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The Rules of the Rink #3
Break in Play
Not yet published
Expected 12 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
10 days and 10:17:05
5 copies available
U.S. only
Ninety days.
That’s all the time I have to prove to the only woman I’ll ever love that our divorce was a mistake.
Eloise is from a wealthy French family and about to marry the man her parents have always wanted for their eldest daughter. I’m a working-class boy from Ohio and a key defenseman for the Seattle Rogues hockey team.
On paper, our love shouldn’t work, and in reality, fate dealt our marriage a difficult hand.
With zero contact from her for years, I all but gave up on winning Eloise back until, one day, I find out that she’s remarrying, and the next day, I’m boarding a plane to France.
All I have from her sister is a zip code and the time when I’ll lose my girl forever. But I have to try. I know she still loves me, and even if we can never have children, living our lives apart will be the worst kind of loneliness.
From the day we met during our freshman year of college, I’ve been her American bad boy with a dirty mouth in bed and dimples that make her knees go weak.
All I need to do is stop the wedding, bring her back to Seattle, and hope that she’ll give me a second chance after we lost our way the first time around.
And I’ll do anything to make that happen.
This is Mason and Eloise's story! Tropes divorced soulmates, second chance romance, the one who got away, stop the wedding, college sweethearts, hockey romance, opposites attract, wealthy heiress x working class hero, and he never stopped loving her.
That’s all the time I have to prove to the only woman I’ll ever love that our divorce was a mistake.
Eloise is from a wealthy French family and about to marry the man her parents have always wanted for their eldest daughter. I’m a working-class boy from Ohio and a key defenseman for the Seattle Rogues hockey team.
On paper, our love shouldn’t work, and in reality, fate dealt our marriage a difficult hand.
With zero contact from her for years, I all but gave up on winning Eloise back until, one day, I find out that she’s remarrying, and the next day, I’m boarding a plane to France.
All I have from her sister is a zip code and the time when I’ll lose my girl forever. But I have to try. I know she still loves me, and even if we can never have children, living our lives apart will be the worst kind of loneliness.
From the day we met during our freshman year of college, I’ve been her American bad boy with a dirty mouth in bed and dimples that make her knees go weak.
All I need to do is stop the wedding, bring her back to Seattle, and hope that she’ll give me a second chance after we lost our way the first time around.
And I’ll do anything to make that happen.
This is Mason and Eloise's story! Tropes divorced soulmates, second chance romance, the one who got away, stop the wedding, college sweethearts, hockey romance, opposites attract, wealthy heiress x working class hero, and he never stopped loving her.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 12, 2026
About the author
Ruth Stilling
26 books1,067 followersRuth Stilling is a lover of all things escapism and can be mostly found with her head buried in a spicy book, writing her latest romance novel or out in the open air and nature, away from the bustle of life. As clumsy as she is crazy, Ruth enjoys creating relatable, loveable, swoon-worthy and strong willed main characters who find their happy ending. That said, she prides herself on taking her readers on emotional rollercoasters and always recommends reading her books with tissues on hand to wipe away the tears of joy, laughter and sometimes heartache.
Ruth lives in Derbyshire, England with her own personal book boyfriend (lucky girl), her six year old son and her two feisty chihuahuas.
Keep up to date with Ruth's latest content and exciting projects by following her on social media: @authorruthstilling
Ruth lives in Derbyshire, England with her own personal book boyfriend (lucky girl), her six year old son and her two feisty chihuahuas.
Keep up to date with Ruth's latest content and exciting projects by following her on social media: @authorruthstilling
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 18, 2026
Dare I say this is Ruth’s best book to date? Like I don’t know if y’all are ready for this one. Break in Play is raw and emotional. It's heartbreaking. It's a story of two divorced college sweethearts who never stopped loving each other but infertility was the demise of their relationship. After two years of no contact, Eloise is engaged to another man and Mason makes on last gesture to win his wife back. So what does he do? He flies to France to stop the wedding and proposes that he gives her 90 days to win her back. Ugh when I tell you, this story will hit home for a lot of people. This will show the flaws with individuals in a relationships. How together with open and honest communication, you can over come some of the toughest struggles.
It was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. I'm not sure if I have ever rooted for a fictional couple more in my life. Prepare to shed some tears. Mason and Eloise need to open up a lot of old wounds to heal and find their happily ever after. But their path to their HEA, while it may be hard fought, it is so worth it. I mean after all, they do say, nothing in this world is worth having without some difficulty.
Ruth, you truly keep delivering us some of the most beautiful stories. Keep them coming babe!
It was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. I'm not sure if I have ever rooted for a fictional couple more in my life. Prepare to shed some tears. Mason and Eloise need to open up a lot of old wounds to heal and find their happily ever after. But their path to their HEA, while it may be hard fought, it is so worth it. I mean after all, they do say, nothing in this world is worth having without some difficulty.
Ruth, you truly keep delivering us some of the most beautiful stories. Keep them coming babe!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A ninety-day deadline to a lifetime of love and heartache.
Every time I read a book by Ruth Stilling, I already know how many different emotions I’ll be experiencing: heartbreak, angst, sadness, giddiness and the absolute certainty that love will be the ultimate goal.
Break in Play is a very real and identifiable story to me personally. The pain of feeling not good enough and the crushing guilt that inevitably follows is soul crushing, but will make you stronger.
Eloise and Mason´s story isn’t the perfect fairytale, but the perfect real romance where two soulmates have to hit rock bottom in order to finally acknowledge their feelings and their needs.
You will cry your heart out, root for these two stubborn, yet determined characters, laugh at the friendly banter between their group of friends, blush with the spice and love every minute of it.
Ruth, thank you for writing a story that pictures women who struggle with infertility in the sweetest, most careful and thoughtful way.
Break in Play is so much more than a five-star read.
Thank you for the ARC.
Every time I read a book by Ruth Stilling, I already know how many different emotions I’ll be experiencing: heartbreak, angst, sadness, giddiness and the absolute certainty that love will be the ultimate goal.
Break in Play is a very real and identifiable story to me personally. The pain of feeling not good enough and the crushing guilt that inevitably follows is soul crushing, but will make you stronger.
Eloise and Mason´s story isn’t the perfect fairytale, but the perfect real romance where two soulmates have to hit rock bottom in order to finally acknowledge their feelings and their needs.
You will cry your heart out, root for these two stubborn, yet determined characters, laugh at the friendly banter between their group of friends, blush with the spice and love every minute of it.
Ruth, thank you for writing a story that pictures women who struggle with infertility in the sweetest, most careful and thoughtful way.
Break in Play is so much more than a five-star read.
Thank you for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
INFINITY STARS. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Having read every single one of Ruth Stilling's books, I can confidently say this is her BEST one yet! I laughed, I cried, I blushed. I fell completely in love with Mason and Eloise and couldn't stop rooting for them every step of the way.
Such a beautiful love story about a husband and wife navigating infertility, heartbreak, and finding their way back to each other. I especially loved the dual timelines, contrasting their young, naive college love with the deeper, more complicated love they've built after so many years together.
As a 33-year-old married woman, I really appreciated seeing the struggles of a more mature relationship. There's something so special about a romance that shows that love isn't just about falling for someone, but continuing to choose each other through life's hardest moments.
Ruth, you outdid yourself.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷
Having read every single one of Ruth Stilling's books, I can confidently say this is her BEST one yet! I laughed, I cried, I blushed. I fell completely in love with Mason and Eloise and couldn't stop rooting for them every step of the way.
Such a beautiful love story about a husband and wife navigating infertility, heartbreak, and finding their way back to each other. I especially loved the dual timelines, contrasting their young, naive college love with the deeper, more complicated love they've built after so many years together.
As a 33-year-old married woman, I really appreciated seeing the struggles of a more mature relationship. There's something so special about a romance that shows that love isn't just about falling for someone, but continuing to choose each other through life's hardest moments.
Ruth, you outdid yourself.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷
November 2, 2026
Once again, a big thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🫶🏻
I’ve been in a MAJOR reading slump this past month, so seeing this ARC drop into my inbox was just perfect timing! 🙌
I think this one is definitely one of my top books by this author! I really enjoyed the second-chance trope. I also loved having an older couple (characters in their 30s are so much more relatable to me!). Seeing the struggles within their relationship and tackling heavier subjects like infertility made the story even more meaningful.
Mason had the PERFECT redemption arc! 🙌 LOVED Mason. Probably my favourite MMC Ruth has written so far!!
The spice was spicing, as always. Loved the flashbacks. And I absolutely loved that our FMC is French and all the little French exchanges! 🥵😂🙌
Exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump!
I’ve been in a MAJOR reading slump this past month, so seeing this ARC drop into my inbox was just perfect timing! 🙌
I think this one is definitely one of my top books by this author! I really enjoyed the second-chance trope. I also loved having an older couple (characters in their 30s are so much more relatable to me!). Seeing the struggles within their relationship and tackling heavier subjects like infertility made the story even more meaningful.
Mason had the PERFECT redemption arc! 🙌 LOVED Mason. Probably my favourite MMC Ruth has written so far!!
The spice was spicing, as always. Loved the flashbacks. And I absolutely loved that our FMC is French and all the little French exchanges! 🥵😂🙌
Exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🎧 Audiobook review
These two! Mason & Eloise's love story was written so well, and I devoured the audiobook in one day. Oh, man, the way this book resonated with me in so many ways. From start to finish, this book made me feel so seen and understood. As someone who struggled with infertility for years, I think Ruth captured the struggles and feelings perfectly. I have been Eloise and I have been Mason with his family struggles. I don't think I have ever felt so connected to both main characters in a story like I have these two. I loved the ending and how it wasn't the typical HEA and showed a realistic outcome for some couples.
🎧 Raven and Tristan absolutely crushed this audio. The emotions from these two were so good!
These two! Mason & Eloise's love story was written so well, and I devoured the audiobook in one day. Oh, man, the way this book resonated with me in so many ways. From start to finish, this book made me feel so seen and understood. As someone who struggled with infertility for years, I think Ruth captured the struggles and feelings perfectly. I have been Eloise and I have been Mason with his family struggles. I don't think I have ever felt so connected to both main characters in a story like I have these two. I loved the ending and how it wasn't the typical HEA and showed a realistic outcome for some couples.
🎧 Raven and Tristan absolutely crushed this audio. The emotions from these two were so good!
Review of advance copy received from Author
REVIEW POST - Book 71 of 2026
Break in Play by Ruth Stilling
Sometimes, a book comes along, that crawls into your heart and buries itself deep, pulling you apart from the inside out. That is what Break in Play does to you.
How do I even begin to describe this one? The last time my eyes stung from crying and my heart hurt this hard from a Stillingverse story, was Ruled Out. And christ if I'm not still getting over the trauma of Jessie and that broke boy life. Ironically, it shares a colour scheme with this book, and my favourite colour. I'm saying nothing!
The type of pain that Eloise and Mason go through is one that not everyone will be able to relate to personally. Thank god. But the beauty here is in what Ruth has done with the words in this story. It is woven deep, proven by the fact that even those of us who will never face their fate, can sob loudly for them and feel their pain. It's palpable. It jumps off the page and grips you by the throat and drags you along with them. There was a point where I got such a gut punch from 5 words in one chapter. 5 WORDS! And I told Ruth there and then, the sheer power behind a seemingly passing statement which lives rent free in my head since reading it. The pain in those five words, gives a real insight into just how far these two fell.
And just when you think the heartbreak is over. I cried all over again. This book is no criticism for me. It was really hard for me to read in parts, for personal reasons, and I think that too often, as readers we shy away from the ugly in favour of the pretty. Thankfully this book gives us both. There are lines in this book that speak my own thoughts so loudly that I feel so seen in Mason’s pain.
And so, the girl who doesn't often cry when reading, FUCKING SOBBED.
Thank you to you Ruth, my dear friend, for trusting me so implicitly with another alpha read for this one. We knew this one was gonna be a tearjerker, and by God did you put me through the wringer on this one. The VNs were lengthy with my emotional feedback! But also, thank you for writing a story that will haunt my heart for years to come. You managed to both break, and heal, some pieces of me with this one.
Break in Play by Ruth Stilling
Sometimes, a book comes along, that crawls into your heart and buries itself deep, pulling you apart from the inside out. That is what Break in Play does to you.
How do I even begin to describe this one? The last time my eyes stung from crying and my heart hurt this hard from a Stillingverse story, was Ruled Out. And christ if I'm not still getting over the trauma of Jessie and that broke boy life. Ironically, it shares a colour scheme with this book, and my favourite colour. I'm saying nothing!
The type of pain that Eloise and Mason go through is one that not everyone will be able to relate to personally. Thank god. But the beauty here is in what Ruth has done with the words in this story. It is woven deep, proven by the fact that even those of us who will never face their fate, can sob loudly for them and feel their pain. It's palpable. It jumps off the page and grips you by the throat and drags you along with them. There was a point where I got such a gut punch from 5 words in one chapter. 5 WORDS! And I told Ruth there and then, the sheer power behind a seemingly passing statement which lives rent free in my head since reading it. The pain in those five words, gives a real insight into just how far these two fell.
And just when you think the heartbreak is over. I cried all over again. This book is no criticism for me. It was really hard for me to read in parts, for personal reasons, and I think that too often, as readers we shy away from the ugly in favour of the pretty. Thankfully this book gives us both. There are lines in this book that speak my own thoughts so loudly that I feel so seen in Mason’s pain.
And so, the girl who doesn't often cry when reading, FUCKING SOBBED.
Thank you to you Ruth, my dear friend, for trusting me so implicitly with another alpha read for this one. We knew this one was gonna be a tearjerker, and by God did you put me through the wringer on this one. The VNs were lengthy with my emotional feedback! But also, thank you for writing a story that will haunt my heart for years to come. You managed to both break, and heal, some pieces of me with this one.
October 31, 2026
Thank you the author for the early copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
For me, it was a pleasure to witness this book, because when I finished it my heart was cracking and sobbing.
Honestly I am truly grateful to have read it.
Mason and Eloise had bad things to work through. I was very curious about them from the previous books and witnessing it in this book was very painful at first, because I felt the pain from both. They have their issues, their mistakes and honestly it was really hard sometimes , because I felt all about their thoughts and feelings.
Through the book I was so overwhelmed with good and bad feelings (of course because I was so in empathy with them). In the end I can say this type of book is the most interesting and beautiful to read . I can only say thank you and because they went from the bottom to the top and THANK GOD they worked to be better for each other.
Really recommend. ABSOLUTELY.
For me, it was a pleasure to witness this book, because when I finished it my heart was cracking and sobbing.
Honestly I am truly grateful to have read it.
Mason and Eloise had bad things to work through. I was very curious about them from the previous books and witnessing it in this book was very painful at first, because I felt the pain from both. They have their issues, their mistakes and honestly it was really hard sometimes , because I felt all about their thoughts and feelings.
Through the book I was so overwhelmed with good and bad feelings (of course because I was so in empathy with them). In the end I can say this type of book is the most interesting and beautiful to read . I can only say thank you and because they went from the bottom to the top and THANK GOD they worked to be better for each other.
Really recommend. ABSOLUTELY.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve read another book in the past about a second chance between two people who were divorced, and it ended up being a favorite of mine. I had the feeling that this would have followed the same path… and my gut was right! I loved Mason and Lo story so much… the struggles and heartaches!!! My favorite from the series so far without a doubt.
Now I can’t wait for book 4 and that “explosive couple I see on the horizon….
Now I can’t wait for book 4 and that “explosive couple I see on the horizon….
October 31, 2026
♾️⭐️Well. This one was emotional. To say the least… if you know Ruth and her writing you’ll know she always writes from the heart- but this book? This came from the SOUL! I literally couldn’t put it down… the emotional rollercoaster will stay with me for a while and to those I sent crying voice notes to? I’m sorry but I’m also not because this book hit me all in the feels. The infertility rep in this book is handled so well, and as someone who has experienced secondary infertility I related so badly to Eloise and her struggles with her body and her want for a biological child. Neither she nor Mason could see a way out of the dark place they had both gone to during their fertility struggles and I could totally understand how they were both feeling. Both characters go through the biggest amount of growth throughout this book. To see Mason own up to how he played his part in their relationship going wrong was so inspiring to read. He owned his misgivings and boy did he make up for them and then some in his quest to win back his wife. Eloise in the beginning is so unsure if they can make right what went wrong but Mason just continues to pull out all the stops and she also realises the part she played in them falling apart and works hard to make it right.
And. What’s even better? Is that Eloise finds a whole girl gang ready to support and unite for her whilst she is falling back in love with her husband. Again, Ruth writes about found family exceptionally well with these girls being the epitome of the best friends a girl could ask for.
This book broke me in parts. It resonated deeply with emotions I’ve been through and experienced in my relationship and body, but to also see the struggles from the man’s point of view was eye-opening and essential to this story. The happy ending these two worked so hard for was perfectly fitting for them and I absolutely loved every single second of it, even from behind watery eyes… be prepared gang, Ruth said we’d cry at this one and boy did I!
Now let’s talk about the hint at what’s coming next??? Yeh I’m beyond excited and totally here for that one!🫢😆
♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
And. What’s even better? Is that Eloise finds a whole girl gang ready to support and unite for her whilst she is falling back in love with her husband. Again, Ruth writes about found family exceptionally well with these girls being the epitome of the best friends a girl could ask for.
This book broke me in parts. It resonated deeply with emotions I’ve been through and experienced in my relationship and body, but to also see the struggles from the man’s point of view was eye-opening and essential to this story. The happy ending these two worked so hard for was perfectly fitting for them and I absolutely loved every single second of it, even from behind watery eyes… be prepared gang, Ruth said we’d cry at this one and boy did I!
Now let’s talk about the hint at what’s coming next??? Yeh I’m beyond excited and totally here for that one!🫢😆
♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚BOOK REVIEW 📚
Break in Play - Ruth Stilling
If perfect heartbreak is a thing then Ruth Stilling got the memo and delivered with absolute perfection.
I have been reading Ruth's books for a long time and she is my favourite author for a reason. She has the ability to make me completely lose myself in the worlds and characters she creates.
Eloise and Mason are such a special couple. They are so in love with each other but life has thrown them a difficult hand. Desperately wanting a family but infertility issues are tearing them apart. When Mason discovers Eloise is due to be married again he decides to stop the wedding. He wants his wife back and pleads for 90 days to prove that they can still be something.
This book will take you on a whirlwind of emotions. I cannot tell you how many tissues I went through with this book and I did need a couple of bars of chocolate! But Ruth has not shied away from difficult topics with this book so please do check trigger warnings. At times the addiction was hard to read but I like that she did make this true to life. And didn't just gloss over things to make it a cutesy romance. I think everyone could relate to parts of this book.
With this book she has really developed as a writer and a storyteller. She has evolved with each book but this one is really something special and in my opinion her best book. This doesn't take away from her other books but there is so much that happens within the pages of this book and I was on edge because I genuinely didn't know where she was going to take me.
This book is so much more than 5 stars, it's infinity stars and such a special book. Also she is so clever at the way she links things from previous books and the found family is particularly effective and delivered with perfection.
Yes, I've used the word perfection a few times but I can't think of a better word to describe this book. I now need to go dry my eyes and take another bit of chocolate to recover.
Break in Play - Ruth Stilling
If perfect heartbreak is a thing then Ruth Stilling got the memo and delivered with absolute perfection.
I have been reading Ruth's books for a long time and she is my favourite author for a reason. She has the ability to make me completely lose myself in the worlds and characters she creates.
Eloise and Mason are such a special couple. They are so in love with each other but life has thrown them a difficult hand. Desperately wanting a family but infertility issues are tearing them apart. When Mason discovers Eloise is due to be married again he decides to stop the wedding. He wants his wife back and pleads for 90 days to prove that they can still be something.
This book will take you on a whirlwind of emotions. I cannot tell you how many tissues I went through with this book and I did need a couple of bars of chocolate! But Ruth has not shied away from difficult topics with this book so please do check trigger warnings. At times the addiction was hard to read but I like that she did make this true to life. And didn't just gloss over things to make it a cutesy romance. I think everyone could relate to parts of this book.
With this book she has really developed as a writer and a storyteller. She has evolved with each book but this one is really something special and in my opinion her best book. This doesn't take away from her other books but there is so much that happens within the pages of this book and I was on edge because I genuinely didn't know where she was going to take me.
This book is so much more than 5 stars, it's infinity stars and such a special book. Also she is so clever at the way she links things from previous books and the found family is particularly effective and delivered with perfection.
Yes, I've used the word perfection a few times but I can't think of a better word to describe this book. I now need to go dry my eyes and take another bit of chocolate to recover.
October 31, 2026
Break in Play by Ruth Stilling is the third installment in The Rules of the Rink series. It is a deeply emotional, second-chance contemporary sports romance featuring dual timelines and dual points of view. The story follows Mason and Eloise James, a divorced couple navigating the possibility of a second chance to regain what they lost and build the future they always hoped for.
Mason, who grew up in a working-class home, is currently a defenseman for a Seattle professional hockey team. Eloise was raised in a wealthy French family. Having met in college, they had been together ever since—until their relationship unravelled under the weight of years of infertility struggles. Following their divorce, Eloise moved back to France, and they cut off all communication.
I appreciated how gracefully and sensitively the author handled the theme of infertility and its impact on a marriage. I also loved Mason's unwavering devotion—how he pined for Eloise from the moment he first saw her and never wanted anyone else. His commitment to loving her is truly compelling, especially when he flies to France to stop her second wedding to the man her parents always wanted for her. Overall, the pacing was excellent, with the 90-day timeline she has to stay in the US (as a French citizen) keeping the story moving smoothly. It is a lovely novel, and I would certainly recommend giving it a try. It was a 4.25-star read for me.
Mason, who grew up in a working-class home, is currently a defenseman for a Seattle professional hockey team. Eloise was raised in a wealthy French family. Having met in college, they had been together ever since—until their relationship unravelled under the weight of years of infertility struggles. Following their divorce, Eloise moved back to France, and they cut off all communication.
I appreciated how gracefully and sensitively the author handled the theme of infertility and its impact on a marriage. I also loved Mason's unwavering devotion—how he pined for Eloise from the moment he first saw her and never wanted anyone else. His commitment to loving her is truly compelling, especially when he flies to France to stop her second wedding to the man her parents always wanted for her. Overall, the pacing was excellent, with the 90-day timeline she has to stay in the US (as a French citizen) keeping the story moving smoothly. It is a lovely novel, and I would certainly recommend giving it a try. It was a 4.25-star read for me.
November 1, 2026
I’m an absolute sucker when it comes to a second chance romance. Even more so when it’s blended into a series of found family, and we get teasers of the pending characters in former books. We got a glimpse of Mason and his absolute devastation about their recent divorce. I love me a man down bad for his wife and to see him in this book acknowledging his flaws and working so hard to earn her trust and love back. Swooooon. His mess ups were hard for their relationships, but to me at least, they weren’t unreasonable or unpractical to work through, so it made it easy to cheer on their comeback. Often second chances include infidelity and it makes it very frustrating to cheer for that couple.
Additionally, this author never steers clear of hard topics and I love the way she incorporates it into stories. I can understand why they may result in trigger issues for some readers, but her use of infidelity and terminal illness, to me, is done in a moderate way relevant to the storyline and not over done to become too much for sensitivity.
I absolutely loved this book and am anxiously awaiting the true rivals to lovers I know is coming.
Additionally, this author never steers clear of hard topics and I love the way she incorporates it into stories. I can understand why they may result in trigger issues for some readers, but her use of infidelity and terminal illness, to me, is done in a moderate way relevant to the storyline and not over done to become too much for sensitivity.
I absolutely loved this book and am anxiously awaiting the true rivals to lovers I know is coming.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was absolutely amazing and may be Ruth's BEST WORK YET!
90-days to convince your ex-wife to come back to you and a lifetime of happiness and love after flying across the world to stop her from marrying another man? What more can you ask for??
This book was raw, emotional, heartbreaking and angsty. Break In Play hit close to home due to the infertility rep, but the way that Ruth navigated this subject matter and how Mason and Eloise dealt with a coped with their unfortunate reality was so accurate and done so well. And then for them to find their way back to each other...was the absolute perfect HEA!
I loved that Mason owned his mistakes the first time around and continued to choose Eloise time and time again. And then for her to give him a second chance after all the heartache, just proves what true love really is and means.
This book was absolute perfection!
Read if you like:
-Hockey Romance
-Second Chance
-Infertility Rep
-Stop the Wedding
-Broken Hearted Boy x Good Girl
-It's Always Been You
Thank you Ruth Stilling for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review! It was an absolute honor to be able to read this book early!
90-days to convince your ex-wife to come back to you and a lifetime of happiness and love after flying across the world to stop her from marrying another man? What more can you ask for??
This book was raw, emotional, heartbreaking and angsty. Break In Play hit close to home due to the infertility rep, but the way that Ruth navigated this subject matter and how Mason and Eloise dealt with a coped with their unfortunate reality was so accurate and done so well. And then for them to find their way back to each other...was the absolute perfect HEA!
I loved that Mason owned his mistakes the first time around and continued to choose Eloise time and time again. And then for her to give him a second chance after all the heartache, just proves what true love really is and means.
This book was absolute perfection!
Read if you like:
-Hockey Romance
-Second Chance
-Infertility Rep
-Stop the Wedding
-Broken Hearted Boy x Good Girl
-It's Always Been You
Thank you Ruth Stilling for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review! It was an absolute honor to be able to read this book early!
Review of advance copy
Hockey romance
Second chance
Infertility rep
Stop the wedding
Broken hearted boy x good girl
It’s always been you
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Raven Hawkins & Tristan Josiah
Book #3 The Rules of the Rink series
This was an emotional and romantic book. The narrators did a wonderful job performing the story.
A marriage in crisis leads to divorce which leads to Mason fighting for 90 days to win his ex-wife back. Eloise left Mason when things went all wrong, fertility issues, distant husband, and she felt alone. But when Mason asks for a second chance will she give it to him and can he follow through on being a better Husband? I enjoyed the wooing, the sweetness of this story, and the development felt realistic.
Overall, this is a good second chance romance.
Thank you Ruth Stilling & Hambright PR for this eARC & ALC.
Second chance
Infertility rep
Stop the wedding
Broken hearted boy x good girl
It’s always been you
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Raven Hawkins & Tristan Josiah
Book #3 The Rules of the Rink series
This was an emotional and romantic book. The narrators did a wonderful job performing the story.
A marriage in crisis leads to divorce which leads to Mason fighting for 90 days to win his ex-wife back. Eloise left Mason when things went all wrong, fertility issues, distant husband, and she felt alone. But when Mason asks for a second chance will she give it to him and can he follow through on being a better Husband? I enjoyed the wooing, the sweetness of this story, and the development felt realistic.
Overall, this is a good second chance romance.
Thank you Ruth Stilling & Hambright PR for this eARC & ALC.
November 6, 2026
Break In Play by Ruth Stilling
Hockey romance
Stop the wedding because it‘s always been you
90 day deadline to get her back
Second chance romance - after divorce
Infertility representation
This is a hockey romance which I have found that I love! This book gives all the feelings! I found myself rooting for these characters the entire way through. They could be so stubborn at times, but their heartbreak felt so real.
There is infertility talk throughout the entire book, and it’s done so cautiously. The characters’ fight for a happily ever after was a hard one, but so worth it. This book is truly heartbreakingly beautiful.
I loved hearing about the characters from the previous books. I really love that they're all basically one big family now. I can not wait to see what Ruth Stilling has in store for us next!
Hockey romance
Stop the wedding because it‘s always been you
90 day deadline to get her back
Second chance romance - after divorce
Infertility representation
This is a hockey romance which I have found that I love! This book gives all the feelings! I found myself rooting for these characters the entire way through. They could be so stubborn at times, but their heartbreak felt so real.
There is infertility talk throughout the entire book, and it’s done so cautiously. The characters’ fight for a happily ever after was a hard one, but so worth it. This book is truly heartbreakingly beautiful.
I loved hearing about the characters from the previous books. I really love that they're all basically one big family now. I can not wait to see what Ruth Stilling has in store for us next!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This was a sad read to be honest. Eloise and Mason really had to go through the bad bits to get to the good. I felt for Eloise a lot during this and think her mother-in-law wasn’t understanding her point of view at all and we never saw this rectified. Mason was a very neglectful husband and it felt like Eloise had a lot of the blame, I can’t blame her for leaving. When Mason went to France, he was still actively drinking and trying to find the solution at the bottom of a bottle. I think this was a negative “fresh start”. I’m glad they did work out their issues and have gone through therapy. I respected Mason a lot more at the end. Second-chance marriages are always going to be messy so I think this was a very good one. These tropes are so rare so it was a different read than my usual.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First and foremost, thank you to Hambright PR and the author for allowing me to read this story early in exchange of a review.
4.5⭐️
I binged this book in 12 hours. Not gonna lie, I wasn't a lover of the first chapters, however, the story immediately picked up. This isn't some cute love story, okay, well it is to an extent. But this is a story of two people who fell in love, then went through realistic problems and found their way back to each other whilst working on themselves, their relationships with other stuff, and their relationship with each other. This was a beautiful story to read about. The found family in this book was amazing! I really loved the dynamics. All in all, an amazing story and can't wait for more from the author!
4.5⭐️
I binged this book in 12 hours. Not gonna lie, I wasn't a lover of the first chapters, however, the story immediately picked up. This isn't some cute love story, okay, well it is to an extent. But this is a story of two people who fell in love, then went through realistic problems and found their way back to each other whilst working on themselves, their relationships with other stuff, and their relationship with each other. This was a beautiful story to read about. The found family in this book was amazing! I really loved the dynamics. All in all, an amazing story and can't wait for more from the author!
Read
November 6, 2026"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴."
𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 is not your average cutesy love story. 🖤 Sure, it has the romance, but it’s real, and RAW. It’s about two people falling in love, hitting messy, realistic roadblocks, and finding their way back to each other. I appreciate how much handle and care Ruth put into the heavy topics. The narrators did such a great job at bringing these characters to life. I genuinely felt the pain between Mason and Eloise, but I also felt the pure love. Add in an absolute 10/10 found family dynamic and this was a great read. I loved the ending and I can't wait for the next couple!
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦✨️
🏒 Hockey Romance
🥈 Second Chance
🧡 Infertility Rep
💒 Stop the Wedding
❤️🩹 Broken-Hearted Boy x Good Girl
👩❤️👨 It's Always Been You
𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 is not your average cutesy love story. 🖤 Sure, it has the romance, but it’s real, and RAW. It’s about two people falling in love, hitting messy, realistic roadblocks, and finding their way back to each other. I appreciate how much handle and care Ruth put into the heavy topics. The narrators did such a great job at bringing these characters to life. I genuinely felt the pain between Mason and Eloise, but I also felt the pure love. Add in an absolute 10/10 found family dynamic and this was a great read. I loved the ending and I can't wait for the next couple!
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦✨️
🏒 Hockey Romance
🥈 Second Chance
🧡 Infertility Rep
💒 Stop the Wedding
❤️🩹 Broken-Hearted Boy x Good Girl
👩❤️👨 It's Always Been You
November 6, 2026
Thank you Hambright and Ruth Stilling for gifting with an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
Ruth Stilling absolutely wrecked me with Mason and Eloise’s story. Second-chance romances can be hit-or-miss for me, but the sheer desperation of Mason trying to stop his ex-wife's wedding in France had me hooked from page one. He is the ultimate protective, broken-hearted hockey player, and his relentless devotion to Eloise completely melted my heart.
An incredibly emotional, high-stakes second-chance sports romance. Mason is the ultimate protective, broken-hearted hero fighting for his girl. The book handles heavy themes like infertility beautifully alongside a little bit of spice.
#HPRBreakinPlay
#RuthStilling
#HambrightPR
Ruth Stilling absolutely wrecked me with Mason and Eloise’s story. Second-chance romances can be hit-or-miss for me, but the sheer desperation of Mason trying to stop his ex-wife's wedding in France had me hooked from page one. He is the ultimate protective, broken-hearted hockey player, and his relentless devotion to Eloise completely melted my heart.
An incredibly emotional, high-stakes second-chance sports romance. Mason is the ultimate protective, broken-hearted hero fighting for his girl. The book handles heavy themes like infertility beautifully alongside a little bit of spice.
#HPRBreakinPlay
#RuthStilling
#HambrightPR
November 3, 2026
4 stars
***ARC provided by Ruth Stilling and Plot twist Marketing***
I actually cried reading this book because of the heartache the characters went through in the beginning. We all know Mason and Eloise as side characters in the earlier books and now that we got their story, it really showed how much they loved each other. There was so much issues going on between the both of them but it was written well. I usually don’t like reading second chance romance but Ruth really did a great job with this one. The chemistry was amazing and the love scenes were spicy. Thank you for my ARC Ruth 💖 So excited to read June and Tristan’s story!!!!!!! (i think they are next!!).
***ARC provided by Ruth Stilling and Plot twist Marketing***
I actually cried reading this book because of the heartache the characters went through in the beginning. We all know Mason and Eloise as side characters in the earlier books and now that we got their story, it really showed how much they loved each other. There was so much issues going on between the both of them but it was written well. I usually don’t like reading second chance romance but Ruth really did a great job with this one. The chemistry was amazing and the love scenes were spicy. Thank you for my ARC Ruth 💖 So excited to read June and Tristan’s story!!!!!!! (i think they are next!!).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another wonderful book from Ruth Stilling. I enjoyed the way Ruth developed Mason’s growth as a character. Mason was able to take accountability for his past actions and actively worked to do and be better. After hearing about Eloise in past books, I enjoyed being able to get to know her. This book felt different than the others in the series, given that this was a second chance romance, but well written as always. Can’t wait to keep reading Ruth’s books! I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is a voluntary review.
October 31, 2026
Okay, I really enjoyed this one! It felt so relatable, and I loved seeing the characters find their way back to each other while also working on themselves. Giving each other the space and opportunity to grow was such an important part of their journey. I’m so happy to see this hockey universe expanding, and I love catching little references to past characters!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is proof that sometimes in life we have to step away from things to see the bigger picture or maybe even the bigger problem. Sometimes things in but not always forever. Sometimes in life we get so focused on something we literally can’t see past it and it takes over your life. This book is a book truly about healing and I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4 ⭐️
2 🌶
🎧 dual
Alc rtc
2 🌶
🎧 dual
Alc rtc
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Ruth Stilling and Plot Twist Marketing for sending me an advanced readers copy in exchange for a voluntary, honest review. After Silas and Vesper’s book, I was really looking forward to Mason’s book and meeting Eloise.
I loved Mason and Eloise, they really were made for each other. Despite the divorce and all the pain, they still loved each other deeply.
Ruth did such a wonderful job of giving us both perspectives and allowing us to truly understand the pain, heartbreak and emotions they were each experiencing. My heart broke for both Mason and Eloise. They were suffering in their own ways, often alone, during a time when they needed each other's support more than anything. It was heartbreaking to watch two people who loved each other so deeply struggle to find their way back to one another while navigating so much pain. I cried so many times throughout this book. It really does take you on an emotional journey, leaving you feeling so many different things.
I absolutely loved Mason. You could see just how much he loved Eloise, and what I appreciated most was that he didn't just acknowledge where he had gone wrong, he took accountability and responsibility for his actions. What made his character development so meaningful was that we got to see that change, rather than simply being told about it. It was evident in the little things he did, in the way he approached situations differently, and in how he began to change his usual reactions and responses. Those small, seemingly insignificant moments spoke volumes about his growth and how much he wanted to do better, not just for Eloise but for himself, too.
Eloise carried so much pain, and I could understand how difficult it was for her to navigate her own emotions while also trying to make sense of everything happening around her. I think at the time for Eloise, finding the words to communicate what she needed felt almost impossible. Two years on, we saw her growth. She’s more willing to be vulnerable, to communicate how she feels, and she approaches things differently. You can see that she is working hard not to let her past dictate her future, and open up to let Mason in.
Infertility is such a difficult subject, and unfortunately, it’s not one that’s openly spoken about enough. I think one of the hardest aspects of infertility is how it can affect a relationship. Both partners are experiencing their own grief, heartbreak and struggles, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to navigate it together. Communication can become difficult, and sometimes couples find themselves so consumed by their individual pain that they struggle to reach one another, even when they need each other the most. It’s heartbreaking, because what should be a shared experience of supporting one another can sometimes become a very isolating one. I thought the author handled this topic beautifully. It felt realistic, honest and, above all, sensitive. Ruth captured the complexity of the emotions involved without shying away from how deeply infertility can affect both individuals and their relationship. I really applaud authors who are willing to explore topics like this in their work. Not only does it make the characters and their experiences feel more authentic and relatable, but it also creates opportunities for conversations that we perhaps don't have often enough. The more these stories are told, the more we can help break down the stigma and remind people that these struggles deserve to be acknowledged, understood and spoken about.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️/ 3-4🌶️
*Thank you to Ruth Stilling for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Check Content Warnings Before Reading.
With this being Mason and Eloise’s story, I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows especially taking into consideration the hardships they previously experienced in their marriage, and even some things still lingering after their divorce. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous to read this book with the subject matter being a bit more heavy compared to Ruth’s other books, but luckily with her care and attention to detail, she made sure to bring the raw and vulnerable truth to Mason and Eloise’s story.
Reading the two previous books in this series, I was already familiar and knew a bit about Mason and Eloise so, to now get their story it made things even more interesting to read especially with all the details that have been mentioned before about them. Eloise before this book was that one character who I didn’t really know much about aside from her being previously married to Mason and the struggles in their marriage and eventually leading to their downfall. Even with everything that happened between Mason and Eloise, there was still love between them, and Mason made sure to give his everything in order for Eloise to give their relationship another chance. I could see that this time around, Mason was a lot more understanding, and present with Eloise which made a world of difference compared to the first time. From Eloise’s perspective, she not only needed reassurance from Mason, but also needed actionable communication that allowed her to be able to give Mason that second chance. Mason didn’t waste time, and I genuinely loved seeing the effort and commitment he put into doing things differently with Eloise. From recreating their first date, but this time Mason cooking dinner for Eloise, to turning his game room into the music room Eloise dreamed of, and Mason taking piano lessons since Eloise knew and loved playing, and Mason always making sure he LOVED Eloise for who she was, and she was NOT broken due to her infertility.
The subject matter in this book was a bit more heavy than what I expected, but it was also one that needed to be told especially since it was a big part of Eloise’s story. Eloise was the type of person who always dreamed of starting a family with Mason, but when that dream became unattainable, it gradually broke both Eloise and Mason and their marriage. I could sympathize with both Mason and Eloise and it was actually heartbreaking reading their past chapters of them in college young and in the early stages of their relationship, but also the more difficult times when each pregnancy failed, and the true prognosis that broke Eloise. This story tackled the hardships Eloise experienced with her infertility, but also how gradually over the course she sought ways to cope with her pain such as, therapy, and slowly becoming comfortable around her friends who were pregnant and had babies. Not every family needs to have children, and I think that was something that Eloise slowly realized especially with Mason always telling her he loved her regardless if they were able to have kids or not because, at the end of the day Eloise, and Mason had each other and their core group of friends as part of their family.
*Thank you to Ruth Stilling for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Check Content Warnings Before Reading.
With this being Mason and Eloise’s story, I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows especially taking into consideration the hardships they previously experienced in their marriage, and even some things still lingering after their divorce. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous to read this book with the subject matter being a bit more heavy compared to Ruth’s other books, but luckily with her care and attention to detail, she made sure to bring the raw and vulnerable truth to Mason and Eloise’s story.
Reading the two previous books in this series, I was already familiar and knew a bit about Mason and Eloise so, to now get their story it made things even more interesting to read especially with all the details that have been mentioned before about them. Eloise before this book was that one character who I didn’t really know much about aside from her being previously married to Mason and the struggles in their marriage and eventually leading to their downfall. Even with everything that happened between Mason and Eloise, there was still love between them, and Mason made sure to give his everything in order for Eloise to give their relationship another chance. I could see that this time around, Mason was a lot more understanding, and present with Eloise which made a world of difference compared to the first time. From Eloise’s perspective, she not only needed reassurance from Mason, but also needed actionable communication that allowed her to be able to give Mason that second chance. Mason didn’t waste time, and I genuinely loved seeing the effort and commitment he put into doing things differently with Eloise. From recreating their first date, but this time Mason cooking dinner for Eloise, to turning his game room into the music room Eloise dreamed of, and Mason taking piano lessons since Eloise knew and loved playing, and Mason always making sure he LOVED Eloise for who she was, and she was NOT broken due to her infertility.
The subject matter in this book was a bit more heavy than what I expected, but it was also one that needed to be told especially since it was a big part of Eloise’s story. Eloise was the type of person who always dreamed of starting a family with Mason, but when that dream became unattainable, it gradually broke both Eloise and Mason and their marriage. I could sympathize with both Mason and Eloise and it was actually heartbreaking reading their past chapters of them in college young and in the early stages of their relationship, but also the more difficult times when each pregnancy failed, and the true prognosis that broke Eloise. This story tackled the hardships Eloise experienced with her infertility, but also how gradually over the course she sought ways to cope with her pain such as, therapy, and slowly becoming comfortable around her friends who were pregnant and had babies. Not every family needs to have children, and I think that was something that Eloise slowly realized especially with Mason always telling her he loved her regardless if they were able to have kids or not because, at the end of the day Eloise, and Mason had each other and their core group of friends as part of their family.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Second Chance That Broke My Heart and Put It Back Together!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Tear Drops: 💧💧💧
📚 Format: ARC (Hambright PR) & ALC (NetGalley)
Oh. My. Goodness. This book!! ❤️😭
When I saw that Break in Play was available for review, I immediately requested it! I received the ARC through Hambright PR and the audiobook through NetGalley. Having read the previous book in the series and really enjoyed it, I knew I wanted more from Ruth Stilling. I didn't even bother reading the synopsis! Besides, the ending of book two had already given us a pretty good hint about whose story was coming next.
And let me tell you, Mason and Eloise's story did NOT disappoint!
This is a beautiful second-chance romance about two people who were once everything to each other. Mason, a professional hockey player, and Eloise, a woman from a wealthy French family, fell in love in college despite coming from completely different worlds. But life wasn't kind to their marriage, and they eventually went their separate ways. Years later, Mason discovers that Eloise is about to marry someone else, and he's not ready to let the love of his life go without one last fight.
Ninety days to win her back. That's all he has. ❤️
I absolutely LOVED this book! It made me laugh, it made me want to throw something across the room, yell at the characters, and scream in frustration. But it also made me cry. And I'm talking UGLY CRY! 😭 Maybe I was feeling a little more emotional than usual, but some of the subjects touched on in this story really got to me.
A little heads-up: This book deals with some sensitive subjects, particularly infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional struggles that can come with them. While these aren't necessarily triggers for me, they definitely touched my heart.
What I loved most was how beautifully this second chance was written. The story moves between the present and moments from their past, allowing us to see how Mason and Eloise fell in love, what they shared, and how everything eventually fell apart. It made their journey back to each other so much more emotional.
And Mason... oh, Mason! A man who never stopped loving his girl. ❤️
As for the audiobook, Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah did a fantastic job! It's dual narration with alternating chapters, and I absolutely loved their performances. They brought so much emotion to the characters, and I think listening to the audiobook made those heartbreaking moments hit even harder.
And now I'm already impatient for the next installment! We got a pretty good idea of which couple will be next, and I'm SO ready for their story!
If you love hockey romance, second chances, divorced soulmates, and stories that make you FEEL everything, I definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own. ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Tear Drops: 💧💧💧
📚 Format: ARC (Hambright PR) & ALC (NetGalley)
Oh. My. Goodness. This book!! ❤️😭
When I saw that Break in Play was available for review, I immediately requested it! I received the ARC through Hambright PR and the audiobook through NetGalley. Having read the previous book in the series and really enjoyed it, I knew I wanted more from Ruth Stilling. I didn't even bother reading the synopsis! Besides, the ending of book two had already given us a pretty good hint about whose story was coming next.
And let me tell you, Mason and Eloise's story did NOT disappoint!
This is a beautiful second-chance romance about two people who were once everything to each other. Mason, a professional hockey player, and Eloise, a woman from a wealthy French family, fell in love in college despite coming from completely different worlds. But life wasn't kind to their marriage, and they eventually went their separate ways. Years later, Mason discovers that Eloise is about to marry someone else, and he's not ready to let the love of his life go without one last fight.
Ninety days to win her back. That's all he has. ❤️
I absolutely LOVED this book! It made me laugh, it made me want to throw something across the room, yell at the characters, and scream in frustration. But it also made me cry. And I'm talking UGLY CRY! 😭 Maybe I was feeling a little more emotional than usual, but some of the subjects touched on in this story really got to me.
A little heads-up: This book deals with some sensitive subjects, particularly infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional struggles that can come with them. While these aren't necessarily triggers for me, they definitely touched my heart.
What I loved most was how beautifully this second chance was written. The story moves between the present and moments from their past, allowing us to see how Mason and Eloise fell in love, what they shared, and how everything eventually fell apart. It made their journey back to each other so much more emotional.
And Mason... oh, Mason! A man who never stopped loving his girl. ❤️
As for the audiobook, Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah did a fantastic job! It's dual narration with alternating chapters, and I absolutely loved their performances. They brought so much emotion to the characters, and I think listening to the audiobook made those heartbreaking moments hit even harder.
And now I'm already impatient for the next installment! We got a pretty good idea of which couple will be next, and I'm SO ready for their story!
If you love hockey romance, second chances, divorced soulmates, and stories that make you FEEL everything, I definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
BREAK IN PLAY by RUTH STILLING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Break in play is book three (#3) of five (#5) books in THE RULES OF THE RINK series.
After suffering undue stress and seemingly unreconcilable issuesMason and Eloise James’ marriage crumbed and with few options available to her, Eloise returned home to France and her controlling parents.
Mason has never given up on the gorgeous woman he’s loved since the first day he laid eyes on her. When he discovers that she’s about to marry a man she doesn’t even like he turns up at the wedding venue. He’s not leaving without her….
—————————
⚠️ There are several subjects in this book which may be triggering including: childlessness, infertility, alcoholism, death of a parent. Your mental health is precious, please be kind to yourself and check out the trigger warnings before starting this book 🫶🏻 ⚠️
I’m loving The Rules Of Love series and Break In Play is no exception!!
Written with compassion, thoughtfulness and sensitivity, Eloise and Mason’s inability to have a child is heartbreaking. BIP follows this couple as they navigate their journey from devastation through acceptance to moving forward.
At times Eloise comes across as hard and hurtful but she believes she’s doing the right thing in letting Mason move on. The pain she feels at her belief that she’s a failure is palpable.
Mason is a golden retriever hero with plenty of flaws. Losing Eloise makes him realise all the ways he let her down, not helped by his excessive drinking and emotional distance. When he realises she’s about to marry a man she doesn’t like let alone love, he pulls out all the stops to win her back. Fate isn’t finished with them yet though and the path forward is turbulent.
I found this story really moving. Having had a relative experience similar issues I could relate to the emotional trauma (thankfully my family member went on to have a beautiful child with the help of medical intervention), and I feel for people experiencing this issue.
As the couple slowly reconnect there are a couple of tasteful open door spicy scenes.
I read an ebook version of this emotional read, with around 350 pages, a colourful illustrated couple cover and good editing. This book releases November 12th 2026.
With thanks to Ruth Stilling and Hambright PR for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏒 Second Chance
🏒 Divorce
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Rich v Poor
🏒 Opposites Attract
🏒 Open Door Spice
Break in play is book three (#3) of five (#5) books in THE RULES OF THE RINK series.
After suffering undue stress and seemingly unreconcilable issuesMason and Eloise James’ marriage crumbed and with few options available to her, Eloise returned home to France and her controlling parents.
Mason has never given up on the gorgeous woman he’s loved since the first day he laid eyes on her. When he discovers that she’s about to marry a man she doesn’t even like he turns up at the wedding venue. He’s not leaving without her….
—————————
⚠️ There are several subjects in this book which may be triggering including: childlessness, infertility, alcoholism, death of a parent. Your mental health is precious, please be kind to yourself and check out the trigger warnings before starting this book 🫶🏻 ⚠️
I’m loving The Rules Of Love series and Break In Play is no exception!!
Written with compassion, thoughtfulness and sensitivity, Eloise and Mason’s inability to have a child is heartbreaking. BIP follows this couple as they navigate their journey from devastation through acceptance to moving forward.
At times Eloise comes across as hard and hurtful but she believes she’s doing the right thing in letting Mason move on. The pain she feels at her belief that she’s a failure is palpable.
Mason is a golden retriever hero with plenty of flaws. Losing Eloise makes him realise all the ways he let her down, not helped by his excessive drinking and emotional distance. When he realises she’s about to marry a man she doesn’t like let alone love, he pulls out all the stops to win her back. Fate isn’t finished with them yet though and the path forward is turbulent.
I found this story really moving. Having had a relative experience similar issues I could relate to the emotional trauma (thankfully my family member went on to have a beautiful child with the help of medical intervention), and I feel for people experiencing this issue.
As the couple slowly reconnect there are a couple of tasteful open door spicy scenes.
I read an ebook version of this emotional read, with around 350 pages, a colourful illustrated couple cover and good editing. This book releases November 12th 2026.
With thanks to Ruth Stilling and Hambright PR for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🏒 Second Chance
🏒 Divorce
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Rich v Poor
🏒 Opposites Attract
🏒 Open Door Spice
November 1, 2026
Thank you Ruth Stilling and Plot Twist Marketing for an arc read of Break In Play. I have anxiously been awaiting this story!
Summary:
Mason James, an NHL defenseman for the Seattle Rogues, is heading to France to stop the wedding of his ex-wife, Eloise. Despite their divorce, heartbreak, and the difficult moments they’ve endured, he has never stopped loving her. Just before the wedding is about to begin, Mason walks away from the ceremony, asking Eloise for 90 days to prove that he’s a changed man and that their divorce never should have happened. All he asks is that she give him a chance and come back to Seattle. As he boards a plane back to the States, Mason is overwhelmed by his emotions, convinced he may have just lost her for good. But he never expects Eloise to show up in Seattle just two weeks later. Will they mend their broken hearts or finally go separate ways?
Thoughts:
• I have been waiting for this book because of these characters! And then there’s that beautiful purple cover! 💜💜 Mason has been one of my favorite players from the start, and my heart was already a mess from the little glimpses we got of his story with Eloise in the first two books.
• The heartache pours off the pages from the moment you start reading. I knew Mason and Eloise’s story was going to be emotional, but damn, I wasn’t expecting tears in the prologue!
• I’ve found that I’ve really fallen in love with marriage-in-crisis romances. This is slowly becoming a new favorite trope of mine.
• This book has a central focus on infertility, and my goodness, please read with caution if this is a triggering topic for you. I feel Ruth did such a wonderful job writing about such a difficult and emotional subject. What I loved most was that she gave us Mason’s perspective during this difficult time while also allowing us to experience Eloise’s journey. Some of Eloise’s moments had me in absolute tears.
• I can confidently say this is by far my favorite book in the series! I also love how all the characters from the previous books have recurring roles throughout this story. It makes the entire series feel that much more special!
• Oh, the tension between Tristan and June… 🔥🔥 I can only hope we get their story because, if we do, their book is going to be SO, SO good based on the moments we get in this one.
Summary:
Mason James, an NHL defenseman for the Seattle Rogues, is heading to France to stop the wedding of his ex-wife, Eloise. Despite their divorce, heartbreak, and the difficult moments they’ve endured, he has never stopped loving her. Just before the wedding is about to begin, Mason walks away from the ceremony, asking Eloise for 90 days to prove that he’s a changed man and that their divorce never should have happened. All he asks is that she give him a chance and come back to Seattle. As he boards a plane back to the States, Mason is overwhelmed by his emotions, convinced he may have just lost her for good. But he never expects Eloise to show up in Seattle just two weeks later. Will they mend their broken hearts or finally go separate ways?
Thoughts:
• I have been waiting for this book because of these characters! And then there’s that beautiful purple cover! 💜💜 Mason has been one of my favorite players from the start, and my heart was already a mess from the little glimpses we got of his story with Eloise in the first two books.
• The heartache pours off the pages from the moment you start reading. I knew Mason and Eloise’s story was going to be emotional, but damn, I wasn’t expecting tears in the prologue!
• I’ve found that I’ve really fallen in love with marriage-in-crisis romances. This is slowly becoming a new favorite trope of mine.
• This book has a central focus on infertility, and my goodness, please read with caution if this is a triggering topic for you. I feel Ruth did such a wonderful job writing about such a difficult and emotional subject. What I loved most was that she gave us Mason’s perspective during this difficult time while also allowing us to experience Eloise’s journey. Some of Eloise’s moments had me in absolute tears.
• I can confidently say this is by far my favorite book in the series! I also love how all the characters from the previous books have recurring roles throughout this story. It makes the entire series feel that much more special!
• Oh, the tension between Tristan and June… 🔥🔥 I can only hope we get their story because, if we do, their book is going to be SO, SO good based on the moments we get in this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
🌶️🌶️.5
Hockey romance
Second chance
Infertility rep
Stop the wedding
Ninety days to win her back
Broken hearted boy x good girl
“It’s always been you”
Yearning
He learns French for her
He’s pierced
Book 3 in Rules of The Rink series
I hope y’all are ready for Mason “I’m here for my wife”James
Grab your tissues you’re going to need them! Break in Play delivers a heartbreakingly beautiful story of two college sweethearts who suffered through the due of their marriage due to infertility, distance, grief and despair. Mason and Eloise’s love was put through the ultimate test.
I love a second chance romance and this one was done so well. Mason has been struggling since the divorce with drowning his feelings in alcohol. He doesn’t have Eloise as his crutch anymore. Eloise returned to France to live with her parents who were always awful to Mason and have never been supportive of Eloise. Eloise agrees to marry Gabriel (her parent’s choice) despite not being in love with him. Mason races to France begging her for another chance.. 90 days to win her back and show her their love is with fighting for.
This story is messy, raw and so emotional. These two have so much hurt. Eloise struggled with infertility and not feeling prioritized in their marriage. Mason always felt she deserved better than him, a poor working class Ohio boy. I have never rooted so hard for a couple to heal and grow together. And that’s exactly what they did, it took time and effort but Mason was determined to do anything to have her by his side. Mason really put in the work and did these gestures that had my heart melting. They both supported each other during hard times, especially with Masons mom.
I love that Eloise embraced the wive’s and girlfriend’s group and put herself out there.
This was a great slow burn and gosh did their chemistry sizzle!
This book broke my heart in the best way and I really enjoyed the healing journey these two went on.
Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah did a great job narrating Mason and Eloise story. I really felt they captured their heartache and reconnection and did a great job with the French accents and dialogue.
Thank you to Ruth Stilling & The Plot Twist marketing for the eARC and Tantor Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
🌶️🌶️.5
Hockey romance
Second chance
Infertility rep
Stop the wedding
Ninety days to win her back
Broken hearted boy x good girl
“It’s always been you”
Yearning
He learns French for her
He’s pierced
Book 3 in Rules of The Rink series
I hope y’all are ready for Mason “I’m here for my wife”James
Grab your tissues you’re going to need them! Break in Play delivers a heartbreakingly beautiful story of two college sweethearts who suffered through the due of their marriage due to infertility, distance, grief and despair. Mason and Eloise’s love was put through the ultimate test.
I love a second chance romance and this one was done so well. Mason has been struggling since the divorce with drowning his feelings in alcohol. He doesn’t have Eloise as his crutch anymore. Eloise returned to France to live with her parents who were always awful to Mason and have never been supportive of Eloise. Eloise agrees to marry Gabriel (her parent’s choice) despite not being in love with him. Mason races to France begging her for another chance.. 90 days to win her back and show her their love is with fighting for.
This story is messy, raw and so emotional. These two have so much hurt. Eloise struggled with infertility and not feeling prioritized in their marriage. Mason always felt she deserved better than him, a poor working class Ohio boy. I have never rooted so hard for a couple to heal and grow together. And that’s exactly what they did, it took time and effort but Mason was determined to do anything to have her by his side. Mason really put in the work and did these gestures that had my heart melting. They both supported each other during hard times, especially with Masons mom.
I love that Eloise embraced the wive’s and girlfriend’s group and put herself out there.
This was a great slow burn and gosh did their chemistry sizzle!
This book broke my heart in the best way and I really enjoyed the healing journey these two went on.
Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah did a great job narrating Mason and Eloise story. I really felt they captured their heartache and reconnection and did a great job with the French accents and dialogue.
Thank you to Ruth Stilling & The Plot Twist marketing for the eARC and Tantor Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
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