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Blurb

From the best selling series, Something So comes the spin-off Series This is…

Zoe

When you grow up surrounded by hockey players you know one thing for sure, I was never going to settle down with one.

Heck, I didn’t even know what icing was. I was too busy climbing the corporate ladder, becoming one of the most successful realtors in New York City.

I wasn’t interested in dating or anything that got in my way.

First, he was my client and then he became my friend.

Viktor

My parents told me I skated before I walked.
When I was eighteen I was drafted into the N.H.L third overall, playing in Los Angeles—the city of dreams.
What more could I ask for? I played hard, but eventually, I partied even harder.

Five years later I was traded a week after I entered rehab.

There was no time for anything except my health and making sure I’d come out on top. I had to be better.
There wasn’t another option.

One of the rules of recovery was ‘don’t fall in love’ and I made it a top priority. She was off limits in every single way.

Until it was too late

One night, one decision, one act can derail everything.

When push comes to shove, I’m only certain that, This is Wild.

 

 

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Review

“He’s a broken man, there is no doubt about it, but even broken men love.”

5 stars!

Wow… just… wow. I finished this book at midnight and then lay in bed thinking about it until 1am when I had to get up and pour my feels out, so please excuse my scattered thoughts as I am deliriously tired and completely overwhelmed with the emotional ride that I just went on with this book.

After the first book in this series, I was expecting light and fluffy, but Natasha Madison brought the feels with this one! A stunningly emotional, heart-pounding romance with drama, angst and so many feels! It’s a beautifully written story of true love against the obstacles, with a deliciously slow-burning, chemistry-filled love story that absolutely owned my heart. A perfect combination of drama, heartache, humour and romance, this is my latest fave by Natasha, and I adored every moment of it!

This is the second book in the This Is series, which follows on from the Something So series. Technically, you could read this one as a standalone but the family dynamic has been built upon with every story, and you need that background to fully appreciate the connections and just how special they are as a group – it makes this book so much more meaningful than it would be as a standalone.

This is the story of Zoe. She is the daughter of Cooper and Parker Something So Right, a sibling to the rest of the characters featured in the series, and twin sister of Zara from This Is Crazy. Zoe is a hardworking and highly successful real estate agent, dedicated to career above all else (with the exception of her family). She is smart, sweet and funny, with a huge heart, and I just love her.

Viktor Petrov is an NHL star who had a spectacular fall from grace. His out of control drug use led to his downfall and he ended up in rehab. Having finished his three months, he is out and starting a new life in New York with his new team, under the mentorship of team General Manager, Matthew Grant (Something So Perfect) .He is serious about his recovery and is determined to claim his life back and make the most of his new opportunity.

Zoe and Viktor meet when she is brought on board to help him find a new home in New York, and from the first moment they lay eyes on each other, sparks fly. Their attraction is intense and visceral, but with Viktor in recovery and encouraged to stay away from relationships, and Zoe having sworn off hockey players, there is nowhere for their attraction to go. They are upfront and honest about their feelings and where they are at, and decide instead to be just friends.

It’s fun and flirty, and I loved every moment of the two of them together. I could feel that amazing spark between them, and I found myself smiling like a loon with each and every encounter. The more time they spend together, the more they begin to feel for each other, and the build-up and anticipation had my heart pounding as I eagerly waited for something to happen. But their road is not an easy one as they find themselves being in the impossible situation of falling for somebody that they just can’t have.

“I’m a broken man.” I close my eyes and lean my head back. “I take it back; I was a broken man. Now I’m trying to piece all the pieces together, and I don’t have time for this.”

Oh. My. God. The feels! Firstly, you have this beautiful, beautiful love story as we watch these two people easily and unexpectedly in love. Against all that is standing in their way, and as much as they try to fight it, their fall is organic and complete, flowing so naturally, and I fell right alongside them. So I also experienced everything as they deal with the reality of their situation. It’s heartbreaking and raw, and I was in tears with an aching heart as I watched it all play out.

He watches me, his own tears in his eyes. “I can’t be your friend because I’m in love with you.” I say the words out loud instead of just in my head, and his breath hitches, and he opens his mouth. “I’m in love with you with everything that I have,” I tell him, “but it’s not enough. I can’t love you for both of us.”

As a romance reader, we know that there is a happy ending coming. You know it’s coming, you can feel it coming, but to the characters their situation feels insurmountable, and you’re feeling everything along with them as they fight to get there. It hurts, but it hurts so good, and the slow burn is absolutely sensational!

“I want you to be proud of me. I want you to be proud to stand by my side. I want to be the man you beam with pride at when you introduce. I want to be the man who holds your fucking hand because I can.”

The love story is just gorgeous, and unfolding alongside of it is Viktor’s personal journey that is so beautifully written. Again, I could feel his torment over his past and his heartbreaking, constant struggle to overcome his demons. My heart broke for him, and I wanted to just reach into the book and hold him so bad! His struggles and vulnerability are raw and heartfelt, and his dedication and commitment to his recovery and healing himself is so heartfelt. And though his path is a rocky one, the strength he shows is amazing showing his incredible character.

“Being an addict doesn’t define who you are.”
“It doesn’t,” I agree with her. “Accepting it and having the courage to face it defines who I am.”

And I love that Zoe is a part of that process. Her friendship and support is beautiful, and the inclusion of her family in all of that brings so much depth to the story.

“He walks with so much baggage that he can’t stand up straight,” she starts to say.
“Mom,” I say, looking down. “He’s a friend.”
“Yet you can’t seem to stop yourself from being drawn to him. You can’t seem to look at him and not want to be next to him. You want to help him carry all his baggage.”
“Isn’t that what you taught us?” I ask her, blinking away the tears. “Help people when they are down.”
“Yes,” she answers. “And to carry the ones we love.”

But despite the serious subject matter, it’s not all depressing and gloomy. Zoe and Viktor have a lot of fun and happy moments together, the romance is just beautiful, and the sexy time is really freaking hot (and absolutely perfect… and I mean that in a totally non-pervy way). Zoe’s whole extended family are a huge part of the story, and in addition to providing emotional support, they also bring a whole lot of laughs. This group together is absolutely fantastic! The love and laugh, tease and banter, there is absolutely nothing off-limits between the girls (shout out to drunk Allison), and the protectiveness of all of those alphas had me laughing out loud.

Evan comes over.
“Zoe, that dress is a bit much,” he says, looking at the deep V. “You need to burn that dress, actually.” He looks around. “M&M!” he shouts to the side and both Matthew and Max turn around. “Look at Zoe!” He points at me, and the smile on Matthew’s face disappears, and then Max throws his head back and bursts out laughing. It’s no surprise that Matthew charges over.
“Are you crazy?” he says, taking off his jacket and throwing it on me.

Matthew, in particular, brings a lot to this book. Having set himself up as a cornerstone for his family, his love, support and protectiveness is so beautiful to see.

“She deserves a man who will put her first,” Matthew says. “She deserves a man who is going to love her with every single part of his being.” I listen to the words. “She deserves a man who is going to fight for her.”

This is a really special read. A perfect blend of all of the things I love about romance – fun and flirty banter, wickedly funny group dynamics, heart-pounding drama and intensity that brings the feels, and an emotion-filled, passionate and all-consuming romance. I laughed and I cried, and I loved it so much.

“See you later,” he says, smiling. He leans down and kisses my lips.
“Dude,” Matthew says. “Seriously, that’s my sister.”
“Dude,” Viktor says. “Seriously, that’s mine.”

5 huge stars!

An Advanced Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

This Is series

 

Something So series

 

 

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About the Author

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

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