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Jacksonville Stallions #1
Rule Breaker
Brendan f-ing Baker.
I hate him.
He’s the most promising hockey player on the Jacksonville Stallions.
He’s also arrogant, cocky, and a self-admitted gaslighter and serial-dater.
And he’s my new neighbor.
I’m livid.
Not only do I have to deal with my new reality of being an unemployed college dropout, but now I have to deal with his cocky presence and (presumably) his parade of one-night-stands.
I just need to ignore him… but it’s difficult when he’s shirtless and working out by the pool.
And it turns out he’s just as good at getting under my skin as he is at scoring goals on the ice.
When he opens up and reveals a real personality under that overly confident F-boy exterior, I’m confused.
Feelings are getting involved and I have to untangle the messy web he’s weaved.
Is he gaslighting me? Or is this for real?
There’s only one way to find out.
***This contemporary romance includes lots of warm, happy, fuzzy feelings and lots of steamy spice with a HEA and no cliffhanger. This book c an be read as a standalone .***
I hate him.
He’s the most promising hockey player on the Jacksonville Stallions.
He’s also arrogant, cocky, and a self-admitted gaslighter and serial-dater.
And he’s my new neighbor.
I’m livid.
Not only do I have to deal with my new reality of being an unemployed college dropout, but now I have to deal with his cocky presence and (presumably) his parade of one-night-stands.
I just need to ignore him… but it’s difficult when he’s shirtless and working out by the pool.
And it turns out he’s just as good at getting under my skin as he is at scoring goals on the ice.
When he opens up and reveals a real personality under that overly confident F-boy exterior, I’m confused.
Feelings are getting involved and I have to untangle the messy web he’s weaved.
Is he gaslighting me? Or is this for real?
There’s only one way to find out.
***This contemporary romance includes lots of warm, happy, fuzzy feelings and lots of steamy spice with a HEA and no cliffhanger. This book c an be read as a standalone .***
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2023
78 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 31, 2023
Rule Breaker is the first book in the Jacksonville Stallions series. It’s a very cute and sweet read. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Both Brendan and Stacy are lost. They don’t have their lives perfectly together and tied with a bow. Stacy got kicked out of university and doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. Brendan seems to be allergic to commitment. He’s never felt fulfilled with his career, always feeling like he still hasn’t made it. He’s just taking it one day at a time without a real plan. But together they get more clarity. Highly recommend if you want a sweet romance to read.
Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Brendan is a professional hockey player but he prefers to shack up with women then to get his own place. When his girlfriend kicks him out and he is now homeless he decides to sleep in the team locker room. When he is discovered, the owner of the team offers to allow him to live at her pool house. Brendan is pleasantly surprised that the daughter of his boss is Stacy and she is living at home. They met at a hockey game and she’s been skating around his mind. Stacy wants nothing to do with the arrogant serial dater hockey player. But his smile is infectious and he is easy to talk to. Just how long can Stacy keep listening to her brain, when her heart tells her different?
I would recommend Rule Breaker to all romance readers. If you like sport romances, hockey, flawed characters, better together, growing, enemies to lovers, medium burn, tough love, etc you’ll love Rule Breaker. No major triggers to report. This book does contain 420 usage. For all sweet romance readers this one is for you!
Warning: Reading Rule Breaker may make you want someone to love you more than Pearl Jam. May make you want to collect concert T-shirts. May make you want to go to a hockey game. May make you want to say @ss-blasting. May make you want to watch a Jazzercise video. May make you want to have breakfast mimosas. May make you make sure you have fresh c0nd0ms. May make you purposely leave the milk out. Wink wink. May make you take the advice of don’t fight just fvck it out. Read responsibly.
*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*
Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Brendan is a professional hockey player but he prefers to shack up with women then to get his own place. When his girlfriend kicks him out and he is now homeless he decides to sleep in the team locker room. When he is discovered, the owner of the team offers to allow him to live at her pool house. Brendan is pleasantly surprised that the daughter of his boss is Stacy and she is living at home. They met at a hockey game and she’s been skating around his mind. Stacy wants nothing to do with the arrogant serial dater hockey player. But his smile is infectious and he is easy to talk to. Just how long can Stacy keep listening to her brain, when her heart tells her different?
I would recommend Rule Breaker to all romance readers. If you like sport romances, hockey, flawed characters, better together, growing, enemies to lovers, medium burn, tough love, etc you’ll love Rule Breaker. No major triggers to report. This book does contain 420 usage. For all sweet romance readers this one is for you!
Warning: Reading Rule Breaker may make you want someone to love you more than Pearl Jam. May make you want to collect concert T-shirts. May make you want to go to a hockey game. May make you want to say @ss-blasting. May make you want to watch a Jazzercise video. May make you want to have breakfast mimosas. May make you make sure you have fresh c0nd0ms. May make you purposely leave the milk out. Wink wink. May make you take the advice of don’t fight just fvck it out. Read responsibly.
*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*
April 20, 2023
Stacy LaPaglia has always been living in the shadow of her parents- following their chosen educational path for her instead of following her dreams. Stacy wants something different- the only problem is she isn't sure what that is and doesn't really have the time to discover what it could be.
Brendan Baker has been living the freeloading, playboy life as one of the star hockey players of the Jacksonville Stallions. Using his charm, good looks and talent to land girlfriends, he has no desire to put down permanent roots. It doesn't help that he keeps himself closed off and can't quite find a way to make Jacksonville feel like home.
After a firey meeting that leaves Stacy unrattled by Brendan, they themselves living under the same roof. Will Stacy and Brendan be able to ignore the tension that falls between them every time they interact or will the finally give in and see where this attraction takes them?
I really ended up enjoying this story. It has all of the elements of a romance that I like-enemies to lovers, spice, forced proximity. There was also something really wonderful about watching Brendan and Stacy's relationship develop- both are very lost, broken individuals, for different reasons, who are inexplicably drawn to one another. They both find it easy to confide the secrets that they don't normally share with the outside world and have no qualms about being seen by the other at some of their lowest points. I also really loved how Stacy didn't fall for Brendan at the beginning- there was a period of time where they got to know each other before throwing caution to the wind and trying a relationship. I think that gave this story a level of sweetness that might have been missed had this not happened.
My favorite thing about this story was that despite the fact that Brendan wanted to take care of Stacy no matter how long it took for her to find what she wanted out of life, she didn't jump on that offer. While that may have caused tension and some pain in their relationship, I think it created a stronger bond and was much more believable than anything else and was really nice to read.
This was a super fast, fun and easy read with the right amount of spice- can't wait to see what comes next!
Brendan Baker has been living the freeloading, playboy life as one of the star hockey players of the Jacksonville Stallions. Using his charm, good looks and talent to land girlfriends, he has no desire to put down permanent roots. It doesn't help that he keeps himself closed off and can't quite find a way to make Jacksonville feel like home.
After a firey meeting that leaves Stacy unrattled by Brendan, they themselves living under the same roof. Will Stacy and Brendan be able to ignore the tension that falls between them every time they interact or will the finally give in and see where this attraction takes them?
I really ended up enjoying this story. It has all of the elements of a romance that I like-enemies to lovers, spice, forced proximity. There was also something really wonderful about watching Brendan and Stacy's relationship develop- both are very lost, broken individuals, for different reasons, who are inexplicably drawn to one another. They both find it easy to confide the secrets that they don't normally share with the outside world and have no qualms about being seen by the other at some of their lowest points. I also really loved how Stacy didn't fall for Brendan at the beginning- there was a period of time where they got to know each other before throwing caution to the wind and trying a relationship. I think that gave this story a level of sweetness that might have been missed had this not happened.
My favorite thing about this story was that despite the fact that Brendan wanted to take care of Stacy no matter how long it took for her to find what she wanted out of life, she didn't jump on that offer. While that may have caused tension and some pain in their relationship, I think it created a stronger bond and was much more believable than anything else and was really nice to read.
This was a super fast, fun and easy read with the right amount of spice- can't wait to see what comes next!
April 1, 2023
Rule Breaker is the first book the Jacksonville Stallions Series. It was a cute enemies-to-lovers hockey short story. I say short story because I read it less then 3 hours. I did enjoy the fact of the story talking about FMC and the MMC not having their lives all together. Because honestly, who really does? Spice level I give it one 🌶️.
I would recommend Rule Breaker to anyone that love Hockey, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, light emotion, character-driven, flawed characters romance, etc.
*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*
I would recommend Rule Breaker to anyone that love Hockey, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, light emotion, character-driven, flawed characters romance, etc.
*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*
April 4, 2023
I like these characters, both Stacey and Brendan are good characters. They grow during the story and they become better. They become who they are meant to be. Their dialogue at times is a little weird but not too distracting. Brendan has baggage but he manages to deal with it once Stacey comes into his life. Stacey is spoiled and aimlessly going through life but she manages to deal with her issues as well. I like Pauline a lot and Natalie and Hayes. I like her mom too. Her dad only has a small.part so no opinion there. A nice story. Fun and flirty and snarky with great chemistry. 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2023
5 stars of pure awesome hockey romance
My first time reading Violette Paradis & I absolutely loved Brendan & Stacy's story. There's a lighthearted note that is perfectly balanced by watching as the 2 characters try to find themselves. The desire that flows between Brendan & Stacy is undeniable, steamy & erotic. Can they build a future or will doubts & insecurities get in the way.
I can't wait to see what the author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My first time reading Violette Paradis & I absolutely loved Brendan & Stacy's story. There's a lighthearted note that is perfectly balanced by watching as the 2 characters try to find themselves. The desire that flows between Brendan & Stacy is undeniable, steamy & erotic. Can they build a future or will doubts & insecurities get in the way.
I can't wait to see what the author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2023
Sweet Story
My rating: 4.5
Heat: 7/10
Emotion 6/10
Story: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Interest: 7/10
POV: Dual
No Cheating
No Cliffhanger
"Rule Breaker" is a sweet story in the world of Hockey with enemies to lovers trope.
I really enjoyed the writing and the witty banter among the MCs.
There is some steam, no unnecessary angst and the characters were good (even though i didn't really like the male character at the beginning).
I will definitely read more from the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My rating: 4.5
Heat: 7/10
Emotion 6/10
Story: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Interest: 7/10
POV: Dual
No Cheating
No Cliffhanger
"Rule Breaker" is a sweet story in the world of Hockey with enemies to lovers trope.
I really enjoyed the writing and the witty banter among the MCs.
There is some steam, no unnecessary angst and the characters were good (even though i didn't really like the male character at the beginning).
I will definitely read more from the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2023
Brendan is the most promising hockey player on the Jacksonville Stallions. He’s also arrogant, a self-admitted gaslighter and serial-dater. Also her new neighbor. And she hates him.
Not only does she have to deal with her new reality of being an unemployed college dropout, but now she has to deal with his presence and (presumably) his parade of one-night-stands. She just needs to ignore him… but it’s difficult when he’s shirtless and working out by the pool. An entertaining book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
Not only does she have to deal with her new reality of being an unemployed college dropout, but now she has to deal with his presence and (presumably) his parade of one-night-stands. She just needs to ignore him… but it’s difficult when he’s shirtless and working out by the pool. An entertaining book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 11, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this one, I liked it but felt it didn't quite go far enough. It wasn't long enough to really dig into everything, the issues resolved too easily and it felt low on the heat levels. There are some introductions to some great side characters like Hayes and Pauline and it sets up a new team well.
Its solid but I was left wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Its solid but I was left wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 16, 2023
0.5 stars
I’ve read some rough reads in my day and this is one of them. I’ve never struggled so hard to finish a ~250 page book before. I don’t understand why I didn’t just drop this book.
Dialogue is everywhere and the chemistry is nowhere. This is only receiving 0.5 stars mainly because they believe in each other. Poorly paced as well. While I wasn’t expecting a slow burn at least make it the slightest bit gradual.
I’ve read some rough reads in my day and this is one of them. I’ve never struggled so hard to finish a ~250 page book before. I don’t understand why I didn’t just drop this book.
Dialogue is everywhere and the chemistry is nowhere. This is only receiving 0.5 stars mainly because they believe in each other. Poorly paced as well. While I wasn’t expecting a slow burn at least make it the slightest bit gradual.
April 29, 2023
This book is really cute! I love the way the characters play off each other and the side characters are pretty fun. I didnt like his friend’s relationship with his girlfriend, they seem like they hate each other honestly. It was just a quick fun read, no cheating or being awful to each other! I enjoyed it. Spice is probably 2/5
March 12, 2024
It was okay…but
It was rushed the entire time, the characters were hooking up for two weeks and then they were supposed to be in love? Pardon? Then they instantly move in together? This guy was just living with someone else? Blah. Didn’t love it
It was rushed the entire time, the characters were hooking up for two weeks and then they were supposed to be in love? Pardon? Then they instantly move in together? This guy was just living with someone else? Blah. Didn’t love it
November 30, 2025
Feel good story
I liked the premise, very creative, and I fell for the.characters. Too like a book I have to be invested in the main characters and it's easy in the this book care about them. Well worth the time to read.
I liked the premise, very creative, and I fell for the.characters. Too like a book I have to be invested in the main characters and it's easy in the this book care about them. Well worth the time to read.
December 12, 2023
if this man says “heh” one more time😐
Read
May 29, 2024uh when he say at first chapter he kinda has an overlapping relationship— no uh dnf sorry
September 14, 2023
The romance between Brenden and Stacy starts as enemies and quickly turns to lustful. Brenden is a famous hockey player…and Stacy is the owners daughter. As they learn that neither have their “stuff” together they find kindred spirits in each other. This was a cute, slow burn sports romance that give readers a nice light read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews