THE RISK
(Briar U, #2)

by Elle Kennedy

 

Now Available!
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Blurb

Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.

And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.

I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.

For every fake date…he wants a real one.
Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and cocky grin, I refuse to fall for him.
That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.

Find The Risk on GOODREADS

 

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Review

4.5 “Hottie and Little Jakey” stars!

Elle Kennedy has a knack for writing fantastic NA sports romance and the newest book in the Briar U series is another one to add to the list. The Risk delivers a delicious forbidden, enemies-to-lovers sports romance that is full of heart, heat, and humor. Enjoyable from the first page to the last, I quickly found myself immersed in Jake and Brenna’s world, loving everything about them and their love story.

As the daughter of Briar University’s head hockey coach, Brenna has grown up surrounded by hockey and she supports her team completely. She wants to be a sports journalist and couldn’t be more excited for her summer internship interview at HockeyNet that would put her one step closer to achieving her dreams. Even though she is qualified for the job, Brenna faces more obstacles than she expected and she finds herself willing to accept any help she can get to secure the position, even if it means working with the enemy.

Jake is a Harvard hockey player who will be playing against Briar University in the conference finals which makes him the enemy and totally off limits. Brenna isn’t looking for a relationship when she asks  Jake for a favor but sometimes it’s the person you least expect that changes your life forever.

Brenna and Jake are fantastic characters and their story is one I thoroughly enjoyed. It is heartwarming and emotional with wonderful banter and sizzling chemistry. Their attraction is undeniable and fighting it only makes it stronger. The moments where Brenna and Jake desperately want to give in to the pull but don’t crank up the sexual tension, and every interaction intensifies their feelings and desires. When they finally make a move, it is seriously steamy, and I loved it!

Jake brings my head forward and slants his lips over mine, and it’s the kind of kiss that’s been missing from my life for so long. One that starts off as a slow burn, a soft meeting of lips and the feather-light flick of the tongue. It’s like he’s laying the groundwork for something fierce. He’s building a fire, each teasing kiss serving as the kindling, until finally he unleashes a groan, drives the kiss deeper, and the fire engulfs us.

I enjoyed watching Brenna and Jake’s relationship progress as they grow both individually and as a couple. The way Brenna and Jake open up to one another and learn to trust was emotional and believable. Brenna has a vulnerable side yet she doesn’t let it take away from her strength. She owns her mistakes and has worked hard to overcome the past and I loved her, flaws and all. Jake was focused entirely on hockey and never wanted a relationship but once Brenna was really in the picture, he only wanted her. He is a total sweetheart with a whole lot of naughty in the mix, and I loved him.

The forbidden aspect was well done and I loved the excitement and tension of having a secret relationship. Even though they had to keep it hidden from everyone else, Brenna and Jake are actually very functional and I could see the real feelings develop. They face some challenges that are believable and the drama is not over the top. I could imagine it playing out just the way it did and I couldn’t contain my smile as I turned the last page.

I have to give a shout out to the secondary characters and their wonderful personalities that brought more laughs and entertainment to the story. I can’t wait for the next book to get more of this fabulous group of people!! The Play releases Fall 2019!

*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

 

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Briar U

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Off-Campus