Review: UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT by Kate Willoughby

Posted December 20, 2015 by Cocktails and Books in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review: UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT by Kate WilloughbyUnder the Spotlight by Kate Willoughby
Series: In the Zone, #4
Published by Carina Press Publication Date: December 14th 2015
Pages: 275
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two-half-stars

Stage actress Christine Caspary couldn't care less about hockey, but when she first sees Joe Rutherford playing in a Barracudas game her mind goes to all sorts of dirty places. By happy chance, her work with Grant A Wish gives her an opportunity to meet him in the flesh.
Right winger Joe Rutherford saw Christine perform when the team went to see Chicago and was so taken with her, he secretly saw the show a second time, alone. When the gorgeous actress with spectacular legs contacts him out of the blue asking for a favor, it's a no-brainer.
Their chemistry is off the charts. Things heat up quickly and they can't keep their hands off each other. Soon they're hooking up whenever their busy schedules allow and having hot phone sex every night at midnight when they don't. But Joe's time in the hockey spotlight is fading, just as Christine's star begins to rise. When she gets her big break into a TV career, how will Joe take to being the arm candy for a change?

This is the fourth book in series and each book is a standalone about a different hockey player on the San Diego Barracudas.Β  Joe Rutherford, a professional hockey player with the Barracudas meets Christine Caspary, a struggling actress when she contacts him about visiting a little girl in the hospital. Β Β There is an immediate attraction between Joe and Christine although their relationship develops slowly over time.Β  Since their careers require so much travel, Joe and Christine rarely see each other for the first half of the book and they keep in touch with phone calls and texts.

Christine is an aggressive and confident woman and she knows what she wants and goes after it. Β She works hard on her career and does not let anything get in her way of succeeding. Β On the other hand, even though Joe is a successful hockey player, he lacks confidence. Β Joe is a sweet guy and has many admirable qualities.Β  What I admired the most about Joe was that he never weavers in feelings for Christine and also how he helps a rookie develop into a great player.Β  Even though Joe isn’t enthusiastic about mentoring the rookie, it is sweet how he worries and gives so much of his time to the rookie. Β Joe has a strong bond with his teammates. Β In fact, my favorite parts of the book were the guys on the team and the camaraderie they shared.Β  They love to play jokes on each other but always have each other’s backs.

I really enjoyed the other books in this series and I was excited to read this book but something was missing in this one.Β Β  I wish there was more conflict and excitement in the story and I had a hard time connecting with Joe and Christine.Β  I always enjoy stories about hot athletes and Kate Willoughby writes a sweet hockey romance and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.