TAKING A SHOT is the first book in Taryn Leigh Taylor's "Montana Wolfpack" series about delicious hockey hotties. This story starts out with a good girl looking for a bad boy. Event Director Chelsea London and pro hockey player, and team newbie, Brett Sillinger turn out to be much more than their sexy fantasy personas. Having been burned in the past by family and exes, Chelsea and Brett have different ways of reacting to rejection. Chelsea is looking for an escape -- from who she is, and from the pressures in her life. Brett is looking for something real after experiencing some career twists and an ex-wife who was incredibly shallow. These two characters are flawed but reading about their path to happiness makes an entertaining story. Readers who love lots of background info on the main character should check out PLAYING DIRTY, which is about Brett's older half-sister Lainey and gives a little insight into Brett's family dynamic.

I usually relate more, as well as sympathize, with the heroine in a romance story, but Brett is the star of this book for me. Chelsea has a lot of understandable hang-ups and issues she has to work through. Brett learned a few things about life after getting a taste of sports stardom as a young man. The lessons he learned have given Brett a maturity while still keeping him a sensitive soul at heart. Taryn Leigh Taylor packs a lot of spicy scenes in TAKING A SHOT while also revealing different layers to her main characters and providing emotional depth as well. I love how Brett tries to provide a safe place for Chelsea in the hope that she lets herself be vulnerable with him. Chelsea unconsciously tries to sabotage her burgeoning romantic relationship, but Brett hangs in there and she eventually realizes her mistakes and handles her business with the strength and smarts Brett loves about her.

TAKING A SHOT is a super sexy hockey romance with substance and a hero you'll fall for. The hockey players in this book are drop-dead-gorgeous, strong, often underestimated, and support each other when things get tough. With so many books centered around strong female friendships, it's nice to see a series built around a diverse group of guys who look good but are also more than meets the eye. I look forward to reading Taryn Leigh Taylor's next "Montana Wolfpack" romance.