L.P. Dover is an amazingly talented author. I've read everything she's written and this did NOT disappoint me.

When Kristen met Mitchell she thought she had found the perfect man, but little by little he started to show his true colors, and they weren't very pretty. He was borderline obsessive, very controlling, and Kristen knew if she didn't dump him soon things were only going to get worse. So, she turned to a friend and he helped her get rid of Mitchell, but she knew dumping him wasn't going to be enough, she needed to flee town fast. So she packed her bags and left him behind, but for how long? With her friends help she is able to begin to start a new life, and with time has even started to let her guard down, and consider letting love back in again... but can she find a way to trust again?

The moment Kellan walks into his favorite hangout and spots the beauty behind the counter he is taken with her, she on the other hand doesn't seem to be interested in anything he has to offer. But he isn't willing to give up so easily, he figures he'll take his time with her, and slowly work his way into her good graces. His friends have another plan though, and push him to ask her out, and throw down a bet, one that he hopes he will come out on the winning end of... that is if he can get her to finally say yes!

Once again Ms. Dover has provided me with a delightful little literary escape and left me in awe of her literary talents, I love her stories so much!! The moment I read the synopsis for this one I was intrigued, and ready to dive in and meet these two. And the moment I got started there was no stopping me, I was hooked by Chapter one, and didn't intend to walk away until I had devoured every last word... and boy was it deliciously satisfying!! It is one of those reads that will take you on a bit of emotional roller coaster, giving you moments of happiness, fear, heartbreak, excitement and even a few blush worthy moments too! Highly recommend you give this one a try, Ms. Dover's heartfelt tale is sure to keep you captivated from start to finish!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Oh this book was full of so many twists and turns it was great! I really wanted Kristen to get her happily ever after and so happy that she did in the end. I mean the mother and step father being related to Kellen that was so weird but really brought the boook together. I just knew something like that was going to happen but I was still shocked to read it. Overall great character and excellent writing.

Hard Stick was my first foray into reading L.P. Dover's novels. I was impressed with her writing style. I loved that she chose to use first person dual narration in her adult contemporary romance. So many authors use third person, and it makes it a lot harder to identify with the characters.

The characters in Hard Stick were a lot of fun. Kristen had been through and lost so much in her life. She rebounded well and had an inner strength not many people would have. I loved that Kristen did what she needed to do to live her life, and how serious she was about her physical strength and preparedness. Kellan was a reformed hockey bad boy who was looking for more in a woman than just one night together. He was a genuinely nice guy, and I loved how he wasn't going to let Kristen dismiss him without proving himself to her. They were so cute together, and had amazing chemistry.

Hard Stick was a sports romance, but I didn't realize it was going to have a romantic suspense aspect to it. I actually think it would be better characterized as romantic suspense. There was way more of that than hockey moments. I'm not complaining, though. Romantic suspense isn't normally my favorite thing to read, but I did like it in Hard Stick. It was well written, and added a cool dimension to Kristen and Kellan's relationship. I could see where the twist in the story was going to go from the minute I met Kellan, but it was fun watching everything unfold.

Hard Stick may have been my first L.P. Dover novel, but it won't be my last. I am so excited to see what's next in the Breakaway series. I'm really hoping Dallas' book is next! I loved Kellan's hockey buddy, and I think he's got a special romance coming his way.

Kristen is young but hasn't have an easy life. Her parents died in a car accident, but the parents of her best friend, Cole, who were best friends with her parents, embraced her as part of their family. The two of them, along with their friend Brooklyn, went to school together and then she and Cole both got jobs at the same firm in Boston, she as interior designer and he as an architect. She started dating a powerful client, Mitchell, who told her he was getting a divorce, but he lied and he became obsessive, to the point that she was frightened. When she tried to break it off with him, he had Cole killed. But Michell has bought off the Boston police. With the help of Brooklyn's brother, Jason an undercover detective and his wife, Aylee, an FBI agents, she flees Boston and gets a new identity, unofficially in the Witness Protection Program, moving back to Belmont, NC. She lays low, taking a job at a bar and just changing her last name.
Kellan Carter is the captain and enforcer of the Charlotte Strikers, national hockey team. He has had his eye on Kristen for a while, but she is too frighten to date anyone and also thinks he is a player. But he finally convinces her to give him a chance. So of course as soon as she starts getting a new life, her past comes back to haunt her.
If you like the author's Second Chance series, then you will also like this book. It even takes place in the same town and references are made to the football players in that series. The characters are well developed and there are some surprises.
I did have a few problems with this book though. It is the first book in the series, but is written as if we already know Brooklyn's back story. Perhaps from another series? Also, mention is made of the Strikers winning the Stanley Cup after playing Atlanta, but the Thrashers left Atlanta years ago. Also, Mitchell's connection with Kellan, was suppose to be a surprise (not giving any spoiler away here), but if I guessed it several chapters before, I have to expect most other readers will have too.
All in all, if you like the author's previous books, this book is for you.

Kristen changes her name and flees to a town near where she grew up to escape an obsessed ex-boyfriend who has caused her world to crash around her. There she finds strength, love, friendship, and a new life. That is, until she runs into the one person she was desperately trying to escape. Can love save her, or is she destined to heartache and pain?

I enjoyed this contemporary romance with a dash of suspense. The main characters were likable and respectable, and the main love interest has a fun camaraderie with his hockey teammates. I thought the love between the main characters was believable -- well, up until the major plot twist. I'm sorry, but that was something I personally wouldn't be able to move past and I have no idea how these characters did. There were also times where the writing, specifically some dialogue, seemed a bit awkward or forced, just not the natural way I imagined a particular scene would most likely play out. Despite this, I devoured the book in just 3 hours and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a smidgen of drama with their sports-themed romance stories.

Review posted on my Goodreads account.

**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

This was my first L.P. Dover book and I gravitated toward it initially due to the description and the fact that it was a hockey romance. While it was a romance with a bit of a hockey theme, I would say it lends itself more to romantic suspense instead of the sports angle.

Kristen finds herself in an awful position with her ex-boyfriend and the only thing she can to do protect herself is run. She enlists the help of some friends and starts over, leaving almost everything she loves and has worked for behind.

Kellan is the captain of the Charlotte Strikers and he frequents the bar that Kristen works in and while he's tried many times to get her to give him a chance, she continually turns him down. Kellan is finally able to wear her down and she quickly realizes that he wasn't the guy she thought he was at all; he's so much better.

As the two build their relationship slowly due to the trauma from Kristen's past, unfortunately that past comes back to haunt her. Will they be able to withstand all that is thrown at them and come out stronger in the end?

While I felt like this book was very, very predictable at times, I did enjoy the mystery and suspense element. Kellan and Kristen did have chemistry, but I would have liked to have seen it explored a bit more, especially emotionally.

Another great read by this author.

LP Dover is another author I'm running out of words for in reviews. Her work never fails to keep me hooked, and I always end up finishing her books too quickly. Hard Stick was no exception.

Kellen and Kristen were a good couple. Kristen had a hard time with her past, but she opened up to Kellen and I liked the connection between them. The fact there wasn't much of a chase in the relationship and the characters had time to grow together made it all the more enjoyable. I liked that Kristen was strong even after what she'd been through. She didn't let it break her and she wasn't afraid to put the hockey guys in their place.

As for the story, it was another good suspense. I loved that so many characters from her other books came into this story and I couldn't put it down.

Overall another brilliant read. I hope Dallas gets a book at some point and I can't wait for LP's next release no matter what it is.

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Kristen Robinson's married boyfriend decides not to leave his wife, but when Kristen tries to leave him he becomes abusive, even so far as having her best friend killed. Kristen flees, changes her last name to Holt, fakes her death with the help of the FBI and tries to rebuild her life. While working at a bar, she meets Kellan, a hockey player. Kristen doesn't want to get involved, but Kellan persists. She finally goes out with him and they start a relationship. Kristen is happy until her ex Mitchell comes back. At this point things get weird. It is revealed that Mitchell is married to Kellan's mother, so Kristen has been sleeping with her boyfriend's stepdad. Eww... Mitchell has Kristen kidnapped and tries to get her to do what he wants by threatening to hurt her friends. Kristen escapes at the same time that a rescue team finds her. In the epilogue Kellan proposes.

I like that the author tried to do more with the story than just boy meets girl, but it didn't work for me. When I see the title "Hard Stick" and a photo of a hickey player, I expect a story with some hockey in it. Hockey is nothing more than a passing mention. I also found the coincidence of Kellan's mom and Kristen's exboyfriend kind of creepy. And finally, I didn't believe that Kellan and Kristen were truly in love.

An interesting story and one that kept me reading through to the end. If I could I would give this three and a half stars. The main thing that held me back was that at times the writer's voice overpowered the characters' voices, which threw me a bit. I also didn't see how Mitchell could have so much influence over cops, FBI , etc. And it was irritating how Kristen's friends didn't keep better protection for her. Overall, i recommend this book and author, but it could have been stronger.

A book about trust, faith and some serious characters that pack a punch. What would you do if you found out the man you were with was certifiable and deadly? Don't miss this story of love lost and found.

Hard Stick is a romance book with an edge of mystery and lightly centred on a Hockey theme.

This was an ok read. The mystery element was good and while it had an air of predictability, it was certainly engrossing and intriguing. I felt that Kristen and Kellan had great chemistry and their scenes were really smoking, however, I would have loved to have had a bit more emotional depth to their relationship.

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.

I really, really enjoyed this book! It had humor, romance, a little bit of suspense, and my favorite, hockey!!

I enjoyed Kristen's fire and Kellan's romantic alpha. They were a great match!

I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone I know.

Not much hockey in this one-which is contrary to the cover. This is more of a mystery, suspense story than a hockey romance. I think I just got confused by this story-too much going on-like the mafia thrown in and too many side stories.

Just didn't feel this one.

I went into this book kind of blind, but I am a huge LP Dover fan, so was excited to read it. It was not at all what I was expecting, but I enjoyed every moment of the ride. This book had mystery, suspense, and a love story all wrapped up in one. Kellan is a pro hockey player with a heart of gold, and Kristen is a good-hearted woman running from a life she could no longer be a part of. Kellan was completely swoon worthy and every woman's dream. I loved the twists and turns in this book, and the appearance of characters from other LP Dover books was really neat. This book was engaging and emotional. I read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down and needed to know how it ended. Another 5 star read from LP Dover.

The plot was well developed and I got invested in the characters immediately. There were some parts that I was on that emotional roller coaster with them. Without a spoiler, I will say that there were a few twists and turns that I didn't quite expect. It's a great read, and would look forward to some of the periphery characters if it can be spun-off.

Unfortunately this book was not what I expected it to be. It lacked a lot of the sports aspect of a sports romance and was more of a mafia/suspense filled book. There was a lot going on and I found the characters to be unrelateable. I've read a lot of the authors other books and so far this book was the only miss for me so I will definitely read more of her books in the future.

What a great start to a new series! I was on the edge of my seat while reading this story, waiting to see what was going to happen. You will have to read this to see what I mean. On top of that the romance was off the charts and I loved this couple.

Kristin has just moved back to where she grew up under not so good circumstances. She is very weary of everyone around her and constantly looking over her shoulder. Being a bar tender at a place the hockey team frequents she easily turns the guys down. Finally giving into Kellan she says yes to a date.

Kellan is a hockey player on the Charolette Strikers and has had eyes for Kristin since he saw her. He is down to earth and doesn't let his fame go to his head. When Kristin finally agrees to go out with him he knows he has to play it cool, he doesn't want to scare her away.

Kellan and Krisin have a sweet relationship and are learning what it means to truly trust and love someone. This is a story you don't want to miss and will be pulled in from the first page. Get ready for a rollercoaster you don't want to get off of.

Hard Stick is the action packed hockey romance you'll never forget, maybe.

Kristen falls in love with the wrong guy. After he takes away the only family she has left, she's forced to leave everything behind. She turns to her FBI friends who help her scrap her old life and change her identity. In addition, Kristen's Fed friends stick her back in North Carolina, far away from the man scouring the US and Canada for her. For an entire year she lives a peaceful, boring existence. She a bartender at a local bar where the wild hockey boys from the Carolina Strikers come in and raise a ruckus every night. Kristen has to leave her guard up 24/7. She never knows if the man who took everything away from her will show up at her door.

Kellan's a genuine leader. He's the captain of the Carolina Strikers, and he's not afraid of breaking a nose or two. He wants a date with the hot bartender, but she always turns him down. She thinks he's a player like his teammates. Snap judgement much?! He considers himself an ordinary, nice guy. His dad's awesome, however, his mother's a piece of work. He hasn't seen her since he kicked her husband's ass. He has mommy issues. Money changes people. He wants nothing to do with the woman who gave him life.

Kellan has no clue who Kristen is or what she's hiding from although she lets him in on a few details of her former life. She wants to trust him, however, her jerk radar's broken. She doesn't want to make the same mistake twice or put him in jeopardy. Kristen connected Kellan is with her previous life or how much her life is still in danger.

Kristen's sick of hiding. She wants to live her life and stop looking over her shoulder. She wants to fall in love, get married and have little hockey players. Kellan makes her want to move forward. She's done living in the past and reliving the death of her best friend. The question is, can she?

Hard Stick starts out with a bang and keeps on delivering. Unfortunately, the danger is anticlimactic and leaves you thinking, "Is that it?" The buildup doesn't particularly match the suspense factor. The "connection" Kellan and Kristen have could've been more substantial. I loved the story, however, it has flaws. There is a few characters from previous L.P. Dover books (although, this is the first book I've read by this author) and they were kind of random.

My criticism of the anti climatic storyline doesn't take much away from the overall book. It's still a great read. I recommend it to those of you romance addicts who tire of the boring storyline's told over and over again.