Trade Deadline by Jodi Oliver

Jodi Oliver's debut novel, Trade Deadline, takes us into the world of Chicago Thunder hockey and introduces us to playboy Blaine and mild-mannered hockey fan Alex in the first book in the series.

From the blurb

BLAINE

When my name is involved in yet another scandal, I’m told to keep my head down and my stats up.

The trade deadline is looming, and I don’t want to leave Chicago.

But that night, I meet Alex. The guy with the bluest eyes and the kindest smile.

My reputation precedes me, and he’s determined to resist me, but the more time we spend together, the harder it is to deny the chemistry between us.

He’s someone who might make me want to change for the better.

But can we survive the slap shots that come our way, or will my scandalous past hit harder than any defenseman could?

ALEX

Being a lifelong Chicago Thunder fan, I know that Blaine Olsen is trouble.

Because all hockey players are.

He’s a notorious playboy, and I refuse to be another notch on his bedpost.

But when he shows me the part of himself he keeps hidden, it gets harder to resist him.

I can’t afford any distractions though. I’m up to my eyeballs in debt, doing everything I can to keep my head—and family business—above water.

Will Blaine prove me wrong and show me a hockey player could be my Prince Charming after all?

Trade Deadline is a low angst, hockey player/fan sports romance. It has team shenanigans, fast paced hockey, cheesy texting, no third-act break-up and puppies. It is book one in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.

Heather's Review:

How can you go wrong when you combine hockey, shenanigans, baking and puppies in a low-angst romance?    Jodi Oliver's debut hockey novel has all this and more.  I love the interplay between Blaine and Alex and just how hesitant Alex is at every step... and how Blaine comes to understand and appreciate Alex's caution.

Trade Deadline is a great start to this author's writing journey and the start of what should be a great series!  If you like low angst sports romance with lots of hockey talk, on and off ice action and two men who deserve to find love, you'll want to add this book to your TBR.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Trade Deadline is currently available in paperback and e-book formats and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.