This book was almost a 5 because I loved the characters, even the bad ones were well done! I especially loved glimpses of characters from previous works! However, this was not a hockey book and it wasn't even great on the few hockey details. Very few professional hockey players drive themselves to away games. duh. Sorry, I digress. This was more of a stalker situation. It was well done, realistic (minus the hockey and the over abundance of efficient FBI agents) and the pace/flow/plot were great. I barely put it down. So, minus some hockey bait and switch disappointment, this was a solid read. I hope we get more of the hockey team (Dallas and the reporter!) and less drama.

An interesting story wth some strong characters. Kristen is in a relationship with a rich, besotted and obsessed businessman (basically he's a bit of a whacko). When his craziness comes to the surface Kristen has no other option but to change her identity and start her life over again. With the help of the FBI she starts afresh and is getting into the swing of small town living when she finally succumbs to the charms of Kellan carter, the Captain of the hockey team. Kellan (and a few of his team mates) have been pursuing Kristen for almost a year, she works in the local bar they frequent. She has however, been putting off there advances, mainly due to the fact that she was stereotyping them. Things are looking up for Kristen, but just when she started to let her guard down, her past comes back to haunt her in the worst way. With some cringeworthy twists and turns, some sexy scenes with a super hot, super perfect hockey player, I found this story highly enjoyable. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this book didn't work for me at all. I thought I was going to be reading a hockey romance book- but honestly it was more drama than anything. It should have a new cover, synopsis and be put into the "mafia" or crime category instead.- it's kind of deceiving to readers

I really enjoyed this book. It was a loosely based hockey book in the fact that the hero of the story was a professional hockey player and that his teammates, games, practices, schedule, away games, role on the team and his history was all included in the book. But this book was really about the heroine and her involvement with a hockey player. I saw the author catching some grief online about this not being a sports romance but i found it was and included a good amount of his career as well as hers, but no, it was not the main focus of the book...the heroine and her past were, and her involvement with a hockey player currently and in the future were.

I had absolutely no problems getting caught up in this book and the characters and the storyline. I loved it. I really enjoyed the strength that she built up in herself and how independent she became, yet she was still able to be soft and lean on her friends when needed and see the positives in life.

When I started "Hard Stick" I almost stopped for fear I had the wrong book. I looked at the cover and reread the description again. Wait. This book was supposed to be about hockey right? Something was off...this was NOT what I was reading about at all.

I'm not going to spoil it for you but I'm extremely pleased that I stuck with it through the first 4 chapters. It set the stage for the second part of the story, which still isn't really about hockey at all (sorry to disappoint the sports fans in the crowd). However, I guarantee you will still love this book if you enjoy strong characters, a bit of intrigue, action, and love, all within the sports environment. It may seem like a book about hockey, but it's really a book where the hockey players help to make it come alive.

I highly recommend this book to those who like a little bit of everything in their reading. (Full disclosure: If you have any triggers around domestic violence, this probably isn't a book for you.) I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Kristen is in a relationship with a married man, Mitchell. She realizes that the relationship is doomed by his lies and constant controlling of her every move. She attempts to break up but he becomes violent and threatening. The story switches to a year later as she tries to carve out a new life away from Mitchell. Enter a handsome hockey player, Kellen. I found the plot to be unrealistic and unbelievable. The worst part of the book was Kellen calling Kristen, "Buttercup " throughout the story. I think that pet names used by men to women early on in meeting and not even dating yet are misogynistic and repulsive. The author tries to make Kristen appear to be strong and independent but she runs away from her bad relationship to Mitchell (pretty unrealistically) and gets star-struck by the handsome face of Kellen. Really can't recommend the book for these reasons.

Hard Stick by L.P. Dover will be available June 13, 2013 by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book! A great romantic/suspenseful story with a HEA (And it also involved sports which is always a plus with me) I really liked the author's style of writing. Not wordy trying to drag out the word count. Just straight and to the point for an exciting story line that engages the reader. The story got me choked up multiple times while reading. There is a death early on, and even though you don't read much about the character, it makes a big impact. Reading of Kristen and Kellan falling in love. And then when Kristen is abducted by her ex that she has been running from the beginning of the story. There are multiple twists in the book and I love that it keeps it interesting until the very end!

Kristen is on the run from a dangerous man that will do anything to keep her in his possession. When she settles down in small town North Carolina, she is introduced to the mega hockey star Kellan, who wants Kristen for himself. A fun read that I wish had a bit more hockey in it, but overall a great piece of brain candy.

Kristen is on the run from an obsessed boyfriend with control issues and a murderous past. Kellen is captain of his hockey team and finds himself drawn to Kristen. Will she ever be able to settle down and allow herself to love again?
This story has it all. Intrigue, romance, sports, humour ...just what you would expect from an L.P. Dover novel!

This is the first book that I have read from this author and it was pretty good. There seems to be some characters that might be in her MMA series that I would love to look into cant wait for the next book in the series.

Hard Stick was an enjoyable read by L P Dover. Kristen has some hardships in her life prior to meeting Kellan. Kellan has to broken down Kristens walls and shows her that she can trust him. Hard Stick is full of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Loved the in depth story line and the amazing strength of the main character Kristen. While most stories I have read simply refer back to the events that take up the first 3 chapters of the book, or do flashbacks, I enjoyed it all being detailed- I developed a connection to the characters, especially Cole. You don't get that benefit in a synopsis or events or flashbacks so I applaud L.P. Dover for giving me Cole.

This story lays the foundation for the Breakaway Series and our anchor couple of Kirsten and Kellan. Kirsten has a tumultuous story that has led her back home to North Carolina after fleeing Boston. Having a psycho ex ruining her life, Kirsten withdraws from day to day life to hide out working in a bar. Running into a sexy ice hockey star was not on her radar. Kellan isn't exactly what he seems- that being a playboy- and he likes Kirsten and has the stamina to wait for her to come around to his attention.

Taking awhile to give in to his date requests, these two finally go out and find they have so much in common along with a sizzling attraction. Feeling able to come out of her shell, Kirsten allows Kellan to see the real her. But danger is never far away from Kirsten and could it be that Kellan has unknowingly brought it back to her?

When their love brings back danger into Kirsten's life, Kellan is hell bent to be there for her and protect her, but is he too late. Kirsten is strong and feisty and thought she'd be ready the next time around, but when she can't stop threats to those she loves how far will she go to protect them.

Quick read. Good blend of romance and suspense with likable lead characters.

L.P. Dover has written an incredibly amazing story about a woman who has had very tragic events in her life. She is running and hiding and just spending her time trying to keep busy. Until a hockey player gets through to her. This is a fantastic love story about learning to trust, love, and letting go. I will say, if you are looking for a book all about hockey go read Hockey for Dummies.

This story is very well written, the characters and the plot are fleshed out marvelously. You really believe that you are involved in the story and that you could go to the same places as Kellan and Kristen. I would recommend that anyone reads this book. Once you do you will need to read all the rest of L.P. Dover's books because she is just that awesome of an author.

Hard bod aND soft heart, my kind of guy Findin love after being betrayed and having to go by a different name and leaving her world behind ... what a great story

Sports and true love are a couple of my favorite things in life. When they come together in a gorgeous story, it's all the better. This was a great read!

I enjoyed book, totally fell in love with Kellan, and did like Kristen. I was so broken hearted over Cole, but loved how Kristen did not forget him, but constantly remembered that he was a loyal friend til the end. Mitch was a total nutcase, but it enjoyable to read the lengths he went thru with his crazy obsession. It is always heartwarming to read about a group of friends that are there for you, and Kristen had that. I can't wait for next book, I am hoping it is Dallas and that reporter.

Hard Stick (Breakaway #1)
L.P. Dover
Book Review: ♥ ♥ ❣
The first 14% of this book is nothing to do with hockey.
This book is about a stalker ex-boyfriend who is married but wants a puppet girlfriend on the side.

Kristen gets involved with the wrong man, and he steals everything from her. She goes into hiding to get away from him, but he's still looking for her.

Kellan (Hockey player) wants to get to know Kristen. She's reluctant but can't resist. He's different to any man she's ever liked.

This book has a lot going on and is full of drama. It's nothing like the other hockey novels I have read. This book just wasn't for me.

I have read Roped In which is another story by this author and I loved that, but this one just didn't do it for me.

2.5 stars out of 5. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Kindle Edition £1.80
Expected publication: June 13th, 2017

Although I would classify this as more of a romantic suspense where the hero happens to be a hockey player vs. a sports romance, "Hard Stick" is still a winner and stole my heart. The emotions, suspense and twists in this book you turning page after page on the edge of your seat. The romance between Kellen and Kristen was so well done and sucks you right into their chemistry with one another. The suspense and conflict in this book were so well executed that there were several time I found myself so tense that I was white knuckling my poor Kindle. This book exuded the perfect amount of romance, action and playful banter that makes up a great romance novel. The only thing that threw me was that based on the cover I really was expecting more of a sports romance where in actuality the sports/NHL aspect played a very little part. The cover is super sexy but doesn't really portray what I think the book delivers. Overall, I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to read more by this author.