The Secret Hook-Up, by Pippa Grant

Synopsis: You’d think nearly dying trying to get out of a too-tight gown in a dressing room and being saved by a strong, competent man was a good thing. Not so much, though, when that strong, competent man is your ex. Your secret ex. And the reason you need a gown is because you’re part of a charity auction. The charity auction where he gets into a bidding war to win you. And now, because you’re one of few female coaches in professional baseball, and he’s the captain of the local professional hockey team, and he paid a ridiculous sum of money for you…The entire city is shipping you. You can’t leave your apartment without getting a knowing wink from strangers. Your bosses want to use the publicity to have you jointly launch a new community outreach program. That’s bad enough. It truly is. But even worse? Duncan Lavoie, the green-eyed, curly-haired, dimple-cheeked, hot-as-lava hockey player wants a second chance. And he’ll play dirty to get it.

The Secret Hook-Up is a laugh-out-loud romcom featuring the hot-as-sin hockey captain of the Copper Valley Thrusters, the Copper Valley Fireballs’ lady baseball coach he never got over, and a misbehaving formal gown. It stands alone and comes complete with a happily-ever-after.

Rating: 5 stars

Review: Finally. Finally! We finally are headed back to Copper Valley for a Thrusters book, which is also a crossover with the Fireballs. Could it get any better than that? When those two Pippa series are your favorites, like they are mine, then the answer is: Nope, it could not. I have been waiting on Duncan's story for sooooo long, and that stubborn man finally decided to talk to Pippa so that she could tell his story. I've also been waiting on Addie forever; I just didn't know it until this book. As usual, the book itself is comedy gold, and these characters immediately became perfect leading-character additions to the Pippaverse. And did I mention that the Berger twins show up? And just about everyone else we've come to know and love in Copper Valley. I finished this book in one setting, and I was so sad that I'm about to start the whole series all over again.