Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.   

Pain Killer is a raw, powerful read.   So many people struggle with addiction..   So many people feel completely alone in their addiction.   I think it's important for stories of addiction to be mainsteam like this.   People struggling with addiction need to know they aren't alone, that it's possible to get better.

This book was a great read.. honestly.    I'd purchase a copy.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Pain Killer by Brantt Myhres. I came to a love of hockey as an adult woman who can’t even stand up on ice skates, so I’m not the typical fan, but I have been devouring everything I come across in reading material since it is a bit of an untapped market and I’m fascinated with the industry as well as the game. I was not familiar with Myhres as a player prior to having read his story, but what a story he has to tell about addiction and enforcement in a game so physical one would not have a difficult time believing how easily either can be pain can be suffered. I am hesitant to review memoirs because it is often difficult to separate author from writing, though, in this particular situation, the writing was so rudimentary, I got tangled in the words and missed the full weight of the story being told. With insight into addiction in a professional athletic capacity, Myhres’ experience is extremely valuable and we need to be talking about these things, but I feel this book would have benefitted greatly from the use of a ghostwriter. Thank you again for allowing me to read and review this book. I appreciate the author’s bravery in speaking out about his personal struggles and hope that his is a story which will help others in the NHL and other professional sport organizations avoid a similar suffering.

I got about 20-25% through this before I had to tap out. The dialogue isn't put into quotes so it's hard to follow. I feel like this memoir is 98% hockey and 2% addiction problems. There's an early memory he retells about sexual abuse as a child which is really hard to read and with no warning. I love addiction memoirs but unfortunately this one couldn't hold a candle to my gold standard, Beautiful Boy.