The Warm Up

Subzero. That’s what folks around the league call Constantine Zimin, hockey’s best defenseman. He’s unflappable. Stoic, even. No cracks in all that ice, not until he meets Suji Meriwether. The pediatric nurse has no time for bad-boy jocks who want to use her patients as props. But as soon as they meet, temperatures rise and their defenses fall.

Editorial Reviews:

4.5 Stars

Finally, a book...about a love that that is new and exciting. No long, lost love in The Warm Up but a love at first site for two people who deserve it in their lives. The Warm Up was explosive. I got to enjoy a little bit of my home state where hockey is as big as football and baseball. And, Xio Axelrod made it very easy to enjoy the relationship between these two, beautiful people. - Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews


This was fun love story between Zim and Suji. I laughed out loud during the first few minutes of their meeting but that was soon replaced with some hot chemistry and then some more laughing. Definitely some romantic comedy going on here. I loved it. - Bea's Book Nook


The Warm Up by Xio Axelrod is fresh and exciting in the city of love, Philadelphia.

I love it when the heroine is strong, determined and a force to be reckoned with. This spicy story is sexy, witty and hot. I look forward to reading more from this must read author. Everyone should have a sister like Suji and a man like Zim in their lives. - Books I Love a Latte