REVIEW: When It’s Right by Victoria Denault

When It’s Right by Victoria Denault is the third book in the San Francisco Thunder series, which has featured the Braddock siblings. This time it’s Sadie Braddock, one of the sister’s of Jude Braddock, a player on the Thunder hockey team.

For those who have been following the series, you will recall that the father of the Braddock siblings has ALS. The entire family relocated from Canada to San Francisco so they could be together while Jude plays hockey and their father’s condition deteriorates. Since relocating, Sadie has been busy. She not only works as an emergency room nurse, she’s also the sounding board and rock of the family as they struggle to deal with the changes that are happening. She has no time or interest in dating, until one night when Thunder goalie, and her sister’s boyfriend, Eli, was brought to the ER after taking a hard hit in a game. In strolls Griffin Sullivan, the Thunder’s new goalie coach, and Sadie is immediately interested.

Griffin himself decides he doesn’t have time to date. His ex-wife is trying to get full custody of their six-year-old daughter, as well as dealing with his new job with the Thunder. When he escorts Eli to the ER, he had no idea he’d find the first woman who had interested him in a while. Still, with things are complicated because Sadie is the sister of a player and her sister is dating the man he coaches.

I felt for Sadie. Everyone wanted her opinion on their father’s care, and her father puts her in charge of explaining his test results to the rest of the family. It was a lot of pressure on her, and no one, other than Griffin, realizes the emotional toll it’s taken on her. They don’t offer to be a support for her, but expects her to be there to support them.

I liked Griffin and his relationship with his daughter, Charlie, as well as how supportive he was of Sadie. At times I was a little frustrated with how often he used Charlie as an excuse as to why he couldn’t be in a relationship.

It was heartbreaking to see how far Mr. Braddock’s condition had deteriorated from the previous novels, and how much the family was struggling with his downhill turn.

While this can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the previous books first to get a better understanding of the Braddock family dynamics. They also show the family pre and post Mr. Braddock’s ALS diagnosis.

When It’s Right has become my favorite book of the series. If you enjoy sports romances and stories about close-knit families, you should definitely consider giving this one a read.

Book Info:

Publication: August 14, 2018 | Forever Yours | San Francisco Thunder #3

Griffin Sullivan is handling the ultimate balancing act. Between being a single dad to an active six-year-old and the crazy demands of his job as a hockey coach, finding love is not in the cards. But when the team’s goalie is rushed to the ER, he’s immediately captivated by the gorgeous, sassy nurse on duty… who just happens to be the sister of one his players.

Sadie Braddock has always had a big, open heart and a bit of a wild side. But since her dad got sick, she’s closed herself off to life and love. Relationships are way too complicated – and so is Griffin. He’s also funny and tender and sexy as hell. How can something that feels so right come at the worst time ever? Then again, someone to lean on may be exactly what they each need – if they’re only brave enough to take the risk.