Carolina Reapers #3 – Connell & Annabelle
Content Notes:
Published/Pages: 2019/241
POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine
Trope: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity
HEA: Yes
Steam Level: Extra Steamy
Swearing: Adult
My Rating:
Book Description: I’m famous for two things—being one of the best defensemen in the NHL and my classic pranks. My teammates always said one of my jokes would bite me in my Scottish arse one day, and they were right. After a prank goes wrong, I’m sentenced to six weeks community service under none other than the sexy, rule-abiding, smart-mouthed city clerk of Sweet Water—Annabelle Clarke. Lucky for me it’s offseason. Unlucky for me? I want Annabelle like I want my next breath. She’s smart, luscious, and wound-tighter than a Scottish drum.
Och, I’d love to be the one to help loosen her strings. She’s made it clear that while I’m under her employment, she won’t be under me.
The white-hot chemistry we can’t deny must be ignored at all costs.
But bantering with her is soon my favorite pastime And she’s the sweetest forbidden fruit I’ve ever tasted. As we grow closer, one thing is absolutely clear, A summer with Annabelle Clarke can only end one of two ways: Satisfaction or surrender. And I can only hope we can weather the storm when the sky inevitably crashes down on us.
My Goodreads Review (No Spoilers)
My Review (w/spoilers):
So, this is the third book in the Carolina Reapers series. It was one I was looking forward to because Connell has been such a great side character. He’s a cocky, hilarious Scotsman and I’m 100% here for it.
His story definitely didn’t let me down. It is my second favorite novel in the series, after Cannon’s.
They actually go over it in this book, but they first meet each other in the previous book Sawyer. Naturally, their first meeting is hilarious and awkward. Annabelle was showing Sawyer and Echo houses in Reaper Village and Annabelle notices a naked man running toward her. Apparently, Cannon told Connell that if they won the Stanley Cup, Connell had to streak through Reaper Village. Obviously, Annabelle’s a bit uncomfortable, but it doesn’t stop either of them from acknowledging the other. Connell mentions how pretty Annabelle is, and she mentions that maybe she didn’t get to see enough of him. The whole interaction is very cute.
“No, Annabelle was shaped like she’d been put on this earth purely to drive me bat-shit crazy” -Connell
Their working relationship is cute. She tries so hard to ignore her attraction to him, but he can sense it between them two. Funny how the guy is usually the one who knows first.
I liked them going on a double date with Logan. But I felt bad for Logan, as his girlfriend is truly awful. But it’s meant to set his story up for the next book. I can see why he’s Connell’s best friend. He’s a nice guy.
The way Connell loved and talked about Annabelle’s body was some serious swoon worthy moments. I get where Annabelle was coming from with her insecurities. No matter how far you’ve come in accepting your body and loving it, there will always be those moments of doubts. ALWAYS. Anyone who says differently is lying. When he tells her how a women should feel like– “…like a curving road through lush hills, taking you to hidden places.” Oh man… he definitely has a way with words.
“No. It sure as hell wasn’t. Connell had been nothing but good to me. More than good. He was perfect. But the world had reared me on pain, and it had taken years for me to learn to love myself for who and what I was.” -Annabelle
I appreciated it when Annabelle talked about needing an ice-cold shower because of Connell. We always hear guys talk like that, but girls get the same way! I
Oh man! When the rookie was looking at Langley and Axel stepped in; “Grant watched, then made a sound of appreciation as Langley turned away.” “Look at her again, and I’ll remove your balls as a favor because there’s no chance in hell you could handle my wife. I don’t care what the f*** they call you.” I was laughing so hard!
Let’s not forget about the ostriches!
Not only does this book set up Logan’s story, but it also sets up Cannon’s. And seriously, this book made me so freaking excited about Cannon’s story. Cannon and Persephone have so much sexual tension, it’s insane.
“Because he owned me, body and soul.” -Annabelle
I liked how Echo was really there for Annabelle in this book. We got a taste of their relationship in the previous book. So, it was nice to see their story grow. She made really good points when talking to Annabelle about the media and how people perceive her, reminding her that she’s beautiful and a boss bitch.
When they tell each other that they love each other and then laugh, UGH, so freaking cute!
The photo shoot was interesting. I appreciated that the girl knew that Connell was uncomfortable because the women that were around him were not Annabelle, and she told him to picture her while they took pictures. That was really nice. I did however want to throat punch that journalist. That guy was a prick, and I shouldn’t have been surprised that he published a false story.
“Aye, Annabelle, I’ll marry ye. But only if you let me run upstairs and get the ring I already bought ye.” -Connell
While I can understand where Annabelle came from, I do think she was being a bit unreasonable. But that article fed on her insecurities, so no matter what Connell said, she still wouldn’t have believed him. Even he knew that. It was sad, and my heart broke a little when they broke up.
I seriously loved it when Echo went to his house to help him and Annabelle, and then everyone else started to slowly show up. Between the sexual tension between Cannon and Persephone and the breakup between Logan and Blaire, it was one of my favorite parts in the book. Just so juicy!
His big moment was precious, and I loved it. If it happened to me, I would definitely have been embarrassed, with all those people there. But it was still cute. “I won’t ever let anyone do that to us again. Open communication from here on out. I trust you. And I’m sorry for this broken piece of me that put us through this hell. I promise I’ll work on it. If you’ll have me.” I sighed.
But when she pranks him at the end, he thinks it’s his teammates. And then she has them help her propose. Love it!
Altogether, a great addition to the Reaper’s series. On to Logan’s story with his librarian.
Other Character’s Mentioned:
Lukas Vesterguard & Faith Gentry – Wheeler (Seattle Sharks #8)
Nathan Noble & Harper Thompson – Defender (Seattle Sharks #9)
Axel Nyström & Langley – Axel (Carolina Reapers #1)
Sawyer McCoy & Echo – Sawyer (Carolina Reapers #2)
Echo and Annabelle are best friends.
Logan Ward – Logan (Carolina Reapers #4)
Cannon & Persephone – Cannon (Carolina Reapers #5)
They meet for the first time.
Jansen Sterling – Sterling (Carolina Reapers #6)
Gage McPherson – Grinder (Seattle Sharks #1) – The Coach
Asher Silas – Asher (Billionaire’s Game Series) – The Owner
This is book 3 out of 10 in the Carolina Reapers Series. It is however, a standalone.
Diary of a bookworm 
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