Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

So I went back to this one after I read #2 in the Breakaway series and I was pleasantly surprised with how different it was. Kristen's background is fascinating and Dover wrote one hell of an opener setting the scene with her and Marshall. And Kellan is carrying around some battle scars too after his mom. Watching her give in to their attraction after a year of flirting was fun and it was good for both of them to get a happy ending.

I will say that I only figured out the big twist a few pages before it happened and I have to say that impressed me. Usually in romances I can figure out where the twists are going to come, but this one was able to keep me in the dark much longer.

I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this series.

Dover's books keep getting better and better! This hot hockey romance was that and SO much more! Another great story from LP Dover

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and full of twists. This isn't just your typical hockey/sports romance, Hard Stick is also full of danger and excitement. The chemistry between Kellan and Kristen was great too! Definitely and fun romance!

Hard Stick is a novel that is really balanced between sports/action and romance. I thought that the hockey player device was well employed by L.P. Dover and didn't overwhelm the book. The hero and heroine are complex characters with baggage, and going along on their journey to happily ever after was extremely entertaining. Hard Stick is a sexy, fun, flirty read. The perfect escape. I will look for more from L.P. Dover.

This book is not your typical romance. Hard Stick is full of passion, danger and of course HOCKEY. I highly recommend if you like a good romance mixed with the great sport of hockey and danger.

Hard Stick had so much potential. I really enjoyed the growing romance between Kellen and Kristen. Unfortunately, there was no element of surprise as to the relationship between Kellen's mother and Mitchell. This was practically telegraphed from the first discussions regarding Kellen's mother's remarriage and the stepfather's behavior. DNF at 40%.

I enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading the next one in the series! The twist was obvious, but I was still on the edge of my seat for most of the book!

So I have to be honest, I have never read an L.P. Dover book except her Society X series that she co-wrote with Heidi McLaughlin, so when I had a chance to read my first book from her, I had to take the chance. I am so glad that I did!!! I loved this book! In fact, I have even read Blocked (Breakaway #2). WoW!!!! I am loving this entire series.
* My review for Blocked is on its way…

Hard Stick is the first book in the Breakaway series. We are introduced to the players of the hockey team, the Charlotte Strikers. They are a fun bunch! And as the series plays out, I fell in love with all of them.

In Hard Stick we meet Kristen Robinson & Kellen Carter. Kristen has a past that she is running from. While she is trying to rebuild her world, she meets Kellan Carter. Kellen is relentless with his pursuit of Kristen. He is determined to show Kristen that he is not the cocky jock that she thinks that he is. Kristen gives in and gives Kellen one night.

“You say this is our only night, but you’re fooling yourself. I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed that kiss.”
~ L.P. Dover, Hard Stick (Breakaway #1)

One night was not enough….

Kellan beings Kristen back to life!

“Being on the ice is like breathing; we can’t live without it.”
~ L.P. Dover, Hard Stick (Breakaway #1)

Finally Kristen’s past comes back to haunt her…. I totally saw it coming, but it was so worth reading to see how it all played it out.

Hard Stick was the perfect balance of romance with a bit of suspense. It was the perfect start to this series. I loved it! It was also the perfect introduction to L.P. Dover’s writing. What have I been missing?!?! I now need to dive into all of her other books! There are so many that I am not even sure where to start. But I am looking forward to more!

L.P. Dover, thank you for allowing me to read and review Hard Stick! I am excited that I finally took the plunge. You have a fan for life!

#Ten #Buttercup

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2074354225
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2P6KPWIRDZE1L?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl
Web Page: https://mygirlfriendscouchfb.blogspot.com

Loved this book filled with action and suspense. Kristen is starting a new life and isn't interested in a relationship. Kellan is not going to give up. He determined to win her over. Once they've established a relationship Kristen's past threatens not only their future but their lives. Could not put it down. Recommended read.

"Hard Stick is a sexy hockey romance that heats up the ice, and the bedroom!" - Sarah Robinson, bestselling author of the Kavanagh Legends series

A great start to a new series.
Though hockey romance novels are very popular, this book adds the mystery twist which keeps you wondering when the other shoe is going to drop and keeps the reader on its toes.
A fab read, I look forward to the next one with anticipation.

Based on the cover I thought this book would be entirely about hockey but I was very wrong.

This book was nothing like I thought it would be, it had me gripped from the beginning & I finished it in a day. Romantic suspense is one of my favourite genres & this one certainly didn't disappoint.

My first book by this author but definitely not my last

I was pleasantly surprised to find this book is so much more than a sports romance, it's more of a suspense thriller romance. Following the heroine in this book gave me a wide range of emotions, starting with apprehension, fear, anger and sorrow all in the first chapter. The feelings keep coming as Kristen realizes the gravity of her situation and decides how to deal, lucky for her she's got well places friends to help her along her way. Living small and trying not to be noticed in a small town is key to her survival until the local hockey players hit on her repeatedly. She finds Kellan to be different from the others and gives him a shot at a date. The bad guy doesn't give up and Kristen is once again in danger. I loved the broad range of characters and depth of family tied, related or not in this story. It's a prime example of you make your family out of the people who are present and positive in your life. I enjoyed the dual POV and was thrilled to get my HEA. I look forward to more in this new series.

This is not your typical sports romance. There is plenty of romance and hot sex scenes, but there is also suspense and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. L.P. Dover weaves a compulsive, sexy, and entertaining story that I could not put down. It is well written, with 2 strong leading characters and a supporting cast that enhances the story.

Hard Stick isn't just a hockey romance, in fact, there's little hockey in it. It's much more of a romantic suspense. It's got a lot of suspense, mystery, drama and action mixed in with a sexy romance.

Kristen is starting over. She's no longer dating a controlling, freak of a rich man and that's the way she likes it. When she meets Kellan, she gets under his skin right away. She's the hot bartender and he's the hot hockey player. Can they make a good match? Well, if her ex has anything to say about it, no. But, if Kristen and Kellan can make it through all the drama to come their way, yes.

Hard Stick was a surprise, in a good way. It's not your cookie cutter sports romance with a womanizing, cardboard athlete and doormat heroine. It's got more depth and more suspense than the cover would suggest. If you're looking for a sports heavy romance, Hard Stick isn't for you. However, if you're looking for an outside the box romance with action, suspense, mystery and sexy chemistry, Hard Stick should definitely be on your TBR list.

Great book! L.P. Dover kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn't know when Mitchell would show up and turn everything upside down and ruin things.
Kristen has had a tough life from her parents dying and one of her best friends dying and a psycho ex trying to track her down. Kristen deserved to find someone who would love her and protect her. Kellan was just the man she needed. If only Kristen could let her gaurd down enough to see it.

4 stars!!

Read this book guys! I was pleasantly surprised! I thought the main focus of this book would be on hockey based on the cover and title, but boy was I wrong (in a good way). I was ready for a sports themed hockey series similar to that of Toni Aleo, but instead I got a suspenseful type romance with some hockey thrown in. I LOVED IT! It reminded me a little of the suspense seen in a Julie James novel. In fact, the suspense factor had me on the edge of my seat quite frequently throughout the book. So be forewarned ahead of time, this is not a "sports romance." I have seen some people complain in their reviews because it wasn't a hockey themed romance like they anticipated, so just know ahead of time before diving in, that you are in for a ride, and this book is so much more!

What did I love?
1. Kellan and Kristen as a couple. Two thumbs up from me.
2. The suspense. This was not your average mill sports romance. Do not judge a book by its cover! I did…but was so happy with how the book progressed. :)
3. The drama! Yes, I did like all the drama in this one too! Not gonna go into too many details, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but just be prepared!

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I didn't really hate anything about this one (besides the villain). There is a little bit of insta-love, but with a shorter story, it really worked with the progression of the storyline. So this was not a problem for me at all. The H/h relationship felt perfect and meant to be, and not superficial at all. The predictability of the plot twist was a little bit of a downer, but was pretty obvious who the villain was going to be, IMO. This didn't bother me too much though, but I always like when a good surprise is thrown in there. But you could say it was made up for when I found out this had a ton of moments where I was biting my nails from the suspense. I wish the heroine would have been a little bit more kick ass with the skills and training she learned in self defense, but we didn't get to see a lot of the action happen, just a lot of drama. She's not a delicate flower though, so don't think she is weak just because she didn't kick anyone’s ass.

So that is....
<img src="https://i.imgflip.com/dp3oj.jpg" width="300" height="240" alt="description"/>

Okay so let's talk about the heroine's ex, MITCHELL. That dude was legit crazy! That's really all I can say about him. Legit. Psycho. He is the cause of many problems, drama, and suspenseful moments in this book. Enough said about this jackass! All I will tell you is that this guy has some dark and scary issues and he is not a nice person whatsoever!

<img src="https://img.memecdn.com/new-meme-psycho-bunny_o_491303.jpg" width="300" height="240" alt="description"/>

Overall, I really enjoyed this one! Give it a try...don't judge this book by it's cover or by some of the lower ratings. Just go in knowing that there is a very small portion related to hockey and a much larger portion about finding yourself, overcoming past mistakes and surviving in this world we call life!

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**ARC generously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

First 5 chapter definitely went fast.... So much drama, love, betrayal, and death.
Kristen fear hear life was in danger when she lost one of her best friend Cole when all he was trying to do was to protect her from her psycho boyfriend Mitchell who also was currently married. She couldn’t think nothing when she finds out he was behind What happen to Cole. She called all her friends and moved away from Boston where she made a life.
Finally she is finding her footing at her home in South Carolina. She laying low incase Mitchell is looking for her, working as a bartender and meets gorgeous and cocky hockey player Kellan. She thought he was one of those players she sees all the time.
Couple of players were hitting on Kirsten for awhile and he was convinced he can change her mind. Kirsten didn’t want to start any relationship after what Mitchell did to her and she had hard time trusting anyone since then. But Kellan slowly warm up to her and he finally won his first date with her.
From the start of their courtship, sparks were flying. Kirsten wanted to open up to someone other than her three friends. Now, he is one of them she was sharing little information at the time. She wanted to get to know him so did Kellan.
Finally they are building a life together but plot thickens. Kirsten is starting to start new life and loving her relationship with Kellan but sudden appearance of Mitchell’s appearance changes what she was fearing the most and Mitchell’s relation with Kellan surprises everyone even me.
What will happen to Kellan and Kirsten? She wants everything to be back to normal again but Mitchell’s threat looming over them. What will cost their happiness..

This book was not what I expected. I thought it was more about Hockey players but it was more focused on Kirsten’s life and how it changed both of them. I couldn’t put the book down and it kept me until 3 in the morning to finish. I enjoyed all the suspense and first couple chapter got me hooked. I high recommend for summer read..!!