The Risk Taker by Gina Azzi

This book gave me all the feels

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: The Risk Taker
Series: Boston Hawks Hockey #2
Author: Gina Azzi
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2021

We're only in book two of the Boston Hawks Hockey series, and already, I'm hooked on these guys...

The Risk Taker by Gina Azzi is the second book in this contemporary sports romance series.  It's a brother's best friend / roommates / friends to lovers hockey romance.  That's a lot of tropes, but they all work perfectly together and you won't get dizzy.  

We met Easton in his brother Noah's book, The Sweet Talker. Easton is a recovering alcoholic, and at the time he was in his second stint in rehab in two years. He gets out right at the end of book one, and that is where The Risk Taker starts.  We also met Claire in book one.  Claire is Easton's best friend's sister and she has known Easton for years. She has also been in love with him for years - not that he knows that.  In her opinion, Easton looks at her like she's an annoying kid sister.  Not exactly the way you want your crush seeing you.  Claire and Easton used to be friends, or at least friendly - but lately they've both been going through some stuff and they've lost each other in the process.  But it just so happens that Easton needs someone to stay and keep an eye on him and Claire desperately wants to live somewhere other than her parents' house. So Claire agrees to move in with Easton and suddenly, the two are seeing an awful lot of each other.  But if they finally cross the line between friendship and more, will they just end up ruining everything? Should they risk Easton's recovery and their hearts for what might just be a fling?

I think you can guess my answer to that question.  The connection Claire and Easton have is obvious. They both care deeply how the other sees them.  Easton is very attracted to Claire but he sees her as off limits - and too good for him.  Claire feels inadequate in most aspects of her life, and when Easton keeps her in a corner and treats her like a child, it really hurts her.  Easton is fighting his demons and desperately trying to get his life back in order and Claire is trying to make something of herself.  They worry that trying a relationship right now might be a game changer - and might end in disaster.
 
These characters are so relatable and human that you are immediately swept up into their problems and you feel everything they're feeling.  I wanted both of them to succeed - and not just in their relationship with each other.  I just love the way Gina Azzi writes and gets her readers so emotionally involved.  When Easton and Claire finally start being honest with each other and themselves, that's when things really got good.  I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait for book 3...and 4, and 5, and 6!  

Thank you to the author and to GiveMeBooksPR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Keep scrolling for purchase links because you'll want to add this to your collection!  Oh, and there might just be an excerpt and a link to a giveaway for an Amazon gift card as well!

BLURB
 
My brother's best friend, NHL god Easton Scotch, has always seen me as a kid. Now, I'm his new roommate and I'm determined to show him that Claire Merrick is all grown up. 
 
Boston Hawks left wing and bad boy personified, Easton is untouchable, reckless, and sexier than any one man ought to be. He has a complicated past, makes questionable life choices, and doesn't want anyone growing too close. Least of all me. 
 
East makes himself clear on his first day out of rehab, when we become reluctant roommates. At best, I'm angling for friendship. But soon, East is lowering his guard and we're bonding. 
 
When we cross a line there's no coming back from, he spirals, jeopardizing his recovery and my heart. If Easton is the risk taker, then why does it feel like I'm the one gambling it all? 
 
 
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56675380-the-risk-taker
 
 
PURCHASE LINKS 
 
US: https://amzn.to/35wL4Sx
UK: https://amzn.to/3bqWZVS
CA: https://amzn.to/38z9ooY
AU: https://amzn.to/39qLdIB
B&N: https://bit.ly/39dXEqP
Kobo: https://bit.ly/39dXwrl
Apple Books: http://apple.co/38pSE39
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3bpx5lg
 
 
EXCERPT
 
“I want you, Claire. I want you in every way imaginable. But I can’t lose everything, including you, when this goes sideways between us.”
“Why would it go sideways?” Her voice catches and I hate the uncertainty I always manage to fill her with.
“Because I’m messed up, babe. And I will ruin this. It’s only a matter of time.”
She shakes her head, her eyes as clear as a summer sky. “I don’t believe that.”
I chuckle harshly and move to lean back in my chair. 
“If you take me to your bed, Easton, you can’t just walk away from me.”
“I know that,” I say, a strange mixture of anger and relief clogging my throat. 
“So don’t.” She throws out, her eyes flaring with challenge. 
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t ruin it. You’ve always been a risk taker, Easton. A gambler.” 
I blow out a breath, not refuting her statement. Because it’s the truth. I take big risks, willing to lose it all, for that one moment of having it all. “I won’t risk you, Claire.”
 
 
ALSO AVAILABLE 
 
#1 The Sweet Talker 
 
US: https://amzn.to/3bjeyqQ
UK: https://amzn.to/38pmbdw
CA: https://amzn.to/3oujDQX
AU: https://amzn.to/35iZiGH
B&N: https://bit.ly/3q04TcQ
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3q6Uxbh
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2LA3eeY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3q6Dc1R
 
 
COMING SOON
 
#3 The Faker – Releasing April 21
 
US: https://amzn.to/38yBLU8
UK: https://amzn.to/3bvw8bk
CA: https://amzn.to/38z9LzS
AU: https://amzn.to/3bqXmje
B&N: https://bit.ly/3q3B8be
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35nj8jQ
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2JXOSER
Google Play: https://bit.ly/39bQIL3
 
#4 The Rule Maker – Releasing June 23
 
US: https://amzn.to/3bIdYBn
UK: https://amzn.to/3q5vTHH
CA: https://amzn.to/37PTTrQ
AU: https://amzn.to/306ko8l
B&N: https://bit.ly/37O3RKe
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3uBrC24
Apple Books: http://apple.co/2Ph4NjZ
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3utjoJ8

#5 The Defender – Releasing August 5
 
US: https://amzn.to/37SAsPg
UK: https://amzn.to/3pRmdjK
CA: https://amzn.to/2O0wgG6
AU: https://amzn.to/3dO5tYh
B&N: https://bit.ly/3strUpN
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2PeJUWF
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3dPjWmP
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2O7fIMk

#6 The Heart Chaser – Releasing September 27

US: https://amzn.to/3dJ9HAu
UK: https://amzn.to/2ZPBerI
CA: https://amzn.to/3uyWkIV
AU: https://amzn.to/37PUtG2
B&N: https://bit.ly/3bKuLnB
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2PaxRcN
Apple Books: http://apple.co/37M7h04
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3dO6645
 
 
AUTHOR BIO

Gina Azzi writes emotional and captivating contemporary romance novels with heart-warming happily-ever-afters. She is the author of Second Chance Chicago Series, The Kane Brothers Series, Finding Love in Scotland Series, The College Pact Series, and Corner of Ocean and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones. 
 
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.
 

AUTHOR LINKS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gina_azzi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginaazziauthor
Website: https://www.ginaazzi.com
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/GinaAzziNL
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gb346806
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00YVOGEO2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gina_azzi
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gina-azzi
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/gina_azzi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14086131.Gina_Azzi
 
 
GIVEAWAY
 
There is a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card!
 
Direct Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba3ffd552748