BLOCKED (Breakaway #2) by L.P. Dover-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 31, 2017

He’s got every reason to be cocky . . . until a female cuts him down to size.

I’m Dallas Easton, the best goaltender in the league. I make a damn good living playing hockey, and with women falling at my feet wherever I go, why not enjoy it? I get whatever I want, whenever I want—that is, until I come across the one player who gets the best of me on the ice.

When I try to pummel the dude, all hell breaks loose. Imagine my surprise when the helmet comes off to reveal a woman underneath. And not just any woman, but the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Callie Davis is the complete opposite of the puck bunnies I usually go for, a good girl with sick moves and a selfless streak a mile wide. I need to make amends, but she dodges me at every turn. It doesn’t help that Callie’s brother hates my guts, or that my agent thinks she’s bad for my career.

But I could care less what they think. I can’t let our little run-in on the ice be the end of our story. Because when I set my sights on something, I won’t rest until I score.

••••••••••

REVIEW:  BLOCKED is the second instalment in L.P. Dover’s contemporary, adult BREAKAWAY erotic, romance, hockey series focusing on the men and women of the professional hockey team The Charlotte Strikers. This is twenty nine year old goalie Dallas Easton, and twenty six year old nurse Callie Davis’ story line. BLOCKED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. We were first introduced to Dallas in book one HARD STICK. Callie is the Charlotte Strikers’ Justin Davis’ younger sister.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Callie and Dallas) BLOCKED looks at the building but acrimonious relationship between the Charlotte Strikers goalie Dallas Easton, a bit of a manwhore by reputation, and nurse Callie Davis, a woman who can hold her own against our story line hero. Callie’s introduction to Dallas comes at a party where Dallas finds himself on the receiving end of a jealous boyfriend who gets physically violent with our story line hero; to add insult to injury an unsuspecting Dallas will come face to face with a woman who isn’t afraid to go one on one but a meeting that doesn’t end well for Dallas Easton. What ensues is the building relationship between Callie and Dallas, and the potential fall out as Callie’s over protective brothers intend to protect Callie from their less than worthy teammate; and an overzealous agent who intends to keeps Callie and Dallas apart.

The relationship between Callie and Dallas is one of immediate attraction but Dallas’ reputation as a manwhore and player precedes his introduction to our story line heroine. Puck bunnies aside, Dallas’ life is about to get more complicated when he is chosen as the ‘bachelor’ for the reality television series Rich and Single. Callie’s brothers intend to make Dallas’ life a living h*ll in order to protect the sister they love including running interference both on and off the ice but Callie makes our hero work just as hard to ‘prove’ he is worthy of her attention and love. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The world building continues to look at the run for the Cup; the camaraderie between players, family, fans and the media; and the potential fall-out as past sins are slowly revealed.

There is a large ensemble case of secondary and supporting characters including Kristen and Kellan Carter (Hard Stick #1); Braeden Wallace, Coach Carlisle, and Maddox Ledger We are introduced to Callie’s twin brothers and sports agents Corey and Brant, as well as her brother Justin; her best friend and co-worker Hannah Martin, and Dr. Sands; as well as Dallas’ sister Lacey, and his parents Theresa and David Easton. There is some backstory and history between Lacey and Maddox that I am looking forward to the reveal.; and the developing relationship between Hannah and Corey.

BLOCKED is a story of family and friendship; of one man’s desire to change for the woman he loves, and one woman’s strength to look beyond the past. The premise is entertaining, inspiring and engaging; the characters are dynamic, edgy and spirited; the romance is passionate and uplifting. I did have to question some of the intended humor as our hero must ‘work’ for the heroine’s heart but humiliation is not on my list of proof of intention or love.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-HARD STICK

Copy supplied for review by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy