So Over You
Chicago Rebels #2
By Kate Meader
Releasing December 4th, 2017
Pocket Star Books
In So Over You (Chicago Rebels #2) by Kate Meader, Isobel Chase was going places in the National Women's Hockey League until a horrible accident ended her career. Now though, she's determined to help her sisters lead the Chicago Rebels to the playoffs, even if it means giving extra coaching sessions to Vadim Petrov to whip him back into tip-top shape after his injury and bad season that ended with him being traded to a team in trouble. Will Vadim be able to win both the girl and help his new team get to where they need to be in the standings, or will one wrong move cause Isobel and Vadim to go their separate ways?
Having absolutely loved the first book of this series where Isobel was reunited with her two estranged sisters, I couldn't wait to dive into this book and it was everything I'd hoped for and more. Not only because it encompasses two incredible main characters that have powerful chemistry and are very deserving of their second chance at forever after; but because it had such compelling dialogue that was the perfect combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories as well as past history and teasing banter that had me loving this couple's growing relationship, as they find their way back to each other despite the rocky start they have when they first come face-to-face.
The way this story started with the prologue sets the fast-pace of this story, as it had me sympathizing with what the heroine goes through and had me wanting to know what sort of effect what happened to Isobel had on her. How bad was her injury? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time that made this story very intriguing, as this couple have a past that makes Vadim surly towards Isobel because of all that went wrong between them. Will Isobel be able to make things right with Vadim, so she can work with him without too much awkwardness?
As for the heroine, she's resilient and courageous with everything she's been through and I could understand why she was so stubborn when it came to her career goals and not wanting things to be over when things could be dangerous for her if she ever played professionally again. I also liked how she handled everything thrown at her and that the hero did everything he could to protect her honor. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is the growing relationship she had with her sisters and that Harper and Violet weren't afraid to say whatever was on their minds to her, especially when it came to her relationship with Vadim.
While the hero, he has abandonment issues because of his mother and I could understand why he's not over it, even though the woman in question is back in his life. Will he ever learn the truth of why she left? Moreover, the hero is a great brother, which is proven by what he did for his sister that brought them together. I also liked his confidence when it came to his abilities as an ice hockey player and when it came to the heroine. How could she possibly say no to him? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was how protective he was of the heroine, even if it means protecting her from herself.
Overall, Ms. Meader has delivered an outstanding read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was wonderful; the romance nicely-detailed and sizzling; and the ending had me liking how the secondary characters encouraged the heroine to make things right with Vadim after how things go awry between them. Why does Isobel have to be so stubborn? However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as Isobel might not have fulfilled her dream of winning the elusive gold, but she certainly got the best prize of all -- a second chance with her Mr. Right. I would recommend So Over You by Kate Meader, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Kimberly Kincaid, Kelly Jamieson, Lia Riley and Sawyer Bennett.
Three estranged sisters struggle to sustain their late father’s failing hockey franchise in Kate Meader’s sizzling Chicago Rebels series. In this second entry, middle sister Isobel is at a crossroads in her personal and professional lives. But both are about to get a significant boost with the addition of a domineering Russian powerhouse to the Rebels….
Isobel Chase knows hockey. She played NCAA, won Olympic silver, and made it thirty-seven minutes into the new National Women’s Hockey League before an injury sidelined her dreams. Those who can’t, coach, and a position as a skating consultant to her late father’s hockey franchise, the Chicago Rebels, seems like a perfect fit. Until she’s assigned her first job: the man who skated into her heart as a teen and relieved her of her pesky virginity. These days, left-winger Vadim Petrov is known as the Czar of Pleasure, a magnet for puck bunnies and the tabloids alike. But back then… let’s just say his inability to sink the puck left Isobel frustratingly scoreless.
Vadim has a first name that means “ruler,” and it doesn’t stop at his birth certificate. He dominates on the ice, the practice rink, and in the backseat of a limo. But a knee injury has produced a bad year, and bad years in the NHL don’t go unrewarded. His penance? To be traded to a troubled team where his personal coach is Isobel Chase, the woman who drove him wild years ago when they were hormonal teens. But apparently the feeling was not entirely mutual.
That Vadim might have failed to give Isobel the pleasure that was her right is intolerable, and he plans to make it up to her—one bone-melting orgasm at a time. After all, no player can perfect his game without a helluva lot of practice…
BUY NOW!
“This little job
is the difference between you playing and not. Dancing with the Stars, Vaddy baby. It’s where all the washed-up
pros end up.”
Annoyed at his reaction to her, he skated away, throwing
out over his shoulder, “I will be playing, Isobel. You will have no say in that.
I spoke with Moretti—it is clear why you have this job.”
Her brow crimped. Naturally, it was adorable. “Please.
Enlighten me.”
“He is new and no doubt under pressure to bow to the
owners. You can write your own ticket.”
“If that’s the case, I’d just appoint myself as head coach
and be done with it.”
“You are also conscious of what the fans and media think,
so you are starting small. Really, you could have called or texted, Isobel. Buying my
contract seems like a lot of work to bring me back into your world.”
“You weren’t my first
choice. But luckily your poor play this season meant Quebec was happy to
offload you.”
He ignored the brief stab. The last six months had been
difficult. Isobel understood this, yet they could not resist these little cuts.
“I think you wanted to be closer to me. Just like before,
right, Bella?”
A blush crept up her cheeks on hearing his endearment for
her.
He would test her. Make
her angry and emotional. Make her cry. Because angry, emotional criers were not
the stuff of coaches. If she was serious about a career in the NHL, she would
hear worse.
She would get him game
fit. He would get her battle ready.
He continued to needle.
“Yes, I think that must be it. It seems that the female owners of the Rebels
would like to abuse their position and use the players for their personal
pleasure. Your sister and Remy DuPre—that is interesting.”
“Is it?”
“Harper may have duped a
Rebel player into her bed, but please don’t imagine you and I will be renewing
our acquaintance in a similar manner.”
That got her attention, at last. Her creamy
skin blazed, her crimson mouth twitched, and even from a distance he could see
those melted-shamrock eyes darken. She looked like she wanted scream at him. Burst into tears. Slap his
face.
Yes, Bella. Let us see if you can handle
the barbs of every player, coach, and fan who will dismiss you. Let us see if
you can handle me.
Fury powering her stride, she skated over, skidding to a
halt mere inches from his face. As before, she was magnificent.
“You’ve found me out, Petrov.”
“I have?”
“It’s all an elaborate ruse. We bought your contract even
though you really haven’t been performing well this season. Let’s face it,
you’ve sucked donkey balls, Vadikins. But I convinced my sisters that I alone
could bring you back to top condition. Make you a valuable asset to the team. I
also made sure I’d be the only one working with you . . .” She leaned up on the
tips of her blades, a balancing act that required great skill and remarkable
ankle strength. Close enough that he could have slipped his tongue between his
lips and tasted hers.
Her breath was a hot puff of temptation. “So we would have
all this alone time.”
With that fiery gaze, she held his own.
Unerring.
Unflinching.
Until her mouth
creased, and she broke into a laugh. He remembered that laugh. Just as before,
it hit him right in the balls.
She used the edge of the iPad to poke him in the chest.
“You thought I’d go to all this trouble to try to get into your hockey shorts,
Petrov? I’m a team owner—I can have any of these Rebel boys with the click of
my fingers!” She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. “Despite what that supersized ego of
yours thinks, the only performance I want from you is on the ice. Maybe if you
spent less time carousing—”
“Carousing?”
“Yes, it’s nicer than
calling you a club-hopping, vodka-sodden manwhore. Less of that and more effort
on your day job, please. And don’t worry yourself that I’m interested in
‘renewing our acquaintance.’ I’ve had better lays with the Ukrainian delegation
at the last Games.”
He had to say he enjoyed this sharp-tongued, quick-witted
version of Isobel.
But not enough to admit it to her.
“There is nothing you can teach me.”
“So sure, Russian.”
“I am positive.”
“We’ll see.” She skated back to the edge of the rink. “Again.”
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.
