| Title | : | Between a Jock and a Hard Place |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 89 |
| Publication | : | First published December 16, 2011 |
Between a Jock and a Hard Place Reviews
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There was absolutely no chemistry between these characters. This is another one of the telling instead of showing books. I understand writing is hard, believe me, I understand. But that's no excuse not to have someone read through your manuscript and give you an honest feedback to what's good, what's bad, and what needs changing.
I was only 1/5th into the book when things were very repetitive. Authors! There is no need to rehash everything ad nauseum. And no one would tell a complete stranger about what a cheating ass their ex was five seconds after meeting them. That is not something you want to talk about with your friends, much less a stranger.
The characters hooked up too fast for my taste. And honestly, I didn't get their supposed attraction. They didn't seem to like each other much. The heroine was annoying and bratty, and in desperate need of a reality check.
I didn't like that the hero already had a girlfriend when he went on the first unofficial date with the heroine. He obviously didn't like his current girlfriend, but kept her around to have someone to fuck. A real winner, this one. And it was uncomfortable how many lies he told the heroine. Like his name, profession, and pretty much everything else. And guess what, like the airhead that the heroine is, she forgave him.
On their first official date, they fall into bed less than two minutes in. And the scene is pretty much skirted around. Yup, this story is pretty smut-free.
Finally the grammar and punktuations and little things like that were all over the place. Even if you self-publish, I expect more. I'd say when you self-publish, it's that much more important to get the grammar side of things right simply because it's all on you. There is no publishing house to hide behind. No one but you to blame. -
I know I can be a bit anal retentive at times, and right off a few minor annoyances cropped up in this. Things like inconsistent punctuation, changes in settings without any transition, and telling me things I want to be shown, but these are minor things (mostly), so I ignored them. What isn't so minor is that halfway through, when the H & h are on their first official date (having lunch on his sailboat), the heroine basically says, "let's cut to the chase and get naked." Mind you, there's no buildup of attraction or hormones. They've shared two kisses, the last of which was "unlike any kiss she'd ever experienced," a description that's not exactly heat-inducing, so the move below-deck felt . . . cold and impersonal. And make her look cheap and easy. I'm not going to finish this, which is sad, because all it would have taken was some visceral responses that made me feel the heat between the two, but you know . . . I have some really good things in my TBR stack that are calling my name.
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Sports-themed romances are a temptation I can't resist -- especially when it's a freebie! This one is a short novella that was easy, quick and fun to read. The usual hot hockey player (star of the team, of course!) meets the girl who is so-not-his-type (and, of course, she is THE ONE!).
A little twist in the plot puts these two at odds on a newspaper blog which causes some major issues between them. The story was really too short for real depth to the storyline or good relationship building but the characters are likable and the banter delightful. I was entertained. -
I haven't read Mona Ingram before, but now I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author. It was entertaining, sweet, and so very romantic. Highly recommended for those who love sports themed and/or clean romances.
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Claire had no interest in hockey after having lived with all her life. Now that her twin brother is in the minor leagues, the game is still important to her family. Other than going to all her brother’s games, she doesn’t follow the sport. But when her brother is seriously injured during a game, she agreed to write an anonymous blog against the violence in hockey. When the blog is a success, the paper gets someone to write opposing views on the topic.
After just ending a relationship with a married man, Claire was determined to not get involved with anyone. So when John helped her up after being knocked over by a bicyclist, she wanted to refuse his offer of going for a snack and a ride home, but she knew she couldn’t walk so she accepted. Besides, he was nice and really attractive. John was amazed that Claire didn’t recognize him as a star enforcer for the Canucks, but he liked that she didn’t want to be with him for his fame and money. As they talk, John realized that the reason she doesn’t know him is that she doesn’t follow hockey. That is unusual for a Canadian.
As they got more involved with each other, John knew he had to tell Claire who he really was but was afraid to because of her strong feelings about how violent hockey was and he was one of the ones causing the violence. And he was the blogger opposing her.
You really didn’t need to know anything about hockey to enjoy this book because it could have been about any physically aggressive sport. It was more about Claire’s aversion to the violence and not recognizing John. I really liked this sweet romance and the characters. I admired Claire. She was a strong, opinionated woman who fought for what she believed in. I actually felt sorry for John. Yes, he was famous and wealthy with his pick of women. But he never knew if they liked HIM or his fame.
I enjoyed this quick read and highly recommend it. -
Skating on thin ice...
Between A Jock And A Hard Place is a well-written, light romantic read. It isn't always necessary to have graphic descriptions of hot and steamy sex in order to convey that there is an instant attraction between two people and this author doesn't use those type of descriptions to tell this story.
Set in Canada, where Hockey is the national pastime, we have two people that meet completely by chance and who both experience that instant attraction.
Claire Collins is still licking her wounds, having recently ended a relationship with her married lover. Disillusioned and ashamed of her own gullibility, she has sworn off relationships until she bumps into "John". The attractive stranger helps her to her feet after she's been knocked down by a rude bicyclist and despite her innate caution, she accepts his invitation to share a snack and a lift home.
Jack (John) Logan can't believe that Claire doesn't recognize him, but he finds the novelty of that as attractive as he finds the feisty redhead. As a star enforcer for the Canucks, he's used to being recognized and to all of the good and bad things that come of his celebrity status. He finds the fact that Claire has absolutely no idea who he is refreshing and so he introduces himself as John. As they sit and talk, Jack discovers that Claire doesn't recognize him because she doesn't follow Hockey. She's turned off by the unchecked violence and resulting injuries that take place during the games despite the fact that all of her family and friends are huge fans. In fact, her twin brother is a rising star in the minors until an injury causes him to be benched for the remainder of the season.
Her brother's injury incites Claire to begin a blog blasting the NHL for it's inability to police and protect it's players, unaware that her new love interest is one of those players and the man hired to offer the opposing view to her inflammatory blog. As the two of them get to know each other better, Jack realizes that he has to come clean and tell Claire who he really is, but will he have an opportunity to do so before she discovers the truth for herself?
I did enjoy this story despite the lack of heat. Claire and Jack were both really likable as were the secondary characters that we get to meet. So, despite the lack of over-the-top drama and naughty sex, I was still hoping that everything would work out alright for these two. -
Good, but it could have been better.
I'm not a big sports fan at all, but the premise of the book still managed to draw me in. Claire is surrounded by hockey fanatics. Her friends her parents, even her bother who is a a minor league player himself. Being submerged in the sport as she is, she is turned off by it. She is also coming off of a relationship that scarred her and is steering clear of men, but she isn't prepared for Jack Logan.
Jack Logan is well-known for his position as a hockey player for the Canuks. He has everything a man in his position could want: dream job, hot girl, fame. The only problem is, he would rather play the game and toss out all the rest. Even his relationship has lost its luster. He's looking for more, and when he stumbles across Claire and she has no clue who he is, it's like a breath of fresh air. He can finally be himself and not have to wonder if she likes him for his fame, but for himself.
I liked the pace of the story at first. It was well-written and painted a great and clear picture. I enjoyed learning about both characters and following them along. When they met, it was still rolling at a steady pace, and I liked how the relationship was blossoming. Then at around 50% the whole thing just skipped ahead. Instead of dating they leaped and bounded over courtship and dove straight into intimacy and love. The fact that Jack was on the road for the bulk of their relationship leaving them with 2 encounters (assuming I counted correctly) just made it worse. I found it to be too much too fast and it sort of took me out of the whole romance process.
The book was still relatively good, and I finished it despite its lack. I would consider this an acceptable light read, but as I mentioned above, it could have been better. It could have benefited from a little more elaboration in key areas that would have made the connection and the characters more believable. -
I picked up this novella because I just can't resist a sports romance especially when the sport is hockey. I find it difficult to find romance novels with this particular sport. Oh sure, there are quite a few books out there but you see more with baseball and an over abundance with football. With that being said, when I find one I immediately swoop it up.
Between a Jock and a Hard Place...surely that means HOT GUY + HOT Romance. Well the story premise is good but it started a little slow. The story moved better around chapter 3; however, I still feel that there were some holes and choppiness in this story. What really disappointed me with this novella is the writing of the romance itself. The couple was believable but felt rushed. The reader was told Claire and Jack were attracted to one another and they had combustible chemistry but you did not feel it. I liked the h/h together as they are likable characters and I really wanted to feel the building of the relationship. This is where the author lost me. Not only did I not feel the relationship but I felt the sex scene was glossed over and the description was...well I will let you decide: "He was totally committed to her needs and brought her to the brink of pleasure several times before she "PEAKED" and cried out..."; "He was STIRRING again, and she stroked him languidly..." This is the hottest scene in the book. What the what? Not the description I expected in a sports romance book.
I gave this book 3 stars because it was not a bad read and with a little more emphasis on the relationship building it has the potential to be a great read. It definitely qualifies as another "palette cleaning" read. -
I picked up Mona Ingram's book, Between a Jock and a Hard Place when I stumbled across it sorting through Facebook notices. Being a sports fan as well as a reader, I thought I'd give this book a try. I loved the premise of Claire living in a hockey town, but having little interest in the game, running into one of the team's star players but having no idea who he was. The fact that Jack Logan found the fact that Claire didn't know who he was a bonus made him a humble super star.
The story was a little slow getting started as we learned why Claire was so against being a hockey fan and setting up the conflict that would arise between Jack and Claire. Once the two met, it was a whirlwind romance. I felt the getting to know you phase of the book was a bit rushed and flung us headlong into the romance without letting us enjoy the new love blossoming.
Overall, it was a fun read that I finished in one sitting. It left me wanting a little more of Jack and Claire together and a little less of all the external forces in this short read. I liked where the characters were going, but I felt we only scratched the surface of who they were. -
This was an okay read, but I didn't connect with it as much as I thought I would. It started off good, with an interesting set up of the false identity and secrets, however it soon became repetitive and I didn't feel there was much growth in the relationship. There were a few flirty lines here and there, but I didn't feel a connection between the characters so my attention wasn't held. By the end I wasn't bothered if they stayed together really. Similarly, towards the end things got choppy and felt rushed. It felt like the author was trying to keep under a certain word count rather than use as many as necessary to tell the story. I think things could have been delved into a bit more and fleshed out so there's more personality and chemistry because insta-love needs chemistry to work.
Overall I can only say this was okay, but at least it was free. It's a predictable, easy read that's not at all taxing, but I've read better novellas. -
Between a jock and a hard place pretty cool book I would of loved it even more if it was longer, I really loved Claire and Jack they where really cool people they met on the seawall and they really hit it off, Jack is a hockey play but Claire didn't know who he was which Jack found very refreshing that she didn't know him. Claire was getting over a guy who hurt her but meeting Jack she forgot about everything, Claire and Jack write a blog about hockey but they don't know it's each other but when they do can find out can they fix there relationship or will it be over before it's even started?
it would of been better if it was longer but other then that it was a good book. -
Cute story that would have been much better as a full length story. I love the idea of a girl falling for a famous professional athlete without knowing who he is. My problem stemmed from how rushed the romance between Claire and Jack developed. I mean, they'd only just met and she's already jumping into bed with him. That didn't really match how I had envisioned her character. But, maybe that was the point. He made he do things that were out of character. I would have liked to have seen more insight in each character's realization of feelings for the other. Overall, not bad. C+ rating.
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Ms Ingram has written a good novella about a pro hockey star and a woman who deplores the violence of the game. The story and the characters were well done.
The only problem I found was again the spelling error of childrens', instead of the correct plural possessive children's.
I don't understand how her spell checker doesn't find this recurring error. It has appeared in another work by Ms Ingram that I just enjoyed. -
The book is good but it could have been better.
There's a lot of missing details,
sometimes it leaves me wondering what happened to the other characters..
It's so focused on Claire and Jack/John.
and the name, there's still a lot of explaining needs to be voiced before claiming the forgiveness but it happened still and fast..Well, still a good and fast phased read. -
for such a short story, the characters & storyline was well developed. i read some of the reviews & wasn't positive i should read the book... but i'm glad i did.
Claire meets John after a cyclist almost run sher over. She doesnt recognize him as a famous hockey player & he likes that.
quick Cute story with a lot of misunderstanding as they both only reveal only certain things about themselves. -
I didn't hate this as much as a lot of other readers seemed to. It was entertaining and readable. The shortness limited character and story development, but as a short story it was an interesting enough read.
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This was a cute, quick read. Although I did find some parts somewhat unbelievable. I certainly would not get into a vehicle with a complete stranger - no matter how gorgeous he is. Overall an enjoyable read.
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This book 2 stars because I just saw San Jose Sharks play the Vancouver Canucks in the hockey game last week. Otherwise, this story had little redeeming value. Basically unless you believe in love at first sight and the ability to magically forgive all baggage, don't waste your time.
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Jack and Claire meet walking in the park, she doesn't realize he is a NHL star and he doesn't know that her brother plays with a dream of reaching the bigs. The sparks fly until their secrets come out.
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I can't... I just can't go on reading this one.. BUT I did finish it..
At last... and it was a long journey even though the pages are short compared to other novels.
damn.. -
nice short read
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i enjoyed the book but it left me wanting so much more between Jack and Claire. started off a little slow but got good at chapter 3.
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Very short read. 2.5* but closer to a 3 than a 2! A bit clunky in places, the relationship between Jack and Claire is rather rushed and could be explored better. I liked the premise though.
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I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I loved it and this is exactly what I was looking for at the time.
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Not really my kind of book. Dialogue seems stilted, characters were uninteresting.
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aka Blogging From the Heart
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Good idea. No chemistry. Bad timing. Just nope for me
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o.O What's that?
