cover image The Art of Running in Heels: Chinooks Hockey Team, Book 7

The Art of Running in Heels: Chinooks Hockey Team, Book 7

Rachel Gibson. Avon, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-0-06-224747-6

Gibson’s seventh Seattle Chinooks hockey romance delightfully recycles her premise from Simply Irresistible (1998). NHL star Sean Knox gets tangled up with a runaway bride who happens to be the daughter of his coach, John Kowalsky. Lexie Kowalsky has no choice but to bolt from her live-TV wedding extravaganza. She initially joined the Gettin’ Hitched reality show to promote her dog clothing boutique, but her competitive spirit (and beauty) propelled her to the altar without really getting to know her groom. It’s an easy decision to jump on the same small plane Sean is taking to visit his mother in tiny Sandspit, Canada. Lexie doesn’t recognize Sean, who wonders whether he should spill the beans, but he doesn’t intend to get involved with Lexie, as he’s walking on eggshells getting to know his new coach. Intentions fall by the wayside once he gets Lexie out of her gown and stops resisting the warm, intelligent woman with a strange dog and a knack for handling his wacky mother. Gibson fans will adore cameos by previous protagonists in this cheerful, quick-paced tale. (Jan.)