I want to thank Elle Kennedy and her team at Nina Bocci PR for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Risk, the second book in the Briar U Series.
I was astounded to be accepted for this review, as I have been a huge fan Elle Kennedy’s for years. I first read her most famous book, The Deal back in 2016. The Deal established Elle Kennedy as a go-to author for the Hockey Romance trope. I am also biased in my love for her, because she is a fellow Canadian, and I love supporting Canadian authors.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis: “Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.
And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.
I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.
For every fake date…he wants a real one.
Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and
That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.”
Here are my more detailed thoughts…
- Characters: Breanna and Jake are the protagonists. Breanna is someone I would not want to mess with, she is an incredibly strong character. Jake has his own strength, which complements Breanna’s. Breanna does have these events of her past, that have shaped her into using her strength as a wall to keep others out. When revelations came to light, it only enriched Breanna’s character.
- Setting: I am a sucker for romance novels set in University. This story provides you with a snapshot of college towns in New England, and what it is like to be seeing someone from a college a few towns over.
- Pacing: Elle Kennedy has a great sense of pacing. Her novels run longer than the average contemporary romance, and she uses this to her advantage. The characters are given time to really develop, and to grow.
- Romance: This was such a wonderful love story to read. Breanna began with such a reluctance to fall for Jake, that once she began to fall for him it was so satisfying. Jake, on the other hand, has always prioritized his hockey career, so to read about him allowing himself to fall in love, it was just super sweet.
The Risk receives five out of five stars.
Pick up your own copy here…
Amazon (*affiliate link*): https://amzn.to/2IfAbeR
Thank you again to Elle Kennedy and Nina Bocci PR for the opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
