Mistletoe Games by Jaci Burton: A Play-By-Play Anthology
Contemporary Romance
October 18, 2016
Berkley
Reviewed by Helyce
Holiday Games
For the high-achieving Elizabeth and her husband, baseball player Gavin Riley, failure is not an option. So when it comes to making a baby, they’re not about to let any holiday distractions get in the way of their necessary pleasures.
This story was just okay for me. I haven’t read the Play By Play series, and though I enjoy a sports themed love story, I felt a little lost when reading this story. I couldn’t connect to our main couple, Elizabeth and Gavin. Already married, I didn’t have the foundation to understand Elizabeth’s drive both in her work and in her personal life. The need to get pregnant came off as kind of a chore; so rather than being romantic and intimate, the sex seemed to lack spontaneity.
I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read their full length novel and had a better feel for the family dynamics. The extended family, including other previous couples, make appearances and get the reader caught up in their lives…but left me feeling like I was a little in the dark.
Grade: C
Holiday on Ice
It’s the season for giving and superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer is ready to give dancer Stella Slovinski his heart wrapped up in bow. But he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away…
I enjoyed this story a bit more. Perhaps because the couple in focus were not already a couple. I liked that Stella was a dancer. She and Trick have a history–they “dated” previously and then their jobs pulled them in different directions. They both enjoyed each other’s company–but were not looking for anything serious at that time.
When they meet up again after about a year apart, they easily fall back into each other’s arms. Only this time, feelings and emotions get involved. Something Stella has never allowed. A previous bad relationship had hurt her and she was determined not to make that mistake again. Stella’s need to stay uninvolved kind of got on my nerves. Trick was a great guy and did not pressure Stella in any way-but he was clear that he wanted more. The conflict that pulls Stella and Trick apart for a short time was a little predictable-but it was easily resolved.
Grade: B
Hot Holiday Nights
Christmas in Hawaii brings sports agent Tori Baldwin two presents: a young surfer at the top of his game and his business manager. But this hot threesome has to decide if the romantic wave they’ve caught is nothing more than a vacation fling, or the kind of love that could change their lives forever.
This was my favorite story of this anthology which surprised me because a menage relationship is usually not my thing.
Tori is spending her Christmas at a nice hotel on the beach in Hawaii. On her first day there, she meets Alex, a competitive surfer who is staying at the same hotel, he’s there for a for a competition. They hit it off right away and their chemistry is intense. When Alex’s friend and sponsor, Ben, arrives Tori find herself attracted to both men. One night, after some good food and drinks, they all decide to spend the night, together.
This story is super sexy and the menage is done well. It’s not over the top and though there is a bit of an insta-love feel to it, I really liked how these three come together. There was no jealousy and an easy feel to their relationship. I liked that the author gave Tori and Ben scenes on their own and, though Tori meets Alex first I got the feeling that she had more in common with Ben. Since each of them had careers with much travel, it would appear impossible that they’d be able to make it work, but the author gives us a very realistic compromise that worked for me.
Grade: B+
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