When your world is unraveling at the seams — can love find a way to conquer all?Jesse Mitchell was a professional motorcycle (MotoGP) rider until an on-track accident nearly took his life. He moves to Uppsala, Sweden, to rehab, but his frustration over his predicament threatens to consume him. As time creeps forward, Jesse realizes mistakes of the past can’t ever be fully erased.When his … fully erased.
When his neighbor Hugo Magnusson, captain and star defenseman for the HC Uppsala Dragons, comes to Jesse’s aid after a fall, the gentle giant offers to take him in to assist with his rehab. Despite Hugo’s care and attention, Jesse spirals deeper, firmly barricading his anguish — and his heart — behind steel walls.
But when a figure from Jesse’s past starts causing trouble again, how much further can Jesse fall? Be afraid of the Breakaway — only the strongest survive.
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MM contemporary romance with a sports theme, featuring a suicide attempt. Easy to read page-turner with likeable characters. Angst throughout. Great introduction to a new series. Enjoyable read, HEA.
Jesse was not always the easiest character to like in the previous books he was in but this book really redeems him. We get to see him struggle and persevere after a devastating accident that ended his career and Hugo was just such a sweet characterful was there for Jesse.
Acknowledging and accepting a problem are first steps. Jesse, had a career ending crash in his motorbike during a race. He was closeted and unwilling to be outed before he was ready. Earlier, he sacrificed his girlfriend/best friend/pseudo sister, Breanna with whom he had a very complicated history. She offered him friendship and a solution during his recovery. Her fiance, Mirek didn’t like Jesse. Mateo, closeted ex lover, plants ugly seeds in Jesse’s head and is emotionally unavailable. They have a complicated history. Hugo, Captain of the hockey team Mirek plays on, reaches out and helps Jesse. Their proximity allows them to get better acquainted. Because of his history, Hugo feels compellled, to help people, and reaches out to Jesse. Jesse, feels unloved and alone in life. Can Jesse listen to others? Will Jesse open his heart/mind? Can Hugo put down his baggage in time to help Jesse? Does Mateo ever show up? I found it difficult to connect with Jesse and Hugo. We only learn superficial snippets of Jesse and Hugo’s lives. Nice story. The author, handles the levels of depression, delicately. Nice story. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a really good book by an author that is new to me. I love hockey sports m/m books so I figured I would give this one a chance and I am so glad I did. It was a little hard in the beginning because it almost felt like we were missing some storyline, but in the end it was a good book with a HEA. Trigger Warning: there is a suicide moment.
Breakaway is the first book I read by this author but it won’t be the last!
First, trigger warnings. This book deals with addiction, an on page suicide attempt and a drug-related death in one of the characters history.
Jesse is a pro athlete who suffered a career-ending injury. He’s wrecked physically and mentally. With no place else to go, he decides to rehab in Sweden.
There he meets Hugo, a professional hockey player with a heart of gold.
This was a quick book that kept me engaged from page one. Outside of Jesse, there isn’t a ton of character development but the book is short enough that it didn’t bother me too much! The timeline is a little wonky, but don’t think too hard and just enjoy watching these two men learn to trust again.
The beginning was a bit confusing. It read as if there was a book before this one even though it is listed as book one (and upon investigation of the author’s published books there is a book to read before to make some sense of it, though it’s not listed as part of the series) and left me perplexed until further into the story. There is also an attempted suicide. I don’t particularly need trigger warnings, but for those that do it should perhaps be in the blurb or beginning of the book. Once I was past all that it was an angsty slow burn to Jesse and Hugo’s HEA that I enjoyed.
Jesse suffers an extreme injury in a motorcycle race. He needs to heal in order to have more surgeries to help him try to be able to walk again. He has also made a mess of his personal life and hurt the one person who loved him most and who was closest to. Now he finds himself at her mercy in a strange country. She has made it possible for him to recover with help from her and her boyfriend. The boyfriend is not a fan of Jesse’s at all for the hurt he has caused.
Also helping is the start goalie player Hugo. He feels bad for Jesse and makes himself available to help where he can. But when things get more serious than anyone expected what will happen?
Can Jesse finally come out instead of staying in the closet to help him recover? Will Hugo stay by his side to help him recover? Once on the road to recovery will there be any downfalls?
This book is deep. There could be triggers for people. I also wish I had known there is 1.5 books that lead into this one. It states it is book 1 of a series but the two other books I believe set this one up so you know the back story and what happened and possibly why?
I will read those two and then read the three books that follow this one. With that said I did enjoy this one.
Breakaway was extraordinary. Lizzie Williamson has a gift of portraying emotions effortlessly. Love is like the wind, when you least expect it it knocks you off kilter, leaving you breathless. In this story you can either choose to embrace life or live with circumstances which causes heartbreak. Can the main characters move forward and grab on to their destiny? Or will they put fate aside? If you want to find out one click now. Ms Williamson words will capture your
heart and soul. You will be addicted till the very end. I highly recommend this story.
I was interested in this book because I know very little about motorcycle racing or daily life in Sweden but wanted to learn more while also getting a great romance. I am a fan of the hurt/comfort romance trope and with physical therapy so those aspects drew me as well. I was definitely not disappointed. The character of Jesse was well drawn and his struggles coming to terms with his injury and forced retirement seemed realistic. Hugo was such a sweet character and watching him care for Jesse and support him through his rough times was so heartwarming. This is a hot and sweet romance that will draw you in and make you want to binge read it. I look forward with great anticipation to the next in the series.
Trigger warning: suicide attempt by mc, unsuccessful, thank goodness.
This was an emotional read, and a bit heavier than I normally go for. Life isn’t pretty all of the time, though. This book is more than just heartbreak, injuries, and struggles. It is a reminder of hope, love, and overcoming farm moments in life.
I felt for Jesse. My heart ached for all he went through. I was glad Hugo came into his life. Their relationship was a slow building one, so it wasn’t surprising this book was a bit of a slow burn. Given the storyline, it also should be expected.
I felt the author did a good job handling a sensitive subject. Overall I enjoyed the story. I was afraid it wasn’t going to have a HEA, but I assure you it does. Given the subject matter of mental illness being so heavily part of the story, I feel it’s important to know that.
This is a new to me author. I am interested and seeing what else she has written.
***I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
I really felt for Jesse, He had a horrible motorcycle accident that ended his career. It wrecked him both physically and mentally. He moves to Sweden for rehab and meets his neighbor Hugo. Hugo is a captain and defenseman on a hockey team. He helps Jesse with his rehab. This was a really good sports romance. It had me on the edge of my seat a couple of times because of the mental issues the author tacked. I felt the author did an very good job handling them! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy I received. This was solely based on my honest thoughts and views.
First book I read by this author and I already need more!
This book is so packed with emotions! I loved everything about it! The characters were very well creafted and the story totally pulled me in. I say a big YES!
I am going to preface this with I am not usually a big fan of M/M romances, but I really enjoyed this author’s previous two books so I definitely wanted to give Breakaway a chance. Let’s just say that I am glad that I did as I really enjoyed this book!
Be prepared that while this is a relatively quick read, a lot happens within these pages and you will find yourself going through a roller coaster of emotions. Jesse starts off as a bit of a broken hero. He is struggling both mentally and physically in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident that ended his career. He is resilient and the path of healing is not an easy one. The author does a spectacular job with his character growth throughout the novel. Hockey player, Hugo is just delicious. He is swoon worthy and I love how he cares for and supports Jesse. There are some trials and tribulations that occur and I really enjoyed witnessing the evolution of their relationship.
This book does have a few triggers that may be difficult for some readers. The author touches upon mental health issues with great sensitivity and respect. There were moments where I felt heartbroken and feared that a HEA wouldn’t be possible. The author also remarkably addresses disability awareness and beautifully illustrates that all are worthy of love. Breakaway is a novel that will put your heart through a blender, but also gives the reader a sense of healing, hope, love, and happiness. So even though M/M romances are not my preferred trope, Breakaway is a well written sports romance that captured my attention immediately and put me through all of the feels.