Posts

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder) by C.J. Cartwright – Review by Kiana Corley

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an amazing read. You get wrapped in the characters and invested in their stories almost immediately. It’s a well-written book and the beginning of the Astoria Bay Thunder series.

This book follows the heart-wrenching and heart-melting love story of Brynn and Levi. Brynn is a woman that has been through a lot in the last couple of years leading up to the start of the book. She is a determined independent powerhouse that won’t let anything prevent her from achieving her dreams. Levi is a professional hockey player that has more than just a few “adoring” female fans.

Read this book to watch their love story unfold and to their fall back into love with each other. Like all great love stories, you get to watch these endure many things that should have torn their love apart. You won’t want to put this book down once you start. The book is the perfect length not too long and not too short. Would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romance and enemies to lovers.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Christine Baranek

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Power Play
By CJ Cartwright
5*

I LOVED this book! I read Body Checked right before I read this book (which means I read them out of order) and I have to say I loved that they followed the same timeline, I have never read a series that does this in books before. This means that many of the same events are being told but from a different perspective than in the other. In Power Play, we are still reading about events that follow the Astoria Bay Thunder, a hockey team. However, we are seeing the romance between Levi and Brynn. Brynn is a photographer who is trying to reinvent her life and make it on her own as a photographer. Levi is the captain of the Thunder and a very private person. Brynn first meets Levi when she wins a contest to go see the Thunder Play. However, when she sees Levi, she can’t believe her eyes. Levi looks like her first love, however, he has a different last name. When Levi sees Brynn he feels as if he is seeing a ghost. He left her long ago at her parents’ request and has thought about her every day since then. Maybe this is the second chance he has been hoping for. Brynn gets booked for a photo shoot with the hockey team and it involves a weekend in a cabin with the team. Perhaps, they will get their second chance after all.
I cannot say how much I was rooting for Brynn and Levi. I loved everything about the team and this series. I hope that CJ Cartwright plans to continue this storyline with the other players. It was such a warm and heartfelt story that I really cannot recommend to anyone enough.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Regina Williams

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Divorced and finally free Brynn meets an unlikely friend at a child’s birthday she is photographing. This friend launches her into Thunder territory where she runs into Luke aka her first love. However, Bryan has been burned more then once and isn’t about to let her guard down…..or is she? This book is a rollercoaster of feelings and super relatable…..I mean minus the pro hockey team. I fully recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by katie stapleton

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was so much fun! Once I started to read it, I did not want to stop. I love hockey and adding in the sweet and spicy character dynamics makes this one of my faves! CJ knows how to paint a good picture of the hockey team, a snowy lake cabin, and more than enough tension!! I cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of the other characters in this world.

I love Levi and Brynn finding themselves in the same place once again, where they had been together as kids. I love the familiarity and the fact that Brynn is a very confident, independent character who wants to make sure she doesn’t just upend her life for someone else. Levi getting jealous of the love of her life, Marko, is the funniest part and really added levity to the story! I imagine my cat to be just the same as he.

Love love love! Keep bringing us more of this world!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Michelle Marlow

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well well well, I never thought I would be into a hockey romance. But here I am, into a hockey romance.

If you are looking for that long lost love and old flames rekindled you’ve got it! Right here!

We have our main leading woman Brynn coming to terms with her recent divorce. To live HER dream and not her ex husband’s dream!

This series has me hooked and I will definitely be continuing with this!

Review by @michellerenee6590
View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Christie Mitchum

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m a sucker for second chance romances, and I LOVED this one by CJ Cartwright!

Levi and Brynn were once star-crossed lovers, and they were destined for a wonderful life together. But, circumstances and some manipulation by others, ended their romance ended ten years ago. They were just young two kids on the cusp of adulthood. Despite the heartbreak, they both thought that first love would diminish with time, but when the two inadvertently meet again, they quickly realize how very wrong they were. As they spend time together, and those old feelings flare again, could this be a new start for them?

Brynn and Levi are the type of characters I fall for hook, line, and sinker. Brynn has been looking for her own freedom for a long time, just not from her ex-husband, but her family as well. None of them believed she could be independent and follow her dreams. Despite all of that, she proved them wrong. I admired her perseverance and determination to achieve her goals.

Levi, himself, had a tough life but in a different sense than Brynn did. But, just like her, he was determined to make his dreams of becoming a pro hockey player a reality. Both had such wonderful hearts, I could really see why they were so perfect together.

My favorite books are those that completely capture your attention, the ones that you can’t stop reading until you reach the end, but hate telling the characters good-bye. I loved the story that Cartwright gave me. It was the perfect balance of steam and an emotional romance, complete with a great cast of secondary characters.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Amanda LaMiller

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright was a complete hit for me. I am all about the second chance romances, combined that with sports and you have me hooked. From the first chapter I was rooting for Brynn and Levi. CJ did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, I felt like I was there and apart of the team. After heartbreak and years apart how do you trust your first love again, is it even possible to let go of the past? There were so many will they wont they moments I was on the edge of my seat. I devoured this book and the second in the series in one night. This is a must read.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Kimberly Filer

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You immediately fall in love with the characters of this book. From the moment you meet Brynn Macintosh and her best friend Tia you immediately feel drawn to these two girls and their lives. Then of course you can’t help but fall in love with the Thunder Bay hockey team. Team Captain Levi, the “playboy” Bridger, and the other members of the hockey team will keep you on your toes. A great read about long lost love and rekindling that spark.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Skylar Daniels

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This first book that I have read from the author, and I was not disappointed. This also the first book in the Astoria Bay Thunder series. I read this entire book in one sitting; I could not put this book down. I just had to finish the entire thing to see what happens. The author’s writing is amazing, I could see and feel everything the characters were at the exact moment in time. I can’t wait to see what the author has instore for this series. I’m excited to read future books from the author also.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Emily Heisler

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brynn Mackintosh has moved to Astoria Bay for a fresh start after her divorce, she has a plan to become a professional photographer and follow her dreams. For Brynn she was optimistic about this life changing choice until all her efforts are not bringing in the amount of customers she needs. Then she gets a photo shoot that brings her business doing a calendar for Astoria Bay Thunder the Hockey team. This is a dream come true but when she realizes the team captain is Levi Fawkes it is with mixed feelings.

Levi always regretted the one who got away, seeing Brynn he realizes she is the girl he has thought about for years. Can Levi convince Brynn he is worth a second chance?

This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the chemistry between Levi and Brynn, their introduction is not smooth sailing and it was riddled with humor. Brynn is feisty and the banter she has with the other characters is hilarious. Levi is the broody one and he owns it throughout the book. Wonderful start to a new series.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Kristan Anderson

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Power Play by CJ Cartwright is a second chance hockey romance. It is book one in the Astoria Bay Thunder hockey series. I know almost nothing about hockey but I definitely wish I did now! Brynn is recently newly divorced and looking to start over, new town, new life, new romance…. Or old? Levi is a professional hockey player who isn’t sure what he wants. Until he sees her and realizes who she is. Light hearted, cute, fun and flirty. Man what I wouldn’t do to be snowed in with a hockey team. The love, the heartbreak, the history, the story, it is all so perfectly written, I loved it. I couldn’t read the book fast enough to see how it ended. Super pumped for book two but I also neeeeeeed more of this couple!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by S. Bittles

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the perfect book to have read for Valentine’s Day, add it to the shelf of steamy HEA’s!

The Author gives us a beautiful second chance romance filled with wonderfully written characters and a heartwarming love story. I am interested to see how the next book evolves and hope we can learn more about our characters pasts.

This is my first read by this Author and I look forward to reading more!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Cami Hammond

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Power Play is a second chance love AND a sports romance. Two of my favorites in one!! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book, this writing style, the characters. I love it all so much. The story is about Levi and Brynn (Mac). Ten years previously they walked away from each other, walked away from their love and went down different paths. Now, a chance encounter has brought them together again and at first they don’t even recognize each other. Levi is still in love with her and never got over her. Brynn still has feelings from before but she is only a few months divorced from her ex husband. Brynn is very reluctant to pick back up where they left off so many years ago, and Levi doesn’t understand her apprehension. The ending is just perfect! This was such a fulfilling, easy, read. I give it 5 stars and will definitely read again. I always reread my favorites. I LOVE so many of the other characters…Tia and Bridger specifically. I can’t wait for their book. Hopefully we will get an update on Levi and Brynn in it.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Dahnielle Hibbert

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hot Hot Hot!!! I love second chance romances, probably because I have my own HEA due to a second chance. Brynn and Levi couldn’t be more perfect for each other!! This story gives you all the feels and was a great way to break into a new series!! The characters are well developed and the author brings the story about in such a way that you really care for them. I am very much looking forward to the next book in line!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Trish Ann

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for second chance for romance stories. I really liked Levi’s character and who he was. Bryn took a bit for me to connect with and understand.. Part of that could’ve been her mothers influence. Levi, however, he was a success in the story as well as how it was written. I look forward to reading others in the series.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Sarah Devereaux

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it! I absolutely love hockey so it was a given this book would be right up my alley, and I wasn’t wrong! Mix in some romance and you have an excellent book!
I loved the storyline and the characters. Every person never forgets their first love and this book is a good example of that!
If you love hockey and love romance stories then I would highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by C.J. Cartwright – Review by Anna Hirsch

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by C.J Cartwright
4 Stars

Levi and Brynn haven’t seen each other in ten years. The pain of a first love ending haunts them both. Neither have fully recovered from it. Many things have changed since they were teenagers. Levi is now a professional hockey player (captain no less) and Brynn is recently divorced, striving to gain her freedom and take her life back. Chance has brought them together again and their chemistry is still burning hot. Can they finally have their happily ever after or will the wounds of the past ruin their future together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters were likeable. Levi and Brynn’s chemistry was off the charts and their story is so romantic. The thing I love most is that there wasn’t too much drama. The story flowed well, it’s just a feel good read. I’m hoping to read about Tia and Bridger’s story next.

Review by @AnnaHirsch
View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Angela Shirley

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Levi has always had his eyes on hockey ever since he was a small child, now the captain of Astoria Bay his career is going great but he has always struggled with love, although his heart has always belong to the girl he left behind years before.

Brynn has had enough of life at the moment going wrong, recently divorced and looking to get her career online she is ready for a change. Hoping that her photography business will take off she is running on empty at the moment. Until she scores a job snapping pictures of a rich family hoping this will catapult her into the society circles, if only she knew what was instore.

This story was the first I had read by this author and what a well written story it was. I was drawn into the main characters from the word go and was invested in the love story which finally happened in the end. I am always in for a good Alpha male character and Levi is a lovable, strong emotional character from the start, this with the complementary strong female role in Brynn and the story jumped off the page.

I also thought he secondary characters added another dimension to the whole story and there is obviously scope for each to have their own story told. I can’t wait to read the next instalment and more instalments to come.

Power Play(Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright Review by Heather Knalls

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brynn is a recent divorcee and starving fine art photographer that has moved to Astoria Bay to start over and not have to call her parents to return home. Levi is the captain of the Astoria Bay Thunder, the professional hockey team of the area. Brynn and Levi have history but neither one knows they are in the same city again yet. Brynn has been hired to photograph a birthday party for a fellow Thunder players younger brother where she meets Bridger, who feels she might come in handy as a photographer in the future. Brynn is hired by Bridger to photograph the team for a calendar to raise money for the youth hockey program. That is when things begin to go downhill or do they?

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Robin Rankin

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1)

I wasn’t sure about Brynn when I started this book, she seemed like she was a mess and needed to get her life together, which was totally true.  She had a charm about her especially when she was awkward and uncomfortable that endeared her to me.

Levi, where do I start with him?  He’s  the hot Captain for the Astoria Bay Thunder who is content with living life hockey season to hockey season then Brynn shows up.

The chemistry between the two is off the charts and could have melted the rink.

I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Tina Vegaina Vega

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love a second chance romance!! Levi and Brynn meet years later after dating, and that flame is still burning. This was a sweet and hilarious read! If you want to relax and read a good feeling story, this is it. I’m not a big sports person, but I actually enjoy a good sports read. Great fun characters and great romance!!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Dawn Mitchell

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Hockey so this book was perfect. Even if you dont know hockey dont worry it will still catch your attention! Between Bridger an Tia’s fun attitudes an Mac an Levi’s steamy romance you will not be bored! This book will leave you wanting more the team, characters an author!

#DawnMitchell

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1) by C.J. Cartwright – Review by Kay Stritesky

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has a great hook, fun characters that everyone can relate to and a story we all know. You never forget your first love. A name change can’t even do the trick! Brynn and Levi take us through a story we all know and from start to finish you can’t help but root for them! With some fun-loving spicy side characters as well, this books keeps you wanting more!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Lyndsey Fairley

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not a sports fan but give me a book about sports romances and i am all for it. And i love the hockey ones the most so this was right up my alley.
Levi and Brynn were so great to read about and their chemistry was off the charts and enough to melt the ice.
I have found a new to me author who I will now be binge reading everything they have written.
Cannot wait for the next book!

View all my reviews

Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Ashly Renner

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you love second chance romance books do not hesitate to read this one! I absolutely loved Brynn and Levi’s story. Based on how the book began I truly thought it was headed in a completely different direction than it went. Brynn and Levi fell in love as young teenagers, she from money, he from the wrong side of the tracks. After things and people conspired to keep them apart for a decade they miraculously find their way back to one another, of course not without a few bumps in the road getting there. Do yourself the favor and read this one!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Sarah King

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brynn and Levi’s story of finding their way back to each other is filled with comedy, regret, heart break and ultimately love. Brynn has just getting on her feet and working to keep her independence, she really wants to stand on her own two feet. She wants no help from her family which from the bits and pieces you get throughout the story makes perfect sense. She decides to return to her passion, photography. With a bit of a ruff start on that front she takes side jobs taking pictures at events. One such job is the start of reuniting her with her first love, Levi. While working a birthday party Brynn meets Bridger, who takes her card and later contacts her about a job taking photos for a team fundraiser. After accepting the job Byrnn wins a radio contest to on of the hockey games. From here, Brynn and Levi start back on the road to finding each other, learning who the other is now, working through past hurts. Will they be able to have what they once did? Power play is worth the read to find out. It has great support charterers, flows well even has a bit of comedy. There were a few areas I would have liked more of the back story to, but those places do not take away from the story. I would recommend reading this book. It is worth it.

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Betsy Melano

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had me smiling right away! Reading what Brynn thinks of some security guards she interacts with as the photographer hired for a 7year old birthday party. If you have me smiling while reading, you’ve got me hooked. I enjoyed reading how Brynn and Levi find each other again after other failed relationships. Having a second chance with someone you were in love with when you were young is amazing. I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. Can’t wait to read more!

View all my reviews

Power Play ( Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1 ) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Carla Clemmons

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This sweet romance with some spice was such a great read! It has real life issues to make you relate to Brynn and Levi. And all the other characters! I love Tia and her bold personality not to mention her protective nature for Brynn. A lot can happen in ten years and that’s exactly what Levi and Bryan realize when they stumble back into each others lives. With the way things ended and all the time that has passed its hard to see a future. Fate may have other plans for these two! This is definitely a great read!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Kayla Kearney

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For lack of a better name, sports-based romances are slowly becoming a new favorite romance trope of mine! I read a few last year that I absolutely loved and was reminded why when reading this book! One thing I particularly liked about Brynn and Levi’s story is that there is a definite role reversal going on here in that the moment Levi sees Brynn he knows what he wants and begins to pursue her, not the other way around like it normally is. I was also quick to connect with Brynn due to her complicated relationship with her mother and seeing many similarities to my own relationship with my mom. I was happy that this isn’t the end of the series, and am excited to read the next book in the story!

View all my reviews

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder Book 1) by CJ Cartwright – Review by Jess Engel

Power Play (Astoria Bay Thunder #1)Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow!! This second chance romance was an amazing page-turner; I read it in only a couple of sittings! The author brings the cast characters to life, allowing the reader to envision the story unfolding right in front of them. While it is a second-chance romance, leading the reader to surmise what will happen, there were so many twists and unfoldings from the past that there is still mystery within the story. The authors writing style is engaging and she really knows how to tell a story! Brynn and Levi’s story will leave you breathless; can they overcome their past to find love again? Pick this one up! I cannot wait to read the next in the series!

View all my reviews