Body Checked (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 2) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

Body Checked by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Body Checked is a sports romance about a hockey player, Bridger, who is struggling with his playboy persona, causing all sorts of issues with his career. People haven’t been taking him seriously because of all the problems he is causing, but he is trying to fix that. One idea he had was to do a fundraiser that involved the hockey players in a calendar shoot. This is the moment his life seems to change, when he meets the photographer’s assistant, Tia. Tia has recently been let go of her job due to complications with an ex-boyfriend. When she was younger she got caught up with a rich guy who made it his mission to destroy her life. When she meets Bridger she is instantly attracted, but has promised herself to never date another playboy again. They can’t seem to deny the attraction so they decide they will give themselves one weekend to get each other out of their system. This weekend turns into a friendship that could turn into more, but will they let it? Will the past allow them happiness? Would you give the other person up to save them?
I always enjoy a sports romance with a little smut. I thought these characters were really loveable. Bridger, even playing an enforcer, was endearing. His need to protect others at all cost was sexy. The banter that the two of them have going from frenemies-to-lovers was really good. You could see the development of their relationship really well in who the author wrote. One of the things I think I liked most was that nothing seemed dragged out. The story flowed and when the “problem” came in, it was short and sweet and dealt with.

View all my reviews