Overall Grade: A-/B+
Tropes: ONS to more; accidental pregnancy; professional hockey player; opposites attract; small-town romance
Melanie Harlow’s Slap Shot Surprise is one of my favorite stories of her Cherry Tree Harbor series. Throughout this series, Harlow has written engaging characters fraught with outside issues, and this newest book is more of the same. Joe and Mabel are likable, drawing you into their journey of falling in love after a one-night stand of fun turned accidental pregnancy. Even as Joe struggles between his growing feelings for Mabel and his desire to remain single and free, Harlow held me in the thrall of her characters’ progression. Now, I did struggle with Mabel’s character development in that she readily forgoes her professional aspirations. I don’t want to reveal more of this, but it seemed incongruous with her characterization. I found myself questioning her final choices even though it intensified the romance of this book.
There is something lovely about Joe and Mabel in Slap Shot Surprise, but it’s balanced well with their chemistry and desire – adding spice to all the right places. I would have also liked more of her brothers in this story, but I believe Harlow had a bit of a balancing act between the Buckleys and the Lupos.
Slap Shot Surprise is such a great book for a relaxing weekend read.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 