Back in Play

By: Lynda Aicher

Narrated by: Cooper North

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

For Minnesota Glaciers captain Scott Walters, skating on a bum knee - and self-medicating to keep skating on it - is all part of the game. That the painkillers he's eating prevent him from having meaningful relationships is just one more sacrifice in a lifetime of them. He’s worked too hard to let his image be ruined by injury or dependency, so he hides the pain and fakes the rest - a girlfriend would only complicate matters.

High school teacher Rachel Fielding never needed a man in her life, but she also never intended to grow old alone. When she meets Scott while visiting her brother, she’s intrigued to find herself wanting him in her bed. For hours at a time, as often as possible. Scott is a giver, and just the memory of his attentions is enough to drive her crazy. Anything long term is out of the question, though - the pills she finds in Scott's house indicate he's struggling with a lot more than growing older in a young man's game.

When what starts out as a what-the-hell weeklong fling turns into Scott and Rachel exploring each other outside of the bedroom, Rachel hesitates. But Scott asks for her support to break his addiction, and hearing him admit his secrets has her ignoring her own rules - until he breaks her heart. With the Glaciers refusing to renew his contract and his future with Rachel uncertain, Scott has some big decisions to make and a lot to prove - especially to himself.

©2015 Lynda Aicher (P)2015 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited.

Excellent read

I really like the character development, twists in the plot, real life struggles and of course incredibly hot sex scenes!! Another winner by Lynda! I really like the Glaciers characters and The Den characters overlapping to!

Blah

This book might have been better but Samantha got on my nerves. The characters inner monologue made me want to slap some sense into them. "Oh I love him but I can't have him and I won't communicate with him on why".

Hockey Hottie Meets School Teacher

Scott is the captain of the professional hockey team, the Minnesota Glaciers. He has been self medicating a bad knee for years. Because he is ashamed of his drug use and injury, he has kept everyone, including women at bay for years.

Rachel is a high school teacher and "old maid" by her friends and family standards. Scott and Rachel meet at her brothers partners art show and she is fascinated with him. Her instant attraction leads them into a sexual frenzy to die for.

He is a more than willing & giving partner in the bedroom. However, there is something that is not quite right, Rachel senses.

During contract negotiations, denied long-distance romance, drug addiction and a lot of other hurdles, Rachel and Scott fumble their way through each situation with great uncertainty on how things will conclude.

Again, for those who are familiar with Linda Aicher and her "Bonds Of" series [aka "Wicked Play" Series] may be a bit disappointed because it is not as intensely sexual as those.


Cooper North is very good. I have really enjoyed his performance. Each character sounds unique and believable. I'll look for him when pursuing future titles.

Notes: Mature themes, strong language, definitely for the 18+ age groups.

Thank you for reading my review. If you found it helpful, please take a moment to select yes directly below this text. Thanks again!

30 Something Gritty Drama

At first I was engrossed by the story of Scott (34), a professional hockey player with a drug problem who meets Rachel (35) a high school teacher. Their budding romance was complicated by his addiction and geography (they live in different states), emotional baggage from previous relationships. While the plot began with some humor and hot sex, the book soon turned gritty, complicated and weird.

Scott was basically a goodhearted man, who cared about his family & friends but was blinded by a relentless desire to keep playing a sport his body could no longer handle. Rachel wanted to get married and have children but quickly realized that Scott was not ready to give up his career.

In spite of the drugs, Scott was mostly gentle and loving. There was one scene where he slaps Rachel, which she accepted without protest - very weird. Scott was close to his sister and her children and otherwise seemed to like and respect women. Likewise, Rachel didn't seem like the wimpy type who would allow a man to hit her.

In another weird twist, Rachel's brother Rock acted extremely protective of her, threatening Scott with violence if he hurt his Rachel. Ironically, Rock worked at a BDSM club where he assists other men in beating, torturing and degrading women for thrills. Evidently he didn't care that those abused women were someone else's sister, daughter, mother or friend.

p.s. The narration was excellent.