Delay of Game

San Francisco Strikers Series, Book 3

By: Stephanie Kay

Narrated by: Samantha Cook

Can secrets designed to protect the ones they love end up tearing them apart?

From a painful past nobody knows about to aspirations for the future, Sophia Lanzi has learned to lock things away to please those around her and to protect herself. Landing a job working for the top sports physical therapist in the city, avid hockey fan Sophia is taking a step toward fulfilling her dreams.

But when sexy hockey player Eric "Finn" Finnegan enters the clinic for treatment after a devastating injury on the ice, Sophia only has more secrets to keep, as she develops more than a crush on her patient.

The last thing Finn needs is a distraction, and especially in the form of Sophia Lanzi, a beautiful physical therapy assistant. Finn is desperate to get back to the game he loves and prove to everyone that their investment in him has been worth it, but the chemistry with Sophia is too strong to deny. Finn and Sophia can't resist each other, and a kiss leads to a secret relationship. Secrets aren't new to Finn, either, and he's holding one that can destroy his family if it's ever discovered.

©2018 Stephanie Kay (P)2020 Tantor

Hot Hockey Romance.

This was a fun read. Sophia wants nothing to do with the family business and is becoming a physical therapist. And Finn is trying to rush through recovery to be back for opening night. Since Sophia is into hockey... she knows exactly who Finn is. Their first meeting didn't go all that well... but very quickly Sophia is torn between her new career and her feelings for Finn.

It has a secret relationship among other secrets. I wanted to finish it because I wondered how it would play out when things hit the fan. I got through it fairly quickly.

Loved this stroy

I have now read the available series on Audible and I loved it. Just the right blend of story, romance, spice and tension. I hope that she brings the whole 8 book series to Audible. The first 4 stories have substance and blend the right mix without the angst and avoid the over-the-top drama that is draining.

I like that prior main characters from the previous books (and future MC's) play a background part and provide color and context without overwhelming the focus of the main characters. It really ads to the read.

In each case the trope was thoughtfully considered and a slightly different pitch is introduced. I like the way that the characters remain true to their back-story and there is no need to introduce new or twisting turns to follow the story.

I really enjoyed Finn’s steadfastness and the way that he dealt with Sophia’s issues. Sophia has always fitted into a large family with traditional expectations but the story plays out well and makes sense.

The reader was really good and never tried to over-play the characters.

Anxiety

I’m sure I’ll like this book in the end because I’m invested in the audio series at this point, but this book is giving me anxiety! I’m a health care worker and you aren’t even considering HIPAA when she’s discussing her patients with friends. Then there’s the kissing at work! FFS. The girl is really trying to create a boundary and repeatedly stating it’s unprofessional for her. He could have respected that and waited until he’s not a patient anymore but he keeps pushing it. So annoyed by that and honestly makes him a red flag. The story could have showed them getting to know each other during that time with plenty of steam in other areas.

Abuse not reported

Parent influences in her life and she did what they wanted her to do to do