Back of Book: 

The only thing worse than crossing the line is wanting to...

Living with my boyfriend Logan was everything I wanted—until I realized his best friend, Rob Thompson, came with the deal. Rob and I are like oil and water, fire and gasoline, sworn enemies under one roof.

When Logan got selected for World Juniors in Germany, I thought I’d get a reprieve. I could handle the quiet loneliness of his absence. What I couldn’t handle was Rob. He’s still here, stomping around the house with that cocky grin, pushing every button I have. And somehow, when it’s just the two of us, the air feels heavier. Charged.

It’s infuriating how he can see right through me, past every wall I’ve built, calling me out in ways no one else ever has. But as much as I hate him, I can’t seem to stay away.

Logan will be gone for two months. Rob will be here every day. And I’m terrified that everything I thought I knew about love—and hate—is about to change.

Book Number: One 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A college hockey romance featuring a young woman who realizes the love she has for her boyfriend isn't quite what she thought it was when he leaves for a few months to advance his hockey career. 

Shar has been on top of the world living with her boyfriend, Logan. She may despise his best friend, Rob, who also happens to be their roommate, but she's trying to make the best of the situation. When Logan is given the chance to travel to Germany for World Juniors, Shar fears what could happen while left alone with Rob. She's been hurt by men before, so she knows that caution is a must. However, with Logan gone, she comes to realize that Rob is in fact a great guy. She learns that many of the things she thought Logan was doing for her, Rob is actually the person behind them. Logan may be gone for only two months, but Shar fears that she may be a completely different person when he comes back. Without his constant presence, she's starting to realize just how passive their relationship truly is. 

This was a really fun college hockey romance! The love triangle element was done really well, and I'm glad to report that Shar never cheats on Logan, despite his jerkish tendencies. Seeing Shar slowly realize that Rob has been taking care of her all along is so sweet, and I absolutely adore all the quiet moments they spent together. 

Shar has gone through some intense things in her youth, which was clear early on in this book. She is very skeptical of men and fears the worst from them. It soon becomes apparent that she was sexually abused by a family member while she was in her early teens. It's always hard to hear about these experiences that people have survived, but I'm always proud of these women for living their lives despite the tragic events they've been forced to go through. It sucks that Logan only reinforced the negative stereotypes that Shar has, but it was so sweet to see Rob help her learn to trust again. 

The longing for a partner one can trust inexplicably is so relatable. Shar talks a ton with her friend Maddie about good sex and what it is like. They come to the conclusion that good sex comes with someone that you can trust completely and have open communication with. Seeing these girls work towards healthy relationships in and outside of the bedroom is really inspiring, and I feel their stories have great messages for young women stuck in their own unhealthy relationships. 

The fact that these books are set in the 1990s was very interesting. I'm a 2000s kid, so I didn't grow up in this era, but I would struggle so much with long distance dating in this decade. Shar and Logan could only talk to each other through email while a sea separated them. I couldn't imagine having this divide placed between my boyfriend and me. I'm always so grateful that I can communicate with him at a moment's notice; it would be so hard to survive the early stages of a relationship without a constant outlet to communicate. I personally thought the lack of modern technology was refreshing in a college romance, and I think it's really cool that Gunderson was willing to go back to this era and shine some light on logistical issues of long-distance relationships that my generation never had to experience. 

The little moments between Shar and Rob were some of my favorite parts of this book. Rob teaches Shar how to ski, he adores listening to her play her violin, and he goes out of his way to make sure her water bottle is clean for her. These little acts of love speak volumes, and I thought their blossoming romance was so cute. It saddened me how long it took Shar to see his devotion to her, but I'm glad she was getting the attention she deserves. 

I wanted to take one more moment to address Shar and Logan's dynamic. I fear he is a typical hockey jock who is devoted to hockey and little else. I don't think he intentionally meant to hurt Shar, but he just didn't have the time or the will to get to know her as a person. He wanted a cheerleader who'd have sex with him whenever he desired and be arm candy for him when he was out with the boys. I have been promised that Logan has a redemption arc in book three, so I'd be really interested to see how he evolves from the man he is now. 

Overall, "The Breakaway" was an emotional college hockey romance between two roommates in which she thinks he hates her, but he is actually secretly in love with her. Shar and Rob's dynamic was so cute; I loved all the little moments between these two! The tension kept growing as Shar comes to realize that what she feels toward her current boyfriend, Logan, isn't what she desires in life. I was glad to see that Shar never cheats on Logan, and that Logan supposedly will get a redemption arc in book three of this series. The discussions about healthy relationships and sexual abuse were masterfully done, and I hope that these messages help women who are trapped in their own toxic situations. I hope I get the chance to read more of this series one day! 

Back of Book: 

I came to Douglas University for a fresh start—for hockey games, new friends, and a life free from tangled family drama. But then I saw him.

Chase Wilson.My stepbrother. The boy I loved before I knew better.

He left six years ago and I hadn't seen or heard from him. Now he’s back—as the university’s newest assistant hockey coach. Older. Sharper. Completely off-limits for obvious reasons.

When the team’s grades threaten their season, the school assigns me as their academic tutor—and Chase’s only shot at saving his career. Working together wasn’t supposed to be personal, but every late-night study session pulls us closer, unraveling years of buried feelings. At least on my part.

We're walking a dangerous line. He’s determined to keep his distance, but I see the way he looks at me—like resisting me is the hardest game he’s ever played.

Book Number: Two

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: ?

Back of Book: 

They say it's friends before flings. Too bad love never got the memo.

I knew getting tangled up with Logan was a bad idea.
Last spring he broke my best friend’s heart. But with both my friends in love and Logan back to skate for the Blizzard, we were the last two misfits left standing.

Then one of Logan’s connections lands me an interview for a gallery job with a Calgary art icon. The only problem? He’s only interested because he thinks I have a famous boyfriend. Logan Kemp.

What started as a fake-dating favour was never supposed to become public.
But secrets don’t stay buried forever.

When we’re forced to spend a PR weekend together in Banff and Logan suggests our fake relationship could benefit from…benefits? It doesn’t exactly stay fake for me, either.

Now my dream job—and my heart—are both on the line.

Because falling for Logan could cost me everything I’ve worked for…
and trusting him might be the biggest mistake I ever make.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: ?