Maddox and Lacey get married in Las Vegas, but that doesn't mean a happily ever after for this couple since the next day Lacey runs off and Maddox has no idea where to find her. Now the two are reunited and Maddox will try to do anything to make things with Lacey work.
I have read several books by LP Dover and this one did not disappoint. Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Great read. I look forward to reading even more by this author.

Warning, this review maybe a little harsh....

I am so unimpressed with this book. The MC comes off as way too cocky and I don’t care about him at all. And the female lead is a coward and sooo hypocritical it makes me cringe. First she leaves him, then she has the nerve to get mad at him for not chasing her! WTF, I’m already done with this book.The male MC is just as bad with his ‘allowing’ her to run away and biding his time.They are both too stupid for words.

In the last book you got just a hint of something that might have gone on between Maddox Ledger and Lacey Easton. Lacey is the sister of his teammates, but not everyone likes Maddox. The secret that they shared is now coming to light at least for the two of them because they are in the wedding party of her brother and Maddox cousin who are getting married. Lacey believes that he does not know or remember anything and is surprised by the fact that he does and he is now pushing the issue. When she says no and the season ends with a loss in the finals no one can find him for months and Callie his cousin, who married her brother and knows their secret calls asks her if she could find him. She has an idea where he is and after finding him, she agrees to give him a chance. The rest of the story is really him proving himself to her and trying to ease her insecurities of him cheating. This is not helped by a teammate and a friend of hers who also likes her and she does not see that he wants something more until he shows himself as someone who is only trying to break them up and not giving Maddox a chance. Overall I liked the book. I like the action of hockey in the story and the characters were all good. A good book to go with the series.

Oh how I loved this book! Maddox and Lacey are just so cute together and go through a lot to finally get back to where they belong. I laughed, geared up and loved the banter between characters.
5 star series.
I received a advanced copy for a voluntary honest review.

Playmaker by L.P. Dover is Book three in the Breakaway hockey series. I enjoyed this series so far and this book did not disappoint me. It can also be read as a stand-alone book with no problems. The main characters are Lacey and Maddox. Their story is an interesting twist and turn to a relationship with a second chance theme. There are a lot of secondary characters, and our favorites from the previous two books in the series. Maddox was one determined guy and he wanted Lacey back in his life. There is lots of chemistry between these two and the romance is full of hot and steamy scenes. The pace is good and the author writes her stories well. I look forward to reading more books.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

This story started off with a bang and kept you wanting more of the story throughout. Not sure that the cover matched the story though.

If you have been reading L.P. Dover’s Breakaway series, then I am sure that you wanted, more like NEEDED, Playmaker, the third book in her Breakaway series!! When I saw that we were getting Maddox Ledger’s story, I knew that I would do anything to have this book! L.P. Dover did not disappoint at all!!

We met Maddox & Lacey in Blocked (Breakaway #2). It was left on a bit of a cliffhanger for us. Let me tell you, their story in Playmaker was fantastic! What stays in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas…

“She’s my wife and I want her back.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)

This may be my favorite book in the Breakaway series. L.P. Dover’s writing in the book completely drew me in with the Prologue and had me rooting for Maddox throughout the rest of the book.

Maddox and “Paige” got married in Las Vegas a little over two years ago. Maddox woke up and “Paige” was gone. Fast forward… Paige comes back into his life only this time her name is Lacey and she is the younger sister to one of Maddox’s hockey team members (the Charlotte Strikers). The problem, Lacey is scared to be married to Maddox…. That is all I am going to say. You have to read Playmaker to find out why. You would hate me for spoiling it for you.

“We’re going to figure this out whether you want to or not.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)

Maddox fights for Lacey and is determined to show her why they are meant to be.

I think that I should declare Maddox as mine right now!! The way that he continued to fight for Lacey was perfect!

“If Lacey thought I was going to give her space, she’d lost her f*cking mind. I wasn’t about to give up on her.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)

If you have not read L.P. Dover’s Breakaway series, I would highly recommend you add this to your TBR list. You will thank me!! I had not read her books prior to this series. I am so glad that I too the chance on her work. I look forward to more of her books within this series!! Please L.P. Dover, write more in this series!! I am so not done with your Charlotte Striker boys!

#Sunshine #TakeYourTime #TheCharlotteStrikers #Landscape #Carpentry #IveOnlyEverLovedYou #March23 #TheSecretGarden #LedgerLandscapeAndDesign

Fans of hockey and its HOT players will enjoy this novel by L.P. Dover. While the get married in Vegas and run trope has been done before, this has a slightly different spin on it. It’s an entertaining read with likable characters. Quick, steamy, read about a misunderstood hockey player who’s manwhore reputation has gotten him in trouble and scared off his new bride. Two years later he is in for the fight of his life too win her back. This is my first book by this author, but it certainly won’t be my last. *** Side note… I could stare at this gorgeous cover ALL DAY LONG!

I’m a sucker for hockey romance and this one caught my eye.
I had a hard time following the story as it seemed to feel very rushed through.
But, a happy ending and no cliffhanger!
Cute story!

Playmaker kept me up all night long This is one of those rare books that once I started I couldn’t put down. There is no getting any sleep when that Sexy as heck Maddox is on the scene, he is going on the book boyfriend list.

Maddox and Lacey spent spring break in Vegas and ended up married, only to have her disappear from his life the next morning. Now a couple of years later she shows up again. There are always complications and twists and turns to every good story and this one wouldn’t let me put the kindle down until I came to the end.

Great feel-good story with a HEA ending, Loved it!!

I enjoyed this book, did not love it as much as the 2nd book.

Maddox a badass who is seen as a playboy meets Paige in Vegas and they have the time of their lives over a few weeks decide to get married. Maddox is excited to start his new life however he wakes up the next morning and Paige is gone... along with the rings, paperwork with no word as to why.

Lacey a med student who is trying to figure out her life and forget about her husband can't when her brother is now playing on the same hockey team as he is... They met again 2 years later... he looks the same, she does too, but has a new name. Does he recognize her or was their two weeks in Vegas nothing more than something to pass the time?

Maddox has finally found her and he wants her back. Will he be able to break down the walls and prove to her he is a different person and can be everything she is looking for?

This is book three in the Breakaway series and can be read as a standalone. You do see Maddox in each book and with each book you get to see how he changed thru the series to date- if you read them in order. Maddox went from being hated by his team to being their brother. With the way the last Breakway book ended, I was hoping we would get his book soon and yes, here it is. I was dying to know what happened between him and Lacey, and I knew it had to be a killer story and I was so right, it is!! During a trip to Vegas, Maddox and Lacey meet, fall in love, and get married. The next morning Lacey up and leaves without any explanation. Two years later they run into other again but both act as though they don’t recognize the other. Maddox has finally had enough and the circumstance arrives for the perfect opportunity, he confronts her to find out why the charade about the past. What happens is a bit of a twist and a lovely romance that follows regarding two people who really wanted to be together but were afraid of circumstances and other people to leap on a fantastic romance. Lacey didn’t at first know if she wanted Maddox in her life and found reasons to push him away but Maddox was awesome with sticking around and showing how much he wanted her in his life and how he loved her. Do they get their HEA finally or does Lacey really push him away for good? This is a lovely sports romance that shows what the love of a good woman will do and a Hero with a sensitive side. You get sexy, steamy, action packed romance which is always good when looking for a good read. If you like hockey and 2nd romance stories, this definitely is one book you want to read.


My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

3.5 stars--PLAYMAKER is the third instalment in L.P. Dover’s contemporary, adult BREAKAWAY erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the men and women of the professional hockey team the Charlotte Strikers. This is left winger Maddox Ledger, and twenty seven year old physician Lacey Easton’s story line. PLAYMAKER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Lacey is Dallas Easton’s sister, and Maddox is Callie Davis’ cousin (Blocked #2).

Told from dual first person points of view (Lacey and Maddox) PLAYMAKER follows the acrimonious second chance relationship between physician/intern Lacey Easton, and the Charlotte Strikers resident left winger and bad boy Maddox Ledger. Two years earlier, while on vacation in Vegas during spring break, Lacey aka Paige and Maddox spent two wild weeks together that culminated in a Vegas wedding only to have our heroine disappear the next morning with no forwarding address or personal information. All Maddox knew was that his new wife’s name was Paige but had no idea her connection to the team or the man who despised his very existence. Hiring a detective Maddox goes in search of his wayward wife only to come face to face, not once but twice, wherein our heroine refuses to acknowledge his existence or their prior relationship. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Lacey and Maddox, and the potential fall-out as Lacey struggles to trust a man she considers nothing more than manwh*re, and the threat of other suitors who have no idea that Lacey and Maddox have tied the knot.

Lacey and Maddox’s marriage must be kept on the down-low as Lacey’s brother and fellow Charlotte Striker’s teammate Dallas Easton despises the very ground upon which our hero walks. Lacey has known all along the who and what of Maddox Ledger but our hero had no idea about the woman to whom he married or her connections to the Charlotte Strikers. Maddox’s reputation as a womanizer continues to dog our hero in the face of his changed ways and newfound love but keeping their marriage a secret is far more difficult than they could have imagined.

The relationship between Lacey and Maddox is one of mutual attraction, mutual disdain, and mutual love that requires our couple to remain hidden from view and the professional paparazzi. Lacey fears her brother’s wrath when her relationship with Maddox is exposed but Maddox is desperate to claim Lacey for the world to see. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the Charlotte Strikers players: Kellan and Kristen (Hard Stick #1), Callie and Dallas (Blocked #2), Justin and his ‘reality TV ‘ fiancé Miranda: Miranda’s friend Laura; Lacey’s best friend and Strikers player Braeden Wallace; Callie’s friend Hannah Martin; and Lacey’s co-worker Sophia. I am hoping for Sophia and Braeden’s story next.

The world building focuses on the team’s battle for the Stanley Cup; the friendship, camaraderie, and conflicts between teammates and family, as well as the Lacey’s earlier need to pull Maddox along for the ride.

PLAYMAKER is a bit of a frustrating read in the face of our heroine’s attitude and two year disappearance. Her flight from Vegas and subsequent refusal to acknowledge their marriage forces Maddox to remain on the side lines while those around him fell in love. For a smart woman Lacey is oblivious to her best-friends advances and attempts for something more; and her treatment of Maddox Ledger is questionable on so many levels. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful and charismatic although the heroine is exasperating for most of the story; the romance is provocative but struggles in the face of Lacey’s inability to trust, and her need to control our story line hero –a similarity she has in common with the previous story line heroine. Saying that, if I am unable to get past the main characters’ negative qualities, I have a difficult time with my enjoyment of the overall premise.

Copy supplied for review

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What, and who, happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Sometimes she sneaks out the next morning, taking all signs of her existence with her, leaving you with only a fake name. The feelings Maddox has for Lacey don’t stay in Vegas either, and they’ll have to see each other at his teammate and her brother's wedding, so things will get really interesting.

A good sports romance is something I always enjoy, and this author does a nice job. I loved the premise and plot, and for the most part liked how the storyline played out. It also bears mentioning that the book is very well edited and proofed, which always gets extra points from me. The characters were all well thought out, complex, realistic and interesting, and Maddox easily had me in the palm of his hand with his tough hockey persona but hidden vulnerable side. My only issue was with Lacey. She ran from Maddox because she was in love with him. She assumed things about his character without ever giving him a chance to prove himself, and whenever she got too close she ran again. For a character who is a medical doctor, this behavior didn’t fit. I had difficulty believing someone in a job that requires the exact opposite behavior and logic would handle things that way in her personal life. This didn’t ruin the character for me, but was a minor irritation, and I liked Lacey otherwise.

Playmaker was a really entertaining story that kept my attention, and I was eager to see how things turned out. If you don’t consider a flip-flopping heroine to be an issue, this book will be great fun for you to read, and I have no doubt you’ll love Maddox.

*I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and reviewed it freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

Second chance Hockey romance in the Charlotte Strikers team. This one being Maddox's story who I really liked. Lacey seemed to be the it girl for him, as a night in Vegas sets off the somewhat relationship. I didn't really connect with her as much, ya she's sassy and has her reasons for doing what she does, but she was a bit too complicated. They share a huge secret between them that gradually comes to light and everyone finds out. I mean these two were clearly meant to be together, they just needed to grow up and figure it out and stop the misunderstandings and lack of communication. The book itself is written well, the story somewhat original and it ends in a HEA with a really good epilogue. Did I enjoy it? Yes I did and i would recommend and read more from this author and this series.

in the latest breakaway novel, playmaker we learn more about lacey's past with maddox ledger. a past we only just got a taste of in blocked. i'll be honest, maddox was not my favorite character and i wasn't sure how it would be possible to redeem his incurable jerkiness from the earlier books. but, actually having his perspective helps.

because honestly, dude was dealt a terrible hand. it still doesn't actually make sense why lacey ran away from him in vegas. even having some of the background on lacey from the previous novel, it still doesn't make sense that she is so afraid of maddox hurting her. especially given all the other details of their vegas weekend.

so anyway, poor maddox (you see how completely i switched my loyalties there?) has to do sooooo much wooing. and it's a little exhausting. because by the time everything comes out into the open, the bizarre thing is that there is no big blow up. nothing terrible happens.

and that's fine. i actually hate big blow ups between my leads. i like that after so much time spent not believing him, lacey mostly recognizes that she is being irrational. i guess they do have one final argument, but it lasts less than a day and even while it's happening lacey is acknowledging that her instinct to run away and hide makes things difficult for maddox.

anyway, point is, once maddox and lacey get on the same page, i really enjoyed seeing their relationship deepen and grow. i wonder if there are more books planned in the series? because braeden and justin are definite contenders for more.

**playmaker will publish on february 27, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/random house publishing group (loveswept) in exchange for my honest review.

Maddox is such a great guy. Even back in the last book, Blocked, there were hints to the real heart of this character. As you read this story and get to the reasons why he did what he did, and why Lacey did what she did, it’s obvious he went about things the wrong way. But it’s also obvious that Lacey is a huge hypocrite!

Seriously, Lacey drove me nuts. For the first half of the book she constantly accused Maddox of behavior he didn’t have just because of pictures she saw. Her brother is a famous hockey player and was quite the dog before he met Cassie, so why can she not believe Maddox is capable of the same change in habits? Her best friend is a good-looking guy and she finds nothing wrong with sleeping at his house and him sleeping at hers, yet tabloid pictures cause her to not have faith in Maddox? Unbelievable! She drove me crazy and, truly, made it difficult for me to cheer for her and Maddox to figure things out.

I also had an issue with her not only keeping secrets from her brother, but expecting her brother’s wife and best friend to keep her secrets. This is never addressed and I cannot believe that Dallas wouldn’t be pissed that everyone around him was in on the secret behind his back. It may not pertain to him, but it is about his little sister! Plus, why would his wife even agree to keep so many things from him?

There comes a point when reading a story that has a lot of inaccuracies and mistakes that I try to be as fair as possible to the author. It’s no secret I have an issue with this author’s lack of hockey knowledge, and seeming lack of respect for her readers since she obviously doesn’t do any research on her subjects. But there are so many timeline issues in this story that I don’t know that it’s fair to point the finger at her on that one. Shouldn’t the editor and beta readers be catching these issues? Sure, I was reading an ARC. But by the time an ARC is issued it should have already been through the editor at least once and the have issues addressed from the beta readers.

For once, in this series, there aren’t a million hockey facts that annoyed me…probably because most of the story doesn’t take place during the season. But let’s just say that I really don’t think any professional hockey player would plan his wedding during playoffs, and the book starts with Dallas and Callie’s wedding which was taking place – you guessed it – during playoffs. There are definitely plenty of other hockey issues, just not as many as the last two books. Unfortunately, there also isn’t as much chemistry between the hero and heroine in this story. The chemistry Ms. Dover is able to inject into her books is what has kept me reading through my frustration. In this book, I felt a lot of telling was going on without a lot of showing.

Obviously there is something this author is doing right. Not only is she selling books, but she also has someone like me coming back again and again. I just can’t figure out why! Again, I feel there is a lack of respect for her readers that she is so sloppy with her facts…not just about hockey but about a lot of other issues. She generally writes good chemistry and has wonderful storyline ideas. Her heroes are very likable but her heroines are often whiney and hypocritical. Ugh! I just can’t explain it at all. I’ll be honest, if there’s another book in this series I’ll read it. But if is not a 3 star or better I will not continue with this author. Although I didn’t have high hopes with this story due to my past experience with this author, I still was let down more than I thought I would be.

'Playmaker' is the third book of the L.P. Dover's 'Breakaway' series. 'Break Away' series are the only books I read from L.P. Dover but I really like her writing style, so I'll definitely be checking out more of her work. When I finished second book of the series, 'Blocked', I was dying to find out what happened between Maddox and Lacey what can I say I got lucky because next book was theirs :)

Our hero and heroine for 'Playmaker' is Maddox Ledger and Lacey Paige Easton. If you already read the previous book 'Blocked', you already know who are they but I will rewind back a bit for you, so if you didn't read the second book, you will at least have an idea who is who :) It might get confusing so bear with me LOL! Maddox is  all-star winger of Charlotte Strikers, who is Callie's cousin (Heroine of Blocked) and Dallas's teammate (Hero of Blocked). Lacey is Dallas's sister, who is doing her residency in New York. They are both in the wedding party for Callie and Dallas's wedding, but this is not how Maddox and Lacey meets. Two years ago they met in Las Vegas and spend two weeks together. They both fall in love but Lacey decides that leaving Maddox before he leaves her is the best way to protect her heart so she sneaks out while he was sleeping and they don't see or have any contact with each other for over a year until they run into each other in Callie's house. Since Lacey is doing her residency in New York it is easy for her to avoid Maddox but with the wedding, it gets impossible to avoid him anymore. Since waking up in the hotel room all alone Maddox is struggling to find an answer to what he did to make Lacey leave. He does a lot of things he regrets just to get a reaction from Lacey but that never happens. Since they keep getting thrown together because of the wedding, Maddox decides it is time to get some answers from Lacey.

My view about Maddox has evolved since the first book. First book I hated him, second book it turned to liking him and with the third book I love him. It sounds weird I know but the way Maddox portray himself is an arrogant and selfish asshole which automatically puts him the hate list :) However, 'Playmaker' will show you the really Maddox that you never get a chance to see before. He is protective, caring, sweet and tenacious. I loved how he didn't give up on Lacey and keep fighting for her even though she kept pushing him away. I kind of get why Lacey pushed him away but it was still heartbreaking to see how Maddox kept thinking he wasn't enough and keep fighting for a chance to prove himself. 

I am having a really hard time not to spoil the story and write a review that will do justice to the book so all I can say 'Playmaker' is everything you want in a romance; sexy, sweet, and amazingly perfect! Maddox and Lacey's story is a complicated one combine it with their great chemistry and banter and you get this great second chance romance. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but I totally recommend you to read the whole series. I am still hoping more book of the series will come. At least two more PLEASE! Because I am really curious about Sophia and Braeden and Justin and week 4 :) 

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

Third in the series, this can technically be read as a standalone, although at times I felt as if I’d been dropped into the middle of the story. Overall, this one was just okay for me. The drama seemed overblown and while the characters were ostensibly adults, at times I felt like I was reading about High Schoolers. I also felt like some of the effort/focus was misplaced - for example, for some reason it was necessary to mention what flavor of ice cream was purchased during a quick stop for ice cream, when it had no bearing on the story, but it was fade to black for a big conversation/reveal between several characters.

LOVED THIS SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE!!!!

I love when I get completely lost in a book, and I definitely got lost in Maddox and Lacey’s story.
Lacey and Maddox were only supposed to be a part of a wedding party, but that turned into much, much more. Fast forward years later, and the feelings on both sides are still there. Now, that they are thrown together for another wedding, Lacey’s brother and Maddox’s cousin, they will have to confront their past and deal with it.

I liked both characters. Each had their own faults and issues that impacted their relationship. At first, I was frustrated that Lacey left Maddox without giving him a chance. However, knowing his reputation with the ladies, I could understand her trust issues with him. He has always felt like he was ever good enough, and this caused some missteps in his relationship with her. Luckily, Maddox doesn’t give up. He is a man who knows what he wants, and he wants Lacey. He stops at nothing to show her he is worthy of her love even working hard to improve his relationship with her brother, who doesn’t know about their relationship. How could I not love him? Lacey is great at being Maddox’s biggest supporter, and she can reach him when know one else can. It is a bumpy road for them, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two get to know one another and fall even deeper in love with one another.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was that it was a relationship that started backwards. That made it a book I will remember! It is also one in which the characters are different people by the end of the book. Not only did Maddox and Lacey have their relationship issues to work through, but they also had personal issues to work through before they could find their happily ever after. I hated telling them good-bye, but I know they will be back. I will be waiting to catch up with all the guys and the women who love them!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***