I enjoyed this story as an audiobook. I have previously read this story and loved it so listening to the audio gave it a whole new life. We get a dual narration for this story which is my absolute favorite! The narrators do a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life.

This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of the DC Eagles Hockey Series but can be easily be read as a stand alone novel. I absolutely LOVE this story. The way Ford and Amber just get each other is so sweet and makes you instantly fall in love with them. I enjoyed that we got to see Ford as a neurodivergent character. I feel like that isn’t seen often in books and appreciated the character and the depth Leah went into to make his character true to that.

And let me just say I absolutely love Nella. I adore when we get to see single parents in stories just because of seeing their kids bond with their parents new significant other. Amber is a fantastic mother and I applaud her for how much she kicked butt and rocked being a single parent.

I picked this one up because I love hockey romances but I didn’t realize it was part of an interconnected series but I could totally understand this one without having read the others. I went into this one without really any expectations and ended up loving this one. I didn’t want to stop listening and couldn’t wait to see how the two main characters would come together. I love the friends to lovers trope and it was done well in this story. This book was a closed door and is one I will be recommending to my friends who don’t like much spice. If you like hockey romances this one is definitely worth picking up. This was a 4.25 for me!

This was such a fun, engaging listen. I thoroughly loved this book!! Ford is a great representative for Asbergers in a way that gives hope to parents of children with the same diagnosis. Ford is successful and thriving, not to mention a major stud. He is so good to Amber and her baby! I absolutely loved these two and their love story. Easy five stars for Betrothal or Breakaway!

Oh my gosh! This was the cutest! This is a friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, single mom, hockey romance. Ford is the captain of the D.C. Eagles hockey team and only has had eyes for one woman, his best friend Amber. Amber is a newly single mother whose ex-fiancee ditched her after she found out she was pregnant. When Amber needs to have minor heart surgery, she tells Ford she's not sure how she will afford it. Ford comes up with the plan to marry her to get Amber on his insurance plus she will stay in the area and have Ford's family to help out with her daughter. I loved seeing Ford doing any and everything for Amber & her daughter. This is a closed door spice, so no spice involved, but still a cute book. I can't wait to go back and listen to the rest of the series.

Mini Review:

Betrothal of Breakaway by Leah Brunner third in the D.C. Hockey Series. This book was adorable and one that I couldn’t help but just smile constantly over the sweetness of the couple. FYI. I have read all in the series so far. I first started by reading them but when they came out in audiobooks I started listening to them instead. I absolutely love the whole series. Ford was just a lovable character and I could feel everything he was going through in the book and I loved that. I love the found family within this book between the hockey players and loved that when Amber came on the scene she found a family she didn’t have before. This is a friends to lovers story which I think is done perfectly well. Ford has had feelings for Amber since they were kids and we get to see glimpses of their past in the book which is so special. We see how Ford has feelings for Amber and I love how their friendship blossoms into more as the story goes on. This book was beautifully written.

Some Things I loved:

The Neurodivergent Rep
The scene’s from their childhood
How Ford is with Nella (Amber’s Daughter)
The ring shopping scene
Ford interaction with his team, I just love the whole team.
The teams interaction with Nella
The Sick bed scene
And the My Wife Scene (Oh my)

Some Tropes included found family, marriage of convenience, friends to more, & single mom.
I believe the author has this one labeled fade-to-black or low-spice. I will say there is no open door scene. It’s the perfect sweet with heat kind of book. There is a small amount of language in this book.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the #gifted ALC to read and review.

I was so excited when I saw this on NetGalley. I’ve been wanting to read this series and this was the perfect intro to Leah Brunner.

Expect 👉🏼 Hockey Romance, Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, Single Mom, Autism, Unrequited Love, Closed Door Romance

Amber’s fiancé found out she was pregnant and promptly dumped her. Alone with a baby and a heart condition, Amber turns to her best friend, Ford for support and got a lot more than she asked for.

I seriously love reading about autistic characters. Ford was sweet, protective and swoony and while still remaining human. I love how Amber truly saw, understood and supported him through everything. Their friendship is beautiful and their love story was the cherry on top.

Love these DC eagle stories. I wasn’t sure about this one based on the summary, but I was pleasantly surprised. Looking forward to the next installment.
Narrators: great dual narration
🌶️: low
Teens: yes

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a really wonderful read and a great addition to this series! I look forward to more by Brunner in this series and others.

Omgosh. Ford is absolutely my favorite DC Eagle now. The relationship he had with Amber was the perfect amount of everything. And then him with Nella. Don’t even!!!!!! He was so cute and protective of her and Amber. There’s no one specific part of this book that is my favorite!!!! It was fun seeing more of his interactions with his teammates. The way Ford cares for them both and spoiled them at every turn. His family was hilarious as well throwing in their own cuteness.
Leah did such a great job with Fords neurodivergent character. This was the perfect marriage of convenience story. I’m excited for Bruce’s story but he’s really got some large shoes to fill. 😉
The authors did such a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed listening to them. It was easy to fit myself right into the story and feel the emotions both Ford and Amber were feeling with each other.
Thank you Leah and Netgally for my review copy. These words are my own.

I loved this so much. Ford is the sweetest man, we must protect him at all costs. Single mom, he falls first and hardest, autism rep. This author is becoming a new fave.

The narration was really well done as well.‘I wouldn’t say it enhanced the story but it did it no harm.

I enjoyed this hockey romance so much! It's the third in a standalone series, but I had no difficulty following along.
It was funny and heartfelt. I felt like the MMC's Asperger's was handled so well. Both main characters were so endearing, I absolutely fell in love with them. The dual narration was excellent. No notes!
I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in the series!

This book had me tearing up on multiple occasions! I loved so many things about Ford and Amber! I loved the childhood flashbacks that laid the foundation of their friendship and how his family always accepted her. I loved the gentle representation of autism and neurodivergent MMC, and how Amber truly understood Ford. And of course the precious baby girl that stole Ford’s heart and made him the sweetest instant dad ever!

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, but I love it even more when the couple gives into their mutual feelings early on and we get to experience true glimpses of their marriage. There were a few times I was worried that things were going to turn around… but then the author surprised me and used those scenes to bring them closer together, rather than tear them apart!! Love this so much, so thank you for writing about a healthy relationship that grows whenever it can!

I listened to the audio of this book, and loved it so much! Alex Picard and David Bendena truly brought the book to life!

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC. I have not read the other books in this series, but I will. I loved this book so much. Ford is so sweet and he understands his effects on people and their effects on him. His best friend Amber has been there for him since 2nd grade and she knows him best.
When Amber needs help Ford is right there for her and being together everyday starts to bring out feelings that are not so innocent anymore. A must read.

This was SO cute! I absolutely loved Amber, Ford, and obviously, baby Nella. Hockey romance. Aspergers rep. Single mom. Childhood friends in a marriage of convenience with fade to black romance. I definitely recommend!

The male narrator in this one just didn't work for me.
I did enjoy the story and the author's writing style though. I would recommend people read a physical or e copy of this one if possible.

You know you’ve hit the jackpot when a book is so good you have to devour it twice—first with your eyes and then with your ears. “Betrothal or Breakaway” by Leah Brunner is that treasure, and trust me, it’s even more delectable the second time around. 😎

Let’s talk about Ford: a neurodivergent, hulking professional hockey player with a heart as big as his biceps. 💪 He’s got the whole protective vibe down to a science, and his unrequited love for his best friend has him shying away from anything that even remotely smells like romance. Dating? Not on his radar. 😅

Enter Amber, who’s having one of those “life just kicked me in the teeth” moments. Left high and dry by her boyfriend and now a single mom, she’s in desperate need of a medical procedure.😬 Ford, our knight in slightly dented hockey armor, steps up with a proposal that’s more about practicality than passion—or so she thinks. 😏

Their friendship adds a delightful layer of fun to the story. The dual POV format lets us peek into both of their minds. Amber slowly realizes her feelings for Ford, but quickly realizes her attraction, while Ford is constantly pining for Amber. 😉

And Ford’s affection for Amber’s daughter? Cue the swoon. 🫠 Seriously, the way he dotes on her is enough to melt the ice in any hockey rink. It’s downright sexy. 🔥

This is an adult, closed-door romance, with scenes fading to black and just a sprinkle of mild language. The narrators breathe life into the story, making the listening experience as engaging as the reading one. 🤓

What are you looking for? Hockey? Marriage of convenience? Virgin MMC? Childhood best friends? Single mom? Neurodivergent representation? This book has it all! I freaking ate this story up! I loved how sweet and sincere Ford and Hope were! The flashbacks to their childhoods were heart wrenching! I also adored Ford’s relationship with Amber’s daughter Nella.

I am so upset with myself for taking so long to read this one. It is SO good! Books don't usually make me cry, but this beautiful story absolutely did. I just don't even have the right words to adequately describe how much I loved it. Do yourself a favor and read it as soon as possible!

Amber...I love a spunky redhead and she totally delivers. Amber has overcome a good deal of adversity and I really appreciated how she doesn't let it all bring her down. She has such an optimistic outlook on life and a great personality. She just brings joy to everyone and I really enjoyed that about her.

Ford...Mitch has always been my favorite D.C. Eagle, but I think he's officially been toppled. Ford is the swooniest. I lived for all the tiny details and ways he shows how much he adores and cares for Amber. His love is next level and it was truly the sweetest gift to witness it all.

Things I loved:
❤️Flashbacks
❤️Neurodivergence rep
❤️Nella (and all her adorableness, especially with Ford)
❤️More D.C. Eagles interactions (I love these guys so much!)
❤️WAG (I wish Mel, Noelle, Andie, and Amber were my friends in real life)
❤️"my girls" and "my wife" (enough said)
❤️Ford's family (the absolute best)
and so much more. I can't say enough good things about this one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

🎧𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 - 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘
𝙳.𝙲. 𝙴𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝙷𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚢 #𝟹
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗮 #netgalley
⏳ 𝟬𝟴𝗛 & 𝟮𝟵𝗠
🎙️ 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗮 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱

🏒𝙲𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝙳𝚘𝚘𝚛 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
🍼𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎
🏒𝙱𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜
🍼𝚂𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛
🏒𝙿𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘

❝ ᴀᴍʙᴇʀ & ꜰᴏʀᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ꜰᴏʀ 26 ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ꜱɪɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ 8 ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏʟᴅ. ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴀᴍʙᴇʀ ꜱᴜᴅᴅᴇɴʟʏ ꜰɪɴᴅꜱ ʜᴇʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴍ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ, ꜱʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴏʀᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ. ꜰᴏʀᴅ ɪꜱ ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴀꜱ ʜᴇʟᴅ ʜɪꜱ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ꜰᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ, ɪɴᴄʟᴜᴅɪɴɢ ᴍᴀʀʀʏɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ…❝

💭𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥! Can this book be any cuter? I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this tooth-rotting sugary sweet hockey romance, I feel like getting a cavity after listening to this. This was so freakin’s cute, I adore every single second. 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗🍭

✔️What makes this book work so well for me is Ford! That man is precious and must be protected at all costs. The way that man has been pining and loving Amber, got me melting on the floor, I swear I kept tearing up at how sweet he is🥹. He’s got Asperger syndrome and he’s very uncomfortable with physical touch, hence why he’s still a virgin at 34. Amber is the only other person apart from his family that he feels comfortable enough to touch.

💖He spoiled her rotten, and though it was met with resistance initially, she finally gave up and let her man spoil her rotten. And I live for everything Ford’s done for her, my gosh, 𝗦𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗡!😭

✨The reason they never got together all this time made sense to me(so many FTL didn’t work for me, because the reasons are always dumb). And once they agree to this marriage of convenience, they no longer try to deny their feelings. Also, no miscommunication trope here, which I love! I cannot rave enough about this book, I absolutely adore it and I for sure will read all the other books in this series, highly recommended!!!

✅𝙷𝚎’𝚜 𝚊 𝙽𝚎𝚞𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚅𝚒𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚗 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘
✅𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚟𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝙱𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝟸𝟼 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜
✅𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚊 𝚂𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
✅𝙷𝚎 𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚃𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙷𝚎𝚛
✅𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝙳𝚘𝚐 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙷𝚒𝚖!
✅𝙽𝚘 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚍 𝙰𝚌𝚝 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚞𝚙

✨ 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 DREAMSCAPE MEDIA 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔, 𝙸'𝚖 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚟𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚢 ✨

Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner audiobook was so good. It is the third book in the D.C.Eagles Hockey Series but can be read as a standalone. I absolutely adored Ford Remington. Amber is a strong independent single mom. I have loved all the books I have read from Leah and this one did not disappoint. The narrators Alex Picard and David Bendena were wonderful. I loved the flow of the book and they hit the mark.

* Single Mom
* He Falls First
* He Takes Care of Her
* Hockey Romcom
* Childhood Best Friends
* Marriage of Convenience
* Neurodivergent MMC
* The Lingerie scene

”I stare into Amber’s eyes, and she smiles a secret smile. A smile that promises a lifetime of love. And I smile right back.”

“I’m sorry. I feel like we’ve turned your life into a living, breathing tornado.” He looks at me, his brown eyes locking with mine “Thankfully, I’ve always liked storms.”

"Ford, this is a once in a lifetime…once in a universe, type of love.”

“You need to understand something.” He pauses, and I nod. “What’s happening between us, not the fake marriage stuff, but the real stuff. It means something to me. I take this seriously. It’s my honor to take care of you both—it’s a privilege. And I plan to take care of you very, very well. For as long as you’ll let me.”

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Leah for the early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.