Play to Win: A Wynn Hockey Novel

Kelly Jamieson has a breakout with PLAY TO WIN, the first book in the Wyn Hockey series. Needing to prove himself to his family, Théo Wynn accepts the position of general manager of the NHL team, the Los Angeles Condors. He enlists the help of Lacey Olson to get her out of Las Vegas. The two decide to get married to help with his plan. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences. Kelly Jamieson does an amazing job laying the foundation to the Wynn series. The Wynn family is very complicated. Jamieson does a fantastic job of explaining the history and dynamics of the family. Both Théo and Lacey have been betrayed by their brothers. I love that they meet each other and help one another with their issues. Théo is a likable hero. His NHL career was cut short due to an injury. He pursues a job in NHL management. I felt horrible for him and what happened with his previous relationship. It is understandable why he enlists Lacey’s help. Lacey is a sweet heroine. Her brother is a gambling addict who abused their relationship. The two are good for one another. I appreciated that Lacey helps Théo relax and enjoy himself, instead of analyzing everything. I am a huge fan of Kelly Jamieson. I enjoy her writing style. PLAY TO WIN is an amazing start to the Wynn series. I like how it ties into the Aces Hockey series. There is a lot of interesting drama with the Wynn family. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series to find out how everything unfolds. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Theo Wynn’s family is well known in the NHL hockey world. When a blow to the face damages his eyesight, he’s forced to retire from a game that means everything to him. Luckily, he’s extremely intelligent and good with numbers. When his grandfather offers him the job as GM for the Los Angeles Condors, he jumps at the chance to prove himself. His family dynamics are interesting, to say the least. Theo’s not sure if the job offer is a testament to his abilities or his grandfather’s way to get back at his father. Nevertheless, he accepts. Only, he doesn’t want to return home without a “girlfriend”. Lacey is doing her best at just getting by. Although Lacey has a twin brother, she often finds herself alone. Struggling. Losing her mom to cancer has only made life lonelier. While serving drinks one evening, she is “hit on” by some loan sharks. Her brother thought she’d gladly pay off his debts! Instead, Theo comes to the rescue. After a wild night of drinking and touring Vegas, they decide to a quickie marriage of convenience. But soon, convenience becomes so much more... This novel is that and so much more! Theo’s family is so dysfunctional it’s hilarious! Theo is OCD, while Lacey is carefree and loving life. I saw sooo much of myself in Theo while wishing I could be a little more like Lacey! Her ability to see through and into Theo’s heart was stunning. She’s had such a hard life that the hopes of something more was too hard for her to grasp, so she runs. And I loved the penguin x2! Symbolism at its best! Loved it and I can’t wait to read more of this series. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

PLAY TO WIN is the first instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult WYNN HOCKEY erotic, hockey, romance series focusing on the Wynn family, owners and operators of the NHL’s California Condors, and the Long Beach Golden Eagles. This is twenty-eight year old, California Condors’ General Manager Theo Wynn, and twenty-four year old Lacey Olson’s story line. Told from dual first person perspectives (Theo and Lacey) PLAY TO WIN follow the building relationship and marriage of convenience between twenty eight year old, California Condors’ GM Theo Wynn, and twenty-four year old Lacey Olson. Lacey’s brother Chris is in trouble; gambling debts that are now threatening Lacey’s life, threats that see our heroine fired on the night she meets Theo Wynn. Theo Wynn is about to embark on a new career in the NHL but one last night of partying finds our hero coming to the rescue of a woman who isn’t prepared for what happens next. Needing to make an impression upon his return home to California, Theo offers Lacey a ‘marriage of convenience’ in return for helping Lacey as her life spirals out of control. What ensues is the quick Vegas wedding, followed by a move to the coast wherein Lacey will come face to face with the dysfunctional Wynn family, and all of their crazy in-laws, out-laws, and philandering ways. Theo Wynn has never recovered from his brother’s betrayal, a betrayal that cut deep into the family hold.Marrying Lacey gave Theo a ‘one-up’ on his brother, a brother who was once his best friend and more. Lacey Olson has struggled to make ends meet since the death of her beloved mother but Lacey never expected to find herself on the run, with a gorgeous husband but no promise of a happily ever after. The relationship between Lacey and Theo is one of immediate attraction but threats to Lacey’s safety and life find Theo guardian and protect of the woman with whom he will fall in love. Theo doesn’t do relationships, not since the betrayal that destroyed his life, but meeting Lacey Olson meant the possibility of a future but a possibility that comes with issues of trust.The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are introduced to a large cast of very colorful secondary and supporting characters including Theo’s brother JP; his ex-girlfriend Emma; and Lacey’s embattled brother Chris. PLAY TO WIN is a story about a dysfunctional family of hockey players, team owners, and their significant others. There is plenty of fun and drama; secrets and lies; history, affairs, marriages and divorce. The premise will captivate your attention; the characters are energetic; the romance is passionate and intense. The hockey premise is limited to behind the scenes as Theo Wynn struggles to rebuild the California Condors, a team owned by his grandfather but in direct competition with his father’s Long Beach Golden Eagles.