Nothing But Trouble [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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I am a sucker for a sports-themed, contemporary romance and Gibson delivers on all counts.

First of all I must say it's pure Marketing genius to release a book about a hockey player during the height of the NHL playoffs, but you don't have to be a fan of sports or hockey in particular to enjoy Nothing But Trouble because there is very little actual "hockey" action contained within this book.

Mark Bressler, ex-captain of the Seattle Chinooks had it all. Fame, fortune and a brilliant career as a superstar hockey player and in an instant in a life-altering car crash his life was forever changed. He's got a huge chip on his shoulder at the bad blow life has dealt him. His wife left him for greener (as in money) pastures, he walks with a cane, pops Vicodin like they're Tic-Tacs and worst of all he'll never play hockey again. He's pissed at life and is quite content to wallow in his self-pity and isolation and be a big old (albeit HAWT) Mr Crankypants. How can you help but feel empathy for the guy?

Perky, aspiring but out of work actress Chelsea Ross with her blond/reddish/pink hair, colourful clothes (or like she just got off the boat - Mark's words not mine) and big honkin' boobs is not what the Doctor ordered as far as Mark is concerned . He thinks she's his new health care worker, but she's actually been hired by the Chinooks to be Mark's personal assistant. Chelsea's twin sister Bo works in the Chinooks front office and was instrumental in getting Chelsea the gig.

Mark wants an assistant like he wants another hole in his head. He's managed to run off the last few "assistants" the team has sent over to his home in record time and Chelsea isn't going to be the exception if Mark has anything to do with it. He's a man on a mission to get rid of the latest intrusion in his live and the sooner the better.

But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to make ends meet. And with a bonus of $10,000.00 on the line if she can stick it out for 3 months, Mark can do his worse, because Chelsea ain't going nowhere!

Chelsea is obsessed with her boobs. Big honkin' Dolly Parton boobs. I am qualified to work at Hooter's boobs! And they are mentioned again and again. One of the reasons Chelsea agrees to take the job as Mark's assistant is so that she can save enough money to have breast reduction surgery. This is something her family is totally against and can't comprehend. Surprisingly once Mark finds out about her insecurities concerning her large ta-tas and her desire to have the surgery - he is actually very supportive (might also be because while he can appreciate her fine assets, he is actually a leg man). It was just one more reason to fall a little bit more in love with him.

This book could have been entitled Hello House (as in the Fox TV show starring Hugh Laurie) meet Dolly(Parton). That's kind of what the character's reminded me of while reading it.

There are some very funny scenes between these two especially one in which Mark sends Chelsea on an errand to the drugstore to purchase some "items" for him. I have been reading romance novels for alooooong time and one of these items I did not even know existed or that it was possible to buy it from a drug store and not a specialty sex shop. Another very funny scene occurred when Mark was giving Chelsea the silent treatment. She continually bombarded him on his cell phone even though they were in the same house, a few feet apart just to bug him about the most mundane things. I couldn't help but laugh.

Mark and Chelsea are great together...funny and sexy and as mean as he tries to be, she knows just how to handle him and keep him on his toes. My only complaint about the book is a personal one. I need more than a few pages at the end of a book for such a deserving couple to get their HEA. I felt cheated and I wanted and needed to read more.

Rachel Gibson is an auto-buy for me and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Nothing But Trouble delivers nothing but a fun, sexy romp. Run don't walk to get your copy!

Rachel Gibson delivers another highly enjoyable romance with 'Nothing But Trouble." The book chronicles the hero's struggle to recouperate following a serious car accident. Mark is devastated by the effects that the accident have had on his life. Gone is the professional hockey career that made him a household name. Now that he can no longer play hockey, the sense of purpose and single-minded determination that fuelled his efforts to win the Stanley Cup have also evaporated. Far from being grateful to be alive, Mark is angry and frustrated by the cards that life has dealt him. At times, I wanted to smack our fair hero for his angry pessimism, but these moments were few and far between. All in all, he was a very likable hero. If anything, his initial anger at the world only made his struggles towards happiness all the more heartwarming.

Chelsea, our heroine, has given up the life of a struggling Hollywood actress to work as Mark's personal assistant. For reasons that I will not disclose (I don't want to spoil anything for you!), Chelsea is determined to hold onto her job for three full months, despite Mark's best efforts to make her quit. Why not just fire her if he doesn't want her working for him? Because, technically, she works for the Seattle Chinooks, Mark's former hockey team. So, if he wants her gone, he has to convince her to quit. Chelsea is determined to shoulder up to anything that Mark throws at her, be it sending her on ridiculous errands or acting like a first rate a-hole. Gibson has created a singularly unique character in Chelsea. She is at once skunky, determined, and a little but out there. I very much enjoyed Chelsea's attempts to dazzle Mark with her skills as a PA and kill him with kindness.

Gibson's style is fun and engaging. I found myself so enjoying the unfolding storyline that I was unable to put 'Nothing But Trouble' down. This book is filled with laugh out loud moments. 'Nothing But Trouble' definitely gets my vote for a light, uplifting read tailor made to put a smile on your face. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

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