Stick Break

Boston Bucks #8

by Cathryn Fox

After I won a TV singing competition and my ex publicly humiliated me to get ahead, I needed to escape reality.

Sure, breaking into an old friend’s beachside cottage wasn’t my best idea, but what’s a girl to do?

When the NHL’s biggest player—on and off the ice—finds me in his bed, I expect him to kick me out. When he doesn’t, a fragile truce is born.

Soon enough, we’re living in our own fairy tale bubble, talking and sharing everything—just not the truth.

As the lazy days of summer stretch on, I begin to believe we might be the only real thing in a world full of lies.

Until his past catches up to him.

That’s when I realize two things. You can’t build love on a bed of lies, and in this world, everyone wants something... no matter who they have to burn to get it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Hockey

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. Cathryn lives in beautiful Nova Scotia with her husband, who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found Skyping with her son living in Seattle (could he have moved any farther away?) shopping with her daughter in the city, watching a big action flick with her husband, or hanging out and laughing with friends.

Reviews

[Sue Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Either that one beer was stronger than advertised, or Goldilocks has broken into the wrong damn fairy tale- and decided my bed was just right.”

Charly, aka Goldilocks, aka Indie Rhodes, and Rip, aka Big Bear, aka Ripley Stripley, find themselves in need to lie low for a while for different reasons. Rip to heal from a groin injury from playing hockey, and Charly to hide out from media attention. Both go to their friend’s cottage, which turns out to be the same cottage. Both then hide their identities from the other and pretend to be a couple for their nosy neighbour, Mrs. Callahan. What follows was a fun and entertaining story in a picture-perfect cottage community.

This story is perfect for fans of Cathryn Fox or those who like a bit of spice in their romantic comedies. It was not too hot, or too cold, it was just right. I am looking forward to the next book by Cathryn Fox.

[Marea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charly aka Indie Rhodes was running from the media after her ex did something unthinkable. She knew her friend’s cottage would be a safe house, she just didn’t think it would be a problem breaking in. That was until she realized that someone else was there, Ripley Stripley aka Rip. Rip was trying fully heal from a groin injury before the hockey season started and thought the cottage was the perfect place to do it. While they each hid their true identity from each other, there was no denying this instant connection between them. Especially since their nicknames for each other became Goldilocks & The Bear. Then when nosy neighbor Mrs. Callahan poked her nose into their business, they put on this fake relationship for her. Little did they realize that sometimes faking it turns into a much better reality than you can dream of.

This is the 8th book in the Boston Bucks series and I have to say it is one of the best ones I have read in a long time. It has its spicy spiciness, the laughter, the hurt and more all packed into one adventure.

“..but tenderness…that wasn’t anywhere near the top of the list. It actually wrecks me a little. But until this moment, until his body was on top of mine, I hadn’t realized that it was tenderness and safety that I craved all along”

Sometimes when reading a book, a passage, a paragraph, a sentence, etc just catches our attention and stays in our mind. Sometimes it might even touch our soul. I can honestly say that this line is one that is so true. When in a relationship or wanting to be in one, we talk about what we are looking for. But it is never this, when in actuality, it should be.

Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Nickie Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

Charley is running from a scandal that she had nothing to with. When her ex-boyfriend releases a sex tape to damage her image, she gets as far away as she can.

Rip is staying at his best friend’s cottage on the coast of Connecticut, hopefully, to heal his hamstring. Hockey doesn’t start for a while, so he’s hoping he can return pain free. Returning from dinner one night, Rip finds a beautiful woman sleeping in his bed and wearing his sweatshirt. The cottage was locked so she didn’t get in that way. Sleeping on the couch is his only choice even if it’s too small for his frame. In the morning as he’s sipping his coffee, she wakes up and turns the table on him, or so she tried. Acting like he’s the intruder. Once she admits her mistake, Charley admits she broke in. Rip knows who she is, but plays along with her wanting to hide her identity. Rip tells her that she can stay for a week while she decides her next step.

Neither one knew that the other was what they needed. This was a fun book to read.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much to love about this couple! Both had something to hide, and wanted to hide. Both were at crossroads in their lives, and were unsure what to do next. Both wanted to have some time, to do simple things, to find themselves. Both were ridiculously attracted to the other, and confused as to whether to act on it. Both had been burned in the past by love, and that made them hesitant to develop feelings. Both fell anyways, to the other, to their town, to the life that they were living while on holiday <3

[Sherry Florian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I loved the entire story, from Big Bear to Goldilocks!! Another wonderful and fun story, Cathryn Fox!! Keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading my friend!!