Let me be clear, if you’re looking for a book with a lot of hockey action this isn’t your book. Don’t get me wrong the main character is a sexy hockey player and we do see a little ice time but not much. If that’s what you’re expecting then step away.

Now that we got that out of the way I’d like to say this book was an excellent suspenseful romance. Leslie wrote the perfect story to keep you just on the edge. From that first chapter where she took that fateful turn setting up the entire story.

The chemistry was a slow build up of sexual tension. The mystery kept me turning the pages faster. The romance had me swooning and rooting for the good guy. This was the exact mix of everything for that great book you can’t put down.

I’m looking forward to the next in the series and what Leslie has in store for us.

Great suspenseful romance! Really enjoyed it! The characters and storyline were great!

Loved this story! Kellan and Kristen were perfect together. I loved how the story wasn't rushed. All the characters were thoroughly developed so you could become immersed in their story. There was just enough of anticipated suspense throughout the whole story. Then wham, it hit when least expected. The writing as always flawless. Another good book by L.P. Dover! Hopefully we will get a Dallas story next :)

Hard Stick
Breakaway # 1
L.P. Dover

This was so not the story I was expecting. It was so much more. This isn't your typical sport romance novel. From the first chapter to the last , you will be wanting more.

On the ice, I’m Kellan Carter, powerhouse enforcer for the Charlotte Strikers. Off the ice, I’m just a regular guy. The last thing I want is to get mobbed by a bunch of groupies who are only after me for my fame and money. My ideal woman knows how to enjoy a little good, clean fun—and maybe some not-so-clean fun too. That’s the kind of girl I’d never let go.

When Kristen Robinson, the gorgeous, down-to-earth bartender I’ve been crushing on, agrees to let me take her out, I’m thrilled. We have an amazing night together, culminating in the most electrifying kiss of my life—and that’s it. Kristen tells me we can’t see each other again, but I know that kiss meant as much to her as it did to me. What I don’t know is that Kristen has a dangerous secret. . .

I’ve proved to Kristen that she can trust me with her body and her heart. But when her past comes back to haunt her, I need to prove that she can trust me with her life. And I might have to get my hands dirty after all.

Such an awesome read. I will definitely be looking for more books by L.P. Dover in the future. Can't wait for the next one in this series to come out. Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a good read if you like reading ice hockey romance books. Recommending this to my circle of friends who all like this genre

Thanks for the chance to read this

Everything I've come to expect from the queen of romantic suspense. Totally engaging, smoking hot and even a few laughs thrown in too.

This book starts is a sports romance wrapped up in a Mob story with plenty of twists to keep you reading into the night. Kellan is the captain of the hockey team, sexy, strong and has a crush on the fun bartender Kristen. She's a fun, loving woman running from her past. Just when she thinks it's all behind her, her past comes back to haunt her.
This book is fun with just enough drama and twists to keep you hooked. I loved the characters and banter between them all. 5 star read. Great job. Can't wait to read Blocked.
I received a advanced copy by the publisher for a voluntary honest review.

Kristen was in a dangerously volatile relationship but after seeing the results of a confrontation with her boyfriend, she knew it's time to get out of dodge. This book is so full of twists and turns it will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It has two of my favorite genera (sports romance & romantic suspense) all wrapped up in one amazing story-line. I also have to admit there were moments that I wanted to scream and throw the kindle and when i wanted to shout out a Yes, Kristen is one heck of a girl and Kellan is one delicious hero.

One click this baby and read it! That is my recommendation.

This is the first book in this series by this author and what a fantastic start it is. I was hooked from the first page and was reading long into the night. This book is filled with suspense, a bit f humour and a fab love story. Fantastic characters you will fall in love with as you read. This author has a fab way of giving you such depth to there stories and the characters. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

A fun and highly enjoyable romance, although a little far-fetched. There was not as much hockey as you might expect, but otherwise the characters were quite believable and their romance was epic.

Hard Stick is the first book in this new series and it’s a great start! Although one might think this is a sports romance based on the cover, it’s so much more.

Here we have a story with some twists and turns and things we don’t expect. Kristen has some things she is hiding from and she has her own story and past. Kellan is a famous hockey player. Once he sees her, he wants her. But it’s not that simple for him and there is more to this story.

I liked that the characters were really well developed and it did have those twists to it, making me want to see what was going to happen next. Because I was curious to know, I kept reading and I found it to be a quick read.

If you are looking for a read that has some more to it than just romance, this is for you.

An ARC was provided for an honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R23R4GRBKFQHMK/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Hard Stick is a great start to a new romantic suspense series by L.P. Dover. I loved this author's Carolina Cougars football players, so when it came to reading about hot hockey players, there was no hesitation. Kellan is the bad ass captain of the Charlotte Strikers hockey team that every girl has fantasized about. Kristen is hiding from a past that has the potential to ruin her future. Together, they heat up the pages as their story keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. I really enjoyed their story, and I am looking forward to the next novel in the Breakaway Series.

♥ Review by Lys

One of the best things about an LP Dover book is her masterful ability to blend her characters from all her series in to the current story she is telling. No worries if you haven't read any other books, this one is just as enjoyable. But if you are an epilogue whore like me, you will LOVE seeing those familiar faces after their HEA has ended.

This is the first in a new hockey series by the author. It takes place in Charlotte like her football series did. (see the potential for crossover there?) . I actually enjoyed the fair bit of suspense in this one. Although I saw the twist coming, it still had enough surprise to it, I was turning pages to see what would happen.

Great love story. Kristen has been hurt so badly by love and Kellen has never had love. Together, they forge a new path. Together they are stronger. What the book is NOT is a sports romance. Kellen happens to play in the NHL. We meet some of his team mates. We get a sense of the roughness of the game. We hear a bit about his aspirations after he retires. Doesn't detract from the story at all, but if you are expecting some hockey, this may not be the book for you.

Great writing. Great story. Looking forward to more!

One of my favorite things about picking up a book by LP Dover is that you never know what you are in for. If you are expecting a simple cute and sweet hockey book this is not that book. It is all of those things but so much more. The depth of the characters and the engaging storyline will keep you on your toes from page one all the way to the last words.
I loved how Kristen made such positive changes in her life after a bad experience and how sweet and sexy and all around perfect Kellan was.
I loved everything about this book. I highly recommend this author.

I have loved every book I have read by this author! And I will continue to read every book she writes. Kellan and Kristen have such chemistry from the beginning. And that first kiss, you will want something to cool you down. It was perfect. Hockey romance is one of my favorite types of books to read and this author knows how to write it. If you haven't read a book by this author yet you need to.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Hard Stick is another great story from L.P. Dover! Kristen was a perfect mix of strength and vulnerability while Kellan was a great mix of cocky, confident and sexy without being a jerk.

As the author notes at the end of the blurb, Kellan may be a hockey player but this story is not centered around his time on the ice; instead, Kristen is the primary focus. As the story opens, it is obvious that she is stuck in an abusive relationship with a possessive, obsessive and downright psychotic man. As events unfold, I was horrified by what happened to her best friend when he tried to help her. She finally makes the decision to disappear and she turns to her friend Jason Avery for help. For those who have read No Limit, you will recognize that name!

Fast forward one year and Kristen has successfully been able to start a new life in North Carolina with Jason and Aylee's help, but she is still constantly looking over her shoulder in fear that Mitchell will find her. She can't take a job in interior design again because it would be an obvious place for Mitchell to search, so she is a bartender at the local hangout for the Charlotte Strikers hockey team for now. One of the guys in particular catches her eye, but she is done with womanizers, cheaters and players so she resists his advances.

Kellan may be a player on the ice but he is completely over it in his personal life. Kristen intrigues him with her down to earth personality, her beauty and her complete lack of interest in his fame and money. He sets his mind to convincing her to go on one date with him despite his teammates' bet against him, and he can be very persuasive when he puts his mind to it! Kristen has a difficult time trusting anyone after her last experience with men and with her need to protect her real identity but she finds she wants to trust Kellan.

As they get to know each other, a more lighthearted and fun-loving version of Kristen emerges, and Kellan surprises her with how much they actually have in common. When she decides to take the risk of letting him in, she doesn't regret it and things certainly get hot and heavy! Of course all good things cannot last forever, and eventually her fears are realized leading to a tumultuous last few chapters. I wish I could say the way that Mitchell finds her was a surprise but it was pretty easy to guess. All in all, Hard Stick was still a great read and I am looking forward to more of the Breakaway series!

This book was great. Kellan was strong and supportive and Kristen was a strong (although it took her awhile to realize it) woman. When her boyfriend starts to act possessive, she decides to leave him. What he does next forces her to take the most drastic step of her life.
She wants to move slow with Kellan, but she feels safe with him. Can they find a way to be happy? When her ex finds her, will Kellan be able to keep her safe? Will Kristen find happiness only to lose it?

Loved this book, such wonderful characters. Sweet, sexy and intense with some humor thrown in. A real enjoyable read! I fell in love with Kellan, liked that even though he was the team captain he wasn't all ego. I also liked that Kristin wasn't a shrinking violet with everything she went through.