Trying to Score: The Assassins Series [NOOK Book]

I loved this book, although when I first sampled it, I thought t

I loved this book, although when I first sampled it, I thought that it might be more of a hockey story than a love story, but I was totally wrong. There's enough hockey to make it interesting to a non hockey reader, but Lucas and Fallon are really great characters and you really don't want to stop reading until you've turned the last page. I've got the other Assassin books ready to read and I know I'm going to love them!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have to say that this is one of the hottest books I have read

I have to say that this is one of the hottest books I have read lately. Lucas Brooks has been traded to the Assassins and is moving to Nashville. Fallon Parker, also lives in Nashville and her family's wine company sponsors the Nashville Assassins. Fallon and Lucas have a past history together, and she really doesn't want to see him again. It has been seven years since she left Lucas Brooks, seven years since Lucas Brooks broke her heart, but there is another secret that Fallon doesn't want Lucas to find out about, and its a big one. His name is Aiden. Lucas would give anything to have a second chance with Fallon. He does everything he can to win back her trust, only he finds out she has kept a huge secret from him also, and that secrets name is Aiden, and he is 7 years old.

As desperately as Fallon tries to stay away from Lucas, she can't. Lucas Brooks is one super smoking hot guy, and he's a charmer. The chemistry and sexual tension between Lucas and Fallon is intense. The romance is passionate and very sexy. I loved the relationship that develops between Lucas and Aiden, and the ups and downs of the relationship between Fallon and Lucas took me from laughing, to crying, to fanning my face...a lot. I fell in love with this couple and found myself routing for their relationship as they faced one hurdle after another. The story kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen next, and then having to stop and catch my breath in other parts. I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. Trying to Score is a great read and if you like contemporary roman

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

GREAT

A awesome love story

Great series

Highly recommend this series

I really like this series and I would likely give the series 4 s

I really like this series and I would likely give the series 4 stars because it is re readable and all the books tangle well together. This book
 floats between 3 stars and 4 stars for me. Like with the other books I have read by Aleo, I really adore the hero, Lucas. He is
self reflective, funny, steadfast, and loving. He has grown and continues to grow. He is not perfect but he is real. He owns himself.

The hero says about the heroine, Fallon, that she has her head up her ass, and I have to say he is right. I kind of like the fact she is
hot tempered but I don't like the fact that she never fully owns her garbage. She is not self reflective. Her stuff with her dad makes
me nuts and she is a terrible listener. Fallon states she should have known things about the hero that she didn't late in the book and
 I agree, she should have and really we needed more time in the book while Fallon worked herself through than we got. She is a
great mom though and I liked her enough to enjoy the book.

The kid in this book is great as is the chemistry between the leads. I would have liked more time with Fallon changing and more time
 with the couple together but luckily we should get that in the rest of the series.

I was given this book for my honest review.

If you like these themes, you might like this book: Spoilers below!

secret-baby, second-chance, spitfire, mean-fierce-heroine, big-and-tall-hero, addiction, recovery, alcoholic, drugs, single-mother,
sisters, tennesee, anger-management, angst, learning-disability, illiterate, dyslexia, pro-athlete, difficult-parent, steadfast,
hero-in-pursuit, resistant-herione, wine, dirty-talk, romantic-gesture-gift, a body-art, betrayal, bicker, blushing, hero loves her booty,
 brawler, character-driven, charmer, children, clothes-whore, contemporary-romance, contemporary-romance-series, cynical-heroine,
 discovered-child, guilt, bearded hero, lack-of-communication, met-in-a-bar

Trying to Score by Toni Aleo is a good read. The two main charac

Trying to Score by Toni Aleo is a good read. The two main characters are captivating. They both have made some bad decisions which dramatically changed who they are as people. These bad decisions have in a way put their lives on hold, but when circumstances change they are forced to face the past and those bad decisions. While reading this book I stayed up very late without even realizing how late I had stayed up. It is not very often that a book wraps me up and drags me into the story like this one did. I wanted to finish this book so badly that I considered calling into work the next day just so I could read. Ultimately my responsibilities won the internal battle. The story was exceptional. 

The Assassins Hot and Sizzling Series! Talk about second chance

The Assassins Hot and Sizzling Series! Talk about second chances! I adore Lucas. He has turned his life around after battling drugs, alcoholism, dyslexia, and dealing with the death of his father. I was cheering for him all the way! His perseverance deserves a reward - forgiveness by Fallon. I love this series and what Toni Aleo is doing with these characters!

3 STARS Trying to Score was first published as a Loveswept boo

3 STARS

Trying to Score was first published as a Loveswept book. I liked the plot, the characters, the new ones and the old ones in the series. I hated all the swear words and the sex scenes it was worse in book 2 for me. I admit to skipping over a lot of scenes.

Fallon Parker's dream of tying her family wines with the Assassin's Hockey team is coming together. She just finds out that their is a new player being traded to the team Lucas Brooks. Fallon realizes that her world is coming crashing down on her.

Lucas was her lover until she got him in bed with her roommate. She kicked him out and then moved back to her hometown. She never told him that she was pregnant with Aiden. How was she going to tell him now. He broke her heart. Has not let anyone else in. Her dad got off her funds and wanted her to have abortion. She refused with the help of her sister Audrey. She finished collage and is raising her son.

Lucas is new to the Assassins team. He wants to win the Stanely Cup. Also wants to see if he can get Fallon back, if she is single. He loved her and he messed up badly with her. Lucas had his that he was drinking too much and taking pills at the same time. After she left him he got worse for two years before he cleaned himself up. He has been clean for 5 years now. Lucas also has another secret but Fallon knows it. He can't read. Levi his business manager and best friend travels and lives with him takes care of any reading.

Lucas has a reading problem of seeing words backwards and mixed up it takes so long for him to read anything he doesn't even try anymore.

This novel deals with some real issues like learning disabilities, alcoholic and drug abuse, physical abuse, and mental abuse. While telling a good story. I wanted things to work out for Fallon and Lucas. I hope Audrey gets her own happily ever after too.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it from Netgalley.
04/23/2013 PUB Random House Publishing Group Loveswept 478 pages ISBN: 9781105659416

A- rating....

My Review:

mmm, I really am liking this series!! I'm just sad at this point that I only have one more to read in my TBR pile. I think Toni needs to write faster. ;o) I'm also discovering that I really like baby-daddy books because I like books where the couple has a history.

This is definitely a baby-daddy book. Fallon and Lucas were HOT AND HEAVY seven years ago. It was love at first sight and they stayed that way for 2 years until Lucas cheated on Fallon. What neither of them knew at the time was that she was pregnant. And she didn't know how many issues Lucas was having with drugs and alcohol from his partying NHL lifestyle. Now it's 7 years later...Lucas is clean and sees another chance with Fallon. He has NO IDEA he has a son and Fallon is scared and harboring 7 years of pent-up hurt and anger. Yep, there is a LOT of passion and spontaneous combustion in this novel, which translates into...IT WAS REALLY GOOD!

Fallon is tough. She's a single mom who gave up everything to have her baby. She was a trust-fund girl and daddy took that away when she refused to have an abortion. As a result, she's had to work for everything that she and Aiden (her son) have. Luckily, her sister Audrey stood by her to help support her through all those years. They still live together and are absolute best friends. But Audrey is also the first to jump-ship to Lucas' side because she sees what a good guy he is now.

It takes a good while before Lucas finds out about Aiden. Before we got to that point, I was falling in love with him, but after his reaction to Aiden...OMG, sigh. I loved him. Most guys first reaction would be anger, but to tell you what kind of guy Lucas is...he was hurt because he thought Fallon kept Aiden away from him because he wasn't fit to be a father. He wants so much to be a good dad to Aiden and there is so much emphasis put on that in this book. This isn't just about him and Fallon and I loved that about the story.

I love Aiden and what he adds to the story. He's old enough to question things. When he figured out who Lucas was...it broke my heart...for ALL of them, but especially Lucas and Aiden.

The emotions are REALLY high throughout the entire book. Fallon is terrified. She knows that she screwed up and the most brilliant thing about the book...she isn't devastated for herself. She's devastated because she's hurt the two people that she loves the most in this world. I just love the way that Toni Aleo wrote the story line. It seems so real and true. There's a lot of back and forth in this book as Lucas and Fallon work through so many issues. Every time they move forward, something happens to derail them. They have so many trust issues....both of them. It's almost painful to read sometimes, but in the end it was all so good.

Just a great, great book. Toni Aleo is an amazing story teller!

Took my breath away!

Totally took my breath away! Fallon got on my nerves a little bit, but as a whole, I adored Lucas' and Fallon's characters.

I was a little apprehensive when I started reading Trying to Sco

I was a little apprehensive when I started reading Trying to Score. I mean, Toni wrote a beautiful (and quite hot) story for Ellie and Shea. Both of those characters were embedded into my heart once I finished that book. (And I loved that Toni added them into the story throughout the book instead of shelving them.) So you see why I would be apprehensive right? To think that she could write another story with 2 different characters that would have the same effect on me as the first 2 did. But yeah, I was in love with them to say the least. Did Fallon drive me up the freakin wall with consistent need to push Lucas away? Abso-freakin-lutely! I was ready to throttle the gal.

Ok here is the deal...9 years ago these two characters, who were quite young at the time, fell in love. Everything is blissful until 2 years later. Lucas breaks Falon’s heart into a million pieces. Fallon cannot forgive him and leaves his life for good. Or so she thinks. When 7 years later they run into each other when Lucas is traded to the Assassins. For Fallon it is 7 years before all over again when she lays eyes on him. For Lucas...well let’s just say he would love to get her under the covers. Flip, dude wouldn't even need a bed, he'd be happy having at it right there on the floor I am sure.

So there you go. Seven years after it all went down, Fallon is still heartbroken and carrying a secret that is more like a ticking time bomb. Not sure what to do with her current predicament, her mind is left reeling. Lucas is trying to convince her he is not the same man he was 7 years ago. But Fallon is having a hard time believing him.

Like I said earlier...I wanted to choke the crap out of Fallon about 90% of the book. I mean, good freakin grief...this is hunky Lucas Brooks we are talking about (and yes I do know he is a fictional man, but just go with it ok?) 7 years is a long time to get over something as heartbreaking as what Lucas did right? Maybe? Ok maybe not! But still every step in the right direction that Lucas took, something would happen and send him flying back about 3 more…leaving him to start right back over. I honestly am surprised he lasted as long as he did trying to win her heart back.

There are lots of wonderful...and some not so wonderful revelations in Trying to Score. Some scenes absolutely broke my heart, some brought a wicked grin to my face and some were...ok, some scenes are too hot to mention. And if you don't mind the F bomb being dropped a few hundred times you should be good. Yes, Toni has a mouth like a sailor when it comes to her characters.

So there you have it, my review of Trying to Score. I will be following up with Empty Net on 9/10/12 for the tour. So I am really looking forward to that one since I have a good background on Audrey now. Toni I heart your writing and love your books. Thanks for giving me the chance to review your work.

Read this book over my vacation and found it really hard to put

Read this book over my vacation and found it really hard to put down. I enjoyed the development (or re-development) of the relationship between Fallon and Lucas. He had every reason to hate her, but he couldn't. Great story. Can't wait until "AA" story comes out next!

Trying to Score drew me right into the scenes like I was there a

Trying to Score drew me right into the scenes like I was there and the way the characters were portrayed so believable it was very hard to put down the book. One of the better books I have read in a while.

Ok, I must say first, I absolutely loved this book! It was just

Ok, I must say first, I absolutely loved this book! It was just wonderful! Before I read this, I had heard so many good things about this series. I admit I have not read the first in the series, Taking Shots, but that will be on my Reading List! Also, this really got me interested in hockey, as to me, that really is not a sport I'm so familiar with, but I definitely want to check it out some time (wink :) ). Ok, back to Trying To Score. This was a longer story, but I think it was so needed, as there were many events that kept me reading, kept me turning the page. I was definitely engrossed in this story; it was hard to put down! The Prologue really captured me; it was a great hook to lead a reader on, and from there, you are lead to a story filled with heart felt moments, ok there's anger and frustration, and some tension (good and bad, but mainly) but there are family situations, and...love. All of this in one story? Yes, it was just wonderful; it had the conflict that a story needs, and it had the romance and hockey, what more do you need? In addition to the Prologue, there is Chapter 1, where we learn so much about Lucas and Fallon, where they are at, after nine years from that scene in the bar, and it leads us to a whole set of questions that are answered throughout the story. There is a surprise that is mentioned in the first chapter, and it's such a good one, so look out! :)

There are great flashbacks given that really give you an understanding of how Lucas and Fallon's relationship was like, and why they broke up. The characters were really well written. I really liked Fallon's sister, Audrey; she was witty and had a unique/funny personality, and I'm really excited to read about her in the third book (just to let you know) as that one will be based on her and ?...

The writing style did flow pretty well; the dialogue must have been fun to write at times, as it was definitely fun to read (I did laugh out loud sometimes; couldn't resist). Lastly, some things that came out to me was that second chances are so hard to give. You might be set on the decision on not giving that chance, but what would it be like if you did? Could that be the best or worst decision? So, as I have said before, this was one I could not put down. I so Recommend this story, and that you read the first one in the series too (these are stand alone books; each book concentrates on different main characters) and you read the upcoming third book, but do read this one, it was just...terrific! :)

Before my low star grade let me tell you that Toni Aleo is a lov

Before my low star grade let me tell you that Toni Aleo is a lovely author with a strong writing ability and some lovely story ideas. However, like some other books I've read the whole thing was set off and really makes me dislike the book for ONE REASON.... Fallon. I know it can be a great idea to have the main person or one of them be to the point of annoying that helps draw drama and people into the book because people love to have someone to hate. But Fallon's personality, character, and just all around being made me dislike the whole book.

On the plus side... Lucas and Aiden really warm your heart. I love the father son relationship. I believe it is what kept me going on in my reading. I look forward to book 3 of the Assassins series and hope to see more of Lucas and Aiden's bond grow.

Trying to Score by Toni Aleo is the second novel in her Assassin

Trying to Score by Toni Aleo is the second novel in her Assassins Series and another blown away novel. I was given the opportunity to read and review this book as part of a blog tour and when I read the book description I knew I had to sign up. Just like the first novel in this series I wasn’t able to put the book down when I start reading.

Here we meet Fallon Parker; who’s fighting hard to succeed in life and make their family business a success. She wants to start her won Wine Cellar one day, so when she has the opportunity to work with her best friend Elli Adler and her hockey team she knows this might be the beginning of her dream. Never in a million years could she have thought to see the one man she left behind and knows her biggest secret is about to come out.

Lucas Brooks has been transferred to the Assassins in Nashville and is determined to succeed wit this new hockey team and also to fix his biggest mistake in his life. He has jeopardized his relationship with Fallon in the past, but he will do anything to proof to her that he is a changed man. Despite his motives and actions nothing seems to go according plan.

I loved the tension and huge attraction between Fallon and Lucas, although I wanted to smack Fallon sometimes. Lucas did everything possible to proof his intentions and every time she reminded him of the past and his mistakes. I have to tell you that after a few times that behaviour was getting boring. I loved seeing Elli and Shea again and it was great to see how their life is turning out. Fallon’s sister Audrey is another great character, but I really hope she’ll get stronger in her choice of men, because I think Levi is not the right man for her…or he really needs to change.

Toni Aleo has written another amazing novel with those fabulous characters. I can only say one thing…I’m a huge fan not only of this author but also of these hockey team. I really hope she is going to write about more of them. I’m definitely going to follow this author and hopefully see more of those amazing hockey players.

Not really exciting.... I was really looking forward to reading

Not really exciting....
I was really looking forward to reading this book but something about it just didn't work for me. Fallon was way too needy and there were times that I thought what a selfish little brat. The outcome was pretty predictable and found that I knew who the sister was dating long before the author gave the name. The epilogue was extremely long, boring and it seemed like she was just saying the same thing over and over again. Instead of what the epilogue focused on I think she should have focused on the relationship with the Fallon's parents, you never know what the outcome was. For Lucas sticking up for Fallon he really didn't when it came to her Father. Just wasn't very impressed and not sure if I will read any more of her books.

eh

Liked the story and characters, but not as good as the last one. It seemed to drag at several points. I liked Fallon in the beginning, but towards the middle she was a little much.

My summary: Fallon Parker is finally living her dream of working

My summary: Fallon Parker is finally living her dream of working in the family wine business. She’s had to put her love life on hold to make this dream a reality. Now her past is coming back to haunt her. She’s working with the Nashville Assassins hockey team. She never expected to run into her old flame Lucas Brooks.
Lucas Brooks has had a troubled life. He’s lost a parent, struggled with addiction, and lost the love of his life. However on the ice, he’s deadly. Despite his personal struggles, his reputation on the ice is respectable. Lucas gets traded to Nashville where he runs head first into his true love, Fallon.
Secrets are revealed and old pain resurfaces. Can Fallon and Lucas even be around each other without combusting and will they be able to forgive each other of the past to make a new future together?
My Take:
This book is the second book in the Assassins Series and I couldn’t wait to read it. I loved the first book, Taking Shots, and was anxious to see whose story we would see next. I love hockey and sports romance! Hockey players are just so manly and yummy!

Lucas and Fallon’s story is very different than Elli and Shea’s. Toni did a great job of making the characters unique. I’ll be honest, it took me a while to warm up to Fallon. I could see why she did what she did, but she was a bit of a brat. Once she realizes her faults, I loved her! I love the name Fallon too. Neat name. I adore Lucas and want one of my own! His struggle with addiction and his determination to stay sober, was inspiring. I felt like he needed to go through the consequences of his addiction, so that he and Fallon could be a couple. Without giving anything away, you see how sensitive Lucas is and the relationship he develops with one of the characters made me melt! I love that he was so close to his mother and father too. The steam level was high and OH SO GOOD! Lucas and Fallon definitely have some serious sexual chemistry! *Fans Self* Oh and let me just say that when it rains now, I think of Lucas!


I was thrilled to see Elli and Shea! Love seeing how relationships progress. I am SO excited to read the next story Empty Net, which is Audrey’s story. Audrey is Fallon’s sister and she makes her appearance in this book. She is such a sweetheart!

One little thing I have to mention is that editing has been an issue and I don't blame the author. When you hire an editor, they should catch errors. Enough said on that. SO, I loved the epilogue and seeing where they were later on. Love the development of the series and can’t wait to read Empty Net! If you like some spice in your Contemporary Romance and sports, check this out! Toni Aleo has become one of my favorite new authors to read! SERIOUSLY! Hope you enjoy the series too! 5 out of 5 leaves

While I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Taking Sho

While I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Taking Shots, I did still really like it. :) I loved that the main character, Fallon, was so sassy, and I think I loved pretty much everything about Lucas. ;) haha He's a character that you can see has had a lot of growth from the guy you see in Fallon's flashbacks. I'm gonna refrain from talking about the other character that I absolutely adored because he's not mentioned in the description and I don't want to spoil his entrance...but when you meet him, you'll love him too and you'll know exactly who I'm talking about! ;D

One thing that made Trying to Score so different from Taking Shots was that this one had flashbacks, which I really enjoyed, and I thought that they were a fantastic way to bring in parts of Fallon and Lucas's past. I especially loved getting to see the differences between Fallon and Lucas then, and Fallon and Lucas now. Also, I absolutely love Fallon's name! :D I also really loved the chemistry and banter between Fallon and Lucas. They have some major sparks!

I really liked the story, too. I especially enjoyed Lucas trying to woo Fallon back. I did think that at times Fallon's reasoning was flawed, and that the drama between the two was maybe a little drawn out...but I totally understood her reluctance to take Lucas back. She had the issues she had with him, and other people to think of, but she also had some serious trust issues with the male figures in her life...her relationship with her father was awful, so I got why she didn't really want to let Lucas in again. She was scared, and her daddy issues definitely played into it all. I would've actually liked to see Fallon's relationship with her father improve in Trying to Score, but since the next book is supposed to be from her sister Audrey's perspective (or so I've heard ;D), I'm hoping that will pop up in the next book.

Another thing I loved about this one was that Elli and Shea show up! :D I loved getting to see what happened to them after Taking Shots, and that we got to see how happy they were! It was awesome, especially since they appeared a lot more than I had hoped they would! :D

The only real issue I had with this book was the editorial errors, but since I had a reviewer's copy that should be improved in the finished edition. I did check some Amazon reviews, and a few mentioned errors as well, so I'm cautioning you about it right now just in case they're still there. While the errors were a bit distracting at times, I didn't feel like it detracted from the story, and I was still able to get caught up in Fallon and Lucas's love story. Overall, it was still a great sports romance, and I'm hoping that they've since been fixed, but just in case they haven't, I'm giving you a head's up.

If you want an addictive and dramatic sports romance this will be perfect for you, especially if you enjoy seeing characters change over time. I'm cautioning you about editorial errors, though, so be forewarned. It is relatively cheap, only $3.99 for Kindle and Nook, so it's a great deal, especially since it's a fairly long book. I really liked this story, and if you haven't read Taking Shots yet, I definitely recommend you check out that one, too. :)

*I received an egalley to participate in the blog tour for an honest review. This review is also posted on my blog and on other social media sites.