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Las Vegas Sinners #1
On the Fly
Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.
Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.
Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.
260 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2013
177 people are currently reading
989 people want to read
About the author
Katie Kenyhercz
32 books85 followersI live in Ohio with my husband and Sylvie the cat, and I write hockey romance.
I played one season of roller hockey when I was fifteen--it hurt enough that I decided I liked it better as a spectator--and it's been true love ever since! My fictional team is the Las Vegas Sinners, and my real-world team is the Pittsburgh Penguins.
I like strong, capable heroines who bring out the vulnerability in their tough guys.
I played one season of roller hockey when I was fifteen--it hurt enough that I decided I liked it better as a spectator--and it's been true love ever since! My fictional team is the Las Vegas Sinners, and my real-world team is the Pittsburgh Penguins.
I like strong, capable heroines who bring out the vulnerability in their tough guys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 12, 2024
On The Fly is book one of the Las Vegas Sinners series of Ice Hockey sports themed romances.
When her father dies, Jacey Vaughn inherits his ice hockey team. The new winter season is just about to take off and Jacey is thrown into the mayhem. With the immediate resignation of the chief coach, no general manager and her inexperience in the ice hockey game, can she be the leader that the team needs?
Team captain Carter Phlynn was on the point of transferring to another team when Jacey persuaded him to stay and help her out. Just one more year, but the challenges are high: a low ranking team, a new unknown female owner, plus a spark of attraction for the new boss are about to make the season one fast paced skate to the final whistle.
This was a fun story to read, and I liked the main characters. I also really liked Coach Nealy who stepped in when they needed a new trainer and had the players trembling in their boots. The romance blows hot and cold throughout with a satisfying denouement. At the end of the book is an excerpt from the second story of the series, which looks very tempting.
When her father dies, Jacey Vaughn inherits his ice hockey team. The new winter season is just about to take off and Jacey is thrown into the mayhem. With the immediate resignation of the chief coach, no general manager and her inexperience in the ice hockey game, can she be the leader that the team needs?
Team captain Carter Phlynn was on the point of transferring to another team when Jacey persuaded him to stay and help her out. Just one more year, but the challenges are high: a low ranking team, a new unknown female owner, plus a spark of attraction for the new boss are about to make the season one fast paced skate to the final whistle.
This was a fun story to read, and I liked the main characters. I also really liked Coach Nealy who stepped in when they needed a new trainer and had the players trembling in their boots. The romance blows hot and cold throughout with a satisfying denouement. At the end of the book is an excerpt from the second story of the series, which looks very tempting.
December 11, 2014
I am by no means a hockey fan, not at all. I know they have skates and pads, chase the puck and try to get a goal…. That’s all my understanding of all things hockey. That being said, this book sucked me in, even with my lack of knowledge.
Jacquelyn (Jacey) and Carter have a hard time getting over situations and it makes you want to shove them in a room until they get over themselves and the things that tear them apart. They are perfect for each other, but certain circumstances get in the way and make their lies extremely hard.
Jacey is the first solely female owner of a hockey team, but her character is strong enough that the hurdles she is faced with seem small (and there are lots of them!). She is quick to learn and overcome any objection she is faced with, all but one. Carter.
Carter is the swoon worthy hockey player she is madly in lust with. His passion both on and off the ice has you rooting for him the whole book. He makes you feel like he will do anything to get what he wants.
The pain they both face hits you full force and makes this book hard to put down.
My only major problem with this book is the unanswered question; where is that star shaped birthmark?? ~ Devlynn, 4.5 stars
Jacquelyn (Jacey) and Carter have a hard time getting over situations and it makes you want to shove them in a room until they get over themselves and the things that tear them apart. They are perfect for each other, but certain circumstances get in the way and make their lies extremely hard.
Jacey is the first solely female owner of a hockey team, but her character is strong enough that the hurdles she is faced with seem small (and there are lots of them!). She is quick to learn and overcome any objection she is faced with, all but one. Carter.
Carter is the swoon worthy hockey player she is madly in lust with. His passion both on and off the ice has you rooting for him the whole book. He makes you feel like he will do anything to get what he wants.
The pain they both face hits you full force and makes this book hard to put down.
My only major problem with this book is the unanswered question; where is that star shaped birthmark?? ~ Devlynn, 4.5 stars
March 13, 2013
I was given a copy of the book by the author in return for my honest review. I was not compensated. I am not a hockey fan but I have to say I am now! Carter is yummy on a scale that I find delicious!
Jacey Vaughn is taking over her father's beloved Las Vegas Sinners hockey team and right from the get-go there are complications. Her first day in the office the captain of the team shows up for a raise. Her head coach quits and her brother pops up. FYI...I am seriously hoping the Katie has a book in the pipe for Madden. This man has all kinds of potential!
Carter is captain of the Sinners and he has every intention of getting the money that Chicago is offering or he is leaving. That is until he looks into Jacey's eyes and feels a connection. When you throw in a journalist with no scruples, an unexpected new head coach and gambling, you just have to say That's Vegas, baby!
This couple battles ups and downs but the romance is constantly building in the background and you can see that in the interactions of the characters. This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it!
I expect a lot of amazing stories from this author! Check her out and let me know what you think!
Jacey Vaughn is taking over her father's beloved Las Vegas Sinners hockey team and right from the get-go there are complications. Her first day in the office the captain of the team shows up for a raise. Her head coach quits and her brother pops up. FYI...I am seriously hoping the Katie has a book in the pipe for Madden. This man has all kinds of potential!
Carter is captain of the Sinners and he has every intention of getting the money that Chicago is offering or he is leaving. That is until he looks into Jacey's eyes and feels a connection. When you throw in a journalist with no scruples, an unexpected new head coach and gambling, you just have to say That's Vegas, baby!
This couple battles ups and downs but the romance is constantly building in the background and you can see that in the interactions of the characters. This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it!
I expect a lot of amazing stories from this author! Check her out and let me know what you think!
July 24, 2013
I have mixed feelings about On the Fly. I enjoyed reading it and I loved Jacey and Phylnn, at least most of the time. Kenyhercz did a wonderful job of laying out the plot, developing the two main characters and creating chemistry between them. The other characters weren't well developed but with the amount of time they were actually in the book, their lack of development was just on the line of forgivable and unforgivable. I wavered back and forth between the two. Mostly I landed on forgivable because I wanted to enjoy the book. I love a good sports romance. The other thing I had to shove aside as forgivable was the amount of media interest in their possible relationship. Honestly, I think the majority of the media would care a lot more about a female coach and vascillating between tearing her down and building her up by analyzing every little decision she makes and turning everything the players say into proof that she's either a cancer in the locker room or the answer to all of their problems. Conjecture about a relationship between a player and owner based on slim evidence might make the news but it wouldn't be big enough news to earn a reporter her own column in the newspaper and I doubt every little rumor would warrant a press conference to address it. There is this thing called email. It's pretty cool. Anyhow, all of that was classified as forgivable by me...mostly. The one thing that I could not classify a forgivable was the end. It wasn't the outcome that I had problem with, it was the brevity. The author takes all of this time building up to the end and then when it finally comes, instead of letting me savor it with a proper conclusion, she just says BAM, problem solved, the end. I hate that. Let the story wind down and maybe show that the happiness will last. Sheesh.
June 25, 2014
On the Fly is said to be a romance by genre and it is, but it is more than that. It is also a sports novel that shows an in-depth knowledge of the game of hockey, whether from personal experience or a lot of research we don’t know, but we do know that this author has incorporated the game and the romance into a storyline that is both entertaining and educational.
Our main characters are a young woman named Jacey ( actuallyJacqueline but her dad always called her Jacey and like most nicknames, it stuck). Jacey and her younger brother, Madden, lost their mother at an early age. Their dad loved them both dearly and spent quality time with them, but he was also a workaholic so they also had nannies. Jacey took young Maddie, as she called him, and nurtured him throughout their childhood years right up until she left for college. Maddie graduated Yale with a MBA, fell in love and lived with her boyfriend up until one year before our story begins. She had visions of marriage and a lifetime with Alex, and especially after she found a receipt from a jewelry store in his pocket. One week later she found another woman in their bed with Alex . Her broken heart had started to mend but she had decided no man could be trusted so she had pretty much given up on love.
Madden spent his time and his money on parties, women and mostly his severe gambling problem. When he got in trouble his entire life he had always been able to use his good looks and charm to bail himself out of most things, but not gambling debts—for them he went to family and Jacey had never let him down. His dad didn’t either but when their dad past away the month before our story opens, his will had left the family business empire to Jacey and his extravagant mansion jointly to both of them.
Please visit www.renesgetaway.blogspot.com for the full review and other great reviews!!
Our main characters are a young woman named Jacey ( actuallyJacqueline but her dad always called her Jacey and like most nicknames, it stuck). Jacey and her younger brother, Madden, lost their mother at an early age. Their dad loved them both dearly and spent quality time with them, but he was also a workaholic so they also had nannies. Jacey took young Maddie, as she called him, and nurtured him throughout their childhood years right up until she left for college. Maddie graduated Yale with a MBA, fell in love and lived with her boyfriend up until one year before our story begins. She had visions of marriage and a lifetime with Alex, and especially after she found a receipt from a jewelry store in his pocket. One week later she found another woman in their bed with Alex . Her broken heart had started to mend but she had decided no man could be trusted so she had pretty much given up on love.
Madden spent his time and his money on parties, women and mostly his severe gambling problem. When he got in trouble his entire life he had always been able to use his good looks and charm to bail himself out of most things, but not gambling debts—for them he went to family and Jacey had never let him down. His dad didn’t either but when their dad past away the month before our story opens, his will had left the family business empire to Jacey and his extravagant mansion jointly to both of them.
Please visit www.renesgetaway.blogspot.com for the full review and other great reviews!!
February 22, 2017
ON THE FLY is Pretty Fly!
I’ve been Internet friends with Katie Kenyhercz since we both worked together with Crimson Romance, but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to read her work, and boy, am I glad I did! Katie is an immensely talented author!
When I read, I like to highlight my favorite passages, only with ON THE FLY, it turned out to be the majority of the book! I told myself I needed to stop, and that lasted for a couple of pages. After that, many of the lines were so good, I felt compelled to highlight them despite my vow not to. Lines like, “Even from the bench, Nealy sounded like a manic depressive pixie.” Or, when they are auditioning the team’s dancers, “Twenty-four displays of frightening pep later…” and “Between karma and cleavage, the team was too psyched out to step up.” I mean, I could go on forever.
But it’s not just her wit. Katie creates real and interesting characters whose motivations drive them to conflicts so difficult it’s hard to see the way out. You root for them as the relationship builds and sweat with them when it seems to fall apart. Even with the minor characters you find yourself thinking, “I can’t wait to read HIS book.”
Katie Kenyhercz has passed a number of fabulous authors on my list of favorites and is possibly at the pinnacle. I highly recommend this series (especially if you’re a hockey fan like me!)
I’ve been Internet friends with Katie Kenyhercz since we both worked together with Crimson Romance, but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to read her work, and boy, am I glad I did! Katie is an immensely talented author!
When I read, I like to highlight my favorite passages, only with ON THE FLY, it turned out to be the majority of the book! I told myself I needed to stop, and that lasted for a couple of pages. After that, many of the lines were so good, I felt compelled to highlight them despite my vow not to. Lines like, “Even from the bench, Nealy sounded like a manic depressive pixie.” Or, when they are auditioning the team’s dancers, “Twenty-four displays of frightening pep later…” and “Between karma and cleavage, the team was too psyched out to step up.” I mean, I could go on forever.
But it’s not just her wit. Katie creates real and interesting characters whose motivations drive them to conflicts so difficult it’s hard to see the way out. You root for them as the relationship builds and sweat with them when it seems to fall apart. Even with the minor characters you find yourself thinking, “I can’t wait to read HIS book.”
Katie Kenyhercz has passed a number of fabulous authors on my list of favorites and is possibly at the pinnacle. I highly recommend this series (especially if you’re a hockey fan like me!)
Want to read
April 23, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/23/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.
Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.
Blurb:
Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.
Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.
January 30, 2015
I love a good sports romance – there is just something about a big, strong man falling in love that just gets me every time. And Kenyhercz delivers a fantastic hero with Carter. There is just something sexy about a man who is comfortable enough to know how he feels and own up to it. Carter quickly realizes what he feels and is willing to take that chance on it turning into something special.
In a bit of a change, it’s actually Jacey who has a problem with the relationship. She feels it too but she’s been burned recently. Add in the stress of her new job and she’s not quite as brave as he his. It’s not totally new for the heroine to have issues with commitment but it doesn’t happen as often as the other way around. With their working relationship and Jacey’s trust issues, the romance isn’t going to be smooth.
Full review available at https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpres...
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
In a bit of a change, it’s actually Jacey who has a problem with the relationship. She feels it too but she’s been burned recently. Add in the stress of her new job and she’s not quite as brave as he his. It’s not totally new for the heroine to have issues with commitment but it doesn’t happen as often as the other way around. With their working relationship and Jacey’s trust issues, the romance isn’t going to be smooth.
Full review available at https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpres...
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
January 10, 2015
4.5/5.0
“On the Fly” is a sports romance with Jacey and Phlynn tossing themselves in the penalty box for their forbidden love.
Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
“On the Fly” is a sports romance with Jacey and Phlynn tossing themselves in the penalty box for their forbidden love.
Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
November 17, 2020
Exceeded expectations
I didn't like how the media treated the main characters, unfortunately it probably was accurate. I loved that Jaycee was a strong female character, she not only made great decisions in a field she knew little about but she also made ones that were contrary to the norm. She wasn't afraid to be herself and she was willing to learn. I think she also exemplified the burden someone would feel having to grow up too early. She was strong enough to put everyone else before herself to a fault. Great book loved the relationship between the two characters as well
I didn't like how the media treated the main characters, unfortunately it probably was accurate. I loved that Jaycee was a strong female character, she not only made great decisions in a field she knew little about but she also made ones that were contrary to the norm. She wasn't afraid to be herself and she was willing to learn. I think she also exemplified the burden someone would feel having to grow up too early. She was strong enough to put everyone else before herself to a fault. Great book loved the relationship between the two characters as well
October 26, 2024
Didn’t enjoy this and won’t continue to read the series.
Rather than make his retirement a quick decision in the last few pages it would have been better to have him contemplate it throughout the book.
The MFC refers to the unlikely pairing of herself and another hockey player because “he’s 6 years younger than me”. 6 years is somehow an unbelievable age gap but we’re supposed to believe she is a full on owner AND GM at 26?
And she hired a new coach that has LITERALLY no coaching experience?
Rather than make his retirement a quick decision in the last few pages it would have been better to have him contemplate it throughout the book.
The MFC refers to the unlikely pairing of herself and another hockey player because “he’s 6 years younger than me”. 6 years is somehow an unbelievable age gap but we’re supposed to believe she is a full on owner AND GM at 26?
And she hired a new coach that has LITERALLY no coaching experience?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2018
4
Jacey and Carter have a ton of obstacles to overcome, but their love will be worth the risk. There are personal and professional hardships for them both, but their romance could turn the rink into a pool.
I enjoyed the roller coaster these two led me through, but I still had my moments of “wtf were you thinking!?” At the characters, lol.
This was a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of this series and from her.
I’d recommend this book.
Jacey and Carter have a ton of obstacles to overcome, but their love will be worth the risk. There are personal and professional hardships for them both, but their romance could turn the rink into a pool.
I enjoyed the roller coaster these two led me through, but I still had my moments of “wtf were you thinking!?” At the characters, lol.
This was a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of this series and from her.
I’d recommend this book.
July 2, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up for GR
I got this one for free (Stuff Your Kindle day) and I enjoyed it. I truly liked these characters and the position whey were in although because I read a lot of hockey romance this isn't the first time a woman owner fell in love with a player for me, but there was a lot of other things going on which gave this book some depth. While the resolution to their problem seemed to be rushed and the outcome of the season very fairy tale like, it was a decent read.
I got this one for free (Stuff Your Kindle day) and I enjoyed it. I truly liked these characters and the position whey were in although because I read a lot of hockey romance this isn't the first time a woman owner fell in love with a player for me, but there was a lot of other things going on which gave this book some depth. While the resolution to their problem seemed to be rushed and the outcome of the season very fairy tale like, it was a decent read.
May 14, 2019
This is my first Katie Kenyhercz book and I gotta say it was good...
Books have made me an ice hockey fan. I would love to go to a real game one day.
This book made you feel like you were part of the action.
Carter and Jacey struggle as a couple with the media and the ice hockey commissioners. But they each time she pushes him away he pulls back..
A nice easy read..
Books have made me an ice hockey fan. I would love to go to a real game one day.
This book made you feel like you were part of the action.
Carter and Jacey struggle as a couple with the media and the ice hockey commissioners. But they each time she pushes him away he pulls back..
A nice easy read..
October 2, 2022
Really could have done with some continuity editing. There wasn't enough between the two main characters to make them be as unprofessional as they were and for someone whose dream was opening a PR agency she's bloody awful at optics.
September 21, 2023
It was a 2.5 — and it seemed very rushed and really the only part of it I liked was that it was a book where he loved first and hardest that THATS MY WEAKNESS. AND RETIRING TO BE WITH HER, I could never allow someone to do that DAMN did that give me butterflies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2019
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING AND I REALLY REALLY LOVE IT!!!!
February 16, 2020
This book gripped me from the beginning. Olives this book so much. I didn't want to put it down. Great characters. Great storyline.
August 15, 2021
Great
Another brilliant book gripped from the start I couldn't put it down well written and a great cast of characters and story line loved it
Another brilliant book gripped from the start I couldn't put it down well written and a great cast of characters and story line loved it
January 3, 2023
Really enjoyed the story. Liked the characters and the plot.
August 26, 2023
Strong characters. Felt like the hits kept coming for no reason except to extend the length of the book.
December 22, 2023
Can it be so bad you can't remember anything from it? Should've DNF but at least it was free
April 14, 2024
Business woman inherits NHL team. Owner (Jacey) and Captain (Carter)
November 21, 2017
LOOK. I read a lot of hockey romances (don't look at me like that) and this is one of the better ones. Vegas + hockey? like lmao it was written for me. Good summer (late fall whatever) read.
September 15, 2015
I do like the plot of how the heroine and hero run across each other. It’s more interesting than ‘ran into each other at a bar’ and is more original than ‘we had a one night stand and I got pregnant but I didn’t tell you for reasons’. I wish they had focused more on the NHL part but I get that is not what people are reading this for. It did mention quite a bit more of the hockey side that most of these sports romances normally do, which I’m glad about.
It focuses nicely on other relationships other than the main romance, both family, friendships and other romances. I especially liked the relationship between Madden and East (the reporter). That ending scene between them hit me where it hurt and I really want to know more about East’s side of the story. Madden and Jacey’s relationship was explored as well but I wish that brother-sister relationships in media would move away from the ‘saintly older sister looked after younger siblings at the expense of her own dreams’. I mean at least it’s better than ‘older brother being overprotective of younger sister and tries to tell her who she can and can’t date’ but it has been done to death.
I think the relationship between Jacey and Carter was done well. It developed slowly with reasonable issues coming up between them and even though the jealousy trope came up a few times, it didn’t become overbearing or put me off at all. Although the ending was very romantic I felt it ended a bit abruptly. It was more like everything was perfect, all problems were solved, look at this easy answer. I mean, Carter won the Stanley Cup, a hockey player’s dream, and got another concussion, giving him the perfect time to retire and have him and Jacey live happily ever after. A very neat little parcel, that had no foreshadowing whatsoever.
I was quite surprised that Jacey and Carter’s relationship was such a big deal. I mean, yeah I thought sexism would come into the first female owner and first female coach of an NHL team, but when it’s one reporter with not a lot of evidence, it doesn’t make sense that was the thing that everyone focused on. I think people would bring it up as a sly aside as they write thoughtful articles about how a woman shouldn’t be owner of a NHL team without actually saying outright that the reason is because she’s a woman. I think she would have to deal with a lot of shit but I don’t think her non-existent relationship with Carter, especially since she handled media questions very well, would be such a big thing realistically.
Speaking of realism, I know why they justified bringing on dance crews and ice girls in-story but I really wish they hadn’t gone there. For one thing, I think it would have been a bigger issue made of it with the media (the first female owner employing such sexist practices?) and for another thing, I don’t like thinking about it in real life, so let my fiction be an escape, please?
Speaking of sexism, I could have done without the casual sexism about puck bunnies and the Flynn fans. From both Jacey and Carter, but especially Carter. Going on about all women he had been with before Jacey were fake and she was real showcases nothing but Carter’s casual sexism. He only had one night stands with these women, how on Earth is he supposed to know them? As for the Flynn fans, well, personally, I wouldn’t follow a hockey player around North America especially if I didn’t like hockey but they had the money and weren’t hurting anyone so I couldn’t fault them for that. They weren’t really in it enough to dislike them, none of them barely talked to Jacey or Carter during the whole book.
In the end, I think I liked this book as much as I did because it was ten times better than the book before it, which I had started and promptly abandoned. I would give it three and a half stars, but I think I’ll settle on three.
It focuses nicely on other relationships other than the main romance, both family, friendships and other romances. I especially liked the relationship between Madden and East (the reporter). That ending scene between them hit me where it hurt and I really want to know more about East’s side of the story. Madden and Jacey’s relationship was explored as well but I wish that brother-sister relationships in media would move away from the ‘saintly older sister looked after younger siblings at the expense of her own dreams’. I mean at least it’s better than ‘older brother being overprotective of younger sister and tries to tell her who she can and can’t date’ but it has been done to death.
I think the relationship between Jacey and Carter was done well. It developed slowly with reasonable issues coming up between them and even though the jealousy trope came up a few times, it didn’t become overbearing or put me off at all. Although the ending was very romantic I felt it ended a bit abruptly. It was more like everything was perfect, all problems were solved, look at this easy answer. I mean, Carter won the Stanley Cup, a hockey player’s dream, and got another concussion, giving him the perfect time to retire and have him and Jacey live happily ever after. A very neat little parcel, that had no foreshadowing whatsoever.
I was quite surprised that Jacey and Carter’s relationship was such a big deal. I mean, yeah I thought sexism would come into the first female owner and first female coach of an NHL team, but when it’s one reporter with not a lot of evidence, it doesn’t make sense that was the thing that everyone focused on. I think people would bring it up as a sly aside as they write thoughtful articles about how a woman shouldn’t be owner of a NHL team without actually saying outright that the reason is because she’s a woman. I think she would have to deal with a lot of shit but I don’t think her non-existent relationship with Carter, especially since she handled media questions very well, would be such a big thing realistically.
Speaking of realism, I know why they justified bringing on dance crews and ice girls in-story but I really wish they hadn’t gone there. For one thing, I think it would have been a bigger issue made of it with the media (the first female owner employing such sexist practices?) and for another thing, I don’t like thinking about it in real life, so let my fiction be an escape, please?
Speaking of sexism, I could have done without the casual sexism about puck bunnies and the Flynn fans. From both Jacey and Carter, but especially Carter. Going on about all women he had been with before Jacey were fake and she was real showcases nothing but Carter’s casual sexism. He only had one night stands with these women, how on Earth is he supposed to know them? As for the Flynn fans, well, personally, I wouldn’t follow a hockey player around North America especially if I didn’t like hockey but they had the money and weren’t hurting anyone so I couldn’t fault them for that. They weren’t really in it enough to dislike them, none of them barely talked to Jacey or Carter during the whole book.
In the end, I think I liked this book as much as I did because it was ten times better than the book before it, which I had started and promptly abandoned. I would give it three and a half stars, but I think I’ll settle on three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2013
On the Fly by Katie Kenyherez.
Jacey Vaugn moved to Las Vages after graduating with her MBA from Yale to take over her father’s hockey team. Her father passed away leaving the team to her in his will. Jacey meets Carter Phlynn on her first day at the office when he arrives to negotiate his contract with the new team owner. He thinks the new owner is J.C. Junior, a man, not Jacey Junior, a woman. Jacey is the first woman Hockey team owner in the NFL without having a husband owning the team with her. This is apparently a big deal to the NHL league, which has a lot of people doubting her ability to successfully manage the team.
“To them, I’m Phlynn. Last name or nicknames. Only puck bunnies use first names in hockey.”-Carter
“Puck…what?”-Jacey
“Never mind. You’re not one of them. But if you don’t want the team to think you are, just stick with Phlynn.”-Carter
Jacey comes into a team that has just lost it’s owner before a lot of important contracts were negotiated and signed. She almost lost Carter to another team offering more money, and she did lose a coach to another team right before the start of the season. She has to make a decision about hiring a new coach, and let me tell you the decision she makes is highly controversial. I really liked the secondary characters in this book. Nealy was her father’s administrative assistant and the daughter of a major hockey legend. Let me tell you, this woman is a firecracker! I mean seriously, the personality on this woman is amazing. She is definitely the kind of woman I would want as a best friend! She’s loyal, nice, tells it like it is, tough as nails, knows everything about hockey, makes the huge hockey players cower from her (even though she stands about 5’0” tall and sounds like a Here’s one of my favorite quotes (and trust me, there were many to choose from) that had me falling on the floor laughing:
“Reese, you keep those legs together like a virgin on prom night!”-Nealy
Nealy’s brand of coaching didn’t help the tension as she screamed chipmunk-pitched obscenities and waved her tiny fists at the refs.-Jacey
The characters were enjoyable to read about, the story line was inventive and slightly different than other hockey themed books I've read. The ending was a little predictable but the author spun the story in a way I thoroughly enjoyed. All in all I give it a 4 star rating.
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July 19, 2014**Arc graciously gifted for honest review. Review given on behalf of Give Me Books
I am by no means a hockey fan, not at all. I know they have skates and pads, chase the puck and try to get a goal…. That’s all my understanding of all things hockey. That being said, this book sucked me in, even with my lack of knowledge.
Jacquelyn (Jacey) and Carter have a hard time getting over situations and it makes you want to shove them in a room until they get over themselves and the things that tear them apart. They are perfect for each other, but certain circumstances get in the way and make their lies extremely hard.
Jacey is the first solely female owner of a hockey team, but her character is strong enough that the hurdles she is faced with seem small (and there are lots of them!). She is quick to learn and overcome any objection she is faced with, all but one. Carter.
Carter is the swoon worthy hockey player she is madly in lust with. His passion both on and off the ice has you rooting for him the whole book. He makes you feel like he will do anything to get what he wants.
The pain they both face hits you full force and makes this book hard to put down.
My only major problem with this book is the unanswered question; Where is that star shaped birthmark??
I am by no means a hockey fan, not at all. I know they have skates and pads, chase the puck and try to get a goal…. That’s all my understanding of all things hockey. That being said, this book sucked me in, even with my lack of knowledge.
Jacquelyn (Jacey) and Carter have a hard time getting over situations and it makes you want to shove them in a room until they get over themselves and the things that tear them apart. They are perfect for each other, but certain circumstances get in the way and make their lies extremely hard.
Jacey is the first solely female owner of a hockey team, but her character is strong enough that the hurdles she is faced with seem small (and there are lots of them!). She is quick to learn and overcome any objection she is faced with, all but one. Carter.
Carter is the swoon worthy hockey player she is madly in lust with. His passion both on and off the ice has you rooting for him the whole book. He makes you feel like he will do anything to get what he wants.
The pain they both face hits you full force and makes this book hard to put down.
My only major problem with this book is the unanswered question; Where is that star shaped birthmark??
February 14, 2013
I love, love, love this book. So much, that I'll be reading it again. Not only does it have a scrumptious hockey player for the hero, my favorite sport, but I really identified with the heroine, Jacey. The poor thing was caught between a rock and a hard body.
Carter and Jacey's chemistry was delicious, the tension outstanding, and the love scenes steamy yet tasteful. Not only that, but this story was chock full of wonderful writing. I found myself reading passages aloud to my husband. That simply doesn't happen. My favorite? I thought you'd never ask. Let me set up the scene.
It's after Carter storms into Jacey's office. His temper fizzles as their wary attraction sizzles. He finds himself going to her and brushing her hair back behind her ear. Then he strokes her face, her jaw. As wrong as it is, he can't seem to help it. When she leans into his touch, he's paralyzed. This wasn't what he'd expected. Okay, that's the set up. Here's what Ms. Kenyhercz wrote: 'He had expected her to pull away. That was the dance -- he moved forward; she moved back. It was a good dance. He knew the steps. What now?' Isn't that wonderful?
Oh, I almost forgot, one of the most romantic endings I've read in a long time. I strongly recommend, On the Fly. Don't miss it.
Carter and Jacey's chemistry was delicious, the tension outstanding, and the love scenes steamy yet tasteful. Not only that, but this story was chock full of wonderful writing. I found myself reading passages aloud to my husband. That simply doesn't happen. My favorite? I thought you'd never ask. Let me set up the scene.
It's after Carter storms into Jacey's office. His temper fizzles as their wary attraction sizzles. He finds himself going to her and brushing her hair back behind her ear. Then he strokes her face, her jaw. As wrong as it is, he can't seem to help it. When she leans into his touch, he's paralyzed. This wasn't what he'd expected. Okay, that's the set up. Here's what Ms. Kenyhercz wrote: 'He had expected her to pull away. That was the dance -- he moved forward; she moved back. It was a good dance. He knew the steps. What now?' Isn't that wonderful?
Oh, I almost forgot, one of the most romantic endings I've read in a long time. I strongly recommend, On the Fly. Don't miss it.
January 28, 2014
I have been obsessed with Hockey Romance for the last three weeks, and when Deirdre Martin’s New York Blades series proved to be NOT about hockey (beyond the first few books) I decided I needed something different and turned to Goodreads for lists of hockey books! On The Fly appeared on several lists, so I jumped at the chance to read it. After a few duds, Katie Kenyhercz debut was a welcome change! Her romance between Carter and Jacey was easy, spicy and a nice escape from life for a few hours!
I loved Carter. From the first moment he walked onto the page? I knew I was going to love him. Total alpha-male, and yet he has that super sweet side that comes out with Jacey. If I have one complaint about Carter, it’s that I don’t know him well enough. I wish we’d had more to his story – this book clearly focused on Jacey.
I would say that On The Fly is on par with other romance reads in similar genres. It’s short, sweet and to the point. There’s a bit of hockey (enough to appease me!) and there’s a bit of steam. It’s just a sweet story. I can’t really find anything to say I just adored about this story – but I can’t say anything bad about it either. (Other than that I wanted more!!)
If you’re looking for a sweet, quick romance? The this is the book for you!
I loved Carter. From the first moment he walked onto the page? I knew I was going to love him. Total alpha-male, and yet he has that super sweet side that comes out with Jacey. If I have one complaint about Carter, it’s that I don’t know him well enough. I wish we’d had more to his story – this book clearly focused on Jacey.
I would say that On The Fly is on par with other romance reads in similar genres. It’s short, sweet and to the point. There’s a bit of hockey (enough to appease me!) and there’s a bit of steam. It’s just a sweet story. I can’t really find anything to say I just adored about this story – but I can’t say anything bad about it either. (Other than that I wanted more!!)
If you’re looking for a sweet, quick romance? The this is the book for you!
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