Review: Falling for the Backup by Toni Aleo - 4 Wine Glasses

Falling for the Backup 
(Assassins #3.5)
by Toni Aleo
ebook, 105 pages
Published June 24th 2013 by Loveswept (first published January 1st 2013)
ISBN 0345549716
Goodreads - Amazon - B&N - iTunes

Toni Aleo’s sexy new eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third. After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is until the hottest guy she’s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and charms her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guy the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers? Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the ice—finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if he’d ever play pro hockey again, he’s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a pretty—okay, beautiful—girl on a plane shouldn’t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, he’s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.

Crystal's Thoughts:
If you are a fan of sexy sports romances then Toni Aleo's Assassins series is a must read for you. The series just gets better and better with each new release!

Jordan Ryan's life as the Nashville Assasins all-star goalie was turned upside when he suffered a knee injury and was put on the disabled list. Now healed and ready to get back on the ice Jordan finds himself sitting on the sidelines as the team's new rookie wows the fans and the coaches. Frustrated and struggling with his new back-up position and the insecurities that have developed because of it, Jordan makes the difficult decision to look for a starting position elsewhere. On a flight back from meeting with another team, Jordan is seated next to a beautiful woman. If he had sat next to her before his injury he's sure he could of wooed her into a spending the night with him. But with an unknown future and his new anxiety Jordan walks away from her at the end of the flight.
Aynslee Shaw can't believe her luck when she is seated next to a sexy stranger on her flight back home after a disastrous day. She thinks they have a connection but then he walks away without asking for her phone number, email address, anything! Aynslee can't stop thinking about him but resides herself to never seeing Jordan again.
But Fate has other plans for them. After several chance encounters Jordan finally gives in and decides to see where a relationship with Aynslee will go. But Jordan is afraid that he'll end up hurting Aynslee in the end, when he ends up having to leave her and move for a new team. Can they enjoy the present with a future apart hanging over them? Or will their budding feelings supersede time?

The one thing that I noticed about Falling for the Backup right away was how likable the main characters were. They were so real and genuine I couldn't help but fall into their story. Aynslee is a heroine to love. She knows what she wants and goes for it. She stays true to herself and doesn't have any of the character flaws that a lot of heroines now-a-days fall into. Lack of self-esteem, chip on her shoulder, or other insecurities. She's just a real woman with real emotions. She's funny and honest. Jordan was a joy to read about as well. In the story he is going through what any athlete could go through at any time, an injury when you're a professional athlete is a scary thing. It could destroy your career and forever change your future. His anxiety over where life was taking him was relateable even though I am not, and have never been, an athlete of any kind. But not only that, he was incredibly sweet and oh-so-sexy. The building of their relationship and the hurdles they maneuver was absolutely heart warming. 
Don't let the novella length of this book put you off either. It is a full and satisfying story that felt longer then it's 100 pages. Toni Aleo's love of hockey exudes from every page. This novella is a great little story to try out if you are unsure of starting the series from the beginning. It is told well as a stand alone. But it is also the perfect short and sexy fix for fans of the series until Blue Lines releases! A definite recommended read in my opinion for contemporary and sports romance fans. 

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses