Review: Another winner from Toni Aleo!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 13, 2014
4.5 STARS!The fifth book in Toni Aleo’s captivating and enchanting series full of hot hockey players did not disappoint! In Breaking Away, Aleo gives us characters we have already met in the series; Phillip Anderson, the Assassins leading scorer and Erik’s best friend and Reese Allen, Harper and Piper’s sister, and a generally unliked character during the series. Phillip has just gained custody of his 16 year old niece, Claire,  whom has spent her entire life feeling unwanted and unloved, therefore does everything she can to push Philip away. Reese was an accomplished dancer and rising star in New York City, but moves back to Nashville after having her heart shattered.  Neither one of them has the time nor inclination for a relationship… so what two better people to get together.From the start, it is clear that their sexual chemistry is off the charts HOT! It was only supposed to be one night, but they find they can’t stay away from each other. As long as they can agree that it is sex only, with no feelings involved, they can continue their friends-with-benefits relationship. Reese has no desire to fall in love again, and Phillip has a niece to raise. We all know how well that’s going to turn out.Phillip and Reese’s road to happiness is a long and bumpy one. One minute everything is peachy, the next, doors are slamming. As much as they try to push the other away, they feel the pull, driving them back together. There are more than a few obstacles in their way, and their story is not without heartache.  I enjoyed the slow burn of their courtship. Reese and Phillip found they had much in common and a terrific friendship, and they spent time building on that.Breaking Away is a standalone, but I think it was more enjoyable knowing the backstory of each other characters. I laughed out loud each time Phillip and Erik referenced Piper destroying Erik’s entertainment center with a hockey stick (I’m even laughing as I type this… that might be one of my all-time favorite scenes in a book!) Each time all of the Assassins family is together in a scene, it makes the scene that much better. I loved the Housewarming party that Piper and Erik held, also known as Reese and Phillip’s coming out party.  The banter between the characters was so well written; you are laughing along with them as if you are there.  My only reason for taking away  of a star is that I felt the sex scenes, while scorching, were too numerous. I found myself skimming them towards the end, so I could devour the relationship aspect of the story. Don’t let that detour you. This book was incredible from start to finish. Toni Aleo does not disappoint. Her storytelling is magnificent and you are drawn into her world from the very start!