Grinder by Samantha Whiskey [Review]

Grinder (Seattle Sharks #1) by Samantha Whiskey
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 23, 2016

Seattle Sharks
1. Grinder - Kindle
2. Enforcer

Samantha Whiskey
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Gage McPherson was the Seattle Shark’s best Grinder, until he shattered his shoulder last season. Time heals all wounds...but the heartbroken single dad has more than his share of trust issues. The playboy only lets one girl close to his iced-over heart—his pint-sized daughter who’s the center of his world. She’s the only thing more important to him than hockey, and he trusts no one with her...except me.

We’ve been friends since we were kids, and I love his daughter like she’s my own, so what’s the easiest solution to help Gage out? Move in and be his live-in nanny for the season. As far as she goes, the arrangement is perfect. But her drop-dead-sexy father? Frustrating on every possible level.

There is a thick, professional line drawn between us by his own hand, and despite understanding the terms, my body is practically begging him to cross it. Our chemistry is off the charts, but one misstep, and we could hurt the one person we love most. This game is all-or-nothing. Can I risk my heart on a guy who is known for the shut-out, on and off the ice?

Thoughts on Grinder: I like sexy, growly hockey players who also happen to be kickass dads. Buuuut, I'm not sure how I feel about Gage taking his hookups home for some one on one time while his daughter was in the house. Especially considering there was zero chance he was planning on seeing said hookups again. That's a recipe for disaster, hunky hockey dude. A recipe for disaster.

Fortunately for Gage, he escaped any issues with that. Mostly because Bailey took care of things. Which makes her a-okay in my book. Come to think of it, once Gage realized he had feeeeeeelings for Bailey, she was a-okay in his book, too. And I, who am mortally opposed to keeping big secrets in books, actually didn't mind the one he kept. I could see where he was coming from. He was actually very upfront about everything, just not in the way Bailey thought.

That said, I also got Bailey's hurt. If someone took away even the hope of ever achieving a dream, it's easy to see how deeply that could cut.

Bottom line: Sexy, growly hockey players do it for me. Especially when they're also awesome dads who find their match in a big-hearted, determined lady.