San Francisco Thunder #4, Even though this is a SF Thunder book is does lean more toward just being a straight Contemporary Romance than a Sports Romance. The last Braddock sister finally finds her true HEA and it's not with anyone we have previously met. I loved how emotional charged this book is compared to the others, it's all about grieving and starting over again.

Winnie is grieving differently than her siblings, she finally come to the realization she couldn't be happy with her boyfriend of ten years especially after he cheated on her so she did what she should have done two years ago and dumped him. Now all she wants is to be left alone where she can drown her sorrow and grieve in peace without her siblings butting in. But doing this in the family summer home was disrupted when Holden Hendricks sets up right outside and starts the renovations her brother had secretly planned.

Holden didn't leave town his childhood hometown on a good not when he was a teenager. He was an angry kid in need of attention after his mother died and he got into all sorts of trouble that eventually landed him in juvie. Since then he's worked hard first with construction and worked his way up to contractor. The whole reason he moved back home was to be closer to his older sister and her son but it's a bridge he burned a long time ago and rebuilding it is harder than he hoped. He's hoping that if the renovations and remodeling of homes will help people see him in a different light especially the Braddock sibling he teased mercilessly and who also happened to be is favorite, Winnie.

The attraction is strong with these two it's practically been simmering beneath the surface since they were kids. Holden is hesitant for a lot of reasons, Winnie just broke up with her really long time boyfriend and is grieving but mostly she hates him. Winnie as much as she wants to hate Holden he is a different person from when he was younger he wants to make things right with the people he hurt and Winnie believes in him. But there are obstacles for them to get over mostly ones they created themselves.

Overall, a very emotional book and a really hot romance. I loved Winnie and Holden they are just perfect for each other. There is some hockey so it's not entirely devoid of sports. This book had funny moments, hot encounters, and plenty of emotion. I'd love to see some more of the SF Thunder boys get their own book. 

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

Oh my gosh. This book. I loved this book! When this book made its way to my house, I really hadn't heard much about it. One look at that yummy cover and I bumped it close to the top of my reading schedule. I took another look at the cover and noticed the hockey stick and was completely sold so I decided to forget about reading schedules and just started reading this book. And I didn't want to stop. I fell completely in love with this book and am so happy that it made its way into my hands. 

This story focuses on Dixie and Elijah. Dixie works in the PR department at the San Francisco Thunder hockey team. Her brother is a star player on the team but Dixie is keeping that little piece of information under wraps. Elijah, or Eli, is an up and coming hockey player. His brother is the captain of the San Francisco Thunder and Eli is a goalie for their minor league team. 

Dixie and Eli are fantastic together from the very start. I could almost feel their chemistry dripping off of the pages before I even finished the prologue. I wanted to see these two figure out how to be together from the very start. Dixie works for the Thunder and is very dedicated to her job which happens to have rules about employees dating players. Eli doesn't play for the Thunder so a little flirting couldn't hurt. Oh boy, how these two flirt! Their flirting was a lot of fun. It was sexy at times and often funny. They pass cheesy lines back and forth which I found completely amusing. 

There is some drama in the story but I loved how there was never any doubt as to what Dixie and Eli felt for each other. Eli has some issues to deal with from his past which kept things interesting while Dixie had some serious family issues to handle. Dixie and Eli had things going on in their life but they always wanted each other. They just had to figure out a way to make that happen.

I would highly recommend this book to others. It had the perfect mix of romance, heat, and humor to really keep the pages turning. This is the second book in the San Francisco Thunder series but I read it as a stand alone with absolutely no problem. This was the first time that I have read Victoria Denault's work but I am looking forward to reading more from her in the near future.

I received an advanced reader edition of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing).

Initial Thoughts
I loved this book! Eli and Dixie were so good together. They had amazing chemistry and just seemed to be having a lot of fun with each other. The bad lines that they used with each other were fantastic.

This is book #2, in the San Francisco Thunder series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For reader enjoyment and understanding, I recommend reading this series in order.

Dixie is working in the publicist department for this amazing hockey franchise, she finds there are rules that restrict her personal life.  Rules she is willing to live by - to achieve her goals.  Until it runs into her current guy. 

Elijah is excited to be working with his brother's team.  It is like a dream come true.  He is extremely attracted to an employee, who is afraid for her job if they get together.  He has his own demons from the past, and forging a future currently seems like an uphill climb.

This was such an amazing addition to the series!  I loved the characters right from the beiginning.  Their banter, the tease, the sparks.... oh my!  This was a joy to read.  I laughed right along, and felt riveted when with each new page.  I give this book a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.