USA Today bestselling author Catherine Gayle presents another novel in the emotional Portland Storm hockey romance series.Can you fall in love when you’ve never loved yourself?Universally misjudged, Blake Kozlow doesn’t let society get under his skin. After all, those misunderstandings have never affected his career. As a center for the Portland Storm, he’s lived his life as a Free … life as a Free Agent—particularly with women. But when he meets a gorgeous, curvy special education teacher, Blake realizes he’s finally met the one person who truly understands him.
Beatriz Castillo knows exactly what she wants—to teach her students that nothing can hold them back. A few years ago, her health was spiraling out of control, but Bea took her life back. Now, she uses her vivacious personality to prove to everyone, especially her students, that anything is possible.
Perpetually impulsive and spontaneous, Blake turns on the charm. But Bea’s unprepared to be on the receiving end of such brazen attention. As they grow closer and their attraction intensifies, their inner demons threaten everything. They’ve both always lived on the fringes of life. But moving forward will require Bea and Blake to step into the spotlight—together.
The Portland Storm hockey romance series
1) Breakaway
2) On the Fly
3) Taking a Shot
4) Light the Lamp
5) Delay of Game
6) Double Major
7) In the Zone
8) Holiday Hat Trick
9) Comeback
10) Dropping Gloves
11) Home Ice
12) Mistletoe Misconduct
13) Losing an Edge
14) Game Breaker
15) Defensive Zone
16) Power Play
17) Neutral Zone
18) Free Agent – releasing February 8, 2018
19) Journeyman – releasing August 9, 2018
20) Sleigh Bells & Slap Shots – releasing December 13, 2018
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I loved loved this book. I say this every time I read a book in this series, but these two are my favorite. !!! Seriously though, I loved Bea’s tenacity, and it is finally great to learn why Blake is the way he is. These two BOTH had massive issues to overcome, but they did it together. And Swwooooonnnn lordy he is truly worth pining over.
I voluntarily reviewed this book I received from the author. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I did.
4.5 stars:
Blake “Koz” Kozlow has always been seen as the cocky, obnoxious, unfiltered, impulsive, bad boy. Trouble seems to follow him and he often puts his foot in his mouth. So most people think he is rude, offensive, annoying, and does not care.
Beatriz Castillo is a special education teacher who is good friends with Dani Weber Williams, his team mate’s wife. Bea underwent a personal transformation, but still has body issues and insecurities. She has no experience with men or relationships. She is organized, tough, feisty, and sweet, but is also vulnerable, unsure, and fearful of letting men get too close.
Koz already managed to offend her in the past. Now a year later, he has offended a lot of people and caused a PR nightmare for the team that leads to some volunteering. Bea really does not want to have to spend time with him, but she cannot deprive her students. Bea is certainly not ready for Koz to try to charm her and pursue her. But as they spend more time together, their attraction grows.
Oh my…Koz…who knew?! As we get into his head, it is like uncovering all the secrets to this misunderstood man. He’s got issues and he knows it. He does not want to be the rude jerk he appears to be. His mouth sometimes works faster than his brain and by the time he catches up, he has already said something he cannot take back. He is socially awkward and has some personal struggles that affect his life.
Bea is the perfect person to ask for help since she is a patient and kind teacher. And he really sees Bea better than she sees herself. She has her own issues getting out of her head that impact her body image and self worth. They both have so much to give, such big hearts, and can help and challenge each other. And they can make each other laugh.
But it is hard to love someone until you love yourself and both of them struggle with self worth, self love, insecurities, and have not had much unconditional acceptance and love in their lives. But it also takes trust, patience, understanding, and tolerance of mistakes. My heart literally broke for Blake in his moments of vulnerability. And even though Bea’s self deprecating thoughts got a bit repetitive, they were understandable and realistic.
I was not expecting to feel so much with Koz’s book. And it had me near tears and totally emotionally invested. I did not expect to completely fall in love with him and see so many different aspects of his personality. I enjoy it when an author surprises me and makes me adore a character I was not sure I could based on previous books. They were not a typical hero and heroine due to their issues and experiences. I loved getting both points of view especially Blake’s unfiltered one, and they were easy to relate to. I liked how they complimented each other, but also challenged the other. And they did have some situations in their lives that they have to deal with that could bring them closer together or push them further apart.
This installment was funny, sweet, emotional, and dealt with some current and relevant topics. This was one of my favorite Portland Storm stories and couples. And it is always fun to get to spend some time with the team members and WAGS as well.
**I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Have read everyone of the books in this series and will be sad when it ends.
This book focuses on how our own negative opinions of ourselves can influence our entire lives, and how the lack of support of those closest to us can contribute to those negative opinions.
Bea is a strong woman, who has taken control of her life, and is making it what she wants, regardless of what she has to do to accomplish it. However, she still doesn’t feel like she deserves to have someone special in her life. She has a family that doesn’t understand the dedication it takes to completely makeover her life like she has. She has a low self esteem and a horrible body image, despite everything she has done to improve her health and lifestyle. She also has a tendency to assume the worst from people, because she doesn’t see herself as others do.
Koz is a pro hockey player, who has spent his entire life trying to control his impulses. No one understands him, and this makes him unlikable to most. But he knows what he wants when he sees Bea, and will do whatever it takes to make her see herself the way he does.
I love how understanding and supportive Koz is. Regardless of the problems he has, he does his best to move past them, compensate for them, and be there for Bea. He goes out of his way to show her how beautiful she is, and that is just amazing!
This is a great story, and shows that just because you make changes that improve your health, you still have the same person on the inside, and sometimes you have to work on the person on the inside to make yourself completely happy. As much as I disliked Koz in previous books because of his attitude, I’ve come to have a new respect for him, because of how loving and supportive he was.
Wow! What an emotional and very real and relevant story this is. Catherine Gayle really knows how to take serious issues and weave them into a beautiful story about learning to love and accept yourself as you are and how that helps you to love and accept others. And how sometimes you need to let someone in so they can help you see you are more than your issues/problems.
Both Blake and Bea are so relatable and likable. Yes Koz (Blake), is actually very likable, loveable really, once you find out why he seems to have no filter. He is not really the arrogant, rude player he is perceived as; we learn this as we come to understand him and also see him interact with Bea. Bea understands Koz and helps him.
We learn that Bea has serious body image issues that have literally shaped her entire adult life and have even strained her relationship with her family because of personal decisions she made for herself that were right for her that they didn’t necessarily agree with. We know that Koz has no problem with his body (remember naked yoga in the locker room) and wants to help Bea feel better about hers because he doesn’t see what she sees and he really likes the person she is and finds her beautiful inside and out and wants her to give all of herself to him.
I really love them as a couple and felt every emotion they went through as their relationship develops and they help each other deal with their issues, problems and feelings.
Another hit in the Portland Storm series!
I’m proud to be a Catherine Gayle fan and stories like Free Agent are the reason why. There is no need to offer up a piece of your heart because these characters lay claim to all of it. From every hardship that Beatriz has had to overcome, to the private inner doubt that Blake secretly endures. These characters get under your skin in the worst possible way, but it feels good despite the heartache known to be headed their way. What appealed most to me however is the message. We all matter on this great big ball of dirt we call home. Feelings matter, people matter and life matters, no matter how big or small. That’s something we all need to hear and remember in this day and age. Ms. Gayle is one of a handful of authors that I don’t mind losing sleep for. Masterfully written.