#22 [2021/CBR13] Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen

I've read a lot of hockey romances by Sarina Bowen, and this will probably not be my last one. Sure Shot (2020) takes place with the relatively new NHL franchise, the Brooklyn Bruisers, which happens to be the setting of most of Bowen's recent hockey romance novels. In fact, at this point there are so many rich, beautiful, and happily married players in Brooklyn that it feels like an idyllic, paradise land.

Bess Beringer is a successful sports agent, making it to the top through talent, hard work, and determination. Mark "Tank" Tankiewicz has just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers from an NHL team down south somewhere (Dallas Stars?--I can't remember; I read this book too long ago). Bess and Tank know each other from when Tank was just a rookie and Bess was just starting her career. They had a wild fling, but Bess cut it off after a mentor told her she was being unprofessional--basically slut-shaming her.

Now, however, it's like no time has passed and they can't keep their hands off each other. Bess still has the same reservations that caused her to cut things off so long ago. She has a firm rule about sleeping with players, even if they aren't her clients. Bess also has a clear five year plan and Tank has no part of that. She's afraid to let Tank derail her life.

Tank, for his part, is trying to adjust to his new team and dealing with the recent divorce from his wife. Bess has no idea how much she's helping Tank move past the problems he had with his wife, but they both enjoy it.

Sure Shot is very much like all of Bowen's books, so if you've read and enjoyed any of the Brooklyn Bruiser's novels, then you will probably like this one. The characters are fun and likable. The book is interesting and easy to read. Sure, it might feel like a fairy tale sometimes, especially amidst the crush of all the earlier happily-ever-after couples. But Bowen is good at creating an atmosphere--this one behind the scenes of an NHL team--that is fun to be a part of.