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Hard Hit #6
Break
Noah’s career means everything to him. That is, until he loses his true everything.
Noah has been in love with his best friend, Troy, for as far back as he can remember. There is no one else he can picture spending his life with. After signing a contract with the Blue Fires, Noah heads to New Orleans, ready to start his new life as a pro hockey player. With the career he’s always dreamed of having in his hands and the man he’s always loved in his bed, Noah thinks everything is golden.
But nothing could prepare Noah for how being the star player would change his life. Each time he finds a reporter’s mic underneath his nose, Noah can’t stop himself from pushing Troy farther away, making Troy the dirty secret. That is, until the day Troy has had enough.
With Troy gone, Noah can’t find his footing, but neither does he have the words to fix the things he’s broken. No matter how many times Noah picks up the phone, fear stops him from saying all the words he’s avoided. Until a single call and a tragic accident changes everything.
“He arrived at St. Luke’s Medical Center… Labels no longer counted. Opinions were out the window. Nothing mattered any longer.”
Hurt, anger, and bitterness have Noah throwing back the curtain, showing the world his every secret. But is it too little too late?
Noah has been in love with his best friend, Troy, for as far back as he can remember. There is no one else he can picture spending his life with. After signing a contract with the Blue Fires, Noah heads to New Orleans, ready to start his new life as a pro hockey player. With the career he’s always dreamed of having in his hands and the man he’s always loved in his bed, Noah thinks everything is golden.
But nothing could prepare Noah for how being the star player would change his life. Each time he finds a reporter’s mic underneath his nose, Noah can’t stop himself from pushing Troy farther away, making Troy the dirty secret. That is, until the day Troy has had enough.
With Troy gone, Noah can’t find his footing, but neither does he have the words to fix the things he’s broken. No matter how many times Noah picks up the phone, fear stops him from saying all the words he’s avoided. Until a single call and a tragic accident changes everything.
“He arrived at St. Luke’s Medical Center… Labels no longer counted. Opinions were out the window. Nothing mattered any longer.”
Hurt, anger, and bitterness have Noah throwing back the curtain, showing the world his every secret. But is it too little too late?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2016
38 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Charity Parkerson
315 books1,426 followersCharity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 19, 2016
Embarrassingly bad; think cheap 80s soap opera. No relationship or character development, just melodrama followed by more melodrama. Overwrought, bordering on offensive (the way Troy's disability and grief were treated was trite and simplistic). How does this book have an overall 4 star rating?
January 11, 2019
Galley provided by publisher
Rep: gay mcs
Sometimes, you've just got to admit that you can spot some books are obviously going to be crap from page 1. Even when you're hoping that it won't be.
First of all, everything in this book happened very quickly. I mean I get that it's a novella, but it was still a good 90-page novella so surely all the events could have been spread out a bit longer. As it was, it didn't allow for any development of characters, and the time skips didn't help with that.
Also, it read like a soap opera. I didn't realise I was going to be reading a hockey equivalent of Eastenders. Not that there was much hockey going on, given how much of a soap it was... I mean, like a page in, they're having sex (no build-up to it, we're just supposed to take it as read that they're a) best friends, and b) each crushing on the other), then about 25 pages later, they're broken up because Troy doesn't want to be Noah's "dirty little secret". And then a couple of pages after that, Troy gets into a car crash in which his sister is killed and they don't know if he'll make it. (You see what I mean about the soap opera feel?) Everything sorts itself out in true soap style too, although there's a twist at the end where Noah takes a hit playing hockey and ends up bleeding all over the ice (which, I would like to interject, sounds pretty unbelievable. I've never seen someone go down on their face intentionally, and also why wasn't he wearing a gum shield? Given the (shitty) style of hockey helmets, surely that's a must? Unless you feel like losing your teeth I guess).
That being said, I wasn't entirely against the characters. I did like them (even as I was shaking my head over their (read: Noah's) stupidity at times). It just couldn't override my dislike of the plot.
Rep: gay mcs
Sometimes, you've just got to admit that you can spot some books are obviously going to be crap from page 1. Even when you're hoping that it won't be.
First of all, everything in this book happened very quickly. I mean I get that it's a novella, but it was still a good 90-page novella so surely all the events could have been spread out a bit longer. As it was, it didn't allow for any development of characters, and the time skips didn't help with that.
Also, it read like a soap opera. I didn't realise I was going to be reading a hockey equivalent of Eastenders. Not that there was much hockey going on, given how much of a soap it was... I mean, like a page in, they're having sex (no build-up to it, we're just supposed to take it as read that they're a) best friends, and b) each crushing on the other), then about 25 pages later, they're broken up because Troy doesn't want to be Noah's "dirty little secret". And then a couple of pages after that, Troy gets into a car crash in which his sister is killed and they don't know if he'll make it. (You see what I mean about the soap opera feel?) Everything sorts itself out in true soap style too, although there's a twist at the end where Noah takes a hit playing hockey and ends up bleeding all over the ice (which, I would like to interject, sounds pretty unbelievable. I've never seen someone go down on their face intentionally, and also why wasn't he wearing a gum shield? Given the (shitty) style of hockey helmets, surely that's a must? Unless you feel like losing your teeth I guess).
That being said, I wasn't entirely against the characters. I did like them (even as I was shaking my head over their (read: Noah's) stupidity at times). It just couldn't override my dislike of the plot.
May 21, 2016
Wow this series is getting suckier. No character development. We just jump right in to their bullshit. This book is so melodramatic and because you don't know the mc's you as the reader could give a shit about their drama. That's all I got.
May 16, 2016
Noah and Troy have been best friends forever, when in Vegas celebrating Noah's sign up to a hockey team, they finally act on the sexual tension between them. Something both of them had wanted but were afraid to act upon because they didn't want to lose their friendship. Sadly, Noah feels that they need to hide their relationship because of his career and eventually Troy gets tired of being kept a secret and ends things.
When Troy is in a serious accident, Noah soon comes to realise that labels don't matter and what he feels for Troy is more important than anything else. They begin to work on rebuilding their relationship and it takes time because Troy is afraid to trust Noah after what happened previously.
Although this is quite a short book at only 115 pages, it was very well written and I don't think the story suffered because of it. I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series but this read very well as a standalone even though there were cameos from what I assume were characters in previous books. Sweet short with a lovely HEA and I'd like to see a story for Chip and Gunnar next.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
When Troy is in a serious accident, Noah soon comes to realise that labels don't matter and what he feels for Troy is more important than anything else. They begin to work on rebuilding their relationship and it takes time because Troy is afraid to trust Noah after what happened previously.
Although this is quite a short book at only 115 pages, it was very well written and I don't think the story suffered because of it. I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series but this read very well as a standalone even though there were cameos from what I assume were characters in previous books. Sweet short with a lovely HEA and I'd like to see a story for Chip and Gunnar next.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 18, 2016
I needed a break from some heavy hitter reads so I did some junky guilty pleasure reading and downloaded ARC's from NetGalley. I opted for something mindless and fun and M/M (male on male) romance books are sometimes my go-to for books. Now I haven't read any Charity Parkerson so I'd thought I'd give her shot. Apparently, this one is one of her sports series so I gave it a go.
Okay, the pros.
-Attractive male model on the cover. Check.
-Closet case storyline. Check.
-Two of the main characters promoting the clichés of battling obstacles so they can be together. Check. Check and Double Check.
-Happy ending. Check plus.
Cons.
-The sports background. (This book uses hockey as the connecting thread. Again, I didn't care.)
-Not much depth or character development. (I know romance books are pretty basic within the character outline but seriously why are Noah and Troy battling the odds to be together?)
-No connection with its readers. (I didn't buy into their love story. If anything, it bored me to tears.)
The story was okay. Not memorable but hit all the marks. Sure, there are plenty of sex scenes but even that didn't keep me interested. This is a fast, easy breezy read. Nothing great or moving.
Okay, the pros.
-Attractive male model on the cover. Check.
-Closet case storyline. Check.
-Two of the main characters promoting the clichés of battling obstacles so they can be together. Check. Check and Double Check.
-Happy ending. Check plus.
Cons.
-The sports background. (This book uses hockey as the connecting thread. Again, I didn't care.)
-Not much depth or character development. (I know romance books are pretty basic within the character outline but seriously why are Noah and Troy battling the odds to be together?)
-No connection with its readers. (I didn't buy into their love story. If anything, it bored me to tears.)
The story was okay. Not memorable but hit all the marks. Sure, there are plenty of sex scenes but even that didn't keep me interested. This is a fast, easy breezy read. Nothing great or moving.
May 15, 2016
Copy from netgalley
I was torn with this book. There were parts that I really enjoyed, and other bits that just werent what I expected. The story in general was really good, the premise something that was easy to read. Where it was let down a little was their reactions to some of the moments in the book. Now I don't want to go too in-depth because I hate to give away anything in my reviews, but some of the more angsty moments felt a little too happy....a little brushed over!
But saying that I felt this book was a good read and I think most people would find the emotions and characters enjoyable.
I was torn with this book. There were parts that I really enjoyed, and other bits that just werent what I expected. The story in general was really good, the premise something that was easy to read. Where it was let down a little was their reactions to some of the moments in the book. Now I don't want to go too in-depth because I hate to give away anything in my reviews, but some of the more angsty moments felt a little too happy....a little brushed over!
But saying that I felt this book was a good read and I think most people would find the emotions and characters enjoyable.
April 26, 2016
I'm telling you...guilty pleasure. I just can't stop reading these
May 13, 2016
Best Yet!
This series just keeps getting better. I don't know what you'll come up with next, but I'm on board! Wow.
This series just keeps getting better. I don't know what you'll come up with next, but I'm on board! Wow.
November 4, 2018
Just keeps you hooked.
These stories book you and keep hold all the way through. This one isn't a favorite but it's a necessary read. Important players are met here. I think the reason for the way I feel is Nosh. He hit all new levels of stupid. So much so I wanted to reach in and Gibb smack him several times. Troy I wanted to shake a little.
These stories book you and keep hold all the way through. This one isn't a favorite but it's a necessary read. Important players are met here. I think the reason for the way I feel is Nosh. He hit all new levels of stupid. So much so I wanted to reach in and Gibb smack him several times. Troy I wanted to shake a little.
November 16, 2021
4 stars for this book, it was an easy read, I expected a lot lore drama when I read the others reviews but it was just right for a book this short, I liked both Noah and Troy, but yeah I feel like it could have more pages to be developed better because this book in the series is my favorite, I could recommend this for people looking for a quick read.
November 18, 2017
The only issue I had with this one is that I wish it was longer! Troy and Noah truly are soul mates. I could really feel how tormented Troy was to be the dirty secret. Noah really steps up though after the accident when he realizes what is really important in life.
February 3, 2019
Short and Sexy
These books continue to leave me wanting more. I can’t get enough. I do wish they were longer but I’ll take what I can get.
Great Read / Audio
These books continue to leave me wanting more. I can’t get enough. I do wish they were longer but I’ll take what I can get.
Great Read / Audio
April 16, 2020
Noah and Troy. A bit predictable, but the love story was sweet.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
June 27, 2024
Another heartbreaking yet sweet and engaging story in this series.
August 15, 2024
Break is book six in the Hard Hit series
Friends to lovers isn’t always a fave for me, but with the added tension and being a short read this was a good vibe.
Friends to lovers isn’t always a fave for me, but with the added tension and being a short read this was a good vibe.
July 12, 2025
🥲 A gorgeous book about hurt, healing and redemption. And huge love.
I couldn't put it down.
I couldn't put it down.
November 8, 2025
This series is absolute soap from beginning to end and that's the best part of it. Sometimes you just want a fun and easy read to take you away. And these completely fit the bill.
May 17, 2016
3.5 stars – Break is the sixth novella in Charity Parkerson’s Hard Hit series, and the first that I have read both in this series and from this author. While I really enjoyed the way the story played out here, this book suffers from the one big issue that I have with almost all novellas: there is too much story to fit in such a short length.
Noah and Troy have been best friends since childhood. Each is in love with the other, though neither can stomach the idea of risking losing the friendship in order to admit it to the other. Before leaving Troy in Phoenix to move to New Orleans after signing a hockey contract, Noah confesses his love for Troy after their drunken celebration of achieving his goal to be a professional hockey player. Suddenly he has everything he ever wished for. But the pressures of being in the public eye and the fear of what would happen if everyone knows they are the couple cause Noah to treat Troy like a dirty secret, ruining what they have. It takes Troy being nearly killed in an accident for Noah to throw caution to the wind and do whatever it takes in his effort to win Troy back, but he fears it’s too late.
Novellas. The lure of getting a nice, full story in a compact two- or three-hour time span is often too tempting for me to refuse, especially when something about the blurb strikes me just so. And yet, nine times out of ten, they let me down, especially those in the romance genre. There just isn’t enough space to do everything a good romance should do: full and rich character development, the process of discovering love, the process of discovering each other sexually, establishing and expanding the conflict, and resolving the conflict before sending the heroes on their happily-ever-after or at least a happy-for-now. Unless an author is extremely talented, it’s impossible to do all this well in fewer than two hundred pages, let alone in fewer than a hundred (which I assume this would be if I had read it in paperback.)
This story jumps right in to the first fuck and admission of feelings on the celebratory night for Noah’s contract. Hot sex, sure, but there’s no build and no burn. I really like to get to know the characters and understand why they feel so much for the other before I get the reward of them being together. It doesn’t even have to be much: twenty pages just to get my brain going first, but here there is almost nothing, and I completely miss it. Then, in a matter of a single chapter, the year-long process of them drifting apart takes place and the accident happens. It’s all just so rushed up to this point. I confess that I didn’t care a lick about either of them at this point, didn’t believe what was happening, and didn’t care how it was going to turn out.
Really, this is too bad because once the story finally hits its stride, it’s already half done. The second half is a wonderful story, watching Noah doing everything to keep his best friend first and then trying to win his heart back. In this second half, we finally get to learn a little about the characters and what makes them tick, though we never really learn why they’re so interested in each other. In spite of this, what we do get is some of the slow burn during this rebuilding phase that was missing from the front end of the novella, and it leads up to a wonderful ending between the two of them and an epilogue that fills in some of the gaps that we should have been privy to earlier.
There’s nothing difficult or complex here. Overall, Break is a good book, one that I just wish were twice as long in order to develop the things the author chose to skip over. So keep this warning in mind: save it for a time when you want to experience an angsty story about love lost and rebuilt without having to get through the initial establishment of a relationship. In this quick-and-dirty read context, it’s a very good book, and because of that fact, I imagine I will read more of the books in this series.
The publisher provided me a complimentary copy of Break in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
Noah and Troy have been best friends since childhood. Each is in love with the other, though neither can stomach the idea of risking losing the friendship in order to admit it to the other. Before leaving Troy in Phoenix to move to New Orleans after signing a hockey contract, Noah confesses his love for Troy after their drunken celebration of achieving his goal to be a professional hockey player. Suddenly he has everything he ever wished for. But the pressures of being in the public eye and the fear of what would happen if everyone knows they are the couple cause Noah to treat Troy like a dirty secret, ruining what they have. It takes Troy being nearly killed in an accident for Noah to throw caution to the wind and do whatever it takes in his effort to win Troy back, but he fears it’s too late.
Novellas. The lure of getting a nice, full story in a compact two- or three-hour time span is often too tempting for me to refuse, especially when something about the blurb strikes me just so. And yet, nine times out of ten, they let me down, especially those in the romance genre. There just isn’t enough space to do everything a good romance should do: full and rich character development, the process of discovering love, the process of discovering each other sexually, establishing and expanding the conflict, and resolving the conflict before sending the heroes on their happily-ever-after or at least a happy-for-now. Unless an author is extremely talented, it’s impossible to do all this well in fewer than two hundred pages, let alone in fewer than a hundred (which I assume this would be if I had read it in paperback.)
This story jumps right in to the first fuck and admission of feelings on the celebratory night for Noah’s contract. Hot sex, sure, but there’s no build and no burn. I really like to get to know the characters and understand why they feel so much for the other before I get the reward of them being together. It doesn’t even have to be much: twenty pages just to get my brain going first, but here there is almost nothing, and I completely miss it. Then, in a matter of a single chapter, the year-long process of them drifting apart takes place and the accident happens. It’s all just so rushed up to this point. I confess that I didn’t care a lick about either of them at this point, didn’t believe what was happening, and didn’t care how it was going to turn out.
Really, this is too bad because once the story finally hits its stride, it’s already half done. The second half is a wonderful story, watching Noah doing everything to keep his best friend first and then trying to win his heart back. In this second half, we finally get to learn a little about the characters and what makes them tick, though we never really learn why they’re so interested in each other. In spite of this, what we do get is some of the slow burn during this rebuilding phase that was missing from the front end of the novella, and it leads up to a wonderful ending between the two of them and an epilogue that fills in some of the gaps that we should have been privy to earlier.
There’s nothing difficult or complex here. Overall, Break is a good book, one that I just wish were twice as long in order to develop the things the author chose to skip over. So keep this warning in mind: save it for a time when you want to experience an angsty story about love lost and rebuilt without having to get through the initial establishment of a relationship. In this quick-and-dirty read context, it’s a very good book, and because of that fact, I imagine I will read more of the books in this series.
The publisher provided me a complimentary copy of Break in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
September 23, 2016
I really must pay better attention to Parkerson’s release schedule because I have obviously been missing out on another great series if Break is representative of the rest of the Hard Hit series, and knowing this author’s writing, I suspect it is. While I haven’t read the previous books in the series, and cannot speak to how much, if any, of Noah and Troy’s friendship has been seen earlier in the series, I can say that I did not feel lost at all while reading Break.
In the opening scene, Parkerson manages to dive straight into the story with night two of a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas, giving the reader enough back story to make it clear that Noah and Troy have been best friends for years and that what they’re about to do has been a fantasy of each man, without the other ever having any idea that he harbored the same desire. Yet even as both worry that it will ruin their friendship, neither is willing to stop it from happening. Even though we don’t see the morning after, and instead jump forward six months, it’s apparent through the texts and the interactions between Noah and Troy that as much as Noah wants to be with Troy, his concerns about how coming out would affect his career are ruining what little of a relationship they have and destroying the friendship they both cherish. With each action Noah takes to “prove” his heterosexuality, the more of a strain he puts on his relationship with Troy…until it finally breaks. Like many, Noah doesn’t appreciate what he has with Troy until he’s lost it. But the true gravity of his loss isn’t realized until he receives the phone call telling him that Troy’s been involved in a serious car accident. When Noah arrives in Phoenix, he learns that there far worse things to lose than his reputation, and earning back the trust and love of the man who holds his heart may be the most important challenge he’s ever faced.
I have yet to read a Parkerson book that didn’t deliver the heat and Break certainly lived up to my expectations in that area. As much as I enjoyed the skin-on-skin scenes, it was the emotional struggles both men faced throughout the story that had be devouring the book. Noah’s dilemma is a common theme for athletes in M/M sports romances, yet Parkerson manages to make the story believable and fresh. The tragedy that befalls Troy and serves as a wake-up call for Noah added another layer to the struggle between the men, but occurred in such a way that I didn’t feel as though the characters were being overburdened with fabricated obstacles before they “earned” their happy ending. I liked how the animosity that Troy felt toward Mara was dealt with and I really must check out the author’s other books to see if Mara’s story has been published, because that’s a story I need to read. The ending certainly had me biting my nails, breathing a big sigh of relief, and laughing hysterically as Noah’s hard hit played out on the ice and in the locker room. Break was an entertaining read and I cannot wait to check out more books from the Hard Hit series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
In the opening scene, Parkerson manages to dive straight into the story with night two of a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas, giving the reader enough back story to make it clear that Noah and Troy have been best friends for years and that what they’re about to do has been a fantasy of each man, without the other ever having any idea that he harbored the same desire. Yet even as both worry that it will ruin their friendship, neither is willing to stop it from happening. Even though we don’t see the morning after, and instead jump forward six months, it’s apparent through the texts and the interactions between Noah and Troy that as much as Noah wants to be with Troy, his concerns about how coming out would affect his career are ruining what little of a relationship they have and destroying the friendship they both cherish. With each action Noah takes to “prove” his heterosexuality, the more of a strain he puts on his relationship with Troy…until it finally breaks. Like many, Noah doesn’t appreciate what he has with Troy until he’s lost it. But the true gravity of his loss isn’t realized until he receives the phone call telling him that Troy’s been involved in a serious car accident. When Noah arrives in Phoenix, he learns that there far worse things to lose than his reputation, and earning back the trust and love of the man who holds his heart may be the most important challenge he’s ever faced.
I have yet to read a Parkerson book that didn’t deliver the heat and Break certainly lived up to my expectations in that area. As much as I enjoyed the skin-on-skin scenes, it was the emotional struggles both men faced throughout the story that had be devouring the book. Noah’s dilemma is a common theme for athletes in M/M sports romances, yet Parkerson manages to make the story believable and fresh. The tragedy that befalls Troy and serves as a wake-up call for Noah added another layer to the struggle between the men, but occurred in such a way that I didn’t feel as though the characters were being overburdened with fabricated obstacles before they “earned” their happy ending. I liked how the animosity that Troy felt toward Mara was dealt with and I really must check out the author’s other books to see if Mara’s story has been published, because that’s a story I need to read. The ending certainly had me biting my nails, breathing a big sigh of relief, and laughing hysterically as Noah’s hard hit played out on the ice and in the locker room. Break was an entertaining read and I cannot wait to check out more books from the Hard Hit series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
March 4, 2017
Absolutely best one so far. Short sweet, and emotional at times. I love the connections that these two have. You feel the love the heartache and the determination to make it.
May 13, 2016
Another great installment in this series, leaving me wanting the next one immediately...
Title: Break
Author: Charity Parkerson
Series: Hard Hit
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Main Characters :
Noah Cote is a star minor-league hockey player, trying desperately to stay in the closet while in love with his best friend.
Troy has everything he wants, a great job, and the love of his life and best friend, Noah. Until the constant neglect and denial from Noah starts eating at Troy’s affection for him.
Plot/Conflict:
Noah and Troy have been friends since they were kids, each separately having a crush on the other, but never doing anything about until one night in Vegas, right after Noah signs with the Blue Fires. But Noah feels he has to keep his sexuality, and so his relationship with Troy, a secret to keep the fact that he is gay from overshadowing his career. This constant subterfuge, as well as falsely dating women and partying all the time finally pushes Troy away. But it doesn’t last long, when a bad accident means that Noah could lose Troy altogether, and it’s enough to kick Noah out of his self-loathing long enough to reevaluate his life and decide if his career in more important than the love of his life.
Loves:
I loved the wooing after Troy’s accident. You didn’t get a lot of relationship building in the beginning of the book, because the characters already have this amazing best friends connection before you ever meet them, so the courting kind of happens later. Noah has to essentially rebuild Troy’s trust and affection. And Noah’s hesitancy in the new found relationship is endearing and real.
Likes:
The sex scenes, as always in this series, were off the charts hot.
I liked the angst of the separation, after Noah left for New Orleans, you could actually feel the tension and slow breaking of Troy’s heart with every text message, or appearance by Noah with his “girlfriend”.
Despite them never discussing exclusivity, there was no real cheating which was a plus in my book.
Peeves:
This was kind of short, and because you were not seeing the beginning of the relationship, this book almost felt like a short story placeholder in between larger books in a series. I felt a little jipped that I didn’t get more backstory for these characters I guess is what it boils down to.
Favorite Quote:
Title: Break
Author: Charity Parkerson
Series: Hard Hit
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Main Characters :
Noah Cote is a star minor-league hockey player, trying desperately to stay in the closet while in love with his best friend.
Troy has everything he wants, a great job, and the love of his life and best friend, Noah. Until the constant neglect and denial from Noah starts eating at Troy’s affection for him.
Plot/Conflict:
Noah and Troy have been friends since they were kids, each separately having a crush on the other, but never doing anything about until one night in Vegas, right after Noah signs with the Blue Fires. But Noah feels he has to keep his sexuality, and so his relationship with Troy, a secret to keep the fact that he is gay from overshadowing his career. This constant subterfuge, as well as falsely dating women and partying all the time finally pushes Troy away. But it doesn’t last long, when a bad accident means that Noah could lose Troy altogether, and it’s enough to kick Noah out of his self-loathing long enough to reevaluate his life and decide if his career in more important than the love of his life.
Loves:
I loved the wooing after Troy’s accident. You didn’t get a lot of relationship building in the beginning of the book, because the characters already have this amazing best friends connection before you ever meet them, so the courting kind of happens later. Noah has to essentially rebuild Troy’s trust and affection. And Noah’s hesitancy in the new found relationship is endearing and real.
Likes:
The sex scenes, as always in this series, were off the charts hot.
I liked the angst of the separation, after Noah left for New Orleans, you could actually feel the tension and slow breaking of Troy’s heart with every text message, or appearance by Noah with his “girlfriend”.
Despite them never discussing exclusivity, there was no real cheating which was a plus in my book.
Peeves:
This was kind of short, and because you were not seeing the beginning of the relationship, this book almost felt like a short story placeholder in between larger books in a series. I felt a little jipped that I didn’t get more backstory for these characters I guess is what it boils down to.
Favorite Quote:
“Every time I’ve searched for answers - all I find is you.”
May 24, 2016
Noah ist am Ziel seiner Träume. Er hat es als Sportler geschafft und macht Karriere bei einem großen Eishockey Team in New Orleans. Einzig die Trennung von seinem besten Freund macht ihm zu schaffen. Dabei ist Troy mehr als nur sein bester Freund. Troy ist sein Geliebter, den Noah jedoch versteckt um seine Karriere nicht zu gefährden. Stattdessen ist er mit einer bekannten Schauspielerin zusammen um die Öffentlichkeit damit zu täuschen.
Dieses Doppelspiel belastet die Beziehung zwischen Noah und Troy, der immer mehr zum dreckigen Geheimnis degradiert wird. Und irgendwann macht Troy Schluss. Er kann nicht mehr und beendet diese Beziehung, die für ihn sowieso keine Zukunft hat. Noah bleibt in New Orleans, spielt seine Spiele und lebt ein leeres, oberflächliches Leben. Doch dann erreicht ihn eine Nachricht aus der alten Heimat und plötzlich ist für Noah glasklar, was wirklich wichtig ist in seinem Leben!
Troy ist der tragische Held dieser Geschichte, denn ein Unfall verändert sein Leben völlig. Was genau ihm passiert, das spoilere ich hier nicht. Aber in dieser Situation wächst Noah über sich hinaus und stellt seine eigenen Bedürfnisse zurück. Und er hat ja auch erkannt wie kostbar und wichtig Troy ihm wirklich ist, auch wenn er vielleicht gar keine Chance mehr hat ihn als Partner zurückzugewinnen.
Noahs Verhalten zu Beginn des Buches ist verständlich, aber wenig einnehmend. Doch man muss bedenken, dass er seinen Traum lebt und völlig in seinem neuen, großartigen Leben aufgeht. Auf Troy konnte er sich immer verlassen und erst mit dem Bruch beginnt ein Umdenken bei Noah. Als er Troy dann auch noch völlig zu verlieren droht, erkennt Noah erst den wirklichen Verlust.
Mir hat seine Entwicklung gut gefallen und auch die Umstände wie Troy sich ins Leben zurückgekämpft hat. Auch er macht eine gravierende Veränderung durch und muss am Ende sein Leben komplett neu ordnen und organisieren. Dieses Buch ist nicht immer einfach zu lesen, aber wirklich sehr, sehr berührend.
Dieses Doppelspiel belastet die Beziehung zwischen Noah und Troy, der immer mehr zum dreckigen Geheimnis degradiert wird. Und irgendwann macht Troy Schluss. Er kann nicht mehr und beendet diese Beziehung, die für ihn sowieso keine Zukunft hat. Noah bleibt in New Orleans, spielt seine Spiele und lebt ein leeres, oberflächliches Leben. Doch dann erreicht ihn eine Nachricht aus der alten Heimat und plötzlich ist für Noah glasklar, was wirklich wichtig ist in seinem Leben!
Troy ist der tragische Held dieser Geschichte, denn ein Unfall verändert sein Leben völlig. Was genau ihm passiert, das spoilere ich hier nicht. Aber in dieser Situation wächst Noah über sich hinaus und stellt seine eigenen Bedürfnisse zurück. Und er hat ja auch erkannt wie kostbar und wichtig Troy ihm wirklich ist, auch wenn er vielleicht gar keine Chance mehr hat ihn als Partner zurückzugewinnen.
Noahs Verhalten zu Beginn des Buches ist verständlich, aber wenig einnehmend. Doch man muss bedenken, dass er seinen Traum lebt und völlig in seinem neuen, großartigen Leben aufgeht. Auf Troy konnte er sich immer verlassen und erst mit dem Bruch beginnt ein Umdenken bei Noah. Als er Troy dann auch noch völlig zu verlieren droht, erkennt Noah erst den wirklichen Verlust.
Mir hat seine Entwicklung gut gefallen und auch die Umstände wie Troy sich ins Leben zurückgekämpft hat. Auch er macht eine gravierende Veränderung durch und muss am Ende sein Leben komplett neu ordnen und organisieren. Dieses Buch ist nicht immer einfach zu lesen, aber wirklich sehr, sehr berührend.
May 10, 2016
Break (Hard Hit #6) by Charity Parkerson Charity Parkerson’s Break is a touching story and excellent addition to the Hard Hit Series. Hockey star Noah Cote has been in love with his best friend, Troy Reeves, since they were kids. Concerned about his career, he has kept their relationship a secret. Tired of hiding their relationship, Troy ends things. Troy is in a terrible accident and Noah drops everything to get to him, hoping it will not be too late. This M/M sports romance takes place in New Orleans and Phoenix. It is suitable from adult audiences.
The characters are well developed, having a lot of depth. I like both Noah and Troy. They have been friends forever and care about each other deeply. It is understandable why both characters act the way they do. I love how supportive Noah is of Troy’s mother, Sandra. It is obvious she was like a second mother to him. Kieran Steele is a great agent. He really cares about his clients and looks out for them.
The plot was well-written and credible. I like the scene with Noah and his assistant coach Chip Randolph. I loved Noah’s interview with Anna Lively. The slide show toward the ending was perfect. I liked the ending. The story concluded well. At 115 pages, Break is a quick and compelling read.
Complimentary copy provided by Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are well developed, having a lot of depth. I like both Noah and Troy. They have been friends forever and care about each other deeply. It is understandable why both characters act the way they do. I love how supportive Noah is of Troy’s mother, Sandra. It is obvious she was like a second mother to him. Kieran Steele is a great agent. He really cares about his clients and looks out for them.
The plot was well-written and credible. I like the scene with Noah and his assistant coach Chip Randolph. I loved Noah’s interview with Anna Lively. The slide show toward the ending was perfect. I liked the ending. The story concluded well. At 115 pages, Break is a quick and compelling read.
Complimentary copy provided by Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2016
4.5 stars. I have been reading this series for a while, and I have to say that this was my favorite so far. I didn't enjoy the last book as much as I wanted to (I just say no to Orlando), but this one completely surpassed my expectations. I was leery because I did not enjoy Noah's behavior in the previous book, and I definitely did not like him keeping Troy as a dirty little secret. I liked Troy instantly (i just wish there was a physical description of him because I just like to "see" what the author imagines for a character).
Trot and Noah have been best friends since childhood, and they have both been in love with each other from afar. Finally, something happens between them but it pushes their relationship in a different way than where they both wanted it to go. it's hard being someone's secret. Feeling like a person is ashamed to be with you is NOT a good feeling. I can speak from experience. Troy is hurt enough to pull away. Then a tragedy strikes and makes Noah realize that nothing in life is guaranteed. If you find something you love you need to hold onto it and cherish it every day. Noah immediately went to Troy's side and there was no way anyone was getting him to leave. A story about renewed love and trust.
I also liked the secondary characters.. Chip was intriguing, Gunnar made me want to see more of him as well. He seemed playful almost. I have already pre-ordered Enforce (Chip) and Clinch (Gunnar), and I look forward into reading their stories!
Trot and Noah have been best friends since childhood, and they have both been in love with each other from afar. Finally, something happens between them but it pushes their relationship in a different way than where they both wanted it to go. it's hard being someone's secret. Feeling like a person is ashamed to be with you is NOT a good feeling. I can speak from experience. Troy is hurt enough to pull away. Then a tragedy strikes and makes Noah realize that nothing in life is guaranteed. If you find something you love you need to hold onto it and cherish it every day. Noah immediately went to Troy's side and there was no way anyone was getting him to leave. A story about renewed love and trust.
I also liked the secondary characters.. Chip was intriguing, Gunnar made me want to see more of him as well. He seemed playful almost. I have already pre-ordered Enforce (Chip) and Clinch (Gunnar), and I look forward into reading their stories!
August 26, 2016
5 Stars Plus!!!
“Life wasn’t fair. Most times, it took more than it gave. It was fleeting and scary… the world has a way of making the most beautiful things ugly.”
Noah and Troy have been the best of friends since childhood. Always together and there for each other until Noah gets offered a contract with a hockey team in NOLA and moves away. A night of passion leads to secrets not to be shared. Noah fears if the public discovers his true relationship and feelings for Troy, his career as a professional hockey player will be tainted with labels of being gay. So Troy becomes his dirty little secret. But secrets can hurt those we love, and sometimes you don’t know what you have till it’s too late.
Noah and Troy’s story has by far been my fav. Charity Parkerson titled this story correctly with BREAK because she was able to break my heart, as well as break past my need to smack Noah around for the way he was treating Troy. It’s amazing how she was able to weave a story of two best friends finally realizing they were destined to be together. “Maybe other people in the world are meant to be, but we are soul mates who found each other right away in life and spent the rest of our lives waiting to grow up.”
I could go on and on about this series! And dear readers, it’s best to read them in order. Otherwise, you could feel a little lost. I do not consider these stand-alone books.
Highly recommend!!
“Life wasn’t fair. Most times, it took more than it gave. It was fleeting and scary… the world has a way of making the most beautiful things ugly.”
Noah and Troy have been the best of friends since childhood. Always together and there for each other until Noah gets offered a contract with a hockey team in NOLA and moves away. A night of passion leads to secrets not to be shared. Noah fears if the public discovers his true relationship and feelings for Troy, his career as a professional hockey player will be tainted with labels of being gay. So Troy becomes his dirty little secret. But secrets can hurt those we love, and sometimes you don’t know what you have till it’s too late.
Noah and Troy’s story has by far been my fav. Charity Parkerson titled this story correctly with BREAK because she was able to break my heart, as well as break past my need to smack Noah around for the way he was treating Troy. It’s amazing how she was able to weave a story of two best friends finally realizing they were destined to be together. “Maybe other people in the world are meant to be, but we are soul mates who found each other right away in life and spent the rest of our lives waiting to grow up.”
I could go on and on about this series! And dear readers, it’s best to read them in order. Otherwise, you could feel a little lost. I do not consider these stand-alone books.
Highly recommend!!
May 23, 2016
The book starts with both guys getting what they have always wanted–each other. Then time moves fast and we don’t see their years of friendship and the bond they have or their developing relationship. We are only shown random texts which occur over several months.
We then jump to them pining for each other in different ways and keeping their relationship a secret. Everything is told and almost nothing is shown of their relationship and we are simply told over and over that they are in love with each other. Noah is a hockey player in name only and there is no hockey action. Then there is the overused plot device of the medical crisis to further the relationship and Troy’s mother at that point did not read as genuine. Troy’s condition was life threatening and included major injuries, but he recovers in no time without issue or grieving time which was completely unrealistic and disingenuous. There were storylines offered of side characters, but the main characters hadn’t been developed enough to support that. There was no connection made between the MCs and subsequently no connection was offered to the reader.
We then jump to them pining for each other in different ways and keeping their relationship a secret. Everything is told and almost nothing is shown of their relationship and we are simply told over and over that they are in love with each other. Noah is a hockey player in name only and there is no hockey action. Then there is the overused plot device of the medical crisis to further the relationship and Troy’s mother at that point did not read as genuine. Troy’s condition was life threatening and included major injuries, but he recovers in no time without issue or grieving time which was completely unrealistic and disingenuous. There were storylines offered of side characters, but the main characters hadn’t been developed enough to support that. There was no connection made between the MCs and subsequently no connection was offered to the reader.
April 23, 2016
I have to say every book in this series is a little different in style while keeping the story and series moving. I love it!! while I Ryker is still my favorite story, this coming in a close second so far! Troy is so lovable and you can't help but feel his pain deep and want to throw your kindle or book at a wall when Noah is so ego filled and worried about his image verse what truly makes him happy. This book should have an ugly cry warning but I promise you will dry all your tears and be ready for the next book at the end. Charity has a great knack of making a book not too long and yet not too short. You are never left with questions and never feeling you need more, wanting more yes because of how great the story is but need isn't the reason.
May 12, 2016
Another fantastic read in the Hard Hit series featuring Noah, professional hockey player and Troy, his childhood friend who is in love with Noah. My only complaint is that I wished it was longer as I finished it in about an hour or two. I would have loved getting to know Noah and Troy on their journey to love in more depth. Combines the two things I enjoy reading about more than anything, sports and romance. I haven't read all the books in the series yet, so it's not necessary to read them all in order, but I will definitely go back and read about characters that were mentioned in Break. A beautiful m/m romance with a bit of angst, but well deserving of a HEA.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2016
I'm not the first one to call this a bad soap opera and I won't be the last one. I know you usually don't get the perfect character development in a novella, but... this one has none. I didn't feel any chemistry between Noah and Troy, I didn't get why they're best friends... I didn't get anything somehow?
It's supposed to be super dramatic with an accident and everything but... Just nope. The bad things were brushed aside, which didn't make any sense. I was very bored and slightly annoyed while reading because it could have been good.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
It's supposed to be super dramatic with an accident and everything but... Just nope. The bad things were brushed aside, which didn't make any sense. I was very bored and slightly annoyed while reading because it could have been good.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
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