Monday, April 22, 2013

Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett ~ Review



Source:  Received eBook copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Description:

“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...





My Thoughts:





3 1/2 stars - Danny & Ryan are each others "one and only" that's for sure.

I rounded up to 4 stars.  Loved this sexy fast read.  Danny is smart, talented and so much more than the purple hair and piercing that others see.  I love her wit and her fast snarky come backs.  She caught Ryan's eye with that and mine too.  She has a difficult life but doesn't let it get her down.  She just keeps on moving forward despite her losses.  She has more to her than the waitress job and part time colleges classes that's she's judged on.  She knows who she is and I loved that.

Ryan comes from money but somehow he's a great guy.  Not anything like his mother, thank God.  Must have been the nanny's influence.  His reaction to their first date told me all I needed to know about him. (Oh yes, I'm teasing you - so not telling you about their first date - go read it for yourself).  I love how he stands up to everyone who thinks Danny isn't good enough for him.  I love his confidence in their feeling for each other.  I love how quick he is to protect her, not that she isn't good at that herself - it's still sweet that he wants to do it.  I love how generous he is with her - not in a you need this way but in a I want to help you fulfill your dreams way.  I love what he does and how he does it at in the last chapter.  (Yep, more teasing - go read it!)  So perfect.  I love how he follows his own dreams despite what other people (including his family) think he should do.  I love how he makes things clear with Angeline (Do. Not. get me started on Angeline).  I love who Ryan is.

The one problem I had with this book is the instant love.  It happens.  Sometimes I'm okay with it and sometimes not so much.  This book is short and I'm thinking a little more time with the relationship building would have made me happier, 5o pages and 2 months time would have been perfect for me.  I was totally stuck in it and 50 more pages would have been welcome.

Loved Paula.  She's a hoot with her trading cigs for swearing and her protective ways of Danny.  Her 5 foot nothingness standing up to very tall and build hockey player Ryan was fabulous. Came to love Emily, Ryan's sister.  At first, I thought she was gonna be her mother in clone but I was happy that didn't end up being the case.  Wouldn't mind getting to know her more and it looks like her book is up next in Off Limits.

Loved the hockey aspects of this book too.  Sweaty hockey players in skates or ripped hockey guys without their shirts on are always a pleasure to read about.  Hockey isn't a sport I follow but I sure like to read about it. 

It's a great New Adult read with some serious steam.  Struggled with the v-card thing.  Danny had hers and I was very confused as to why.  She's a junior in college that clearly has had a boyfriend in the past.  I probably would have been okay with it, if there was some explanation as to why.  Not that's it's not okay or anything, it's just not common.

If you need a hot and heavy afternoon quickie, then this is the one to pick up.




Off Series continues with...

Now available
“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the best way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?

 

9 comments:

  1. Hey Valerie!!! Thanks for the review and I think you were spot-on!!! I know you'll love Off Limits even more. It's longer, a bit more complex and more development! Plus...tattooed, damaged, hot as hell guy? Oh, yeah!
    You rock!!! <3

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  2. I'm set to read this one soon, & looking so forward to it! Glad you liked it, Valerie!

    Oh! You know you loved Danny b/c of her PURPLE HAIR!

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  3. This one sounds good. I wanted to read it, but just don't have any time to fit it in. I'm glad that despite the issues you had with it you still enjoyed it. Great review chick!

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  4. I'm anxious to read this one. Erin's review will post this week. She really liked it.

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  5. Oh, and I lol'd at your V-card comment! :)

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  6. I've heard good things from a lot of reviews. I'm definitely adding this to my summer reading list. :) Thanks for the great review!

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  7. I really like this book. I have to agree that they feel in love super quick. A bit extreme but what ever it went with the story. Ryan was a sweetheart. I so wanted to just cuddle up with him.
    cant wait for the best book. I love all things military men so yummy lol
    awesome review

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  8. I have both books and hope to get reading them soon! So glad you liked it. Makes me want to get started soon!

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