Breakaway: Beyond the Play, Book 2

Written by Grace Reilly

Narrated by Brian Meslar and Faith Clark

A secret friends-with-benefits arrangement with the coach’s daughter shouldn’t have a shot in the dark of leading to more…

Cooper

As a pro-bound college athlete with a good-time reputation, I usually have my pick of puck bunnies. But lately, I’ve been in a dry spell that feels more like a curse, and the stress is affecting my game–the one thing that can’t happen if I’m going to keep building my case for a future in the NHL, starting with making team captain.

Enter Penny Ryder.

She’s my coach’s daughter, but the moment she pulls me into that ice rink closet and lets me have my way with her, she’s the one thing on my mind besides hockey. She wants me to introduce her to all the things she’s been dying to experience with a guy, and by looking at her list? If I say yes, I’ll be relaxed on the ice again—but if her dad finds out what we’re up to, I’ll be forced to say goodbye to the chance at being captain and finally earning my own father’s approval.

Penny

Thanks to the ex from hell, I’m a long way from being ready for a relationship–but after an unfortunate morning involving my roommate and a flying–ahem–personal toy, it’s clear that it’s finally time to reclaim my agency, one long-sought-after experience in bed at a time.

Enter Cooper Callahan.

He’s the most casual guy I can think to be with–but he just so happens to be my hockey coach dad’s star defenseman.

Yet the longer our connection goes on, the more we trust each other, and the less I want to say goodbye. I know love leads to heartbreak, but what if it can also clear the ice for a breakaway?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
• Release date: Aug 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669662044

Reviews for Breakaway

[Maggie Kennedy · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I really wish I could have liked this one but the awful narration just wasn't worth it. I dnf'd 4 chapters in.

[Dayanara Guzman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t know how this book doesn’t get more hype. This was everything. A good story line and the ?️ was absolutely amazing. I give it a 5/5

[Charlotte · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can see why everyone says this is a spicey book. It's definitely up there with all the kinks and tropes that Cooper Callahan likes to try.

Cooper and Penny are complete opposites. Penny is very reserved and set back. She doesn't want to be the centre of attention and isn't confident in the bedroom, the latter being the main storyline Penny. Cooper is the captain of the ice hockey team and everyone knows who Cooper Callahan is. He's the confident jock with every girl wanting to get in his pants.

Cooper's character was hit with a lot of book-boyfriend tropes, to the point where it became overbearing. Especially with all the activities he wanted to try in the bedroom. Which college student is ever like that? Penny wasn't confident in the bedroom and she had reasons for not wanting to have sex but the prolonged backdoor activities with Cooper not questioning this became odd. I would have liked this to have been dealt with sooner than prolonging the book.

I definitely enjoyed Breakaway more than the first book which was a DNF. The miscommunication between these couples is played on a lot but it's also a massive issue with the parents. Blows my mind.

[Toni Benton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely glad I found these books!
Penny Ryder is a girl who has a past experience of intimacy that has left her jaded, a bit traumatized, and on a self imposed celibacy. But she’s decided the she’s desperate to break that cycle, she just needs to find the right guy to help her work through her issues.

Cooper Callahan is a bit of a playboy. He’s the hockey team’s bad boy, but he knows he needs to clean up his act. And with his current dry spell, his game is suffering. Coach has slated him with a community service outreach program where he helps teach kids to skate. But he wasn’t betting on his teaching partner to be so enticing.

Penny has compiled a bucket list, if you will, of intimate experiences she would like to conquer in order to get her control back in the bedroom. When these two meet, they are both slightly enamored with each other, & Penny decides that Cooper is the perfect guy to help her overcome her issues. These “no strings attached”, list checking rendezvous are just what she needed to jump over that hurdle. But as many good friends with benefits situations, the level of concern, care, & trust required sometimes forms feelings.

I absolutely was not expecting for Cooper to fall so hard & be so obsessed with her. The way that he was so caring, gentle (with her emotions), & supportive with her just solidified his book boyfriend status. And the patience of that man…he rivaled any saint! But what wasn’t saintly….his mouth! Oh geez. That mouth could make any woman fall. I loved the way that he matched her step for step with her bucket list & then also with feelings. They just matched so perfectly well & stayed on the same page throughout.

Bonus…no third act breakup. There was angst in the backstory, but their level of support & communication was so spectacular, it was just a blip in the road.

Audiobook Review:
Brian Meslar & Faith Clark did so well owning these characters. Their deliveries both made me feel the characters emotions & had me completely invested in their happy ending.