OFF THE ICE (Breakaway #4) by LP Dover-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 16, 2018

He’s always made the scoring plays, both on and off the ice, but this time he has a new goal … the one for Meghan’s heart.

I’m Justin Davis, all-star center for the Charlotte Strikers. For years, I chased the spotlight, not only with hockey, but through television as well. That’s why I decided to play the bachelor on Rich and Single. Unfortunately, I was stuck with a fake fiancée from hell who I couldn’t stand to be around. Now that our contract is up, I’m allowed to do whatever I want, with whoever I want. I plan to take full advantage of my newfound freedom.

After being on the show, people don’t recognize me for hockey anymore, even with just winning the Stanley Cup for my team. That’s why I’m spending the off season in a remote cabin in Wyoming where the chances of people knowing me are slim. Space is what I need, but when a down to earth beauty needs help on her ranch, I can’t resist. Meghan Taylor is exactly what I’ve been looking for, even though I’m not the kind of man she wants.

Getting her to see the real me has its challenges, but the more time I spend with her, the easier it is for her to see that I’m not the same guy she knows from TV. Being away from the media is one thing, but as soon as I’m back in the spotlight, I’m afraid it’ll change what we have. I don’t want to lose her, but I also can’t hide away in Wyoming forever. It’s a choice I’m not ready to make.

•••••••••

REVIEW: OFF THE ICE is the fourth instalment in LP Dover’s contemporary, adult BREAKAWAY hockey, romance series focusing on the men and women of the Charlotte Strikers, professional hockey team. This is all-star center / reality TV star Justin Davis, and single mother/ primary school teacher Meghan Taylor’s story line. OFF THE ICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Justin and Meghan) OFF THE ICE follows the building relationship between all-star center / reality TV star Justin Davis, and single mother/ primary school teacher Meghan Taylor. The Charlotte Strikers have just won their second Stanley Cup, and Justin is desperate for some down time in the wake of the televised break-up with his ‘reality TV fiancee’ Miranda Davenport- a spoiled rich heiress whose father pulls the purse strings of many of Hollywood’s leading producers. Time alone to work on his newly acquired Wyoming ranch finds Justin face to face with his future, neighboring rancher, single mother and primary school teacher Meghan Taylor. What ensues is the building but secret relationship between Meghan and Justin, and the potential fall-out as the end of summer approaches, and Justin heads back to get ready for the upcoming hockey season.

Justin Davis is a former bachelor reality star whose personal life had spiralled out of control when the woman he chose made his life a living h*ll. One year later Justin proclaims the end of their relationship on national TV, then ventures to Wyoming for some well-deserved R&R where he will meet single mother Meghan Taylor. Hoping to protect her daughter from the prying eyes of the media, Meghan and Justin keep their relationship on the down-low until the couple find themselves on the front pages of the local rags.

The relationship between Meghan and Justin is one of immediate attraction. Meghan has loved and lost, but isn’t willing to risk her daughter’s happiness for a few weeks of $ex and fun; Justin is hoping for his own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Maddox Ledger and Lacey Easton (Playmaker #3) and Dallas Easton and Justin’s sister Callie Davis (Blocked #2). We are introduced to Meghan’s daughter Ellie, and Meghan’s sister Kimberly.

The world building follows the building romance and love between Meghan and Justin, as well as the potential fall-out of Justin’s aborted relationship between Justin and Miranda.

OFF THE ICE is a fast paced, story of romance and love, friends and family. The premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are colorful and real; the romance is spirited and true. The story line conflict is limited. OFF THE ICE is a welcome addition to LP Dover’s BREAKAWAY series.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Hard Stick
Blocked
Playmaker
OFF THE ICE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.

Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Google+ / Amazon / Goodreads / Newsletter