Natasha Madison’s sexy new sports romance is now live!
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Blurb
Miller
They called me the pretty boy on and off the ice. Hockey’s most eligible bachelor.
When my teammate asked me to donate one date to his charity, I figured why not. Worst case, I’d spend the night with a fan. Best-case scenario, she would be hot. What I wasn’t expecting was for my dream girl to be the highest bidder.
For years, she brushed me off, and now, I finally had a chance to take her out and show her who I really was.
With only one shot at this, I really hoped I didn’t mess it up.
Layla
At the top of my career, I was riding the wave of my sports talk show having the best rating on the radio.
I also made it a rule to never date any sports players.
It was my one rule, and I was sticking to it until I bid on the only man who gets under my skin.
All it takes is one touch, one night, one kiss, and only one chance.
Review
4 stars!
This is a really fun read, the second book in the Only One series, and a sweet, funny, swoony sports romance with lots of feels.
Note that even though this is the second in the series, it can easily read as a standalone, though the couple from the first book are a part of the story.
Miller is co-captain of Dallas’s NHL team, and is known for his good looks, his flirty nature and his manwhoring. Layla is a successful and sophisticated sports commentator with her own radio show and a happy, independent life. When they first met four years ago, there was a spark of attraction that was quickly snuffed out on Layla’s part when Miller hooked up with somebody else while she went to the bathroom. She’s hated him ever since – even though he gets under her skin like nobody else – but his attraction to her has only grown, and he has spent the years since trying to win her over with his endless charm.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he says. I lean back and vomit in my mouth.
“Layla.” I say my name, and he looks at me. “You know, in case you forgot.”
“I can never forget you.”
Their work frequently brings them together, and they both find themselves at a charity bachelor auction where a date with Miller is up for grabs. When a drunken Layla bids an outrageous amount for him, Miller is thrilled to finally have the chance to spend time with the girl of his dreams. Of course, the following day she has no recollection of the evening and is completely mortified when she learns what she’s done, so she tries her hardest to get out of it (to Miller’s horrifying detriment), but when she actually gives the player a chance, she learns that he’s nothing like what she expected.
My heart hammers in my chest almost as if it’s trying to get out, and my mouth is as dry as the desert. “This, right here, is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for me.”
It’s a really fun setup, and I loved that the progression of things between Miller and Layla was surprising and unexpected. I wasn’t expecting it to play out the way it did, and I was fully on board and completely captivated as Miller, with his supreme confidence, goes all out to get his girl.
“I want to be with you.” He comes closer, his voice going really low. “And only you.” I look down and then look up again, and he tucks the hair behind my ear. “And I never want you to doubt that.”
It has the feeling of a slow burn, and I loved the build—up! The chemistry is fantastic, there is great banter and flirting, and I loved their openness and honest conversation. Miller’s efforts to win Layla over are swoonily romantic, and as he slowly reveals his true self beneath his flirty public persona, I fell hard for him. Deep down Miller wants so much more from his life. I feel like he made such an effort for Layla, he had a lot to learn, and he embraced that and genuinely made an effort to change and become a better man to be deserving of her, and that was gorgeous to watch.
“You don’t have to doubt your worth with me, gorgeous … Because, to me, you are worth everything.”
And when they finally get there… holy hell it’s hot. The sexy time between these two is absolutely sizzling. Can you say stamina? I was exhausted just reading it! I don’t know how Layla was even walking afterwards! But it’s a reflection of the connection they share, which is passionate and intense, and every aspect of their relationship combines to create something really special.
“This thing,” I say, not sure what to call us, “between us. It’s so easy.” I blink away all the emotions that want to rush out. “I never spend the night.” I take a deep breath. “Yet with you, I’m not ready to leave.”
“Then stay,” he says. “Stay with me.” He turns his head, and his tongue comes out to trail along my bottom lip. “Stay with me.”
There is some drama, not unexpected, and it brings a lot of emotion to the story. But it’s all a part of the character development, and it’s written well with a satisfying resolution.
Miller and Layla’s friends and family are by their sides during the whole thing, and I loved their involvement. Layla’s grandmother is disturbing but entertaining, and her relationship with her best friend, Candace is fun. But it’s the boys I loved the most. Miller’s relationships with his best friends and teammates, Manning and Ralph, are just fantastic and add even more heart to the story. And on a side note, can I just say that I cannot wait for Manning’s book up next!
I really enjoyed this book. It’s full of the humour, romance and emotion that I expect from a Natasha Madison book, and I finished it with a big smile on my face.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Only One series
Spin off from the ‘Something So‘ and ‘This Is‘ series
Part of the Stone-Grant-Horton hockey dynasty – Find full series info, reading order and family tree here
Only One Kiss (#1) (Ralph & Candace)
Review
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Only One Chance (#2) (Miller & Layla)
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Only One Night (#3) (Manning & Evelyn)
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Only One Touch (#4) (Nico & Becca)
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Only One Regret (#5) (Cooper & Erika)
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Only One Mistake (#6) (Michael & Jillian)
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Only One Love (#7) (Wilson & Franny)
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Only One Forever (#8) (Dylan & Alex)
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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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