Rookie Move

The Brooklyn Bruisers Series, Book 1

By: Sarina Bowen

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella, Rock Engle

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first novel in a sexy new series featuring the hockey players of the Brooklyn Bruisers and the women who win their hearts.

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.

©2016 Sarina Bowen (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

1st Bowen Book I’m not a Fan of **SPOILERS**

I was shocked to admit it, but I was not a huge fan of this book! Most of my qualms comes from the storyline and the fact that it was supposed to be a “Hot Damn” on the romance scale—it was not. My favorite SB books have been Him, Man Hands, and Goodbye Paradise. Not sure why I haven’t enjoyed the Bruisers or for that matter the True North series. To be fully honest, I will likely attempt to read more books in both series because of particular character interest. So not a total loss, but I really did not enjoy Georgia and Leo as leads.
*SMALL SPOILERS NOW*
I thought it was really odd they hadn’t spoken in 6 years and just jumped into bed with each other. Especially considering the huge emotional impact that had forced them to separate. Plus they both had unresolved feelings from their previous relationship. It really made no sense and was frankly a let down on Bowen’s part to allow an emotionally fragile couple ‘just happen’. I also don’t like it when adults act like kids and refuse to talk about something.That’s just immature. I’m here for a healthy relationship and good sex. I was let down on both counts. The sex scenes were not only short, but lacked exciting description. Not what I’m used to from Bowen’s other works. I’d say this book falls more into the line of “Sizzling”—but just barely! I found I had the same experience when I read the first of the True North series. except the sexy scenes in that book were far better.

Overall, I craved more character development and a real reason that Georgia and Leo needed to be together other than that they liked sleeping together.

Much more emotional than I expected!

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed this story. Leo is so unbelievably sweet! He really is the perfect guy- so caring and kind. His love for Georgia was swoontastic!
I loved the whole second chance romance of it- how, even after 6 years, they were still so much in love with each other. And I loved that there wasn't outside drama when it came to Leo and his GiGi. This was their story, their issues, their hang-ups to work through. A lot happened between them as teenagers, more than any 18 year should have to deal with, and they needed to address all of it to be able to move forward.
I saw another reviewer say they thought Georgia was whiney and jealous and I just had to wonder what book they listened to??? I didn't find her whiney at all, and the only hint of jealousy was dealt with in a fun way. She was strong and focused, and determined not to let anything hold her back.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorites were the scenes when Leo and Georgia really opened up to each other, when they finally talked about everything that had happened six years ago.
I was so anxious to find out why Georgia's dad had such an issue with Leo, and when all that came to a head it was such a relief!
Listening to the scene with Leo and her dad had me in tears! You could tell the love was still there, underneath all the animosity that had been held onto.
And don't even get me started on poor Leo, and the whole misunderstanding in the training room! My God, my heart hurt for him!

Very enjoyable.

Really enjoyed the True North series and immediately jumped into the Brooklyn Bruisers. Equally good. Sarina Bowen writes very entertaining stories.

It's a no for me.

The story was good enough but I didn't adapt to the fact that it was written in the third person. I had the constant impression that I was listening to a movie with audio description. And I didn't like the narration. I won't buy the rest of the books.

Fun second chance at love romance

Sarina Bowen's Rookie Move was a book I couldn't stop listening to. Leo and Georgia were a great couple with a past and incredible chemistry. The story moved smoothly with a great cast of secondary characters whose stories I'm looking forward to.
Nicol Zanzarella and Rock Engle did a wonderful job with the narration.

cute

not as steamy as I would like and didn't move along as I like either but cute story.

Heart swelling love story

I laughed, I almost cried, this book was so good. Super steamy with a great plot. Loved it.

The story I've been waiting for

Sarina Bowen does the hockey romance genre like nobody's business, she never fails to suck you in. That being said, she made me a huge fan with her Ivy Years series, which is where I first came to know Leo Trevi and then of his history with Georgia. It was the story line I really wanted to see next, so I can't express how happy I was to see their story play out for this new series. It was absolutely perfect, and I'm actually glad that we see them after college as opposed to during. The performances were excellent and the back and forth was gratifying to see. Well done, and thank you for another fabulous story Sarina. It's always a pleasure. 10 stars and credit worthy for sure!

Men, especially teammates, crack me up!

This book has two sides to it....the first side is the lighthearted, amusing antics between the teammates. I actually lol more than once. I played women’s basketball for 12 years and I can tell you that interpersonal relationships between women athletes is not as congenial as with men. Men haze, tease and taunt each other, unmercifully, and it brings the team together. This is not the case with women’s sports teams. I have always admired this quality in men.

The second half of this books involves a complex story of three people who have been emotionally scarred by a single sexual assault that altered each of their lives profoundly but differently. There is the common angst caused misunderstandings due to miscommunication , but wasn’t overdone. Everything gets ironed out, in the end, and everyone gets their HEA!
Just hit download, you won’t regret it!
-V from Kansas

What a great story and performance

I'm not usually a sports-romance listener and have never been to a hockey game in my life. But trust me here: This is a great story with great performances. Trigger warning for rape survivors <3 ... the main female lead is a survivor. Wonderful supporting cast of sequel/series bait, and there are several I want to hear. Can't wait for the next one!