There's a reason I have bypassed the previous books in the series but I got sucked in by the cover and the blurb of the book, and a hockey story fan, I thought I'll try it. That said, I learned a lesson with this one.

Brianna and Luke are the mc's of this one and the gist of the book is what you read in the blurb. Add to that the sex and there's the story. Until Luke realizes when he was a very young player an accidental hit to another player (Bree's brother) took him permanently out of hockey, one too many concussions. In Luke's case it was a neck injury that could have left him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life and his refusal to let go of not being able to skate again. Despite the team kept him on in another role, Luke had value as a person, something apparently Bree's family didn't see in either her or her brother. Her parents for lack of a better word, sucked. Bree was an adult. She moved across the country to get away from them and the all consuming need they had for her to find a "cure" for her brother.

There were a few twists in here, Luke's reference to the temptation of hitting his pain pills again to numb out. Especially after he realizes it was his hit that took her brother out (the were much younger). His distancing himself from her, hell he walked away from her, leaving her dumbfounded to why. He doesn't have the stones to tell her. The brother was kind of a jerk until he sits and talks with Luke and there's an honest conversation there.

The plot line in this story was good. The characters could have been developed a tad more, but the overall angst of the book was a little over the top for me. Perhaps better suited for those who live for the angst overload. That's not me. The cover is the best of all the series. It fits the pages within.
I liked both Luke and Bree but wish their self talk was directed more aloud to each other.

If you're reading the series, you won't want to miss this one. The supporting players are great.
3.5 stars

**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review**

It goes from a fling to so much more for Bree and Luke. There were numerous issues and plenty of drama. The heat between the two was sizzling and the happy ending was great. I could have done without some of the rehashing of issues that the two had and more development of their relationship would have been nice.

This was the first book of Sophia's that I have read. I was thinking it was about hockey but it was so much more. Hockey is a fantastic sport but it does have its downside and Breakaway shows us how quickly life can change for a player if they are seriously injured. Luke is able to find that there is life beyond the rink with the love and support of Bree. However, Bree's brother took the other path when he experienced a career changing injury.
Sometimes the path we have set for ourselves is forced to change. What we do, how we handle it shows your true character

I enjoyed this book so much. So many of lives topics were touched on. And written very tastefully. We're shown a lot of the different choices that Luke had to pick from after his life altering accident. The hard time that he had to pick the right one. Then there's Bri. She's chosen to make a life for herself without her family's help. And does a fantastic job of it. I kept thinking, "is there anything that these two couldn't do if they tried".

"You complete me!" I know this phrase is often considered a corny phrase, but I have to say that I can't explain Bree and Luke's relationship without using it. They do complete each other because they are each other's wants and needs, AND what a perfect romance that actually is! Add to that an awesome plot about how life's directions are changed for you whether you are ready or not, and you have a memorable afternoon read!

Hockey player Luke is benched due to some life threatening injuries and he has trouble coming to terms with this. Brianna is there to help him realize there is more to life than playing hockey. The two develop a very sexy relationship. This was a good read. The characters had a strong connection from the beginning and neither let their drama get in the way of their feelings for one another.

I loved this book, it was so good. This is only my second book by Sophia Henry but I love her stories & this series. I started well into the series as per my usual but that hasn't been a problem because even though the characters from earlier books are in this story you still get a basic knowledge of them. Bree & Luke are amazing together right from the start. The heat & awareness between these two is just amazing, their chemistry is blazing right from first meeting. The fact that they have a connection & that neither knows, is a time bomb waiting to blow & is what we wait for at the turn of every page. When it actually happens we're treated with a view that isn't what we expect. The strength & bond between Luke & Bree is so strong that nothing can break it(not even their own ideas of what their relationship should be) & an unknown hit from the past can't either. It was fun to watch Luke & Bree grow towards one another & actually make each other stronger in the decisions they have to make in their lives. Definitely recommend.

I enjoy hockey and sports romances, but this was more a book about life after sports as the hero, Luke, must cope with the reality that an injury has ended his NHL career. He’s faking it until he makes it one day at a time, but still really broken up inside. Then he has a hook up with Bree, a nurse who is in town for a few months. They start having lots of sex while Bree resists anything deeper.

The first part of the book was not as good as the second half. In the first half, we have a woman who picks up a guy while drunk on a pub crawl in Charlotte. She engages in a lot of sex with him and some of it is a bit kinky. And she is the one initiating it all. I just didn’t feel much interest in her at that point.

However, eventually, we get to see another side of Bree. She’s a pediatric oncology nurse - that has to be one of the most depressing jobs out there. She and Luke bond at a different level from simple lust over one of her patients, the son of a former teammate of Luke’s. They start confiding in each other about their families and problems dealing with those expectations. The book got much more interesting to me at that point as they come to terms with the personal stuff that each of them are dealing with.

So my advice is to persevere through the first part and you’ll find a better book, just as they find a better relationship.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
This was more than the steamy romance that I was expecting. Luke, the injured hockey player is dealing with the loss of his career. From a difficult background he has made something of himself. He is a credible, caring and compassionate person who realises that he wants more emotionally from a woman. Bree is a paediatric nurse , confident in herself and sexually. I liked the development of their relationship and the way they helped each other.
It is not a high brow book, but it is easy to read, with some heat. Comes to its conclusion very abruptly which slightly ruined it for me.
3***

Really enjoyed the book about Luke and Bree. I really liked that it was about a hockey player but it was different since it didn't just focus on the game. It was very engaging and hard to put down. It had a lot of twists and turns throughout the story that had me guessing and enjoying where it ended since the conclusion was somewhat unexpected. Great book that I would definitely recommend to others.

Bree has traveled across the country to get away from her overbearing family . Like is now an ex hockey player, not his choice and he's learning who he is all over again. Bree has gotten to Luke, she makes life fun and interesting again. Too bad she's only wanting a fling, not interested in settling down, but that doesn't stop Luke from pursuing Bree. When Luke and Bree are together their chemistry is scorching hot. Breakaway was a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was excited to read Breakaway. I had reviewed and liked Unsportsmanlike Conduct so I was expecting Breakaway to be just as good. So saying that I was disappointed in this book is an understatement.
The plot of the book was good. Hockey star gets injured, forced to retire and meets a girl who compliments him in every way while trying to adjust to life, not on the ice. I loved it and I loved that the book’s location….Charlotte, NC. I live an hour west of Charlotte and I really enjoyed reading about the different areas. I also was thrilled that the author made mention of The Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain. I have been to The Blowing Rock and fell in love with the legend. So when Luke was explaining it to Bree, I had a huge smile on my face. I like his explanation better than the actual legend.
What made me disappointed in the book was how Luke was. I totally could understand his anger and disappointment when he was told that he would never be able to play hockey. But everything after that, he came across as a man-brat. His temper tantrums when it came to being told that he wasn’t able to play rivaled my three-year-old when I tell her she can’t have another cookie. He was also self-centered. Everything revolved around him and it drove me nuts. But, he did have some redeeming qualities. He truly liked Bree and some of their interchanges were hilarious (the one at the U.S. National Whitewater Center where they were discussing instalove and instalust made me laugh my butt off). He also volunteered at the hospital in the pediatric oncology wing, where Bree was a nurse. The issues he had with his mother ran deep and I felt awful when he was in Vancouver visiting her.
Bree was hilarious and oh boy, did she know what she wanted. What she wanted was a f*ck buddy and Luke was more than willing to accommodate her. I was rolling at her and Luke’s interactions. She also wasn’t afraid of her sexuality and she liked experimenting with different toys/fantasies. Her wearing a vibrator and giving it to Luke to play with was awesome. As was the reactions of Pavel and Kristin when Bree told them that she was wearing one. But, with all her funnies aside, she also had baggage and she was afraid to settle down because of it. Honestly, I didn’t know what she saw in Luke because he was a man-brat with her too.
The sex scenes between Bree and Luke really didn’t do it for me. I just couldn’t move past Luke’s attitude. If I had to describe it, lukewarm would be the best way. Which is disappointing because I love totally hot sex scenes. Also, Luke liked to receive and not give, which made me feel bad for Bree because she seemed to always be on her knees. Bree’s fascination with experimenting almost made the sex to a warm rating but fell a tad bit short.
I did like the end of the book and I liked how Bree gave Mason the kick in the butt that he needed. I loved the epilogue was awesome and I wasn’t expecting what was revealed there!!


My Summary of Breakaway:

Breakaway was a bit of a disappointment for me. With a hero that I alternating between liking and wanting to strangle and tepid sex scenes, I couldn’t get into the book. I did like the heroine but wished the hero was, well not like he was.

How many stars will I give Breakaway: 3

Why: The hero ruined the book for me. While I enjoyed the heroine, the plot and where Breakaway 00, I couldn’t get in the book because of him

Will I reread: Maybe

Will I recommend to family and friends: Maybe

Age range: Adult

Why: Language and sex

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Breakaway
By: Sophia Henry
📚💕⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💕📚

So Raw And Real!!!

I loved this book something fierce!!!! Luke a retired hockey player that has fought his whole life to not only be a success but to survive at all, he is so gorgeous but the intensity that Sophia Henry poors herself into her books was sure to break me before putting me back together. Bree a pediatric oncology nurse needed to get away from family pressure and unrealistic and selfish family members so she made a decision to take a contract as a traveling nurse. Luke and Bree meet trough friends and hit it off. Neither are looking for anything real but the chemistry and admiration they have for each other will push them together over and over to face what could be a future, chase away horrors from the past and just maybe take to driven and unselfish people and show them that together anything is possible if they dare to dream.

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.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley. And I love it! The story is very good, life is not easy for anybody. Bree and Luke are mature profesionals with problems and difficulties in the past that molded their's lives. The author show us that soulmates exists and you never know when love reach you're life.
An amazing book you will enjoy reading.

Another 5 stars book by Sophia Henry. It's a wickedly hot sports romance with is a pleasure to read. Really enjoyed this book and series so much. You get a bit of everything with a Sophia Henry book, what a brilliant and fantastic author she is. Go get this book and series you won't regret it I promise. Would totally recommend

I kind of want to round this up to a 4, but there are too many little gnat like issues. This was a good plot for a hockey/athlete read. I tried to keep the solid plot, interesting backgrounds and pace of the book in mind to try to overshadow the "trying too hard" parts. I could list them all, but it is really a personal preference. If you don't mind some major straying from reality and some "where did that come from?" scenes; then you'll find this book a solid 4. I do mind those things because they are distracting.

Overall, I would read more from this author, more in this series (I read book 4, also a Netgally ARC and liked it a bit better than this one) and I did read this in a day because the characters were solid. I did enjoy it overall.

I recieved Breakaway by Sophia Henry from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like Breakaway because I love hockey romances. I was intrigued by the maybe the first two chapters. I made it to about 33 percent (chapter seven) and knew I had to quit the story because already at this part of the story it had more sex than a plot to me. And I did keep trying to give it a chance. I put it down a few times then picked it up a few more times hoping that it'd be better for me, but it just wasn't my cup of tea after all.

I'm not saying this is a bad story either, I'm just a bit picky on romance books. I like the plot to take over the book too. Maybe another time it might be a better read for me, but for now it will be on my did not finish shelf. Thank you publishers for giving me the chance to read it!

I wanted to like it more, but it felt short and rushed... the relationship felt fast and overal unorthodox .. just with the blink of an eye they got together.. I wanted more development with their relationship and the relationship with her family and her brother..

Did not finish. Stopped at 54% due to boredom and unable to keep my attention. I picked up and stopped this book 4 times and moved to read other books.

When Luke receives game changing news about his hockey career he will have one decision to make. That choice will take all the strength he has to keep his head straight.

When Bree hooks up with the sexy hockey player she's only in it for a night. What will she do when her heart has other plans? A career move brought her to North Carolina but the past haunts her, can she move forward?

Both have secrets that prevent them from truly finding peace. If you love a great sports romance don't miss this exciting chapter in Sophia Henry's hockey series. While this is part of a series it can be enjoyed as a standalone!

Well done. I can't wait to see what sexy players story is next.