The Risk by Elle Kennedy Series: Briar U #2
on February 18, 2019
Pages: 432
Format: ARC
Genres: New Adult, Sports Romance
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A sexy standalone novel from New York Times and international bestselling author Elle Kennedy. THE RISK takes you back to the world of hot hockey players, feisty heroines, bro banter, and steamy scenes...
Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.
And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.
I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.
For every fake date…he wants a real one.
Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and cocky grin, I refuse to fall for him.
That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.
The Risk is the second book in the Briar U series, and I continue to be charmed by the sports romances set on an Ivy League college campus. The strength of the series so far seems to be its confident heroines who frequently outshine the hockey players.
Case in point: Brenna Jensen. What a witty, straightforward, ambitious firecracker she is! I knew I liked her from the previous book, but I grew to respect her in this one. She oozes sex appeal and assurance, and isn’t shy about standing up for herself. I like that she is aware about others’ opinions of her, but she doesn’t let that stop her from being true to herself.
The plot has a definite Romeo and Juliet vibe. As the daughter of Briar’s tough as nails hockey coach, Brenna is in danger of crumbling under the weight of his constant disapproval. Cavorting with Jake Connelly, the captain of Briar’s archrival hockey team, moves the story firmly into forbidden romance territory. Jake is Harvard’s golden boy—a superstar already in possession of an NHL contract upon graduation. He is laser-focused and unabashedly selfish in his pursuit of hockey dreams. Surprisingly, I wasn’t put off by his cockiness because Brenna is equally ambitious and cocky in her own right.
I thoroughly enjoyed the flirtatious barbs Jake and Brenna toss at each other. They start as enemies, but the nature of their relationship changes as a result of Brenna’s unexpected vulnerability. Together they are fun, sexy, and supportive. Their friends are great sources of humor, so I look forward to getting to know the other players in the Briar U universe more.
Recommended for fans of:
Hockey
College romance
Red lipstick
Sports journalism
Enemies to lovers stories
* I received an early copy of this book. It does not affect my opinion. *
About Elle Kennedy
A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle writes romantic suspense and erotic contemporary romance for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Great review!
I loved this one! It was so charming. I especially loved Rupi and Hollis! I hope we get a book about them.