Rushing the Goal

Assassins Series, Book 8

By: Toni Aleo

Narrated by: Lucy Malone

Lucy Sinclair was no stranger to pain. She grew up with three younger brothers, met a bad boy, got pregnant by him, married him, and then suffered through a nasty divorce from him. Pain. That was pain. To top it off, she even had to go through the heartbreaking divorce of her parents. Through it all, she survived. All she cared about was making sure her daughter was happy and taken care of. It was Angie and only Angie she focused on, but that all changed when Benji Paxton offered to help her daughter on the ice.

Benji knew the moment he saw Lucy, he'd never be the same. Especially when she came with the bundle of crazy that was her daughter. His heart wasn't ready for them. After years spent sobering up and finding who he was without the alcohol, he never forgot he was being punished for not appreciating the love he had when he was younger. Because of his past, he had gotten used to being alone, a recluse, but even he had to admit it was getting old. He was lonely. Hockey wasn't enough anymore. He wanted a family; he wanted his true love, and Lucy and Angie were just that.

Contains mature themes.

©2016 Toni Aleo (P)2016 Tantor

Great continuation!

I loved hearing about the characters from previous books and learning Benji's story. Beware of the rough custody battle.

The final Sinclair sibling.

Recommendation: Read Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #3) before this book (Jace and Ashlyn's story).

It didn't take long into the book to realize I had somehow missed part of the story. Suddenly Jayden and Balyor (Clipped by Love) are engaged, when they weren't in the last book. I knew I had to find their story to read first. (In all actuality, Clipped by Love actually comes before Overtime. I didn't know it until too late though.) Unfortunately, it wasn't until after listening to the Audible version of this book that I realized that Hooked by Love also preceded it in the timeline. I think this book could be understood just fine without reading the other two first, but if you're like me and like hearing the whole story in order, I would suggest reading Hooked by Love first.

Finally we get to hear the story of the oldest Sinclair sibling: Lucy. Hers is the only book of the Sinclairs' that is in the Assassins series instead of the Bellevue Bullies series. We heard Jude's story first in Boarded by Love. Next was Jayden in Clipped by Love. The youngest sibling, Jace, then found love in Hooked by Love.

Lucy has been through a lot, but it has all been worth it to have her little girl, Angie. No matter how much having to deal with Rick might stink, she'll do it for Angie's sake. Having been burned, though, Lucy has no desire to ever love again. She loves her brothers' wives and loves that they are happy and believes in their love, but she doesn't believe in it for herself. She is jaded and, as her brothers put it, she now suffers from a chronic case of resting b*tch face. And despite how horribly she treated Benji the first time they met, he is persistent and she is baffled by it.

Benji suffered a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of his wife, daughter, and younger brother many years ago. While it was the wake up call he needed to get sober, he has carried his perceived guilt over the accident ever since. When Lucy and Angie walk into his life, he is stunned by his feelings toward them. As he falls for both of them, he thinks that maybe God is giving him a shot to be the kind of man they deserve. When Rick starts to make trouble, there is no question in his mind about standing by and fighting alongside Lucy and Angie.

Angie is an absolutely gem. She is so happy and full of life. She is living with ADHD and takes medication to help with the symptoms. Being the jerk he is, Rick refuses to believe she is actually sick and sees it as something Lucy made up (despite the doctor's note saying otherwise). When she is at his house, he won't give her her medication and then gets mad at her when she doesn't "behave" correctly. Sadly, that's just a part of his mistreatment of Angie. Angie loves her mother and suffers through weekends with her dad in a selfless nature.

I loved this story of second chances because both parties had suffered some serious, life-altering pain in their lives. Completely unexpectedly, they find hope in each other. Hope that maybe they can be truly happy after all that has happened. I adore Benji's relationship with Angie. He loves her just as much as he loves her mother and she loves him right back. He treats her like a princess, where her own father only sees her as a way to hurt and manipulate Lucy.

While I didn't believe Rick had a shot at getting full custody of Angie, it still worried me. I hated seeing Angie have to go to his house every other weekend because the shared custody agreement dictated it. I admire Lucy's determination to work something out with Rick to allow him to be in Angie's life, since she doesn't want her daughter to miss out on the opportunity to know her dad. Even when Rick goes for full custody, all she asks for are some alterations to the custody plan (even if I did think she had every right to ask for more).

The book does end in a HEA for Lucy and Benji (and Angie). There is no cliffhanger. Next up is Face-Off at the Altar!

Single mom meets widower dad...

This audiobook was well written and well performed by the narrators. The heromof the story is a arm, likeable character, and the female heroine is a little ball of nervous energy with a young daughter to take care of. With a lot of maneuvering, he gets the heroine to relax enough to go on a date with him where they have a great time. Add in her awful, aggravating and unfaithful ex and there’s trouble on they horizon. They do have a mostly happy story.

So happy!

So happy! That Benji found his happy everafter. He really did deserve it. Angie got a great new dad.

Great book

Really enjoying this entire series. The portrayal of the custody battle and the fighting was so realistic it was almost to painful to listen too but I think that is a sign of great writing. Highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Loving Hero

Excellent book. A swoon worthy hero who loves love no other. A strong woman that has been let down and abused but stays strong for her daughter. If you love hockey and a love story that makes your heart flutter! This is the book.
Benji is the total package who loves Lucy to the moon and back!

Benji

Benji is the kind of man every girl dreams of!! I know these books are long, but Toni gives us the whole picture. I love to know All the details!! Toni's writing just keeps getting better with each book and who doesn't love Lucy Malone's narrating!! I'm ready for the next series, which I have already downloaded!! Worth the credit!!

Great must read series

from book 1 I was hooked. lots of twists and turns, laughter and tears. I recommend you start at the beginning and get the entire series. now I have to watch hockey!

Seeking Male Narrator

This audiobook needed a male and female narrator. The narrators voice could not change enough between the two POVs so it became confusing.

Goal Run!!

Where does Rushing the Goal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Within the top 10 of my favs

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lucy as the heroine and Benji as the Hero and even Lucy's Daughter Angie

What about Lucy Malone’s performance did you like?

Everything. She portrayed the characters very well. Voices were just great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I love hearing about the other characters in passing. Awesome story. Glad all the titles are available.