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Aviators Hockey #4
Breakaway
It was supposed to be a one-time fling with a super-sexy, super-rich hockey player who wouldn’t stop pursuing me. Now I’m pregnant with his baby.
As a bartender working hard to pay for college and make ends meet, I’m not too proud to flirt with customers to get a few extra tips. That includes Viktor Kravtsov, a rich, Russian playboy and hockey’s most eligible bachelor, who’s been on a mission to get me into bed since the moment we met. When I finally give in to the desire building between us, I received a hell of a lot more than multiple mind-blowing orgasms.
I got two blue lines on a pregnancy test.
Viktor claims he wants to be part of the baby’s life—and presses hard to be part of mine. But when I let down my guard and let Viktor in, family expectations and cultural views threaten to take away the only two things I’ve ever wanted— the career I’ve worked my ass off for and the family I’ve always craved.
If you love flirty banter, scorching chemistry, and hot hockey players you’ll love USA Today Bestselling Author Sophia Henry’s BLUE LINES.
Buy BLUE LINES, the latest in the heartfelt and steamy Aviators Hockey series, today.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2017
113 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Henry
26 books661 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Sophia Henry fell in love with reading, writing, and hockey all before she became a teenager. After graduating with a Creative Writing degree from Central Michigan University, she moved to warm and sunny North Carolina to enjoy the remainder of her winters.
She spends her days writing steamy, heartfelt contemporary romance novels hoping they resonate with and encourage others. When Sophia’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two high-energy sons, an equally high-energy Plott Hound, and two cats who want nothing to do with any of them. She can also be found watching her beloved Detroit Red Wings and rocking out at as many concerts as she can possibly attend.
Sophia Henry’s mailing list is the place to be if you like steamy romance novels that tug at your heart strings. Sign up at sophiahenry.com
She spends her days writing steamy, heartfelt contemporary romance novels hoping they resonate with and encourage others. When Sophia’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two high-energy sons, an equally high-energy Plott Hound, and two cats who want nothing to do with any of them. She can also be found watching her beloved Detroit Red Wings and rocking out at as many concerts as she can possibly attend.
Sophia Henry’s mailing list is the place to be if you like steamy romance novels that tug at your heart strings. Sign up at sophiahenry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 5, 2017
3.75 out of 5 stars!
Breakaway was a steamy romance that I was just looking for as an escape from studying and completing college work. We follow Luke and Bree (Brianna) as together, they fall in love despite turbulent pasts that come back to haunt them. Luke is an ex-hockey player until an accident leaves him unable to play again and instead turns to a coaching role, his mother lives in Vancouver and on the city streets, struggling to cope with lack of food and money. Bree works in healthcare and her placement to a hospital in North Carolina is just the escape she needed from her family. Her brother has depression and also used to play hockey until he was ruled out from competing again. Due to sexual scenes, I recommend this as an 18+ read and also anyone who likes their love stories to be spicy and sexy. I don’t tend to read a lot of books in this category but the pacing was even throughout, the characters backstories were definitely something that I was interested in as a reader, the ending was a little surprise for me since that wasn’t what I thought might happen but overall, it was easy to get into and will be stopping by to read all of the other books in the Pilots Hockey series hopefully very soon!
I took part in the blog tour for this book, here is the link to the tour post as well as an international giveaway running! https://marriedtobooksreviewsandblog....
Add my Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MarriedToBooks3
Breakaway was a steamy romance that I was just looking for as an escape from studying and completing college work. We follow Luke and Bree (Brianna) as together, they fall in love despite turbulent pasts that come back to haunt them. Luke is an ex-hockey player until an accident leaves him unable to play again and instead turns to a coaching role, his mother lives in Vancouver and on the city streets, struggling to cope with lack of food and money. Bree works in healthcare and her placement to a hospital in North Carolina is just the escape she needed from her family. Her brother has depression and also used to play hockey until he was ruled out from competing again. Due to sexual scenes, I recommend this as an 18+ read and also anyone who likes their love stories to be spicy and sexy. I don’t tend to read a lot of books in this category but the pacing was even throughout, the characters backstories were definitely something that I was interested in as a reader, the ending was a little surprise for me since that wasn’t what I thought might happen but overall, it was easy to get into and will be stopping by to read all of the other books in the Pilots Hockey series hopefully very soon!
I took part in the blog tour for this book, here is the link to the tour post as well as an international giveaway running! https://marriedtobooksreviewsandblog....
Add my Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MarriedToBooks3
October 9, 2017
Great message from the author at the end of Luke and Bree's story:
Every one of us has the power to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself. Choose Respect. Choose Compassion. Choose Happiness. Choose Acceptance. Choose Kindness. Choose Love. Always Choose Love. #BeKindLoveHard
You can see my review along with a giveaway here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
Release Blitz - https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
You can see my review along with a giveaway here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
Release Blitz - https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
September 5, 2017
So, my bad, I saw the cover and requested the book based on it and the blurb without checking whether I had read anything by Sophia Henry before. I have, I DNF'd it.
The good news is that I didn't DNF this book but I got steadily more irritated as I continued to read.
First, the blurb that sold this book to me is totally misleading. On the assumption that it gets changed, can I just say that the second paragraph of the blurb references something that I as a reader didn't get told until well over halfway through the book. In fact, the blurb I read basically tells you the entire plot of the book, including all the "twists".
Luke Daniels is a pro-hockey player whose career was cut short prematurely after a tackle left him with a compressed disc in his neck. He has been in denial for the past twelve months, believing that if he obeys everything his doctors and physiotherapists tell him to do he will make it back. Without hockey he feels lost.
Brianna Collins is a paediatric oncology nurse, she has moved to Charlotte on a nursing rotation for a few months. On a St Patrick's Day city pub crawl with one of her new colleagues she joins her colleague's friends which include a certain hockey player who is described as looking like Jon Snow (from GoT) or Leonardo di Caprio.
What follows is standard smexy novella territory. Bree and Luke decide to become f$ck buddies and they proceed to have sex for what felt like a third of the book. At this point I was disappointed because I actually liked the plot and wanted more of that ... big mistake!
Of course Luke volunteers at the hospital where Bree works, in fact on the ward where she is stationed. The reason being that one of his team-mates has a son with terminal cancer who is on the ward.
I try not to be mean when I review books, I am conscious that I have been gifted a review copy but sometimes I can't hold back. I felt that this book just hit every cliche known to romance. Luke has a terrible childhood, Bree is the less-favoured sibling of millionaire parents. There's a cute moppet with cancer. Luke flirts with addictions. Heck, he wallows in self-pity for two days and he's suddenly an alcoholic. He gets prescribed pain killers by the doctor following his surgery and then he needs help to wean himself off them. As an aside, do doctors in the USA actually prescribe such dangerous drugs for someone recovery from back surgery? My husband has had three surgeries on his back and is taking a cocktail of strong pain-killers (for the pain) and he is perfectly capable of holding down a full-time job, operating heavy machinery, being around small children and is not addicted. Why would an otherwise healthy athlete become addicted to strong pain-killers and suddenly be unsafe around children in a hospital?
It felt as though there was no development of the characters, there was no evidence that Luke was depressed until we were told he was; he vacillated from happier than he'd ever been to depressed and looking to narcotics to dull the pain. He went from a naturally confident and cocky athlete, with millions in the bank and puck bunnies falling on the floor with their legs open to a self-pitying whiner who talks as though he's on the brink of food stamps. With absolutely no reasoning, not even an attempt to imply that his first person POV was him lying to himself.
In the first third of the book Bree is portrayed as a dirty-mouthed (in a nice way), sexually liberated woman looking for a hook-up with no strings attached. Then suddenly Luke is talking about her as if she's Mother Teresa and some sweet, innocent Pollyanna rolled into one. The characters changed direction so many times I got whiplash and the plot was so tired and cliched (and spoiled in the blurb) that I read on in disbelief.
I'm sure this book would appeal to others, heck its the fifth book in the series so lots of people must love them but definitely not for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
The good news is that I didn't DNF this book but I got steadily more irritated as I continued to read.
First, the blurb that sold this book to me is totally misleading. On the assumption that it gets changed, can I just say that the second paragraph of the blurb references something that I as a reader didn't get told until well over halfway through the book. In fact, the blurb I read basically tells you the entire plot of the book, including all the "twists".
Luke Daniels is a pro-hockey player whose career was cut short prematurely after a tackle left him with a compressed disc in his neck. He has been in denial for the past twelve months, believing that if he obeys everything his doctors and physiotherapists tell him to do he will make it back. Without hockey he feels lost.
Brianna Collins is a paediatric oncology nurse, she has moved to Charlotte on a nursing rotation for a few months. On a St Patrick's Day city pub crawl with one of her new colleagues she joins her colleague's friends which include a certain hockey player who is described as looking like Jon Snow (from GoT) or Leonardo di Caprio.
What follows is standard smexy novella territory. Bree and Luke decide to become f$ck buddies and they proceed to have sex for what felt like a third of the book. At this point I was disappointed because I actually liked the plot and wanted more of that ... big mistake!
Of course Luke volunteers at the hospital where Bree works, in fact on the ward where she is stationed. The reason being that one of his team-mates has a son with terminal cancer who is on the ward.
I try not to be mean when I review books, I am conscious that I have been gifted a review copy but sometimes I can't hold back. I felt that this book just hit every cliche known to romance. Luke has a terrible childhood, Bree is the less-favoured sibling of millionaire parents. There's a cute moppet with cancer. Luke flirts with addictions. Heck, he wallows in self-pity for two days and he's suddenly an alcoholic. He gets prescribed pain killers by the doctor following his surgery and then he needs help to wean himself off them. As an aside, do doctors in the USA actually prescribe such dangerous drugs for someone recovery from back surgery? My husband has had three surgeries on his back and is taking a cocktail of strong pain-killers (for the pain) and he is perfectly capable of holding down a full-time job, operating heavy machinery, being around small children and is not addicted. Why would an otherwise healthy athlete become addicted to strong pain-killers and suddenly be unsafe around children in a hospital?
It felt as though there was no development of the characters, there was no evidence that Luke was depressed until we were told he was; he vacillated from happier than he'd ever been to depressed and looking to narcotics to dull the pain. He went from a naturally confident and cocky athlete, with millions in the bank and puck bunnies falling on the floor with their legs open to a self-pitying whiner who talks as though he's on the brink of food stamps. With absolutely no reasoning, not even an attempt to imply that his first person POV was him lying to himself.
In the first third of the book Bree is portrayed as a dirty-mouthed (in a nice way), sexually liberated woman looking for a hook-up with no strings attached. Then suddenly Luke is talking about her as if she's Mother Teresa and some sweet, innocent Pollyanna rolled into one. The characters changed direction so many times I got whiplash and the plot was so tired and cliched (and spoiled in the blurb) that I read on in disbelief.
I'm sure this book would appeal to others, heck its the fifth book in the series so lots of people must love them but definitely not for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
August 22, 2017
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
I think think one was a case of "it's not you, it's me". Whilst I have really enjoyed the other books in this series, I struggled to with this one. And I hate that, as I am a real sucker for hockey books.
And I think the main reason was our leading lady Bree. I just couldn't connect with her, I didn't particularly like her, and I found her quite 2 dimensional and felt no character growth in her.
Ugh. I felt that even at the end of the book, we were still in the first stages of their story. And speakig of, I felt that the end was rushed. Everything that had been brewing through the book was just wrapped up with a nice little bow in about 10 pages.
But like I said, this could all just be me.
Me feelings on this book are an anomaly in the series for me, as I really have enjoyed the others.
I hope if there are more that I will get back to enjoying them.
I think think one was a case of "it's not you, it's me". Whilst I have really enjoyed the other books in this series, I struggled to with this one. And I hate that, as I am a real sucker for hockey books.
And I think the main reason was our leading lady Bree. I just couldn't connect with her, I didn't particularly like her, and I found her quite 2 dimensional and felt no character growth in her.
Ugh. I felt that even at the end of the book, we were still in the first stages of their story. And speakig of, I felt that the end was rushed. Everything that had been brewing through the book was just wrapped up with a nice little bow in about 10 pages.
But like I said, this could all just be me.
Me feelings on this book are an anomaly in the series for me, as I really have enjoyed the others.
I hope if there are more that I will get back to enjoying them.
August 14, 2017
There's a reason I have bypassed the previous books in the series but I got sucked in by the cover and the blurb of the book, and a hockey story fan, I thought I'll try it. That said, I learned a lesson with this one.
Brianna and Luke are the mc's of this one and the gist of the book is what you read in the blurb. Add to that the sex and there's the story. Until Luke realizes when he was a very young player an accidental hit to another player (Bree's brother) took him permanently out of hockey, one too many concussions. In Luke's case it was a neck injury that could have left him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life and his refusal to let go of not being able to skate again. Despite the team kept him on in another role, Luke had value as a person, something apparently Bree's family didn't see in either her or her brother. Her parents for lack of a better word, sucked. Bree was an adult. She moved across the country to get away from them and the all consuming need they had for her to find a "cure" for her brother.
There were a few twists in here, Luke's reference to the temptation of hitting his pain pills again to numb out. Especially after he realizes it was his hit that took her brother out (the were much younger). His distancing himself from her, hell he walked away from her, leaving her dumbfounded to why. He doesn't have the stones to tell her. The brother was kind of a jerk until he sits and talks with Luke and there's an honest conversation there.
The plot line in this story was good. The characters could have been developed a tad more, but the overall angst of the book was a little over the top for me. Perhaps better suited for those who live for the angst overload. That's not me. The cover is the best of all the series. It fits the pages within.
I liked both Luke and Bree but wish their self talk was directed more aloud to each other.
If you're reading the series, you won't want to miss this one. The supporting players are great.
3.5 stars
**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Brianna and Luke are the mc's of this one and the gist of the book is what you read in the blurb. Add to that the sex and there's the story. Until Luke realizes when he was a very young player an accidental hit to another player (Bree's brother) took him permanently out of hockey, one too many concussions. In Luke's case it was a neck injury that could have left him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life and his refusal to let go of not being able to skate again. Despite the team kept him on in another role, Luke had value as a person, something apparently Bree's family didn't see in either her or her brother. Her parents for lack of a better word, sucked. Bree was an adult. She moved across the country to get away from them and the all consuming need they had for her to find a "cure" for her brother.
There were a few twists in here, Luke's reference to the temptation of hitting his pain pills again to numb out. Especially after he realizes it was his hit that took her brother out (the were much younger). His distancing himself from her, hell he walked away from her, leaving her dumbfounded to why. He doesn't have the stones to tell her. The brother was kind of a jerk until he sits and talks with Luke and there's an honest conversation there.
The plot line in this story was good. The characters could have been developed a tad more, but the overall angst of the book was a little over the top for me. Perhaps better suited for those who live for the angst overload. That's not me. The cover is the best of all the series. It fits the pages within.
I liked both Luke and Bree but wish their self talk was directed more aloud to each other.
If you're reading the series, you won't want to miss this one. The supporting players are great.
3.5 stars
**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
Breakaway from Sophia Henry was an emotional story about second chances, love, redemption and hope.
Bree Collins needs a change from her demanding family. She loves them, but she needs time for herself. Years ago her brother’s career as a hockey player was ended after a hard hit took him out of the game. Her family is desperate to have her find a miracle to get him back on the ice and she has had enough. She takes a nursing position in North Carolina, as far away as she can, to get away.
Luke Daniels was injured and told he would never play hockey again. Coming to terms with this has been very hard for him. To help, he volunteers in a pediatric unit. Luke struggled with so much in this story, my heart broke for him.
While out with her new colleagues, Bree meets Luke. Though she wants to stay away from hockey players, something about him draws her in. After their one night, they realize they will be working together, sort off, and begin a no-strings relationship. But the more time they spend together, they quickly realize there could be more between them.
Without giving too much away, both Bree and Luke have so much they are dealing with and try to keep things between them light. But things never work the way you want them too! As they try and maneuver through a relationship, more obstacles appear in their way. This was a good story and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Happy reading!
Bree Collins needs a change from her demanding family. She loves them, but she needs time for herself. Years ago her brother’s career as a hockey player was ended after a hard hit took him out of the game. Her family is desperate to have her find a miracle to get him back on the ice and she has had enough. She takes a nursing position in North Carolina, as far away as she can, to get away.
Luke Daniels was injured and told he would never play hockey again. Coming to terms with this has been very hard for him. To help, he volunteers in a pediatric unit. Luke struggled with so much in this story, my heart broke for him.
While out with her new colleagues, Bree meets Luke. Though she wants to stay away from hockey players, something about him draws her in. After their one night, they realize they will be working together, sort off, and begin a no-strings relationship. But the more time they spend together, they quickly realize there could be more between them.
Without giving too much away, both Bree and Luke have so much they are dealing with and try to keep things between them light. But things never work the way you want them too! As they try and maneuver through a relationship, more obstacles appear in their way. This was a good story and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Happy reading!
October 4, 2017
I may not be able to play sports well...or even truly understand them...but boy do I love a good sports romance novel. Therefore, when Sophia Henry's Breakaway appeared on my radar, I instantly added it to my TBR list...troubled main characters, a career ending energy, and a slightly forbidden romance feel?! What more could you truly ask for?
The result? Flirty and fun, Breakaway was yet another devour-in-one-sitting kind of read. Taking me on a roller coaster of ups and downs, there wasn't a moment in which I wasn't dying to know what would happen next.
Breakaway features the alternating POVs of Bree and Luke.
After a tumultuous break-up and the fall out from her brother's career ending hockey injury, Bree needs to get away - far, far away - which is how she ends up in North Carolina. Over the course of Breakaway, Bree goes on a path of self exploration. Prior to her big move, Bree's always been a rule follower and putting the needs of others - especially those of her family - in front of her own. However, with a new city, comes a new Bree - one who becomes adventurous, daring, and impulsive. I loved seeing this change in Bree occur, and I feel that Sophia Henry did a great job making it feel authentic. Every choice Bree made, no matter how nutty, worked and made sense - it was a girl who was letting loose and finding a happier medium.
Luke, on the other hand, is personally dealing with a career ending injury. He refuses to believe it - he's supposed to be out on that ice, playing his heart out, not moving papers around in an office. It doesn't help either that he's still reeling from the loss of one of his teammates. When we're first introduced to Luke, he's depressed and angry and rightfully so. I could easily understand as well as feel his frustrations on his sudden career change, and the details revolving his teammate's death broke my heart. In Breakaway, Luke also deals with the fear of becoming like his mother - addicted to drugs - and I feel like Sophia did a good job of diving into those feelings as well; however, part of me does wish there was more to it then that one scene in Toronto.
The plot in Breakaway mainly revolves around Luke and Bree's developing romance as well as Luke and Bree finding themselves again after a series of bad events. The romance in this was hot, hot, hot. I liked how it started off as a no-strings-attached fling, because not only did it give a spontaneous, fun feel to this book at first but it also evoked some good old drama. The drama surrounded the fact that Luke was all for a relationship and getting to know Bree and Bree being solidly against that, instead wanting to live in the moment. This differing of thinking was always slightly humorous, especially in the first part of the book. As to Luke and Bree finding themselves - I also enjoyed that part of the plot as well. It brought a more emotional, serious tone to the story, and allowed for some more character and relationship development to occur. I loved how Luke and Bree continually helped to lift the other one up over the course of the book - calling each other out when they knew the other was being ridiculous.
My only problem with Breakaway is that I felt that it could've benefited from some more development, especially regarding Luke and Bree's respective families. There were several moments (mostly toward the end) where I was like "wait, that's it? What about that and that?"
Regardless, Breakaway is still an enjoyable read, perfect for sports romance fanatics.
Grade: B
The result? Flirty and fun, Breakaway was yet another devour-in-one-sitting kind of read. Taking me on a roller coaster of ups and downs, there wasn't a moment in which I wasn't dying to know what would happen next.
Breakaway features the alternating POVs of Bree and Luke.
After a tumultuous break-up and the fall out from her brother's career ending hockey injury, Bree needs to get away - far, far away - which is how she ends up in North Carolina. Over the course of Breakaway, Bree goes on a path of self exploration. Prior to her big move, Bree's always been a rule follower and putting the needs of others - especially those of her family - in front of her own. However, with a new city, comes a new Bree - one who becomes adventurous, daring, and impulsive. I loved seeing this change in Bree occur, and I feel that Sophia Henry did a great job making it feel authentic. Every choice Bree made, no matter how nutty, worked and made sense - it was a girl who was letting loose and finding a happier medium.
Luke, on the other hand, is personally dealing with a career ending injury. He refuses to believe it - he's supposed to be out on that ice, playing his heart out, not moving papers around in an office. It doesn't help either that he's still reeling from the loss of one of his teammates. When we're first introduced to Luke, he's depressed and angry and rightfully so. I could easily understand as well as feel his frustrations on his sudden career change, and the details revolving his teammate's death broke my heart. In Breakaway, Luke also deals with the fear of becoming like his mother - addicted to drugs - and I feel like Sophia did a good job of diving into those feelings as well; however, part of me does wish there was more to it then that one scene in Toronto.
The plot in Breakaway mainly revolves around Luke and Bree's developing romance as well as Luke and Bree finding themselves again after a series of bad events. The romance in this was hot, hot, hot. I liked how it started off as a no-strings-attached fling, because not only did it give a spontaneous, fun feel to this book at first but it also evoked some good old drama. The drama surrounded the fact that Luke was all for a relationship and getting to know Bree and Bree being solidly against that, instead wanting to live in the moment. This differing of thinking was always slightly humorous, especially in the first part of the book. As to Luke and Bree finding themselves - I also enjoyed that part of the plot as well. It brought a more emotional, serious tone to the story, and allowed for some more character and relationship development to occur. I loved how Luke and Bree continually helped to lift the other one up over the course of the book - calling each other out when they knew the other was being ridiculous.
My only problem with Breakaway is that I felt that it could've benefited from some more development, especially regarding Luke and Bree's respective families. There were several moments (mostly toward the end) where I was like "wait, that's it? What about that and that?"
Regardless, Breakaway is still an enjoyable read, perfect for sports romance fanatics.
Grade: B
September 4, 2017
I enjoyed this, but the blurb is misleading.
To escape her family, Bree takes a temporary job working as a nurse in North Carolina, on the opposite side of the country from them and her cheating ex-boyfriend/neighbor. Seven years ago, her brother was a hockey player who was forced to stop playing after one too many concussions. Since then, her parents have pressured her to perform a miracle and get him back on the ice.
Luke is a injured hockey player coming to terms with the fact he'll never play again. He volunteers in the pediatric ward in which a former teammates son is a patient, and Bree works.
They first meet at a St. Patrick's Day pub crawl that one of Bree's new coworkers invite her to. Despite not wanting to get involved with another hockey player, Bree is insanely attracted to Luke and they end up at his place. After meeting up again in the hospital, they agree to a sex only relationship, but it quickly turns into friendship then more.
Everything goes great until the 85% point when her brother shows up unexpectedly and the men meet up for the first time. This is where Luke freaks out and runs away. He realizes who Mason is and blames himself for the injury, and thinks Bree and her family will never forgive him. The blurb makes it seem like a huge deal, but it's not. Both Bree and Mason talk to him about the hit, and things are resolved quickly. Leading to a HEA.
I only things I didn't like was how Bree in the beginning is adamant that she's not getting involved with another hockey player, and the first guy she gets involved with is one. Also, I don't understand how neither Mason or the rest of the family know who hit him. You don't find out until they meet.
This is the fifth book in the Detroit Pilot series, but works as a stand alone.
Recommended
*ARC received via publisher through NetGalley
To escape her family, Bree takes a temporary job working as a nurse in North Carolina, on the opposite side of the country from them and her cheating ex-boyfriend/neighbor. Seven years ago, her brother was a hockey player who was forced to stop playing after one too many concussions. Since then, her parents have pressured her to perform a miracle and get him back on the ice.
Luke is a injured hockey player coming to terms with the fact he'll never play again. He volunteers in the pediatric ward in which a former teammates son is a patient, and Bree works.
They first meet at a St. Patrick's Day pub crawl that one of Bree's new coworkers invite her to. Despite not wanting to get involved with another hockey player, Bree is insanely attracted to Luke and they end up at his place. After meeting up again in the hospital, they agree to a sex only relationship, but it quickly turns into friendship then more.
Everything goes great until the 85% point when her brother shows up unexpectedly and the men meet up for the first time. This is where Luke freaks out and runs away. He realizes who Mason is and blames himself for the injury, and thinks Bree and her family will never forgive him. The blurb makes it seem like a huge deal, but it's not. Both Bree and Mason talk to him about the hit, and things are resolved quickly. Leading to a HEA.
I only things I didn't like was how Bree in the beginning is adamant that she's not getting involved with another hockey player, and the first guy she gets involved with is one. Also, I don't understand how neither Mason or the rest of the family know who hit him. You don't find out until they meet.
This is the fifth book in the Detroit Pilot series, but works as a stand alone.
Recommended
*ARC received via publisher through NetGalley
September 7, 2017
Breakaway by Sophia Henry is a sweet non-traditional hockey romance with heart. Luke Daniels found himself on the receiving end of hit that has ended his dream and career. Struggling to come to terms with the end of his career and finding his place within the Pilot organization, Luke must learn to find balance in all areas of his life. Brianna Collins moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to escape her high maintenance family. Not wanting to put down roots Brianna doesn't want to date but can't resist Luke's charms even if it's on a temporary basis.
Sophia's books are always a surprise and Breakaway did not disappoint. Luke and Brianna's chemistry was off the charts. I loved the mix of drama and romance and Sophia kicked up the heat a couple notches with this story too. 4 Stars for Breakaway by Sophia Henry
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
Sophia's books are always a surprise and Breakaway did not disappoint. Luke and Brianna's chemistry was off the charts. I loved the mix of drama and romance and Sophia kicked up the heat a couple notches with this story too. 4 Stars for Breakaway by Sophia Henry
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
November 13, 2022
Breakaway was the fourth book in the Aviators Hockey series by Sophia Henry. It was formerly part of the Pilots Hockey series and some editions have the name Blue Lines.
I’ve taken a break from formal reviews for a while, but a couple quick thoughts: The further I read, the more I liked the storyline and the characters. I loved Luke from the beginning - and I liked Brianna, especially her snarkiness, but she was aloof for longer than I liked so she had to grow on me. In the end, I loved them together. I also really enjoyed the storyline. It was full of life lessons and was emotional at times. All in all, it was enjoyable and a great addition to the series.
I’ve taken a break from formal reviews for a while, but a couple quick thoughts: The further I read, the more I liked the storyline and the characters. I loved Luke from the beginning - and I liked Brianna, especially her snarkiness, but she was aloof for longer than I liked so she had to grow on me. In the end, I loved them together. I also really enjoyed the storyline. It was full of life lessons and was emotional at times. All in all, it was enjoyable and a great addition to the series.
September 13, 2017
Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. I love hockey books, and I have read this author before, and I did enjoy her work, this one was ok, not great, but not to the point of a two star. There was some difficulty, there was anger issues that Luke had to deal with and you understood. Then there was Bree, and the connection that she ended up having with Luke, was crazy, and I am not talking about the sex, which they seemed to have all the time.
September 29, 2017
Breakaway
Sophia Henry
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent read!! I completely fell in love with this authors writing style. She had me hooked from page 1. This was so much more than a typical sports romance. There were even parts that had me tearing up and I barely ever cry over a book.
"Be the kind of person your kids will respect when they’re old enough to form a real opinion of you."
I would totally suggest this book for everyone on my friends/followers list. I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for more by Sophia Henry.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Sophia Henry
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent read!! I completely fell in love with this authors writing style. She had me hooked from page 1. This was so much more than a typical sports romance. There were even parts that had me tearing up and I barely ever cry over a book.
"Be the kind of person your kids will respect when they’re old enough to form a real opinion of you."
I would totally suggest this book for everyone on my friends/followers list. I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for more by Sophia Henry.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2017
Original review can be found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/...
** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Breakaway is the fifth book in the Pilots Hockey series but can be read as a stand alone. I did not have the opportunity to read the first four before reading Breakaway.
I will keep my thoughts on this book short and simple. It wasn't for me and there were two very important reasons why...
The relationship between Bree and Luke was sex first and relationship later. I was not a fan. I like a little between the sheets action in my romance novels but I want chemistry, anticipation and a little build up which makes it hotter when it actually does happen. Without the build up it is just sex and if I'm being completely honest it came across as mechanical and boring. So when the two decided that they wanted more and feeling became involved I had a hard time feeling it or even routing for it. It just seemed fake and dull. There was no anticipation on my part which is half the fun.
Secondly, I felt like there were too many sub plots happening at the same time. A loss of career, recovery from an injury, a possible addiction and a less than ideal family life were just a few examples of what Luke was dealing with. Bree was also struggling to carve a path of her own, worrying about her brother and then to find out that it was Luke that ended his career. It was just way too busy and it totally distracted from the romance and made it hard for me to feel any kind of chemistry between the two even though they were in a sexual relationship from pretty much the beginning.
Although I wasn't a fan of this book I think I would still be interested in checking out the rest of the series. I could see great potential, just not with this particular book. I have enjoyed some of this author's other work.
** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Breakaway is the fifth book in the Pilots Hockey series but can be read as a stand alone. I did not have the opportunity to read the first four before reading Breakaway.
I will keep my thoughts on this book short and simple. It wasn't for me and there were two very important reasons why...
The relationship between Bree and Luke was sex first and relationship later. I was not a fan. I like a little between the sheets action in my romance novels but I want chemistry, anticipation and a little build up which makes it hotter when it actually does happen. Without the build up it is just sex and if I'm being completely honest it came across as mechanical and boring. So when the two decided that they wanted more and feeling became involved I had a hard time feeling it or even routing for it. It just seemed fake and dull. There was no anticipation on my part which is half the fun.
Secondly, I felt like there were too many sub plots happening at the same time. A loss of career, recovery from an injury, a possible addiction and a less than ideal family life were just a few examples of what Luke was dealing with. Bree was also struggling to carve a path of her own, worrying about her brother and then to find out that it was Luke that ended his career. It was just way too busy and it totally distracted from the romance and made it hard for me to feel any kind of chemistry between the two even though they were in a sexual relationship from pretty much the beginning.
Although I wasn't a fan of this book I think I would still be interested in checking out the rest of the series. I could see great potential, just not with this particular book. I have enjoyed some of this author's other work.
October 4, 2017
When I decided to read this book, I was unaware it was part of a series. The fifth book in the series, in fact. Pleasantly, these books were true standalones, and I did not ever feel like I was missing information I needed from the initial books in the series. Of course, there were references to the other characters and their relationships, but those moments were so brief I brushed them off and continued with the book I was reading.
I’m quite torn on my feeling about Breakaway. I loved most of the book; I found Bree and Luke interesting and dynamic. Even the secondary characters had unique personalities, and the relationships between all the characters were interesting. However, some things just felt odd to me.
The story in Breakaway was fun and interesting. There were just enough funny moments to balance out some of the darker themes that Sophia Henry broached in this book. I appreciated that she took the risk to deal with what it’s like to love a person living with addiction, those moments with Luke, his mother, and their past were visceral and gripping. The different and authentic family dynamics she wrote about were also compelling; I particularly appreciate the way she juxtaposed Luke, Bree, and – to some extent – Mason’s struggles with their parents and their upbringings.
One of my most significant issues was the timeline. It felt very muddy to me. The author did a pretty good job of not mentioning many exact dates but the time periods over which things happened seemed to vary wildly. One of the most glaring of those times where I experienced confusion over exactly how much time had passed in regard to Luke’s time working a ‘desk job’ for the team. Initially, he went in to talk to his boss six months after his surgery then a little later he said he’d been working a desk job for the entire year since his surgery. There were other moments like this, where I wasn’t sure if there was just missing information as to what the characters had been doing in the meantime, if more time had passed than was accounted for, or if there was only a mistake in the timeline. It was this ambiguity I found hard to accept.
The sex in this book was dealt with in a way I’ve never really experienced. It wasn’t fade to black, but it wasn’t a complete sex scene either. It was jarring the way they were handled. As soon as the sex had begun – not implied, as you expect with a fade to black scenario – and I was anticipating the intimacy that can only really be experienced in that vulnerable position the scene abruptly changed to something post-coital. I’m not a huge fan of sex scenes unless they serve to move the couple forward in some way, but this was just too awkward and abrupt for me.
I’m reserving my judgment on Sophia Henry’s writing for now. Some parts of this book were great, while others were lackluster, so I feel like I would be doing her a disservice to make a decision about her as an author based off this single book. While I doubt I’ll be rushing out to purchase other her other books immediately, I would definitely pick up another if I found the blurb intriguing.
I’m quite torn on my feeling about Breakaway. I loved most of the book; I found Bree and Luke interesting and dynamic. Even the secondary characters had unique personalities, and the relationships between all the characters were interesting. However, some things just felt odd to me.
The story in Breakaway was fun and interesting. There were just enough funny moments to balance out some of the darker themes that Sophia Henry broached in this book. I appreciated that she took the risk to deal with what it’s like to love a person living with addiction, those moments with Luke, his mother, and their past were visceral and gripping. The different and authentic family dynamics she wrote about were also compelling; I particularly appreciate the way she juxtaposed Luke, Bree, and – to some extent – Mason’s struggles with their parents and their upbringings.
One of my most significant issues was the timeline. It felt very muddy to me. The author did a pretty good job of not mentioning many exact dates but the time periods over which things happened seemed to vary wildly. One of the most glaring of those times where I experienced confusion over exactly how much time had passed in regard to Luke’s time working a ‘desk job’ for the team. Initially, he went in to talk to his boss six months after his surgery then a little later he said he’d been working a desk job for the entire year since his surgery. There were other moments like this, where I wasn’t sure if there was just missing information as to what the characters had been doing in the meantime, if more time had passed than was accounted for, or if there was only a mistake in the timeline. It was this ambiguity I found hard to accept.
The sex in this book was dealt with in a way I’ve never really experienced. It wasn’t fade to black, but it wasn’t a complete sex scene either. It was jarring the way they were handled. As soon as the sex had begun – not implied, as you expect with a fade to black scenario – and I was anticipating the intimacy that can only really be experienced in that vulnerable position the scene abruptly changed to something post-coital. I’m not a huge fan of sex scenes unless they serve to move the couple forward in some way, but this was just too awkward and abrupt for me.
I’m reserving my judgment on Sophia Henry’s writing for now. Some parts of this book were great, while others were lackluster, so I feel like I would be doing her a disservice to make a decision about her as an author based off this single book. While I doubt I’ll be rushing out to purchase other her other books immediately, I would definitely pick up another if I found the blurb intriguing.
August 4, 2017
I am so glad I found Sophia Henry and her Pilots Hockey series a little over a year ago. I love the way she tells the story of the hockey players lives. In her latest release Breakaway, the fifth book in the series, there is a bit of a change in the direction for the player.
In Breakaway, our hero is Luke Daniels. Luke was a forward for the NHL’s Charlotte Aviators. That is until that fateful game injury that took him off the ice as a player forever. Now, he works the front office, as the head of team player development.
Brianna Collins has had enough of her family, always pressuring her to fix her brothers problems. Seven years ago, her brother received a career ending concussion. Since that time, he has done nothing to move on with his life. So, she has become a traveling nurse. Her first job is at the Charlotte Children’s Hospital, where she runs into Luke for the second time, during one of his volunteering visits. Sorry, I am not giving anything away about the first meeting. I will say this… it was HOT!!!
I loved watching Brianna and Luke relationship develop, each carrying baggage that is their lives, becoming a strong whole couple.
I love Sophia Henry’s writing and Breakaway is definitely no exception, her books are fabulous. I was gifted with an advance copy of this wonderful book for my honest opinion. Do you like a phenomenal romance? Then, in my opinion, you cannot go wrong picking this book up.
Now, what are you waiting for, hit that one-click button and preorder/order this wonderful book.
Thank you for reading my review.
In Breakaway, our hero is Luke Daniels. Luke was a forward for the NHL’s Charlotte Aviators. That is until that fateful game injury that took him off the ice as a player forever. Now, he works the front office, as the head of team player development.
Brianna Collins has had enough of her family, always pressuring her to fix her brothers problems. Seven years ago, her brother received a career ending concussion. Since that time, he has done nothing to move on with his life. So, she has become a traveling nurse. Her first job is at the Charlotte Children’s Hospital, where she runs into Luke for the second time, during one of his volunteering visits. Sorry, I am not giving anything away about the first meeting. I will say this… it was HOT!!!
I loved watching Brianna and Luke relationship develop, each carrying baggage that is their lives, becoming a strong whole couple.
I love Sophia Henry’s writing and Breakaway is definitely no exception, her books are fabulous. I was gifted with an advance copy of this wonderful book for my honest opinion. Do you like a phenomenal romance? Then, in my opinion, you cannot go wrong picking this book up.
Now, what are you waiting for, hit that one-click button and preorder/order this wonderful book.
Thank you for reading my review.
October 2, 2017
Sweet, funny, and totally feel good Breakaway is the perfect choice when you want to relax and get away. This sports romance has it all! Luke is a hockey star in his prime when he's taken down by a career ending injury. Floating through his recovery still in denial that he won't be getting back on the ice. Bree is a nurse temporarily working in Charlotte. After devoted her life to pleasing her family and trying to fix the impossible, she took the temporary position across the country to get away from it all. The moment they meet its instant chemistry between Luke and Bree, but they still have so much to overcome.
Bree was just lovely! Her kindness shows in every second of this book. At almost every moment this selfless and sweet woman is shining from the pages. She truly was a breathe of fresh air. Even during difficult times she still just wanted to help everyone she encountered. Her gentle and bright personality was exactly what Luke needed. Luke may have been in denial for a bit, and even more so, brought down by life but he still had plenty of charm and sexiness to make him equally as irresistible. Together their romance was both sweet and sexy and the perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Bree was just lovely! Her kindness shows in every second of this book. At almost every moment this selfless and sweet woman is shining from the pages. She truly was a breathe of fresh air. Even during difficult times she still just wanted to help everyone she encountered. Her gentle and bright personality was exactly what Luke needed. Luke may have been in denial for a bit, and even more so, brought down by life but he still had plenty of charm and sexiness to make him equally as irresistible. Together their romance was both sweet and sexy and the perfect way to spend an afternoon!
July 14, 2017
I recieved Breakaway by Sophia Henry from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like Breakaway because I love hockey romances. I was intrigued by the maybe the first two chapters. I made it to about 33 percent (chapter seven) and knew I had to quit the story because already at this part of the story it had more sex than a plot to me. And I did keep trying to give it a chance. I put it down a few times then picked it up a few more times hoping that it'd be better for me, but it just wasn't my cup of tea after all.
I'm not saying this is a bad story either, I'm just a bit picky on romance books. I like the plot to take over the book too. Maybe another time it might be a better read for me, but for now it will be on my did not finish shelf. Thank you publishers for giving me the chance to read it!
I wanted to like Breakaway because I love hockey romances. I was intrigued by the maybe the first two chapters. I made it to about 33 percent (chapter seven) and knew I had to quit the story because already at this part of the story it had more sex than a plot to me. And I did keep trying to give it a chance. I put it down a few times then picked it up a few more times hoping that it'd be better for me, but it just wasn't my cup of tea after all.
I'm not saying this is a bad story either, I'm just a bit picky on romance books. I like the plot to take over the book too. Maybe another time it might be a better read for me, but for now it will be on my did not finish shelf. Thank you publishers for giving me the chance to read it!
October 5, 2017
Breakaway wasn't exactly what I was expecting (I don't think I read the blurb too closely--or maybe at all? I just saw "Pilots Hockey, #5" and got grabby hands)--there wasn't too much hockey here, though both MCs have had some connection to it their whole lives--but I still ended up liking it a whole lot. Neither Bree nor Luke are looking for a relationship, and in fact they spend a good half the book as f*uck buddies and are more than okay with that, but of course that eventually morphs into something else--this time for him before it does for her, which was a refreshing change.
I really liked Bree and Luke together and was rooting for them from the first page (not to mention from the cover, though I don't know who that guy is, because you sure as heck couldn't put that hair into a ponytail...) though it did feel a bit at the end like things were resolved a bit too easily, especially with the family issues they both had. Still, the actual ending was very sweet. Previous series characters make brief appearances in the book--mostly in the beginning--which was fun for those who have read their books but shouldn't cause a problem at all for those who haven't.
Now all we have to do is wait for book #6... :)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I really liked Bree and Luke together and was rooting for them from the first page (not to mention from the cover, though I don't know who that guy is, because you sure as heck couldn't put that hair into a ponytail...) though it did feel a bit at the end like things were resolved a bit too easily, especially with the family issues they both had. Still, the actual ending was very sweet. Previous series characters make brief appearances in the book--mostly in the beginning--which was fun for those who have read their books but shouldn't cause a problem at all for those who haven't.
Now all we have to do is wait for book #6... :)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 28, 2017
DNF
The characters were just far too immature for me. They act like they just turned 21 rather than in their mid 20s with strong careers. I felt no connection between Bree and Luke even though Bree had been introduced in the prior book in this series.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
The characters were just far too immature for me. They act like they just turned 21 rather than in their mid 20s with strong careers. I felt no connection between Bree and Luke even though Bree had been introduced in the prior book in this series.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
September 20, 2017
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book along with the other 4 books in the series over a 4 day period. The audio versions are between 6-7 hours so they are easy to finish in a day or two. With that in mind, I might be a little Sophia Henry'd out. Her books tend to follow the same storylines themes of childhood issues leading to self-worth issues. This book follows that same trope.
What was good about this book was that we finally left the minor league team in Detroit to the NHL team in Charlotte. This book centers around Luke Daniels, the old captain from the minor league Pilots as he continues his career with the Aviators. He suffers a career-ending injury and has to figure out how is life is going to work since it's not going to go as he initially planned. Enter Bree, a traveling pediatric oncology nurse who meets Luke at a pub crawl. It also turns out that she works on the same floor that he volunteers at and where a child of one of his team mates is currently undergoing treatment.
Bree and Luke hook up for what is supposed to be a strictly friends with benefits type hook up since his life is a mess and she's only going to be in town for 6 months. They both experience bigger feelings and ultimately fall in love. Enter their self-manufactured drama. Bree has a savior complex. She's a nurse and she wants to be everything to everyone. Luke is a product of a bad childhood and has self-worth issues because of his mother and how he grew up.
I had several issues with this book. Mostly the massive case of whiplash between I love him/her - This is a casual hookup. It' s no longer a casual hookup - we can't be together because I'm not worthy. Urgh... facepalm. This is the underlying theme of all her books. There were also some serious timeline issues. I feel like we missed a month or two in there somewhere, therefore, there's a huge loss in the relationship building department so you begin to wonder why they are in love since they just seem to have sex or talk about having sex.
I read this book along with the other 4 books in the series over a 4 day period. The audio versions are between 6-7 hours so they are easy to finish in a day or two. With that in mind, I might be a little Sophia Henry'd out. Her books tend to follow the same storylines themes of childhood issues leading to self-worth issues. This book follows that same trope.
What was good about this book was that we finally left the minor league team in Detroit to the NHL team in Charlotte. This book centers around Luke Daniels, the old captain from the minor league Pilots as he continues his career with the Aviators. He suffers a career-ending injury and has to figure out how is life is going to work since it's not going to go as he initially planned. Enter Bree, a traveling pediatric oncology nurse who meets Luke at a pub crawl. It also turns out that she works on the same floor that he volunteers at and where a child of one of his team mates is currently undergoing treatment.
Bree and Luke hook up for what is supposed to be a strictly friends with benefits type hook up since his life is a mess and she's only going to be in town for 6 months. They both experience bigger feelings and ultimately fall in love. Enter their self-manufactured drama. Bree has a savior complex. She's a nurse and she wants to be everything to everyone. Luke is a product of a bad childhood and has self-worth issues because of his mother and how he grew up.
I had several issues with this book. Mostly the massive case of whiplash between I love him/her - This is a casual hookup. It' s no longer a casual hookup - we can't be together because I'm not worthy. Urgh... facepalm. This is the underlying theme of all her books. There were also some serious timeline issues. I feel like we missed a month or two in there somewhere, therefore, there's a huge loss in the relationship building department so you begin to wonder why they are in love since they just seem to have sex or talk about having sex.
Read
September 9, 2017review to come
September 12, 2017
I did not want to stop reading this story. Luke's past and how it affected him then and now touched my heart. Bree's openness, honesty, and generosity had me cheering for this couple. There were times when I had tears in my eyes, when a giggle escaped unguarded, and when I held my breath that it would be too much. These two are meant to be together, and I cheered for them. I highly recommend this book as well as the series, and I look forward to more from this author.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
October 1, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of Book Addict live,
I enjoyed reading about Bree and Luke and really loved them getting a happy ever after. For a one night stand they gelled completely, and I really felt Luke’s pain going through the transition after his injury. I loved Bree, outgoing and falling for Luke against her better judgement. Luke’s personality shines through and he loved Bree with so much passion.
Her pain for Mason, who had been unable get his life together. The life and death situations at hospital, a sweet romance dealing with tough issues. A real feel good read that put a smile on my face. This is a standalone romance with a HEA.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed reading about Bree and Luke and really loved them getting a happy ever after. For a one night stand they gelled completely, and I really felt Luke’s pain going through the transition after his injury. I loved Bree, outgoing and falling for Luke against her better judgement. Luke’s personality shines through and he loved Bree with so much passion.
Her pain for Mason, who had been unable get his life together. The life and death situations at hospital, a sweet romance dealing with tough issues. A real feel good read that put a smile on my face. This is a standalone romance with a HEA.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 2, 2017
Fantastic read! It's heartwarming, fun, and sexy. A great read for a little escape and entertainment.
Brianna Collins and Luke Daniels are great characters and their chemistry jumps from the pages.
Brianna is trying to get out from under the pressure of her family. On a temporary nursing assignment in Charlotte. She meets Luke Daniels and their attraction is immediate. He seems like the perfect short term stress reliever! Charlotte just might be Luke's perfect woman. No strings with a time limit - perfect!! A great distraction while he tries to get back on the ice.
Definitely a book I recommend to everyone.
Brianna Collins and Luke Daniels are great characters and their chemistry jumps from the pages.
Brianna is trying to get out from under the pressure of her family. On a temporary nursing assignment in Charlotte. She meets Luke Daniels and their attraction is immediate. He seems like the perfect short term stress reliever! Charlotte just might be Luke's perfect woman. No strings with a time limit - perfect!! A great distraction while he tries to get back on the ice.
Definitely a book I recommend to everyone.
October 7, 2017
Fans of sports-themed romances will find this an entertaining addition to the genre with its angst-fueled romance, heartbreaking moments, and numerous scorching encounters. From the moment the protagonists meet there’s a crackling connection that jumps off the page, and despite all the self-doubts and differences between them, it’s a journey that kept me on the edge of my seat.
From the moment readers meet Luke Daniels we see a carefree man, a good man at the top of the hockey world, until an injury changes his life irrevocably. The life he thought he’d have is suddenly turned upside down and from there we see a broken and bruised Luke whose past constantly weighs on him and affects how he sees himself and the kind of future he’s desperately trying to claim once he meets the supportive Bree. Once he realized his time playing hockey was over he looked for a distraction and luckily found Bree whose desire to be friends-with-benefits felt like a wish come true until his heart became entangled in their casual connection. Through each sweet word and deed he tried to prove that they could be something more, prove that he could be everything she needed. With her time in town coming to an end though, and with the weight of his past making him doubt his ability to make a good future with her, everything comes to a head in a conclusion of tears that put my emotions through the wringer. Luke’s a delicious hero who rose up from nothing to gain hockey success. With the death of his father and his mother’s drug addiction he had to fight for everything as a child. Hockey was the only thing worth living for and to lose it had my heart breaking for him. Despite the pain his mother inflicted on him, and still does with the guilt trips she subjects him to, he always tries to do right by her. He’s a kindhearted man who wears his heart on his sleeve who finds joy making others smile. It added a lot of heart to his relationship with Bree that clearly started off as a scorching way to scratch an itch. There was so much goodness surrounding Luke that when we see his demons resurface they’re all the more heartbreaking. With each turn of the page I fell a little harder for Luke and was rooting for him every step of the way to get the HEA he so richly deserves.
Brianna Collins has always lived a life surrounded by hockey as her father was a star collegiate player, who went on to entrepreneurial success, along with her brother whose career ended with injury and who’s doted on by her parents. Her brother has always been seen as the Golden Child and Bree has always felt like a shadow because of it and it’s just one of the reasons pushing her to Charlotte, North Carolina. Feeling burned out and wanting to find some fun she luckily meets Luke whose the epitome of a good time. What starts out as casual quickly becomes something more though which scares her as she’s always been resentful of anything having to do with hockey. Through his charming words and deeds, and through each erotically-charged encounter, Bree finds herself growing closer to Luke and rethinking the path her life was on. Her brother’s arrival in town though soon creates unexpected conflict and heartache that will either bring her and Luke together or tear them apart for good. On a whole Bree’s a good person with a big heart. She’s been trying to leave the notoriety of her family name behind which has led to a lot of loneliness with very few connections. Coming to Charlotte introduces her to a whole network of supportive friends and to the one man who she’s willing to put down roots for. She’s a caring person who always wants to fix things, to help people, which sometimes makes her look a bit judgmental. Her questioning of Luke regarding his pain pills frustrated me as she was initially a bit sanctimonious but as their bond grew she became more trusting. In every other way though I applauded her time with Luke as she always supported him, never made demands, and embraced the sensuality that he brought out in her. They’re a good match despite their obvious differences and I enjoyed their time together wholeheartedly.
This was a fun and flirty read at the start that took a grittier turn as the story progressed and as Luke confronted his past head-on in hopes of making a better future. Luke was an engaging hero who pulled himself out of the gutter and became someone to look up to. He was kind and unafraid to show his emotions and it made his relationship with Bree all the more powerful. Bree and Luke were a crackling couple whose interactions teemed with sensuality. Fun moments outside the bedroom spent getting to know more about each other were nicely balanced with numerous scorching encounters in the bedroom. These erotic scenes were immensely satisfying but it frustrated me at the start that Bree treated Luke as nothing more than her personal sex toy. As she grew closer to him these scenes became more emotional and less just about sex. Though this book is part of the Pilots Hockey series, and characters from previous books make appearances, it can definitely be read on its own. It’s a satisfying read that dragged at times and frustrated me occasionally, but with its delicious hero and numerous decadent delights it kept my heart fully invested in these characters and cheering them on from start to finish.
From the moment readers meet Luke Daniels we see a carefree man, a good man at the top of the hockey world, until an injury changes his life irrevocably. The life he thought he’d have is suddenly turned upside down and from there we see a broken and bruised Luke whose past constantly weighs on him and affects how he sees himself and the kind of future he’s desperately trying to claim once he meets the supportive Bree. Once he realized his time playing hockey was over he looked for a distraction and luckily found Bree whose desire to be friends-with-benefits felt like a wish come true until his heart became entangled in their casual connection. Through each sweet word and deed he tried to prove that they could be something more, prove that he could be everything she needed. With her time in town coming to an end though, and with the weight of his past making him doubt his ability to make a good future with her, everything comes to a head in a conclusion of tears that put my emotions through the wringer. Luke’s a delicious hero who rose up from nothing to gain hockey success. With the death of his father and his mother’s drug addiction he had to fight for everything as a child. Hockey was the only thing worth living for and to lose it had my heart breaking for him. Despite the pain his mother inflicted on him, and still does with the guilt trips she subjects him to, he always tries to do right by her. He’s a kindhearted man who wears his heart on his sleeve who finds joy making others smile. It added a lot of heart to his relationship with Bree that clearly started off as a scorching way to scratch an itch. There was so much goodness surrounding Luke that when we see his demons resurface they’re all the more heartbreaking. With each turn of the page I fell a little harder for Luke and was rooting for him every step of the way to get the HEA he so richly deserves.
Brianna Collins has always lived a life surrounded by hockey as her father was a star collegiate player, who went on to entrepreneurial success, along with her brother whose career ended with injury and who’s doted on by her parents. Her brother has always been seen as the Golden Child and Bree has always felt like a shadow because of it and it’s just one of the reasons pushing her to Charlotte, North Carolina. Feeling burned out and wanting to find some fun she luckily meets Luke whose the epitome of a good time. What starts out as casual quickly becomes something more though which scares her as she’s always been resentful of anything having to do with hockey. Through his charming words and deeds, and through each erotically-charged encounter, Bree finds herself growing closer to Luke and rethinking the path her life was on. Her brother’s arrival in town though soon creates unexpected conflict and heartache that will either bring her and Luke together or tear them apart for good. On a whole Bree’s a good person with a big heart. She’s been trying to leave the notoriety of her family name behind which has led to a lot of loneliness with very few connections. Coming to Charlotte introduces her to a whole network of supportive friends and to the one man who she’s willing to put down roots for. She’s a caring person who always wants to fix things, to help people, which sometimes makes her look a bit judgmental. Her questioning of Luke regarding his pain pills frustrated me as she was initially a bit sanctimonious but as their bond grew she became more trusting. In every other way though I applauded her time with Luke as she always supported him, never made demands, and embraced the sensuality that he brought out in her. They’re a good match despite their obvious differences and I enjoyed their time together wholeheartedly.
This was a fun and flirty read at the start that took a grittier turn as the story progressed and as Luke confronted his past head-on in hopes of making a better future. Luke was an engaging hero who pulled himself out of the gutter and became someone to look up to. He was kind and unafraid to show his emotions and it made his relationship with Bree all the more powerful. Bree and Luke were a crackling couple whose interactions teemed with sensuality. Fun moments outside the bedroom spent getting to know more about each other were nicely balanced with numerous scorching encounters in the bedroom. These erotic scenes were immensely satisfying but it frustrated me at the start that Bree treated Luke as nothing more than her personal sex toy. As she grew closer to him these scenes became more emotional and less just about sex. Though this book is part of the Pilots Hockey series, and characters from previous books make appearances, it can definitely be read on its own. It’s a satisfying read that dragged at times and frustrated me occasionally, but with its delicious hero and numerous decadent delights it kept my heart fully invested in these characters and cheering them on from start to finish.
October 2, 2017
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I haven't read a New Adult book in a while and Breakaway was exactly what I needed to get me back on track. Just by reading its synopsis, I could tell that it was right up my alley and wanted to give it a chance and see if I'd actually enjoy it or not. It definitely did not disappoint!
Brianna has spent her entire life trying to live up to other peoples' expectations, when she finally decides to get away and start living for herself. She finds her perfect escape in North Carolina and a nursing assignment she decides to see through. There, she meets Luke, a broken and handsome hockey player, whose career ended abruptly when he was seriously injured during a game. But, when Luke meets Brianna, sparks fly everywhere and he takes his mind off the fact that he'll never be able to play again. From the beginning, their attraction is undeniable and the chemistry they have with each other is extremely hard to ignore or even deny. And with Luke going after Bree and pursuing a happily ever after for them both, saying no is not an option.
I really enjoyed the writing style of Breakaway and the characters were very likable and easy to connect to. The plot itself didn't blow my mind, mainly because it's not something that I haven't read about before. Even though it lacked the originality that is so hard to find in the particular genre nowadays, it was quite entertaining and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy New Adult Romance novels. The story was very fun to read and I didn't have any problems with the characters when it came to their personalities and how they interacted with each other.
Luke's behavior at the end of the book kind of annoyed me for a second, but it wasn't something that managed to put me off or make me dislike him as a character. He and Bree were perfect together, which was made quite obvious from the very beginning of the book. This was definitely an insta-love romance so, don't expect anything less or anything more from it. I don't have a problem with insta-love relationships but, I know a lot of people cannot stand them so, definitely be aware of it before you pick this one up!
Bree's brother obviously got on my nerves but, that was the whole point of him being part of the story so, I wasn't really mad about it. He could not get his shit together and continue living his life as a respectable human being. All he did was whine and let others decide his life for him because apparently, he could not do it for himself. Poor Bree went through so much for him, but nobody really appreciated her for it. Just insisted that she keeps trying for something that would never happen.
Last but not least, I expected a plot twist or something completely unexpected that would take me by surprise but unfortunately, it never arrived. I also found the ending to be a bit rushed so, I would've preferred more details on certain aspects of the story and some plot development that would keep me engrossed in it and make me beg for more. Overall, Breakaway was a pretty enjoyable read and I would recommend it to die hard fans of the genre who enjoy quick romance novels with insta-love and entertaining relationships!
I haven't read a New Adult book in a while and Breakaway was exactly what I needed to get me back on track. Just by reading its synopsis, I could tell that it was right up my alley and wanted to give it a chance and see if I'd actually enjoy it or not. It definitely did not disappoint!
Brianna has spent her entire life trying to live up to other peoples' expectations, when she finally decides to get away and start living for herself. She finds her perfect escape in North Carolina and a nursing assignment she decides to see through. There, she meets Luke, a broken and handsome hockey player, whose career ended abruptly when he was seriously injured during a game. But, when Luke meets Brianna, sparks fly everywhere and he takes his mind off the fact that he'll never be able to play again. From the beginning, their attraction is undeniable and the chemistry they have with each other is extremely hard to ignore or even deny. And with Luke going after Bree and pursuing a happily ever after for them both, saying no is not an option.
I really enjoyed the writing style of Breakaway and the characters were very likable and easy to connect to. The plot itself didn't blow my mind, mainly because it's not something that I haven't read about before. Even though it lacked the originality that is so hard to find in the particular genre nowadays, it was quite entertaining and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy New Adult Romance novels. The story was very fun to read and I didn't have any problems with the characters when it came to their personalities and how they interacted with each other.
Luke's behavior at the end of the book kind of annoyed me for a second, but it wasn't something that managed to put me off or make me dislike him as a character. He and Bree were perfect together, which was made quite obvious from the very beginning of the book. This was definitely an insta-love romance so, don't expect anything less or anything more from it. I don't have a problem with insta-love relationships but, I know a lot of people cannot stand them so, definitely be aware of it before you pick this one up!
Bree's brother obviously got on my nerves but, that was the whole point of him being part of the story so, I wasn't really mad about it. He could not get his shit together and continue living his life as a respectable human being. All he did was whine and let others decide his life for him because apparently, he could not do it for himself. Poor Bree went through so much for him, but nobody really appreciated her for it. Just insisted that she keeps trying for something that would never happen.
Last but not least, I expected a plot twist or something completely unexpected that would take me by surprise but unfortunately, it never arrived. I also found the ending to be a bit rushed so, I would've preferred more details on certain aspects of the story and some plot development that would keep me engrossed in it and make me beg for more. Overall, Breakaway was a pretty enjoyable read and I would recommend it to die hard fans of the genre who enjoy quick romance novels with insta-love and entertaining relationships!
August 24, 2017
4 Stars! Breakaway is book #5 in Sophia Henry's Pilots Hockey series.
Meet the Heroine & Hero:
Brianna Collins is a pediatric nurse in California who is looking to escape from the pressures of her family.
Luke Daniels is a pro hockey player working in the executive offices while rehabbing an injury he received a year prior.
The Story:
Brianna needs to get out of California. She's tired of all the pressure put on her by her parents to "fix" her brother who received a career ending concussion to his fledgling hockey career. There is no fixing her brother when he has no motivation to better himself. He's wallowing in self pity, living off their parents & she's done. She decides to take a position as a traveling nurse & her first gig is in a Charlotte, NC hospital in the pediatrics department.
Luke received a very serious injury a year prior while playing in an NHL game. He has been working in the executive offices of his NHL team while rehabbing it. Luke is in major denial about the seriousness of his spinal injury & the fact that he won't be able to play anymore & needs to retire.
Brianna & Luke "officially" meet for the first time at the hospital, where he volunteers in the pediatric ward of the hospital she works at. They realize that they recently had a crazy, hot one night stand after a drunken day/night. I don't want to give away too many details, but suffice it to say that it was HOT & fun!
Brianna isn't looking for anything serious as she is only going to be in Charlotte for a short period of time, but she is ok with continuing to hook up as long as it's kept casual. The only problem is that the more Luke sees of her, the more he wants to be with her as more than just friends with benefits.
After some convincing Brianna decides to give officially dating a try & seeing where it leads. Both characters have a lot of baggage & pressures from their lives & start to confide in each other as they start to fall for each other. Luke meets Brianna's brother when Mason shows up for an unexpected visit & realizes that they have a history from when they were both in the WHL, which sends Luke into a downward spiral of old bad habits. Will Brianna be able to help the man she is falling for & will he be able to shake off his issues to live a whole life?
The Verdict:
This was a great read, I was hooked from the very beginning! This was my first Sophia Henry book & I enjoyed her writing style. The story kept a good pace throughout & had a good balance of serious & fun. Sophia sure knows how to write a HOT love scene, WooWee! The twist at the end may have been a little predictable, but I loved how Mason & Luke were what each other needed to get shook out of their funk & realize that there is indeed life after hockey. I thought Brianna & Luke were so sweet together once they started dating & really revealing themselves & all their layers to each other. I would definitely recommend this book & author to others!
*ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Meet the Heroine & Hero:
Brianna Collins is a pediatric nurse in California who is looking to escape from the pressures of her family.
Luke Daniels is a pro hockey player working in the executive offices while rehabbing an injury he received a year prior.
The Story:
Brianna needs to get out of California. She's tired of all the pressure put on her by her parents to "fix" her brother who received a career ending concussion to his fledgling hockey career. There is no fixing her brother when he has no motivation to better himself. He's wallowing in self pity, living off their parents & she's done. She decides to take a position as a traveling nurse & her first gig is in a Charlotte, NC hospital in the pediatrics department.
Luke received a very serious injury a year prior while playing in an NHL game. He has been working in the executive offices of his NHL team while rehabbing it. Luke is in major denial about the seriousness of his spinal injury & the fact that he won't be able to play anymore & needs to retire.
Brianna & Luke "officially" meet for the first time at the hospital, where he volunteers in the pediatric ward of the hospital she works at. They realize that they recently had a crazy, hot one night stand after a drunken day/night. I don't want to give away too many details, but suffice it to say that it was HOT & fun!
Brianna isn't looking for anything serious as she is only going to be in Charlotte for a short period of time, but she is ok with continuing to hook up as long as it's kept casual. The only problem is that the more Luke sees of her, the more he wants to be with her as more than just friends with benefits.
After some convincing Brianna decides to give officially dating a try & seeing where it leads. Both characters have a lot of baggage & pressures from their lives & start to confide in each other as they start to fall for each other. Luke meets Brianna's brother when Mason shows up for an unexpected visit & realizes that they have a history from when they were both in the WHL, which sends Luke into a downward spiral of old bad habits. Will Brianna be able to help the man she is falling for & will he be able to shake off his issues to live a whole life?
The Verdict:
This was a great read, I was hooked from the very beginning! This was my first Sophia Henry book & I enjoyed her writing style. The story kept a good pace throughout & had a good balance of serious & fun. Sophia sure knows how to write a HOT love scene, WooWee! The twist at the end may have been a little predictable, but I loved how Mason & Luke were what each other needed to get shook out of their funk & realize that there is indeed life after hockey. I thought Brianna & Luke were so sweet together once they started dating & really revealing themselves & all their layers to each other. I would definitely recommend this book & author to others!
*ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 8, 2017
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I decided to review it because I like this book, as well as all the other books in the series. While this is book 5, it can be read on its own. This review is from my blog: http://www.loveserially.wordpress.com
Overall Rating: 3.5
Quick & Dirty summary: Breanna Collins needs to get away from her parents, her brother, and her ex-boyfriend. When she’s heartbroken over a hockey player she met through her brother, she decides to move across the country to North Carolina to be a traveling nurse. Knowing her assignment will only be about 6 months, she’s only interested in a hookup when she meets sexy Luke Daniels. Luke is just beginning to come to terms with being out of the starting lineup of the Aviators. When he meets Breanna, he can’t help but be attracted to this confident, beautiful woman. But Luke has a lot of things he hasn’t dealt with, his career being one of them, and when his past reappears, Luke has to decide what he wants his future to look like, including who is in it.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I enjoy the hospital backdrop of Breanna’s job and the idea that Luke is struggling with his transition from player to coach. While I’m not sure Luke’s angst is resolved at the end of the book, it added a unique element.
What I wasn’t as thrilled about in this book compared to other books in this series is how much internal dialogue there is compared to conversations between characters. In general, stream of consciousness slows down a book and this one slowed quiet a bit in the middle of the novel. That being said, this is almost always a preference and so for others, you may not feel the same way.
Like all of Sophia Henry’s books so far, there is a lot of stuff going on psychologically for the characters. It’s interesting because there’s a lot of time spent in providing backstory to Luke and Breanna so that we know their whole lives didn’t begin when they met each other. This is an instant attraction book that takes it’s time in building an emotional connection between two characters.
Is it worth buying? (Kindle $4.99)
I think this is a bit steep for an ebook. If this is a bit high for you too, I’d highly recommend asking your local library to buy the book, along with the rest of the books in the series, so you can enjoy it that way.
Something else you might enjoy:
You have to read The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen. It’s a college romance, but it is amazing! Similar theme, but with a few unexpected twists.
Overall Rating: 3.5
Quick & Dirty summary: Breanna Collins needs to get away from her parents, her brother, and her ex-boyfriend. When she’s heartbroken over a hockey player she met through her brother, she decides to move across the country to North Carolina to be a traveling nurse. Knowing her assignment will only be about 6 months, she’s only interested in a hookup when she meets sexy Luke Daniels. Luke is just beginning to come to terms with being out of the starting lineup of the Aviators. When he meets Breanna, he can’t help but be attracted to this confident, beautiful woman. But Luke has a lot of things he hasn’t dealt with, his career being one of them, and when his past reappears, Luke has to decide what he wants his future to look like, including who is in it.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I enjoy the hospital backdrop of Breanna’s job and the idea that Luke is struggling with his transition from player to coach. While I’m not sure Luke’s angst is resolved at the end of the book, it added a unique element.
What I wasn’t as thrilled about in this book compared to other books in this series is how much internal dialogue there is compared to conversations between characters. In general, stream of consciousness slows down a book and this one slowed quiet a bit in the middle of the novel. That being said, this is almost always a preference and so for others, you may not feel the same way.
Like all of Sophia Henry’s books so far, there is a lot of stuff going on psychologically for the characters. It’s interesting because there’s a lot of time spent in providing backstory to Luke and Breanna so that we know their whole lives didn’t begin when they met each other. This is an instant attraction book that takes it’s time in building an emotional connection between two characters.
Is it worth buying? (Kindle $4.99)
I think this is a bit steep for an ebook. If this is a bit high for you too, I’d highly recommend asking your local library to buy the book, along with the rest of the books in the series, so you can enjoy it that way.
Something else you might enjoy:
You have to read The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen. It’s a college romance, but it is amazing! Similar theme, but with a few unexpected twists.
July 2, 2017
**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
It's no secret to anyone that I love hockey and romance novels. Put them together and I'm always a happy camper. Throw in the city where I've lived for going on a decade and that makes it even better! In this fifth book in the Pilots Hockey series, Sophia Henry takes us on a wonderful journey of loss, finding yourself and figuring out how to put one foot in front of the other when things get tough.
Luke Daniels has lived and breathed hockey for as long as he can remember. It was always his goal to play in the NHL and to make that his career. He accomplished that, but a clean hit not only injured him, but ultimately ended his career. As he struggled to figure out how to live his life as a former player, he looked to the other things in his life to help fill the void, including volunteering at the Charlotte Children's Hospital.
Brianna (Bree) Collins needed a change of scenery. She needed out of California and away from her parents and brother. Most of all, she needed to be her own person for once in her life. Because of this, she applied to be a traveling nurse and ended up selecting Charlotte, NC as her destination. While working her shift at the children's hospital, Bree encounters the man who she thought was her one night stand, but there seems to be more of a connection between them than that even if she wasn't looking for any kind of relationship.
As Bree and Luke start spending more and more time together, it becomes apparent that they are both good for one another. It's a case of coming into one another's life at just the right time and both having life experience that is helpful for the other. Will they be able to navigate the fact that Bree both will be leaving and isn't crazy about being in a committed relationship and will Luke be able to put his past behind him and realize that family helps to shape you, but it doesn't mean you'll make the same mistakes?
I adored this book, just like I have this entire series. This one was exceptionally fun for me because I am so familiar with so many of the local haunts that Sophia showcased throughout this book. Not only did it help to enhance the story, but hopefully it painted an awesome picture of a really great city in the state of North Carolina! I would highly recommend you pick up this book!
It's no secret to anyone that I love hockey and romance novels. Put them together and I'm always a happy camper. Throw in the city where I've lived for going on a decade and that makes it even better! In this fifth book in the Pilots Hockey series, Sophia Henry takes us on a wonderful journey of loss, finding yourself and figuring out how to put one foot in front of the other when things get tough.
Luke Daniels has lived and breathed hockey for as long as he can remember. It was always his goal to play in the NHL and to make that his career. He accomplished that, but a clean hit not only injured him, but ultimately ended his career. As he struggled to figure out how to live his life as a former player, he looked to the other things in his life to help fill the void, including volunteering at the Charlotte Children's Hospital.
Brianna (Bree) Collins needed a change of scenery. She needed out of California and away from her parents and brother. Most of all, she needed to be her own person for once in her life. Because of this, she applied to be a traveling nurse and ended up selecting Charlotte, NC as her destination. While working her shift at the children's hospital, Bree encounters the man who she thought was her one night stand, but there seems to be more of a connection between them than that even if she wasn't looking for any kind of relationship.
As Bree and Luke start spending more and more time together, it becomes apparent that they are both good for one another. It's a case of coming into one another's life at just the right time and both having life experience that is helpful for the other. Will they be able to navigate the fact that Bree both will be leaving and isn't crazy about being in a committed relationship and will Luke be able to put his past behind him and realize that family helps to shape you, but it doesn't mean you'll make the same mistakes?
I adored this book, just like I have this entire series. This one was exceptionally fun for me because I am so familiar with so many of the local haunts that Sophia showcased throughout this book. Not only did it help to enhance the story, but hopefully it painted an awesome picture of a really great city in the state of North Carolina! I would highly recommend you pick up this book!
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