Tennessee Thunderbolts Series by Gina Azzi

Tangling up with my new physical therapist, Mila Lewis, is a mistake. One I can’t seem to stop making.When I sign with the Tennessee Thunderbolts, I have two goals: prove my injury hasn’t benched my career and get back to New York.But then, I meet Mila, the enigmatic therapist tasked with rehabbing my shoulder.With her long ponytail, professional demeanor, and girl-next-door look, Mila is nothing like my usual type... moreTangling up with my new physical therapist, Mila Lewis, is a mistake. One I can’t seem to stop making.When I sign with the Tennessee Thunderbolts, I have two goals: prove my injury hasn’t benched my career and get back to New York.But then, I meet Mila, the enigmatic therapist tasked with rehabbing my shoulder.With her long ponytail, professional demeanor, and girl-next-door look, Mila is nothing like my usual type. She’s better—a good girl with sad eyes and a tragic past our small-town loves to dissect.With the entire town up in her business, our budding connection is far from simple. I’m not staying, and Mila will never leave.Deep down, I know I should walk away and let her find the happily-ever-after she deserves.But I can’t. Not without showing her that it could be me.And that may be the biggest mistake of all. less

There’s only one woman I truly care about: my daughter. Until Maisy Stratford flounces into the front office of the Tennessee Thunderbolts with a heartfelt smile and a tray of baked goods.As the Bolts’ newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.Everything I’m not.Known as Brawler, I’m a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven’t dated in decades. I’ve never been married and my daughter’s a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker... moreThere’s only one woman I truly care about: my daughter. Until Maisy Stratford flounces into the front office of the Tennessee Thunderbolts with a heartfelt smile and a tray of baked goods.As the Bolts’ newest hire, Maisy is optimistic, enthusiastic, and a goddess at manifestation.Everything I’m not.Known as Brawler, I’m a gruff, quiet, rough-around-the-edges, NHL defenseman. I haven’t dated in decades. I’ve never been married and my daughter’s a twenty-one-year-old mischief maker. I don’t know how to talk about feelings or place my trust in the hands of a woman. Even one with a heart of gold.With my daughter Lola egging me on, I finally ask Maisy out.But I don’t want to be her rebound; I want to be her forever. Even if I don’t know how to tell her that. Even if she’s not ready for me.If I’m being honest, I’m not ready for her either. less

Lioness. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I see the brilliant redhead selling cupcakes at the hockey arena.With the soul of an artist and the spirit of a nomad, Bea Turner is gorgeous, quirky, and refreshing. She’s also my teammate’s little sister.As the Tennessee Thunderbolts' Rookie, I should steer clear. I’m here to play hockey and provide much-needed financial security for my family. To do that, I need to avoid distractions... moreLioness. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I see the brilliant redhead selling cupcakes at the hockey arena.With the soul of an artist and the spirit of a nomad, Bea Turner is gorgeous, quirky, and refreshing. She’s also my teammate’s little sister.As the Tennessee Thunderbolts' Rookie, I should steer clear. I’m here to play hockey and provide much-needed financial security for my family. To do that, I need to avoid distractions.Bea doesn’t just distract me; she flips my world upside down. One bad joke has me pursuing her. One date and I crave more. Calling her mine? Well, now I’m dreaming of a future.The life of a hockey player — trades, travel, uncertainty — isn’t for the heart of a creative. Bea desires adventure and possibility, not early morning skates and strict exercise regimens.When I’m thrust into a situation at odds with Bea’s dream career, I know I can’t hold her back.If we’re meant to be, we’ll make it work. But what if we’re not?What if my greatest regret is letting my lioness go? less

It was supposed to be a favor between neighbors…When sexy-as-sin Harper Henderson launches profanities into the night sky from the balcony below mine, I intervene. I volunteer to be her date to her ten-year high school reunion. I may be a professional hockey player with a playboy reputation, but I’m also a good guy and I make an exceptional plus-one.Being Harper's fake date is easy. Pretending not to fall for her when our innocent kisses turn passionate is a little more challenging... moreIt was supposed to be a favor between neighbors…When sexy-as-sin Harper Henderson launches profanities into the night sky from the balcony below mine, I intervene. I volunteer to be her date to her ten-year high school reunion. I may be a professional hockey player with a playboy reputation, but I’m also a good guy and I make an exceptional plus-one.Being Harper's fake date is easy. Pretending not to fall for her when our innocent kisses turn passionate is a little more challenging. But when Harper returns the fake date favor and accompanies me to my parents’ anniversary party, everything changes. She garners my dad’s respect and eases the familial pressure I drown under. She makes me crave the things I used to laugh off.Tangling up with Harper was supposed to be a fun way to pass the summer. So, why does it feel like she’s the real prize? The elusive, fleeting kind of real I’ve avoided for years?And how can I prove that this playboy wants a different kind of reward? One that sounds a lot like commitment… less

Nine years ago, Celine Hernandez broke my heart. Eight years ago, she stomped on it for good measure. When Celine moved to LA after high school, I enlisted in the Marines.After an honorable discharge, I’m home, in Tennessee, living out my dream as a professional hockey player. Now, she’s back in our hometown, filming a movie, and reminding me of a past I’ve tried to forget.She’s got her name up in lights. She’s shining so bright; she’s acting like she never left... moreNine years ago, Celine Hernandez broke my heart. Eight years ago, she stomped on it for good measure. When Celine moved to LA after high school, I enlisted in the Marines.After an honorable discharge, I’m home, in Tennessee, living out my dream as a professional hockey player. Now, she’s back in our hometown, filming a movie, and reminding me of a past I’ve tried to forget.She’s got her name up in lights. She’s shining so bright; she’s acting like she never left. Celine’s everywhere I go — visiting my Gran, having coffee dates with my sister — and forcing me to remember a time when life wasn’t so harsh. When I was whole and thriving. Happy.But I can’t trust those feelings anymore. I’m not the same man Celine remembers. I’ve lost too much, grieved too hard, and am too broken down for do-overs. Is my ex-everything a risk my heart can handle? Or is our second chance more sacrifice than salvation? less

Word on the ice: the only thing worse than knocking up your teammate’s sister is knocking up his daughter.I have no business tangling up with Lola Daire. She’s a smart, idealistic, college senior planning to take on Silicon Valley. I’m an angry NHL player with a chip on my shoulder. She smiles rainbows; I spit fire. She’s a daddy’s girl; I’m the last guy her father wants her to date.A man with my past and demons will only corrupt a good woman... moreWord on the ice: the only thing worse than knocking up your teammate’s sister is knocking up his daughter.I have no business tangling up with Lola Daire. She’s a smart, idealistic, college senior planning to take on Silicon Valley. I’m an angry NHL player with a chip on my shoulder. She smiles rainbows; I spit fire. She’s a daddy’s girl; I’m the last guy her father wants her to date.A man with my past and demons will only corrupt a good woman. I know better than to give in to her playful flirting, but when Lola finds herself in a compromising situation, I break the rules to keep her safe. We have nothing in common, save for the attraction we feel. We have no future, except for the moments that stretch between us. But our desire is insatiable. Our chemistry, off-the-charts.One night turns into more and our casual understanding takes an unexpected turn.I may be the cliché bad boy, but my downfall is the good girl with a baby on the way. less