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Bracing for Love #1
Bracing the Blue Line
Neil, Grant, and Winston are college hockey players and roommates in vastly different relationships that intertwine three stories into one.
Captain Neil Lawson wants to run for the hills when a one night stand shows up on his doorstep, pregnant with his baby. His past haunts him before fueling him into being a part of this girl and this baby’s lives, but it won’t be that easy.
Goalie Grant Faison is a curious guy who starts doing small favors for the sports photographer of the college paper. There’s something more going on with the girl who has three overprotective brothers, but for once, Grant can’t ask questions. He has to wait for her to tell him on her own.
Defenseman Winston Brooks secretly dated his best friend’s younger sister in high school. Now that she’s attending his university, they try being friends. Their love never died and soon, it reignites. Winston has to keep history from repeating itself before he loses his girl once and for all. She’s not the same girl she used to be though.
The guys must battle their issues, both past and present, while falling in love along the way.
Captain Neil Lawson wants to run for the hills when a one night stand shows up on his doorstep, pregnant with his baby. His past haunts him before fueling him into being a part of this girl and this baby’s lives, but it won’t be that easy.
Goalie Grant Faison is a curious guy who starts doing small favors for the sports photographer of the college paper. There’s something more going on with the girl who has three overprotective brothers, but for once, Grant can’t ask questions. He has to wait for her to tell him on her own.
Defenseman Winston Brooks secretly dated his best friend’s younger sister in high school. Now that she’s attending his university, they try being friends. Their love never died and soon, it reignites. Winston has to keep history from repeating itself before he loses his girl once and for all. She’s not the same girl she used to be though.
The guys must battle their issues, both past and present, while falling in love along the way.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2014
2 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Paige
64 books598 followersLindsay Paige is the author of multiple Young Adult, New Adult, and Sports romances. She also enjoys writing books with characters who deal with anxiety and depression, issues which are close to her heart. Lindsay is a North Carolinian who loves watching hockey, sharing puns, having conversations with her two dogs, rewatching episodes of M*A*S*H, and living her dream of writing books for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I was worried about the plot following three different storylines, but the way it was written works so well. The story flows smoothly and I think the three storylines enhance each other.
I'll definitely be checking out more stories by Lindsay Paige.
I'll definitely be checking out more stories by Lindsay Paige.
April 1, 2015
ummm.....well...that was an abrupt ending.....was really liking the story until that point...
This book is one that truly needs an epilogue!!!!!
This book is one that truly needs an epilogue!!!!!
August 16, 2018
Like the storylines about the Hockey players. Easy to follow the stories. Thanks!
May 18, 2021
3,5⭐
Tres historias hermosas. ¡Es un libro bastante lijero de leer! Sus protagonistas son geniales. Podemos conocer a los personajes con las poquitas páginas que tiene. En ningún momento uno se siente aburrido o confundido con las historias que se narran.
Tres historias hermosas. ¡Es un libro bastante lijero de leer! Sus protagonistas son geniales. Podemos conocer a los personajes con las poquitas páginas que tiene. En ningún momento uno se siente aburrido o confundido con las historias que se narran.
October 9, 2014
My friend, Kristalyn, introduced me to this author and I have to say she has me more and more hooked with every book from her I read. I wasn't sure how the three different point of views was going to go, but she nailed it. It flowed so well and didn't feel choppy at all.
I loved all 3 of the boys, but the one that I think I liked the most would be Neil. He was the one who had the biggest character change throughout the book. You got to watch him go from a man-whore who didn't have a heart to a loving respectable young man.
Neil has his demons. He hints to them through the book and he has quite a temper to follow those demons. But once he lets them out to someone special, he blossoms out into such a great guy. I was rather shocked because at the beginning he was the one I didn't like the most.
Winston is sweet but is so afraid of his best friend and they way he will see him. He is afraid to lose his friendship so pushes away people that don't deserve it nor does he even want them gone. He finally towards the end gets the guts to follow his heart and take some chances, even when the truth doesn't come out in the most ideal circumstances.
Grant is also a sweetheart. He was the one that stayed the same the most. He is his usual person of asking lots of questions but when it comes to Lucy, he doesn't really ask much. He has learned asking questions pushes her away. To keep her around he has to just let her decide when she is ready to tell him the big mystery she is hiding. I like that he didn't change much, it is nice to have at least one character that stays steady on through to be a crutch for the others.
There is also a guy named Bo. He is best friends to Neil and tries to keep him on the right path throughout all the problems going on in his life. Neil fights it at first and will never admit to Bo that he was right, but he does follow the advice most of the time anyway. I heard there is another book coming out based on a character from this book and I have a feeling that Bo is it, though I could be wrong!
This book is pretty much set at the university they all attend. They go out to dinner here or there or they are at some away hockey games, but for the most part it is set somewhere on the campus whether in the library, out on a sidewalk somewhere, or someone's room.
The more hockey books I have been reading the more sucked in I am. I am not even a girl who liked hockey before the books, but now I want to run out and sit at every home game of our local team. I think many out there can get sucked into the books just by Lindsay alone.
This book is such a sweet book with real life problems. The writing flows perfectly and Lindsay's voice is one you can help but get sucked into. She has a smoothness to her writing that makes you have a little movie theater going on in your head as you go from page to page.
Lindsay has become a must read author for me and I know now I will be devouring all of her other works. Anyone who loves a nice romance that is realistic, this is the book for you. I will be surprised if anyone out there can read this and not sigh over all 3 romances that unfold.
I loved all 3 of the boys, but the one that I think I liked the most would be Neil. He was the one who had the biggest character change throughout the book. You got to watch him go from a man-whore who didn't have a heart to a loving respectable young man.
Neil has his demons. He hints to them through the book and he has quite a temper to follow those demons. But once he lets them out to someone special, he blossoms out into such a great guy. I was rather shocked because at the beginning he was the one I didn't like the most.
Winston is sweet but is so afraid of his best friend and they way he will see him. He is afraid to lose his friendship so pushes away people that don't deserve it nor does he even want them gone. He finally towards the end gets the guts to follow his heart and take some chances, even when the truth doesn't come out in the most ideal circumstances.
Grant is also a sweetheart. He was the one that stayed the same the most. He is his usual person of asking lots of questions but when it comes to Lucy, he doesn't really ask much. He has learned asking questions pushes her away. To keep her around he has to just let her decide when she is ready to tell him the big mystery she is hiding. I like that he didn't change much, it is nice to have at least one character that stays steady on through to be a crutch for the others.
There is also a guy named Bo. He is best friends to Neil and tries to keep him on the right path throughout all the problems going on in his life. Neil fights it at first and will never admit to Bo that he was right, but he does follow the advice most of the time anyway. I heard there is another book coming out based on a character from this book and I have a feeling that Bo is it, though I could be wrong!
This book is pretty much set at the university they all attend. They go out to dinner here or there or they are at some away hockey games, but for the most part it is set somewhere on the campus whether in the library, out on a sidewalk somewhere, or someone's room.
The more hockey books I have been reading the more sucked in I am. I am not even a girl who liked hockey before the books, but now I want to run out and sit at every home game of our local team. I think many out there can get sucked into the books just by Lindsay alone.
This book is such a sweet book with real life problems. The writing flows perfectly and Lindsay's voice is one you can help but get sucked into. She has a smoothness to her writing that makes you have a little movie theater going on in your head as you go from page to page.
Lindsay has become a must read author for me and I know now I will be devouring all of her other works. Anyone who loves a nice romance that is realistic, this is the book for you. I will be surprised if anyone out there can read this and not sigh over all 3 romances that unfold.
October 6, 2014
At First Sight
Anyone that knows me even a little knows I love hockey! So, of course you can probably guess that this cover is one I wouldn't mind hanging on my future reading room wall in poster form! It fits the book so well and I absolutely love it!
Characters and Relationships
Bracing the Blue Line is written from 3 different male points of view, all telling the story of their own different relationship but at the same time telling one big story. It is in a word, genius!
Neil was a character I wasn't sure I was going to like at first. I thought he was pretty much a jerk. It was interesting to watch as his story unfolded with Audra and how his past, became a part of what he decided he wanted for the future. He turned out to be someone that I not only liked, but someone I respected. I was amazed by his transformation and loved the way he wormed his way into my heart.
I wasn't sure what I expected to happen between Winston and Maddie for quite a while into the book. I really liked the two of them together and as their history together was told and the story unfolded, I wasn't quite sure if they were going to make it as a couple. A lot of decisions had to be made and their story really goes to show sometimes you have to go after who you want and what is best for you regardless of what someone else may think.
I had to save Grant for last in this section. He was my favorite of the three guys (although I love them all) Grant and Lucy getting together always seemed like a work in progress. Lucy had so much mystery surrounding her and I wasn't sure for the longest time what it was that held her back so much from just jumping in with Grant. I guess part of my thinking may have been "This guy is awesome...go for it!" but it isn't always that easy. I loved how patient and compassionate Grant was, and to be honest, I think I liked him best because he reminded me the most of my own husband and how he is with me.
Is This A Kissing Book?
Yes this is a kissing book! This one is definitely an 18 and up. That being said, I found it a little less steamy from some of Lindsay's other books, but not in a bad way. It was a great balance of romance for the different stories.
Don't Leave Me Hanging
This book is a stand alone. There was no cliff hanger, but, if Lindsay wanted to explore some of the other side characters I wouldn't be a bit disappointed.
The Best Gems
-HOCKEY!
-Movie Night
-Over Bearing Brothers
-Indoor Campout
-Camera Clicks
-Library
-Good Surprises
The Sum Up
I adored watching this book unfold and seeing how the different relationships all interconnected through the lives of the others. Lindsay Paige is an author I have just discovered in the last few months and in reading several of her books in that time, from her first to her most recent, in Breaking the Blue Line, I can see her development as an author. All of her books have been a delight, but I can truly say that Breaking the Blue Line is her best so far and my favorite by a long shot!
Anyone that knows me even a little knows I love hockey! So, of course you can probably guess that this cover is one I wouldn't mind hanging on my future reading room wall in poster form! It fits the book so well and I absolutely love it!
Characters and Relationships
Bracing the Blue Line is written from 3 different male points of view, all telling the story of their own different relationship but at the same time telling one big story. It is in a word, genius!
Neil was a character I wasn't sure I was going to like at first. I thought he was pretty much a jerk. It was interesting to watch as his story unfolded with Audra and how his past, became a part of what he decided he wanted for the future. He turned out to be someone that I not only liked, but someone I respected. I was amazed by his transformation and loved the way he wormed his way into my heart.
I wasn't sure what I expected to happen between Winston and Maddie for quite a while into the book. I really liked the two of them together and as their history together was told and the story unfolded, I wasn't quite sure if they were going to make it as a couple. A lot of decisions had to be made and their story really goes to show sometimes you have to go after who you want and what is best for you regardless of what someone else may think.
I had to save Grant for last in this section. He was my favorite of the three guys (although I love them all) Grant and Lucy getting together always seemed like a work in progress. Lucy had so much mystery surrounding her and I wasn't sure for the longest time what it was that held her back so much from just jumping in with Grant. I guess part of my thinking may have been "This guy is awesome...go for it!" but it isn't always that easy. I loved how patient and compassionate Grant was, and to be honest, I think I liked him best because he reminded me the most of my own husband and how he is with me.
Is This A Kissing Book?
Yes this is a kissing book! This one is definitely an 18 and up. That being said, I found it a little less steamy from some of Lindsay's other books, but not in a bad way. It was a great balance of romance for the different stories.
Don't Leave Me Hanging
This book is a stand alone. There was no cliff hanger, but, if Lindsay wanted to explore some of the other side characters I wouldn't be a bit disappointed.
The Best Gems
-HOCKEY!
-Movie Night
-Over Bearing Brothers
-Indoor Campout
-Camera Clicks
-Library
-Good Surprises
The Sum Up
I adored watching this book unfold and seeing how the different relationships all interconnected through the lives of the others. Lindsay Paige is an author I have just discovered in the last few months and in reading several of her books in that time, from her first to her most recent, in Breaking the Blue Line, I can see her development as an author. All of her books have been a delight, but I can truly say that Breaking the Blue Line is her best so far and my favorite by a long shot!
December 31, 2015
Loved the characters!
To begin with I wasn’t sure I’d like three love stories in one book. But this worked! You got to know each of the guys so much that it was just a natural progression to tell about the romance in their life. I wasn’t so enthralled with all the names of the characters, but that’s not a big turnoff.
We meet Winston first and I immediately liked him. In the first chapter he’s lying next to Maddie and he nudges her with his knee. There was just something about this interaction that clutches at my heart and made me fall in love with Winston. Although he did have some flaws that would have normally been a turnoff. But all the good parts of him helped to overcome these flaws.
We meet Neil next. I DID NOT like him to start with. Over time he breaks out of his bad boy shell and reveals the good boy within. In the end he probably ran a close second with Winston in my mind.
Finally we meet Grant. He and his soon-to-be girlfriend Lucy were my favorites. Grant was just so caring and patient that there wasn’t anything not to like about him.
In my opinion Winston’s and Grant’s stories kind of took a backseat to Neil’s story. But in the end that was ok. Neil’s story is kind of a big deal.
The book was well written and edited. Bad editing can really become a turnoff for me. It usually won’t prevent me from finishing a book. But when I’m able to get through most of the book without finding a grammatical mistake, it’s a big deal for me and I feel that it need to be commented on.
On a side note, the day after I finished Bracing the Blue Line I began Nepenthe also by Lindsay Paige. I was so excited to learn that this new book was about a side character in Bracing the Blue Line.
Bracing the Blue Line is a sweet love story. It does contain cursing and discussion of sex, but no actual sex scenes. If you can handle that, you definitely need to read this book!
Finally, I do need to point out that I did win my copy of this book as part of one of Lindsay Paige’s contests she promoted.
To begin with I wasn’t sure I’d like three love stories in one book. But this worked! You got to know each of the guys so much that it was just a natural progression to tell about the romance in their life. I wasn’t so enthralled with all the names of the characters, but that’s not a big turnoff.
We meet Winston first and I immediately liked him. In the first chapter he’s lying next to Maddie and he nudges her with his knee. There was just something about this interaction that clutches at my heart and made me fall in love with Winston. Although he did have some flaws that would have normally been a turnoff. But all the good parts of him helped to overcome these flaws.
We meet Neil next. I DID NOT like him to start with. Over time he breaks out of his bad boy shell and reveals the good boy within. In the end he probably ran a close second with Winston in my mind.
Finally we meet Grant. He and his soon-to-be girlfriend Lucy were my favorites. Grant was just so caring and patient that there wasn’t anything not to like about him.
In my opinion Winston’s and Grant’s stories kind of took a backseat to Neil’s story. But in the end that was ok. Neil’s story is kind of a big deal.
The book was well written and edited. Bad editing can really become a turnoff for me. It usually won’t prevent me from finishing a book. But when I’m able to get through most of the book without finding a grammatical mistake, it’s a big deal for me and I feel that it need to be commented on.
On a side note, the day after I finished Bracing the Blue Line I began Nepenthe also by Lindsay Paige. I was so excited to learn that this new book was about a side character in Bracing the Blue Line.
Bracing the Blue Line is a sweet love story. It does contain cursing and discussion of sex, but no actual sex scenes. If you can handle that, you definitely need to read this book!
Finally, I do need to point out that I did win my copy of this book as part of one of Lindsay Paige’s contests she promoted.
March 5, 2016
Bracing the Blue Line follows three college hockey players/roommates as they navigate through their respective romantic relationships with three great girls. The book rotates between first-person perspectives from the three (Neil, Grant, and Winston), which adds a nice touch to the storyline. The heroes/heroines all struggle with their own personal issues in as each of them journey to their respective HEAs.
I love Lindsay's books! This book was interesting as it cycled fluidly through the three boys and their stories - I thought that Lindsay did a great job in keeping all three stories intertwined, yet individualized. I've thought about which player/story was my favorite and I really don't think I can pick just one. All six main characters were wonderfully warm and genuine characters. I could relate to each in some small way as their respective personal issue was brought to light and dealt with.
I definitely recommend this book and am excited to read the next book in the series (Nepenthe).
I love Lindsay's books! This book was interesting as it cycled fluidly through the three boys and their stories - I thought that Lindsay did a great job in keeping all three stories intertwined, yet individualized. I've thought about which player/story was my favorite and I really don't think I can pick just one. All six main characters were wonderfully warm and genuine characters. I could relate to each in some small way as their respective personal issue was brought to light and dealt with.
I definitely recommend this book and am excited to read the next book in the series (Nepenthe).
August 12, 2016
Wow! I was hooked from the get go. this story is about 4 college roommates (although Bo really doesn't get his own storyline he is in the entire book). It goes back and forth with Grant and Lucy, Maddie and Winston and Neil and Audra.
Grant and Lucy meet by accident, sorta.... Lucy has some dark secrets in her past and some very protective older brothers. Can Grant break through and show her true love?
Winston and Maddie have known each other forever. Maddie shows up out of the blue and announces she knows goes to school with him. Can they rekindle an old flame?
Neil and Audra - well this has to be the sweetest of the group. A one night stand that can be more?
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is the ending. .It just well.... Ended. No Epilogue no cliffhanger.. Just ended
Grant and Lucy meet by accident, sorta.... Lucy has some dark secrets in her past and some very protective older brothers. Can Grant break through and show her true love?
Winston and Maddie have known each other forever. Maddie shows up out of the blue and announces she knows goes to school with him. Can they rekindle an old flame?
Neil and Audra - well this has to be the sweetest of the group. A one night stand that can be more?
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is the ending. .It just well.... Ended. No Epilogue no cliffhanger.. Just ended
March 23, 2015
This book was okay for me. I did like the uniqueness of having the book told from 3 different guys' perspectives, but I felt like it was too long. It was taking too long for things to progress in the book. I have read many books where a character has a secret but I felt like the reader should have known the secret in this book or it should not have been talked about so much while the reader was clueless. It was like being at a gathering where everyone is talking about something and you are in the dark and no one will tell you what is going on. If you don't want the reader to know till the end that is fine, but don't keep throwing it in our face. It is very annoying. I would give this book 3.5 though for the unique three guy point of views.
October 6, 2014
Wow!! what a fantastic book. I am a true sports fan at heart (football my fave), but wow! I learned a lot about Ice Hockey in this book. The book takes place at college and the guys are all on the hockey team. It was really great reading a trio of the POV's. All of the young men had their own issues to deal with as well as studying
and playing hockey. Neil,Winston and Grant were not your ordinary college boys wanting to have a great time, but they were a bit more mature which was great to see for a change in this book. Their is love, heartache, and determination in this story. One that will leave you wanting more.
I was given a copy of this book by the author to read and review for an honest opinion.
and playing hockey. Neil,Winston and Grant were not your ordinary college boys wanting to have a great time, but they were a bit more mature which was great to see for a change in this book. Their is love, heartache, and determination in this story. One that will leave you wanting more.
I was given a copy of this book by the author to read and review for an honest opinion.
October 2, 2014
I give this one 4.5 stars (When is Goodreads going to give a half star option???) An interesting book in that it is in some ways 3 separate short stories, but they intertwine, cross-pollinate, and lend support to each other. If not done skillfully this could have been a mishmash of competing plot points. It was, however, done with great skill and it made me wonder why I have not seen the same idea before.
3 stories, of 3 friends/teammates and their love lives. Each are different with different tastes in women, each facing different problems. Exciting, fun, and romantic.
This book is a perfect example of why I am a big Lindsay Paige fan.
3 stories, of 3 friends/teammates and their love lives. Each are different with different tastes in women, each facing different problems. Exciting, fun, and romantic.
This book is a perfect example of why I am a big Lindsay Paige fan.
January 9, 2015
Despite the fact that this one had some issues and was a bit sappy and bland at times, I did enjoy it enough. It helped that it was 3 stories in one. Although each of Neil’s, Grant’s and Winston’s stories was different and interesting, I’m not sure that a book about only one of them would have worked as well. I’m also not sure how genuine the main characters’ voices were, since at times it didn’t seem believable that a college-age hockey-playing male would realistically think the way they did or do the things they did. Like watching Madea movies.
August 24, 2015
Well it wasn't what I expected, but let me thinking in hockey and in players... At the end I was looking for more pages, because... What the heck! How do you finish a book like this? I mean... You can't summarize four guys' lives in least than four pages.... And what about Bo??? I need to know more about him!! At first I thought that maybe the second book would be about him, but now I notice that the second book is about Corey!! I don't care this boy but ok, the author promises something nice so I'm going to read... I think... But still!!! I want a book About Bo!!! Pleeeeeeaaaaseeeeeeeee!!!
March 8, 2016
Bracing The Blue Line is the first book in the Bracing For Love series by Lindsay Paige. I absolutely love this author and her hockey romance books. This book had solid storyline that had me hooked from beginning to end. The characters in this book were well developed with depth, emotion and chemistry.. Loved how the author mixed three couples love stories into one book....truly a fabulous read!!!
July 4, 2017
I almost gave up on this book several times. Still not sure why I finished it. I was bored throughout the whole book. The only story line I even mildly cared about was Grant and Lucy. The writing was stilted and choppy. There was no depth at all. There was nothing that made me connect with any of the characters. I just didn't care. Sophomoric at best. Just blah.
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October 26, 2014Not one of Lindsay's best
I could not stand the any of the girl characters. The guys seemed weak and didn't really take up for themselves. The girls sort of pushed them into relationships that had no depth.
I could not stand the any of the girl characters. The guys seemed weak and didn't really take up for themselves. The girls sort of pushed them into relationships that had no depth.
June 8, 2015
This is my first book that I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this book! I love reading about athletes of any kind. I enjoyed reading this from the 3 males POV, very different but it flowed well! Neil was my favorite character, very swoon worthy!
November 15, 2015
I loved the different stories, and that the boys were the narrators. It would have been too confusing if the girls had been added to the mix. My favorite was Grants, but Winston/Maddie ha a good story, too. Bo was a great friend to Neil, but I was left wondering what's his story?
September 29, 2014
Absolutely loved this book and was disappointed it had to end. Loved that it was from 3 guys POVs and loved all of them
October 23, 2014
Awesome! Great book I love It!
November 10, 2014
Think this would have made a better trilogy. I would have liked to have had more of each individual story.
April 15, 2015
Cute ....
Not the best hockey romance I have read but it was ok. I had to finish to find out what happen- nothing to exciting but some sweet parts
Not the best hockey romance I have read but it was ok. I had to finish to find out what happen- nothing to exciting but some sweet parts
June 3, 2015
Ok read
I give this book a 3.5 star.
I really enjoyed reading it. I love me each and every character in this book. Will be telling some of my friends about this book.
I give this book a 3.5 star.
I really enjoyed reading it. I love me each and every character in this book. Will be telling some of my friends about this book.
October 3, 2015
Absolutely loved this book!
Curious to know more about Bo though... Loved the Maddie, dave, wins ton triangle!!
Curious to know more about Bo though... Loved the Maddie, dave, wins ton triangle!!
June 17, 2016
No tenia muchas expectativas, pero me gustaron los tres personajes fueron fáciles de leer que tenían historias que te mantenían atrapada.
June 20, 2016
I wanted to read more...
July 13, 2016
Me encanto este libro!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews