Member Reviews
Hockey romances are one of my favourite. This was a unique story about how Dallas and Callie met, which was she was dressed as a hockey player and Dallas started a fight with her but stopped once he realized she was a women and thus this infatuation with Callie started. Callie's older brother plays on Dallas's team and are really over protective of her. She makes Dallas work rather hard for her affection which does pay off at the end of course. Such a great story, I loved it!
This sports-related romance tests the proposition as to whether an obnoxious player (of hockey and with women) can go from sleeping with any available woman to falling for the heroine right away and immediately be motivated to giving up his hound dog ways. Of course he can. It’s a romance novel, dang it! THe hero, Dallas Easton is pretty unlikeable at first. He not only sleeps around, but he’s also refusing to help the back-up goalie on his team because he doesn’t want the new player to outshine him. But he meets Callie, the sister of one of his teammates and it’s game on. He pursues her even though her brothers keep warning him off. She resists and then she falls for him. They have some predictable complications, but we all know that it’s going to work out. And it turns out that Dallas is actually a great guy who was just hiding his nice side. There enough hockey in the book to make it a more believable sports romance but you’re going to have to buy that he plays for a team that has won the Stanley Cup several years in a row. If every hockey-playing hero of romance novels had won all the Stanley Cups they’re purported to have won, the league would be giving out about eight of those things every year.
I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dallas and Callie meet and sparks fly. He is a womanizer and she just moved with her brothers (one of whom, Justin, also plays on the hockey team with Dallas) to Charlotte. She is a nurse and works both surgery and the E.R. Both of them seemed to be quite capable professionally, it was personally where they lost me. Callie was rude, a bully and just plain a brat to Dallas for most of this book. He should not have had to "prove" anything to her at any point upon just meeting her. She wasn't all that and her brothers were just plain annoying. Threatening, cheating and playing hard-to-get were not endearing to me and made me like Callie less and less. Dallas did go above and beyond what I would have expected or thought believable, especially in light of how little he knew about her. I thought she owed him an apology for playing so dirty in order to "win" with her brothers. I do not condone punching anyone and didn't find it okay when she punched Dallas. It all just smacked of immaturity. I will say that the descriptions of the hockey games themselves were good and made up for my dislike of pretty much both Callie and Dallas at points. I also thought that Kristen and Hannah butted in way too much to be believable. I thought Dallas was wrongfully picked on and accused of things throughout this book and really had no one in his corner. I was glad at the ending, but would have like way more maturity in the h than I got.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Once again, Dover gives us a fast paced hockey romance that keeps you on your toes and enjoying every moment of it! I absolutely adored Callie and Dallas. Their chemistry was undeniable and they had such amazing wit and banter! I found it very hard to put this one down! The whole storyline was amazing and unique. Overall, this book is a great addition to this series by Dover and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is either a fan of Dover or loves a good hockey romance!
Dallas is a famous hockey player with no trouble finding female companionship. Then he meets Callie and he's instantly drawn to her natural beauty and attitude. Unfortunately, Callie is the sister of one of his teammates so they are going to have to work hard to keep their relationship a secret. Fun sexy sports romance!
I love hockey romance is my favourite, and I really enjoyed Blocked, which follows cocky NHL goalie Dallas Easton and tomboy ER and surgical nurse Callie Davis. Told in dual POV we meet Dallas at an after hockey party where he hooked up with somebody else's girlfriend, just before he gets smashed over the head with a bottle. The nurse who fixes him up is Callie, the sister of a teammate. After running into each other a few more times, and she scores goal after goal on him in a practice skate, but he has to apologize for his reaction. Dallas is completely smitten but she has a no dating hockey player policy and for sure no manwhores, so she makes him crawl a bit more than I found enjoyable. They eventually come to an understanding and the fun stuff begins. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
BLOCKED is the second book in the Breakaway series about the Charlotte Strikers hockey team. Each book is a standalone, although all the characters are interconnected. L. P. Dover is one my favorite authors and I always enjoy everything she writes, especially, her hockey series.
This is a sweet and heartwarming story about Dallas Easton, the goalie for the Strikers. He is a bad boy who enjoys playing hockey, drinking and being with a different woman every night. However, that all changes when he meets Callie, the sister of one of his teammates. Dallas grew on me as the story progressed. He has always been the type of guy who doesn't care about anyone but himself and he has a reputation as a bad boy with a volatile temper. However, once he meets Callie, everything changes. He only wants her and he isn't interested in anyone else. He has an uphill battle trying to convince Callie and her protective brothers he has changed.
After growing up with three brothers Callie has learned to stand up for herself and she is also a good hockey player. She loves working as a nurse and is dedicated to her job. Callie is the first woman who hasn't fallen at Dallas’ feet. She makes him work for a chance to be with her. Dallas and Callie work well together and have a lot chemistry. I enjoyed all the secondary characters and can't wait to read more books in this series. I really enjoyed this fast paced, fun story.
I’m Dallas Easton, the best goaltender in the league. I make a damn good living playing hockey, and with women falling at my feet wherever I go, why not enjoy it? I get whatever I want, whenever I want—that is, until I come across the one player who gets the best of me on the ice.
When I try to pummel the dude, all hell breaks loose. Imagine my surprise when the helmet comes off to reveal a woman underneath. And not just any woman, but the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Callie Davis is the complete opposite of the puck bunnies I usually go for, a good girl with sick moves and a selfless streak a mile wide. I need to make amends, but she dodges me at every turn. It doesn’t help that Callie’s brother hates my guts, or that my agent thinks she’s bad for my career.
But I could care less what they think. I can’t let our little run-in on the ice be the end of our story. Because when I set my sights on something, I won’t rest until I score.
Dallas Easton is a complete player. He’s the goaltender for the Carolina Strikers and he thinks quite highly of himself. When the book opens he’s at an after-the-game-win party at a fellow player’s house. He picks the first hot chick he sees, dances with her for a minute and a half, maybe and next thing you know he’s in a bedroom with her RTF.
Dallas gets hurt at that party and Callie, an ER and surgical nurse takes care of him. Later when he’s well enough to get back in the game he’s practicing on the ice and actually almost punches Callie (I won’t tell how). He wants nothing more than to tell Callie how sorry he is but she won’t give him the time of day. She knows he’s a womanizer and really wants nothing to do with him. He’s never had to chase a woman in his life so he gets creative with trying to see her and apologize for his actions. He soon gets close enough to tell her how he feels and soon Callie is giving him a chance
The pair start falling for each other but they have plenty of roadblocks standing in their way. Will their love be enough to get them through everyone who hates them together and stands in their way?
I have to admit that when I got this ARC from NetGalley I was excited to read it. I’d liked the first book in the series and was looking forward to book two. I read the first chapter and quite frankly? I hated Dallas. He was such a huge douchebag that I had no desire to read any more about him. I put the book down and let it sit there for almost 3 months before I picked it back up. I know, bad Tracy. When I finally decided to give it another chance and read past chapter one I was quite surprised. I still thought that Dallas was an ass for about half the book but he truly redeemed himself in my eyes. He fell in love with Callie and couldn’t see any other woman besides her. It went a long way toward making me like the man.
Callie was a strong woman and I liked that about her. She stood up to Dallas, and her brothers as well when they got too protective. She had a good head on her shoulders and was happy to see that she didn’t give in to Dallas right away. She really made him grovel and I loved it. Their relationship ended up being pretty great. Yes, there were the typical trying to tear them apart moments but overall it was good.
This has been a good series (yes, only two books so far, but still) and I was happy to see that this book had a lot more hockey involved in it. The last book had a hockey player in it but not so much hockey. This had a ton more and I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens next with these hockey players.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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3.5 Stars
Blocked has been on my radar since I finished reading the first book in the Breakaway series, Hard Stick. I really liked Kellan's teammate and friend, Dallas. I was excited that he was getting his own book.
Unfortunately, Dallas wasn't the man I remembered from Hard Stick. Maybe it's my poor memory, but I don't remember him being such a jerk. It wasn't his womanizing way that was the problem. It was his overall attitude. He was portrayed to be a hotheaded jerk who didn't get along with his teammates. I hated him for the first part of the book. Then, he's trying to redeem himself to Callie and it was like his whole personality changed. I had a hard time reconciling the two sides of Dallas.
Callie was an easy character to like. She was smart and knew exactly how to keep Dallas on his toes. I loved the little "tests" or pranks she played on him. I also liked that she had a close relationship with her brothers. They didn't like Dallas and it made the story very entertaining.
One thing I thought Blocked was missing was drama. There was one big dramatic moment, but it fell a little flat for me. I just didn't envision Callie responding the way she did. She seemed like an open and honest person who would let someone explain themselves before completely flipping out.
Overall, Blocked was an entertaining read. I still liked L.P. Dover's writing style, and she made me excited for both Lacey and Maddox's story and Justin's. I can't decide whose I'd like to read first!
Review of "Blocked" by L P Dover
ARC kindly provided by publisher on Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I am starting to become a huge fan of the sports romance genre, mainly because the H's are all hunks falling for what we fans of historical romances refer to as Wallflowers. Is there a similar term for h's in the contemporary genre? "Nerds" and "geeks" somehow doesn't hold the same charm as say "Bluestocking". Tomboy? Oh well. I will ponder on this further later.
Now the fact that the Hs aren't your stereotypical "dumb jocks" and DO posses brains and a great sense of humour also endeared me to this trope. And the h's are all actually good-looking as well. The "popular" crowd just steers clear off them not because they're ugly but primarily because a) they are geeks/nerds b) they can't be bothered trying to impress people with their looks; they'd rather be known for their brains and c) fashion to them means more about showcasing their individuality or personality, than the latest on-trend branded clothes and make-up.
One of my most favourite series under this trope is the "Game On" series by Kristen Callahan. I wanted to try new authors as well and the blurb for this story captured my attention - hunky H falling for a sexy tomboy - yessss!!
However, I finished the book feeling rather disappointed with it all. I felt the h rather overdid the bit of making the H prove himself to be "worthy" enough for her; that too over and over. There are more mature ways of doing so than say, making a guy wear a bikini in public, where the whole thing is meant to be broadcasted. Another sign of Callie's immaturity is when she is unwilling to even let Dallas explain his motives in regards to a few things she saw and heard. It had to be laid out by a third party before she deemed it necessary to hear him out. I get that Dallas had a "reputation", but given how much he had ALREADY done to show her he is quite serious about pursuing their relationship, I felt she could have at least had enough trust to listen to his side of the story.
The love scenes also somehow didn't feel right. There is one scene in Kristen's book, "The Friend Zone", where the H and h have an intense session of phone sex. It was raw. It was powerful. It made me want to be in the h's shoes. That scene alone had more punch then all the love scenes in this book put together.
Final decision. I may most likely wait and go through reviews of this author's future books before I decide to read another story by her.
The perfect sequel to the series!
I love L.P. Dover and I can't wait for more books.
I love a hockey romance but I struggled to find myself like either hero or heroine. For whatever reason I couldn't connect with this story or these characters. It just wasn't a fit for me.
What's not to like about hot hockey players. Blocked is a great read. I enjoyed the book from the beginning to the end. The story of Callie and Dallas was very hot, sexy, and even sometimes irritating. But I loved the chemistry between them. I also liked several of the other characters in the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book about Lacey and Maddox. I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a good love story.
3.25-3.5 STARS
In this second installment to author L.P. Dover’s Breakaway series, NHL goaltender, Dallas Easton, finds his match in Callie Davis. Sister to one of Dallas’ newest teammates, Callie is totally off limits. But that doesn’t stop Dallas from chasing after what he wants. And what he wants is Callie.
Callie is a nurse that recently relocated to North Carolina along with her over-protective brothers. Being pursued by the notorious skirt chaser that is Dallas Easton is like an exercise in futility. For Callie has no interest in a man who has a reputation for screwing puck bunnies. But Dallas is on a mission to prove Callie wrong. He just needs to strip away her defenses long enough for her to see him as a man desperate to break free of his past.
“Blocked” is a sweet, sexy little romance that’s a bit on the predictable side with very minimal angst. While it’s a fun, quick little read, it lacks any substantial depth. That being said, it’s an enjoyable, light-hearted romance overall.
Once again, I sped through this L.P. Dover book and couldn't put it down. This is a recurring theme with LP's work, and the reason I now delay reading ARCs by her until closer to release day. I enjoy every second I'm immersed in her worlds and am always left wanting more.
Blocked was no exception. I think I preferred this book to book 1 in the series. I liked the easiness of the read. The drama was kept to a minimum and it was just about Dallas and Callie finding their way to each other. It was a sweet read and had a few moments that made me smile.
Overall, I enjoyed Blocked. It was an ideal read for a lazy Sunday for a few hours.
3 Stars
Leave it to L.p. Dover to give us a couple of situations which takes boy meets girl to another level...
You have Hockey- Yeah!
You have Tough woman who knows a "Player" when she sees one- Another Yeah!
And then you have our guy falling hard for her as she is always saying no when he is use to Yes...- Trifecta Yeahs!
A HEA with a couple of angsty moments.
This story is so funny, sweet, romantic and emotional. I loved Callie and Dallas together and can't wait for the next story.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy.
L.P. Dover has done it again!!! So many feels with Blocked I can't even comprehend! 5 stars from Stormy Day Reading!!
Received an ARC for an honest review.
Well this was just a delightful surprise! This read had everything, great men, strong women, heat and some heart. While I hate that Dallas was such a player at the beginning, watching him realize how much better life is with Callie was a lot of fun. The hoops they put each other through (mostly her putting him through hoops) were hysterical and I loved seeing how protective her brothers were.
I also liked that Dover kept us guessing. While I figured out how one of the stories was going to tie off, I didn't know how Dallas would get back in Callie's good graces. I also loved the addition of the other storylines. Sometimes, when there's too much going on, it can be hard to keep track of, but Dover pulled it off. I liked watching Hannah and Corey come together and I cannot wait to see what happens with Lacey.
Great read!
This series just gets better and better. Blocked is book two in the series. I loved the characters and banter between them.
Dallas is a professional hockey player for the Strikers. He loves to party with his team and have a different woman on his arm. He wasn't looking for a relationship, just wanted a hook up. Dallas didn't think he'd meet a girl at a party he couldn't stop thinking about.
Callie has just moved to North Carolina with her brothers. She's a nurse and loves her job. One of her brothers plays professional hockey and it's his first year on the Striker's team. She doesn't want anything to do with the hockey players. She's knows they're all players and not looking for a relationship.
Dallas is very determined he's going to convince Callie he's different. It takes a lot of work but with her brothers not on board will it last? Dallas and Callie have chemistry they can't deny.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more. I highly recommend this series.