I've been looking forward to this new series by L.P Dover and honestly it didn't disappoint. As it completely drew me in from the very start and it stayed that way throughout. So much so I couldn't put it down. Although it's not your typical Hockey Romance, but then again this is L.P Dover and theirs always more to her books than you initially expect and this one really is no different.

3 stars- This had a lot going for it and the cover as handsome as the man was... was not the right focus for readers. For one would think there was a Hockey story happening- It was a Hockey background instead.
The main story was good- woman needing a new life- dangerous ex- FBI dangerous... so new identity etc... and the man of Hockey fame decides he is wanting more from this gal.
Sweet moments, suspence

Wow! What a ride! This is my first book from this author and let me tell you, it wasn’t what I expected and that's a good thing! Once again the saying is true, “Do not judge a book by its cover”. I asked for this book because I tend to love "sports romance" novels, but this book is not about JUST hockey, (in fact there is minimal to do with hockey at all), it is a true romance with a beautiful love story. it's so much more. I was amazed by how hooked I was right from the first page and I found that I couldn’t put it down.

Kristen Robinson was forced to leave her life back in Boston because of her psycho obsessive ex-boyfriend. After a fatal incident, she had to change her identity in order to save her life. Now a year with her new life, she has found herself missing her past life, especially her job as an interior designer, a job she loved and was very good at it. Now, as a bartender, she’s trying to build a new life, but she hesitates on trusting (thanks to her past) and on building new relationships and finding new friends. She is afraid of losing everyone she cares about...again..., until Kellan Carter, the captain of the Charlotte Striker hockey team comes into her life.

Kellan Carter loves hockey. He's the Captain of his team, the Charlotte Striker's. Up until this point, he has achieved everything he wanted from life, but he wasn’t good at relationships, of course he’s had his “quota” of women (come on he has a HARD STICK *wink*) but he was never interested in settling down, until he meets the sexy bartender that refused his advances. He’s very interesting in her and he won’t stop until the beautiful Kristen accepts to have one date with him.

Kristen is not interested in having a relationship. She is more worried and focused on keeping in the shadows, as to not draw attention to herself because that could result in her ex finding her. So she barely notices the men that flirt with her, but she really wants to give it a try and date Kellan. He seems to be a good guy and there is no harm in just one date.

There is no way that Kellan will have just one date with her. He knows she's hiding something, but he needs to earn her trust to figure out why she's holding back. He needs to figure out what happened in her past that is preventing her from moving forward, with him.

I really loved these two characters! I felt very sorry for how things worked out for Kristen. She really deserved a happy ending and Kellan was the perfect guy for her! He's very protective with her, caring and willing to risk his own life for her. They had a lot of chemistry and I loved the way things ended for them. Loved the storyline, the plot was very developed with some suspense, drama and of course romance, the exact amount to make this book good and interesting.
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Review to be posted on the release day

4.5 mindblown stars

I've been a fan of LP Dover since k ran across her Gloves Off series. Each of her books held such intriguing, captivating, and easy to love characters. Hard Stick is no different in that aspect.

Kristen gets herself in one he'll of a sticky situation and it forces her to run.

Kallen, sexy as sin hockey player, isn't the image he portrays to the world.

The two share an undeniable attraction and from there it seems to all be sunshine and daisies… Or is it?

Dover had me on the edge of my seat. I guessed at a few things, but for the most part, I find myself wondering, anxious to know what would happen. Desperate to know it's ending.
Dover didn't disappoint with all the passion, love, sexiness, crazy suspense she delivered in this story.

One Click Romance (A Book Blog) highly recommends this book

I love L.P. Dover's Second Chances series and all the super sexy football players that star in it. Now Dover is debuting a new series with just as sexy and hot hockey players. So if you're a fan of hunky hockey players or just enjoy steamy sports romances, then do yourself a favor and delve into the world of the Charlotte Strikers Hockey team and all its hot players. Starting with its captain, Kellan Carter.

Kellan Carter may be a hulking hockey star, but unlike his team mates he is not a player. He has done his one night stands and hookups, what he wants now is a serious relationship and be a one woman man. He's had his eyes on the sexy auburn haired bartender at Sammy's for the last year, but try as he might he just can't get her to say yes to him. He is determined to show Kristan that he isn't like his teammates, what he doesn't know is that the last thing Kristan wants is to enter a serious relationship, knowing that she can never reveal her true identity to anyone.

Kristan had to leave everything in Boston and start a new life in North Carolina. After her controlling and dominant boyfriend shows that he is capable of murder, she runs away without a trace and starts a new life with a new name. She is constantly on the lookout. But with the help of her friends she believes that everything is behind her. She is wary of trusting anyone and starting a relationship. Especially with a sports star who can get any woman that he wants. But it seems that maybe she was too quick to judge Kellan and can't help but agree to give him a chance.

This is a thriller/romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while leaving you panting with the intensely hot love scenes! It seems that Dallas' story will be next. Can't wait to read more from the Charlotte Strikers!

L.P. Dover always adds mystery and intrigue to her sexy contemporary romances, and she has a talent for keeping the reader captivated. Kristen Robinson has fled an unhealthy relationship with a controlling, dangerous, and powerful man, who will stop at nothing to have her back. She has to take drastic measures to hide from him, because she fears for her and her loved ones lives .

She returns to her hometown of Charlotte with a new identity to hide, and she avoids entanglements. She meets professional hockey player and all around nice guy Kellan Carter, and their chemistry and connection is intense. She knows getting involved with someone is a bad idea, because she cannot be honest about who she is or her past, but she cannot resist Kellan. Frankly, I could not resist him either. He is charismatic, sweet, protective, and the ideal book-boyfriend.

Their relationship progresses rapidly as Kristen reluctantly falls for Kellan, but her past comes back to threaten them both and those around them. This story has unexpected twists that will keep the reader on the edge of her seat, and Hard Stick is a riveting romance. - Keeper Shelf Book Blog

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

I want to say i enjoyed it so i will just say i enjoyed it.. :-)

If you are a fan of hockey this is not the book for your (don't let the stick on the coverpage fool you)..but if you are me and know nothing about hockey (hey, am East African- ask me about lions and their habitat i will talk your ear off) then this is the book for you.

The book has a twist that revolves around the heroine and her crazy ex that i really enjoyed..i enjoy these types of stories.. the whole damsel in distress yada yada yada..

The whole mafia thing was a bit of an over-kill..

But overall..not bad, not bad at all.

Covers make or break a book and I fell in lust over this pic of Kellan. I thought for sure I was getting a sexy hockey god, typical playboy, out to capture his girl. While that definitely plays out that's not how this starts out. Kristen is starting her life over as she runs from an overly obsessive psycho ex, thankfully her friends are high up on the food chain of law enforcement to help her out. Over some time in her life she caves in and dates Kellan, exactly the kind of man she needed in her life. I was expecting more hockey and typical player type activities what I got was an amazing suspenseful story. I kept expecting things to happen because I was on edge most of the book. My first Dover book and I plan to read many more. I received an ARC through Netgalley and my review was written voluntarily.

Hard Stick
By: L.P. Dover
📚💕⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💕📚

Nice guys do win!!!

Kellen a professional hockey player and captain of the team is just a good guy. His loyalty to his team, teammates, and family was so refreshing.

Kristine a young woman who dated the wrong man is on the run. Getting to see old friends from previously written books was refreshing. Even when they are helping Kristine escape the mafia.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Let me start by saying I think I just read a book that had everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

This book will make you laugh and cry! LP Dover weaves a beautifully crafted tale of Kellan and Kristin. Falling for the wrong person took Kristin down a path that changed her life forever. Ready to fight for her freedom she returns home to the one place that gave her a sense of normalcy. Her lie is no longer what it was and forced to start over she works to gain the confidence necessary to not constantly look over her shoulder. As a waitress near Charlotte, she denies each hockey players advances until she hears a bet Kellan made with his teammates. Is she really ready to take the next step forward in her life or will her steps remain shaky? Kellan is nothing like she has ever experienced before and will fight to keep Kristin safe as she slowly tells him her past. Each experience brings them closer and her life begins to change as she is in charge of her freedom. Absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down.

Hard stick by LP Dover is a knock-out read!!
Kristen and Kellan are from completely different backgrounds but when they meet an interesting story unfolds. Kristen has many secrets in her past. Kellan is a hot shot hockey player. Can Kellan get past all of Kristen's past secrets?? This book is filled with passion, mystery,suspense and hot sex. Pick up this book to see how it all goes down. You won't be disappointed!!

What is the first thing you think of when you look at the cover of this book? YEP! This is going to be a story surrounding a hockey player. When you read the blurb that goes along with the book the first paragraph definitely mentions hockey as if it is at least a fairly prominent part of the storyline.

NO! In the first 5 chapters, we don't even get an inkling that this story involves ANY sports AT ALL! In fact, the first 5 chapters are chalked full of more drama and suspense than some books cover in twice as many chapters.

Would I have chosen this book if it was described as a young woman plagued by an over controlling, stalker-like, cheating married man whom she is forced to escape his far reach by turning to the FBI? I'm being a little vague here to avoid spoilers but the bottom line is...no, I would have passed on this one. Suffice it to say, the blurb was very misleading.

In all fairness, if you ARE interested in that kind of story with high drama, this might be one for you. It's just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

This is not a sports romance. The hero happens to be a hockey player, but the story isn't really about that at all. Its really about a girl in the witness protection program. This book is really more of a contemporary romance similar to her Second Chances series, just about a hockey team instead of a football team.

Kristen picked the WRONG guy. Now, because of it, she is living in a town under a different name and has to fake her own death to try and get him to abandon his pursuit of her. Throwing a wrench in her plan? Kellan, the pro hockey player who comes into the bar/restaurant she works at. He makes no bones about his desire to get her to date him. She wishes she could, but dating is just not in the cards for her.

I have found that most LP Dover books read quick. She typically tends to jump right in and I appreciate that! There are a couple of characters from previous series' of hers (Armed and Dangerous, Gloves Off, Second Chances) but you don't need to have read it. For those of us who have read it, it is just a nice little cameo!

Kellan is not like your typical pro athletes. He isn't a puck bunny chaser. He isn't a man whore. He really is just a nice guy who happens to play professional hockey. He is...dare I say it...NORMAL! How could you not love him!? I wanted him to break through Kristen's barriers because he deserved happiness as much as she did. I am curious to see if the rest of the series keeps this more romantic suspense bend or if it becomes more of a sports romance story.

Ok, now having said that, let me address some of the issues I had. First, she got her degree in Interior Design from MIT. They don't offer degrees in Interior Design. Maybe she got a degree in Architectural studies...But still. You don't go to MIT to be an interior designer. That just doesn't make good sense. You go to a famous design school like Savannah Art and Design, Rhode Island Design, or something. Second, after her first date with Kellan, she tells him about her past, her name change, and faking her own death. WitSec rule number one is you can't tell anyone anything!

I did think the surprise twist was interesting. I hadn't even THOUGHT anything like that. However, the rest of the book is pretty predictable. Overall, this was a good story: good characters, good plot, but not great. I enjoyed it and read it in a few hours, but I probably will forget all about it among the sea of other books I read.
(Link live on 6/1/17)

This is the 1st book I have read from this Author. I felt there needed to be a bit more in the beginning to delveop the plot and why the relationships were so strong in this book. I wanted a little more back story. I also thought it was a little pricdiable in parts. I thought it was a good book.

This was my first book to author L. P. Dover and I must admit that it wasn't what I expected at all. After seeing the hot cover and the blurb I was a goner. And when I requested Hard Stick, I thought the story would be about Ice hockey but it was more about Kristen's tragedy than Kellan and his hard stick. Overall, this was an Ok read.
Looking forward to reading the naughty Dallas's story.
Full review to be posted on goodreads, blog, twitter page and Amazon on the release day

Kellan and Kristen see each other several times per week at the bar Kristen tends bar at. Kellan is a hockey player and goes to the bar with several of his teammates to kick back and relax. Kellan has noticed Kristen for a while but she blows off any type of advance from anyone, especially his teammates. Kristen has been burned in the past and is definitely looking to stay low and try to keep her life a secret. She is on the run from an abusive ex and he has shown he will stop at nothing to get her to be his.

Kellan finally wears Kristen down to date him and it goes much better than she thought it would. She knows she has a lot of baggage and weighs how much she can tell him about her past. With no family to be able to help her, she is left to struggle through with the help of a few good friends. Kellan knows she is leery of him, but doesn't realize the extent of it until she begins to let him in.

There were definitely some surprises in this book. It keep me reading to see what was going to happen and how it was all going to play out. I did like how Kellan was persistent in showing Kristen he was going to be there for her. Her friends did pull out all of the stops to help her when it was needed. I was at a loss at times though when they didn't have answers that they should have. The plot flowed well and the story line kept moving forward. Overall a good read and I was honored to receive an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Another winner by one of my favorite authors LP Dover. I just don't know what to expect sometimes with her stories and that is one of the things I love most about her. It had just the right amount of everything! I am loving this new series and this new team!
This was such a great story that keeps you all-in because you just have to see what is going to happen next. Kellan and Kristen have some incredible chemistry! I love them together. This has a huge romantic suspense quality to it and I for one was unable to put it down.
I cannot wait for the next book in this new series!

Thank you to Netgalley for this wonderful ARC!!!!

‘Hard Stick’ is the first book I’ve read by L.P. Dover and I can assure you, it won’t be my last. I really liked L.P. Dover’s writing style. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. When I was requesting this book, I was expecting a classic hockey romance but it was totally not what I expected at all. While I was reading the book in some parts, I could guess what is coming but still I needed the validation. I was totally drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down until I was done with the book.

So back to the story, Kellan Carter is the captain and the enforcer for the Charlotte Strikers. He does not fit hockey player stereotype. He is not a player. He is focused on his career. He is sweet, sexy, loyal, supportive and understanding. He is looking for a relationship with someone who doesn’t care about his hockey player status and money. Once he meets with gorgeous bartender Kristen, who makes him work really hard for a date, he knows he found his match.

Kristen Robinson is works at the bar where Charlotte Strikers hockey players frequently visit. She is beautiful, smart, and down to earth. After dating with the wrong guy, her whole life changes. She’s forced to leave everything behind and change her identity. She even fakes her own death. After faking her own death, she thinks that she can stop worrying and start living her life again. So she decides to give Kellan a chance. Their chemistry off the charts and they are perfect for each other. Kristen really likes Kellan and wants to be honest with him so she reveals some parts of her past with him. Even though, Kellan knows that there is more than what Kristen is sharing, he never pushes her to share more because he knows that when she starts to trust him totally, she will reveal everything. However, everything crumbles down when Kristen past, meaning psycho ex re-appears.

‘Hard Stick’ is a sad, thrilling, sweet and hopeful sports romance that is filled with action. If you are looking for a thrilling action packed hockey romance, this book is totally for you.

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

P.S. The side characters were great too. I was curious if Kellan’s teammates Dallas and Braeden will get their stories and I just saw that Dallas story ‘Blocked’ will be published on October 31st, 2017. Cannot wait to read it and hoping Breaden will be next :)

I would like to thank Netgalley and Loveswept for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one that I couldn’t put down. Even though the plot was a little predictable and you pretty much knew what was going to happen, you still wanted to see it unfold. (I gave it a 4 for that reason,) I really like this Author and have read some of her other books. I really like the cross overs to some of her other series, it’s always great to see a glimpse into some of the other characters that you come to love.

I liked the chemistry between the two MC’s. The progression of the romance was believable. The character development seemed to be spot on and grow. Besides the villain and the mom the characters are likable. Being a sports/hockey romance I would have loved to see a little more of that in the book. I did like that the female main character was pretty kick ass herself. Or had to become that way.

If you like lots of drama, hockey, romance and heroism then I think you’ll enjoy this book.

Kellan is a hockey player who isn't necessarily looking for someone to spend his life with, but he can't help falling for Kristen. I have read several books by L.P. Dover and this one definitely did not disappoint. I loved the way the author developed the characters and I also liked that it is part of a series because I like that I'll get a glimpse into their lives in upcoming books. Great read and I look forward to reading the next installment.