What do you think?
Rate this book
Portland Storm #6
Comeback
This is an alternate cover edition for ISBN10: 1515018806 / ISBN13: 9781515018803.
Nicklas Ericsson is an addict. He’s also a star goaltender with the NHL’s Portland Storm, or he was until his addiction changed everything. Now he’s throwing himself into doing all the necessary things to pave his path to a comeback, both in his personal life and on the ice. Nicky’s run out of options, and now his sister and her children are in Portland. They need help he has no clue how to provide, though, and figuring it out might derail all the progress he’s made.
For a few years now, Jessica Lynch has been running the Portland office for the Light the Lamp Foundation. Between her work and several people from her past, she knows more than she’d like about addicts. One lesson she’s learned is that even when addicts try to turn their lives around, more often than not, they fail. That’s why she takes a hands off approach, keeping her heart well away from the addicts she works with, like Nicky Ericsson.
Nicky’s recovery efforts put him directly in Jessica’s path, and she can’t ignore his very real need for help. Where Nicky is concerned, she can’t separate her emotions. His niece and nephews further complicate her efforts to guard her heart. The attraction between Nicky and Jessica is instant and mutual, but she’s misplaced her trust too many times before. Can he prove that he won't fall back into old habits in time to complete the perfect comeback?
Nicklas Ericsson is an addict. He’s also a star goaltender with the NHL’s Portland Storm, or he was until his addiction changed everything. Now he’s throwing himself into doing all the necessary things to pave his path to a comeback, both in his personal life and on the ice. Nicky’s run out of options, and now his sister and her children are in Portland. They need help he has no clue how to provide, though, and figuring it out might derail all the progress he’s made.
For a few years now, Jessica Lynch has been running the Portland office for the Light the Lamp Foundation. Between her work and several people from her past, she knows more than she’d like about addicts. One lesson she’s learned is that even when addicts try to turn their lives around, more often than not, they fail. That’s why she takes a hands off approach, keeping her heart well away from the addicts she works with, like Nicky Ericsson.
Nicky’s recovery efforts put him directly in Jessica’s path, and she can’t ignore his very real need for help. Where Nicky is concerned, she can’t separate her emotions. His niece and nephews further complicate her efforts to guard her heart. The attraction between Nicky and Jessica is instant and mutual, but she’s misplaced her trust too many times before. Can he prove that he won't fall back into old habits in time to complete the perfect comeback?
Paperback
First published February 19, 2015
37 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Gayle
73 books923 followers***Please note that series numbering of the Portland Storm series is different at Goodreads than it is on Catherine's website or at any retailer. Goodreads policy will not allow the series numbering to match anything else. If this confuses you, please complain to Goodreads, as it is not Catherine's fault.***
Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.
Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.
Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.
Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 21, 2015
An emotionally moving story that will break your heart and then carefully glue it back together. It’s tear-jerking and laugh inducing and all around wonderful.
Nicklas Ericsson is doing everything in his power to Comeback to the job and life he had before letting everything go into a tailspin caused by sorrow and addiction. He’s taking life one day at a time and working hard to stay sober, helping out in any way he can to make a difference, especially through the Light the Lamp Foundation.
When Nicky’s sister unexpectedly arrives in Portland with her three kids and the shocking news that she’s suffering from the same disease that took their father’s life just a short time prior and asks him to be the children’s guardian when the time comes, his progress and new found balance is threatened. Overwhelmed and heartbroken he seeks out the only person he feels comfortable with, who he trusts enough to breakdown in front of.
Jessica Lynch has been a one woman show for the Light the Lamp Foundation. Being surrounded by addicts in her personal and professional life, she knows firsthand that loving one is agonizing. Which is why she’s marked a clear line between her heart and the people she works with, until Nicky.
Jessica knows Nicky with his big genuine heart is different. Unable to ignore his pull, she spends more time together with him, the kids and his sister, she makes a promise that puts her is the direct path of Nicky’s life. But even though it’s clear they’re attracted to each other, both are reluctant to complicate an already difficult situation.
Slowly but surely they entwine their lives together. The fall as natural and inevitable as gravity pulling fall cherry blossom leaves to the ground. They learn to trust in each other by openly communicating.
Jessica never thought she’d find the courage and strength to put her heart, body and soul in the hands of a man who had the potential to shatter her. But as it turns out, Jessica was the glue that made all of the pieces in Nicky’s life stay perfectly and harmoniously together.
I met Nicky in the previous books and had seen him struggle since. So I thought I had a fairly good idea of what was to come, but this book caught me completely off guard in the best kind of way. I was expecting tears, which I shamelessly shed. I was expecting smiles and laughs which were plastered on my face. I was expecting the usual warmth and support from the Portland Storm family which was given in spades. I actually got everything I was anticipating but in a touching storyline I didn’t expect.
I was crushed with the circumstances under which Nicky had to learn to be a single parent so quickly, that this new bump could actually topple him over. I felt his grief, despair and helplessness. But was so incredibly happy when he acknowledged he needed support, asked for it and got it. I admired his approach to life and how he found light in the dark that had surrounded him, how he learned from his mistakes and wanted to make himself a better person. I did however find a big character flaw in Nicky which I might not ever forgive. He’s a no Ewoks kind of guy! LOL.
I loved how Jessica knowing full well what an addict’s life could do to the people that surround them, was strong and saw the positive. She believed in and stood by Nicky’s side. Her hard earned admiration and respect for him growing gradually. I loved her sincerity and how she faced her problems head on. Always helping with an incredible lightheartedness. Never an obstacle as impossible.
Even though their situation might have forced them together, the romance between Nicky and Jessica was slow, gradual, natural. It grew from the working relationship they had through Light the Lamp, into a friendship and then more.
I appreciated her caution in getting in a relationship with yet another addict as well as Nicky’s carefulness in bringing a person in his and the kids’ lives that may or may not be there for the long run. But he didn’t just rely on her, he also wanted to care for her be worthy of her. With serenity, courage and wisdom on their side they came out of the storm stronger, better and happy.
This poignant and heartbreaking story put me through the wringer and then gave me the warm fuzzies with its beautiful progression. Catherine Gayle writes about real world matters while providing a amazing, uplifting and heartwarming escape from it.
Amazon US -> http://amzn.to/1A9Dv0p
* I was graciously given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter
Nicklas Ericsson is doing everything in his power to Comeback to the job and life he had before letting everything go into a tailspin caused by sorrow and addiction. He’s taking life one day at a time and working hard to stay sober, helping out in any way he can to make a difference, especially through the Light the Lamp Foundation.
When Nicky’s sister unexpectedly arrives in Portland with her three kids and the shocking news that she’s suffering from the same disease that took their father’s life just a short time prior and asks him to be the children’s guardian when the time comes, his progress and new found balance is threatened. Overwhelmed and heartbroken he seeks out the only person he feels comfortable with, who he trusts enough to breakdown in front of.
“Jessica became my lifeline, one of the few things on earth keeping me grounded in reality.”
Jessica Lynch has been a one woman show for the Light the Lamp Foundation. Being surrounded by addicts in her personal and professional life, she knows firsthand that loving one is agonizing. Which is why she’s marked a clear line between her heart and the people she works with, until Nicky.
“Love hurts, but that isn’t a good enough reason not to love. The truth is, it hurts even more not to love.”
Jessica knows Nicky with his big genuine heart is different. Unable to ignore his pull, she spends more time together with him, the kids and his sister, she makes a promise that puts her is the direct path of Nicky’s life. But even though it’s clear they’re attracted to each other, both are reluctant to complicate an already difficult situation.
Slowly but surely they entwine their lives together. The fall as natural and inevitable as gravity pulling fall cherry blossom leaves to the ground. They learn to trust in each other by openly communicating.
Jessica never thought she’d find the courage and strength to put her heart, body and soul in the hands of a man who had the potential to shatter her. But as it turns out, Jessica was the glue that made all of the pieces in Nicky’s life stay perfectly and harmoniously together.
“You make the puzzle work. Without you, we’re just a bunch of pieces that look like we belong together, but no matter how hard we try to hold on to each other, we fall apart. You’re the glue. You’re the fifth piece that makes everything fit just right.”
I met Nicky in the previous books and had seen him struggle since. So I thought I had a fairly good idea of what was to come, but this book caught me completely off guard in the best kind of way. I was expecting tears, which I shamelessly shed. I was expecting smiles and laughs which were plastered on my face. I was expecting the usual warmth and support from the Portland Storm family which was given in spades. I actually got everything I was anticipating but in a touching storyline I didn’t expect.
I was crushed with the circumstances under which Nicky had to learn to be a single parent so quickly, that this new bump could actually topple him over. I felt his grief, despair and helplessness. But was so incredibly happy when he acknowledged he needed support, asked for it and got it. I admired his approach to life and how he found light in the dark that had surrounded him, how he learned from his mistakes and wanted to make himself a better person. I did however find a big character flaw in Nicky which I might not ever forgive. He’s a no Ewoks kind of guy! LOL.
“Star Trek or Star Wars?”
“Neither. Give me Guardians of the Galaxy any day over either of them.”
“No Ewoks for you?”
I loved how Jessica knowing full well what an addict’s life could do to the people that surround them, was strong and saw the positive. She believed in and stood by Nicky’s side. Her hard earned admiration and respect for him growing gradually. I loved her sincerity and how she faced her problems head on. Always helping with an incredible lightheartedness. Never an obstacle as impossible.
Even though their situation might have forced them together, the romance between Nicky and Jessica was slow, gradual, natural. It grew from the working relationship they had through Light the Lamp, into a friendship and then more.
I appreciated her caution in getting in a relationship with yet another addict as well as Nicky’s carefulness in bringing a person in his and the kids’ lives that may or may not be there for the long run. But he didn’t just rely on her, he also wanted to care for her be worthy of her. With serenity, courage and wisdom on their side they came out of the storm stronger, better and happy.
This poignant and heartbreaking story put me through the wringer and then gave me the warm fuzzies with its beautiful progression. Catherine Gayle writes about real world matters while providing a amazing, uplifting and heartwarming escape from it.
Amazon US -> http://amzn.to/1A9Dv0p
* I was graciously given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter
October 28, 2016
Comeback
I think I was most looking forward to this book but it wasn’t what I was expecting
Nicklas is coming back from his heavy addictions, but learning his sister has ALS and just going through his father’s death with ALS he needs to be strong for his sister and be there for his niece and 2 nephews. Who already lost their father in combat they are about to lose their only living parent and moved to a new country.
Jessica is the VP of a non-profit who has had a past that took her from one addict’s home to another. But there is nothing she can do but all for Nicky. But with Nicky comes the heart ache of losing his sister and stepping up to me mom to his niece and nephews.
This story broke my ever loving heart. It was raw and emotional and makes you wish you could just hug them all.
Would give this story 4 freaking heart breaking stars.
I think I was most looking forward to this book but it wasn’t what I was expecting
Nicklas is coming back from his heavy addictions, but learning his sister has ALS and just going through his father’s death with ALS he needs to be strong for his sister and be there for his niece and 2 nephews. Who already lost their father in combat they are about to lose their only living parent and moved to a new country.
Jessica is the VP of a non-profit who has had a past that took her from one addict’s home to another. But there is nothing she can do but all for Nicky. But with Nicky comes the heart ache of losing his sister and stepping up to me mom to his niece and nephews.
This story broke my ever loving heart. It was raw and emotional and makes you wish you could just hug them all.
Would give this story 4 freaking heart breaking stars.
February 23, 2015
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Each and every book in Catherine Gayle’s Portland Storm series is a journey and Comeback features two journeys colliding at the same time; the journey of Nicklas (Nicky) Ericsson the Storm’s goalie as he tries to earn back his spot on the team following rehab for substance abuse problems and the journey he is forced into by circumstances beyond his control. I can’t even begin to explain everything Nicky has to deal with as this book unfolds but along the way he finds friendship and love with Jessica Lynch the director for the Light the Lamp Foundation founded by one of Nicky’s former teammates. This is not an easy read and while some of it has to do with relationship struggles more of it has to do with Nicky’s struggles to maintain sobriety when so much of his world is crumbling around him. I’m warning you now folks, this is a book you will want tissues close by and probably won’t want to read in public because it will more than likely make you ugly cry but it is a very good story and another excellent addition to an already strong series.
I’ve liked Nicky in all of the previous books and yes, I was concerned when it became evident that he had substance abuse issues. Clean and sober for over a year and back with his team as the back-up goalie Nicky knows he has a hard road in front of him proving to his team he is worthy and rebuilding the bridges he burned when he let the team down in the playoffs two seasons ago. A fantastic rehab program, a year with a minor league team, and the will to be stronger than his addiction Nicky is in a fairly good place. Volunteering through Light the Lamp also puts him in close contact with Jessica and he begins to enjoy the time they spend together even when she remains nothing but professional.
Having lived with and lost loved ones due to addictions, Jessica isn’t quite sure what to think when it becomes Nicky wants to spend more time with her on a social level. There’s no denying he enjoys his company and she admires his candor about fighting his addictions but she’s just doesn’t know if her heart can take being involved personally with another addict. When Nicky’s sister arrives from Sweden with her three children in tow and a secret he’s been keeping from him, she find herself being dragged deeper into Nicky’s life and she soon realizes there isn’t any place she’d rather be.
A lot of this book revolves around a situation that changes both Nicky and Jessica’s lives forever and while most of the time they roll with the punches and deal with everything that is thrown at them there are times when Nicky struggles and there are times when Jessica questions everything she is doing. On top of that they have a relationship that is brand spanking new and one they kind of fell into and while it’s obvious they care pretty deeply about each other they are dealing with so much that to be honest their relationship was kind of on the back burner for a lot of this book. I understand why that had to happen because there was so much else that really was more important but because of that I never really felt the chemistry between them. Yes, it was evident they liked each other and enjoyed each other’s company and there was a lot of mutual respect for one another and they did build trust over the course of this book but I didn’t feel the heat between them until the very end, yet I still loved this story.
Comeback was gut wrenching and emotional and yet it was also hopeful and inspiring; most of all the powerful message that in order to overcome, in order to live, and in order to love…you must love yourself and most of all believe that your inner strength is always there, you just have to find it and set it free.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Each and every book in Catherine Gayle’s Portland Storm series is a journey and Comeback features two journeys colliding at the same time; the journey of Nicklas (Nicky) Ericsson the Storm’s goalie as he tries to earn back his spot on the team following rehab for substance abuse problems and the journey he is forced into by circumstances beyond his control. I can’t even begin to explain everything Nicky has to deal with as this book unfolds but along the way he finds friendship and love with Jessica Lynch the director for the Light the Lamp Foundation founded by one of Nicky’s former teammates. This is not an easy read and while some of it has to do with relationship struggles more of it has to do with Nicky’s struggles to maintain sobriety when so much of his world is crumbling around him. I’m warning you now folks, this is a book you will want tissues close by and probably won’t want to read in public because it will more than likely make you ugly cry but it is a very good story and another excellent addition to an already strong series.
I’ve liked Nicky in all of the previous books and yes, I was concerned when it became evident that he had substance abuse issues. Clean and sober for over a year and back with his team as the back-up goalie Nicky knows he has a hard road in front of him proving to his team he is worthy and rebuilding the bridges he burned when he let the team down in the playoffs two seasons ago. A fantastic rehab program, a year with a minor league team, and the will to be stronger than his addiction Nicky is in a fairly good place. Volunteering through Light the Lamp also puts him in close contact with Jessica and he begins to enjoy the time they spend together even when she remains nothing but professional.
Having lived with and lost loved ones due to addictions, Jessica isn’t quite sure what to think when it becomes Nicky wants to spend more time with her on a social level. There’s no denying he enjoys his company and she admires his candor about fighting his addictions but she’s just doesn’t know if her heart can take being involved personally with another addict. When Nicky’s sister arrives from Sweden with her three children in tow and a secret he’s been keeping from him, she find herself being dragged deeper into Nicky’s life and she soon realizes there isn’t any place she’d rather be.
A lot of this book revolves around a situation that changes both Nicky and Jessica’s lives forever and while most of the time they roll with the punches and deal with everything that is thrown at them there are times when Nicky struggles and there are times when Jessica questions everything she is doing. On top of that they have a relationship that is brand spanking new and one they kind of fell into and while it’s obvious they care pretty deeply about each other they are dealing with so much that to be honest their relationship was kind of on the back burner for a lot of this book. I understand why that had to happen because there was so much else that really was more important but because of that I never really felt the chemistry between them. Yes, it was evident they liked each other and enjoyed each other’s company and there was a lot of mutual respect for one another and they did build trust over the course of this book but I didn’t feel the heat between them until the very end, yet I still loved this story.
Comeback was gut wrenching and emotional and yet it was also hopeful and inspiring; most of all the powerful message that in order to overcome, in order to live, and in order to love…you must love yourself and most of all believe that your inner strength is always there, you just have to find it and set it free.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 23, 2015
Romance Meets Addiction Recovery--
Nicky (Nicklas), is a recovering substance abuse addict who plays pro hockey. I loved how his character gave insight to the challenges and triumphs of improving self-image issues and staying strong.
Nicky faced challenges and temptations throughout this book where he could have slipped back into his old ways of using pills and booze as a way out. One specific tragedy toward the end almost had me convinced Nicky was going to relapse and lose his family and the love his life…but he didn’t! He didn’t, and that is what I loved most about this story.
It is a book that shows him as a prospective success and less like a past “user-loser.” It breaks the barriers of stereotypes people going through a recovery program often endure. He works hard to mend broken relationships and is honest with himself, even when times are tough. Best of all, he comes through for his team and family when it would have been easier to go back to his old ways and give up. His story is inspiring and beautiful.
— An ARC copy of COMEBACK was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. —
~ Book Escape Reviews (Laurie Kozlowski) ~ www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
Nicky (Nicklas), is a recovering substance abuse addict who plays pro hockey. I loved how his character gave insight to the challenges and triumphs of improving self-image issues and staying strong.
Nicky faced challenges and temptations throughout this book where he could have slipped back into his old ways of using pills and booze as a way out. One specific tragedy toward the end almost had me convinced Nicky was going to relapse and lose his family and the love his life…but he didn’t! He didn’t, and that is what I loved most about this story.
It is a book that shows him as a prospective success and less like a past “user-loser.” It breaks the barriers of stereotypes people going through a recovery program often endure. He works hard to mend broken relationships and is honest with himself, even when times are tough. Best of all, he comes through for his team and family when it would have been easier to go back to his old ways and give up. His story is inspiring and beautiful.
— An ARC copy of COMEBACK was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. —
~ Book Escape Reviews (Laurie Kozlowski) ~ www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
September 7, 2018
Wow! Catherine has done it again. She has away on telling remarkable stories. and this one was no different, I just love Jessica and Nicky together and how they navigated through this new chapter in their life. I couldn't get enough of them.
May 24, 2017
Perfect.
Read
August 11, 2016Comeback Portland Storm #6
By Catherine Gayle
Comeback is the most heartbreaking of Gayle’s incredible Portland Storm hockey romance series to this point and although she’s dealt with some tragic situations in the past this pulls especially hard on heartstrings because of the devastation wrought by this horrible, incurable disease and the controversial end game. Keeping tabs on characters from past series novels is entertaining and helps with the timeline. The portrayal of her stars, the easy to love recovering addict hero Nikki and her huge hearted yet wary heroine Jessica are both likeable and she does an exceptional job of bringing their fears and courage plus their very hot love story to life. Her stars and the resilience of her young orphans and their capability to remain kids in the light of all they deal with really rocks this read!
Portland Storm goalie and recovering addict Niklas (Nikki) Ericsson had been clean for a long time when he gets the worse possible news and an impossible to grant request from his sister. Since their father’s diagnosis and subsequent death from the devastation of ALS they were both tested for the gene and learned that she had it. But now it seems she’s not only kept the fact that she’d contracted the disease but has kept the advanced state of the illness from him until she had no choice but to tell him now that she’s close to dying and has asked him not only to be the guardian to her three kids but has also come to Portland to die because assisted suicide is legal. Nikki knows he needs help to keep sober and turns to the director of a Portland non-profit for help. Now he just needs help fighting his instant attraction to her.
Jessica Lynch knows the personal pain loving addicts can cause, her father, brother and ex-husband were all addicts, its why she keeps her distance from them. She also can’t help but help them, which is why she works for Light the Lamp foundation, a non-profit that helps addicts. She knows Nikki Ericsson because he’s a teammate of the foundation’s founder, but when he comes to her with his problems she doesn’t think she can turn away.
By Catherine Gayle
Comeback is the most heartbreaking of Gayle’s incredible Portland Storm hockey romance series to this point and although she’s dealt with some tragic situations in the past this pulls especially hard on heartstrings because of the devastation wrought by this horrible, incurable disease and the controversial end game. Keeping tabs on characters from past series novels is entertaining and helps with the timeline. The portrayal of her stars, the easy to love recovering addict hero Nikki and her huge hearted yet wary heroine Jessica are both likeable and she does an exceptional job of bringing their fears and courage plus their very hot love story to life. Her stars and the resilience of her young orphans and their capability to remain kids in the light of all they deal with really rocks this read!
Portland Storm goalie and recovering addict Niklas (Nikki) Ericsson had been clean for a long time when he gets the worse possible news and an impossible to grant request from his sister. Since their father’s diagnosis and subsequent death from the devastation of ALS they were both tested for the gene and learned that she had it. But now it seems she’s not only kept the fact that she’d contracted the disease but has kept the advanced state of the illness from him until she had no choice but to tell him now that she’s close to dying and has asked him not only to be the guardian to her three kids but has also come to Portland to die because assisted suicide is legal. Nikki knows he needs help to keep sober and turns to the director of a Portland non-profit for help. Now he just needs help fighting his instant attraction to her.
Jessica Lynch knows the personal pain loving addicts can cause, her father, brother and ex-husband were all addicts, its why she keeps her distance from them. She also can’t help but help them, which is why she works for Light the Lamp foundation, a non-profit that helps addicts. She knows Nikki Ericsson because he’s a teammate of the foundation’s founder, but when he comes to her with his problems she doesn’t think she can turn away.
November 23, 2015
This story was in the top five or so of the series for me. I really felt for Nicky and everything the poor guy went through in this book. The bad stuff just kept coming, which I was a bit frustrated with, if I'm honest. That's life, though. Sometimes it just won't stop raining.
This story was a tearjerker in places. My aunt passed away only a few months ago from ALS. I don't live close to her, so didn't have to watch the disease slowly kill her, but just talking about it with my mom was heartbreaking. ALS has to be the most horrible way to die ever...for the person as well as the family. I very much understand why someone would move so far from home in order to be in a place that allows her to die on her own terms.
There was another conflict toward the end of the story that I'm anxious to see what, if anything, others said about in their reviews. I thought the way Ms. Gayle handled it was honest and true to life. I understood why Nicky was so angry in the beginning, even though I also thought he was placing blame out of proportion a bit. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting issue.
I really enjoyed the book, and I'm already almost though the next one, which is FINALLY Jamie and Katie. Yay!!
This story was a tearjerker in places. My aunt passed away only a few months ago from ALS. I don't live close to her, so didn't have to watch the disease slowly kill her, but just talking about it with my mom was heartbreaking. ALS has to be the most horrible way to die ever...for the person as well as the family. I very much understand why someone would move so far from home in order to be in a place that allows her to die on her own terms.
There was another conflict toward the end of the story that I'm anxious to see what, if anything, others said about in their reviews. I thought the way Ms. Gayle handled it was honest and true to life. I understood why Nicky was so angry in the beginning, even though I also thought he was placing blame out of proportion a bit. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting issue.
I really enjoyed the book, and I'm already almost though the next one, which is FINALLY Jamie and Katie. Yay!!
December 3, 2015
This was an emotion charged book with A LOT of issues to cover but very little of that emotion was spent on romance. Only one sex scene which was very one-sided and unromantic, basically I got the feeling Jessica only had sex to take his mind off the clusterfuck that was now Nikki's life. Another scene with a bit more of a 'connection' would have been nice.
I truly felt for Nikki through this book but lost a bit of respect for him towards the end. Jessica turned her life upside down for him and the kids, and she didn't have that 'family' tie to keep her there. I felt she was doing a pretty good job trying to deal with 3 young kids with all sorts of emotional issues and a very busy workload while her only other support (Nikky) was on tour with the team.
When Nikki openly blamed Jessica for the incident leading to one of the kids ending up in hospital that kind of did it for me. I was mentally telling her to keep walking but that wouldn't have made much for a HEA, would it. Then the way he came around and 'forgave' her for her mistakes. So nice of him (sarcasm).
So yea, very little chemistry between the two characters and one very one sided sex scene doesn't really equate to a Romance novel for me.
I truly felt for Nikki through this book but lost a bit of respect for him towards the end. Jessica turned her life upside down for him and the kids, and she didn't have that 'family' tie to keep her there. I felt she was doing a pretty good job trying to deal with 3 young kids with all sorts of emotional issues and a very busy workload while her only other support (Nikky) was on tour with the team.
When Nikki openly blamed Jessica for the incident leading to one of the kids ending up in hospital that kind of did it for me. I was mentally telling her to keep walking but that wouldn't have made much for a HEA, would it. Then the way he came around and 'forgave' her for her mistakes. So nice of him (sarcasm).
So yea, very little chemistry between the two characters and one very one sided sex scene doesn't really equate to a Romance novel for me.
August 6, 2015
Once more I was surprised by this book which gave me more than what I expected.
I started it a bit reluctantly, as I'm not too keen of stories about addicts, cleaned or not yet. And the heroine's past and previous experience with addicts made it even more cringe-worthy.
However the book soon turned out to be something completely different, as some family issues on Nicky's side, wreaked havoc on both their lives and expectations . And in fact the book dealt as much with that as with the issue of addiction, which was the focus only in the first third of the book. One scene was really emotional and tactfully beautifully managed , it obviously made me cry rivers and just thinking about it bring back tears to my eyes.
I really enjoyed everything that took place after that, with the characters needing to quickly evolve and turn into better selves and relying on each other to achieve that.
I started it a bit reluctantly, as I'm not too keen of stories about addicts, cleaned or not yet. And the heroine's past and previous experience with addicts made it even more cringe-worthy.
However the book soon turned out to be something completely different, as some family issues on Nicky's side, wreaked havoc on both their lives and expectations . And in fact the book dealt as much with that as with the issue of addiction, which was the focus only in the first third of the book. One scene was really emotional and tactfully beautifully managed , it obviously made me cry rivers and just thinking about it bring back tears to my eyes.
I really enjoyed everything that took place after that, with the characters needing to quickly evolve and turn into better selves and relying on each other to achieve that.
September 8, 2016
Simply amazing as usual, I just love what this author makes me feel while I'm reading
February 4, 2019
Oh mylanta! Nikky's story just about broke my heart. I had to call my niece who had read it previously just to tell her how broken I was. Nikky has been a constant in the background of the entire series and I LOVED getting his story finally. Jessica was the perfect match for him and their story is full of ups and downs, but the love they share was perfectly told and made my heart so, so happy in the end. I keep thinking the next book won't be as good as the last in this series, but the author keeps proving me wrong!! (And I couldn't be happier about that!!!)
January 16, 2022
“Love hurts, but that isn’t a good enough reason not to love. The truth is, it hurts even more not to love.”
I’ve been totally out of the sports romance game for a minute and it feels so good to be back! I have slowly but surely been working my way through Catherine Gayle’s Portland Storm hockey series and Comeback, the sixth book in the series has been one of my favorites so far.
Comeback like pretty much all the books in this series deals with some pretty heavy topics, male lead Nicky is a recovering addict, struggling with the fact he is going to become the single guardian of his niece and nephews after the impending death of his sister from ALS.
Jessica helps run his teammate’s charity organization Light the Lamp, helping addicts through recovery. Jessica has much experience with loving people with addictions throughout her life which makes her hesitant to pursue her feelings for Nicky.
Although, this is chocked full of emotion and real life, heavy topics these stories are still super easy reads with a light, family feel to them. It’s an interesting balance but it works.
I’ve been totally out of the sports romance game for a minute and it feels so good to be back! I have slowly but surely been working my way through Catherine Gayle’s Portland Storm hockey series and Comeback, the sixth book in the series has been one of my favorites so far.
Comeback like pretty much all the books in this series deals with some pretty heavy topics, male lead Nicky is a recovering addict, struggling with the fact he is going to become the single guardian of his niece and nephews after the impending death of his sister from ALS.
Jessica helps run his teammate’s charity organization Light the Lamp, helping addicts through recovery. Jessica has much experience with loving people with addictions throughout her life which makes her hesitant to pursue her feelings for Nicky.
Although, this is chocked full of emotion and real life, heavy topics these stories are still super easy reads with a light, family feel to them. It’s an interesting balance but it works.
October 1, 2018
poignant
I started reading the Portland Storm series with Light the Lamp. Niklas Ericsson is a recovering addict who worked through and with The Light the Lamp foundation.
-poignant
This was definitely one word that came to my mind while reading this book. It had a happy ending, but Nicky had to deal with a lot to get that happy ending.
I started reading the Portland Storm series with Light the Lamp. Niklas Ericsson is a recovering addict who worked through and with The Light the Lamp foundation.
-poignant
This was definitely one word that came to my mind while reading this book. It had a happy ending, but Nicky had to deal with a lot to get that happy ending.
October 27, 2020
Gayle is an ace at blowing the heart wide open and then piecing it back together again. Comeback is everything I didn't want to face, but couldn't turn away from. Clark brings a strength to a heartbreakingly, at times overpowering path to redemption. Nicklaus and Jessica will put a few miles on your soul and make you better for having done so.
July 5, 2022
Comeback (Portland Storm Book 9)
The love story of Nicholas and Jessica. Nicolas is a recovering addict. Jessica work at Light the Lamp Foundation. Nicolas' sister come to Portland because she is dying and she wants Nick to take care of her children. She also ask Jessica to help take care of them and Nick. Can they do it? Very sad story so get your tissues ready for tears.
The love story of Nicholas and Jessica. Nicolas is a recovering addict. Jessica work at Light the Lamp Foundation. Nicolas' sister come to Portland because she is dying and she wants Nick to take care of her children. She also ask Jessica to help take care of them and Nick. Can they do it? Very sad story so get your tissues ready for tears.
June 26, 2017
Not my favorite from this series, just ok, pace was way too fast for such serious obstacles to overcome.
July 13, 2017
There was so much telling instead of showing in this book. I really wanted to like it more, but the writing kept me detached from what could have been super compelling content.
January 3, 2018
It was more like 3.5-3.75 but didn’t make it till 4
February 23, 2018
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come...
Review to come...
July 8, 2019
Nick and Jessica....Loved how they worked though their relationship
November 5, 2019
Brilliant
An other great book well written great cast cried buckets then had to go to work red eyed absolutely loved it
An other great book well written great cast cried buckets then had to go to work red eyed absolutely loved it
May 25, 2021
I absolutely loved everything about Nicky and Jessica! They definitely were meant for one another! So happy they found happiness in each other. 💛
January 16, 2022
Good overall. The kids ages didn’t always mesh with their actions and dialogue, but I liked the story as a whole.
November 1, 2023
Re-read
March 29, 2017
This review of "Comeback" is best described as a "4 Kleenex review"! All of the previous books in the Portland Storm series have had intense emotions woven into the story, and several of them have dealt with some serious emotional issues (rape, child sex abuse, etc) but nothing could have prepared me for the emotions of this book. I found myself actually having to put it down and stop reading for a time when the tears made it difficult for me to continue!
They say "you can't go home again", but that's not true for Nicky. After finally kicking the addiction he had, and spending a year proving himself with the Seattle farm club, Nicky finally get his chance to reprove himself - to himself, to his teammates, to everyone. The fortitude of his character is continuously demonstrated throughout this story. He doesn't deny his history as an addict. He is aware every day of the struggles he faces, and we quickly come to realize he is a very introspective personality - perhaps that is WHY he was such a candidate for addiction. He is a man of few words and deep thoughts which he usually keeps to himself and honestly, it was a bit of a struggle for me to connect with him at the beginning of the book because even his thoughts were as quiet as he was. This fortitude is tested over and over throughout the book and so was his commitment to sobriety, but the author demonstrated the continued "family feeling" of the Portland Storm, who rallied in support of Nicky when he needed it most.
Jessica is a strong woman who has spent most of her life dealing with the affects of living with or knowing an addict. Her work with "Light the Lamp" is her way to help others when she felt she couldn't help the addicts in her own life, and a constant reminder of where she never wanted to find herself again. But Nicky's commitment to staying clean and Jessica's commitment to remaining free of relationships with addicts were at opposing purposes and both quickly realized that their friends was becoming so much more. But Jessica's long-held, and not wholly unwarranted, belief that Nicky would behave as all other former addicts in her life because a stumbling block for me as the story progressed. For a long time, nothing that Nicky did mattered, Jessica always treated him as though he was bearing the burden of all the previous addicts in her life. And the ONE time he had a major challenge to his sobriety, she blamed him for not telling her (yet telling his teammates) and used that as an excuse to push him away. Rather than celebrating his strength in staying sober, she punished him for not telling her his struggles and that bothered me about Jessica.
The introduction of Nicky's sister, Emma, and her family was an emotional firestorm I didn't expect. It only took a few paragraphs to realize the implications of her introduction to the story, right as Nicky realized why she'd come. Her arrival pushed Nicky into a deeper relationship with Jessica. I wish the author has spent a bit more time delving into the specifics of their relationship development during the time Emma was struggling. The author indicated that they spoke every day but without an inclusion of the aspects of their interactions, I had a hard time feeling as though their relationship was a deep as it apparently was. This was also felt when Nicky took an accident as a means of treating Jessica like less than she supposedly was based on the relationship progression in the story. I felt that the author almost "manufactured" this new struggle for the couple to face before they could have their "happily ever ever" These dynamics of the development of their relationship was probably the only reason this book received 4 instead of 5 stars. I still recommend this installment in the Portland Storm series - just have your tissues handy!
Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
They say "you can't go home again", but that's not true for Nicky. After finally kicking the addiction he had, and spending a year proving himself with the Seattle farm club, Nicky finally get his chance to reprove himself - to himself, to his teammates, to everyone. The fortitude of his character is continuously demonstrated throughout this story. He doesn't deny his history as an addict. He is aware every day of the struggles he faces, and we quickly come to realize he is a very introspective personality - perhaps that is WHY he was such a candidate for addiction. He is a man of few words and deep thoughts which he usually keeps to himself and honestly, it was a bit of a struggle for me to connect with him at the beginning of the book because even his thoughts were as quiet as he was. This fortitude is tested over and over throughout the book and so was his commitment to sobriety, but the author demonstrated the continued "family feeling" of the Portland Storm, who rallied in support of Nicky when he needed it most.
Jessica is a strong woman who has spent most of her life dealing with the affects of living with or knowing an addict. Her work with "Light the Lamp" is her way to help others when she felt she couldn't help the addicts in her own life, and a constant reminder of where she never wanted to find herself again. But Nicky's commitment to staying clean and Jessica's commitment to remaining free of relationships with addicts were at opposing purposes and both quickly realized that their friends was becoming so much more. But Jessica's long-held, and not wholly unwarranted, belief that Nicky would behave as all other former addicts in her life because a stumbling block for me as the story progressed. For a long time, nothing that Nicky did mattered, Jessica always treated him as though he was bearing the burden of all the previous addicts in her life. And the ONE time he had a major challenge to his sobriety, she blamed him for not telling her (yet telling his teammates) and used that as an excuse to push him away. Rather than celebrating his strength in staying sober, she punished him for not telling her his struggles and that bothered me about Jessica.
The introduction of Nicky's sister, Emma, and her family was an emotional firestorm I didn't expect. It only took a few paragraphs to realize the implications of her introduction to the story, right as Nicky realized why she'd come. Her arrival pushed Nicky into a deeper relationship with Jessica. I wish the author has spent a bit more time delving into the specifics of their relationship development during the time Emma was struggling. The author indicated that they spoke every day but without an inclusion of the aspects of their interactions, I had a hard time feeling as though their relationship was a deep as it apparently was. This was also felt when Nicky took an accident as a means of treating Jessica like less than she supposedly was based on the relationship progression in the story. I felt that the author almost "manufactured" this new struggle for the couple to face before they could have their "happily ever ever" These dynamics of the development of their relationship was probably the only reason this book received 4 instead of 5 stars. I still recommend this installment in the Portland Storm series - just have your tissues handy!
Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2017
It was another book with too much drama. The description of Emma's finale illness and how she handles it and prepares everything and everybody for the time after her death is well outlined. But the additional drama in form of Nicklas addiction and the problems teenage children cause is just too much and left no room for romance. I never got a feeling for Jessica and Nicklas' relationship.
What left me wondering is the fact that in each book everytime some main or second character is in hospital all players, their wives, their children and the staff hurry to get there and spend days waiting for good news. Who does this? Caring is allright but hovering in a crowded ER?
What left me wondering is the fact that in each book everytime some main or second character is in hospital all players, their wives, their children and the staff hurry to get there and spend days waiting for good news. Who does this? Caring is allright but hovering in a crowded ER?
May 18, 2017
Surprisingly, this book doesn't deal with Nicky's addiction. Instead it's more about his problems with his "inherited" niece and nephews and their integration in his life. It's well written and partially heartbreaking, but the romance between him and Jessica, who takes care for the kids with him, is very much in the background and I couldn't feel the chemistry between them.
___
Ausführliche Rezension auf Deutsch: http://buecher.ueber-alles.net/?p=20466
___
Ausführliche Rezension auf Deutsch: http://buecher.ueber-alles.net/?p=20466
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews