Twisted Wrister

The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances, Book 7

By: G.K. Brady

Narrated by: Scott Rose, Samantha Brentmoor

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

He’s a hockey-playing trivia nerd who doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after. She’s an ambitious attorney looking for Prince Charming. Can love score a win, or will it get iced?

Blake Barrett’s wicked wrist shot is fueling his meteoric rise in the NHL. But the top center for the championship team needs some practice when it comes to his skills off the ice. When the hot next-door neighbor offers the awkward athlete kissing lessons, Blake is all in. And he’s in no danger of falling for the sassy attorney because his heart’s in permafrost after his parents’ disastrous marriage taught him that happily-ever-after doesn’t exist.

Michaela Wagner has scrapped for a position in a prestigious law firm, and her love life has taken a hit. She’s a big believer in fairy-tale endings, though. Prince Charming might not have popped up in her dating apps or at any speed-dating events, but he’s out there waiting for her. One thing’s certain: he’s definitely not the hunky hockey player living next door … even if the guy’s endearing modesty and intense green eyes cause her pulse to skyrocket.

As they grow closer, Blake’s distrust of romance unravels like spent hockey tape, while Michaela’s misgivings about her trivia-slinging neighbor melt away. But past fears make a happy ending for these two as elusive as a Stanley Cup win.

When desire faces off against doubt, will their inconvenient attraction survive the penalty box?

©2021 G.K. Brady (P)2024 G.K. Brady

Loved this audio!

This was a cute story about a professional hockey player (Blake) and a hard working attorney (Michaela) who meet when she moves in next door to him. Blake’s roommate immediately sets his sights on their new neighbor, so Blake decides to play wingman for him. I liked that Blake was kind of awkward, but it drove me crazy how next level he was about the bro code when his friend was a total dirtbag. I am all about being a good pal but I couldn’t stand his bestie/teammate/roommate whose name I don’t even remember now because I tend to block out these types of characters 🤣 Michaela was a great FMC though - she was feisty, ambitious, and fun. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the performances by narrators Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor.

A Great Hockey Romance

*I listened to the audiobook *
This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last. I went in blind and fell in love with these characters. I can't wait to continue the series. Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor narrated and they were fantastic. I highly recommend this series.

Brady and Brentmoor are a winning pair…

This was a pleasant continuation of Brady’s series. Book 7 focuses on the undeniable connection between Blake and Michaela, while continuing to build the Blizzard roster (I can’t wait for Cam’s book!). The MCs made for a good pair, with solid chemistry as both friends and lovers, and I enjoyed watching their connection blossom. Michaela is very driven and I just genuinely liked her, even in her weaker moments. Blake was also pretty likable for most of the story and his tensions with his family and with Ferguson were well developed. And though his attitude took a convenient turn towards a-holeville just in time for the third act breakup, I enjoyed that his “grand gesture” of redemption was actually just a quiet moment of honesty between the two lovers. It was a deft move on Brady’s part that highlights how a satisfying story conflict resolution doesn’t need bells and whistles to work. Plus the call back to the beginning with the couch was a fun touch.

My favorite part of my TW experience was Samantha Brentmoor’s narration in the audiobook. She lifted every moment she portrayed and augmented Michaela’s appeal. I feel like I have gushed over Brentmoor in just about every review, but she’s just that awesome. I only wish she had been paired with a stronger co-narrator. Maybe Scott Rose is suffering by comparison, but I found his performance a bit one-note. He was serviceable, but I couldn’t help but wish for a more varied performance for Blake. Despite that, I did enjoy the audiobook as a whole and do consider this another Brady audio that is well worth a listen.

Overall, a solid addition to the Playmakers series and recommended. Looking forward to the next.

I received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books and read via KU. All opinions are my own.

Great Story & Narration🎧 Captivating & Emotional!

G.K. Brady is back with another fantastic addition to her “Playmakers” series, a series of standalone sports romance novels with each book featuring a different player of the professional hockey team and their love interest or soon to be love interest. This seventh book is Blake Barrett and Michaela Wagner’s story, a story that grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it straight to the end. Blake shares an apartment with his friend and teammate Owen Ferguson, who is a player on and off the ice. When they meet their new neighbor, Michaela, it is Ferguson who calls dibs, but it is Blake who interacts with her the most because Ferguson is too busy playing the field. Michaela is a lawyer working in a law firm and is looking to become a partner one day. The competition is fierce, but that does not intimidate her or her ambition. She has had no luck in the dating department and it has crossed her mind that maybe something could happen with one of her new neighbors. The thought was brief and the more she gets to know Blake, the more she drawn to him and his nerdy trivia spurts. He gives off mixed signals, so she is not sure he is interested. Except he is interested and is trying to be true to his friend who claims to be interested, though he has a funny way of showing it, or rather not showing it. I could not figure out Ferguson’s angle and was wondering why he was being such a jerk. Thankfully, he redeems himself and all is good in the end. Brady sure put these characters through the wringer and made them work to get to their happily ever after. I loved all the layers of the story, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. There is plenty of drama, which includes family, relationship and workplace drama, angst, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. G.K. Brady, thank you for another fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧📚🎧And for the fabulous narration, Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were, giving each a voice that was suitable and believable. Brentmoor nailed it as Michaela, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her sassy intelligence to her fierceness and all in between, including her caring and loving side. Rose nailed it as Blake Barrett and he, too, grasped all sides of his personality, from his insecurities to his confident side, as well as his nerdy side. Both were just as fabulous performing the roles of the secondary characters, too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling each one.  These two made a great team, their voices and performance complimented each other and the quality of their audio was top-notch. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen. 

I can't get enough of this series!

Twisted Wrister is book #7 in The Playmakers series. It can be a standalone, but you won't want to miss this sizzling hockey team! Blake is becoming a star on his hockey team, the Colorado Blizzard, while his roommate is falling behind, driving a wedge in their friendship. Michaela is the youngest attorney at her firm, vying for a shot at partner against another attorney who shows too much unwanted interest in her. I love this series and this story is another barnburner. Ms. Brady gives us angst, enemies-to-lovers, a little suspense and intrigue, and lots of hilarious banter between the team and the main characters. And the red couch? Yeah, we all want one now...

The narration was fantastic! Samantha Brentmoor gave us the tough talking lawyer with sass and spice. Scott Rose is a new narrator for me and is now on my watch list. His performance of Blake was exactly what you would expect...the hot guy next door that makes for sleepless nights! 5 stars for this duo.

Great story with awesome narration

GK writes fantastic stories with amazing characters. Blake and Michaela’s initial meeting wasn’t the greatest but as they got to know one another they made everything look so easy. Their banter and overall dialogue was fantastic. They both have some baggage and things they are working through and are great support for one another other. Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor delivered amazing performances. Scott is a new to me narrator but I really enjoyed his voice and he gave the characters perfect personality, emotion and voice. Samanatha is one of my favorites narrators….love her voice. She also gave the characters perfect voice, emotion and personality.

Surprising

Twisted Wrister is surprising. At first I didn't like the characters. by the end I was so invested in they're life that I am now wanting more. I think what made me like them more was them saying to hell with Ferguson. I really like the part at the ice skating rink. it was sweet in it's own way. Now Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor at first I didn't like them either but they too grew on me, they this book so perfect. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Slow burn with great characters and great narration

This is the first book I have read or listen to by G.K. Brady so I can vouch that Twisted Wrister can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone and with that being said I will be checking out the previous books in The Playmakers Series as soon as time permits. I will also be checking out other works by this author.

Scott Rose and Samantha Brentmoor did a fantastic job bringing the characters and their story to life. They were spot on with banter and camaraderie the team share as well as the love and passion his couple share and they were also very easy to listen to.

Blake Barrett is living the dream, star center for a professional hockey team, he knows his game inside out but when it comes to his life off the ice, he isn’t quite as confident.
Michaela Wagner is Blake’s neighbour and what she has seen of him, she doesn’t like but he is only meant to be the wingman for his teammate and Roomie Owen so what does it matter what she thinks. Problem is the more time they spend together it’s Blake who realises he really wants this woman in his life. But how will Owen react when he realises he is not in the picture…..
This is a couple that start off on the wrong foot, they move to friendship and eventually lovers, it’s a slow burn romance that has wonderful characters, it’s raw, it’s hot bit more importantly it’s honest and realistic. If you love sports romance this should be on your TBR list.

The series just gets better

I have absolutely loved this series and I keep thinking that the last one I read was the best. Well, this is now my favorite. I loved Blake and Michaela. There was great humor, growth for the characters and an overall fun listen. Samantha Brentmoor and Scott Rose did a wonderful job with all the characters. They both really had me feeling what the characters were feeling. Overall one of my favorite listens so far this year.

Meet ugly—with your neighbor. Perfectly cast!!

Thanks to Home Cooked Books for the ALC.

Twisted Wrister
by G.K. Brady

(standalone in The Playmakers series)

Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor & Scott Rose

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) but only a couple of detailed scenes

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 I can’t get enough of Samantha Brentmoor telling me stories. She has such a cute but badass way about her and such a perfect combination for being Michaela Wagner.
🤩 Scott Rose is a perfect pick for Blake Barrett—so good at being timid and unsure at first but then bringing all the attraction and desire when he couldn’t keep it in. But, still staying in Blake character and unsure of his bursting hormones.
🤩 Meet ugly—isn’t it as good as a meet cute, if not better?!
🤩 Next door neighbors—a pro hockey player and a junior lawyer.
🤩 Fun and funny parts, like day drinking.
🤩 He cooks! He takes care of his needy mother and little sister. He’s book boyfriend material.
🤩 Let’s see if you need kissing lessons. And, when they finally get more practice.
🤩 Oh goodness, the deep longing I feel for Blake to be brave and go for what he wants and deserves.
🤩 When she needs him and his trivia to keep her grounded.
🤩 Oh, wow, these two MCs are beautiful and hot together. The delicious details were working on me.
🤩 When he traces her tattoo—amazing touches.
🤩 In a bookish world of so many alphas, it’s refreshing to have sweet cinnamon roll Blake so enamored with M and wanting to please her.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 The whole “throwing his roommate at me” thing got a tiny bit annoying. But it made the FINALLY feeling oh so good.
💫 Such good writing, but it’s hard when a friend is being a jerk. And when life has been hard. Ugh, this one has some seriously deep experiences and emotions. (Trigger warning: alcoholic and verbally abusive parent on page.)
💫 Third act breakups can feel so heart-wrenching. But it builds the longing. I prefer some lusty goodness afterward. The ending is very cute and flirty. Some spicy steam would make it even better.
💫 I honestly don’t remember if there was any hockey. I like a little hockey in my hockey romance.