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The Goal is the fourth book in Elle Kennedy’s New Adult college campus series, featuring a handsome and fun loving group of hockey players and the women who tame their player ways. The Goal runs parallel to the events in The Score, so if you haven’t read that one yet, some of the plot points of it will be revealed in this one, though they are still easily read as standalone stories. The Goal is aptly titled, as the heroine, Sabrina James, has a very clear goal in her life � to get into Harvard Law School. With no time for a relationship, she relies on very occasional one night stands to relieve the stresses of her life. Her experience with hockey players in the past means she usually avoids hookups with them, but John Tucker somehow gets past her defenses. Their one night stand leads to another and another but when Sabrina is sure that it’s time to really call it quits, she gets the news no college student ever wants to hear � she’s pregnant. There is no doubt that Tucker is the father and he’s willing to step up to the plate and be a parent if Sabrina will let him. Reaching her goal suddenly became a lot tougher. Will she take the assist that Tucker wants to provide and score a partner for life?

Much to my surprise, I think this is my favorite story of the series! And that’s unusual for me because the unexpected pregnancy trope is not usually one I seek out. But from the start of this story, I was intrigued by Sabrina’s character and the contrast between her and Tucker. Sabrina is all business, all the time. To that end, she’s working two jobs and taking a full course load of classes at college. Abandoned by her mother, she’s living with her Nana, and her stepfather (an uncomfortable situation but the only one she can afford). Sabrina’s relationship with her Nana is complicated, and her stepfather (a despicable man) is a constant thorn in her side. Yet they never deter her from her making the best choices for her future. She has no time to make friends, though she has two girlfriends whom she can count on. She definitely doesn’t have time for a relationship. To the outsider, she comes across as bitchy and standoffish. But once you understand the stress she is under, the goals she has set for herself to get out from under the poverty she’s lived with her whole life, her lack of trust in emotional attachments, and her drive and determination, it’s much easier to empathize with her position. I admired her resilience. She is beautiful, smart and focused. As the plot progresses she learns to trust in Tucker and his belief in her and her character growth was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Tucker, on the other hand, has goals too, but they are more casual. He knows he won’t have a hockey career after college so he’s already thinking of starting up his own business, but isn’t sure in what field. He does know that he doesn’t want to move back to his small home town so is trying to figure out a way to stay in Boston. He’s funny, charming, sweet and patient. And he’s hella sexy too. That man could talk the panties off a mannequin! I loved how he could take charge in their sexual encounters yet back off and give Sabrina the space she needed to realize that having him in her life would make things better. And when Sabrina comes to him with the pregnancy news, he’s 100% committed to being there for her and the baby. He knows this will change his future plans as much as it will change hers, but he takes equal responsibility (as he should) and supports whatever choices she makes. That’s a perfect partner right there.

Tucker’s teammates and their partners play significant roles in the story too, their reaction to Sabrina, and the news of the pregnancy running the gamut of emotions that would be expected, especially since some of them have negative opinions of Sabrina, to begin with. Tucker never wavers in his support for her, though, even at the possible cost of a friendship. There are some other emotional moments to the story that drive home the reality that life is precious. In the end, we get a really heartwarming romance of a young couple whose lives are forever changed, but for the better. 5 stars.

Joint review of this title (with my colleague Mandy having conflicting opinions about Sabrina) can be found at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews:

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.