Breakaway by Deidre Martin (New York Blades #11)
Contemporary Romance
February 7, 2012
Berkley
Reviewed by May
Favorite Quote: Sandra glanced furtively toward the living room, then back to Erin. “I know he’s good looking and that, but I bet he’s the selfish sort who heaves himself on top of you like a great walrus. Then it’s a few pokes and he’s done, rolling off you with a burp and a fart until he falls asleep.”
Two years ago Rory, living large in New York City as a hockey star with the Blades (author’s fictional NHL team) and high on his rising star he dumped his fiancée. He hadn’t been home in the two years prior to that, and Erin had issued the ultimatum that brought reality crashing down. Totally crushed, she is finally getting herself back on her feet and her life moving forward.
Rory just decided that breaking up with Erin was the worst mistake of his life, and he flies to Ireland to spend the summer there, help coach a kids soccer camp, and get his girl back. He is determined and never considers that she might not want him or that he might fail.
Erin is preparing to bust loose from her small town. With her mother having her do all of her work running the family B&B, she can hardly wait to be gone. She’s completing her degree in Art History in her bedroom via computer courses and plotting her departure. To say she is surprised and dismayed at Rory’s reappearance would be an understatement. From the start though it’s clear her strong feelings and that she hasn’t truly moved on (or seriously dated anyone) is what has her upset, and that she has to fight her feelings. At least Rory makes it easier with his bad attitude.
Rory took his time sauntering down to the pub. His grandmother was worried about the rest of the town jumping him when he walked in, but that was the furthest thing from his mind, probably because it was so ridiculous. Four of them could try to take him down, and they’d be the ones to wind up in a ditch moaning in pain, not him. Not only that, but any choice words they threw his way would be a piece of piss compared to the trash talk he’d gotten on the ice. He knew he was a shit for dumping Erin. But at the time, he felt cornered. Never in her life had she given him an ultimatum, and it caught him unawares. It was the first time she really pushed him, and he reflexively pushed back.
I have read and enjoyed several of this series centered around the fictitious New York hockey team the blades, but I’m sorry to say I did not enjoy this one. My problem had little to do with the writing or story, and was almost entirely that I disliked the main characters. I love a big strong alpha man, but this guy, the heroine, and their interactions just hit on my every nerve. What is described as confidence and determination really rubbed me the wrong way. He seems to think that showing up and claiming he’s sorry makes it all ok. That he never seems to get how strongly he affected the lives of his loved ones, or how deeply he hurt Erin bothered me. It also bothered me that he seemed to have an “oh just get over it” attitude.
Easy to do when you’ve been living large and making millions back in New York City where women are lining up to sleep with you.
Being dumped shattered Erin’s heart, but I felt that could have been a really good thing and taken to create an interesting relationship transition and growth. They are no longer the boy and girl infatuated, but grown man and woman ready for a lasting adult relationship. Unfortunately Erin never did move on, date other guys, or try to get over Rory. Not really, which means she’s still pretty much in the same place as when he left, just more weary.
I did enjoy that while he is a hockey player, none of this book has to do with hockey or attending games and team practices and whatnot. I really liked the ‘off season’ aspect of the story. The majority of this story takes place in their small home town in Ireland, with a rich cast of supporting characters who throw some curves into the plot and keep things interesting. The story really does have a strong focus on the main couple as they eventually reunite.
At this point to explain in more depth what was hitting my buttons (in bad way) I would have to get into spoilers and I don’t want to do that. So I will end by saying that overall I think fans of contemporary romance and specifically the reunited high school lovers trope may enjoy this significantly more than I did. The story is fast paced and the writing is light and easy to follow.
Grade: C
Recent Reviews
Dear Author – C-
Under the Covers – 3/5
Love to Read for Fun – B-
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This sucks! I had great hopes for this book, but I must admit that her books are a bit of a hit-or-miss for me. I have loved most of them, but the bad ones, have been really bad. With this book I’m having flashbacks to Rachel Gibson’s Any Man of Mine, crappy hero, idiot heroine, they reunite, she takes him back for no apparent reason except that she is, as I said, an idiot, it makes for a craptastic book and very angry reader –aka me-.
And what is it with heroines not being able to move on?! Come on people, if the guy is a jerk go and find a new hero!
Great review May. I read her last one and was put off by it so I think I’ll pass on this one too.
The earlier ones are better in this series, right? I love sports romances..but the past few have received very meh reviews.
BTW – I think this green cover is very striking. Every time I see it, I do a double take.
Dunno about the Blades these days, perhaps perhaps not
I actually didn’t finish this one. I never warmed up to the hero and kind of thought he was a jerk. The last book was a bit of a flop for me too but I finished it. It could be that this series is just not for me. Nice review.
I love sports themed stories too, but I think I’ll take you’re word for it and take a pass. This series seems to be very hit and miss with people.
I tried to get into the Blades books. I did. But I can’t. They are missing the rootability factor I need for a couple. I wish there were more books like the early Chicago Stars series. Most of the sport books I’ve read have been too heavy on the athlete and not on developing the character outside, or the women evolution.
This sounds like an instant no read for me, I’m sorry to say. A jerk is not on my high list of characters, nor is a plot device female.
I have not read any books by this author yet, and don’t think I will any time soon. It sounds promising, but I have to be able to like the main characters to enjoy a book.