Title: Breakaway (Scoring Chances #1) Author: Avon Gale Main Characters: Lane Courtnall & Jared Shore Genre: Romance & Sports Length: 240 pages Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Date of Publication: November 27th 2015 Story: Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, twenty-year-old Lane Courtnall’s future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship. Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most. Review: This started off with Lane trying to at least start his hockey career with the Jacksonville Sea Storm but it wasn’t all going smoothly like he had planned. Being Canadian and sometimes from a different world, Lane’s way of socializing was both awkward and weird and it cost him the comradery of his teammates. It wasn’t a big deal for Lane but he needed the support of his team to play so the only way he thought possible to get their trust was to have a brawl with the rival teams, Jared Shore. And Jared Shore wasn’t an easy man. Jared Shore had been playing professional hockey for more than ten years now and still he was in the ECHL. With his age, it was imminent that he wouldn’t be able to climb up the ranks so he was contented with playing for the Savannah Renegades. He had a reputation for being hard headed and tough which suited him just fine. And when a rookie player from the rival team throws off his gloves at him, Jared didn’t disappoint the guy at all. Lane quickly became one of my favorites. The way he talked was so endearing and unique that I liked him from the get go. I love characters with this kind of personality, they seem so innocent when out of their element yet when it gets down to business they go hard. Lane was just this ball of energy that doesn’t stop to filter his words and it was absolutely adorable to read. Jared however was a different story. He has had experience over Lane so his view in life was much more real. He hated Lane at first but when Lane started to talk, Jared’s cold heart wasn’t a match for Lane’s warmth. Jared was obviously more mature and experienced in life (and that includes sex) and seeing how he was captivated and intrigued by our fluffy Lane was awesome. Most parts made me giddy inside. As it said in the plot, it was indeed a strange way to start a relationship. But it immediately warped into something light and warm. When they finally got together, that’s where this book took off. Loved how the way they didn’t have much drama with each other at all, loved how they just grew. And even though they were from rival teams, they didn’t make it an issue between them. They may play against each other on the ice but really, they were just two people playing the sport they adore. And as their relationship strengthen and solidify, the more their story got real. Some stories doesn’t need to have heavy angst to be good, sometimes all it needs is a little realness and this book has that. But there were instances along the way that became an issue for our couple but it was only temporary and it only made them stronger. I absolutely loved how Lane and Jared finally came to their senses that they love each other, it was written in a light and sweet way that it made me smile seeing them happy. Oh what the heck, all Lane and Jared moments made me smile, on and off the ice. No matter whose point of view I was reading from, I was content knowing how they feel for each other. No one was tricking anyone, they were both open with each other, they talk and express their thoughts and feelings to each other like real couples do. A big thumbs up on that. Plus the events that happened towards the end was perfect for the story. //SPOILER// Jared’s retirement and choosing to go wherever Lane goes made my heart swell. But here was where it got a little tricky for me, I for one have absolutely no idea about the game of hockey and this book had a lot of hockey scenes. Though it was a little overwhelming at parts, it didn’t drew me away from the book. But I’m not going lie, I skimmed through some of the lengthy explanation but that was only because I wanted to get to the Lane and Jared parts already. Sorry not sorry. I recommend this to everyone especially those who would want to read something light and real. There’s no heavy drama in this book at all, everything was just light. Though my only complaint is the lengthy parts of the book where there was a lot of explaining happening but since this book was set in between games and such, all was forgiven. Favorite Line: “It’s just like pizza, only without the sauce. Have I blown your mind with this? I have, haven’t I?” - Jared |
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February 2016
"Without a doubt, there was no place, nothing as exotic or rare, as that moment right there with him. Never again could I claim miracles didn't happen." |