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The Bannister Brothers #1
Icing On The Date
Struggling caterer, Gabby Davis, has enough on her plate trying to start her new business and take care of her deadbeat brother. The last thing she needs is to get involved with Owen Bannister, the brawling NHL player who is known for his cavalier playboy ways. Even if having him in her kitchen does turn up the heat.
Owen Bannister has a reputation for being a hot-head that no one woman can pin down. When the press captures him laughing and frosting the cupcakes of a local baker, team management sees a chance to clean up his tarnished image. But he soon finds that love is the ultimate game changer, and he’s about to get checked.
Having Gabby around is great for publicity and great for her business, but what happens when she becomes more than just a game?
Mixing cupcakes and hockey might just be a recipe for love in this fun romantic comedy/sports romance that mixes a cute caterer with a bad-boy hockey player.
Owen Bannister has a reputation for being a hot-head that no one woman can pin down. When the press captures him laughing and frosting the cupcakes of a local baker, team management sees a chance to clean up his tarnished image. But he soon finds that love is the ultimate game changer, and he’s about to get checked.
Having Gabby around is great for publicity and great for her business, but what happens when she becomes more than just a game?
Mixing cupcakes and hockey might just be a recipe for love in this fun romantic comedy/sports romance that mixes a cute caterer with a bad-boy hockey player.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2016
About the author
Jennie Marts
49 books872 followersJennie Marts is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She loves genre-mashups, and her books range from western romance to cozy mysteries but all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. Living out her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado, she’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.
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August 20, 2024
Icing On The Date is book one in The Bannister Brothers series by Jennie Marts. I loved this book so much. The sweet baker and the sexy bad boy hockey player are a couple that you probably think would never work. But they do. And I can’t wait to introduce you to these two.
Gabby Davis owns her own cupcake shop, Simply Sweet. Her cupcakes are amazing but she needs to work on her advertising to try to gain new customers. She’s been saving the money for more advertising for a long time. Until she needed it for something else.
Owen Bannister is a professional hockey player, a defenseman for The Colorado Summit hockey team. He and his brother, Bane, are both on the team and are known as the Brawling Bannisters. Owen is known for his hot tempter both on the ice and off.
Due to a terrible childhood, Gabby pretty much raised her younger brother. But now, as an adult, her brother is heading down the wrong path and Gabby is the one always ending up picking up the pieces, both emotionally and financially. She should walk away but they are all each other has. She won’t abandon him.
After the way they met, Gabby is concerned that Owen is also on that same destructive path. But he shows her a different side of himself. The sweet, caring, generous, sexy man that she just can’t say no to. And it seems her being in his life is helping him with a more positive image. Not to mention all the publicity it is bringing to the bakery.
“Something in this kitchen was already burning. Burning hot. And it wasn’t the cupcakes.”
These two were just so adorable together. That toy store scene! That’s all I’m saying about that. I loved the confidence they brought each other. That they both saw the other as they really were, not the side they showed the public. But both of them are battling their own demons. Both Gabby’s past and Owen’s own lack of self confidence. This story was sweet and sexy and swoony and wonderful. I love the way Jennie tells her stories. I get pulled in every single time and then I don’t want to let it go. Book two will be Owen’s brother, Bane’s book in Worth The Shot. I can’t wait to read it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Gabby Davis owns her own cupcake shop, Simply Sweet. Her cupcakes are amazing but she needs to work on her advertising to try to gain new customers. She’s been saving the money for more advertising for a long time. Until she needed it for something else.
Owen Bannister is a professional hockey player, a defenseman for The Colorado Summit hockey team. He and his brother, Bane, are both on the team and are known as the Brawling Bannisters. Owen is known for his hot tempter both on the ice and off.
Due to a terrible childhood, Gabby pretty much raised her younger brother. But now, as an adult, her brother is heading down the wrong path and Gabby is the one always ending up picking up the pieces, both emotionally and financially. She should walk away but they are all each other has. She won’t abandon him.
After the way they met, Gabby is concerned that Owen is also on that same destructive path. But he shows her a different side of himself. The sweet, caring, generous, sexy man that she just can’t say no to. And it seems her being in his life is helping him with a more positive image. Not to mention all the publicity it is bringing to the bakery.
“Something in this kitchen was already burning. Burning hot. And it wasn’t the cupcakes.”
These two were just so adorable together. That toy store scene! That’s all I’m saying about that. I loved the confidence they brought each other. That they both saw the other as they really were, not the side they showed the public. But both of them are battling their own demons. Both Gabby’s past and Owen’s own lack of self confidence. This story was sweet and sexy and swoony and wonderful. I love the way Jennie tells her stories. I get pulled in every single time and then I don’t want to let it go. Book two will be Owen’s brother, Bane’s book in Worth The Shot. I can’t wait to read it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
January 11, 2016
What an intriguing way to meet someone new – and in the first few pages of the first chapter, too! This series has GREAT potential!
Gabby Davis has big dreams for her cupcake business but her brother’s choices always seem to interfere with her desire to move forward with those dreams. When Owen Bannister, a hunky well known sports figure, stumbles into her life things begin to change. Both Gabby and Owen feel the attraction but are not sure where, if anywhere, the attraction will take them. Gabby still has her brother to contend with, her business to run and her past to overcome. Owen has a job to do, bad press to deal with and decisions to make.
I loved Owen – what a wonderful, caring, sharing, tender, loving man he can be! Gabby is sassy, strong willed, unwilling to take guff, able to take the lead and unwilling to put up with less than she deserves. The scenes between Gabby and Owen in the bakery and bakery truck were priceless. I am eager to read the next book to find out what happens to Bane Bannister after his trade to a different NHL team.
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.
3.5 to 4 Stars
Gabby Davis has big dreams for her cupcake business but her brother’s choices always seem to interfere with her desire to move forward with those dreams. When Owen Bannister, a hunky well known sports figure, stumbles into her life things begin to change. Both Gabby and Owen feel the attraction but are not sure where, if anywhere, the attraction will take them. Gabby still has her brother to contend with, her business to run and her past to overcome. Owen has a job to do, bad press to deal with and decisions to make.
I loved Owen – what a wonderful, caring, sharing, tender, loving man he can be! Gabby is sassy, strong willed, unwilling to take guff, able to take the lead and unwilling to put up with less than she deserves. The scenes between Gabby and Owen in the bakery and bakery truck were priceless. I am eager to read the next book to find out what happens to Bane Bannister after his trade to a different NHL team.
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.
3.5 to 4 Stars
January 9, 2016
This book was such a fun read. I was laughing out loud at many parts. I got swept up in one of the sweetest romances I have read in a while. Gabby and Owen have an undeniable attraction from the beginning. Owen is one of the most surprising characters. He is so misunderstood by the rest of the world, fortunately Gabby, a head strong business owner, could get a glimpse of the real Owen, a hunky hockey player.
This romantic comedy is a must read if you like feel good books, undeniable chemistry between the two main characters, and a book that reminds us of what is important in life..family.
* I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author for an honest review*
This romantic comedy is a must read if you like feel good books, undeniable chemistry between the two main characters, and a book that reminds us of what is important in life..family.
* I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author for an honest review*
January 11, 2016
Boy, do I want some cupcakes while watching hockey! This was such a sweet story and I cannot wait to read what the future holds for the Bannister brothers! You felt as if you were a part of the story and just had to know what was going to happen next. I have fallen for the Bannister brothers and am wanting more! I flew through this book in 1 day. Very well written and easy to read. Loved this book!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2017
Owen is a hockey player that is in trouble often. He and Gabby meet in the women's restroom of a hotel during an event that Gabby is catering. She rescues him. Gabby is hard working and wants her bakery to one of the most popular ones. Owen remembers the name of the bakery and looks her up the next day. To thank her, he helps her for the day. And thus begins their relationship.
I didn't think I'd like this as much as I did. Owen is a drunken mess when they first meet. As I got to know Owen, I realized he was rarely like that. He was angry at himself that some of his (and his brother Bane's shared) behavior on the ice got Bane traded. I also liked Gabby. What brought this down for me was a secondary character- Justin, Gabby's brother. Gabby is a doormat when it comes to him, enabling him each and every time. See, Gabby as the eldest had sheltered and taken care of her younger brother Justin. They grew up with an abusive step-father. Justin gets drunk and into fights. He gets arrested and/or needs to go to the ER. Gabby then is the one who bails him out. In fact, the book opens with her having to do just that. It's implied that she's had to do it before. Then, later, after they went to a hockey game, they (Gabby, Owen, and Justin) go to a bar. Owen buys Justin a beer; smart, let's have the alcoholic have alcohol. It will come as a shock to all that later Justin got into a fight and needed to go to the ER! This would have been 4* if Gabby had held Justin accountable at all or changed her behavior. Or if it was even acknowledged that Justin was an alcoholic.
I didn't think I'd like this as much as I did. Owen is a drunken mess when they first meet. As I got to know Owen, I realized he was rarely like that. He was angry at himself that some of his (and his brother Bane's shared) behavior on the ice got Bane traded. I also liked Gabby. What brought this down for me was a secondary character- Justin, Gabby's brother. Gabby is a doormat when it comes to him, enabling him each and every time. See, Gabby as the eldest had sheltered and taken care of her younger brother Justin. They grew up with an abusive step-father. Justin gets drunk and into fights. He gets arrested and/or needs to go to the ER. Gabby then is the one who bails him out. In fact, the book opens with her having to do just that. It's implied that she's had to do it before. Then, later, after they went to a hockey game, they (Gabby, Owen, and Justin) go to a bar. Owen buys Justin a beer; smart, let's have the alcoholic have alcohol. It will come as a shock to all that later Justin got into a fight and needed to go to the ER! This would have been 4* if Gabby had held Justin accountable at all or changed her behavior. Or if it was even acknowledged that Justin was an alcoholic.
April 23, 2020
I really liked this story about Owen, a troublemaking hockey player and Gabby, a baker with a heart of gold. The two together were magic- so sweet to each other and Owen really shined. Gabby's brother, also a trouble maker who always got drunk or arrested was also really sweet but this was so inconsistent- he was caring but yet causing such issues for his sister? This inconsistency extended to Owen- he was a troublemaker but he was amazingly caring and sweet and reliable with Gabby. I think that lack of connection was a bit confusing but I had no trouble finishing and really liking this book. I definitely am going to continue with the story (I initially borrowed the box set and there is a novella in there following Owen's brother, Bane, that isn't in KU so I'm looking forward to reading that)
January 11, 2018
2.5 stars... a little bit of insta-love for me and the characters seemed to be too perfect for my taste, at least in the eyes of the other person. What I did enjoy was that the conflict/hesitation came from the fact that she'd dealt with abuse in her life and the violence of the game was getting to her. I wasn't quite sure about how the author resolved that point... it seemed to be really swept under the rug after one conversation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2020
This was my first book by this author and I felt it was very good. The characters are well developed and their chemistry is red hot. Owen is a cocky pro hockey player from a great family. Gabby is a survivor from a rough childhood trying to make a future for herself. I found both characters likable and strong and their romance believable. I enjoyed the plot and setting and I will be reading more of this author.
February 2, 2020
A cute Rom .com with a happily ever after
I am starting to catch up on some of Ms. Marts' earlier works while I wait for her next book. Owen and Gabby's story did not disappoint. I love that her characters from the main to secondary are so well written that you can picture them in your head. Being a Colorado native I am always thrilled when an author writes Colorado correctly. Looking forward to the r Bannister brothers stories!
I am starting to catch up on some of Ms. Marts' earlier works while I wait for her next book. Owen and Gabby's story did not disappoint. I love that her characters from the main to secondary are so well written that you can picture them in your head. Being a Colorado native I am always thrilled when an author writes Colorado correctly. Looking forward to the r Bannister brothers stories!
May 9, 2017
I'm only giving this 3 stars because I really loved the story. The romance between them was adorable. The characters were strong. I really only wanted to give this 2 stars because the end....it just ends...sure it was happy but there was ever after really....all in all it was a good quick read.
April 13, 2018
Who can resist a cute smile?
Well this book started of as my gym read, but once I started I couldnt out it down. Like Owen it was irresistible and snuck way under your skin until you needed to reach the end.
Well this book started of as my gym read, but once I started I couldnt out it down. Like Owen it was irresistible and snuck way under your skin until you needed to reach the end.
June 19, 2019
Good read
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one and I was very pleasantly surprised. This cupcake-hockey romance was quite entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. There are no crazy exes, no stalkers. Just a developing romance to capture your heart.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one and I was very pleasantly surprised. This cupcake-hockey romance was quite entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. There are no crazy exes, no stalkers. Just a developing romance to capture your heart.
July 22, 2019
This one was okay and started out strong but kind petered out. The writing and story were a little basic and the sexy times were nonexistent pretty much so I think I'll pass on the rest of the series.
May 29, 2021
Icing On The Date
A fun romantic read. A disaster ends up turning into a chance at love for Gabby and Owen. What does a baker and a hockey player have in common? I look forward to reading more by this author.
A fun romantic read. A disaster ends up turning into a chance at love for Gabby and Owen. What does a baker and a hockey player have in common? I look forward to reading more by this author.
March 24, 2024
Cute little rom-com.
Baker & Hockey Player
Reputation Rehabilitation
Instant Attraction
He fights FOR her
The premise was adorable. It was a short read, but some how slow moving. The fmc seemed too compliant & forgiving, there didnt seem to be much back bone IMO.
Baker & Hockey Player
Reputation Rehabilitation
Instant Attraction
He fights FOR her
The premise was adorable. It was a short read, but some how slow moving. The fmc seemed too compliant & forgiving, there didnt seem to be much back bone IMO.
June 7, 2017
Time for cupcakes
Cute story but not a big fan of the writing. I feel there should have been a little more time for the couple to get to know each other.
Cute story but not a big fan of the writing. I feel there should have been a little more time for the couple to get to know each other.
June 12, 2017
Cute.
Brother was really annoying.
Brother was really annoying.
July 28, 2017
3.5 Stars
Cute, sweet, with a bit of depth to the characters. Her brother had issues, but I liked the main couple. Will continue the series.
Cute, sweet, with a bit of depth to the characters. Her brother had issues, but I liked the main couple. Will continue the series.
August 26, 2017
Owen and Gabby are cute and sexy together.
This book Madame laugh and tugged a bit at my emotions. Romantic and sweet, the chemistry makes a great mix.
This book Madame laugh and tugged a bit at my emotions. Romantic and sweet, the chemistry makes a great mix.
October 7, 2017
This was such a sweet romance story that held me all the way through. From their meeting in the bathroom to her understanding of his role in his job. It was just a great read. Loved it.
June 8, 2019
Cute, sweet story. Perfect feel good Saturday afternoon read.
June 17, 2019
Great story about a hockey player trying to clean up his image and falling for a beautiful baker. Lots of excitement, humor, drama, and sexiness in this enjoyable read.
June 16, 2019
Okay read.
Easy enough to read. I liked Owen’s charm and easy camaraderie with his brothers. Gabby was sweet with a traumatic childhood and a great love for her brother.
Easy enough to read. I liked Owen’s charm and easy camaraderie with his brothers. Gabby was sweet with a traumatic childhood and a great love for her brother.
July 1, 2023
I loved the storyline, the plot and the characters...Owen is a cutie. You will never think of cupcakes in the same way. Jennie keeps you turning the pages.
September 1, 2016
Gabby Davis is a survivor. She came from what just about everyone would call a horrible background. Her natural father bailed on her, her little brother Justin and mother years ago. It got so bad they didn’t know how they were going to make it. Then her mom met Ron her future step dad at work.
Things were good at first but then he lost his job. His new family became his target of choice after long hours of drinking. That’s when Gabby started making plans for her and her brother. You see she had heard her mother say over and over “This time I will leave him” but she never has. So she knew she had to in order to survive.
At a young age she started working toward that goal. Working at a bakery so that at 18 she worked there full-time. And that is when she moved out and took Justin with her. It was hard and they were dirt poor but they were safe and happy. Most of all not living in fear. She made her little brother graduate from high school and she had her next door neighbor lady that used to babysit them when things got bad at home that gave the two kids a safe place to hide.
When her husband died she helped Gabby set up her own bakery and she let her rent the apartment above the bakery. Not to mention she was the morning baker to this day for Gabby and her right hand. She was the person that was like a mom to Gabby and Justin. She is now open and called “Simply Sweet.” She is noted for her cupcakes but she makes everything.
On this night she is serving desserts for a function at one of the local hotels in town. When a waiter slams through the doors on the wrong side. Smooshing the cupcake tray all over the front of Gabby’s catering shirt. Chocolate no less. Gabby is not happy because she had just gotten a call from Justin who was once more drunk, in jail, and needing $2000.00 for bail money. It had taken her 6 months to save that money for an advertising budget that she had just called some to get the ball rolling that she would now have call and stop.
She leaves the tray in the kitchen and goes storming off to the lady’s bathroom right into the last stall. No sooner does she close the door when she hears voices. Then notices one is a man’s voice. She can see through the cracks of the door that the lady’s shoes alone could get her brother out of jail, for they are red bottoms. Everything on her was expensive even her breast. The man was in an expensive suit but drunker than a skunk. The girl was ready to party and have a good time, namely sex. The guy mainly wanted the room to stop spinning and to barf. The girl was not happy. The minute the girl left and the guy slumped to the floor snoring she came out and washed her hands and brushed off the now dried chocolate frosting.
All of a sudden she felt someone climbing up her leg. She wasn’t afraid though. Maybe because she had been dealing with her brother and his drinking for far too long. She just asked as she lowered herself to the ground how she could help and who she could call for him. He just said how he was in so much trouble and that he didn’t mean to do it. She said can I call someone for you? He panicked and said no but then he said yes to call his brother Bane. He gave her his phone and she did. Bane said to please keep him there, to not tell anyone else, and to not let him leave.
Bane said he would be right down to keep him there away from people and don’t tell anyone. Which was okay with her because she had no clue who he was. So he said I’m Owen Bannister she still had no clue. Owen just sat with her on the floor using her breast as a pillow and hugging her around the waist. He kept telling her she smelled so good like a chocolate angel sent from heaven. That she smelled so good. The next day she finds out he’s a big time hockey player for the local Summit team. Still really meant nothing to her since she would never see him again. But she also found out what trouble the brothers kept talking about too.
Owen shows up to see her to say thanks. Or is it more? Gabby touches a place in Owen’s heart when they had a moment in that restroom that changed a lot for him. He can’t seem to make heads or tails of it all. As is the case for Gabby too. See how things start to come together and see the peaks and valleys of icing this love affair. I give this 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at:
www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
Things were good at first but then he lost his job. His new family became his target of choice after long hours of drinking. That’s when Gabby started making plans for her and her brother. You see she had heard her mother say over and over “This time I will leave him” but she never has. So she knew she had to in order to survive.
At a young age she started working toward that goal. Working at a bakery so that at 18 she worked there full-time. And that is when she moved out and took Justin with her. It was hard and they were dirt poor but they were safe and happy. Most of all not living in fear. She made her little brother graduate from high school and she had her next door neighbor lady that used to babysit them when things got bad at home that gave the two kids a safe place to hide.
When her husband died she helped Gabby set up her own bakery and she let her rent the apartment above the bakery. Not to mention she was the morning baker to this day for Gabby and her right hand. She was the person that was like a mom to Gabby and Justin. She is now open and called “Simply Sweet.” She is noted for her cupcakes but she makes everything.
On this night she is serving desserts for a function at one of the local hotels in town. When a waiter slams through the doors on the wrong side. Smooshing the cupcake tray all over the front of Gabby’s catering shirt. Chocolate no less. Gabby is not happy because she had just gotten a call from Justin who was once more drunk, in jail, and needing $2000.00 for bail money. It had taken her 6 months to save that money for an advertising budget that she had just called some to get the ball rolling that she would now have call and stop.
She leaves the tray in the kitchen and goes storming off to the lady’s bathroom right into the last stall. No sooner does she close the door when she hears voices. Then notices one is a man’s voice. She can see through the cracks of the door that the lady’s shoes alone could get her brother out of jail, for they are red bottoms. Everything on her was expensive even her breast. The man was in an expensive suit but drunker than a skunk. The girl was ready to party and have a good time, namely sex. The guy mainly wanted the room to stop spinning and to barf. The girl was not happy. The minute the girl left and the guy slumped to the floor snoring she came out and washed her hands and brushed off the now dried chocolate frosting.
All of a sudden she felt someone climbing up her leg. She wasn’t afraid though. Maybe because she had been dealing with her brother and his drinking for far too long. She just asked as she lowered herself to the ground how she could help and who she could call for him. He just said how he was in so much trouble and that he didn’t mean to do it. She said can I call someone for you? He panicked and said no but then he said yes to call his brother Bane. He gave her his phone and she did. Bane said to please keep him there, to not tell anyone else, and to not let him leave.
Bane said he would be right down to keep him there away from people and don’t tell anyone. Which was okay with her because she had no clue who he was. So he said I’m Owen Bannister she still had no clue. Owen just sat with her on the floor using her breast as a pillow and hugging her around the waist. He kept telling her she smelled so good like a chocolate angel sent from heaven. That she smelled so good. The next day she finds out he’s a big time hockey player for the local Summit team. Still really meant nothing to her since she would never see him again. But she also found out what trouble the brothers kept talking about too.
Owen shows up to see her to say thanks. Or is it more? Gabby touches a place in Owen’s heart when they had a moment in that restroom that changed a lot for him. He can’t seem to make heads or tails of it all. As is the case for Gabby too. See how things start to come together and see the peaks and valleys of icing this love affair. I give this 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at:
www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
January 22, 2017
RATING:
Icing On the Date: Read It
Worth the Shot: Read It
Skirting the Ice: Buy It
Give me an O. Give me a W. Give me an E.N. And give him to me. NOW. ~ Icing On the Date
When I was scouring Amazon in search of a quick, sweet and sexy read and happened upon the books that make up the Bannister Brothers series, I knew I needed to read them. One, because I'm really into hockey books—not that I even watch hockey—and two, because I've read several books now by Jennie Marts, and enjoyed them all. There's something so very easy about reading a book by Ms. Marts. They're not overly angsty or steeped in drama. They're fun and flirty, and they have handsome, kind, soft-on-the-inside men like these Bannister boys, who steal hearts and panties like it's their job.
So, I'll start with this simple fact: Icing On the Date (Bannister Brothers Book 1) was a great read. A wonderful opener to the series which made me excited to read more. Gabby + Owen made me laugh, smile and swoon. The writing was engaging, the story lovely but not taxing, their meet-cute funny, yummy and unique. It's a book that is very easy to get lost in and fall in love with, what with its gruff, explosive hero and hard-working heroine, and by the time I finished it, I simply couldn't wait to see what came next for the delightful Bannister brothers.
Which was why I dove straight into the next book (after also grabbing the novella, Worth the Shot, which is sandwiched by books one and two—and is itself a steamy, fun and quick Read It). And Skirting the Ice (Bannister Brothers Book 2) blew me away with the nerdy goodness that was Jack Bannister.
Y'all, this book was SO FREAKIN’ ADORABLE, I can't even. Unlike his brothers, hockey stars Owen and Bane, Jack was geeky, dorky and much more level-headed. Except when it comes to Murphy, the girl next door. He was so taken with her, and I was so taken with them, that I had to pause several times to message a fellow nerd-loving friend to gush and pressure her into downloading it ASAP.
Skirting the Ice might have come with a healthy dose of intrigue and mystery, which was a real treat, but mostly, it simply came with feels and funny moments and insecurities that made me all kinds of swoony over Jack + Murphy.
And his brothers.
And this series.
*Sigh*
“Sorry. That’s pretty nerdy, huh? It’s gotta be so sexy to take your top off and have a guy have an asthma attack just from looking at you.”
If you only knew. ~ Skirting the Ice
Icing On the Date: Read It
Worth the Shot: Read It
Skirting the Ice: Buy It
Give me an O. Give me a W. Give me an E.N. And give him to me. NOW. ~ Icing On the Date
When I was scouring Amazon in search of a quick, sweet and sexy read and happened upon the books that make up the Bannister Brothers series, I knew I needed to read them. One, because I'm really into hockey books—not that I even watch hockey—and two, because I've read several books now by Jennie Marts, and enjoyed them all. There's something so very easy about reading a book by Ms. Marts. They're not overly angsty or steeped in drama. They're fun and flirty, and they have handsome, kind, soft-on-the-inside men like these Bannister boys, who steal hearts and panties like it's their job.
So, I'll start with this simple fact: Icing On the Date (Bannister Brothers Book 1) was a great read. A wonderful opener to the series which made me excited to read more. Gabby + Owen made me laugh, smile and swoon. The writing was engaging, the story lovely but not taxing, their meet-cute funny, yummy and unique. It's a book that is very easy to get lost in and fall in love with, what with its gruff, explosive hero and hard-working heroine, and by the time I finished it, I simply couldn't wait to see what came next for the delightful Bannister brothers.
Which was why I dove straight into the next book (after also grabbing the novella, Worth the Shot, which is sandwiched by books one and two—and is itself a steamy, fun and quick Read It). And Skirting the Ice (Bannister Brothers Book 2) blew me away with the nerdy goodness that was Jack Bannister.
Y'all, this book was SO FREAKIN’ ADORABLE, I can't even. Unlike his brothers, hockey stars Owen and Bane, Jack was geeky, dorky and much more level-headed. Except when it comes to Murphy, the girl next door. He was so taken with her, and I was so taken with them, that I had to pause several times to message a fellow nerd-loving friend to gush and pressure her into downloading it ASAP.
Skirting the Ice might have come with a healthy dose of intrigue and mystery, which was a real treat, but mostly, it simply came with feels and funny moments and insecurities that made me all kinds of swoony over Jack + Murphy.
And his brothers.
And this series.
*Sigh*
“Sorry. That’s pretty nerdy, huh? It’s gotta be so sexy to take your top off and have a guy have an asthma attack just from looking at you.”
If you only knew. ~ Skirting the Ice
March 3, 2016
Please note this review may contain spoilers.
How did you meet your boyfriend? At work? In a bar? Through a mutual friend? Or did you meet him on the floor of the ladies bathroom while he was drunk and you were covered in chocolate icing? And so begins the story of Gabby and Owen.
I liked Gabby. She's smart, loyal and a hard worker. Her dream is to run the best cupcake shop in Denver and she's doing everything she can to make her dream come true. She loves her brother and is very protective of him, even if I think she does too much for him⎯that boy needs to learn to stand on his own two feet. Owen is a great guy with a poor reputation, and despite hating said reputation, he certainly played it up. At least until Gabby entered his life. He knew from the start she was a nice person and he hated the team's idea of using her to improve his image. And even though he did go along with it, his actions towards her were genuine and sweet.
ICING ON THE DATE was a light and fun read, but there were a couple of small things that bothered me. Firstly⎯as a hockey fan⎯I thought the trade of Owen's brother, Bane, was unrealistic. He got in a fight during a game and was traded? At the time, Owen had a bad reputation both on and off the ice, so if anyone was going to be traded, it would have been him. The other thing was Gabby's "Inner Vixen" and how many times she made an appearance. ICING ON THE DATE is told in dual POVs and is book 1 in the Bannister Brothers series. I'm looking forward to reading Bane's story in WORTH THE SHOT.
For more reviews, please visit our website: www.romancebetweenthesheets.com
How did you meet your boyfriend? At work? In a bar? Through a mutual friend? Or did you meet him on the floor of the ladies bathroom while he was drunk and you were covered in chocolate icing? And so begins the story of Gabby and Owen.
I liked Gabby. She's smart, loyal and a hard worker. Her dream is to run the best cupcake shop in Denver and she's doing everything she can to make her dream come true. She loves her brother and is very protective of him, even if I think she does too much for him⎯that boy needs to learn to stand on his own two feet. Owen is a great guy with a poor reputation, and despite hating said reputation, he certainly played it up. At least until Gabby entered his life. He knew from the start she was a nice person and he hated the team's idea of using her to improve his image. And even though he did go along with it, his actions towards her were genuine and sweet.
ICING ON THE DATE was a light and fun read, but there were a couple of small things that bothered me. Firstly⎯as a hockey fan⎯I thought the trade of Owen's brother, Bane, was unrealistic. He got in a fight during a game and was traded? At the time, Owen had a bad reputation both on and off the ice, so if anyone was going to be traded, it would have been him. The other thing was Gabby's "Inner Vixen" and how many times she made an appearance. ICING ON THE DATE is told in dual POVs and is book 1 in the Bannister Brothers series. I'm looking forward to reading Bane's story in WORTH THE SHOT.
For more reviews, please visit our website: www.romancebetweenthesheets.com
January 14, 2016
an amusing story of how two somewhat broken people learn to help each other
Ms. Marts was sucessfully able to build a storyworld mixing real life people and organizations into her fictional storyline. While knowing something about hockey and the NHL is not mandatory I found my knowledge to highlighg the story and made it more believable. I can envision some of the players I have watched for years falling into one of the fictional players.
The prose and grammar are consistent and easily undrstood by most readers. While the sexual liasions are describe in some detail I would rate it as a 2.5 on a heat index. It is not hardcore nor is it gompletely passed over with just flowery words or phrases.
The story was overall enjoyable and qn easy read that is diffifult to walk away from. Ms. Marts did any excellentt job engaging the reader in caring not only about the main characters but interested enough in the secondary characters to want to read future books within the series. She also in a bold move touches on understanding what might become of children raised in an abusive household, how they have grown and the effects that abuse never completely goes away even after the child is an adult and attempting to build themselves.
Ms. Marts was sucessfully able to build a storyworld mixing real life people and organizations into her fictional storyline. While knowing something about hockey and the NHL is not mandatory I found my knowledge to highlighg the story and made it more believable. I can envision some of the players I have watched for years falling into one of the fictional players.
The prose and grammar are consistent and easily undrstood by most readers. While the sexual liasions are describe in some detail I would rate it as a 2.5 on a heat index. It is not hardcore nor is it gompletely passed over with just flowery words or phrases.
The story was overall enjoyable and qn easy read that is diffifult to walk away from. Ms. Marts did any excellentt job engaging the reader in caring not only about the main characters but interested enough in the secondary characters to want to read future books within the series. She also in a bold move touches on understanding what might become of children raised in an abusive household, how they have grown and the effects that abuse never completely goes away even after the child is an adult and attempting to build themselves.
April 30, 2016
Blow a Tire
What can I say. Hmmm, okay. I liked the idea of the storyline and the thought the author took to set it up. But it really all just fell flat. The depth wasn't there, the attraction was lacking, the bedroom time was really lacking.....it just felt like a rough draft to me. No epilogue at all and that's were I should have stopped reading. I always read the epilogue first (don't know just do) and I should have figured out this story was going to be lacking.
BUT I'm willing to try another book from this author to see if maybe in a different storyline or something a better story is written.
Really disappointed because I really wanted to get connected to these characters and feel like I was in this story with them but it just was lacking and I felt like I was watching from afar and couldn't get vested.
What can I say. Hmmm, okay. I liked the idea of the storyline and the thought the author took to set it up. But it really all just fell flat. The depth wasn't there, the attraction was lacking, the bedroom time was really lacking.....it just felt like a rough draft to me. No epilogue at all and that's were I should have stopped reading. I always read the epilogue first (don't know just do) and I should have figured out this story was going to be lacking.
BUT I'm willing to try another book from this author to see if maybe in a different storyline or something a better story is written.
Really disappointed because I really wanted to get connected to these characters and feel like I was in this story with them but it just was lacking and I felt like I was watching from afar and couldn't get vested.
January 12, 2016
Wow, what a fun read. What's not to love a romance, a sexy hockey player and cupcakes. Gabby and Owen come from two different families. Gabby grew up in an abusive household and Owen had a fun loving family. Can Gabby now accept Owen with the violence of being a hockey player. You will soon see a soft inner side of Owen, that you to will fall in love with. I loved how he helped her at her bakery while making cupcakes and so supportive of her troublesome brother.
Great character development of Gabby and Owen, you to will fall in love with this couple and will be rooting for their HEA. I can't wait for more Bannister Brothers.
Great character development of Gabby and Owen, you to will fall in love with this couple and will be rooting for their HEA. I can't wait for more Bannister Brothers.
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