The Risk (Briar U #2) – Elle Kennedy

Haven’t read the first book, The Chase? Check out my review!

Genre: New Adult Romance
Pages: 432
Release Date: February 18, 2019

A sexy standalone novel from New York Times and international bestselling author Elle Kennedy. THE RISK takes you back to the world of hot hockey players, feisty heroines, bro banter, and steamy scenes…

Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.

And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.

I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.

For every fake date…he wants a real one.

Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and cocky grin, I refuse to fall for him.

That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.

The Risk is everything I wanted from it and more. It features a spitfire protagonist, witty banter, and red-hot chemistry.

The best part about The Risk is the protagonist, Brenna. She’s confident, intelligent, and not afraid to give as good as she gets. I also appreciated Kennedy’s choice to give Brenna a major other than psychology. Psychology is the cliché major in almost all new adult novels, so it was refreshing to see something different. Through this choice, Kennedy give readers a look at the obstacles women have to overcome in the sports broadcasting field. Support women!

Jake is the ideal love interest. He’s assertive, but not overbearing with a vulnerable side. Jake walks a fine line between macho alpha and sensitive masculinity.

Brenna and Jake’s game of cat and mouse is delicious from start to finish. Their chemistry is intense and palpable whenever they interact, even with mundane exchanges. The slow build of their relationship from ambivalence to love is expertly written making it believable and fun.

Though my review has talked at length about how fun everything about The Risk is there is a serious side to the story. Guilt and shame over the past are featured prominently throughout the novel. Brenna’s past and how she deals with it, especially with her father, were handled well and had me tearing up. During these moments, pain radiates from the pages so strongly it’s hard not to get caught up in the emotions.

Overall, The Risk is so much better than The Chase in that it offers a delicious romance, witty banter, and a spitfire protagonist. I cannot wait for more in this series!

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next book, The Play, is Hunter’s book. He pops up from time to time throughout The Risk in some significant ways, so fingers crossed! I’m also hoping that Hazel does not make an appearance in the future books. She served her purpose and I am not interested in exploring her character further.

*** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Have you read The Risk? What did you think?