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jenjenbookfan's review against another edition
5.0
I stumbled upon the first book in Toni Aleo's Assassins series about a year ago, and immediately became a die hard fan! I waited on pins and needles for this book, worried that I may not like it, because Phillip and Reese are characters that annoyed me in past books. I should've known Toni wouldn't disappoint! The chemistry between these two characters was insanely hot! The sex scenes in this book are by far the most sizzling in the series! I can't wait for the next one!
trudyd's review
4.0
Who knew Phillip Anderson could find the one?? I didn't think it was possible. Totally didn't see "the one" being Reese Allen. She is the one and done girl. She is afraid of commitment and runs and the first sign of more than a night. There journey is almost as exciting as watching hockey. Close contact. Major conflict. Face offs. Big scores.
6/5/19 Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook The narrator is a joy to listen to and adds to an excellent story.
6/5/19 Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook The narrator is a joy to listen to and adds to an excellent story.
michdenisereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
It was OK. It was entertaining enough and fast enough to get through but definitely not one of my favorites. Suffered from horrible Middlebrook syndrome and drug more than it could have I should have I almost feel like this would’ve been an amazing novella as there were bits of Changes but not enough to justify an entire book without too much filler
tinalynn510's review against another edition
4.0
I really do love this series. I swear I could get lost in these books for weeks.
Maybe you noticed I didn't give this my normal Assassins 5 stars, but I really did enjoy the book. I love this world and the people in it, but I just couldn't connect with Reese. I feel for Phillip and Claire, but Reese just kind of left me in a state of annoyance for most of the book. She was so hot and cold, but then was basically doing the one thing she swore she wouldn't for most of the book. Only to have a moment of panic towards the end and pull a completely pointless and stupid move. I think I would have preferred if that part wasn't in the book at all. It didn't add anything other than to make me dislike Reese even more. Phillip and Claire neither one deserved that, which is why I had to take off a star. I feel bad, cause this series is AMAZING!!!
Maybe you noticed I didn't give this my normal Assassins 5 stars, but I really did enjoy the book. I love this world and the people in it, but I just couldn't connect with Reese. I feel for Phillip and Claire, but Reese just kind of left me in a state of annoyance for most of the book. She was so hot and cold, but then was basically doing the one thing she swore she wouldn't for most of the book. Only to have a moment of panic towards the end and pull a completely pointless and stupid move. I think I would have preferred if that part wasn't in the book at all. It didn't add anything other than to make me dislike Reese even more. Phillip and Claire neither one deserved that, which is why I had to take off a star. I feel bad, cause this series is AMAZING!!!
mccorbin's review
4.0
I just can’t get enough of this series! It’s like a little slice of happiness every time a new book comes out. Each story from this series has been wonderful and Breaking Away was exactly that, wonderful.
Phillip is such an amazing character. In the first few chapters, you find him searching for his niece, Claire, who has basically ran away and he makes the decision that he will now take full responsibility for raising her. But raising her isn’t as easy as he hoped it would be and has to rely on one of Reese’s sisters to watch her while he is away at his games. This gives Reese a chance to meet Claire and realizes that she is a fantastic dancer and since Reese owns a dance studio, there couldn’t be a better pairing in friendship between Reese and Claire. However, friendship is not what Phillip wants from Reese once he finally gets to know her. He wants so much more than Reese is willing to give.
This story isn’t all about Phillip and Reese and how specular they are together, even when Reese won’t admit it; this story has more behind it than lust and love. As a reader, you get to read about the hell-like childhood that Phillip was raised in and what Claire suffered through while growing up under her mother’s house. You also get to see a glimpse of why Reese is so adamant to stay just friends with benefits over starting a relationship with Phillip.
If you have enjoyed the other books in this series, I have no doubt that you will enjoy this one as well.
Phillip is such an amazing character. In the first few chapters, you find him searching for his niece, Claire, who has basically ran away and he makes the decision that he will now take full responsibility for raising her. But raising her isn’t as easy as he hoped it would be and has to rely on one of Reese’s sisters to watch her while he is away at his games. This gives Reese a chance to meet Claire and realizes that she is a fantastic dancer and since Reese owns a dance studio, there couldn’t be a better pairing in friendship between Reese and Claire. However, friendship is not what Phillip wants from Reese once he finally gets to know her. He wants so much more than Reese is willing to give.
This story isn’t all about Phillip and Reese and how specular they are together, even when Reese won’t admit it; this story has more behind it than lust and love. As a reader, you get to read about the hell-like childhood that Phillip was raised in and what Claire suffered through while growing up under her mother’s house. You also get to see a glimpse of why Reese is so adamant to stay just friends with benefits over starting a relationship with Phillip.
If you have enjoyed the other books in this series, I have no doubt that you will enjoy this one as well.
stumpfed's review
5.0
So. My rules in life are simple...one of them is "If Toni Aleo writes a book, you one click that bad boy the second it's available" And I do. And I never regret it.
I've been gaga over the Assassins since the beginning because they are always these stand up guys that fall real hard for these amazingly strong women. Now it's never easy and someone always falls before the other, but that's life, right?? Typically, there is a whole layer of life on top of the simple part of falling in love. It's never cliche and it's always gut wrenching to read and pull for these people and then it's so super sweet when they get through it.
Breaking Away was no different. I CRIED like a baby and laughed myself silly within two pages of each other. I seem to think the last Assassins book was my favorite, and this is no exception, but I might mean it this time. This book was much much deeper and moved a bit slower for all the right reasons. It was extremely well balanced, but in about 3 different directions. Seriously, Toni Aleo can write the shit out of love, sex, abuse, healing, humor, sisterhood, hockey, dance, wine, cookies, business and babies...that's just what comes to mind quickly.
This book went life a day early and I got it the minute I saw it posted on Facebook and I just put it down to leave this review! Now. I wait for the next one!
I've been gaga over the Assassins since the beginning because they are always these stand up guys that fall real hard for these amazingly strong women. Now it's never easy and someone always falls before the other, but that's life, right?? Typically, there is a whole layer of life on top of the simple part of falling in love. It's never cliche and it's always gut wrenching to read and pull for these people and then it's so super sweet when they get through it.
Breaking Away was no different. I CRIED like a baby and laughed myself silly within two pages of each other. I seem to think the last Assassins book was my favorite, and this is no exception, but I might mean it this time. This book was much much deeper and moved a bit slower for all the right reasons. It was extremely well balanced, but in about 3 different directions. Seriously, Toni Aleo can write the shit out of love, sex, abuse, healing, humor, sisterhood, hockey, dance, wine, cookies, business and babies...that's just what comes to mind quickly.
This book went life a day early and I got it the minute I saw it posted on Facebook and I just put it down to leave this review! Now. I wait for the next one!
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
5.0
Toni Aleo has done it again in her newest novel, Breaking Away. I laughed, I cried, and truly enjoyed the story between Phillip Anderson and Reece Allen. Phillip has had a rough time lately, with the death of his sister and his struggling relationship with the niece he is trying to raise. Reece is a serial dater, who looks at relationships like a man, but this is tested when Phillip and Reece enter a friends with benefits relationship that seems to never end.
Mrs. Aleo has a way of creating characters that makes you believe that you know them. Reece has always come off as a bit cold, but discovering some of her backstory gives a better understanding of why she approaches relationships systematically. Phillip gets nothing but sympathy. He was able to make the best of a horrific childhood, and always seems to keep a smile on his face despite everything that is going on, including dealing with his sixteen year old niece Claire. The relationship between the two was priceless, ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking, made better by their interplay with the secondary characters. This book is amazing, embodying themes such as second chances, redemption, and the healing power of love.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
Mrs. Aleo has a way of creating characters that makes you believe that you know them. Reece has always come off as a bit cold, but discovering some of her backstory gives a better understanding of why she approaches relationships systematically. Phillip gets nothing but sympathy. He was able to make the best of a horrific childhood, and always seems to keep a smile on his face despite everything that is going on, including dealing with his sixteen year old niece Claire. The relationship between the two was priceless, ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking, made better by their interplay with the secondary characters. This book is amazing, embodying themes such as second chances, redemption, and the healing power of love.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
barbistull's review
5.0
Another hot and sexy hockey read from Toni. I was super pumped about this book coming out and I was NOT disappointed. The "relationship" between Phillip and Reese was smoking hot and turned into more than either of them expected. LOVED this amazing read in the Assassins series.