Bombshells by Sarina Bowen

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Title: Bombshells
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn #5
Published by: Indie
Release Date: April 13, 2021
Format: eARC
Pages: 305
Genres: Sports Romance, Contemporary, Romance
Source: the author
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Spring
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

The women's league is in the house! And Brooklyn will never be the same again for Anton Bayer and the team…

This is my last chance to ditch my playboy reputation and finally fulfill my potential. So I’ve made three rules for our biggest season yet: no boozing, no women, and no scandals.

Especially that last thing.

So who do I befriend on the very first day back at the rink? An amazing female hockey player. I want Sylvie in a way that’s more than just friendly. I crave her. But I have a championship to win, and so does she.

Then she gets her heart broken by my teammate, and I make the foolish mistake of comforting her in the best way I know how. Our night together sets off a string of sins.

Nobody can know about our affair, especially my overprotective teammate. I can’t let anyone see into my greedy little heart. Not even her.

The things I want from her, and the things we’ve already done? If anyone knew, there’d be bombshells.
Contains: a defenseman with dreamy blue eyes, a female goalie with bad ideas, a major battle of the sexes and a swimming pool scene...

My Review:

I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — Wow, I did not expect to love Baby Bayer as much as I did.  I mean, I always know Ms. Bowen is going to give me great characters, but I really fell for Anton.  And it didn’t hurt that he had the perfect paramour in Sylvie!

Sylvie was straightforward and down to earth in so many ways.  I loved seeing her trying to tackle this new opportunity, while balancing the hardships of being the backup goalie.  I really appreciated that while she had leftover feelings hanging around for one player, she was fairly practical about it.  She made sure to confront her emotions, and she didn’t hide from them.  It was just refreshing.  I even appreciated the way her grief was represented — because it changes as time goes on.  It was very real.  Oh yeah, and she was just super fun!

And then there’s Anton.  Oh that sweet boy.  Who knew?  I seriously wasn’t sure what he was going to be about, but I fell for his earnestness and approachability…which is kind of a weird thing to say, but I don’t know how else to say it.  He tried so hard to do the right thing, even though it was hella complicated.  And even though he struggled with his emotions, he didn’t hide from them necessarily.  He just needed some help getting over some shiznit.

Their romance was so complicated, but yet so hot.  The chemistry was there right from the beginning, and I loved that despite someone else being in the background, I truly felt their connection — from crushes and swoopy feelings to friendship to MORE.  It was actually hard to see them stumble occasionally, even if I sort of understood what was going on from each perspective.  But yeah, wow, seriously great steam factor in this one.

I was worried that the “other teammate” thing was going to be a problem, and while it was complicated, it didn’t prevent me from falling in love with them together.  The feelings were pretty laid out for the reader, so I was able to invest in them.

I ADORED the Bombshells stuff, seeing this women’s pro hockey team take off…to see the challenges and differences.  I loved meeting Sylvie’s fellow players, and seeing potential stories for the future.  Anton’s brothers were a total surprise, especially the incorrigible Rudy (I think?)!  And OMG, I absolutely LOVED the swimming stuff!!  That all brought out a whole new layer to Anton, and I loved the way he bonded with his guys.

Start to finish, this book was a hit for me.  It had me smiling and laughing, and rooting for a sweet couple that deserved their HEA.