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Portland Storm #2
On the Fly
Injury after injury has put Brenden Campbell’s NHL career on hold for years. Now he’s playing for the Portland Storm and determined to make it stick. Few things in life drive him more than being told he can’t have something he wants, and what he wants most is to prove he belongs. Brenden also wants Rachel Shaw, the cute, little redhead who just got hired as the general manager’s new assistant. But then she went and made herself off-limits, telling him: “I don’t date.” Those three words pretty much guarantee that he’ll do everything he can to change her mind.
Rachel is changing things up on the fly for her family, moving them somewhere she can be the kind of mom her kids deserve. Allowing anyone else to be in their lives is out of the question, at least until her instincts get back on track. How else can she be sure who to steer the kids clear of? Right now she trusts no one, including herself, and especially not a man like Brenden Campbell. He’s way too handsome and a little bit cocky. Falling for a guy like him is a mistake she can’t afford to make twice.
Rachel is changing things up on the fly for her family, moving them somewhere she can be the kind of mom her kids deserve. Allowing anyone else to be in their lives is out of the question, at least until her instincts get back on track. How else can she be sure who to steer the kids clear of? Right now she trusts no one, including herself, and especially not a man like Brenden Campbell. He’s way too handsome and a little bit cocky. Falling for a guy like him is a mistake she can’t afford to make twice.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2014
133 people are currently reading
1444 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Gayle
73 books923 followers***Please note that series numbering of the Portland Storm series is different at Goodreads than it is on Catherine's website or at any retailer. Goodreads policy will not allow the series numbering to match anything else. If this confuses you, please complain to Goodreads, as it is not Catherine's fault.***
Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.
Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.
Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.
Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
May 5, 2016
Currently FREE on almost all retailers except Amazon (5/4/2016)
Trust. Can we function as individuals and as a society without it? On the fly is a gripping story about a woman trying to trust a man in a world that has only let her down and a man trying to trust himself in order to get and hold on to what he wants.
Catherine has a way of writing that will pull you into her characters’ lives from the start. She deals with a very real although difficult subject that had me fighting back tears of anger, frustration, understanding of a mother’s need to protect her children and regrettably being powerless to do so sometimes.
She writes characters that are very relatable and a story that has just the right pace with a very real development of a relationship between two people that are good for each other.
Rachel and Brenden meet while he fights to keep his place on the team and Rachel to keep her family afloat.
I fell in love with Brenden’s gentle and not so gentle persuasion and determination to be part of Rachel’s life and achieve his professional goals. I understood Rachel’s reluctance to let go of her fears and admired her strength and resolve to give her kids the best life possible.
You can’t help but fall in love with the secondary characters, from Rachel’s kids, Brenden’s family (who made me laugh hysterically with their matchmaking antics), all the players and their wives and kids, and especially Babs.
The story is filled with action packed excitement during the incredibly well described games. It feels like you’re skating and playing right along these amazing athletes. It’s great even if you’re not a hockey connoisseur like me.
The book is written in dual points of view, so you get a better understanding of both character’s mindset. It could be read as a standalone, but I strongly suggest it be read in order after Breakaway.
I can’t wait for the Seduced by the Game release. Which is an anthology of hockey romance novellas. Proceeds for a year will be donated to Hockey Fights Cancer and guess who Catherine’s novella is about? YES non other than Jamie Babcock and Katie Weber.
Trust. Can we function as individuals and as a society without it? On the fly is a gripping story about a woman trying to trust a man in a world that has only let her down and a man trying to trust himself in order to get and hold on to what he wants.
Catherine has a way of writing that will pull you into her characters’ lives from the start. She deals with a very real although difficult subject that had me fighting back tears of anger, frustration, understanding of a mother’s need to protect her children and regrettably being powerless to do so sometimes.
She writes characters that are very relatable and a story that has just the right pace with a very real development of a relationship between two people that are good for each other.
Rachel and Brenden meet while he fights to keep his place on the team and Rachel to keep her family afloat.
I fell in love with Brenden’s gentle and not so gentle persuasion and determination to be part of Rachel’s life and achieve his professional goals. I understood Rachel’s reluctance to let go of her fears and admired her strength and resolve to give her kids the best life possible.
I wanted her to trust me. I wanted her to believe that she and her kids were safe with me. I wanted to kiss away all the tension and fear keeping her from letting me in ~Brenden
“People in my life have always let me down, hey break their promises, they push me away when I need help, or they become something far worse than I even imagined. It’s what I expect, so I don’t know what to do with you. I keep waiting on you to be like everyone else.” ~ Rachel
You can’t help but fall in love with the secondary characters, from Rachel’s kids, Brenden’s family (who made me laugh hysterically with their matchmaking antics), all the players and their wives and kids, and especially Babs.
The story is filled with action packed excitement during the incredibly well described games. It feels like you’re skating and playing right along these amazing athletes. It’s great even if you’re not a hockey connoisseur like me.
The book is written in dual points of view, so you get a better understanding of both character’s mindset. It could be read as a standalone, but I strongly suggest it be read in order after Breakaway.
I can’t wait for the Seduced by the Game release. Which is an anthology of hockey romance novellas. Proceeds for a year will be donated to Hockey Fights Cancer and guess who Catherine’s novella is about? YES non other than Jamie Babcock and Katie Weber.
August 30, 2015
2.5 Stars
I'm not sure why- but I had a harder time connecting with this story.
What I liked:
1. Jim Sutter and Martha
2. Brenden aka Soupy
3. Rachel for the most part
4. Babs and how the kids loved him
This story is about a horrible and sad subject, as a mom tries to find a way to help her daughter cope after horrible things have been done to her. She also needs to find a way to balance a fine line between her children, her own love life, and work. Mostly though, she needs to find a way to let others in and trust them - though it is a struggle and I didn't blame her one bit for that struggle.
After all, when the person closest to you harms your child, would you be able to trust others again?
Read this story to find out how Rachel fights this path and overcomes these issues.
I'm not sure why- but I had a harder time connecting with this story.
What I liked:
1. Jim Sutter and Martha
2. Brenden aka Soupy
3. Rachel for the most part
4. Babs and how the kids loved him
This story is about a horrible and sad subject, as a mom tries to find a way to help her daughter cope after horrible things have been done to her. She also needs to find a way to balance a fine line between her children, her own love life, and work. Mostly though, she needs to find a way to let others in and trust them - though it is a struggle and I didn't blame her one bit for that struggle.
After all, when the person closest to you harms your child, would you be able to trust others again?
Read this story to find out how Rachel fights this path and overcomes these issues.
October 27, 2014
This was pretty good. I liked the OTT way that the heroine treated her daughter because I think you would react that way. I liked the hero and how he fell in love with her. All in all a pretty nice story. One of the strong points of this series is the immersion you feel in the hockey world. I like the scenes on ice even if they are a little too in depth for a romance novel. One of the things that irks me a bit after having read five books of this series is that all the people involved in this hockey team love and support each other. I mean that's a good sentiment and something to strive for but it's unrealistic that they are all such great buds and BFFs. That's just totally unrealistic. A little conflict within the team would be realistic and drive interesting conflict.
January 17, 2024
4 1/2 Stars
January 25, 2019
Good book....Brenden and Rachel aren't as amazing as Eric and Dana were but their story is still worth the read.
October 31, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 STARS
With each book I read by Catherine Gayle I grow more enamored with her no holds barred writing style and the way she tackles issues that people face every day. On The fly is the second book in her Portland Storm series and it is every bit as good as the first book. While this is a romance it is so much more than that; it is learning to trust, overcoming the past, embracing the future, and accepting love and support.
I’ll admit in the first book Brenden Campbell wasn’t my favorite character however I greatly admired the way he stepped up in this book, the way he took charge, and the way he chooses to pursue a single mother of two small children who capture his heart from the minute he lays eyes on them. It isn’t easy because Rachel Shaw trusts no one; not with herself and especially not with her children.
With two small children a big part of this story the romance aspect moves fairly slowly but it was perfect for this couple because Brenden had to earn Rachel’s trust and help her to build a life with the Portland Storm family.
The secondary characters were so important to this story and Brenden’s family often had me laughing out loud, the players and their significant others added depth especially Jamie (Babs) Babcock who has impressed me from the first book with the way he handles himself and life at such a young age. I have so much admiration for him and I can only hope when he gets his own story it’s everything he deserves and more.
While written in first person, we got to see the story from both the hero and heroine’s perspective which only added to the beauty of this story. In addition the hockey sequences added excitement and brought another dimension to an already full plot.
Whether you are a hockey fan or not, this is a series you do not want to miss. Ms. Gayle writes thought provoking, exciting, and sexy romances that will leave you cheering and have you anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
4.5 STARS
With each book I read by Catherine Gayle I grow more enamored with her no holds barred writing style and the way she tackles issues that people face every day. On The fly is the second book in her Portland Storm series and it is every bit as good as the first book. While this is a romance it is so much more than that; it is learning to trust, overcoming the past, embracing the future, and accepting love and support.
I’ll admit in the first book Brenden Campbell wasn’t my favorite character however I greatly admired the way he stepped up in this book, the way he took charge, and the way he chooses to pursue a single mother of two small children who capture his heart from the minute he lays eyes on them. It isn’t easy because Rachel Shaw trusts no one; not with herself and especially not with her children.
With two small children a big part of this story the romance aspect moves fairly slowly but it was perfect for this couple because Brenden had to earn Rachel’s trust and help her to build a life with the Portland Storm family.
The secondary characters were so important to this story and Brenden’s family often had me laughing out loud, the players and their significant others added depth especially Jamie (Babs) Babcock who has impressed me from the first book with the way he handles himself and life at such a young age. I have so much admiration for him and I can only hope when he gets his own story it’s everything he deserves and more.
While written in first person, we got to see the story from both the hero and heroine’s perspective which only added to the beauty of this story. In addition the hockey sequences added excitement and brought another dimension to an already full plot.
Whether you are a hockey fan or not, this is a series you do not want to miss. Ms. Gayle writes thought provoking, exciting, and sexy romances that will leave you cheering and have you anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
March 17, 2017
***4.25 Stars***
What a great read. I really liked Brenden Campbell aka Soupy, at least better than I did in book one where I didn't find him likeable or reasonable. Had I only read this book with him in it I would have to say I loved this hero but I knew the background and the ignorant hell he put Zee and Dana through so the best I could do was 'really like him.'
Our heroine, Rachel, uhhh, I didn't care too much for. Yes she was over protective. Really OTT and she was so mired in the pain, grief and dysfunction that she was doing her daughter and son more harm than good. Of course we can see that from afar but the way she smothered her and never wanted her children around anyone but herself was a bit ridiculous. Yes, if that happened to my child I would want to lock and bolt us in the house never to leave again but that isn't possible. What happened to Maddie was an atrocity of the worst kind but you have to get more help and muddle through so you can hopefully allow your child to have a happy and healthy productive life along with yourself. If you keep reliving it daily I think that lowers your opportunity for an eventual happy and healthy life. And when you have been through the abuse that Maddie had endured the forced isolation just makes them worse. They have more negative thoughts about themselves because they are kept secluded, making them feel more abnormal. I guess to sum her up: OTT! Lack of good sense and continual focus on the negative. If that kept on, which I don't think it did, that young girl would be living with the memory forever due to her mother's inability to at least try and act normal and eventually let go a little. That is my opinion from the outside looking in. I don't know if I would be much better but I sure as heck would try for the sake of my children.
All in all it was a sweet love story and I was glad for the hea! It was so deserved.
What a great read. I really liked Brenden Campbell aka Soupy, at least better than I did in book one where I didn't find him likeable or reasonable. Had I only read this book with him in it I would have to say I loved this hero but I knew the background and the ignorant hell he put Zee and Dana through so the best I could do was 'really like him.'
Our heroine, Rachel, uhhh, I didn't care too much for. Yes she was over protective. Really OTT and she was so mired in the pain, grief and dysfunction that she was doing her daughter and son more harm than good. Of course we can see that from afar but the way she smothered her and never wanted her children around anyone but herself was a bit ridiculous. Yes, if that happened to my child I would want to lock and bolt us in the house never to leave again but that isn't possible. What happened to Maddie was an atrocity of the worst kind but you have to get more help and muddle through so you can hopefully allow your child to have a happy and healthy productive life along with yourself. If you keep reliving it daily I think that lowers your opportunity for an eventual happy and healthy life. And when you have been through the abuse that Maddie had endured the forced isolation just makes them worse. They have more negative thoughts about themselves because they are kept secluded, making them feel more abnormal. I guess to sum her up: OTT! Lack of good sense and continual focus on the negative. If that kept on, which I don't think it did, that young girl would be living with the memory forever due to her mother's inability to at least try and act normal and eventually let go a little. That is my opinion from the outside looking in. I don't know if I would be much better but I sure as heck would try for the sake of my children.
All in all it was a sweet love story and I was glad for the hea! It was so deserved.
September 4, 2018
Devo essere sincera, questa storia mi è piaciuta più del primo libro.
Non so, forse perchè mi piacciono i personaggi maschili che all'apparenza sembrano burberi ma in realtà sono molto teneri e col cuore di burro, pronti ad aiutare il prossimo e a prendersi cura di chi amano.
Mi è piaciuto molto anche il personaggio femminile, una donna molto coraggiosa, pronta a rimboccarsi le maniche e a rischiare tutto per ricominciare per il bene dei suoi bambini.
Dei libri di questa serie mi piace molto che i compagni di squadra, le fidanzate, i parenti sono sempre molto presenti, come accade nella vita di tutti i giorni, dandoti l' impressione di leggere una storia "vera". L' unica cosa che mi spaventa è che la serie è infinita! ^^
Non so, forse perchè mi piacciono i personaggi maschili che all'apparenza sembrano burberi ma in realtà sono molto teneri e col cuore di burro, pronti ad aiutare il prossimo e a prendersi cura di chi amano.
Mi è piaciuto molto anche il personaggio femminile, una donna molto coraggiosa, pronta a rimboccarsi le maniche e a rischiare tutto per ricominciare per il bene dei suoi bambini.
Dei libri di questa serie mi piace molto che i compagni di squadra, le fidanzate, i parenti sono sempre molto presenti, come accade nella vita di tutti i giorni, dandoti l' impressione di leggere una storia "vera". L' unica cosa che mi spaventa è che la serie è infinita! ^^
June 25, 2016
In the heartbreaking and heartwarming book 2 in her Portland Storm series Gayle once again conquers the dreaded 1st person narrative, told in both the hero and heroine’s perspective beautifully. Yes she deals with the dark deed of incest but her timely and effective doses of humor keeps it from being too dark. Her hero’s had some hard knocks and he knows how to handle both the heroine and her kids. The co-stars are rock stars and they all add something unique to the read, some giving hints about future tales and some filling in blanks on the past. There’s a lot going for this novel and her injecting such a family feel into her whole hockey team makes it even more special.
The Audible edition narrated by Angel Clark is a great way to get a fuller feel of the read. Her going from female to male to children is wonderful and the way she instills such emotions into the reading is heartrending yet hopeful.
Rachel Shaw hasn’t been the subject of much human kindness; when she was sixteen and pregnant her minister father kicked her out of the house, and after marrying the boy and having two children with him she learned he’d been sexually molesting their young daughter right under her unsuspecting nose for years. So when, with no choice and little hope she moves half way across the country it’s hard to accept or believe the generosity being offered by her new boss and his hockey team. And she especially doesn’t trust one particular player who seems to be interested in her.
Brenden (Soupy) Campbell isn’t sure why he’s attracted to the team manager’s new assistant. She’s not his type, she’s skittish and definitely in need of a keeper because she’s too busy worrying about and taking care of her kids to take care of herself. Plus being the brother of a rape victim he knows the signs of wariness toward men and sees them in her eyes. Which means she’s keeping-secrets and he’s not sure he wants to know what they are.
If you sign up for Catherine’s newsletter you’ll get a short story staring Katie and Babs!
The Audible edition narrated by Angel Clark is a great way to get a fuller feel of the read. Her going from female to male to children is wonderful and the way she instills such emotions into the reading is heartrending yet hopeful.
Rachel Shaw hasn’t been the subject of much human kindness; when she was sixteen and pregnant her minister father kicked her out of the house, and after marrying the boy and having two children with him she learned he’d been sexually molesting their young daughter right under her unsuspecting nose for years. So when, with no choice and little hope she moves half way across the country it’s hard to accept or believe the generosity being offered by her new boss and his hockey team. And she especially doesn’t trust one particular player who seems to be interested in her.
Brenden (Soupy) Campbell isn’t sure why he’s attracted to the team manager’s new assistant. She’s not his type, she’s skittish and definitely in need of a keeper because she’s too busy worrying about and taking care of her kids to take care of herself. Plus being the brother of a rape victim he knows the signs of wariness toward men and sees them in her eyes. Which means she’s keeping-secrets and he’s not sure he wants to know what they are.
If you sign up for Catherine’s newsletter you’ll get a short story staring Katie and Babs!
February 28, 2014
When you read in a row all the books of a series there are always some expectations. Sometimes the things you would like to read are there, written exactly the way they are supposed to happen; sometimes those things are better than in your imagination; sometimes they aren't there, at all. And that's disappointing.
Honestly I believe that Catherine did a great job with this book and the characters are deep and credible but (you should have known there is a but after my premise) I can't believe Soupy Jr doesn't say THAT LINE! Which one?
"Sorry Zee for being an ass!"+ BEAR HUG <3 <3 <3 When? After the proposal. Why? Because even if Brenden isn't an ass kisser he's fair. And Zee is his BFF. In my opinion there's no brotherly jealousy that can justify the lack of that SORRY.
However the 4 stars instead of 5 are mostly because I couldn't totally connect with Rachel. I felt sorry for her, I understood her motherly needs and fears, but she should have accepted more of Dana's help. I don't understand why she spoke more with Laura than Dana...
By the way it's a TO BE READ book for all the sport (Hockey) romances lovers <3
Honestly I believe that Catherine did a great job with this book and the characters are deep and credible but (you should have known there is a but after my premise) I can't believe Soupy Jr doesn't say THAT LINE! Which one?
"Sorry Zee for being an ass!"+ BEAR HUG <3 <3 <3 When? After the proposal. Why? Because even if Brenden isn't an ass kisser he's fair. And Zee is his BFF. In my opinion there's no brotherly jealousy that can justify the lack of that SORRY.
However the 4 stars instead of 5 are mostly because I couldn't totally connect with Rachel. I felt sorry for her, I understood her motherly needs and fears, but she should have accepted more of Dana's help. I don't understand why she spoke more with Laura than Dana...
By the way it's a TO BE READ book for all the sport (Hockey) romances lovers <3
October 16, 2014
Second book in the series. Also written alternating the point of view of both leads, each at the first person
There are some big similarities with the previous book. The hero also appears almost too good to be true, but not quite so on a personal side, way less perfect on a professional side, as he kept struggling to prove himself. He matured a bit more throughout the story than his future BIL did in the previous, however his maturing seemed to have come quite easily.
The heroine also went through some traumatic experience in her past. Not that much directly personal, though she lost all confidence in herself and all trust in anyone .
Honestly the timeline in this specific book was even shorter than the previous and in my opinion was too short to make it work. I would have assumed that such transformation would require at least 3 to 6 months and not merely 1. And the story could have been spanned over such a longer period easily, without changing much about it.
The secondary characters, both children, Babs and some other players, were also interesting and promising.
There are some big similarities with the previous book. The hero also appears almost too good to be true, but not quite so on a personal side, way less perfect on a professional side, as he kept struggling to prove himself. He matured a bit more throughout the story than his future BIL did in the previous, however his maturing seemed to have come quite easily.
The heroine also went through some traumatic experience in her past. Not that much directly personal, though she lost all confidence in herself and all trust in anyone .
Honestly the timeline in this specific book was even shorter than the previous and in my opinion was too short to make it work. I would have assumed that such transformation would require at least 3 to 6 months and not merely 1. And the story could have been spanned over such a longer period easily, without changing much about it.
The secondary characters, both children, Babs and some other players, were also interesting and promising.
May 2, 2014
3.5
NOT PART OF THE REVIEW (just a rant):
Went to buy the next one which is Babs & Katie and annoyed to find that the couple she's been building to for 2 books is a short in an anthology.
I get the cross promo thing authors have to do, but honestly - don't build a couple up that much to make us buy a short story with a bunch of other people's stuff.
NOT PART OF THE REVIEW (just a rant):
Went to buy the next one which is Babs & Katie and annoyed to find that the couple she's been building to for 2 books is a short in an anthology.
I get the cross promo thing authors have to do, but honestly - don't build a couple up that much to make us buy a short story with a bunch of other people's stuff.
July 28, 2015
I'm really liking this series! Great characters. Real life situations. It makes for great storytelling. I may not understand any of the hockey lingo, but that's not important. Brenden and Rachel were a cute couple. Solid writing. I recommend this series. Looking forward to continuing reading about some of my favorite characters.
June 19, 2016
I love stories that involve pro athletes, and especially hockey players. Rachel Gibson has written some great ones, and this one by Catherine Gayle is up to that standard.
I had a bit of trouble, at first, liking the switch in POV and 1st person style, but it grew on me.
I had a bit of trouble, at first, liking the switch in POV and 1st person style, but it grew on me.
October 13, 2020
Super sweet story. Brenden really surprised me. Rachel was a good Mom and only fought Soupy a bit. I liked the story.
February 2, 2015
I liked this just as much as the first book. Looking forward to the next.
June 25, 2015
This was terrible. Not even close to the quality of the first in the series. DNF @ 54%, but I'm still rating it.
September 23, 2017
Rachel and Brenden's story was so cute and fun! I love how he never gave up on them! I really enjoyed getting to know them. Such a great book.
April 6, 2025
This one is pretty low on the drama scale, very high on the insta-love scale, and about mid on the alpha-hole scale. Very readable, though.
Drama: barely any manufactured, drawn-out misunderstandings. Which is great from a certain perspective but also annoying since our fMC is just like, ~I love him and trust him because I don’t want to be alone if something bad happens.~ (I won’t make light of the background drama. That shi+ is awful. I wouldn’t blame Rachel if she held out for months and months. But it was like a week…)
Instalove: I’m still working out the timing after reading, and I won’t be re-reading to figure it out. Basically he sees her in passing, is gone less than a week, scares her kids (totally not his fault), and wants to take care of her forever. After all she’s been thru, she’s like, “This is a good idea.” But we have to hear her say how she doesn’t trust anyone for 100s of pages.
Alpha-Hole: He actually GRABS her door to stop her from leaving in the parking garage when she won’t say yes to a date. He’s known her all of 30 seconds. She says no. He says why not. Chases her down. And a grand love affair is born. Later he does give her space, but dang that opening salvo. Since I did read book one, I sort of knew going in that I wasn’t going to love Brendan. Sorry.
My favorite quote from the book (sarcasm): “I was looking out the window as he drove, amazed at how different people were here than in Texas. A hippie with dreds and a “Keep Portland Weird” T-shirt was walking along the sidewalk and talking to a man in a suit and tie like they were old friends. I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to the way things were here.”
I’m a Texan. Mind you, I grew up in Merkel-By-God, Texas, population 3,600 (now 3,200 I believe). If you’re coming from a small town without access to the internet, this lack of different seems to be the case. I’ve lived in Houston since 1997 and know that “weird” is all over Texas; just go meet some antique dealers... Not much in Merkel still, but we do have Austin, for goodness sakes. I went to a Hatsune Miku concert with my kids in Dallas, and it was definitely filled with the fMC’s definition of different.
Anyway, point being, we’re not all cows and barbecue. The area of her origin didn’t seem to be mentioned, so, I can only assume somewhere like Merkel or the deep panhandle. The rest of us know we’re weird.
The ending was the very worst. Thanks.
May skip the Katie story though. ARGH. After book one, I was really into that relationship. Then this book ended on a teaser for Katie and Babs book. Mid.
Drama: barely any manufactured, drawn-out misunderstandings. Which is great from a certain perspective but also annoying since our fMC is just like, ~I love him and trust him because I don’t want to be alone if something bad happens.~ (I won’t make light of the background drama. That shi+ is awful. I wouldn’t blame Rachel if she held out for months and months. But it was like a week…)
Instalove: I’m still working out the timing after reading, and I won’t be re-reading to figure it out. Basically he sees her in passing, is gone less than a week, scares her kids (totally not his fault), and wants to take care of her forever. After all she’s been thru, she’s like, “This is a good idea.” But we have to hear her say how she doesn’t trust anyone for 100s of pages.
Alpha-Hole: He actually GRABS her door to stop her from leaving in the parking garage when she won’t say yes to a date. He’s known her all of 30 seconds. She says no. He says why not. Chases her down. And a grand love affair is born. Later he does give her space, but dang that opening salvo. Since I did read book one, I sort of knew going in that I wasn’t going to love Brendan. Sorry.
My favorite quote from the book (sarcasm): “I was looking out the window as he drove, amazed at how different people were here than in Texas. A hippie with dreds and a “Keep Portland Weird” T-shirt was walking along the sidewalk and talking to a man in a suit and tie like they were old friends. I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to the way things were here.”
I’m a Texan. Mind you, I grew up in Merkel-By-God, Texas, population 3,600 (now 3,200 I believe). If you’re coming from a small town without access to the internet, this lack of different seems to be the case. I’ve lived in Houston since 1997 and know that “weird” is all over Texas; just go meet some antique dealers... Not much in Merkel still, but we do have Austin, for goodness sakes. I went to a Hatsune Miku concert with my kids in Dallas, and it was definitely filled with the fMC’s definition of different.
Anyway, point being, we’re not all cows and barbecue. The area of her origin didn’t seem to be mentioned, so, I can only assume somewhere like Merkel or the deep panhandle. The rest of us know we’re weird.
The ending was the very worst. Thanks.
May skip the Katie story though. ARGH. After book one, I was really into that relationship. Then this book ended on a teaser for Katie and Babs book. Mid.
November 21, 2016
This is the second in the Portland Storm series, following the guys of the Storm hockey team. As in the first book, this one deals with some heavy subject matter. But rather than knocking the reader over the head with it, it is simply part of the story and the lives of the characters.
Trust. That’s the issue. Trust in others and trust in oneself. Rachel Shaw is new in town and looking for a new start. She knows she can’t trust anyone and she is the only one who can protect her children. She doesn’t need, or want, anyone else. Brenden “Soupy” Campbell has finally gotten his break in the NHL, but can he trust himself enough to keep it?
Rachel has been betrayed one too many times. Her confidence in herself has been destroyed. She’s a terrible judge of character. She’s better off keeping it to just her little family of Maddie, Tuck, and herself. They don’t need anyone else. Then she meets Brenden who is larger than life and twice as nice. But can she truly trust him? Is he really what he seems to be?
Brenden has finally been called up from the minor league. It’s his big break. He knows he’s capable of playing with the big boys, he just has to keep his injuries down and his head in the game. He has to trust himself. Only things keep happening and it’s one thing after another. Then he stumbles into Rachel and his concentration isn’t so much on just hockey anymore. She’s either going to blow his chance wide open or wide apart. Can he manage both? He’s tired of being traded and not knowing what his future will be.
Trust is both easy and hard, especially when it’s been broken one too many tines.
Trust. That’s the issue. Trust in others and trust in oneself. Rachel Shaw is new in town and looking for a new start. She knows she can’t trust anyone and she is the only one who can protect her children. She doesn’t need, or want, anyone else. Brenden “Soupy” Campbell has finally gotten his break in the NHL, but can he trust himself enough to keep it?
Rachel has been betrayed one too many times. Her confidence in herself has been destroyed. She’s a terrible judge of character. She’s better off keeping it to just her little family of Maddie, Tuck, and herself. They don’t need anyone else. Then she meets Brenden who is larger than life and twice as nice. But can she truly trust him? Is he really what he seems to be?
Brenden has finally been called up from the minor league. It’s his big break. He knows he’s capable of playing with the big boys, he just has to keep his injuries down and his head in the game. He has to trust himself. Only things keep happening and it’s one thing after another. Then he stumbles into Rachel and his concentration isn’t so much on just hockey anymore. She’s either going to blow his chance wide open or wide apart. Can he manage both? He’s tired of being traded and not knowing what his future will be.
Trust is both easy and hard, especially when it’s been broken one too many tines.
July 17, 2018
This book focuses on Brendan, brother of Dana, from book 1. He is also a team mate, and best friend, of Eric. It can totally be read as a stand alone, even though there are characters and evens from book 1 that are mentioned.
Brendan has been trying to prove himself as a hockey player his whole life. His dad was a NHL player, and he's been trying to live up to that legacy. He works hard at it, sometimes too hard, and can never quite get to where he wants to be, at least without earning himself an injury! But now he has been given a chance to play on the Storm, a NHL team, and he's not going to let that go to waste!
Rachel is a new resident of Portland. She has uprooted herself and her kids, hoping to give them a new start. They left behind bad memories, tragedy, and heart ache, and now it seems like everything is looking up for them. She has an exciting new job, a great new home, and the beginnings of a new family in the Storm.
Brendan and Rachel are great together. He is patient, even though he knows she has walls up, and is hiding something tragic from her past. He loves her kids, and introduces them all to so many things that they'd not had before. This was a sweet story about new beginnings, family, and hope.
Brendan has been trying to prove himself as a hockey player his whole life. His dad was a NHL player, and he's been trying to live up to that legacy. He works hard at it, sometimes too hard, and can never quite get to where he wants to be, at least without earning himself an injury! But now he has been given a chance to play on the Storm, a NHL team, and he's not going to let that go to waste!
Rachel is a new resident of Portland. She has uprooted herself and her kids, hoping to give them a new start. They left behind bad memories, tragedy, and heart ache, and now it seems like everything is looking up for them. She has an exciting new job, a great new home, and the beginnings of a new family in the Storm.
Brendan and Rachel are great together. He is patient, even though he knows she has walls up, and is hiding something tragic from her past. He loves her kids, and introduces them all to so many things that they'd not had before. This was a sweet story about new beginnings, family, and hope.
January 28, 2018
Single mom Rachel moves from TX to Portland to start a new life with her kids... after her ex-husband is jailed for molesting their daughter.
This is a weighty subject that gets incredibly downplayed to focus on Rachel's anxiety about moving on with her life and trusting men.
It was pretty anti-climactic. Brenden is injury prone so there's anxiety about whether he can stay at the pro level or be moved back to the minors and have to leave, even though he's pursued Rachel extensively.
There's something about the writing that's intriguing, but everything about this sport and the very weighty issues dealt with in this series feels a bit like we're viewing it through rose-colored glasses. There's also a great deal of hockey talk which for the most part I skim over because it really has no bearing on the relationship plot.
This is a weighty subject that gets incredibly downplayed to focus on Rachel's anxiety about moving on with her life and trusting men.
It was pretty anti-climactic. Brenden is injury prone so there's anxiety about whether he can stay at the pro level or be moved back to the minors and have to leave, even though he's pursued Rachel extensively.
There's something about the writing that's intriguing, but everything about this sport and the very weighty issues dealt with in this series feels a bit like we're viewing it through rose-colored glasses. There's also a great deal of hockey talk which for the most part I skim over because it really has no bearing on the relationship plot.
March 21, 2022
Another lovely story! A few months after the event in book 1.. Soupy is now with the Storm and we learn what's inside his head all along. While Zee seems to be a deep thinker and more reserved, Soupy is more easy-going and expressive.
I like how he is portrayed as someone who is not professionally perfect. Coming from a hockey family with a famous dad, it will be easy to believe Soupy is capable like his dad. But no, Gayle shows his struggle to get to the NHL. And Soupy's acceptance that Dana inherits their dad's skills but he is better in other areas touches me. I'm rooting for him to succeed! I also like how he is a protective brother to Dana and uses his experience with her to handle his relationships.
Rachel is also a relatable character. An overprotective single mom.. Yeah, single moms tend to be like that and her reactions are believable.
I love the Christmas events:
- Tuck is spoiled by Babs' brothers
- The Campbells' family Christmas
- Mark Campbell keeps going down to check on Soupy and Rachel HAHA!
- What Zee puts on Soupy's bed when they stay during Christmas LOL!
The only thing that gets me confused: It was mentioned Jim's wife was there during the family event, but then there is a novella about Jim and his ex-wife. This might be an error but easily overlooked! I don't really mind :D
I like how he is portrayed as someone who is not professionally perfect. Coming from a hockey family with a famous dad, it will be easy to believe Soupy is capable like his dad. But no, Gayle shows his struggle to get to the NHL. And Soupy's acceptance that Dana inherits their dad's skills but he is better in other areas touches me. I'm rooting for him to succeed! I also like how he is a protective brother to Dana and uses his experience with her to handle his relationships.
Rachel is also a relatable character. An overprotective single mom.. Yeah, single moms tend to be like that and her reactions are believable.
I love the Christmas events:
- Tuck is spoiled by Babs' brothers
- The Campbells' family Christmas
- Mark Campbell keeps going down to check on Soupy and Rachel HAHA!
- What Zee puts on Soupy's bed when they stay during Christmas LOL!
The only thing that gets me confused: It was mentioned Jim's wife was there during the family event, but then there is a novella about Jim and his ex-wife. This might be an error but easily overlooked! I don't really mind :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2017
Rachel Shaw has moved from Texas to Portland, OR for a new start, but has been struggling to find a job. She gets a break when the Portland Storm hockey teams hires her! She meets one of the players, who ends up living across the hall from her new apartment - seems she can't shake him. Brendan Campbell is recovering from multiple injuries and is trying to keep his job. He doesn't need distractions, but he can't get his new neighbor and team secretary off his mind - despite the fact she's got two kids and doesn't want to have anything to do with him. All Rachel wants to do is keep her kids safe, but Brendan and his roommate Babs are nothing if not persistent. I never really warmed up to Brendan and there was just too much time devoted to the kids in this story for me.
June 21, 2021
I have enjoyed this book several times now. The growth that Brendan, Rachel, and Maddie experience throughout the book is heartwarming. I love seeing the evolution of the Storm throughout the series and the other characters lives as I am well aware some of them will have their own stories later in the series. It’s always nice to see that in series that connect like this one, even when each could be read as a standalone if you wanted. And I like knowing that if I choose to pick up the book again next year I’ll be able to enjoy it again.
January 14, 2022
There are some things that I really liked about this story initially, but then it just became very repetitive. I think readers are smart. You don’t have to keep telling them the same thing over and over and over again. After a while, that wore me down, and decreased my interest. When there’s a tragedy, people remember that. They don’t need to be hit over the head with constant reminders. Overall, it’s not a bad read, but there’s so many ways it could’ve been grown more.
July 31, 2017
Catherine Gayle I'm totally hooked on this series.
Loved these characters I couldn't read this book fast enough.
Rachel does not date she has to protect her kids. Brenden is very determined when he wants something and he wants Rachel and her kids. All the seriousness of Maddie's issues Tuck bring a funny silly lightness to the book.
Loved these characters I couldn't read this book fast enough.
Rachel does not date she has to protect her kids. Brenden is very determined when he wants something and he wants Rachel and her kids. All the seriousness of Maddie's issues Tuck bring a funny silly lightness to the book.
January 25, 2021
Book review
Definitely loved the book 📖 couldn't put it down kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next just finished the 2nd book 📖 in the series and plan on keep going till I run out of book 📖 will definitely buy the rest of book 📖 in this series as soon as the holiday comes around
Definitely loved the book 📖 couldn't put it down kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next just finished the 2nd book 📖 in the series and plan on keep going till I run out of book 📖 will definitely buy the rest of book 📖 in this series as soon as the holiday comes around
June 30, 2022
On the Fly (Portland Storm Book 2)
The love story of Brendan "Soupy" and Rachel. Rachel is the mother of two children. Her daughter was sexually abused by her ex-husband, the child's father. She is over protective of her children now. When Brendan saw Rachel it was love at first sign. Can he over come her discuss of men? Ok story.
The love story of Brendan "Soupy" and Rachel. Rachel is the mother of two children. Her daughter was sexually abused by her ex-husband, the child's father. She is over protective of her children now. When Brendan saw Rachel it was love at first sign. Can he over come her discuss of men? Ok story.
December 1, 2017
3.5 stars
Again I love that Gayle balances sweet romance with difficult issues. I really enjoyed how Dana and Maddie’s stories link together and I thought Rachel’s perspective as a single mother was well done. Brendan sort of annoys me.
Again I love that Gayle balances sweet romance with difficult issues. I really enjoyed how Dana and Maddie’s stories link together and I thought Rachel’s perspective as a single mother was well done. Brendan sort of annoys me.
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