Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1) by Sarina Bowen
Publication Date: September 6th, 2016
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Sports – Ice Hockey
Find: Goodreads | Amazon
Goodreads Summary
In high school, they were the perfect couple—until the day Georgia left Leo in the cold…

Hockey player Leo Trevi has spent the last six years trying to do two things: get over the girl who broke his heart, and succeed in the NHL. But on the first day he’s called up to the newly franchised Brooklyn Bruisers, Leo gets checked on both sides, first by the team’s coach—who has a long-simmering grudge, and then by the Bruisers’ sexy, icy publicist—his former girlfriend Georgia Worthington.

Saying goodbye to Leo was one of the hardest things Georgia ever had to do—and saying hello again isn’t much easier. Georgia is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but when a press conference microphone catches Leo declaring his feelings for her, things get really personal, really fast….

Sarina Bowen and Ice Hockey are a match made in heaven. The Brooklyn Bruiser series has been on the to-read list for a while and now having read the series, it’s safe to say that Bowen has set the standards high for Ice Hockey romances. 

At the heart of this book is the second chance romance between former high school sweethearts, Leo and Georgia, as their paths collide once again following Leo’s signing with the team and Georgia’s position as their publicist. Six years have passed since they last saw each other, but that doesn’t mean that the feelings were quick to dimish. Being in such close proximity to one another reignites that flame between them, but before they can be together, Leo and Georgia must confront the events of the past in order to secure their future together.

Georgia and Leo are both terrific leads and Bowen takes the time to really explore the depths of their character. Georgia is the girl you’d want as your best friend. She’s smart, dedicated, and driven. In high school, Georgia was raped and that experience undoubtedly influenced her decisions later in life. However, she doesn’t let that trauma define her. No, it’s not an easy to experience to recover from and we see tidbits of how that experience influences her actions and choices throughout the book, but she never lets it take control of her life. She’s learned to move past the experience and chooses to focus on the things that matter to her instead of dwelling on that night. Her determination, love for her job and the people in life is a testament to her strengths.

Leo was also a delight. With these sports contemporary romances, it is easy to assume that our lead guy will be the typical manwhore. Leo was the total opposite. This is a man that is loyal to his heart. He is supportive and dedicated. He knows that Georgia is the one for him and he’s determined not to let his second chance with her slip away. However, he doesn’t push the issue. His feelings are clear to everyone, but he will never push Georgia for more than she is willing to give. Beyond his relationship with Georgia, Leo also faces some challenges of his own. This is his NHL season debut and he is determined to make a lasting impact in order to secure a permanent position on the team. However, when the coach despises you, sometimes your best isn’t enough and the fears of being traded soon take hold. Despite this obstacle, Leo is resilient in proving that he is worth a position on this team. His passion for the sport is clear and his determination to prove himself to those who doubt him is admirable.

Rookie Move was an incredible start to the Brooklyn Bruisers series. Leo and Georgia are two characters that are easy to relate to. You will find yourself invested in their journey from the first page. Beyond the romance, Sarina Bowen also takes the time to develop and explore issues related to them as individuals. Through that, we get to see just how deeply the emotional connection between Leo and Georgia is and it makes you wholeheartedly trust in the love that they share.

Who is your favourite character from the Brooklyn Bruiser series?
What would you like to see more of in sports contemporary romance?