He’s my best friend. A star forward in the NHL. And now…
My fake boyfriend.
Reese Sutton is every woman’s fantasy, with his crooked smile, warm brown eyes, and broad shoulders. But to me, he’s always just been my best friend. The man I rely on to have my back no matter what. I know he would do literally anything for me, so when he asks me for a favor, I can’t say no… even after I find out that he wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend to help him win back his ex.
I should laugh at him for even suggesting it. But I don’t. Instead, I do the craziest thing I’ve ever done and offer him a deal. I’ll play the role of his girlfriend, wearing his jersey to his games and hanging on his arm in public. And in exchange, he’ll help me get over my awkwardness by giving me lessons… in bed.
Our arrangement should be simple. We’ll spend a few months fooling the world, and in the end, he’ll have his ex back and I’ll feel confident enough to jump into the dating pool again. We even write up a list of rules to make sure no lines are crossed and our friendship will remain intact.
But then my best friend kisses me for the first time……and all of our rules start to unravel.
Breakaway Hearts is a swoony, spicy hockey romance (remember, I’m obsessed), featuring a sexually-starved curvy heroine and her loyal, hunky best friend.
Reese Sutton, our golden retriever of an NHL star, is pure perfection. Charming, loyal, and unexpectedly vulnerable, he teams up with his lifelong best friend, Callie, to pretend they’re dating in hopes he can win his ex-girlfriend back. In exchange for her help, Reese agrees to help her with lessons in flirting, kissing, and building her confidence with men. Callie is a sweet, but socially awkward third-grade teacher, with bountiful curves in all the right places. Having very little dating history, she wants to gain more experience in hopes that will help her find the romance she is missing in her life. But what starts as a playful arrangement quickly spirals into something way more complicated…and way more real.
“Fake dating was supposed to be easy. Except when it stops feeling fake.”
The chemistry? Off the charts. The banter? Sharp and hilarious. And the steam? Let’s just say Nikki Lawson knows how to write scenes that leave your Kindle overheating. From their first encounter alone where he watches her pleasure, you wonder how this could ever be casual for either of them. Their heat radiates from the pages. What starts as a mutually beneficial agreement quickly becomes complicated.
Through their lessons, Callie gains confidence and Reese lets his guard down. Old feelings buried begin to surface. They navigate the awkwardness of pretending in public while fighting real emotions behind closed doors. Do they confront these feelings head on or do they ignore what they want from each other?
Their story comes to a head when Callie is injured and hospitalized, leaving Reese frantic and heartbroken. He rushes to her side, and the vulnerability they both experience breaks down barriers that had kept them apart. This pivotal scene is written beautifully. It’s painful, raw, and honest. It deepens the connection between Callie and Reese in a way that feels real and earned. The story doesn’t shy away from showing the impact of trauma and how love and support can be a healing force.
But that’s not where their story ends. Reese’s ex-girlfriend plays a significant role after the accident, stirring the pot with jealousy and manipulation. Her involvement forces Reese to confront his past and make difficult choices about who he truly wants in his life. Meanwhile, Callie’s recovery becomes a journey of healing, not just of her body, but of their friendship and love.
“We fought for this. For us. And I promise I’m not letting go ever again.”
If you love sports romances with emotional depth, tender moments, and sizzling chemistry, Breakaway Hearts is a must-read.