Hawk (Perfect Stats #3) by Amber Malloy

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hawk thought he had everything he wanted until Lexington Waters showed up. That’s when he discovered he needed so much more.

Tech Guru Lexi Waters needs to snatch her company out of the grasp of her greedy ex-husband. The only problem is the restraining order that keeps her away from the business she built from the ground up. With no money left to her name, Lexi is forced to go back to Chicago and face the first man to ever let her down—blues legend Sugarfoot Moe Waters, her father. While she’s stuck fixing up his crappy bar, the last thing she needs to deal with is a pushy, arrogant professional hockey player—Hawthorne Maze, aka Hawk. Hopefully the gorgeous distraction won’t derail everything she has worked so hard for.

From the outside looking in, Hawk’s life seems perfect. Professionally, he’s at the top of his field, and personally, he has his pick of any groupie. Orphaned by teenage parents, he only knows is that his mom is white and his dad black. Other than that, there are only two people he considers family—his childhood friend Gavin Knox and geriatric bar owner Moe. He thinks he knows everything about the famous blues artist, but the sudden appearance of his hot-ass daughter is not only unexpected but also unwanted. Contemplating retirement, Hawk needs to figure out what to do next, but fate keeps throwing the sexy egghead Lexi in his path.

MY REVIEW

Hawk is the third book in the Perfect Stats series combining sports, romance, family and friends, and an intriguing battle of fighting for your dreams.

Lexington “Lexi” Waters is a smart, independent woman who made some made choices in her life. Namely, her ex-husband Josh Stewart has taken everything from her including the company she created with her innovative tech skills. Fighting a trumped-up restraining order she is battling for what’s hers, but Josh plays dirty. As she tries to keep a low profile and rebuild her life by renovating her father’s blues bar, she meets Hawthorne “Hawk” Maze, professional hockey player. He’s arrogant, sexy, and good for a booty call or two, but Lexi was not going to lose herself to a man again. Big fail!

The ice arena is Hawk’s sanctuary. He worked hard for his career and dreaming about a hot nerdy woman is making him nervous. Lexi is one of the smart girls he swore he would not pursue. But when she opens up about her past and he sees firsthand what her ex is doing, his protective instincts take over and he realizes he wants her by his side. Now, if only he can convince her of that.

Lexi and Hawk are destined for each other with the whole opposites attract thing. They also have some fantastic friends who support them and have their backs. Hawk is a sweetheart with his love of eighties movies and his adorable interactions with Gavin’s kids. He’s had a tough life as a bi-racial kid raised in foster care and a minority in the game of hockey, but he tolerates the young rookies and has a great fan base.  Lexi’s never felt very feminine with her technie background, no girlfriends, and a douche for an ex, so Hawk’s caring nature and attentiveness is a pleasant surprise. It in no way makes her weak but helps her realize that there are good men out there who can support her in anything she does.

The supporting characters are a definite plus in this book. Knox and Andre are like family to Hawk and their women are a great lifeline for Lexi with all she’s going through. By the way, the whole dodgeball charity benefit was a hoot, and kudos to Lexi for coming out on top of that one. LOL

If you love sports romances with jocks falling for nerds, friends and family protecting their own, and nasty exes getting what they deserve, give this fun and sexy book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Malloy for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Perfect Stats Series

1. Winning Her (2020)
2. Hard Knox (2020)
3. Hawk (2021)

Amber Malloy will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BUY THE BOOK

 

EXCERPT

Who’s on a first-name basis with their parents?”

Lexi’s head jerked up to find problem number two in her crosshairs. Hawk leaned against the doorway, shooting her a lazy smirk she’d fought hard to ignore the entire day.

“That sounds like a question for Moe.” She trained her face into a blank slate, devoid of emotion. Lexi wished she could say the tech world had taught her that trick, but unfortunately that particular talent was a holdover from her shitty marriage.

“It’s just curious I’ve worked here for a few years and haven’t seen you, not once?”

As Hawk graced her with a lopsided smile, bright specks of brown and green twinkled in his hazel eyes. Similar to a bad kid, mischief was written all over his pretty mug. Maybe in another life she would have played with him, but unfortunately Josh had stomped out any sort of good humor. “That is another question for Moe. So far you’re batting a thousand.”

“Well, let me hit you with one that you can answer.” He pushed off the door and brought a picture frame from behind him. “Why did you hide all this awesomeness in the stockroom?” Standing smack in the middle of sexiest people she’d ever laid eyes on, the big guy held up a trophy.

“Ah, what sport is that?” she asked, completely in the dark.

“Hockey.”

Imagining the man spinning a graceful figure eight, she coughed into her hand, hiding her chuckle. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but Moe’s is a blues bar, right?”

“Got it. I’m no Louis Armstrong, but I’m a championship winner—and Chicago loves their winners.” Arrogant much? She bit her lower lip to stop all the smart remarks from flying out of her mouth. “Blues and hockey aren’t exactly peanut butter and jelly.”

“Point,” he sighed, evidently done with dispensing the charm.

“They don’t mix.” Lexi leaned back in her seat. “Honestly, these people probably think you’re just a really big bartender.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn’t pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn’t legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she’s not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he’s faking his French accent.

Follow Amber on Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon.

BLOG TOUR ORGANIZED BY: