Review: Trying to Score by Toni Aleo

Title: Trying to Score

Author: Toni Aleo

Source: ebook from author for review

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ADULT READ

goodreads...

Fallon Parker’s dream was to have her family’s wine company at the top of all wine magazines and to have a cellar of her own. After graduating from college, she has worked hard to make that dream a reality, even if that meant having a nonexistent love life. She had her chance at love and that was a bust, so she put everything into the wine company. After becoming the official sponsor of the Nashville Assassins, Fallon finally feels like everything is falling in place, that is until Lucas Brooks comes back into her life.

Lucas Brooks hates his life. He is lonely, he is sober, and he is angry. On the ice, when he’s not in the sin bin, he the leading scorer in the NHL but off the ice, he is a mess. He threw away the most important person in his life, and has regretted it ever since but when Lucas sees Fallon again after being traded to the Assassins; he is bound and determined to get her back. Even if she wants nothing to do with him.

The sexual tension between Fallon and Lucas is electrifying as Lucas tries to convince Fallon that he is a changed man. Fallon tries to resist Lucas, but it is so hard when all her body wants is his. But when Lucas finds out that Fallon has been keeping a huge secret from him, the game he is playing stops and penalties are called.

With new rules and new players on the ice, will Fallon and Lucas be able to work out their differences and work as a team or will they be left trying to score alone.

My take...

I was a little apprehensive when I started reading Trying to Score. I mean, Toni wrote a beautiful (and quite hot) story for Ellie and Shea. Both of those characters were embedded into my heart once I finished that book. (And I loved that Toni added them into the story throughout the book instead of shelving them.) So you see why I would be apprehensive right? To think that she could write another story with 2 different characters that would have the same effect on me as the first 2 did. But yeah, I was in love with them to say the least. Did Fallon drive me up the freakin wall with consistent need to push Lucas away? Abso-freakin-lutely! I was ready to throttle the gal.

Ok here is the deal...9 years ago these two characters, who were quite young at the time, fell in love. Everything is blissful until 2 years later. Lucas breaks Falon’s heart into a million pieces. Fallon cannot forgive him and leaves his life for good. Or so she thinks. When 7 years later they run into each other when Lucas is traded to the Assassins. For Fallon it is 7 years before all over again when she lays eyes on him. For Lucas...well let’s just say he would love to get her under the covers. Flip, dude wouldn't even need a bed, he'd be happy having at it right there on the floor I am sure.

So there you go. Seven years after it all went down, Fallon is still heartbroken and carrying a secret that is more like a ticking time bomb. Not sure what to do with her current predicament, her mind is left reeling. Lucas is trying to convince her he is not the same man he was 7 years ago. But Fallon is having a hard time believing him.

Like I said earlier...I wanted to choke the crap out of Fallon about 90% of the book. I mean, good freakin grief...this is hunky Lucas Brooks we are talking about (and yes I do know he is a fictional man, but just go with it ok?) 7 years is a long time to get over something as heartbreaking as what Lucas did right? Maybe? Ok maybe not! But still every step in the right direction that Lucas took, something would happen and send him flying back about 3 more…leaving him to start right back over. I honestly am surprised he lasted as long as he did trying to win her heart back.

There are lots of wonderful...and some not so wonderful revelations in Trying to Score. Some scenes absolutely broke my heart, some brought a wicked grin to my face and some were...ok, some scenes are too hot to mention. And if you don't mind the F bomb being dropped a few hundred times you should be good. Yes, Toni has a mouth like a sailor when it comes to her characters.

So there you have it, my review of Trying to Score. I will be following up with Empty Net on 9/10/12 for the tour. So I am really looking forward to that one since I have a good background on Audrey now. Toni I heart your writing and love your books. Thanks for giving me the chance to review your work.