Home Ice by Catherine Gayle!

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Mattias Bergstrom never lets the Portland Storm players see his soft side. Only his sister who has Down Syndrome is allowed that pleasure. But when a young girl with Down Syndrome throws herself at one of his defense men, his heart melts and he finds himself falling in love with not only the little girl but her mother. Find the official description on Goodreads. 

Catherine Gayle always creates hockey romances that make me fall in love with each character. And this is no different. It was certainly a different experience though to get the perspective of the Coach, as that isn't frequently a thing that happens when it comes to hockey romances.

Another thing I like about Catherine Gayle's books is that each book has one thing that sets it apart as different, whether this be dealing with the aftereffects of rape or having a child with Down Syndrome. But these things that each female protagonist face set these books apart and again, Home Ice is no different in this respect.

The writing style as well as the characters are well thought out and enjoyable. I don't think there's ever been a Portland Storm character I've hated, just ones that slightly annoyed me before I was able to get to know them better.

If you're looking for something to get you through until Hockey Season comes then definitely give Catherine Gayle's Portland Storm series a look!

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Dropping Gloves by Catherine Gayle!

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She left to follow her dreams; she’s back to follow her heart.

Katie Weber left her heart in Portland to chase a career in Hollywood. Now she has returned to sing the national anthem for the Portland Storm for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night. Her longtime crush, Jamie Babcock, is hurting just as much as she is. One look in his eyes is all it takes to know that. She's done the Hollywood thing, though, and she's over it, but it might be too late to dig herself out of the hole she’s dug with him.

Jamie’s already done everything humanly possible to let go of Katie, but she keeps coming back, and she keeps crushing him all over again every time she leaves. His heart has been trampled on more than enough already. At some point, he has to draw the line. Doesn't he? Only, when it's Katie, he's not sure that's even possible. She's in Portland again right now, but he can’t be sure for how long.

Katie knows she has a fight on her hands, in more ways than one, if she’s going to convince Jamie she deserves another chance, but she’s willing to drop her gloves this time. Because in the game of love, all bets are off.

Description found on Goodreads.

Review:

Finally! Katie and Bab's story. I was so excited to get this and read it especially because I knew they would get their happy ending. I just wanted to know how. And again, Catherine Gayle does not disappoint. This book was a real tear jerker as many of her books are and I honestly can say it might be good to have tissues handy. I had a hard time putting Dropping Gloves down and I can tell you that this book is well worth the money!

One of my favorite things is how little updates are dropped here and there about different characters. Sometimes the news makes you sad because they characters are no longer with the Portland Storm but they are with the Tulsa Thunderbirds so that's a bit of hope as Catherine Gayle is writing this spin off series. 

I also enjoy Catherine's writing style. It's one of the few times I enjoy first person perspective. I'm not sure if it's just the characters voices or what exactly it is but I do enjoy it. 

There are happy moments to take away from the sad but Catherine Gayle makes sure that it is kept pretty realistic. Life isn't always happy and that is portrayed in this book. Although they do get their happy ending.

Dropping Gloves was well worth their wait and I cannot wait for more of the Portland Storm and also the Tulsa Thunderbirds!

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Losing an Edge by Catherine Gayle Cover Reveal!

Blurb

In any other family, Levi “501” Babcock would have been the
golden boy. Instead, he’s lived his entire life in the shadow of his
almost-perfect older brother. They both play for the NHL’s Portland Storm, but
Levi is tired of being the second-best Babcock brother. He’s determined to find
at least one thing he can do better. He thinks he’s found it when Cadence
Johnson, Canada’s darling at the last Olympic Games, shows up in Portland; he’s
going to land a girlfriend who’s more famous than his brother’s Hollywood-starlet
wife. Gold medals don’t mean much when every day is a living nightmare. Figure
skater Cadence Johnson just did the unthinkable; she left her partner and her
coach, and she’s starting over from scratch. New partner. New coach. New
choreographer. New hair color. New city. She’s looking forward, not behind,
keeping her secrets firmly locked up tight. Her bubbly personality and
perpetual smiles conceal a world of hurt she can’t let anyone see. After Levi
charms his way into Cadence’s life, hope that it’s all been laid to rest blooms
within her. But even the darkest of secrets eventually seek the light. Soon,
Levi comes to realize that life with Cadence might not be all sunshine and
roses, and attraction isn’t going to be enough to her. Now being the man she
needs in her life seems a lot more important than finally besting his brother,
but with every step, he feels like he’s Losing an Edge.

Author Bio:

Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of
Regency-set historical romance and contemporary hockey romance with a New Adult
feel. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely
spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality
TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs
experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.

If you enjoyed this book and want to know when more like it
will be available, be sure to sign up for Catherine’s mailing list.
You can find out more on her website, her
blog, at Red Door Reads, at Hockey
Romance, at Facebook, on Twitter,
and at Goodreads. If you want to see some of her
cats’ antics and possibly the occasional video update from Catherine, visit her YouTube account.

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Comeback by Catherine Gayle

(Found via Goodreads)

Nicky was the goalie of the Portland Storm hockey team until his addictions catch up to him and he hits rock bottom. Working his way back up, several things come up that make him doubt himself but Jessica, who has been working with the Light the Lamp foundation is there to help him when she can. But when Nicky must take on his niece and nephews with Jessica there to help, will Jessica be able to guard her heart? Find the official description on Goodreads.

Okay, so I was really excited to get Nicky's story(not as excited as I am for Babs and Katie's story but still pretty excited). I wanted to know what was going on with his recovery and especially to find out more about the private goalie. And I was not disappointed. Catherine Gayle continues dealing with issues that are delicate with tact and grace. She shows the very real struggles that they might experience and wow, just wow.

Nicky's story felt like an emotional roller coaster and I seemed to go through at least a half a box of Kleenex before I was even halfway through. But it was necessary. And that made it at least a little easier to get through. It was certainly worth it when I got to the end.

Comeback also jumps ahead in time. I was excited to see some new guys but sad to find out that some had been traded or retired. But that's what happens and you just have to roll with it.

Overall, Catherine Gayle continues with a series that will tear your heart out before putting it back together. Comeback is an excellent addition to the Portland Storm Series.

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Holiday Hat Trick by Catherine Gayle

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Mitchell "Q" Quincy never thought that his high school sweetheart and he would never not be together. But one divorce later, he's left with a hurting heart and a longing to have his family back together. He doesn't think that's going to happen but Mia still holds feelings for him. It wasn't his fault she felt lost. But can the holiday season and a meddling family be enough to bring the two back together? Find the official description on Goodreads.

Honestly I don't really remember Mitch? But once we were introduced to him as well as Mia, I was hooked. Both characters were interesting, and flawed but still amazingly lovable. They really made the book as did the writing. The writing was well done, and I felt the feelings of the characters without any problem. It drew me into the book and I loved it.

It took a little bit to get their past and honestly I was sort of frustrated with Mia at first. But once she explained her side I almost felt that she had good reason. It was just an intriguing plot and an enjoyable one.

This novella is certainly one you should add to your Christmas Reading List and if you haven't read the rest of the Portland Storm Series, than you should give it a chance! 

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In the Zone by Catherine Gayle

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"I hadn't been able to get her off my mind in the months since that night." -Catherine Gayle, In The Zone

Keith Burns, defense man for the Portland Storm, has been feeling lonely for the last few months. When he has a one night stand, not even finding out the woman's name, he has a hard time getting her out of his mind. When he comes across her months later, he is determined to convince her to try out a relationship with him. But when his past comes up will he be able to let go of the guilt or will it eat him alive? Find the official description on Goodreads.

I've got to say that I enjoyed all of the characters in the Portland Storm series. They all have their differences and yet they come together as a family. It's beautiful to see the interactions and whatnot between the team, their women and family. Burnzie is a well constructed character and I really enjoyed finding out more about him and seeing his interactions. I also loved Brie. She felt like a real person and one that I can easily get along with. It was marvelous! (Plus Burnzie is from my home province, gotta love that!)

The plot kept things interesting and moving along nicely. It was great to see both characters grow and move together towards a brighter future.

The book had me on an emotional roller coaster and as weird as it sounds, I enjoyed it. They had their difficulties but managed to move past them. It was just a great story, once that I enjoyed.

Catherine Gayle has once more created a book that entrances the reader and draws them into the family that is the Portland Storm series. If you love sports romance than you need to check this series out!

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Double Major by Catherine Gayle

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"He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, and a rush of peace washed through me." -Catherine Gayle, Double Major

It's Draft Day for the NHL but for the Portland Storm team, it's something much more. It's time to see two of their own married. But with the possibility of teammates getting traded, new players being drafted and so much more, can they come together as a team to celebrate the nuptials? Find the official description on Goodreads.

So, the first thing I'm going to point out is that we get to hear things from the perspectives of all our favorite characters, some newer than others but all loved just the same(especially Babs). I loved that it wasn't just focused on two characters as it seems to fit this book the best. It's meant to be a sort of epilogue from the other books and I'm really glad that Catherine Gayle chose to write from different perspectives. I definitely enjoyed the depth it gave to the story.

There's also this feeling of happiness but underlying that is a sense of dread. After all with it being draft day, players could get traded. So, I almost didn't want to read more just because of that possibility, but while reading Double Major I suffered, there were also happy moments. So, I felt like it made things worth it to just experience and see the joy the couples are experiencing for the most part.

It was also a chance to see that even after the couples of previous books are together, it's not always perfect, and it's not always a fairy tale. This made the characters seem even more real to me as I read along and I felt that it was marvelous to see the troubles that they were going through but also to see that they work things out. Not to mention we got updates on how everyone was doing and where everyone was.

Throughout Double Major there were a mixture of emotions. And I felt all of the emotions that the characters were. And without going into too much depth, I was proud of the characters. I feel like they, especially two of them, made the right decision even if it was hard and my inner fangirl was crying, one that will hopefully affect the future positively. 

And we also got some more time with Nicky. I've kind of felt like he's sort of been on the outskirts of my notice many times because we don't get to see him a whole lot in the books but I'm glad that he was brought forward in this novella. I'm really hopeful that someday we'll get his story and get to learn even more about him than we did in Double Major.

Once more Catherine Gayle has created an emotional, amazing hockey romance and I am so excited to see where she goes from here. I can't wait to see more of the Portland Storm either.

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