Dirty Deal

Mira Lyn Kelly scored another goal with Dirty Deal, book five in her Slayers Hockey series. I seriously did not want to put this book down once I started reading it was that fantastic. I loved Nora and Axel from the moment Nora was complaining about Axel being an awful neighbor while Axel would do something to annoy Nora, just to get a reaction out of her. Basically Axel was smitten with Nora from the moment she moved in. Nora feels less favorable toward Axel and his manwhore ways turned her off. Opening the door to a one-night stand showing up at your door in labor, is not something Axel expected, but he quickly jumps into action. After his son, Otto, is born, the baby mama takes off, leaving Axel to be a single father. The fierceness and love Axel had for this baby and his need to keep him safe says much about his character. I was moved by the helplessness you see in Axel, as he negotiates the path of fatherhood to a newborn baby he had no idea was going to come into his life. Nora is uniquely qualified to help out, and happens to be in-between jobs and needing a place to stay. Never one to let others down, Nora agrees to be Otto’s nanny, temporarily, as she has already ridden down that road. After moving in to help Axel with baby Otto Nora sees the real Axel, not the “player” she thought he was. Nora and Axel become real friends and despite wanting more, they both know that Nora is leaving.

 

I loved watching these two grow as friends and attempt to fight the attraction and chemistry that is evident from their first interaction, continuing after Nora moves in with Axel and Otto; it was only a matter of time before they have to give in. With Nora’s help, Axel grew up, learned to take responsibility, and opened his heart while Axel encouraged Nora to follow her dreams and to never settle for less; even if that wasn’t with him and Otto. These two are amazing together and it was so powerful to see how much Axel loved Nora.

Ms. Kelly wrote an emotional, amazing, steamy, insta-dad, sports romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale I quickly became invested in, that was rich with emotions, sizzling chemistry, magnetic attraction, humor, and charming characters giving Axel and Nora a chance at love and a future together with baby Otto. I highly recommend Dirty Deal to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book