Sandy M’s review of Breakaway (New York Blades, Book 11) by Deirdre Martin
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 7 Feb 12

I think I’m still in shock. While I’ve not read a lot of books in this series, I have read a few, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. This newest book? Not so much. There’s very few things I’m picky about in my romance novels, and I’m sorry to say Breakaway zeroes in on that one nitpick of mine.

Rory is the NHL’s first Irish-born hockey player, and he’s very good at his job. But the rest of his life is missing something – or rather someone. The girl he left behind in Ireland, Erin O’Brien. After his family moved to the United States and Rory finally made it in the NHL, and when he didn’t go get Erin as he’d promised, she eventually gave him an ultimatum – and Rory doesn’t do ultimatums. So he broke it off, and now two years later he knows he made the biggest mistake of his life. So he’s back in Ballycraig to win Erin back.

After a good crying-jag-pity-party time, Erin picked herself up and hasn’t looked back since Rory Brady broke her heart. He didn’t, however, destroy her dreams. Those are still going strong with Erin finishing her schooling online and finally taking steps to escape her mother working her like a slave at the family B&B. She’s always wanted out of Ballycraig to experience what the world has to offer, and just because Rory won’t be by her side doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Then Erin finds out Rory’s back. She tries not to let that fact get to her, but the man and his charm and his new-found earnestness in winning her over just might work.

This all sounds great, and I looked forward to the story. What brought the whole thing down for me is the underlying nuance of what I call negativity. Even between friends, between mother and daughter, the tone for most of the book is just…negative. Now, I realize that some of the situations in this story would call for such a tone, but when it’s Erin and her friend Sandra, the things they say to one another just hit me all wrong. Even when jesting I didn’t care for the “big old cow” reference, as an example. I’d never call my best friend that, joking or not. Erin also falls into this pit when dealing with her mother, and, believe me, I know all about living with your mother and trying to please her. Erin does try to keep out of that pit, but she ultimately dives straight in. Those are a couple of the moments in the story I don’t like Erin much, especially when I totally sympathize with her. Of course, she’s got the same attitude with Rory, but in the beginning he does deserve it. Granted, he doesn’t do near enough groveling, another sore point for me, considering what he did to Erin, but he does attempt to change, whereas her attitude change toward him vacillates and takes a tad too long for me. Then there’s Rory and Jake, his best friend, whom he also left behind when he broke off with Erin. It’s guys, though, and it doesn’t take them nearly as long to forgive.  Then there’s the entire town who go to work on Rory at his every turn. It’s just too much for me. There is only person in the entire book who Erin doesn’t get snippy with and that’s her father. He sees more than she realizes and assures her things will work out. This relationship I love, and I want more like it just to break up the monotony of that negativity vibe.

Another issue for me is Erin’s sudden lack of confidence in herself at the end of the book. When she runs – twice – I really have frustration over that. To me, it’s out of character. She’s living the life she’s always wanted, but she lets the old Erin call the shots. At this point, it’s Rory who gets all my good feelings. He doesn’t let Erin wallow in self-pity. He makes her face the problems and get over them. So now I’m faced with liking Rory over Erin, the total opposite of how I felt at the beginning of the book. Rory’s over-arrogance is gone and he’s the one who’s gained the confidence in their relationship. Erin’s sudden fright isn’t anything new in limelight situations, so that’s why I wanted her confidence to show, to allow her to take care of the problem in a much better way.

I know this book is going to work for a lot of readers. I’m glad. Especially because I usually do enjoy Ms. Martin’s stories, and I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this one. There are things in the book that do work for me. Despite their spitting at each other now and again, I like that Erin’s and Sandra’s friendship is a long and lasting one. Jake and Erin do some bonding over their mutual betrayal, Jake more so than Erin, but it’s nice to see. While I do like the change of pace from the hockey world to a point – I prefer the action on the ice – Ireland is the perfect place to take a respite. And most of these issues I mentioned do get solved by the end of the book, of course.

However, those few things just don’t overshadow those sore points for me to bring my review grade up. I felt irritated through most of the book due those things, thus my low grade. This will not, however, keep me from reading more of Ms. Martin’s books. I’ve had more positive and fun experiences than one like this, so I look forward to the next in the series to see what’s happening with those sexy hockey players.

Grade:  D

Read LauraC’s review here.

Summary:

Erin O’Brien was everyone’s favorite in Ballycraig, while Rory Brady was the town’s golden boy: the local lad who moved to America and became a professional hockey player. Rory promised to return to sweep Erin away to the life of her dreams in New York. But the bright lights and late nights turned his head and he never came back.

Two years later, Rory realizes he’s made the worst mistake of his life. Heading back to Ballycraig, he’s confident that all he needs to do is flash his winning smile and Erin will fall back into his arms. But Erin’s moved on.

Racing the clock, Rory needs to prove to her that the man she fell in love with is still there. But can happy-go-lucky Erin risk it all and give another chance to the man who broke her heart?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: