書籍詳情
描述
Franky
When confronted with the cold, hard facts of her diminishing chances to be a mom, what’s a woman of science to do?
Make a spreadsheet of eligible donors, of course.
Finding a man for life is not in the cards, but one for this singular purpose? I can do that. As the daughter of a Chicago Rebels legend and an expert in the field of gastropods—more commonly known as snails and slugs—I have plenty of choices in the worlds of both hockey and academia. The selection process should be easy, especially as my methodology has already eliminated several options, including Jason Isner, childhood nemesis and recently acquired defenseman for the Rebels. I’ve always considered him arrogant, cruel, and to be honest, not the brightest bulb.
I’m rarely wrong. But I might have been mistaken about Jason . . .
Jason
I surprised even myself when I offered to be Franky St. James’s baby daddy, but fatherhood has been a dream of mine forever. If I can achieve my goal without the hassle of a relationship, even better. I won’t be one of those “pump and dump” donors, though. I want the whole package: nighttime feedings, shopping for cute onesies, teaching my kid to skate. I’m in it for life, and as Franky and I travel this road together, I start to imagine what that life might look like. Not just a baby, but a family of my own.
The thing is, the doc has all sorts of hypotheses about jocks and relationships, and it’s going to take a lot of persuasion—sexy and otherwise—to prove her wrong. She might think the mating rituals of her beloved snails are the only “coupling” worth studying, but I’m determined to show her that when it comes to seeking a mate, this player is as driven as any species in the animal kingdom.
Because making a baby is just the beginning . . .
* She needs a sperm donor * Hockey romance * STEM heroine who studies snails * Childhood nemesis * Enemies to lovers * She watches him make his "donation" * Her brain turns him on * Spicy
類型
評論
查看全部
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Top Shelf Stud is the third book in Kate Meader's Chicago Players series. It serves as my introduction to the author's work. While it is the third book, it works well as a stand-alone read. The character dynamics are engaging, and the story delivers sufficient charm and emotional beats to keep readers invested from start to finish.The intriguing premise hooked me immediately, and I had no regrets picking it up. In this installment, we meet a heroine who happens to be a malacologist—a specialist in the study of snails. I genuinely had no idea this field existed until now.Dr. Francesca St. James’s biological clock is ticking loudly, and she’s determined to have a child before it’s too late. With no relationship on the horizon, she takes matters into her own hands and begins the search for a viable candidate, one who meets both her scientific standards and her emotional boundaries.Enter Jason Isner, pro hockey player two years her junior, and her childhood nemesis. On her spreadsheet of potential candidates, he ranked as her least likely choice. This stemmed from a twenty-three-year-old grudge. She despised him for a teenage offense where he nicknamed her “slug girl." Admittedly, that’s a long time to hold a grudge over a single nickname, but it’s the kind of deep-rooted tension that makes their dynamic so entertaining.However, he was the only one both available and willing to help her with her desire. Despite the lingering resentment, he was the unexpected but inevitable choice due to practicality and a spark she'd rather not acknowledge.I cast my vote for Jason as the perfect book boyfriend. He exudes confidence on the ice, but beneath that swagger is a man desperately craving stability. He doesn’t just want to be a father; he wants a family. If only he could convince Franky.In addition to his confidence, patience was another of Jason’s virtues. It showed in his interactions with Franky. She was not the easiest person to love. Her low self-esteem and her stubborn refusal to release old hurts made it difficult to warm up to her. Yet Jason met every wall she put up with steady, unwavering persistence, breaking them down brick by brick.The tension between them drove the story. Watching them challenge each other, sometimes sharply, sometimes playfully, was a delight. Franky seriously underestimated him, convinced he was intellectually challenged, and he set out to prove how wrong her assumptions were. And wow, was she wrong. Once the truth came to light, their chemistry exploded.Overall, Top Shelf Stud is a total delight! A swoon-worthy hero, a heroine with real, relatable growth, and chemistry that practically leaps off the page. Though I took time to warm up to Franky, Jason’s steady persistence made their journey deeply satisfying. It's fun, sexy, and emotional, making it a good addition to the Chicago Players series.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading