Member Reviews
I love a happy ending, one of the main reasons I tend to pick up romance and a sports romance with an HEA is even better. Callie and Dallas are so different that they just work. What a great story, I can't wait for more of this series.
Another amazing book by LP Dover! I can't say enough about how pleasantly surprised I am by Dallas. This gorgeous hot hockey superstar was such a player when we are first introduced to him that I wasn't really liking him very much, But knowing LP's writing, I knew that would change of course and I would end up loving the hero if the story. Meeting Callie changed everything for him and in him. He certainly won me over heart and soul with his sweetness and grand gestures and desire to change. He wants to be the kind of man Callie will want, the kind of man she deserves. I really like Callie. She is a very hard working nurse who cares so much about people. She doesn't take any crap and is smart and sassy besides being beautiful inside and out; not to mention she can kick butt on the ice! Callie and Dallas have amazing chemistry and when they finally come together it is hot and steamy to say the least.
Can they get past the barriers that block their way to true happiness? You'll have to read this and find out. I promise it is totally worth your time! It's a great story with fun, flirty, sweet and sexy moments that will win your heart!
4 Stars
Hockey Romance
Copy provided for an honest review.
Goodreads Blurb
My favorite sport romance books are hockey romances. I will be honest, I do NOT know much about hockey but DAMN! Strong alpha males who can also be sweet!? Yes, please.
I also really enjoy books, like this one, where the author creates multiple stories based on a group of friends/acquaintances. You get to know these characters as if they were personal friends. Seeing all of them grow and fall in love is so SWEET and make for great stories! With this being said, I haven't read all of the related hockey books by L.P. Dover but the ones I have, I really enjoyed!
The main characters make this book a great read! There is a strong alpha male, Dallas, and sweet yet determined female, Callie. Dallas is a ladies man and he gets what he wants. When he sets his sight on Callie, he wants her. Callie is a strong and independent woman who doesn't give in easily to the charming ways of goaltender, Dallas. YES! I love when characters have to prove themselves to each other. It makes for a great story because you get to see the "chase". Both Dallas and Callie are well rounded characters that really drive this story and they bring the heat!
Looking for a quick fun and SEXY romance!? Check out this book!
Releases Tuesday, October 31st! Preorder on Amazon.
After finishing ‘Hard Stick’, I was hoping Dallas or Braeden get their stories too and when I saw ‘Blocked’ on Netgalley I requested it right away. I am so glad that I did. ‘Blocked’ is another great read from L.P. Dover.
Dallas Easton is arrogant, persistent, hot tempered and sexy. He is a player on and off the ice. He is the goalie for the Charlotte Striker’s and the best in the league. After getting in a fight at a party, he is on the coach’s sh*t list and has his extra training sessions. When team captain Kellan, who is also one of Dallas’s best friends, hears that team’s rookie Justin arranged ice time for him and his family, Kellan asks him if it is ok to combine it with Dallas’s extra training sessions. When Justin agrees and they start playing, Dallas thinks it is waste of time because he blocks everything and thinks they are not worthy of his presence. However, when one of the players on ice keep taunting and scoring, Dallas’s temper gets the best of him and he jumps on the guy. One thing he didn’t see coming was the player being a girl. Callie Davis is ER and surgical nurse. She is sweet, smart and sassy. Because she grew up with three brothers, she can identify a player a mile away. So when she meets with Charlotte Striker’s bad boy Dallas, she know he is the player extraordinaire. Dallas is not used to women, who are not falling at his feet. When Callie avoids him like a plague, getting her attention becomes a game for him and he hates losing. Callie is so sure that Dallas is going to give up his pursuit if things gets harder so she gives him tasks to complete before she agrees to a date. It was so cute how Dallas completed his tasks just for Callie to give him a chance to redeem himself and show her that he is not really a bad guy. Even when Dallas gets his hard-earned chance and start dating Callie, his job is not easy. He still has to face three overprotective brothers and one being his teammate doesn’t make it easier for him. I loved seeing the change in Dallas. His relationship with Callie made him a better person. Instead of acting like an as*hole, he started to show his real self and stopped being selfish. I also loved the way L.P. Dover portraits her heroines. In both ‘Hard Stick’ and ‘Blocked’ both heroines were smart, independent and strong, which I loved. Also, all the side characters: Lacey, Hannah, Maddox, Justin, Braeden are perfect. I cannot wait to read more about them.
If you are looking for a sweet, heartwarming, sexy quick read ‘Blocked’ is just for you. Even though, ‘Blocked’ is the second book of the ‘Breakaway’ series, it can be read as a standalone. I am definitely looking forward to more in this series. Hopefully, next book will be for Maddox. If not Maddox I am okay with Justin or Braeden LOL!
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
Blocked by L.P. Dover is book two in her Breakaway series. After reading the blurb, I was dying to get my hands on it.
Dallas Easton is a goaltender used to getting what he wants. His career is on the up, he's got future plans in the works, and his days are filled with hockey and women. That changes the night he lets his temper get the best of him and finds himself interested in the one woman who won’t give him the time of day. His teammates’ sister, Callie.
So, I couldn’t stand Dallas at first. He’s definitely a hothead and really wasn’t much of a team player where some of his teammates were concerned. He had this sense of entitlement that completely rubbed me the wrong way.
He never quite recovered for me, personally, but I did enjoy seeing Callie come in and upend his world. Callie is used to skating and hockey because she grew up around it. The woman’s got mad skills, and I loved how she comes out of left field and keeps Dallas on his toes. The last thing she wants—or needs—is to fall for her brother’s enemy on this ice.
I thought the pacing was a little inconsistent. As far as Dallas is concerned, he pulls a 180 awfully fast, and it came across as a little too insta-connection for me. I didn’t believe he’d want to change his ways after one meeting with Callie. On the other hand, the last half of the book kind of dragged. There was some extra plot I think could have been cut.
All that said, I did rather enjoy this book. Callie’s brothers were great, and there are a few other storylines I’m waiting rather impatiently to see how everything plays out. Blocked was my first read by L.P. Dover, and I’m intrigued enough to dive into this author’s backlog.
3.5 stars!
Blocked was a great 5 star read.
L.P. Dover has once again pulled me right in.
We have Dallas Easton a hot NHL goalie who has quite the reputation with the women. One night while on the ice for some fun/practice someone gets the best of him and when he pulls the helmet off to hit the man he sees the most beautiful woman ever.
Callie has three very protective brothers and she has grown up around hockey. She knew she was playing dirty to get the puck in and she didn’t blame Dallas for what he did. She knows he’s a player and tries to stay away from him.
I need to figure out a way to get to her. I’d never had to work to get a girl. For the first time in my life, I was clueless.
Dallas is determined to apologize to Callie. She has been avoiding him at all cost. He sent her tons of flowers to no avail. I have to say I really enjoyed what Callie would challenge Dallas to do. He really proved to her that he was serious about being with her. I have to say that I really loved the bikini part, it was great.
Guys like him got bored way too easily, and I was pretty sure a lot of women got hurt in the process. I didn’t want to be one of them. I needed someone who was safe, someone I could trust not to hurt me.
There is so much more to this fun love story. I was LOL and steaming at some of the things that came up. Callie was great, she was a strong willed woman who knew how to take care of herself. Dallas was a man who was not used to women telling him no, and boy did he work to prove himself. What a super sweet man, although he has quite the temper on the ice. I really enjoyed all of the secondary characters and I’m really looking forward to Maddox and Lacey’s story, wow that is going to be a good one. This can be read as a standalone however I feel like you connect better with all the characters if you read from the beginning of the series. 1-click and get started today.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Dallas is the best goaltender in the NHL and he has the arrogance to go with it. Women flock to him and he enjoys every second. When Dallas has to share the ice with Justin, a new player on his team, and Justin’s brothers, one brother is able to get past him by tricking him. Dallas gets angry and wants to hit him ... only to find out it’s a girl when the mask comes off. Dallas falls instantly for Justin’s sister Callie. But Callie decides that she wants Dallas to work for it because she’s not going to fall at his feet like all the women who come in contact with him. Dallas eventually wins her over, but there are people conspiring to keep them apart.
This is a steamy romance with lots of laughs and twists and turns. I liked that Callie was a nurse and helped to ground Dallas and her brothers. The author gives you updates of the characters from the first book and glimpses about the characters in future books. This is a great series and I can’t wait for the next book.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of Random House-Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Callie and Dallas were epic.
Unlike the first book, Hard Stick, which started a bit too slow, this story was a page turner from start to finish.
I couldn't get enough of the characters, main and supportive, they were funny and relatable.
I cannot wait for the next story, fingers crossed it's about Maddox.
Dallas Easton is a hot shot hockey player and playboy. Until he meets Callie Davis who completely intrigues him. She isn't like any woman he usually meets, she is smart, independent, great at hockey and wants nothing to do with him...
I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. While the story had potential, it just didn't deliver for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
The good, the good, always start with the good. This book was smoking HOT! The chemistry between Dallas and Callie is off the charts. Plus, once you get past their walls, they’re both awesome people.
Of course, Dallas is a player…in more than one sense of the word. He’s hot, he’s talented, he’s famous so why should he rein himself in? He’s even kind of an egomaniac at first. I have to say the first (brief) interaction between Dallas and Callie, I don’t judge him for that. He was taking what was offered by an attractive consenting adult. Callie is a bit judgmental of Dallas’ past overall, but that’s a natural reaction.
We get to know a lot of the rest of the hockey team in this book, as well as family and friends. They’re all engaging and wonderful additions to the depth of the Breakaway world. Plus, we still got quite a bit of Kellan and Kristen from the first book.
This book swept me up into its storyline and kept me turning pages. This author has wonderful pacing and comes up with great plot lines and story concepts. So why only 3 stars? Once again, it was a problem with reality. If you have never read my reviews before, I want to tell you that I understand and believe in suspension of disbelief when it comes to fictional worlds. What I have a hard time with is sloppy research…things that are easy to look up or find out about that are just plain wrong in a story for no reason. These errors and twisting of times do not drive the plot in any way so I find them hard to forgive.
Once again, I find it hard to come to grips with the fact that this author is writing about hockey and seems to know nothing about the NHL. From the very first sentence of the story (if it remains the same, I was reading an ARC) it is obvious she is not comfortable or in the know on the vernacular of hockey (or sports?). Simple things like “shut out”, “arena” (seriously, I have never heard a hockey fan call it a coliseum), “goalie” (especially when the book is about a goalie), “period” should just be par for the course in this type of book. Since they are not, the language often seems stilted and slows the flow of the story down. Plus, there are far more people involved with a team than one main coach…even in the pee-wee leagues! Yet it’s Dallas’ responsibility to work with his backup goalie? Ummmm….no. Things are better here than the first book with regards to how often these guys have games, but they sure do an awful lot of partying for elite athletes in the middle of their season. Especially since they supposedly won 4 Stanley Cup titles in a row.
On top of the hockey issues, there are other things that just didn’t sit well. Callie’s nursing schedule was odd (although I probably wouldn’t have noticed as much if my brain wasn’t on the lookout for blunders after being triggered by all of the hockey issues), the reality show being live yet nobody knew about it was so far-fetched (no way an NHL team would allow this to happen during playoffs without some kind of releases being signed; even then it would be a reach), the way the coach and a player seem to be deciding who is going to take over when said coach retires. So many issues! Yet, somehow we have a whole wonderful paragraph on pond ice versus rink ice that is spot on. Why that attention to detail can’t be found throughout these books is beyond me.
Did you guys see Brokeback Mountain? This series makes me feel like screaming, "I wish I knew how to quit you!" I feel like Jack…Ennis gives him so little but he loves the little bit he gets so just keeps going back for more. Knowing he won’t be fully satisfied in the end. L.P. Dover gives me enough tidbits to keep me biting, to keep me hoping for more, to keep me coming back. She has scenes like the one between Dallas and Callie challenging each other in order to decide if they will keep their relationship a secret or not. That scene on the ice slayed me. Dallas just stole my heart and could do no wrong after that. Even when the inaccuracies were driving me bananas.
I said it before, I may need to read this author’s other work. With the way she sucks me in even though there’s so much that bugs me she has to have some wonderful stories out there that focus on characters doing things the author knows more about. But I’m not going to lie…I will continue this series because I am invested in these characters. I’ll just keep hoping that the author gets better at portraying the hockey world.
I tried to read this book. I put it down and picked it back up, but sadly, this was a DNF for me. I was really excited about this one, because I adore hockey romances. However, I struggled with the hero, and though we all know, he should grow and change over the course of the book, I couldn't find the motivation to keep reading. There was something about the writing, that I found difficult. I normally fly through contemporaries, but I found myself tripping over sentences. That coupled with an abrasive hero left me with little interest to continue. I may revisit this book at a later date, because I have read quite a few great reviews, but for now, I am putting it aside.
I REALLY did not like Dallas at first and it took a while for him to grow on me. I loved that Callie made him really work for a date with her but then she sleeps with him on that first date. Then, in a matter of weeks, they're in love. I had this issue with the first book in the series. I don't understand why these relationships are so rushed. I ended up really liking Dallas once we got to see him with his family and sister. He really is a different person by the end of the book so I really enjoyed his character development. Callie and Dallas had good chemistry but I could have used a little more sexual tension. The best part of this book is the mystery surrounding Lacey and Maddox. I'm assuming they're next up in the series and I'm looking forward to that book. This book wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. I recommend it if you want a light, easy breezy read.
I love L.P. Dover's hockey romance books. The characters are always smart and well rounded. And sexy, can't forget that! Dallas was such a cocky a$$ in the beginning and I'm so happy he got knocked on his butt. Great book to read if you're looking for a sexy hockey player getting played by another sexy hockey player.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I loved Dallas & Callie’s story! So fun! And Dallas & Callie’s characters are written with such spunk and flare. They light up the pages and their chemistry does too!
Callie, oh my! What a spitfire. I love that she calls it as she sees it. She’s fun and strong-willed but still has her insecurities. And Dallas, loved getting to know him; and the lengths he went to, to prove to Callie what a good guy he is will keep you smiling. The level of drama was perfect, not over the top and kept you anticipating. Hockey players, overprotective brothers, secrets, blossoming relationships and friendships, a fun series that keeps you wanting more!
And oh my, does L. P. Dover set us up for what’s to come! I’m dying to know Lacey’s secret and also can’t wait for Justin’s story! So much more to come!
4.5☆ Blocked was a really great read. That had everything I love in a hockey romance, and it had me hooked from beginning to end. With fantastic characters, great chemistry and a story that was fun, entertaining, easy to read and low angst. There really was plenty to enjoy and I'm excited to read more from this series in the future. Especially with this group of characters. Which is why I'd happily recommend Blocked to others.
I really enjoyed this excellent book. A great sports romance with a little humor, some nice sexy times, and a great romance at it's core.
Dallas Easton is one of the NHL's toughest goalies. He has no problem throwing down the gloves when he needs to and the jerk that's trying to show him up on the ice right now deserves it! Only it turns out that jerk is a woman and the sister of one of his teammates. When Callie Davis basically blows off all his attempts to apologize she really peaks his interest. No woman has ever turned him down before so changing her mind about him becomes a challenge he plans on winning!
Definitely a book I recommend.
4 She's More Than He Ever Expected Stars!!!
I'm a huge fan of the romance books that revolve around sports and Hockey seems to be my go-to book these days so when I started reading this one I was in heaven. Dallas Easton is everything I want in an alpha sports hero with a swagger that is well deserved and getting taken down a notch or two by the beautiful Callie is the icing on the cake for me!!
Don't get me wrong I want them to have their HEA but this man needs to work for something that he's been having handed to him over the years because of who and what he is and this sexy beautiful woman is the one to do it. Watching them together and seeing her worm her way into Dallas's heart was fabulous!
There's a heat between them that could literally melt the ice they skate on but more importantly, is the connection that exists between them even if they want to deny it...and deny it they do!! Easton has never worked so hard to get a woman under him and when it happened, holy wowza the fireworks were ignited!!!
I read this book from front to back in about 5 hours that's how good it was. I was consumed with their give and take and watching them fall in love was delicious! In the end, we see a side of Dallas I wasn't sure really existed but it was literally simmering below the surface waiting for the right woman, namely Callie Davis to crash into his world and change everything he thought he wanted and needed!!!
There are just so many words to describe the goaltender for the Strikers. Tough, rude, arrogant, cocky, womanising and determined. But he is also sexy and the kind of bad boy that makes bad decisions feel ah so good...He may be a pain-in-the-ass for some of his team mates, but he is also a real life fantasy for women and even though Callie knows that he is bad news with a capital B, he is also irresistible. Her brothers may want to kill him on the spot, but she knows that there is something more to him than swagger and good looks. Especially when Dallas shows her how it feels to be the object of his attention and affection.
Can Dallas Easton really transform into a one woman man? Has he really found the one woman that he can consider spending the rest of his life with? It seems that when the right woman comes along, even a bad boy can be good. Well, maybe not all the time ;)
Callie Davis knows what hockey players are like and she knows that she has to stay away from Dallas Easton. If not for her own sake, than definitely for his. She knows that what they feel for one another is real, all she has to do know is make her brothers and the rest of the world see it.
Another great book by L. P. Dover! Can't wait to find out what Lacey is hiding! There is sure to be some major sparks between her and Maddox in the next book of the series! Can't wait!!
I would like to thank Loveswept and Netgalley for the gift of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Here’s another great story by L.P. Dover. One thing I really like about this author is her writing style. I have read some of her other series but I just love her hockey players. This was a quick read that kept me interested through out.
I thought Callie and Dallas were great together. I would have liked to see a little more drama between them. Maybe more heart ache between the two. They had a lot of things that could have broken them up but it seemed that the solutions came too easily to them. That being said I was rooting for these two and thought they had a pretty sweet romance.
I liked how L.P. took a “player” like Dallas, who only used women and quickly turned him around once he met Callie. Something that is probably pretty rare in the real world but what every woman is hoping for. Tame the bad boy!
If you are looking for a quick read, heavy on the romance with HOTT hockey players then L.P. is the way to go. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series with Maddox and Lacey. (Hoping it’s them).
I don't follow sports but I loved this story. With Dallas' reputation as a ladies man, I really doubted whether he was the right guy for Callie. She isn't just another one of the many women who throw themselves at his feet. If he is series about dating Callie, he needs to prove it. She is more than ready to put him through his paces. There are some great moments in this story that made me laugh with the pictures they conjured up in my head.