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This is going to be Ryan Justice’s year. It’s his last year of college and his last year as a hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies. He’s making all the plays in preparation for achieving his dream of being drafted into the NHL.

This is Sofia Castilleja’s beginning. She is starting her college career as a star member of Bellevue’s brand-new gymnastics team. She’s going to tumble her way to success, first in school and then by realizing her dream of opening her own gym.

Ryan and Sofia didn’t see each other coming, but once they meet, they can’t look away. Their dreams are destined to take them in opposite directions. But it doesn’t take them long to realize that waking up to reality together may be better than dreaming alone.

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2018

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About the author

Toni Aleo

85 books6,548 followers
WALL STREET JOURNAL, NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BEST SELLING AUTHOR TONI ALEO IS AN AUTHOR YOU CAN'T MISS!

make sure to Join my Mailing List: https://www.subscribepage.com/toniale...

My name is Toni aleo and I'm a #PredHead, #sherrio, #potterhead, and part of the #familybusiness!

I am also a wife to my amazing husband, mother of a wrestler and a gymnast, and also a fur momma to Phoebe, Gaston el Papillon & Winston.

You can usually find me hollering for the whole Nashville Predators since I'll never give my heart to one player again. When I'm not in the gym getting swole, I'm usually writing, trying to make my dreams a reality or being a taxi for my kids. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter, Supernatural, Disney and anything that sparkles! I'm pretty sure I was Belle in a past life and if I could be on any show it would be supernatural so I can hunt with Sam and Dean.

Also, could I LOVE hockey anymore?

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,081 reviews34.6k followers
June 6, 2018
4 Stars!

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I fell in love with Toni Aleo's books when I first read her Assassin's series. Those books and characters will always have a special place in my heart. When I saw that End Game was about Ryan Justice, who just happens to be the original Assassin, Shea Adler's nephew, I got crazy excited to read it. I love visiting these characters. Ryan and Sofia were perfect together and I adored their story!

Ryan Justice is in his senior year playing for the Bellevue Bullies. This is his year. He feels it. The year he finally, like his uncle, gets drafted into the NHL. That is his plan and he doesn't want any distractions to meet that goal. What he doesn't plan for is his sister's roommate, Sofia Castilleja. Sofia is in her first year at Bellevue. She is a serious gymnastics with serious goals and is on a full ride scholarship. She also wants no distractions. But Ryan Justice... he's hard to ignore.

Sparks fly between Sofia and Ryan from the moment they lay eyes on one another. They are so alike in so many ways, but also different. They complimented each other well. What I loved most about their relationship is it showed what love was supposed to be. Being 100% supportive of your partner and their goals and never wanting them to sacrifice their dreams.

The Assassins/Bullies series are by far my favorite hockey books. I cannot get enough and I hope Toni never stops writing them! If you're looking for a great sports romance that's sweet, sexy, romantic, and fun- this is one I highly recommend! It can be read as a stand-alone but do yourself a favor and read this series! It's great!
“It’s you, Sofia. No one else but you.”

Profile Image for Tpagirl Loves Romance.
1,663 reviews166 followers
January 22, 2019
End Game was the fourth book in the Bellevue Bullies series by Toni Aleo. I loved everything about it. It was a fast read without over the top drama and had a good, solid storyline.

I was hooked from the first chapter. It took me a minute to place Ryan, but Aleo caught me up quickly by reminding me Ryan was the nephew to Shea Adler (Nashville Assassins NHL book one). Aleo then went on to include every child aka cousin between the two families and catch us up. Based on the descriptions, the Assassin legacy stories will be coming soon.

Ryan Justice was a college senior hockey player for the Bellevue Bruins. He was destined for the NHL. His aunt owned an NHL hockey team and he had been coached by the best. He was focused and determined, not having time for girlfriends. He hooked up but it never went beyond that - anything else would be a distraction and a deterrent from his lifelong goals.

Sofia Castilleja was a freshman gymnast for the new Bellevue gymnastics team. She was on a full scholarship and was one of the best in her sport. She trained in elite gyms since she was young with a total focus on gymnastics. She was headed to the Olympics until and injury shattered that goal - so she adjusted her goals. She was fierce, focused, dedicated and determined. She never had friends or boyfriends because she trained 7 days a week and was home schooled. Now at college, she had that same focus but she had a roommate, a fellow gymnast, Amelia, who quickly became her best friend, even if Amelia’s brother was a distraction.

Ryan knew the moment he laid eyes Sophia that he was a goner. He just didn’t realize how far gone until after a long chase, he finally convinced her to spend time with him. I loved both Ryan and Sophia. They were strong, confident and totally worthy of their center stage. Aleo wove a sweet, sexy and fun tale. She dove into the challenges of a fierce competitor with very specific dreams and goals. I loved the angle. It wasn’t the typical path and she portrayed the heartaches as well as the successes. I felt each decision as if it were my own.

Aleo also included a great secondary cast of characters, which added humor, depth and dimension. I loved the bonding between all of the cousins. It opened the door for many more books - both in this series or various other spin-off series. The next book seems to be from a new series, the NHL South Carolina IceCats, highlighting Moon (Ryan’s college teammate) and Amelia (Ryan’s sister/Sophia’s best friend) in Juicy Rebound. It has promise to be explosive and I totally can’t wait.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,841 reviews156 followers
June 12, 2018
The meaning of ‘end game’ varies based on its context. If someone asked a high school senior what his/her end game is, I’m sure they would respond with the college they plan to attend and the degree they plan to achieve. But in the sports’ world, a place where possibilities seem endless, the ultimate end game for any athlete is to reach the professional level…to get paid for a sport s/he loves and to reap the benefits of everything that s/he gave up and endured in order to reach that pinnacle of success.

The end game for Ryan Justice who’s a senior in college and Sofia Castilleja who’s a freshman in college, while slightly different due to their collegiate level, center on the sport that they’ve dedicated their lives to, making the ultimate goal for Ryan – the NHL – and for Sofia, a solid four years as a gymnast for the Bellevue Bullies and a chance to take her gymnastic skills to the highest level.  

Due to Ryan and Sofia’s goal driven game plan along with their determination and ambition to succeed, neither one wanted any form of distraction to invade their life, but sometimes, the best kind of complication is the one that no one sees coming, and while it makes that person question what s/he wants out of life and if his/her dreams are worth sacrificing, ultimately, what matters most is what that person can’t live without, and for Ryan and Sofia, even though it takes them a bit to realize what their heart was telling them from their very first encounter, their end game changes and expands to include more than just the sport they love, which offers more opportunities to live, to love, and to be happy.

I really enjoyed how Toni Aleo set up Ryan and Sofia’s story line. Aleo does a great job of illustrating who these two dynamic athletes are, but she also allows readers to see who they are as human beings as well. Their attraction to one another was instantaneous, but they both fought it, which I think adds realism to the story; Ryan and Sofia have been focused on their sports 100%, so a distraction of someone who intrigues them…someone who they seem to connect with…someone who they have chemistry with could take their eyes off of their end game, and at the beginning, they don’t know much about each other, but once they get to know each other, all bets are off and things between them start to heat up, forcing them to take a hard look at their goals…at their desires…at the idea that maybe there’s more to life than a sport and the need to be the best at it.

I’m a sports romance fanatic and each and every time I read one of Toni Aleo’s hockey romances, I’m reminded of just why I love this troupe. Ryan and Sofia’s story is a great read that explores people’s goals and dreams and what they’re willing to do when they’re end game becomes about so much more than they ever thought it would.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Profile Image for MillsyLovesBooks.
807 reviews36 followers
June 9, 2018
I so love a good sports romance and Toni Aleo really knows how to write a great story. End Game will give you some serious emotional feels! I laughed out loud and it pulled on my heartstrings. But all the emotional feels are so worth it to get a great story with new characters to fall in love with and old characters that we love and adore. If you have read the Assassins series, then you will remember Ryan Justice from when he was just a boy who loved his Unky Shea. Don't worry, if you haven't as these books can be read as stand alone's.

Sofia is a freshman at Bellevue, she's on a full scholarship ride with the gymnastics team. She has always been driven to be the best in the gym and spent her childhood doing nothing but training in hopes of one day becoming an Olympian. When those dreams were cut short due to injury, the scholarship helped taken the burden away from her sick mother. With Sofia determined to make something of herself by competing in college and then furthering her love of gymnastics by opening her own gym and coaching.

Being strong and confident in her gymnastics comes naturally but she is shy and unsure about herself as a person. Because she didn't have the same experiences as most kids growing up and was often a loner. So having a roommate who is bubbly and outgoing and wants Sofia to embrace the full college experience is completely new for her.

Ryan is entering his senior year at Bellevue he is focused and determined to be drafted into the NHL. Following in his uncle's footsteps who he has hero worshipped throughout his life. Ryan made the tough decision to pass up an opportunity to go to the EHL so he could get an education to fall back on if the NHL didn't work out.

His well laid plans and preparations were all in place until he set his eyes on Sofia his sister Amelia's team and roommate. And he gets an opportunity with the trainers team of the Assassins. Both of these have him second guess if may be there was more to the fact that he wanted to stay in education and now his entire world flipped and he isn't sure what his dream is anymore.

Neither Ryan or Sofia were looking for a relationship but when they them meet, the connection was instant. They had so much in common with their love of family and their drive to be the best in their sport. Ryan did have to bring out the Justice charm to convince Sofia to take a chance on them, but once he does, their relationship blossomed.

I love each story we get from Toni Aleo and i can't wait to see what we get next.

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Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews159 followers
May 16, 2018
There are times Ryan's ego can't take a hit, "did I just get blown off? No. Yes, she just blew me off. Wait. Surely I’m imagining this." I think there are times Ryan likes embarrassing his girl, "his eyes are challenging as he says, “Well, sweetheart, I gotta keep things in place when I’m running.” My brows come together for one second before I realize what he’s saying. Of course, I look right down at his crotch, and because the universe likes fucking with me, I not only get an eyeful, but he sees the whole thing. “It’s contained. For now.” Ryan is all about compromise, “so much more , ’cause I’ll just smother you with all of that and eat it off.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Ryan and I loved that Sofia kept him on his toes.
Profile Image for Jackie Wright.
4,872 reviews107 followers
June 9, 2018
End Game is Toni Aleo at her best, I thought this series had reached the top but boy was I wrong this author has taken us to a whole different playing field or should I say Ice Rink with book 4 in the Bellevue Bullies Series. This author knows romance but she also knows the game of hockey and for me that makes her one of the best hockey romance authors around and if you haven’t already guessed I loved Sofia and Ryan’s story. The End Game brings back all those wonderful memories of Ryan growing up with his Unky Shea but now as a grown man we get to see where life will take him when he realises he may never get that draft pick to the NHL, does he keep waiting or does he make a career move that will mean his dream will never be a reality. This story captivated me I loved the build up, the love, the romance and the passion that this author gives us in her characters and what can I say about the family that are so loyal and supportive apart from maybe wishing I had a family like them. This is a perfect addition to a brilliant series, this was a book that made me fall in love with this authors writing all over again and it left me needing to go back for a re read. Once again another 5 Star book from the very talented Toni Aleo
June 12, 2018
4.5 Stars

If you are ever looking for the perfect hockey romance, you need to pick up Toni Aleo's books. Her Assassin's and Bullies books are the perfect mix of sport, romance, alpha male and strong women who bring them two their knees.

This book takes us back to the Bullies and college hockey. But most important, it starts to give us a peek of the Assassin's Next Gen. Ryan is Shea Adler's nephew. All the Adler bunch is in this book. He plays good hockey. He likes hockey but the scouts are not looking at him. Sofia stumbles into his life and suddenly his future only concerns how much time he can spend with her.

Loved these two together. Ryan could not have been a more perfect boyfriend. Loved that they became friends first and then moved on to more.

Great addition to the series. Love everything!

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,012 reviews437 followers
June 12, 2018
Ryan Justice is in his senior year playing for the Bellevue Bullies. He feels like this is HIS year to get drafted to play for the big leagues, the NHL. That is his plan and he doesn’t plan to let anything or anyone stand in his way..that is, until his sister's roommate, Sofia Castilleja, comes into his life. Sofia is in her first year at Bellevue. She is this serious gymnastics with herself serious goals and is on a full ride scholarship. She cant afford to let anything stand in her way. But Ryan Justice comes into her life and wow suddenly her goals suddenly tend to take a backseat. Sofia and Ryan have huge sparks and sizzling chemistry from the moment they met. Their love story is full of emotional ups and downs, push/pull and is a great addition to the Bellevue Bullies series. I enjoyed reading the romance that blossomed between Sofia and Ryan and also getting to meet via read the additional secondary characters in this story. I look forward to more books in this series.


My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
Profile Image for Diane Lynch Lynch.
1,777 reviews45 followers
June 12, 2018
Toni Aleo leads the league with END GAME, the fourth book in the Bellevue Bullies series. Senior, Ryan Justice, is hoping to make the NHL draft. Sofia Castilleja is a freshman on Bellevue’s new gymnastics team. Neither one of them planned on letting a relationship distract them from their goals. END GAME takes place in Nashville, Tennessee. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adult audiences.

Ah, Ryan Justice swoon. Ryan is Shae Adler’s nephew (Assassin’s series). He is the son of Shae’s twin sister, Grace. He goes through a great deal emotionally in this story. He does some soul searching. He is a great big brother and cousin. He is the oldest of the Adler/Justice kids. As a result, he wants to set a good example, and not disappoint anyone. He is protective, thoughtful, and smart.

Sofia is Ryan’s younger sister, Amelia’s roommate/teammate. She was once destined to be in the Olympics, but an injury shattered that dream. Now she is at Bellevue on a full gymnastic scholarship. I enjoyed her character. She never really had good friends growing up. Her life was all about gymnastics. She is hard working and determined. She is very concerned for her mother who has MS. She wants to make sure she is successful, so she can help provide for her.

I like how the story starts out on Halloween. The matching Halloween costumes of the Adler/Justice clan is classic. It shows how close the two families are.

I love when Sofia and Ryan meet. Ryan is not used to girls not throwing themselves at him. Sofia has no experience with boys and is nervous around them. Ryan is very determined to get Sofia to go out with him. They are adorable together. They have a lot in common and make each other stronger.

The plot was skillfully executed. I love how Sofia’s sponsorship played out. Ryan had some interesting obstacles. I swear Toni Aleo always makes me cry. Her stories are heartfelt and meaningful. This story is a good example of how life doesn’t always take you on the path you wanted but your life can be just as rewarding or possibly more so. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
June 14, 2018
Oh my goodness this book. I can't even begin with where to start. I loved everything about it so much.



I'm a die hard Toni Aleo fan, and even bigger hockey fan. So between the two I knew this sports romance would be right up my ally. And the wonderful thing about Toni's books is that they can all be read in order of the series, or as standalones. I highly suggest you read the others first just because they're awesome books. But if you wanted to. You could jump right into END GAME with no worries. (Also be aware that the Bellevue Bullies series runs very closely to Toni's Assassins series, and many characters cross over between them as well)



But let's really get into this book




Sofia and Ryan were just too fluffing adorable. They are both so driven and compassionate about their sport and the others in their lives. I've never seen two characters that are so similar but yet have these tiny differences that allow them to still grow and change slightly for the better. They're both so strong and so kind. And I loved to see them just build off each other.




And just let me tell you. I loved how different this story was in general.




It wasn't your average predictable sports romance. There wasn't that big bad conflict really. There was drama and there were choices that had to made or decided on. And it did put strain on the characters. But there wasn't that defining moment that lost sports romances have between its characters.

And I found that such a refreshing thing.




Plus these characters are just so adorable. There's build up like any good book needs. But Toni gives us such a pure and adorable romance. And I found myself loving the dynamic between everyone.




Also I like how Toni changed up the story some this time.

I wont say much on that so you can see for yourself what I'm talking about. but this one breaks the mold in some ways. And I loved it.



Plus we get so many familiar faces in this book. I'm such a nut when it comes to seeing some of my original Assassins favorites. Although let me tell you. When I first started this one, I was kinda overwhelmed. There were so many faces that I had to stop and just take a breath. They're all from the same family but after lord knows how many Bullies and Assassins books I had to really go back and remember where everyone was at this point in time haha.

I joked with another blogger friend about needing a family tree drawn out so I could keep everyone and their ages straight haha (So if anyone that has better drawing skills than me wants to give it a shot, I'll totally take it hehe)



Something else I want to say that is always a big sticking point for me, and something that I love about all the books Toni gives us. There are actually SPORTS happening in this SPORTS romance!!

We get a good amount of hockey and so much gymnastics. And it is something I appreciate so much from her. So many books now brand themselves as sports romances because their main character plays one. But then they rarely give us any of the actual sports. But Toni makes it a huge plot point in her stories and that carried through really well in END GAME as well.



And I guess the last point I want to make in this review, is just that I loved how sweet and pure the romance in general was. Don't get me wrong. There were some steamy steamy parts. But just the overall vibe going was so caring and sweet. I mean I'm not an emotional person in the least. And even I was all sunshine and rainbows during and after reading it haha 😎🌈

Toni just gives us such a good and happy story. And I honestly loved the lightness of it all for a summer read.






END GAME


is definitely a

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STAR READ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,668 reviews38 followers
June 9, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

Having been a big Assassins fan, I was delighted to get the chance to read this book - but have not read the previous books in the series. I am a huge sports romance fan, but have to admit I do not read much YA, which I would definitely say this was for the most part. This is a substantial read, and would be a thick book in print.

We get to watch Sofia in her first year at college, and Ryan in his last. She is very innocent due to spending her every waking moment training as a gymnast. He has had no serious relationships, but a college life full of experiences. That is until he sees Sofia and is hooked. I enjoyed that we get to see part of the life of a gymnast as well as a hockey players - as well as the family times when we get to catch up with Shea and Elli.

There are some really interesting themes around expectations, motivations and dreams, which I thought were handled really well. We generally only see one version of what success means, and this book deals with those issues in a sensitive and clever way. The shadow of Amelia and Drew and their separation due to sport, is a worthy foil to Sofia and Ryan.

I did find myself tearing up at some of the scenes, because I am sentimental! And, because they were sweet and what every teenage girl wants from her first love ... but very rarely gets.

I also laughed, a lot. There are some very funny moments which are beautifully understated and the timing is perfect!

All in all an entertaining read. I did feel there could have been a little less inner voice - but then teenage angst and confusion also needs it.



Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Yve.
149 reviews15 followers
June 13, 2018
The Princess of Hockey Authors has done it again!

This book is a must for any hockey, romance, and dream chaser out there! I have read every book published by this Toni, and all I can say is her writing keeps getting stronger and evolving to a new level.

The story of Ryan Justice and Sofia Castilleja journey is poignant, moving, and quite inspirational.

Sofia's journey from a small desert town in Nevada with no way out but, to fight for you dreams. After a accident that left her unable to compete at a Olympic , she is given the chance of a lifetime to keep her dreams and goals alive and still supporting her physically impaired mother from 100's of miles away. Sofia is driven to succeed and make not only a name for herself, but to break records.

Or is she???

Enter the young man we fell in love with all those years ago in Toni's first book "Taking Shots" Ryan Justice. Ryan has dreams of his own to follow in his Uncle Shea's footsteps in making it to the
NHL. He has all the connections and moves to go all the way both on and off the ice.

When Ryan meets Sofia ice melts and their driven world's turn right side up. I am so happy with how this story came together and I cannot wait for you to read it!



I was given this ARC for a fare and honest review.
Profile Image for Tania's Book Blog.
1,639 reviews19 followers
June 12, 2018
Ryan and Sofia were so darn cute. They were young college kids with so much drive and dedication to achieve their goals. Him wanting to play in the NHL and her being the best damn gymnast and then open her own gym.

Ryan met Sofia his senior year of college and her freshman year. She just so happens to be his sister roommate. The minute he saw her he knew he had to meet her but she was hesitant. But he was persistent. And he never gave up until she caved.

These two had so much in common. They had things fro their family that were sad, him losing his dad and her dealing with her mom sickness, but that never stopped them from being the best at what they set out to achieve. They were a force to be reckoned with. Added bonus was the strong family support.

Their drama was minor and made it more realistic because it’s something that actually happens especially at their age. But love conquers all. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these two in the future.
Profile Image for Regina.
1,787 reviews33 followers
January 30, 2021
Two athletes with professional goals to obtain by hard, dedicated work and no time for serious relationships. Yeah. Right.

Shea Adler's nephew, Ryan Justice, is all grown up and in his final year of college with big dreams of playing in the NHL, all while going for his degree in sports physical training/therapy. Enter his sister's roommate, gymnast extraordinaire Sophie Castilleja, who immediately catches Ryan's eye and heart. Tho both are determined and strong willed, they both have their insecurities which give this sweet story a touch of angst. What set this apart for me from most of Toni Aleo's hockey books is Ryan's final decision at the end which was a nice change of pace.
Profile Image for Jamie Guellar.
471 reviews7 followers
June 12, 2018
Loved this book!! Ryan and Sofia’s story was so sweet, a little sad, but so full of love!! I seriously hope the Assassin and Bellevue Bullies series never end.
Toni Aleo has made me feel like I know each and every character from this series personally, and being able to see what a sweet man Ryan has become has been amazing.

 Ryan Justice in his last year playing for the Bellevue Bullies and he feels it’s his year to get drafted into the NHL. Meeting his sisters roommate was the last thing he needed. She’s gorgeous and a huge distraction.

Sofia is a freshman on a scholarship for gymnastics and has no time boys. She needs to stay focused on her goals. And then she meets her roommates brother and it’s impossible to ignore Ryan Justice.

Ryan and Sofia have to be one of the cutest couples ever. The connection is instant and so hot! I loved that they respect and support each other.

Love Toni’s books, they never fail to make me laugh, cry and then laugh some more. Can’t wait for what’s next!!
Profile Image for Lisa.
791 reviews5 followers
June 12, 2018
Toni Aleo knows how to deliver the best kind of sports romance! I was captivated from the start and it kept me hooked until the last page.
Ryan and Sophia are amazing together. The banter between these two had me laughing out loud and their chemistry had me fanning myself worried the pages of my kindle might catch fire!
I will admit that I have not read the previous books in this series, however never once did I fell lost in the story or that I was missing something. End Game has me hooked and I will now be going back to read the others in this series ASAP.
I loved this story and I cannot wait to see what Aleo brings us next!
Profile Image for Michelle Krystel .
1,984 reviews50 followers
June 11, 2018
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and have decided to leave a voluntary honest review. This is my second book by Toni. I have to say I'm really impressed by her work. I can't to jump into more of her books. At first when I read this blurb I pictured Ryan as huge player, but once I got into it I realized that is definitely not the case. Which made me adore him even more. Ryan just wanted his dream, and loved that he fought so hard for it. He was determined, ambitious, and let's not forget handsome. Sofia on the other hand was a breath of fresh air. I loved how she put her mom first that makes her such a good person. I also loved how she resisted ryan at all twists and turns. It made there story even better.
Profile Image for Becky Kapjon.
Author 4 books45 followers
June 13, 2018
This is another hit from Toni Aleo. I enjoyed reading about Ryan and Sofia’s love story. I was thrilled to see Toni develop stories for the second generation assassin characters. I was happy to be able to read about some of my old favorite characters along with introducing the newer generation. This story had all of the emotions from the beginning to the end. I was unable to put it down until I was finished. It was a real page turner. If you love the assassins series you will love this book.
Profile Image for Karen.
5,386 reviews71 followers
June 15, 2018
It's probably the best book of the series!!! It is a wonderful love story about a young couple. I love everything about each character and their dreams and struggles. I loved having Elli and Shea a big part of the story. The love story made me cry, a little.

Thank you Toni Aleo!!
Profile Image for Mia Book Addict.
248 reviews23 followers
June 12, 2018
I am a huge Toni Aleo fan but if you are following my reviews you probably know this already :) ‘Assassins’ and ‘Bellevue Bullies’ being my all time favorite sports romance series, ‘End Game’ was an unexpected delight for me. I will do my best to give justice to this book but sometimes it is really hard because it feels like whatever you would say won’t be enough to convey your feelings. So here I go!

Do you remember the little guy, who was following his Unky Shea, the captain of Assassins and one of the best defense players in NHL? He is now all grown up and in his senior year in Bellevue University. Ryan Justice is smart, sexy, sweet and loyal. He is playing hockey for Bellevue Bullies and this year being his senior year, he is determined to get drafted into NHL and follow his uncle’s footsteps. He doesn’t want any distractions that will jeopardize him to achieve his ultimate goal. What he didn’t see coming is his sister Amelia’s roommate and teammate Sofia Castilleja. Sofia is a freshman in Bellevue University. All her life she worked really hard in order to become an Olympian. However, her injuries caused her goals to take her to a different direction. Now, she is on a full-ride scholarship to get her business degree and also part of the gymnastic team of Bellevue University. Her new goal is opening her gym after graduation. She is determined to reach her goals and just like Ryan she does not want any distractions. She is an amazing gymnast and when it comes to gymnastics she is confident and strong. But in her personal life she is shy, reserved and not so confident. The moment Sophia and  Ryan meets sparks are fly between them. Their chemistry is off the charts. Even though, Sofia tries really hard to resist the attraction, she cannot resist Ryan’s charm for long. What I loved the most about their relationship is how supportive they are to each other. They don’t allow each other to sacrifice their goals. I am not going to give you their up and downs or if the both make their dreams come true that is all for you to find out :)

'End Game' by is everything you want in a romance; sexy, sweet, and amazingly perfect. This book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. As always Toni Aleo did an amazing job that you will literally feel all the emotions at one point or another. If you're looking for a great sports romance to read, I highly recommend ‘End Game’ for you. You can read it as a standalone but I hope and recommend you read the whole series because they are all amazing.

P.S. It was amazing to see Ellie, Shea, Grace and all the kids. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Sooooo many kids to pick from :) But I hope it will be Aiden Brooks, Amelia Justice or Shelli Adler’s story.

P.S.S. I hope Toni Aleo never stops writing Assassins/Bellevue Bullies series. I am super excited and hopeful that we will get to read Assassins: New Generation :)

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Already did :)
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jill M.
1,300 reviews92 followers
June 3, 2018
I want to say after reading this book that the cover matches this couple perfectly. It embodies who Sofia and Ryan are.

Toni took me back to that first time when I picked up Taking Shots and fell in love with her hockey stories. I can’t say this enough that her writing gets better with each book. She not only knows her hockey but she writes characters and stories to make you fall in love with.

I loved everything about this book. I remember that sweet boy running to Shea and saying Unky Shea. But now he is a grown man. He has learned from the best and man does he give them a run for their money in the romance department. The buildup, the chemistry, the romance and above everything the love was beyond what I expect in a story. I loved the family unit and how they were all so close. The support and love was unbridled. Everyone should have that and more.

Toni wrote this amazing story that I couldn’t put down. She pulled on those heartstrings and left a lasting impression on my heart with this book. She made me fall in love with her writing all over again.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
7,542 reviews153 followers
June 9, 2018
Young love and ambition are at the center of this coming of age romance. After years of preparation, Ryan's career path is finally within sight. His NHL hopes could be a reality, if his heart doesn't get in the way. Sofia is as determined as she is graceful. She is finally where she wants to be. Her dream is just on the horizon. Will her emotions derail her dream. End Game is a journey sacrifice that blends romance and sports into a perfect 10.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,498 reviews13 followers
June 12, 2018
Love!!!

Ryan is finishing up his college career and Sofia is just starting but man when they meet the sparks fly! Sofia is bound and determined not to let Ryan get to her but he's just as determined to wear her down. Y'all they are bound and determined to not bring each other down and its super sweet. Even when they fight they are trying to put the other one first and its great too see!! In the end they both get there dreams!
Profile Image for Becky Rendon.
3,622 reviews78 followers
June 8, 2018
4.5 stars

End Game is a perfect ten in gymnastics or a hat trick in hockey. Either way, everyone is happy.

This coming of age story is perfect for the hopeless romantic s out there. Bonus if you like hockey and/or gymnastics. There are some incredibly inspirational speeches in End Game that make it hard not to tear up. But the ones about true, unconditional love slayed me. They left me bleeding on the ice.

End Game is only the beginning for these kids. I'm excited to see what the rest of the family gets up to!

Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Profile Image for The Book Lover.
2,074 reviews32 followers
June 10, 2018
Another hat trick by this amazing author seriously! it was the perfect combination of sexy, loving, funny, sweet and awesome! I read it in one sitting and it was refreshing to see a different ending regarding his hockey career! I can't wait for more!
Profile Image for Cindy (BKind2Books).
1,667 reviews37 followers
June 13, 2018
If you've followed these series, then you've likely read Taking Shots - the first of the Assassins series dealing with the romance of Elli and Shea Adler. Ryan is Shea's young nephew in this book...but now he's got his own story and he's all grown up.

Ryan Justice is in his final year of college - he's studying athletic training and playing college hockey for the Bellevue Bullies. His sister, Amelia, is a gymnast and her roommate at college, Sofia, is a freshman on a gymnastics scholarship. Sofia is laser-focused on competitions and school, but Ryan is taken with her and works his way into her heart. There was a lot of humor in their early relationship as well as a few sweeter moments. Ryan is certainly hot enough to melt anyone's heart, but he's also very kind and considerate - maybe because of the loss of his dad and caring for his sister and mom, he seems much more in tune to women in general, more tender and caring. Sofia is more than a little sheltered due to being focused on just gymnastics for years - she never had time for tv or guys or really anything except her sport. She lost her bid for the Olympic team but her skills still allow her to compete at the college-level. Ryan is hoping for a shot at the NHL - he's got skills of his own plus an uncle who was legendary (Shea Adler from the first Assassin book) and Shea's wife who just happens to own the Assassins. Their dreams place their hearts on a collision course - but don't worry Ms Aleo will see them through. It was definitely a fun ride and I loved the small glimpse at the end.

Quotes to remember:

...every girl should know how pretty and amazing she is. I think that's what's wrong with our society now. Everyone feels they're not enough, when they are, each in their own right.

Things aren't going your way, but who cares? This is your dream. You define your future.

Forever...Actually, it's nowhere near enough time.

With all that I have, with all I am, I choose you, Sofia. For the rest of our lives - hell, in a hundred lifetimes - I choose you.
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