Let me start out by saying that I received an ARC of Rushing the Goal; therefore, I wanted to make sure I took my time with review and reading the book.

I have read all of Toni Aleo's Assassins and Bullies series and was a little skeptical that I would like Lucy, but I was pleasenly surprised by how much I could sympathize with Lucy.  Lucy is a strong, hard-headed woman who has been scorned by an ex-husband.  He treated her horribly when they were married, thus, causing Lucy to put up a wall around her heart.

She is a single mom and loves her family, but is jealous of her mom for finding happiness again.  She meets Benji when Angie starts hockey and she immediately acts as though she doesn't like or need his help in any way.  This is also where Lucy's ex turns into an even bigger a##hole.

Benji is a recovering alcoholic with a boat load of guilt over his family and his part in what happened.  He says he wants to move on with his life but his friends don't believe him.  Until he meets Lucy and Angie.  As soon as he sees Lucy he sees something in her that he is drawn to.  Even with is teammmate and Lucy's brother telling him hewont get anywhere with her, he continues to pursue Lucy.

Slowly, but surely, Lucy starts to rely on Benji.  First, at hockey practice and then he hires her to redecorate his house.  After the first time they have sex, Lucy leaves and he is upset.  He realizes that she left some stuff at his house so he goes to return it.  He is persistent and they agree to take things slow.

Angie loves Benji and her dad can see that and starts making things even more difficult for Lucy.  He does some really awful things to Angie and Lucy, but Benji is there and won't let Lucy fight everything alone, like she has done so many times before.

I just can't say enough great things about Rushing the Goal.  While I have loved every book in the Assassins series, this book is special and Benji is competeing for #1 and I didn't think that was possible because Phillip stole a piece of my heart.