Review: Dirty Deal (Slayers Hockey #5)by Mira Lyn Kelly
Rating: 3/5
Series: Slayers Hockey Book 5
Trope: Friends to lovers, neighbors, nanny, single dad, secret baby, Hockey Romance, Close proximity, slow burn
Pop: 65%
When life happens and Axel finds out he has a son, his life changes. He wasn’t expecting it, and he definitely wasn’t prepared for it, but he rises to the occasion and he becomes the father he needs to be. And Nora is there to help him through it. They may not be best friends, or not at first anyway, and so it’s endearing to see them warm up to each other more and more, as the story progresses.
Axel’s sound advice to fellow teammate was to “Be the Bunny”. While I was expecting Axel to be this big over the top flirty guy he wasn’t. Axel ended up being unexpected. Axel is almost a different character from the previous books he has been featured in. He wasn’t over the top other than his protection and love of his son. Not flirty, not a lot of fun. His desire to do everything right for his son seems to be his drive.
I liked Nora. I won’t say that I loved her, because I wish she’d have stood up for herself a bit more when it comes to the people in her life be it family or Axel. Her chemistry with Axel is indisputable. The two of them together, or with baby Otto, are the feels and swoon you want in a single dad romance.
If I am completely honest, I didn’t feel an instant connection to the characters, or the story. It really felt like something was missing. I do feel like something was missing from this story.
There connection was there but it just was missing the passion and magic. The last 15% of the book there is this change in the tone of the story. You do connect to the emotions and the pull they are both feeling. The ending left me weepy.
This is story about acceptance and living in this moment and making the best of it. Following your heart and accepting that your dreams can change. This is also about the choices to live your life or let it happen to you. Axel is living his happiness and when life changes course with the appearance of his newborn son he finds his new happiness. Nora is letting life kind of happen to her. She is allowing others to pull her and tell her what to do. She feels she must do something big, while dreams are important following them and reaching a goal should never be at the detriment of your happiness. Overall, this is a well written enjoyable Romance.
