The Secret Hook-Up

By: Pippa Grant

Narrated by: Virginia Rose, Tim Paige

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.

©2024 Pippa Grant (P)2024 Pippa Grant

2nd chance, meddling friends, strong female &spice

To the point: Female BB coach/Hockey captain, 2nd chances, meddling teammates, female empowerment, and of course the famous Pippa Grant rom com and spice.

Fangirl: OMG this was just so good. It was the perfect mix of both teams, of old characters making appearances but of a new love story, of heart and spice. I think Addie is my spirit animal. I have been in the dressing room dealing with dresses just like her! Too bad I didn't have a Duncan! This book just filled my heart and I didnt want to stop reading til I was done, and now I want a reread of both series! I am so happy that Addie found such a supportive partner. I love how Duncan is with his niece, just adorable!

Need to know: This book can be read as a complete stand alone. Everything you need to know will be given to you. However I feel that you will get more out of it if you have read the Fireballs and Thrusters series as the two main characters are from each team. And we also get a lot cameos from previous main characters from both series.

Sad to say but this almost feels like a closing out of the series for both of them. But what a way to end on a high note. And it was amazing to visit with some of my favorite past characters to see them past their HEA, past their retirement, and them living their best lives.

Also note: I listened to the audio of this book. I love Pippa's narrators. She always does a good job of picking them. I think audio really helps to connect to the characters quicker than just reading. They did a great job.

Enjoyed

I enjoyed sitting. back and listening to Tim and Virginia perform as Duncan and Addie. I always look forward to listening to a story in the Cooper Valley Thruster series. Current on all of her books. Addie as the batting coach was perfect. Cameos by some of my favorite characters was a wonderful surprise.

Another fun read/listen

I’ve been on a Pippa Grant binge for weeks now and am never disappointed. So many laughs, so much heart, and characters you can’t help but love. I’ll admit that Addie annoyed me at the start, but it was great to see her grow in this second-chance romance with Duncan. Open door, 🌶️🌶️, and the tea scene is hysterical!

Duncan and Addie

A second chance at love story. These two are amazing and relatable. I enjoyed their chemistry. This book has me laughing out loud and I shed a few tears. I love their support group from family, friends, and teammates. I enjoyed seeing past characters but this can be read as a stand alone. I need more from these two teams. I just love the way Pippa writes. The narrators did a fabulous job with the characters. It brings another side to the characters.

3 chili peppers

Typical Pippa Grant book. I liked how characters from her other books were in this book.

just fun - and great cast!

The book I didn't realize I needed as a long time Pippa Grant fan! Duncan finally gets his HEA and it was fantastic. Duncan and Addie (Daddie!) had a hook up a long time ago but Addie got cold feet, wanting to focus on her career, and years passed by where they were in the same sports world sphere (She's a batting coach, he's a NFL player). A funny (re)meet cute, a wonderful romantic gesture and then a love reignited kept this story moving quickly. Add in so many beloved characters with cross overs from multiple series, and this story made me swoon, laugh (naturally) and reminisce about the good old days while loving this expanded world!

I was so excited to yet again experience another book with Virginia Rose, who has an amazing comedic ability and is great at varying her voices. As always she excelled and with Tim Paige, the narration absolutely kept me enthralled! Another fantastic listen by Pippa Grant and her well chosen narrators.

Not my favorite

This was not one of my favorite Pippa Grant books. Dual narration was good. This book has a lot of inner dialogue that becomes exhausting and repetitive. The FMC has a lot insecurities.

Another Hilarious One By Pippa!

Pippa is back with a new interconnected standalone and per usual, it’s a laugh out loud and entertaining experience.

The Secret Hook Up is the crossover book I never knew I needed. Getting to hang out with so many of my beloved people from both the Thrusters and Fireballs world was everything. My heart just absolutely overflowed.

Duncan knew exactly what he wanted and that was Addie’s heart. He was willing to do whatever it took to prove he was deserving. Gaaah, I loved it. He had all the right words: both dirty and sweet that made him impossible to resist.
Addie had her impenetrable guard up, for understandable reasons. She made Duncan out in overtime but what she didn’t realize was he wasn’t afraid of a challenge. The chemistry, the banter…it was just so good. Of course, a Pippa book isn’t a Pippa book with some over the top hilarity to keep me on my toes and tears in my eyes from laughter. I loved being back in her world.

Virginia Rose and Tim Paige were just the cherry on top. The laughs came even harder with these two narrating. The perfect Duncan and Addie. They definitely brought this story to life in a fabulously hilarious way.

Fun, Moving and Steamy Romance!

I was completely captivated by Addie and Duncan's fun, moving, and steamy second chance romance! Addie is a female in a mostly male field. She works hard to be taken seriously as a batting coach for the Copper Valley Fireballs! She had a clandestine affair with Hockey Hottie, Duncan Lavoie, not wanting people to think she was using him to get ahead. When Duncan wanted more, Addie refused, fearing it would end her dreams, so Duncan left her, breaking both their hearts. Now years later, they meet again, and their attraction resurfaces even stronger. Addie still has her fears, but Duncan is determined to show her that they are meant for each other. When their teams want them to join forces for a new community outreach program, They are helpless to fight against what they both really want. But is Addie stronger and more confident to give a relationship with Duncan a real chance, or will she send him away crushing both their hearts for good? This is a hilarious, and hopeful romance about letting go of the past, forgiveness, believing in second chances, and finding that forever love.
Virginia Rose and Tim Paige were perfect as Addie and Duncan. I loved how Rose portrayed Addie's growth to a more confident woman. Paige easily portrayed the sweet, thoughtful, and deliciously dirty, Duncan, who made my heart skip a beat. I adored Addie and Duncan's fun, tender, and sizzling story, and was completely lost in this performance.

This is the BEST!

What a great story! It is so enjoyable to read! The hockey/baseball theme is just so exciting that I could hardly wait to be able to open the book and continue reading. The wording is smooth and transitions are well done making this one hard to put down. The characters are delightful! They make me laugh right along with them. The meet cute is amazingly funny! Every woman knows EXACTLY how Addie feels being stuck in that Dress…. twisting, turning, tugging while panic flares and fear creeps in of being stuck like this. “Just get my arms free!!”

Secondary characters are plentiful. I want to give a nod to Addie’s brothers..while they don’t say much they say a lot at the same time. Plus you never know who will pop up from Pippa’s other sports stories which add some hilarity and chaos to this one!

Overall I loved this one. I am not sure how this author keeps coming up with these captivating storylines but I yearn for more! Looking forward to the audio!