Kelly Jamieson’s first book in the Bayard Hockey series has a great story, relatable characters, and delivers a serious mhessage. Shut Out is not your typical sex with puck bunnies kind of storyline ( yes, they really call them puck bunnies).  There was a lot of action, both on and off the ice, but the author’s storyline about consensual sex, gave this novel a very serious subject.

Jacob was accused of rape and was kicked out of his Canadien Hockey League.  He ended up at Bayard University, playing hockey, trying to keep his grades up, and keeping a low profile.  As part of his deal with the school, he takes part in a beta course about consensual sex and rape, a course that opens his eyes to the behavior going on around him.  He meets Skylar at a party, then again at the beta course, and talks her into a fake relationship.  Supposedly to help hold off temptation, create a safe environment, and concentrate on his grades and hockey.  Of course, there is this huge attraction between them, and that fake relationship soon becomes very real.  Jacob was charmingly cocky, too good looking for his own good, and confused about the new direction his life has taken.  Skylar is dealing with her best friends suicide, and her own insecurities, but is also sweet and had a lot of humor and heart.  They did seem to have more problems than the average pair, but something about them was very real and believable.  Even more important, they were very likable.

Kelly Jamieson took a very difficult subject, and wove it through the storyline very eloquently.  What I thought would be a light romance, wasn’t, which was a nice surprise! Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of humor, but there was even more depth.  If you like sports romances, this is one that will surprise you and is worth picking up.

I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing-Loveswept, through NetGalley for my honest review.  This book will be released on June 07, 2016.

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Copyright 2016 Deborah Kehoe A Chick Who Reads All Rights Reserved