I've had a bit of love/dislike relationship with the Pilots Hockey Series. After a very strong start, there were a couple of books I was less than thrilled with, but Breakaway returns to the series roots with a strong showing.
Luke is a character that we've seen off and on through the previous books, but haven't gotten to know well. At the beginning of Breakaway, we see him get injured on the ice and struggle with what comes next in his career.
We get to know him along with his love interest, Bree, as the story moves along. I enjoyed both characters and liked both of them together as they seemed to bring out the best in each other. After an unconventional start, these two seemed to come together again and again to create a slow burn of a relationship. While Hockey plays a big role in this story, it really is a stand alone book as the characters met previously make brief cameos and aren't critical to the story.
Breakaway is a book that makes me glad that I didn't give up on Ms. Henry as an author and I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Breakaway was a mess. It was on one hand, mired in lots of emotional baggage and on the other hand, entirely too casually devoted to sex. I guess my problem with it is that it's not balanced well between the emotional aspect and the "fun", sexy aspect. The best romances are the ones that don't let the angst overcome the story, and the ones that don't let the sex be the most important aspect of the relationship. Breakaway didn't achieve that balance, instead it lay somewhere in a weird, uncomfortable middle ground between the two.

Luke has just found out that his hockey career is effectively over, thanks to a damaging hit that left him with a disc that if he receives one more hit to it, could leave him paralyzed. So, he must get surgery and avoid hockey unless he wants to risk becoming paralyzed. He wallows in self pity for awhile, in denial about his medical status. Basically, he's a big mess. It's at a pub crawl where meets Bree, a pediatric oncology nurse. She works at the same department where Luke is now volunteering. They've got an instant attraction, and end up deciding to hook up in a FWB arrangement. She supposedly will only be in town for a few months, and Luke isn't looking for anything serious.

But, as we all know, rarely, if ever, do FWB relationships stay that casual. It's the transition from FWB to more that is so important, and unfortunately, Sophia Henry didn't make the transition flawlessly. When you add in Luke's giant insecurities, thanks to his horrible childhood, and Bree's heroine complex, you get a big mess of a relationship, a mess of a story. I wanted to like Breakaway, because I normally love sports romances, and the blurb was intriguing; but I found myself not able to connect with this story and its characters. Luke was too insecure, too big of a mess, and Bree was too much of a "savior" with a complex. And when you add in the "twist" about Bree's brother, which was resolved really quickly, it was just an unbalanced mess. Neither well balanced, sexy sports romance nor fun, flirty friends with benefits turned more.

The no strings attached chemistry that leads to more. Cute read.

*I Received a Free Copy for an Honest Review*

I just loved Breakaway by Sophia Henry it was well written with great characters. Luke meets Brianna while volunteering on the pediatric ward at a local Charlotte Hospital. Brianna was on a 6 month assignment as a traveling nurse and Luke was recovering from a career ending injury. It was only supposed to be a one stand. After falling for her Luke realizes he was the one who ended her brothers hockey career. Will Brianna forgive Luke for hurting her brother? Will they fall in love? Does Brianna decide to stay in Charlotte? These are questions you will find the answer to by reading the book. You can read this as a standalone and then enjoy the other books in this series.

Love this series. Bree is on the move determined not settle down. Luke is a retired hockey player with secrets. Bree is perfect one to help him unravel his secrets and hope for the future. Recommended read

This is a stand alone within the series. I've read two other books from this series, this one wasn't my favorite. Luke is a franchise hockey player who gets checked into the boards and suffers a career ending injury. He's not dealing very well with the loss of his career/identity. Bree is a pediatric oncology nurse who is escaping her overbearing family with a six month job in Charlotte, NC. They meet through mutual friends during a pub crawl.

I love hockey romance stories. This one was full of angst, between self-sabotaging self-worth issues and a determination to keep it sex only they have a long road to falling in love. They eventually get there after a lot of back and forth and family issues getting in the way. I look forward to the next story in this series

https://www.amazon.com/review/R11IGQA0CDD4XF/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Was excited for this read as I really enjoyed the first in the series. I love a romance where the lead couple begins actually dating early on in the story--you don't see it often, and it really helps get the reader invested in this couple as one with a long-term plan/future. These characters were realistic--dealing with work struggles, being young and wanting to have fun, still feeling familial pressure. All in all an enjoyable read.

This was a new read author for me and I jumped at the chance due to it being a hockey romance!
I was starting to lose interest part way through and I found it got better the more I read!
Bree is a traveling nurse in town for a short time but what she doesn't take into account is meeting Luke Daniels!
Their friendship develops further into the story and you get to see different sides to the characters, they try to be honest but sometimes the truth may bite you and cause waves. What I liked was both their compassion and the way they got along so well, despite their family issues
I did enjoy reading this story and liked how it flowed towards the end.

I really liked this book, just like the rest of the series. I appreciated good characters and good handling of bad situations.

Ms. Henry's voice in this story shows a strong understanding of the human experience as it relates to family and personal demons. I thought the way Bree finally stood up to her parents and goes after something she wants is just like what should and does happen in real life when people grow up. Luke chasing his past and his demons was definitely the stuff that makes up real life. That being said, these two finding each other at just the right time and fighting against making something more of the fun time relationship while moving toward an HEA made me fall in love with them all the more. Great writing. Quite an enjoyable read with just the right amount of real life.

The relationship between Brianna and her brother and the expectations from her parents were really sad and dysfunctional. She was interesting and sassy and a hard-worker. Luke needed a little more self-confidence (not sure that is the right word) to let go of hockey and know that he himself is enough, without his sport. Overall, I liked the story.

Brianna Collins finally feels like she can be herself without being smother by her family's needs. Finding herself in North Carolina is like a breath of fresh air. She's living life fully and then she meets him. She doesn't want anything long term but she can't fight her growing feelings for him.

Luke Daniels thought his life was hockey. Now that it's taken a different direction and he's accepted his fate, he's consumed by the feisty nurse he can't seem to get enough of. He can't help himself where she's concerned.

Just like the other books in this series, I loved this one. The characters are well fleshed out and the story line and plot are rich. I was quickly immersed in this story and was saddened by it's end-only because there wasn't more of it. I loved Bri's honesty and forthrightness as well as her independence. I loved Luke's intense need to take care of everyone and make the best of bad situations.

I am eagerly looking forward to more of this author's works and would definitely recommend her to others.

This was a really cute hockey romance! Luke and Bree had insta-chemistry and I loved the natural progression of their relationship. The book could have been a little steamier. I feel like we just got teased but it's still a really good read. I loved the epilogue; it was the perfect HEA for this couple.

Book Review
Title: Breakaway
Series: Pilots Hockey #5
Author: Sophia Henry
Genre: Sports Romance
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
In a standalone hockey romance that tugs at readers’ heartstrings, a broken ex-pro learns to live and love again—all thanks to the complicated, wonderful nurse who gives him a second chance.

Brianna Collins needs to break away from her overbearing family. Her parents expect her to “fix” her brother after a series of concussions derailed his hockey career. Unfortunately, no doctor will give him clearance to play, and she’s finished with being the person they rely on to perform a miracle that will never happen. For Bree, a six-month nursing assignment at a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the perfect escape.

Luke Daniels, former forward for the NHL’s Charlotte Aviators, has spent close to a year rehabbing a career-threatening injury—and distracting himself however he can. Worlds collide when Luke realizes that the girl from his latest one-night-stand happens to be the new nurse at the hospital where he volunteers in the pediatric unit. What’s more, Bree’s the only person who makes him excited about life again.

Despite her initial reservations, Luke can’t help pursuing sweet, beautiful Bree. Then he realizes it was her brother whose career he ended with an accidental hit, and he falls back on the thing that’s always helped suppress his demons: alcohol. But if Luke doesn’t kick his old habits, he just may lose the one thing he loves more than hockey.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! There is so much going on for both Bree and Luke. Their pasts and their futures are on an intersecting path and Luke struggles. She is such a grounding force for him and she can’t help herself from falling for this sweet, sensitive man. Luke is everything she has wanted but she keeps her hand up guarding her heart reminding Luke this is only a temporary assignment for her.

Bree is only in Charlotte for six months and isn’t looking for a long-term romance. She just wants to hook up with no strings attached. She is a very upfront woman and she knows what she wants. She blows Luke away with her openness both sexually and emotionally. She works as a pediatric nurse working with cancer patients. Her job is both rewarding and heart wrenching and she grows to really like her temporary assignment in Charlotte. She has also gotten attached to Luke.

Luke is a volunteer at the hospital and he is invested as there is a very special patient there. And a special nurse that he has fallen for. Luke is at a crossroad in his life and he has to come to grips with accepting his fate with his career threatening injury. Luke and Bree both lean on each other and feelings intensify. Their chemistry is off the charts and they can’t deny that what they feel is special, but can they figure out what their future holds? You will have to read the book to find out.

This is such a fun, sexy and heart wrenching love story. I highly recommend it!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Great storyline with very likeable characters that pulled me right into their story from the very beginning and kept me totally engaged until the very end!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Breakaway from Sophia Henry was an emotional story about second chances, love, redemption and hope.

Bree Collins needs a change from her demanding family. She loves them, but she needs time for herself. Years ago her brother’s career as a hockey player was ended after a hard hit took him out of the game. Her family is desperate to have her find a miracle to get him back on the ice and she has had enough. She takes a nursing position in North Carolina, as far away as she can, to get away.

Luke Daniels was injured and told he would never play hockey again. Coming to terms with this has been very hard for him. To help, he volunteers in a pediatric unit. Luke struggled with so much in this story, my heart broke for him.

While out with her new colleagues, Bree meets Luke. Though she wants to stay away from hockey players, something about him draws her in. After their one night, they realize they will be working together, sort off, and begin a no-strings relationship. But the more time they spend together, they quickly realize there could be more between them.

Without giving too much away, both Bree and Luke have so much they are dealing with and try to keep things between them light. But things never work the way you want them too! As they try and maneuver through a relationship, more obstacles appear in their way. This was a good story and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

I enjoyed Bree and Luke’s story. I thought it was a great story of learning to live again and turning a negative into a positive.

After Luke’s injury ended his hockey career, he has been in a state of disbelief, working extra hard to get back on the ice, not wanting to believe the doctors that he was done. Bree is a traveling nurse in town on a six month assignment, using this time away to get away from her parents and brother at home. They feel with her medical background she can “fix” her brother and get him back on the ice, none of them understanding that will never happen due to the number of concussions from hockey. Bree and Luke meet when out with friends and end up hooking up for the night. What was supposed to be just a one-night stand, ends up turning into something neither expected, and what they both needed.

I loved Bree’s open and outspoken way she was with her sexuality. Gotta love a girl who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it.

I really wish the author would have left the story of Luke being the one who gave the final hit that took out her brother fully from hockey as a secret twist instead of announcing it in the blurb. I did love the face to face they both had and how Luke was able to help him.

**I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and the publisher**

When hockey romances first became a hit, the story was almost always the same. Hot athlete and innocent or ‘plain’ jane woman get together and it revolves around playing the game. But in this story and many other of this author, there is a link to hockey but she shows how life interferes even for professional athletes. It makes the story that much more appealing to avid readers to continue following an author. At least that is how I look at it. When an author makes it past the fad stage and moves on to the content, she has me hooked on the next story.

In this one, the star hockey player gets hit blind side and the injury ends his career. Luke Daniels has not yet accepted the fact that retuning to the game could also leave him paralyzed. He plans to return to the game but can’t get a doctor to sign the release for him. During some of his volunteer work at the pediatric cancer ward, he meets Brianna Collins, who is a nurse there.

They become involved before either of them realizes that their lives are connected through hockey. She doesn’t want him to know that she comes from hockey at first. And he doesn’t want her to know what a horrible family life he had. Later, bigger issues come between them that could be the end of what they have. Great writing shows the human side of each character, never really giving everything away like so many shorter novels.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.

Brianna and Luke are heartwarming characters in this hockey themed romance. Light and sweet but lots of steam and sexy scenes. Would definitely recommend this book if you like sports type romances with not a lot of angst. Fun read!