ever after. 

The relationship between Bast and Pepper plays out entirely within Superstar and can be enjoyed on its own without having read the earlier books in the series. However, Bast's relationship with his brother, Reid is a significant part of his character arc in this book. Because of that, and to better understand the history and layers of their sibling relationship as well as the complicated family dynamic with their father, I would suggest reading Reid's story, Dear Roomie followed by Bast's story in Superstar. 

Review & Giveaway - - Down in Flames

Down in Flames: An MM Firefighter - Hockey Romance

by Kate Meader

Hot in Chicago Rookies - Book 2

A Hot in Chicago Rookies / Rookie Rebels Crossover

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: December 6, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

It was supposed to be a random hookup.

At a crossroads, my life a hot mess, I swiped right on the guy with the washboard abs and the tree-trunk thighs. His handle was Holt (yeah, really) but as soon as he opened the door, I recognized him: Hudson Grey, the hottest prospect in pro-hockey and apparently, secretly playing for my team. Not mind-blowing enough? He needed someone to punch his V-card, and I was only too happy to volunteer as tribute . . .

Then he ghosted me when it got to be too much.

A year later, my life is back on track and I’m a candidate firefighter at legendary Engine 6. While I might be new to the Chicago Fire Department, I’m a veteran in the game of steamy hookups. My No. 1 rule? No newbies. Except now Hudson has been traded to my hometown team, the Chicago Rebels, and he’s out, proud, and ready to date. And he wants my help introducing him to the local gay scene.

My messy past means I’m the worst guy to be mentoring the shy, sexy jock. But neither can I stand by and watch while others touch the man who already feels like mine.

I might have been his first, but I’m about to learn that the new guy has even more to teach me about hunger, hope, and falling hard.

Includes: First times, hot firefighters, sexy hockey players, mini-golf shenanigans, meddling friends, and fighting like hell for the love of a lifetime.

PJ's Thoughts:

What can I say about Kate Meader's writing that I haven't already? She continues to up her game with each book she releases and is, in my opinion, one of the best authors out there writing in the contemporary romance genre. The majority of her books are male/female couples but occasionally she'll write a male/male romance that stirs my emotions like no other. This is one of those stories.

Jude and Hudson are both incredibly complex, well-developed, relatable characters. I loved how they both evolved over the course of their story and how the dynamic of their relationship shifted in accordance with that evolution. On the surface, Hudson seems to be the one who grows the most - from the shy, awkward, closeted virgin to the strong, confident, openly gay hockey player willing to fight for love - but, in actuality, it's Jude who I felt grew the most. My heart ached for him as his cocky, confident persona began to crumble, revealing the mistakes of his past and the vulnerable core so well hidden, bringing me to tears more than once. 

For those of you who like your physical expressions to be on the mild side, this book may not be for you. The sex is steamy and frequent, but also incredibly tender, and used effectively to move this story along. I loved how hot these two were for one another. If you enjoy steam between two consenting adults that's layered with a whole boatload of emotion, this book gives you both...and then some. Jude and Hudson connect on so many levels. I enjoyed how full-bodied their relationship is, the quality of the time they spend talking about a plethora of topics, how they take care of each other, support one another, tease, laugh, and cry with one another. 

As is typical of a Meader book, there's also a lot of humor balancing the emotion and a richly depicted secondary cast of characters. I'll never look at mini-golf the same way again. Hudson's meddling hockey teammates are pure gold (I can't get enough of them), as are Jude's firefighter pals. Then there's Hudson's parents and how they treat Jude. My heart melted and there may have been tears. 

I don't think I could have pulled any harder for these two opposite, but perfect for one another, men to accept the love they didn't always think they deserved. From their awkwardly sweet introduction to their final, heartfelt declarations, they personified the truth that love is love is love and that love is something we all deserve. This one gets my enthusiastic, heartfelt recommendation. 

Note: The initial meeting between Jude and Hudson plays out in the short prequel, White-Hot Hookup, which is currently available to download at no charge. I recommend reading it before beginning Down in Flames. 

~~~~~~~~~~ 

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AUTHOR BIO
 
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines - and heroes - who can match their men quip for quip.
 
 
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Review - - Jock Wanted

Jock Wanted

by Kate Meader

Rookie Rebels - Book 7

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: June 14, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

She has her heart set on a hockey player.

Any hockey player.

When the new general manager of the Chicago Rebels tasks Tara Becker with faking it with one of his players to help clean up the naughty jock's act, she's all over it. She'll make that misbehaving hunk of muscle look good and get her dream guy into the bargain.

Only the path from fake to real is riddled with thorns . . .

New Rebels GM Hale Fitzpatrick thinks ditzy blonde and wannabe WAG Tara is the perfect solution to his PR problem - until she isn't. Soon Fitz realizes that maybe he doesn't have control of the strings after all . . . especially when he starts to fall for his pretty little puppet.

A fake relationship hockey romance - with a twist!

PJ's Thoughts:

There's a reason Kate Meader is an auto-buy for me. It doesn't matter how many times she returns to a place (Chicago), an organization (the Rebels), or a group of characters (hockey playing teammates), each story in the original Rebels series as well as the subsequent Rookie Rebels series is fresh, engaging, and addictive as all get out.

I'm fascinated by those one-dimension, (seemingly) throwaway secondary characters who change the rules when they hit the page. That's the impression Tara made on me when first introduced in Foreplayer (Rookie Rebels - Book 4). But gradually, over time, she has shown glimpses of being more than a one-note gold digger and made me begin to wonder if, possibly, there could be more to her than we know? It all comes full circle in Jock Wanted as Meader skillfully begins to unveil the layers and secrets that give this intriguing character the depths that no one imagined. From scorned girlfriend to gold-digging hockey groupie to solid friend, savvy businesswoman, and fully-dimensional character I was happy to root for, Tara is the highlight of this series that I wasn't expecting...but am oh, so happy Ms. Meader gave us!

Then there's Fitz, or Hale, as only Tara calls him. ::deep sigh:: Could the author have created a more perfect counterpart for Tara? I don't think so! What a kind, considerate, sexy man he is at his core. These two gave me so much joy during their up-and-down, push-and-pull journey. The chemistry, the friction, the snappy banter, the confusing attraction, the yearning, the caring, the steam. Oh yes, the steam. So good!

Of course, other Rebels and their partners weave in and out of the story, supporting, meddling, gently nudging, and otherwise helping the story progress. It's always fun when these characters get together. I love catching up with them and there's always plenty of humor but I also appreciate that while Meader allows them to enhance the story, she doesn't allow them to distract from the main couple. This is most definitely Fitz's and Tara's story. I loved it. 

Jock Wanted is the seventh book in Kate Meader's Rookie Rebels series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone but I feel readers will have a better understanding of Tara, her relationships with others, and her growth as a character if they have at least read Foreplayer (book 4).